Blake - Sedgwick and autosomal DNA

One of the most amazing extras of doing autosomal DNA is proving lines or at least finding matches that can best be explained because of a paper trail. I have five Sedgwick matches on my AncestryDNA account and all are Distant Cousins (5th to 8th cousins). The Sedgwick connection goes all the way back to William Blake Andover, Hampshire, England married to Dorothy Madgwick of Overton, Hampshire, England. Their son William is my ancestor and their daughter Johanna is the ancestor of the Sedgwick family. Johanna married Major General Robert Sedgwick 6 Jan 1634/35 at Andover.

We would be 9th cousins which isn't too far off the estimated 5th - 8th cousins.  Now I am assuming that Ancestry organizes people in terms of decreasing shared centimorgans and these five matches can be found on pages 6,  7, 14, 15, and 37. Looking at all the shared surnames in each of these five it is likely that I have other matches with the two on pages 6 and 7. For 37, no other matches likely. But finding Sedgwick matches is quite phenomenal.

I have been happy with the trace back on Blake this last couple of years as everything fits together very well. Finding others descending from other couples in this line would be very interesting. I really haven't looked that carefully yet at my Ancestry matches because they were primarily Americans but they have Irish and English matches in there now so must have a look. My number of matches has nearly doubled in the last couple of months at AncestryDNA.

Will of Henry Blake of Hungerford, Wiltshire - Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office P23-809, probated 4 Aug 1798

The testator is Henry Blake, husband of Mary Blake, whose will is also blogged today. I decided to do them together. The one having been probated at PCC and the other at Windsor. The will of Mary Blake is probated at PCC because it discusses people in more than one diocese and hence has to move to a higher court for probate.

Henry has asked to be buried in Ramsbury Church yard and a review of British History online found the following at Ramsbury:

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66514

BLAKE'S farm in Park Town tithing was in 1328 settled by Walter Blake on the marriage of his son Ralph (fl. 1341). (fn. 242) The farm descended in the Blake family, possibly with East Hayes manor in Ogbourne St. Andrew. (fn. 243) Thomas Blake held it in 1462 (fn. 244) and it descended to William Blake (d. c. 1550). (fn. 245) It belonged to the owners of East Hayes until, in the 18th century, it was acquired by one of the Pophams of Littlecote. Dorothy Popham, relict of Francis Popham (d. 1780), held it in 1780 when, as Ambrose farm, it was said to be in Ramsbury Town tithing. (fn. 246) The land has since remained part of the Littlecote estate. (fn. 247)

And a second reference:

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=115441

The second freehold in Stoford, 1¼ yardland, which was held with 1 yardland in South Newton, belonged in 1462 to William Stourton, Lord Stourton (d. 1478). (fn. 136) In 1468 William gave it to his son John (Lord Stourton from 1478, d. 1485) and John's wife Catherine (d. 1494), later wife of Sir John Brereton. (fn. 137) It passed in turn to John Stourton's brothers William, Lord Stourton (d. 1524), and Edward, Lord Stourton (d. 1535), and with the Stourton title to Edward's son William (d. 1548), that William's son Charles (d. 1557), Charles's sons John (d. 1588) and Edward (d. 1633), Edward's son William (d. 1672), William's grandson William Stourton (d. 1685), and that William's son Edward, (fn. 138) who sold it to Henry Blake between 1693 and 1704. In 1704 Henry conveyed it to John Blake, who sold it in 1720 to John Powell (fn. 139) (d. 1737). It passed in turn to Powell's son (Sir) Alexander (d. 1784), Alexander's son Francis (d. 1786), and Francis's son Alexander. (fn. 140) Between 1815 and 1820 Alexander sold the estate, 112 a., to George, earl of Pembroke and of Montgomery, who added it to South Newton manor. (fn. 141)

The Wiltshire Poll Book of 1772 has been put on line:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pobjoyoneill/ENGPOLLS/wil1772.html

Blake     Edward     Woottton Bassett     Uphaven
Blake     John         Burbage         Burbage
Blake     John         Millford         Ford
Blake     John         Purton             Rodborne Cheyney
Blake     John         Stratford         Stratford
Blake     Joseph         Sarum             Sarum
Blake     Richard     Woottton Bassett     Wootton Bassett
Blake     Robert         Woottton Bassett     Wootton Bassett
Blake     Thomas     Langford Steeple     Wishford
Blake     William     Bishopston         Bishopston
Blake     William     Woottton Bassett     Wootton Basset

