Although I am coming close to finishing Wiltshire, this will of Thomas Blake at 615 lines has slowed me down somewhat. There are still three wills to complete so will likely finish very early in January. I need to work on the Blake Newsletter as well today and tomorrow.
Determining the ancestry of this Thomas Blake is somewhat of a puzzle. This Thomas is mentioned with respect to other wills in the New Sarum area. Namely he was the deponent giving witness to the handwriting and subscription of Margaret Blake:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/12/will-of-margaret-blake-widow-new-sarum.html
her husband, John Blake, and his will was blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/12/will-of-john-blake-gentleman-new-sarum.html
But John does not mention Thomas Blake in his will.
Thomas does not mention any Blake relatives in his will except for his sister Mary married to William Dredge and their children - Mary, John, William, Ann, Thomas and Solomon. I did not yet determine if Francis Gregory was married to Ann. Mary at the time of writing the will is unmarried, John and William both have children, Thomas is mentioned just one time and Solomon is not mentioned although one of the children of William is also named Solomon.
From the British History online website:
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=115439
A small estate in Steeple Langford later called KINGSTON'S was possibly that in 1242–3 assessed as 1/10 knight's fee and held by John de Campeny. (fn. 103) John of Kingston held it in 1291. (fn. 104) It passed to Nicholas Kingston (d. c. 1323), who left a wife Anstice and as heir a brother John. John forfeited his lands as a contrariant but on the return to England of Queen Isabella in 1326 he re-entered by force. (fn. 105) The estate passed with Little Corsley manor in Corsley to his son Thomas and to Thomas's son Sir John (fl. 1383), and perhaps with that manor in the Kingston family until the death of Mary Kingston, wife of Thomas Lisle, in 1539. (fn. 106) It belonged to John Brimsden in 1560 (fn. 107) and probably to Thomas Brimsden of Steeple Langford in 1587. Thomas Brimsden of East Stowell in Wilcot held it in 1599 (fn. 108) and 1632, (fn. 109) and in 1652 his son Thomas (d. 1685) settled it on himself and his wife Anne (d. 1711). (fn. 110) Thomas's son Thomas married Eleanor Blagden (fn. 111) and Kingston's passed to a spinster Eleanor Brimsden, presumably the youngest Thomas's daughter and heir. In 1713 and 1717 Eleanor held it jointly with Edward Blagden (fn. 112) (d. 1730) of Keevil, (fn. 113) who was evidently her heir or assign. By 1733 it had passed to Edward's relict Anne Blagden (d. 1769) (fn. 114) and in 1770 was sold by her daughters Anne and Eleanor Blagden to Thomas Blake (fn. 115) (d. 1808). Blake devised Kingston's, 62 a. and pasture rights, to his niece Mary Dredge (d. 1816), wife of George Smith, for life, and to his grandnephew John Dredge (d. 1812), whose son Solomon Dredge held it from 1816 (fn. 116) to his death in 1856. Dredge's heirs were his sister Anne (d. 1858), wife of William Blake, and nephew J. J. Marshall. (fn. 117) Francis, Lord Ashburton, bought the estate, a moiety from Marshall in 1867 and a moiety from Anne Blake's trustees in 1868, (fn. 118) and added it to Steeple Langford manor.
From the National Archives website:
Wiltshire and Swindon Archives
Wishford Manor Farm
Reference 1785
Covering dates 1803-1820
Held by Wiltshire and Swindon Archives
Extent 1 file
Source of acquisition E. Keady, Esq
Creators Wishford Manor Farm, Wiltshire
Contents:
Farm Account Book
[no title] 1785/1 1803-1820
Contents:
Farm account book for Wishford Manor Farm, giving details of farm management, tenancies, sheep, stock and harvest accounts, with notes on the weather, crop practices, songs, poems and extracts from the wills of Thomas Blake and Solomon Dredge.
The contents of this catalogue are the copyright of Wiltshire and Swindon Archives
Rights in the Access to Archives database are the property of the Crown, © 2001-2013
The records described on this page are held by Wiltshire and Swindon Archives
Thomas identifies his sister as Mary Blake married to William Dredge and baptisms for this couple at Great Wishford (C15228-1):
John baptized 10 Oct 1739
William baptized 1743
Ann baptized 18 Jan 1744
Thomas baptized 5 Jan 1747
Solomen baptized 22 Mar 1751
William Dredge (bachelor, cheeseclothmaker, 27 years of Wishford) married Elizabeth Snow (spinster, 30 years, of Wishford) with William Fricker Clothier Salisbury bondsman, 28 Nov 1770.
