Will of Mary Blake, widow, Bridgwater, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/615/251, probated 15 May 1727

There are five Mary Blake wills in this set for Somerset. The current Mary Blake is listed as widow of Bridgwater. She was Mary Sellick married to William Blake (and the suggested date is 1694) and she kindly mentions her husband’s name in her will although he is deceased. Always a bonus when that happens.

The other four wills are for Mary Blake of Bath 1785, Mary Blake, Spinster of Bath 1807, Mary Blake, Spinster of  Walcot, 1831 and Mary Blake, widow of Taunton 1844. The wills, particularly of spinsters, can be very very helpful in sorting out families.

There is a will for Thomas Menheire, Merchant of Exeter, Devon which was probated 19 Jan 1694, PROB 11/418/178 which I may purchase in order to more fully understand the will below. It is just a two page will but could prove interesting. I suspect this is the first husband of Mary, testatrix, in the will below. Generally this has been transcribed as Thomas Minturne in various sources. The will might help to clarify that in my mind since I have transcribed it differently.

Mary Sellick was married to William Blake who was a son of Humphrey Blake and Sara Sealy. They married 10 Apr 1632 at Bridgwater. This Humphrey was the brother of Admiral Robert Blake. So William was a nephew of the Admiral.

The other question to mind is whether or not Mary Selleck is also a descendant of the Blake family of Overstowey given that Elizabeth/Isabel Blake daughter of John Blake the elder (son of Humphrey Blake of Over Stowey) married Robert Selleck 9 Oct 1571 in Over Stowey. They had five sons and Robert their middle son is the one for whom the best records exist as it is this line where one of the sons emigrated to the American colonies namely David Selleck who is said to have emigrated around 1637. West Monkton where Henry Selleck, executor of the will below, lived is seven miles from Bridgwater. The Selleck family lived initially at Tolland which is 11 miles from West Monkton. There is a will for Henry Selleck, Gentleman of West Monkton probated 20 Jul 1741 which I shall also consider purchasing in order to add to the information for this family. Wells Cathedral: its monumental inscriptions and heraldry. 127 on archive.org yields this interesting piece of information. A Licence was granted 12 Mar 1713 for Henry Sellick, gent., junior, of West Monkton to marry Mary Bere, spinster; John Bere, gent., being bondsman. There is more information on the Sellick family around this entry but nothing specific to link Henry to any specific line.

Mary and William had one daughter as far as I can tell – Sarah who married John Chapman and this family is also mentioned in the will below.

Mary remembers many members of the Sealy family. Was this perhaps something her husband had asked her to do in his will which was not probated at the PCC unfortunately. They would have been related to her mother in law I suspect as the sisters of William, namely Ann married the Reverend John Norman and Sarah married a Mr. Doble.

Names mentioned in the will:

Mary Blake, widow, testatrix (married to William Blake, merchant, Bridgwater)
Thomas Menheire, first husband of Mary Blake, deceased
William Chapman
John Chapman, father of William, mercer, Chard, deceased
John Sealy, Bridgwater, merchant
John Sealy, son of John Sealy
Frances Sealy, daughter of John Sealy
Mary Sealy, daughter of John Sealy
Thomas Chapman, apothecary, Ilminster
John Moore, clerk, Bridgwater
Henry Sellick, junior, West Monkton, gentleman
John Balch, witness
Richard Codrington, witness
John Armstrong, witness

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 19 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/615/251
Testator: Mary Blake, widow
Place: Bridgwater, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 20 Jan 1725, probated 15 May 1727
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

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

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Mary Blake of Bridgewater in the County of Somersett widow doe
3    make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following
4    First I commend my Soule into the hands of Almighty God hopeing through
5    the merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour to obteine Everlasting life and my Body
6    I committ to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executor
7    hereinafter named And my desire is that my Executor hereinafter named
8    do cause my body to be interred in the parish Church of Bridgewater
9    aforesaid in the Grave wherein the body of my late husband William Blake
10    of Bridgewater aforesaid Merchant deceased doth lye And as touching
11    my worldly Estate I give and dispose of the same as follows Imprimis I
12    give and devise all my lands in the Kingdome of Ireland which were given to
13    me by the Will of Thomas Menheire my first husband deceased unto
14    William Chapman son of John Chapman late of Chard Mercer deceased his
15    heires and assignes forever Item I give unto John Sealy of Bridgewater
16    aforesaid Merchant Thirty pounds Item I give unto John Sealy son of
17    the aforesaid John Sealy Tenn pounds Item I give unto Frances Sealy
18    daughter of the aforesaid John Sealy my Gold Watch and Gold Chaine
19    and Hooke belong there unto Item I give unto Mary Sealy daughter
20    of the aforesaid John Sealy my Gold Chaine for the Neck and my Gold
21    Ring with a Stone and diamond sparks Item I give unto Thomas
22    Chapman of Ilminster Apothecary the Tenn pounds which he oweth
23    me on his note and my will is that the said Note be forth delivered upp
24    to be cancelled Item I give unto John Moore of Bridgewater aforesaid
25    Clerke Five pounds Item I give unto Henry Selleck Junior of
26    Westmuncton Gentleman Twenty pounds Item all the rest and residue
27    of my goods and chattels remaining unbequeathed (my debts
28    Funerall Expences and legacies being first paid and discharged) I
29    give and bequeath unto the said Henry Selleck Junior whome I make
30    sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I
31    have hereunto sett my hand and seale this Twentyeth day of January
32    one thousand seaven hundred and Twenty Five Mary Blake signed
33    sealed and published by the above named Testatrix for and as her last
34    Will and Testament in presence of us who also subscribed our names
35    as witnesses in the presence of the said Testatrix and at her request
36    John Balch Rich[ar]d Codrington John Armstrong

Will of Malachi Blake, Doctor of Physic, M.D., Taunton, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/1976/54, probated 21 Mar 1843

Malachi Blake, the testator, is the nephew mentioned in yesterday’s will. He inherited, for the most part, all of his uncle’s property. I often refer to the portbury Admiral Blake site and this site has given an extra son to Reverend William Blake and Hannah Downing. He does not show up in the wills of either of these two men – as a nephew to Malachi Blake whose will was probated in 1795 nor in the will below where he would be a brother. Hence I have eliminated him from this line although he remains as John Blake (1774-1851) #179 in the tree (http://www.portbury-hundred.co.uk/admiralreport.htm) unconnected until I can figure out where he fits in and where the information has arisen. The deceased brother referred to in the will below is William Blake who married first Hannah Jarman and second Elizabeth Jarman. The baptisms of all these children were at Hermitage Street Presbyterian in Crewkerne. This William was buried 18 Feb 1821 according to the above chart and I am still verifying that detail.

The marriage of Mary Blake and John Collins took place in Ilminster 23 Oct 1806 at St Bartholomew and by license. On the 1841 census, there is a John Baker with wife Mary Blake Baker at Ilminster and he is an attorney at law. She was born circa 1810 and that perhaps answers the question of who is Mary Baker below. She would have been the daughter of John Collins and Mary Blake although I could not find her baptism in the records online. The only baptism I found was for Robert Downing Collins youngest son of John Collins and Mary Blake.

These two wills do not mention the Blake family in Blandford Forum although at this point in time they are becoming distant in relationship with their common Blake ancestor their 3x great grandparents. References that were made in the wills of the Blandford Forum Blake family simply mention the name without alluding to the cousin relationship.

When we visited my second cousins in England, they did think of our relationship as somewhat distant. They had large numbers of first cousins and many many aunts and uncles and you could see how that would happen. For myself I have no first cousins and few second cousins so that even third cousins seem like a close relationship!

The use of the name Malachi makes keeping this family line somewhat easier than most.

