Will of William Blake, Gravesend, Kent - National Archives PROB 11/846/88, probated 2 May 1759

William Blake, the testator names his niece Esther Croome as his executrix. She was seventeen years of age by the 7 Mar 1769 giving her a year of birth 1752. I was not able to locate definitive records for the Croome family. No further information on the testator William Blake was located.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 24 Feb 2020
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/846/88
Testator: William Blake
Place: Gravesend, Kent
Type of Record:    Will
Date of document: 14 Apr 1759, probated 2 May 1759

[Margin]: William Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I William Blake of the parish of Gravesend in the County of
3    Kent being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and
4    Memory blessed be Almighty God for the same do make and
5    Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form
6    Following (that is to say) First and principally I recommend my
7    Soul to Almighty God who gave it And my Body I commit to
8    The Earth to be therein decently Buried and as touching the disposal
9    Of what Worldly Estate it hath pleased Almighty God to bless me with
10    I give and dispose of the same as follows (viz) First of all I Will
11    That all my Just Debts and Funeral Expences and the charges of
12    Proving this my Will be forthwith paid and Satisfied Item I give and
13    Bequeath unto my Cousin Elizabeth Goulding Wife of Thomas
14    Goulding in London the Sum of Four hundred pounds I also Give
15    And bequeath unto Mr Richard Bright of Stepney Causway the
16    Sum of One hundred pounds I also give and bequeath unto my
17    Niece Sarah Croome the Sum of fifty pounds I also give and
18    Bequeath unto Samuel Hazard of Gravesend afore said Malster
19    The Sum of twenty pounds I also Give and bequeath unto
20    Richard Stevenson of Gravesend aforesaid Gardener the sum of
21    Twenty pounds I also give and bequeath unto my Goddaughter
22    Rachael Amey of Gravesend aforesaid Spinster the Sum of
23    Twenty pounds all which said Several Legacies or Sums of Money
24    I Will and Order shall be paid to the said respective Legatees
25    By my Executrix hereinafter named within Twelve Calender
26    Months next and Immediately after my decease I also give
27    And bequeath unto my late Servant James Marshall of Gravesend
28    Aforesaid my Great long Ferry Boat with the Tackle and Furniture
29    Belonging unto her to be delivered unto him Immediately after
30    My decease I also give and bequeath unto George Eglintine
31    Of Gravesend aforesaid my Wash Streat Boat with the Tackle
32    And Furniture belonging unto her to be delivered unto him
33    Immediately after my decease I also give and bequeath unto
34    Herbert Bates of Gravesend aforesaid my little Boat with the
35    Tackle and Furniture belonging unto her to be delivered unto him
36    Immediately after my decease Item all the rest residue and
37    Remainder of my Goods Chattels Ready Money and Securities
38    For money and all other my Personal Estate whatsoever and
39    Wheresoever of what kind quality of nature soever the same are
40    I give and bequesth the same unto my Neice Esther Croome and
41    I do hereby make Ordain Constitute and appoint my said Neice
42    Esther Croome whole and Sole Executrix of this my last Will and
43    Testament And I do hereby Revoke all former Wills by me
44    Heretofore made and Declare this to be my last Will and Testament
45    In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the
46    Fourteenth day of April In the Thirty Second year of the Reign
47    Of our Sovereign Lord King George the Second And in the year of
48    Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and fiftynine Wm Blake
49    Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said William Blake
50    The Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence
51    Of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of
52    Each other Subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto Witnesses
53    Jas Terry Thomas Caltinson
54    On the Second day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand
55    Seven hundred and fifty nine Administration with the Will annexed
56    Of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the William Blake
57    late of Gravesend in the County of Kent deceased was Granted to
58    Stephen Croome the Father and Curator lawfully assigned to
59    Esther Croome Spinster a Minor the Sole Executrix named in the
60    Said Will for the use and benefit of the said Minor until She
61    Shall attain the Age of Seventeen Years he having been first
62    Sworn duly to administer
63    Proved ____ and on the Seventh Day of
64    March 1769 before the Worshipful Thomas Bever Doctor of Laws and
65    Surrogate by the Oath of Esther Croome Spinster the Sole Executrix to
66    Whom Admon was granted having been first sworn duly to administer
67    The Letters of Admon with the Will annexed of the Goods of the said deceased
68    Granted in the Month of May 1759 to Stephen Croome the natural and lawful
69    Father and Curator or Guardian lawfully assigned to the said Esther Croome then a Minor
70    For her use and benefit and until She should attain the age of Seventeen Years
71    Being ceased and expired by reason of her having attained the said age.

Will of Thomas Blake, Midshipman of His Majesty's Ship Conqueror of Saint Mary Parish, Dover, Kent - The National Archives PROB 11/1104/285, probated 14 Jun 1783

Thomas Blake, testator, provides only the name of his mother Ann Blake.

There was a baptism at St Mary the Virgin, Dover Kent 3 Apr 1766 for Thomas Blake son of George and Ann Blake 3 Apr 1766. Interesting enough there was a marriage 19 Aug 1755 between George Blake and Ann Pohill (note one of the witnesses to the will was a W Polhill). The marriage registration states: George Blake and Ann Polhill Spinster both of this Parish were married in this Church by Banns this nineteenth day of August in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and fifty five by me John Nairn Curate. This Marriage was solemnized between us Geo Blake (signed) Ann Polhill (X her mark) In the presence of Hughes Miner and S Jelly (Source Page 35, #52, Kent Canterbury Archdeaconry Marriages Image, Find My Past, viewed 24 Feb 2020). Of interest, an Indenture was also located with George Blake as Master Cooper.

I did not locate a burial for Thomas Blake the testator.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 16 Feb 2020
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1104/285
Testator: Thomas Blake, Midshipman of His Majesty’s Ship Conqueror of Saint Mary Parish
Place: Dover, Kent
Type of Record:    Will
Date of document: 6 Nov 1781, probated 14 Jun 1783

[Margin]: Thomas Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Thomas Blake Midshipman of his Majesty’s Ship Conqueror
3    and belonging to the parish of Saint Marys in Dover in
4    the County of Kent being of sound and disposing Mind and
5    Memory do hereby make this my last Will and Testament
6    First and principally I recommend my soul into the hands
7    of Almighty God hoping for Remission of all my Sins
8    through the Merits of Jesus Christ my blessed Saviour
9    and Redeemer and my Body to the Earth or Sea as it
10    shall please God And as for such worldly Estate and
11    effects which I shall be possessed of or intitled unto at the
12    time of my decease I give and bequeath the same as
13    followeth that is to say I give and bequeath unto my
14    dearly beloved Mother Ann Blake of Dover in the County
15    of Kent all such Wages Sum and Sums of Money as now
16    or hereafter shall be due to me for my service or otherwise
17    on board the said ship or any other ship or vessel And I do
18    hereby nominate constitute and appoint my dearly beloved
19    Mother of Dover aforesaid Executrix of this my last Will
20    and Testament and I do give and bequeath unto my said
21    Executrix all the Rest and Residue of my Estate whatsoever
22    both real and personal hereby revoking and making void all
23    other and former Wills by me heretofore made And do declare
24    this to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I
25    have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth day of
26    november in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
27    and eighty one And in the twenty First year of the Reign of
28    Our Soveraine Lord George the third by the Grace of God of
29    Great Britain France and Ireland King defender of the Faith
30    Thomas Blake Signed sealed published and
31    declared by the said Thomas Blake aforesaid as and for his
32    Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto
33    subscribed our Names as Witnesses in the presence of the said
34    testator Jas Hammond one of his Majesty’s Justices of the
35    Peace Force Thos Boyton W Polhill
36    This Will was proved at London the
37    thirteenth day of June in the Year of our Lord one
38    thousand seven hundred and eighty three before the
39    worshipful George Harris doctor of Laws ans Surrogate
40    of the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert doctor of Laws
41    Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court
42    of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Ann
43    Blake Widow the Mother of the deceased and sole Executrix
44    named in the said Will to whom administration was
45    granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits
46    of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to
47    administer

Will of Susanna Blake, spinster of Dover, Kent - The National Archives PROB 11/2109/264, probated 20 Mar 1850

This will links back to the earlier will of the mother of the testatrix, Susanna Blake, and she was named Susannah Blake (late of Sittingbourne):

http://kippeeb.blogspot.com/2020/01/will-of-susanna-blake-widow-of.html

Susanna Blake, present testatrix, adds some more family information. The children of Thomas Blake (her brother) were named: Thomas Blake, George Blake, Richard Turner Blake, Frederick Blake, Francis Blake and Jane Blake. Susanna names her sister Elizabeth King’s daughters :  Eliza King and Emma King. Two nieces Anne Blake and Susan Grant. One more legatee is named Anne Grant Giret.

