Catharine Blake, the Testatrix, was buried 6 Feb 1798 at St Mildred Canterbury, Kent. She was said to be 85 years of age so born in 1713.
There was a Catherine Blake baptized 4 Nov 1712 at St Mary Breadman, Canterbury, Kent daughter of Thomas and Ann Blake.
Alice Blake was baptized 19 Jun 1709 at St Andrew, Canterbury, Kent daughter of Thomas and Ann Blake.
Elizabeth Blake was baptized 12 Dec 1706 at St Andrew, Canterbury, Kent, daughter of Thomas and Ann Blake.
I did not find any information that was helpful using the nephews names.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 12 Jul 2019
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1301/232
Testator: Catharine Blake, spinster
Place: Canterbury, Kent
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 11 Nov 1796, probated 14 Feb 1798
[Margin]: Catherine Blake
1 This is the last Will
2 and Testament of me Catharine Blake of the City
3 of Canterbury Spinster made this Eleventh day of
4 November in the year of Our Lord one thousand
5 Seven hundred and Ninety Six as follows First I
6 desire to be buried in a decent and private manner
7 in the Burial Ground called Chapel Church Yard in
8 the said City as near the remains of my late
9 Father and Mother as may be and my Worldly
10 Estate I dispose of as follows: I give and bequeath
11 unto my nephew Richard Robert Sanders One
12 hundred pounds stock part of my Capital
13 Stock in the three per Centum Consolidated Annuities
14 in the Bank of England to be transferred unto him
15 within six calendar months next after my decease
16 Also I give and bequeath unto the four sons of my
17 Nephew Thomas Sanders now lately deceased the
18 sums of five pounds apiece of lawful money of
19 Great Britain Also I give and bequeath unto the
20 several persons the ________ Effects and Legacies
21 following (that is to say) unto John Hodges Gentleman
22 One of the Alderman of the said City the picture of
23 the Late Thomas Hanson Esquire as the same is
24 now framed and Glazed and unto my friends Mary
25 D Poirer Wife of John J Poirer of the said City
26 ________ and my silver pint pot and unto my
27 _______ Henry Mayor my watch and unto my nephew
28 William Mayor the Mourning Ring ______
29 for the late Mr Harrison and a Crown piece which
30 is now kept with it And unto Rebecca the Wife
31 of my Nephew William Major my Green damask
32 Gown my brood Lace Handkerchief and my Lace
33 apron and unto my Maid Servant Mary Stagg
34 (if she shall be Living with me at the Time of my
35 decease) over and above what Wage if any be then
36 due to her the Sum of thirty five pounds of Lawful
37 Money of Great Britain my Green Bed with
38 the Bedstead Blankets Quilt and Furniture to
39 the same belonging and all the rest and Residue
40 of my Wearing Apparel of every Kind not by
41 me hereinbefore otherwise disposed of for her
42 faithful Services to me during my Long Illness
43 And also the further Sum of Five pounds of like
44 Lawful Money for Mourning all which said Several
45 Effects and Legacies I Order and direct shall be
46 delivered and paid to the Legatees thereof respectively
47 within Six Months next after my decease and
48 as to all the rest remainder and Residue of my
49 Capital Stock in the said three per Centum
50 Consolidated Bank Annuities Effects and personal
51 Estate whatsoever and wheresoever not by me hereinbefore
52 otherwise disposed of after and Subject to the payment
53 of my just Debts Legacies Funeral Expences the Charges
54 of proving this my Will and all other incident
55 Expences I give and bequeath the same and
56 every part thereof unto my said Nephew William
57 Major his executors and Administrators for his and
58 their Own use and benefit and I appoint him my
59 said Nephew William Major the Sole Executor of this
60 my Last Will and Testament And Lastly I do hereby
61 revoke all former Wills by me at any time made and
62 declare this duly to be and contain my Last Will
63 and Testament In Witness whereof I the said
64 Catharine Blake the testatrix have here unto set
65 my hand and Seal the day and year first before
66 Written Catharine Blake Signed Sealed and
67 Published and declared by the said Catharine Blake
68 the Testatrix as and for her Last Will and Testament
69 in the presence of us who at her Request and in
70 her presence and in the presence of each other
71 have hereunto Subscribed our Names as Witnesses
72 George Goreley Edwd Dering
73 This Will was proved at London the
74 Fourteenth day of February in the year of Our
75 Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety
76 Eight before the Worshipful Charles Coote doctor of
77 Laws and Surrogate of the Right honorable Sir
78 William Wynne Knight doctor of laws Master
79 Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of
80 Canterbury Lawfully constituted by the Oath of
81 William Major the Nephew of the deceased and Sole Executor
82 named in the said Will to whom administration
83 was granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattels
84 and credits of the said deceased having been first
85 Sworn duly to Administer
Showing posts with label Hodges. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hodges. Show all posts
Sunday, July 14, 2019
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Will of William Blake, gentleman, Saint MIchael, Bristol, Gloucestershire - The National Archives PROB 11/2175/217, probated 9 Jul 1853
William Blake, gentleman, Saint Michaels Hill, Bristol is the testator. He does not name any family in this will.
His executrix Hester Manfield Rogers is possibly Hester Rogers, house keeper to William Jones who kept a lodging house on Park Lane. She was born at Nailsea Somerset and was 45 years of age.
His witness Stephen Shallard is living at 66 Upper Church Lane St Michaels Parish and he was 55 years of age and a pattern maker on the 1851 census born at Bitten Gloucestershire.
On the 1841 Census there is one Blake family living in Saint Michael Parish, Salmon Street near Little Paul Street.
John Blake, 35, M S, not born in Gloucestershire
Anne Blake, 35, , born in Gloucestershire
John Blake, 11, , born in Gloucestershire
Alfred Blake, 10, , born in Gloucestershire
William Blake, 7, , born in Gloucestershire
Probably not this family but interesting to find a Blake family nearby.
The Family Bible given away to Mary Jane Rogers would certainly be an interesting find!
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 15 May 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2175/217
Testator: William Blake, gentleman
Place: Parish of Saint Michael, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 2 Mar 1853, probated 9 Jul 1853
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: William
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 5
1 This is the Last Will and Testament
2 of me William Blake of Saint Michaels Hill in the Parish of Saint Michael
3 in the City of Bristol Gentleman I give and bequeath unto Elanor the wife of Wil-
4 liam Coram of Paul Street Kingsdown in the City of Bristol the sum of Ten pounds
5 and I do hereby declare that the said sum shall be paid to her for her absolute use
6 notwithstanding her coverture and that her receipt alone shall be the only effectual
7 discharge to my Executrix hereinafter mentioned for the same I give unto Joseph
8 Coram of Paul Street aforesaid Accountant the sum of Five pounds I give unto
9 Mary Ann Hodges of Saint Michaels Hill aforesaid Spinster the sum of Nineteen
10 pounds ten shillings I give unto William Green of the City of Bristol Cutler the sum
11 of Five pounds I give unto Joseph Willis of Baldwin Street in the said City of
12 Bristol the sum of Five pounds I give unto Henry Lake of the Parish of Clifton in
13 the City of Bristol the sum of Five pounds I give unto Robert Gibbs of the said
14 City Accountant the sum of Five pounds I give and bequeath my large Imperial
15 Family Bible unto Mary Jane Rogers of Saint Michaels Hill aforesaid And I do
16 hereby direct the said pecuniary Legacies to be paid to the Legatees respectively within
17 three months next after my decease And as to all the rest residue and
18 remainder of my real and personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever
19 after payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expences I give devise and
20 bequeath the same unto Hester Manfield Rogers of the Parish of Saint Michael
21 aforesaid Spinster her heirs executors administrators and assigns And I do hereby ap-
22 point the said Hester Manfield Rogers sole Executrix of this my Will In witness
23 whereof I the said William Blake have to this my Will subscribed my hand this
24 Second day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty three William
25 Blake Signed by the said Testator William Blake and acknowledged by him
26 to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who
27 in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto
28 subscribed our names as witnesses John Young Tailor St Thomas Bridge
29 Bristol Stephen Shallard Pattern Maker Upper Church Lane H__________
30 Bristol
31 Proved at London 9th July 1853 before the Judge by the oath of Hester
32 Manfield Rogers Spinster the sole Executrix to whom Admon was granted having
33 been first sworn by Comon duly to administer
His executrix Hester Manfield Rogers is possibly Hester Rogers, house keeper to William Jones who kept a lodging house on Park Lane. She was born at Nailsea Somerset and was 45 years of age.
His witness Stephen Shallard is living at 66 Upper Church Lane St Michaels Parish and he was 55 years of age and a pattern maker on the 1851 census born at Bitten Gloucestershire.
On the 1841 Census there is one Blake family living in Saint Michael Parish, Salmon Street near Little Paul Street.
John Blake, 35, M S, not born in Gloucestershire
Anne Blake, 35, , born in Gloucestershire
John Blake, 11, , born in Gloucestershire
Alfred Blake, 10, , born in Gloucestershire
William Blake, 7, , born in Gloucestershire
Probably not this family but interesting to find a Blake family nearby.
The Family Bible given away to Mary Jane Rogers would certainly be an interesting find!
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 15 May 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2175/217
Testator: William Blake, gentleman
Place: Parish of Saint Michael, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 2 Mar 1853, probated 9 Jul 1853
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: William
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 5
1 This is the Last Will and Testament
2 of me William Blake of Saint Michaels Hill in the Parish of Saint Michael
3 in the City of Bristol Gentleman I give and bequeath unto Elanor the wife of Wil-
4 liam Coram of Paul Street Kingsdown in the City of Bristol the sum of Ten pounds
5 and I do hereby declare that the said sum shall be paid to her for her absolute use
6 notwithstanding her coverture and that her receipt alone shall be the only effectual
7 discharge to my Executrix hereinafter mentioned for the same I give unto Joseph
8 Coram of Paul Street aforesaid Accountant the sum of Five pounds I give unto
9 Mary Ann Hodges of Saint Michaels Hill aforesaid Spinster the sum of Nineteen
10 pounds ten shillings I give unto William Green of the City of Bristol Cutler the sum
11 of Five pounds I give unto Joseph Willis of Baldwin Street in the said City of
12 Bristol the sum of Five pounds I give unto Henry Lake of the Parish of Clifton in
13 the City of Bristol the sum of Five pounds I give unto Robert Gibbs of the said
14 City Accountant the sum of Five pounds I give and bequeath my large Imperial
15 Family Bible unto Mary Jane Rogers of Saint Michaels Hill aforesaid And I do
16 hereby direct the said pecuniary Legacies to be paid to the Legatees respectively within
17 three months next after my decease And as to all the rest residue and
18 remainder of my real and personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever
19 after payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expences I give devise and
20 bequeath the same unto Hester Manfield Rogers of the Parish of Saint Michael
21 aforesaid Spinster her heirs executors administrators and assigns And I do hereby ap-
22 point the said Hester Manfield Rogers sole Executrix of this my Will In witness
23 whereof I the said William Blake have to this my Will subscribed my hand this
24 Second day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty three William
25 Blake Signed by the said Testator William Blake and acknowledged by him
26 to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who
27 in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto
28 subscribed our names as witnesses John Young Tailor St Thomas Bridge
29 Bristol Stephen Shallard Pattern Maker Upper Church Lane H__________
30 Bristol
31 Proved at London 9th July 1853 before the Judge by the oath of Hester
32 Manfield Rogers Spinster the sole Executrix to whom Admon was granted having
33 been first sworn by Comon duly to administer
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Will of William Blake, gentleman, Bristol, Gloucestershire - The National Archives PROB 11/2175/217, probated 9 Jul 1853
William Blake, gentleman, Saint Michaels Hill, Bristol is the testator. He does not name any family in this will.
His executrix Hester Manfield Rogers is possibly Hester Rogers, house keeper to William Jones who kept a lodging house on Park Lane. She was born at Nailsea Somerset and was 45 years of age.
His witness Stephen Shallard is living at 66 Upper Church Lane St Michaels Parish and he was 55 years of age and a pattern maker on the 1851 census born at Bitten Gloucestershire.
On the 1841 Census there is one Blake family living in Saint Michael Parish, Salmon Street near Little Paul Street.
The Family Bible given away to Mary Jane Rogers would certainly be an interesting find!