Names mentioned in the will:
Thomas Blake, testator, gentleman, Wishford
John Dredge, nephew
John Dredge, grand nephew (son of John Dredge)
John Rowden, friend, trustee
Solomon Dredge, nephew, executor, trustee
William Dredge, grand nephew (son of William Dredge)
William Dredge, nephew
James Willis, tenant, South Newton
Jane Blake, tenant, South Newton
John Thomas, tenant, South Newton
Rebecca Matthews, grand niece (daughter of John Dredge)
Elizabeth Down, grand niece (daughter of John Dredge)
Mary Dredge, niece
Harry Dredge, grand nephew (son of William Dredge)
Elizabeth Waldron late Elizabeth Gregory
William Waldron, husband of Elizabeth Waldron
Richard Down, occupier
Francis Gregory
William Gregory (son of Francis Gregory)
Rebecca Gregory (daughter of Francis Gregory)
Frances Dredge, grand niece (daughter of John Dredge)
Thomas Moody, land owner, deceased
Louisa Dredge, great grand niece (daughter of Frances Dredge)
Mary Dredge, great grand niece (daughter of Frances Dredge)
John Newton, land owner
Sarah Gregory, (daughter of Francis Gregory)
Richard Sweetman, servant
Mary Woodland
George Woodland, husband of Mary Woodland
Richard Dawkins, Close of Salisbury, Gardener
Mary Batten, servant
Ann Gregory (daughter of Francis Gregory)
Jno Swayne, witness
J B Pearse, witness
W Lowdry, witness
William Dredge, father of nephews John, William and niece Mary
Mary Dredge, wife of William Dredge and likely Mary Blake
Robert Dawkins, Netton
Polly Gregory (grand daughter of Francis Gregory)
Eliz: Gregory (daughter of Francis Gregory and mother of Polly)
Sarah Dredge
Thomas Dredge (husband of Sarah Dredge)
Richard Munday, land owner
George Down (husband of Elizabeth Down)
George Rowden, appearer, Great Wishford, yeoman
John Eve, appearer, Great Wishford, yeoman
Peter Harrison, Commissioner
William Doucher, notary public
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Dec 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1477/316
Testator: Thomas Blake, Gentleman
Place: Wishford, Wiltshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 23 Dec 1802, probated 30 Apr 1808
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Thomas
[Margin]: Blake
1 This is the Last Will
2 and Testament of me Thomas Blake of Wishford in
3 the County of Wilts Gentleman First I will and direct
4 that all my just debts Legacies Funeral and
5 Testamentary Expences be fully paid and satisfied
6 by my Executor hereinafter named I give and devise
7 to my Nephew John Dredge all and every and every
8 my Freehold Messuages or Tenements Lands and
9 hereditaments with the appurtenances situate and
10 being in the Borough of Wilton in the said County
11 of Wilts to hold the same unto the said John
12 Dredge and and assigns for and during the Terme of
13 his natural life and from and immediately after
14 his decease I give and devise the said Messuages or
15 Tenements Lands and heredit[ament]s to John Dredge Son
16 of my said Nephew John Dredge and his heirs
17 for and during the Term of his natural life without
18 Impeachment of Waste and after the determination
19 of that Estate then I give and devise the said
20 Freehold premises to my Friend John Rowden and
21 Nephew Solomon Dredge and their heirs during
22 the life of the said John Dredge the Son upon trust
23 to support and preserve the Contingent Estates
24 hereinafter limited from being defeated and for
25 that purpose to make entries as there shall be
26 occasion and from and immediately after the decease
27 of the said John Dredge the Son then I give and
28 devise the said Messuages or Tenements Lands and
29 heredits to the heirs of the Body of the said John
30 Dredge the Son lawfully to be begotten and in
31 default of such heirs then I give and devise all
32 and Singular the said Freehold premises unto
33 William Dredge Son of my said Nephew William
34 Dredge and to his heirs and assigns for ever I
35 also give to my said Nephew John Dredge my two
36 Leasehold dwelling houses with the Gardens and
37 Appurt[enance]s thereunto belonging situate and being in
38 the parish of South Newton in the said County
39 of Wilts now in the occupation of my Tenants
40 James Willis and Jane Blake and also my Leasehold
41 orchard in South Newton aforesaid now in the
43 occupation of my Tenant John Thomas which
44 said dwelling houses Gardens and Orchard are
45 part of my Estate called Lawes hereinafter mentioned
46 to hold the same unto my said Nephew John
47 Dredge and his assigns for so many years of my
48 Term therein as shall run out and expire during
49 his natural life and from and after his decease
50 I give the said dwelling houses Gardens and
51 orchard with the appurt[enance]s unto my said Nephew
52 Solomon Dredge his Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns
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53 Assigns for all the remainder of my Term and
54 Estate therein then to come and I give and bequeath