Again searching on these children did not lead me to this Blake family. It is somewhat of a mystery actually.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 4 Feb 2020
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2109/264
Testator: Susanna Blake, spinster
Place: Dover, Kent
Type of Record:    Will
Date of document: 16 Oct 1846, probated 20 Mar 1850

[Margin]: Susanna Blake 14

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Susanna Blake late of Sittingbourne in the County of Kent
3    but now of Dover in the same county spinster whereas my Mother
4    Susannah Blake late of Sittingbourne aforesaid widow deceased by
5    her last will and testament bearing date the thirty first day of May
6    one thousand eight hundred and forty one did give all her personal
7    Estate and Effects unto me the said Susanna Blake her nephew George
8    Blake and Thomas Pain of Dover aforesaid Gentleman their executors
9    administrators and assigns Upon trust for sale as in the said Will is
10    particularly mentioned with a direction that the said trustees should
11    invest a sum of three thousand pounds in their his or her names or
12    name in the purchase of any of the parliamentary Stocks or public
13    funds of Great Britain or at Interest upon Government or real securities
14    in England to be varied for other Stocks funds or securities of the like
15    nature at the direction of the said trustees and that the said Trustees
16    should stand possessed of the said sum of three thousand pounds and
17    the Stocks funds and securities upon which the same should be invested
18    and the interest dividends and annual produce thereof upon such
19    trusts intents and purposes and under and subject to such powers pro
20    visoes and declarations as I the said Susanna Blake should legally
21    Deed or Will appoint and dispose of the same or any part thereof
22    unto or in favor of all or any of the children of my said Mother and
23    their issue in such manner and portions in all respects as I the
24    said Susanna Blake should think proper Now I do hereby by virtue
25    of the said power and authority enabling me in this behalf con
26    tained in the said Will of my said Mother and of every other power
27    or authority in anywise enabling me in this behalf appoint and
28    dispose that immediately after my decease the said sum of three
29    thousand pounds or the Stocks funds and securities upon which
30    the same shall be invested in the manner and proportions after
31    mentioned as to the sum of one thousand pounds part thereof I
32    give unto my cousin the said George Blake his executors and
33    administrators Upon trust to pay the interest dividends and annual
34    produce of such one thousand pounds unto my sister Elizabeth King
35    during her life and from and immediately after her decease upon
36    trust to pay the interest dividends and annual produce thereof unto
37    and equally between her two daughters Eliza King and Emma King
38    for and during and so long as they shall both remain single and in
39    case of the marriage of one of them then the whole of such interest
40    dividends and annual produce thereof to be In trust for such one
41    as shall so remain single and from and after the marriage of both
42    of them the said Eliza King and Emma King then upon trust to
43    pay the said sum of one thousand pounds or the Stocks Funds or secu
44    rities upon which the same shall be invested unto and equally
45    between the said Eliza King and Emma King but if they both shall
46    die single Then I direct the the said sum of one thousand pounds or the
47    Stocks Funds and securities upon which the same shall be invested
48    and the interest dividends and annual produce thereof shall be paid
49    unto and equally between all the brothers and sister of the said Eliza
50    King and Emma King and as to the sum of one thousand pounds
51    further part of the said sum of three thousand pounds Upon trust
52    to the interest dividends and annual produce thereof unto my Sister
53    Ann Smith during her life free from the control of her present or any
54    future husband so that her receipt along shall be a sufficient discharge
55    to my trustee or trustees for the time being for the same and from
56    and immediately after the decease of the said Ann Smith upon trust to
57    pay the said sum of one thousand pounds or the Stocks Funds and secu
58    rities Upon which the same shall be invested unto Anne Grant Giret
59    and as to the sum of five hundred pounds further part of the said sum
60    of three thousand pounds upon trust to pay the same or the Stocks Funds
61    and securities upon which the same shall be invested unto and
62    equally between my five Nephews Thomas Blake, George Blake, Richard
63    Turner Blake, Frederick Blake and Francis Blake and my niece Jane
64    Blake children of my late brother Thomas Blake and as to the sum of
65    five hundred pounds (the remaining part of the said sum of three
66    thousand pounds upon trust to pay the same or the Stocks Funds and
67    Securities upon which the same shall be invested unto and equally
68    between my nieces Susan Grant and Anne Blake and I declare that
69    the receipts of my said trustee or trustees for the time being for all monies
70    Stocks funds and securities as shall be paid or transferred to him or
71    them by virtue of this my Will shall effectually discharge the persons
72    paying or transferring the same from maturity to see to the application
73    thereof and I do declare that my said trustees shall be answerable for
74    their respective acts receipts and defaults only and shall be _____ to retain
75    and to allow to each other out of the monies coming to their hands by
76    virtue of this my Will all expences incurred in the activities of the
77    trust thereof and I declare that on the death refusal or incapacity of
78    the said trustee or of any trustees or trustees to be appointed under this
79    clause it shall be lawful for my said trustee or trustees or the survi
80    vor of them and after the death of such survivor for the capable
81    trustees or trustee if any for the time being of this my Will whether
82    refusing further to act or not of if none for the executors or administrators
83    of  the last deceased trustee to appoint a fit person or persons to supply
84    the place of the deceased refusing or incapable trustees or trustee And I
85    declare that the previous clauses so far as they concern my trustees
86    herein before named shall extend and be applied to the trustees and
87    trustee for the time being of this my Will And I do hereby nominate
88    and appoint my said Cousin George Blake Sole Executor of this my
89    last Will and testament In witness whereof I have to this my last Will
90    and testament in three sheets of paper contained set my hand this
91    sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
92    hundred and forty six Susanna Blake Signed by the said
93    testatrix in the presence of us present at the same time who in her
94    presence at her request and in the presence of each other have hereunto
95    subscribed our names as Witnesses the words “so long as” between the
96    second and third lines the word “Sister” between the fourteenth and fif
97    tenth lines and the words “and my niece Jane Blake” between the twenty
98    ninth and thirtieth lines of the second sheet being first severally made
99    and interlined Nic Isaac Notary Public Dover Geo Rose his Clerk
100    Proved at London 20th March 1850 before the Worshipful Robert
101    Joseph Phillimore doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of George
102    Blake the sole Executor to whom Admon limited to the sum of three
103    thousand pounds and the Stocks funds and securities upon which the
104    same hath been invested and the dividends or interest thereof but
105    no which or otherwise was granted having been first Sworn duly
106    to administer Special Admon of rest of goods passed this month
107    On the 1st June 1869 Admon of the rest of the personal estate and effects
108    (in respect of which she is dead intestate) of Susanna Blake Sittingbourne in the
109    County of Kent afterwards of Dover in the said County But late of Boulogne
110    Sur Mer in France deceased who died 14 December 1849 at Boulogne Sur Mer
111    aforesaid a Spinster without a Parent left was administered by Ann Smith (Wife
112    of John Grant Smith) deceased whilst living the natural and lawful Sister and one of
113    the next of kin of the said deceased was granted to Ann Marshall (wife of Robert
114    Marshall) the lawful niece and one of the persons entitled in distribution to the
115    Personal estate and effects of the said deceased All _____ of _____ ______ ______
116    George Blake the natural and lawful Brother and Elizabeth King Widow the natural
117    and lawful Sister also and only Sister next of Kin of the said deceased having _______
118    her interest without having taken upon herself the Letters of Administration of
119    the rest of the personal estate and effects of the said deceased left unadministered
120    as aforesaid

Will of Susannah Blake, widow, Faversham, Kent - The National Archives PROB 11/1745/320, probated 22 Sep 1828

There was a marriage for Susanna Collier to Caleb Blake 29 Nov 1767 at Faversham, Kent.

Isaac Topping Packman married Sarah Mary Blake 21 Feb 1790 at Faversham, Kent.

