Somerby Chapter was really a must and I didn't really think about it until I did basically

 I have written quite a bit about Somerby particularly because well known genealogists have done so trying to correct the errors that this individual created with his "fancy" books which deceived people into believing something that was not true. Unacceptable at best and at worst detrimental to genealogy itself - the printed word does mean something and corrupting it is just loading a huge burden on the public that will be hard to erase. I need to decide now how much to put in the chapter. Do I just put in the sections that correct his mistake and tie it together with my personal thoughts plus the family lore from my grandfather and my father and indeed my second cousin Ivan Kent (grandson of my grandfather's youngest brother)? That would seem to be the best path and the one that is simplest to write. 

I have begun with whom Nicholas Blake was by putting in the will of his mother written in 1527 and probated the same year. I found it interesting that she listed her younger children before the eldest Robert Blake. This is just five years after Richard Blake left his will in 1522 probated the same year. I am suspicious that he is the father of Nicholas as he mentions his eldest son Robert and his brother Thomas and asks that his wife raise his younger children. This is only five years later and Nicholas (her son) and Elzbeth (her daughter) are no longer young as Elzbeth is married to (unknown Mylne). So if Robert was of age in 1522 then presumably he was born by 1501 or earlier. Elzebeth could have married as young as 16 or 17 (it was not unusual) so born by 1509 (or earlier but not before 1501) or 1510 which could see her just 13 when Richard died. Richard left his unnamed daughter a cow (one notes in the will of her mother she mentions that she is giving a cow to her daughter that she had bought from her - interesting comment given that a cow had been a legacy to the daughter of Richard in his will). Nicholas left his will in 1547 and his eldest son William left his will in 1582 (55 years after 1527) and William and his wife (or wives) had ten children and some were now married at his death so one is left to think that William was born not long after 1527 so Nicholas was probably born between 1502 and 1506 since his mother does not say that he is under age in her will. She does not mention grandchildren and Robert (her eldest son) leaves his will in 1542 so perhaps he was born before 1501 since he names grandchildren in his will and his family was six male children (the second son John the Elder died in 1572). Continuing to work on all of these wills as they do mention each other and all live at Enham. 

Realized I stopped putting out my camera at the front window when I went off on my retreat (dog-sitting). I had put it there after the police mentioned that they found it valuable to have the footage on the cloud to look at; I think there had been an incident somewhere; maybe Toronto and that inspired me to put it in the window. But it is in the way in the window so probably I will stop doing that. 

Continuing on with the Somerby chapter today and I have a lot of material. I want to put in enough material to stress that Somerby had been a fraud and that the material he produced concerning Nicholas Blake completely incorrect. 

Breakfast all completed. Drinking my tea and doing my solitaire puzzles.  

 

Looking at Jone Blake's will

 Jone Blake was a widow when her will was written 23 Mar 1527. I only received one page when I ordered this will although I will at some point try to find the probate. It was in very good shape; extremely readable although the language is Middle English but none the less I did transcribe it 28 Aug 2013. I re-transcribed it partially yesterday and will complete it today. There were changes; I am more efficient and less tendency to think I see the letters so removed some here and there. So Jone does not name her husband but does name her sons Nicholas and Robert in that order implying that Nicholas is older perhaps. Elizabeth is named first so suspect she is the eldest. She is married but no grandchildren were named. This will is the linchpin that connects Charlou and myself. Fascinating really. We would be 14th cousins coming down from Jone Blake and her husband likely Richard. 

Source: Family Search, Film 186682, A-377, Page 163 
Testator: Jone Blake, widow
Place: Enham, Hampshire, England
Date of document: 23 Mar 1527

[Top]: copie test[ament]

1    In dei no[min]ie Amen the yer of owre lord gode oon thowsand fyve hundredth xxvij the xxiij day of the mon[e]th of marche
2    I Jone Blake wddow w[i]t[h] a hoyll mynde a[n]d goode memo[r]ye maketh my laste wyll and testi[me]nete in thys man[ner] Fyrst I
3    com[m]end my soll unto almyghty gode oure lady saynt marie a[n]d to all the saynts in hevyn and my body to be buryd in 
4    the chyrche or the chyrche lyttyn of saynt mykell of Enahm It[em] I gyff and bequeth unto ye mother chyrche of saynt Swy
5    thnye xij d It[em] I gyff a[n]d bequeth to ye chyrche of Enahm vj s viij d It[em] I gyff and bequeath xxvj s vij d to be dystrybute 
6    unto poor pepyll in peny doyll It[em] I gyff and bequeth unto my curat Sy[r] Rychard Mersser xx d It[em] I gyff a[n]d bequethe
7    to Sy[r] John Batte xx d It[em] I gyff and bequeth to mayntenyg of the mor[r]ow masse prest in Andover xx d It[em] I gyff and bequeth
8    to mayntenyg of Jhs[us] masse in ye chyrche of Andover xx d It[em] I gyff and bequeath unto the p[ri]or of the Freer Augustines 
9    in Wynchest[er] xx d It[em] I gyff and bequeth to Sy[r] John Whyte freer xx d It[em] I gyff and bequeath to ev[er]y of freer of ye
10    sayde Augustynes a[n]y ye prest iiij d and to ev[er]y novesse ij d of ye sayde place It[em] I gyff and bequeth to ye chyrche of Fosket
11    to mayntenyg of ye light before Saynte Jamys and Saynte Sonday xx d It[em] I gyff and bequeth unto my dowghter Elsabet   
12    Mylne xx shepe besyde thoose th[a]t she hathe allredy and oon Cowe th[a]t I bowght of hyr and xiij s iiij d of money and my gretst 
13    pann a[n]d fowre plater It[em] I gyff and bequeth unto my son Nycolas Blake my tabyll in ye hall a[n]d oon clothe callyd ye hallyg
14    a[n]d two yryne racks It[em] I gyff and bequeath unto my son Robert Blake oon yryne broche a[n]d xviij shepe ye wheche 
15    shepe he hath in kepyng It[em] I gyff and bequeath unto Thomas Iesra of Fosket oon yryne broche and the [re]seydew of
16    all my goods moveabyll a[n]d unmoveabyll Above not legate I gyff unto my chyldrne Nycolas Blake
17    Robert Blake a[n]d to Thomas Iesra of Fosket a[n]d ye sayd goods to be devydytt amongys them equaly  ev[er]y oon of
18    them elyke weche It[em] I make my sonys Nycolas Blake and Robert Blake my trew executors and Thoms Iesra of
19    Fosket my sup[er]visor th[a]t he see my last wyll and testament cumplet a[n]d fulfylld a[n]d the foresayd executors to dyspo
20    se for the heylth of my soll as thay shall see moyst expedient these witnesses Sy[r] Rychard Mersser Sy[r] 
21    John Batte Nycolas Blake Robert Blake w[i]t[h] other  
 

 I will be cleaning today and will add to this re-transcription as the day passes. The changes are very small mostly cosmetic as my reading has improved in the last decade for sure. I now think that Thomas Iesra is her son as well which hadn't occurred to me earlier. Since he is supervisor he is perhaps older which makes sense as her surname is Blake. I must have a look for a will for Thomas Iesra. Fascinating all these new thoughts. Some of the names in this will are the same as in later wills in the family. That may or may not be an assistance. I also never compared it with Richard's will which I will now do probably tomorrow between cleaning. Not mentioning grandchildren does concern a little but it is only 1527 and William (Nicholas' eldest son) died in 1582 and that is 55 years later and he does mention grandchildren. I shall have to have a look at Robert's will once again and those of his sons. I have transcribed all of them (both PCC and Winchester wills as well). 

My eavestrough has pulled away in one spot and a nail is popping so found this company that my Insurance Company has in their system that does repairs so we will see how that goes. I do hate owning a house but life just flows and one  must go with the flow. I will be owning for a while longer. It is nice to have this option in my Insurance Company recommending an agent and the quote came quickly and is reasonable given the current state of the value of money and he is coming tomorrow. That sounds really ideal. I will see if I can book him to come and clean the upper eavestroughs when it stops raining. The lower ones my daughter cleaned for me. She bought this gadget that you just stand on the ground and run it along so we might do that but having someone do the upper ones is better I think. Pulling down like that might be a problem. But it works really well for lower eavestroughs - a really good brush. 