55 my Estate called Lawes situate at South Newton
56 and Stowford (except such part and parts thereof as
57 are hereinbefore given to my said Nephew John Dredge
58 for his life as aforesaid) unto my said Nephew Solomon
59 Dredge his Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns for all
60 the remainder of my Term Estate and Interest therein
61 subject nevertheless to and charged and chargeable
62 with the payment of the several and respective
63 annuities yearly Rents or Sums next hereinafter
64 mentioned and I give and bequeath to my said
65 Nephew John Dredge and his assigns for and during
66 the Term of his natural life one annuity clear yearly
67 Rent or Sum of Ten pounds unto his daughter
68 Rebecca Matthews and her assigns during her life
69 one annuity clear yearly Rent or Sum of Ten pounds
70 and to his daughter Elizabeth Down and her assigns
71 during her life one annuity clear yearly Rent or
72 Sum of Ten pounds which said several life annuities
73 yearly Rents or Sums I will and direct shall be
74 Issuing and payable out of that part of my said
75 Estate called Lawes’s as is hereinbefore given to my
76 said Nephew Solomon Dredge and to be paid and
77 payable unto the said annuitants respectively
78 quarterly on the four most usual times of payment
79 in the year that is to say Michaelmas Christmas
80 Lady day and Midsummer the first payment of the
81 same respectively to be made on such of the said
82 days of payment as shall next happen after my
83 decease and I do hereby charge and subject the said part of my
84 said Estate called Lawes’s so given to my said
85 Nephew Solomon Dredge as aforesaid with and to
86 the payment of the said several annuities yearly
87 Rents or Sums accordingly and my will is that in
88 case the said annuities yearly Rents or Sums any or
89 either of them or any part thereof shall be behind
90 or unpaid by the space of Twenty days
91 next over or after either of the aforesaid Feast
92 wherein the same is hereinbefore directed to be paid
93 as aforesaid then and so often it shall and may be
94 lawful for my said Nephew John Dredge and the
95 said Rebecca Mathews and Elizabeth Down or such
96 of them to whom any arrears shall be due and
97 their respective assigns to enter upon all and every or
98 any part of the said premises charged with the said
99 several and respective annuities as aforesaid and distrain
100 for the same or for so much thereof as shall
101 be so in arrear and all Costs and Charges occasioned
102 by nonpayment thereof I give and devise my Freehold
103 Messuages or Tenements Farm Lands and hereditaments
104 with the appurtenances situate and being at Steeple
105 Langford
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106 Langford in the said County of Wilts unto the said
107 John Rowden and to my Nephew William Dredge
108 and their heirs for and during the natural life
109 of my Niece Mary Dredge upon Trust and to the
110 Intent and purpose that they the said Trustees or
111 the Survivor of them or the heirs of such
112 Survivor do and shall receive and take the Rents
113 Issues and profits thereof and pay the same as
114 the same shall from time to time become due
115 and be paid unto my said Niece Mary Dredge to
116 and for her own proper use and benefit and not
117 to be subject to the debts Controul or Intermeddling
118 of any husband she may take and her own receipt
119 and receipts notwithstanding Coverture and which
120 sole or covert to be from time to time good and
121 Sufficient discharge and discharges to the person
122 paying the same and from and after the
123 determination of that Estate I give and devise the
124 said Messuages or Tenements Farm Lands and
125 heredit[ament]s at Steeple Langford aforesaid to the said
126 John Rowden and Solomon Dredge and their
127 heirs during the life of my said Niece Mary
128 Dredge upon Trust to support and preserve the
129 Contingent Estates hereinafter limited from being
130 defeated and for that purpose to make entries
131 if there shall be occasion and from and
132 immediately after the decease of the said Mary
133 Dredge then I give and devise the said Messuages
134 or Tenements Farm Lands and heredit[ament]s to the heirs
135 of the Body of my said Niece Mary Dredge
136 lawfully to be begotten and in default of such
137 heirs then I give and devise the said last mentioned
138 hereditaments and premises unto John Dredge Son
139 of my said Nephew John Dredge and his heirs
140 for and during the Term of his natural life
141 without Impeachment of waste and after the
142 determination of that Estate then I give and
143 devise the said heredit[ament]s and premises last mentioned
144 to the said John Rowden and Solomon Dredge and
145 their heirs during the life of the said John Dredge
146 the Son upon Trust to support and preserve the
147 Contingent Estates hereinafter limited from being