I did check the Calendar of Patent Rolls to see if I could find Walter Blake at Ramsbury but need to have a little more time (scarce at the moment!) to really think about this Blake family. It is quite exciting finding them as they are living in the border areas of Wiltshire and Berkshire and not that far from where I found Blake in Berkshire in the 1500s on and this group were known to the Andover, Hampshire Blake family. The Berkshire Blake family rented land from the Andover, Hampshire Blake family. The 1328 period is coincidental with the time that the Blake family is first noted at Calne (1286 although I have not yet personally found this published reference to the Blake family there) by other authors.

This Blake line daughters out and Henry does not indicate that he has any brothers. If the James Blake he mentions at Overton is also the James Blake at Preshute he would be more of the age of Uncle to Henry and the rather interesting marriage of Henry Blake and Ann Dismore mentioned in the will of Mary Blake, wife of the present testator, does make one wonder if he is related to this family – perhaps cousin. More research, as always, is needed. The records are there. It is finding the time to pursue them that is lacking.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 20 Dec 2013
Source:  Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office P23-809
Name of testator: Henry Blake
Place: Hungerford, Wiltshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 6 Apr 1797, probated 4 Aug 1798
Read: Electronic file images

1    This is the last Will and Testament of me Henry Blake of
2    Charnham Street in the parish of Hungerford in the County of Wilts Victualler First
3    I desire that all my Just Debts and General Expences may be fully paid and ie
4    discharged by my Executors hereinafter Named And I desire that my Body may be buried
5    in Ramsbury Church yard near the Spot where my Father and Mother were laid I Give and
6    Bequeath unto my Friends James Blake of Overton in the County of Wilts Gentleman
7    and Francis Williams of Baydon in the same County Gentleman All that my personal
8    Estate Goods Chattels and Effects of what Nature or kind soever To hold to them
9    the said James Blake and Francis Williams and the Survivor of them his
10    Executors and Administrators Upon Trust that they my said Trustees and the Survivor
11    of them his executors and Administrators shall and will as soon as Convenient
12    next after my Decease Sell and Dispose of my Stock and Effects and call in and
13    Receive all Sum and Sums of Money that shall be then due and owing to me
14    and the Money arising thereby to place and lay out the same upon
15    Government or other good Securities and pay and Apply the Interest Dividends
16    and Annual produce thereof to my Dear and Loving Wife Mary Blake during
17    her live to and for her Sole use and Benefit but in case my said Trustees
18    and the Survivor of them his Executors and Administrators shall think it more
19    for the benefit and Advantage of my said Wife to continue in the Business at
20    the Red Lion Inn or any other that shall be for her Advancement in Life
21    Then I do hereby Authorize and Impower my said Trustees and the Survivor
22    of them his Executors and Administrators to act in such way and manner
    [Page 2]
23    As they in their Judgment shall think most expedient And from and
24    immediately after the Decease of my said Wife I direct my said Trustees and
25    the Survivor of them his executors and Administrators to pay unto my Daughters
26    Martha Ann and Hannah the Sum of Forty Pounds apiece out of my principal
27    Stock or Land and as to the Rest Residue and Remainder of my said personal Estate
28    and Effects I Give the same unto all and every my Daughter Namely Elizabeth Gould
29    Mary Pike and my said Daughters Martha Ann and Hannah to be Equally
30    divided between them Share and Share alike but as to the Share of my said
31    Daughter Mary Pike I desire my said Trustees and the Survivor of them
32    his Executors and Administrators to place out upon Government or other good
33    Security as aforesaid and permit and suffer my said daughter Mary Pike
34    to Receive only the Interest dividends and Annual Produce thereof for and
35    During her Natural Life and from and immediately after her decease I Give
36    and bequeath the part or Share of her my said Daughter Mary Pike unto
37    her Children Mary Ann and Elizabeth to be Equally Divided between them
38    Share and Share alike But in case it shall happen that any or
39    other of my said Daughters shall Depart this Life before she or they shall
40    become Intitled to her or their Share or Shares of my Personal Estate and
41    Effects as aforesaid leaving Issue of her or their Body or Bodies Lawfully
42    begotten Then it is my Will and Mind and I hereby Direct that the Child
43    or Children of her or them so dying as aforesaid shall have Receive and take
    [Page 3]
44    The like Share and proportion of my said Personal Estate and Effects as his her or
45    their Mothers would be intitled to if living under law by virtue of this my Will And
46    Further I hereby declare it shall be lawful for my said Trustees to deduct and
47    reimburse himself and themselves All Costs Charges and Expences incurred in the execution of the Trusts
48    hereby in them reposed And that they shall be Answerable Respectively only for such
49    Monies as shall come to their Respective Hands and not for the Receipts or acts of Each other
50    And lastly I hereby make Constitute and Appoint the said James Blake and Francis Williams
51    Sole Executors of this my Will hereby Revoking and making void all former and other Wills by
52    me at any Time heretofore made and Do declare this present Writing Contained in three
53    Sheets of Paper to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have to the first and
54    Second Sheet Set my Hand and to this last Sheet my Hand and Seal this Sixth day of April
55    in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven
56    Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the Testator
57    as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us
58    who at his Request in his Presence and in the Presence of each
59    other have Subscribed our Names as Witnesses hereto
60    James Hall
61    Jos. Cundell
62    Henry Blake
63    At Ramsbury on the 4th day of August 1798
64    Francis Williams one of the joint Exors above named
65    (the like power being reserved to James Blake the other
66    joint Exor) was duly sworn before me
67    Henry Hesly Official dio:
68    Effects under 300£

