Prayers for the Los Angeles area of California

Completely distracted by the book and the le Blak/le Blake family of Wiltshire/Berkshire/Gloucestershire. Prayers for the people of the Los Angeles area of California. Prayers for the souls of those lost to the flames. How sad to see so many deaths and homes/other property go up in flames. The experience of parts of the country burning is an unfortunate reality here in North America - we have many fires in British Columbia and Alberta as well as Ontario and Quebec and the other provinces for sure. I was proud to see that our PM Trudeau is sending the RCAF with support material to help fight the fires and Quebec is already there with their water bombers. We do like to help and America is our neighbour and best friend. Coming together to help each other is something that just happens when it needs to happen (our line-men driving down to the Carolinas and Georgia to help restore power after the hurricanes is another example and you come north to help us when we are the ones suffering). We will always be there for our American cousins and neighbours. Of course our lack of heavy snow cover means that our forested areas will be a tinder box when the snows melt. It is somewhat ironic that this deep cold that we usually get has intensified and does make one wonder about the future for Mother Earth. Mother Earth knows how to fix the system but the losses are astronomical (life and property). We can not manage God or Mother Earth. We must follow the science where ever it leads us! It is interesting though that over time we have managed to create the ability to provide electricity and so can now weather out the winter and probably even an ice age in reality - the problem will always be food in the north for sure. Climate change is the new battleground and the Arctic is right in the middle of it. We must protect the Arctic and not abuse its natural control of climate.

Contemplating the le Blak/le Blake family continued yesterday and I mentioned that further down on the chart is the section with which I most disagree but in reality I have searched and will continue to search for proof of the marriages coming down from the top of the chart but with little luck but that is hard to determine sometimes as the records, if available, are likely in the local area records where they occurred if a written record exists. I have decided that I should reproduce the chart in text line by line over the next little while and discuss what I have found. Finding the record of John le Blake leasing property in Cam, Gloucestershire in 1332 was rather an eye opener. Interestingly the Calne Blake family is later found in Gloucester after the destruction of their manor house at Pinhills near Calne. 

The whole history of the Blake families of the British Isles is further complicated because there are a number of Blake founding lines. There were no surnames in England prior to the arrival of the Normans in 1066 at least not as we now know them. People were referenced by where they lived, a familiar characteristic or trade/occupation. That changed gradually in the British Isles over the next couple of hundred years with surnames becoming mandatory at a later date. But the surname Blake is found in England from the early 1200s on in the records in various places. I have published before a list of the Blake surnames on the Emigrants Database 1330-1550 and will repeat that interesting list here:

Surname    Forename    Nationality    Day    Month    Year    Residence
Blake    Peter        6    Sep    1463    Bedfordshire
Blake    Peter        20    Sep    1455    Bedfordshire, Dunstable
Blake    John    Breton    bef 16    Feb    1525    Cornwall, Bodmin
Blake    John    Fleming    24    Jul    1484    Devon, Exeter
Blake    William    Breton    4    Apr    1524    Devon, Morchard Bishop
Blake    John    Norman    18    Apr    1524    Dorset, Eastbury
Blake    John    Dutch            c 1524    Essex, Aveley
Blake    Patrick        7    Apr    1440    Essex, High Roding
Blake    John        10    Aug    1441    Gloucestershire, All Saints
Blake    Robert        21    Apr    1440    Gloucestershire, Holy Trinity
Blake    Robert        10    Aug    1441    Gloucestershire, Holy Trinity
Blake    Richard    Irish    10    Aug    1441    Gloucestershire, St Leonard
Blake    Alice        21    Apr    1440    Gloucestershire, St Nicholas
Blake    John    Dutch    11    Jul    1440    Hampshire, King's Somborne hundred
Blake    Stephen        11    Jul    1440    Hampshire, Millbrook
Blake    Gunna    Dutch    12    Jul    1440    Huntingdonshire, Huntingdon
Blake    Herman    Dutch    12    Jul    1440    Huntingdonshire, Huntingdon
Blake    Henry        aft 3     Dec    1450    Kent
Blake    Hayn        27    Sep    1456    Kent, Ospringe
Blake    John    Scot    26    Sep    1465    Lincolnshire, Rathby
Blake    Agnes        aft 29    Sep    1441    London
Blake    Henry        aft 29    Sep    1441    London
Blake    John        aft 29    Sep    1441    London
Blake    John        aft 29    Sep    1441    London
Blake    John        aft 29    Sep    1441    London
Blake    John        aft 29    Sep    1441    London
Blake    Patrick        aft 29    Sep    1441    London
Blake    Thomas        aft 29    Sep    1441    London
Blake    Walter        aft 29    Sep    1441    London
Blake    Hugh        5    Sep    1449    London
Blake    Adam        8    Aug    1456    London
Blake    Katherine        14    Jul    1467    London
Blake    Walter        18    Jan    1443    London, Billingsgate ward
Blake    Henry            Oct    1441    London, Castle Baynard ward
Blake    Henry        18    Jan    1443    London, Castle Baynard ward
Blake    John        9    Oct    1441    London, Cripplegate ward
Blake    John        18    Jan    1443    London, Cripplegate ward
Blake    Henry        5    Sep    1449    London, Farringdon without ward
Blake    John        11    Oct    1441    London, Queenhithe ward
Blake    John        18    Jan    1443    London, Queenhithe ward
Blake    William        18    Jan    1443    London, Tower ward
Blake    Lodwico    Dutch    24    May    1440    Northamptonshire, Yarwell
Blake    Lodewicus    Dutch    18    Aug    1441    Northamptonshire, Yarwell
Blake    Richard    Scot    15    Sep    1451    Northumberland, Newcastle upon Tyne
Blake    Philip        5    Jul    1440    Shropshire, Shrewsbury
Blake    Robert        28    Aug    1441    Warwickshire, Coventry
Blake    Robert    French    19    Sep    1441    Wiltshire, Great Somerford
Blake    Richard    Irish    10    Jul    1440    Wiltshire, Salisbury
Blake    Richard    Irish    7    Sep    1441    Wiltshire, Salisbury
Blake    Peter        10    Jul    1406    

I have not included a number of women with the surname Blake as at marriage in this time frame the surnames of women changed to that of their husband (the case with me as well since my maiden surname is Blake). I do have a theory though that my Blake surname came from a female Blake marrying into a family in Andover (likely at Knights Enham given the later proximity)  and proving that is something I do dedicate time to very often. The wills from the Blake family at Speen, Berkshire mentioning the Blake family at Andover somewhat fascinating in the mid 1500s. There would be an enormous benefit to my line to take the Blake surname of a wife way back in the late 1200s early 1300s given the preference towards the Normans in terms of land acquisition. It could also have created this folklore within the family that there was a connection to the Blake family eventually at Calne. All whimsical thoughts of course but interesting none the less. Proof being found is often the result of following such whimsical thoughts known as serendipity in genealogy. I see it as more of a "gut" feeling but serendipity if that suits is fine with me.

