Henry Beard (1741 - 1795)

52 Ancestor Challenge - Challenge 18

Blake, King, Coleman, Pearce, Farmer, unknown, Lambden, Sarah (unknown), Knight, Ellis, Knight, Vincent, Butt, Durnford, Arnold, Molton, Cotterel, Bartlett, Alderman, Ann (unknown), Sherwood, unknown, Habberfield, Collings, Rawlings, Tanner, Dove, Morgan, Lywood, Canham, unknown, Peck, Pincombe, Charley, Rowcliffe, Pearse, Rew, Moggridge, Siderfin, Kent, Gray, Hilton, Cobb, Sproxton, Routledge, Tweddle, Routledge, Routledge, (unknown) Buller, unknown, Beard, Hemsley, Welch, Brockhouse, Cheatle, Woodcock, unknown Taylor, unknown, Harborne, Lewis, Roberts, Croxall, Lawley, unknown

It does seem appropriate to do Henry Beard next because I just referred to him in last weeks 52 Ancestor Challenge.Finding Henry Beard was thanks to my cousin Robin Beard. An email out of the blue identified Christy and Mary Buller as being mentioned in the will of Henry Beard with Mary being his daughter. What a marvelous gift as I had not at that time identified the surname of Christopher Buller's wife. That was back in 2008 and since then we have put together an interesting tree for Henry Beard both ancestral and descendant.

Henry Beard left his will dated  16 Sep 1795 and it was probated 23 Jan 1796. His burial record states that he died at Lion Court, Parish St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey, Surrey and was buried 1 Nov 1795 in the Churchyard of St Mary Magdalen. We visited the Church and graveyard in 2010. It is a beautiful quiet grassy area in behind the Church. We spent a little time there but the exact location of the burial place for Henry and his first wife Elizabeth Hemsley is unknown to me at this time. According to his burial record his year of birth was circa 1741. I have not yet been able to find a baptism/birth for Henry Beard that would fit into this particular year. His will reads as follows:

Source: The National Archives PROB 11/1270/251

[In margin] Henry Beard
1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Henry Beard of Bermondsey Street in the parish of
3    Saint Mary Magdalen Southwark in the County of Surr[e]y
4    Tanner being weak in body but of sound and disposing
5    Mind Memory and understanding do make publish and declare
6    this my last will and Testament in manner and form
7    following first I recommend my Soul into the hands of
8    Almighty God who gave it and my body I commit to the
9    earth to be decently and frugally interred at the discretion
10    of my Executors herein after named and to all my worldly
11    Estate whatsoever and where so ever where with it may
12    please God to bless me being all personal I give devise
13    and bequeath the same after payment of my funeral
14    expences the expence of proving this my will and all
15    my just debt as herein after is mentioned (that is to say)
16    I Give unto my Dear Wife Jane Beard the use of the
17    whole of my household Goods plate linen China furniture
18    and utensils what soever which shall be in my
19    dwelling house at the time of my death To hold use
20    occupy and possess the same during her life and from
21    and immediately after her death I direct that the
22    same be disposed of by my Executors herein after
23    named for the most money that can be reasonably
24    gotten for the same and that the produce thereof be
25    equally divided between my three daughters Mary
26    Buller the wife of Christy Buller Elizabeth Beard and
27    Sarah Beard share and share alike and in case any
28    one or more of my said Children shall die in the life
29    time of my said Wife Jane Beard then I direct
30    that the money arising from such disposal of my
31    said household Goods plate linen China furniture and
32    utensils be equally divided between such of them as
33    shall be living at the time of her decease to and
34    for their own sole and separate use and benefit and
35    I also Give and bequeath unto my said Wife Jane
36    Beard and to my said daughters Mary Buller the wife
37    of Christy Buller Elizabeth Beard and Sarah Beard the sum
38    of five Guineas each for mourning and I Give unto
39    Thomas Rippon of Bermondsey new road in the parish
40    of Saint Mary Magdalen in the County of Surrey afores[ai]d
41    Gentleman and Joseph Freeman of Grange Walk in the parish
42    of Saint Mary Magdalen in the County of Surrey aforesaid
43    Leather factors my Executors herein after named the sum of
44    ten pounds each for the trouble they may have in
45    the execution of this my will and in the performing the
    [Page 2]
46    Trusts hereby in them reposed and all the rest
47    residue and remainder of my Goods Chattells Stock in
48    Trade book debts Estate and effects of what nature or kind
49    Soever not herein before given or bequeathed I give
50    and bequeath unto the said Thomas Rippon and
51    Joseph Freeman (To hold to them the said Thomas Rippon and Joseph Freeman) their Executors Administrators and assigns
52    upon this Special Trust and confidence nevertheless (that is to say)
53    that they said Thomas Rippon and Joseph Freeman these
54    Executors or Administrators do and shall as soon as
55    convenient after my death sell and dispose thereof and
56    call in and receive all such debts sum and sums of
57    money as shall be due and owing to me at the
58    time of my decease either from my partnership made
59    with George Dade of Bermondsey Street in the parish
60    of Saint Mary Magdalen in the County of Surrey
61    aforesaid Tanner or from any other person or persons
62    whom soever and place the monies arising by such
63    sale or disposal and the monies so to be called in
64    and received upon government or other good and
65    sufficient security in their own interest and in such
66    interests as they shall think proper and also with
67    Trust that they do and shall receive the Interest
68    and Dividends thereof from time to time as the
69    same shall become payable and pay the same unto
70    my said dear Wife Jane Beard for and during the
71    term of her natural life provided she does not
72    intermarry with any other husband after my decease
73    and from and immediately after the decease to pay
74    assign transfer and convey all and every such said
74    and sums of money so to be placed out and
76    invested by the said Thomas Rippon and Joseph
77    Freeman upon Government or other good security or
78    securities unto and amongst my said daughters Mary
79    Buller the wife of Christy Buller Elizabeth Beard
80    and Sarah Beard share and share alike to and for
81    their own use and benefit and in case any or
82    other of my said daughters shall depart this life
83    in the life time of my said wife Jane Beard
84    then in Trust to pay assign transfer and receive
85    the part or share of such deceased child or
86    children unto such other or others of my said children
87    as shall be living at the time of the decease
88    of my said wife Jane Beard in equal proportion
89    but that if my said Wife Jane Beard shall marry
90    any husband in future then the Trust to pay assign
91    transfer and convey one fourth part of the money
92    So to be placed out upon Government or other
93    Securities unto my said Wife Jane Beard to and
94    for her own sole use and benefit and also In
95    Trust to pay assign transfer and convey the remaining
96    three fourth parts or shares of the said moneys
    to be placed out as aforesaid unto and among
97    [Page 3]
98    My said three daughters Mary Buller the wife of Christy
99    Buller Elizabeth Beard and Sarah Beard in equal shares
100    and proportions to and for their own use and
101    benefit and in case any or other of my said dau[ghte]rs
102    shall happen to die in the life time of my said
103    wife Jane Beard leaving issue of her or their body
104    or bodies lawfully begotten then In Trust to pay
105    assign transfer and convey the part or share of
106    such deceased child or children unto such her and their
107    issue share and share alike (if more than one)
108    when and so soon as they shall severally and respectively
109    attain their several and respective ages of twenty
110    one years and to pay and apply the Interest dividends
111    and produce thereof in the mean time for and
112    towards their respective maintenance and education
113    but in case one or more of my said daughters
114    shall happen to die without leaving issue of her or
115    their bodies lawfully begotten then the Trust to pay
116    assign transfer and convey the part of share of such
117    deceased child or children unto such other child or
118    Children as shall be living at the time of the dece[ase]
119    of my said Wife Jane Beard and I do hereby
120    empower and direct my said Trustees to pay assign
121    transfer and convey the same accordingly and I do
122    authorize and empower my said Trustees from time to
123    time as often as they shall think proper to alter and
124    change the securities or which the said residue of
125    my Estate and effects shall hereafter be placed out
126    and from time to time as often as they shall
127    think fit again to place the same upon Government
128    or such other good and sufficient security or securities
129    as they shall think proper and I do thereby
130    authorize and empower my said Trustees to apply
131    the respective part or share of any or other of my
132    said Children who shall so happen to die in the life
133    time of my said wife Jane Beard leaving
134    issue lawfully begotten for putting any or other of them
135    out to Business or any suitable employ or for setting
136    him her or them up in Business or advancing him
137    her or them respectively in any employ or otherwise
138    or his heires their  administrators ______ advancement if this would by marriage otherwise
139    ^ how soever any thing in this my will contained to
140    the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding
141    and it is my Will and meaning that my said
142    Trustees or other of them shall not be liable to
143    answer or make good any loss of losses that shall
144    or may happen to the aforesaid residue of my
145    Estate and effects in placing out the trust monies
146    according to the directions in this my will or in the
147    transacting any money affairs or otherwise relating to
148    or concerning the execution of the Trusts mentioned
149    in this my will unless the same shall appear to
150    happen by or through their or other of their
    [Page 4]
151    wilful neglect or default nor shall either of them my
152    said Trustees be answerable or accountable for the
153    acts deeds receipts or disbursements of the other of them
154    but each of them shall be answerable only for his
155    own separate acts deeds receipts and disbursements and
156    I do hereby direct that my said Trustees shall and
157    may pay and reimburse themselves and himself out of
158    the aforesaid residue of my Estate and effects all
159    reasonable and necessary costs charges and expences
160    what soever that they or either of them shall or
161    may bear pay be put into or sustain in or about
162    the creation of this my Will or the trusts hereby in
163    them reposed and Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute
164    and appoint my said Trustees the said Thomas Rippon
165    and Joseph Freeman Executors of this my last Will and
166    Testament and do hereby revoke and make void all former
167    and other will and wills by me at any time hereto
168    fore made and do declare this to be my last will and
169    Testament In witness whereof I the said Henry Beard
170    the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament
171    contained in three sheets of paper set my mark and
172    Seal (that is to say) to the first two sheets thereof
173    my mark and to this third and last sheet my
174    mark and Seal this sixteenth day of September in
175    the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred
176    and ninety five [The mark] + [of Henry Beard] [Seal] Signed
177    Sealed published and declared by the said Henry Beard
178    the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in
179    the presence of us who in his presence at his
180    request and in the presence of each other have
181    there unto subscribed our marks as witnesses [signed] James
182    Hopton [signed] Jno Rippon
183    This Will was proved at London the twenty
184    Third day of January in the year of our Lord One
185    Thousand seven hundred and ninety six before the w[or]shipful
186    Thomas Champion Crespigny Doctor of Laws Surrogate of
187    the Right Hon[oura]ble Sir William Wynne Knight also Doctor of
188    Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Perogative Court
189    of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oathes of Thomas
190    Rippon and Joseph Freeman the Executors named in the
191    said Will to whom Administration was Granted of all and
192    singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased
193    having been first Sworn duly to administer.