King family of Upper Clatford and area and the Will of John Blake, malster at Upper Clatford

We collected a number of King family wills whilst we were at Kew. One set of my 4x great grandparents was Joseph Blake and Joanna King. Joanna's father was Thomas King. Although I do have his will it hasn't let me separate his King line from the other King lines at Upper Clatford and area.

In my study day on the King family I will work on these particular wills. I know that Joanna and Joseph were first cousins with their mothers being Ann Carter and Mary Carter daughters of Richard Carter and Elizabeth Musprett who were married 4 Aug 1701 at Andover, Hampshire, England. Mary was baptized 27 Feb 1710 at Andover and buried 13 Apr 1744 at Upper Clatford (she was married to Thomas King 10 Jan 1727 at Upper Clatford). Ann was baptized 18 Nov 1713 at Andover and buried 20 Dec 1734 at Penton Mewsey (she was married to Thomas Blake 8 Dec 1728 at Penton Mewsey).

Another Blake family becomes involved with this grouping in that Thomas and Mary King had three daughters Mary King who married John Blake 15 Dec 1753 at Upper Clatford, Elizabeth King who died as an infant and Joanna King who married Joseph Blake 8 Jun 1757 at Upper Clatford (my 4x great grandparents). John Blake left a will at Abbots Ann where he was a maltster and it is published on my webpage and inserted below to bring my mind back again to these family lines that I want to work on with regard to my King family line and the Blake line that John is descended from as that was unknown to me but I have written in the past on my blog that I believe he is the son of Robert Blake and Elizabeth Russell:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2011/01/charles-blake-at-abbotts-ann.html

My week has flown by too quickly as I had planned on transcribing one of the King wills yesterday on my blog but instead I will summarize my research plan for my next King research day. The will of John Blake, malster at Abbots Ann is below. The will refers to my ancestor Thomas Blake at Upper Clatford. John does not mention that he is his nephew. The Ann Blake who is mentioned is Thomas' sister and has been looking after her uncle. Ann returned to Upper Clatford after the death of Thomas' wife in childbirth in 1815. Thomas Blake's mother had remarried in 1781 (her husband died in 1767) and the farm of her father/husband and that of Thomas Collins her second husband were combined. The older brother of Thomas was in Andover at the time of writing the will and I am still working on this section of my family. I believe that the father of Joseph Blake married a second time but still looking for records to substantiate that. William has perhaps returned to Andover to take over the shop that his grandfather Thomas had not sure about that. Thomas was born posthumously five months after the death of his father Joseph. To the best of my knowledge Thomas and his second wife Hester Stephens (married 9 Feb 1751 at Andover) did not have any children. Thomas (grandfather) was buried 13 Jan 1767.

