Robert Blake the testator is known. He is the son of Robert and Elizabeth Blake. Robert’s will was probated yesterday:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-robert-blake-gentleman-ash.html
I have written away to see if I can get more information on the Cridland family from the person who runs the Cridland one name study at the Guild. I will wait for that information if any before commenting further on this will. Noticing that this will brings together a lot of property that has been mentioned in earlier wills.
From another researcher who has sent me a copy of the will of Sarah Chappell widow of James Chappell. Sarah Cridland married James Chappell in Milverton by licence 20 Dec 1767 (he was a widower) and Sarah was buried in Milverton 12 Jul 1809 aged 69 years with James having been buried in Milverton in 1794 aged 62 years. Elizabeth/Betty the daughter of Sarah and James Chappell, according to this researcher, married Thomas Tutton Kynfton of Westbury in 1797.
Thank you very much to the researcher for sharing this information with me.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1097/437
Testator: Robert Blake, Esquire
Place: Ash Prior, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 22 Aug 1782, probated 5 Dec 1782
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Robert
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: Esq[uie]r
1 This is the last Will and Testament
2 of me Robert Blake of Ashpriors in the County of Somerset
3 Esquire which I make and publish for the disposal of all my
4 Worldly Substance Estate and Effects whatsoever in manner and form
5 following (that is to say) First I give and devise unto my dear Wife
6 Frances Blake all my Messuages Lands Tenements and heredit[ament]s
7 situate and lying in the several Parishes of Stawley and Ashbrittle
8 in the said County of Somerset To hold the same with their several
9 and respective Rights Members and Appurtenances unto her my
10 said Wife Frances her heirs and Assigns for ever Also I give and
11 devise unto my said Wife Frances Blake all my Messuages Lands
12 Tenements and hereditaments situate and lying in the Parish of
13 Milverton in the said County of Somerset To hold the same with their
14 Rights
[Page 2]
15 Rights Members and Appurtenances unto my said Wife Frances
16 her heirs and Assigns for ever Subject unto all and every incumbrance
17 or incumbrances affecting the same Also I give devise and bequeath
18 all and every my Messuages Lands Tenements and hereditaments
19 situate lying and being in the several Parishes of Ashpriors
20 aforesaid Halse Huish Langport either Stowey Stogursey and
21 elsewhere in the said County of Somerset not herein before devised
22 unto her my said Wife Frances and her Assigns for and during
23 the term of her natural life or with respect to such parts or
24 so much thereof as are held for any long term or terms of
25 years absolute for and during so many years of such term or
26 terms as shall run out and expire in the natural life time of
27 her my said Wife without impeachment of or for any manner
28 of waste and with full power to commit waste She and they
29 paying thereout unto my Brother John Blake of Halse aforesaid
30 Surgeon and his Assigns one Annuity clear yearly Rent or
31 Sum of thirty pounds of lawfull Money of Great Britain
32 clear of all deductions whatsoever during the term of his natural
33 life by half yearly payments the first payment to begin and
34 be made at the end of the first six Calendar Months next after
35 my death to whom I do hereby give devise and bequeath the
36 same with a power of distress in him my said Brother in case
37 of non payment as in cases of rack Rent And from and after
38 the death or decease of her my said Wife I give and devise the
39 same Messuages Lands Tenements hereditaments and Premises
40 unto him my said Brother John Blake and his Assigns for
41 and during the term of his natural life or with respect to such
42 parts thereof as are held for any long term or terms of years
43 absolute for and during so many years of such term or terms as
44 shall run out and expire in the natural life time of him my
45 said Brother he and they committing no wilful waste spoil or
46 destitution to or on the said Premises or any part thereof
47 and taking therefrom proper and sufficient Timber and other
48 materials for the necessary repairs only of the Premises and
49 from and after the death or decease of the Survivor of them
50 the said Frances Blake and John Blake I give devise and
51 bequeath all and every the same Messuages Lands Tenements
52 and hereditaments unto my kinsman John Cridland of
53 Milverton aforesaid Gentleman and James Chappell of the same
54 place Gentleman To hold the same with their several and respective
55 Rights Members and Appurtenances unto the said John Cridland
56 and James Chappell their heirs and Assigns with respect to such
57 parts and so much thereof as are Freehold or Fee Simple and unto
58 the said John Cridland and James Chappell their Executors
59 Administrators and Assigns with respect to such parts and so much
60 thereof as are held for any long term or terms of years absolute
61 for and during all such Estate or Estates term or terms and
62 Interest as shall be therein then to come and unexpired Upon
63 Trust that they the said John Cridland and James Chappell
64 and the Survivor of them and the heirs Executors Administrators
65 and Assigns of such Survivor do and shall as soon as conveniently
66 may be after the several deaths or deceases of my said Wife and
[Page 3]
67 Brother either at publick Auction or by private contract and in
68 such manner as they shall think best and most convenient sell and
69 dispose of all and singular the said Premises with their several and
70 respective Appurtenances to the best purchaser or purchasors that
71 can or may be had or gotten for the same and grant release
72 convey and assure the same Premises respectively unto the purchaser
73 or purchasors thereof his her or their heirs Executors Administrators
74 and Assigns accordingly And upon this further Trust and Confidence to
75 pay and divide the Monies arising by such Sale or Sales unto and
76 equally amongst them the said John Cridland my kinswomen Sarah
77 Wife of the said James Chappell Elizabeth Cridland Levinia Cridland
78 and Charlotte Cridland Children of my Uncle Richard Cridland of
79 Milverton aforesaid Gentleman the Children of my kinswoman Frances
80 the late Wife of Robert Pearce of Milverton aforesaid grocer and
81 my kinsman Robert Blake of Cooks Court Carey Street London
82 Gentleman and their respective Executors Administrators and Assigns
83 share and share alike the Children of the said Frances Pearce and
84 their Representatives to be entitled to one seventh part only the same
85 as I intended for their Mother had She been living provided always
86 and it is my express Will that the acquittances and Receipts of my
87 said Trustees and the Survivor of them and the heirs Executors
88 Administrators and Assigns of such Survivor for the Monies arising by
89 such Sale or Sales aforesaid of my several Estates Lands and Premises
90 aforesaid to the several persons who shall become the purchasors
91 thereof respectively by virtue of or under this my Will shall be good
92 and sufficient discharges in the Law for the same to the said several
93 purchasors their respective heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns
94 and that such purchasors shall not be liable to look to the
95 application of their purchase Money or be any ways answerable
96 or account[t]able for any loss of misapplication thereof provided
97 and it is my Will and meaning and I do hereby order and
98 direct that it shall and may be lawful to and for my said Trustees
99 their respective heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns in the
100 first place to direct retain reimburse and satisfy themselves
101 respectively out of the said Trust Estate and Premises or any part
102 thereof not only for all Jouries and attendances but also all
103 such Costs Charges and Expences as they or any or either of them
104 shall or may bear pay sustain or be put into for or by reason
105 or means or on account of the several Trusts hereby in them
106 reposed or in the execution thereof and that they my said Trustees
107 their respective heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns shall
108 not be chargeable with or answerable for any more Monies than
109 they shall actually receive or shall come to their respective hands
110 by virtue of this my Will neither they shall be accountable for or
111 chargeable with the Acts of each other but each of them for and
112 with his own respective Acts only Also I give unto my Father in Law
113 Thomas Cridland my Uncle the said Richard Cridland my
114 Brother in Law Thomas Cridland the younger my Aunt Susanna
115 Spurway and my Aunts Sarah and Betty Cridland one Mourning
116 Ring each to be delivered to them as soon as may be after my death
117 by my Executrix hereinafter named Also I give unto all my Servants
118 that shall be living with me at the time of my death one years
[Page 4]
119 Wages to be paid them within one year next after my Interment
120 by my said Executrix And lastly all the rest and residue of my
121 Goods Chattels Rights Credits personal and Testamentary Estate Substance
122 and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever after payment of my just
123 Debts Legacies and Funeral Expences I give will and bequeath unto
124 her my said Wife Frances Blake whom I make and constitute sole
125 Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all
126 former Wills by me at any time heretofore made In Witness whereof
127 I the said Robert Blake the Testator have to this my last Will
128 and Testament comprised in or written on three Sheets of paper set
129 my hand to the first two Sheets and my hand and Seal to this
130 third and last Sheet thereof the twenty second day of August in the
131 year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two
132 Rob[er]t Blake Signed Sealed published and declared by the
133 said Robert Blake the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament
134 in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and also
135 in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses
136 thereto John Southey Joseph Hill Edward Bryant
137 This Will was proved at London the fifty day of
138 December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
139 and eighty two before the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert Doctor
140 of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court
141 of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Frances Blake
142 Widow the Relict of the deceased and sole Executrix named in the
143 said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular
144 the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased She having
145 been first sworn by Commission duly to Administer.
Showing posts with label Halse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Halse. Show all posts
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Will of Robert Blake, Gentleman, Ash Prior, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/804/495, probated 29 Nov 1753
The testator is the Robert Blake baptized 24 May 1710 at Ash Prior the son of John and Sarah Blake. He is also the brother of Joseph Blake whose will was blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-joseph-blake-ash-prior-somerset.html
Their sister Betty married Richard Cridland and the Cridland family is mentioned in the will below. Also Susannah his sister who is 17 years younger than he is and in 1752 when the will is written is only 25 years of age and the need to provide her with the money from his father’s will has resulted in his taking out a mortgage. Robert is then 42 years of age so was 37 when his first son was born. Baptism of Robert Blake son of Robert and Elizabeth Blake 21 Jan 1747 at Ash Prior, Somerset. Baptism of John Blake son of Robert and Elizabeth Blake 12 Nov 1752 at Ash Prior, Somerset.
The parents of Robert the testator and Joseph his brother along with the other children baptized to this couple Mary 17 Jan 1706; buried 15 Nov 1722, Betty 22 Feb 1714, Anne 12 Jul 1717, Sarah 2 May 1720 and Susannah 11 Feb 1727 were John Blake and Sarah Uppam (of Ash Prior) and they were married 15 Jan 1705 at Bicknoller (5 miles west of Overstowey). Unfortunately nothing is known of this John. Was he related to the family at Overstowey (Bicknoller is just 5 miles from Overstowey).
There is a webpage with the poor law rate for 1659, 1688, 1693, 1705, 1717, 1718, 1771, 1787 and 1819:
http://www.paulhyb.homecall.co.uk/parishes/bickcw.txt
Blake entries include:
1771 Mr John Blake late Dobels
1771 Thos Blake Williamses
1787 Mr Blake for Woolson
1787 Mr Blake for Dobles
1819 Joan Blake at Woolston (for herself)
1819 George Blake (Wm Sully owner) Bottom at ?
Perhaps that answers my question somewhat as there are no entries for Blake at Bicknoller before 1771. Why did John Blake and Sarah Uppam marry at Bicknoller? A mystery.
Another interesting comment that John Blake of Lower Weacombe (near Bicknoller) by will dated 1716 left £100 to provide clothing for the poor. This is a will that would have been most interesting but is not the will of John Blake married to Sarah Uppam. I wonder if this will still exists in some form since it is mentioned in British history online:
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=117147
Bicknoller is part of the larger parish of Stogumber. We know that Richard Blake married to Grace Napcot had property at Stogumber and they had two sons John and Richard. Richard left his will which was probated in 1666 and he was married to Ann Jessop; blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-richard-blake-gentleman.html
This John died in 1716 and the last child of John and Sarah Blake was born/baptized in 1727 (Susannah) so not the correct John for this family.
Working through now and going back to the will of Robert Blake yeoman of Halse as this family in the will below also has property at Halse:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-robert-blake-yeoman-of-halse.html
is the John son of Robert in this will the father of this Robert? Once I get all these wills done then I will start to enter all the material into Legacy and see if I can find any linkages back to the Humphrey Blake family at Overstowey.
