Arthur Blake, the testator, is part of the Humphrey Blake family at Overstowey. He identifies his brother as Humphrey and his Uncle as Edward Blake. His mother in law is Martha Tomms. His wife is Joane and two daughters Mary and Elizabeth. Neither daughter is 21 years of age.
Just to place him into the tree for this family, Arthur is the son of Humphrey Blake and Elizabeth Giles and the grandson of Humphrey Blake and Agnus/Ann James. That takes him back to his great grandfather John Blake the elder married to Johan who was a son of Humphrey Blake and Agnis and they are the beginning of this line (thus far) with Humphrey buried at Over Stowey 28 Dec 1558.
Arthur is likely the third son with John the eldest, Humphrey next and then Arthur. His younger brothers appear to be much younger with Richard baptized 6 Dec 1629 at Over Stowey (nearly ten years after Arthur’s approximate date of birth in Nov 1619) and John (I have not yet located a baptism date for him). Arthur’s wife is Jane or Johane Tomms as noted in the will and her mother was Martha Tomms.
The will verifies the family links as he also identifies his uncle as Edward and going back to the siblings of his father Humphrey Blake (born circa 1580 and married to Elizabeth Giles) they were:
John baptized 25 Apr 1583 at Over Stowey
Mary
Richard baptized 17 Sep 1585 (married to Alice Martyn)
Jone baptized 23 Sep 1587
Edmund
Robert baptized 8 Jun 1589
Arthur baptized 22 Jun 1592; buried 25 Jun 1592
The parents of these children were Humphrey Blake married to Agnus/Ann James 23 Oct 1578 at Over Stowey.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 25 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/231/323
Testator: Arthur Blake, Gentleman
Place: Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 3 Nov 1652, probated 16 Jun 1653
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: The Will of
[Margin]: Arthur Blake
[Margin]: 13
1 In the name of God Amen
2 the Third day of November in the yeare of our Lord God
3 One Thousande six hundred fifty and two I Arthur
4 Blake of Wivelscombe in the Countye of Somersett Gent
5 being at this Instant tyme of sounde and perfect memory thankes
6 therefore be given to God doe make and ordaine this my last
7 Will and Testament in manner and forme following That is to
8 say First I give and bequeath my Soule to Almighty God my
9 only Maker and Redeemer and my Body to the Earth by a decent
10 and Christian burial with a full Assurance after my departure
11 out of this miserable World of a ioyfull resurrection into the Kingdom
12 of heaven by the death and passion of Jesus Christ my only Saviour
13 and Redeemer First I give and devise unto Tenne of the most
14 impotent old people within the parishe of Wivelscombe which
15 live out of the Almehouse Tenn shillings equally to be divided
16 and againe I give unto the most impotent poore people of Over-
17 Stowey Tenn shillings, Againe I give and devise unto Arthur Blake
18 my Nephew and Godsonne my best Ewe sheepe Againe I give and
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19 devise unto my Two youngest Bretheren as a Toaken of my love
20 five shillings a peece Againe I give and devise unto Mary
21 Blake my youngest daughter all my estate in loste and whole
22 Terme of yeares determinable upon lives which shall be to come
23 and endureing after my decease in a certaine Tenement and Over
24 Land called Fursey Moore late conveyed and sett unto Robert
25 Slone and John Charles to be accountable for the yearely rente
26 thereof after my decease for there terme unto my overseers to ye use of the said Mary my daughter paying yearely out of the p[re]misses to come unto Joane
27 Blake my now Wife the full summe of six pounde Towards her
28 subsistence and lively hood and for so long time as Martha Tomms
29 Widdow Mother of the saide Johan shall live and no longer And if it
30 shall so happen that both my saide daughters to dye and my Wife
31 survive That then by this my Will I doe give and devise the saide Tenem[en]t
32 and Overlande unto the said Joane for all the Terme then therein to
33 come and unexpired as shall appeare by the Originall deeds of purchase
34 Againe I doe give and devise unto Mary my daughter the summe of
35 Twenty poundes And againe I give and devise unto Joane my
36 Wife the summe of Thirty pounds And againe I doe further give and
