Always good to have the cleaning part of the week completed

 Research extends ahead of me for a couple of days and I welcome the time for that. This has been a busy Christmas and New Years with lots of skiing and fresh air just walking about. It has been pretty cold though although a warming trend is coming and with it a January thaw for at least a day or so. When we first moved to Ottawa there was never a January thaw; that was southwestern Ontario where the streets would run with all that lake effect snow as it flowed into the local rivers. But the weather here has changed somewhat over the past fifty years and hard to believe I have now lived in this area for fifty years plus. We came here with our toddler of 11 months; walking was in process but just short lengths at that time but quickly changed to running all over the backyard. I was so thin weighing 11 pounds lighter than I am now and that didn't change for a few years as I chased my toddler about keeping tabs on her. But it was a new adventure although I did fall ill about two months later but managed until I was better again a couple of months after that. I tried to do too much all at once. It is a dim memory actually those first few months here. 

Worked on the Blake Newsletter yesterday and will complete it today probably. I had an email from a descendant of the Mayo Blake family asking if I had any information on that line. Indeed I do not particularly but their closeness to the Blake family of Galway is interesting. The Galway Blake family is a huge family coming down through the centuries and written up by Martin J Blake (published in London, England)) in 1902 and 1903 as two volumes. Volume 1 begins around 1300 through to 1599 and Volume 2 records the years from 1600 to 1700. The books are available on Archive.org (https://archive.org/details/blakefamilyrecor00blakuoft/blakefamilyrecor00blakuoft/page/n1/mode/2up) . There are many descendants of this family and the yDNA study at FT DNA for the Blake family has a number of testers who can trace back into this Galway Blake family. Members of this family are found in many places in Ireland and in England. The best way to look at your own Blake line is to have a male descendant in the Blake line test their yDNA. There are a number of founding lines for Blake in the British Isles (including my line) and many of them can be found in the Calendar of Patent Rolls. I extracted the Blake records from this set of documents when they were loaned to a research at the University of Iowa and I did build a chart showing frequency of Blake in the various counties of England as that was primarily the focus of my research at the time. I did take on the Blake study at the Guild of one-name Studies in 2011 when it was left vacant by Paul Blake who had been the main researcher for Blake for many years in the British Isles as a member of the Guild. So my answer said all of what is above (briefly) and to consider that the Blake line at Mayo could be an offshoot of Galway even if the furtherest back known in their line was  a British military officer in Mayo during the 1600s when Cromwell was the head of government in England. Her thought was that her ancestor was descendant of the Blake family of Somerset (related to Lord High Admiral Robert Blake). I think she wondered if we shared Blake ancestry but my grandfather was always quite sure that we were not related to the Calne Blake family or the Somerset Blake family in the male Blake line. Interesting he thought that but people thought differently and learned differently in the late 1800s with rote being the prime method of learning. That means to me that your family stories were passed on by word of mouth generation after generation and that was why Nicholas Blake was discussed in the latter part of the 1800s even though he was just a small farmer at Knights Enham who left his will in 1547. It was this Nicholas who was given all sorts of different relations that created a stir at that time. An American, Horatio Gates Somerby, had created a story about this time period using Nicholas, giving him incorrect parents and siblings although some of the material was correct but mostly incorrect. Amazing that there would be such a discussion 350 years later after Nicholas' death but it was this style of learning that brought forward in people's minds the details of their lives lived generation after generation and caused a rejection by those who were in the know labeling Horatio Gates Somerby as a fraud who simply engineered stories in order to impress his American clients. Indeed the founder of the Blake family of Galway was Richard Caddell (Welsh and also known as Richard Niger) who used the surname Blake after receiving land grants at Galway and Mayo having accompanied then Prince John (later King John) to Ireland in 1185. The email was interesting since the Blake family of Galway was also at Mayo in the 1100s/1200s. But I do not do family research for individuals; I simply tell them what I do know and leave it up to them to do the research back in their lines. 

I continue to be amazed at the Blake autosomal matches that I have with individuals in the present coming down from early Colonials in the American colonies.  There are distinct lengths that fall into the pile-up or common areas of the chromosomes implying quite distant relationships but the size of the matches is sometimes rather surprising and one gets a notation of sixth cousin or even closer on occasion and I know very well that is not the case. The only Blake known to me that early in the American Colonies was Joanne Blake (daughter of William Blake and Dorothy Madgwick) who married Major General Roberte Sedgewicke 6 Jan 1634 at Andover and their children all appeared to be born at Charlestown, Royal Colony of Massachusetts in the 1630s/1640s. Joanne herself returned to England after the death of her husband in Jamaica but their five children remained in the colonies. 

Tea drank and need to do the solitaire puzzles and then breakfast. The days move on so very quickly.  

  

 

Will of Jasper Blake, gunner, of his Majestys Ship Hawke - The National Archives, PROB 11/731, probated 31 Jan 1743

The testator, Jasper Blake, provides lots of identifying comments in his will. Comments on this will include in the margin: Void being registered before

And on the bottom of the page: Examined with the Original Wills by me Silas Duncombe.

Jasper Blake mentions the Blake family of Galway in his will naming his brother as Francis Blake. This is the family of Thomas Blake the elder who lived at Furbough, Galway. Francis was the elder son.