No other pertinent information located.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 19 Jan 2020
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1745/320
Testator: Susannah Blake, widow
Place: Faversham, Kent
Type of Record:    Will
Date of document: 14 Nov 1827, probated 22 Sep 1828

[Margin]: Susannah Blake 12

1    This is the last Will and Testament of me
2    Susannah Blake of the Town of Faversham in the County of Kent Widow made
3    and published this fourteenth day of November in the Year of our Lord one thousand
4    eight hundred and twenty seven I do hereby revoke and make void all former and
5    other Wills by me at any time heretofore made and of this my last Will and
6    Testament do hereby nominate constitute and appoint Edward Crow of Faversham
7    aforesaid, Watchmaker and David Jones of Faversham aforesaid Gentleman joint
8    executors I do hereby will and direct that all my just debts and funeral and
9    Testamentary expences shall in the first place be fully paid and satisfied I do
10    hereby give and bequeath all my furniture household goods and implements of
11    household plate linen china and all other my personal estate and others what
12    soever and wheresoever and of what nature of kind soever this same may be
13    whereof I shall die possessed (except my ready money securities for money and
14    money upon mortgage or in the public stocks of funds) unto my daughter Sarah
15    Mary Packman the wife of Isaac Topping Packman of Langdon hills in the
16    County of Essex Gentleman her executors administrators and assigns absolutely
17    for ever And as to all my ready money and securities for money money upon mortgage
18    belonging to me (at the time of my decease I give and bequeath the same
19    every part thereof unto the said Edward Crow and David Jones their ex[ecut]ors
20    and Administrators upon trust that they or the survivor of them his
21    executors or administrators do and shall stand and be possessed thereof
22    and urge to shall collect receive and get in the same or any part
23    thereof and do and shall lay out and invest the same upon interest upon
24    government real or other good and valuable securities and also from time
25    to time call in alter vary and change the same or any part thereof as they or
26    the survivor of them his executors or administrators shall see occasion and
27    shall and do pay and apply the interest dividends or annual proceeds thereof as
28    the same shall from time to time come in and be received by them unto and
29    for the sole and only separate use and benefit of my said daughter Sarah
30    Mary Packman for and during the term of her natural life and I do declare
31    that the several bequests by me hereinbefore made to my said daughter Sarah Mary
32    Packman are to be to and for her own separate use and benefit independent of her
33    said husband and not be subject to the control debts or intermediary and for that
34    purpose I do hereby also declare that her receipt alone notwithstanding her coverture
35    shall from time to time be a sufficient discharge and discharges to my said Trustees
36    for the same rightes hereinbefore directed to be paid or given to her and from and immediately after the decease than upon trust that
37    they the said Edward Crow and David Jones and the survivor of them his exors
38    or administrators do and shall pay assign and transfer the said principal money and
39    every part thereof and also the stocks funds and securities in or upon which the
40    same shall be invested unto and amongst all and every the child and children of
41    my said daughter Sarah Mary Packman as shall be living at the time of my
42    decease equally to be divided between them share and share alike and their
43    several and respective executors administrators and assigns absolutely to and for
44    their own separate use and benefit and I do hereby declare that they my said
45    executors their executors or administrators or any of them shall not be
46    charged or chargeable with or accountable for any more of the said trust
47    monies and premises then what they shall actually receive by virtue of the
48    trusts aforesaid nor with or for any loss which shall happen in or to the same or
49    in execution of the trusts aforesaid or otherwise so as such loss happen without
50    their or either of their willful default nor one of them for the other of them
51    but each of them only for his own acts deeds receipts disbursements and defaults
52    notwithstanding their or either of them joining in any act or receipt for the
53    sake of conformity and also that it shall and may be lawful to and for them
54    my said Executors and each of them their and each of their executors and
55    administrators in the first place by and out of the said trust estate monies
56    premises to deduct retain and reimburse themselves and himself respectively all or
57    such loss costs charges damages and expences as they or either or any of them
58    shall sustain expend or which shall or may be to them or any of them
59    occasioned for or by reason of the trusts so exposed in them or in the
60    maintenance or execution thereof or any thing in any wise relating thereto
61    together with a suitable and proper allowance for their journies trouble and
62    loss of time in and about the same trusts In witness whereof I the said
63    Susannah Blake the Testatrix have to this my last Will and Testament
64    contained in this and the preceding sheet of paper set and affixed my hand and
65    seal to wit my hand to the preceding sheet of paper and my hand and seal to
66    this last sheet thereof the day and year above written Susannah Blake
67    signed sealed published and declared by the said Susannah Blake the
68    testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us
69    and in her presence at the request and in the presence of each other have
70    hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto The mark X of Maria
71    Herd Servant to Mrs Blake____Trell Green Shepherd
72    Proved at London 22nd Septr 1828 before the Judge by the oath of David Jones one
73    of the Executors to whom Admon was granted having been first sworn by comon duly to
74    admin Power reserved to Edward Crow the other Exeor

Will of Susanna Blake, widow of Sittingbourne, Kent - The National Archives, PROB 11/2029/26, probated 6 Jan 1846

This rather lengthy will declared by Susanna Blake, the testator, was written in 1841. The text is fairly straight forward and captures this Blake family in Kent at Sittingbourne but formerly of Lymington. Her husband was Captain William Blake. There is a will for William Blake of Dover written the 14th February 1796 where he names his wife as Susanna. His will is quite short and only a Susanna Blake is mentioned by name although he does mention children but not named; at the time the will seems to state that his wife was expecting a child. His will was probated 8 Apr 1820 and will be transcribed soon.

Susanna names her daughter Susanna, her son George and her married daughters Elizabeth King and Ann Smith (married to John Grant Smith). She also names her deceased son Thomas’ wife as Frances Gregson Blake and Anne Blake as the widow of her son William. She also names her nephew as George Blake. I did not find the marriages for her two sons.

On the 1841 Census at Sittingbourne Kent, Susanna Blake, 65, independent, born in the county, Susanna Blake, 40, born in the county, Ann Blake, 20, not born in Kent. Susanna (mother) born circa 1776 and Susanna (daughter) born circa 1801, Ann born circa 1821. Ann, it would appear, was not born in Kent.

The Death Duty Register Index, Susanna Blake, testator, Sittingbourne Kent, Susanna Blake (same address), probated will register 1, folio 10. From the transcription the death year was 1846 and the will was probated at the PCC. NA reference IR27/276.

The only marriage that I located for a William Blake with wife Susanna (Find My Past and the forename could have similar sounding/looking names) was the marriage of William Blake and Susanna Rice 9 Apr 1792 at Croydon St John. The 1841 census ages tended to be within five years of the actual but even if 1776 then she would have been 16 years of age.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 6 Jan 2020
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2029/26
Testator: Susanna Blake, Widow
Place: Sittingbourne, Kent
Type of Record:    Will
Date of document: 31 May 1841, probated 6 Jan 1846