37 devise unto my saide Wife All that one Mewe or Slagg of Wheate or Corne
38 standing in a Close called the Legre next to the house alloweing out
39 of the same to Martha Tomms Twenty and five bushels towards
40 her house And againe I doe further devise and give unto Joane my
41 Wife one gray Mdare and one great goldes hogge pigg And againe I doe
42 give and devise unto Martha Tomms my Mother in Law Fowre
43 Milch kine six Lambs eight Ewe Sheepe Three calves Two great
44 Hoggs Two Shootes And againe all other my goods chattels not formerly
45 given and bequeathed my debts Legacies and funeral expences payde
46 and performed I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Blake my daughter
47 who I make and ordaine my whole and sole Executrix of this my last Will
48 and Testament And my expressed Will and meaning further is and
49 hereby doe declare my Intent and purpose That if my Executrix shall
50 happen to dye in the tyme of her Infancye having no fulnes of Capacity
51 by p[er]fection of yeares to dispose of her Estate Than then all such goods
52 Chattells and personal Estate by me formerly devised shall be and
53 remaine unto Joane my Wife Mary my daughter and my Two youngest
54 brothers equally to be divided by my Overseers or the Survivour or
55 Survivours of them and I doe hartily desire my Uncle Edward Blake
56 my Brother Humphrey Blake and John Michell of Wivelescombe to be Overseers
57 of this my last Will and Testament to be aiding and Assisting unto
58 my Executrix touching the probate and due execution thereof unto
59 whome I give a payre of gloves of five shillings a peece And also
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60 desireing theire fathfull Love and Care to my Wife and Tuition of
61 my Children In Witnesse where of I the saide Arthur Blake To this
62 My last Will and Testament in writing have sett my hand and seale
63 the day and yeare above written revoaking and annihilating all former
64 Wills as Frustrate and voide The marke of Arthur Blake Signed
65 sealed confessed and acknowledged to be the last Will and Testament
66 of the within named Arthur Blake in the presence of Robert Wynter
67 the marke of Richard Burdy
68 The sixteenth day of June one Thousand six hundred fifty
69 and Three Administration issued forth to Edward Blake Humphrey
70 Blake and John Michell Overseers and Trustees named in the
71 Will of Arthur Blake late of Wivlescombe in the County of Sommerset
72 Gent dec[ease]d having goods etc to administer the goods Chattells and
73 debts of the said dec[ease]d according to the Tenor and effect of the Will
74 to the use and benefit and during the minority of Elizabeth
75 Blake daughter and Executrix To whome Administration was
76 committed They being sworne by Commission truly to administer
Showing posts with label Michell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michell. Show all posts
Friday, September 27, 2013
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Will of Margaret Blake, wife of Robert Blake, Images from the National Archives (my own)
I have been meaning to start on the Somerset wills that I imaged when we were at Kew in 2010 but time has slipped by very quickly and now that I am into looking at the Blake family of Somerset it is time to transcribe the Blake wills that I have of Somerset (I have another dozen wills to transcribe). Others have transcribed the will of Margarett Blake in part but I decided to do the entire version. Margaret is grandmother to Lord High Admiral Robert Blake (son of Humphrey) and mentioned in her will.
Margaret mentions her husband Robert of Bridgewater and quickly we know which family line this is plus her children Anstice (mentioned in her grandfather Humphrey Blake's will so alive in 1558 and more than 42 years of age), Humphrey with his nine children and William who will be an overseer along with others. Only Robert the eldest son of Humphrey is mentioned and he is thought to be about one year old when this will was written in 1599. The sons must have married late or they were much younger than Anstice perhaps. As I transcribe the parish records (if available), I may discover more about this family. But for the moment the will is an interesting read (three pages in length). I found it interesting the insistence that the young girls mentioned in the will were not permitted to marry before 25 with permission.