148 defeated and for that purpose to make entries
149 as there shall be occasion and from and immediately
150 after the decease of the said John Dredge the Son then
151 I give and devise the said heredits and premises
152 to the heirs of the Body of the said John Dredge
153 the Son lawfully to be begotten and in default
154 of such heirs then I give and devise the said
155 heredits and premises unto William Dredge Son of
156 my said Nephew William Dredge and to his heirs
157 and assigns for ever I give to my said Nephew
158 William
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159 William Dredge all that my Leasehold Estate
160 called Austins’s situate at Newton aforesaid with its
161 rights members and appurt[enance]s to hold the same
162 unto my said Nephew William Dredge his Executors
163 Adm[inistrat]ors and assigns for all such Term Interest and
164 Estate as I may have to come therein to come at
165 the time of my decease I give to Harry Dredge Son
166 of the said William Dredge my several Leasehold
167 Estates situate at Stapleford in the said County of
168 Wilts to hold the same unto the said Harry
169 Dredge and his Assigns for so many years of
170 my Term Terms Estate Estates and Interests as I
171 shall have to come therein respectively at the
172 time of my decease as shall run out and expire
173 during his natural life and from and after his
174 decease I give the said several Leasehold Estates
175 for all the remainder of my Term Terms Estate
176 Estates and Interests therein respectively unto and
177 amongst all and every his Children equally share
178 and share alike if more than one as Tenants in
179 Common but if only one such Child shall be
180 living at the time of his decease then I give the
181 said last mentioned premises to such only Child
182 his or her Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns for all
183 the remainder of my Term Terms Estate Estates
184 and Interests therein respectively and in case the
185 said Harry Dredge shall happen to die without
186 leaving any Child of his Body lawfully begotten
187 then I give the said Leasehold Estate situate at
188 Stapleford aforesaid unto William Dredge another
189 Son of my said Nephew William Dredge his
190 Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns for all the remainder
191 of my Term Terms Estate Estates and Interests
192 therein respectively and I give to the said William
193 Dredge Son of my said Nephew William Dredge
194 my Leasehold Estate called Caffels situate at
195 Wishford aforesaid in a certain place there called
196 Lotmore and also my three Leasehold Tenements
197 adjoining or near adjoining to the houses and
198 Buildings belonging to the said Estate called
199 Caffels to hold the same unto the said William
200 Dredge the Son his Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns
201 for all the remainder of such Term Terms and
202 Estates as I shall have therein at the time of
203 my decease I give the Leasehold Messuage or
204 Tenement called Soodders situate at the said place
205 called Lotmore with the Garden and Appurt[enance]s as
206 now in the occupation of William Waldron unto
207 Elizabeth the Wife of the said William
208 Waldron late Elizabeth Gregory and her assigns for
209 the Term of her natural life if my Term and
210 Estate shall so long continue therein and after her
211 decease
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212 decease to my Nephew Solomon Dredge his
213 Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns for all the remainder
214 of my term therein then to come and I give the
215 Messuage or Tenement at Lotmore aforesaid with
216 the Garden and appurt[enance]s as now in the occupation
217 Richard Down also called Sooders unto William
218 Gregory son of Francis Gregory and his Assigns
219 for the Term of his natural life if my Term
220 and Estate shall so long continue therein and
221 from and after his decease I give the same to my
222 said Nephew Solomon Dredge his Executors
223 Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns for all the remainder of my
224 Term Estate and Interest therein I give one of
225 the two dwelling houses belonging to my Leasehold
226 Estate at Wishford aforesaid called Brown’s late
227 Moodys situate at a place called Townsend (that
228 is to say) the house called the upper Tenement
229 with the Garden and appurt[enance]s thereto belonging
230 unto Rebecca Gregory daughter of Francis Gregory
231 to hold the same to the said Rebecca Gregory her
232 Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns for all the remainder
233 of my Term therein and I give the other
234 dwelling house with the Lands and appurt[enance]s
235 belonging to the said Estate called Brown’s
236 (late Moody’s) unto the said Francis Gregory to
237 hold the same unto the said Francis Gregory and
238 his Assigns for the Term of his natural life if