[Margin]: Susanna Blake 35

1    I Susanna Blake of Sittingbourne in the
2    County of Kent widow and relict of Captain William Blake former-
3    ly of Lymington but late of Sittingbourne aforesaid deceased do here-
4    by revoke all wills and testaments dispositions heretofore made by
5    me and declare this to be my last will and testament I give and
6    bequeath unto my daughter Susanna Blake any watch jewels and
7    trinkets and also such part of my plate linen and books as she
8    may make their of for her own absolute use And I direct that my
9    said daughter shall have the use occupation and enjoyment of a
10    the dwellinghouse in which I shall reside at the time of my decease
11    with the remainder of the plate linen and books and of the house-
12    hold furniture and effects which shall them be therein for twelve
13    calunder months from the day of my decease without payment of
14    any rent or taxes for the same I give and bequeath all my goods
15    chattels money and securities for money debts and other Personal
16    Estate and Effects whatsoever of or to which I or any person or per-
17    Sons in trust for me shall be possessed or intitled at the time of my
18    decease except such as I have hereinbefore and may hereafter by any
19    codicil or codicils to this my will otherwise dispose of unto my said daugh-
20    ter Susanna Blake my nephew George Blake and my good friend
21    Thomas Pain of Dover in the said County of Kent Gentleman their
22    executors administrators and assigns upon trust that they or the survi-
23    vors or survivor of them his or her executors administrators or assigns
24    do and shall with all convenient speed after my decease sell or dispose of
25    call in and convert into money such part of my personal estate as
26    shall not consist of ready money And do and shall stand possessed of
27    the money to arise from such sale calling in and conversion and
28    of the ready money upon trust that they my said trustees or the sur-
29    vivors or survivor of them his or her executors administrators or
30    assigns do and shall pay my just debts funeral and testamentary
31    expences and such legacies as I may bequeath by any codicil or
32    codicils to this my will And do and shall lay out and invest the sum
33    o three thousands pounds of lawful money of Great Britain in their
34    or his or her names or name in the purchase of a competent share
35    or competent shares of any of the parliamentary stocks or public funds
36    of Great Britain or at interest upon government or real securities in
37    England to be from time to time varied for other stocks funds or securi-
38    ties of the like nature at their his or her direction and do and shall
39    stand possessed of the said sum of three thousand pounds and the stocks
40    funds and securities in or upon which the same shall be laid out or
41    invested and the interest dividends and annual produce there upon and
42    for the trusts intents and purposes hereinafter expressed and declared of
43    and concerning the same items do and shall divide the residue or surplus
44    which shall remain after answering the trusts and purposes aforesaid
45    of the money to arise from such sale calling in and conversion as
46    aforesaid and of any ready money into six equal parts or shares
47    and pay to my son George Blake one of such parts or shares which
48    I hereby give and bequeath unto him for his own use absolutely and
49    do and shall pay to or permit my said daughter Susanna Blake to re-
50    tain one other of such sixth parts or shares which I hereby give
51    and bequeath unto her for her own use absolutely And do and
52    shall lay out and invest the remaining four sixth parts of such resi-
53    duary or surplus monies in the names or name of my said trustees or
54    trustee for the time being in such stocks funds or securities as herein
55    before are mentioned to be from time to time varied as aforesaid And
56    do and shall stand possessed of such four sixth parts and the stocks
57    funds and securities in or upon which the same shall be laid out or invested
58    and the interest dividends and annual produce thereof upon and for
59    the trusts intents and purposes hereinafter expressed and declared of and
60    concerning the same (that is to say)  to one of such fourth parts or
61    shares of the said trust monies stocks funds and securities and the inter-
62    est dividends and annual produce thereof upon trust that they my said
63    trustees or trustee for the time being do and shall during the life of my
64    daughter Elizabeth King pay and apply the interest dividends and an-
65    nual produce of the same fourth part of share of the said trust monies
66    stocks funds and securities to such person or persons as she the said
67    Elizabeth King shall from to time whether she shall be cover or sole
68    by any writing or writings under her hand but not so as to dispose
69    of or effect the same by way of anticipation appoint and in default
70    of such appointment into her own hands for her separate use and
71    benefit independently and exclusively of her present or any future
72    husband with whom she may hereafter intermarry and without being
73    subject to his control or arrangements And the receipts of the said Eliza-
74    beth King or of her appointees to be from time to time sufficient dis-
75    charges for the same And after the decease of the said Elizabeth King do
76    and shall pay the interest dividends and annual produce of the
77    same fourth part of share of the said trust monies stocks funds and se-
78    curities to her present husband in case he survives her and his as-
79    signs during his life And after his decease do and shall stand possessed
80    of the same fourth part or share of the said trust monies stocks funds and
81    securities and the interest dividends and annual produce thereof In
82    trust for all and every the children and child of the said Elizabeth
83    King who being a son or sons shall attain the age of twenty one
84    years or being a daughter or daughters shall attain that age or marry to
85    be divided between or among such children if more than one in
86    equal shares and proportions And if there shall be but one such child
87    the whole to be In trust for that one child provided always and I
88    further declare my will to be that in case there shall be no child of
89    the said Elizabeth King who being a son shall attain the age of twen-
90    ty one years or being a daughter shall attain that age or marry
91    then after the decease of the survivor of them the said Elizabeth
92    King and her present husband and such default or failure of this
93    as aforesaid my said trustees or trustee for the time being shall
94    stand and be possessed of and interested in the said fourth part or shall
95    of the said trust monies stocks funds and securities and the interest
96    dividends and annual produce thereof and the accumulations of the
97    same (if any) As to one fifth part thereof upon trust for and to pay
98    assign and transfer the same unto my son the said George Blake
99    his executors administrators and assigns And as to one other fifth
100    part thereof upon trust for and to pay assign and transfer the same
101    unto the said Susanna Black her executors administrators and as
102    signs And as to the remaining three fifth parts thereof upon and for
103    the same trusts intents and purposes as are hereinafter _______ of
104    or concerning the remaining three fourth parts or shares of the said
105    original trust monies stocks funds and securities and the interest
106    dividends and annual produce thereof And I declare my will to be
107    that my said trustees or trustee for the time being shall stand
108    possessed of one other equal fourth part of share of the said trust mo
109    nies stocks funds and securities and the interest dividends and an
110    nual produce thereof upon and for such and the life trusts
111    intents and purposes and _____ under and subject to such and
112    the like powers provisos and declarations for the benefit of my
113    daughter Ann Smith the wife John Grant Smith during her life and
114    after her decease for the benefit of her said husband and of her chil
115    dren or child as are hereinbefore by reference expressed or declared of or con
116    cerning the first mentioned fourth part of share of the said trust monies
117    stocks funds and securities and the interest dividends and annual produce
118    thereof for the benefit of the said Elizabeth King and her husband children
119    or child And with a similar trust or bequest over for the benefit of my son
120    the said George Blake and Susanna Blake their respective executors
121    administrators and assigns and the person or persons who under the
122    Trusts thereby declared shall become entitled to the remaining three
123    fourth parts or shares of the said trust monies stocks funds and securities
124    and the interest dividends and annual produce thereof to take effect in
125    case there shall be no child of the said Ann Smith who being a
126    son shall attain the age of twenty one years or being a daugh
127    ter shall attain that age or marry And I declare my will to be that
128    my said trustees or trustee for the time being shall stand possessed
129    of one other equal fourth part or share of the said trust monies
130    stocks funds and securities In trust that they he or she do and shall
131    pay the interest dividends and annual produce thereof to Frances Gregson
132    Blake the widow of my late son Thomas Blake and her assigns during
133    her life in case she shall so long continue his widow And after her
134    decease or next marriage which shall first happen do and shall
135    stand possessed of such last mentioned fourth part of share of the
136    said trust monies stocks funds and securities and the interest dividends
137    and annual produce thereof In trust for all and every the children
138    and child of my late son the said Thomas Blake who being a son
139    or sons shall attain the age of twenty one years or being a daugh
140    ter or daughters shall attain that age or marry to be divided between
141    or among such children if more than one in equal shares and pro
142    portions And if there shall be but one such child the whole to be
143    in trust for that one child but in case there shall be no child or
144    children of the said Thomas Blake living at the time of my
145    decease then in trust for my son the said George Blake and daugh-
146    ter Susanna Blake their respective executors administrators and as
147    signs and the person or persons who under the trust hereby declared
148    shall become entitled to the remaining three fourth parts or shares
149    of the said trust monies stocks funds and securities and the interest
150    dividends and annual produce thereof And I declare my will to be
151    that my said trustees or trustee for the time being shall stand
152    possessed of the remaining one fourth part or shall of the said trust
153    monies stocks funds and securities In trust that they he or she do
154    and shall pay the interest dividends and annual produce thereof
155    to Anne Blake the widow of my late son William Blake and her
156    assigns during her life in case she shall so long continue his widow
157    and after the decease or next marriage of the said Anne Blake
158    which shall first happen do and shall stand possessed of such last
159    mentioned fourth part of share of the said trust monies stocks funds
160    and securities and the interest dividends and annual produce there
161    of In trust for all and every the child and children of my late son
162    the said William Blake their executors administrators and assigns
163    and I declare my will to be that my said trustees or trustee for the
164    time being shall pay the interest dividends and annual produce of
165    the said sum of three thousand pounds and the stocks funds and se
166    curities in or upon which the same shall be laid out or invested unto
167    my daughter the said Susanna Blake and her assigns for and dur
168    ing the term of her natural life And subject and without prejudice to
169    the afore said trust shall stand possessed of the said sum of three
170    thousand pounds and the stocks funds and securities in or upon
171    which the same shall be laid out or invested and the interest divi-
172    dends and annual produce thereof upon such trusts intents and
173    purposes and under and subject to such powers provisos and declar-
174    ations as the said Susanna Blake shall by any deed or will appoint
175    and dispose of the same or any part thereof unto or in favor of all
176    or any of my children and their issue in such manner and propor-
177    tions in all respects as she my daughter the said Susanna Blake
178    shall think proper provided always and I declare my will to be that
179    the receipt or receipts in writing of the said Susanna Blake my nep
181    hew George Blake and Thomas Pain and survivors or survivor
182    of them their her or his executors administrators and assigns for any
183    sum or sums or money payable to them her or him under or
184    by virtue of this my will or in or about the execution of any of
185    the said trusts or powers shall be a sufficient and effectual dis
186    charge or sufficient and effectual discharges for the same or so
187    much thereof respective as in such receipt or receipts shall be
188    pressed or acknowledged to be received And the person or persons
189    paying such money and take such receipts shall not be obliged
190    to see to the application thereof or be answerable or accountable for
191    the misapplication or nonapplication thereof provided also and I de
192    clare my will to be that if the said trustees hereby appointed or any or
193    either of them or any future trustee or trustees to be appointed as
194    hereinafter is mentioned shall die or be desirous of being discharged
195    from or refuse or become incapable to act in the said trusts then
196    and so often as the same shall happen it shall be lawful for the
197    surviving or continuing trustees or trustee for the time being or
198    the executors or administrators of the last surviving or continuing
199    trustees or trustee by deed to appoint any other person or persons to
200    be a trustee or trustees in the stead of the trustee or trustees so dy-
201    ing or desiring to be discharged or refusing or becoming incapable
202    to act as aforesaid And that upon every such appointment all the
203    trust estates monies and premises shall be assigned and transferred
204    in such manner that the same may be vested in the new trustee or
205    trustees jointly with the surviving or continuing trustees or trustee
206    or solely as the case may require upon the same trusts as are herein
207    before declared of and concerning the same or such of them as shall be
208    then subsisting or capable of taking effect And that every such new
209    trustee shall have such and the same powers authorities and dis
210    cretion whatsoever as if he had been originally in and by this my
211    will nominated a trustee anything hereinbefore contained to the con-
212    trary thereof in anywise nowithstanding provided also and I do
213    hereby further declare that the said several trustees hereby appoint
214    ed or to be appointed by virtue of the proviso last hereinbefore con-
215    tained and their respective executors administrators and assigns
216    shall not be answerable for any involuntary loss And that it shall
217    be lawful for them respectively to retain all costs charges damages
218    and expences which they or any of them may sustain or be put
219    into in or about the execution of the aforesaid trusts or in relation
220    thereunto I give devise and bequeath unto the said Susanna Blake
221    my nephew George Blake and Thomas Pain their heirs executors ad-
222    ministrators and assigns respectively All the estates which at the time
223    of my decease shall be vested in me upon any trusts or by way or mort-
224    gage of which I have power to dispose by this my will with their rights
225    members and appurtenances To hold the same premises unto the said
226    Susanna Blake my nephew George Blake and Thomas Pain their
227    heirs executors administrators and assigns respectively according to
228    the nature and quality thereof respectively upon the trusts and subject
229    to the equity of redemption which at the time of my decease shall be
230    subsisting or capable of taking effect therein respectively but the money
231    secured on such mortgages to be considered and taken as part of my
232    personal estate I appoint the said Susanna Blake my nephew George
233    Blake and Thomas Pain Executrix and Executors of this my will And
234    I direct that the sum of five hundred pounds three and a half per-
235    cent consols shall be deducted from the share of my said daughter
236    Elizabeth King of and in my said estate under the trusts aforesaid
237    unless the same shall be paid or transferred to me in my lifetime And
238    which said sum of five hundred pounds if not so paid to be brought
239    into and form part of my personal estate And I declare that the
240    appointment of the said Thomas Pain as one of my trustees and
241    executors as aforesaid shall not prevent his acting as the Attorney or
242    solicitor in the management and settlement of my affirs or in
243    anything relating thereto And that it shall be lawful for him to make
244    all usual professional charges for any business to be done by him in
245    the same manner as he might and could have done if he had not
246    been so appointed such trustee and executor In witness whereof I
247    have to this my last will and testament in eight sheets of paper
248    contained set my hand this thirty first day of May in the year of our
249    Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourty one S Blake Signed by
250    the said testatrix in the presence of us present as the same time who
251    In her presence and at her request have hereunto subscribed our
252    names as witnesses the word pay in the fourth sheet being first inter-
253    lined Willm Castle Surgeon Sittingbourne Kent John Grayling Surgeon
254    Sittingbourne Kent
255    Proved at London 6th January 1846 before the Judge by the Oath
256    of Susanna Blake spinster the daughter George Blake the nephew and
257    Thomas Pain the Executors to whom Admon was granted having been
258    first sworn to wit the said Susanna Blake and Thomas Pain by common
259    and the said George Blake before the worshipful John Danbery Doctor
260    of Laws and Surrogate duly to administer