Names mentioned in the will:

Malachi Blake, Taunton, Doctor of Physic, testator
Mary Blake, wife of Malachi Blake
William Blake, nephew, son of deceased brother [William Blake of Crewkerne]
Elizabeth Blake, niece, daughter of deceased brother [William Blake of Crewkerne]
Margaret Blake, niece, daughter of deceased brother [William Blake of Crewkerne]
Mary Blake, niece, daughter of deceased brother [William Blake of Crewkerne]
Mary Baker, niece, Ilminster
John Baker the younger, husband of Mary Baker, Ilminster, esquire
Hannah Collins, niece
Eliza Tice Collins, niece
Mary Collins, sister,
Blake Collins, nephew
John Collins, nephew
Malachi Collins, nephew
Robert Collins, nephew
George Stone, Taunton, solicitor
W H Mulford, Clerk

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 18 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1976/54
Testator: Malachi Blake, Doctor of Physic, M.D.
Place: Taunton, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 7 Feb 1839, probated 21 Mar 1843
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Malachi
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: M.D.
[Margin]: 20

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Malachi Blake of Taunton in the County of Somerset Doctor of
3    Physic which I make and publish for the disposal of all my worldly estate and
4    effects in manner following that is to say First I give and bequeath unto my
5    dear and affectionate wife Mary Blake all my household goods and furniture
6    whatsoever and wheresoever plate jewels linen and china books prints and
7    pictures wines and other liquors carriage with its furniture and appurtenances
8    to and for her own use and benefit All and singular my messuages tenements lands
9    and hereditaments whether freehold customary freehold copyhold or leasehold
10    and wheresoever of which I may be seized or possessed or over which I may
11    have any power of disposition and appointment by virtue of any deed of
12    settlement surrender will or other instrument (and which power without
13    referring particularly thereto I hereby intend fully to exercise) and all my
14    monies and securities for money mortgages in fee and other mortgages and
15    all other my personal Estate and Effects whatsoever of which I may die
16    possessed I direct and appoint give and devise the same to my said wife Mary
17    Blake and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life and from and
18    immediately after the decease of her my said wife To the use of such person or per-
19    sons for such estate or estates interest or interests and in such parts shares and pro-
20    portions manner and form as she my said wife shall by any deed or deeds wri-
21    ting or writings or by the last will and testament in writing or any writing
22    in the nature thereof or any codicil thereto direct limit or appoint give devise
23    or bequeath the same And in default of any such direction limitation or appoint-
24    ment gift devise or bequest by her my said wife Then as to for and concerning
25    all and singular my said freehold customary freehold copyhold and leasehold messuages tenements
26    lands and hereditaments of which I may be seized or possessed of or entitled to
27    as aforesaid and every of them with their appurtenances I direct and appoint
28    give and devise the same unto my nephew William Blake (son of my late
29    deceased brother) his heirs and assigns for ever according to the nature and
30    tenure thereof respectively And as to my monies and all other my personal
31    estate (except my chattel real hereinbefore disposed of) I give and bequeath
32    the same as follows To my nieces Elizabeth Margaret and Mary Blake all of
33    Crewkerne in the said County daughters of my said late brother the sum of
34    one thousand and five hundred pounds and To my niece Mary Baker the
35    wife of John Baker the younger of Ilminster in the said County Gentleman
36    the sum of one thousand and five hundred pounds for her own sole and separate
37    use and to be by her settled in such way as she my said niece may think fit
38    to my nieces Hannah Collins and Eliza Tice Collins daughters of my sister Mary
39    Collins the sum of one thousand and five hundred pounds each And I hereby direct
40    that all the before mentioned legacies be paid by my executor hereinafter named
41    within twelve months after the decease of my said wife Also I give and bequeath
42    to my nephew Blake Collins the clear yearly sum of seventy pounds for and
43    during his life To my nephew John Collins the clear yearly sum of Seventy pounds for and during the term of his life To my nephew Malachi Collins the like yearly sum of seventy
44    pounds for and during his life and to my nephew Robert Collins the like sum
45    of seventy pounds for and during his life the said several annuities to be paid
46    half yearly by equal payments in every year by my executor and a proportionate
    [Page 2]
47    payment (if any) as shall be accruing and not have actually accrued due at the time
48    of the decease of either of the said annuitants respectively the first payment of each
49    of the said sums to begin and be made at the expiration of twelve months after the
50    decease of my said wife and I charge the residue of my personal estate with the
51    payment thereof respectively provided nevertheless and my will further is that
52    each of the said annuities shall be paid into the proper hands of each of my
53    said nephews from time to time as the same shall become due and that the receipt
54    of my said nephews only shall be good and sufficient discharges to my executor
55    for payment thereof And my will also is And I declare that in case either of
56    my said nephews shall grant bargain sell transfer assign alien encumber or
57    in any manner dispose of or anticipate his said annuity or any part thereof
58    the annuity of such of my said nephews so being shall immediately cease
59    and be void to all intents and purposes in such manner as if the same had not
60    been mentioned in this my will or as if my said nephew were actually
61    dead provided also and I declare my will to be that in case either of my
62    said nephews shall become bankrupt or take the benefit of any act made or to
63    be made for the relief or discharge of insolvent debtors that then and in either
64    of the said cases the said annuity of such of my said nephews so becoming
65    bankrupt or taking the benefit of such act shall cease and be at an end unless
66    or until my said nephew who shall so become bankrupt or take the benefit
67    of such act shall or may be entitled to or shall be in a capacity to receive the
68    said annuity for his own private use notwithstanding such events or either
69    of them may have happened it being my intention that the said annuity
70    shall be for the private use and benefit of my said nephews and not be in
71    any manner transferrable to or for the use of any other person or persons
72    whomsoever provided also and it is my will that in case any or either of
73    my said nephews shall depart this life leaving any child or children lawful-
74    ly begotten living at the time of his death Then I give and bequeath the sum
75    of one thousand and five hundred pounds unto and equally between the
76    children of my said nephew so dying as tenants in common and not as joint
77    tenants and if but one such child then to such only child And I hereby direct
78    that the said sum of one thousand and five hundred pounds shall be paid
79    and payable on their his or her attaining the age of twenty one years and
80    in case of the death of any or either of the child or children of my said nephew
81    so dying as aforesaid under the age of twenty one years then all and every
82    the share and shares of him her or them so dying shall accrue to the survivors
83    or survivor or others or other of the said children if more than one and the
84    same shall become vested and payable at such ages days or times as
85    their or his or her original shares respectively become vested and payable
86    as aforesaid and shall together with the original share or shares until
87    such age be subject to a similar choice or condition of accrue and survivor
88    ship And in case any or either of my said nephews shall die leaving any child
89    or children lawfully begotten as aforesaid and all such children or if only one
90    such child shall die under the age of twenty one years then the said sum
91    of one thousand and five hundred pounds so given shall sink into and form
92    part of my residuary estate and be subject to such disposition thereof as is
93    hereinafter expressed And it is my will and I hereby direct that in case any
94    or either of my said nephews shall die leaving any child or children
95    lawfully begotten under the age of twenty one years it shall be lawful for
96    my executor to pay and apply the interest dividends and proceeds of the said
97    sum of one thousand and five hundred pounds in or towards his or her
98    maintenance education and advancement in the world during his or her
99    minority And I do declare it to be my will that no family of any or either of
100    my said nephews so dying shall receive more than the sum of one thousand and five
101    hundred pounds under this my will All the rest residue and remainder of my
102    estate and effects (after payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary
103    expences the said several legacies by me hereinbefore given and also the said
    [Page 3]
104    annuities of whatever nature or kind the same may be and wheresoever) I
105    give and bequeath unto my said nephew William Blake his heirs executors adminis-
106    trators and assigns to and for his and their own absolute use and benefit And I
107    hereby nominate constitute and appoint him my said nephew William Blake sole
108    Executor and Residuary Legatee of this my will And I hereby confirm the
109    settlement made on my said wife at the time of her marriage And declare that
110    the provision made for her by this my will is in addition to any she may be
111    entitled under such settlement And I hereby revoke all other wills by me at any
112    time heretofore made and declare this to be my last will and testament In witness
113    whereof I have to this my last will and testament contained in four sheets of
114    paper to three first sheets thereof set my hand and to this fourth and last sheet
115    set my hand and affixed my seal this seventh day of February December one thousand eight
116    hundred and thirty eight nine M Blake Signed sealed published and declar-
117    ed by the said Malachi Blake the testator as and for his last will and testament in
118    the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each
119    other have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses the words “copyhold and
120    leasehold” between the ninth and tenth lines from the bottom of the first sheet the
121    words “so dying” between the eight and ninth lines from the top of the fourth
122    sheet and the word “given” between the eleventh and twelfth and thirteenth lines of the same
123    sheet having been first interlined the word “December” being struck
124    through and the word “February” also first interlined and the word “eight”
125    being also first struck through Geo: Stone of Taunton Sol[icito]r W H Mulford
126    his Clerk
127    Proved at London 21st March 1843 before the Judge by the oath of
128    William Blake Esquire the nephew the sole Executor to whom Administra-
129    tion was granted having been first sworn by Commission duly to administer.