239 my Estate and Interest therein shall so long continue
240 and from and after his decease I give the said
241 last mentioned house and Lands belonging to the
242 said Estate called Brown’s late Moodys with the
243 Rights members and appurt[enance]s thereto belonging to his
244 daughter the said Rebecca Gregory her Executors
245 Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns for all the remainder of my
246 Term therein then to come I give to Frances Dredge
247 daughter of my said Nephew John Dredge all that
248 my Leasehold Messuage or Tenement Estate and Land
249 situate at Wishford aforesaid near the said place
250 called Lotmore and which I lately purchased of the
251 personal Representatives of Thomas Moody deceased
252 to hold the same unto the said Frances
253 Dredge and her Assigns for and during the Term of
254 her natural life if my Term and Estate therein shall
255 so long continue and from and after her decease I
256 give the said last mentioned Leasehold Messuage or
257 Tenement Estate and Lands unto Louisa Dredge
258 daughter of the said Frances Dredge for the Term of
259 her natural life and provided she dies leaving Issue
260 of her Body lawfully to be begotten then I give
261 and bequeath the said Leasehold Messuage or
262 Tenement Estate and Lands from and after her
263 decease unto her Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns
264 for
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265 for all the remainder of my Term therein to
266 come and in case the said Louisa Dredge shall
267 happen to die without leaving any Child or Children
268 as aforesaid then I give the said Leasehold Messuage
269 or Tenement Estate and Lands last mentioned unto
270 Mary Dredge the other daughter of the said Frances
271 Dredge her Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns for all the
272 remainder of my Term Interest and Estate therein
273 then to come I give and devise all those my two
274 Freehold Estates situate at South Newton aforesaid
275 called Butts and Randalls with the houses orchards
276 Lands and heredit[ament]s thereunto belonging unto the
277 said John Dredge Son of my said Nephew John
278 Dredge for and during the Term of his natural life
279 without Impeachment of waste and after the
280 determination of that Estate then I give and devise
281 the said Freehold Estates called Butts and Randalls
282 with the house orchard Lands and heredit[ament]s thereunto
283 belonging belonging unto the said John Rowden and
284 Solomon Dredge and their heirs during the life of
285 the said John Dredge the Son upon Trust to support
286 and preserve the Contingent Estate hereinafter
287 limited from being defeated and for that purpose to
288 make entries as there shall be occasion and from
289 and immediately after the decease of the said John
290 Dredge the Son then I give and devise the said
291 Freehold Estates called Butts and Randalls to the
292 heirs of the Body of the said John Dredge the Son
293 lawfully to be begotten and in default of such heirs
294 then to the said William Dredge Son of my said
295 Nephew William Dredge and to his heirs and
296 Assigns for ever also I give to the said John Dredge
297 Son of my said Nephew John Dredge and his
298 Assigns for and during the natural life of his
299 Father John Dredge one annuity clear yearly Rent
300 or Sum of Ten pounds to be Issuing and payable
301 out of my Leasehold Estate called Waglands
302 hereinafter mentioned by equal half yearly
303 payments that is to say at Lady Day and
304 Michaelmas Day the first payment thereof to
305 begin and be made on such of the said days as
306 shall happen next after my decease and I do
307 hereby charge and subject the said Leasehold called
308 Waglands with and to the payment of the said
309 annuity yearly Rent or Sum accordingly and my will
310 is that in case the said annuity yearly Rent or
311 Sum or any part thereof shall be behind or
312 unpaid by the space of Twenty days days next
313 over or after either of the aforesaid days wherein
314 the same is hereinbefore directed to be paid as
315 aforesaid then and so often it shall and may
316 be lawful for the said John Dredge the Son
317 and
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318 and his Assigns to enter upon all of any part of
319 the said premises charged with the said annuity as
320 aforesaid and distrain for the sum or for so
321 much thereof as shall be so in arrear and
322 all Costs and Charges occasioned by Nonpayment
323 thereof and I give and bequeath my said
324 Leasehold Estate called Waglands situate at
325 Wishford aforesaid the Rights Members and Appurt[enance]s
326 thereto belonging unto my Nephew Solomon Dredge
327 to hold the same unto the said Solomon Dredge
328 his Executors Adm[inistrator]s and Assigns for all the
329 remainder of such Term Interest and Estate as I
330 shall have to come therein at the time of my