Will of Ralph Blake, Ship Carpenter, Chatham, Kent - The National Archives, PROB 11/262/575, probated 16 Mar 1657

Ralph Blake, the testator, was buried 6 Jan 1657 at St Mary Chatham, Kent.

No further information located at this time.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 12 Dec 2019
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/262/575
Testator: Ralph Blake, Ship Carpenter
Place: Chatham, Kent
Type of Record:    Memorandum
Date of document: 3 Jan 1656/57, probated 16 Mar 1657

[Margin]: Ralph Blake

1    Memorandum that on or about the third day of Januarie one Thousand
2    Sixe hundred fifthie sixe Ralph Blake late of Chatham in the Countie of Kent Shipp
3    Carpenter deceased beinge then of perfect mind and memorie and having all
4    Intention and desire to make and declare his last will and Testament Noncupative
5    Did make and declare the same in the words and in the manner following
6    To the like effect and purpose viz [a vi]t he said that he did give and bequeath unto
7    Dorothie his wife all his goods and Chattells to be imployed and used
8    Towards her subsistence and the education of his two children John and
9    Mary Blake and desired that the said dorothie his wife should not make
10    Sale of the house which he had built but that the same should come and
11    Descend unto his said children and to them he or she after the death as
12    Two said wife which may do or to the like effect he attend and spake
13    With an intent the same should stand for and be his last will and
14    Testament in the presence of Mary Milton Margarett Holborne Mary
15    Milley The marke of Margaret Holborne
16    On the sixteenth day of March in the yeare of our Lord God carseninge to
17    The Computacion of the Church of England one Thousand sixe hundred
18    Fiftie sixe Here issueth forth Letter of Administration to dorothie Blake the Relict
19    And principall ligature named in the last will and Testament Noncupative of
20    Ralph Blake late of Chatham in the Countie of Kent deceased To administer ye
21    Goods Chattells and debts of the said deceased according to the tener and all
22    Effect of his said will For that the said deceased therein named no executor She
23    Beinge first (by Com[missi]on) sworne truely to administer

Will of Paul Blake, Victualler, Woolwich, Kent - The National Archives PROB 11/932/368, probated 23 Apr 1740

The testator, Paul Blake, is somewhat of a mystery. I did not particularly find any information on him other than his likely marriage given the names of his step sons and his burial. It is an uncommon forename in the Blake family in my review of the available records. He is said to be born at Woolwich, Kent and I do not particularly know of any Blake lines there in this time frame. There are records for a Paul Blake in the late 1600s in Wiltshire, England.

A Paul Blake married Mary Hussy at London St Dusntan in the West 28 Oct 1731. Paul was said to be born at Woolwich, Kent and the residence of Mary Hussey was St Dunstan in the West.  Paul Blake was buried 26 Apr 1740 at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, Kent, England. There were no other notations than his date of burial and his name.

A Jonas Hussey was apprenticed in 1735 to a Vintner Henry Plowman at Woolwich Kent. His father was named as Thomas.

A Thomas Hussey, Clothworker of Reading Berkshire married Mary Burgess 1 May 1723, at Fleet (Clandestine Marriage).