But that being said there were many people in England with the surname Blake prior to 1330 when the Emigrants Database begins. This list created from the Calendar of Patent Rolls for the times of Henry III, Edward I, II and III has many interesting entries. This is a portion of the database:

Number    Year    Month    Day    Place    Prefix    Surname    Forename    Location    Relationship    King    Volume    Page #    membrane
1    1230    1    30    Hertford    le    Blake    Willelmum    Hertfordshire        Henry III    2    353    7d
184    1274    5    30    Westminster    le    Blak    Richard    Rouen, France        Edward I    1    51-52    15
3    1281    5    30    Westminster    le    Blake    Walter    Oxfordshire        Edward I    1    441    16
5    1282    5    19    Worcester    le    Blake    Adam     Devonshire    son    Edward I    2    20    13
4    1282    5    19    Worcester    le    Blake    Jordan    Devonshire    father    Edward I    2    20    13
7    1286    11    6    Clarendon    le    Blake    John    Sussex        Edward I    2    327    5
6    1288            Worcester    le    Blake    Thomas    Worcestershire        Edward I    2    306    14d
10    1292    8    26    Pickering    le    Blake    Ralph    Yorkshire        Edward I    2    498    8
8    1292    3    24    Westminster    le    Blake    Thomas    Ireland        Edward I    2    480    18
9    1292    3    26    Westminster    le    Blake    Thomas    Ireland        Edward I    2    481    18
11    1293    3    26    Cambridge    le    Blake    John    Ireland        Edward I    3    7    21
185    1296    5    20    Roxburgh    le    Blak    John    Balymor, Ireland        Edward I    3    189    15
12    1298    9    15    Carlisle    le    Blake    Thomas    Cumberland        Edward I    3    359    8
13    1299    4    1    Westminster    le    Blake    John    Yorkshire        Edward I    3    402    33
14    1302    7    24    Westminster    le    Blake    William    Oxfordshire        Edward I    4    85    18d
15    1303    4    20    Beverley    le    Blake    Roger    Herefordshire        Edward I    4    134    26
16    1304    6    29    Stirling    le    Blake    Geoffrey    Ireland        Edward I    4    237    14
186    1304    8    29    Morpeth        Blak    William    Suffolk        Edward I    4    283-284    8d
17    1305    3    20    Westminster    le    Blake    Henry    Dorsetshire        Edward I    4    349-350    13d
18    1305    3    20    Westminster    le    Blak    Robert    Dorsetshire        Edward I    4    349-350    13d
187    1308    3    10    Westminster        Blak    Henry    Norfolk        Edward II    1    51    23
188    1308    3    10    Westminster        Blak    John    Norfolk        Edward II    1    51    23
189    1308    3    10    Westminster        Blak    Walter    Norfolk        Edward II    1    51    23
19    1310    6    12    Windsor    le    Blake    John    Yorkshire        Edward II    1    231    4
20    1312    8    24    Westminster    le    Blake    John    Shropshire        Edward II    1    487    21
21    1313    7    26    Westminster    le    Blake    Henry    Gloucestershire        Edward II    2    7-8    17
23    1314    10    16    Lincoln    le    Blake    Gilbert    Lincolnshire        Edward II    2    189    15
22    1314    3    12    Westminster    le    Blake    William    Herefordshire        Edward II    2    91    20
190    1315    11    1    Clipstone    le    Blak    Gilbert    Lincolnshire        Edward II    2    369    15
24    1315    9    1    Lincoln        Blake    Hugh    Northamptonshire        Edward II    2    350-351    22
26    1315    7    12    Westminster    le    Blake    John    Berkshire        Edward II    2    405    29d
25    1315    10    6    Walsingham    le    Blake    John    Yorkshire        Edward II    2    355    21
27    1316    5    4    Westminster        Blake    Adam     Devonshire        Edward II    2    495    23d
191    1316    3    21    Langley    le    Blak    Gilbert    Lincolnshire        Edward II    2    440-441    29
28    1316    8    12    Bentley    le    Blake    Robert    Hertfordshire        Edward II    2    588    25d
29    1316    8    12    Bentley    le    Blake    Robert    Hertfordshire        Edward II    2    592-593    17d
30    1318    5    28    Westminster    le    Blake    Osbert    Essex        Edward II    3    175    25d
31    1319    5    18    York    le    Blake    Robert    Norfolk        Edward II    3    368    13d
32    1320    8    8    Stratford le Bow    le    Blake    John    Hertfordshire        Edward II    3    539-540    19d
34    1320    8    8    Stratford le Bow    le    Blake    John    Hertfordshire    brother    Edward II    3    539-540    19d
33    1320    8    8    Stratford le Bow    le    Blake    Warin    Hertfordshire    brother    Edward II    3    539-540    19d
35    1322    5    6    York        Blake    John    Oxfordshire        Edward II    3    154-155    16d
36    1322    5    18    York    le    Blake    John    Cambridgeshire        Edward II    4    169-171    6d
37    1323    2    13    Pontefract        Blake    John    Oxfordshire        Edward II    4    257-258    5d
38    1323    7    15    Burstwick        Blake    John    Oxfordshire        Edward II    4    368-369    23d
192    1323    7    24    Faxfleet    le    Blak    Simon    Hampshire        Edward II    4    374-375    17d
39    1323    12    11    Ravensdale        Blake    William    Gloucestershire        Edward II    4    444-445    25d
193    1324    3    28    Westminster    le    Blak    John    Surrey        Edward II    4    448    20d
194    1325    2    10    Westminster    le    Blak    John    Oxfordshire        Edward II    5    136    34d
195    1325    8    8    Havering atte Bower        Blak    John    Norfolk        Edward II    5    158    32
40    1326    3    6    York    le    Blake    Richard    Buckinghamshire        Edward III    1    289    22d
196    1327    1    10    Kenilworth    le    Blak    Richard    Warwickshire        Edward II    5    346    2
197    1327    12    27    Worcester    le    Blak    Robert    Worcestershire        Edward III    1    203    1
41    1328    11    24    Westminster    le    Blake    Richard    Buckinghamshire        Edward III    1    354-355    12d

This list of 55 items sorted by Year (taken from a much larger list of 210 items found for Blake (various spellings) in the Calendar of Patent Rolls) demonstrates the activities of many many Blake members in various parts of England between 1230 and 1330. The yDNA results do show that there are a number of Blake founding families. 

I did not do the initial arrangement of the DNA results (Barrie Blake of Australia did produce that original sort) but I have tried to maintain his thoughts because he often was in discussion with various Blake lines and I have tried to simply update with respect in particular to the Y-700 etc tests done since this sort was made. Some of the groups are stand-alone and can clearly trace back to select areas in the British Isles. But the abundance of results does point to many Blake founders. 

Today will also be a Blake day although I will only spend part of the time on the Blake book. I also want to start once again re-phasing my grandparents atDNA and my great-grandparents including the more than 100 new matches that I have acquired since 2022 when I did not actually complete the task but was distracted by the Siderfin Books which I wrote (an update to James Sanders publication: History of the Siderfin Family of West Somerset, 1912, Exeter, England). The two books (amazing really that a 412 page book and a 170 page book update his 48 page book!) are available on my website:

http://www.kipp-blake-families.ca/elizabethmain.htm#SIDERFIN

Scroll down in the Siderfin section and the two books are at the bottom of this section. 

Up an hour already, it is minus 7 degrees celsius now and it is cloudy. Perhaps snow here but you get the best snow around 0 degrees celsius as our good friends and neighbours in the southern United States know well as they are being inundated with snow at the moment whilst we just have cold; when it is so cold it does not snow effectively. 

Teatime and then yoga and then breakfast. Another beautiful day in God's world on the North American continent. We in Canada feel blessed to live here by the grace of God and the kindness of the First Nations. 

Harvey and Charley family

 I decided to type the book "The Romance of the Charley Family" since it was published in the 1930s and now out of print and copyright. It is really just for my own purpose anyway. I read the book perhaps ten years ago when I bought it from a small bookstore in Somerset online. My Charley family is illusive. The priest entering the name of Mary Charly/Charley was misread as Charlie leading me astray initially way back when I first found the marriage registration on Ancestry. I was also very new to genealogy and I knew her name was verbally Charly/Charley/Charlie because my mother knew her line back a considerable distance when I was a child having learned it from her father and other family members. My mother would actually be thrilled with everything I have found out about her family but I never knew of her interest in genealogy until I moved away with my husband to Ottawa. Then in her weekly letters she started mentioning some of the things that she was doing and there it was; the occasional trip to the Family History Library and talking about her discoveries. At the time I was not really very interested in genealogy from that perspective. It did take the advent of personal DNA testing to bring me into that fold!

