How do I really feel about my eyes

Do I wish that I was seeing all my life as I see now? One can not turn back the clock so no; life is what it is and you must just go with the flow. It is amazing what I now see in actual fact and is a distraction in my old age however I wouldn't say to anyone asking would you have preferred what your eyes do now? I have no idea people have to make their own decisions based on the expert opinions around you. Taking one's time is always the way; preparing for whatever is the best decision - not rushing. When I had the second Cataract removal operation a young person was there and he had had his first eye operated on about four months earlier and really wanted the second done but the Ophthalmologist was saying to take more time to get used to it. At that point only my weak eye had been operated on and it was a little over two weeks later but already I was amazed actually so I can see the value in waiting between the surgeries although I am old and waiting would not really appear to be of any value (the advantage that the  medical world does have is the volume of cases and how they flow and one must listen to their opinions). In essence I still managed to acquire sight that I  never had before the surgery. Was I just lucky? No ideas on that I do not know anyone with eyes like  mine except my father and I wasn't there when he had his cataract surgery back in  his early 80s. He threw his glasses away after his stroke perhaps seven years later and never attempted to read again in his early 90s. He had enjoyed doing his cross puzzles but again I was there so seldom after the mid 1980s as Edward wanted us to go with him to his Conferences and whatever else he wanted to do (usually in the United States) researching at various repositories. I was working full time and it just wasn't possible. When I was with my father I spent the entire day and finally we would chat a little but nothing so intensive as eyes. I had no idea what was in store for me at that time; I had lived with the sight I had all my life so I had no idea really what I was missing nor do I miss anything that I might have missed including all my trips to some of the greatest holdings of art in the world. I am not that sort of person. I could go back but I have goals that do not include running around the world. Was it a fluke that this condition (strabismus) passed from my great grandfather Blake (obvious in this very large picture I saw of him) to my father to me. From my reading since my daughter mentioned congenital cataracts strabismus is thought to be caused by congenital cataracts. So there you go; interesting but I did not end up going into medicine and do not attempt to answer questions best answered by the experts. 

Cleaning all accomplished and I  had a couple of hours to work on Chromosome 15 and all those matches. They continue in the one length to be large (considering how far back they must reach), to all be mine (none of my siblings match these individuals) and all have early American colonial ancestry. Why so large coming down so many generations? What is hidden in the genes in that section - one wonders and the future points to our understanding that. Because it is in understanding our genetic complement that we gain a clearer picture of why everything happens really. But how one lives the life we are given is also so very very important. 

Was it Buller or Taylor that large match in Chromosome 15 (it is in the Buller column because that was the surname of my maternal grandmother)? It looks perhaps like it was Taylor because some of the matches are taking their ancestor back to the Midlands and my suspicion is that the Buller line came out of the southern western counties of England moving to the London/Surrey area in the mid 1700s and then to Birmingham in the 1830s. The Taylor on the other hand I am finding the ancestral lines of that family to be in Warwickshire/Shropshire back into the 1700s and perhaps I will trace it back further. I simply have not done that. The surnames that come into that family are interesting -  Harborne, Lewis, Roberts, Croxall, Lawley, Hale, Birch, Asbury (back into the early 1700s). Documented some of them back to Ireland from England (both Eire and Northern Ireland). Finding Taylor can seem like a bit of a dead end but in reality it opens up like a flower showing its lines. I do actually have matches (somewhat large considering how far back the match is) with Lawley that trace back in that line amazingly (and others). But that book is on the back burner for sure - Blake and Pincombe must come first - my parent's surnames and in particular my paternal grandfather's great desire. As he approached the end of his life; he spent more and more time repeating and telling me his stories. I was only seven going on eight but he laid the groundwork in my brain for a good memory teaching me to rhyme off the Kings and Queens of England when I was just five years of age and Bible Verses and so many other little rhymes that he taught me. He knew how to stimulate those brain cells in a small child I realize now. Interesting really how much impact a grandparent can have in a child's life. I would say the same about my grandmother who filled that void in my life when my grandfather died when I was eight years of age. She did it gradually because she knew I was terrified of her; she was very strict but gradually I came to love her as much as I had loved him. I spent hours with her and she did talk about her husband quite a bit giving me a picture of this man I never knew but that she loved with all her heart and looked up to as he was fourteen years older and as fate has it he was over six feet and she was barely five feet!. Their life together just twelve short years but packed full of wonderful times you could tell by her stories and by the stories of my uncle who loved his father very very much and was only ten when his father died. 

 A free day finally and I can work on my projects; do my exercises and hopefully go outside and work on the weeds/leaves as Saturday is pickup day for those leaves. The world around me does control some of my day for sure. My old phone continues to ring probably five or six times a day but I do not answer it and will eliminate it when we move. It has done its task for 47 years and I only have it as an emergency phone not for any other reason. I suppose I should put a message on it but many of the times it is just spam according to the readout and messages that lead to another number just carry that spam on and so I do not. I am considering putting a note on my door once again asking people to not ring as it disturbs me. I know if you are coming if I asked you to come; if the city is going to turn the water off or such things they put a note in mailbox so I do not need to answer that door unless of course the house is burning down in which case I will know that. I can not help people; I am too old. Turning 80 does that to you I think; moving towards 80 does that to you. It is a good thing. 

Tea all drank and time for breakfast. I am very hungry. It was 2 degrees celsius when I woke up and now I can see the daylight and it is  3 degrees celsius and sunny. My furnace barely runs at the moment as the sun heats the house but soon the cold will come; keeping it at 19.5 degrees celsius to be the tipping point when it turns on and brings it up to 20 degrees celsius - a nice working temperature. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Will of Edmund King, Alton, Hampshire - The National Archives, PROB 11/258, probated 31 Oct 1656

Edmund King, the testator, was married to Agnes (unknown).

There was a baptism for William King, Nov 1631, at Alton, Hampshire. (Family Search)

Although the Alton Parish Records do date back to 1615 for baptisms, 1629 for marriages and 1616 for burials, they do not appear to be online. Find my Past has only nine entries between 1590 and 1670.

Edmond King (age 32) married Joane Bushell (age 40) 22 Oct 1655 at Binsted near Alton, Hampshire

Edmund King buried 28 Jul 1656 at Alton, Hampshire (likely the testator)

Edward King buried 15 May 1668 at Alton, Hampshire

Jane King (age 22) married Allen Bryant (age 28) 26 Feb 1654 at Binsted near Alton, Hampshire

Joan King buried 22 Sep 1655 at Alton, Hampshire

Johan King buried 28 Jan 1637 at Alton, Hampshire

John King buried 9 Jan 1656 at Alton, Hampshire

(Male) King (infant) buried 26 Aug 1665 at Alton, Hampshire

William King buried 24 Sep 1668 at Alton, Hampshire

As far as I can tell just the burial for Edmund King relates to this particular will.

Was this family always at Alton? There are King families in Alton back into the 1500s.

A search on Find My Past did not reveal any King families similar to this in Hampshire other than in the Alton area.

Edmund named his daughters. First, Jane Rout with sons Thomas and John and daughter Dorothy, her husband is likely David Rout who signed the will as a witness. Second
Elizabeth Vanner with son John and husband is John Vanner identified as a son in law. Third, Margery Nash with sons George and John and daughter Rachell. George Nash is identified as a son in law. Fourth, Agnes Manning and her son John Manning and daughter Elizabeth Manning.  He also named his sons, Edmund King the eldest with daughter Anne. Thomas and William are his other sons named in the will and his joint executors.