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 12 Dec 2019
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/932/368
Testator: Paul Blake, Victualler
Place: Woolwich, Kent
Type of Record:    Will
Date of document: 3 Oct 1737, probated 23 Apr 1740

[Margin]: Paul Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Paul Blake of the parish of Woolwich in the County of Kent
3    Victualler being in bodily health and of sound mind memory and
4    understanding praised be God for the same Calling to mind the
5    certainty of death and considering the uncertainty of the time thereof
6    and for preventing disputes and controversies after my decease do
7    make publish and declare this to be and contain my last Will and
8    Testament in manner following that is to say First and principally
9    I command my Soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator
10    hoping through the Meritts death and passion of his Son my
11    Saviour Jesus Christ to obtain full and free pardon and forgiveness of
12    all my Sins and to Inherit Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven my
13    body I commit to the Earth to be decently Interred at the discretion of
14    my Executor and Executrix herein after named and as for and and
15    concerning such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless
16    Me I give devise and bequeath the same in manner and form following
17    that is to say First my Will and mind is that all and every my Just
18    Debts and Funeral Expences be paid satisfied and discharged Item I
19    give and bequeath and devise all those my Freeholds Messuages or
20    Tenements Lands and hereditaments thereunto belonging as the same
21    are Situate lying and being in the town and parish of Woolwich
22    aforesaid and in the several tenures or occupations of Robert Cavell
23    and John Rickes their undertenants or assigns unto my Loving Sons
24    in Law William Hussey and Thomas Hussey their heirs and assigns
25    for ever to be equally divided between them share and share alike or to
26    the Survivor of them his heirs and assigns for ever In case either of
27    them shall decease before he attain the age of one and twenty years and
28    my will and mind is that my Loving Wife hereafter named shall receive
29    the rents Issues and Profitts of my said Messuages or Tenements Lands
30    snd hereditaments until my said Sons shall attain their respective
31    age or ages of one and twenty years and apply the same from time to
32    time for and towards the Educating Maintaining and training up of
33    my Sons aforesaid until such that that they shall attain their respective
34    age or ages of one and twenty years Item the overplus rest residue
35    and remainder of all and Singular my Goods household goods title
36    ready money securitys for money and all other my Estate whatsoever
37    and wheresoever and of what Nature find or Quality soever I give
38    and bequeath the same unto my dear and Loving wife Mary Blake
39    for and during the term of her Natural Life and do direct that
40    immediately after my decease an Inventory of all and every my personal
41    Estate may be had and made that the same may be applied to the
42    purpose of this my Will that is to say That from and after the
43    decease of my said wife I give and bequeath the rest and residue of
44    m personal estate whatsoever (at the time of my decease) unto my
45    Sons in law Jonas Hussey William Hussey and Thomas Hussey to
46    be equally divided between them Share and Share alike and I do
47    hereby nominate and appoint my said dear and Loving Wife
48    Mary Blake and my Loving Brother in Law William Reynolds
49    Citizen and Vintner or London joynt Executor and Executrix of this
50    my last Will and Testament And I do hereby revoke disannull
51    and make void all former and other Wills and Testaments by me
52    at any time heretofore made and do declare this only to stand and
53    be for and as my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof to
54    this my said last Will and Testament I have sett my hand and
55    Seal this third day of October in the eleventh Year of the Reign of
56    our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of
57    Great Britain France and Ireland King defender of the Faith
58    and so forth and in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven
59    hundred and thirty Seven Paul Blake Signed sealed published
60    and declared in the presence of us who have subscribed our
61    names as Witnesses hereto in the presence of the Testator Mary
62    Barnard Jno Barnard his Clerk K Barnard Attorney at Woolwich
63    This Will was proved at London the twenty third
64    day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
65    and Forty Before the Worshipfull Robert Chapman doctor of
66    Laws Surrogate of the Right Worshipful John Bettesworth doctor
67    of Laws Master keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court
68    of Canterbury lawfully constituted By the Oaths of Mary Blake
69    Widow the Relict and William Reynolds the Executors in the said
70    Will named to whom Administration was granted of all and Singular
71    the Goods Chattells and Creditts of the said deceased being Sworn
72    duly to Administer

Will of Martin Blake, Sevenoaks, Kent - The National Archives PROB 11/923/368, probated 16 Oct 1767

The testator, Martin Blake, may be mentioned in 190 records on Find My Past. They are not all the same person. I did find a marriage of Martin Blake to Elizabeth Gatter 16 Feb 1685 at Newington St Mary, Surrey. But this would appear to be too early for this Martin Blake. A burial record for a Martin Blake 15 Oct 1767 may be him. Martin Blake Esquire buried 15 Oct 1767 at St John Southwark, Horsleydown, Surrey.

Martin Thomlinson Blake was perhaps baptized 24 Nov 1753 at St Olave Hart Street, London, England son of Martin and Eliz Blake. A will for a Martin Thomlinson Blake, Gent, Clifton Gloucestershire was probated 22 Apr 1777. He would have been just 24 years of age if this is the correct Martin Blake.

His will has been blogged earlier:

https://kippeeb.blogspot.com/2014/05/will-of-martin-thomlinson-blake-gent.html

I was not able to discover if Martin Blake was descendant of the Somerset Blake family or one of the Irish Blake families. The areas in which this family appears to have lived looking at the few records available tended to be locations where the well to do frequented in this time frame. It may only be coincidence but one of the lawyers mentioned in the will, John French Lynch, does have an Irish surname. I did check out the database that I have for the Galway Blake family but did not particularly find a Martin Blake that might fit in. There are many many Martin Blakes in the Galway Blake family.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 8 Dec 2019
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/932/368
Testator: Martin Blake
Place: Sevenoaks, Kent
Type of Record:    Will
Date of document: 29 Jul 1767, probated 16 Oct 1767

[Margin]: Martin Blake Esquire

1    I Martin Blake of Seven Oaks
2    in the County of Kent Esquire being of sound Mind Memory
3    and Understanding do make this my last Will and Testament in
4    manner following (that is to say) I give devise and bequeath
5    all my plantation Messuages Lands Tenements Negroe Slaves
6    Hereditaments Cattle and Stock both Quick and dead with
7    their and every of their appurtenances in the parish of
8    Parkham and Willoughby Bay or elsewhere in the Island of
9    Antigua (Subject nevertheless to the several Trusts created by
10    a Term of Five hundred years comprised in a certain
11    Indenture of demise bearing date on or about the Twenty
12    fifth day of October one thousand seven hundred and sixty
13    Three and from and after the said several Trusts shall be
14    fully answered and satisfied) To and to the use of my second
15    son Martin Tomlinson Blake for and during the Term of
16    his natural Life and from and after the determination of that
17    estate Then to the use of John French Lynch of Grays Inn
18    in the County of Middlesex Esquire and John Smith of
19    Princes Street in the City of London Merchant and Mariner
20    and their heirs during the Life of my said son Martin
21    Tomlinson Blake In Trust to preserve the contingent
22    remains as hereinafter limited from being defeated or
23    destroyed but nevertheless to permit and suffer the said Martin
24    Tomlinson Blake In Trust to preserve the counting out
25    remainders hereinafter limited from being defeated or
26    destroyed but nevertheless to permit and suffer the said Martin
27    Tomlinson Blake to receive the Rents Issues and profits of
28    the said Plantation Lands Tenements and hereditaments for
29    and during his natural Life and from and after the decease
30    of the said Martin Tomlinson Blake To the first and other
31    son and sons of the Body of my said Son Martin Tomlinson
32    Blake lawfully to be begotten successively according to their
33    seniority and the heirs of the respective Bodies of such Son
34    and Sons lawfully Issuing and in default of such Issue Then to and to
35    the use of my daughters Jane Blake and Sarah Town Blake
36    to be equally divided between them share and share alike to
37    take as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants and the
38    several heirs of the Body and Bodies of my said two
39    daughters respectively issuing and if either of my said daughters
40    shall die without Issue then as to the Share of her so dying
41    then to and to The Survivor of them and their heirs of the Body and in default of such Issue
42    to and for the use of my own Right heirs for ever and I
43    do hereby Impower my said Son Martin Tomlinson Blake
44    when and as he shall be in possession of my said plantation
45    and Estates in the said Island of Antigua under and by virtue
46    of the Limitations aforesaid by any deed or deeds writing or`
47    writings under his hand and seal attested by two or more
48    credible Witnesses to Grant settle Limit or Appoint any part or
49    parts of my said Plantation Lands Tenements and
50    Hereditaments not exceeding in the whole the yearly Sum of
51    four hundred pounds Sterling money of Great Britain unto
52    or In Trust for or to the use of any Woman or Women with
53    whom he shall happen to Marry (either before or after such
54    marriage) for the Life or Lives of such Woman or Women for
55    her or their Jointure or Jointures or in part of Jointure and
56    also to charge the said plantation Lands Tenements
57    Hereditaments and Premisses with any sum or sums of money
58    not exceeding in the whole the Sum of four thousand pounds
59    of like lawful money for younger Childrens Fortunes or portions
60    in such Shares and proportions manner and Form as he my said
61    son Martin Tomlinson Blake shall think proper And Subject
62    also to the said Terms of Five hundred years I do hereby subject
63    and charge my said plantation Messuages Lands Tenements
64    Hereditaments and Premisses with the clear yearly sum of
65    two hundred pounds of like lawful money to be paid to my
66    eldest son John Blake or his assigns for and during the
67    term of his natural Life to be paid to him by four Equal
68    Quarterly payments in the year and it is my Will and
69    desire that my Wife shall have all her Negroes and Slaves
70    which were her property before her Marriage and the Issue
71    and Increase of the Females of such Slaves and as to all
72    my plantation Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever
73    I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto
74    my loving wife Elizabeth Blake her Executors Administrators
75    and Assigns and I do hereby make ordain constitute and
76    appoint my said Wife sole Executrix of this my last Will and
77    Testament In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will
78    and Testament set my hand and Seal this Twenty ninth day
79    of July in the seventh year of the Reign of our Sovereign
80    Lord George the Third by the Grace of God of Great Britain
81    France and Ireland King defender of the Faith etc and in
82    the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty
83    seven Martin Blake Signed sealed published and
84    declared by the said Testator as and for his last Will and
85    Testament in the presence of us who in the sight and
86    presence and in the presence of each other and at his request
87    have set and subscribed our names as Witnesses hereto
88    Barlow Trecothick Richd Maitland Thurston Blackman
89    this Will was proved at London the sixteenth
90    day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
91    hundred and sixty seven before the Right Worshipfull George
92    Hay doctor of Laws Master keeper or Commissary of the
93    Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the
94    oath of Elizabeth Blake widow the Relict of the deceased
95    and sole Executrix named in the said Will to whom Admon
96    was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits
97    of the said deceased having been first sworn by Commission duly to ad[min]ster