331 decease subject nevertheless to and charged and
332 chargeable with the payment of the said annuity
333 yearly Rent or Sum of Ten pounds unto the said
334 John Dredge the Son and his Assigns during the
335 life of his said Father John Dredge as aforesaid and
336 not longer I give to the said Solomon Dredge all
337 that my Leasehold Estate late John Newtons situate
338 at a certain place in Wishford aforesaid called Cobbs
339 Mile with its rights members and appurt[enance]s except
340 the dwelling house Garden and appurt[enance]s thereunto
341 belonging to hold the same unto the said Solomon
342 Dredge his Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns for all
343 the remainder of my Term Interest and Estate
344 therein and I give the said excepted dwelling house
345 Garden and appurt[enance]s to Sarah Gregory daughter of
346 the aforesaid Frances Gregory and her Assigns for
347 the Term of her natural life if my Term and
348 Interest shall so long continue therein and from and
349 after her decease I give the said last mentioned
350 dwelling house Garden and apurt[enance]s unto the said
351 Solomon Dredge his Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns
352 for all the remainder of my Term Interest and
353 Estate therein then to come Also I give unto the
354 said Solomon Dredge all that my Leasehold Estate
355 situate at Wishford aforesaid called Munday with
356 its rights members and appurt[enance]s except the
357 dwelling house Gardens and appurt[enance]s thereto
358 belonging now in the occupation of my Servant
359 Richard Sweetman To hold the same unto the
360 said Solomon Dredge his Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and
361 Assigns for all the remainder of the Term
362 Interest and Estate which I shall have to come
363 therein and I give the said excepted dwelling
364 house and Garden last mentioned with the appurt[enance]s to Mary
365 Woodland Wife of George Woodland and her Assigns
366 for and during the Term of her natural life if
367 my Term and Interest shall so long continue
368 therein and from and after her decease I give
369 and bequeath the same unto the said Solomon
370 Dredge
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371 Dredge his Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns for all
372 the remainder of my Term Interest and Estate
373 therein then to come also I give to the said Solomon
374 Dredge all that my Leasehold Messuage Tenement
375 or dwelling house wherein I now reside at Wishford
376 aforesaid with the Lands and apurt[enance]s thereunto
377 belonging called the Scone living to hold the
378 same unto the said Solomon Dredge and his
379 Assigns for and during the Term of his natural life
380 if my Estate and Interest shall so long continue therein
381 and from and after his decease then I give and
382 bequeath the said Messuage Tenement or dwelling
383 house with the Lands and appurt[enance]s thereunto belonging
384 called the Scone living unto such one or more of
385 his Children as he the said Solomon Dredge shall
386 in and by his last Will and Testament give limit
387 and appoint the same and in default of such Will
388 Gift limitation and appointment then unto the
389 Eldest Son of the said Solomon Dredge lawfully to
390 be begotten as shall be living at the time of his
391 decease and to his Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns for
392 all the remainder of my Term therein then to come
393 and if no such Son then to the Eldest daughter
394 of the said Solomon Dredge lawfully to be begotten
395 as shall be living at the time of his decease
396 and to her Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns for all
397 the remainder of my Term therein then to
398 come and in case my said Nephew Solomon Dredge
399 shall happen to die without leaving any Son or
400 daughter lawfuly to be begotten then I give the
401 said last mentioned Messuage or Tenement or
402 dwelling house with the Lands and appurt[enance]s
403 unto the said Louisa Dredge daughter of the said
404 Frances Dredge her Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns
405 for all the remainder of my Term therein then
406 to come I give and bequeath to the said John
407 Rowden William Dredge and Solomon Dredge Seven
408 hundred pounds Eighteen Shillings and Nine pence
409 Capital Stock now standing in my Name in the
410 three per Centum Consolidated Bank Annuities with
411 the Interest and dividends due and growing due for the
412 same at the time of my decease upon Trust and to
413 the Intent and purpose that they the said John Rowden
414 William Dredge and Solomon Dredge or the Survivors
415 or Survivor of them their or his Executors or Adm[inistrat]ors to
416 and shall stand possessed of the said Stock and
417 receive and pay the Interest and dividends as shall
418 from time to time arise and be made thereof unto
419 the said Louisa Dredge and her Assigns for and