My sister is  now in Long Term Care which I was sad to hear but her life became very complicated with her falls. I am so glad that I went to see her in 2018 when she was still herself. Going to see her now would be really difficult as I have to fly into Halifax and then figure out how to get to Prince Edward Island. So not doing that; sad to say. She is 86 now. We passed like ships in the night when I was a child mostly because I was a withdrawn child keeping to myself; living in the attic and writing my stories and reading so many books. We had more conversations in adulthood after we were both married and had children than we ever had as children (I was six years younger and a walking dictionary). Prayers continuing that she is comfortable. 

Nearly time to start cleaning and will do the Solitaire Puzzles first. It took me about an hour to figure out this setup for the company that will repair my eavestrough. 

Blake family Chart held by the Bridgwater Blake Museum

 I think the one thing I have learned since I first started into surname research back in 2007 was that there is always a purpose to producing a chart and in this case to link the Somerset Blake family to the Blake family of Calne. Both of these charts I have mentioned do that and personally I think that the Somerset Blake lines are the same family. But one notes in this chart above that they do connect William Blake married to Avice Ripley to William Blake of Enham son of Nicholas Blake of Enham. Nicholas' mother was Jone (?) Blake who left her will stating the names of her sons (Robert and Nicholas) and daughter (Elizabeth (Blake) Mylne). She only names her husband as Mr. Blake. A Richard Blake leaves his will in 1522 where he names his children as Robert and Nichi and mentions a daughter but does not name her. This Richard is named in his father Robert Blake's will of 1521. So a bit of a conundrum one might say which I have puzzled through these past years.

Today, when time permits, I will look at this chart based on the known material that has emerged as the Archives put more and more online and various other sets of information are coming forward out of the Church records that are also being placed into the county archives. It is an exciting time actually and the date at the top of this chart has an unknown Blake who had lived at Whiteparish Wiltshire coming to Hampshire in 1471. It is an interesting addition to the story. Whiteparish does exist and is a parish in the hundred of Frustfield 7.5 miles SE of Salisbury, 3 miles south of West Dean Railway.

I will recreate this portion of the Chart just so that it can be read online without squinting. One notes that this Chart is also attached to the Blake family at Calne (see Part 1). 

 

Part 2 of the Blake Family Chart at the Blake Museum begins with the line quoted above which lends to the thought that this Chart was refining something from earlier. At least that was my impression. An unknown Blake of Whiteparish Wiltshire (just south of Salisbury which does have a rather interesting aside where there was a Richard Blake listed on the 1330-1550 Emigrants' Database and mentioned earlier in a blog). That Richard Blake has two dates of arrival 1440 and 1441 at Salisbury. The unnamed Blake in the chart dies by 1471 leaving two sons - William and Robert (by his first wife, unknown). The interesting part of this is a Robert Blake of Enham who leaves his will in 1521 although he does name a William Blake he does not say he is his brother and he names his sons as Richard lives at ?, Robert lives at Enham and Thomas (at Rawkyns in the will but not on this chart).  Now this Richard on the Emigrants' database is listed as Irish but there was quite a bit of movement between England and Ireland in this time frame and I am not seeing the original record. The Calendar of Patent Rolls does show these movements back and forth but there are no entries that include Blake and Salisbury in this time frame. 

Also noting that the Blake-Bellet family has been selected which was likely taken from the Visitation of Surrey 1662-8 (Blague alias Blake) (Page 12, [D. 15, fo. 77]. Francis E Blake of Boston, Massachusetts, USA compiled a book published in Boston 1898 titled: "Increase Blake of Boston, his ancestors and descendants, with a full account of William Blake of Dorchester and his five children. In his chapter "The Family in England" he mentions" his correspondence with Edward J Blake, Esq., of Crewkerne, Somerset, England (a descendant of John Blake, a brother of our William of Pitminster)" (Page 9-10). I am curious if the author of the Blake Family Chart at the Blake Museum is Edward J Blake. Both of these men agreed that all of Horatio Gates Somerby's work had to be carefully checked for errors. So once again one is left to assume that Horatio created a scenario that was then dissected by genealogists ever since it was taken out of the private collection of a Blake family that had it created and into the public forum in 1881. Interesting really but the timing is so excellent and I shall check when Edward J Blake died (an Edward J Blake died Dec quarter 1936 at the age of 93 years in Chard Registration District (includes Crewkerne) (Volume 5c, page 362; FreeBMD accessed 12 Mar 2024)). At the time of the correspondence he must have been in his mid 40s, interesting really.

The time frame for the Blake-Bellet marriage would be interesting to attempt to calculate. I will leave that for my research day on Wednesday and continue looking at this chart. The time frame for Robert Blake and Avis (Wallop) (Malwyn) Blake is known at Quemberford where he had a fulling mill.

Teatime finished. Latin lesson completed and on to the cleaning of the basement. My routine keeps me grounded for sure as I barrel forward with the books and must keep the Blake Newsletter for 1st April on the back-burner of my brain so that I stop early enough towards the end of the month to complete it in a timely fashion. 

On to breakfast; the best meal of the day for sure. Perhaps that is why I repeat the same day after day or am I just lazy. Not sure.

Will of Jone Blake of Enham, Hampshire - Family Search, Film 186682, A-377, Page 163, dated 23 Mar 1527/1528

 Jone Blake, a widow, left her will dated the 23rd Mar 1527 which was just near the end of 1527 as Ladys Day 25 Mar would start the year 1528 under the Julian Calendar. Hence the double dating system in use in our time to remind us that we would now consider the 23 Mar 1527 to be 1528. I tend to just think Old Style and New Style but must be more exact when typing on a page that could be seen around the world!

Jone identifies her children as Nycolas, Robert and Elsabet (now Mylne). She identifies her place of living as Enham by the references within the will. This will helps to identify Nicholas Blake as her son who died in 1547 leaving his will identifying his place of abode as Old Hall, Enham.  

The first transcription that I saw for this will was done by someone else. I have since found the will at the Family History Library and transcribed it and basically it is the same as already transcribed with a few changes none of which alter any of the family details already mentioned. This will is written before Henry VIII established himself as Head of the Church of England severing the close ties with the Church in Rome hence the references to the Mass, Lady Saint Mary and the Augustine Friars although all of these catholic reflections continue in the Anglican Church in which I was raised. 

 Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 28 Aug 2013
Source: Family Search, Film 186682, A-377, Page 163
Testator: Jone Blake, widow
Place: Enham, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 23 Mar 1527
Condition: 16th century English, legible copy

[Top]: copie tes[tament]

1    In dei no[min]ie Amen the yer of owre lord gode oon thowsand five hundredth xxvij the xxiij day of the mon[e]th of marche
2    I Jone Blake wddow w[i]t[h] a hoyle mynde and A goode memo[r]ye maketh my laste wyll and testi[me]nte in thys man[ner] Fyrst I
3    com[m]end my soll unto almighty gode And lady seynt mary and to all the seynts in hevyn and my body to be buryd in
4    the chyrche or the chyrche lyttyn of seynt mykell of Enahm It[em] I gyve and bequeath unto ye mother chyrche of seynt Swy
5    thnye xij d It[em] I gyff and bequeath to ye chyrche of Enahm vj s viij d It[em] I gyff and bequeath xxvjs viij d to be dystrybute
6    unto poor pepyll in peny doyle It[em] I gyff and bequeath unto my curat Syr Rychard Mersser xx d It[em] I gyff and bequeath
7    to Syr John Batte xx d It[em] I gyff and bequeath to mayntenyg of the morrow masse prest in Andover xx d It[em] I gyff and bequeath
8    to mayntenyg of Jhsus masse in ye chyrche of Andover xx d It[em] I gyff and bequeath unto the p[ri]ror of the Freer Augustines
9    in Wynchest[er] xx d It[em] I gyff and bequeath to Syr John Whyte freer xx d It[em] I gyff and bequeath to ev[er]y freer of ye
10    sayde Augustynes th[at] ys prest iiij d and to ev[er]y novesse ij d of ye sayd place It[em] I gyff and bequeath to ye chyrche of Fosket
11    to mayntenyg of ye light before Seynte Jamys and Seynte Senday xx d It[em] I gyff and bequeath unto my dowghter Elsabet   
12    Mylne xx shepe beside thoose she hathe allredy and oon Cows th[a]t I bowght of hyr and xiij s iiij d of money and my gretst
13    pann and fowre plater It[em] I gyff and bequeath unto my son Nycolas Blake my tabyll in ye hall and oon clothe callyd ye hallyg
14    and two yryne racks It[em] I gyff and bequeath unto my son Robert Blake oon yryne broche and xviij shepe ye wheche
15    shepe he hath in kepyng It[em] I gyff and bequeath unto Thomas Iesra of Fosket oon yryne broche and the [re]seyde of
16    all my goods moveabyll and unmoveabyll above not legate I gyff unto my chyldrne Nycolas Blake
17    Robert Blake and to Thomas Iesra of Fosket and ye sayd goods to be devydytt amongs them equaly  ev[er]y oon of
18    them elyke weche It[em] I make my sonys Nycolas Blake and Robert Blake my trew executors and Thoms Iesra of
19    Fosket my sup[er]visor th[a]t he see my last wyll and testament cumplet and fulfylld and the foresaid executors to dyspo
20    se for the heylth of my soll as thay shall see moyst expedient these witnesses Syr Rychard Mersser Syr
21    John Batte Nycolas Blake Robert Blake w[i]t[h] other  

When I went through the film at the Family History Library there wasn't a probate for this will.