Recorded: 12th February 2008
Source: Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Record Office, Sussex Street, Winchester, # 1797A/008
Testator: John Blake, malster
Place: Abbotts Ann, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 27 Apr 1792, probated 18 Jan 1797
Read: Paper copy
Condition: photocopy, smudges, modern English writing very good, contrast good

In the name of God Amen, I John Blake of Abbotts Ann
in the County of Southampton formerly Malster calling to mind the Mortality of my
Body and that it is appointed for all Men once to die do make and ordaine this my last
Will and Testament in manner and forme following that is to say principally
and first of all I give and bequeath my Soul into the hands of God that gave it hoping
for the pardon of all my Sins for the alone Merritts sake of my blessed Redeemer Christ
Jesus and for my Body I commend it to the Earth to be Burried in a decent manner
at the Discretion of my Executor hereafter named nothing doubting but I shall receive the as
same again by the mighty power of God at the General Resurrection of the Dead and as
touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this Life
I give desire and bequeath of the same in the following Manner Imprimis I give
and bequeath unto my Kindsman William Marshman the sum of Ten pounds of good
and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid by my Executor here after named Item
I give and bequeath unto my Kindswoman Mary Gilbert the sum of Ten pounds of
good and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid by my Executor hereafter named
Item I give and bequeath unto my Sister Elizabeth Russel the sum of five pounds of
good and Lawful money of Great Britain to be paid by my Executor here after named I
also give unto my Sister Elizabeth Russel the sum of five pounds yearly during her Life
to be paid unto her half yearly if Demanded and to be paid by my Executor here after
named Item I give and bequeath unto Joseph Russel the Elder the sum of Ten pounds
of good and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid by my Executor here after named Item
I give and bequeath unto Joseph Russel the younger the sum of Ten pounds of good and
Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid by my Executor here after named Item I give
and bequeath unto Thomas Russel the sum of Ten pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great
Britain to be paid by my Executor hereafter named Item I give and bequeath unto
Luke Russel the sum of Ten pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid
by my Executor here after named Item I give and bequeath unto Sarah Russel Daughter
of Joseph and Elizabeth Russel the sum of Ten pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great
Britain to be paid by my Executor here after named Item I give and bequeath unto Mary
Russel Daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Russel the sum of Ten pounds of good and Lawful
Money of Great Britain to be paid by my Executor here after named Item I give and bequeath
unto Elizabeth Russel Daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Russel the sum of Ten pounds
of good and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid by my Executor here after named
Item I give and bequeath unto my Kindsman George Marshman all my household
Goods and Furniture except the Bed and Furniture in the parlor Chamber Item I give and
bequeath unto Elizabeth Marshman the sum of Ten pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great
Britain Item I give and bequeath unto Robert Marshman the sum of Ten pounds of good
and Lawful money of Great Britain Item I give and bequeath unto Mary Marshman
the sum of Ten pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great Britain Item I give and bequeath
unto
[Page 2]