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 15 May 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2175/217
Testator: William Blake, gentleman
Place: Parish of Saint Michael, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 2 Mar 1853, probated 9 Jul 1853
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: William
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 5
1 This is the Last Will and Testament
2 of me William Blake of Saint Michaels Hill in the Parish of Saint Michael
3 in the City of Bristol Gentleman I give and bequeath unto Elanor the wife of Wil-
4 liam Coram of Paul Street Kingsdown in the City of Bristol the sum of Ten pounds
5 and I do hereby declare that the said sum shall be paid to her for her absolute use
6 notwithstanding her coverture and that her receipt alone shall be the only effectual
7 discharge to my Executrix hereinafter mentioned for the same I give unto Joseph
8 Coram of Paul Street aforesaid Accountant the sum of Five pounds I give unto
9 Mary Ann Hodges of Saint Michaels Hill aforesaid Spinster the sum of Nineteen
10 pounds ten shillings I give unto William Green of the City of Bristol Cutler the sum
11 of Five pounds I give unto Joseph Willis of Baldwin Street in the said City of
12 Bristol the sum of Five pounds I give unto Henry Lake of the Parish of Clifton in
13 the City of Bristol the sum of Five pounds I give unto Robert Gibbs of the said
14 City Accountant the sum of Five pounds I give and bequeath my large Imperial
15 Family Bible unto Mary Jane Rogers of Saint Michaels Hill aforesaid And I do
16 hereby direct the said pecuniary Legacies to be paid to the Legatees respectively within
17 three months next after my decease And as to all the rest residue and
18 remainder of my real and personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever
19 after payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expences I give devise and
20 bequeath the same unto Hester Manfield Rogers of the Parish of Saint Michael
21 aforesaid Spinster her heirs executors administrators and assigns And I do hereby ap-
22 point the said Hester Manfield Rogers sole Executrix of this my Will In witness
23 whereof I the said William Blake have to this my Will subscribed my hand this
24 Second day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty three William
25 Blake Signed by the said Testator William Blake and acknowledged by him
26 to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who
27 in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto
28 subscribed our names as witnesses John Young Tailor St Thomas Bridge
29 Bristol Stephen Shallard Pattern Maker Upper Church Lane H__________
30 Bristol
31 Proved at London 9th July 1853 before the Judge by the oath of Hester
32 Manfield Rogers Spinster the sole Executrix to whom Admon was granted having
33 been first sworn by Comon duly to administer
His executrix Hester Manfield Rogers is possibly Hester Rogers, house keeper to William Jones who kept a lodging house on Park Lane. She was born at Nailsea Somerset and was 45 years of age.
His witness Stephen Shallard is living at 66 Upper Church Lane St Michaels Parish and he was 55 years of age and a pattern maker on the 1851 census born at Bitten Gloucestershire.
On the 1841 Census there is one Blake family living in Saint Michael Parish, Salmon Street near Little Paul Street.
The Family Bible given away to Mary Jane Rogers would certainly be an interesting find!
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 15 May 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2175/217
Testator: William Blake, gentleman
Place: Parish of Saint Michael, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 2 Mar 1853, probated 9 Jul 1853
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: William
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 5
1 This is the Last Will and Testament
2 of me William Blake of Saint Michaels Hill in the Parish of Saint Michael
3 in the City of Bristol Gentleman I give and bequeath unto Elanor the wife of Wil-
4 liam Coram of Paul Street Kingsdown in the City of Bristol the sum of Ten pounds
5 and I do hereby declare that the said sum shall be paid to her for her absolute use
6 notwithstanding her coverture and that her receipt alone shall be the only effectual
7 discharge to my Executrix hereinafter mentioned for the same I give unto Joseph
8 Coram of Paul Street aforesaid Accountant the sum of Five pounds I give unto
9 Mary Ann Hodges of Saint Michaels Hill aforesaid Spinster the sum of Nineteen
10 pounds ten shillings I give unto William Green of the City of Bristol Cutler the sum
11 of Five pounds I give unto Joseph Willis of Baldwin Street in the said City of
12 Bristol the sum of Five pounds I give unto Henry Lake of the Parish of Clifton in
13 the City of Bristol the sum of Five pounds I give unto Robert Gibbs of the said
14 City Accountant the sum of Five pounds I give and bequeath my large Imperial
15 Family Bible unto Mary Jane Rogers of Saint Michaels Hill aforesaid And I do
16 hereby direct the said pecuniary Legacies to be paid to the Legatees respectively within
17 three months next after my decease And as to all the rest residue and
18 remainder of my real and personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever
19 after payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expences I give devise and
20 bequeath the same unto Hester Manfield Rogers of the Parish of Saint Michael
21 aforesaid Spinster her heirs executors administrators and assigns And I do hereby ap-
22 point the said Hester Manfield Rogers sole Executrix of this my Will In witness
23 whereof I the said William Blake have to this my Will subscribed my hand this
24 Second day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty three William
25 Blake Signed by the said Testator William Blake and acknowledged by him
26 to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who
27 in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto
28 subscribed our names as witnesses John Young Tailor St Thomas Bridge
29 Bristol Stephen Shallard Pattern Maker Upper Church Lane H__________
30 Bristol
31 Proved at London 9th July 1853 before the Judge by the oath of Hester
32 Manfield Rogers Spinster the sole Executrix to whom Admon was granted having
33 been first sworn by Comon duly to administer
Monday, March 18, 2013
Will of Richard Buller, Yeoman, of Long Compton, Warwickshire - The National Archives PROB 11/153/33, probated 8 Jan 1628
In the will Richard-4 mentions that his wife's property was at Hocknorton. I did find a Hook Norton 10 miles SE of Halford. Apparently the village was called Hocnertune in 922 in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle and Hochenartone in the Domesday Book.
He mentions a number of seemingly unrelated people an Ann Tymes and an Elizabeth Bidle. Not sure if his wife's surname was Hodges or Townsend or something else but he does mention two brothers in law. His son is Richard-5 and his daughters are Anne and Margaret. His wife's first name is Mary.
His father's will is the one probated at Worcester and he mentions sons Richard, Walter and Thomas. Walter has died in 1625. This Buller family still has the property in Halford.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 15 Mar 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/153/33
Testator: Richard Buller, Yeoman
Place: Long Compton, Warwickshire
Date of document: 30 Sep 1625, probated 8 Jan 1628
Read: Electronic copy images
Document quality: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: T[estament] Richirdi
[Margin]: Buller
1 In the name of God Amen I
2 Richard Buller of Long Compton in the Coun[tie] of War[wic]k[shire] Yeoman and the
3 last daie of September in the first yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Lord
4 King Charles of England Fraunce and Ireland etc Anno dom[ini] One thousand
5 sixe hundred and twentie five being in good and p[er]fect memory thankes bee given to god
6 doe make and ordayne this my last will and testament in manner and forme following
First and before all other things I commend my soule to allmightie god my maker and
7 Redeemer And my body to bee buried in the Church of Long Compton at the discretion
8 of my Executor and friends (As concerning my worldly goods I distribute them in
9 manner and forme as followeth Imprimis I give and bequeath towards the repayring of
10 the Causewaye in Long Compton viz [a vi]t to bee paid when the parish shall bestowe any further
[Page 2]
11 Reparation Item I give xx d to the poore of Long Compton to bee distributed as my Executor and
12 Overseers shall thinke it fitt at my decease Item I give to every godchild I have then liveing xij d Item
13 I give to every child then liveing of Ann Tymes ev[er]y one v s a peece and soe likewise of Elizabeth
14 Bidle her sister to bee paid within one yeare next after my decease at the discretion of my Executor
15 Item I give to my daughters Anne and Margerit twentie pounds of lawfull money apeece
16 if they or either of they shal[l ]be liveing at such tyme and it shal[l ]be due to bee paid That is to saie, to
17 Margeret xx li within one yeare to Anne within two yeares Item I give to every child that my
18 three daughters have that shal[l ]be borne before my decease if they live to the age of seaven yeares
19 and soe by degrees to bee paid and to bee sett foarth to the best advantage by theire parents untill they
20 come to the age of eighteene yeares to every one of them five pounds in manner afores[ai]d It[e]m
21 I give and bequeath to Mary Buller my wife the use and occupa[t]ion of all such houshold stuffe
22 and corne that she shall growe and bee ended about her house in Hocknorton That was her owne
23 before I married her during her life and afterward to remaine to my Executor and further
24 for her maintenance I give hir during her life keeping her soul and unmarried makeing nor
25 causing to bee made noe manner of waest, such rents and p[ro]fitts as shall yearely growe and
26 issue foorth of my two mylls in Halford in such sort as I myselfe now hath or hereafter
27 maie have by any lease made for money or corne to any Tenants in such sorte and manner
28 as I shall lett for my selfe p[er]forming such covenants as I myselfe doe coven[an]t to p[er]forme to any
30 Tenant during her life in manner above said and further for her maintenance she shall have
31 three of the beast whych kine that I have at my decease my desire is she should remaine and
32 continue with my sonne in Long Compton and my sonne shall manure and plowe bring home
33 to her house the makeing and p[ro]viding all things ready to the Cart and her seeds to bee sowen as
34 if it were for myselfe during her life It[e]m all the rest of my goods Cattles Chattells moveable
35 and unmoveable whatsoever unbequeathed I geve and bequeath to Richard Buller my
36 Sonne whom I make my whole and soul Executor to receive my debts and to paie my debts
37 and for my funerall discharged the Overseers of this my last will and testament I entreate
38 my Brother in lawe Mr Anthony Hodges and my Brother in lawe Mr Charles
39 Townsend to bee the best assistance to my Executor and for theire paines I geve them tenn
40 shillings apeece In witnes whereof I the said Richard Buller the elder have putte my
41 hand and seal the daie and yeare first above written p[er] me Richardi Buller Witnes
42 hereunto Gyles Compton his m[ar]ke Walter Webb his m[ar]ke Anthony Hodges
43 Michaell Freeman Memorandu[m] that it is meant by the Testator that x li of the
44 xx li w[hi]ch is given to his daughter Margarett is that x li w[hi]ch he promised in his life
45 tyme
He mentions a number of seemingly unrelated people an Ann Tymes and an Elizabeth Bidle. Not sure if his wife's surname was Hodges or Townsend or something else but he does mention two brothers in law. His son is Richard-5 and his daughters are Anne and Margaret. His wife's first name is Mary.
His father's will is the one probated at Worcester and he mentions sons Richard, Walter and Thomas. Walter has died in 1625. This Buller family still has the property in Halford.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 15 Mar 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/153/33
Testator: Richard Buller, Yeoman
Place: Long Compton, Warwickshire
Date of document: 30 Sep 1625, probated 8 Jan 1628
Read: Electronic copy images
Document quality: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: T[estament] Richirdi
[Margin]: Buller
1 In the name of God Amen I
2 Richard Buller of Long Compton in the Coun[tie] of War[wic]k[shire] Yeoman and the
3 last daie of September in the first yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Lord
4 King Charles of England Fraunce and Ireland etc Anno dom[ini] One thousand
5 sixe hundred and twentie five being in good and p[er]fect memory thankes bee given to god
6 doe make and ordayne this my last will and testament in manner and forme following
First and before all other things I commend my soule to allmightie god my maker and
7 Redeemer And my body to bee buried in the Church of Long Compton at the discretion
8 of my Executor and friends (As concerning my worldly goods I distribute them in
9 manner and forme as followeth Imprimis I give and bequeath towards the repayring of
10 the Causewaye in Long Compton viz [a vi]t to bee paid when the parish shall bestowe any further
[Page 2]
11 Reparation Item I give xx d to the poore of Long Compton to bee distributed as my Executor and
12 Overseers shall thinke it fitt at my decease Item I give to every godchild I have then liveing xij d Item
13 I give to every child then liveing of Ann Tymes ev[er]y one v s a peece and soe likewise of Elizabeth
14 Bidle her sister to bee paid within one yeare next after my decease at the discretion of my Executor
15 Item I give to my daughters Anne and Margerit twentie pounds of lawfull money apeece
16 if they or either of they shal[l ]be liveing at such tyme and it shal[l ]be due to bee paid That is to saie, to
17 Margeret xx li within one yeare to Anne within two yeares Item I give to every child that my
18 three daughters have that shal[l ]be borne before my decease if they live to the age of seaven yeares
19 and soe by degrees to bee paid and to bee sett foarth to the best advantage by theire parents untill they
20 come to the age of eighteene yeares to every one of them five pounds in manner afores[ai]d It[e]m
21 I give and bequeath to Mary Buller my wife the use and occupa[t]ion of all such houshold stuffe
22 and corne that she shall growe and bee ended about her house in Hocknorton That was her owne
23 before I married her during her life and afterward to remaine to my Executor and further
24 for her maintenance I give hir during her life keeping her soul and unmarried makeing nor
25 causing to bee made noe manner of waest, such rents and p[ro]fitts as shall yearely growe and
26 issue foorth of my two mylls in Halford in such sort as I myselfe now hath or hereafter
27 maie have by any lease made for money or corne to any Tenants in such sorte and manner
28 as I shall lett for my selfe p[er]forming such covenants as I myselfe doe coven[an]t to p[er]forme to any
30 Tenant during her life in manner above said and further for her maintenance she shall have
31 three of the beast whych kine that I have at my decease my desire is she should remaine and
32 continue with my sonne in Long Compton and my sonne shall manure and plowe bring home
33 to her house the makeing and p[ro]viding all things ready to the Cart and her seeds to bee sowen as
34 if it were for myselfe during her life It[e]m all the rest of my goods Cattles Chattells moveable
35 and unmoveable whatsoever unbequeathed I geve and bequeath to Richard Buller my
36 Sonne whom I make my whole and soul Executor to receive my debts and to paie my debts
37 and for my funerall discharged the Overseers of this my last will and testament I entreate
38 my Brother in lawe Mr Anthony Hodges and my Brother in lawe Mr Charles
39 Townsend to bee the best assistance to my Executor and for theire paines I geve them tenn
40 shillings apeece In witnes whereof I the said Richard Buller the elder have putte my
41 hand and seal the daie and yeare first above written p[er] me Richardi Buller Witnes
42 hereunto Gyles Compton his m[ar]ke Walter Webb his m[ar]ke Anthony Hodges
43 Michaell Freeman Memorandu[m] that it is meant by the Testator that x li of the
44 xx li w[hi]ch is given to his daughter Margarett is that x li w[hi]ch he promised in his life
45 tyme
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Richard Buller Wills - Warwickshire
This next set of four wills to be transcribed I will refer to as the Richard Buller wills and they are labeled Richard-1, Richard-2, Richard-4, and Richard-5. They will appear over the next couple of days but I will probably not add much to the transcription of them. It all appears in this writeup. The National Archives information on these four wills:
Richard[-1] Buller, Long Compton, Warwickshire, PROB 11/22/381, probated 8 Nov 1527
Richard[-2] Buller, Long Compton, Warwickshire, PROB 11/83/388, probated 6 May 1594
Richard[-4] Buller, Yeoman, Long Compton, Warwickshire, PROB 11/153/33, probated 8 Jan 1628
Richard[-5] Buller, Yeoman, Long Compton, Warwickshire, PROB 11/323/635, probated 15 May 1667
I have added [-number] for ease in identification for me as I work through these wills. The Richard[-3] will which appears to be missing in the list is not found on the Wills of The National Archives site but rather in the documents available when you search on their Discovery search engine. More on this to follow.