I am beginning to wonder if my information gathering is getting too huge for me to keep it all straight in my mind. I think I am reaching that point but would like to finish Somerset before I start to bring these wills together in a more rigorous fashion.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 28 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/804/495
Testator: Robert Blake, Gentleman
Place: Ash Prior, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 4 Feb 1752, probated 29 Nov 1753
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Robert
[Margin]: Blake
1 In the Name of God Amen
2 I Robert Blake of Ash Pryors in the County of Sommerset
3 Gent do this fourth day of February One Thousand Seven
4 hundred fifty and two make this my last Will and Testament
5 as followeth Imprimis I Give devise and bequeath unto my
6 Good Friends John Fraunces of Coombflorey in the County aforesaid
7 Esquire and Tho: Cridland of the same place and county Gentleman
8 and to the survivor of them and to the heirs and Executors
9 of Such Survivor all my Lands Tenements and hereditaments
10 Both real and personal situate lying and being in the parishes
11 of Ash Pryors Halse Storgursey and Stowey and also all that
[Page 2]
12 Estate which I lately purchased of the Bishop of Bath and Wells lying
13 and being in the parish of Huish all which lands and Tenements are in
14 the County aforesaid and all Such as are in any other place whatsoever
15 and all my estate and interest therein Subject however to the Sum of
16 Nine hundred and thirty pounds and to Mr Cridland of Coombflorey Sen[io]r
17 on a Mortgage to him of all my Estates Real and personal in the parish
18 of Halse in the County aforesaid which Sum of Nine hundred and thirty
19 pounds I borrowed of him the said Mr Cridland as well to pay my said
20 Sister Susanna Blake her portion as also to purchase two lives of the
21 Bishop of Bath and Wells on my Estate at Huish and my Will is
22 that my Sister Susannah be paid her portion of Five hundred
23 pounds at the end of Six Months from the date of the notice I Gave
24 her of the payment of it which will be on the 25th of July next there
25 being in the hands of Mr Cridland five hundred pounds part of
26 the Mortgage Moneys for that purpose as will appear by a
27 declaration of his in my custody and also Subject to the payment
28 of all other my just debts and Legacies and I do hereby charge
29 all my Lands Tenements personal Estate and hereditaments with
30 the payment of the same Upon Trust nevertheless that the said
31 John Fraunceis and Tho: Cridland and the Survivor of them do
32 receive the rents and profits thereof and pay out of the same
33 unto my Wife Elizabeth the Sum of Forty pounds per annum
34 by quarterly payments during her natural Life On Condition
35 however that my said Wife doth relinquish her right and title
36 to all dower of Such Lands as She is dowable of which right if
37 she refuses to relinquish then and in such case my Will is that
38 the above charge of Forty pounds per annum payable to my Wife
39 and all other Sums hereinafter mentioned to be payable to her
40 shall be absolutely void nor Shall She have any benefit thereof
41 and also allow my Son Robert Blake for his education and
42 maintenance as much as they my Trustees shall think fit
43 until he arrives to the age of twenty One and when he attains
44 that age then my Trustees to be seized of all my before
45 mentioned Lands Tenements personal Estate and hereditaments
46 to the use of my said Son Robert and the heirs Male of
47 his Body lawfully begotten and for want of heirs Males of
48 his Body so begotten then to the issue Female of his Body
49 lawfully begotten and for want of such issue then to my
50 Trustees and to the Survivor of them and to the heirs and
51 Executors of Such Survivor Upon Trust that they permit my
52 Brother Joseph Blake to receive the rents and profits of all
53 my above mentioned Estates for and during the Term of Ninety and
54 nine years or for Such part of the Term as Shall run out in
55 his life time and from and after the Term aforesaid or Such
56 number of years as Shall expire in his life time then to my
57 Trustees aforesaid the Survivor of them the heirs and Executors
58 of Such Survivor to be Seized to the use of the heirs Males of the
59 Body of my said Brother lawfully begotten and for want of
60 heirs Males to the issue Female of my Said Brother lawfully
61 begotten and if he dies leaving no issue behind him then my Said
62 Trustees and the Survivor of them to be Seized to the use of the said John
63 Cridland and Richard Cridland Sons of Richard Cridland of Milverton
[Page 3]
64 Gent their heirs Executors and Assigns forever not as joint Tenants but
65 as Tenants in Common but my intention and Will is that if my Wife
66 happens to be with Child at the time of my death that Such Child shall if my
67 Son Robert dyes without issue inherit all my before mentioned Lands
68 Tenements personal Estate and hereditaments in the same manner and
69 with the same Limitations as my son Robert Blake is to inherit by this
70 Will and I do hereby give Such Child with which my Wife shall be
71 ensient at the time of my death Five hundred pounds to be paid
72 when Such Child Shall attain the age of Twenty One as also twenty
73 pounds per annum to be paid Quarterly for its maintenance and
74 education which Sum of Five hundred pounds and also Twenty pounds
75 per annum my Said Trustees and the Survivor of them are to raise out
76 of my Estates before mentioned by Sale Mortgage Lease or otherwise
77 but if my Wife is not with Child at the time of my death then my
78 Will is that Ten pounds per annum more to be added to the Forty pounds
79 before directed to be paid to my Wife making in the whole Fifty pounds
80 which sum my Trustees are to pay her Quarterly as long as she lives
81 and if my Said Son Robert Blake shall happen to dye without issue
82 and living his Mother than then and from that period of time my
83 Will is that Ten pounds per annum more be added to the Fifty pounds
84 above mentioned making in all Sixty pounds which Sum my
85 Trustees and the Survivor of them are to pay in manner and form
86 aforesaid and in case the Sum of Sixty pounds or any part thereof
87 Shall be behind and unpaid by the Space of two Months is Shall
88 be lawful for my said Wife Elizabeth to enter on such part of
89 my Lands and Tenements as I can charge with the payment
90 of the said Sixty pounds and take them into her own possession
91 until the said Sum of Sixty pounds or any part thereof be
92 satisfied and paid and I do will that my Wife shall have the
93 Great Parlour hall and Little parlour of my house with Chamber
94 over and also the best Garden and Green Courts until my
95 Son Robert comes to the age of Twenty One and I do hereby
96 devise the Guardianship of my Son to my Trustees and the
97 Survivor of them and I do hereby charge all my Real
98 and Personal Estate for the indemnification of my Trustees
99 from all charges they or either of them may be put to in the
100 execution of the Trust hereby reposed in them and I do also will
101 that my Quick and dead Stock be Sold by my Trustees aforesaid
102 whom I make Executors of this my last Will Rob[er]t Blake
103 Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Robert Blake
104 the Testator to be his last Will and Testament in the presence
105 of us who Subscribed our names as Witnesses in the presence of
106 the said Robert Blake and at his request Edward Bryant
107 Upton Manning Rob[er]t Coles
108 Whereas my Son John was not born at the time of
109 making my above Will and thereby no provision was made for
110 him now my Will further is and I do hereby order my Trustees
111 above named to raise the Sum of Six hundred pounds out of any
112 or all the Estates above mentioned by Sale Mortgage or Lease
113 and also the farther Sum of Twenty pounds per Annum the
[Page 4]
114 Sum of Six hundred pounds to be paid him when he shall attain
115 the age of Twenty One and the said Sum of twenty pounds to be paid
116 him Yearly for his Maintenance and Education until he shall attain
117 that age and then the Sum of Twenty pounds per Annum to cease and
118 in case my Son Robert dies without issue of his Body lawfully
119 Begotten that then my Son John shall inherit all my Real and
120 personal Estates in the Same manner as his Brother was to inherit
121 Rob[er]t Blake Signed Sealed published and declared to be a Codicil
122 to the above Will in the presence of us who subscribed our Names
123 in the Testators presence and at his request Geo: Farewell Edw[ar]d
124 Bryant Upton Manning
125 This Will was proved at London with a Codicil annexed
126 the Twenty Ninth day of November in the year of Our lord One
127 Thousand Seven hundred and fifty three before the Right honourable
128 Sir George Lee Knight doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary
129 of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the
130 Oath of John Fraunceis Esquire and Thomas Cridland the Executors
131 named in the said Will To whom Administration was granted of all and
132 Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased being first
133 Sworn by Commission duly to administer the same.
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-joseph-blake-ash-prior-somerset.html
Their sister Betty married Richard Cridland and the Cridland family is mentioned in the will below. Also Susannah his sister who is 17 years younger than he is and in 1752 when the will is written is only 25 years of age and the need to provide her with the money from his father’s will has resulted in his taking out a mortgage. Robert is then 42 years of age so was 37 when his first son was born. Baptism of Robert Blake son of Robert and Elizabeth Blake 21 Jan 1747 at Ash Prior, Somerset. Baptism of John Blake son of Robert and Elizabeth Blake 12 Nov 1752 at Ash Prior, Somerset.
The parents of Robert the testator and Joseph his brother along with the other children baptized to this couple Mary 17 Jan 1706; buried 15 Nov 1722, Betty 22 Feb 1714, Anne 12 Jul 1717, Sarah 2 May 1720 and Susannah 11 Feb 1727 were John Blake and Sarah Uppam (of Ash Prior) and they were married 15 Jan 1705 at Bicknoller (5 miles west of Overstowey). Unfortunately nothing is known of this John. Was he related to the family at Overstowey (Bicknoller is just 5 miles from Overstowey).
There is a webpage with the poor law rate for 1659, 1688, 1693, 1705, 1717, 1718, 1771, 1787 and 1819:
http://www.paulhyb.homecall.co.uk/parishes/bickcw.txt
Blake entries include:
1771 Mr John Blake late Dobels
1771 Thos Blake Williamses
1787 Mr Blake for Woolson
1787 Mr Blake for Dobles
1819 Joan Blake at Woolston (for herself)
1819 George Blake (Wm Sully owner) Bottom at ?
Perhaps that answers my question somewhat as there are no entries for Blake at Bicknoller before 1771. Why did John Blake and Sarah Uppam marry at Bicknoller? A mystery.
Another interesting comment that John Blake of Lower Weacombe (near Bicknoller) by will dated 1716 left £100 to provide clothing for the poor. This is a will that would have been most interesting but is not the will of John Blake married to Sarah Uppam. I wonder if this will still exists in some form since it is mentioned in British history online:
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=117147
Bicknoller is part of the larger parish of Stogumber. We know that Richard Blake married to Grace Napcot had property at Stogumber and they had two sons John and Richard. Richard left his will which was probated in 1666 and he was married to Ann Jessop; blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-richard-blake-gentleman.html
This John died in 1716 and the last child of John and Sarah Blake was born/baptized in 1727 (Susannah) so not the correct John for this family.
Working through now and going back to the will of Robert Blake yeoman of Halse as this family in the will below also has property at Halse:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-robert-blake-yeoman-of-halse.html
is the John son of Robert in this will the father of this Robert? Once I get all these wills done then I will start to enter all the material into Legacy and see if I can find any linkages back to the Humphrey Blake family at Overstowey.
I am beginning to wonder if my information gathering is getting too huge for me to keep it all straight in my mind. I think I am reaching that point but would like to finish Somerset before I start to bring these wills together in a more rigorous fashion.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 28 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/804/495
Testator: Robert Blake, Gentleman
Place: Ash Prior, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 4 Feb 1752, probated 29 Nov 1753
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Robert
[Margin]: Blake
1 In the Name of God Amen
2 I Robert Blake of Ash Pryors in the County of Sommerset
3 Gent do this fourth day of February One Thousand Seven
4 hundred fifty and two make this my last Will and Testament
5 as followeth Imprimis I Give devise and bequeath unto my
6 Good Friends John Fraunces of Coombflorey in the County aforesaid
7 Esquire and Tho: Cridland of the same place and county Gentleman
8 and to the survivor of them and to the heirs and Executors
9 of Such Survivor all my Lands Tenements and hereditaments
10 Both real and personal situate lying and being in the parishes
11 of Ash Pryors Halse Storgursey and Stowey and also all that
[Page 2]
12 Estate which I lately purchased of the Bishop of Bath and Wells lying
13 and being in the parish of Huish all which lands and Tenements are in
14 the County aforesaid and all Such as are in any other place whatsoever
15 and all my estate and interest therein Subject however to the Sum of
16 Nine hundred and thirty pounds and to Mr Cridland of Coombflorey Sen[io]r
17 on a Mortgage to him of all my Estates Real and personal in the parish
18 of Halse in the County aforesaid which Sum of Nine hundred and thirty
19 pounds I borrowed of him the said Mr Cridland as well to pay my said
20 Sister Susanna Blake her portion as also to purchase two lives of the
21 Bishop of Bath and Wells on my Estate at Huish and my Will is
22 that my Sister Susannah be paid her portion of Five hundred
23 pounds at the end of Six Months from the date of the notice I Gave
24 her of the payment of it which will be on the 25th of July next there
25 being in the hands of Mr Cridland five hundred pounds part of
26 the Mortgage Moneys for that purpose as will appear by a
27 declaration of his in my custody and also Subject to the payment
28 of all other my just debts and Legacies and I do hereby charge
29 all my Lands Tenements personal Estate and hereditaments with
30 the payment of the same Upon Trust nevertheless that the said
31 John Fraunceis and Tho: Cridland and the Survivor of them do
32 receive the rents and profits thereof and pay out of the same
33 unto my Wife Elizabeth the Sum of Forty pounds per annum
34 by quarterly payments during her natural Life On Condition
35 however that my said Wife doth relinquish her right and title
36 to all dower of Such Lands as She is dowable of which right if
37 she refuses to relinquish then and in such case my Will is that
38 the above charge of Forty pounds per annum payable to my Wife
39 and all other Sums hereinafter mentioned to be payable to her
40 shall be absolutely void nor Shall She have any benefit thereof
41 and also allow my Son Robert Blake for his education and
42 maintenance as much as they my Trustees shall think fit
43 until he arrives to the age of twenty One and when he attains
44 that age then my Trustees to be seized of all my before
45 mentioned Lands Tenements personal Estate and hereditaments
46 to the use of my said Son Robert and the heirs Male of
47 his Body lawfully begotten and for want of heirs Males of
48 his Body so begotten then to the issue Female of his Body
49 lawfully begotten and for want of such issue then to my
50 Trustees and to the Survivor of them and to the heirs and
51 Executors of Such Survivor Upon Trust that they permit my
52 Brother Joseph Blake to receive the rents and profits of all
53 my above mentioned Estates for and during the Term of Ninety and
54 nine years or for Such part of the Term as Shall run out in
55 his life time and from and after the Term aforesaid or Such
56 number of years as Shall expire in his life time then to my
57 Trustees aforesaid the Survivor of them the heirs and Executors
58 of Such Survivor to be Seized to the use of the heirs Males of the
59 Body of my said Brother lawfully begotten and for want of
60 heirs Males to the issue Female of my Said Brother lawfully
61 begotten and if he dies leaving no issue behind him then my Said
62 Trustees and the Survivor of them to be Seized to the use of the said John
63 Cridland and Richard Cridland Sons of Richard Cridland of Milverton
[Page 3]
64 Gent their heirs Executors and Assigns forever not as joint Tenants but
65 as Tenants in Common but my intention and Will is that if my Wife
66 happens to be with Child at the time of my death that Such Child shall if my
67 Son Robert dyes without issue inherit all my before mentioned Lands
68 Tenements personal Estate and hereditaments in the same manner and
69 with the same Limitations as my son Robert Blake is to inherit by this
70 Will and I do hereby give Such Child with which my Wife shall be
71 ensient at the time of my death Five hundred pounds to be paid
72 when Such Child Shall attain the age of Twenty One as also twenty
73 pounds per annum to be paid Quarterly for its maintenance and
74 education which Sum of Five hundred pounds and also Twenty pounds
75 per annum my Said Trustees and the Survivor of them are to raise out
76 of my Estates before mentioned by Sale Mortgage Lease or otherwise
77 but if my Wife is not with Child at the time of my death then my
78 Will is that Ten pounds per annum more to be added to the Forty pounds
79 before directed to be paid to my Wife making in the whole Fifty pounds
80 which sum my Trustees are to pay her Quarterly as long as she lives
81 and if my Said Son Robert Blake shall happen to dye without issue
82 and living his Mother than then and from that period of time my
83 Will is that Ten pounds per annum more be added to the Fifty pounds
84 above mentioned making in all Sixty pounds which Sum my
85 Trustees and the Survivor of them are to pay in manner and form
86 aforesaid and in case the Sum of Sixty pounds or any part thereof
87 Shall be behind and unpaid by the Space of two Months is Shall
88 be lawful for my said Wife Elizabeth to enter on such part of
89 my Lands and Tenements as I can charge with the payment
90 of the said Sixty pounds and take them into her own possession
91 until the said Sum of Sixty pounds or any part thereof be
92 satisfied and paid and I do will that my Wife shall have the
93 Great Parlour hall and Little parlour of my house with Chamber
94 over and also the best Garden and Green Courts until my
95 Son Robert comes to the age of Twenty One and I do hereby
96 devise the Guardianship of my Son to my Trustees and the
97 Survivor of them and I do hereby charge all my Real
98 and Personal Estate for the indemnification of my Trustees
99 from all charges they or either of them may be put to in the
100 execution of the Trust hereby reposed in them and I do also will
101 that my Quick and dead Stock be Sold by my Trustees aforesaid
102 whom I make Executors of this my last Will Rob[er]t Blake
103 Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Robert Blake
104 the Testator to be his last Will and Testament in the presence
105 of us who Subscribed our names as Witnesses in the presence of
106 the said Robert Blake and at his request Edward Bryant
107 Upton Manning Rob[er]t Coles
108 Whereas my Son John was not born at the time of
109 making my above Will and thereby no provision was made for
110 him now my Will further is and I do hereby order my Trustees
111 above named to raise the Sum of Six hundred pounds out of any
112 or all the Estates above mentioned by Sale Mortgage or Lease
113 and also the farther Sum of Twenty pounds per Annum the
[Page 4]
114 Sum of Six hundred pounds to be paid him when he shall attain
115 the age of Twenty One and the said Sum of twenty pounds to be paid
116 him Yearly for his Maintenance and Education until he shall attain
117 that age and then the Sum of Twenty pounds per Annum to cease and
118 in case my Son Robert dies without issue of his Body lawfully
119 Begotten that then my Son John shall inherit all my Real and
120 personal Estates in the Same manner as his Brother was to inherit
121 Rob[er]t Blake Signed Sealed published and declared to be a Codicil
122 to the above Will in the presence of us who subscribed our Names
123 in the Testators presence and at his request Geo: Farewell Edw[ar]d
124 Bryant Upton Manning
125 This Will was proved at London with a Codicil annexed
126 the Twenty Ninth day of November in the year of Our lord One
127 Thousand Seven hundred and fifty three before the Right honourable
128 Sir George Lee Knight doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary
129 of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the
130 Oath of John Fraunceis Esquire and Thomas Cridland the Executors
131 named in the said Will To whom Administration was granted of all and
132 Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased being first
133 Sworn by Commission duly to administer the same.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Will of Robert Blake, yeoman of Halse, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/224/141, probated 9 Jul 1652
The testator is likely the Robert Blake married to Elizabeth Blake, widow, of Over Stowey who left her will which was probated 16 May 1656. She mentions her children Robert, John and Grace as does he. Still wondering if this is the descendant of John Blake of Kingston who was a son of Thomas Blake of Wedmore and hence of the Blake Over Stowey line.