My initial thoughts when I was first into genealogy back in 2003 was that people married young but I found that some of my ancestors did marry young but many of them were in their early twenties.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 11 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives (images by me of #624)
Name of testator: Margarett Blake
Place: Bridgewater, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 20 Apr 1599, probated 7 Nov 1600
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 16th century, bold copy, script
[In margin] T: Margarete
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of god Amen the Twentithe daye of Aprill in the yere
2 of our Lorde god One Thousande fyve hundred ninety and nyne, And in the
3 One and Fouretithe yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Ladie Elizabeth by the
4 grace of god Queene of Englande Frannce and Irelande defendor of the fayth Etc
5 I Margarett Blake of Bridgewater in the Countie of Somersett, widowe, late wief
6 of Roberte Blake deceassed beinge of perfecte healthe and good memorye (thankes be
7 to god) knowinge the instabillitie of this mortall life, That deathe is sure to every man
8 and nothinge more uncertaine then the tyme thereof do make my last will and testam[en]t
9 in manner and forme followinge, Firste I bequeathe my soule to Almightie God, And my
10 bodie to the grave, beseachinge him of his infinite mercye by the death and merites of my
11 Lorde and Saviour Christ; To receive my spirite into his kingdome when it shall please his
12 devine Maiestie to dissolve the same from this Earthlie bodie, Item I give and bequeathe
13 to the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses of the Boroughe of Bridgwater the somme of tenne
14 pounds, to be levyed gathered and paide in unto them by and out of the interest and increase
15 of suche money as I nowe have, or at the time of my deathe shall have forthe at interests,
16 whiche money my will is shall be let forthe for use, until such tyme as the said tenne
17 poundes and other my Lecacies herein conteyned shall be fullie satisfied and paide, And I doe
18 devise and appoynte that the saide Tenne poundes shall yerelie for ever be lett forthe to
19 use, for the benefitt and beheese of the poore people of the Boroughe of Bridgewater afore-
20 saide, To be employed and bestowed yerelie at Alhollowtide in Six Smockes for Six poore
21 women, or for more, or lesse, as the saide use will stretch unto for the tyme beinge. To
22 be given them yerelie, duringe the lyves of my sonnes William and Humfrye, To such
23 poore people as they or the survivor of them shall appoynte within the Boroughe afore-
24 saide, And after their deathes the same allwayes to be distributed as aforesaide in Smockes
25 for the poore of the same Boroughe at the tyme aforesaide by the discretion and appoyntm[en]t
26 of the Maior and councell of the saide Boroughe for the tyme beinge, Item I give to the
27 Almes house of Bridgwater standinge withoute the westgate a Coverlett of downye
28 and A paire of newe canvas sheetes To this and That when anie of them be sicke and shall
29 neede the same to use the saide coverlett and sheetes, And when anie of them doe dye to
30 use the Coverlett to laye over the corps in carryenge to their buryall, More I give
31 the saide Almes house at the houre of my deathe foure shillinges in money, More I give
32 to the poore of Bridgewater (exceptinge the Almes houses) as to be distributed at my
33 buryall by the discretion of my Executors in trust, Twentie shillinges in money, Item,
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34 I give to the Almes house of Storguisey fyve shillinges, And fyve shillinges more to oth[e]r
35 of the poore of that parishe by the discretion of the churchwardens there for the time
36 beinge, and my cosen Bartholmewe More of weeke, if he then shall be lyvinge, Item I
37 give to the poore of Spaxton Tenne shillinges to be distributed by the discretion of the
38 churchwardens there, and the Tenemente of Tuxwell for the tyme beinge, Item I give to
39 my sonne William Blake a coverlett of Tapistrye, and one silver spoone, Item I give to
40 my sonne Humfreys childe Robert Blake A Spur Royall of gould, Item I give to my
41 daughter Anstis Buckinge my best cloake, my best hatt and my blewe mantell, Item
42 I give to Emanuell Buckinge Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to Anne white Tenne
43 shillinges in goulde Item I give to Richard and Roberte Stradlinges sonnes of Richard
44 Stradlinge, To eache of them Tenne shillinges, to be bestowed for them in some needfull
45 garmentes or bookes as my Executors in trust shall thinke good, Item I give to my Sister
46 Elizabethe Symons Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to my Sister Dorothie Sinder-