British History online for Halford has the following information on the Buller family at Halford where they owned watermills and other land:
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=57047
........ In 1564 Bartholomew Hales and Mary his wife (in whose right he held the manor of Snitterfield) (fn. 24) sold two watermills and land in Halford to Richard[-2] Buller. (fn. 25) He died in 1593, seised of the mills and fishery, leaving a son Richard[-3], (fn. 26) who was succeeded by his son Richard[-4] in 1628. (fn. 27)
fn 24 Victoria County Histories Warw. iii, 168
fn 25 Feet of Fines. Warw. Hil. 6 Eliz.
fn 26 Chancery. Inquisition post mortem. (Ser. 2), ccxxxviii, 16.
fn 27 Fine Rolls. 4 Chas. I, pt. 1, no. 20.
My continuing search for Richard Buller at Halford Warwickshire on Google brought up an abstract of this will for a Richard Buller of Halford with the original document held at Shakespeare Centre Library and Archives (folder dated 11 Sep 1611 (ER 3/2237 Halford Estate Records)):
Copy will of Richard[-3] Buller the elder of Halford containing the following bequests: to Halford Church 3s 4d; to the great stone bridge at Halford 3s 4d; to every godchild, 1s. 0d.; to the poor of the parish, 3s 4d.; to each of his servants in his house, 1s.0d.; to his second son Walter Buller, the messuage with appurtenances then in the occupation of John Bearne, Henry Treene, William Savage, Philip Rose and William Alice with appurtenances, with one close by the Mill House; to his eldest son, Richard[-4], and his heirs, one malt house of three bays, one barn of four bays and a 'cutte end', and one court between the said barn and malthouse with the closes thereto belonging (the houses aforesaid lying at the overend of the testator's court towards the church) upon condition that the said Richard[-4] Buller the younger should at any time after the testator's death, if so required, release to the said Walter Buller all the estate, right and title which he, Richard[-4] Buller the younger, had in the premises thereby devised to the said Walter Buller to the said Walter Buller, after the death of William Mushin, one house and close then in the occupation of Richard Townsend, one close lying between the houses of William Rose and John Nibbes and also two yard lands in the common fields of Halford (being parcel of three yard lands and a half in the occupation of William Mushin) with a proviso that the said two yard lands should be chargeable with a legacy of £400, devised by the testator to his daughters, if such sum should not be discharged out of lands devised to Richard Buller the younger before his death; and to Thomas Buller his son the house occupied by William Mushin with barns thereto belonging and one yard land and a half in the common fields of Halford (being the residue of the said three yard lands and a half), in the occupation of William Mushin, provided that, if the testator's son, Richard[-4] Buller, should educate and maintain the said Thomas Buller until he should reach the age of fourteen years or thereabouts, and thereafter apprentice him to a trade in London until he was twenty one years old at his own cost and pay to the said Thomas £100 on his attaining twenty one years, then the said devise to the said Thomas should be void and the premises so devised to the said Thomas remain remain over to the said Richard[-4] Buller the younger, and provided that, if the said Richard[-4] should educate and maintain the said Walter until the said Walter attained the age of eighteen years, he, the said Richard[-4] the younger, should have the use and profit of the premises devised to the said Walter until the said Walter attained eighteen years. Appointment of Thomas Buller to be executor, and Richard Savage of Idlicote, Robert Halford of Halford the elder and Mr. William Thornhill, parson of Halford, overseers of his will.
Witnesses: Robert Halford and John Rose.
Proved at Worcester.
A Walter Buller is mentioned as his second son and the parish records for Halford show a Richard[-4] Buller baptized 1584 and a Walter Buller baptized 1596. This Walter Buller's will was transcribed on blog:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/02/will-of-walter-buller-citizen-and.html
Parish records at Halford which is nine miles from Long Compton:
Richard[-3] Buller married Marie Hall 12 Jun 1584 at Halford
Richard[-4] Buller son of Richard Buller baptized 7 Oct 1584 at Halford
John Buller son of Richard Buller baptized 24 Mar 1585 at Halford; buried 24 Mar 1595
Marie Buller daughter of Richard Buller baptized 6 Aug 1587 at Halford.
Elizabeth Buller daughter of Richard Buller baptized 22 Apr 1592 at Halford
John Buller son of Richard Buller baptized 31 Oct 1593 at Halford, buried 24 Mar 1595
Katherine Buller daughter of Richard Buller baptized 16 Mar 1594 at Halford
Walter Buller son of Rychard Buller baptized 6 Mar 1596 at Halford
Susanna Buller daughter of Richard Buller baptized 21 Jul 1599 at Halford
Thomas Buller son of Richard Buller baptized 23 May 1605 at Halford
Richard[-3] Buller the elder died and buried at Halford 21 Jul 1610
Richard Buller gent died at Halford 22 May 1614 (buried in the church inside near his seat 23 May 1614), will probated 1614 (#232)
Elizabeth daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Buller born 23 June baptized 1 Jul 1654
Thomas son of Richard and Elizabeth Buller baptized 2 Feb 1658
Parish Registers at Long Compton:
Richard[-5] Buller son of Richard Buller baptized 18 Jan 1628
William Buller son of Richard Buller baptized 14 Nov 1630
John Buller son of Richard Buller[-4] baptized 9 Dec 1632
Anna Buller daughter of Richard Buller baptized 24 May 1635
Elizabetha Buller daughter of Richard Buller and Anne baptized 9 Feb 1639
Richard and Thomas twins of Richard junior and Margarett Buller baptized 17 Feb 1687
I then proceeded to review the Halford lEstate File in which this will was found and the following documents pertained to the Richard Buller families in this time period.
Moving back slightly in time to a record in the Halford Estate file (ER 3/2234, 25 March 1531.32):
Release by Thomas Dode of Coventry, mercer, and Alice his wife (one of the daughters and co-heiresses of William Banwell formerly of Coventry, deceased) to Richard Buller of Halford, husbandman (reciting that the said Richard Buller, by deed of 7 March 1531/2, had purchased of the said Thomas Dode and Alice his wife the share and portion of the said Alice as co-heiress of her father, William Banwell, namely a fourth part of all the lands, messuages and tenements which they, the said Thomas Dode and Alice his wife held in Halford and Over Ettington, formerly belonging to William Banwell), whereby it was witnessed that the said Thomas Dode and Alice his wife released and quitclaimed the said Richard Buller and his heirs for ever from all their claim, interest or demand whatsoever in the said share or portion of the said premises. (1-B-S)
Halford Estate file (ER 3/2235, 26 Apr 1544):
Grant by Anthony Coope of Hardwick, co. Oxon., esq., to John Buller of Halford of one half part of a messuage in Halford (between the messuage of the said John Buller on the west side and the messuage of Elizabeth Mason, widow, on the east side, and extending in length from the highway to the messuage of John Smyth) and two virgates of land and one quarter of land in Halford, which premises the grantor purchased of Anthony Lee of Brydeston, co. Bucks., knight, by deed of 4 April 1544. Appointment by Anthony Coope of Edward Coope, his son, to be his lawful attorney to deliver seisin of the premises.
Memorandum endorsed of livery of seisin in the presence of Edward Dalby of Brookhampton, gent., Henry Warde of Over Pillerton, John Smyth, Richard Smyth, Richard Wright, William Elderton, Thomas Colyns and Nicholas Egynton, all of Halford, and Robert Millys of Stratford. Also endorsed with note of enrollment in the presence of Sir Richard Catesby, knight, and William Wallington, Justices of the Peace for the county of Warwick, and in the presence of Richard Hawes, clerk of the peace, at the session held at Warwick, 10 June 1544.
Halford Estate file (ER 3/2236, 20 Sep 1584):
Settlement made between Richard Buller of Halford, yeoman, of the one part and Richard Hawll of Idlicote, gent., and Richard Gybbs of Honington, gent., of the other part, whereby Richard Buller granted to Richard Hawll and Richard Gybbs all his messuages, houses, seven yard lands and other premises in the common fields of Halford, then in possession of Richard Buller, John Rooke and Thomas Tasker, to the use of Richard Buller and Mary his wife during their lives and the life of the survivor of them, with remainder to the use of the heirs male of the said Richard Buller by Mary his wife, and with remainder, in default of such issue, to the use of the heirs female of the said Richard Buller by Mary his said wife.
Memorandum of delivery of seisin in the presence of Anthony Gybbs, A. Ingram, Edward Bentley, Stephen Hawford, Thomas Rose and Thomas Ashworth.
Memorandum endorsed: 'John Rooke, tenant of a third part the right of Anne his wife, mother to Richard Buller, is contented that the said third part after his wife's decease, shall go and be according to the purport of this deed, which assent was given in the presence of Anth. Gybbs, Thomas Callowe and John Haines, clerk.'
The will mentioned above was the next record in the Estate file.
The next entry in the Halford Estate File (ER 3/2238 24 September 1624):
Lease from Walter Buller, citizen and salter of London, to William Pewe of Halford, husbandman, for £16 10s 0d, of a cottage containing two bays of houses with outhouses, stables, orchard, backside and easements thereto belonging and eight arable lands with appurtenances in the common fields of Halford, and common of pasture for one rother beast in the said common fields of Halford (except and reserved to the landlord the bodies of the three best elms upon the premises, with liberty to cut and carry the same) for a term of 80 years from the Feast of St. Michael then next if the said William Pewe, Joan his then wife, and Thomas Boyes son of Thomas Boyes of Halford, deceased, or either of them, should so long live, at a yearly rent of 20 shillings and one strike of apples and three parts of the Wardens [a particular type of cooking pear] that should be yearly growing upon the trees then in and upon the premises.
Witnesses: William Baldwyn, John Underesill, Richard Boyes and Joseph Bradford.
(Walter in his will of 1625 mentions his sisters: Marye Underhill, Alice Mayall, Elizabeth Aynge and Katherine Newberry. )
And the story continues in the Halford Estate file (ER 3/2239-40, 20 February 1627/8):
Appointment, with counterpart, and declaration of uses between Richard Newbery of Halford, mercer, and Richard Boys of Halford, yeoman, of the one part, and Thomas Buller of Halford, gent., of the other part (reciting that Thomas Buller, in Hilary Term then last past, had in the court of Common Pleas levied a fine of his hereditaments in Halford to Richard Newbery and Richard Boys) whereby it was witnessed that the fine aforesaid should enure to the use of Thomas Buller and his heirs and assigns for ever.
Witnesses: John Brent, William Brent and Roger Brent.
Halford estate (ER 3/2241-42 Hilary Term 1627/28):
Indenture and counterpart of fine made in the Court at Westminster, 3 February 1627/8, before Thomas Richardson, Richard Hulton, Francis Harvye, George Croke and Henry Yelverton, H.M. Justices, between Richard Newbery and Richard Boys, plaintiffs, and Thomas Buller, gent., deforciant, of one messuage, one garden, one orchard, seventy acres of land, fourteen acres of meadow, twenty acres of pasture, four acres of furze and heath, and common of pasture for all cattle in Halford.
Halford Estate (ER 3/2244 9 Apr 1629):
Mortgage from Thomas Buller of Halford, gent. to Job Dighton of the Middle Temple, London, esq., for £100 of the messuage wherein he, the said Thomas Buller, then dwelt situate in Halford, with a close or pasture thereto adjoining, a close called Well Close, and four yard lands of arable meadow and pasture in the common fields of Halford, then or late in the possession of the said Thomas Buller.
Witnesses: Francis King and Joseph Parker.
Halford Estate (ER 3/2245 29 Jul 1630):
Assignment from Job Dighton of the Middle Temple, London, esq., to Jarvis Hall of Wolverhampton, co. Staffs., gent., (reciting no. ER 3/2244 and that the said £108 had been paid by Thomas Buller to Job Dighton) for £100 of all his interest in the mortgage described in no. ER 3/2244.
Witnesses: Francis King, John Parker, Thomas Royser, John Lockleys and Thomas Buller.