He identified his brother as Henry King.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 3 Mar 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/258
Name of testator: Edmund King
Place: Alton, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 16 Jun 1656, probated 31 Oct 1656

[In margin] Edmund King

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Edmund King of Anstie within the Parish of Alton
3    in the County of South[h]am[pton] the elder being sicke
4    in body but of good and perfect memory Thankes be given
5    unto Allmighty God therefore doe make and ordayne
6    this my last will and Testament First I give and
q    commit my soule into the safe keeping of Allmighty
8    God my maker and redeemer Sanctifyer and onely
9    preserver and my body to be buryed in the Church or
10    Churchyard of Alton aforesaid And I give unto
11    Agnes my loving wife my best bedsteed with the Bed
12    bolster, Coverlett and all belonging thereunto Alsoe
13    I give unto my said wife my tableframe, and fourme
14    in the Parlor the greatest Chest and Coffer there
15    the Cubbard, in the Hall all my brasse and Pewter
16    and all my linen two barrels, and the use of the two
17    Parlors with free ingresse, egresse and regresse to the fire
18    room and oven in the hall for her necessary use, alsoe
19    to the well for watch and to brew and wash in ye kitchen
20    and the use of halfe the Garden all dureing the Lease
21    from my brother Henrie, she my said wife to pay to
22    my Executors hereafter named one penny yearely at
23    the feast of Easter if it be lawfully demanded Alsoe I
24    Give and bequeath unto my said wife in monyes Ten
25    pounds to be paid her within one yeare after my death
26    Alsoe I give and bequeath unto my sonnes Thomas
27    and William my free Land called Anstie Copieland
28    and Anstie Copie with all and Singular Commons
29    Commodities and appurtenances there unto belonging
30    or in any wise appertaining To have and to hold to
31    them my said sonnes Thomas and William and unto
32    theire heires and assignes for ever Alsoe I give and
33    bequeath unto my daughter Jane Rout in money
34    seven pounds and ten shillings to be paid from within
35    three yeares after my death Alsoe I give and bequeath
36    unto my Granson Thomas Routt in money Twenty
37    shillings to be paid him within one yeare after my
38    death Also I give and bequeath unto my Granson
39    John Routt in money Twenty shillings to be paid
40    him within one yeare after my death Alsoe I give
41    and bequeath unto my Grandaughter Dorothy Routt
42    in money Twenty shillings to be paid her within one
43    yeare after my death And my will is that if any
44    of my said Granchildren doe dye before the tyme of
45    receiving there Legacy that then his or her Legacy
46    soe dyeing to become theire mothers my said daughter
47    Jane Routt Alsoe I give and bequeath unto my daughter
48    Elizabeth Vanner in money fourty shillings to be paid
49    her within two yeares after my Death Alsoe I give and
50    bequeath unto Granson John Vanner in money Twenty
51    shillings to be paid him within two yeares after my death
52    And my will is that if my said Granson John Vanner
53    doe dye before the tyme of the receiving his said Legacy
54    that then the same shall become his mothers my said
55    daughter Elizabeth Vanner Alsoe I give and bequeath
56    unto my daughter Margery Nash in money Twenty
57    shillings to be paid her within one yeare after my death
58    Alsoe I give and bequeath unto my Granson George
59    Nash in money Twenty shillings to be paid him within
60    two yeares after my death Alsoe I give and bequeath
61    unto my Granson John Nash in money Twenty
62    shillings to be paid him within two yeares after my death
63    Alsoe I give and bequeath unto my Grandaughter Rachell Nash
64    in money Twenty shillings to be paid her within two yeares after
65    after my death, and my will is that if any of my said Granchildren
66    doe dye before the tyme of the receiving theire Legacy that
67    then his or her Legacy soe dyeing to become their Mothers
68    my said daughter Margery Nash Alsoe I give and bequeath
69    unto my daughter Agnes Manning in money Twenty
70    shillings to be paid her within three yeares after my death
71    Alsoe I give and bequeath unto my Granson John Maning
72    Twenty shillings to be paid within three yeares after my
73    death Alsoe I give and bequeath unto my Grandaughter
74    Elizabeth Maning in money Twenty shillings to be paid
75    her within three yeares after my death. And my will is
76    that if any of my said Granchildren doe dye before the tyme
77    of their receiving theire said Legacy that then
78    his or her Legacy soe dyeing to become theire mothers my
79    said daughter Agnes Maning Alsoe I give and bequeath
80    unto Edmund my sonne all the rest of my Lands, and
81    Tenements not already given to have and to hold to him
82    the said Edmund and his heires and Assignes for ever from
83    and ymediately after that all the Corne by mee sowed thereon
84    bee by my Executors hereafter named cut, and carried away
85    Alsoe I give and bequeath unto the said Edmund my sonne
86    in money Twenty shillings Alsoe I give and bequeath
87    unto my Grandaughter Anne King my said sonne Edmunds
88    daughter in money Twenty shillings Alsoe I give and
89    bequeath unto Alice Hale widow in money five shillings
90    All the rest of my goods and Chattells not already given
91    I give and bequeath unto my said sonnes Thomas and
92    William whom I make sole Executors of this my last Will
93    And I doe request my loving sonnes in Law George
94    Nash and John Vanner to be Overseers of this my
95    will and I doe give to each of them for their paines taken
96    herein over and above such Charges as they shall bee att
97    Twenty shillings In witnesse whereof I have hereunto
98    sett my hand and Seale The sixteenth day of June in
99    the yeare of our Lord God One Thousand six hundred
100    fifty and six Signed Edmund King Signed sealed
101    and declared to be my will in the presence of Thomas Brannan
102    George Nash The marke of David Routt The mark of
103    John Vanner
104    This will was proved at London the One and Thirtith
105    day of October One Thousand six hundred fifty six before
106    the Judges for probate of will and granting Administrations
107    lawfully authorized by the oaths of Thomas King and
108    William King the sonnes ioynt Executors in the said will
109    To whom Administration of all and singular the goods
110    chattels and debts of the said deceased was committed
111    they being first by Comission sworne truly to Administer
112    the same

Will of Richard Blake, gentleman, Bristol, Gloucestershire - The National Archives PROB 11/963/393, probated 18 Feb 1771

Richard Blake the Testator lives at Bristol. He asked to be buried at the parish Church of Saint Werburgh and so the earlier blog on the memorials for the Blake family in Gloucestershire locates him very nicely:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/04/1248-blake-family-gloucestershire-notes.html

Hence he is the son of Richard Blake of Chipping Sodbury and Mary (unknown) who were buried at Chipping Sodbury. He had uncles Joseph and Samuel both died in 1715. He was married to Mary Greenway and five of their children died as infants. The surviving children – two daughters – mentioned in the will below Susannah and Hannah.

Names mentioned in the will below:

Richard Blake, gentleman, Bristol, testator
Mary Blake, wife
W. Graton, Bristol, tenant
Phillippa Palmer, Bristol, tenant
____ Thomas, Bristol, tenant
Mrs. Godwin, Bristol, tenant
Mr. John Larkin, surgeon, Bristol, tenant
Mr. John Wallis, Bristol, tenant
Mr. Samuel Pye, tenant, deceased
Mr. Thomas Symons, attorney at law, Bristol, tenant
Mr. John Waddix, Bristol, tenant
Mrs. Sarah Pye, Bristol, widow, tenant
Reverend Richard Woodward, Dean of Clogher, Ireland, son in law, executor
Mr. John Derverell, Bristol, gentleman, son in law, executor
Mr. William Blake, Bristol, merchant, gentleman, friend, executor
George Tyndell, Bristol, Esquire, Friend, Indentee
Mrs. Jane Rudge, cousin
John March, late servant
Rebecca Mead, servant
Mrs. Mary Adlam, Hembury
Mr. Joseph Haynes, Esquire, Weck
Mr. Thomas Haynes, Weck, father of Joseph
Elizabeth Haynes, sister to Joseph
Richard Haynes, son of Thomas
Thomas Haynes, son of Thomas
Christopher Haynes, son of Thomas
Mr. William Palmer, surgeon, Bradford, Wiltshire
Frances Palmer, daughter of William
Elizabeth Palmer, daughter of William
Mrs. Ann Baker, Bristol
____ Greenway, widow of John Greenway, cousin
John Greenway, father of Joseph, deceased
Joseph Greenway, son of widow Greenway
Christopher Blake, St Philip and Jacob, kinsman
Eleanor Anthony, Bristol or Bedminster, Somerset, kinswoman
Thomas Anthony, Bristol or Bedminster, Somerset, husband of Eleanor
Mr. Charles Harwood, schoolmaster, Bristol
Hester Lamb, deceased
John Lamb, husband of Hester, mason, Bath
Richard Blake, son of Mr. William Blake, godson
Susannah Woodward, Ireland, wife of Richard Woodward, daughter
Hannah Deverell, Bristol, wife of John Deverell, daughter
Robert Hale, Gentleman, Indentee
Francis Brown, Merchant, Indentee, deceased
Francis Ward, Bristol, gentleman, Indentee, witness
Mr. Thomas Paty, Master Builder, Bristol
Philip Bowyer, hooper, Bristol, tenant
John Millett, hatter, Bristol, tenant
William Tucker, victualler, Bristol, tenant
_____ Terrel, mealman, Bristol, tenant
Nicholas Simpson, apothecary, Bristol, tenant
______ Powell, hooper, Bristol, tenant
Samuel Gaines, carpenter, Bristol, tenant
John Gresley, junior, witness
George Rogers, witness

Mr. William Blake is somewhat of a mystery. The testator is godfather to his son Richard. There is also a Christopher Blake, kinsman, mentioned in the will. Eleanor Anthony also his kinswoman. His cousins the Greenway family are also mentioned. Mrs. Jane Rudge is also a cousin.