I read through the foreword as I was typing the author mentioned that her great aunt Emma Charley of Blakeney, a sister to her grandfather George Charley, had a daughter who married a Harvey. That of course sent me into Find My Past and I found Emma Charley the daughter of James Charley and Emma Virgo at Blakeney Gloucestershire in the Non-Conformist Register. On the census in 1841 with her brother George three years younger. By 1841 Emma the eldest had six siblings younger than her. I found Emma's marriage to William No[a]kes at Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire December quarter 1856. Frank Charley Nokes was born Dec quarter 1859 at Bromsgrove. Rosa Clara Nokes was born Mar quarter 1864 at Bromsgrove.  Ernest William Nokes was born Jun quarter 1866 at Bromsgrove. Laura Emma Nokes was born Jun quarter 1868 at Bromsgrove. Kate Maud Nokes was born Mar quarter 1870 at Bromsgrove. 

One of these daughters married into the Harvey family. Laura Emma Nokes married Frank William Harvey Sep quarter 1892 at Bromsgrove. Most of the Charley lines in this book are tracing back to the 1840s when they arrived in Gloucestershire during the Irish Famine times and they were from Northern Ireland. 

Looking back at my Harvey and Charley families; my Harvey family was at Merton Devon where Andrew Rowcliffe married Joan Harvey 8 Jun 1720. Their son Philip married Martha Pearse 9 Apr 1760 at South Molton. Their daughter Elizabeth Rowcliffe married Robert Pincombe 7 Jun 1803 at Bishops Nympton. It was Robert Pincombe's mother Mary Charly that had married John Pincombe 8 Nov 1767 at Bishops Nympton. This Mary Charly is likely the daughter of Richard and Joan Charley born circa 1738 at Combe Martin, Devon. The Devon Charley family was in the Combe Martin area from at least 1699 on as Nutcombe Farm near Combe Martin was in their hands at that time. There does appear to have been a problem with alcohol in the family and the family suffered losses at various times due to that. The family crest that they used is similar to the one used by the then present Belfast Northern Ireland family and the belief is that they came from Belfast before 1699 to this area of North Devon. A DNA study of the Charley family would certainly be interesting. I just found it interesting to see similar names in the two families. I missed that on the first read through. Of my five siblings, the ones that have Irish in their ethnicity as tested by the various companies also have larger and more Pincombe matches than say myself where I have mostly English ancestry with some Scot, some Swedish and Northern European but the English is prominent around 70 to 80%. My Pincombe matches tend to be the smallest comparing me to my four siblings that have tested. DNA does really simplify genealogy to some extent!

Will of William Blake, Esquire, City of Bristol, Gloucestershire, The National Archives, PROB 11/1213/141, probated 14 Jan 1792

I mentioned the marriage of a William Blake to Rebecca Milles 12 Jun 1754 at Duloe, Cornwall in the following blog.
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/04/1248-blake-family-gloucestershire-notes.html

Also mentioned in this blog the baptisms of a son Richard 1 Dec 1760 at Bristol, a son William 3 Dec 1757 and a daughter Rebecca 21 Apr 1759 all at Bristol to William and Rebecca Blake. Only the baptism of Mary is missing. Judging by the coat of arms on the memorial table for Richard Blake husband of Anne Augusta Blake (formerly Hayward), this line uses the same coat of arms as the Blake family of Calne.

A relook at the marriage records now online for Cornish parishes does not reveal this marriage mentioned above (the marriage is listed in Ancestry as William Blake and Rebecca Blakey 12 Jun 1754 at Duloe).  Find My Past, however, does list this as the marriage of William Blake and Rebecca Milles at Duloe 12 Jun 1754 (and a second reference has the surname of Rebecca as Blakey). But why not listed on the marriage records for Cornish parishes transcribed by the online parish clerks? That does appear somewhat confusing.

Who is this William Blake and how does he relate to the other members of the Ambrose Blake family in Gloucestershire or does he come down from another line also related to the Blake family at Calne?

Names mentioned in the will:

William Blake, Esquire, Bristol, testator
John Smith, tenant
Richard Blake, (married), son, child of first marriage
William Blake, (married), son, child of first marriage
____ Coriton Esquire, landlord
James Blake, son, child of second marriage
Mr Higgins, brazier, tenant
Mrs Hellier, tenant
John Marsh, Esquire, son in law
Clementia Blake, daughter, child of second marriage
Mr Hall, tenant
Mr Jeremiah Osborne, trustee (not for this testator)
Benjamin Pike, coach painter, tenant
Rebecca Mogg, daughter, wife of Jacob Mogg the younger
Jacob Mogg, the younger, gentleman, son in law
Mrs Tyler, tenant
Mr Jenkins, tenant
Mary Marsh, daughter, wife of John Marsh, Esquire
Maria Marsh, grand daughter
Carolina Marsh, grand daughter
Henry Marsh, grandson
Harriott Marsh, grand daughter
Mr Biggs, tenant
Mr Room, tenant
Mr Whitby, artist
____ Crattle
Mrs Dean, tenant
Mrs Blake, tenant
Joseph Dyer, distiller, tenant


Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 12 May 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1213/141
Testator:  William Blake, esquire
Place: Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 21 Mar 1791, probated 14 Jan  1792
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: William
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: Esq[uie]r