Will of Jone Blake, widow, Enham, Hampshire - Family Search, Film #186682, Catalogue A-377, page 163, dated 23 Mar 1527/1528

This will of Jone Blake, widow, of Enham in 1527 was most kindly written in English; my latin skills are weak at best and the treat of discovering that this will was indeed in English was marvelous. I did blog this will from the copy of Charlou Dolan earlier but I always intended to transcribe it for myself and have now done so. The blog from the earlier will:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/09/will-of-jone-blake-hampshire-record.html

Ever since I found this particular will in Charlou’s work I have wondered who her husband was and the father of Robert, Nicholas and Elizabeth (Mylne). I believe it to be Richard now who left his will in 1522 and hence Jone was a widow in 1527. I tend to think in terms of the old calendar so do not always enter the double dating just as a reminder to any readers.

Who Jone was remains a mystery unless her surname was Jesra as she mentions a Thomas Jesra of Foskett.

Although this might appear to wrap up all the wills in this very early time period there are still a few old ones in this time period that I will be transcribing which may help to locate these families and place them into their lines. The will of William Sylver in 1533 mentions Nycholas Blake and Thomas Blake.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 19 Feb 2014
Source: Family Search, Film # 186682, Catalogue A-377, page 163
Testator: Jone Blake, widow
Place: Enham, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 23 Mar 1527/1528
Condition: 16th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: copied test[ament]

1    Jn die no[m]i[n]e Ame[n] the yer of owre lord god oon thowsand five hundredth xxvij the xxiij day of the month of marche
2    J Jone Blake widow w[i]t[h] hoyll mynde and a good memorye maketh my laste wyll and testmente in thys man[ner] Fyrste J
3    commend my soll unto allmyghty god owre lady saynt marey to all the saynts in hevyn and my Body to be buryd in
4    the chyrche or the chyrche lyttyn of saynt mykell of enahm Jt[em] J gyffe and bequeth onto the mother chyrche of saynt swe
5    thyns xii d Jt[em] J gyvv and bequeth to the chyrche of enahm vj s viij d Jt[em] J gyvv and bequeath xxvj s viij d to be dystrybute
6    unto poor pepyll in pen[n]y doyll Jt[em] J gyff and bequeth unto my curat Sy[r] Rychard Mersser xx d Jt[em] J gyff and bequethe
7    to Sy[r] John Batte xx d Jt[em] J gyff and bequeth to mayntenyg of the morrow masse prest in Andover xx d Jt[em] I gyff and bequeth
8    to mayntenyg of Jhs masse in the chyrche of Andover xx d Jt[em] J gyff  and bequeth unto the p[ri]or of the freer Augustines
9    in wynchest[er] xx d Jt[em] J gyff and bequeth to Sy[r] Joh[a]n[nis] Whyte freer xx d Jt[em] J gyff and bequeth unto ev[er]y of freer of the
10    seyd Augustynes th[a]t ys prest iiij d and to ev[er]y novesse ij d of the sayd place Jt[em] J gyvv and bequeth to the chyrche of Fosket
11    to mayntenyg of the light before saynt Jamys and saynt Aidan xx d Jt[em] J gyff and bequeth unto my dowghter Elsabet
12    mylne xx shepe beside thyos th[a]t she hathe allredy and oon Cowe th[a]t J bowght of hyr and xij s iij d of money and my gretst
13    pan and fowre plat[t]erst J gyff and bequeth unto my son Nycolas Blake the tabyll in the hall and oon clothe callyd the hallyg
14    and two yryne racks Jt[em] J gyff and bequeth unto my son Robert Blake oon yryne broche and xviij shepe the wheche
15    shepe he hath in kepyng Jt[em] J gyff and bequeth unto Thome Jesra of Fosket oon yryne broche The resydew of
16    all my goods moveabyll and unmoveabyll J have not legate J gyff and bequeth unto my child[er]ne Nycolas Blake
17    Robert Blake and to Thome Jesra of Fosket and the sayd goods to be devydytt emongys them equaly ev[er]y oon of
18    them elyke mo[r]e[or]l[e]ss Jt[em] J make my sonys Nycolas Blake and Robert Blake my trell executors and Thomas Jesra of
19    Fosket my sup[er]visor th[a]t he see my last wyll and testament Jnplet[ed] and fulfyllyd and the foresaid executors to dypo
20    se for the heylth of my soll as thay shall see moyst expedient the witnesses Sy[r] Rychard Mersser Syr
21    Joh[a]n[nis] Batte Nycolas Blake Robert Blake w[i]t[h] other

Will of Richardus Blayke of Enham 1522

I received a copy of the will of Richardus Blayke of Enham dated 1522 and I think also probated in 1522 but still working on that. Is this possibly the father of Robert, Nicholas and Elizabeth (married to Mr. Mylne) and husband of Jone who left her will as a widow in 1527 also at Enham? I am about 1/4 of the way through the will and it is slow going. Back to working on the will of Richardus Blayke of Enham. I would like to finish it today. Hence no new Blake will tomorrow from Devon, hopefully it will be this will of Richard Blake.

I filled in the copy form on the Family Search website about two weeks ago for this will and it arrived yesterday. Absolutely beautiful scan of it and included the wrapper, a close up scan and a full scan. Many many abbreviations though in the will and it is in Latin so very slow going for me.

Will of Jone Blake, Hampshire Record Office -1528B-06, probated 1528

This will is not my transcription. It was transcribed by Charlou Dolan a Blake researcher who has been doing genealogy for over thirty years. One of my projects is to purchase this will and others from the Hampshire Record Office. Hopefully next winter will see me do that as I would like to transcribe it myself although Charlou does an excellent  job of transcription.

Jone Blake was the widow of (unknown) Blake although some researchers have given him the forename William and placed him as a son of Robert Blake and Avice Wallop. The Pedigree Chart for the Blake family held at the Swindon Wiltshire Registry Office does not list William as a son of Robert Blake and Avice Wallop. Rather they list a William Blake married to Avis Ripley as a son of Roger Blake and Mary Baynard with the father of Roger Blake being Robert Blake married to Margaret Inglefield. This Robert was a son of Robert Blake and Avice Wallop.  The Visitation for the Blake family at Calne (namely Robert Blake and Avice Wallop). The 1623 Visitation of Wiltshire which has a Visitation for the Blake family does not list a son William for Robert Blake and Avis Wallop: children listed for this couple include Elizabeth, Alice, Joane, John, Gilbert, Alexander and Robert.  It is somewhat of a mystery why the Pedigree Chart which is built from the Visitations does add in a son William which I hope to solve one day.

The Will itself which is found below states that Jone Blake is a widow of Enham and remembers her three children Elizabeth (married to Mr. Mylne), Nicholas and Robert. The Overseer Thomas Jefra (sp) of Foxcott is rather interesting to me.  I wonder how he fits into this family grouping/friend grouping. Other than that there isn't a lot of information in the will that helps one to place Jone into a birth family.  The purpose of publishing this will is to establish that Nicholas was the son of (unknown) Blake and Jone Blake widow. That she died in 1527/1528 by which time her daughter was married so that she is likely over 40 years of age. She does not mention if her sons are married but we do know that both are married because of the wills of Nicholas and Robert. There are grandchildren because Nicholas mentions that his son William has children in his will in 1547 so William is likely born before 1527.