Ancestry Chart of Jasper Blake

                                +--- 12-Richard Caddell alias Blake,b.Bef 1278,d.???
                                |
                             +--+ 11-Walter Blake,d.Aft Mar 1357
                             |  |   
                             |  +--- 12-Eveline,d.???
                             |
                          +--+ 10-Geoffrey Blake,d.???
                          |
                       +--+ 9-Walter Blake,d.1452
                       |
                    +--+ 8-John Blake,d.???
                    |
                 +--+ 7-Richard Blake,d.???
                 |
              +--+ 6-Patrick Blake,d.???
              |
           +--+ 5-Alderman Andrew Blake,d.1624
           |
        +--+ 4-Andrew (Oge) Blake,d.1687
        |  |      
        |  |  +--- 6-Martin,d.???
        |  |  |
        |  +--+ 5-Juliane Martin,d.???
        |
     +--+ 3-Francis Blake,d.???
     |  |      
     |  |  +--- 5-Dominick Martyn,d.???
     |  |  |
     |  +--+ 4-Christiane Martyn,d.???
     |
  +--+ 2-Thomas Blake The Elder,d.???
  |  |   
  |  +--- 3-Jane Martyn,d.???
  |
--+ 1-Jasper Blake,d.???
Jasper is the 8th great grandson of Richard Caddell alias Blake. Francis, his brother, was still living in 1748 and his son was Thomas Blake, the younger. This Thomas died without issue and any property devolved upon his cousin John Blake, eldest son of Andrew Blake of Ballymanagh.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 26 Apr 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/731
Name of testator: Jasper Blake, Gunner
Place: of his Majestys Ship Hawke
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 20 Oct 1741, probated 31 Jan 1743

[In margin]: Jasper Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Jasper Blake Gunner of his Majesties Ship Hawke being in
3    Bodily health and of sound and disposing Mind and Memory and
4    considering the perils and dangers of the Seas and other uncertain
5    ties of this transitory Life do for avoiding controversies after my
6    decease make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament
7    in manner and Form following (That is to say) First I recommend
8    my Soul to God that gave it and my Body I commit to the
9    Earth or Sea as it shall please God to order and as for and
10    concerning all my Worldly Estate I Give bequeath and dispose
11    there of as followeth that is to say I Give and bequeath the
12    whole of my Real and personal Estate by and Between William
13    Hawes of the Navy Office Gentleman and Sarah Harthy of the
11    parish of Maccullen of the County of Galway but in case she dyes
15    I Give the said One moiety to her Son John and to my Brother
16    Francis Blake I Give one shilling Wages sum and sums of money
17    Lands Tenements Goods Chattels and Estate whatsoever as shall be
18    be any ways due owing or belonging unto me at the time of
19    my decease I do Give devise and Bequeath the same unto the
20    said William Hawes and Sarah Harthy in case she died to her
21    Son John Harthy to be equally divided between the said William
22    Hawes his Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby
23    revokeing all former and other Wills Testaments and deeds of Gift
24    by me at any time heretofore made and I do Ordain and Ratify
25    these presents to stand and be for and as my only last Will and
26    Testament In Witness whereof to this my said Will I have
27    set my hand and Seal the Twentieth day of October Anno domini
28    1741 and in the Fifteenth year of the Reign of his Majesty King
29    George the Second over Great Britain etc Jasper Blake
30    Signed Sealed published and declared in the presence of Rob
31    Mercer Thomas Wright R Wooding
32    This Will was proved at London before the Right
33    Worshipfull John Bettesworth doctor of Laws Master Keeper or
34    Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
35    constituted on the Thirty first day of January in the Year of our
36    Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and Forty three by the Oath
37    of William Hawes Esquire the Executor in the said Will named
38    To whom Administration was Granted of all and singular the
39    Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased being first sworn
40    duly to administer

Will of Peter Bodkin otherwise Peter Bodkin Blake, Town of Galway, Ireland - The National Archives PROB 11/1232, probated 4 May 1793

Peter Bodkin Blake’s will is below and the remainder of the files are letters that he wrote (annexed as codicils) and reading through them the only comments that prove to be interesting are the references to Sir Walter Blake (10th Baronet). These references do not add anything to my knowledge of the Blake family at Galway. I have only transcribed the original will, one codicil of six and the probate.

There are a number of Bodkin-Blake marriages in the Blake family at Galway.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 15 Feb 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/1232
Name of testator: Peter Bodkin otherwise Peter Bodkin Blake
Place: Town of Galway, Ireland now residing in England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 7 May 1787, probated 4 May 1793