Halford Estate ER 3/2246 30 Jul 1630):
Conveyance from Thomas Buller of Halford, gent., to Sir Hercules Underhill of Idlicote, knight, for £620, of the messuage in which he then dwelt in Halford, with a close thereto adjoining, closes called Well Close and Long Close, another close near the church, then in possession of William Mushen, four yard lands of arable meadow and pasture in the common fields of Halford then in the tenure of Thomas Buller, and three messuages in Halford with appurtenances then in the several tenures of John Burnam, William Pewe and Walter Duke.
Witnesses: Ger.Hall, John Lockley and Thomas Royser.
Halford Estate (ER 3/2248 Hilary Term 1630/1):
Exemplification of a fine suffered in the Court at Westminster in the octave of St. Hilary 1630/1, in the presence of Thomas Richardson, Richard Hulton, Francis Harvye and Humphrey Davenport, H.M. Justices, between Hercules Underhill, knight, plaintiff, and Thomas Buller and Elizabeth his wife, deforciants, of four messuages, two barns, one dove-house, four gardens, four orchards, seventy acres of land, seven acres of meadow, ten acres of pasture and common of pasture for all cattle in Halford.
Halford Estate (ER 3/2249 12 May 1656):
Assignment of mortgage from Sir Hercules Underhill of Idlicote, knight, and John Rudd of Idlicote, gent., to Richard Aynge of Stratford-upon-Avon, gent., (reciting that by an indenture, dated 2 May 1653, Sir Hercules Underhill mortgaged to John Rudd his mansion house with orchard, gardens, dovecote, courtyard, barns and stables in Halford, together with the close adjoining called Conygree containing three acres, a close called Parking Close containing one acre, a close called the Well containing one acre, eight acres of meadow in the Nether Ham, one acre of meadow in Over Ham, three acres in Downe Meadow, closes called Mornehill Close and Downehill Close, three platts or pieces of arable land containing fifteen acres on Downehill, and a close newly enclosed containing three acres, all which premises were in the occupation of the said Sir Hercules, to secure £220) for £220 paid to John Rudd by Richard Ayinge and £200 advanced to Sir Hercules Underhill by Richard Ayinge of the residue of the said term of 1000 years in the said premises.
Witnesses: Thomas Fletcher, Ralph Gibbs, Robert Rowse (by his mark), James Leppington.
Endorsement, dated 20 June 1666, that the mortgage money had been supplied by Henry Gibbs for whom Richard Ayinge was a trustee.
Witnesses: Edmund Tidsall and Edward Somervile.
The last mention of the Buller family is in Halford Estate (ER 3/2252-3 Hilary Term 1656):
Indenture and counterpart of a fine levied in the Court at Westminster on the morrow of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, before Oliver St. John, Edward Atkyns, Matthew Hale and Hugh Wyndham, H.M. Justices, between Henry Gibbes, gent., John Willes, gent., Richard Dyer and Katherine his wife, and Robert Pancridge and Frances his wife, plaintiffs, and Hercules Underhill, knight, John Smyth and Alice his wife, Richard Buller and Elizabeth his wife, Thomas Walton and Katherine his wife, and Katherine Walton, widow, deforciants, of six messuages, five gardens, five orchards, 150 acres of land, thirty acres of meadow, fifty acres of pasture and ten acres of furze and heath with common of pasture for all cattle in Halford.
The first mention of Richard Buller in the Halford Estate records was 1531/32. There isn't anything in this record to indicate who this Richard Buller is. I do not know if he is related to the Richard who I refer to as Richard-1. I do know from the will of Richard-1 that he has a brother John Buller, he doesn't appear to have any sons and there is another John Buller at Sutton which is not far from Long Compton and Harford. You can not tell from the will of Richard-1 how old his daughters are except that they are not yet 21 years of age because he appoints his brother John as guardian. The remaining wills that I have are in the 19th century principally so do not aid me with this set of Richard Buller wills. There are no wills of a John Buller living in Warwickshire on The National Archives will portion of their website. There are several documents pertaining to John Buller in the Warwickshire area which could be investigated some time in the future if this looks like my line. At the moment that is pretty wide open.
Richard Buller in the Halford Estate record of 1531/32 is quitclaimed by Thomas Dode and Alice (relatives perhaps (aunt)). The Richard-1 will is not really going to enter into the following conversation. I do wonder if the Richard Buller of 1531/32 is the Richard Buller whose will was probated in 1594 (i.e. Richard-2). It would then be his son/grandson Richard-3 Buller who married Marie Hall in 1584 and who left his will which was probated in 1611 and Richard[-3] Buller the elder died and was buried at Halford 21 Jul 1610. No idea on who the Richard Buller gent was who died in 1614 but we will ignore him since he did not leave a will. He is referred to as a gent rather than husbandman/yeoman which was the designation for the other Richard Buller men. The 1544 estate record refers to a John Buller acquiring land at Halford and there is the remote possibility that he is the son of Richard-2 and the father of Richard-3. The next record of 1584 is clearly Richard-3 and his wife Marie/Mary Hall and Richard-3 is taking possession of his land following his marriage and the impression might be that he is relatively young so that the possibility that he is a grandson of Richard-2 and son of John Buller has added possibilities. The mother of this Richard was Anne and this document tells that she has remarried and her married name is now Anne Rooke.
The next record was the will of 1611 probate for Richard-3. Mentioned in this will are his eldest son Richard-4, second son Walter (baptized 1596) and third son Thomas (baptized 1605) and he does mention that both Walter and Thomas are underage. Richard-4 (baptized in 1584) is 26 years of age at the time of the death of his father. Richard-3 does not mention any siblings. Since he married in 1584 and likely 21 years of age he is now at his death in 1610 around 47 years of age or more. He appoints Thomas Buller as Executor but I rather think it was because that was the custom of the time to appoint the youngest son as Executor to protect his inheritance.
The next entry in the Halford Estate record is from 1624 and involved Walter Buller whose will was probated earlier and he was a citizen and salter of London. He has rented his property at Halford so that it appears Richard-4 did not assume this property as was entitled to do for payment. Walter Buller died in 1625 but no mention of that in the Halford Estate record.
In the record of 1627/28 Thomas Buller gent is mentioned and he is presumably a brother to Richard-4 Buller. He too has retained his property given to him by his father Richard-3. In 1629 Thomas Buller has mortgaged his property but he has repaid the mortgage by 1630. Thomas then conveys this property in 1630 to possibly his cousin as his sister Mary married (unknown) Underhill. More family names are mentioned in the record of 1656 with Elizabeth Aynge also a sister to Thomas Buller. The last record in 1666 mentioned Richard-5 and his wife Elizabeth. At this point the property has moved out of the Richard Buller family.
Richard-4 in his will of 1628 mentions two sisters (Ann Tymes and Elizabeth Bidle). He also mentions his daughters Anne and Margerit. His wife was Mary (as was his mother). He still owns the mills in Halford and his wife formerly lived at Hocknorton (now known as Hook Norton). He mentions his son Richard-5. He also mentions his brother in law Mr. Anthony Hodges and Mr Charles Townsend. There were Hodges living at Hook Norton. I did not find baptisms particularly for this Richard-4, nor did I find a marriage. The will of his father in 1611 does mention Richard and his heirs and he would have been 27 years of age.
Richard-5 in his will of 1667 does mention he is Richard the elder and his sons are married so they are likely the group of children baptized at Long Compton as the children of Richard namely Richard, William, John and Anna. He also mentions a son Robert and a daughter Elizabeth. His will order is Richard, William, John, Robert, Elizabeth Jefferis and Anne Joiner (she is perhaps deceased as he mentions her children rather than herself). He mentions his brother Water Webb and sister Anne Webb (possibly his brother in law). As his father Richard-4 mentions his daughter Anne sister to Richard-5.
Did I learn anything new about the Buller family? I did acquire a lot of information on the Buller family of Warwickshire. I still have a few wills to transcribe at a later date in Warwick. Still to do Warwick wills for the Buller family - Arthur, William-1, William-2. There is another will which I do not have for William Buller, Yeoman of Sandford, Oxfordshire probated 27 Jun 1600 which may fit into this family and provide information.
Still to come the wills of William-1 and William-2 and Arthur Buller all of Warwickshire. The last of the Buller wills which I purchased earlier and did not include in Middlesex John Buller and Richard Buller are next. Also a Frederick William Buller and that one was more a curiosity; he was a Lieutenant General and I know he is not likely in my ancestral line but thought I would read it through. Then Samuel Hucks because of the middle name of Robert Hucks Buller (son of Christopher Buller and Mary Beard). I also have a paper copy of the will of Sir Francis Buller (Judge of the Court of Common Pleas). Again none of these have been transcribed but on completion I will then move back to the Blake one name study and the Pincombe one name study principally.
Richard[-1] Buller, Long Compton, Warwickshire, PROB 11/22/381, probated 8 Nov 1527
Richard[-2] Buller, Long Compton, Warwickshire, PROB 11/83/388, probated 6 May 1594
Richard[-4] Buller, Yeoman, Long Compton, Warwickshire, PROB 11/153/33, probated 8 Jan 1628
Richard[-5] Buller, Yeoman, Long Compton, Warwickshire, PROB 11/323/635, probated 15 May 1667
I have added [-number] for ease in identification for me as I work through these wills. The Richard[-3] will which appears to be missing in the list is not found on the Wills of The National Archives site but rather in the documents available when you search on their Discovery search engine. More on this to follow.
British History online for Halford has the following information on the Buller family at Halford where they owned watermills and other land:
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=57047
........ In 1564 Bartholomew Hales and Mary his wife (in whose right he held the manor of Snitterfield) (fn. 24) sold two watermills and land in Halford to Richard[-2] Buller. (fn. 25) He died in 1593, seised of the mills and fishery, leaving a son Richard[-3], (fn. 26) who was succeeded by his son Richard[-4] in 1628. (fn. 27)
fn 24 Victoria County Histories Warw. iii, 168
fn 25 Feet of Fines. Warw. Hil. 6 Eliz.
fn 26 Chancery. Inquisition post mortem. (Ser. 2), ccxxxviii, 16.
fn 27 Fine Rolls. 4 Chas. I, pt. 1, no. 20.
My continuing search for Richard Buller at Halford Warwickshire on Google brought up an abstract of this will for a Richard Buller of Halford with the original document held at Shakespeare Centre Library and Archives (folder dated 11 Sep 1611 (ER 3/2237 Halford Estate Records)):
Copy will of Richard[-3] Buller the elder of Halford containing the following bequests: to Halford Church 3s 4d; to the great stone bridge at Halford 3s 4d; to every godchild, 1s. 0d.; to the poor of the parish, 3s 4d.; to each of his servants in his house, 1s.0d.; to his second son Walter Buller, the messuage with appurtenances then in the occupation of John Bearne, Henry Treene, William Savage, Philip Rose and William Alice with appurtenances, with one close by the Mill House; to his eldest son, Richard[-4], and his heirs, one malt house of three bays, one barn of four bays and a 'cutte end', and one court between the said barn and malthouse with the closes thereto belonging (the houses aforesaid lying at the overend of the testator's court towards the church) upon condition that the said Richard[-4] Buller the younger should at any time after the testator's death, if so required, release to the said Walter Buller all the estate, right and title which he, Richard[-4] Buller the younger, had in the premises thereby devised to the said Walter Buller to the said Walter Buller, after the death of William Mushin, one house and close then in the occupation of Richard Townsend, one close lying between the houses of William Rose and John Nibbes and also two yard lands in the common fields of Halford (being parcel of three yard lands and a half in the occupation of William Mushin) with a proviso that the said two yard lands should be chargeable with a legacy of £400, devised by the testator to his daughters, if such sum should not be discharged out of lands devised to Richard Buller the younger before his death; and to Thomas Buller his son the house occupied by William Mushin with barns thereto belonging and one yard land and a half in the common fields of Halford (being the residue of the said three yard lands and a half), in the occupation of William Mushin, provided that, if the testator's son, Richard[-4] Buller, should educate and maintain the said Thomas Buller until he should reach the age of fourteen years or thereabouts, and thereafter apprentice him to a trade in London until he was twenty one years old at his own cost and pay to the said Thomas £100 on his attaining twenty one years, then the said devise to the said Thomas should be void and the premises so devised to the said Thomas remain remain over to the said Richard[-4] Buller the younger, and provided that, if the said Richard[-4] should educate and maintain the said Walter until the said Walter attained the age of eighteen years, he, the said Richard[-4] the younger, should have the use and profit of the premises devised to the said Walter until the said Walter attained eighteen years. Appointment of Thomas Buller to be executor, and Richard Savage of Idlicote, Robert Halford of Halford the elder and Mr. William Thornhill, parson of Halford, overseers of his will.
Witnesses: Robert Halford and John Rose.
Proved at Worcester.
A Walter Buller is mentioned as his second son and the parish records for Halford show a Richard[-4] Buller baptized 1584 and a Walter Buller baptized 1596. This Walter Buller's will was transcribed on blog:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/02/will-of-walter-buller-citizen-and.html
Parish records at Halford which is nine miles from Long Compton:
Richard[-3] Buller married Marie Hall 12 Jun 1584 at Halford
Richard[-4] Buller son of Richard Buller baptized 7 Oct 1584 at Halford
John Buller son of Richard Buller baptized 24 Mar 1585 at Halford; buried 24 Mar 1595
Marie Buller daughter of Richard Buller baptized 6 Aug 1587 at Halford.