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/09/will-of-elizabeth-blake-widow-of-over.html
This would mean that this line is also collateral to the line of Admiral Robert Blake. However, the land referred to in this will at Wemdon clearly connects to the Blake family at Halse.
I still have not yet determined if the Blake family at Halse is descendant of Thomas Blake of Wedmore. There are five Blake wills at Halse: Elizabeth the relict of Robert Blake (current testator), John who was a brother to Robert Blake (possibly the Robert Blake who left his will in 1639 and the father of the present testator), William Blake who only names a son John in his will of 1594 but mentions his property at Wembdon, the will of Robert Blake 1639 where he mentions John Blake of Kingston and the will of Agnis Blake 1641 (wife of Robert Blake who left his will in 1639).
What we do know thus far about Thomas Blake at Wedmore was that he was buried there 8 Dec 1580 and that he and his wife Isobel had nine children but only four survived to be mentioned in his will: Thomas , Lucia, John and Elizabeth. Thomas married Alice Tutton 10 Feb 1587 at Wedmore and they had four children but only one son Richard and I have not yet been able to trace him down. Lucia married Robert Jarvis 11 Jan 1586 at Wedmore, John was baptized 230 Jan 1571 and I am suspicious that this is the John who left his will in 1620 who identified his brother as Robert and his children Anne and Anstice (he is married to Katherine).
William Blake in his will of 1594 identifies his father as Robert and a son William. It is possible that his wife had a posthumous child which would account for the Robert brother of John. But this negates this family as being connected to Thomas Blake of Wedmore which is fine but we continue to be left with the mystery of the Blake family at Halse and the ancestor of Robert Blake father of William leaving his will in 1594.
The mention of property at Stogursey is also interesting. Robert also mentions his sister Edith. The mother of Robert’s father Robert was Edith. Still more thinking to do on this family.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 26 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/224/141
Testator: Robert Blake, yeoman
Place: Halse, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 6 Nov 1651, probated 9 Jul 1652
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: The Will of Robert
[Margin]: Blake
1 In the name of God Amen I Robert
2 Blake of halse in the County of Somersett yeoman beinge of perfect health of
3 body and mynd (praised be God) doe make and ordaine this my last will and
4 Testament in manner following First I give unto the poore of halse Tenn Shillings
5 to be distributed unto them by my Executrix or Administrators Item I give and
6 bequeath unto Robert my Sonne Fortie pounds And unto John my Sonne Fourescore
7 pounds and unto Grace my daughter Fourscore pounds to be paid unto them
8 eespectively when they shall attaine unto their severall ages of one and Twenty yearesor
9 qithin three moneths after the death or next marriage of Elizabeth my wife w[hi]ch
10 ahall First happen Alsoe I give and bequeath unto Robert my Sonne his Executors
11 administrators or Assignes after the death of my said Wife my Grounds lyeinge
12 in halse aforesaid called Finses (which I purchased of Mr Jones) for and dureinge
13 the Residue of my Terme which shall be then to come therein And my will is That
14 if
[Page 2]
15 if my wife shall not in the Judgment of my Overseers Sufficiently maintaine all my said
16 children then the portions of money hereby given unto them Shalbe paid into the hands of my
17 overseers for maintenance of my Said Children within Six Moneths after notice thereof
18 given unto her in that purpose Alsoe I give and devise unto my said Sonne John and his
19 heires for ever after the death of my wife all my lands in Stogursey Marsh in the said County of
20 Somersett And if he shall dye before he shall attaine to the age of one and Twenty yeares Then
21 I give and devise the same Lands after my said wife’s death unto my sonne Robert and his heires for
22 ever And my will is that such person or persons as by virtue of this my will Shall jnioy the said
23 lands in Storgursey Marsh Shall pay unto Grace my daughter One hundred pounds of
24 lawfull English money within one yeare next after such tyme as my said sonne John Shall
25 or Should have Accomplished the age of one and Twenty yeares provided allwayes and
26 the same meaning of this my will is That if Elizabeth my wife shall be living at the tyme
27 when the said One hundred pounds Shalle come payable to my Said daughter Grace as is
28 is above limited Then neither of my said Sonnes or other person Shalbe charged with the
29 payment thereof until one yeare after the decease of my said wife And then I will that
30 the said One hundred pounds shall be paid unto my said daughter by such person or
31 persons as shall jnioy the said Lands And my will is further that if my said wife Shall
32 happen to dye before the said one hundred pounds become due then such person or persons
33 as shall jnioy the said Lands shall from and after the death of my said wife paye unto my
34 said daughter Grace Eight pounds yearly portion and every yeare until her said portion shalbecome
35 payable in Such manner and at Such tyme as I have herein before declared And
36 if default shall be made in payment of the said One hundred pounds at the before limited
37 tyme Then I give the said land in Stogursey Marsh unto my said daughter Grace and
38 her heires for ever And my will is that if my said daughter Grace shall happen to dye
39 before She shall accomplish the age of one and Twenty yeares without yssue of her body
40 lawfully begotten That then this last legacie of one hundred pounds payable out of
41 Stogurseye Marsh as aforesaid shall be void to all intents and purposes But the legacies
42 of Fowescore pounds First bequeathed unto her I wholie give unto my Sonne Robert
43 and whereas I am to pay unto my Sister Edith One hundred and Fortie pounds when
44 she shall Accomplish her age of one and Twenty yeares which was given unto her by the
45 will of my Father And Twenty pounds more which I have received for her My will
46 is that if my Executrix or Administrators shall quietly Jnioy the halfenddast of A
47 Tenement in Wemdon in the said County of Somersett called Perry wood until my
48 said Sister shall attaine unto the age aforesaid and shall not in the meane tyme be
49 charged with more than Eight pounds apeace towards the maintenance of my said
50 Sister Then my Executrix or Administrator shall pay unto her Two hundred pounds And
51 assigne over unto her all the Jnterest which I have in the said Tenement in Wembdon
52 soe as my said Sister shall at the same tyme Seale and deliver unto my Executrix or
53 Administrators A sufficient general release of all Accomptes debts and demands
54 whatsoever All the rest of my goods and Chattells whatsoever not formerly bequeathed
55 my debts paid and legacies discharged I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth my wife
56 whome I make Executrix of this my will. But if my said wife shall happen to dye before
57 probate hereof shalbe made Then I make my said sonne John and my daughter Grace
58 Executors hereof And in Case they dye they dye before probate made Then I make my
59 said Sonne Robert Executor And I desire my Overseers hereafter named to take letters
60 of Administration dureinge my said Childrens minorities Lastly I desire my brother in
61 law John Sellocke and my brother Edmund Blake to be Overseers of this my will And
62 doe give them for there Care and paines to be taken in and about the Execution thereof
63 twenty shillings apiece and their necessary Expences In Witnesse whereof I have to
64 every sheete thereof beings three in number Sett my hand and Seale the Sixth day of
65 November in the yeare of our Lord God One Thousand six hundred Fiftie and one
66 Robert Blake Seased published and declared to be the last will and Testament of
67 the said Robert Blake in the presence of us Henry Haddridge J Sellacke
68 Edmund Blake Wat: Peirce An Addi[t]ion to my will Alsoe I give unto
69 my daughter Grace Fortie pounds to be paid unto her when the legacie of
70 fowrescore
[Page 3]
71 fowrescore pounds given her by this my will Shall become due and payable And my
72 will is that if my said daughter shall dye before the Said legacie of Fortie pounds Shalbe
73 com due unto her then the some shall remaine unto my sonne John if he be lievinge if not
74 unto my sonne Robert And whereas my father by his will gave unto my
75 and bedstead performed and my mother gave the same unto my Sister Edith my will
76 is that Tenne pounds shalbe paid unto my said Sister in consideration thereof
77 when she shall Accomplish the age of one and Twenty yeares She then Seallinge
78 a personal release unto my Executor In Witnesse whereof I have hereunto sett my
79 hand Robert Blake Witnesses Ja Sellacke Wal: Pearse Corye Comer
80 This will was proved at London before the Right Worshipfull Nathaniell Grey
81 Knight doctor of Lawes and Master or Keeper of the prerogative Court lawfully
82 constituted the ninth day of July in the yeare of our Lord God One Thousand Six
83 hundred Fiftie two by the Oath of Elizabeth Blake the Relict of the said deceased
84 and Sole Executrix named in the said Will To whome was Committed Administration
85 of all and Singular the goods Chattell and debts of the said deceased She beinge
86 first legallie Sworne (by Commission) well and truly to Administer the same.
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/09/will-of-elizabeth-blake-widow-of-over.html
This would mean that this line is also collateral to the line of Admiral Robert Blake. However, the land referred to in this will at Wemdon clearly connects to the Blake family at Halse.
I still have not yet determined if the Blake family at Halse is descendant of Thomas Blake of Wedmore. There are five Blake wills at Halse: Elizabeth the relict of Robert Blake (current testator), John who was a brother to Robert Blake (possibly the Robert Blake who left his will in 1639 and the father of the present testator), William Blake who only names a son John in his will of 1594 but mentions his property at Wembdon, the will of Robert Blake 1639 where he mentions John Blake of Kingston and the will of Agnis Blake 1641 (wife of Robert Blake who left his will in 1639).
What we do know thus far about Thomas Blake at Wedmore was that he was buried there 8 Dec 1580 and that he and his wife Isobel had nine children but only four survived to be mentioned in his will: Thomas , Lucia, John and Elizabeth. Thomas married Alice Tutton 10 Feb 1587 at Wedmore and they had four children but only one son Richard and I have not yet been able to trace him down. Lucia married Robert Jarvis 11 Jan 1586 at Wedmore, John was baptized 230 Jan 1571 and I am suspicious that this is the John who left his will in 1620 who identified his brother as Robert and his children Anne and Anstice (he is married to Katherine).
William Blake in his will of 1594 identifies his father as Robert and a son William. It is possible that his wife had a posthumous child which would account for the Robert brother of John. But this negates this family as being connected to Thomas Blake of Wedmore which is fine but we continue to be left with the mystery of the Blake family at Halse and the ancestor of Robert Blake father of William leaving his will in 1594.