The assumption that this Richard is a grandson of Ambrose Blake of Pinhills does seem to be reasonable given some of the information related in the blog of Christopher Blake’s will:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/04/will-of-christopher-blake-yeoman.html

Christopher in that will mentions his cousins John Blake, William Blake (deceased) and Joseph Blake all of Tetbury and Edward Blake and Henry Blake of London. Usually one does have relatives as godparents to one’s children (but not always) and this was perhaps more the case in days gone by. This line though has daughtered out; no Blake descendants of this Richard are named.

The will of William Blake of Bristol (1792) is to come and I wonder if the first memorial mentioned in the blog on the Memorials to the Blake family of Gloucestershire pertains to this family:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/04/1248-blake-family-gloucestershire-notes.html

Richard Blake son of William and Rebecca Blake died in 1829 aged 69 (born circa 1760). This Richard would have been 11 years of age when this will was written and the son of a William Blake of St Stephen’s Church, Bristol. This Blake family uses the Calne Blake family crest as well. I wondered in this earlier blog if they were from Cornwall but finding this new information I need to investigate William and Rebecca Blake and see what I can learn about their ancestry. William’s will is to come and was probated in 1792.

Still to do the wills of Robert Blake 1849, Robert Blake 1854 and then William Blake 1792 and William Blake 1853 and Gloucester PCC wills will be completed. I do however have 37 wills that were from Bristol Diocese and a few of them are older wills. I think that I should move to these wills next.


Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 20 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/963/393
Testator:  Richard Blake, gentleman
Place: Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 3 Jul 1770, probated 18 Feb 1771
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Richard
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Richard Blake of the City of Bristol Gentleman Do
3    make this my last Will and Testament in manner following
4    (that is to say) First and principally I commend my Soul
5    into the hands of Almighty God hoping through the merits
    [Page 2]
6    Mediation and Intercession of my blessed Saviour and Redeemer
7    Jesus Christ to obtain Everlasting life And as to my Body
8    it is my Will that the same Shall be intered in the
9    Parish Church of Saint Werburgh in the said City of
10    Bristol on the third Day next after my Decease And
11    I Direct that a Decent monument shall be made and put
12    up and erected for me in the same Church as my Wife
13    Shall Direct within Six months next after my decease,
14    as to my Worldly Estate I dispose thereof as follows, to
15    wit, I Give the Sum of Fifty pounds of lawful money of
16    Great Britain To the Church Wardens of the Said
17    Parish of Saint Werbough for the time being to be
18    placed out at Interest and the Interest thereof to be
19    applied from time to time for ever by the Minister
20    Churchwardens and Vestry of the same Parish towards
21    Cloathing such poor people yearly of the said parish as
22    they shall see first the same poor people being members
23    of the Church of England Item I Give to the Minister and
24    Churchwardens for the time being of the parish of
25    Winterbourn in the County of Gloucester the Sum of
26    Fifty pounds of like lawful British Money to be by them
27    placed out at Interest and the Interest therefrom arising
28    to be laid out in Bread and Given by the Minister and
29    Churchwardens of the said Parish of Winterbourn for the
30    time being To the poor of that parish at Christmas
31    yearly for ever Item I Give To the Minister and Church
32    Wardens for the time being of the Parish of Chipping
33    Sodbury in the County of Gloucester aforesaid the Sum of
34    Fifty pounds of like lawful British Money to be by
35    them placed out at Interest and the interest therefrom arising to be laid
36    out in Bread and Given by the Minister and Churchwardens
37    of that parish for the time being To the poor of that
38    parish at Christmas yearly for ever Item I Give the
39    Sum of One hundred pounds of lawful British Money to
40    my Wife for her to bestow and Give the same to such poor
41    people as she shall think fit Item I give to my much
42    Esteemed and beloved Wife the Sum of Three hundred
43    pounds of lawful British money to be paid to her
44    within ten Days next after my Decease and I also Give
45    unto her all and Singular my Leasehold Goods Linen
46    plate Rings and Watches Item I Give unto her my said
47    Wife my two messuages or Tenements with their appurts
48    Situate in Queen Square in Bristol aforesaid the one of them
49    now in my own occupation and the other of them adjoining
50    thereto now in the Occupation of W Graton
51    And also my two Messuages
52    or Tenements situate and being the one in Cem Street the
53    other in Small Street in the parish of Saint Werburgh
54    aforesaid and in the Occupations of Phillippa Palmer
55    and late of _______Thomas And also my Two Messuages
56    or Tenements on Stonyhill in the parish of Saint Augustine
57    the less in the said City of Bristol and in the Several
    [Page 3]
58    Occupations of Mrs ______ Godwin and Mr John Larkin
60    Surgeon and also all these yearly Sums or Chief Rents
61    Issuing and payable to me out of certain plots of Ground
62    on Stony hill aforesaid by me Granted to Mr John Wallis
63    Mr Samuel Pye deceased and Mr Thomas Symons Attorney
64    at Law respectively and on which certain messuages with
65    their respective Appurts have been erected and Built and
66    are now in the Several Occupations of the said Mr John
67    Wallis Mr Thomas Symons Mr John  Waddix and Mrs Sarah
68    Pye Widow And also all my Lands at Well Freehold as
69    Leasehold Situate lying and being in Oldland Barnam
70    and Bitton or one of them in the County of Gloucester
71    and also my Lease at Rendaleshire in the Parish of
72    Winterborn in the said County of Gloucester with its
73    appurts adjoining to my Farm house there To have
74    and To hold all and Singular the said Messuages Lands
75    Chief or Reserved Rents Heredits and premises unto
76    her my Said Wife and her assigns in manner following
77    (that is to say) As for such of my said Several and
78    respective Messuages and Lands as are Freehold for
79    and during the Term or her normal life and as for such
80    of them as are Leasehold or which I hold for Terms
81    of Years for and during So many years as She my said
82    Wife shall or may happen to live Item I Give to
83    my two Sons in Law the Reverend Richard Woodward Dean of
84    Clogher in the Kingdom of Ireland and John Deverell
85    of the City of Bristol Esquire and William Blake of the
86    said City of Bristol Merchant and to the Survivors and
87    Survivor of them his Executors Admors and Assigns the
88    Sum of four thousand pounds of lawful British money
89    Upon Trust to place the Same out at Interest (with the
90    approbation of my said Wife upon the best Security of
91    Mortgage Double or Treble Bond or Bonds that can be
92    Got for the same or otherwise on Government Security
93    and the Interest or Dividends therefrom arising from time
94    to time to pay unto her my Said Wife for and during so
95    many years as She shall or may happen to live Item
96    I further Give and bequeath unto her my Said Wife the
97    Sum of Two thousand pounds of lawful British Money
98    Item I give to my Friend George Tyndell of the said
99    City of Bristol Esquire the Sum of Twenty pounds of
100    like Money To my Cousin Mrs Jane Rudge the Sum of
101    Ten pounds of like Money To my late Servant John
102    March the Sum of Ten pounds of like money To my
103    faithful Servant Rebecca Mead the Sum of Two
104    hundred pounds of like money and a Reward for her Care
105    of me in my Several Illnesses And I Give unto her
106    and to each Domestick Servant as Shall live with me
107    at the time of my Decease the Sum of Five pounds
108    a piece for mourning I Give to Mrs Mary Adlam of
109    Hembury in the County of Gloucester aforesaid the Sum of
110    Ten pounds of like lawful British Money Item I give to Mr
    [Page 4]
111    Joseph Haynes (Son of Thomas Haynes of Weck in the said
112    County of Gloucester Esquire and to Elizabeth Haynes Sister
113    of the Said Joseph Haynes the Sum of Ten pounds apiece
114    of like lawful British Money Item I Give to the said
115    Thomas Haynes and to his three Sons Richard Thomas and
116    Christopher Haynes a Mourning Ring each Item I Give
117    to my Worthy Friend Mr William Palmer Surgeon at
118    Bradford in the County of Wilts a Mourning Ring and to his
119    two Daughters Frances and Elizabeth Palmer the Sum
120    of Ten pounds apiece of like lawful British Money
121    Item I Give to Mrs Ann Baker living in Milk Street
122    Bristol and to my Cousen Greenway Widow of John
123    Greenway deceased and to her Son Joseph Greenway the
124    Sum of Ten pounds a piece of like lawful British money
125    Item I Give to my Kinsman Christopher Blake of the
126    parish of Saint Philip and Jacob in the County of Gloucester
127    the Sum of Fifty pounds of like money and
128    To each of the Children of the said Christopher Blake
129    I Give the Sum of Ten pounds of like Money to be paid to
130    them on their Attaining their respective ages of Twenty
131    one years Item I Give to my Kinswoman Eleanor
132    Anthony Wife of Thomas Anthony of the said City of Bristol
133    or of the Parish of Bedminster in the County of Somerset
134    the Sum of Fifty pounds of like Money to be paid and
135    applied To and for her own Sole and Separate use and as She
136    Shall Direct Item I Give to Mr Charles Harwood of the
137    City of Bristol Schoolmaster the Sum of Twenty pounds of like
138    Money Item I Give to each of the Children of Hester Lamb
139    late Wife of John Lamb of the City of Bath Mason the Sum
140    of Twenty pounds of like Money To be paid to them on there
141    respective attaining the Age of Twenty one Years Item
142    I Give to my Godson Richard Blake son of Mr William Blake
143    the Sum of Twenty pounds of like Money Item I Give unto
144    each of my Sons in Law the said Richard Woodward and
145    John Deverell the Sum of One thousand pounds apiece
146    of like lawful British Money as tokens of my Regard
147    for them All which said Several Legacies by me Given
148    (Except such as I have herein before appointed times for
149    Payment thereof respectively I Will Shall be paid
150    within the Space of Twelve Months next after my decease
151    Item All the Rest residue and Remainder of my Estate both
152    Real and Personal Moneys Securitys for Money Goods Chattels
153    and Effects whatsoever as also my said Messuages and Lands
154    and the Said Sum of Four thousand pounds (the Interest or
155    Income whereof I have Given to my Wife as aforesaid for
156    her life) after the Death of her my Said Wife And all other
157    my Estate of what nature kind or Sort whatsoever or
158    wheresoever Situate Standing and being at the time of my
159    Decease (other than and Except my Messuages Lands Tenements
160    and hereditts Situate Standing and Being in the parish of Saint
161    Augustine Saint Leonard Parish included and Saint James herein after
162    Taken notice of and by me Given and disposed of for the Trusts
    [Page 5]
163    Intents and purposes hereinafter mentioned) I Give Devise and
164    bequeath unto my said Sons in Law Richard Woodward John
165    Deverell and William Blake To hold to them and the Survivors
166    and Survivor of them his heirs Executors Admors and Assigns
167    To for and upon the Several Trusts Intents and Purposes herein
168    after Expressed Subject nevertheless to the proviso hereinafter
169    mentioned (that is to say) Upon Trust to Let and Set my said
170    Freehold and Leasehold Messuages Lands and hereditts for
171    Such Term or Terms of Years and they the said Richard
172    Woodward John Deverell and William Blake or the
173    Survivors or Survivor of them his heirs Executors or
174    Admors shall soon meet at the best yearly Rent and
175    Rents as can be got for the same and to receive such the
176    Rents and Profits thereof and to put and place my
177    personal Estate and Moneys arising therefrom out at
178    Interest and to receive the Income Interest and produce
179    thereof and to pay and Apply One moiety of the net
181    Rents Interest Income and produce of such Freehold and
182    Leasehold Messuages Lands and hereditts and personal Estate
183    To my Daughter Susannah the Wife of the said Richard
184    Woodward and her Assigns for and during the Term of
185    her natural life or for so many years as She shall happen
186    to live and to and for her Sole and Separate Use and from
187    and Immediately after her Decease Upon Trust to pay and
188    Apply such Said Money of the Rents Interest Income and
189    produce To or for the Maintenance Breeding up and Education
190    of all and every the Children if more than one and if but
191    one then of the only Child of her my said Daughter Susannah
192    as She shall leave behind her at her Decease Until they
193    he or She shall respectively attain the Age of Twenty
194    one years Or if Daughters or a Daughter that age or
195    Days or day of marriage which shall first happen and upon
196    such said Children (if more than one) attaining their respective
197    Ages of Twenty one years or if Daughters or a Daughter