Ann Marshman the sum of Ten pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great Britain Item
I give and bequeath unto George Marshman the younger the sum of Ten pounds of good and lawful Money
of Great Britain Item I give and bequeath unto Charles Blake the Elder the sum of Ten
pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid by my Executor here after named
Item I give and bequeath unto James Blake the sum of five pounds of good and Lawful Money
of Great Britain to be paid by my Executor here after named Item I give and bequeath unto
Robert Blake the sum of five pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid [by] my
Executor here after named Item I give and bequeath unto Charles Blake the younger the
sum of five pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid by my Executor here
after named Item I give and bequeath unto Chivrel [Sacheverall] Blake the sum of five pounds of good
and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid by my Executor here after named Item
I give and bequeath unto John Blake the sum of Ten pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great
Britain to be paid by my Executor here after named Item I give and bequeath unto William Blake
of Andover the sum of five pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid by my
Executor here after named Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Blake of Up[per] Clatford
the sum of five pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid by my Executor
here after named Item I give and bequeath unto Ann Blake the sum of five pounds of good and
Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid by my Executor here after named I also give unto Ann Blake
the Bed and Furniture belonging to the same in the Chamber over the Parlour and a Sute of Mourning
Item I give and bequeath unto Ann Blake the sum of five pounds yearly to be paid unto her
during the Lease of Lives that has in the Living that I Bought and no Longer to be paid unto her half
yearly if demanded to be paid unto her so long as she keeps herself unmarried  Item I give
and bequeath unto Thomas Holmes the sum of five pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great Britain
to be paid by my Executor here after named Item I give and bequeath unto the poor Inhabitants
of the parish of Abbotts Ann the sum of Ten pounds to be given amongst them the first old
Christmass Day after my Decease to be paid unto them by my Executor here after named Item I give
and bequeath unto the poor Inhabitants of the parish of Up[per] Clatford the sum of five pounds
to be given amongst them the first old Christmass Day after my Decease to be paid unto them
by my Executor here after named Item I give and bequeath unto F__ Beavers the sum of three
guineas to be Divided between them Share and Share alike Item I give and bequeath unto
Charles Blake and his Three Elder Sons all my Wearing Apparel both Woollen and Linnen
to be equally Divided between them Share and Share alike my Will this that my Legacies has
to be paid unto my Legatees in Six Months after my Decease to all them that has arrived
to Eighteen years of age, my Legatees that has  not arrived to Eighteen years of age yearly
Interest has to be paid unto them at the rate of five p[e]r Cent And I do hereby constitute make
and ordaine my Kindsman George Marshman my only and Sole Executor of this
my last Will and Testament And I do hereby revoke and disanull every forme Will
before this time by me made ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will
and Testament In Witness whereof I have here unto sett my hand and Seal
this Twenty Seventh Day of April in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven
Hundred and Ninety – two

Signed Sealed published and Declared by the above
Named John Blake for and as his last Will                                                    John Blake [signed]
And Testament and in the presence of us
The Witnesses Tho[mas] Overton [signed] – John Prince [signed]

[Page 3]

A Codicil or Schedule to a Will, made after a Will is Sealed

Be it known unto all Men by these presents. That I John
Blake of Abbotts Ann, in the County of Southampton formerly
Malster have made and declared that my last Will and Testament
in writing bearing date, the Twenty Seventh day of April, in the
Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-two,
I the said John Blake, do by these presents, contained in this
Codicil, confirm and ratify my said last Will and I do give and
bequeath unto Ann Blake, the Chamber over the Parlor to sleep
in, and part of the House wherein I now dwell to live in, during the
time shee keeps herself unmarried, and during the Life of
Jno Matons Wife, of Abbotts Ann, her Life being in the Living
and in the said Dwelling House, and my Will and Meaning is that this
Codicil, or Schedule be colcomed and adjudged to be part and parcel
of my Will and Testament and that all things herein contained
and mentioned, be faithfully performed in as full and ample
Manner, in every Respect, as if the same were declared and
set down in my said Will, In Witness whereof I the said
John Blake, have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Twenty
Sixth day of July, in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven
Hundred and Ninety-two
Signed, Sealed published, and Declared                    John Blake [signed]
By the above named John Blake aforesaid as
His Codicil or Schedule and in the
Presence of us
Witnesses        John Maton [signed]
                        John Prince [signed]

12 lines after Will and before
meaning and interlined

[Page 4]

On the 18th Day of January 1797 George Marshman
The Executor within named in the Will hereunto appoint was duly Sworn well
and faithfully to administer and at the same
Time made Oath that the Goods Chattels personal
Estate and Effects of the Deceased did not amount
To one Thousand Pounds at the Time of his Decease
As he verily believes

Before me

John Woodburn, Clerk

[On the side]
A Codicil or Schedule
To Mr John Blake’s Will

Will of Elizabeth Blake widow of Rederith Surrey - The National Archives PROB 11/234/255, probated 11 Sep 1654

Always interesting when two wills fit together. The testator Elizabeth Blake is the wife of Peter Blake who was uncle to James and John Blake named in the will of their father John Blake mariner brother to Peter:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/11/will-of-john-blake-mariner-redderith.html

This earlier will was probated in 1636 so 18 years earlier and we can see that both of the sons of John have survived and each have four children still living. The children of John being namely Peter, James, Margaret and Anne and the children of James being namely John, James, Margerie and Margaret. One is left to surmise that Peter and Elizabeth did not have any children or at least none surviving to this date. Elizabeth says that she is aged and certainly John the Mariner in the earlier will was already a grandfather in 1638 so possibly over 40 years of age or more and his brother Peter would have been the same at that time likely. Elizabeth is likely close to 60 years or more at the time of her writing in 1651/52. Again I have used double dating just to ensure that the timing of the will is readily understood by readers.