Will of John Blake, Mariner, Dover, Kent - The National Archives PROB 11/2185/383, probated 15 Feb 1854

The testator John Blake was buried at Saint Mary the Virgin Dover 4 February 1854. He lived on Balvert Street and he was 63 years of age. He was married by Licence at St Mary the Virgin Dover Mercy Pilcher 2 Apr 1822. Witnesses at the wedding Henry Pilcher and Miriam Pilcher. There was only one Baptism in 1790 at Dover St Mary the Virgin. A John Blake was baptized 25 Jul 1790 son of George and Margaret Blake. There was another John Blake baptized 2 Nov 1794 and he was the son of John and Mary Blake.

Elizabeth Pascall Blake was baptized 18 Mar 1823 at Dover St Mary the Virgin daughter of John and Mercy Blake (born 7 Feb 1823). She died as Elizabeth Pascall Blake the third quarter 1880 at 57 years of age.

Mariam Pilcher Blake was baptized 16 Jul 1826 at Dover St Mary the Virgin daughter of John and Mercy Blake (born 6 Jul 1826). She married Robert Thornton according to the will. An online tree mentions that they may have been at Bermondsey, Surrey.

George Blake married Margaret Kember 31 Aug 1789 at St Mary the Virgin Dover. Witnesses included Richard Lowley and Stephen Kember Junior (the Kember family witnessed marriages a number of marriages on the facing pages). George and Margaret baptized four other children at Dover St Mary:

Ann Blake baptized 4 Nov 1792
George Blake baptized 9 Oct 1796
Elizabeth Blake baptized 27 Jan 1799
Margaret Blake baptized 26 Oct 1800

George Blake was baptized 15 Oct 1759 at Dover St Mary the son of George and Ann Blake. A George Blake and Ann Polhill (spinster) both of the Dover St Mary Parish were married by Banns 19 Aug 1755.

There was a George Blake baptized at Elham Kent (20 km or 13 miles from Dover) 3 Dec 1729 son of George and Mary Blake. That was the only George Blake I found baptized locally to this area. Most of these records are from Find My Past.

The Blake family in Kent is not known to me. There were 17 marriages with one Blake spouse celebrated in Dover Registration District between 1837 and 1911 (Free BMD). On Find My Past there were 53 marriages celebrated in Dover between 1757 and 1837 with one member of the pair having the surname Blake. There were 57 marriages between 1677 and 1757. Not a large number of marriages for Blake in that time frame in that area but still a constant presence of Blake in the Dover Kent area back into the 1600s.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 4 Dec 2019
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2185/383
Testator: John Blake, Mariner
Place: Dover, Kent
Type of Record:    Will
Date of document: 3 Oct 1854, probated 15 Feb 1854

[Margin]: John Blake 7

1    I John Blake of Dover in the County of Kent Mariner
2    declare my will to be as follows and appoint my sister in law Miriam
3    Pilcher and my friend James Worsfold of Dover Gentleman Executors thereof
4    and I bequeath to him the said James Worsfold the sum of ten pounds
5    as a small token of my regard and a trifling acknowledgement for the trouble
6    he may have in attending to this my will I devise all property held by
7    me as mortgagee or upon any confidence to them my said executors
8    their heirs and assigns Upon the trusts and for the purposes for which I
9    may hold the same And I further devise and bequeath my freehold lease
10    No 7A Great George Street Bermondsey and All other my Property
11    real and personal to them my said executors their heirs executors admin-
12    istrators and assigns with full power for them or the survivor of them
13    or the heirs executors administrators or assigns of such survivor if they
14    he or she so think it advisable from time to time to sell and convert the same into
15    money (and also to buy in and resell at their discretion) and to give valid receipts as
16    well for the purchase money as for all other money coming to them under this
17    my will which receipts shall exonerate the purchasers or parties paying such
18    money from seeing to the application thereof and I direct my said trustees to be
19    possessed of the net proceeds of any such sales and  of all other my residuary
20    estate for the time being and of the rents interest and other property arising there
21    from after payment of my just debts legacies funeral and testamentary expences
22    in trust for my two daughters Elizabeth Pascall Blake and Miriam Pilcher the
23    wife of Robert Thornton equally to be divided between them for their absolute ben-
24    efit for their several separate use free from the control of any husbands to
25    whom they may severally be married and for which their receipts alone
26    shall be good and sufficient discharges to my said executors And I direct that
27    they my said executors shall not be answerable for any loss damage or deprecia
28    tion in value of any part of my said property nor for signing receipts for contin
29    uity sake nor for any involuntary loss and that if any dispute or doubts arise
30    respecting my property or the construction of this my will they may refer the same
31    to arbitration or to some third person or persons whose decision may be final and
32    that they may pay any debt or settle any claim against me upon such evidence
33    and in such manner as they think fit and may also excuse compound allow time
34    or make terms for the payment of any debts owing to me at their discretion as
35    witness my hand this third day of October one thousand eight hundred and fifty
36    John Blake Signed by the said John Blake as his will in the presence of us
37    present at the same time who in his presence and in the presence of each other
38    subscribe hereto the words “my said executors” being first interlined over the tenth
39    line of the second page of the will Edward Elwin Solicitor Dover Henry Pilcher
40    Proved at London 18th Feb 1854 before the Judge by the oaths of Miriam
41    Pilcher Spinster and James Worsfold the Executors to whom admon was granted
42    having been first sworn by Com[missi]on duly to administer

Will of John Blake, Yeoman, Frindsbury, Kent - National Archives, PROB 11/219/40, probated 5 Nov 1651

John Blake, the testator, identifies his brother as Isaac Blake and his children as John Blake, Isaac Blake, Robert Blake, Stephen Blake, and Mary Blake. His wife is not mentioned (perhaps he is a widower)

Strood Parish Registers:

Isaack Blake baptized 10 Apr 1614 at Strood son of Andrewe
John Blake baptized 15 Sep 1609 at Strood

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1011805

An interesting website which mentions that a convent at Strood known as Denny as dissolved in 1539 and just before the Civil War (prior to 1640) the property was sold to Isaac Blake and his family. This Blake family held the estate until the 18th century at which time it was sold.