420 during the Term of her natural life to and for
421 her own proper use and benefit and not to be
422 subject to the debts Controul or Intermeddling of any
423 husband
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424 husband she may take and her own receipt and
425 receipts notwithstanding Coverture and whether sole
426 or Covert to be from time to time good and
427 Sufficient discharge and discharges for the same
428 and provided the said Louisa Dredge shall die
429 leaving Issue of her Body lawfully to be begotten
430 then from and after her decease I give and bequeath
431 the said Capital Stock and the Interest and dividends
432 then due and growing due for the same unto her
433 Executors and Adm[inistrat]ors and in case the said Louisa
434 Dredge shall happen to die without leaving any
435 Child or Children as aforesaid then I give the said Seven
436 hundred pounds Eighteen Shillings and Nine pence
437 Capital Stock three per Centum Consolidated Bank
438 Annuities with the Interest and dividends due and
439 growing due for the same at the time of her
440 decease unto the said Frances Dredge Mother of the
441 said Louisa Dredge if she shall be then living
442 to and for her own proper use but if she shall
443 be then dead then to her daughter the said
444 Mary Dredge her Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns I give
445 and bequeath to Richard Dawkins of the Close of
446 Salisbury in the said County of Wilts Gardener the
447 Sum of Two hundred pounds To my Servant Mary
448 Batten if she shall be living with me at the time
449 of my decease the Sum of one hundred and fifty pounds
450 and to Ann Gregory daughter of Frances Gregory if
451 she shall be also living with me at the time of
452 my decease the Sum of one hundred pounds which
453 said several Legacies I hereby Will and direct shall
454 be paid by my Executor hereinafter named within
455 twelve Months next after my decease and as
456 for and concerning all the rest residue and
457 remainder of my Monies Securities for Monies Stock
458 in husbandry and all and Singular other my
459 Estate whatsoever and wheresoever both real and
460 personal I give devise and bequeath the same
461 unto my said Nephew Solomon Dredge to hold
462 the same unto the said Solomon Dredge his
463 heirs Executors Adm[inistrat]ors and Assigns for ever or
464 for and during all such Term Terms Estate Estates
465 and Interests as I shall have therein respectively
466 at the time of my decease and I make Nominate
467 Constitute and appoint the said Solomon Dredge whole
468 and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament
469 hereby revoking all former and other Wills by me
470 at any time heretofore made In Witness whereof I
471 the said Thomas Blake the Testator have to this
472 my last Will and Testament contained in this and
473 the Seven other Sheets of paper hereunto annexed
474 to the first Seven Sheets thereof set my hand and
475 my hand and Seal to this eighth and last Sheet
476 this
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477 this Sheet this Twenty third day of December
478 in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred
479 and two Thos Blake Signed Sealed published
480 and declared by the said Thomas Blake the
481 Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in
482 the presence of us who have hereunto Subscribed
483 our Names as Witnesses thereto in the presence of
484 the said Testator and of each other Jno Swayne
485 J B Pearse W Lowdry
486 Whereas I have gave all my Freehold
487 Estate at Steeple Langford to my Executors In Trust
488 for Mary Dredge of Wishford daughter of
489 William and Mary Dredge my Will is that
490 they do pay her but six pounds every quarter
491 of a year and if she do Marry then the whole
492 of the Estate to go to my Executor during Mary
493 Dredges life Thos Blake July 25 1805
494 Whereas I have gave to Harry Dredge
495 on my Will all my two Leasehold Estates at
496 Sureton in the parish of Stapleford my will is
497 that my Executor Solomon Dredge shall have
498 the Estate paying Harry Dredge twelve pounds
499 a year half yearly as long as my Interest shall
500 so long continue in the Estate Thos Blake Decr 26
501 1805 if he sells his right in the Estate it is
502 to be paid no longer
503 I give to Richard Dawkins Son of Richard
504 Dawkins of Salisbury Fifty pounds I give to all
505 the Children of Robert Dawkins of Netton that
506 be living at my decease Twenty pound each to
507 be paid in twelve Months after I give to Francis
508 Gregory all the three houses at End late Newtons
509 for his life and the Land after his decease I give
510 the Dower House to his Grand docter Polly
511 Gregory dafter of his dafter Eliz Gregory for
512 her life I give to Sarah Dredge Wife of Thos
513 Dredge the house late Richard Mundays for
514 her life if she do not mary Thos Blake Jan
515 21 1807