Elizabeth Buller daughter of Richard Buller baptized 22 Apr 1592 at Halford
John Buller son of Richard Buller baptized 31 Oct 1593 at Halford, buried 24 Mar 1595
Katherine Buller daughter of Richard Buller baptized 16 Mar 1594 at Halford
Walter Buller son of Rychard Buller baptized 6 Mar 1596 at Halford
Susanna Buller daughter of Richard Buller baptized 21 Jul 1599 at Halford
Thomas Buller son of Richard Buller baptized 23 May 1605 at Halford
Richard[-3] Buller the elder died and buried at Halford 21 Jul 1610
Richard Buller gent died at Halford 22 May 1614 (buried in the church inside near his seat 23 May 1614), will probated 1614 (#232)
Elizabeth daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Buller born 23 June baptized 1 Jul 1654
Thomas son of Richard and Elizabeth Buller baptized 2 Feb 1658
Parish Registers at Long Compton:
Richard[-5] Buller son of Richard Buller baptized 18 Jan 1628
William Buller son of Richard Buller baptized 14 Nov 1630
John Buller son of Richard Buller[-4] baptized 9 Dec 1632
Anna Buller daughter of Richard Buller baptized 24 May 1635
Elizabetha Buller daughter of Richard Buller and Anne baptized 9 Feb 1639
Richard and Thomas twins of Richard junior and Margarett Buller baptized 17 Feb 1687
I then proceeded to review the Halford lEstate File in which this will was found and the following documents pertained to the Richard Buller families in this time period.
Moving back slightly in time to a record in the Halford Estate file (ER 3/2234, 25 March 1531.32):
Release by Thomas Dode of Coventry, mercer, and Alice his wife (one of the daughters and co-heiresses of William Banwell formerly of Coventry, deceased) to Richard Buller of Halford, husbandman (reciting that the said Richard Buller, by deed of 7 March 1531/2, had purchased of the said Thomas Dode and Alice his wife the share and portion of the said Alice as co-heiress of her father, William Banwell, namely a fourth part of all the lands, messuages and tenements which they, the said Thomas Dode and Alice his wife held in Halford and Over Ettington, formerly belonging to William Banwell), whereby it was witnessed that the said Thomas Dode and Alice his wife released and quitclaimed the said Richard Buller and his heirs for ever from all their claim, interest or demand whatsoever in the said share or portion of the said premises. (1-B-S)
Halford Estate file (ER 3/2235, 26 Apr 1544):
Grant by Anthony Coope of Hardwick, co. Oxon., esq., to John Buller of Halford of one half part of a messuage in Halford (between the messuage of the said John Buller on the west side and the messuage of Elizabeth Mason, widow, on the east side, and extending in length from the highway to the messuage of John Smyth) and two virgates of land and one quarter of land in Halford, which premises the grantor purchased of Anthony Lee of Brydeston, co. Bucks., knight, by deed of 4 April 1544. Appointment by Anthony Coope of Edward Coope, his son, to be his lawful attorney to deliver seisin of the premises.
Memorandum endorsed of livery of seisin in the presence of Edward Dalby of Brookhampton, gent., Henry Warde of Over Pillerton, John Smyth, Richard Smyth, Richard Wright, William Elderton, Thomas Colyns and Nicholas Egynton, all of Halford, and Robert Millys of Stratford. Also endorsed with note of enrollment in the presence of Sir Richard Catesby, knight, and William Wallington, Justices of the Peace for the county of Warwick, and in the presence of Richard Hawes, clerk of the peace, at the session held at Warwick, 10 June 1544.
Halford Estate file (ER 3/2236, 20 Sep 1584):
Settlement made between Richard Buller of Halford, yeoman, of the one part and Richard Hawll of Idlicote, gent., and Richard Gybbs of Honington, gent., of the other part, whereby Richard Buller granted to Richard Hawll and Richard Gybbs all his messuages, houses, seven yard lands and other premises in the common fields of Halford, then in possession of Richard Buller, John Rooke and Thomas Tasker, to the use of Richard Buller and Mary his wife during their lives and the life of the survivor of them, with remainder to the use of the heirs male of the said Richard Buller by Mary his wife, and with remainder, in default of such issue, to the use of the heirs female of the said Richard Buller by Mary his said wife.
Memorandum of delivery of seisin in the presence of Anthony Gybbs, A. Ingram, Edward Bentley, Stephen Hawford, Thomas Rose and Thomas Ashworth.
Memorandum endorsed: 'John Rooke, tenant of a third part the right of Anne his wife, mother to Richard Buller, is contented that the said third part after his wife's decease, shall go and be according to the purport of this deed, which assent was given in the presence of Anth. Gybbs, Thomas Callowe and John Haines, clerk.'
The will mentioned above was the next record in the Estate file.
The next entry in the Halford Estate File (ER 3/2238 24 September 1624):
Lease from Walter Buller, citizen and salter of London, to William Pewe of Halford, husbandman, for £16 10s 0d, of a cottage containing two bays of houses with outhouses, stables, orchard, backside and easements thereto belonging and eight arable lands with appurtenances in the common fields of Halford, and common of pasture for one rother beast in the said common fields of Halford (except and reserved to the landlord the bodies of the three best elms upon the premises, with liberty to cut and carry the same) for a term of 80 years from the Feast of St. Michael then next if the said William Pewe, Joan his then wife, and Thomas Boyes son of Thomas Boyes of Halford, deceased, or either of them, should so long live, at a yearly rent of 20 shillings and one strike of apples and three parts of the Wardens [a particular type of cooking pear] that should be yearly growing upon the trees then in and upon the premises.
Witnesses: William Baldwyn, John Underesill, Richard Boyes and Joseph Bradford.
(Walter in his will of 1625 mentions his sisters: Marye Underhill, Alice Mayall, Elizabeth Aynge and Katherine Newberry. )
And the story continues in the Halford Estate file (ER 3/2239-40, 20 February 1627/8):
Appointment, with counterpart, and declaration of uses between Richard Newbery of Halford, mercer, and Richard Boys of Halford, yeoman, of the one part, and Thomas Buller of Halford, gent., of the other part (reciting that Thomas Buller, in Hilary Term then last past, had in the court of Common Pleas levied a fine of his hereditaments in Halford to Richard Newbery and Richard Boys) whereby it was witnessed that the fine aforesaid should enure to the use of Thomas Buller and his heirs and assigns for ever.
Witnesses: John Brent, William Brent and Roger Brent.
Halford estate (ER 3/2241-42 Hilary Term 1627/28):
Indenture and counterpart of fine made in the Court at Westminster, 3 February 1627/8, before Thomas Richardson, Richard Hulton, Francis Harvye, George Croke and Henry Yelverton, H.M. Justices, between Richard Newbery and Richard Boys, plaintiffs, and Thomas Buller, gent., deforciant, of one messuage, one garden, one orchard, seventy acres of land, fourteen acres of meadow, twenty acres of pasture, four acres of furze and heath, and common of pasture for all cattle in Halford.
Halford Estate (ER 3/2244 9 Apr 1629):
Mortgage from Thomas Buller of Halford, gent. to Job Dighton of the Middle Temple, London, esq., for £100 of the messuage wherein he, the said Thomas Buller, then dwelt situate in Halford, with a close or pasture thereto adjoining, a close called Well Close, and four yard lands of arable meadow and pasture in the common fields of Halford, then or late in the possession of the said Thomas Buller.
Witnesses: Francis King and Joseph Parker.
Halford Estate (ER 3/2245 29 Jul 1630):
Assignment from Job Dighton of the Middle Temple, London, esq., to Jarvis Hall of Wolverhampton, co. Staffs., gent., (reciting no. ER 3/2244 and that the said £108 had been paid by Thomas Buller to Job Dighton) for £100 of all his interest in the mortgage described in no. ER 3/2244.
Witnesses: Francis King, John Parker, Thomas Royser, John Lockleys and Thomas Buller.
Halford Estate ER 3/2246 30 Jul 1630):
Conveyance from Thomas Buller of Halford, gent., to Sir Hercules Underhill of Idlicote, knight, for £620, of the messuage in which he then dwelt in Halford, with a close thereto adjoining, closes called Well Close and Long Close, another close near the church, then in possession of William Mushen, four yard lands of arable meadow and pasture in the common fields of Halford then in the tenure of Thomas Buller, and three messuages in Halford with appurtenances then in the several tenures of John Burnam, William Pewe and Walter Duke.
Witnesses: Ger.Hall, John Lockley and Thomas Royser.
Halford Estate (ER 3/2248 Hilary Term 1630/1):
Exemplification of a fine suffered in the Court at Westminster in the octave of St. Hilary 1630/1, in the presence of Thomas Richardson, Richard Hulton, Francis Harvye and Humphrey Davenport, H.M. Justices, between Hercules Underhill, knight, plaintiff, and Thomas Buller and Elizabeth his wife, deforciants, of four messuages, two barns, one dove-house, four gardens, four orchards, seventy acres of land, seven acres of meadow, ten acres of pasture and common of pasture for all cattle in Halford.
Halford Estate (ER 3/2249 12 May 1656):
Assignment of mortgage from Sir Hercules Underhill of Idlicote, knight, and John Rudd of Idlicote, gent., to Richard Aynge of Stratford-upon-Avon, gent., (reciting that by an indenture, dated 2 May 1653, Sir Hercules Underhill mortgaged to John Rudd his mansion house with orchard, gardens, dovecote, courtyard, barns and stables in Halford, together with the close adjoining called Conygree containing three acres, a close called Parking Close containing one acre, a close called the Well containing one acre, eight acres of meadow in the Nether Ham, one acre of meadow in Over Ham, three acres in Downe Meadow, closes called Mornehill Close and Downehill Close, three platts or pieces of arable land containing fifteen acres on Downehill, and a close newly enclosed containing three acres, all which premises were in the occupation of the said Sir Hercules, to secure £220) for £220 paid to John Rudd by Richard Ayinge and £200 advanced to Sir Hercules Underhill by Richard Ayinge of the residue of the said term of 1000 years in the said premises.
Witnesses: Thomas Fletcher, Ralph Gibbs, Robert Rowse (by his mark), James Leppington.
Endorsement, dated 20 June 1666, that the mortgage money had been supplied by Henry Gibbs for whom Richard Ayinge was a trustee.
Witnesses: Edmund Tidsall and Edward Somervile.
The last mention of the Buller family is in Halford Estate (ER 3/2252-3 Hilary Term 1656):
Indenture and counterpart of a fine levied in the Court at Westminster on the morrow of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, before Oliver St. John, Edward Atkyns, Matthew Hale and Hugh Wyndham, H.M. Justices, between Henry Gibbes, gent., John Willes, gent., Richard Dyer and Katherine his wife, and Robert Pancridge and Frances his wife, plaintiffs, and Hercules Underhill, knight, John Smyth and Alice his wife, Richard Buller and Elizabeth his wife, Thomas Walton and Katherine his wife, and Katherine Walton, widow, deforciants, of six messuages, five gardens, five orchards, 150 acres of land, thirty acres of meadow, fifty acres of pasture and ten acres of furze and heath with common of pasture for all cattle in Halford.
The first mention of Richard Buller in the Halford Estate records was 1531/32. There isn't anything in this record to indicate who this Richard Buller is. I do not know if he is related to the Richard who I refer to as Richard-1. I do know from the will of Richard-1 that he has a brother John Buller, he doesn't appear to have any sons and there is another John Buller at Sutton which is not far from Long Compton and Harford. You can not tell from the will of Richard-1 how old his daughters are except that they are not yet 21 years of age because he appoints his brother John as guardian. The remaining wills that I have are in the 19th century principally so do not aid me with this set of Richard Buller wills. There are no wills of a John Buller living in Warwickshire on The National Archives will portion of their website. There are several documents pertaining to John Buller in the Warwickshire area which could be investigated some time in the future if this looks like my line. At the moment that is pretty wide open.
Richard Buller in the Halford Estate record of 1531/32 is quitclaimed by Thomas Dode and Alice (relatives perhaps (aunt)). The Richard-1 will is not really going to enter into the following conversation. I do wonder if the Richard Buller of 1531/32 is the Richard Buller whose will was probated in 1594 (i.e. Richard-2). It would then be his son/grandson Richard-3 Buller who married Marie Hall in 1584 and who left his will which was probated in 1611 and Richard[-3] Buller the elder died and was buried at Halford 21 Jul 1610. No idea on who the Richard Buller gent was who died in 1614 but we will ignore him since he did not leave a will. He is referred to as a gent rather than husbandman/yeoman which was the designation for the other Richard Buller men. The 1544 estate record refers to a John Buller acquiring land at Halford and there is the remote possibility that he is the son of Richard-2 and the father of Richard-3. The next record of 1584 is clearly Richard-3 and his wife Marie/Mary Hall and Richard-3 is taking possession of his land following his marriage and the impression might be that he is relatively young so that the possibility that he is a grandson of Richard-2 and son of John Buller has added possibilities. The mother of this Richard was Anne and this document tells that she has remarried and her married name is now Anne Rooke.