The mention of property at Stogursey is also interesting. Robert also mentions his sister Edith. The mother of Robert’s father Robert was Edith. Still more thinking to do on this family.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 26 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/224/141
Testator: Robert Blake, yeoman
Place: Halse, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 6 Nov 1651, probated 9 Jul 1652
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: The Will of Robert
[Margin]: Blake
1 In the name of God Amen I Robert
2 Blake of halse in the County of Somersett yeoman beinge of perfect health of
3 body and mynd (praised be God) doe make and ordaine this my last will and
4 Testament in manner following First I give unto the poore of halse Tenn Shillings
5 to be distributed unto them by my Executrix or Administrators Item I give and
6 bequeath unto Robert my Sonne Fortie pounds And unto John my Sonne Fourescore
7 pounds and unto Grace my daughter Fourscore pounds to be paid unto them
8 eespectively when they shall attaine unto their severall ages of one and Twenty yearesor
9 qithin three moneths after the death or next marriage of Elizabeth my wife w[hi]ch
10 ahall First happen Alsoe I give and bequeath unto Robert my Sonne his Executors
11 administrators or Assignes after the death of my said Wife my Grounds lyeinge
12 in halse aforesaid called Finses (which I purchased of Mr Jones) for and dureinge
13 the Residue of my Terme which shall be then to come therein And my will is That
14 if
[Page 2]
15 if my wife shall not in the Judgment of my Overseers Sufficiently maintaine all my said
16 children then the portions of money hereby given unto them Shalbe paid into the hands of my
17 overseers for maintenance of my Said Children within Six Moneths after notice thereof
18 given unto her in that purpose Alsoe I give and devise unto my said Sonne John and his
19 heires for ever after the death of my wife all my lands in Stogursey Marsh in the said County of
20 Somersett And if he shall dye before he shall attaine to the age of one and Twenty yeares Then
21 I give and devise the same Lands after my said wife’s death unto my sonne Robert and his heires for
22 ever And my will is that such person or persons as by virtue of this my will Shall jnioy the said
23 lands in Storgursey Marsh Shall pay unto Grace my daughter One hundred pounds of
24 lawfull English money within one yeare next after such tyme as my said sonne John Shall
25 or Should have Accomplished the age of one and Twenty yeares provided allwayes and
26 the same meaning of this my will is That if Elizabeth my wife shall be living at the tyme
27 when the said One hundred pounds Shalle come payable to my Said daughter Grace as is
28 is above limited Then neither of my said Sonnes or other person Shalbe charged with the
29 payment thereof until one yeare after the decease of my said wife And then I will that
30 the said One hundred pounds shall be paid unto my said daughter by such person or
31 persons as shall jnioy the said Lands And my will is further that if my said wife Shall
32 happen to dye before the said one hundred pounds become due then such person or persons
33 as shall jnioy the said Lands shall from and after the death of my said wife paye unto my
34 said daughter Grace Eight pounds yearly portion and every yeare until her said portion shalbecome
35 payable in Such manner and at Such tyme as I have herein before declared And
36 if default shall be made in payment of the said One hundred pounds at the before limited
37 tyme Then I give the said land in Stogursey Marsh unto my said daughter Grace and
38 her heires for ever And my will is that if my said daughter Grace shall happen to dye
39 before She shall accomplish the age of one and Twenty yeares without yssue of her body
40 lawfully begotten That then this last legacie of one hundred pounds payable out of
41 Stogurseye Marsh as aforesaid shall be void to all intents and purposes But the legacies
42 of Fowescore pounds First bequeathed unto her I wholie give unto my Sonne Robert
43 and whereas I am to pay unto my Sister Edith One hundred and Fortie pounds when
44 she shall Accomplish her age of one and Twenty yeares which was given unto her by the
45 will of my Father And Twenty pounds more which I have received for her My will
46 is that if my Executrix or Administrators shall quietly Jnioy the halfenddast of A
47 Tenement in Wemdon in the said County of Somersett called Perry wood until my
48 said Sister shall attaine unto the age aforesaid and shall not in the meane tyme be
49 charged with more than Eight pounds apeace towards the maintenance of my said
50 Sister Then my Executrix or Administrator shall pay unto her Two hundred pounds And
51 assigne over unto her all the Jnterest which I have in the said Tenement in Wembdon
52 soe as my said Sister shall at the same tyme Seale and deliver unto my Executrix or
53 Administrators A sufficient general release of all Accomptes debts and demands
54 whatsoever All the rest of my goods and Chattells whatsoever not formerly bequeathed
55 my debts paid and legacies discharged I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth my wife
56 whome I make Executrix of this my will. But if my said wife shall happen to dye before
57 probate hereof shalbe made Then I make my said sonne John and my daughter Grace
58 Executors hereof And in Case they dye they dye before probate made Then I make my
59 said Sonne Robert Executor And I desire my Overseers hereafter named to take letters
60 of Administration dureinge my said Childrens minorities Lastly I desire my brother in
61 law John Sellocke and my brother Edmund Blake to be Overseers of this my will And
62 doe give them for there Care and paines to be taken in and about the Execution thereof
63 twenty shillings apiece and their necessary Expences In Witnesse whereof I have to
64 every sheete thereof beings three in number Sett my hand and Seale the Sixth day of
65 November in the yeare of our Lord God One Thousand six hundred Fiftie and one
66 Robert Blake Seased published and declared to be the last will and Testament of
67 the said Robert Blake in the presence of us Henry Haddridge J Sellacke
68 Edmund Blake Wat: Peirce An Addi[t]ion to my will Alsoe I give unto
69 my daughter Grace Fortie pounds to be paid unto her when the legacie of
70 fowrescore
[Page 3]
71 fowrescore pounds given her by this my will Shall become due and payable And my
72 will is that if my said daughter shall dye before the Said legacie of Fortie pounds Shalbe
73 com due unto her then the some shall remaine unto my sonne John if he be lievinge if not
74 unto my sonne Robert And whereas my father by his will gave unto my
75 and bedstead performed and my mother gave the same unto my Sister Edith my will
76 is that Tenne pounds shalbe paid unto my said Sister in consideration thereof
77 when she shall Accomplish the age of one and Twenty yeares She then Seallinge
78 a personal release unto my Executor In Witnesse whereof I have hereunto sett my
79 hand Robert Blake Witnesses Ja Sellacke Wal: Pearse Corye Comer
80 This will was proved at London before the Right Worshipfull Nathaniell Grey
81 Knight doctor of Lawes and Master or Keeper of the prerogative Court lawfully
82 constituted the ninth day of July in the yeare of our Lord God One Thousand Six
83 hundred Fiftie two by the Oath of Elizabeth Blake the Relict of the said deceased
84 and Sole Executrix named in the said Will To whome was Committed Administration
85 of all and Singular the goods Chattell and debts of the said deceased She beinge
86 first legallie Sworne (by Commission) well and truly to Administer the same.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Will of Elizabeth Blake, widow, of Over Stowey, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/255/325, probated 16 May 1656
Elizabeth Blake, the testatrix, was the wife of Robert Blake and this Robert probably the son of Robert Blake, yeoman of Halse, who left his will which was probated 15 Jun 1639. Is this family descendant of Thomas Blake of Wedmore since Robert (will probated 1639) mentions John Blake of Kingston as one of his Executors in Trust:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-robert-blake-of-halse-national.html
In this will Robert mentions his sons Robert, Edmond, John, and Richard and daughters Grace, Jane and Edith.
The will of Robert (husband of Elizabeth the testatrix and will still to be transcribed) mentions his brother Edmund and the same children as below in the will of his widow Elizabeth, John, Robert and Grace.
Perhaps the clue lies in John Selleck one of the overseers in the will below. He is named as brother in the will and brother in law in the probate so probably brother in law. Now is he the husband of one of Elizabeth’s sister(s) or married to one of Robert’s sisters Grace, Jane or Edith?
Agnes Blake was married to Robert whose will was probated in 1639 and her will also blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-agnis-blake-widow-of-halse_17.html
She too mentions Robert, Edmond, John and Richard as sons and Grace, Jane and Edith as daughters. Her will was probated in 1641. She does not mention grandchildren so the marriage of Robert Blake and Elizabeth (unknown) must be in 1641 or after which would mean that none of the three children of Robert and Elizabeth was older than 15 when Elizabeth wrote her will or older than 11 when Robert wrote his will.
Returning again to the Visitations of Somersetshire 1623 and the entry for the Perry family. Elizabeth Perry daughter of John Perry and Joane James married first John Smith and second Robert Blake. Since the visitation was taken in 1623 this Elizabeth is an aunt to the children of her sibling Robert married to Elizabeth Warren. The children of Robert and Elizabeth Perry are married and have children of their own. This is not the Elizabeth Blake who has left the present will as she would be too elderly to be her. The Elizabeth Perry in the visitations would be born circa 1550-1560. That helps to eliminate this family at Halse as being part of the present Blake family being examined although I wonder who Robert Blake married to Elizabeth Perry was.
Perhaps this is the time to look at the articles published in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register by Clifford L. Stott. I had found the published accounts for the Blake Family of Andover, Hampshire linking that family to the Somerset Blake family and knew them to be absolutely incorrect since wills existed to disprove the connection first suggested by Horatio Gates Somerby and stated to be erroneous in this article published in the April Register of 2009. Finding this verification of what I had found from the wills is possibly what led me onwards into eventually taking on the Blake-one-name study at the Guild of one name studies.
In this paper Thomas Blake (son of Humphrey and Agnis Blake) is said to have married Ann Castleton but the records in the Blake Museum at Bridgwater list this Thomas as marrying Isobel and that he was buried 8 Dec 1580 at Wedmore. This couple baptized nine children at Wedmore namely:
1. John baptized 29 Mar 1561; deceased by 1570
2. Joan baptized 7 Aug 1562; deceased by 1572
3. Thomas baptized 21 May 1563 (married to Alice Tutton 10 Feb 1587 at Wedmore) and buried there 16 Apr 1613.
4. Edward baptized 16 Sep 1565 and buried 23 Mar 1569 at Wedmore
5. Lucia baptized 28 Jun 1568 married to Robert Jarvis 11 Jan 1586 at Wedmore
6. John baptized 6 Dec 1570; buried 9 Dec 1570
7. Joan baptized 20 Jan 1572
8. Edward baptized 13 Mar 1575 and buried 17 Oct 1576 at Wedmore
9. Elizabeth baptized 18 Oct 1577
Clifford Stott has stated that this is only a possibility as there were other Blake families and deciding that this Thomas was the son of Humphrey was unclear.
The will of Thomas Blake of Wedmore was blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-thomas-blake-of-wedmore.html
and he has written it 17 Dec 1577. Only four of these children have survived to 1577 namely Thomas, Lucia, John and Elizabeth. His elder brother John (the elder) was buried 10 Dec 1576 at Overstowey which leaves his younger brother John Blake the younger to be the John Blake mentioned in the will of Thomas Blake.
Thomas Blake son of the testatrix married Alice Tutton 10 Feb 1587 at Wedmore as mentioned earlier. Thomas buried 16 April 1613 and Alice buried 23 Jul 1632 both at Wedmore.
The following information from Google books:
Baptisms at Wedmore:
John son of Thomas Blake 29 Mar 1561
Johanna Blake 7 Aug 1562
Thomas Blake 21 May 1563
Issebella daughter of John Blake 14 Feb 1564
Edward son of Thomas Blake 16 Sep 1565
Essebella daughter of John Blake de Cocklade 3 Mar 1567
Lucia daughter of Thomas Blake de Blackforde 28 Jun 1568
Christiana daughter of John Blake 2 Feb 1569
John son of Thomas Blake 6 Dec 1570; buried 9 Dec 1570
John son of Thomas Blake 20 Jan 1571
Maria daughter of John Blake 23 Mar 1571
Grace daughter of John Blake 16 Feb 1574
Edward son of Thomas Blake 13 Mar 1574
Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Blake 18 Oct 1577
Edith daughter of John Blake 8 Dec 1578
Margaret daughter of John Blake 1 Oct 1581
Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Blake 3 Jun 1588
Richard son of Thomas Blake 29 Nov 1590
Maria daughter of Thomas Blake de Blackforde 14 Jul 1596
Joanna daughter of Richard Blake 18 Jan 1599; buried 30 Mar 1606
Joanna daughter of Thomas Blake de Blackford 4 Jun 1600
John son of Richard Blake 29 Sep 1602; buried 1 May 1603
Richard son of Richard Blake 5 Aug 1604
John son of Richard Blake 7 Jun 1607
Benjamin Blake son of Josias Blake 19 Feb 1670; buried 25 Feb 1671
Marriages at Wedmore:
William Hourcombe and Julia Blake 26 Sep 1569
Thomas Wall and Alice Blake 1 Jun 1581
Robert Jarvis and Lucia Blake 1 Nov 1586
Thomas Blake and Alice Tutton 2 Oct 1587
William Yeascombe and Johanne Blake 20 April 1588
William Downe and Johanne Blake 24 May 1593
Thomas Rainold de Blagdonn and Isabella Blake de Cocklake 7 Feb 1594
Richard Blake and Edeth Pytt (widow) 4 Nov 1598
John Coles and Christiana Blake 19 Apr 1599
Richard Adames and Grace Blake 12 Nov 1601
Richard Vowles and Mariam Blake 1 Jul 1602
Edmund Colborne and Mariam Blake 29 Apr 1619
Robert Pope and Joan Blake 6 Feb 1622
Richard Blake and Margery Quicke 11 Jul 1625
John Smith and Margery Blake (widow) 11 Apr 1627
Richard Blake and Joan Champeny (widow) 29 Oct 1629
William Yescombe and Joane Blake 15 Jan 1634
John Blake and Sibbell Warman 10 May 1653
William Tayler and Joana Blake de Cocklake 26 Sep 1678
Thomas Barns and Elizabeth Blake 5 Dec 1719
James Blake and Sarah Beacham 2 Jul 1749
As can be seen the Blake family has virtually disappeared from Wedmore by the 1630s with just the occasional marriage.
This still does not answer the question about Robert and Elizabeth Blake (the testatrix) and their family. That Elizabeth is remembering the poor of Overstowey where she currently lives and the poor of Halse does give one pause to think that she may have moved back to Overstowey after the death of her husband in 1562.
Presumably Thomas and John baptizing children at Wedmore are the sons of Thomas who left his will at Wedmore dated 1577 and probated 1581. Indeed looking at the burials for Wedmore he must be the Thomas Blake buried at Wedmore 8 Dec 1580. Along with Thomas in the 1560s and he lived at Blackford there is a John Blake baptizing children at Wedmore and he lived at Cocklade. This John Blake is John Blake the younger married to Christian Jugg 18 Aug 1558 at Over Stowey.
Looking at the families having children in the latter part of the 1580s and early 1600s at Wedmore:
Thomas Blake and Alice Tutton married 2 Oct 1587 (son of Thomas Blake)
Elizabeth 3 Jun 1588
Richard 29 Nov 1590
Maria 14 Jul 1596
Joanna 4 Jun 1600
Richard Blake and Edeth Pytt (widow) married 4 Nov 1598 (son of John Blake the younger)
Joanna 18 Jan 1599; buried 30 Mar 1606
John 29 Sep 1602; buried 1 May 1603
Richard 5 Aug 1604
John 7 Jun 1607
Having worked through that exercise I can see that there isn’t a Robert Blake born at Wedmore in this time period. There remains only Richard son of Thomas carrying the Blake surname as I do not have any children for his younger brother John.