198    there age or Days or Day of Marriage Then Upon Trust
199    To Convey assign and make over the Moiety of my Said Real
200    Estates and the moiety of my said Personal Estate To Such
201    of the Children of her my said Daughter Susannah (if more
202    than one) in such parts Shares and proportions and for such
203    Estate or Estates and Interest as She my said Daughter
204    Susannah by any Deed or Writing Deeds or Writings to be by
205    her Executed in the presence of and attested by two or more
206    Credible Witnesses Shall limit or Appoint the same and if
207    but one Child of her my Said Daughter Susannah Then to
208    such only Child his or her heirs Executors or Admors and
209    in Case no such Limitation or Appointment shall be made
210    and Executed by her my said Daughter Susannah Then
211    Upon Trust To Convey Assign and make over the said
211    Moiety of my Said Real Estates and the Said Moiety of my
213    Said Personal Estate To such of the Said Children of her
214    my Said Daughter Susannah (if more than one) in such parts
215    Shares and proportions and for such Estate or Estates and Interest
    [Page 6]
216    as he my Said Son in Law the Said Richard Woodward by any
217    Deed or Writing Deeds or Writings to be by him Executed in the
218    presence of and attested by two or more Credible Witnesses
219    shall limit or appoint the Same and if but one Child of
220    her by my Said Daughter Susannah Then to Such only Child his
221    or her heirs Executors or Admors And in Case no such
222    Limitation or Appointment Shall be made and Executed by
223    him the said Richard Woodward Then Upon Trust to apply
224    the Income of the Said Moiety of my said Real Estates and
225    the Said Moiety of the Income of my Said personal Estate
226    for or towards the Maintenance and Education of all and every
227    the Children of my Said Daughter Susannah if more than one
228    and if but one Then for the maintenance of Such only Child
229    until they he or She shall respectively attain the Age of
230    Twenty one or if Daughters or a Daughter Days or Day
231    of Marriage which Shall first happen And on such Childrens
232    attaining their respective Ages of Twenty one Years or if Daughters
233    or a Daughter Days or Day of Marriage which shall first
234    happen Then Upon Trust to Convey assign and make over to
235    such Child so attaining the Age of Twenty one Years or if
236    Daughters or a Daughter Days or Day of Marriage which
237    Shall first happen his or her heirs Executors or Admors
238    his or her Share and Interest in and to the Said Money of
239    my Said Real and personal Estate according to the nature
240    of the Estate So to be Conveyed and made over Provided
241    Nevertheless and I Do hereby Declare it to be my Will that
242    in Case any or either of the Said Children of my Daughter
243    Susannah Shall happen to die before his her or their attaining
244    the Age of Twenty one years of if Daughters or a Daughter
245    before her or their attaining that Age or Days or Day of
246    Marriage Then I will that the Share or Interest of such
247    Child So dying of and in the Said Moiety of my said Residuary
248    Real and Personal Estate Shall go to the Survivors or
249    Survivor of Such Children their his or her heirs Executors
250    or Admors according to the nature of my Estate hereby before
251    mentioned and Devised And in Case my Said Daughter Susanna
252    Shall Dye leaving no Child at her Decease Then I give
253    the Said Moiety of my Said Residuary Real and personal
254    Estate To the use of such person or persons and for such
255    Estate and Interest and in Such shares and proportions
256    as She by any Deed or Writing under her hand and Seal to
257    be attested by two or more Credible Witnesses Shall appoint
258    for want thereof to her heirs Executors and Admors
259    And Also Upon Trust in them my Said Sons in Law Richard
260    Woodward John Deverell and William Blake their
261    heirs Executors and Admors reposed to pay and apply the
262    other Moiety of the net Rents Interest Income and produce
263    of such my said Residuary Real and personal Estate To
264    my Daughter Hannah the Wife of the Said John Deverell
265    and her Assigns for and during the Term of her natural
266    life or for so many years as she shall happen to live and to
267    and for her Sole and Separate Use and from and Immediately
    [Page 7]
268    after her Decease Upon Trust to pay and apply such Said
269    Moiety of the said Rents Interest Income and Produce
270    To or for the Maintenance Breeding up and Education of all and
271    every the Children if more than one and if but one Then of
272    the only Child of her my said Daughter Hannah as she shall
273    leave behind her at her Decease until they he or she shall
274    respectively attain the Age of Twenty one Years or if Daughters
275    or a Daughter that age or Days or Day of Marriage which
276    Shall first happen and upon such Said Childrens (if more
277    than one) attaining their respective Ages of Twenty one
278    Years or if Daughters or a Daughter that Age or Days
279    or Day of Marriage Then Upon Trust to Convey Assign and
280    make over the Moiety of my Said Real Estates and the
281    Moiety of my said Personal Estate To Such of the Children
282    of her my Said Daughter Hannah (if more than one) in such
283    parts Shares and proportions and for such Estate or Estates and
284    Interest as She my Said Daughter Hannah by any Deed or
285    Writing Deeds or Writings to be by her Executed in the presence
286    of and attested by two or more Credible Witnesses shall
287    limit or appoint the Same and if but one Child of her my
288    said Daughter Hannah Then to such only Child his or her
289    heirs Executors or Admors And in Case no Such Limitation
290    or Appointment Shall be made and Executed by her my
291    Said Daughter Hannah Then Upon Trust to Convey
292    assign and make over the Said Moiety of my said Real
293    Estates and the said moiety of my Said Personal Estates
294    such of the said Children of her my Said Daughter Hannah
295    if more than one in Such parts Shares and proportions
296    and for such Estate or Estates and Interest as he my Said
297    Son in Law the Said John Deverell by any Deed or Writing
298    Deeds or Writings to be by him Executed in the presence of
299    and attested by two or more Credible Witnesses Shall limit
300    or appoint the same and if but one Child of her my Said
301    Daughter Hannah Then to such only Child his or her
302    heirs Executors or Admors And in Case no Such limitation
303    or appointment Shall be made and Executed by him the
304    Said John Deverell Then Upon Trust to Apply the
305    Income of the Said Moiety of the Income of my Said personal
306    Estate for or towards the Maintenance and Education of all
307    and every the Children of my Said Daughter Hannah if
308    more than one and if but one then for the Maintenance of
309    such only Child until they he or She shall respectively attain
310    the Age of Twenty one or if Daughters or a Daughter
311    Days or Day of Marriage which shall first happen and on
312    such Childrens attaining their respective Ages of Twenty one
313    Years or if Daughters or a Daughter Days or Day of
314    Marriage which shall first happen Then Upon Trust
315    to Convey Assign and make over to such Child so attaining
316    the Age of Twenty one Years or if Daughters or a Daughter
317    Days or Day of Marriage which shall first happen his or
318    her heirs Executors or Admors his or her Share and Interest
    [Page 8]
319    in and to the said Moiety of my said Real and personal Estate
320    according to the Nature of the Estate so to be Conveyed and
321    made over Provided Nevertheless and I do hereby declare
322    it to be my Will that in Case any of other of the said
323    Children of my Daughter Hannah shall happen to die
324    before his her or their attaining the age of twenty one years or if daughters or a daughter before her or their attaining their Age or Days or day
325    of Marriage Then I will that the share or Interest of
326    Such Child so dying of and in the said Moiety of my Said
327    Residuary Real and Personal Estate Shall go to the Survivors
328    or Survivor of such Children their his or her heirs Executors
329    or admors according to the nature of my Estate hereby before
330    mentioned and Devised and in Case my Said Daughter
331    Hannah Shall Dye leaving no Child at her Decease then
332    I Give the Said Moiety of my Said Residuary Real and
333    Personal Estate to the use of such person or persons and
334    for such Estate and Interest and in Such Shares and
335    proportions as She by any Deed or Writing under her hand
336    and Seal to be attested by two or more Credible Witnesses
337    Shall appoint for want thereof to her heirs Exors
338    and Admors Whereas It may be thought prudent and
339    Convenient to make and Divide in Moietys the Estates
340    which I hold in Fee Simple and also my Leasehold Estates
341    I do therefore hereby authorize and empower them the said
342    Richard Woodward and John Deverell to name and appoint
343    such person or persons as they shall approve of to Divide
344    in Moietys (as near as may be) my said Freehold and Leasehold
345    Estates and to make an Estimate of such Moiety as between
346    them my said Daughters Susannah the Wife of the said Richard
347    Woodward and my said Daughter Hannah the Wife of the said
348    John Deverell and their respective Familys and I will and
349    Direct that such Moiety as Shall be attested for my Said
350    Daughter Susannah and her Family Shall be Considered
351    as the Moiety of my said Freehold and Leasehold Estates
352    herein before by me Given for the Benefit of her and
353    her Family and that such Moiety as Shall be attested for my
354    Said Daughter Hannah and her Family Shall be Considered
355    as the Moiety of my Said Freehold and Leasehold Estates herein
356    before by me Given for the Benefit of her and her
357    Family Provided Nevertheless and I do hereby Declare it
358    to be my Will and I do hereby Direct that my Said Wife and
359    Daughters do and shall (as they shall respectively become
360    Entitled to the Income and produce of my Leasehold Messuages
361    and Lands by Virtue of this my Will) out of such Income and
362    produce bear the Costs of running and full Stating with the
363    Lord or Lords of the Fee such Leasehold messuages and
364    Lands at reasonable Fines for such Renewal or renewals
365    and pay the fines required for such Renewal or renewals as
366    also the Costs of the New Leases respectively which Lease
367    or Leases and the Several Terms and Estates thereby Granted
368    Shall be remain and continue to and upon the Several Trusts
369    Interests and Purposes (or as near) the Same and may be as the
370    present Subsisting Leasehold premises are made lyable to
    [Page 9]
371    by this my Will any thing before to the Contrary in any wise
372    notwithstanding And Whereas by virtue of a certain Indenture
373    bearing Date the Second day of May which was in the year
374    of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Sixty Seven
375    Inrolled in his Majestys High Court of Chancery and made
376    between the said George Tyndale Robert Hale Gentlemen
377    Francis Brown Merchant since deceased and me the said Richard
378    Blake all of the said City of Bristol of the one part and
379    Francis Ward of the Same City Gentleman of the other part
380    or by other Good and lawful ways and means in the Law
381    I am and stand Seized in Fee of and in one Quarter
382    Undivided part or Share of a messuage or Tenement
383    Commonly called the Boarshead Inn with the Stables Porch
384    Houses and other Outhouses yard Garden and other Ground
385    thereto belonging As also of and in one Quarter part
386    Undivided of a Certain Close or Closes or Ground lately