The next record was the will of 1611 probate for Richard-3. Mentioned in this will are his eldest son Richard-4, second son Walter (baptized 1596) and third son Thomas (baptized 1605) and he does mention that both Walter and Thomas are underage. Richard-4 (baptized in 1584) is 26 years of age at the time of the death of his father. Richard-3 does not mention any siblings. Since he married in 1584 and likely 21 years of age he is now at his death in 1610 around 47 years of age or more. He appoints Thomas Buller as Executor but I rather think it was because that was the custom of the time to appoint the youngest son as Executor to protect his inheritance.
The next entry in the Halford Estate record is from 1624 and involved Walter Buller whose will was probated earlier and he was a citizen and salter of London. He has rented his property at Halford so that it appears Richard-4 did not assume this property as was entitled to do for payment. Walter Buller died in 1625 but no mention of that in the Halford Estate record.
In the record of 1627/28 Thomas Buller gent is mentioned and he is presumably a brother to Richard-4 Buller. He too has retained his property given to him by his father Richard-3. In 1629 Thomas Buller has mortgaged his property but he has repaid the mortgage by 1630. Thomas then conveys this property in 1630 to possibly his cousin as his sister Mary married (unknown) Underhill. More family names are mentioned in the record of 1656 with Elizabeth Aynge also a sister to Thomas Buller. The last record in 1666 mentioned Richard-5 and his wife Elizabeth. At this point the property has moved out of the Richard Buller family.
Richard-4 in his will of 1628 mentions two sisters (Ann Tymes and Elizabeth Bidle). He also mentions his daughters Anne and Margerit. His wife was Mary (as was his mother). He still owns the mills in Halford and his wife formerly lived at Hocknorton (now known as Hook Norton). He mentions his son Richard-5. He also mentions his brother in law Mr. Anthony Hodges and Mr Charles Townsend. There were Hodges living at Hook Norton. I did not find baptisms particularly for this Richard-4, nor did I find a marriage. The will of his father in 1611 does mention Richard and his heirs and he would have been 27 years of age.
Richard-5 in his will of 1667 does mention he is Richard the elder and his sons are married so they are likely the group of children baptized at Long Compton as the children of Richard namely Richard, William, John and Anna. He also mentions a son Robert and a daughter Elizabeth. His will order is Richard, William, John, Robert, Elizabeth Jefferis and Anne Joiner (she is perhaps deceased as he mentions her children rather than herself). He mentions his brother Water Webb and sister Anne Webb (possibly his brother in law). As his father Richard-4 mentions his daughter Anne sister to Richard-5.
Did I learn anything new about the Buller family? I did acquire a lot of information on the Buller family of Warwickshire. I still have a few wills to transcribe at a later date in Warwick. Still to do Warwick wills for the Buller family - Arthur, William-1, William-2. There is another will which I do not have for William Buller, Yeoman of Sandford, Oxfordshire probated 27 Jun 1600 which may fit into this family and provide information.
Still to come the wills of William-1 and William-2 and Arthur Buller all of Warwickshire. The last of the Buller wills which I purchased earlier and did not include in Middlesex John Buller and Richard Buller are next. Also a Frederick William Buller and that one was more a curiosity; he was a Lieutenant General and I know he is not likely in my ancestral line but thought I would read it through. Then Samuel Hucks because of the middle name of Robert Hucks Buller (son of Christopher Buller and Mary Beard). I also have a paper copy of the will of Sir Francis Buller (Judge of the Court of Common Pleas). Again none of these have been transcribed but on completion I will then move back to the Blake one name study and the Pincombe one name study principally.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Will of Ellen Blake, widow Croydon Surrey - The National Archives PROB 11/201/361, probated 10 Jul 1647
Interesting will by Ellen Blake widow of Croydon with her enthusiastic support of King Charles as she states Lord Kinge Charles over ever England.
Morgan Gryffith is an unusual name and I did find a number of entries online at Croydon but too late to be this individual. No mention of husband or children or land. One is left to think she has just her household goods and wanted to be sure that there wouldn't be a difficult for Ellen Gryffith to take these goods for her own use.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 30 Nov 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/201/361
Testator: Ellen Blake, widow
Place: Croydon, Surrey, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 25 Dec 1646, probated 10 Jul 1647
Read: Electronic copy images
Condition: middle English writing fine, good contrast copy
[Margin] T[esta]m[ent] Ellen
[Margin] Blake
1 In the name of God Amen
2 I Ellen Blake of Croydon in the countie of Surrey widdow beinge weake in body but
3 in perfect mememory praised to God) doe ordaine and appoint this my last will and
4 Testament made this five and twentith day of December anno domini One thousand
5 sixe hundred forty sixe And in the two and twentith yeare of the Raigne of o[u]r soveraigne
6 Lord Kinge Charles over ever England etc in manner and forme followinge And first
7 and principally I commend my sinfull soule unto God Allmighty Creator thereof
8 solely trustinge in the merritts of my blessed Savio[u]r Christ Jesus for the salva[t]ion
9 thereof And my body to the earth whence it came to be therein interred at the discretion
10 and appointment of my Executrix and Overseers herein nominated and appointed And
11 for my personall estate it hath pleased my Creator to blesse me w[i]thall I give and be-
12 queath as followeth First I give and bequeath unto my kinsewoman Ellen Gryffith
13 the wife of Morgan Gryffith all and every my goods chattells and implements of
14 household stuffe whatsoever and debts, whom I make my sole executrix shee payinge my
15 debts and defrayinge my funerall charges And I intreat my lovinge Neighbors George
16 Hodges and Francis Hilles to stand and be my Overseers for the performance of this my
17 said last will and Testament where unto I putt my hand and seale the day and yeare first
18 above written Ellen Blake Signed and sealed in the presence of Francis Hilles
19 Jane Owen her marke
Morgan Gryffith is an unusual name and I did find a number of entries online at Croydon but too late to be this individual. No mention of husband or children or land. One is left to think she has just her household goods and wanted to be sure that there wouldn't be a difficult for Ellen Gryffith to take these goods for her own use.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 30 Nov 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/201/361
Testator: Ellen Blake, widow
Place: Croydon, Surrey, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 25 Dec 1646, probated 10 Jul 1647
Read: Electronic copy images
Condition: middle English writing fine, good contrast copy
[Margin] T[esta]m[ent] Ellen
[Margin] Blake
1 In the name of God Amen
2 I Ellen Blake of Croydon in the countie of Surrey widdow beinge weake in body but
3 in perfect mememory praised to God) doe ordaine and appoint this my last will and
4 Testament made this five and twentith day of December anno domini One thousand
5 sixe hundred forty sixe And in the two and twentith yeare of the Raigne of o[u]r soveraigne
6 Lord Kinge Charles over ever England etc in manner and forme followinge And first
7 and principally I commend my sinfull soule unto God Allmighty Creator thereof
8 solely trustinge in the merritts of my blessed Savio[u]r Christ Jesus for the salva[t]ion
9 thereof And my body to the earth whence it came to be therein interred at the discretion
10 and appointment of my Executrix and Overseers herein nominated and appointed And
11 for my personall estate it hath pleased my Creator to blesse me w[i]thall I give and be-
12 queath as followeth First I give and bequeath unto my kinsewoman Ellen Gryffith
13 the wife of Morgan Gryffith all and every my goods chattells and implements of
14 household stuffe whatsoever and debts, whom I make my sole executrix shee payinge my
15 debts and defrayinge my funerall charges And I intreat my lovinge Neighbors George
16 Hodges and Francis Hilles to stand and be my Overseers for the performance of this my
17 said last will and Testament where unto I putt my hand and seale the day and yeare first
18 above written Ellen Blake Signed and sealed in the presence of Francis Hilles
19 Jane Owen her marke
Monday, April 23, 2012
Will of Robert Blake, merchant at Bridgwater, National Archives PROB 11/80, Image reference 302/269, probated 26 Oct 1592
This is the will of Robert Blake son of Humphrey Blake (will probated 1559) and it is a non-cupative will. This is a known line in Somerset although the parentage of Humphrey is in doubt but my suspicion is that this Humphrey is a son of John Blake who is descendant of the Wiltshire Blake family. yDNA studies could prove that connection once we have individuals with a clear paper trail back to the Wiltshire Blake family and to Humphrey. Certainly there are known descendants of Humphrey although none have tested to my knowledge in the yDNA Blake group at FT DNA.
Mary Mason in her webpages http://www.portbury-hundred.co.uk/ has done extensive work on the Blake family (her own lines in particular) of Somerset. She also has a lot of information on her particular area of North Somerset which are most interesting.
I would love to have a copy of the Blake family tree at the Blake Museum at Bridgwater and will pursue acquiring that particular item. It does support the chart at the Swindon and Wiltshire Record office at least down to where the Blake line branches into Somerset and at that point there is some disagreement if the online published versions are correct on individual websites.
I am also building up entries in the Probate Index for the Guild of one name studies and have already submitted an excel file of over 540 line entries which includes only a small number of the wills that I have transcribed thus far. I continue to work on this particular resource and am up to over 350 line entries once again. I will submit as soon as I reach 500 lines of excel. I expect I will have several thousand lines by the time I have worked through all of my wills which I hope to do this year. We plan another trip to Kew next year and I will be photographing another whole set of Blake wills. There are 778 wills at the National Archives in total between the years 1487 and 1847. I have probably photographed about 200 of them thus far. But there are also many many wills in the Registry offices of the many counties of England where Blake members lived. At Hampshire alone there are 341 wills between 1510 and 1858. Wiltshire has 207 between 1538 and 1860. Somerset and Devon lost their originals in the bombing of Exeter during WWII but the indexes 1812 to 1858 show 9 wills at Somerset Record Office and abstracts/indexes I need to extract this number from Rev Frederick Brown's work and that of Sir Mervyn Medlycott both of which I have on fiche and have extracted Brown's abstracts already in an earlier blog. For Devon the Blake wills can be found on the Devon Genuki website from the various indexes available there and in total there are 226 but there are duplicates. I will gradually sift through all of those entries as I have a little information on the Blake family of Devon from my working on the parish records in the South Molton area. The task is enormous and that is just England. There is still Scotland, Wales and Ireland to look at for early wills and then Canada , the United States, Australia, South Africa and India. This will be an ongoing project to the end of my days but I shall archive everything that I have done with the Guild for another researcher to pick up some day in the future.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 22 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/80, Image Reference 302/269 (images by me)
Name of testator: Robert Blake, Merchant
Place: Bridgwater, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 11 Oct 1592, probated 26 Oct 1592
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 16th century, bold copy
[In margin] T Roberti
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of god amen The will nuncupative of Robert Blake of
2 Bridgewater in the countie of Somersett merchant made the eleventhe daie
3 of October in the yeere of our lorde god one thousande five hundred ninetie and twoe
4 beinge sicke of bodie But of perfecte memorie as followethe viz [a vit] Beinge demanded
5 of Richarde Hodges in what manner he would dispose his landes and goodes he
6 answered in manner and forme followinge viz [a vit] Willi[a]m Blake my sonn shall
7 have my lands at Tuxwell in Radlett: Humphrie my sonn shall have my land
8 at Puriton and Crandon and Humphrey my sonn is and shal[l ]be my Executor
9 Witnesses Richarde Hodges, Leonarde Crosse and others
Mary Mason in her webpages http://www.portbury-hundred.co.uk/ has done extensive work on the Blake family (her own lines in particular) of Somerset. She also has a lot of information on her particular area of North Somerset which are most interesting.
I would love to have a copy of the Blake family tree at the Blake Museum at Bridgwater and will pursue acquiring that particular item. It does support the chart at the Swindon and Wiltshire Record office at least down to where the Blake line branches into Somerset and at that point there is some disagreement if the online published versions are correct on individual websites.
I am also building up entries in the Probate Index for the Guild of one name studies and have already submitted an excel file of over 540 line entries which includes only a small number of the wills that I have transcribed thus far. I continue to work on this particular resource and am up to over 350 line entries once again. I will submit as soon as I reach 500 lines of excel. I expect I will have several thousand lines by the time I have worked through all of my wills which I hope to do this year. We plan another trip to Kew next year and I will be photographing another whole set of Blake wills. There are 778 wills at the National Archives in total between the years 1487 and 1847. I have probably photographed about 200 of them thus far. But there are also many many wills in the Registry offices of the many counties of England where Blake members lived. At Hampshire alone there are 341 wills between 1510 and 1858. Wiltshire has 207 between 1538 and 1860. Somerset and Devon lost their originals in the bombing of Exeter during WWII but the indexes 1812 to 1858 show 9 wills at Somerset Record Office and abstracts/indexes I need to extract this number from Rev Frederick Brown's work and that of Sir Mervyn Medlycott both of which I have on fiche and have extracted Brown's abstracts already in an earlier blog. For Devon the Blake wills can be found on the Devon Genuki website from the various indexes available there and in total there are 226 but there are duplicates. I will gradually sift through all of those entries as I have a little information on the Blake family of Devon from my working on the parish records in the South Molton area. The task is enormous and that is just England. There is still Scotland, Wales and Ireland to look at for early wills and then Canada , the United States, Australia, South Africa and India. This will be an ongoing project to the end of my days but I shall archive everything that I have done with the Guild for another researcher to pick up some day in the future.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 22 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/80, Image Reference 302/269 (images by me)
Name of testator: Robert Blake, Merchant
Place: Bridgwater, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 11 Oct 1592, probated 26 Oct 1592
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 16th century, bold copy
[In margin] T Roberti
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of god amen The will nuncupative of Robert Blake of
2 Bridgewater in the countie of Somersett merchant made the eleventhe daie
3 of October in the yeere of our lorde god one thousande five hundred ninetie and twoe
4 beinge sicke of bodie But of perfecte memorie as followethe viz [a vit] Beinge demanded
5 of Richarde Hodges in what manner he would dispose his landes and goodes he
6 answered in manner and forme followinge viz [a vit] Willi[a]m Blake my sonn shall
7 have my lands at Tuxwell in Radlett: Humphrie my sonn shall have my land
8 at Puriton and Crandon and Humphrey my sonn is and shal[l ]be my Executor
9 Witnesses Richarde Hodges, Leonarde Crosse and others
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Will of Margaret Blake, wife of Robert Blake, Images from the National Archives (my own)
I have been meaning to start on the Somerset wills that I imaged when we were at Kew in 2010 but time has slipped by very quickly and now that I am into looking at the Blake family of Somerset it is time to transcribe the Blake wills that I have of Somerset (I have another dozen wills to transcribe). Others have transcribed the will of Margarett Blake in part but I decided to do the entire version. Margaret is grandmother to Lord High Admiral Robert Blake (son of Humphrey) and mentioned in her will.