Having laid down the timeline for this Andover family Jone Blake widow to Nicholas Blake to William Blake I will now move on to the next will in order in Hampshire. I will likely transcribe with a few thoughts on each will as I remember it linking to another if it does and with lookups in the parish registers if I have them or the IGI. Once I have transcribed all of the Blake wills in my possession and there are quite a few left then I will return to a more thorough look at them.I have replaced all of the "Ampersand" with "and" because blogger adds in additional information when ampersand is used.

A-****  LDS FHL Film 186,682 will #163

Jone Blake, widow, Enham; will dated 23 Mar 1527 [old style?]

Sir Rychard Mersser, curate

Sir John Whyte, friar

daughter Elsabet Mylne

son Nicholas Blake, executor

son Robert Blake, executor

overseer: Thoms. Jefra of Fosket [Foxcott?]

witnesses:  Sir Richard Mersser  Sir John Batte  Nycolas Blake  Robert Blake

Consistory Court of Winchester, Register D, folio 118:

     In dei no'ie Amen  The yere of o'r lorde gode ml vc xxvii the xxviii day of m'che I Johane Blake, wydow w't a hole mynde and a gudde memory make my last wyll and testament in this man'

     First I com'end my soule to all myghty gode, o'r lady seynt mary and to all the seynts in hevyn and my body to be buryed in the Churche or in the churche litten of seynt Michaell of Enahm[sic]

     It'm I gyve and bequeth unto the mother churche of seynt Swyth' xiid

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to the churche of Enah'm vis viiid

     It'm I guve and bequeth xxvis viiid to be distribute unto pore people in peny dole

     It' I gyve and bequeth to my Curate S Ryc Mersser xxd

     It' I gyve and bequeth to S John Batte xxd

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to the maynteyning of the morow masse prest in Andov' xxd

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to the mayntenyng of Jhus masse in the churche of Andov' xxd

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to the p'ror of Freers Augustines in Wync' xxd

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to s John' whight freer xxd

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to ev'y freer of the seid augustines that ys a prest iiiid and to ev'r noves iid of theseid place

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to my douzter Elsabeth mylne xxli shepe beside those she hath All'redy and one cow th't I bouzt of her and xiiis iiid of money and my gretyst panne and foure platters

     It'm I give and bequeath unto my son Nycholas Blake the tabull in the hall and one clothe called the hallyng and ii Iron rakks

     It'm I gyve and bequeath unto my son Rob't Blake one Iron broche and xviii shepe the wheiche shepe he hath in his kepying

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to Thoms Iesra off foskett one Iron broche

     The residue of my goos moveable & unmoveable above not legate I gyve and bequeth unto my children Nycholas Blake Robt Blake and to Thoms Iesra of Foskett and theseid goods to be devyded amongs them equally evy of them lyke moche

     It'm I make my sones Nycholas Blake and Robt Blake my trewe executors and Thomas Iesa of Foskett my supviso'r that he se my last wyll and testament Implete & fulfilled & theseid execut to dispose for the heithe of my soule as the shall se most expedyent

These witnesse S Ryc Mersser

S John Batte

Nycholas Blake

Robt Blake w't

Will of William BlakeYeoman of Andover - National Archives, PROB 11/64/474 , probated 14 Nov 1582

As mentioned yesterday, I am today blogging on the will of William Blake of Eastontown, near Andover, Hampshire, England. William died between 27 July 1582 and the 14 November 1582 when his will was probated by his second eldest son William. This was the first long will that I transcribed after I learned to read the early English which appears in this will. It is seven pages in total and with very small handwriting; it is 329 lines in total. I think he was a very precise man as he details absolutely everything that could possibly go wrong in the settling of an estate. He is particularly precise in how his wife Elizabeth is to be treated. I wonder is he so precise because she is a second wife? There is confusion about this William Blake of Eastontown. He writes his will, he is mentioned in several Visitations and he appears on the Blake Pedigree chart held by the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office. I wander between two thoughts with regard to this William Blake. Either he is the same man appearing on all of these documents or there are two William Blake gentlemen living at Eastontowne who died in the same year 1582. What are the odds? I have no idea actually and continue to hunt out references to William Blake to see if I can determine if he was the only William Blake who died at Eastontown and was the father of two sets of children.

Just to place William in the correct spot in the genealogical framework. He mentions his siblings after his opening religious section of his will and he is a devout Catholic holding the opinions of the English Church as we are now into the reigne of Elizabeth I daughter of King Henry VIII. in between Henry and Elizabeth there has been Edward VI and Mary. Edward moved the Church of England even further away from Rome than his father had and Mary returned the Church of England to Rome. Elizabeth wanted to be a fence sitter with regard to Rome but the Pope solved that dilemma for her by excommunicating herself, the entire Church of England and accepting only those who prayed and received the Mass from a priest of Rome (i.e. a Roman Catholic priest).

William then names his brother Edmund who must still be living in 1582 although I have yet to find him. He also mentions his sisters Elizabeth Monday and Ann Godwyn. These are the same children that Nicholas Blake names as his children along with William (and William is named as having children by 1547) in his will and that will be my will to post tomorrow. William is now located in the family that lived at Enham (near Andover prior to 1527 when his grandmother Jone Blake widow left her will naming her sons Robert and Nicholas and her daughter Elizabeth married to Mr. Mylne). Unfortunately the name of her husband is not mentioned in this will and I believe that I will blog on this will next following the will of Nicholas. Then I will return to my orderly list of files to transcribe in Hampshire. This William was also mentioned in the will of William Blake of Speen Berkshire probated 28 Jul 1552:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/05/will-of-william-blake-yeoman-of-speen.html

I am glancing once again at my transcription in May of this will and I note the reference to Benham and there was a claim that a Robert Blake family lived at Benham in the 1400/1500 time period (not yet substantiated by me). I have reviewed  William Blake of Speen's will. Changes made to fill in some missing text and they have not particularly added anything to my knowledge of William Blake of Eastontown.

However I have now placed William into his genealogical time frame from his grandmother Jone Blake leaving her will in 1527 to his father leaving his will in 1547 and now William himself with his will in 1582. William lists his children in the will and if he has been married twice he does not make mention of that:

He mentions his two youngest sons first - Richard and Thomas. He then moves on to his daughters mentioning first Amye and she is married to Drewe Rombold. Next daughter mentioned is Margeret and she is married to (unknown) Jarvis. Third daughter to mention is Agnes married to (unknown Kynton). Elizabeth married to Peter Beale is mentioned next and she is the daughter about whom I have more information. Their eight children are all baptized at Priors Dean with the eldest Eleanor (Helena) married to Anthony Habberley baptized 11 Mar 1579. Perhaps her likely date of marriage is 1578 or 1579 since March is the end of the year rather than the beginning in this time frame. Possibly she was 21 when she married giving her a possible date of birth around 1558 or earlier (or later since young marriages also occurred). Her last child was Elizabeth and I have not yet found her baptism but giving a two year break which is not actually true in this family but close then Elizabeth was likely born around 1593 when Elizabeth would have been around 35 years of ago (or older since women often had children into their 40s). Playing with this timeline lets me look at the marriage of William with regard to time frame and all of his daughters are married by 1582 the date of his will. The last mentioned daughter is Mary and she married Ralfe Rigges and she is the daughter about whom I have the most information. She died before 1 Sep 1612 at Fareham. They had ten children with the first one buried 35 Apr 1580 at Fareham. The fifth child Mary is the first for whom I have a baptism and that was 27 Jun 1585 at Fareham. The Rigges family is in the Visitation and I have extracted their family information from there and collected records where available. It would appear that Mary has married before Elizabeth  leaving one to conjecture that Elizabeth may have been older rather than younger in the estimation of ages. Even randomly placing these children into the family of William with John the eldest there are in total ten children mentioned in the will (sons John, William, Peter, Thomas and Richard). Placing the children on an approximate distance apart scale of two years and knowing that Elizabeth may have been the last daughter to marry in 1578 or 79 at the possible age of 21 with a possible year of birth around 1558 and she was not the youngest then working back to the eldest John five children or more earlier than John may have been born around 1548 or earlier. Which brings us to Nicholas' will which I will put up tomorrow and he mentions that William has children in 1547 so we are coming close and either some have died or John and another were born prior to 1547 when Nicholas wrote his will.

Eldest son is John and no details on John besides his being eldest. John is not named Executor unless William the second eldest son defaults. I am left with two thoughts in that regard. John doesn't live closeby is my first thought and my second is that John is already married and has perhaps a large family responsibility although William takes great pains to protect his inheritance to his children as if there aren't any heirs male of John. Any possible grandchildren are not mentioned by William although he does mention godchildren and are these his grandchildren? Not sure about that.