The Burial Registers at St Mary Magdalen also have a rather interesting entry 1 Apr 1797 for Ann Margaret Beard who died living at Grange Road in Bermondsey.  Going back in time Elizabeth Hemsley, the first wife of Henry, died while living at Grange Road in Bermondsey. She was buried 22 Jul 1781 (St Mary Magdalen). More on Elizabeth later but would mention that she was baptized November 1742 at St Mary Newington, Southwark, Surrey.


Today searching I have found a marriage for Henry Board/Beard and Margaret Cope 18 Jul 1744 at St Mary Newington, Southwark. Henry's date of birth has been estimated on the burial record as 1741 and I am thinking that likely Henry is not a son of this couple but there are a number of Beard families who live at Grange Road through the 1700s into the 1900s. This is my cousin Robin's line. Henry Beard (mistranscription by Ancestry has Board) was likely baptized 28 Apr 1712 at St Mary Magdalen and born 14 Apr 1712 son of Edward and Ann Beard. I need to find another Beard line that fits into my line. Finding this marriage does rather change the earlier ancestry that we had worked out for the Beard family.



I will leave Richard Beard who left his will in 1823  naming his children as Joseph George (born 29 Sep 1804 and baptized 4 Nov 1804 at St Saviour, Southwark), William John, Ann Elizabeth (born 30 May 1807 and baptized 30 Aug 1807 at St Saviour, Southwark daughter of Richard and Ann) and James Charles attached to the family of Henry Beard and Ann Margaret Cope. But not a daughter Sarah who married Thomas Charlton 9 Apr 1757 at St Mary Magdalen, I have unattached her and left her as a sister to Henry since he named a daughter Sarah. I will leave Edward attached to the family of Henry Beard and Ann Margaret Cope as well.



Source: The National Archives PROB 11/1674/76
Date of document: 9 Jan 1823, probated 23 Aug 1823

[In margin] Richard Beard
1    This is the last Will and Testament of me
2    Richard Beard in the parish of Bermondsey in the County of
3    Surrey I give devise and bequeath all my property and Effects whatsoever
4    And wheresoever ^unto my wife on condition that she pay unto my Son George one
5    shilling and further after the decease of my wife that my son Joseph
6    George have and enjoy all gains profits and Issues arising from the
7    Business on proviso that he pay to my daughter Ann Elizabeth three
8    long as she remain unmarried twenty five percent out of the said gains
9    profits and Issues and after her Marriage ten per Cent only and moreover
10    at the decease of my wife that all Estates main. and Stock in Trade and
11    Household furniture be valued and equally divided among my then
12    surviving children I do hereby appoint my sons George and James
13    Charles Executors to this my last Will and Testament and So declared
14    that neither them nor my Son William John shall at any time

15    during the life of my wife or after her death be employed in my Baking
16    Business In Witness whereof I the said Richard Beard the Testator
17    have to this my last Will and Testament at my hand and Seal this
18    9th day of January in the year of our Lord 1823 Richard Beard [Seal]
19    Signed Sealed published and declared by the above named Richard
20    Beard the Testator and for his last Will and Testament in presence of
21    us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have
22    Subscribed our names as witnesses thereunto William James William
23    Rendle William Thomas
24    Proved at London 23 Aug[us]t 1823 before the Worshipful Charles Cook
25    Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oaths of George Beard and James
26    Charles Beard the Sons the Executors to whom adm[inistrati]on was granted
27    having been first sworn duly to administer.

Parents of Henry and Sarah possibilities:


Henry baptized in 1712 had parents Edward and Ann.

Also baptized at St Mary Magdalen children of Edward and Ann:


Joseph baptized 8 Jan 1698

William baptized 23 Feb 1700

Solomon baptized 16 Nov 1702

Jeremiah baptized 2 Mar 1703

Abraham baptized 6 Oct 1706

Sarah baptized 12 Dec 1708

Henry baptized 28 Apr 1712


I did not find a marriage for this couple at St Mary Magdalen searching but will eventually look at the Parish Registers. Lots of possibilities as a father for Henry and arbitrarily choosing Henry as the father of Richard and Edward may be premature so will put that into the possibility column.


I now find that the ancestry of my Henry Beard is unknown and can not find a baptism for him. He was a tanner by trade as mentioned in his will. Perhaps I can find an apprenticeship for him. This was not successful at this time but I believe our next visit to LMA will have a few lookups!


The will of Henry's second wife Jane Blakely.