47 combe Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to my cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey
48 one silver spoone and Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to master Nicholas Strete
49 the elder one silver spoone, And a spur Royall of gould, Item I give to mistresse Marye
50 Streete his wife my martin Skynnes and velvet waste, Item I give to master John
51 Michell one silver spoone, Item I give to mistres Dorothie Michell his wife my gould
52 Ringe withe deathes head, Item I give to Marye Stradlinge the wife of Richarde
53 Stradlinge my furred gowne, Item I give to Sara Popham my god daughter my gould
54 Ringe withe Turkeys stone, Item I give to a preacher for a Sermon at my Buryall
55 Tenne shillinges, Item I give to Jane Stradlinge daughter of Richard Stradlinge,
56 Fouretie poundes in money, my Sea Chist withoute feete beinge empty, And a litle
57 spruce chist with theis thinges in it viz [a vi]t a silver sault double guilt with a cover,
58 weyenge Sixtene ounces and haulf, A vallaunce for a Bed of needle worke conteyninge three
59 panes. A paire of fine hollande sheetes, and a bearinge flannynge of stamell clothe, More
60 I give her my best gowne, best petticoate, and greatest panne nexte to my sonne Humfreys
61 panne, Item I give to Grace Stradlinge Sister of the saide Jane fourtie poundes in
62 money, my newe chist of two bushells, being emptie, my lesser spruce chist also
63 emptie, my gowne of London browne, my seconde greatest panne, And two needle worke
64 Cusshions, Item I give all my wearinge lynnen to the saide Jane and Grace equally
65 betwene them to be devided, And the lynnen in the litle blacke chist or Coffer I give
66 to the saide Jane and Grace, as it is there already devided in the saide Chist viz [a vi]t that
67 parte or bundell wherein the Curtynes are, to be for Jane, The other parte or bundell
68 for Grace withe also the chist, Also my will is That if the saide Jane or Grace
69 Stradlinge or either of them shall happen to dye before the tyme in the which they
70 are to Receive their Legacyes accordinge to this my will hereafter specified: That then
71 such Legacies of her that shall so dye shall whollie Remaine unto the Survivor of the
72 saide Jane and Grace, And if they bothe shall happen to dye before the saide tyme:
73 That then is shall whollie Remaine unto Richard and Roberte Stradlinges brothers
74 of the saide Jane and Grace equallie to be devided, or to the survivor of them, To be
75 paide to them when they bothe, or the survivor of them shall accomplishe the age hereafter
76 specified, And whereas Robert Blake my late husbande deceassed did leave att the
77 tyme of his deathe the somme of twelvescore poundes of currante Englishe moneye
78 in the handes of Richard Hodges deceassed and one Leonarde Crosse: To the end that
79 Twentie poundes of the yerelie gaine and increase thereof should be paide unto me
80 Yerelie for my mainetenaunce duringe my life, And did further will and appointe
81 That the said somme of Twelvescore poundes should be paide unto, and for ever
82 remaine and be in the handes and keepinge of the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses
83 of the Borough of Bridgwater, to this end and purpose That the saide Maior Aldermen
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84 and Burgesses and their successors for ever should let forthe or otherwise employ the saide
85 somme of Twelve score poundes and therewith to make a yerelie gaine of Twentie pounds
86 And the same Twentie poundes yerelie after my death to distribute and give in this manner
87 followinge viz [a vi]t, Sixtene poundes thereof to be given and devided yerely amongest the poore
88 people of the Boroughe of Bridgwater aforesaide accordinge to the discretion of the Maior
89 Aldermen and councell of the saide Boroughe And the other fouer poundes residue of the
90 saide Twentie poundes for Reparation and amendmente of the cawsies and highe-
91 wayes neare to the saide Borough of Bridgewater by the like order and discretion as
92 is aforesaide, And especially willed me to have care and to procure the same to be
93 Performed, my will and spetiate desire and Request therefore is, That if the saide twelve
94 score poundes shall nott in my lyfe tyme be paide, in or otherwise be assured to be paide
95 unto the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough aforesaide accordinge to my saide
96 husbandes will and appointements, That then my Executors and Overseers doe withall
97 conveniente speede procure the same to be don[e], And that my sonne Humfrey to whom the somme
98 is nowe assured doe (as he will answere before god when the secreates of all mens hartes
99 shall be knowne) deliver in the saide assurance and cause the somme to be made to the
100 saide Maior Aldermen and Burgesses accordinge to the will and desire of his said Father