Will of John Durell Blake, Gentleman, Whitelackington, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/2095/336, probated 7 Jul 1849

This will by John Durell Blake (present testator) and that by Durell Blake are confusing to me. Are they the same person?

Blog of will of Durell Blake:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/09/will-of-durell-blake-gentleman.html

The only death I find in Chard Registration District is for a John Durell Blake March quarter of 1848. The actul date being 1 Mar 1848. He was 26 years old according to the obituary in The Taunton Courier, Wednesday, 15 Mar 1848. This will written six months after the blogged will above is slightly different. This will was probated first with the blogged will above being probated five days later.

In this will he is remembering Julia Caroline (Durell) Blair who was married to James Blair 14 Jun 1840 and was also his sister along with his sister Jane (Durell) Poole whose husband George was one of the executors of both wills and John Durell Blake was living at their farm named White Lackington near Ilminster which is in Chard Registration District.

His wife Mary is not mentioned in this will but is mentioned in the earlier will. The only death I find for a Mary Blake is in Langport Registration District December quarter 1847 (Ilminster is just nine miles away from Langport).

It would appear that John Durell Blake and Durell Blake are the same person. I wondered if somehow Daniel Blake had been confused in the writing of the will but this does not appear to be the case. Some claim that Daniel was a brother to John Durell Blake but no mention of him in either will.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 14 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2095/336
Testator: John Durell Blake, Gentleman
Place: Whitelackington, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 24 Feb 1848, probated 7 Jul 1849
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: John
[Margin]: Durell
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 20

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me John Durell Blake now residing at White Lackington
3    Court Farm near Ilminster in the County of Somerset Gentleman In
4    the first place I direct all my just debts and funeral and testamentary
5    expences to be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease And
6    I charge all my real and personal Estate and Effects with the payment
7    thereof And I give and bequeath all my real and personal estate
8    property and effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto and to the use
9    of Daniel Boys and Frederick Lewes Austen both of Ely Place in the
10    County of Middlesex Gentlemen their heirs executors administrators and
11    assigns respectively according to the several natures tenures and qualities
12    of the proceeds But nevertheless upon and for the trusts intents and
13    purposes hereinafter declared and expressed via[ a vi]t Upon Trust that they
14    the said Daniel Boys and Frederick Lewes Austen or the survivor of
15    them or the heirs executors or administrators respectively of such
16    survivor or other the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will
17    do and shall collect receive and get in all such parts of my personal
18    estate as shall not be in their nature saleable and as to my real Estate
19    or property of the nature of real Estate I empower my said trustees or
20    trustee at such time or times as they or he shall in their or his sole and
21    uncontrolled discretion think fit to make sale and absolutely dispose of
22    or otherwise convert the same into money and that whether and
23    although such real Estate or other property may be held for life only
24    for any other defeasible or determinable estate or interest and whether
25    and although the same may be contingent or reversionary either by
26    public auction or private contract or partly in one way and partly in the
27    other and either altogether or in parcels and generally in such way and
28    manner in all respects and under and subject to such special conditions or
29    stipulations as to title or otherwise as they or he shall in their or his
30    sole and uncontrolled discretion think fit and as they or he might or
31    could do or have done in case they or he were the sole and absolute
32    owners or owner thereof with full liberty for them or him to buy in
33    premises or any of them at any public auction and wholly to rescind or
34    partially to alter and vary the terms of any contract for the sale thereof
35    or of any of them and again to sell the same in manner aforesaid
36    without being answerable for any loss or diminution of price or expences
37    to be sustained or incurred thereby and as to the net monies to arise or be
38    procured by the means aforesaid after answering and satisfying all my
39    just debts and funeral and testamentary expences and as to all my
40    estate and property whatsoever devise and bequeathed as aforesaid
41    my will is that my said trustees or trustee do and shall stand possessed
42    thereof respectively Upon the trusts and for the intents and purposes
43    following that is to say as to three equal undivided fifth parts or shares
44    thereof the whole of my property for this purpose being considered as
45    divided into five equal parts Upon Trust for the sole and separate use
46    and benefit and free disposal of my sister Julia Caroline Durell the
47    wife of James Blair and so as not be to subject to the debts control
48    engagements or interference of her present or any future husband and
49    to be assigned disposed and converted as she, nowithstanding any
50    coverture, her heirs executors or administrators shall from time to time
51    direct and as to the remaining two equal undivided fifth parts or shares
52    of my said estate and property Upon Trust for the sole and separate use
53    and free disposal of my sister Jane Poole the wife of George Poole of
54    White Lackington aforesaid and so as not to be subject to the debts
55    control engagements or interference of her present or any future
56    husband and to be assigned disposed and conveyed notwithstanding
    [Page 2]
57    her coverture as she her heirs executors or administrators shall from
58    time to time direct Provided always and I do hereby expressly declare that
59    it shall be lawfull for the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my
60    Will at their or his sole and uncontrolled discretion to adjust and finally
61    settle and determine in such manner and upon such terms and conditions
62    as they or he shall in their or his judgement think fit and expedient all questions
63    disputes and suits if any such there be of and concerning or with respect to
64    my real and personal estate and effects or any part thereof respectively or in
65    any charges or incumbrances or alleged charges or incumbrances upon or
66    affecting the same respectively or any part thereof respectively and to make
67    such arrangements relative thereto and to the division and partition of
68    such estate and effects or any part thereof respectively with the owner or
69    owners of any other share estate or interest of or in the same respectively
70    or of the purchase money to arise from the sale of the entirety thereof and to
71    do and execute and cause to be done and executed all such acts deeds
72    conveyances assurances matters and things as shall or may be deemed
73    necessary or expedient in that behalf as fully and effectually in all respects
74    and to all effects constructions and purposes whatsoever as they or he might
75    or could do or have done if they or he were the sole and absolute owners
76    or owner thereof and if they or he shall deem such a course preferable
77    or necessary or expedient then to act under the direction of a Court of
78    Equity or the Sanction of a private Act of Parliament some part of
79    property and the nature and extent of my rights and interests to and in
80    it being as I am fully aware of a complicated and intricate and
81    uncertain nature Provided always and I do hereby declare my Will to be
82    that the receipt or receipts in writing of the trustees or trustee for the time
83    being of this my Will shall be a good and effectual release and discharge
84    for all and singular the monies which shall come to their or his hands
85    by virtue of or under this my Will or any of the trusts powers or
86    authorities herein declared or contained or for so much of such monies
87    as in such receipt or receipts respectively shall be acknowledged to be
88    received and that the person and persons paying such monies and
89    taking such receipt or receipts for the same as aforesaid shall not
90    afterwards be obliged to see to the application or be in anywise answer-
91    able or accountable for the loss of misapplication thereof or of any part
92    thereof And it is my Will that the said Daniel Boys and Frederick
93    Lewes Austen and their respective heirs executors and administrators
94    ahall be charged and chargeable only for such monies as they respectively
95    shall actually receive by virtue of this my Will or any of the trusts
96    powers or authorities afore said notwithstanding this their or any of their
97    signing or joining in any receipt or receipts for the sake of conformity and
98    that each of them shall be answerable for himself and his own acts and
99    wilful defaults only and that they or any of them shall not be answer-
100    able for any bank banker broker or any other person in which or in
101    whose hands all or any of the said trust monies shall or may be
102    deposited nor for the insufficiency or deficiency of any fund or security
103    in or upon which the said trust monies may happen to be invested
104    nor for any other misfortune loss of damage which shall or may happen
105    in or about the execution or the exercise of the aforesaid trusts or powers
106    or any of them in relation thereto except the same shall happen by or
107    through their own wilful default respectively and that it shall and may
108    be lawful to and for the trustees aforesaid respectively and their respective
109    heirs executors and administrators to retain to and reimburse themselves
110    respectively and to allow to their respective Cotrustee and Cotrustees all
111    costs charges damages and expences whatsoever which they respectively
112    shall or may sustain suffer expend or disburse in or about the execution
113    or exercise of the aforesaid trusts or powers or any of them or in relation
    [Page 3]
114    thereto and especially that the said Daniel Boys and Frederick Lewes
115    Austen respectively and any future Trustee of this my Will who shall
116    or may be an Attorney or Solicitor shall be entitled to make the same
117    professional charges and to receive the same fees and allowances for any
118    business transacted for or relating to my Estate and Effects as they respectively
119    would be entitled to make and receive if they respectively were not such
120    trustees any rule or maxim of Courts of Equity to the contrary notwith-
121    standing And I make and appoint the said Daniel Boys and
122    Frederick Lewes Austen and likewise the said George Poole Executors
123    of this my Will and hereby revoking all former and other Wills be me
124    at any time heretofore made I declare this to be my last Will and
125    Testament In witness whereof I the said John Durell Blake the Testator
126    have to this my last Will and Testament contained in five sheets of
127    paper set my hand this twenty fourth day of February in the year of
128    our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight John Durell
129    Blake Signed and acknowledged by the above named John
130    Durell Blake the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the
131    presence of us (both of us being present together at the same time) who in
132    his presence at his request and in the presence of each other hereunto
133    subscribe our names as witnesses thereto C H Meetes Ilminster
134    M.Q. Will[ia]m John Martin Clerk to Mess[ieur]rs Hale Boys and Austen Ely
135    Pleece Holborn
136    Proved at London 7th July 1849 before The Worshipful Frederic
137    Thomas Pratt Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of George
138    Poole one of the Executors to whom Admon was granted having been
139    first sworn duly to administer Power reserved of making the like grant
140    to Daniel Boys and Frederick Lewes Austen the other Executors when they
141    shall apply for the same.