Source: The National Archives PROB 11/1652/24
Date of document:  1 May 1817, probated 5 Jan 1822
Author: Jane Beard, relict of Henry Beard
Relationship: stepmother of Mary Beard Buller (3x great grandmother)
Location: Crosby Row King Street, Southwark, London, England

[In margin] Jane Beard 13
1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Jane Beard of Crosby row King Street Southwark in the County of Surry Widow
3    do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to
4    say I direct that all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expences be in the
5    first place fully paid and satisfied by my Executors hereinafter named and after payment
6    and satisfaction thereof I give and bequeath unto my daughter in law Sarah Denner
7    now the Wife of Michael Jacob Denner of the Isle of Dogs Gentleman the sum of twenty
8    pounds to my cousin William Cooper five guineas to Christy Buller of Long Lane in
9    the Borough of Southwark aforesaid Slopcutter the sum of ten pounds to the Reverend
10    Doctor John Rippon of the Grange road Bermondsey Thomas Rippon of the Bank of
11    England Gentleman and the said Michael Jacob Denner a mourning ring each which
12    said several legacies I direct to be paid by my Executors as soon as conveniently
13    may be after my decease and as for and concerning all the rest residue and
14    remainder of my estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature
15    kind or quality soever which I now and or shall at the time of my decease
16    be possessed of interested in or entitled unto I direct that my Executors herein
17    after named shall convert the same into ready money immediately after my decease
18    and as to one equal third part of share thereof I give and bequeath the same
19    to the said Thomas Rippon and Michael Jacob Denner their Executors Admi[nistrat]ors and
20    assigns upon trust they they or the survivor of them and the Executors and Adm[inistrato]rs
21    of such survivor do and shall lay out and invest the same in this or their names
22    or name in the purchase of stock in the Bank of England and do and shall stand
23    possessed of such stocks together with the dividends and interest to arise therefrom
24    as and when the same shall become payable and which said dividends and interest
25    Interest I do hereby direct shall be by them from time to time added to and
26    become part of the principal of the said stock upon trust to pay and divide
27    the said stock and securities and the dividends and interest thereof between and
28    amongst all the every the children of my late daughter in law Mary Buller
29    deceased as and when they shall respectively attain the age of twenty one years
30    and in the meantime to suffer the dividends and interests upon their respective
31    shares to accumulate by the way of compound interest for their respective benefits
32    and in case of the death of any or either of the children of my said daughter
33    in law Mary Buller before they shall attain the age of twenty one years then
34    I do hereby direct that the share of such child or children so dying together
35    with all accumulations thereof shall go to and be divided equally amongst the
36    survivors of them if more then one and if but one then to such only child and
37    in case they shall all die in my lifetime or before they shall respectively attain
38    the age of twenty one years then I give and bequeath the said stock and securities
39    and the accumulations thereof unto my daughters in law Elizabeth Millin Widow
40    and the said Sarah Denner their heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns and
41    as to one other full equal third part of share thereof I give and bequeath the
42    same unto my daughter in law the said Elizabeth Millin her heirs Executors
43    Administrators and assigns to and for the and their own use and benefit and as
44    as to the remaining equal third part or share thereof I give and bequeath the
45    same
    [Page 2]
46    same unto my daughter in law the said Sarah Denner her heirs Executors
47    Administrators and assigns to and for her and their own use and benefit and I
48    do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said Thomas Rippon and Michael
49    Jacob Denner Executors of this my last Will and Testament and do revoke all
50    former wills by me at any time heretofore made In witness whereof I the said
51    Jane Beard the Testatrix have to this my last Will and Testament contained
52    in one sheet of paper set my hand and seal the first day of May in the year
53    of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen Jane Beard [Seal] Signed
54    Sealed published and declared by the said Testatrix Jane Beard as and for the
55    last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in her presence in the presence
56    of each other and at her request have subscribed our names as Witnesses hereto
57    David Hudson No 40 Crosby row Sarah Hudson same place Josh Hudson
58    same place
59    This is a Codicil to the last Will and Testament of me
60    Jane Beard of Crosby row King Street Southwark in the County of Surry Widow
61    whereas in my will after given certain specific and perminary legacies I have
62    directed that the residue of all my estate and effects of what nature or kind soever
63    and wheresoever which I shall be possessed of at the time of my decease be
64    converted into ready money as soon as conveiently may be after my decease
65    for the purposes therein mentioned now it is my will and mind and I do hereby
66    direct that all my wearing apparel which I shall be possessed of at the time
67    of my decease be not converted into money but shall be divided between my two
68    daughters in law elizabeth Millin Widow and Sarah Denner now the wife of
69    Michael Jacob Denner of the Isle of Dogs Gentleman and my will and mind is
70    and I do hereby desire to be buried in Burnhill Fields burying ground in the
71    City Road London and in all other respects I do hereby confirm my said will In
72    Witness whereof I the said Jane Beard have to this Codicil to my last Will and
73    Testament set my hand and affixed my seal this seventh day of May in the year
74    of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen Jane Beard [Seal] Signed
74    Sealed published and declared by the said Testatrix Jane Beard as and for a
76    Codicil to her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in her presence
77    at her request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our
78    Names as witnesses David Hudson Sarah Hudson same place Josh Hudson
79    same place
80    [In margin] Proved at London 5th January 1822 before the Worshipful Samuel Rusle
81    Moyrel Doctor of Laws Surrogate by the oath of Michael Jacob Denner
82    one of the Executors to whom administration was granted
83    Having been first sworn duly to administer
84    Power reserved to Thomas Rippon the other Executor

An interesting set of wills with Jane's obviously being that of the widow of Henry Beard my 4x great grandfather. Both Elizabeth's and Sarah's marriages are known to me. As Jane mentions in her will, Mary Buller is now deceased at the time of writing her will.