Peter Blake does not leave a will that is probated at Westminster or at PCC.

Moving on to the wills of Sussex for Blake family members and again just one will and it was the second earliest found there in the PCC. Will of John Blake of Yeoman of Slindon, Sussex and probated 23 May 1579. The earliest will at the PCC for a Blake in Sussex was by John Blake of Beryghelmenston, Sussex probated 3 Jul 1487. At some point I need to acquire this will. I suspect this is Brighthelmstone Sussex now known as Brighton, Sussex. Who was this early Blake member living in present day Brighton in the mid 1400s? As I continue my search backwards into the Blake family and its origins there is always new information that provides yet many more details on this ancient family of the British Isles. Brighton of course is in East Sussex near the border with West Sussex but the distance from Hampshire is not great being the county on the other side of West Sussex.

The newest member of the Blake yDNA study matches exactly on 12 markers to the individual that matches my paternal line 8/12. Since our markers are so far out and the latest discussion on I2a2b indicates that this particular haplogroup split thousands of years ago with one section going into northern England and the other into southern England. But our markers are so distinct that I continue to place all three of us into the grouping "British Isles" since our roots likely extend back into the mists that were first seen by the Romans as they crossed the Channel to England centuries ago. It is somewhat appealing to think that my Blake ancestors were there already on the shores of England watching as the grandeur of Rome came to the British Isles.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded:  1 Dec 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/234/255
Testator: Elizabeth Blake, widow
Place: Rederith, Surrey, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 12 Mar 1651/52, probated 11 Sep 1654
Read: Electronic copy images
Condition: middle English writing fine, good contrast copy