William second son

Peter third son

Thomas fourth son

Richard fifth son

The Blake Pedigree Chart which I mentioned earlier is held at the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office. It is a beautiful chart about four feet wide and twelve feet high. It lists William Blake of Eastontown as the son of Roger Blake of Pinhills Wiltshire. I think this is incorrect but have no concrete proof to deny it other than the note on the chart that William Blake died in 1582 at Eastontown Andover Hampshire. The children listed (and the wife) do not appear to be the same children as in William's will. He is said to be married to Avis Ripley and have children Agnes married to Roger Hyde, John married to Margaret Blake daughter of William Blake of Eastontown, William married to Ann Tutt and Peter who never married. William in the will below does have a daughter Agnes but she is married to (unknown Kynton) and he does have the three children mentioned John, William and Peter. Hence one can see my difficulty in resolving these two mentions of William Blake of Eastontown. The will is the difficulty. If one just goes with all the Visitation information the family lines just seem to flow and the Pedigree Chart at Swindon and Wiltshire was built from the Visitations.

One item though William clearly notes that he is in the family of Nicholas and Margaret Blake of Enham and not the son of Roger Blake and Mary Baynard as shown on the Blake Pedigree Chart.

I haven't resolved anything yet but doing all these wills is starting to give me a picture that I hadn't really expected to evolve. I am thinking that the two William Blake mentions could be the same man but two different marriages. Perhaps Agnes has married twice and I must look at that more intently as I work through these wills. When you read the will below you will understand my thoughts that Elizabeth could be his second wife and he is ensuring that the children (namely John and William) clearly understand how he wants their possible step mother to be treated after his death. The older children in several cases as it turns out do not remain at Andover but move towards London. Enjoy the will; I think it is one of those landmark ones that is just fascinating to read and has so much information in it about the times and how people lived.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 20th February 2008 (proofread 27 Sep 2012)
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/64/474
Name of Testator: William Blake, Yeoman of Andover, Hampshire
Place: Eastontowne, Andever, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 27 July 1582, probated 14 November 1582
Read: Electronic copy
Condition: scan, smudges, middle English writing, tiny writing, quite legible