387    belonging to the said Messuage or Inn and which have not
388    been Granted out in Fee Farm or at perpetual yearly rents
389    And also of and in One undivided Quarter part of Share
390    of Certain other Messuages or Tenements Garden Ground
391    and hereditts some time ago purchased or Richard Lane
392    Esquire and other hereditts in the said Indenture particularly
393    taken notice of And Whereas I am possessed for the
394    Remainder of a Term of One thousand or some long
395    Term of years of and in a Certain Close or Certain Closes
396    of Ground commonly of late called Bullocks Park All which
397    said Freehold and Leasehold premises are Situate lying and
398    being in the parish of Saint Augustine the less in the City of
399    Bristol aforesaid and all or Great part of the said Freehold
400    and Leasehold premises (which has not hitherto been Granted out
401    for Erecting houses and other Buildings thereon is Intended
402    to be Granted out for Building and as it may become necessary
403    to pull down or to make alterations or additional to or in the said
404    house called the Boarshead Inn and the Outhouses thereto
405    belonging as also to pull Down and Erect other Buildings
406    in the Ground delineated and marked out by Mr Thomas Paty
407    of the Said City of Bristol Master Builder in a Plan
408    by him Drawn to go with the said Boarshead Inn I Do
409    therefore Give Devise and bequeath all and Singular the
410    Said Quarter part of Share belonging to me of and in
411    the Said last mentioned Freehold and Leasehold premises in
412    the said Parish of Saint Augustine the less unto them my said
413    Sons in Law the Said Richard Woodward and John Deverell
414    and the Survivor of them (that is to say) as to such part or
415    parts as are Freehold to them and the Survivor of them his
416    heirs and assigns for ever and as to such part or parts
417    as are Leasehold to them and the Survivor of them his
418    Executors Admors and assigns for all my Term Estate and
419    Interest therein Upon Trust for them the said Richard
420    Woodward and John Deverell or the Survivor of them his
421    heirs Executors and Admors to Grant and Let out or to Join
422    in Granting and Letting out in Fee Firm such part or
    [Page 10]
423    Years of the said Freehold Premises and to Demise and Grant
424    such part or parts of the Leasehold Premises for any Term
425    or Terms of Years not Exceeding Seven hundred years at such
426    yearly Rents as they or the Survivor of them his heirs
427    Executors or Admors can get for the Same and Commencing at
428    such Days and times as they or the Survivor of them his
429    heirs Executors or Admors Shall think or find to be fit and
430    reasonable and for them the said Richard Woodward and
431    John Deverell or the Survivor of them his heirs Executors
432    or Admors in Such Grant or Grants as they Shall make and
433    Execute to Enter into as Executive Covenants and Agreements as
434    I would or ought to enter into If living and also Upon Trust
435    for them the said Richard Woodward and John Deverell or
436    the Survivor of them his heirs Executors Admors or Assigns
437    to Join and Consent to the pulling Down any Buildings and
438    to the making any alterations Additions or new Erections to or
439    on the Saide Freehold and Leasehold premises as to them or the
440    Survivor of them his heirs Executors Admors or Assigns
441    shall deem meet and I do hereby order and Direct that the
442    one Quarter part of the Several Rents which may be reserved
443    and made payable by any Grant or Grants that they the
444    said Richard Woodward and John Deverell or the Survivor of
445    them his Heirs Executors or Admors respectively shall make
446    or Join in of the Freehold and Leasehold premises
447    respectively shall go to and they the said Richard Woodward
448    and John Deverell and the Survivor of them his heirs
449    Executors or Admors shall respectively Stand Seized and possessed
450    of Such Quarter part of the Said Rents respectively In Trust
451    for the person or persons their his or her heirs Executors or
452    Admors who Shall be Entitled to my other Freehold and Leasehold
453    Estates therein before by me Devised and that they the said
454    Richard Woodward and John Deverell respectively their and
455    each of their heirs Executors and Admors shall be repaid and
456    may retain out of my personal and Residuary Estate all Costs
457    Charges and Expences that they or any or either of them may be
458    at or put unto with respect to the hereinbefore last mentioned
459    Intrusted Freehold and Leasehold Estates in the said parish of
460    Saint Augustine the less And Whereas I am and Stand Seized
461    as Tenant in Common with the said George Tyndall and
462    Robert Hale of and in One Third Undivided part of Share of
463    Certain Messuages or Tenements with their Appurts Situate
464    Standing and being in Cornstreet in the parish of Saint
465    Leonard in the City of Bristol now in the Tenure of Philip
466    Bowyer Hooper the said George Tyndale and John Millett
467    Hatter and of Certain Warehouses Stables Cellars and
468    Brewhouse Situate Standing and being in Saint Nicholas
469    Street and Baldwin Street in the parish of Saint Nicholas
470    within the said City or in the parish of Saint Leonard or one
471    of them now in the Several Occupations of William Tucker
472    Victualler _____Terrel Mealman Nicholas Simpson
473    apothecary and _____________Powell Hooper as Tenants and
474    also of and in one third Undivided part or share of ______
    [Page 11]
475    a Certain yearly Chief rent of Fourteen pounds a year
476    Issuing and payable for ever out of a Certain Close of
477    Ground or Messuages or Tenements thereon Erected and
478    Built Situate lying and being in the parish of Saint James
479    within the said City of Bristol and by me and the said George
480    Tyndale and Robert Hale Granted to Samuel Gaines
481    Carpenter and his heirs as Such Said yearly Rent of fourteen
482    pounds I do therefore Give such my said Third part of Share
483    in and to the said last mentioned Messuages with their
484    Appurts Situate and being in Cornstreet and my Said Ware
485    houses Stables Cellars and Brewhouse Situate and being
486    in Saint Nicholas Street and Baldwin Street aforesaid and my said
487    Third part of the said Yearly Rent of Fourteen pounds Issuing
488    and payable as aforesaid unto them the said Richard Woodward
489    and John Deverell and the Survivor of them his heirs and
490    assigns for ever In Trust for them or the Survivor of them
491    his heirs or assigns to sell the same to such person or persons
492    his her or their heirs or assigns as shall be willing to
493    purchase the same and at the best price that can be
494    Gotten for the same and the moneys arising from such said Sale
495    or Sales to pay and apply to and for the like Ends Trusts
496    Intents and Purposes as I have herein before Directed my
497    Residuary Personal Estate to be applied anything before
498    to the Contrary in any wise notwithstanding And Whereas
499    I am and stand possessed of and in one Fourth Undivided
500    part in Common with the said George Tyndale Robert
501    Hale and the Representatives of Francis Brown deceased
502    of and in a certain Messuage or Tenement with its Appurts
503    Situate Standing and being on the East Side of Park Street
504    at the first Entrance into the same late in the Occupation
505    of the said Robert Hale Situate in the Said parish of
506    Saint Augustine the less I do therefore Give such my said
507    Quarter part of and in the said Messuage to them the said
508    Richard Woodward and John Deverell and the Survivor of
509    them his Executors and Admors for all my Estate Term and
510    Interest therein In Trust for them the said Richard Woodward
511    and John Deverell or the Survivor of them his Executors
512    Admors to Sell and Dispose of such my Said Quarter part
513    and all my Estate and Interest therein unto such person or
514    persons his Executors or Admors as Shall be minded to
515    purchase the Same and the Moneys arising from Such Sale
516    to pay and apply to and for the like Intents Trusts and
517    purposes as the Moneys arising from the Sale of my Said
518    Third part of my Messuages In Corn Street and hereditts
519    in Saint Nicholas Street Baldwin Street and my Said Third
520    part of the Sh[a]r[e] of rent of Fourteen pounds a year is
521    Directed to be applied as aforesaid And I do hereby direct
522    that no person or persons who Shall or may be become a
523    purchaser of the premises to be Sold by Virtue of all or
524    any of the Powers hereby by me Given shall be answerable
525    for the misapplication or non application of the Consideration
526    Money to be Given for their respective purchases and that
    [Page 12]
527    the Receipts or Receipt of them the said Richard Woodward
528    and John Deverell or of the Survivor of them his Heirs
529    Executors or Admors according to the nature of what shall
530    be Sold Shall be a full and effectual Discharge to the person
531    or persons who shall purchase the premises so authorized
532    to be Sold or any part thereof And I do hereby Indempnefy
533    them the said Richard Woodward John Deverell and William
534    Blake and each of them their and each of their Executors
535    and Admors from all Costs Charges Damages and Expences
536    that they any or either of them Shall or may be at or put
537    unto by reason or means of their or any or either of their
538    acting under the Trusts of this my Will and do Direct that
539    the one of them Shall not be answerable for the other
540    acts Receipt or Receipts Default or Defaults of the
541    other of them But each for his own Act or Acts only nor
542    for the Insufficiency of any Security to be taken for my
543    Trust Estate or any part thereof Nor for any
544    Involuntary Loss whatsoever And I do hereby Nominate
545    and appoint them the said Richard Woodward John
546    Deverell and William Blake Executors In Trust of this
547    my last Will and Testament and do hereby revoke all former
548    and other Will or Wills by me made and declare this to be
549    my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have
550    to this my last Will and Testament contained in Sixteen
551    Sides of Sixteen Sheets of paper To the first Fifteen Sides
552    Set my hand and to this Sixteenth and last side my hand and
553    Seal this third Day of July in the year of our Lord One
554    thousand Seven hundred and Seventy, Richd Blake
555    Signed Sealed published and Declared by the said Testator
556    to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who
557    in his presence and at his request and in the presence of
558    each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses
559    John Gresley Jun[io]r Fran[ci]s Ward Geo: Rogers
560    Memorandum I Give to my Friend
561    Mr. William Blake in my Will reserved the Sum of
562    Twenty pounds of Lawful Brittish Money to be paid at
563    the time of my other Legacys by my Will Given and Directed
564    to be paid As Witness my hand this Fifth day of July
565    1770 Richd Blake Witness Fran[ci]s Ward
566    Geo: Rogers
567    This Will was proved at London (with a
568    Codicil) the Eighteenth day of February in the year of our
569    Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one before the
570    Right Worshipful George Hay Doctor of Laws Master
571    Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
572    Lawfully Constituted by the Oaths of Richard Woodward Doctor
573    of Laws and John Deverell Esquire two of the Executors
574    to whom Administration was Granted they having been first
    [Page 13]
575    Sworn by Commission duly to administer William Blake
576    the other Executor named in the said Will having first
577    renounced the Execution thereof