101 afore mentioned, as my self would have don[e], if the same had come to my handes or bin asked
102 unto me, as it ought to have bin by the will of his saide Father , And I doe by theis pre-
103 sents ordaine and make the saide Jane and Grace Stradlinge to be Executors of this my
104 last will and Testament, when they bothe or the survivor of them shall accomplishe the
105 age of Twentye and fyve yeres, or otherwise, when they bothe, or either of them shall
106 marrye, with the consent and good likinge of my beloved frendes master Nicholas Streete
107 Gentleman, William Blake my sonne and my cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey or
108 to the survivor or survivors of them: That from thenceforth it shall and maye be
109 lawfull for the saide Jane and Grace, Or to such as shall soe marrye as aforesaide
110 And not otherwise to take the charge and execu[t]ion of Executorshippe of this my saide
111 Testamente for such por[t]ion as shall be founde due or meant to them or either of them
112 by this my saide Testamente, But if either of the saide Jane or Grace shall rashly
113 and wilfully marrye before they shall accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve yeres
114 as aforesaid withoute the consente and good likings of the above named Nicholas
115 Streete William Blake and Richard Blake, or the survivor or survivors of them
116 That then my will is That suche of them the saide Jane or Grace shall enioy no benefit
117 of this my Testamente, either by legacye or Executorship, but shall whollie Reverte
118 unto the other of the Two Sisters above named whiche shall be founde to observe
119 the Condi[t]ions above written at the tyme before specified: But if bothe of them
120 shall wilfullie marrie before the age aforesaide without the consent of the parties
121 above written: That then bothe of them shall be utterlie voide of anie benefit of this
122 my saide will and Testamente, And from thenceforthe my will is that whole benefitt
123 shall come to the above named Richard and Robert Stradlinges brothers of the saide
124 Jane and Grace equallie to be devided, or to the survivor of them, when they bothe
125 or the survivor of them shall likewise accomplishe the age of Twentye and fyve yeares
126 And in the meane tyme I doe make appointe and request the within named
127 Nicholas Streete, William Blake, and Richard Blake to be the Executors of this
128 my saide will and Testamente (viz [ a vi]t) untill the saide Jane and Grace Stradlinges
129 shall bothe of them or the survivor of them accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve
130 yeres as aforesaide, or otherwise shall marrye withoute the consent of suche as is
131 before specified, And if the saide Legacies shall happen to fall to the above named
132 Richard and Robert Stradlinges, either by the deathe of their saide Sisters or by
133 their defaulte, in marryenge withoute consente as aforesaide, Then my will is that the
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134 saide Richard and Robert Stradlinges or the survivor of them shall likewise be the
135 Executors or Executor of this my saide will and Testamente, when they bothe or the
136 survivor of them shall likewise accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve yeres, and nott
137 before, until whiche type I doe reques[t]e and appointe the saide Nicholas Streete
138 William Blake and Richarde Blake to be the executors of this my saide will, uppon
139 Truste and confidence to the use of such to whom it shall apperteine as is aforesaide
140 And from thenceforthe the Executorshippe of the saide Nicholas Streete, William
141 Blake and Richard Blake to cease and be utterlye voyde, And that they shall be from
142 thenceforthe overseers of this my saide Testamente, And I doe by theis presents
143 Revoke and make voyde All my former willes and Testamentes, And ordeine and
144 appointe this to be my last will and Testamente, In witnes whereof I have to
145 theis presents set my Seale and subscribed my signe geven the day and yere
146 aforesaide
Margaret mentions her husband Robert of Bridgewater and quickly we know which family line this is plus her children Anstice (mentioned in her grandfather Humphrey Blake's will so alive in 1558 and more than 42 years of age), Humphrey with his nine children and William who will be an overseer along with others. Only Robert the eldest son of Humphrey is mentioned and he is thought to be about one year old when this will was written in 1599. The sons must have married late or they were much younger than Anstice perhaps. As I transcribe the parish records (if available), I may discover more about this family. But for the moment the will is an interesting read (three pages in length). I found it interesting the insistence that the young girls mentioned in the will were not permitted to marry before 25 with permission.