[In margin] Peter Bodkin otherwise Peter Bodkin Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Peter Bodkin commonly called Peter Bodkin Blake of
3    the Town of Galway in the Kingdom of Ireland but
4    now resident in England Gent do make this my last
5    Will and Testament in my own handwriting in
6    manner following that is to say Declaring that I
7    am a Protestant having duly conformed to that
8    Religion in the said Kingdom of Ireland I order
9    that my Body may be decently buried in the Parish
10    wherever I may die and as to such worldly Substance
11    as God has Pleased to bless me with I hereby dispose
12    of the same in manner following my just debts
13    and Funeral expence being first paid (that is to say) I
14    Give unto my Brother Francis Bodkin one shilling I
15    give unto William Greny Son to Thomas Greny of
16    Greginore in the County of Galway in Ireland deceased
17    my Bed and every thing else of mine which shall be
18    in my apartment in the said Town of Galway I
19    Give unto my Nephew and Niece Nicholas Brown and
20    his Sister Jane Brown one shilling each I Give unto
21    my two Nephews Ambrose Bodkin and Hyacinth Bodkin
22    of Kilbroge in the County of Galway in Ireland one
23    hundred pounds each of English money to be paid to
24    them respectively without Interest by my Executors herein
25    after named at their respective ages of twenty one
26    years but not sooner than two years next after my
27    decease and I direct that in case either of my said
28    two Nephews Ambrose and Hyacinth Bodkin shall
29    die before he shall attain the age
30    of twenty one years or sooner than two years next
31    after my decease the share of him so dying shall go
32    to the survivor of them payable also without Interest
33    at the age of twenty one years but not sooner than
34    two years next after my decease and in case both
35    my said Nephews shall die under the said age of
36    Twenty one years or sooner than two years next
37    after my decease I do give the said two several sums
38    of one hundred  and one hundred pounds unto my
39    worthy friend William Pollard of St Swithins Lane
40    London Merchant to whom I owe infinite obligations for
41    the Singular Services he has rendered to me I Give
42    unto my said Nephew Hyacinth Bodkin his heirs
43    Executors and administrators my two Leasehold houses
44    in the West Sabbt of Galway the one in the occupation of
45    Bartholomew Kelly and the other in the occupation of
46    Thomas Bursee he paying the Rent reserved by and
47    performing the covenants on the Tenant or Lessees part
48    contained in the Lease under which I hold the same
49    I Give unto Mr John Cologan of London Merchant
50    one of the Parties in trade with the said William
51    Pollard One hundred pounds Sterling to be raised and paid
52    to him within two years next after my decease and
53    I direct that the said Legacies to my Nephews Ambrose
54    and Hyacinth Bodkin and John Cologan amounting
55    together to three hundred pounds Sterling shall be
56    raised when payable by Sale of One hundred and
57    forty two pounds of the Capital Stock of the English
58    United East India Company which shall be standing in
59    my Name at my decease and the deficiency that may
60    be to make up or compleat the said sum of three hundred
61    pounds I direct that the same shall be raised out of
62    the Dividends of my said East India Stock which shall
63    become due after my decease and as to the residue of
64    the said East India Stock I direct the same shall continue
65    Standing in my Name so long as the said East India
66    Company shall exist and that the dividends to arise
67    thereby During the life of the said William Pollard
68    shall be received by him for his own use and after his
69    death the said dividends shall belong to such persons
70    as he shall by Will direct and in default of such
71    direction to his Executors or Administrators I direct that
72    the sum of three per cent Consolidated English Bank
73    Annuities which shall be standing in my name at my
74    decease shall continue standing therein during the existence
75    of the said Fund and that the dividends to arise thereby
76    during the life of my good friend Mr James Cooper the
77    other partner in trade with the said William Pollard
78    shall be received by him the said James Cooper for hi
79    own use and after his death the dividends of the said
80    Bank Annuities shall belong to such persons as he
81    shall by Will direct and in default of such direction then
82    to his Executors or Administrators I Give unto my said
83    Nephew Ambrose Bodkin his Executors and Administrators
84    a debt due from Richard Martin of Galway or Kentville
85    in the County of the Town of Galway aforesaid which
86    stand Secured by a Bond and Warrant of Attorney dated
87    respectively the Twenty second of January One thousand
88    Seven hundred and Eighty one to me for One hundred
89    and Twenty three pounds two shillings Sterling with all
90    the Interest that may be due thereon at the time of
91    my decease and as to all the residue of my Estate and
92    Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature
93    or kind soever as were real or personal I Give devise
94    and Bequeath the same unto the said William
95    Pollard his heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns
96    and to and for his and their own use and benefit
97    and in case the said John Cologan William Pollard
98    and James Cooper or any or either of them shall
99    refuse or decline to accept of any or either of the
100    Legacies and Bequests in this my Will give to
101    them as aforesaid then it is my will and desire and