1    The Last Will and Testament
2    of me William Blake of the City of Bristol Esquire made
3    the twenty first day of March one thousand seven
4    hundred and ninety one (that is to say) Whereas I
5    am seized or possessed of two Estates part of the Manor
6    of Salcomb Regis in the County of Devon which I hold
7    by Copy of Court Roll of the Dean and Chapter
8    of Exeter for Lives and Widowhoods consisting of
9    Messuages or Tenements and Lands part whereof is
10    in my own possession and other part let to John
11    Smith I give the said Copyhold Estates with their
12    Rights and appurtenances to my Son Richard Blake
13    To hold to him for his life and the life of his widow
14    according to the Custom of the said Manor and
15    after his decease I give the said Estates with their
16    Rights and appurtenances to my Son William Blake
17    To hold to him for his life and the life of his widow
18    according to the said Custom of I give and devise unto
19    my said Son Richard all and singular my Messuages
20    Lands and hereditaments called Hole in the parish
21    of Saint Veep in the County of Cornwall part
22    whereof is Freehold and other part Leasehold held of
23    _______ Coriton Esquire for ninety nine Years
24    determinable with lives To hold to my said Son
25    Richard his heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns
26    for all my Estate Term or Terms and Interest therein
27    respectively I give and devise to my Son James all those
28    three Messuages or Tenements adjoining and Garden
29    Ground behind the same with their appurtenances
30    situate in a place called Turnagain Lane leading from
31    Saint James’s Churchyard in Bridewell Bridge in the
32    parish of Saint James and City of Bristol in the
33    occupations of Mr Higgins Brazier and others and also
34    all that Messuage or Tenement with its appurtenances
35    situate on the East Side of Saint James’s Church
36    Yard in the Occupation of Mrs Hellier To hold to my
37    said Son James his heirs Executors Administrators and
38    Assigns for all my Estate and Interest therein respectively
39    and I acquit release and discharge my Son James
40    his heirs Executors and Administrators and also his Estate
41    and Effects Real and Personal from all claims and
42    demands which I my heirs Executors or Administrators
43    can or may have on him or them I give to my
44    Son Richard and Son in Law John Marsh Esquire
45    three hundred pounds upon Trust that they or the
46    Survivor of them his Executors or Administrators do
47    and shall best the same in an annuity for the
48    life and for use of my daughter Clementia Blake
49    the said annuity to be secured on Land and made
50    payable to her and her assigns by quarterly payments
51    and until such annuite shall be purchased to place
52    out the said Sum of three hundred pounds on Land
53    or Government Security in the Joint Names of my
54    said Trustees and the Interest or Dividends ensuing
55    their from shall be paid to my said Daughter I
56    give and devise to my said Daughter Clementia her
57    heirs and assigns a freehold Messuage or Tenement
58    situate on the East Side of Saint James’s Church
    [Page 2]
60    Yard in the occupation of Mr. Hall Whereas the
61    Sum of two hundred and seventy pounds or thereabouts
62    which was placed out at Interest in the Name of
63    Mr Jeremiah Osborne a Trustee on that occasion
64    on Security of a Messuage in Kingswood Street
65    Bath now or late in the occupation of Benjamin
66    Pike Coach painter the possession of which is since
67    surrendered up to the Mortgagee also the Rents
68    received for the use of my said Daughter Clementia
69    It is my Will as far as I have any power or
70    Controul respectring the same that the Principal and
71    Interest Money due and to grow due therein shall
72    be had and received by my Executors hereinafter
73    named and paid to my said Daughter for her
74    use and benefit I give to my said Daughter
75    Clementia ten pounds per Annum during her life
76    to be paid to her and her assigns by my Son
77    Richard out of the Interest Money on his Bond
78    of Five hundred pounds given by him to me and
79    my Will and intention is that the before mentioned
80    devised and bequests to my Son James and Daughter
81    Clementia are upon Condition that each of them
82    shall hold and enjoy the same in full compensation
83    and discharge of any Claims or pretended Claim by
84    any of them upon me my heirs Executors or Admors
85    in respect to or by virtue of any Deed of Settlement
86    by me entered into for the benefit of the Children
87    or Issue of my first Marriage or otherwise and that
88    my said Son James and Daughter Clementia shall
89    on request to them made by my Executors Execute good and
90    valid Releases and Discharges in the Law to them
91    and also my Estate of all claims and demands
92    against me and my Estate upon any account
93    whatsoever and upon refusal so to do my devise and
94    bequest to them severally made and appointed by
95    this my Will shall be void and what is herein
96    given and devised to each of them I give and
97    devise to my said Son Richard and Son in Law
98    John Marsh To hold to them their heirs Executors
99    Administrators and assigns equally share and
100    share alike I give to the said Richard Blake
101    and John Marsh Five hundred pounds to be by
102    them or the Survivor his Executors or Administrators
103    vested in the publick Funds or on Land Security
104    in their Names In Trust to pay the dividends or Interest
105    thereof to my Daughter Rebecca wife of Jacob
106    Mogg the younger Gentleman during her life separate
107    from her present or any future husband and her
108    Receipt along from time to time shall be a
109    sufficient discharge for the same and after her
110    decease In Trust to pay and divide the said Sum
111    of Five hundred pounds equally between the Issue
    [Page 3]
112    or Children of my said Daughter Rebecca at their
113    respective ages of twenty one years and in case of
114    the Death of either of them before attainment to
115    such age to the Survivors or Survivor of them and
116    in default of such Issue to such person or persons
117    said Daughter notwithstanding her Coverture shall
118    by Deed or Will give limit direct or appoint I give
119    to my said Daughter Rebecca Mogg ten pounds
120    per Annum During her life to be paid to her and
121    her Assigns by my Son Richard being the remainder
122    of the Interest Money on his said Bond of Five
123    hundred pounds and after the decease of the said
124    Clementia Blake and Rebecca Mogg I give the
125    Principal Sum of Five hundred pounds secured by
126    such Bond to my Son Richard his Executors or
127    Administrators I give and devise to my Son in Law
128    John Marsh a Freehold Messuage with inclosed
129    pieces of Garden Ground in Front of the said
130    Messuage and used therewith and appurts thereto
131    belonging situate in Dove Street in the Parish
132    of Saint James in the County of Gloucester wherein
133    I now Dwell Also a Freehold Messuage in Duke
134    Street near Kings Square Bristol in the occupation
135    of Mrs Tyler also a Messuage in Dowry Square
136    in the parish of Clifton in the said County of
137    Gloucester in the occupation of Mr Jenkins which I
138    hold for the remainder of a term of one thousand
139    Years To hold the said three Messuages with their
140    Appurtenances to the said John Marsh and his
141    Assigns for life and after his decease I give and
142    devise the same three Messuages Garden Ground
143    and Premises with their appurtenances unto my
144    Daughter Mary Wife of the said John Marsh
145    and her assigns for her life then keeping upholding
146    maintaining the said Messuages and premises
147    and each and every of them in good tenantable
148    repair and after the decease of the Survivor of them
149    the said John Marsh and Mary his Wife I give
150    and devise the Messuage in Dove Street with its
151    appurtenances to my Grand Daughter Maria
152    Marsh her heirs and Assigns and I give and
153    devise the said Messuage in Duke Street with its
154    appurtenances unto my Grand Daughter Carolina
155    Marsh her heirs and Assigns and I give the said
156    Messuage in Dowry Square with its appurtenances
157    to my Grandson Henry Marsh his Executors
158    Administrators and Assigns for all my Estate term
159    and Interest therein I give and devise to my
160    Grand Daughter Harriott Marsh her heirs and Assigns
161    my moiety or half part of a Freehold Messuage
162    or Tenement with the Appurtenances situate in
    [Page 4]
163    Charles Street in the parish of Saint James aforesaid
164    in the Occupation of Mr Biggs and also my Moiety or
165    half part of a Messuage or Tenement with the Appurts
166    in Pipe Lane in the parish of Saint Augustine in
167    the City of Bristol in the occupation of Mr Room
168    which premises last mentioned are Leasehold and
169    held of the Feoffees of Saint Mary Redcliff parish
170    Lands determinable with lives to hold to my said
171    Grand Daughter Harriott her Executors Administrators ans Assigns
172    for and during all my Estate term and Interest therein
173    I give all my Books in my Dwelling house in Dove
174    Street to my Sons Richard and William Blake I give my
175    Silver Cup and Cover given me by Mr Corsers
176    Executor to my Son William I give the Rest of my
177    Plate to my daughters Mary Marsh and Rebecca
178    Mogg and my Son Richard Blake I give my China
179    in the House in Dove Street to my Daughter’s Mary
181    Marsh and Rebecca Mogg I give to my said Daughter
182    Mary Marsh my Portrait Drawn by Mr Whitby I give the
183    Household Goods and Implements of household and
184    other things appertaining thereto in my house at
185    Sidmouth in the County of Devon to my Son William
186    Blake I give the household Goods and Implements
187    of household and other things appertaining thereto
188    and my Books in my house at Egypt near Sidmouth
189    to my Son Richard Blake I give to my Nephews
190    Charles Blake Forty pounds I give to my now Servant
191    Maids three Guineas each and to my Servant Boy two
192    Guineas I give to the said Richard Blake and John
193    Marsh Fifty pounds to be applied for the benefit of
194    _______ Crattle by annual payments of ten pounds
195    I give and devise to the said Richard Blake and John
196    Marsh one fourth part of the Sugar house and
197    Dwelling house in Redcliff Street in the City of Bristol
198    part hold or Lease under the Chamber of the said
199    City as Feoffees of Forsters Alms houses and other
200    part under the Feoffees of Saint Thomas parish
201    Lands lately occupied by Mrs Dean and Blake as
202    Sugar house And now by Joseph Dyer Distiller together
203    with a Moiety of all the utensils Materials and
204    appurtenances used in carrying on the Sugar Refining
205    Business and one half of the Erections that now remain
206    there and also all my household Goods (except what
207    is herein otherwise disposed of in my house in Dove
208    Street aforesaid Also my three Shares in the Bristol
209    Fire office also my Bank Stock of two thousand three
210    hundred and sixty five pounds in the Four per cents also
211    my two hundred pounds Short Annuities and all and
211    singular other my Estate and Effects Real and personal
213    whatsoever and wheresoever after payment of my just
214    Debts Funeral Expences and discharges incident to whit trust
215    To hold to them the said Richard Blake and John Marsh
    [Page 5]
216    their heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns
217    Upon Trust to sell transfer dispose of and receive
218    the same and every part thereof and the Moneys
219    arising by such Sale transfer disposition and Receipt
220    to pay and divide as hereinafter mentioned (that is to
221    say) One sixth part to my Son William one sixth part
222    to my Daughter Mary Marsh One sixth part to
223    my Daughter Rebecca Mogg one sixth part to my
224    Son Richard Blake one sixth part to be divided equally
225    between my Son James and Daughter Clementia
226    Blake and the remaining sixth part to be divided
227    equally between my Grand Children Son or Sons and
228    Daughters of my Son William Blake And I hereby
229    nominate and appoint the said Richard Blake and
230    John Marsh Executors in Trust of this my Will and
231    revoking all other Wills by me made do declare this
232    to be my last In Witness whereof I have to this my
233    last Will and Testament contained in Five Sheets of
234    paper to the first four Sheets thereof set my hand
235    and to this fifth and last Sheet my hand and
236    Seal the Day and year above written Willm
237    Blake Signed Sealed Published and Declared
238    by the above named William Blake the Testator
239    as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence
240    of us who in his presence at his request and in the
241    presence of each other have hereunto subscribed
242    our Names as Witnesses The word “three” being interlined
243    instead of five in the fourth line from the Bottom of
244    the first Sheet hereof Richard Milles Susan Milles
245    Fenwick Bird
246    This Will was proved at London the
247    fourteenth day of January in the year of our Lord
248    one thousand seven hundred and ninety two before the
249    Right honorable Sir William Wynne Knight Doctor
250    of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the
251    Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted
252    by the Oaths of Richard Blake the Son of the deceased
253    and John Marsh the Executors named in the said
254    Will to whom Administration was granted of all and
255    singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said
256    deceased having been first sworn (by Commission) duly
257    to administer.