My initial thoughts when I was first into genealogy back in 2003 was that people married young but I found that some of my ancestors did marry young but many of them were in their early twenties.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 11 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives (images by me of #624)
Name of testator: Margarett Blake
Place: Bridgewater, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 20 Apr 1599, probated 7 Nov 1600
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 16th century, bold copy, script
[In margin] T: Margarete
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of god Amen the Twentithe daye of Aprill in the yere
2 of our Lorde god One Thousande fyve hundred ninety and nyne, And in the
3 One and Fouretithe yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Ladie Elizabeth by the
4 grace of god Queene of Englande Frannce and Irelande defendor of the fayth Etc
5 I Margarett Blake of Bridgewater in the Countie of Somersett, widowe, late wief
6 of Roberte Blake deceassed beinge of perfecte healthe and good memorye (thankes be
7 to god) knowinge the instabillitie of this mortall life, That deathe is sure to every man
8 and nothinge more uncertaine then the tyme thereof do make my last will and testam[en]t
9 in manner and forme followinge, Firste I bequeathe my soule to Almightie God, And my
10 bodie to the grave, beseachinge him of his infinite mercye by the death and merites of my
11 Lorde and Saviour Christ; To receive my spirite into his kingdome when it shall please his
12 devine Maiestie to dissolve the same from this Earthlie bodie, Item I give and bequeathe
13 to the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses of the Boroughe of Bridgwater the somme of tenne
14 pounds, to be levyed gathered and paide in unto them by and out of the interest and increase
15 of suche money as I nowe have, or at the time of my deathe shall have forthe at interests,
16 whiche money my will is shall be let forthe for use, until such tyme as the said tenne
17 poundes and other my Lecacies herein conteyned shall be fullie satisfied and paide, And I doe
18 devise and appoynte that the saide Tenne poundes shall yerelie for ever be lett forthe to
19 use, for the benefitt and beheese of the poore people of the Boroughe of Bridgewater afore-
20 saide, To be employed and bestowed yerelie at Alhollowtide in Six Smockes for Six poore
21 women, or for more, or lesse, as the saide use will stretch unto for the tyme beinge. To
22 be given them yerelie, duringe the lyves of my sonnes William and Humfrye, To such
23 poore people as they or the survivor of them shall appoynte within the Boroughe afore-
24 saide, And after their deathes the same allwayes to be distributed as aforesaide in Smockes
25 for the poore of the same Boroughe at the tyme aforesaide by the discretion and appoyntm[en]t
26 of the Maior and councell of the saide Boroughe for the tyme beinge, Item I give to the
27 Almes house of Bridgwater standinge withoute the westgate a Coverlett of downye
28 and A paire of newe canvas sheetes To this and That when anie of them be sicke and shall
29 neede the same to use the saide coverlett and sheetes, And when anie of them doe dye to
30 use the Coverlett to laye over the corps in carryenge to their buryall, More I give
31 the saide Almes house at the houre of my deathe foure shillinges in money, More I give
32 to the poore of Bridgewater (exceptinge the Almes houses) as to be distributed at my
33 buryall by the discretion of my Executors in trust, Twentie shillinges in money, Item,
[Page 2]
34 I give to the Almes house of Storguisey fyve shillinges, And fyve shillinges more to oth[e]r
35 of the poore of that parishe by the discretion of the churchwardens there for the time
36 beinge, and my cosen Bartholmewe More of weeke, if he then shall be lyvinge, Item I
37 give to the poore of Spaxton Tenne shillinges to be distributed by the discretion of the
38 churchwardens there, and the Tenemente of Tuxwell for the tyme beinge, Item I give to
39 my sonne William Blake a coverlett of Tapistrye, and one silver spoone, Item I give to
40 my sonne Humfreys childe Robert Blake A Spur Royall of gould, Item I give to my
41 daughter Anstis Buckinge my best cloake, my best hatt and my blewe mantell, Item
42 I give to Emanuell Buckinge Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to Anne white Tenne
43 shillinges in goulde Item I give to Richard and Roberte Stradlinges sonnes of Richard
44 Stradlinge, To eache of them Tenne shillinges, to be bestowed for them in some needfull