Richard Blake married to Edith Pitt is the only descendant of John Blake the younger carrying the Blake surname and it is known from the registers that Richard was buried at Wedmore 2 Jan 1630. His son Richard married Margery Quicke and they had a son John who married Sibbell Warman and this John was buried 13 Feb 1673 at Wedmore. This John does not appear to have baptized any children at Wedmore.
Working through all of this it does make sense that Thomas Blake (son of Humphrey) and John Blake the younger (son of Humphrey) could be brothers and both living at Wedmore. I feel that the Blake Museum at Bridgwater has probably done extensive research on the children of Humphrey Blake (great grandfather of Admiral Robert Blake) and this meander through the data does agree totally with their chart.
The question remains who is Robert Blake at Halse married to the present testatrix Elizabeth Blake of Overstowey. Is it just coincidence that she moves from Halse to Overstowey? Perhaps his will will be helpful when I reach it in a couple of weeks. Did John the second son of Thomas have a son Robert who later lived at Halse?
Looking again at the first paper on the Humphrey Blake family by Clifford Stott the children of John Blake the younger (married to Christian Jugg) I have all the children he has listed plus another 6 daughters baptized at Wedmore. Gradually as all this is pulled together I hope to be able to see the Blake family in Somerset more clearly. I also would like further proof that Thomas Blake of Wedmore and John Blake of Wedmore were siblings.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/255/325
Testator: Elizabeth Blake, widow
Place: Over Stowey, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 22 Dec 1655, probated 16 May 1656
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: T[estament]
[Margin]: Elizabeth
[Margin]: Blake
1 In the name of God Amen It
2 Elizabeth Blake of Overstowey in the county of Somersett widowe doe
3 make and ordayne this my last will and Testament in manner and forme
4 following First I commend my Soule into the hands of Almightie God
5 my maker hopeing assuredly through the merritts of Jesus Christ my
6 saviour to bee made partaker of life ever lasting And I commit my body
7 to the earth from whence it was taken; Alsoe I give to the poore of Overstowey
8 Five shillings And to the poore of Halse Five shillings To be distributed by my
9 Overseers Alsoe I give to my sonne John Blake Fower score pounds To be disposed
10 of by my Overseers hereafter named according to their discretion for the good and
11 benifitt of my said sonne Alsoe I give to my daughter Grace Blake Fower score
12 pounds To be paid unto her within sixe monthes after her marriage or other age of
13 One and Twentie yeares which shall first happen And my Will is that my said daughter
14 shall have the profit to be raised by her said legacy yearely towards her maintenance
15 in the meanetyme And if she dye before the said Fower score pounds become payable to
16 her I give the same to my said sonne John; And if my sonne John dye before his said
17 legacie shall be disposed of as aforesaid; My will is That soe much as shall remayne
18 thereof at his death shall accrues and redowne to my sonne Robert Blake Alsoe I give
19 to my sonne John Fower silver spoones And to my daughter Grace Five silver spoones
20 my silver salt cellar and gilted Cupp, my gold ring my weareing apparel, my Holland
21 sheetes and Holland drawers for pillows and my lesser silver bowle which was given by
22 my sister Joane her Godmother All the rest of my goods and chattels I give and be-
23 queath to my said sonne Robert Whom I make and ordayne Executor of this my last Will
24 and Testament but in case my sonne Robert dye before hee shall accomplish the age of
25 One and Twentie yeares I doe make my sonne John Executor of this my last Will and
26 Testament And I desire my brother John Selleck and my brother in law William
27 Hawkins and my cozen George Comer to bee Overseers hereof and to manage
28 my two sonnes Estates for the good and benifitt of my said sonnes until they shall
29 respectively attaine to the age of seventeen yeares; And to put my daughters
30 portion to the best profit they can for her; And I further desire my brother John
31 Selleck to take letters of Administration with my will annexed dureing the minority
32 of my Executor And if he dye I desire my said brother in lawe to doe it And to bring
33 upp my Children in the feare of the Lord; And I hope my Children will be loveinge
34 one towards another and very thankefull to there supervisors for theire love and
35 And paines towards and for them In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my
36 hand and seale the two and twentieth day of December in the yeare of our lord one
37 thousand and sixe hundred Fiftie five I give to the said Overseers Twenty shillings
[Page 2]
38 shillings a peece; And I desire the said George Comer (In case the other Overseers before
39 named dye whilst any one of my children is under the age of seventeen years to be an
40 administrator for them If neede be Elizabeth Blake Signed sealed and declared by
41 the Testatrix to bee her last will and Testament in the presence of Robert Blinman Joane
42 Blinman the marke of Joane Morris
43 The sixteenth day of May in the yeare of our Lord God One thousand six hundred
44 fiftie and sixe issued forth Letters of Administration (with the will annexed) to John
45 Sellecke the brother in lawe and Testamentary Guardian of Robert Blake the natural
46 and lawfull sonne and sole Executor of Elizabeth Blake late of Overstowey in the county
47 of Somersett widowe deceased To administer all and singular the goods Chattells and debts
48 of the said deceased according to the tenor and effect of the said will dureing the minoritie and
49 for the onely and proper use and behoofe of the said Robert Blake hee the said John Seillicke
50 being first by Commission sworne truly to administer the same
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-robert-blake-of-halse-national.html
In this will Robert mentions his sons Robert, Edmond, John, and Richard and daughters Grace, Jane and Edith.
The will of Robert (husband of Elizabeth the testatrix and will still to be transcribed) mentions his brother Edmund and the same children as below in the will of his widow Elizabeth, John, Robert and Grace.
Perhaps the clue lies in John Selleck one of the overseers in the will below. He is named as brother in the will and brother in law in the probate so probably brother in law. Now is he the husband of one of Elizabeth’s sister(s) or married to one of Robert’s sisters Grace, Jane or Edith?
Agnes Blake was married to Robert whose will was probated in 1639 and her will also blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-agnis-blake-widow-of-halse_17.html
She too mentions Robert, Edmond, John and Richard as sons and Grace, Jane and Edith as daughters. Her will was probated in 1641. She does not mention grandchildren so the marriage of Robert Blake and Elizabeth (unknown) must be in 1641 or after which would mean that none of the three children of Robert and Elizabeth was older than 15 when Elizabeth wrote her will or older than 11 when Robert wrote his will.
Returning again to the Visitations of Somersetshire 1623 and the entry for the Perry family. Elizabeth Perry daughter of John Perry and Joane James married first John Smith and second Robert Blake. Since the visitation was taken in 1623 this Elizabeth is an aunt to the children of her sibling Robert married to Elizabeth Warren. The children of Robert and Elizabeth Perry are married and have children of their own. This is not the Elizabeth Blake who has left the present will as she would be too elderly to be her. The Elizabeth Perry in the visitations would be born circa 1550-1560. That helps to eliminate this family at Halse as being part of the present Blake family being examined although I wonder who Robert Blake married to Elizabeth Perry was.
Perhaps this is the time to look at the articles published in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register by Clifford L. Stott. I had found the published accounts for the Blake Family of Andover, Hampshire linking that family to the Somerset Blake family and knew them to be absolutely incorrect since wills existed to disprove the connection first suggested by Horatio Gates Somerby and stated to be erroneous in this article published in the April Register of 2009. Finding this verification of what I had found from the wills is possibly what led me onwards into eventually taking on the Blake-one-name study at the Guild of one name studies.
In this paper Thomas Blake (son of Humphrey and Agnis Blake) is said to have married Ann Castleton but the records in the Blake Museum at Bridgwater list this Thomas as marrying Isobel and that he was buried 8 Dec 1580 at Wedmore. This couple baptized nine children at Wedmore namely:
1. John baptized 29 Mar 1561; deceased by 1570
2. Joan baptized 7 Aug 1562; deceased by 1572
3. Thomas baptized 21 May 1563 (married to Alice Tutton 10 Feb 1587 at Wedmore) and buried there 16 Apr 1613.
4. Edward baptized 16 Sep 1565 and buried 23 Mar 1569 at Wedmore
5. Lucia baptized 28 Jun 1568 married to Robert Jarvis 11 Jan 1586 at Wedmore
6. John baptized 6 Dec 1570; buried 9 Dec 1570
7. Joan baptized 20 Jan 1572
8. Edward baptized 13 Mar 1575 and buried 17 Oct 1576 at Wedmore
9. Elizabeth baptized 18 Oct 1577
Clifford Stott has stated that this is only a possibility as there were other Blake families and deciding that this Thomas was the son of Humphrey was unclear.
The will of Thomas Blake of Wedmore was blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-thomas-blake-of-wedmore.html
and he has written it 17 Dec 1577. Only four of these children have survived to 1577 namely Thomas, Lucia, John and Elizabeth. His elder brother John (the elder) was buried 10 Dec 1576 at Overstowey which leaves his younger brother John Blake the younger to be the John Blake mentioned in the will of Thomas Blake.
Thomas Blake son of the testatrix married Alice Tutton 10 Feb 1587 at Wedmore as mentioned earlier. Thomas buried 16 April 1613 and Alice buried 23 Jul 1632 both at Wedmore.
The following information from Google books:
Baptisms at Wedmore:
John son of Thomas Blake 29 Mar 1561
Johanna Blake 7 Aug 1562
Thomas Blake 21 May 1563
Issebella daughter of John Blake 14 Feb 1564
Edward son of Thomas Blake 16 Sep 1565
Essebella daughter of John Blake de Cocklade 3 Mar 1567
Lucia daughter of Thomas Blake de Blackforde 28 Jun 1568
Christiana daughter of John Blake 2 Feb 1569
John son of Thomas Blake 6 Dec 1570; buried 9 Dec 1570
John son of Thomas Blake 20 Jan 1571
Maria daughter of John Blake 23 Mar 1571
Grace daughter of John Blake 16 Feb 1574
Edward son of Thomas Blake 13 Mar 1574
Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Blake 18 Oct 1577
Edith daughter of John Blake 8 Dec 1578
Margaret daughter of John Blake 1 Oct 1581
Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Blake 3 Jun 1588
Richard son of Thomas Blake 29 Nov 1590
Maria daughter of Thomas Blake de Blackforde 14 Jul 1596
Joanna daughter of Richard Blake 18 Jan 1599; buried 30 Mar 1606
Joanna daughter of Thomas Blake de Blackford 4 Jun 1600
John son of Richard Blake 29 Sep 1602; buried 1 May 1603
Richard son of Richard Blake 5 Aug 1604
John son of Richard Blake 7 Jun 1607
Benjamin Blake son of Josias Blake 19 Feb 1670; buried 25 Feb 1671
Marriages at Wedmore:
William Hourcombe and Julia Blake 26 Sep 1569
Thomas Wall and Alice Blake 1 Jun 1581
Robert Jarvis and Lucia Blake 1 Nov 1586
Thomas Blake and Alice Tutton 2 Oct 1587
William Yeascombe and Johanne Blake 20 April 1588
William Downe and Johanne Blake 24 May 1593
Thomas Rainold de Blagdonn and Isabella Blake de Cocklake 7 Feb 1594
Richard Blake and Edeth Pytt (widow) 4 Nov 1598
John Coles and Christiana Blake 19 Apr 1599
Richard Adames and Grace Blake 12 Nov 1601
Richard Vowles and Mariam Blake 1 Jul 1602
Edmund Colborne and Mariam Blake 29 Apr 1619
Robert Pope and Joan Blake 6 Feb 1622
Richard Blake and Margery Quicke 11 Jul 1625
John Smith and Margery Blake (widow) 11 Apr 1627
Richard Blake and Joan Champeny (widow) 29 Oct 1629
William Yescombe and Joane Blake 15 Jan 1634
John Blake and Sibbell Warman 10 May 1653
William Tayler and Joana Blake de Cocklake 26 Sep 1678
Thomas Barns and Elizabeth Blake 5 Dec 1719
James Blake and Sarah Beacham 2 Jul 1749
As can be seen the Blake family has virtually disappeared from Wedmore by the 1630s with just the occasional marriage.
This still does not answer the question about Robert and Elizabeth Blake (the testatrix) and their family. That Elizabeth is remembering the poor of Overstowey where she currently lives and the poor of Halse does give one pause to think that she may have moved back to Overstowey after the death of her husband in 1562.
Presumably Thomas and John baptizing children at Wedmore are the sons of Thomas who left his will at Wedmore dated 1577 and probated 1581. Indeed looking at the burials for Wedmore he must be the Thomas Blake buried at Wedmore 8 Dec 1580. Along with Thomas in the 1560s and he lived at Blackford there is a John Blake baptizing children at Wedmore and he lived at Cocklade. This John Blake is John Blake the younger married to Christian Jugg 18 Aug 1558 at Over Stowey.
Looking at the families having children in the latter part of the 1580s and early 1600s at Wedmore:
Thomas Blake and Alice Tutton married 2 Oct 1587 (son of Thomas Blake)
Elizabeth 3 Jun 1588
Richard 29 Nov 1590
Maria 14 Jul 1596
Joanna 4 Jun 1600
Richard Blake and Edeth Pytt (widow) married 4 Nov 1598 (son of John Blake the younger)
Joanna 18 Jan 1599; buried 30 Mar 1606
John 29 Sep 1602; buried 1 May 1603
Richard 5 Aug 1604
John 7 Jun 1607
Having worked through that exercise I can see that there isn’t a Robert Blake born at Wedmore in this time period. There remains only Richard son of Thomas carrying the Blake surname as I do not have any children for his younger brother John.
Richard Blake married to Edith Pitt is the only descendant of John Blake the younger carrying the Blake surname and it is known from the registers that Richard was buried at Wedmore 2 Jan 1630. His son Richard married Margery Quicke and they had a son John who married Sibbell Warman and this John was buried 13 Feb 1673 at Wedmore. This John does not appear to have baptized any children at Wedmore.
Working through all of this it does make sense that Thomas Blake (son of Humphrey) and John Blake the younger (son of Humphrey) could be brothers and both living at Wedmore. I feel that the Blake Museum at Bridgwater has probably done extensive research on the children of Humphrey Blake (great grandfather of Admiral Robert Blake) and this meander through the data does agree totally with their chart.
The question remains who is Robert Blake at Halse married to the present testatrix Elizabeth Blake of Overstowey. Is it just coincidence that she moves from Halse to Overstowey? Perhaps his will will be helpful when I reach it in a couple of weeks. Did John the second son of Thomas have a son Robert who later lived at Halse?