Will of Durell Blake, Gentleman, Whitelackington, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/2095/353, probated 12 Jul 1849

The testator is Durell Blake and his marriage to Mary Stewart took place March quarter 1847 in Axbridge Registration District, Somerset. West-super-Mare is in this Registration District and given the forename one might suspect he is somewhat related to Michael Anthony Blake and Anne Sophia Durell (will blogged yesterday).

However, Durell only mentions his sister Jane Poole (married to George) so somewhat of a mystery plus the daughter of Anne Sophia and Michael Anthony Blake was Anne Jane Harwood at the time of her mother’s will. Interestingly a George Poole died September quarter 1848 listed in Axbridge Registration District. However, Poole is not an uncommon name.

An interesting article in “The Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle for 1840. A Journal of Papers on subjects connected with Maritime Affairs. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., Stationers’ Hall court.

At Sidmouth, on the 14th June [1840], James Blair, Esq., son of the late Capt. David Blair, RN., to Miss Julia Caroline Blake, third daughter of the late Captain John Blake, of the county of Galway, and grand-daughter of the late Captain Durrell,. RN.

A search online revealed the following webpage on Captain Thomas Philip Durell and some of the content is in the earlier blog on Anne Sophia Blake.

http://www.cichw1.net/pmdurelltp.html

It can be seen that Anne Sophia Durell and Eliza Durell were sisters. The children of John Blake and Eliza Durell are not listed but I suspect they are Durell Blake and Jane Blake (married to George Poole) amongst others including Julia Caroline Blake above. They remained in England and so are lost to the charting which is provided by an American descendant of this family Francis C Harwood. What does link him to this family is his mention of his great Uncle John Powell Powell. I would judge by the will that Durell Blake is a young man perhaps only in his mid twenties.

A note about John Powell Powell (nee Roberts) with respect to his uncle John Powell Powell to add to the information on this family:

http://www.quexringers.org/pages/john-powell.htm

This family remains on their property and have diversified their holdings in order to maintain their properties into the future.

Obituary for Durell Blake, youngest son of the late Captain John Blake, Belmont, Ireland is a good find (The Taunton Courier, Wednesday, March 15, 1848):

March 1, at Whitelackington, near Ilminster, aged 26, John Durell Blake, Esq., youngest son of the late Captain John Blake, of Belmont, Ireland

Also in the Taunton Chronicle 31 March 1841: At Sidmouth on the 23rd inst. In the 23rd year of her age, after a few months exemplary endurance of ruthless consumption, Eliza Sarah, the beloved daughter of the late Captain John Blake, County Galway, and grand daughter of the late Captain Durell, RN, for many years a highly respected inhabitant of this town.

Solving the question of whose descendant Captain John Blake was would be helpful and checking Find my past for military records might be helpful. But it would appear that he too belongs to the Galway Blake family. Another note online has Durell Blake named John Durell Blake born 21 Apr 1822 with a brother Daniel born in 1821. The webpage for this particular entry is part of ancestry but down at the moment. There is another will for this individual under John Durell Blake to come later.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 26 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2095/353
Testator: Durell Blake, Gentleman
Place: Whitelackington, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 14 Sep 1847, probated 12 Jul 1849
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Durell
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: Esquire
[Margin]: 39