Will of George Blake, Mariner, Salisbury, Wiltshire - The National Archives PROB 11/401/249, probated 9 Oct 1690

George Blake, Mariner, is the Testator. A check of ships of the line revealed only one website which mentioned the Rose and the Oxford but no further information. He has left all of his property to Hugh Grove a Mariner living at Portsmouth, Southampton (Hampshire).

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 30 Nov 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/401/249
Testator: George Blake, mariner
Place: Salisbury, Wiltshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 3 Feb 1685, probated 9 Oct 1690
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: T[esta]m[ent]
[Margin]: Georgij Blake

1    To All People to Whome
2    this present writing shall come I George Blake of the Citty of Salesbury
3    mariner for a valuable consideration had and received of Hugh Grove of
4    Portsmouth in the County of South[amp]ton Marriner before the unsealing and deli-
5    very hereof have granted bargained aliened assigned and transferred and by
6    this present writing doe fully grant bargaine alien assigne transfer and
7    consigne unto the said Hugh Grove all such wages as appears to be due to
8    mee by Tickett or otherwise for Service done on board his Majesties Shipp
9    Oxford and my whole Estate Right Title Interest property claime and demand
10    of in and to the same to have and to hold the said wages and every part thereof
11    unto the said Hugh Grove his Executors Administrators and Assignes to
12    his and their owne proper use and behoof and as his and their owne
13    proper goods and Chattells for ever together with my whole power
14    and Authority to ask demand and receive the same of the Right hono[ra]ble
15    the Treasurer of his Majesties Navy or whome else it may concerne
16    all and singular which said granted premises I the said George Blake
17    for my selfe my Executors and Administrators doe covenant and pro-
18    mise to warrant and defend unto the said Hugh Grove his Executors
19    and Administrators against the claime and demand of any person
20    or persons and free and cleare of all former or other guifts grants
21    Assignment or Incombrances whatsoever by any meanes act consent
22    or procurement likewise as a further Security to the said Hugh Grove
23    for the consideration by him made to mee the said George Blake I
24    hereby ordaine and appoint this my last will and Testament and the
25    said Hugh Grove Sole Executor thereof unto whome I give and be-
26    queath all such wages as may appeare to bee due to mee for service
27    in his Majesties Shipp the Rose unto which I now belong In witnesse
28    whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and Seale this third day of
29    February Anno domin one thousand six hundred eighty five Annoqz
30    R[egn]is Jacobi S[e]c[on]di nunc Angl etc primo Signu George Blake Signed Sealed
31    and delivered in the presence of Wm Eddy Rich: Hale

Will of Sarah Blake, Spinster, Cotleigh near Honiton - The National Archives PROB 11/1943/439, probated 27 Apr 1841

Sarah Blake is the testator and there is familial information in this will. The family lives at Cottleigh near Honiton in the County of Devon. Her father was named Richard and still living at the time of writing the will. Her brothers are Robert, Humphrey, Richard and her sister is Elizabeth Genge. Charles Blake is perhaps her nephew and she has put five pounds into a “stocking” for him it would appear.

I found Humphry Blake on the census in 1851 with his wife Jane living in Woodbury and he states that he was born at Cotleigh Devon and he is 61 years old (Wheelwright) so approximate year of birth would be 1790. Humphrey Blake married Joan Gould 10 Jun 1811 at Plymtree, Devon. Their children include:

Mary Blake baptized 11 Oct 1812 at Plymtree, Devon (Family Search P00179-1)
Robert Blake baptized 14 May 1815 at Plymtree, Devon
George Anthony Blake baptized 25 Dec 1819 at Woodbury, Devon (Family Search C05218-1)
Henry Blake baptized 21 Jan 1822 at Woodbury, Devon
Charles Blake baptized 25 Dec 1824 at Woodbury, Devon

There is a marriage of a Robert Blake to Mary Stark 13 Mar 1816 at Plymtree.

Honiton is 8 miles ESE of Plymtree and Cotleigh is 10 miles E of Plymtree.

On the 1841 census at Cottleigh there is a Richard Blake farmer living on his own and his age is listed as 80 so approximate year of birth would be 1761 but these years are rounded up or down so close to that age but might not be correct. He is living at Mondays, Cotleigh.

The 1841 census was taken on 6 Jun 1841 and Sarah would have been deceased since her will was probated 27 Apr 1841. Given the year of birth of her brother Humphrey Sarah was possibly over 40 when she died.

I could not find Elizabeth Genge on the census other than one who was married to a Thomas but living in Somerset and this Elizabeth was born in Newfoundland.

In the Gentleman’s Magazine and Historical Review, Volume 61, Part 2 under Marriages and Deaths of Eminent Persons I found on page 680 for July 14:

At Plymtree, Devon, Richard Blake, esquire. Merchant, of Bristol, to Miss Harward, daughter of the Dean of Exeter. Later in the Haward family the name “Blake” was used as a middle name (namely the monumental inscriptions at Plymtree as noted in the following website:

http://www.plymtree.org.uk/st-john-the-baptist/churchyard-and-monument-inscriptions

Does this will relate at all to the will of Richard Blake, merchant, Exeter probated 22 Jan 1702/03. He died childless but is this the same family whom I suspect are from the Somerset family?

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/08/will-of-richard-blake-merchant-exeter.html

This a rather recent find on the medieval genealogy site:

CP 25/1/45/72, number 56.
County:     Devon.
Place:     Westminster.
Date:     Two weeks from Easter, 6 Henry [IV] [3 May 1405].
Parties:     Richard Blake, querent, and Robert Blake and Englisa (or Euglisa), his wife, deforciants.
Property:     1 messuage and 23 acres of land in Haccombe and Combe.
Action:     Plea of covenant.
Agreement:     Robert and Englisa have acknowledged the tenements to be the right of Richard, as those which he has of their gift.
For this:     Richard has granted to Robert and Englisa the tenements and has rendered them to them in the court, to hold to Robert and Englisa and the heirs of the body of Robert, of the chief lords for ever. In default of such heirs, successive remainders (1) to Thomasia, daughter of Richard Blake, and the heirs of her body, (2) to John Wodelond' and Edith, his wife, and the heirs of their bodies and (3) to the right heirs of Robert.

Standardised forms of names. (These are tentative suggestions, intended only as a finding aid.)
Persons:     Richard Blake, Robert Blake, Englisa Blake (or Euglisa Blake), Thomasia Blake, John Woodland, Edith Woodland
Places:     Haccombe, Combeinteignhead (in Haccombe)
http://www.medievalgenealogy.org.uk/fines/abstracts/CP_25_1_45_72.shtml

Is this perhaps the Blake family of Coombe found in the Visitation of Cornwall? An abstract thought at this point in time but did not want to lose the reference. The visitation begins with John Blake of Comb and Elizabeth Lugar of Modburye and their son John. There isn’t a Richard in this line however but the reference appeared when I searched for “Richard Blake” + Plymtree on Google.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 12 Aug 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1943/439
Testator: Sarah Blake, Spinster
Place: Cottleigh near Honiton, Devon, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 27 Jun 1840, probated 27 Apr 1841
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Sarah
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 10