102    I do hereby Give and Bequeath such of the said
103    Legacies as shall be so refused unto the Treasurer for
104    the time being of Greens Hospital to be applied by
105    him towards the support of the Seaman belonging to
106    the said Hospital and I do hereby constitute and appoint
107    the said William Pollard and James Cooper Executors of
108    this my Will and in case they shall both refuse
109    or decline the Execution of this my Will
110    then I appoint the Treasurer for the time being of
111    the said Hospital Sole Executor of this my Will
112    and revoking all former Wills by me at any time
113    heretofore made I do publish and declare this to
114    be my last Will and Testament in Witness whereof
115    I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Seventh
116    day of May One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty
117    Seven Peter Bodkin Blake Signed Sealed
118    published and Declared by the said Peter Bodkin Blake
119    the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in
120    the presence of us who in his presence at his request
121    and in the presence of each other have thereto set
122    our Names as witnesses thereto Iona Thompson
123    J[onathan] Bugg Sarah Grant
124    Messrs Cologan Pollard and Hooper Galway the 30th May 1791
125    Gentleman I received your most esteemed favour of 9th
126    July last you insist I should let you know the
127    charge on the Bill on Curly It was wrote on the
128    protest thereof 6 shillings and 6 pence Irish making 6 [shillings]
129    English money with which I debit account I am
130    heartily sorry for the death of our mutual very good
131    friend Mr John Thompson Tis well he sent you my
132    Will previous to his death I am glad you think any
133    alteration I Will by Letter make in said will is binding
134    according to Law I beg you’l open and read said Will
135    Hyacinth Bodkin ye younger Brother of Ambrose
136    Bodkin mentioned in said will died in Dublin in Sep
137    last aged about 19 years and a half owing to his folly
138    and debauching and his Mother giving him too much
139    money tho he had a very strong constitution and the
140    older Brother Ambrose Bodkin came of age the 12th
141    Feby last who has a weak constitution yet he
142    follows as debauched a life as his said Brother
143    therefore tis thought he will  not live many years
144    unfortunately he take pleasure in boasting he can
145    bear drinking 3 or 4 bottles of wine after dinner
146    which he frequently does Soon after he came of age
147    I wrote him a Letter stating how I had a demand
148    to his and formerly my deceased Fathers Estate of £500
149    pds or by my giving Credit for £200 I received from my
150    Father for my age of 17 years to my age of 21 years in small payments in
151    that there remained at least 800 pds due to me as
152    the remainder of my childs portion this letter was
153    delivered to him by my Sister in Law his Mother who
154    thought my demand just and reasonable he did not give
155    her or to me a satisfactory answer therefore he shall
156    get no Legacy by me I hereby order desire and will that
157    the two hundred pounds sterling and everything else
158    which I willed and ordered for my Nephews Ambrose
159    and Hyacinth Bodkin in my said Will be given to Mr
160    William Pollard one of the Executors to my said Will
161    or to his issue or heirs payable in like manner as I
162    had ordered and willed it to be paid to my said
163    Nephews Ambrose and Hyacinth Bodkin I beg you’l
164    not answer this Letter directed to Galway for fear your
165    Letter should be opened by mistake as I would chuse
166    to keep this affair secret I intend soon to go to
167    Dublin from where I will write in form to Mr
168    William Pollard and to Mr James Cooper Executors to
169    my said Will I now write you this alteration in my
170    said will for fear death or my accedance should
171    happen me in my journey to Dublin I have this
172    day drawn a Bill on you at 21 days sight in
173    favour of the Right honourable David Larouche and Co for
174    £57 pounds which I entreat you’l please to honor
175    being on account of one years dividends due to me
176    last Xmas on my £512 pds etc India Stock and also on
177    my £500 pds Stock in the Bank Consolidated Annuities
178    I hope the dividends continued at 8 per cent on the
179    India Stock notwithstanding the great War at present
180    in the East Indies my next Letter to you or to the
181    Executors of my last Will I hope will be soon from Dublin
182    In the Interim I am most affectionately Gentleman
183    your most obedient humble Servant Peter Bodkin Blake
184    P.S. I say the Bill I have drawn on you this Day is
185    for fifty Seven pounds Sterl: Galway the 30th May
186    1791 Peter Bodkin Blake
187    This Will was proved at London with Six
188    Codicils the Fourth day of May in the year of our Lord
189    One thousand Seven hundred and Ninety three before the
190    Worshipful John Fisher Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the
191    Right honorable Sir Willian Wynne Knight and also Doctor of
192    Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative
193    Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oaths of
194    William Pollard and James Cooper Esquires two of the
195    Executors named in the Fourth Codicil to whom Administration
196    was Granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and
197    Credits of the deceased having been first sworn duly to
198    administer power reserved of making the like Grant to
199    John Cologan Esquire the other Executor named in the
200    fourth Codicil when he shall apply for the same