[Margin] T[estator] Willi[a]m Blake

    [Page 1]
1    In the name of God amen; I William Blake
2    of Estontowne, within the parishe of Andever in the countie of Southampton yeoman, beinge in good and
3    perfecte memorye of mynde and healthe of bodye (thancks be geven to allmightye god) wayethinge and pondering
4    withe my self the shortnes of the dayes of manne and the uncertentie of the tyme when hit shall please
5    Th[e ]allmightie to call us to his mercye oute of this transitory lief, And that wee are but Stewardes here
6    of this worldly gooddes and possessions to use accordinge to the rules of christian charitie to Godds honour
7    and glorye and muste at the generall daie of Judgemente render accompte of the obteyninge houldinge and
8    ymployinge thereof to his dyvine maiestie, Doe hereby of my self and by the councell and advise of my
9    good Freindes make and declare this to be my last will and testamente in wrytinge, revokinge by theise
10    presents all form other former willes of myne made, either by worde of or wrytinge at anye tyme before
11    the date hereof, And declaringe this to be my sole and onely last will and testamente in manner and forme
12    foollowinge and none other (viz Firste I yealde my soule and spyrite to the moste highe and blessed Trinitie
13    three personnes and one verye god the Father, the sonne and the holye ghoste, whoe hathe made redemed
14    and sanctified all the electe people of god, of which, nomber I doe hope that I am one; trustinge and belevinge
15    onelye by the meritts of Jesus Christe his bitter passionne, the second personne in the same Trinitie to bee
16    a saved sowle and in him at the daie of dome to have a ioyfull resurrection of this fleshe of myne,
17    willinge my Bodye in the meane tyme after my deceasse to be buried in christian buriall within the church
18    of Andever aforesaide nere the cloke howse doore there and in suche sorte as shal[l ]be thoughte most meete
19    by my executors, protestinge also by this my laste will and testamente that I houlde and beleve all th[a]t
20    whatsoever was promised for me at the tyme of my Baptisme and all the articles of a christian faythe
21    whatsoever which I aught to houlde or beleve and whiche the moste holye visible Churche of Christe
22    here on earthe teachethe and houldeth, acknowledgeinge my self hereby throughe the grace of god to dye
23    therein, wholye prostratinge and submittinge my self to the obedience of the same Churche wheare
24    soever the same is dispersed thereowte oute the worlde, utterlye renouncinge and defyinge all Sectes
25    heresies and dampable opinions whatsoever theye be, and of whomesoever there are houlden contrary
26    to goddes holye worde, the true catholike faithe and the Churche of Jesus Christe our Lorde and
27    savioure for the whiche he shedde his most precious innocente and guiltless[s] bloude. And as
28    concerninge the bestowinge of all my gooddes and chattells, I doe make thereof my laste will and
29    testamente in manner and fourme followinge and no otherwyse, That is to saye, I geve to thee
30    Cathedrall Churche of Win[ches]tor eight pence, And to the parrishe churche of Andever Thirteene
31    shillinges and fower pence, And to the Churche of Knightes Enham Thirtene shillinges & fower
32    pence, And to the poore people of Andever aforesaide Three poundes fyve shillinges and eighte
33    pence, to be amongest theme distributed by the discrecion of my executor and overseers. Item
34    I geve and bequeathe to Edmunde Blake my brother Tenne poundes of currant Englishe money
35    to be delyvered to him within one half yeare after my decease. Item I bequeathe and geve to my
36    sister Elizabeth Monday fyve poundes of the lyke currante englishe monneye, to be paide unto her within
37    one yeare after my deceasse. Item I geve to Alice Godwyn my sister twentie shillings of the
38    like currant Englishe monneye. Item I geve and bequeathe to everye one of my godchildrens
39    whiche shal[l ]be lyvinge at the tyme of my deceasse one good clydde lambe a peece. Item I geve and
40    bequeathe to Richarde Blake my sonne Fyftye poundes of currant englishe monneye, to be paide
41    unto him or his assignes within one yeare after my decease. Item I geve and bequeathe to
42    Thomas Blake my sonne Two hundred and fyftie poundes of lawfull Englishe monneye to be
43    paide unto him and his assignes yearlie after my decease by Fyftie pounds together by the yere,
44    untill the said Somme Two hundred and fyftie poundes shal[l ]be fullye satisfied and paide. Item
45    Item I geve to Amye Rombold my daughter two kyne one bullocke and twentie sheepe to bee
46    delyvered within one yeare after my deceasse, And the said sheepe to be delyvered oute of my flock
47    as theye shall ronne at lease. Item I geve to Magarett Jarvis my daughter Fyve marks of currant
    [Page 2]
48    englishe monneye to be paide her within one yeare after my deceasse. Item I geve to Agnes Kynton my daughter
49    one cowe and a bullocke, And to Elizabeth Beale my daughter fowertie shillings in monney. Item
50    I geve to Marye Rigges my daughter fortie shillings of currante englishe monneye to be delyvered
51    her within one yeare after my deceasse. Item I geve unto my eldeste sonne John one hundred sheepe
52    to be delyvered ymmediatelye uppon my deceasse ronninge at leace And also two horsses or fyve pounds
53    in money at the elections of my saide sonne John by hym to be taken or delyvered upon my deceasse
54    Item I geve and bequeathe unto Elizabethe Blake my wieff two kyne to be delyvered unto her ymmedi
55    ately uppon my deceasse by her owne choice owte of my herde of kyne, And also five sowes to bee
56    delyvered unto her by her owne choice owte of my herde of swyne. Item I doe bequeathe and will
57    unto my saide wieff all that her apparell woolens and lynnens which she shall have for her body
58    at the tyme of my deceasse, And also two feather or downe beddes nexte to my beste bedde and one other
59    flocke bedde for her maide to lye on, and twoe of my coverlettes to be chosen by her, nexte my Two
60    best coverlettes and also twoe paire of my beste blancketts and one paire of my seconde blancketts And
61    also eighte paire of my sheetes to be chosen by her, nexte after my sonne William hathe chosen fower
62    payre, And also twoe of my beste spones, twoe of my beste brasse pottes, twoe of my beste kettells
63    twoe of my best skelletts and two of my beste broches, and two of my beste Andirons, And also one
64    dossens of my best pewter platters, one dossens of pottengers, and one dosens of sawcers, fower
65    candlesticks, and sixe ioyne stooles, one table borde, one cupborde borde and the one half of my
66    poultrye whiche shal[l ]be aboute my howse at my deceasse, by her to be chosen, and also my beste
67    amblinge hackney that I shall have at the tyme of my deceasse and her saddle and furniture
68    belonginge to her for her iourneyinge. Item I geve and bequeathe to my sayde wife (uppon
69    condicion that shee shall clayme no Dowrie of my fee symple Landes, whereof I shall dye seyzed
70    or whiche I have bequeathed by this my laste will  the yearlye Annuytye of Twentye pounds
71    duringe her lieff to be issuinge and payable by my executours. owte of all my leasses and fearmes
72    that I houlde of the righte honnourable the Lord Sandys, at fower feasts of the yeare quart[er]ly
73    to be paide (viz the firste quarter to begynne the nexte Feaste either of Michaelmas, Christmas,
74    Th[e ]annunciations of oure Blessed Ladye, or sainte John Baptiste, whiche shall first happens
75    after my deceasse, And so at the same Feasts quarterlye fyve pounds a quarter yerelye to her
76    to be paide duringe her lieff, And if it happens the saide Annunytye of Twentie poundes or any
77    parte threreof to be behinde and unpaide at anye tyme duringe the naturall lieff of my saide
78    wieff, by the space of eighte daies after annye of the saide Feastes aforesaide as whiche the
79    same oughte to be paide unto the saide Elizabethe my wieff, That then and from thenceforth
80    it shal[l ]be lawfull for the saide Elizabethe my wieff and her assignees to enter into the sayde
81    Fearmes and other the permisses oute, whereof the saide Annuytie is goinge, yssueable or payable
82    whiche I houlde of the saide Lord Sandys, and thereuppon to distreyne, and the distresse to
83    dryve carrye awaye and with[ h]oulde untill the saide Annuitie and there everye thereof (yf anny
84    shall happens to be behinde be to her and her assignees fullye contented and paide). Item I
85    will and bequeathe unto the saide Elizabethe my wieff duringe her lieff, the fyndinge and
86    keepinge of two kyne to be found and kepte for her and to her use and proffitte uppon the
87    sayde Fearme groundes of the fearme of Andever, bothe in wynter tyme and in Sommer tyme
88    And to have aswell pasture for theme, as also fodder of sweete strawe to susteyne theme, in
89    good plighte, allwaies to be foddered, pastured, watered, and used at the paynes and provision
90    of my executor and by theire Servauntes and at their charge and industrye. And also I
91    bequeathe unto her my sayde wieff the fyndinge of two sowe hoggs for her and to her owne use
92    and proffitte to be kepte uppon the sayde Fearme of Andever, and to be sounde and well harboured
93    and well used and served within my saide Fearme of Andever in suche sorte as is meete and as
94    shall well contente my saide wieff ordered at the provisicion coste and charge of my executors
95    and the industrye of theire servauntes duringe her life. Item I bequeathe unto her fower dossen
96    of my poultrye of all sortes viz of Capons, hennes and chickens suche and best shall fansye and
97    like my saide wieff, and also the fyndinge so manye of poultrie duringe her life to be founde
98    fedde, harboured and well used and lyved, within my saide Fearme of Andever in suche sorte
99    as is meete and as shall well contente my saide wieff at the coste and charges of my saide
100    executor. Item I geve and bequeathe my saide wief yerelie duringe her life, for her necessary use one
    [Page 3]
101    waight of woll to be paide yearlye by my executor out of my Fearme of Andever the same yearlye to be deliv[er]ed
102    at the shere tyme, and that she choose yearlye the same waighte of wooll of the firste weighte of wooll
103    that shal[l ]be weighed of the ferme sheepe yearlye at shepesheare. Item I bequeathe and will that my
104    wieff shall have howse rome, duringe her naturall lieff for the abode within my house of Estontowne
105    that I nowe dwell in for her self and her maide, and that she shall have to her owne onely use, duringe
106    her lief, the bedchamber that I and she doe nowe lye in, and that she shall have free concoursse and
107    accesse into the hall, the kitchine, and the reste of my howses of office, aswell within doores as without
108    there allwaies to doe her necessarie busynes withall to her reasonable contemente, so as my executors
109    maye have with all, accesse quietlye into annye romes, within the howsses of office to serve his turne
110    reasonablye, not disquietinge nor excludinge my saide wieff oute thereof at annye tyme to do her