45 garmentes or bookes as my Executors in trust shall thinke good, Item I give to my Sister
46 Elizabethe Symons Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to my Sister Dorothie Sinder-
47 combe Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to my cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey
48 one silver spoone and Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to master Nicholas Strete
49 the elder one silver spoone, And a spur Royall of gould, Item I give to mistresse Marye
50 Streete his wife my martin Skynnes and velvet waste, Item I give to master John
51 Michell one silver spoone, Item I give to mistres Dorothie Michell his wife my gould
52 Ringe withe deathes head, Item I give to Marye Stradlinge the wife of Richarde
53 Stradlinge my furred gowne, Item I give to Sara Popham my god daughter my gould
54 Ringe withe Turkeys stone, Item I give to a preacher for a Sermon at my Buryall
55 Tenne shillinges, Item I give to Jane Stradlinge daughter of Richard Stradlinge,
56 Fouretie poundes in money, my Sea Chist withoute feete beinge empty, And a litle
57 spruce chist with theis thinges in it viz [a vi]t a silver sault double guilt with a cover,
58 weyenge Sixtene ounces and haulf, A vallaunce for a Bed of needle worke conteyninge three
59 panes. A paire of fine hollande sheetes, and a bearinge flannynge of stamell clothe, More
60 I give her my best gowne, best petticoate, and greatest panne nexte to my sonne Humfreys
61 panne, Item I give to Grace Stradlinge Sister of the saide Jane fourtie poundes in
62 money, my newe chist of two bushells, being emptie, my lesser spruce chist also
63 emptie, my gowne of London browne, my seconde greatest panne, And two needle worke
64 Cusshions, Item I give all my wearinge lynnen to the saide Jane and Grace equally
65 betwene them to be devided, And the lynnen in the litle blacke chist or Coffer I give
66 to the saide Jane and Grace, as it is there already devided in the saide Chist viz [a vi]t that
67 parte or bundell wherein the Curtynes are, to be for Jane, The other parte or bundell
68 for Grace withe also the chist, Also my will is That if the saide Jane or Grace
69 Stradlinge or either of them shall happen to dye before the tyme in the which they
70 are to Receive their Legacyes accordinge to this my will hereafter specified: That then
71 such Legacies of her that shall so dye shall whollie Remaine unto the Survivor of the
72 saide Jane and Grace, And if they bothe shall happen to dye before the saide tyme:
73 That then is shall whollie Remaine unto Richard and Roberte Stradlinges brothers
74 of the saide Jane and Grace equallie to be devided, or to the survivor of them, To be
75 paide to them when they bothe, or the survivor of them shall accomplishe the age hereafter
76 specified, And whereas Robert Blake my late husbande deceassed did leave att the
77 tyme of his deathe the somme of twelvescore poundes of currante Englishe moneye
78 in the handes of Richard Hodges deceassed and one Leonarde Crosse: To the end that
79 Twentie poundes of the yerelie gaine and increase thereof should be paide unto me
80 Yerelie for my mainetenaunce duringe my life, And did further will and appointe
81 That the said somme of Twelvescore poundes should be paide unto, and for ever
82 remaine and be in the handes and keepinge of the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses
83 of the Borough of Bridgwater, to this end and purpose That the saide Maior Aldermen
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84 and Burgesses and their successors for ever should let forthe or otherwise employ the saide
85 somme of Twelve score poundes and therewith to make a yerelie gaine of Twentie pounds
86 And the same Twentie poundes yerelie after my death to distribute and give in this manner
87 followinge viz [a vi]t, Sixtene poundes thereof to be given and devided yerely amongest the poore
88 people of the Boroughe of Bridgwater aforesaide accordinge to the discretion of the Maior
89 Aldermen and councell of the saide Boroughe And the other fouer poundes residue of the
90 saide Twentie poundes for Reparation and amendmente of the cawsies and highe-
91 wayes neare to the saide Borough of Bridgewater by the like order and discretion as
92 is aforesaide, And especially willed me to have care and to procure the same to be
93 Performed, my will and spetiate desire and Request therefore is, That if the saide twelve
94 score poundes shall nott in my lyfe tyme be paide, in or otherwise be assured to be paide
95 unto the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough aforesaide accordinge to my saide