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Durell Blake lately residing at White Lackington Court Farm
3    near Ilminster in the County of Somerset Gentleman In the first place I
4    direct all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expences to be paid as
5    soon as conveniently may be after my decease and I charge all my
6    personal estate and effects with the payment thereof And I give and
7    bequeath all my ready money at the time of my decease and all
8    household goods and furniture plate linen glass china books prints
9    pictures wines spirits beer and other liquors and all other articles chattels
10    and effects of a household or domestic nature of which I may happen to
11    be possessed at the time of my decease unto my dear wife Mary Blake
12    absolutely And I give and bequeath all my real estate whatsoever and
13    wheresoever at the time of my decease and all the rest and residue of my
14    personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever which are not
15    hereinbefore otherwise bequeathed or disposed of unto and to the use of
16    Daniel Boys and Frederick Lewes Austen both of Ely Place in the
17    County of Middlesex Gentlemen and John Clements of Stepney and the
18    West India Docks in the County of Middlesex Gentleman their heirs
19    executors administrators and assigns respectively according to the several
20    natures tenures and qualities of the premises but nevertheless dispose
21    and for the trusts intents and purposes hereinafter declared and expressed
22    of and concerning the same (videlicet) Upon Trust that they the said
23    Daniel Boys Frederick Lewes Austen and John Clements or the survivors
24    or survivor of them or the heirs and executors or administrators respectively of
25    such survivor or other the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my
26    Will do and shall collect receive and get in all such parts of my
27    personal estate as shall not be in their nature saleable and do and shall
28    at such time or times as they or he shall in their or his sole and
29    uncontrolled discretion think fit make sale and absolutely dispose of or other-
30    wise convert into money all the rest and residue of my personal estate
31    and effects and also all my real estate whatsoever and wheresoever and
32    of what nature tenure or quality soever whether and although the same
33    may be held for life only or for any other defeasible or determinable estate
34    or interest and whether and although the same may be contingent or
35    reversionary either by public auction or private contract or partly in one
36    way and partly in the other and either altogether or in parcels and
37    generally in such way and manner in all respects and under and
38    subject to such special conditions or stipulations as to title or otherwise
39    as they or he shall in their or his sole and uncontrolled discretion think
40    fit and as they or he might or could do or have done in case they or
41    he were the sole and absolute owners or owner thereof (with full liberty
42    for them or him to buy in the premises or any of them at any public
43    auction and wholly to rescind or partially to alter and vary the terms of
44    any contract for the sale thereof or of any of them and again to sell the
45    same in manner aforesaid without being answerable for any loss or
46    diminition of price or expences to be sustained or incurred thereby and
47    as to the net monies to be so collected received and got in as aforesaid and to
48    arise and be produced from or by such sales dispositions and conversion
49    respectively as aforesaid and which shall remain after answering and
50    satisfying all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expences
51    Upon Trust that the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will
52    do and shall lay out and invest the same in their or his own names or
53    name in or upon some or one of the parliamentary stocks or public funds
54    or at interest upon real or government securities of or in Great
55    Britain (all which stocks funds and securities it shall and may be lawful
56    for them or him from time to time to alter vary and transpose for or
    [Page 2]
57    into others of the like nature at their or his sole and uncontrolled
58    discretion and as often as they or he shall think fit) and do and shall stand
59    and be possessed of and interested in all the said residuary trust monies stocks
60    funds and securities upon and for the trusts intents and purposes hereinaf-
61    ter declared and expressed of and concerning the same (videlicet) In case
62    I shall have any child living at my decease or born in due time
63    afterwards Then Upon Trust to pay unto or otherwise to permit and
64    suffer and sufficiently authorize and empower my said Wife or her
65    assigns during her life to receive and take all the interest dividends
66    and annual proceeds of the said residuary trust monies stocks funds and
67    securities to and for her or their own absolute use and benefit and from
68    and after her decease Then as to the capital or principal of the said
69    residuary trust monies stocks funds and securities In Trust for all and
70    every my children or child living at my decease who being a son or
71    sons shall attain the age of twenty one years or being a daughter or
72    daughters shall attain that age or be married which ever shall first
73    happen to be equally divided between or amongst them (if more than one
74    share and share alike as tenants in common and not as joint tenants
75    and if I shall leave only one child living at my decease who being a son
76    shall attain the age of twenty one years or being a daughter shall
77    attain that age or be married Then as to the whole of the said
78    Residuary trust monies stocks funds and securities In Trust for such one
79    or only child absolutely But in case I shall have any child living at
80    my decease but all of them being sons shall depart this life under the
81    age of twenty one years and being daughters shall depart this life
82    under that age and without having been married Then as to all the
83    said residuary trust monies stocks funds and securities from and after the
84    decease  of my said wife In Trust for my Sister Mrs. Jane Poole wife
85    of Mr. George Poole of White Lackington Farm aforesaid absolutely
86    and the same to be for her sole and separate use and benefit and free
87    disposal Provided always that after the decease of my said Wife it shall
88    be lawful for the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will to
89    apply the whole or any part of the income of the presumptive share for
90    the time being under this my Will of each of my children in or towards
91    his or her maintenance and education and to accumulate the residue
92    (if any) of such income at compound interest for the benefit of the
93    person who shall eventually become entitled under this my Will
94    yhe capital or principal of such share and also after my said wifes
95    fecease or during her life with her consent to levy and raise and apply any part
96    not exceeding a moiety of the presumptive share for the time being of
97    rach of my children being as on in and for or towards his preferment
98    or advancement in the world or otherwise for his benefit or advantage
99    at the discretion of my said trustees or trustee for the time being But in
100    case I shall have no child living at my decease Then Upon Trust if
101    and whilst and so long as the interest dividends and annual proceeds from time to time of
102    the said residuary trust monies stocks funds and securities shall not
103    exceed the clear yearly sum of five hundred pounds sterling
104    inclusively of the income tax if any to pay the whole of such interest
105    dividends and annual proceeds to my said wife or her assigns during
106    her natural life to and for her or their own absolute use and benefit
107    but if and whilst and so long as the said interest dividends and annual
108    proceeds for the time being shall exceed the said clear yearly sum of five
109    hundred pounds sterling inclusively (as aforesaid) That Upon Trust and
110    during the life of my said wife to pay and divide the yearly surplus or
111    excess for the time being thereof over and beyond the said clear
112    yearly sum of five hundred pounds sterling (inclusively as aforesaid
113    in manner following (videlicet) two equal third parts thereof to her
    [Page 3]
114    my said Wife or her assigns for her or their own absolute use and benefit and the
115    other and remaining equal third part thereof to my said Sister
116    Jane Poole or her assigns for her or their own absolute use and
117    benefit (as the case may require) to her executors or administrators as
118    as part of her personal estate And as to all the said residuary trust
119    monies stocks funds and securities from and after the decease of my
120    said wife In Trust for and for the sole and separate benefit of my said
121    Sister Jane Poole her executors administrators and assigns absolutely
122    and I do hereby declare that the income of such part of my real and
123    residuary personal estate respectively as for the time being shall
124    remain unsold and unconverted or outstanding shall go and be
125    applied in the same or the like manner as the same would go and
126    be applied if the same forms a part of the income of the said
127    residuary trust monies stocks funds and securities And I also declare
128    that if and when and so often as the net income of my residuary
129    estate for the time being recall after the decease of my great Uncle
130    John Powell Powell Esquire fall short of and not amount to a clear yearly
131    sum of four hundred pounds sterling (inclusively of the income tax
132    (if any)) the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will shall
133    on sale or mortgage or other disposition of the Corpus or Capital of such
134    residuary estate for the time being or of a competent part thereof levy
135    and raise and pay to my said wife or her assigns during her life such
136    a yearly sum as together with the income for the time being of such
137    residuary estate for the time being will make up to her for the time being
138    a full and clear annuity of four hundred pounds sterling free from all
139    charges and deductions whatsoever (except the income tax if any)
140    Provided always and I do hereby expressly declare that it shall be lawful
141    for the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will at their or his
142    sole and uncontrolled discretion to adjust and finally settle and determine
143    in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as they or he
144    shall in their or his judgement think fit and expedient all questions
145    disputed and suits if any such there shall be of and concerned or with
146    respect to my real and personal estate and effects or any part thereof
147    respectively or any charges or incumbrances or aligned charges or encumbrances upon or affecting the same
148    respectively or any part thereof respectively and to make such arrange-
149    ments relative to the division or partition of such estate and effects or any
150    part thereof respectively with the owner or owners of any other
151    ahare estate or interest of or in the same respectively or of the purchase
152    money to arise from the sale of the entirety thereof and to do and execute
153    and cause to be done and executed all such acts deeds conveyances
154    assurances matters and things as shall or may be deemed necessary or
155    convenient in that behalf as fully and effectually in all respects and to all
156    effects constructions and purposes whatsoever as they or he might or
157    could do or have done if they or he were the sole and absolute owners
158    or owner thereof and if they or he shall deem such course preferable or
159    necessary or expedient to act under the direction of a Court of Equity
160    or the sanction of a private Act of Parliament some part of my property
161    and the nature and extent of my rights and interests to and in it being
162    as painfully aware of a complicated and intricate and uncertain nature
163    Provided always and I do hereby declare my Will to be that the receipt or
164    receipts in writing of the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my
165    Will shall be a good and effectual release and discharge for all and
166    singular the monies which shall come to their or his hands by virtue
167    of or under this my Will or any of the trusts powers or authorities herein
168    declared or contained or for such much of such monies as in such receipt or
169    receipts respectively shall be acknowledged to be received and that the
170    person and persons paying such monies and taking such receipt or
    [Page 4]
171    receipts for the same as aforesaid shall not afterwards be obliged to see to the
172    application or be in anywise answerable or accountable for the loss
173    Misapplication or nonapplication thereof or of any part thereof Provided
174    also and I do hereby declare it to be my Will that in case the said Daniel
175    Boys Frederick Lewes Austen and John Clements or any or either of them or
176    any future trustee or trustees to be appointed as hereinafter is mentioned
177    shall die or desire to be discharged of or from or shall neglect or refuse or
178    become incapable to act in the execution of the trusts and powers hereby in
179    them respectively reposed or in pursuance hereof to be reposed or shall go to
181    reside in parts beyond the Seas before the said trusts and powers shall have
182    been fully executed and performed or discharged then and in every such
183    case it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Daniel Boys Frederick
184    Lewes Austen and John Clements or the survivors or survivor of them or
185    other the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will other than and
186    except the trustees or trustee who shall have neglected or refused or become
187    incapable to act or shall have gone to reside beyond the Seas as aforesaid or
188    for the executors or administrators of the last surviving trustee or as the
189    case may require of the last acting and competent trustee by any writing
190    or writings under their or his hands and seals or hand and seal to
191    nominate substitute and appoint any other person or persons to be
192    trustee or trustees in the place or stead of the trustee or trustees so expiring or
193    desiring to be discharged or neglecting or refusing or becoming incapable
194    to act or going to reside beyond the Seas as aforesaid and that thereupon
195    all proper acts conveyances transfers assignments and assurances in the
196    law whatsoever shall be done made and executed so as legally and
197    effectually to vest all and singular the said several trust Estates monies
198    stocks funds securities and premises in such now or other trustee or trustees
199    jointly with such surviving or continuing trustee or trustees (if any or in
200    case there shall be no such surviving or continuing trustee therein)
201    such now trustee only as the case shall require Upon the same trusts
202    and for the same purposes as are hereinbefore declared of and continuing
203    the same several trust estates monies stocks funds securities and
204    premises respectively and which shall be then subsisting and undetermin-
205    ed or capable of taking effect and then and in such case all and every such
206    new trustees or trustee shall and may in all things act and assist in the
207    management carrying on and executing of the same trusts to all intents
208    effects constructions and purposes whatsoever and shall have and be
209    considered as vested with such and the same powers and authorities and
210    discretion in all respects as if he or they had been originally hereby
211    nominated and appointed a trustee or trustees for those purposes And I
212    will that the said Daniel Boys Frederick Lewes Austen and John
213    Clements and such new trustees as aforesaid respectively and that respective
214    their executors and administrations shall be charged and chargeable only
215    for such monies as they respectively shall actually receive by virtue of this
216    my Will or of any of the trusts powers or authorities aforesaid notwith-
217    standing his that or any of their signing or joining in any receipt or
218    receipts for the sake of conformity and that each of them shall be answerable
219    for himself and his own acts and wilful defaults only and that they or any
220    of them shall not be answerable for any Bank Banker or Broker or any
221    other person in which or in whose hands all or any of the said trust
222    monies shall or may be deposited nor for the insufficiency or deficiency of
223    any fund or security in or upon which the said trust monies or any sum
224    aforesaid nor for any other misfortune loss or damage which shall or
225    may happen in or about the execution or the exercise of the aforesaid trusts
226    or powers of any of them or in relation thereto except the same shall
227    happen by or through their own gross wilful default respectively And that
    [Page 5]
228    it shall and may be lawful to and for the trustees aforesaid respectively
229    and their respective heirs executors and administrators to retain to and
230    reimburse themselves respectively and to allow to their respective cotrustee
231    and cotrustees all costs charges damages and expences whatsoever which
232    they respectively shall or may sustain suffer expend or disburse in or about
233    the execution or exercise of the aforesaid trusts or powers or any of them
234    or in relation thereto and especially that the said Daniel Boys and
235    Frederick Lewes Austen respectively and any future Trustee of this my Will
236    who shall or may be an Attorney or Solicitor shall be entitled to make the
237    same professional charges and to receive the same fees and allowances for
238    any business transacted for or relating to my estate and effects as they
239    respectively would be entitled to make and receive if they respectively were
240    not such Trustees any rule or maxim of Courts of Equity to the contrary
241    notwithstanding And I make and appoint the said Daniel Boys
242    Frederick Lewes Austen and John Clements and my said Wife and the
243    survivors and survivor of them Guardians and Guardian of the persons
244    and properties of my children (if any) during their respective minorities
245    and Lastly I hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said Daniel
246    Boys Frederick Lewes Austen and John Clements Executors of this
247    my Will and hereby revoking all former and other Wills by me at any time
248    heretofore made I declare this to be my last Will and Testament In
249    Witness whereof I the said Durell Blake the Testator have to this my last
250    Will and Testament contained in ten sheets of paper set my hand this
251    fourteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
252    hundred and forty seven Durell Blake Signed and
253    declared by the above named Durell Blake the Testator as and for his
254    last Will and Testament in the presence of us (both of us being present
255    together at the same time) who in his presence at his request and in the
256    presence of each other hereunto subscribe our names as witnesses
257    thereto Will[ia]m John Martin Jos[ia]h Jam[e]s Joyner
258    Clerks to Mess[ieu]rs Hale Boys and Austen Ely Pleece Holborne
259    Proved at London 12th July 1849 before The Worshipful Alfred
260    Waddilove doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of John Clements
261    one of the Executors to whom Adm[inistrati]on was granted having been first
262    sworn duly to administer. Power reserved of making the like grant to
263    Daniel Boys and Frederick Lewes Austen the other Executors when they
264    shall apply for the same