Will of William Blake, gentleman, Saint MIchael, Bristol, Gloucestershire - The National Archives PROB 11/2175/217, probated 9 Jul 1853

William Blake, gentleman, Saint Michaels Hill, Bristol is the testator. He does not name any family in this will.

His executrix Hester Manfield Rogers is possibly Hester Rogers, house keeper to William Jones who kept a lodging house on Park Lane. She was born at Nailsea Somerset and was 45 years of age.

His witness Stephen Shallard is living at 66 Upper Church Lane St Michaels Parish and he was 55 years of age and a pattern maker on the 1851 census born at Bitten Gloucestershire.

On the 1841 Census there is one Blake family living in Saint Michael Parish, Salmon Street near Little Paul Street.


John Blake, 35, M S, not born in Gloucestershire
Anne Blake, 35, , born in Gloucestershire
John Blake, 11, , born in Gloucestershire
Alfred Blake, 10, , born in Gloucestershire
William Blake, 7, , born in Gloucestershire

Probably not this family but interesting to find a Blake family nearby.


The Family Bible given away to Mary Jane Rogers would certainly be an interesting find!

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 15 May 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2175/217
Testator:  William Blake, gentleman
Place: Parish of Saint Michael, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 2 Mar 1853, probated 9 Jul 1853
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: William
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 5

1    This is the Last Will and Testament
2    of me William Blake of Saint Michaels Hill in the Parish of Saint Michael
3    in the City of Bristol Gentleman I give and bequeath unto Elanor the wife of Wil-
4    liam Coram of Paul Street Kingsdown in the City of Bristol the sum of Ten pounds
5    and I do hereby declare that the said sum shall be paid to her for her absolute use
6    notwithstanding her coverture and that her receipt alone shall be the only effectual
7    discharge to my Executrix hereinafter mentioned for the same I give unto Joseph
8    Coram of Paul Street aforesaid Accountant the sum of Five pounds I give unto
9    Mary Ann Hodges of Saint Michaels Hill aforesaid Spinster the sum of Nineteen
10    pounds ten shillings I give unto William Green of the City of Bristol Cutler the sum
11    of Five pounds I give unto Joseph Willis of Baldwin Street in the said City of
12    Bristol the sum of Five pounds I give unto Henry Lake of the Parish of Clifton in
13    the City of Bristol the sum of Five pounds I give unto Robert Gibbs of the said
14    City Accountant the sum of Five pounds I give and bequeath my large Imperial
15    Family Bible unto Mary Jane Rogers of Saint Michaels Hill aforesaid And I do
16    hereby direct the said pecuniary Legacies to be paid to the Legatees respectively within
17    three months next after my decease And as to all the rest residue and
18    remainder of my real and personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever
19    after payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expences I give devise and
20    bequeath the same unto Hester Manfield Rogers of the Parish of Saint Michael
21    aforesaid Spinster her heirs executors administrators and assigns And I do hereby ap-
22    point the said Hester Manfield Rogers sole Executrix of this my Will In witness
23    whereof I the said William Blake have to this my Will subscribed my hand this
24    Second day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty three William
25    Blake Signed by the said Testator William Blake and acknowledged by him
26    to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who
27    in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto
28    subscribed our names as witnesses John Young Tailor St Thomas Bridge
29    Bristol Stephen Shallard Pattern Maker Upper Church Lane H__________
30    Bristol
31    Proved at London 9th July 1853 before the Judge by the oath of Hester
32    Manfield Rogers Spinster the sole Executrix to whom Admon was granted having
33    been first sworn by Comon duly to administer

Will of William Blake, Cardboard Maker, Dursley, Gloucestershire - Diocese of Bristol Wills on Ancestry, probated 25 Jun 1787

William Blake of Dursley is the testator. He is married to Sarah. On Family Search I found the baptism of Mary 16 Apr 1755 and Betty 18 June 1758 at Dursley. They would appear to be the youngest daughters.

On Ancestry I found Ann baptized 3 Jul 1744 at Dursley, There was also a William Blake baptized January 1749 at Dursley son of William and Sarah Blake. There was also a Catherine Blake baptized 8 Aug 1742 at Eastington daughter of William and Sarah Blake. Sarah is missing but by the naming in the will she would have been born after Ann and before Mary so between 1744 and 1755. Eastington (near Stonehouse is 5 miles from Dursley).

William Blake married Sarah Stephens 25 Dec 1740 at Eastington, Gloucestershire. The marriage lines mention that William Blake was of the parish of Dursly. In the baptismal at Eastington in 1742 Catherine is noted as a daughter of William and Sarah Blake of Dursley.

There was a William Blake (and his twin John) baptized 22 Mar 1710 son(s) of John and Ann Blake. A John Blake and Ann Cishall were married 26 Jan 1707 at Dursley.

This does not lead me back to any of the other wills for Gloucestershire at a quick glance. The next will is for a William Blake (administration) and was submitted by his sister Sarah Millard at Dursley.  On Ancestry I found that Sarah Blake married Edward Millard 18 Feb 1781 at Dursley. The marriage lines are witnessed by William Blake and Benj Hill. There is also a marriage 7 Aug 1781 at Dursley between William Blake and Hannah Samuels.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 18 Feb 2015
Source: Diocese of Bristol Wills on Ancestry
Testator: William Blake
Place: Dursley, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 5 Apr 1786, probated 25 Jun 1787
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy


1    In the Name of God Amen I William Blake of
2    Dursley in the County of Gloucester Cardboard Maker being (I bless God)
3    of sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding do make
4    publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner
5    following (that is to say) First I will and Direct that all my just
 6    debts and Funeral Expences be paid and discharged And Subject
7    thereto and charged and chargeable therewith, I Give and Bequeath
8    unto my dear Wife the use of all and singular my Household Goods
9    Plate Linen and Furniture and all other my Personal Estate of what
10    nature or kind soever for and during the Term of her natural Life,
11    And my Will is that she may use and employ my Stock in Trade
12    and Monie part of my said personal Estate in Trade to the best
13    advantage she can the better to enable her to maintain herself And
14    I Will that a true and perfect Inventory and Appraisement be taken
15    of all my said Household Goods Plate Linen and Furniture and other
16    my Personal Estate as soon as may be after my decease which I
17    direct shall be signed by my said Wife and delivered to my Son in
18    Law Thomas Lockier to be at any time inspected by any or either of
19    my Daughters hereinafter named: And from and after her decease
20    I Give and Bequeath the Sum of Ten Pounds part of my said
21    Personal Estate to each and every of my daughters Catherine Ann
22    Sarah Mary and Elizabeth and I direct that the Receipt of my said Daughter Catherine for her said Legacy shall be sufficient alone without her Husband who shall not intermeddle herein All the rest and residue of my said
23    personal Estate from and after the decease of my said Wife I
24    Give and Bequeath unto such of my said daughters and in such
25    Shares parts and proportions as my said Wife shall at any time
26    during her natural Life by her last Will and Testament in Writing
27    or by any Writing purporting to be her last Will and Testament to
28    be by her Sealed and Delivered in the presence of two or more
29    credible Witnesses Give or Bequeath the same And for want or
30    default of such Gift or Bequest I give and Bequeath the same
31    rest and residue of my said personal Estate (from and after the
32    decease of my said Wife) unto all and every my said daughters
33    equally to be divided between them share and share alike And
34    I do hereby make nominate constitute and appoint my said Wife
35    the Executrix of this my last Will and Testament And Lastly
36    revoking all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore
37    made I declare this to be my last Will and Testament In
38    Witness whereof I the said William Blake the said Testator have to
39    this my last Will and Testament set my Hand and Seal the Fifth
40    day of April in the Twenty Sixth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign
41    Lord King George the Third And in the Year of our Lord One Thousand
42    William Blake
43    Seven Hundred and Eighty Six
44    Signed Sealed Published and Declared                                      
45    by the said Testator William Blake as and for
46    his last Will and Testament in the presence
47    of us The Interlineation on the other side being
48    first made
49    Conway Whithorne
50    J Hill
51    25th June 1787
52    The above named Sarah Blake the widow
53    and sole Executrix was duly sworn
54    before me
55    James Webster Surrogate
56    Sworn to less
57    than £100
58    This Will was proved the 25th June 1787 Before the Reverend James
59    Webster Surrogate to the Worshipful Edward Cooke Master of arts Vicar
60    general in Spirituals of the Right Reverend Father in God Samuel by
61    divine Permission Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Gloucester and of his
62    Episcopal Consistory Official principal lawfully constituted by Sarah
63    Blake the widow and sole Executrix etc to whom and having first Sworn well
64    and faithfully to administer the said Will and also to Exhibit an Inventory
65    and Render an Account etc

Administration of William Blake of Prestbury, Gloucestershire - Diocese of Bristol Wills on Ancestry, probated 20 Apr 1706

Will for William Blake of Presbury and mentioned the administrator is his wife Margaret Blake and Henry Hathaway. William was a yeoman. Also mentioned is his Grandson William Blake as administrator.

There isn’t a marriage at Prestbury for a William and Margaret Blake in this time frame:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/08/prestbury-gloucestershire-records-on.html
A longer look at the Blake families in Prestbury when I am doing reconstruction.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 14 Feb 2015
Source: Ancestry – Diocese of Bristol Wills
Testator:  William Blake
Place: Prestbury, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Probate
Date of document: 15 Apr 1706, probated 20 Apr 1706
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

1 Noverint universi per p[re]sentes nos Will[ia]m Blake de Presbury in
2 Coun Glouc yeoma[n] Margaretem Blake de ead[em] wid and Henricum
3 Hathaway de Civit Glouc yeoma[n]
4 teneri et firmiter obligari rendo in depo pre et duo dno Edw
5 permisene dia Glouc Epo[m] Qungentij
6 libris bone et legalis monete Angliae solvendis eisdem duo Epo aut
7 suo certo Attornat Executor vel Administrator suis ad quam quidem solutionem bene
8 et fideliter faciendam Obligamus nos et quemlibet no[str]um per se pro toto et in solidum
9 Here[de]s Executor et Administrator n[ost]ros et cujuslibet n[ost]rum firmiter per presents
10 sigillis no[str]is sigillatas Dat quinto die mensis Aprilis
11 Annoque Regni duo ura Anne
12 dei gracia Angliae Scotice Francice et Hibernie Regis  fidei defenser
13 etc Quinto Annoque d[omi]ni 1706
14 The Condic[i]on of this Obligacon is such that if the abovebound William Blake
15 Grand Son and Administrator of all and singuler the goods ch[at]ells
16 and credits of William Blake late of Prestbury above s[ai]d deceased
17 doe make or cause to be made a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the goods
18 chattels and credits of the said deceased which have or shall come to the hands pos[sess]ion
19 or knowledge of him the said William Blake above bound or
20 into the hands and possession of any person or persons for him and the same so
21 made doe exhibit or cause to be exhibited into the Registry of Glouc
22 at or before the last day of May next
23 ensuing And the same goods chattels and credits and all other the goods chattels and credits
24 of the said deceased at the time of his death which at any time after shall come to the
25 hands or possession of the said Will[ia]m Blake or into the hands and
26 possession of any other person or persons for him doe well and truly administer
27 according to law And further doe make or cause to be made a true and just accompt
28 of his s[ai]d Ad[ministra]con at or before the last day of Aprill Anno 1707
29 and all the rest and residue of the said goods chattels and credits which shall be found
30 remaining upon the said Administrators accompt the same being first examined and
31 allowed of by the Judge or Judges for the time being of the said Court shall deliver
32 and pay unto such person or persons respectively as the said Judge or Judges by his
33 or their decree or sentence p[ur]suant to the true intent and meaning of a late Act of
34 Parliament made in the two and twentieth and three and twentieth yeares of the raigne
35 of o[u]r Late Soveraigne L[or]d King Charles the second (Intituled An Act for the better
36 settling of Intestates (Istates) shall limit and appoint And if it shall hereafter
37 appeare that any last will and Testament was made by the said deceased and the
38 Executor or Executors therein named doe exhibit the same into the said Court making
39 request to have it allowed and approved accordingly if the said Administrator
40 above bounden being thereunto required doe render and deliver the said Lines of Ad[ministrat]con
41 (approbacion of such Testament being first had and made) in the said County Then this
42 Obligacon to be void and of none effect or otherwise remaine in full force and virtue
43 Sealed and Delivered
44 in the presence of
45 Rob[er]t Moore N P
46 Marg[are]t Blake’s mark
47 Henr Halaway his mark

Will of William Blake, Little Sodbury, Gloucestershire - Diocese of Bristol Wills on Ancestry, probated 10 Sep 1580

This rather ancient will of William Blake of Little Sodbury might fit in with the other wills in this area but will wait until I work on the Gloucester Blake family to discuss that. He mentions Edmonde Myles, no information, and William Wayde alias Blake and again no idea on relationships. His wife was Isbell and perhaps William was her son and she a widow marrying.

Otherwise I am working on the Cornwall Blake family (Landrake area) and hope to eventually publish my descendancy charts for that in the next week or so although each day I find more information to flesh out the details. 

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 9 Feb 2015
Source: Diocese of Bristol Wills on Ancestry
Testator: William Blake
Place: Little Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 23 Aug 1579, probated 10 Sep 1580
Condition: 16th century English, legible copy

[Top]: 202
[Margin]: Will[ia]m Blake

1    In the name of god amen I wylly[a]m blake of the
2    p[ar]yshe of lytell sodbury the xxiij daye of
3    Auguste In the yere of o[u]r lorde god anno M
4    lxxix beyng sycke of body but holle and
5    p[er]fect In my[n]de and memory laude and prayse
6    be to god In primis I beseche o[u]r savior Jesu[s]
7    chryste to receive my sowle In whos
8    blude shedyng I truste to be saved and
9    suche goods as god hathe lente me to be
10    devided as herewythe follow[e]th It[em] I geve
11    to o[u]r pyshe churche a busshell ofe barly
12    It[em] I geve to olde Sodbury churche a busshell
13    of barly It[em] I geve to Edmonde Myles
14    a quivne with the p[er]formynce and o
15    whiche   It[em] I geve
16    to wyllyam wayde other wyse blake too grette
17    pan[n]es of brasse and the grete croke iij
18    platters upon the cobberte The Resudue of
19    my goods not bequeathed I geve to Isbell my
20    whife and to wyllam wayde alias blake and to
21    ether of them and to the longeste lyver of
22    them who I orden to be my executors
23    to see this my wyll p[er]formed my detts
24    payd and my body honestely broghte too
25    Earthe thes beyng wytnes Charles
26    powell vicar Jhon dyer herry stanburn
27    Willa[m] blake
28    de sodburie
29    _____  ____   ____
30   probat[um]  x sept
31    1580 apud sodburie