Will of Elizabeth Graham Blake, Belmont, Galway, Ireland - The National Archives PROB 11/1882, probated 19 Aug 1837

No information could be located on the testator, Elizabeth Graham Blake of Belmont, Galway.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 14 Feb 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/1882
Name of testator: Elizabeth Graham Blake
Place: Belmont, Galway, Ireland
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 19 April 1836, probated 19 Aug 1837

[In margin] Elizabeth Graham Blake 6

1    This is my Will I give and bequeath All my Property
2    and rights moveable and unmoveable in whatever place they may exist without any deception
3    or reserve that is to say in d’enfunt to Miss Marie Seontine Graham born at Paris on the
4    twentieth of January 1825 who shall enjoy the same during her life and until her decease
5    reckoning from the day of the opening of my succession and in reversion to Mr Pierre Alphonse
6    Gauthier working at Paris No 36 in the Rue de Baidy who shall receive the d’enfunt thereof
7    on the decease of Miss Graham Consequently I appoint Miss Marie Seontine Graham and
8    Mr Pierre Alphonse Gauthier my Universal Legatees conjointly between them the first in
9    d’enfunt and the second in reversion I appoint as Testamentary Executor Mr Auguste
10    Barot residing at Paris No 26 in the Rue de la Monnaie upon whom I confer the possession
11    of my property for a year and a day in conformity to the Civil Code I revoke every other
12    previous disposition and Will Such is my desire Paris the 19th April 1836 Signed
13    E Graham Blake of Belmont County of Galway Ireland
14    Beneath is written Registered at Paris the sixth of March one thousand eight hundred
15    and thirty seven fol 131 Vol C9 Received five francs fifty centines the tenth included Signed
16    Nestier Thus it is in the Original of the said autograph Will signed and marked by the
17    president of the Court of the First Instance of the Seine and deposited as a Maniere with
18    Mr Esnee Notary of Paris signed underneath in pursuance of an order of the President
19    aforesaid contained in his verbal process on opening and describing the said Will dated at
20    Paris the twenty seventh of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven Esnee
21    Notarial Sign The present Copy contains one leaf without addition or any word being void
22    Esnee Notarial Sign
23    I William Duff of the City of London Notary Public duly admitted and sworn
24    to hereby ratify that the above is a true and faithful Translation of the document in the
25    French Language hereunto annexed In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
26    and seal of Office at London the twenty first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand
27    eight hundred and thirty seven In Testimonium Veritatis Willm Duff Noty Pub
28    Proved at London 19th August 1837 before the Judge by the oath of Auguste
29    Barot the sole Executor to whom Admon was granted having been first sworn by Common
30    duly to administer

Will of Ignatius Charles Blake, Captain 13th Regiment - The National Archives PROB 11/1467, probated 24 Sep 1807

The testator, Ignatius Charles Blake, is a member of the Galway Blake family. His parents were Joseph Blake and Honoria Daly. He was one of eight children with his eldest brother being the 1st Baron Wallscourt. Ignatius Charles Blake was related twice over to Denis John Blake, a fifth cousin with Robert Blake and Catherine Darcy their common ancestors. He was also a tenth cousin with Geoffrey Blake being their common ancestor.

Ignatius Charles Blake married Helena Cashell the 16 Jun 1794 at St Andrew parish at Berwick upon Tweed, Midlothian, Scotland. Their son Joseph Henry Blake (later 2nd Baron Wallscourt) was born 23 Jul 1795 and died 11 October 1816. A daughter Louisa Helena Blake died 15 Feb 1803.

The descent of Ignatius Charles Blake from Richard Caddell alias Blake (of County Galway, Ireland):

Richard Caddell alias Blake and Eveline
Walter Blake
Geoffrey Blake
William Blake and Athy (unknown)
John Blake and Annabel de Burgo
Andrew Blake
Walter Blake and M Bodkin
Robert Blake and Catherine Darcy
Sir Richard Blake and Gylle Kirwan
Robert Blake and Elizabeth Lynch
Joseph Blake and Mary Browne
Richard Blake and Maria Yonge
Joseph Blake and Honoria Daly
Ignatius Charles Blake

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 24 Jan 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/1467
Name of testator: Ignatius Charles Blake, Captain in his Majesty’s 13th Regiment of Light Dragoons
Place: Unknown
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 11 Aug 1796, probated 24 Sep 1807