Will of Samuel Blake, Yeoman, of Blackmarsh Farm near Sherborne, Dorset - The National Archives PROB 11/2155/372, probated 16 Jul 1852

Samuel Blake is the Testator and he was a farmer at Blackmarsh Farm near Sherborne, Dorset.

On the 1851 Census Samuel Blake is a retired farmer living in Sherborne. He lists himself as married and that he was born in Ringwood, Hampshire and he is 76 years of age (born circa 1775).

On the 1841 Census Samuel is a yeoman at Blackmarsh Farm. Living with him are two servants and two people named as independent – Mary Hynes 65 years not born in Dorset and William Trenchard 20 years not born in Dorset (witnessed his will 7 Jan 1842).

There is a marriage between Samuel Blake and Elizabeth Newell 20 Jun 1799 at Romsey, Hampshire (this appears to be a patron entry however I03680-7).

Names mentioned in the will:

Elizabeth Blake of Romsey, Hampshire, sister
William Blake of Devonport, Devon, brewer, brother
Harriet Leach of Liverpool, sister
Stephen Leach of Liverpool, brother in law
Lucy Read of Liverpool, sister
Samuel Read of Liverpool, Schoolmaster, brother in law
Elizabeth Holden of Colesbera, South Africa, niece
Reverend W. C. Holden of Colesbera, South Africa, Wesleyan Missionary, nephew in law
Mary Newell, Ilminster, Somerset, niece
James Blake of Portsmouth, Hampshire, Brewer, brother
Catherine Blake, daughter of Thomas Blake of Cowes, Isle of Wight, niece
Thomas Blake of Cowes, Isle of Wight, brewer, brother
Sarah Jackson of Romsey, Hampshire, sister, deceased
Thomas Blake of Sherborne, Dorset, hatter, cousin

Sarah Jackson is the only deceased sibling and she was likely buried 12 Jul 1824 at Romsey Independent, in Hampshire. A child was buried that same year surname Jackson and not named.

Samuel Blake Jackson was baptized 19 Mar 1817 at Abbey Independent, Romsey, Hampshire son of Samuel Jackson and Sarah Blake (Family Search C06955-1).

On the 1841 Census I found Samuel Jackson 60 years of age and a druggist living in Romsey with his daughters Lucy 20 and Eliza 20. This is perhaps the husband of Sarah Jackson (deceased).

On the 1851 Census Samuel Jackson is retired druggist living at South Stoneham and his daughter Eliza is living with him. She was born at Romsey.

Children born to Samuel and Sarah Jackson and baptized at Abbey-Independent, Romsey:

Mary baptized 3 Jun 1811 (born 16 Feb 1811)
Samuel baptized 13 Dec 1812 (born 5 Oct 1812)
Sarah baptized 21 Aug 1814 (born 20 Apr 1814)
Samuel Blake baptized 19 Mar 1817 (born 3 Sep 1816)
Lucy baptized 28 Jun 1818 (born 9 Mar 1818)
Eliza baptized 6 Aug 1820

Stephen Leach married Harriot Blake 13 Nov 1804 at Romsey, Hampshire (FamilySearch M13669-3).
On the 1851 census Stephen and Harriet are living in Liverpool at 106 Falkner Street and he is a retired auctioner. Harriet is 66 years of age born at Romsey circa 1785. They have one daughter living at home Harriet 38 years of age born at Romsey and Stephen is also born at Romsey. They have their daughter Harriet 38 years of age, their son Charles  35 years of age, their daughter Lucy 26 years of age and their grandson Stephen Leach is three years old. All are born at Romsey except Stephen who was born at Portsea.

Samuel Hardwell Read married Lucy Blake 21 June 1815 at Chitterne All Saints, Wiltshire (FamilySearch M15498-1).