Margaret mentions her husband Robert of Bridgewater and quickly we know which family line this is plus her children Anstice (mentioned in her grandfather Humphrey Blake's will so alive in 1558 and more than 42 years of age), Humphrey with his nine children and William who will be an overseer along with others. Only Robert the eldest son of Humphrey is mentioned and he is thought to be about one year old when this will was written in 1599. The sons must have married late or they were much younger than Anstice perhaps. As I transcribe the parish records (if available), I may discover more about this family. But for the moment the will is an interesting read (three pages in length). I found it interesting the insistence that the young girls mentioned in the will were not permitted to marry before 25 with permission.
My initial thoughts when I was first into genealogy back in 2003 was that people married young but I found that some of my ancestors did marry young but many of them were in their early twenties.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 11 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives (images by me of #624)
Name of testator: Margarett Blake
Place: Bridgewater, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 20 Apr 1599, probated 7 Nov 1600
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 16th century, bold copy, script
[In margin] T: Margarete
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of god Amen the Twentithe daye of Aprill in the yere
2 of our Lorde god One Thousande fyve hundred ninety and nyne, And in the
3 One and Fouretithe yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Ladie Elizabeth by the
4 grace of god Queene of Englande Frannce and Irelande defendor of the fayth Etc
5 I Margarett Blake of Bridgewater in the Countie of Somersett, widowe, late wief
6 of Roberte Blake deceassed beinge of perfecte healthe and good memorye (thankes be
7 to god) knowinge the instabillitie of this mortall life, That deathe is sure to every man
8 and nothinge more uncertaine then the tyme thereof do make my last will and testam[en]t
9 in manner and forme followinge, Firste I bequeathe my soule to Almightie God, And my
10 bodie to the grave, beseachinge him of his infinite mercye by the death and merites of my
11 Lorde and Saviour Christ; To receive my spirite into his kingdome when it shall please his
12 devine Maiestie to dissolve the same from this Earthlie bodie, Item I give and bequeathe
13 to the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses of the Boroughe of Bridgwater the somme of tenne
14 pounds, to be levyed gathered and paide in unto them by and out of the interest and increase
15 of suche money as I nowe have, or at the time of my deathe shall have forthe at interests,
16 whiche money my will is shall be let forthe for use, until such tyme as the said tenne
17 poundes and other my Lecacies herein conteyned shall be fullie satisfied and paide, And I doe
18 devise and appoynte that the saide Tenne poundes shall yerelie for ever be lett forthe to
19 use, for the benefitt and beheese of the poore people of the Boroughe of Bridgewater afore-
20 saide, To be employed and bestowed yerelie at Alhollowtide in Six Smockes for Six poore
21 women, or for more, or lesse, as the saide use will stretch unto for the tyme beinge. To
22 be given them yerelie, duringe the lyves of my sonnes William and Humfrye, To such
23 poore people as they or the survivor of them shall appoynte within the Boroughe afore-
24 saide, And after their deathes the same allwayes to be distributed as aforesaide in Smockes
25 for the poore of the same Boroughe at the tyme aforesaide by the discretion and appoyntm[en]t
26 of the Maior and councell of the saide Boroughe for the tyme beinge, Item I give to the
27 Almes house of Bridgwater standinge withoute the westgate a Coverlett of downye
28 and A paire of newe canvas sheetes To this and That when anie of them be sicke and shall
29 neede the same to use the saide coverlett and sheetes, And when anie of them doe dye to
30 use the Coverlett to laye over the corps in carryenge to their buryall, More I give
31 the saide Almes house at the houre of my deathe foure shillinges in money, More I give
32 to the poore of Bridgewater (exceptinge the Almes houses) as to be distributed at my
33 buryall by the discretion of my Executors in trust, Twentie shillinges in money, Item,
[Page 2]
34 I give to the Almes house of Storguisey fyve shillinges, And fyve shillinges more to oth[e]r
35 of the poore of that parishe by the discretion of the churchwardens there for the time
36 beinge, and my cosen Bartholmewe More of weeke, if he then shall be lyvinge, Item I
37 give to the poore of Spaxton Tenne shillinges to be distributed by the discretion of the
38 churchwardens there, and the Tenemente of Tuxwell for the tyme beinge, Item I give to
39 my sonne William Blake a coverlett of Tapistrye, and one silver spoone, Item I give to
40 my sonne Humfreys childe Robert Blake A Spur Royall of gould, Item I give to my
41 daughter Anstis Buckinge my best cloake, my best hatt and my blewe mantell, Item
42 I give to Emanuell Buckinge Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to Anne white Tenne
43 shillinges in goulde Item I give to Richard and Roberte Stradlinges sonnes of Richard
44 Stradlinge, To eache of them Tenne shillinges, to be bestowed for them in some needfull
45 garmentes or bookes as my Executors in trust shall thinke good, Item I give to my Sister
46 Elizabethe Symons Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to my Sister Dorothie Sinder-
47 combe Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to my cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey
48 one silver spoone and Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to master Nicholas Strete
49 the elder one silver spoone, And a spur Royall of gould, Item I give to mistresse Marye
50 Streete his wife my martin Skynnes and velvet waste, Item I give to master John
51 Michell one silver spoone, Item I give to mistres Dorothie Michell his wife my gould
52 Ringe withe deathes head, Item I give to Marye Stradlinge the wife of Richarde
53 Stradlinge my furred gowne, Item I give to Sara Popham my god daughter my gould
54 Ringe withe Turkeys stone, Item I give to a preacher for a Sermon at my Buryall
55 Tenne shillinges, Item I give to Jane Stradlinge daughter of Richard Stradlinge,
56 Fouretie poundes in money, my Sea Chist withoute feete beinge empty, And a litle
57 spruce chist with theis thinges in it viz [a vi]t a silver sault double guilt with a cover,
58 weyenge Sixtene ounces and haulf, A vallaunce for a Bed of needle worke conteyninge three
59 panes. A paire of fine hollande sheetes, and a bearinge flannynge of stamell clothe, More
60 I give her my best gowne, best petticoate, and greatest panne nexte to my sonne Humfreys
61 panne, Item I give to Grace Stradlinge Sister of the saide Jane fourtie poundes in
62 money, my newe chist of two bushells, being emptie, my lesser spruce chist also
63 emptie, my gowne of London browne, my seconde greatest panne, And two needle worke
64 Cusshions, Item I give all my wearinge lynnen to the saide Jane and Grace equally
65 betwene them to be devided, And the lynnen in the litle blacke chist or Coffer I give
66 to the saide Jane and Grace, as it is there already devided in the saide Chist viz [a vi]t that
67 parte or bundell wherein the Curtynes are, to be for Jane, The other parte or bundell
68 for Grace withe also the chist, Also my will is That if the saide Jane or Grace
69 Stradlinge or either of them shall happen to dye before the tyme in the which they
70 are to Receive their Legacyes accordinge to this my will hereafter specified: That then
71 such Legacies of her that shall so dye shall whollie Remaine unto the Survivor of the
72 saide Jane and Grace, And if they bothe shall happen to dye before the saide tyme:
73 That then is shall whollie Remaine unto Richard and Roberte Stradlinges brothers
74 of the saide Jane and Grace equallie to be devided, or to the survivor of them, To be
75 paide to them when they bothe, or the survivor of them shall accomplishe the age hereafter
76 specified, And whereas Robert Blake my late husbande deceassed did leave att the
77 tyme of his deathe the somme of twelvescore poundes of currante Englishe moneye
78 in the handes of Richard Hodges deceassed and one Leonarde Crosse: To the end that
79 Twentie poundes of the yerelie gaine and increase thereof should be paide unto me
80 Yerelie for my mainetenaunce duringe my life, And did further will and appointe
81 That the said somme of Twelvescore poundes should be paide unto, and for ever
82 remaine and be in the handes and keepinge of the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses
83 of the Borough of Bridgwater, to this end and purpose That the saide Maior Aldermen
[Page 3]
84 and Burgesses and their successors for ever should let forthe or otherwise employ the saide
85 somme of Twelve score poundes and therewith to make a yerelie gaine of Twentie pounds
86 And the same Twentie poundes yerelie after my death to distribute and give in this manner
87 followinge viz [a vi]t, Sixtene poundes thereof to be given and devided yerely amongest the poore
88 people of the Boroughe of Bridgwater aforesaide accordinge to the discretion of the Maior
89 Aldermen and councell of the saide Boroughe And the other fouer poundes residue of the
90 saide Twentie poundes for Reparation and amendmente of the cawsies and highe-
91 wayes neare to the saide Borough of Bridgewater by the like order and discretion as
92 is aforesaide, And especially willed me to have care and to procure the same to be
93 Performed, my will and spetiate desire and Request therefore is, That if the saide twelve
94 score poundes shall nott in my lyfe tyme be paide, in or otherwise be assured to be paide
95 unto the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough aforesaide accordinge to my saide
96 husbandes will and appointements, That then my Executors and Overseers doe withall
97 conveniente speede procure the same to be don[e], And that my sonne Humfrey to whom the somme
98 is nowe assured doe (as he will answere before god when the secreates of all mens hartes
99 shall be knowne) deliver in the saide assurance and cause the somme to be made to the
100 saide Maior Aldermen and Burgesses accordinge to the will and desire of his said Father
101 afore mentioned, as my self would have don[e], if the same had come to my handes or bin asked
102 unto me, as it ought to have bin by the will of his saide Father , And I doe by theis pre-
103 sents ordaine and make the saide Jane and Grace Stradlinge to be Executors of this my
104 last will and Testament, when they bothe or the survivor of them shall accomplishe the
105 age of Twentye and fyve yeres, or otherwise, when they bothe, or either of them shall
106 marrye, with the consent and good likinge of my beloved frendes master Nicholas Streete
107 Gentleman, William Blake my sonne and my cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey or
108 to the survivor or survivors of them: That from thenceforth it shall and maye be
109 lawfull for the saide Jane and Grace, Or to such as shall soe marrye as aforesaide
110 And not otherwise to take the charge and execu[t]ion of Executorshippe of this my saide
111 Testamente for such por[t]ion as shall be founde due or meant to them or either of them
112 by this my saide Testamente, But if either of the saide Jane or Grace shall rashly
113 and wilfully marrye before they shall accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve yeres
114 as aforesaid withoute the consente and good likings of the above named Nicholas
115 Streete William Blake and Richard Blake, or the survivor or survivors of them
116 That then my will is That suche of them the saide Jane or Grace shall enioy no benefit
117 of this my Testamente, either by legacye or Executorship, but shall whollie Reverte
118 unto the other of the Two Sisters above named whiche shall be founde to observe
119 the Condi[t]ions above written at the tyme before specified: But if bothe of them
120 shall wilfullie marrie before the age aforesaide without the consent of the parties
121 above written: That then bothe of them shall be utterlie voide of anie benefit of this
122 my saide will and Testamente, And from thenceforthe my will is that whole benefitt
123 shall come to the above named Richard and Robert Stradlinges brothers of the saide
124 Jane and Grace equallie to be devided, or to the survivor of them, when they bothe
125 or the survivor of them shall likewise accomplishe the age of Twentye and fyve yeares
126 And in the meane tyme I doe make appointe and request the within named
127 Nicholas Streete, William Blake, and Richard Blake to be the Executors of this
128 my saide will and Testamente (viz [ a vi]t) untill the saide Jane and Grace Stradlinges
129 shall bothe of them or the survivor of them accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve
130 yeres as aforesaide, or otherwise shall marrye withoute the consent of suche as is
131 before specified, And if the saide Legacies shall happen to fall to the above named
132 Richard and Robert Stradlinges, either by the deathe of their saide Sisters or by
133 their defaulte, in marryenge withoute consente as aforesaide, Then my will is that the
[Page 4]
134 saide Richard and Robert Stradlinges or the survivor of them shall likewise be the
135 Executors or Executor of this my saide will and Testamente, when they bothe or the
136 survivor of them shall likewise accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve yeres, and nott
137 before, until whiche type I doe reques[t]e and appointe the saide Nicholas Streete
138 William Blake and Richarde Blake to be the executors of this my saide will, uppon
139 Truste and confidence to the use of such to whom it shall apperteine as is aforesaide
140 And from thenceforthe the Executorshippe of the saide Nicholas Streete, William
141 Blake and Richard Blake to cease and be utterlye voyde, And that they shall be from
142 thenceforthe overseers of this my saide Testamente, And I doe by theis presents
143 Revoke and make voyde All my former willes and Testamentes, And ordeine and
144 appointe this to be my last will and Testamente, In witnes whereof I have to
145 theis presents set my Seale and subscribed my signe geven the day and yere
146 aforesaide
Margaret mentions her husband Robert of Bridgewater and quickly we know which family line this is plus her children Anstice (mentioned in her grandfather Humphrey Blake's will so alive in 1558 and more than 42 years of age), Humphrey with his nine children and William who will be an overseer along with others. Only Robert the eldest son of Humphrey is mentioned and he is thought to be about one year old when this will was written in 1599. The sons must have married late or they were much younger than Anstice perhaps. As I transcribe the parish records (if available), I may discover more about this family. But for the moment the will is an interesting read (three pages in length). I found it interesting the insistence that the young girls mentioned in the will were not permitted to marry before 25 with permission.