Discovering more about Henry would be interesting and perhaps our visit to LMA may be fruitful.

Ancestry of Henry Beard

1. Elizabeth BLAKE
2. Helen Louise PINCOMBE (b 18 Oct 1916) - Westminster Township, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada
3. Ellen Rosina BULLER (b 20 May 1886) - Birmingham Warwickshire England
4. Edwin Denner BULLER (b 8 Apr 1850) - Birmingham Warwickshire England
5. Henry Christopher BULLER (b 30 Jan 1805)- St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey Surrey England
6. Mary BEARD (b 15 Dec 1767) - St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey Surrey England
7. Henry BEARD (buried 1 Nov 1795) - St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey Surrey England

Wills still remaining to be transcribed

25 August 2013 I blogged the total number of wills that I still have remaining to be transcribed. I am going to do an update just to remind me of wills that I have promised to do over time and the remaining Blake wills that I am hoping to complete by the end of the year. 

Blake 486 (includes 7 only for which no place is indicated)
Abbs 1
King 17
Kingdon 1
Kip 3
Locke 7
Burges 1
Butt 1
Carter 3
Chorley-Churley-Charley 15
Coffin 3
Kent 10
Knight 2
Lambden 5
Lywood 4
Millin 3
Moggeridge-Modridg-Moggridge 12
Question 3
Quirke 1
Rawlings-Rawlins 12
Robson 2
Rolles 3
Routledge 5
Rowcliffe 6
Siderfin 3
Snowe 5
Tapp 1
Thomas 3
Upcott 3
Vicary 6

I have since then acquired a number of new wills including:

Blake at Record Offices not PCC which all the above Blake are

namely from Dorset, Hampshire, London, Westminster, Gloucestershire Record Offices

482 wills

Family Search I still have 21 wills to transcribe

Total number of wills is an amazing number:  1109 wills

A busy job ahead for me still but I remain dedicated to complete all the Blake wills that I am able to transcribe but with summer coming on I can see my time will be shortened somewhat as I have a couple of other projects that I want to complete so finishing by the end of December for the PCC wills might work but definitely not for all the new wills that I have acquired.

Bishops Nympton conversion

Proceding along with the conversion of the word file to an excel file, there are now at the middle of 1835 5278 baptisms, at the end of 1812 1111 marriages, at the end of 1812 3676 burials and at the end of 1886 364 banns. The baptisms continue up to 1986 and I will complete all of those before going to the marriages. Marriages will just be up to the middle of 1837 as Devon does not make fiche of the marriages from 1837 onwards, the burials then continue from 1813 to 1987. The Banns are now complete. I am on page 554 of this 876 page document. I am quite pleased to be moving along so quickly. The next stage will be to proofread the documents from the original microfiche of the Parish Registers.

I have had a few interesting emails. One in particular was from a descendant of the older brother of John Pincombe (my 2x great grandfather). The two families communciated into the early 1900s (likely until about 1918 when William Robert Pincombe died (my great grandfather). He used to visit relatives in the United States with his second family leaving my grandfather to take care of the farm.

A second email was from a descendant of the William Millin/Elizabeth Beard family (the sister of my 3x great grandmother Mary Beard married to Christy Buller). I am not entirely sure what to think of their queries and perhaps it was an error on my part to record a couple of thoughts on the Millin family and their emigration to Australia. I may just remove them from my blog until I can figure out again why I think it was five rather than the three for which he has clear knowledge. I know I chatted back and forth with another Beard cousin at the time about the Millin family. I think perhaps I will just remove the statement. Sometimes people are quite friendly on line and other times they are rather pointed and this is supposed to be fun so I tend to ignore them for the most part. My study of family history is just a hobby these days. My working in genealogy is way back in the past now. If I am incorrect in a statement than I can just remove it if anyone can substantiate that it is incorrect.

A third email today mentioned North Molton records. I eventually plan to submit the transcription to Genuki Devon.
Well that being said I shall get back to my Bishops Nympton file and delete the short statement from the Millin post until I can substantiate it. Likely I will not delve that thoroughly into the Millin family so I may never substantiate it. Time will tell in that regard.

Hemsley of Bermondsey, London, UK

The surname Hemsley has been a tantalizing one ever since I found one of my 2x great grandfather's sisters had been named Emma Hemsley Buller. I felt it just must lead me back to their mother whose forename was Mary. I knew that the parents of my Henry Christopher Buller were Christy and Mary Buller because that is the way that it was written for the baptism.

Out of the blue I received an email from a member of the Beard family letting me know that Mary Buller's maiden name was Beard and with the will in hand I transcribed it and learned a little more about the Beard family. I still hadn't found the name Hemsley but as I searched back in time looking for the wife of Henry Beard I discovered the marriage of Henry Beard and Elizabeth Hemsley 31 Mar 1766 at St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey. My intuition had paid off as I now knew what I had thought to be true; that Hemsley was a family name (one more generation back than I thought but very welcomed none the less).