[Margin] Elizab: Blake

1    In the name of God Amen The
2    twelveth Day of Marche in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six
3    hundred fifty and one I Elizabeth Blake of the parish of Rederith in the
4    County of Surrey Widdowe being at this present sicke and weake in Body But
5    I humbly thanke God in good and perfect Mind and Memory And not knowing
6    how soone and sudden my departure may be out of this transitory world by
7    Reason of my Age therefore now while God hath lent mee time and space
8    that I may dispose of my Estate and worldly meanes which hee hath lent mee
9    for avoyding all suites and contention about the same w[hi]ch may arise after my
10    decease doe therefore make and declare this my last Will and testament in
11    manner and forme following that is to say First and principally I give be-
12    queath and Comend my soule after the dissolu[t]ion thereof from thro' my sin-
13    full and fraile Body into the mercifull hands and protection of the holy and
14    blessed Trinity hoping and assuredly trusting by and through the Deathe payn-
15    full Passion and Resurrection of the second person in the same Trinity namely
16    Jesus Christ and by none other nor other meanes to obteine free pardon and
17    Remission of and for all my sinns together w[i]th the fruition of his heavenlye
18    kingdome whereunto I beseech him to (to) bring mee for his mercies sake my
19    body I Comitt to the Earthe from whence it Came where I will shal[l ]be decentlye
20    buried in the parish Church of Rederith aforesaid and neare as conveniently
21    may be to the Body of my late deceased husband Peter Blake Inprimis
22    I give unto the poore of the parish of Rederith forty shillings of lawfull
23    money of England to be distributed at the discretion of my Executor and
24    Overseers
    [Page 2]
25    Overseers hereafter named Item I give unto Mr Thomas Gattacker our Minister
26    if he be living at the time of my decease twenty shillings and for the same I
27    desire him to preach my funerall Sermon Item I give unto my Cozen John
28    Blake forty shillings to buy him a Ring Item I give unto my Cozen James
29    Blake other forty shillings to buy him a Ring to weare for a Remembrance
30    Item I give unto my said Cozen John Blake his foure children namely
31    Peter James Margaret and Anne Blake forty shillings a peece Item I
32    give unto my sayd Cozen James Blake his foure children namely John
33    James Margarie and Margaret Blake to every of them forty shillings a-
34    peece Item I give to my two Nephews Beniamin and Mary Baincroft
35    the children of my cozen Beniamin Baincroft three pounds a peece to
36    buy either of them a peece of plate to keepe for a Remembrance Item I
37    give unto Margaret Kilbury formerly my maid servant twenty shillings
38    for a Remembrance I give unto Elizabeth Barter the daughter of Beniamine
39    Barter my maid servant the summe of three pounds Item I give unto my
40    good freind Maudlyn Needs widdowe the summe of twenty shillings Item
41    I give unto my cozen George Baincroft the summe of forty shillings to
42    buy him a Ring to weare for a Remembrance Item I give unto my cozen
43    Ralph Holmes the like summe of forty shillings to buy him a Ring to weare
44    for a Remembrance All the aforesaid Legacies by mee given and bequeathed
45    I will to be payed by my Executor thereafter named within one yeare next
46    after my decease And that the Acquittance of every Legatee which shal[l ]be
47    within Age of twenty and one yeares shal[l ]be a sufficient discharge and for
48    my Executor for theire severall Legacies upon the Receipt and payment thereof
49    The Rest and Residue of my goods and Chattles plate Ready money and
50    debts whatsoever unbequeathed and w[hi]ch shall remaine after all Legacies in
51    and by this my will bequeathed shal[l ]be fully paied and discharged I give
52    and bequeathe unto my kinsman Beniamine Baincroft of Rederith afores[ai]d
53    Cordwainer and to Mary his wife my kinswoman whome I make ordeine
54    and appoint full and sole Executors of this my last will and testam[en]t
55    desiring them truly to performe the same in all things according to my trust
56    in them reposed And I make and appoint my good freinds Thomas
57    Waren and John Caterall Overseers of the same desiring them to be ayding
58    and assisting to my said Executors in and about the execu[t]ion thereof and
59    to see this my will in all things performed according to my true Intent and
60    meaning herein before playnely sett forthe and declared And for theire paines
61    I give unto my sayd Overseers Rings of Gould worth forty shillings a peece
62    at the least to weare for a Remembrance And soe I end my present testam[en]t
63    And doe hereby revoke all other Wills by mee formerly made And doe
64    publish and declare this and none other to be and soe to stand for my last
65    Will and Testament beseeching the high incomprehensible Creator of all
66    things to have mercy upon mee And in my end (and in the end of all things
67    to comfort mee In witnesse that this is my true mind and Will I have
68    caused the same to be faire written in this paper Booke conteyning in all
69    w[i]th this last leafe five sheetes of paper all written upon one side and to e-
70    very sheete or leafe I have subscribed my marke with my owne hand and sett
71    my seale being fixed at a peece of blew tape drawne through the toppe
72    of this Booke the day and yeare first above written The parties hereafter
73    being witnesses which by mee were specially called hereunto The marke
74    of
    [Page 3]
75    of Elizabeth Blake Sealed Subscribed published and delivered by the sayd
76    Elizabeth Blake the sayd twelveth Day of March ibed for her last Will and
77    Testament in the presence of us Henry Overton John Webb and of mee
78    Tho: Waren Scr:
79    This Will was proved at Westminster the eleaventh Day of September
80    in the yeare of our Lord God according to the Corpora[t]ion of the Churche of
81    England one thousand six hundred fifty foure before the Judges for
82    Probate of Wills and granting Administra[t]ions lawfully authorized by the
83    oathe of Beniamine Baincroft one of the Executors named in the said Will to
84    whome the administra[t]ion was comitted of all and singuler the Goods Chattles
85    and Debts of the said deceased hee the sayd Beniamine Baincroft being
86    first sworne truly to administer the same power being reserved for Mary
87    Bayncroft wife of the sayd Benjamine to make like propate thereof when
88    shee shall in due forme of lawe require the same