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Sarah Blake of Cottleigh near Honniton in the County
3    of Devon Spinster First I direct all my just debts funeral and testamenta-
4    ry expences to be fully paid and satisfied then I give and bequeath unto
5    my sister Elizabeth Genge wife of Thomas Genge of Shadwell in then
6    County of Middlesex Vintner all my cloathes linen and wearing ap-
7    parel of every description whatsoever and I direct my Executrix herein
8    after named to collect get in and receive all my money and Personal
9    Estate whatsoever and wheresoever and place the same out at interest in the public
10    funds or on other good security and I direct that the interest thereof shall
11    accumulate until the death of my Father Richard Blake of Cottleigh afore-
12    said unless he the said Richard Blake fall into misfortunes and be with
13    out the means of support then I direct that the interest of the money then
14    invested shall be paid to him during his life and after his decease I
15    give and bequeath unto my said sister Elizabeth Genge the sum of
16    twenty pounds part of the said stock monies and accumulations and as
17    to all the rest residue and remainder of the said stock monies and accumu-
18    lations I give and bequeath the same equally to be divided between my
19    brothers and sister Robert Blake Humphrey Blake Richard Blake and
20    the said Elizabeth Genge to be paid to them as soon after the decease of
21    my said father as conveniently can be and I hereby nominate con-
22    statute and appoint my said sister the said Elizabeth Genge sole
23    Executrix of this my will In witness whereof  I the said Sarah Blake
24    the testatrix above named have to this my last Will and Testament
25    set my hand this twenty seventh day of June in the year of our Lord
26    One thousand eight hundred and forty
27    I gave to my Nether Charles Blake five pounds to be paid him at the
28    age of twenty one or after the deth of my Father Sarah Blake Signed
29    published and declared by the said Sarah Blake the testatrix above
30    named as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who
31    in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other have
32    subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto Henry North Mary
33    Bromfeild Jane Bucke Robert Hale
34    In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
35    In the Goods of Sarah Blake Spinster deceased
36    Appeared Personally Mary Bromfield the
37    wife of William Bromfield of the parish of Cottleigh in the Colunty of
38    Devon Miller and made oath that she is one of the subscribed witness-
39    ses to the execution of the last Will and Testament now hereunto annex-
40    ed of Sarah Blake late of Cotleigh near Honiton in the County of Devon
41    Spinster deceased the said Will being now marked “No 1” and beginning
42    thus “This is the last Will and Testament of me Sarah Blake of Cottleigh
    [Page 2]
43    near Honiton in the County of Devon Spinster “ending thus “In
44    witness whereof the said Sarah Blake the testatrix above named in
45    have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand this twenty
46    seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
47    and forty and being thus subscribed Sarah Blake” and the deponent
48    having now carefully viewed and observed the said Will but more
49    particularly the following obliterations therein and addition thereto to
50    with the words “all my cloathes linen and wearing apparel of every
51    description whatsoever” obliterated by being ran through as with a pen
52    in the seventh and eighth lines from the top of the first side of the said
53    will the word twenty in the date at the foot of said Will appearing
54    to have been misspelt or to have been converted from some other word
55    and lastly the following words appearing to be written at the end of the
56    said will to wit “I gave to my Nether Charles Blake five pounds to
57    paid him at the age of twenty one or after the death of my Father”
58    this Appearer does depose that the said obliterations in and addition to
59    the said Will were respectively so made and done previously to the exe-
60    cution of the said Will by the said testatrix that the said testatrix so executed
61    her said Will on the twenty seventh day of the Month of June in the
62    year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty being the day
63    on which the same bears date and the same is now in all res-
64    pects in the very same plight and condition as when so executed by
65    the said Sarah Blake Spinster the testatrix deceased as aforesaid
66    Mary Bromfeild On Thursday the fifteenth day of April in the
67    year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one the said
68    Mary Bromfield was duly sworn to the truth of the aforegoing affi-
69    davit by virtue of the annexed Commission Before me William
70    Michell Rector of Cotleigh in the County of Devon Commissioner
71    Proved at London 27th April 1841 before the Worsful August Frederick Bayford Dr of Laws and Surrogate by the Oath
72    of Elizabeth Genge Wife of Thomas Genge the sister the sole Executrix
73    to whom Admon was granted having been first sworn
74    duly to administer.

Back again

Amazing that it is more than a month now since I wrote to my Blog. It has been a busy time in that I thought I sprained my knee a couple of weeks ago. Went off to the Doctor last week and he felt it might be arthritis and I duly went and had my knee xrayed. Just waiting to hear back on that. It is steadily improving from my hardly being able to stand on it. That is novel for me since I do a lot of exercise including aerobic running. I have given up the running now and will use the elliptical machine that we have. I had been thinking of using it for a while anyway. I will miss the running though as I have run since I was a child.

In terms of genealogy it has been a slow time as I have been busy working on other items. My husband gave a talk so I helped him write the script and prepare the slides. Then I had some sewing that I wanted to do.

I have been faithfully waiting for my Family Finder results and they came in today. My reason for doing the test was my mtDNA line. I am basically stuck at my great grandmother Ellen Taylor although by family lore she appears to fit into the Thomas Taylor/Ellen Roberts family with Thomas and Ellen marrying 29 Jun 1857 at Saint Martin's Church in Birmingham, Warwick, UK. They had seven children with the first five born in Birmingham, the sixth born in Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire and then the seventh in Birmingham, Warwick. By the 1881 census they have moved to Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire. They are missing the oldest four children Thomas, Ellen, Eliza and Frank. Frank died in 1875 at Birmingham which gives a time period of 1875 to 1881 for their move to Ashton. Ellen had an illegitimate child at Birmingham in 1879 and was in the Workhouse at Acton in 1881. She later married and Edwin Denner Buller/Ellen Taylor were my great grandparents. I have not been able to trace down any of the siblings and was hoping that I might be lucky to find them on Family Finder as their descendants would be my third cousins. This Thomas Taylor was a shoemaker which fitted the family lore.

My results only had fifth cousins or greater and I wrote to one of the matches as they had the COBB surname which is one of mine. I may wait now and see if any of the matches writes to me that I had more in common with and shall do some research on what constitutes an interesting match at this level.

I can trace back in this Taylor family and this Thomas is the son of Samuel Taylor and Ann Lewis Harborne and they married 3 Aug 1829 at Saint Phillips Birmingham. They too had a large family Ellen, Thomas, Eliza, Ann, Samuel, Edwin, Jane, Emma, and Jane (two Janes is interesting but it holds out in the census). These families are all Shoemakers including Ann Lewis Harborne's father John Harborne married to Mary Lewis (wedding not yet found) and John was the son of William Harborne and Sarah Hale and Mary the daughter of John Lewis. Both of these men were shoemakers in Birmingham. William Harborne married Sarah Hale 3 Sep 1785 at Saint Phillips, Birmingham. William's father was Thomas Auburne and his mother Elisabeth Birch and they married 27 Jan 1750 at Saint Phillips Birmingham. I haven't pursued this interesting line yet as I am waiting for confirmation on this being the correct line.

The Roberts line is also interesting with Ellen's father being Thomas baptized 27 Nov 1814 at Sheldon Warwick and born at Bickenhill Warwick. His wife was Ellen Lawley and she was born c 1819 at Wellington Shropshire. They married 29 Nov 1840 at Saint Martin Birmingham. Ellen Roberts was only 15 years old when she married Thomas Taylor. Her mother Ellen Lawley had died in 1855 and her father remarried shortly after Ellen's marriage where one of the witnesses was her future mother in law. Thomas Roberts and Ellen Lawley had four children: Ellen, Thomas, James and Joseph. I have traced down Joseph and I believe that James was in the Navy. Thomas proved to be too common a name to accurately trace him down. Ellen Lawley's father was Joseph and I have not pursued this line any further yet. Thomas Roberts parents were Thomas Roberts and Maria Croxall and they married 2 Apr 1810 at Sheldon Warwick. They had four children: Mary, James, Thomas and Maria. I have only traced Thomas down. Thomas's parents were John Roberts and Hannah Asbury and they married 26 Dec 1774 at Bickenhill Warwick. This is as far back as I have traced this family. They had three children: Mary who died at 16 years of age, Sarah and Thomas.

I have also been working on our son in law's French Canadian ancestry and I am slowly working the lines back. I am pulling the marriages as I go back but I will need to then pull burials and baptisms. It is a long process but going ahead very nicely. I have a few lines that I need to do deeper research on in order to find them but for the most part I am able to go back generation after generation all the way to France. In a way it toughens you for your other research as you become more exacting on what you will accept for linking families back. A good training process for me and it will help with my own research.