111    necessarye busynes therein. Item I will that my executors shall at his coste and charges provide
116    and fynde unto my saide wieff sufficiente necessarye and as muche woodde and fyreboote as she shall
117    spende in her saide chamber, or aboute the necessarye usage of dressinge her meate and drinck, w[i]thin
118    my saide howsse of Estontowne, And further more that if my saide wieff shal[l ]be mynded to remove
119    from my saide howsse of Estontowne to dwell at her pleasure and better lykinge and contentement
120    within the Towne of Andever, Then I will that neverthelesse, my saide executore shall at his
121    and theire costes and charges provide and fynde unto her sufficient woode and fyrebote for her
122    chamber, bakinge, dressinge and brewinge of her necessarie meate and drincke in suche sorte, as
123    before is lymyted to her for her inhabitinge within my said howse of Estontowne even in such manner
124    as thoughe she weare or shoulde be continuallye rescant there in all respecte, And shall further
125    yearlie paye unto my saide wieff for and towardes her howse rente, so longe as she shall contynue
126    there or else wheare, oute of my howse at Estontowne the yearlie somme of Twentie shillinges,
127    by the yeare to be paide quarterlye unto her at suche Feasts and daies and in suche manner and
129    sorte as her Annuitie of Twentye poundes before mencioned is appointed to be paide. And
129    furthermore if it shall lyke my said wieff to inhabite in anye other place besydes the Towne of
130    Andever owte of the same parrisshe, That then so longe tyme as she shall so enhabite owte of the
131    same parrisshe, I doe will that my executoure shall yealde and paie unto her for and in lewe of
132    suche kyne, hoggs, wooll, and poultrie as she shoulde otherwise have had goinge and founde
133    by my executor uppon my saide Fearme of Andever the somme of fowertie shillings of currante
134    Englishe monneye yearlye to be paide her at the Feastes, daies and tymes, and in suche sorte as her
135    Annuytye of Twentie poundes before recyted is and ought to be paide, And that so longe tyme
136    as she shall so abide, and dwell owte of the saide parrishe of Andever, she shal[l ]be excludedd to
137    demande of my executor annye other duetye before to her limited bequeathed or appointed owte of
138    my sayde Fearme, besydes the saide Twentie poundes to her limited and bequeathed w[hi]ch nevertheles
139    shal[l ]be paide her, in manner and fourme aforesaid. Provided also and my will and entente is
140    and so I doe declare it to be my mynde, That if my saide wieff shall happen to marrye, and
141    not to lyve sole and in her widowhedd, That then she shall have the saide yearlie Annuytye of
142    Twentie poundes, in manner and fourme as before is to her appointed onelye and shal[l ]be excluded
143    and barred for ever by this my laste will of all other benefitte whatsoever, if she should otherwise
144    have owte of my saide Fearme of Andever (annye thinge mencioned in this my will to the co[n]trary
145    notwithstandinge. And soe that my whole mynde and will is that my Fee symple landes w[hi]ch
146    I have to me and myne heyres by purchase or discente or otherwise, shall remayne contynue and
147    be forever hereafter in my name and bloude, withoute anye alteracion, discontynuance or devise
148    thereof to be made or suffered to the contrarye by those or annye of those or theire or anye of
149    theire heires, or heire males or annye of theme to whome I shall by this my laste will and
150    Testamente geve and bequeathe the same or annye parte thereof unto, I doe by this my will
151    And Testament geve and bequeathe all my Landes and Tenementes with all and singler thee
152    Appurtenauncs in manner and fourme followinge, That is to saye, Firste I geve and
153    bequeathe unto John Blake, my eldest Sonne, All that my two Tenements called Brownes
154    and Cambers with all and singuler the appurtenauncs situate in Knights Enham and Kinges
155    Enham within the saide Countie of Southampton, and all Landes arrables, meadowes feedings
156    pastures, commons, commodities, and advanntags whatsoever to the same Tenements or to anye
    [Page 4]
157    of theme belonginge or in annye wise apperteyinnge or as annye parte or parcell of themee or any of theme
158    used or occupied withall and singuler th[e ]appurtenauncs, whatsoever, And also all that my Landes Teneme[n]ts
159    and hereditaments called Brayes, and all landes arrables meadowes belonginge to the same withe th[e ]appur
160    tenancs, To have and to houlde the saide two Tenements called Brownes and Chambers withall and
161    singuler th[e ]appurtanauncs and also the said Tenemente called Brayes, and all other the Landes and p[re]misses
162    last bequeathed and recited unto the saide John Blake my sonne for terme of his naturall lieff, And after
163    his deceasse to the heires males of his bodye lawfully begotten, And for defaulte of suche issue to Will[ia]m
164    Blake my seconde sonne, for terme of his naturall lieff, and after the deceasse of the same William, to the
165    heyres males of his body lawfullye begotten the bodye of the saide William lawfully begotten And
166    for defaulte of suche issue to the heires males of the bodye of Peter Blake my Thirde sonne lawfully
167    begotten, And for defaulte of suche issue to the heires males of the bodye of Thomas Blake, my
168    fourthe sonne lawfully begotten, And for defaulte of suche issue, to the heires males of the body of
169    Richarde Blake my fyfte sonne lawfully begotten, And for defaulte of suche issue to the righte heires
170    of my saide Ist sonne John Blake for ever. And furthermore I doe by this my laste will and
171    Testamente geve and bequeathe unto the saide William Blake my second sonne one Tenement
172    with Th[e ]appurtenauncs commonlye called Roses lyinge within Kings Enham aforesaide, And all
173    Landes tenementes, meadowes, pastures, feedings, proffitts and commodities and advauntages whatso
174    ever to the same Tenement belonginge or in any wise apperteyninge whiche I late purchased of Mr
175    Cauley, And also one meadowe, with th[e ]appurtenaunces lyinge in Kings Enham aforesaide, which I
176    late bought of _ne Hayse, commonly called Dichie meade. And also the Crofte withe Th[e ]appurtenauncs
177    called Whiteyeres crofte and all the landes with th[e ]appurtenauncs which I late purchased of John James
178    of Charleton lyinge in Kings Enham aforesaid, To have and houlde the saide Tenement called Roses
179    with th[e ]appurtenauncs and the saide meadowe called Dichie meade with th[e ]appurtauncs and the saide Lande
180    called Whiteyeres Crofte and the saide Landes late purchased of the saide John James with th[e ]appurte[n]auncs
181    and all other the laste recited premisses unto the saide William Blake bequeathed withe all and
182    singuler their appurtenaunces unto the saide William Blake my sonne second Sonne for terme of his
183    naturall life, And after his deceasse to the heires males of his bodye lawfullie begotten, And for
184    defaulte of suche issue, to the saide John Blake my eldest sonne for terme of his naturall life, And
185    after the deceasse of the same John to th[e h]eirs males of his bodye lawfully begotten with the lyke
186    Lymytacions in their respecte and degree as before is lymitted to the saide Peter Blake and the
187    others followinge him, And furthermore I doe by this my laste will and Testamente geve and
188    bequeathe unto the saide Peter Blake, my thirde sonne all that my Eleaven Tenements and one
189    Cottage withe all and singuler their appurtenauncs scituate and beinge in Andever, aforesaide,
190    nowe at the daie of the date of this my will in the severall tenure or occupacions of William
191    Northe, Hughe Tydder, William Hussie, Christopher Broughe and Goodman Wilson, William
192    Bathe, Robert Carde, George Masonn, John Presser, Robert Newell, Katherine Hide
193    and [blank] Wiggs widdowe, And also all that my three meadowes with th[e ]appurtenauncs
194    lyinge within Charletonn within the saide Countie of Southampton, nowe at the date of this
195    my will in the severall tenures and occupacions of John Purham, John James and John West.
196    To have and to houlde all the saide eleven Tenements and cottage and three meadowes laste
197    recyted withe all and singuler theire appurtena[u]ncs unto the saide Peter my Thirde Sonne
198    to him and to his heires for ever. And to th[e ]entente that suche Fearmes, Landes, Tenem[en]ts,
199    withe all and singuler th[e ]appurtena[u]ncs whiche I houlde by Lease or Leasses, and of the graunte
200    of the saide Lorde Sandys, or of annye of his Lo[rd] Ancestors shoulde, contynue, remayne and be
201    to my bloudde and name withe my saide fee symple Landes in suche sorte and to somme of those
202    personnes to whome I have gevenn and bequeathed my sayde Fee symple Landes unto therefore
203    I doe by this my last will and Testamente geve and bequeathe the same landes in manner and
204    fourme followinge, That is to saie, I geve and bequeathe to my saide John Blake one Tene[ment]
205    withe th[e ]appurtenauncs, commonlie called th[e ]olde haule lyinge in Knights Enham aforesayde,
206    And all Landes and meadowes whatsoever in Leasies, pastures, feadinges, com[m]ons, proffitts,
207    commodities and advauntags whatsoever to the same Tenemente belonginge or in anye wise
208    app[er]teyninge, And also one severall close withe th[e ]appurtuance commonly called Walworte
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209    And also twoe meadowes in Andever beinge Lammas Lande houlden by Tenne shillings rente by the yeare
210    And also all my Lammas Lande and meadowe, whatsoever with th[e ]appurtenauncs lyinge in Andever,
211    or Andever feilde aforesaide, And all other my Landes and tenements, whatsoever conteyned and
212    mentioned uppon the grande Lease to me made of the last recited premisses (excepte the Tenement
213    called Smythes and the parcell of grounde called Evatts Okes al[ia]s Glosshanger and suche Lammas
214    Landes as the saide William Blake my sonne nowe houldethe whiche saide Tenement called Oulde
215    hall and closes called Walwort, meadowe and lamas lande and other the laste recited premisse I
216    doe houlde of the saide Lorde Sandys for terme of yeares not yet expired, To have and to hold
217    the saide Tenemente called oulde hall, the saide close called Walwortt and the meadowes and Lammas
218    lands aforesaide and all other the premisses with all and singuler, th[e ]appurtena[u]nces laste recited (except
219    before last excepted) unto the saide John Blake for terme of his naturall lieffe, yf my terme of yeres
220    thereof so longe shall endure, And after his deceasse the saide Tenemente called old hall the said close
221    called Walwort and the meadowes and Lammas Lande and all the laste recited premisses withe th[e ]appurtena[u]ncs
222    (excepte before excepted) to remayne contynue and be to the heires males of the bodye of my saide sonne
223    John lawfullye begotten and so to contynue in my bloude and name from one to an other in lyke manner