Will of William Blake, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire - Diocese of Bristol Wills on Ancestry, no probate given

A very old will by William Blake of Winchcombe. He does not appear to name any children unless Agnes Marymon is his daughter. The other bequests are to males not carrying the Blake surname. He mentions his wife Jone. There is also mention of a water blake.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 8 Feb 2015
Source: Diocese of Bristol Wills on Ancestry
Testator: William Blake
Place: Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 1546, probated unknown
Condition: 16th century English, legible copy

[Top]: 1546/230
[Top]: Will[ia]m Blake

1    In die no[min]e Ame[n]: In the yere of our Lorde god M v xlvj in the xxxviij
2    yere of the reigne of our superior Lorde beynge henry the viij th kyng of
3    Englande France and Irelande defender of the faith and in extc (imme
4    djatly next under god) Supreme hed of the Church of Englande,
5    Irelande: I willi[a]m blake of Wynchombe sycke in body but hole and p[er]fecte
6    in mynde and of good reme[m]bra[n]ce do ordeyne and make this my testam[en]t
7    and last wyll in forme and man[ne]r folowynge:
8    Fyrst I bequeath my sole to almighty god to oure lady synt marey and
9    to all the company in hevyn and my body to be buryed in the paresh
10    churche yarde of synt peters in wynchombe
11    It[em] I bequethe to the mother churche iiij d
12    It[em] I bequeth to my son morcey my best gowne a wolsted doublet and
13    a payre of hosn
14    It[em] to Agnes Marymon my spare payr of sheets
15    It[em] to Oswalde myllys my letherne cote
16    It[em] to walt vycarey a peyre of hosn
17    And all the rest of my goods moveable and unmoveable I geve unto
18    Jone my wife makynge her my full Executrixs to dispose me to the
19    honor of god and to her _____ mak Mr George Roo Mr Archie Bur
20    mart and watr blake my ov[er]sears to ____ my wyff for _____ tho[se]
21    beynge testes Jhon Dyston, Jhon bere with other mee

Transcription

Slowly moving ahead with transcription and Valentine Blake's, Clerk at Winchcomb, will of 1615 will be a challenge. It is four pages long with an inventory and somewhat of a scrawl (I believe it is his original writing as these are wills from the Diocese of Bristol). Probably I will not complete it for a few days and I believe I will also work on the Cornwall Blake family at the same time.

The new society "The Surname Society" has my time commitment only for meetings and the newsletter (I will primarily be copyediting other submissions which will mean a much shorter time commitment). That brings to three the number of newsletters that I prepare. My Blake newsletter is short (never more than 2 pages unless someone wants to add something) but all written by me and my Guild of one name Studies newsletter for Eastern Canada (trying for twice a year and again written by me). As I approach 70 (2015) I realize that I must continue to pass on some of my commitments to other like minded people so hope that someone will come forward to take on the Guild for Eastern Canada.

The will of Valentine Blake is rather an interesting one as I do have a Martin Blake married to Catherine Vaughan living at Winchcomb but no son Valentine and the father is said to be David. This information from the Blake Pedigree Chart held at the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office. I did find a bit of information that gives me a possible date of birth for Valentine Blake. It is the recording of a case where he was a deponent 18 Jun 1612 and it is stated that Valentine has lived at Winchcombe for 15 years and that he was born at Fladbury, Worcestershire and he is aged 50 years. Hence a birth year circa 1562. Interesting that he is a curate at Winchcombe where the Blake family had lived earlier but also concurrent with Valentine's time there. Is he related?

Still working away on my exercises for my back which eats into my genealogy time quite markedly actually. I think that is the secret for recovery. When I tore my rotator cap a little more than ten years ago now I went to about half of a dozen therapy sessions which I found to be absolutely excellent. Being directed in such a way is very very beneficial and then doing those exercises for a number of years and my shoulder is completely healed. I hope the same for my back actually. 

Order of transcription

I have somewhat lost my train of thought in this past couple of months lost to transcription so believe that once I complete the remaining wills in Gloucestershire (Diocese of Bristol) and that is seven in number with the next being from 1615 for Valentine Blake, Clerk at Winchcomb. This will is likely to take me a couple of days to do, then I shall move on to Hertfordshire where there are five wills to do. I will then move on to Huntingdonshire and return to my alphabetical path through the Counties although Somerset and Wiltshire are already completed. I will leave the ones designed Location Miscellaneous as they are a number of locations outside of England and Wales including military. Some have been done for various reasons but most remain to be done and there are probably over 100 of them.

I will also continue the last week of every month plus Saturdays to work on Family Reconstruction and I am still working on Cornwall and will have to take a bit of time to reorient myself to the project.

Will of Thomas Blake, Yeoman, Up Hatherly, Gloucestershire - Diocese of Bristol Wills on Ancestry, probated 17 Jan 1712/13

The testator is Thomas Blake of Up Hatherly. He names his wife Elizabeth and his sons Thomas, Giles, John and daughter Martha Powell.

The administration of Elizabeth Blake, widow, estate was blogged earlier:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/07/administration-of-elizabeth-blake-widow.html

and her son Giles was her administrator. John was the granted probate in the will of his father Thomas as mentioned by Thomas in his will (although  his wife was also included).

Up Hatherley is just three miles from Cheltenham, 5 miles from Prestbury, 5 miles from Cowley. So once again in the same general area as the other Blake families. Will wait for Family Reconstruction in this area before commenting further.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 6 Nov 2014
Source: Ancestry – Diocese of Bristol Wills
Testator:  Thomas Blake, Yeoman
Place: Up Hatherly, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 8 Sep 1712, probated 17 Jan 1712/13
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy


1    In the name of God Amen I Thomas Blake of Uphatherly
2    in the Diocesse and County of Glouc[est]er yeoman being sick and weak but of a sound
3    Judgment and perfect mind and memory Recomending my Soul into the hands of
4    Almighty God my Saviour and Redeemer and my Body to be buried in such manner
5    as to my Executors hereafter named Shall seem meet and convenient doe make
6    and ordaine my last Will and Testament in manner following
7    First I give and bequeath to my loving wife Elizabeth Blake All that my
8    Close or Closes of Meadow or pasture Ground called or known by the name of
9    Kirle’s with all and singular the appurtenances lying and being in the parish of
10    Prestbury in the County of Glouc[est]er aforesaid To hold to her and her Assignes
11    for and during the terme of her natural life And from and after her decease
12    I give and devise the same and every part thereof to my Son Thomas Blake and to his heires and
13    Assignes for ever Charged neverthelesse with the payment of the Several Legacy or Legacys
14    summe and summes of money hereinafter men[t]ioned at the time or times hereafter
15    expressed (That is to say) To my Son Giles the summe of Eight pounds To my Son
16    John Eight pounds and To my daughter Martha Powell Eight pounds of
17    lawfull money to be paid into her own hand and to her own use distinct and
18    apart from the hands of her husband And, my will is and I doe appoint and
19    direct the said Several Sumes shall be paid within the space of three yeares
20    next after the decease of my said wife successively one after the other as they are above named
    provided always and my Will and meaning is That if my s[ai]d Son Thomas
21    Blake his heires or Assignes shall happen to make default in payment of
22    any or either of the said sumes att the time or times above limited and appointed
23    for payment thereof Then and in such case It shall and may be lawfull to
24    and for my said Sons Giles and John Blake and my daughter Martha Powell
25    their several and respective Exec[uto]rs Admin[istrato]rs and Assignes into all of any part
26    of my said Lands and premises to enter and the same and every or any part
27    thereof to have hold and enjoy until he and they and every of them shall be
28    fully satisfied and paid their several and respective Legacys of Eight pounds
29    apiece one after the other as is above men[t]ioned All the rest of my Goods and Chattells
30    Stock of Cattle and personal Estate whatsoever I give and bequeath to my loving
31    wife Elizabeth Blake and my Son John whom I doe make joint Executors of
32    this my last Will and Testament they paying my debts and discharging my
33    Funeral Expences In Wittnesse whereof I have hereunto put my hand
34    and Seale this Eighth day of September in the Eleventh yeare of our Soveraigne
35    Lady Queene Anne over Great Britaine etc Annoqz dni 1712
36    The marke B of Thomas Blake
37    Signed Sealed published and declared
38    to be the last Will and Testament of
39    the above named Thomas Blake in the
40    presence of
41    Rich: Grinnett
42    Isaac Grennett
43    The J marke of Jane Williams
44    17 Janu: 1712
45    Jurate Johes Blake ______ _____ coram me
46    Nath: Lye Sur:

Will of Samuel Blake, Surgeon, Chipping Sodbury - Diocese of Bristol Wills on Ancestry, administered 26 Mar 1744

This is the will of Samuel Blake, Surgeon, who died intestate. There is a will in 1763 for Anne Blake at Chipping Sodbury as well but I do not think this is his wife mentioned below.