I went through the Burial Register for St Mary Magdalen and found the burial for Elizabeth Beard (née Hemsley) 22 Jul 1781 at St Mary Magdalen. When we visited the Church  and Church Yard of St Mary Magdalen in October last, I wandered around the Church Yard to see if there was any trace of tombstones for the Beard family but did not find any. I knew that there probably wasn't a stone anymore but wanted to look anyway. It was interesting walking on the grounds where 250 years ago my 4x great grandparents had married and watched their three daughters (all baptized at St Mary Magdalen) grow up in the Church community. Mary (my ancestor) was the eldest of three daughters.

Elizabeth the second daughter was likely born around 1770 (still searching for her baptism) and she married William Millin 24 Dec 1807 at St Mary Whitechapel, Tower Hamlets, London. He died 19 Apr 1812 at Three Hammer Alley,  Southwark. They had two sons John baptized 21 Aug 1808 at St Saviour, Southwark but died before his father as he was not named in the will and Horatio Henry who was baptized 11 Nov 1810 at St Saviour. He married Martha Wood 29 Jul 1832 at St Mary Magdalen and they had seven children. Horatio Henry Millin died june quarter 1866 at Bermondsey.

Charles Henry baptized 30 Jun 1837 at St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey
Martha Mary born circa 1838
Horatio Benjamin baptized born circa 1840,  11 Dec 1853 at Christ Church, Bermondsey
Henry born circa 1842, baptized 11 Dec 1853 at Christ Church, Bermondsey
Sophia born circa 1845
Emma born circa 1849, baptized 11 Dec 1853 at Christ Church, Bermondsey
William Nelson born circa 1853, baptized 11 Dec 1853 at Christ Church, Bermondsey

I do not have any further information on this family.

Their third daughter was Sarah born 23 Feb 1777 at Lambs Alley, Bermondsey and baptized 2 Mary 1777 at St Mary Magdalen. She married Michael Jacob Denner 21 Jan 1808 at St Andrew Undershaft, London and they had two children that I have found thus far

Henry John born 11 Feb 1812, baptized 7 June 1812 at St Botolph Without aldgate, London and buried 18 Aug 1813 at St Botolph Without Aldgate.

Sarah Jane born 30 Mar 1820 and baptized 30 Mar 1820 at St Botolph Without Aldgate.

I have not found any further information on this family to date other than that Michael Jacob Denner remarried in the 1850s.

Christy Buller was named in the will of William Millin as an executor.

Date: 30 Jan 2011

Document: Will

Source: The National Archives # 227

Date of document: 6 May 1812

Author: William Millin

Relationship: husband of Elizabeth Beard (sister to my 3x great grandmother Mary Beard)

Location:  Three Hammer Alley, St Edwards Broadway, Southwark, London, England

Document quality: 18th century English, good black writing somewhat dotted

margin] William Millin

1  In the Name of God Amen I

2  William Millin of Three Hammer Alley Saint Edouard's Broadway in

3  the Borough of Southwark in the County of Surr[e]y Cooper being weak in

4  body but of sound mind memory and understanding blessed be God for the

5  same do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following

6  that is to say I commit my body to the Earth to be decently buried at the

7  discretion of my Executor hereinafter named and touching such worldly Estate as

8  it hath pleased Almighty God in his goodness to bestow upon me gave and

9  dispose thereof as follows I give and bequeath unto my dear Wife Elizabeth Millin

10  all my household furniture linen plate china wearing apparel ready money

11  Stock in trade debts and all other my Effects which shall be found in and upon

12  my dwellinghouse shop and premises situate in three Hammor alley aforesaid

13  at the time of my decease to and for her own absolute use and benefit  she

14  my said wife paying thereout all my just debts funeral expenses and the

15  charges of proving this my Will and Where there is now standing in my

16  name in the books of the Governor and Company of the bank of England

17  the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds three per cent consolidated bank

[Page 2]

18  annuities  I do give devise and bequeath the same unto my friend Christy

19  Buller of Three Hammer Alley aforesaid Slop Cutter Upon __ue in the first place

20  to sell assign and transfer the sum of fifty pounds part thereof unto my said dear

21  Wife to and for her own absolute use and benefit And afterwards to pay to or

22  otherwise to permit and suffer my said dear Wife to receive the Interest and

23  dividends of the residue of the residue of the said sum of two hundred and

24  fifty pounds as and where the same shall become due and payable until my

25  son John Millin by my former Wife shall attain the age of twenty one years and

26  upon his attaining that age then to sell assign and transfer the further Sum of

27  one hundred pounds other part of the said Sum of two hundred and fifty pounds

28  three percent consolidated bank annuities unto my said Son John Millin to

29  and for his own absolute use and benefit and afterwards upon further trust to

30  permit and suffer my said dear Wife to receive the Interest and dividents of the

31  remaining __er of one hundred pounds three percent consolidated bank

32  annuities as the same shall become due and payable until my second son Horatio

33  Henry Millin by my said dear Wife Elizabeth shall attain his age of twenty one years

34  and then upon trust to sell assign and transfer the said remaining sum of one

35  hundred pounds being the residue of the said Sum of two hundred and fifty pounds

36  three per cent consolidated bank annuities unto my said Son Horatio Henry to

37  and for his own absolute use and benefit but in case my said Son John Millin should

38  happen to depart this life before he ataine the age of twenty one years then my

39  mind and will is and I hereby direct that the said one hundred pounds Stock

40  given and bequeathed to him as aforesaid shall go to and belong to my said Son