My initial thoughts when I was first into genealogy back in 2003 was that people married young but I found that some of my ancestors did marry young but many of them were in their early twenties.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 11 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives (images by me of #624)
Name of testator: Margarett Blake
Place: Bridgewater, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 20 Apr 1599, probated 7 Nov 1600
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 16th century, bold copy, script
[In margin] T: Margarete
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of god Amen the Twentithe daye of Aprill in the yere
2 of our Lorde god One Thousande fyve hundred ninety and nyne, And in the
3 One and Fouretithe yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Ladie Elizabeth by the
4 grace of god Queene of Englande Frannce and Irelande defendor of the fayth Etc
5 I Margarett Blake of Bridgewater in the Countie of Somersett, widowe, late wief
6 of Roberte Blake deceassed beinge of perfecte healthe and good memorye (thankes be
7 to god) knowinge the instabillitie of this mortall life, That deathe is sure to every man
8 and nothinge more uncertaine then the tyme thereof do make my last will and testam[en]t
9 in manner and forme followinge, Firste I bequeathe my soule to Almightie God, And my
10 bodie to the grave, beseachinge him of his infinite mercye by the death and merites of my
11 Lorde and Saviour Christ; To receive my spirite into his kingdome when it shall please his
12 devine Maiestie to dissolve the same from this Earthlie bodie, Item I give and bequeathe
13 to the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses of the Boroughe of Bridgwater the somme of tenne
14 pounds, to be levyed gathered and paide in unto them by and out of the interest and increase
15 of suche money as I nowe have, or at the time of my deathe shall have forthe at interests,
16 whiche money my will is shall be let forthe for use, until such tyme as the said tenne
17 poundes and other my Lecacies herein conteyned shall be fullie satisfied and paide, And I doe
18 devise and appoynte that the saide Tenne poundes shall yerelie for ever be lett forthe to
19 use, for the benefitt and beheese of the poore people of the Boroughe of Bridgewater afore-
20 saide, To be employed and bestowed yerelie at Alhollowtide in Six Smockes for Six poore
21 women, or for more, or lesse, as the saide use will stretch unto for the tyme beinge. To
22 be given them yerelie, duringe the lyves of my sonnes William and Humfrye, To such
23 poore people as they or the survivor of them shall appoynte within the Boroughe afore-
24 saide, And after their deathes the same allwayes to be distributed as aforesaide in Smockes
25 for the poore of the same Boroughe at the tyme aforesaide by the discretion and appoyntm[en]t
26 of the Maior and councell of the saide Boroughe for the tyme beinge, Item I give to the
27 Almes house of Bridgwater standinge withoute the westgate a Coverlett of downye
28 and A paire of newe canvas sheetes To this and That when anie of them be sicke and shall
29 neede the same to use the saide coverlett and sheetes, And when anie of them doe dye to
30 use the Coverlett to laye over the corps in carryenge to their buryall, More I give
31 the saide Almes house at the houre of my deathe foure shillinges in money, More I give
32 to the poore of Bridgewater (exceptinge the Almes houses) as to be distributed at my
33 buryall by the discretion of my Executors in trust, Twentie shillinges in money, Item,
[Page 2]
34 I give to the Almes house of Storguisey fyve shillinges, And fyve shillinges more to oth[e]r
35 of the poore of that parishe by the discretion of the churchwardens there for the time
36 beinge, and my cosen Bartholmewe More of weeke, if he then shall be lyvinge, Item I
37 give to the poore of Spaxton Tenne shillinges to be distributed by the discretion of the
38 churchwardens there, and the Tenemente of Tuxwell for the tyme beinge, Item I give to
39 my sonne William Blake a coverlett of Tapistrye, and one silver spoone, Item I give to
40 my sonne Humfreys childe Robert Blake A Spur Royall of gould, Item I give to my
41 daughter Anstis Buckinge my best cloake, my best hatt and my blewe mantell, Item
42 I give to Emanuell Buckinge Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to Anne white Tenne
43 shillinges in goulde Item I give to Richard and Roberte Stradlinges sonnes of Richard
44 Stradlinge, To eache of them Tenne shillinges, to be bestowed for them in some needfull
45 garmentes or bookes as my Executors in trust shall thinke good, Item I give to my Sister
46 Elizabethe Symons Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to my Sister Dorothie Sinder-
47 combe Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to my cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey
48 one silver spoone and Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to master Nicholas Strete
49 the elder one silver spoone, And a spur Royall of gould, Item I give to mistresse Marye
50 Streete his wife my martin Skynnes and velvet waste, Item I give to master John
51 Michell one silver spoone, Item I give to mistres Dorothie Michell his wife my gould
52 Ringe withe deathes head, Item I give to Marye Stradlinge the wife of Richarde
53 Stradlinge my furred gowne, Item I give to Sara Popham my god daughter my gould
54 Ringe withe Turkeys stone, Item I give to a preacher for a Sermon at my Buryall
55 Tenne shillinges, Item I give to Jane Stradlinge daughter of Richard Stradlinge,
56 Fouretie poundes in money, my Sea Chist withoute feete beinge empty, And a litle
57 spruce chist with theis thinges in it viz [a vi]t a silver sault double guilt with a cover,
58 weyenge Sixtene ounces and haulf, A vallaunce for a Bed of needle worke conteyninge three
59 panes. A paire of fine hollande sheetes, and a bearinge flannynge of stamell clothe, More
60 I give her my best gowne, best petticoate, and greatest panne nexte to my sonne Humfreys
61 panne, Item I give to Grace Stradlinge Sister of the saide Jane fourtie poundes in
62 money, my newe chist of two bushells, being emptie, my lesser spruce chist also
63 emptie, my gowne of London browne, my seconde greatest panne, And two needle worke
64 Cusshions, Item I give all my wearinge lynnen to the saide Jane and Grace equally
65 betwene them to be devided, And the lynnen in the litle blacke chist or Coffer I give
66 to the saide Jane and Grace, as it is there already devided in the saide Chist viz [a vi]t that
67 parte or bundell wherein the Curtynes are, to be for Jane, The other parte or bundell
68 for Grace withe also the chist, Also my will is That if the saide Jane or Grace
69 Stradlinge or either of them shall happen to dye before the tyme in the which they
70 are to Receive their Legacyes accordinge to this my will hereafter specified: That then
71 such Legacies of her that shall so dye shall whollie Remaine unto the Survivor of the
72 saide Jane and Grace, And if they bothe shall happen to dye before the saide tyme:
73 That then is shall whollie Remaine unto Richard and Roberte Stradlinges brothers
74 of the saide Jane and Grace equallie to be devided, or to the survivor of them, To be
75 paide to them when they bothe, or the survivor of them shall accomplishe the age hereafter
76 specified, And whereas Robert Blake my late husbande deceassed did leave att the
77 tyme of his deathe the somme of twelvescore poundes of currante Englishe moneye
78 in the handes of Richard Hodges deceassed and one Leonarde Crosse: To the end that
79 Twentie poundes of the yerelie gaine and increase thereof should be paide unto me
80 Yerelie for my mainetenaunce duringe my life, And did further will and appointe
81 That the said somme of Twelvescore poundes should be paide unto, and for ever
82 remaine and be in the handes and keepinge of the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses
83 of the Borough of Bridgwater, to this end and purpose That the saide Maior Aldermen
[Page 3]
84 and Burgesses and their successors for ever should let forthe or otherwise employ the saide
85 somme of Twelve score poundes and therewith to make a yerelie gaine of Twentie pounds
86 And the same Twentie poundes yerelie after my death to distribute and give in this manner
87 followinge viz [a vi]t, Sixtene poundes thereof to be given and devided yerely amongest the poore
88 people of the Boroughe of Bridgwater aforesaide accordinge to the discretion of the Maior
89 Aldermen and councell of the saide Boroughe And the other fouer poundes residue of the
90 saide Twentie poundes for Reparation and amendmente of the cawsies and highe-
91 wayes neare to the saide Borough of Bridgewater by the like order and discretion as
92 is aforesaide, And especially willed me to have care and to procure the same to be
93 Performed, my will and spetiate desire and Request therefore is, That if the saide twelve
94 score poundes shall nott in my lyfe tyme be paide, in or otherwise be assured to be paide
95 unto the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough aforesaide accordinge to my saide
96 husbandes will and appointements, That then my Executors and Overseers doe withall
97 conveniente speede procure the same to be don[e], And that my sonne Humfrey to whom the somme
98 is nowe assured doe (as he will answere before god when the secreates of all mens hartes
99 shall be knowne) deliver in the saide assurance and cause the somme to be made to the
100 saide Maior Aldermen and Burgesses accordinge to the will and desire of his said Father
101 afore mentioned, as my self would have don[e], if the same had come to my handes or bin asked
102 unto me, as it ought to have bin by the will of his saide Father , And I doe by theis pre-
103 sents ordaine and make the saide Jane and Grace Stradlinge to be Executors of this my
104 last will and Testament, when they bothe or the survivor of them shall accomplishe the
105 age of Twentye and fyve yeres, or otherwise, when they bothe, or either of them shall
106 marrye, with the consent and good likinge of my beloved frendes master Nicholas Streete
107 Gentleman, William Blake my sonne and my cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey or
108 to the survivor or survivors of them: That from thenceforth it shall and maye be
109 lawfull for the saide Jane and Grace, Or to such as shall soe marrye as aforesaide
110 And not otherwise to take the charge and execu[t]ion of Executorshippe of this my saide
111 Testamente for such por[t]ion as shall be founde due or meant to them or either of them
112 by this my saide Testamente, But if either of the saide Jane or Grace shall rashly
113 and wilfully marrye before they shall accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve yeres
114 as aforesaid withoute the consente and good likings of the above named Nicholas
115 Streete William Blake and Richard Blake, or the survivor or survivors of them
116 That then my will is That suche of them the saide Jane or Grace shall enioy no benefit
117 of this my Testamente, either by legacye or Executorship, but shall whollie Reverte
118 unto the other of the Two Sisters above named whiche shall be founde to observe
119 the Condi[t]ions above written at the tyme before specified: But if bothe of them
120 shall wilfullie marrie before the age aforesaide without the consent of the parties
121 above written: That then bothe of them shall be utterlie voide of anie benefit of this
122 my saide will and Testamente, And from thenceforthe my will is that whole benefitt
123 shall come to the above named Richard and Robert Stradlinges brothers of the saide
124 Jane and Grace equallie to be devided, or to the survivor of them, when they bothe
125 or the survivor of them shall likewise accomplishe the age of Twentye and fyve yeares
126 And in the meane tyme I doe make appointe and request the within named
127 Nicholas Streete, William Blake, and Richard Blake to be the Executors of this
128 my saide will and Testamente (viz [ a vi]t) untill the saide Jane and Grace Stradlinges
129 shall bothe of them or the survivor of them accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve
130 yeres as aforesaide, or otherwise shall marrye withoute the consent of suche as is
131 before specified, And if the saide Legacies shall happen to fall to the above named
132 Richard and Robert Stradlinges, either by the deathe of their saide Sisters or by
133 their defaulte, in marryenge withoute consente as aforesaide, Then my will is that the
[Page 4]
134 saide Richard and Robert Stradlinges or the survivor of them shall likewise be the
135 Executors or Executor of this my saide will and Testamente, when they bothe or the
136 survivor of them shall likewise accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve yeres, and nott
137 before, until whiche type I doe reques[t]e and appointe the saide Nicholas Streete
138 William Blake and Richarde Blake to be the executors of this my saide will, uppon
139 Truste and confidence to the use of such to whom it shall apperteine as is aforesaide
140 And from thenceforthe the Executorshippe of the saide Nicholas Streete, William
141 Blake and Richard Blake to cease and be utterlye voyde, And that they shall be from
142 thenceforthe overseers of this my saide Testamente, And I doe by theis presents
143 Revoke and make voyde All my former willes and Testamentes, And ordeine and
144 appointe this to be my last will and Testamente, In witnes whereof I have to
145 theis presents set my Seale and subscribed my signe geven the day and yere
146 aforesaide
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