On the 1841 census at Wirrall Cheshire, Samuel Read 72 years of age and a teacher is listed with Lucy Read 46 years of age (born circa 1795) and their daughter Mary 15 years and Frederick 8 years. Could not find them on the 1851 census.

William Clifford Holden married Elizabeth Newell sep quarter 1839 at Sherborne, Dorset.

An interesting website on South Africa mentions the Rev W C Holden:

http://www.sahistory.org.za/market-square

In 1847 Rev W C Holden arrived in Durban to take charge of the Methodist Mission in the Colony …….. .  A personal webpage on Geni has his date of death as 16 Oct 1897 in Grahamstown, Western District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It appears Elizabeth died before him as a second wife is mentioned as stepmother.

A son of this couple (W.C. Holden and Elizabeth Newell) was named John Samuel Blake Holden in 1853.

I found a personal webpage that mentions the christening of one of the children of their family in South Africa 14 Oct 1870 (http://www.amethyst.co.za/FamilyTree/18040707-JuliaSlater.htm ).

Baptism of Catherine Blake daughter of Thomas Blake and Sarah Beazley 12 Mar 1820 at Congregational Church, Cowes, Hampshire (Family Search C16696-1).

Other children baptized to Thomas Blake and Sarah Beazley at Congregational Church, Cowes:

Louisa baptized 12 Mar 1820 (born 18 Oct 1816)
Emily baptized 1 Jul 1822
Julia baptized 1 Jul 1822

Marriage of Thomas Blake and Sarah Beazley 19 Jul 1808 at Alverstoke, Hampshire.

On the 1851 Census Thomas Blake is a widower 71 years of age on the Isle of Wight and he was born at Ringwood Hampshire. He is still listed as a Brewer. Living with him is his daughter Julia 25 years of age and she was born at West Cowes. Visiting from the Cape of Good hope is Julia Busby. On the 1861 Census at West Cowes Thomas Blake a widower 81 years a Brewer employing 2 men and born at Ringwood. Visiting him is Isabella Byles a widow of 51 years born at Portsea and a servant Seliza Heath 27 years.

The siblings of Samuel as noted in the will with the exception of John and his addition will be obvious in a few lines below.

William born circa 1774
Samuel born circa 1775 Ringwood Hampshire
James
Elizabeth born circa 1779
John born circa 1779
Thomas born circa 1780 Ringwood Hampshire
Harriet born circa 1785 Romsey Hampshire
Charles born 3 Jun 1786 Romsey Hampshire
Sarah born 18 Jan 1788 Romsey Hampshire (baptized 19 May 1788)
Mary born 18 Feb 1790 Romsey Hampshire (buried Lyndhurst 7 Jan 1799)
Lucy born 30 Jul 1794 Romsey Hampshire

Possible baptisms for William 12 Mar 1775 at Lymington, Elizabeth 23 Aug 1779 at Lymington and John 1 Mar 1780 at Lymington. All these on Family Search but  no parents listed. No baptism found for James at Lymington.

It is 9 miles (ENE) to Lyndhurst, Hampshire and 8 miles (S) to Christchurch and 16 miles (NE) to Romsey and 13 miles (ESE) to Lymington.

I can not find John or William on the census at the moment. I believe on the 1841 census Elizabeth is visiting with William Newell on the Isle of Wight. He is a farmer there. With her is an Ann Blake 20 years of age (possibly a niece?). I believe it is Birchmore Farm. James Blake is perhaps at Droxford with a year of birth circa 1777 but no evidence for that other than this listing.

Searching the Non Conformist and non parochial registers on Ancestry I found the baptism for Lucy Blake at Romsey Hampshire and daughter of Samuel Blake and Mary Blake. A good starting point having the father of this group. Lucy was born 30 Jul 1794. Another handy piece of information Mary Blake, wife of Samuel Blake, was buried in the Protestant Dissenters burying ground at Lyndhurst 7 Dec 1794 aged 47 years. This is perhaps Samuel Blake marrying Mary Earle 9 Aug 1773 in Hampshire.

There was another son Charles born 3 Jun 1786 and baptized 11 Jan 1787 at Romsey.

There was another daughter Mary born 18 Feb 1790 and baptized the same day at Romsey. She was buried 7 Jan 1799 at Lyndhurst.

A little more sleuthing and I believe I have found the parents of Samuel (and all his siblings). Samuel Blake of Christchurch, BrandyMerchant, left his will which was probated 13 Feb 1812

Blogged: http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/05/will-of-samuel-blake-brandy-merchant-of.html

 in which he mentions two of his sons and his four daughters Elizabeth, Harriet, Sarah and Lucy. The two sons he mentions with regard to his business are John and Samuel. Mentioned in the probate as executors are John and William Blake sons. I have not yet found a John Blake as a child of Samuel and Mary but will  have another look. Sons not mentioned James and Thomas. In the will there was a partnership between Samuel and his two sons John and Samuel as Malsters and Common Brewers Farmers dealers and chapmen at Sherborne. It does appear as if Samuel has followed the will and carried on the business restablishing himself after closure. But what happened to John? A mystery to solve. Indeed he mentions Lucy is not yet 21 (she was born in 1794 so would be 18 at the time of probate. 

Also interesting Samuel mentions a cousin Thomas Blake of Sherborne which would indicate that the father Samuel had a brother possibly. Thomas appears on the 1851 census at Newland in Sherborne as a retired hat manufacturer. He is a widower with a daughter Eliza 43 years of age and he is 81 years of age. He was born at Sherborne. There is a house servant Harriot Sansom living there as well. From Family Search there is a baptism for Eliza Blake daughter of Thomas and Ann Blake and baptized 25 Dec 1806 at the Union Chapel and Long Street Meeting-Independent, Sherborne, Dorset. Thomas also appears on the 1841 census as a 71 year old hatter with daughter Eliza 26, son Samuel 25 and Ann 21 still with a female servant Emily Gerrand 18 years of age. Peeking ahead at the will for this Thomas he married Ann Hine 11 Jul 1796 at Beaminster, Dorset.

Are there any male descendants of this line with the Blake surname? Thomas, cousin to Samuel, does have a son Samuel. When I do the will of Thomas I will see if I can trace down that line a little further in the census.

There are three Blake males listed in the 1807 Dorset Poll Book – John Blake at Sherborn (Abbots Fee), Thomas Blake at Sherborne (Houndstreet) and William Blake at Portsea (Poole).

The OPC Dorset site has a number of Blake entries for Sherborne and I will extract them when I do the will of Thomas Blake at Sherborne.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 3 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2155/372
Testator: Samuel Blake, Yeoman
Place: Blackmarsh Farm near Sherborne, Dorset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 7 Jan 1842, probated 16 Jul 1852
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Samuel
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 23