[In margin] Ignatius Charles Blake

1    This is the last Will
2    of me Ignatius Charles Blake a Captain in
3    his Majesty’s thirteenth Regiment of Light Dragoons
4    made published and declared this Eleventh day
5    of August in the year of our Lord one thousand
6    seven hundred and ninety six whereas I the said
7    Ignatius Charles Blake will at the death of my
8    Father Joseph Blake of Ardfry in the County
9    of Galway in the Kingdom of Ireland Esquire
10    be entitled to the Sum of three thousand pounds
11    by virtue of my said Father’s Marriage
12    Settlement I do declare by give and bequeath the
13    said Sum of three thousand pounds unto Freancis
14    Blake of Rehara in the County of Roscommon
15    in the Kingdom of Ireland Esquire Robert Blake
16    of the City of Dublin Gentleman and William
17    Cashell of the Borough of Berwick upon Tweed
18    in the Kingdom of England Esquire upon the
19    Trusts nevertheless and to and for the
20    intents and purposes hereafter mentioned
21    and expressed (that is to say) Upon Trust that
22    they my said Trustees whom I also appoint
23    Executors of this my Will and the Survivors and
24    and Survivor of them and such their person
25    and persons as shall or need in the Trusts by
26    virtue of the Clause hereinafter for that purpose
27    contained do and shall as soon as the said Sum
28    of three thousand pounds shall be received
29    place out or invest the same on Government or
30    real Securities at Interest and from time to
31    time call in the Principal Money so to be placed
32    out or invested and place out or invest the same
33    in or upon new or other Securities of the like
34    at Interest until the same shall become
35    payable by Virtue of this my Will and In
36    Trust to pay to or otherwise authorize permit and
37    suffer my Dear Wife Hellen to receive the
38    Interest dividends and yearly proceeds therefore
39    arising for and during her natural Life for and
40    towards her Maintenance and the maintenance
41    and Education of my Child now living and all
42    and every such my Child or Children by my said
43    Wife Helen as shall hereafter be born and from
44    and immediately after the death of my said
45    Wife upon this further Trust to pay and apply
46    the Interest of the said Sum of Three thousand
47    pounds for and towards the maintenance and
48    education of all and every such my Child or
49    Children as shall be then living until they all respectively
50    attain the age of twenty one Years And upon this
51    further Trust to pay the said Sum of three thousand
52    pounds and all Interest then due unto and amongst
53    all my Children who shall be then living equally
54    share and share alike and if there shall be but
55    one such Child then to such one Child as and
56    when he she or they shall respectively attain the
57    age of twenty one Years And if any such Child
58    shall depart this Life under the age of twenty
59    one years then the part of share of him her or
60    them so dying shall be paid to the Survivors
61    and Survivor of such Children at his her or their
62    age or ages of twenty one years And I direct that
63    all the Shares so to survive shall from time to
64    time survive together with all the original
65    Shares and parts until such original Shares and
66    Parts shall become one and payable provided always
67    and it is my further Will that if all my said
68    Children shall die before any of them shall attain
69    the age of twenty one Years then and in that Case
70    they my said Trustees and the Survivors and Survivor
71    of them and such other person or persons as shall
72    succeed in the Trusts by Virtue of the Clause
73    hereinafter for that purpose contained shall pay
74    the said principal Sum of three thousand pounds
75    and all Interest then due on the same unto my
76    said dear Wife Helen so and for her own sole use
77    and benefit And as to all the Rest Residue and
78    Remainder of my personal Estate and Effects
79    whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature
80    kind or quality soever the same shall be or consist
81    at the time of my death I give and bequeath the
82    same unto the said Francis Blake Robert Blake and William
83    Cashell upon Trust that they the same Francis
84    Blake Robert Blake and William Cashell and
85    the Survivors and Survivor of them and such other
86    person and persons as shall __eed in the Trusts
87    by Virtue of the Clause hereinafter for that purpose
88    contained do and shall as soon as conveniently may
89    be after my decease convert the same into Money
90    and the Monies arising therefrom place out at
91    Interest on the like Securities and Upon the same
92    Trusts as are hereinbefore mentioned and
93    expressed concerning the aforesaid Sum of Three
94    thousand pounds provided always and it is my
95    Will that in case my Son now living or any other
96    Son which I may hereafter have by my said
97    Wife Helen shall before his Share of the said Sum of
98    three thousand pounds and of any other personal
99    Estate shall become due and payable by Virtue
100    of this my Will secured to the possession of my said
101    Father’s Estate Then and in that case the part or Share
102    of such Son in the said Sum of three thousand pounds
103    and other my personal Estate shall be paid to the other
104    or others of my said Children at his her or their
105    Age or Ages of twenty one Years And I further will
106    and direct that in case it shall appear to my said
107    Trustees or the Trustees or Trustee for the time being
108    expedient and for the Benefit and advantage of
109    any of my said Children that any Sum or Sum
110    of money should be raised and paid for the purpose
111    of Placing them or any of them out in any Trade
112    Business or Employment for their advancement
113    in the world before their respective Shares of the
114    said Sum of Three thousand pounds and other
115    my Personal Estate become absolutely vested or
116    payable Then and in every or any such Case the said
117    Trustees shall have full power and authority to
118    raise and pay the same accordingly for such Child
119    or Children and the same shall be allowed and
120    deducted out of the share or shares of such Child
121    or Children for whom the said Sum or Sums
122    shall be raised and paid and I do hereby further
123    Will order and direct that when and as soon
124    as the Trustees before named shall by death or
125    otherwise be reduced to the number of two then
126    such two Trustees shall thereupon within one
127    Month there next after by any writing or writings
128    under their hands and Seals elect and make a
129    choice of such other proper person to be a Trustee
130    together with the remaining Trustees for the
131    purposes aforesaid as shall with them make
132    the Number of three And in Case the said Trustees
133    before named shall by death or otherwise be
134    reduced to the number of one Trustees Then such
135    surviving Trustee shall thereupon within one
136    Month next after by any Writing or Writings under
137    his hand and Seal elect and make choice of
138    such two other fit and proper persons to be
139    Trustees together with such remaining Trustee
140    for the purposes aforesaid as shall with him
141    make up the number of three and so from
142    time to time as well the new Trustees as the
143    old ones shall elect and choose as often as the
144    said Trustees for the time being shall by death
145    or otherwise be reduced to a less number than
146    three And it is my Will that when and as often
147    as any now Trustees or Trustee shall be appointed
148    as hereinbefore mentioned the Securities and
149    Monies which shall be then vested in the
150    person or persons so dying shall respectively
151    with all convenient speed be conveyed and
152    transferred in such manner as that the same
153    shall be effectually vested in the securities and
154    such new Trustees or Trustee upon the same
155    Trusts and to and for the Intents and purposes
156    of this my Will and my Will is and I do hereby
157    order and direct that my said Trustees hereby
158    appointed and to be appointed or any of them
159    or any of their heirs Executors Administrators or
160    Assigns shall not be charged or chargeable with
161    or accountable for any more Monies than they
162    respectively shall actually receive neither shall any of them
163    be answerable or accountable for the Receipts and
164    or defaults of the other or others of them or for
165    the Misbehaviour Neglect default Failure
166    Insolvency or Insufficiency of any person or persons
167    to be employed by them in any capacity in or
168    about the ____ or any way concerning the
169    same or any part thereof nor for the insufficiency
170    or suficienty or any Funds real or other Securities
171    in or upon which they shall place out any of
172    the Trust Monies nor shall they or any of them
173    be answerable or accountable for any other
174    involuntary Loss whatsoever And my Will is that
175    such and every of my said Trustees respectively may
176    deduct and retain out of the Monies which shall
177    come to him and their hands respectively and allow
178    to each other thereout all such reasonable Costs
179    Charges and Expences as he or they shall or may
180    sustain incur pay or be put into in or about or in
181    any respect of the Trusts hereby in them reposed
182    hereby revoking all former and other Will and
183    Wills by me at any time heretofore made I
184    publish and declare this writing contained in
185    this and the four preceding Sheets of paper to be
186    and contain my last Will and Testament In Witness
187    whereof I the said Ignatius Charles Blake the
188    Testator have to two part of this my last Will
189    and Testament set my hand and Seal the day
190    and year first above written Ign C Blake
191    This writing contained in this and the preceding
192    four sheets of paper was signed sealed published
193    and declared by the Testator Ignatius Charles
194    Blake as and for his last Will and Testament
195    in the presence of us who in his presence at his
196    request and in the presence of each other have
197    subscribed our Names as witnesses hereunto
198    J Hindmarsh Edward Willoby Will. Willoby
199    This Will was proved at London the
200    twenty fourth day of September in the year of our
201    Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven
202    before the worshipful Samuel Pearce Parson doctor
203    of Laws and Surrogate of the Right honorable
204    Sir William Wynne Knight doctor of Laws
205    Master keeper or Commissary of the prerogative
206    Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath
207    of William Cashall one of the Executors named in
208    the said Will to whom Administration was granted
209    of all and singular the Goods Chattles and Credits
210    of the deceased he having been first sworn duly to
211    administer power reserved of making the like
212    Grant to Francis Blake Esquire and Robert Blake
213    the other Executors named in the said Will when
214    they or either of them shall apply for the same