Looking again at the first paper on the Humphrey Blake family by Clifford Stott the children of John Blake the younger (married to Christian Jugg) I have all the children he has listed plus another 6 daughters baptized at Wedmore. Gradually as all this is pulled together I hope to be able to see the Blake family in Somerset more clearly. I also would like further proof that Thomas Blake of Wedmore and John Blake of Wedmore were siblings.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/255/325
Testator: Elizabeth Blake, widow
Place: Over Stowey, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 22 Dec 1655, probated 16 May 1656
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: T[estament]
[Margin]: Elizabeth
[Margin]: Blake
1 In the name of God Amen It
2 Elizabeth Blake of Overstowey in the county of Somersett widowe doe
3 make and ordayne this my last will and Testament in manner and forme
4 following First I commend my Soule into the hands of Almightie God
5 my maker hopeing assuredly through the merritts of Jesus Christ my
6 saviour to bee made partaker of life ever lasting And I commit my body
7 to the earth from whence it was taken; Alsoe I give to the poore of Overstowey
8 Five shillings And to the poore of Halse Five shillings To be distributed by my
9 Overseers Alsoe I give to my sonne John Blake Fower score pounds To be disposed
10 of by my Overseers hereafter named according to their discretion for the good and
11 benifitt of my said sonne Alsoe I give to my daughter Grace Blake Fower score
12 pounds To be paid unto her within sixe monthes after her marriage or other age of
13 One and Twentie yeares which shall first happen And my Will is that my said daughter
14 shall have the profit to be raised by her said legacy yearely towards her maintenance
15 in the meanetyme And if she dye before the said Fower score pounds become payable to
16 her I give the same to my said sonne John; And if my sonne John dye before his said
17 legacie shall be disposed of as aforesaid; My will is That soe much as shall remayne
18 thereof at his death shall accrues and redowne to my sonne Robert Blake Alsoe I give
19 to my sonne John Fower silver spoones And to my daughter Grace Five silver spoones
20 my silver salt cellar and gilted Cupp, my gold ring my weareing apparel, my Holland
21 sheetes and Holland drawers for pillows and my lesser silver bowle which was given by
22 my sister Joane her Godmother All the rest of my goods and chattels I give and be-
23 queath to my said sonne Robert Whom I make and ordayne Executor of this my last Will
24 and Testament but in case my sonne Robert dye before hee shall accomplish the age of
25 One and Twentie yeares I doe make my sonne John Executor of this my last Will and
26 Testament And I desire my brother John Selleck and my brother in law William
27 Hawkins and my cozen George Comer to bee Overseers hereof and to manage
28 my two sonnes Estates for the good and benifitt of my said sonnes until they shall
29 respectively attaine to the age of seventeen yeares; And to put my daughters
30 portion to the best profit they can for her; And I further desire my brother John
31 Selleck to take letters of Administration with my will annexed dureing the minority
32 of my Executor And if he dye I desire my said brother in lawe to doe it And to bring
33 upp my Children in the feare of the Lord; And I hope my Children will be loveinge
34 one towards another and very thankefull to there supervisors for theire love and
35 And paines towards and for them In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my
36 hand and seale the two and twentieth day of December in the yeare of our lord one
37 thousand and sixe hundred Fiftie five I give to the said Overseers Twenty shillings
[Page 2]
38 shillings a peece; And I desire the said George Comer (In case the other Overseers before
39 named dye whilst any one of my children is under the age of seventeen years to be an
40 administrator for them If neede be Elizabeth Blake Signed sealed and declared by
41 the Testatrix to bee her last will and Testament in the presence of Robert Blinman Joane
42 Blinman the marke of Joane Morris
43 The sixteenth day of May in the yeare of our Lord God One thousand six hundred
44 fiftie and sixe issued forth Letters of Administration (with the will annexed) to John
45 Sellecke the brother in lawe and Testamentary Guardian of Robert Blake the natural
46 and lawfull sonne and sole Executor of Elizabeth Blake late of Overstowey in the county
47 of Somersett widowe deceased To administer all and singular the goods Chattells and debts
48 of the said deceased according to the tenor and effect of the said will dureing the minoritie and
49 for the onely and proper use and behoofe of the said Robert Blake hee the said John Seillicke
50 being first by Commission sworne truly to administer the same
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Will of John Blake, yeoman of Halse, National Archives PROB 11/135 image reference 713/605, probated 12 Jun 1620
This will of John Blake at Halse identifies him as a brother of Robert Blake. Is this the Robert who left his will in 1639 at Halse? Are both of these men the sons of William who left his will in 1594? Only John is identified as a son but his wife Alice could have been expecting a second child. However, Robert in 1639 identified the grandmother of his children as Edith Blake. As always a new will brings some new information and plenty of questions keeping you digging deeper and deeper.
The reference to Wembdon is interesting because that is the home of William who left his will in 1594. This particular testator appears to hold the land at both Wembdon and Halse. Later in 1639 Robert Blake in his will refers to their home at Halse and a lease for his chattle in the parish of Wemdon. William Blake who left his will in 1594 refers only to his father Robert and does not mention the name of his mother. Could she be Edith?
The Blake family at Halse has not been studied by anyone thus far in my searching. the British History website (http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=117135) mentions under Mill at Halse that in 1630 the mill at Halse was let on a long lease and was occupied by members of the Blake and Crosse families in the 17th century (reference: S.R.O., DD/HLM 8; ibid. D/P/hal 4/1/2, 13/2/2.).
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 25 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB11/135, Image Reference 713/605 (images by me)
Name of testator: John Blake, yeoman
Place: Halse, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 10 Apr 1620, probated 12 Jun 1620
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, cramped writing, 17th century, bold copy
[In margin] T Johannis
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of God Amen The Tenth day of
2 April 1620. I John Blake of Halse in the Countie of Somerset, yeoman, beinge
3 sicke of bodie, but of perfect minde and memory, thanks be to God therefore
4 doe make this my last will and testament in this manner and forme followinge
5 First I give and bequeath my soule to Almighty god my onely Savio[u]r by whose
6 mercie I hope to be saved. And my bodie to be buried accordinge to the christian
7 buriall. Item I give and bequeath to the poore people of Halse Tenne shillings
8 Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Anne one chattell lease of Eighte
9 acres of ground lyinge w[i]thin the p[ar]ish of Wemdon for and duringe all the yeares
10 and terme unto me therein grannted. But if the said Anne doe happen to dye
11 before she come to her full age of One and twenty yeares, or before her marriage,
12 Then my will is that the foresaid lease shall remaine unto my daughter Edith. Item
13 I give to my daughter Anne alsoe Twenty pounds to be paid to my Overseers at
14 Michaelmasse nexte to the use of my daughter Anne. Item I give and bequeath
15 my daughter Edith Threescore pounds to be payde alsoe to my Overseers for the use
16 of the said Edith at Michaelmas nexte Item I give and bequeath to Katherine my
17 wife, all the estate and terme w[hi]ch I nowe have in these two parcells of grounde cal[l]ed
18 Oxen lease lyinge in the p[ar]ishe of Halse aforesaid for and towardes the mayntenance
19 of my children. And alsoe all my corne in my Barne at Wemdon and all the
20 maulte in my house heare at Halse w[i]th all my Butter, Cheese, Bacon and my
21 wood aboute the house and all the corne in ground heare at Halse. Alsoe I give
22 to my wife sixe kyne and my geldinge and my mare except the heriett and all
23 my piggs. Item my will is that my wife shall have to her use and occupa[t]ion of all
24 my household stuffe both at Wemdon and heare at Halse soe longe as she be the
25 widdowe. And all the same househould stuffe to leave to my daughter Annstice soe good
26 as nowe it is, at the time of her marriage, or at the time of her death w[hi]chev[er]
27 shall hapen first. Further my will is that whereas there is Fifty pounds of my
28 marriage money to be paid at the death of my mother in lawe out of certayne landes
29 that Katherine my wife shall have the said moneys at the tyme of payment. And that
30 my Executor shall not be charged heare w[i]th. The residue of all my goodes debts chattels
31 not given nor bequeathed I doe give and bequeath to my daughter Annstice whome
32 I doe make my Executrix of this my last will and testament. I doe constitute ordaine
33 and make Roberte Blake my brother, William Buncombe and Phillipp Morse
34 to be Overseers to this my Will and to take into their hands all Legacies or somes of
35 money given to my daughters and the same to ymploy for the use and benefitt of
36 my daughters untill they come to the full age of one and twenty yeares and then to
37 paye over to every of them as they shall come to their full ages of one and twenty
38 yeares theyr severall por[t]ions w[i]th the profitts thereof. And my Will is that my Over-
39 seers shall have sixe shillings and eight pence a peece for their paines Witnesses
40 heare unto William Cade, Richard Cade, Anthony Cade, William Buncombe.
The reference to Wembdon is interesting because that is the home of William who left his will in 1594. This particular testator appears to hold the land at both Wembdon and Halse. Later in 1639 Robert Blake in his will refers to their home at Halse and a lease for his chattle in the parish of Wemdon. William Blake who left his will in 1594 refers only to his father Robert and does not mention the name of his mother. Could she be Edith?
The Blake family at Halse has not been studied by anyone thus far in my searching. the British History website (http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=117135) mentions under Mill at Halse that in 1630 the mill at Halse was let on a long lease and was occupied by members of the Blake and Crosse families in the 17th century (reference: S.R.O., DD/HLM 8; ibid. D/P/hal 4/1/2, 13/2/2.).
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 25 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB11/135, Image Reference 713/605 (images by me)
Name of testator: John Blake, yeoman
Place: Halse, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 10 Apr 1620, probated 12 Jun 1620
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, cramped writing, 17th century, bold copy
[In margin] T Johannis
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of God Amen The Tenth day of
2 April 1620. I John Blake of Halse in the Countie of Somerset, yeoman, beinge
3 sicke of bodie, but of perfect minde and memory, thanks be to God therefore
4 doe make this my last will and testament in this manner and forme followinge
5 First I give and bequeath my soule to Almighty god my onely Savio[u]r by whose
6 mercie I hope to be saved. And my bodie to be buried accordinge to the christian
7 buriall. Item I give and bequeath to the poore people of Halse Tenne shillings
8 Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Anne one chattell lease of Eighte
9 acres of ground lyinge w[i]thin the p[ar]ish of Wemdon for and duringe all the yeares
10 and terme unto me therein grannted. But if the said Anne doe happen to dye
11 before she come to her full age of One and twenty yeares, or before her marriage,
12 Then my will is that the foresaid lease shall remaine unto my daughter Edith. Item
13 I give to my daughter Anne alsoe Twenty pounds to be paid to my Overseers at
14 Michaelmasse nexte to the use of my daughter Anne. Item I give and bequeath
15 my daughter Edith Threescore pounds to be payde alsoe to my Overseers for the use
16 of the said Edith at Michaelmas nexte Item I give and bequeath to Katherine my
17 wife, all the estate and terme w[hi]ch I nowe have in these two parcells of grounde cal[l]ed
18 Oxen lease lyinge in the p[ar]ishe of Halse aforesaid for and towardes the mayntenance
19 of my children. And alsoe all my corne in my Barne at Wemdon and all the
20 maulte in my house heare at Halse w[i]th all my Butter, Cheese, Bacon and my
21 wood aboute the house and all the corne in ground heare at Halse. Alsoe I give
22 to my wife sixe kyne and my geldinge and my mare except the heriett and all
23 my piggs. Item my will is that my wife shall have to her use and occupa[t]ion of all
24 my household stuffe both at Wemdon and heare at Halse soe longe as she be the
25 widdowe. And all the same househould stuffe to leave to my daughter Annstice soe good
26 as nowe it is, at the time of her marriage, or at the time of her death w[hi]chev[er]
27 shall hapen first. Further my will is that whereas there is Fifty pounds of my
28 marriage money to be paid at the death of my mother in lawe out of certayne landes
29 that Katherine my wife shall have the said moneys at the tyme of payment. And that
30 my Executor shall not be charged heare w[i]th. The residue of all my goodes debts chattels
31 not given nor bequeathed I doe give and bequeath to my daughter Annstice whome
32 I doe make my Executrix of this my last will and testament. I doe constitute ordaine
33 and make Roberte Blake my brother, William Buncombe and Phillipp Morse
34 to be Overseers to this my Will and to take into their hands all Legacies or somes of
35 money given to my daughters and the same to ymploy for the use and benefitt of
36 my daughters untill they come to the full age of one and twenty yeares and then to
37 paye over to every of them as they shall come to their full ages of one and twenty
38 yeares theyr severall por[t]ions w[i]th the profitts thereof. And my Will is that my Over-
39 seers shall have sixe shillings and eight pence a peece for their paines Witnesses
40 heare unto William Cade, Richard Cade, Anthony Cade, William Buncombe.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Will of William Blake, Yeoman of Halse, National Archives PROB 11/84 Image Reference 183/163, probated 1 Aug 1594
Another will for a member of the Blake family of Halse and this one does link some generations on the one hand but on the other as usual adds a new dimension and more questions. William is still young when he dies; his father Robert is still living and at Halse. This is only 1594 so this is not the same Robert as is married to Agnis in the wills posted over the last couple of days. But the forename is interesting none the less. The name of this William's son is John. John is thus born before 1594 but no way of telling his age from this document other than that he is less than 21 years of age.
Wembdon is one mile NW of Bridgwater. The parish register holdings for this parish only go back to 1665 for baptisms, 1676 for marriages and 1673 for burials.
Although William lives at Wembdon he will be buried at Halse according to his will. His wife is named Alice but no hints at her maiden name except that the second executor is John Nethercott of Wembdon. The property of William is divided equally between John, the son of William and Alice, and Alice his mother. One of the next wills that I will transcribe is that of John Blake of Halse. Since William is dying as an adult in 1594 with a son he is probably in his 20s which could mean he was born in the early 1570s or late 1560s. That would mean his father was likely born in the 1540s. Humphrey Blake of Over Stowey is buried in 1558. His eldest son John is buried in 1576 and his daughters are all married by then so he was probably born in the 1520s or early 1530s so h is perhaps a contemporary of Humphrey's children. Humphrey only identifies one sister (Alice married to Cabull) in his will. Was she his only sibling? Are there separate Blake lines in Somerset? Over Stowey is 8 miles NNE of Halse. Every will adds something new and interesting but also raises more and more questions!