No other information found as I do not own the Parish Registers for Strood parish.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 3 Dec 2019
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/219/40
Testator: John Blake, Yeoman
Place: Frindsbury, Kent
Type of Record:    Will
Date of document: 1 Sep 1651, probated 5 Nov 1651

[Margin]: The will of John Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    the first day of September in the yeare of our God one thousand six hundred
3    Fifty and one I John Blake of the parish of Frinsbury in the County of Kent yeoman
4    being very sicke and weake But of perfect remembrance thankes be given to god do
5    hereby make and ordaine this my last will and testament in manner and following that
6    First I bequeath my soule into the hands of Almighty God my only Maker and
7    Creater hopeing to be saved by the merritts of Jesus Christ my Saviour and
8    Redeemer And my body to be buried at the discretion of my executer And for those
9    Lands and goods which god in mercy hath bestowed upon me I give and bequeath
10    them in manner and forme following First I give and bequeath unto my loving
11    brother Isaac Blake that my Land in Stroud Frinsbury and Cuxton that is to say
12    one Farme called Read wherein I now dwell and the house barnes and Stables
13    and Orchards and all and singular the Lands thereunto belonging with ten acres
14    of Land at Brometon hill And one field called Lewgus containing by estimation
15    six acres be it more or less And one Farme called or knowne by the name of Hawkins al[ia]s Hangkins
16    with the horse barne stable and eight score acres of Land thereunto belonging with
17    all and singular the appurtenances whatsoever lately purchased of the Feoffees Sir
18    John Woolestone Knight and others in my said brothers name but only my p[ro]per
19    right now in the tener and occupation of Olive Young or her assignes And one
20    Farme in the parish of Cuxstone now in the tener and occupation of Emanuell
21    Gillett with the house Mault house and Orcharde barnes and stables whatsoever
22    thereunto belonging and some certaine land which is now in the occupation of the
23    said Emmanuell Gillett in Cuxtone and Stroud And some certaine Messuages and
24    tenements within the parish of Stroud that is to say one Messuage or tenement now
25    in the tener or occupation of one Richard Pickers Blacksmith and one other
26    tenement now in the tener or occupation of Geoffery Myles house carpenter
27    And an other tenement now in the tener or occupation of Henry Gamage husbandman
28    with all and singular the yards gardens thereunto belonging with all and singular
29    the appurtenances whatsoever And thirteene acres of Land situate lyeing and
30    Being neere a Farme called Wickham in the parish of Stroud together with all
31    my goods and chattels whatsoever to my said brother there and to his heires for ever
32    Allwayes Provided that my said brother shall have full power to sell all my goods
33    And chattels and soe much of the said tenements and Lands as will pay all my
34    debts And my will is that after all my debts is paid that all the residue of the said
35    Lands should be settled upon my foure sonnes that is to say John Blake and Isaac
36    Blake Robert Blake and Stephen Blake to be equally devided between my foure
37    sonnes aforesaid Item I make my said loving brother Isaac Blake my full and
38    whole executor of this my last will and testament Item I give and bequeath unto my
39    daughter Mary one hundred poundes which is already settled upon her to be paid
40    unto her at her day of marriage or when she shall attaine unto her age of one and
41    twenty years which shall happen first according to the as settlement by a certaine
42    deed Item I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Mary all that my linen
43    at my brother Isaac Blakes and all my goods atmy mother Blake and a wattle
44    head ring of gold Item I give my sonne John one silver bowle Item I give to my
45    sonne Isaac Blake one silver salt Item I give unto my sonne Robert Blake
46    one round gold ring Item I give unto my sonne Stephen Blake two or three
47    silver spoones with a little silver porringer My will is that my celme Richard
48    Browne of Cliffe yeoman Overseer of this my last Will and Testament Item I make
49    my loving friend George Maplesden of Stroud Shipwright Overseer of this my
50    last will and Testament In wittnesse whereof I the said John Blake have hereunto sett
51    my hand and seale to this my last will and Testament the day and yeare first above
52    written Anno 1651 John Blake Sealed and delivered in the presence of William
53    Peintle George Parker
54   
55    This will was proved at London before Robert Wiseman doctor of Laws
56    and Surrogate of Sir Nathaniel Brent Knight and also doctor of Laws Master or
57    Keeper of the prerogative Court the fifth day of November in the yeare of our
58    Lord God one thousand six hundred fifty one by the oath of Isaac Blake the only
59    Executer named in the said will etc to whom was committed Administration of
60    all and singular the goods chattels and debts of the said deceased he being first
61    legally sworne well and truly to administer the same

   
   
   

Will of James Blake, Mariner, St Nicholas Deptford, Greenwich, Kent, England - National Archives PROB 11/739/246, probated 11 Apr 1745

The testator James Blake does not give many clues to his identity.

His sister Sarah is married to a Thomas Bluck (potter) and they live at St Nicholas Deptford, Kent. No record was found for their marriage. There is a baptism for a Sarah Bluck 30 Sep 1772 at St Paul, Deptford daughter of Thomas and Sarah Bluck. 

There is a British Army Service Record for a James Blake but he has stated he was a mariner (that James Blake was a Drummer in the 7th Company, the document a muster roll 27 Apr 1745 so definitely not the testator). 

The burial of James Blake was located in the St Nicholas Deptford, Greenwich, Kent burial record. Burial was 26 Mar 1744. James Blake mariner Anchorsmith Ally, buried 26 Mar 1745.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 30 Nov 2019
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/739/246
Testator: James Blake, Mariner now belonging to his Majesty’s Yacht Carolina
Place: Saint Nicholas Deptford, Kent
Type of Record:    Will
Date of document: 10 Sep 1744, probated 11 Apr 1745

[Margin]: James Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I James Blake of the parish of St Nicholas Deptford in the County  
3    of Kent Mariner and now belonging to his Majesty’s Yacht the
4    Carolina being in Bodily Health and of a perfect sound and
5    disposing Mind Memory and understanding do for avoiding
6    controver[s]eys after my decease, make publish and declare these
7    presents to be and contain all my whole last Will and Testament in
8    manner and form following That is to say First and principally I
9    recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave
10    it hoping and assuredly trusting and believing that through the
11    alone Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ my most Blessed
12    Lord and Saviour to receive full and free pardon and forgiveness
13    of and for all my sins and after this Mortal Life ended to enjoy
14    everlasting Rest and happiness in the kingdom of Heaven my
15    body I commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the
16    discretion of my Executors herein after mentioned And
17    touching such Temporal Estate as God of his infinite Mercy
18    And Goodness shall be pleased to bless me withal I give and
19    dispose thereof in manner and form following That is to say
20    Imprimis my Mind Will and desire is that all my just debts and
21    Funeral Expences shall be first paid satisfied and discharged
22    all the Rest Residue and Remainder of all and singular my Ready
23    Money Bills Bonds Specialtys Wages household Goods plate
24    Rings Jewells and all other my Estate whether Real or personal
25    of whatsoever nature kind or quality the same is or may be
26    found after my decease I do give devise and bequeath the same
27    unto my Brother in Law Thomas Bluck of the parish of St
28    Nicholas Deptford aforesaid potter and Sarah his wife and
29    the survivor of them and the heirs executors and administrators
30    for Ever And I do hereby nominate and appoint them the
31    said Thomas Bluck and Sarah his Wife joint Executors of this
32    my last Will and Testament And I do hereby revoke annul
33    and make void all former and other Wills Testaments and
34    deeds of Gift by me at any time heretofore made and these
35    presents to be and contain all my last Will and Testament In
36    Witness whereof I the said James Blake have hereunto set
37    My hand and seal the tenth day of September in the eighteenth
38    year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord George the second
39    by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King
40    Defender of the Faith and so forth and in the year of our Lord
41    1744 James Blake Signed, sealed, published and declared
42    by the said James Blake the Testator as and for his last
43    Will and Testament in the presence of us who subscribed
44    our Names as witnesses hereto at the request and in the
45    presence of the said Testator and in the presence of each other
46    Anne Wellings John Effaker Tho: Wellings
47    This Will was proved at London before the Worshipfull
48    Charles Pinford doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Worshipfull
49    John Bettesworth also doctor of Laws Master keeper or Commissary
50    of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted the
51    twenty second day of April in the Year of our Lord One Thousand
52    seven hundred and forty five By the Oath of Thomas Bluck
53    one of the Executors named in the said Will To whom was
54    granted administration of all and singular the Goods Chattells
55    and Credits of the deceased being first sworn duly to
56    administer (power reserved of making the like Grant to
57    Sarah Bluck (wife of the said Thomas Bluck) the other
58    executor therein named when she shall apply for the same)