Will of Denis John Blake, Esquire, late Captain in his Majesty's 89th Regiment of Foot, Dublin - The National Archives, PROB 11/1412, probated 25 Aug 1804

The testator, Denis John Blake, is a member of the Galway Blake family. His parents were Charles Blake and Margaret Daly. His older brother, as mentioned, in the will was Charles and his sister was Frances married to John Darcy. Charles Blake married Margaret Daly 3 May 1762 possibly in Galway.

The line continues back to Francis Blake married to Frances Daly circa 1721. This Francis was the son of Martin Blake and Mabel Browne. Continuing back Martin was the son of Francis Blake and Julia Blake giving two Blake lines back to the originator of this Blake line in Ireland (Richard Caddell).

Francis was the son of John Blake and Margaret Martyn and Julia was the daughter of Martin Blake and Ann Joyes.

John was the son of Robert Blake and Catherine Darcy and Martin was the son of (Alderman) Andrew Blake and Juliane Martin.

Robert was the son of Walter Blake and M Bodkin and Andrew was the son of Patrick Blake.

These two men are 4x great grandsons of Richard Caddell.

Walter was the son of Andrew Blake and Patrick was the son of Richard Blake.

Andrew was the son of John Blake married to Annabel de Burgo and Richard was the son of John Blake.

John was the son of William Blake and Athy (unknown) and John was the son of Walter Blake.

William was the son of Geoffrey Blake and Walter was the son of Geoffrey Blake. William and Walter were brothers. Geoffrey was the son of Walter Blake and Walter was the eldest son of Richard Caddell alias Blake and his wife Eveline.

Charles Blake, brother of the testator, married Georgina Brown 3 Aug 1790 and they had six children, the second son was named Denis John Blake.


Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 23 Jan 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/1412
Name of testator: Denis John Blake, Esquire, late Captain in His Majesty’s 89th Regiment of Foot
Place: Dublin, Ireland
Type of Record: Will
Dated 17 Oct 1802, probated 25 Aug 1804

[In margin] Denis John Blake, Esquire
[Top] Extracted from the Registry of His Majesty’s Court of Prerogative Court in Ireland – Dublin October 2nd 1802