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 19 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/84 Image Reference 183/163 (images by me)
Name of testator: William Blake, Yeoman
Place: Wembdon, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 7 Jun 1594, probated 1 Aug 1594
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 16th century, light copy
[In margin] T Willmi
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of God Amen The seventhe
2 daye of June and in the six and thirteth yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Ladye Elizabeth
3 by the grace of god of England Frannce and Ireland Queene defendresse of the faithe etc A[nn]o
4 D[omi]ni A thousand five hundreth ninetie foure I Will[ia]m Blake of Wembdon in the
5 Countye of Somerset[t]e yeoman and of good and perfecte memorye (god be thancked) doe make and
6 ordayne this my Last Will and Testament in manner and forme following th[u]s Imprimis I
7 bequeathe my Soule unto Almightie god my maker and Redemer And my Bodye to the earthe viz
8 to be buryed in the Churchyarde of Halse. Item I give to the Church of Halse foure pence
9 Item I give to the Churche of Wembdon foure pence Item I give to the poore people of Halse
10 three shillings foure pence Item I give to the poore of Wembdon three shillings four pence All
11 the Rest of my goods and chattells moveable and unmoveable not given nor bequeathed (all my debts
12 paid and my Legacies performed) I give and bequeathe unto Alice my wife and John Blake
13 my sonne whome I make my executors Iointly together the same equally to be devided betwene
14 the said Alice my Wife and John my sonne by the handes of Robert Blake my Father and
15 John Nethercott th[e ]elder of Wembdon Item I appoint Robert Blake, my Father, to have the
16 keeping of the por[t]ion of goods of my said sonne John Blake untill my saide sonne shall accomplishe
17 the full age of one and twenty yeares Item I make and appointe to be my overseers to see this
18 my Last will performed the aforesaid Robert Blake of Halsse my Father and John Nethercott
19 of Wembdon th[e ]elder Witnesses hereunto Robert Ryshe and John Brewforde with others
Wembdon is one mile NW of Bridgwater. The parish register holdings for this parish only go back to 1665 for baptisms, 1676 for marriages and 1673 for burials.
Although William lives at Wembdon he will be buried at Halse according to his will. His wife is named Alice but no hints at her maiden name except that the second executor is John Nethercott of Wembdon. The property of William is divided equally between John, the son of William and Alice, and Alice his mother. One of the next wills that I will transcribe is that of John Blake of Halse. Since William is dying as an adult in 1594 with a son he is probably in his 20s which could mean he was born in the early 1570s or late 1560s. That would mean his father was likely born in the 1540s. Humphrey Blake of Over Stowey is buried in 1558. His eldest son John is buried in 1576 and his daughters are all married by then so he was probably born in the 1520s or early 1530s so h is perhaps a contemporary of Humphrey's children. Humphrey only identifies one sister (Alice married to Cabull) in his will. Was she his only sibling? Are there separate Blake lines in Somerset? Over Stowey is 8 miles NNE of Halse. Every will adds something new and interesting but also raises more and more questions!
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 19 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/84 Image Reference 183/163 (images by me)
Name of testator: William Blake, Yeoman
Place: Wembdon, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 7 Jun 1594, probated 1 Aug 1594
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 16th century, light copy
[In margin] T Willmi
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of God Amen The seventhe
2 daye of June and in the six and thirteth yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Ladye Elizabeth
3 by the grace of god of England Frannce and Ireland Queene defendresse of the faithe etc A[nn]o
4 D[omi]ni A thousand five hundreth ninetie foure I Will[ia]m Blake of Wembdon in the
5 Countye of Somerset[t]e yeoman and of good and perfecte memorye (god be thancked) doe make and
6 ordayne this my Last Will and Testament in manner and forme following th[u]s Imprimis I
7 bequeathe my Soule unto Almightie god my maker and Redemer And my Bodye to the earthe viz
8 to be buryed in the Churchyarde of Halse. Item I give to the Church of Halse foure pence
9 Item I give to the Churche of Wembdon foure pence Item I give to the poore people of Halse
10 three shillings foure pence Item I give to the poore of Wembdon three shillings four pence All
11 the Rest of my goods and chattells moveable and unmoveable not given nor bequeathed (all my debts
12 paid and my Legacies performed) I give and bequeathe unto Alice my wife and John Blake
13 my sonne whome I make my executors Iointly together the same equally to be devided betwene
14 the said Alice my Wife and John my sonne by the handes of Robert Blake my Father and
15 John Nethercott th[e ]elder of Wembdon Item I appoint Robert Blake, my Father, to have the
16 keeping of the por[t]ion of goods of my said sonne John Blake untill my saide sonne shall accomplishe
17 the full age of one and twenty yeares Item I make and appointe to be my overseers to see this
18 my Last will performed the aforesaid Robert Blake of Halsse my Father and John Nethercott
19 of Wembdon th[e ]elder Witnesses hereunto Robert Ryshe and John Brewforde with others
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Will of Robert Blake, Yeoman of Halse, National Archives PROB 11/180 Image Reference 543/493, probated 15 Jun 1639
Other places near Halse include 2 miles NE Bishops Lydeard and 2 miles WNW Fitzhead, Finding the parents of Robart Blake would be most interesting especially with his sons named Robert, Edmund, John and Richard. All four of these sons were born prior to 1640. Interesting to find everyone in the same place - Halse - Perry family and Blake family. Could there be two distinct Blake families in Halse?
As I continue transcribing the wills perhaps I will find a link. Robert mentions John Blake of Kingston as one of his Executors in Trust. The post of the Will of Thomas Blake of Wedmore, Somerset (http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-thomas-blake-of-wedmore.html) brings up the John Blake at Kingston as the eldest son of the testator of this will left land to his son Thomas at Kingston. He did have a son John but would he be the same John since this will was 1581 and now the time is the late 1630s. In this case following the land would be helpful. On the other hand I do not know how Thomas fits into the known Somerset Blake family but slowly linking people is helpful to that cause.
Robert identifies his mother as Edith Blake which I shall stow away in my memory (and this is my memory bank!) and that piece of information will no doubt be helpful in the future.
Looking at the Parish Records posted earlier perhaps this family continues at Halse with the records listed in the blog of the will of Agnis Blake (wife of this Robert): http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-agnis-blake-widow-of-halse_17.html
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 18 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/180 Image Reference 543/493 (images by me)
Name of testator: Robert Blake, Yeoman
Place: Halse, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 11 Dec 1638, probated 15 Jun 1639
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 17th century, light copy
[In margin] Tm Roberti Blake
1 In the name of God Amen The elveanethe
2 daie of december Anno D[omi]ni 1638 And in the fourteenth yere of the Raigne of o[u]r
3 Sovereigne Lord Charles by the grace of God king of England etc I Robert
4 Blake of Halse in the County of Somersett Yeoman being in good health and of
5 perfect memorie (thankes be to Almightie God) doe ordeyne and make this my last
6 will and Testament in manner and forme followinge That is to say, First I give and
7 bequeath my soule unto Almightie God And my body to Christian buryall in sure and
8 certaine hope of Resurrec[t]ion to eternall life at the last day And that by the onely
9 meritts of the death and passion of Jesus Christ myne onely Saviour and Redeemer
10 Item I give and bequeath towards the Reedifyeing and new buildinge of St Paules
11 Church in the Citty of London five shillings Item I give and bequeath to the poore
12 of Halse Tenn shillings And to the poore people that shall es[c]orte unto my funerall
13 fortie shillings Item I give and bequeath unto my Wife Agnes Blake my best fetherbed
14 performed and my best Mantl (When the herrietts are chasen and gonne) tenne kyne and
15 Twenty sheepe Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Agnis one hundred
16 poundes includinge therein her Grandmother Edith Blakes quifts or Legacie
17 Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Grace One hundred and fortie poundes includinge
18 therein her Grandmother Edith Blakes guift or Legacie Item I give and bequeath
19 unto my daughter Jane the Lease of my chattle lyeing and being in the parish of
20 Wemdon Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Edith one hundred and fortie
21 pounds to be payd her out of my freeland and val[e] entyre ground scituate and being in
22 the parish of Halse But if any of my foresaide daughters shall happen to dye before
23 Shee come to the age of one and Twenty yeares Then my Will is that her por[t]ion soe dyeing
24 Shalbe equally devided among the Survivors of them Item I give and Bequeath unto my
25 sonne Richard five poundes To my sonne John five pounds To my sonne Edmond
26 five pounds And to all my Godchildren Twoe shillings apeece And I doe make and
27 constitute my sonne Robert Blake the whole and sole Executor of this my last will and
28 Testament when he shall come to a fully have accomplished the age of one and twenty
in margin Edmund shall be myne Executor when he comes to the full age of one and twenty yeares, if he chance to dye before that time then my sonne
29 yeares But if hee shall chance to dye before that tyme Then my sonne ^ John shall be
30 myne Executor when he come to the full age of one and twenty yeres yf hee doe chance
31 to dye before that tyme Then my sonne Richard shall be my sole Executor when hee
32 comes to the same full age of one and twentie yeares And I doe make Executors in trust
33 untill my children come all severally to the age of one and Twenty yeres Thomas Gredy of
34 Samford Arundell yeoman Henry Davy of Durley yeoman John Blake of Kingston
35 yeoman Anthony Cale of Halse yeoman And for their paynes I doe give them
36 Twentie shillings apeece. The m[a]rke of Robert Blake Witnesses unto this Testament
37 William Moore Clerke Robert Moore William Colles
38 A Codicill annexed unto the within written Testam[en]t
39 Moreover I the within named Testator doe hereby Will and ordeyn That my
40 within named wife Agnes Blake shall have the use and occupa[t]ion of all my household
41 stuffe and utensills within doores soe long as shee keeps herself my widdowe And
[Page 2]
42 contynue dwellinge in my now dwelling house at Halse Provided allwayes
43 that shee her Executors or Administrators shall make the said utensills and householde
44 stuffe soe good unto myne Executors I left them unto her Item I doe give and
45 bequeath unto my foresaid wife Agnes All my corne in and aboute my house and in
46 ground Provided that for and in considera[t]ion of the same shee shall give or allowe
47 unto my children Richard Edith and Jane Blake sufficient meate drinke and
48 Apparell Accordinge to their degree forth or tyme of fouer yeeres ymediately
49 after my decease The m[a]rke of Robert Blake Wittnesses hereunto W[illia]m Moore
50 Clerke Rob[ert] Moore Will[ia]m Colles
As I continue transcribing the wills perhaps I will find a link. Robert mentions John Blake of Kingston as one of his Executors in Trust. The post of the Will of Thomas Blake of Wedmore, Somerset (http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-thomas-blake-of-wedmore.html) brings up the John Blake at Kingston as the eldest son of the testator of this will left land to his son Thomas at Kingston. He did have a son John but would he be the same John since this will was 1581 and now the time is the late 1630s. In this case following the land would be helpful. On the other hand I do not know how Thomas fits into the known Somerset Blake family but slowly linking people is helpful to that cause.
Robert identifies his mother as Edith Blake which I shall stow away in my memory (and this is my memory bank!) and that piece of information will no doubt be helpful in the future.
Looking at the Parish Records posted earlier perhaps this family continues at Halse with the records listed in the blog of the will of Agnis Blake (wife of this Robert): http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-agnis-blake-widow-of-halse_17.html
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 18 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/180 Image Reference 543/493 (images by me)
Name of testator: Robert Blake, Yeoman
Place: Halse, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 11 Dec 1638, probated 15 Jun 1639
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 17th century, light copy
[In margin] Tm Roberti Blake
1 In the name of God Amen The elveanethe
2 daie of december Anno D[omi]ni 1638 And in the fourteenth yere of the Raigne of o[u]r
3 Sovereigne Lord Charles by the grace of God king of England etc I Robert
4 Blake of Halse in the County of Somersett Yeoman being in good health and of
5 perfect memorie (thankes be to Almightie God) doe ordeyne and make this my last
6 will and Testament in manner and forme followinge That is to say, First I give and
7 bequeath my soule unto Almightie God And my body to Christian buryall in sure and
8 certaine hope of Resurrec[t]ion to eternall life at the last day And that by the onely
9 meritts of the death and passion of Jesus Christ myne onely Saviour and Redeemer
10 Item I give and bequeath towards the Reedifyeing and new buildinge of St Paules
11 Church in the Citty of London five shillings Item I give and bequeath to the poore
12 of Halse Tenn shillings And to the poore people that shall es[c]orte unto my funerall
13 fortie shillings Item I give and bequeath unto my Wife Agnes Blake my best fetherbed
14 performed and my best Mantl (When the herrietts are chasen and gonne) tenne kyne and
15 Twenty sheepe Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Agnis one hundred
16 poundes includinge therein her Grandmother Edith Blakes quifts or Legacie
17 Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Grace One hundred and fortie poundes includinge
18 therein her Grandmother Edith Blakes guift or Legacie Item I give and bequeath
19 unto my daughter Jane the Lease of my chattle lyeing and being in the parish of
20 Wemdon Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Edith one hundred and fortie
21 pounds to be payd her out of my freeland and val[e] entyre ground scituate and being in
22 the parish of Halse But if any of my foresaide daughters shall happen to dye before
23 Shee come to the age of one and Twenty yeares Then my Will is that her por[t]ion soe dyeing
24 Shalbe equally devided among the Survivors of them Item I give and Bequeath unto my
25 sonne Richard five poundes To my sonne John five pounds To my sonne Edmond
26 five pounds And to all my Godchildren Twoe shillings apeece And I doe make and
27 constitute my sonne Robert Blake the whole and sole Executor of this my last will and
28 Testament when he shall come to a fully have accomplished the age of one and twenty
in margin Edmund shall be myne Executor when he comes to the full age of one and twenty yeares, if he chance to dye before that time then my sonne
29 yeares But if hee shall chance to dye before that tyme Then my sonne ^ John shall be
30 myne Executor when he come to the full age of one and twenty yeres yf hee doe chance
31 to dye before that tyme Then my sonne Richard shall be my sole Executor when hee
32 comes to the same full age of one and twentie yeares And I doe make Executors in trust
33 untill my children come all severally to the age of one and Twenty yeres Thomas Gredy of
34 Samford Arundell yeoman Henry Davy of Durley yeoman John Blake of Kingston
35 yeoman Anthony Cale of Halse yeoman And for their paynes I doe give them
36 Twentie shillings apeece. The m[a]rke of Robert Blake Witnesses unto this Testament
37 William Moore Clerke Robert Moore William Colles
38 A Codicill annexed unto the within written Testam[en]t
39 Moreover I the within named Testator doe hereby Will and ordeyn That my
40 within named wife Agnes Blake shall have the use and occupa[t]ion of all my household
41 stuffe and utensills within doores soe long as shee keeps herself my widdowe And
[Page 2]
42 contynue dwellinge in my now dwelling house at Halse Provided allwayes
43 that shee her Executors or Administrators shall make the said utensills and householde
44 stuffe soe good unto myne Executors I left them unto her Item I doe give and
45 bequeath unto my foresaid wife Agnes All my corne in and aboute my house and in
46 ground Provided that for and in considera[t]ion of the same shee shall give or allowe
47 unto my children Richard Edith and Jane Blake sufficient meate drinke and
48 Apparell Accordinge to their degree forth or tyme of fouer yeeres ymediately
49 after my decease The m[a]rke of Robert Blake Wittnesses hereunto W[illia]m Moore
50 Clerke Rob[ert] Moore Will[ia]m Colles
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Will of Agnis Blake, widow, of Halse, Somerset, National Archives PROB 11/186 #110 (images by me), probated 5 May 1641
The next will on the National Archives website is for Agnis Blake and she lives at Halse. Halse is in the Williton Hundred and is 8 miles NNE of Over Stowey. The fourth daughter is not identified in this will and she is likely Agnes whose administration was given to her brother Robert Blake 23 Jan 1646 (old style) (blog post of 15 Apr 2012: http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/abstracts-of-blake-somersetshire-wills.html).