41  Horatio Henry raised in case unpaid heirs John Millin and Horatio Henry Millin shall die before they attain their respective ages of twenty

42  One years then my mind and will is and thereby direct the said Christy Buller

43  to pay assign and transfer the said two hundred pounds Stock unto my said dear

44  Wife to and for own absolute use and benefit and I hereby nominate constitute

45  and appoint my said dear friend the said Christy Buller sole Executor of this my will and I hereby revoke all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore

46  made and declare this only to be my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I

47  the said William Millin the Testator have re this my last Will and Testament

48  contained in two sheets of paper set my hand and seal that is to say to the first

49  sheet thereof my hand and to the second and last sheet thereof my hand and seal

50  this twenty sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred

51  and twelve Wm Millin (seal) Signed Sealed published and declared by the within

52  named William Millin the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in

53  the presence of use who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each

54  other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereof  Jn: Rippon [signed]

55  att[orne]y at Law Southwark Isaac Foster [signed]

56  Proved at London 6th May 1812 before the w[ors]hipful John Daubery Doctor of Laws

57  and Surrogate by the Oath of Christy Buller the sole Ex[ecut]or to whom admon was

58  granted having been first sworn duly to administer.

Continuing to look at Elizabeth Hemsley and my contact for the Beard family sent me rather interesting information on the Hemsley family at St Mary Newington in Southwark. I had found the burial for Elizabeth Hemsley Beard 22 Jul 1781 at St Mary Magdalen (she was living on Grange Road when she passed away) and her age was listed as 38. Working with that information she was likely born in 1742 and at St Mary Newington there is an Elizabeth Hemsley baptized Nov 1742 and born 16 Oct 1742 at St Mary Newington. She was the daughter of Matthew Hemsley and Mary Coal who were themselves married 14 Dec 1740 at St Mary Newington and they had four children baptized

Mary born 22 Aug 1741 and baptized 23 Aug 1741 at St Mary Newington (she is thought to have died by 1750)
Elizabeth (as above)
George baptized 20 Jul 1744 at St Mary Newington
Mary baptized 14 Feb 1750 at St Mary Newington

My project with the next research day is to continue working with the Hemsley family at Newington and review some information on the Hemsley family sent to me by the Beard family researcher with whom I am in contact. Their opinion is that this family can be traced back to a parish north of the Thames River and I shall investigate that.

Horatio Henry Millin

A new cousin has been found when I transcribed the will of William Millin the husband of Elizabeth Beard (sister to my 3x great grandmother Mary Beard who was married to Christy Buller). Horatio was born 12 Oct 1810 and baptized 11 Nov 1810 at St Saviour, Bermondsey. He married Martha Wood 29 Jul 1832 at St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey and thus far I have found seven children. The names of the daughters are interesting - Martha Mary and Emma. This is the second set in this generation using the names Martha and Emma. In my Buller family there is Martha Sarah and Emma Hemsley. The Hemsley is easy as that was the maiden name of Henry Beard (father of both Elizabeth and Mary (as well as Sarah))'s first wife Elizabeth Hemsley.

Looking at the early Beard families in St Mary Magdalen parish register the wifes have names Martha, Emma, Sarah and Ann. Is there a clue here to help us find the parents of Henry Beard? Will all of this searching on collateral lines lead to information on Christy Buller who was born around 1764 but no idea yet where or to whom. In William Millin's will he is being entrusted with executorship of a large sum of money. Actually Christy is buried in 1832 when Henry Horatio is just 22 years old so Horatio would have just obtained his majority when Christy died.

I need to try to find a burial for Elizabeth Millin and did find one in 1853 at Rotherhithe St Mary, Southwark, Surrey, England. I couldn't find a will though for her or for Horatio Henry Millin.

I spent some time trying to locate Christy (Christopher perhaps) Buller's baptism and marriage to Mary Beard but no luck yet.