224    and sorte and in everye respecte and degree accordinge to my sayde lymytacion made of my sayde fee simple
225    landes called Brownes, Cambers and Brayes so longe as the terme of yeares which I have in the granted
226    leasses of the same or of annye parte thereof shall contynue The saide John Blake and the heyres males of
227    his bodye bodye lawfullye begotten, and all other the persons before lymyted to enioye the saide Tenemente
228    called oulde haule & the saide close called Walworte and the said two meadowes and Lammas lande and other the premisses laste recited (excepte
229    before excepted) yealdinge payinge doinge and performinge all suche rentes dueties and covenants whiche
230    shal[l ]be after my deceasse at annye tyme due, paieable or to be donne to the saide Lorde Sandys his heires or
231    assignes or annye other personne or personnes whatsoever by reason of the graunde Leasse or Leasses made
232    thereof or of annye other parte or parcell thereof, other than suche rente and dutyes as shall growe due
233    by reason of the saide Tenemente called called Smythes and the saide groundes called Evatts okes alias
234    Glosshanger and other then for the said Lammas lande in the tenure of the saide William Blake my sonne
235    viz for the sayde Tenemente called Smythes fowertene shillinges by the yeare for the saide grounde called
236    Glosshanger fyve shillinges by the yeare and for the saide Lammas Lande Twelve shillinges by the Yeare
237    And furthermore to th[e ]intente that my sonne William Blake and th[e ]other personnes hereafter lymyted to have
238    my Fearme of Andever shall contynwe hospitalitie with the same accordinge to the proportions thereof
239    within the parrishes of Andever and Knightes Enham or one of theme duringe the terme of yeares w[hi]ch
240    shal[l ]be therein to comme after the tyme of my deceasse, I doe by this my last will and testamente geve and
241    bequeathe unto the same William Blake my saide seconde sonne my Tenemente and howse with th[e ]app[u]rtena[u]ncs
242    whiche I nowe dwell in commonlie called Smythes and all landes, meadowes, leasues, pastures, feadings,
243    commons, proffittes, commodities and advauntages, whatsoever to the same tenemente belonginge or in anye
244    wise apperteyninge, And also my Ferme of Andever, withe all landes, meadowes, leasues, pastures, feedings,
245    proffittes, commodities, and advauntages, whatsoever to the same ferme belonginge, or in annye wise appertey
246    ninge, whiche saide Fearme and Tenemente and other the last recyted premisses I doe lykewise houlde
247    for terme of yeares not expired of the saide Lo: Sandis (except and allwayes res[er]ved oute of this my last
248    gifte and bequeaste all suche percell of lande as bene before by me geven unto John my sayde eldeste
249    sonne, To have and to houlde the saide Tenemente Ferme and all other the premisses withe all and singuler
250    their appurtenauncs last recited and bequeathed (excepte last before excepted) unto the saide William my
251    sonne for terme of his naturall lief, yf my terme of yeares thereof to me made shall so longe endure
252    And after his deceasse the saide ferme and Tenemente and all other the premisses laste bequeathed and
253    recyted (excepte before laste excepted) to remayne contyneue and be to the heyres males of the bodye of the
254    sayde William my sonne lawfullye begotten and so from one to an other in like manner and sorte and in
255    everye respecte and degree accordinge to my saide Lymytacions made of my Fee symple landes called Roses
256    Dichie meade and whiteyeares crofte, so longe as my terme of yeares, which I have in the graund leasse
257    to mee made of the same or of annye parte thereof shall contynewe, The saide William Blake and ye
258    heires males of his bodye lawfullye begotten and all other the personnes before lymyted to enioye ye
259    sayde Ferme or Tenemente and other the premisess laste to him bequeathed yealdinge payinge doinge and
260    performinge all suche rentes dueties and covenannts, whiche shal[l ]be after my deceasse at annye tyme
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261    due paiable or to be donne to the saide Lo: Sandys his heires or assignees or annye other personne or p[er]sonnes
262    whatsoever by reason of the saide graunde Leasse or leasses, made thereof or of annye parte or parcell thereof
263    or of annye the premisses laste recited and to the saide William bequeathed. The residue of my goods
264    (before not bequeathed nor disposed, my debtes and legacies beinge paide and this my laste will and testament
265    in all respectes iustlie performed and accomplished) I geve and bequeath to my sonne William aforesaide
266    to th[e ]intente that he and th[e ]other personnes before lymyted to have, my said Fearme of Andever shall
267    contynewe hospitalitie within the parrishe of Andever Knights Enham or one of theme during thee
268    terme of yeares of my said Fearme of Andever. Provided allwayes and my will and whole entent
269    is, That if it shall fortune after my deceasse anny of my said sonnes, or anny others to whome I have
270    limited to have and enioye annye parte of my landes or gooddes aforesaid, not to contente himself or
271    theme selves withe suche porcions of Landes or gooddes and in suche manner and sorte as I have before
272    gevenn and bequeathed the same unto him or theme, and unto everie or annye of theme, Or that theie or
273    annye of theme shall shewe themselves or annye of theme shall shewe himselfe or herself to have mislike
274    withe the same or of this my last will or of annye parte of the contente of this my testament, Or
275    shall endewe themselves or annye of theme shall endewe him or herself to devise doe practise attempte
276    or putte in use, or cause to be devised donne prassised attempted or putte in use or assente, consent agree unto
277    or suffer annye acte, thinge or thinges whatsoever or by what meanes soever whiche shalbe disturbe alter
278    violate, frustrate, breake or make voide, or shall or maie be by annye meanes intended, construed or
279    ymagined to disturbe, alter, chaunge, violate, frustrate, breake or make voide, in annye respecte or pointe
280    this my last will and testament, and the contents and limitacions of the same, or of annye parte,
281    pointe, limitacion, legacie, bequeaste, gift or contents thereof, or of annye parte thereof, or shall
282    not stande to and obeye the order and iudgemente of my overseers and the longest lyver of theme
283    duringe their lyves in suche ambiguities, doubts, questions, and controversies as shall happen to
284    aryse hereafter uppon or by reasonn of this my last will and testament to all entents and purpos[e]s
285    That then in all and everie the cases laste recyted, my said sonnes and everye other person and
286    personnes shall and everie of theme to whome I have geven graunted or lymyted to have or enioye
287    annye parte of my landes gooddes or chattells aforesaide and everie of theme in so doeinge and
288    offendinge this my mynde in my last will and testament shall for ever lose the benefitt of this my
289    laste will, and Testamente, to all entents and purposes and the Legacies and devises to theme and
290    everie of theme or annye of theme by the same gevens devised or bequeathed, and whiche otherwise
291    theye or annye of them, in not so doinge or offendinge mighte have had and enioyed. As thoughe
292    no mencions at all hadd beene made in this my laste Testamente of annye suche gifte devise or
293    Legacie And that then in everie suche case as aforesayd I doe geve and bequeathe by this my last
294    will and Testament the same porcion of my sayde goods and Landes to the resydue of my sayde
295    sonnes not so offendinge and to suche others aforesaide not so offendinge to whome I have made
296    the Lymytacions of the contynuaunce and enioyinge the reside of my sayde Landes, goods and
297    chattells to be equallye and indifferentlie devided and apporcioned amongeste theme. And
298    I doe make my sayde sonne William Blake my executor of this my last will and testament
299    Provided nevertheless and this my last will is, That if the saide William shall not or doe
300    not take uppon him the execucion and executorshipp of this my last will and Testament, or that
301    he and his issue male aforesaide shall not trewlye and iustlie paye all, the Legacies of this my
302    last will and also shall not doe accomplishe and performe the same thorowlye accordinge to my
303    entente and meaninge expressed in this my last will and testamenete, in all respectes whatsoever, or
304    shall not within one monneth after my deceasse become in sufficient bond unto my overseers or
305    suche of theme as shal[l ]be lyvinge at the tyme of my decease, or if theye shall happen to be deceased
306    to the Bisshopp of the dioces for the tyme beinge to obeye and performe this my laste will and
307    Testament, That then I will my said legacie and gifte before to him and his heires males bequethed
308    and geven as well of my Landes as of my goods utterlye to surceasse and to be voyde and of none
309    effecte, And then I doe make my saide sonne John my executor of this my last will and testament
310    to see the same well and trulye performed Annye thinge before mencioned to the contrarie notw[i]th
311    standinge. And I doe by this my last will and testament appointe my verye trustie and welbeloved
312    freindes Richard Sotwell, Doctor of the Civill Lawe, and Andrewe Reade gent to be my ov[er]seers.
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313    givinge willinge and grauntinge theme and the longest lyver of theme full power and Authoritie by this my last will
314    and testamente yf theye shall so please to determyn decide and ende all ambiguities, doubtes, questions or debate
315    whatsoever whiche hereafter duringe their lyves or the longest lyver of theme shall happen to fall owte
316    amongest my saide children, or annye other to whome I have geven annye of my Landes or gooddes unto
317    by this my will conc[e]rninge this my last will and Testamente or anny matter conteyned therein
318    And I doe bequeathe to eche of my saide overseers in token of my good will towardes theme for theire
319    paynes Fowrtie shillings a peece to be delyvered within one monneth uppon my deceasse. In witnes
320    whereof I have to everie paper leaffe of this my will sette my signe and marke, Geven the Seaven
321    and twentithe daie of Julye one Thousande fyve hundred eightie two. Anno Regni Regine [domine ]n[ost]re Elizabethe
322    vicesimo Quarto. And further have to theise presentes putte my mark and sette my seale. witness
323    the same those whose names are under writtenn William Stotwell, Richarde Stotwell, John
324    Sotwell, An: Reade, John Deane
325    Probatum fuit suprascriptum testamentum apud London. Coram venerabili viro
326    mag[ist]ro Willi[el]mi Drurye legum doctore curie prerogative Cantuarien[sis] commissario etc Decimo
327    Quarto die mensis Novembris Anno Domini mill[es]imo quingentesimo octagesimo secundo. Juramento Petri
328    Johnson notarij publici procuratoris Willi[a]m Blake filij et executoris etc Cui commissa fuit administrac[io]
329    bonorum etc De bene etc Jurat[e]