1    Being perfectly sound in my understanding
2    I think it necessary to write and dispose of any
3    property I have at this present or hereafter may
4    have In the first place my debts are to be paid
5    the Sum of Fifty pounds Ster[ling] with interest from
6    March 1802 to my dear friend and Brother
7    Charles Blake Esquire Merlin Park County Galway
8    Secondly Sixty pounds in Gold due by me to Mrs
9    Bodkin of Be__ery County Galway Thirdly Twenty
10    pounds nine and sixpence to Lieut Dunn 89th
11    Regt after paying these debts above mentioned it
12    is my desire that the residue of my property
13    should then be divided into two equal shares one share of
14    which is to go to my Brother Charles Blake Esquire
15    Merlin Park to do as he pleases with and the
16    other share to my Sister Mrs Frances Darcy
17    under the following restrictions not to have the
18    power of drawing it off my Brother’s Estate
19    before her death when she will have the power
20    of willing it as she pleases having received the
21    legal interest duly Denis John Blake
22    Captain 89th Regt Foot Robt Power
23    William and so forth
24    to our beloved in Christ
25    Charles Blake Esquire one of the
26    Residuary Legatees named in
27    the last Will and Testament
28    of Denis J Blake late a
29    Captain in his Majesty’s 89th
30    Regt of Foot deceased having
31    and so forth evoking
32    rewards and beloved the
33    Right Worshipful Patrick
34    Dingman doctor of Laws
35    (our Commissary in the said
36    Court) in or within business
37    of growing and committing
38    Letters of Administration
39    and so forth of said deceased
40    with his last Will and
41    Testament annexed unto
42    the said Charles Blake Esquire
43    which lately deposed in
44    Judgment before our said
45    Judgment before our said
46    Commissary between the
47    said Charles Blake the party
48    promoting the said business
49    of the one part and Margaret
50    Blake pretending to have
51    an interest in the Goods and
52    so forth of said deceased the
53    party against whom the
54    said Business was prmoted
55    of the other part (rightly and
56    duly processing) Reas Signed
57    and promulged a cerain
58    definitive Sentence in writing
59    whereby he promised
60    agreed and declared that the
61    said Denis John Blake deceased
62    having a Mind and intention
63    to make his last Will and
64    Testament and being at such
65    time of sane and disposing
66    Mind Memory and Understanding
67    did on or about the 17th day of
68    October in the year of our
69    Lord one thousand eight
70    hundred and two rightly and
71    duly make Sign Seal publish
72    and declare his last Will and
73    Testament in writing all in
74    his the said deceased hand
75    writing beginning Dublin
76    Oct 2nd 1802 being perfectly
77    sound in my understanding
78    and ending having received
79    the legal interest duly
80    and subscribed Denis J Blake
81    Capt 89th Reg of Foot
82    and did pronounce decree
83    and declare that the said
84    deceased did give will and
85    bequeath dispose and do
86    in all things as in the said
87    last Will and Testament is
88    contained and did depose for
89    the form and validity of
90    said Will and of every part
91    thereof and did approve of
92    and receive the same
93    (First so requiring) rev
94    therefore grant Letters of
95    administration of the Goods
96    and so forth of said Dennis
97    John Blake unto the said
98    Charles Blake one of the
99    Residuary Legatees aforesaid
100    named in said Will the
101    Executor being manner
102    therein and being first
103    sworn personally having
104    and so forth) Date: 30th
105    January 1803 Anno d
106    Copy which I attest Wat
107    Hagarty D Regr
108    The twenty fifth day of August in the
109    year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
110    four administration with the will annexed of all
111    and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of
112    Denis John Blake late a Captain in his Majesty’s
113    eighty ninth Regiment of Foot at Dublin Esquire
114    deceased was granted to Charles Blake Esquire the
115    natural and lawful Brother and one of the
116    Residuary Legatees named in the said Will having
117    been first sworn by Commission duly to administer
118    No Executor being named in the said Will

Blake Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 4

Blake Newsletter

Table of Contents

       1.  100^th member Blake DNA study FT DNA

       2. Galway Blake family

       3. Blake one name study

       4. Cornwall Blake family  
  5. Family Finder Results

1 100^th member Blake DNA study FT DNA

We have reached a milestone in the Blake DNA study with our 100^th member joining. The last couple of years I have encouraged people to do Family Finder if they find that DNA test to be interesting for their research. Plus it gives Blake women an opportunity to take an active part in the Blake DNA study. Blake is a multi-location surname and I would describe it as very large but in actuality it is a large surname study compared to studies like Smith and Jones. I continue to encourage Family Finder as a means to locate up to fourth cousins which may help to break down brick walls. You must have a fairly comprehensive family tree to really take advantage of this testing which includes all (or as many as you can find) of the descendants of your 4x great grandparents.

2 Galway Blake Family

One of the members of the Galway Blake family has sent me a copy of his published book on the Blake family descending from the Blake family at Kiltulla through Nicholas Blake (son of James Blake of Quarrymount) born circa 1744 and emigrated to Pennsylvania, United States of America circa 1772. I shall begin shortly adding this material to the Legacy Family Tree file that I created from Martin Blake’s two books mentioned in an earlier newsletter. 

3 Blake one name study

I reached a milestone myself and that is of 70 years of age. I decided that I would carry on for just five more years with my Blake one name study. I will continue to maintain it as long as I am able but will lodge all of the accumulated work with the Guild of One Name Studies (of which I intend to remain a member) and with the Society of Genealogists as well as The Surname Society. I will also give a copy to the Record Office of the Republic of Ireland in Dublin if they are willing to receive it of all the Irish material that I have slowly accumulated. I have enjoyed working on the Blake family these past four years and look forward to the next five years and hope to have a good deal accumulated by then.

4 Cornwall Blake family

I have now completed the extraction of all the Blake entries in the OPC Database for Cornwall and am now into collecting all the census material. I think that by the next newsletter I should have some interesting material to put in it for the Cornwall Blake family and will blog the trees that I have managed to pull together. Picking Bodmin as a centre was much more productive as the Blake families appear to move outward from this point. There is also movement into Cornwall by the Blake family(ies) in Devon.

5 Family Finder Results

I would like to come up with some sort of a tabular representation of the Family Finder Results as I am able to do comparisons within the project but thus far there are not too many matches with each other. As this develops I will add this information to the Newsletter although many of you would already be aware of such matches through your own portal at FT DNA. 

Any suggestions or information to add to the next newsletter please submit to: kippeeb@rogers.com