96 husbandes will and appointements, That then my Executors and Overseers doe withall
97 conveniente speede procure the same to be don[e], And that my sonne Humfrey to whom the somme
98 is nowe assured doe (as he will answere before god when the secreates of all mens hartes
99 shall be knowne) deliver in the saide assurance and cause the somme to be made to the
100 saide Maior Aldermen and Burgesses accordinge to the will and desire of his said Father
101 afore mentioned, as my self would have don[e], if the same had come to my handes or bin asked
102 unto me, as it ought to have bin by the will of his saide Father , And I doe by theis pre-
103 sents ordaine and make the saide Jane and Grace Stradlinge to be Executors of this my
104 last will and Testament, when they bothe or the survivor of them shall accomplishe the
105 age of Twentye and fyve yeres, or otherwise, when they bothe, or either of them shall
106 marrye, with the consent and good likinge of my beloved frendes master Nicholas Streete
107 Gentleman, William Blake my sonne and my cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey or
108 to the survivor or survivors of them: That from thenceforth it shall and maye be
109 lawfull for the saide Jane and Grace, Or to such as shall soe marrye as aforesaide
110 And not otherwise to take the charge and execu[t]ion of Executorshippe of this my saide
111 Testamente for such por[t]ion as shall be founde due or meant to them or either of them
112 by this my saide Testamente, But if either of the saide Jane or Grace shall rashly
113 and wilfully marrye before they shall accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve yeres
114 as aforesaid withoute the consente and good likings of the above named Nicholas
115 Streete William Blake and Richard Blake, or the survivor or survivors of them
116 That then my will is That suche of them the saide Jane or Grace shall enioy no benefit
117 of this my Testamente, either by legacye or Executorship, but shall whollie Reverte
118 unto the other of the Two Sisters above named whiche shall be founde to observe
119 the Condi[t]ions above written at the tyme before specified: But if bothe of them
120 shall wilfullie marrie before the age aforesaide without the consent of the parties
121 above written: That then bothe of them shall be utterlie voide of anie benefit of this
122 my saide will and Testamente, And from thenceforthe my will is that whole benefitt
123 shall come to the above named Richard and Robert Stradlinges brothers of the saide
124 Jane and Grace equallie to be devided, or to the survivor of them, when they bothe
125 or the survivor of them shall likewise accomplishe the age of Twentye and fyve yeares
126 And in the meane tyme I doe make appointe and request the within named
127 Nicholas Streete, William Blake, and Richard Blake to be the Executors of this
128 my saide will and Testamente (viz [ a vi]t) untill the saide Jane and Grace Stradlinges
129 shall bothe of them or the survivor of them accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve
130 yeres as aforesaide, or otherwise shall marrye withoute the consent of suche as is
131 before specified, And if the saide Legacies shall happen to fall to the above named
132 Richard and Robert Stradlinges, either by the deathe of their saide Sisters or by
133 their defaulte, in marryenge withoute consente as aforesaide, Then my will is that the
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134 saide Richard and Robert Stradlinges or the survivor of them shall likewise be the
135 Executors or Executor of this my saide will and Testamente, when they bothe or the
136 survivor of them shall likewise accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve yeres, and nott
137 before, until whiche type I doe reques[t]e and appointe the saide Nicholas Streete
138 William Blake and Richarde Blake to be the executors of this my saide will, uppon
139 Truste and confidence to the use of such to whom it shall apperteine as is aforesaide
140 And from thenceforthe the Executorshippe of the saide Nicholas Streete, William
141 Blake and Richard Blake to cease and be utterlye voyde, And that they shall be from
142 thenceforthe overseers of this my saide Testamente, And I doe by theis presents
143 Revoke and make voyde All my former willes and Testamentes, And ordeine and
144 appointe this to be my last will and Testamente, In witnes whereof I have to
145 theis presents set my Seale and subscribed my signe geven the day and yere
146 aforesaide
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