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Samuel Blake of Blackmarsh Farm near Sherborne in
3    the County of Dorset yeoman I direct that all my just debts funeral
4    and testamentary expences and the costs and charges of proving
5    this my Will may be fully paid and satisfied I give and bequeath
6    all my personal estate of every sort and kind except the Bible
7    hereinafter specifically bequeathed unto my Executors hereinafter
8    named upon trust as soon as conveniently may be after my
9    decease to convert the whole into money and out of the produce
10    thereof to purchase into their own names the sum of four hundred
11    pounds stock three per cent consolidated bank annuities and
12    receive the dividends thereof and pay the same when so received
13    unto my Sister Elizabeth Blake of Romsey in the County of Hants
14    spinster during the term of her natural life and I direct that until
15    my said Executors shall have made the investment hereinbefore
16    directed that the interest which would have been received from the
17    said stock had the investment been made shall be payable out
18    of my residuary personal estate And I further direct that a sum
19    proportionate to such part of the current half year as shall have
20    elapsed at the death of my said Sister shall be paid to her executors or
21    administrators and immediately after the decease of my said Sister
22    Elizabeth Blake I give and bequeath unto my brothers William
23    Blake of Devonport in the County of Devon Brewer one moiety or
24    half part of the said sum of four hundred pounds stock herein before
25    directed to be invested and as to one fourth part of share of the said
26    sum of four hundred pounds stock I direct my Trustees to hold the
27    Same upon the like trusts as are hereinafter declared concerning
28    the one sixth of the residue given to them for the benefit of my
29    Sister Harriet Leach wife of Stephen Leach of Liverpool in the
30    County of Lancaster and her daughters And as to the remaining
31    one fourth part or share of the said sum of four hundred pounds
32    stock I direct my said Trustees to hold the same upon the like trusts
33    as are hereinafter declared concerning the one sixth of the residue
34    given to them for the benefit of my Sister Lucy Read Wife of
35    Samuel Read of Liverpool aforesaid Schoolmaster her husband
36    and children And I direct that the legacy duly payable in respect of
37    the aforesaid amount of four hundred pounds stock be paid by my
38    Executors out of my residuary personal estate I give and bequeath
39    unto my niece Elizabeth Holden wife of The Reverend W. C. Holden
40    now a Missionary at Colesbera South Africa the sum of Two
41    hundred and fifty pounds but in case of the death of the said
42    Elizabeth Holden in my life time leaving a child or children living at
43    my decease I give and bequeath the same sum of Two hundred
44    and fifty pounds unto my trustees upon trust to invest the same
45    in their own names in the purchase of three per cent consolidated
46    Bank annuities and to accumulate the dividends by half yearly
47    investments
    [Page 2]
48    investments upon the same securities in the nature of compound
49    interest and upon further trust to divide the said stock accumulated as well
50    as original unto and equally between such of the children of the said
51    Elizabeth Holden as shall live to attain the age of twenty one years or if
52    there shall be but one such attaining Child than to such only child his or
53    her executors administrators and assigns But if there shall be no child
54    living as aforesaid or being any shall die under the age of twenty one
55    years then I give and bequeath the said sum of two hundred and
56    fifty pounds unto Mary Newell of Ilminster in the County of Somerset
57    spinster her executors administrators and assigns I give and bequeath
58    unto such of the children of my brother James Blake of Portsmouth in
59    the County of hants Brewer living at my decease the sum of five pounds But
60    in case any child or children of my said brother shall at my death be
61    under the age of twenty one years then I direct that the legacy or
62    legacies of such child or children so under age be paid to my brother
63    the said James Blake as a Trustee for his said children and the
64    receipt of my said brother shall be a good discharge to my Executors
65    for the same I give and bequeath unto my Niece Catharine Blake
66    daughter of my brother Thomas Blake of Cowes in the Isle of
67    Wight Brewer my Baxters comprehensive Bible And as to all the
68    rest, residue and remainder of my personal estate and effects I
69    direct that the same may be divided into six equal parts or shares
70    and as to one of such six parts or shares I give and bequeath the
71    same unto my said brother William Blake to and for his own use
72    and benefit and as to one other of such six equal parts or shares I
73    give and bequeath the same unto my said brother Thomas Blake
74    to and for his own use and benefit and as to one other of such six
75    equal parts or shares I give and bequeath the same unto my
76    Trustees for the time being their executors administrators and assigns
77    upon trust to invest the same in their own names in the purchase
78    of three percent consolidated bank annuities and upon trust to
79    stand possessed of the same and permit my said Sister Harriet Leach
80    to enjoy the annual income thereof for her life but so that during her
81    present and any future coverture my said Trustees shall pay such
82    income as the same shall become due and not by way of anticipa-
83    tion into her proper hands and for her sole use free from marital
84    control for which payments her receipts shall be good discharges to my
85    said Trustees and immediately after the decease of my said Sister
86    Harriet Leach upon trust to divide the principal stock unto and equally
87    between such of her daughters as shall be living at her decease But
88    in case there should be but on daughter living then to such only
89    daughter her executors administrators and assigns and as to one other
90    of such six equal parts or shares I give and bequeath the same unto
91    my Trustees for the time being their executors administrators and
92    assigns upon trust to invest the same in their own names in the
93    purchase of three per cent consolidated Bank annuities and upon
94    trust to stand possessed of the same and permit my said Sister Lucy
95    Read to enjoy the annual income thereof for her life but so that during
96    her present or any future coverture my said trustees shall pay such
97    income as the same shall become due and not by way of anticipa-
98    tion into her proper hands for her sole use free from marital control
99    for which payments her receipts shall be good discharges to my said Trustees
100    and after her decease upon trust to pay the annual income thereof
101    to her husband for life and immediately after the decease of the survi-
102    vor of them my said Sister Lucy Read and of her husband upon
103    trust to divide the principal stock unto and equally between such of
104    the children of my said Sister Lucy Read as shall be living at the
    [Page 3]
105    decease of the survivor of them the said Lucy Read and her said
106    husband and as to one other of such six equal parts or shares I give
107    and bequeath the same unto and equally between such of the children
108    of my Sister Sarah Jackson late of Romsey in the County of hants
109    deceased as shall be living at my decease And as to the last of such equal
110    six parts or shares I give and bequeath the same unto and equally
111    between such of the children of my Cousin Thomas Blake of Sherborne
112    aforesaid formerly hatter but now out of business as shall be living
113    at the time of my decease And I hereby declare that any interest
114    given to any female under this my Will shall be to and for the
115    separate use and benefit of such individuals respectively And Lastly
116    I devise all Estates vested in me as mortgagee or trustee to my said
117    Trustees their heirs executors administrators and assigns subject to the
118    trusts and equities affecting the same respectively and I direct and
119    declare that the receipts of my Trustees for any money to be paid to
120    them in that Character shall exonerate the persons paying the
121    same from all liability in respect of the application thereof And I
122    declare that if either of my said trustees herein named shall die in my
123    lifetime or shall refuse to accept the trusts of my Will it shall be lawful for
124    the other of them surviving me and accepting such trusts or if neither of
125    them shall survive me and accept the same than for my said brother
126    William Blake his executors or administrators or either of any of
127    them to appoint within six calendar months after my decease a fit
128    person or persons to supply the vacancy or vacancies occasioned by
129    such death or refusal and I further declare that so often as any trustee or
130    Trustees hereinnamed or to be appointed under this power or the preceeding
131    power shall die or desire to be discharged or become unable to act it
132    shall be lawful for the trustees or trustee for the time competent to act or if
133    there shall be no such trustee then for my said brother William Blake
134    his executors or administrators to appoint a fit person or persons to
135    succeed to the office of the deceased retiring or incapacitated trustee or
136    Trustees and by force of every such appointment as aforesaid all the
137    authorities and discretion given to the deceased refusing incapacitated or
138    discharged trustee shall be conferred upon the appointed trustee or
139    Trustees in whom either alone or jointly with the surviving or contin-
140    uing trustees or trustee my trust property shall vest or by proper
141    assurances be vested and on every appointment under the first of then
142    two preceeding powers the appointed trustee or trustees shall be considered
143    ss coming in under my Will in the same manner as if he or they had
144    been therein named instead of the deceased or refusing trustee or trustees
145    and I declare that the trustees or trustee for the time being of my Will
146    shall be responsible only for their or his own respective acts defaults and
147    receipts and be exempt from all liability for involuntary losses and be at
148    liberty to deduct and allow to each other all expences incident to the
149    execution of the trusts of this my Will and I appoint my friends
150    Benjamin Chandler and Silvanus Longman and my brother the said
151    Thomas Blake Executors and Trustees of this my Will And Lastly
152    I revoke all other testamentary dispositions by me at anytime heretofore
153    made In Witness whereof I have hereunder set my hand this seventh
154    day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
155    and forty two Sam. Blake Signed by the said Testator Samuel
156    Blake as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us
157    present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the
158    presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses
159    Wm Trenchard of Sherborne Dorset Gent:  P B Chandler J[unio]r of
160    Sherborne Dorset Gent.
    [Page 4]
161    Proved at London 16th July 1852 before The Judge by the oath of
162    Silvanus Longman one of the Executors to whom Admon was grant
163    ed having been first sworn by Com[missi]on duly to administer Power
164    reserved of making the like grant to Benjamin Chandler Esquire and
165    Thomas Blake the Brother the other Executors when they shall apply
166    for the same