At this time I think I will leave him as being unrelated to the other Blake families at Chipping Sodbury until I am working on the family trees in this area.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 5 Nov 2014
Source: Ancestry – Diocese of Bristol Wills
Testator:  Samuel Blake, Surgeon
Place: Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Probate
Date of document:19 Mar 1743/44, administered 26 Mar 1744
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy


1    Know all Men by these Presents that We Anne
2    Blake of Chipping Sodbury in the County of Gloucester
3    Widow Thomas Blanchard of the same Taylor and Abraham
4    Tanner of the same Brickmaker
5    are held and firmly bound unto Martin Lord Bishop of
6    the Diocese of Gloucester
7    in the penal sum of five hundred pounds
8    of good and lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid unto the said Lord
9    Bishop or his Successors or to his Attorney his Executors Adminstrators or Assigns
10    To which Payment well and truly to be made We oblige ourselves
11    and every of us by himself for
12    the whole our and every of our Heirs Executors and Administrators firmly by
13    these Presents Sealed with our Seals dated the nineteenth day of
14    March in the seventeenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign
15    Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain
16    France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and so
17    forth And in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and fourty four
18    The Condition of this Obligation is such That if the above bounden Anne
19    Blake Relict and Administrator of all and singular the Goods
20    Chattles and Credits of Samuel Blake late of Chipping Sodbury aboves[ai]d deceased do
21    make or cause to be made a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the Goods
22    Chattles and Credits of the said deceased which have or shall come to the Hands
23    Possession or Knowledge of her the said Anne Blake
24    or into the Hands and Possession of any Person or Persons for
25    her and the same so made do exhibit or cause to be exhibited into the Registry
26    of the Bishop  of Gloucester at or before the
27    last day of March next ensuing and the same Goods
28    Chattles and Credits and all other the Goods Chattles and Credits of the said deceased
29    at the time of his death which at anytime after shall come to the hands or Possession
30    of the said Anne Blake or into the hands
31    and Possession of any other Person or Persons for her do well and truly administer
32    according to Law And further do make or cause to be made a true and just Accompt
33    of her said Administration at or before the last day of January next
34    and all the Rest and Residue of the said Goods Chattles and Credits which shall be
35    found remaining upon the said Administrators Accompt the same being first
36    examined and allowed of by the Judge or Judges for the time being of the said
37    Court shall deliver and pay unto such Person or Persons respectively as the said
38    Judge or Judges by his or their Decree or Sentence pursuant to the true Intent and
39    Meaning of a late Act of Parliament made in the two and twentieth and three and
40    twentieth Years of the Reign of our late Sovereign Lord King Charles the Second
41    Intituled an Act for the better settling of Intestates Estates which limit and appoint
42    And if it shall hereafter appear that any last Will and Testament was made by the
43    said deceased and the Executor or Executors therein named do exhibit the same into
44    the said Court making Request to have it allowed and approved accordingly if the
45    said Anne Blake
46    above bounden being thereunto required do render and deliver the said Letters of
47    Administration (Approbation of such Testament being first had and made) in the
48    said Court then this Obligation to be void or else to remain in full Force and Virtue.
49    Anne Blake
50    Signed and delivered (being first
51    duly stamped) in the presence of
52    Francis Gold                              Thomas Blanchard
53    Samuell Hoptkins                       Abraham Tanner
    [Page 2]
55   
56    Sir Henry Penrice Knight Doctor of Laws Vicar General in Spirituals of
57    The Right Rev and Father in God Martin by Divine permission Lord Bishop of the
58    Diocese of Gloucester and of his Episcopal CVonsistory Official principal (lawfully
60    constituted To William Hughes Francis Gold and Henry Sharp Clerks Greeting We
61    do by these presents commit our power and authority to you in whose fidelity
62    we can confide to receive the Corporal Oath of Ann Blake widow and relict of
63    Samuel Blake late of Chipping Sodbury in the Diocese of Gloucester Chirurgeon
64    deceased well and truly to administer all and Singular the Goods rights and
65    Credits of the said Deceased and to exhibit an Inventory and render an Account
66    according to the Tenor of this underwritten Oath and moreover to see the Bond
67    annexed to these presents Signed Sealed and delivered by the said Ann Blake
68    together with two more good and sufficient Bondsmen and what ye Shall do in
69    the promises ye are to rectifie it to us our Surrogate or other competent Judge
70    in this behalf together with these presents on or before the eighth Day of
71    March next ensuing Given under the Seal of our Office this 21st Day of
72    February 1743
73    W: Mount Register
74    [Margin] Mrs Ann Blake
75    The Oath
76    You Shall Swear that you believe your late Husband died intestate that you
77    will well and faithfully administer his goods by paying his Debts so far as
78    his Goods will extend and the Law bind you that you will exhibit unto the
79    Registry of the Bishop of Gloucester a true and perfect Inventory of the
80    Goods Rights and Credits of the said Deceased and moreover render a true
81    just Account when you Shall be Swore to lawfully required So help you God
    Kiss the Book
83    The twenty sixth Day of March 1744
84    The above named Ann Blake was duly Sworn
85    according to the tenor of the above Commission
86    Before me
87    Francis Gold Clerk

Returning to Blake Wills

Finally after more than three months I am getting back to blogging once again. I spent most of two months just walking about on my feet whenever I was awake as that worked best for my recovery! I am still limited somewhat at the computer but hope to do a will a day except when I am working on family reconstruction.

I have decided that Family Reconstruction is perhaps one of the very important parts of my Blake one name study. I think looking at the work that Martin Blake did on the Galway Blake family I am likely right in that regard. The drawback for me is my limited oral knowledge of any Blake family in England other than my own. But I shall forge ahead and continue working on the Cornwall family as it is most interesting. I think what I ponder is the age of these family lines - is the Devon line the oldest one and does it predate the line in Somerset which takes me back to the Blake family near Calne which appears to have the deepest roots for this perhaps continuous family. My own line at Andover is back to the mid 1400s but given the yDNA results my line has likely taken on the Blake surname prior to that time and likely towards the end of the 1200s or into the early 1300s. Why did they take it on is the mystery? Did my ancient ancestor marry a Blake descendant of Richard le Blak[e] as this family was living not far away from Andover. Richard le Blak[e] appears to be the progenitor of the Blake family near Calne if one looks at the Pedigree Chart of the Blake family held at the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office.

Exciting time for my line as I try to work my way back and discover if that is a possibility. English people did not have surnames until the arrival of the Normans in 1066 and it was a gradual assumption of surnames through the centuries that followed until most English people had acquired or were made to acquire a surname in the latter part of the 1400s into the 1500s. Since my ancient ancestor did have a piece of property at Knights Enham I expect that there was less of a random picking of a surname but more inclined towards a marriage with someone who already had a surname. Time will tell on that.

I hope to blog the next will later today and it is an administration for a Samuel Blake in 1744 at Chipping Sodbury.