Still to come is the will of Robert Blake (of halse, yeoman and husband to Agnes and mentioned in the blog post of 15 Apr 2012) and in his will he mentions his daughters Agnes, Grace, Jane and Edith (Grace is missing from that will). His mother was Edith Blake and his sons are named Richard, John, Edmund and Robert (executor). I hope to complete his will tomorrow.
Blake baptisms, marriages and burials at Halse:
Baptisms
BLAKE William 23 Jul 1659 Richard Elizabeth (at Kingston)
BLAKE Richard 18 Jun 1667 Richard Elizabeth
BLAKE John 24 Nov 1704 Robert Sarah
BLAKE Robert 30 Feb 1706 Robert Sarah
BLAKE Richard 10 May 1711 Robert Sarah
BLAKE Robert 25 Feb 1719 Robert Joan
BLAKE Elizabeth 28 Oct 1719 Robert Joane
BLAKE Robert 12 Dec 1740 Robert Joan
BLAKE Elizabeth 28 May 1742 Robert Joan
Burials
BLAKE Richard 27 Mar 1668
BLAKE un-readable 22 May 1685
BLAKE Robert 06 Aug 1712
BLAKE Robert 09 Jun 1732
BLAKE Joan 27 Apr 1732
BLAKE Robert 04 Jan 1751
BLAKE Sarah 27 Apr 1760 wife of Robert
BLAKE Sarah 06 Dec 1761
BLAKE Robert 16 Oct 1771
Marriages
BLAKE Joane William Morle Jul 1563
BLAKE Elnor Abraham Morse 15 Jan 1590
BLAKE Alice John Bruforde 29 Apr 1594
BLAKE Joane Walter Pearce 18 Apr 1597
BLAKE Robart Elizabeath Smythe 17 Jun 1616
BLAKE Katheren Anthony Cade 10 Feb 1624
BLAKE Anne Henry Haddridge 20 Jan 1640
BLAKE Richard Elizabeth Clement 22 Jun 1658
BLAKE Elizabeth John CROSS 06 Apr 1671
BLAKE Robert Joane CAPE 28 Aug 1718
BLAKE Robert Sarah SHUTT 11 Feb 1752
BLAKE Betty Thomas HANCOCK 04 Apr 1768 (L) Witnesses:John Hancock Abraham Hancock
Looking also at the Visitation of Somersetshire in 1623, the marriage of Robart Blake and Elizabeath Smyth 17 Jun 1616 is a rather interesting one as John Perry in his will of 1617 mentions his son in law Robert Blake. Could this be the same person but why the forename change from Elizabeth to Agnis. They all live in Halse. Elizabeth Perry daughter of John Perry (and his wife Elizabeth Warren) of Halse married first John Smith and second Robart Blake. The visitation of Somerset 1623 has the above information but no indication of the parentage of Robart Blake however. According to document 74/55/1-2 dated 1590 John Perry of Halse, Somerset, gent and Robert, his son received by conveyance the Rectory of Sutton Prior, otherwise Plymouth. The marriage settlement of 1609 for Elizabeth Perry of Halse included the rectory of Sutton Prior with tithes. At a quick glance I do not see mention of any property in Robert's will so perhaps he is another Blake line.
Robert (husband of Agnes) mentions in his will John Blake of Kingston and this may be the son of Thomas Blake of Wedmoore whose will I transcribed a couple of days ago (http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-thomas-blake-of-wedmore.html).
Other places near Halse include 2 miles NE Bishops Lydeard and 2 miles WNW Fitzhead, Finding the parents of Robart Blake would be most interesting especially with his sons named Robert, Edmund, John and Richard. All four of these sons were born prior to 1640. Interesting to find everyone in the same place - Halse - Perry family and Blake family. Could there be two distinct Blake families in Halse?
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 17 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/186, #110 (images by me)
Name of testator: Agnis Blake, widow
Place: Halse, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 9 Jan 1640 (old style), probated 5 May 1641
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 17th century, light copy
[In margin] T. Agnesis
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of God Amen the nynth day of January
2 in the sixteenth yeare of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lord Charles by the grace of God
3 of England Scotland France and Ireland kinge defender of the faith etc. Anno Domini
4 and thousand six hundred and fortie I Agnis Blake of halse in the countie of Somersett widow
5 beinge sick of bodie but of p[er]fecte memory thankes be unto Almightie god, doe make and ordaine
6 this my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge Imprimis I bequeath my soule
7 unto the handes of Allmighty god my maker not doubtinge but through the merrits and passion
8 of my blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ to have free p[ar]don and remission of all my synnes and my
9 body to the Christian buriall, And for my worldly effects which it hath pleased God to bless
10 me withall, I do geve and bequeath in manner and forme followinge, Imprimis I geve and
[In margin] Item I geve and bequeath unto my godchildren two shillings a peece.
11 bequeath unto the poore of halse tenn shillings Item I geve and bequeath unto my four daughters
12 all my app[er]ell equally to be devided amongst them by my Ov[er]seers, Item I geve and bequeath unto
13 my daughter Edith my bedd and bedsteed p[er]formed, Item I geve and bequeath unto my daughter
14 Grace my gould ringe Item I geve and bequeath onto my daughter Jane three Edward
15 shillings and three peeces of old gould, and a silv[er] __stle, Item I geve and bequeath unto
16 three of my sonnes Robert Edward and John one shillinge apeece, All the rest of my goods
17 and chattells not before geven and bequeathed I geve and bequeath unto Richard Blake my
18 sonne whome I make my whole executor of this my last will and testament, And I desire
19 Henry Hancock and Thomas Comier to be my Ov[er]seers and to take the Administra[t]ion of my
20 goodes for the use of my executor duringe his mynoritie, and to theire care and gardienship
21 com[m]end my fouer younger children, John Blake, Jane Blake, Edith Blake and the foresaid
22 Richard Blake untill they attaine theire sev[er]all ages of descri[t]ion and for their paines I doe
23 geve them thirtie shillings apeece, Item my will is that my sonne John Blake shall pay nothinge
24 for his dyebt for the tenn first years after said Father's death In witness whereof I have hereunto
25 sett my hand and seale the daie and yeare first above written signed Agnis Blake, Witnesses
26 to this my will John Perry, Humphery Perry, Katherine Diamond [sp]
Still to come is the will of Robert Blake (of halse, yeoman and husband to Agnes and mentioned in the blog post of 15 Apr 2012) and in his will he mentions his daughters Agnes, Grace, Jane and Edith (Grace is missing from that will). His mother was Edith Blake and his sons are named Richard, John, Edmund and Robert (executor). I hope to complete his will tomorrow.
Blake baptisms, marriages and burials at Halse:
Baptisms
BLAKE William 23 Jul 1659 Richard Elizabeth (at Kingston)
BLAKE Richard 18 Jun 1667 Richard Elizabeth
BLAKE John 24 Nov 1704 Robert Sarah
BLAKE Robert 30 Feb 1706 Robert Sarah
BLAKE Richard 10 May 1711 Robert Sarah
BLAKE Robert 25 Feb 1719 Robert Joan
BLAKE Elizabeth 28 Oct 1719 Robert Joane
BLAKE Robert 12 Dec 1740 Robert Joan
BLAKE Elizabeth 28 May 1742 Robert Joan
Burials
BLAKE Richard 27 Mar 1668
BLAKE un-readable 22 May 1685
BLAKE Robert 06 Aug 1712
BLAKE Robert 09 Jun 1732
BLAKE Joan 27 Apr 1732
BLAKE Robert 04 Jan 1751
BLAKE Sarah 27 Apr 1760 wife of Robert
BLAKE Sarah 06 Dec 1761
BLAKE Robert 16 Oct 1771
Marriages
BLAKE Joane William Morle Jul 1563
BLAKE Elnor Abraham Morse 15 Jan 1590
BLAKE Alice John Bruforde 29 Apr 1594
BLAKE Joane Walter Pearce 18 Apr 1597
BLAKE Robart Elizabeath Smythe 17 Jun 1616
BLAKE Katheren Anthony Cade 10 Feb 1624
BLAKE Anne Henry Haddridge 20 Jan 1640
BLAKE Richard Elizabeth Clement 22 Jun 1658
BLAKE Elizabeth John CROSS 06 Apr 1671
BLAKE Robert Joane CAPE 28 Aug 1718
BLAKE Robert Sarah SHUTT 11 Feb 1752
BLAKE Betty Thomas HANCOCK 04 Apr 1768 (L) Witnesses:John Hancock Abraham Hancock
Looking also at the Visitation of Somersetshire in 1623, the marriage of Robart Blake and Elizabeath Smyth 17 Jun 1616 is a rather interesting one as John Perry in his will of 1617 mentions his son in law Robert Blake. Could this be the same person but why the forename change from Elizabeth to Agnis. They all live in Halse. Elizabeth Perry daughter of John Perry (and his wife Elizabeth Warren) of Halse married first John Smith and second Robart Blake. The visitation of Somerset 1623 has the above information but no indication of the parentage of Robart Blake however. According to document 74/55/1-2 dated 1590 John Perry of Halse, Somerset, gent and Robert, his son received by conveyance the Rectory of Sutton Prior, otherwise Plymouth. The marriage settlement of 1609 for Elizabeth Perry of Halse included the rectory of Sutton Prior with tithes. At a quick glance I do not see mention of any property in Robert's will so perhaps he is another Blake line.
Robert (husband of Agnes) mentions in his will John Blake of Kingston and this may be the son of Thomas Blake of Wedmoore whose will I transcribed a couple of days ago (http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-thomas-blake-of-wedmore.html).
Other places near Halse include 2 miles NE Bishops Lydeard and 2 miles WNW Fitzhead, Finding the parents of Robart Blake would be most interesting especially with his sons named Robert, Edmund, John and Richard. All four of these sons were born prior to 1640. Interesting to find everyone in the same place - Halse - Perry family and Blake family. Could there be two distinct Blake families in Halse?
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 17 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/186, #110 (images by me)
Name of testator: Agnis Blake, widow
Place: Halse, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 9 Jan 1640 (old style), probated 5 May 1641
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 17th century, light copy
[In margin] T. Agnesis
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of God Amen the nynth day of January
2 in the sixteenth yeare of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lord Charles by the grace of God
3 of England Scotland France and Ireland kinge defender of the faith etc. Anno Domini
4 and thousand six hundred and fortie I Agnis Blake of halse in the countie of Somersett widow
5 beinge sick of bodie but of p[er]fecte memory thankes be unto Almightie god, doe make and ordaine
6 this my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge Imprimis I bequeath my soule
7 unto the handes of Allmighty god my maker not doubtinge but through the merrits and passion
8 of my blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ to have free p[ar]don and remission of all my synnes and my
9 body to the Christian buriall, And for my worldly effects which it hath pleased God to bless
10 me withall, I do geve and bequeath in manner and forme followinge, Imprimis I geve and
[In margin] Item I geve and bequeath unto my godchildren two shillings a peece.
11 bequeath unto the poore of halse tenn shillings Item I geve and bequeath unto my four daughters
12 all my app[er]ell equally to be devided amongst them by my Ov[er]seers, Item I geve and bequeath unto
13 my daughter Edith my bedd and bedsteed p[er]formed, Item I geve and bequeath unto my daughter
14 Grace my gould ringe Item I geve and bequeath onto my daughter Jane three Edward
15 shillings and three peeces of old gould, and a silv[er] __stle, Item I geve and bequeath unto
16 three of my sonnes Robert Edward and John one shillinge apeece, All the rest of my goods
17 and chattells not before geven and bequeathed I geve and bequeath unto Richard Blake my
18 sonne whome I make my whole executor of this my last will and testament, And I desire
19 Henry Hancock and Thomas Comier to be my Ov[er]seers and to take the Administra[t]ion of my
20 goodes for the use of my executor duringe his mynoritie, and to theire care and gardienship
21 com[m]end my fouer younger children, John Blake, Jane Blake, Edith Blake and the foresaid
22 Richard Blake untill they attaine theire sev[er]all ages of descri[t]ion and for their paines I doe
23 geve them thirtie shillings apeece, Item my will is that my sonne John Blake shall pay nothinge
24 for his dyebt for the tenn first years after said Father's death In witness whereof I have hereunto
25 sett my hand and seale the daie and yeare first above written signed Agnis Blake, Witnesses
26 to this my will John Perry, Humphery Perry, Katherine Diamond [sp]
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