516 Whereas I have on my will gave to
517 Eliz: Down wife of George Down of Newton
518 Ten pounds a year for her life in an Estate
519 late at Newton if my Interest shall so long
520 continue my will is she shall have but five
521 pounds
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522 pounds a year and Rebeckah Mathews to have
523 the other five pound a year the other five pound
524 a year paid her during my Interest on the
525 Estate to be paid half yearly June 26 1807 Thos Blake
526 Appeared Personally
527 John Rowden of Great Wishford in the County of
528 Wils Gentleman George Rowden of Great
529 Wishford in the said County of Wilts Yeoman
530 and John Eve of Great Wishford in the said
531 County of Wilts Yeoman and made oath that
532 they know and were well acquainted with
533 Thomas Blake late of Wishford in the County of
534 wilts Gentleman deceased and also with his
535 manner and Character of handwriting and
536 Subscription having seen him write and write and
537 Subscribe his Name and having with care and
538 attention viewed and observed the paper writing
539 hereunto annexed bearing date the Twenty fifth day
540 of July One thousand Eight hundred and five and
541 purporting to be a Codicil to the last Will and
542 Testament of the said deceased bearing date the
543 Twenty third day of December one thousand Eight
544 hundred and two and which said Codicil begins
545 thus “whereas I have gave all my Freehold Estate”
546 ends thus “during Mary Dredges life” and thus
547 Subscribed Thos Blake July 25 1805 they these
548 appearers do say that they verily and in their
549 Consciences believe the whole series and contents
550 of such Codicil beginning ending and Subscribed
551 as aforesaid to be all the handwriting and
552 Subscription of the said Thomas Blake deceased
553 John Rowden George Rowden John Eve on the
554 Twenty third day of April in the year of our
555 Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Eight the
556 said John Rowden George Rowden and John Eve
557 were sworn to the Truth of the above affidavit
558 before me Peter Harrison Commissioner in the
559 presence of Will: Doucher Not. Pub.
560 Appeared Personally
561 George Rowden of Wishford in the County of Wilts
562 Yeoman and John Eve of Wishford in the said
563 County of Wilts Yeoman and made oath that they
564 know and were well acquainted with acquainted
565 with Thomas Blake late of Wishford in the County
566 of Wilts Gentleman deceased and also with his
567 manner and Character of handwriting and Subscription
568 having seen him write and write and Subscribe his
569 name and having with care and attention viewed
570 and
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571 and observed three several Codicils to the
572 last Will and Testament of the said deceased
573 bearing date the Twenty third day of December
574 in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight
575 hundred and two and which said three several
576 Codicils bear date the Twenty sixth day of
577 December one thousand Eight hundred and five
578 the Thirty first day of January One thousand
579 Eight hundred and Seven and the Twenty sixth
580 day of June one thousand Eight hundred and
581 Seven the first of which said Codicils begins
583 thus “whereas I have gave to Harry Dredge” ends
583 thus “it is to be paid no longer” and is thus
584 Subscribed Thos Blake Decr 26 1805 the second
585 begins thus “I give to Richard Dawkins “ ends
586 thus “if she does not Marry” and is thus Subscribed
587 Thos Blake Jany 31 1807 the Third begins thus
588 “whereas I have on my will” ends thus “to be
589 paid half yearly” and is thus subscribed June
590 26 1807 Thos Blake They these appearers do
591 say that they verily and in their Consciences
592 believe the whole series and Contents of the
593 said recited Codicils beginning ending and
594 Subscribed as aforesaid to be all of the proper
595 handwriting and Subscription of the said Thomas
596 Blake deceased George Rowden John Eve
597 on the Twenty third day of April in the
598 Year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred
599 and Eight the said George Rowden and John
600 Eve were sworn to the truth of the above
601 affidavit before me Peter Harrisson Commissioner
602 in the presence of Willm Doucher Not Pub.
603 This Will was proved at
604 London with four Codicils the Thirtieth day of
605 April in the year of our Lord one thousand
606 Eight hundred and Eight hundred and Eight
607 before the Right honorable Sir William Wynne
608 Knight doctor of Laws Master or Commissary of
609 the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
610 Constituted by the Oath of Solomon Dredge the
611 sole Executor named in the said Will to whom
612 Administration was granted of all and Singular
613 the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said
614 deceased he having been first sworn by
615 Commission duly to administer