I trranscribed the will of William Millin which proved to be rather interesting.
1    In the Name of God Amen I
2    William Millin of Three Hammer Alley Saint Edouard's Broadway in
3    the Borough of Southwark in the County of Surr[e]y Cooper being weak in
4    body but of sound mind memory and understanding blessed be God for the
5    same do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following
6    that is to say I commit my body to the Earth to be decently buried at the
7    discretion of my Executor hereinafter named and touching such worldly Estate as
8    it hath pleased Almighty God in his goodness to bestow upon me gave and
9    dispose thereof as follows I give and bequeath unto my dear Wife Elizabeth Millin
10    all my household furniture linen plate china wearing apparel ready money
11    Stock in trade debts and all other my Effects which shall be found in and upon
12    my dwellinghouse shop and premises situate in three Hammor alley aforesaid
13    at the time of my decease to and for her own absolute use and benefit  she
14    my said wife paying thereout all my just debts funeral expenses and the
15    charges of proving this my Will and Where there is now standing in my
16    name in the books of the Governor and Company of the bank of England
17    the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds three per cent consolidated bank
    [Page 2]
18    annuities  I do give devise and bequeath the same unto my friend Christy
19    Buller of Three Hammer Alley aforesaid Slop Cutter Upon __ue in the first place
20    to sell assign and transfer the sum of fifty pounds part thereof unto my said dear
21    Wife to and for her own absolute use and benefit And afterwards to pay to or
22    otherwise to permit and suffer my said dear Wife to receive the Interest and
23    dividends of the residue of the residue of the said sum of two hundred and
24    fifty pounds as and where the same shall become due and payable until my
25    son John Millin by my former Wife shall attain the age of twenty one years and
26    upon his attaining that age then to sell assign and transfer the further Sum of
27    one hundred pounds other part of the said Sum of two hundred and fifty pounds
28    three percent consolidated bank annuities unto my said Son John Millin to
29    and for his own absolute use and benefit and afterwards upon further trust to
30    permit and suffer my said dear Wife to receive the Interest and dividents of the
31    remaining __er of one hundred pounds three percent consolidated bank
32    annuities as the same shall become due and payable until my second son Horatio
33    Henry Millin by my said dear Wife Elizabeth shall attain his age of twenty one years
34    and then upon trust to sell assign and transfer the said remaining sum of one
35    hundred pounds being the residue of the said Sum of two hundred and fifty pounds
36    three per cent consolidated bank annuities unto my said Son Horatio Henry to
37    and for his own absolute use and benefit but in case my said Son John Millin should
38    happen to depart this life before he ataine the age of twenty one years then my
39    mind and will is and I hereby direct that the said one hundred pounds Stock
40    given and bequeathed to him as aforesaid shall go to and belong to my said Son
41    Horatio Henry raised in case unpaid heirs John Millin and Horatio Henry Millin shall die before they attain their respective ages of twenty
42    One years then my mind and will is and thereby direct the said Christy Buller
43    to pay assign and transfer the said two hundred pounds Stock unto my said dear
44    Wife to and for own absolute use and benefit and I hereby nominate constitute
45    and appoint my said dear friend the said Christy Buller sole Executor of this my
    will and I hereby revoke all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore
46    made and declare this only to be my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I
47    the said William Millin the Testator have re this my last Will and Testament
48    contained in two sheets of paper set my hand and seal that is to say to the first
49    sheet thereof my hand and to the second and last sheet thereof my hand and seal
50    this twenty sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
51    and twelve Wm Millin (seal) Signed Sealed published and declared by the within
52    named William Millin the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in
53    the presence of use who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each
54    other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereof  Jn: Rippon [signed]
55    att[orne]y at Law Southwark Isaac Foster [signed]
56    Proved at London 6th May 1812 before the w[ors]hipful John Daubery Doctor of Laws
57    and Surrogate by the Oath of Christy Buller the sole Ex[ecut]or to whom admon was
58    granted having been first sworn duly to administer.

Thanksgiving

My weekend since coming home from Cape Cod disappeared rapidly. We had Thanksgiving here and there were the four of us plus the two dogs. We had a grand time and the bird looked very Thanksgiving like. I made a bean salad of which I am very fond, plus jellies (orange and cranberry), carrots and onions, salad tray and dip, cheese puff pastries, jam tarts, baked potatoes and yam, and then a pumpkin pie. The bird was stuffed with a bread stuffing and a sausage stuffing. The dogs enjoyed their share of thanksgiving meat as well.

I worked away on Henry Beard's will (four full pages) and completed the 191 lines of transcription. I have meant to do it for awhile and it was interesting. I had skimmed through it finding that he was the father of Mary Beard married to Christopher Buller when I first purchased it. However, it answers a number of questions about Henry Christopher Buller the only living son of Christopher and Mary Buller. When I find him in the early 1830s married to Sophia Scroope they are living on Lamb Conduit Way and he has a pork butcher shop there (purchased now I am sure by the trust in his grandfather Henry Beard's will). I wasn't sure before whether he had married into the Welch family and acquired his Butcher Shop in that way but this has clarified that completely. I am hoping that I might learn more about the Buller family through the Scrooby family that he married into. Neither child appears to have survived from the Henry and Sophia marriage and Sophia had died by 1838 when Henry remarried as a widower at Edgbaston (Anne Welch daughter of William Welch). That has certainly answered all the questions about Henry that I had hanging about with regard to his being a widower. I notice this surname (Scrooby) is quite rare when I check it out on the surname profiler.

Today I have completed the will of Henry Beard and then worked on the will of Jane Buller (Henry's widow) which continues with interesting information on Christopher Buller. I also now have the married names (including husband's name) of the two sisters of Mary Beard - Sarah and Elizabeth. Sarah married Michael Jacob Denner (also a slopcutter) listed as a Gentleman of the Isle of Dogs. Elizabeth (now widow) had married William Millin. Again the setting up of a Trust for the children of Mary Beard is paramount in her will which is not probated until 5 Jan 1822 although written in 1817. The burial that I found in the non parochial registers in 1821 is quite likely her burial. I must purchase the record in the near future. In her will she asked to be buried at Burnhill Fields in London.

I have a third will for the Beard family - Richard Beard who died in 1823. I had purchased it hoping to discover if he would mention any brothers as the individual who originally sent me the excerpt from Henry Beard's will that mentioned Christy Buller has Henry with two brothers (Richard and Edward) and one sister Sarah. I have not yet been able to verify this information as Henry does not mention any brothers. Richard's will mentions his children (and wife but not by name) Joseph George, John William, Ann Elizabeth and James Charles. Interesting to find them all with second names. Richard would appear to be a baker by trade.

Tomorrow I have to have my permanent cap put on but I will probably work on some transcriptions as I get used to the new tooth!