Will of Dorothy Blake 1647 written at Andover Hampshire

The Will of Dorothy Blake was transcribed by me in 2008 and it altered my thoughts on the ancestry of my Blake line because she did not mention William the eldest son of her son William Blake (Clerk). The will was written initially 13 October 1647 at Andover. William Blake was living at Penton according to the baptisms which were entered into the Andover Parish Register. The distance away is not great but for whatever reason Dorothy does not mention the newly born William (baptized 9 Aug 1647 at Penton). The other two children were baptized in 1649 and Dorothy was buried at Andover 28 March 1648.  The records in this time frame are not good at Andover (I think that William entered the baptisms into the register himself adding then noting that the baptisms had been at Penton - the writing is different from the usual writing at that time). It is possible that the infant did not survive as I do not find a marriage for him at Andover although the name Blake is common enough in the area that I could miss that. I do not find a marriage for Bridget the daughter of William Blake and Ann Hellier. The only record I find is John Blake married to Elizabeth baptizing children at Andover from the 1680s to the early 1700s. Searching through the Parish Register as I transcribed of Andover though has again given me sufficient evidence that I once again connect Thomas Blake who married Ann Carter at Penton as the son of  Thomas Blake who married Mary Spring at Andover and this Thomas a son of John Blake who married Elizabeth and hence John Blake as son of William Blake and Ann Hellier baptized 10 May 1649 at Penton but recorded in the Andover Parish Registers. I am now satisfied with the link between these generations although as always I look for wills to substantiate the linkage. Probate of this will was to Richard Blake (her son) as named in the will. I am still working on the Latin transcription.

Will of Dorothy Blake (widow of William Blake Lynnen draper at Andover):


Transcription - Elizabeth Kipp
Document: Will
Source: National Archives, UK, #336
Place: Andover, Southampton [Hampshire]
Date: 13 Oct 1647
Name: Dorothy Blake, widow (William Blake)
Condition: Old English, slightly faded, 4 pages

T[esta]m[ent] Dorothee Blake

1    In the name of God Amen I
2    Dorothy Blake of Andover in the County of South[amp]t[on] widdowe beinge sicke and weake in body
3    but of sound mind and perfect memory  I thanke my God for the same doe by this present
4    Codicill, which I desire and my meaninge is shal[l ]be reputed and taken as part of my last will
5    and Testament I order and appoint that whereas there ys fifty poundes owing by bonde
6    by Mr. Richard Pearce and Mr. Pister Hyde w[i]th the interest thereof  unto me as Executrix of the
7    last will and Testament of my late husband William Blake deceased for the use and benefite
8    of my Daughter Dorothy Smyth which sayd debt of Fifty Poundes with the Arreares of
9    interest thereof beinge likely to prove a very desperate debt my will and desire ys that
10    in these the sayd somme of Fifty Pounds with the interest thereof cannot bee recovered by
11    Suitt att Lawe That then my Executor doe allowe and pay tenn poundes towardes the sayd
12    Losse  my sonne William Blake the somme of Tenn Poundes by way of abatement out of
13    his Legacye given him by my last will and Testament and that my sonne Peeter Blake
14    doe likewise abate and allowe towardes the sayd losse the somme of Tenn Poundes out of
15    the Legacye given him as afforesaid And likewise that my daughters Margarett Terry
16    Mary Spearinge Jonne Sedgwicke and Ann Long doe allowe by way of Abatement out
17    of their severall Legacyes given them by my last will and Testament the Somme of Five
18    Poundes apeece for and towardes the sayd Losse and the sayd moneyes soe allowed and
19    abated as afforesayd amounting in all unto the foresaid somme of Fifty Poundes to bee
20    forthwith delivered into the handes of some trusted freind or freindes whom my Overseer
21    shall make choise and approve of soe that my Daughter Dorothy doe accure and enioy
22    the full benefitt and proffit of the sayd moneys as the time shall arise and become due
23    from time to time att the yearly Rate of Sixe Poundes in the hundred and in case my
24    sayd Daughter Dorothy Smyth depart this lyfe before John Smyth her husband then
25    the benefitt and profitt of the sayd monies to bee and continue for and towardes the
26    maintenance of her children. But  in case the sayd John Smyth happen to depart this lyfe
27    before his sayd wife then my will and meaninge ys that the sayd somme of Fifty pounds
28    bee within six monthes next after his decease payd into the handes of my sayd Daughter
29    Dorothy Smyth to bee and remayne to her sole propper use and behoofe and to dispose of
30    the same as shee shall thinke meete In witnesse whereof and fore the confirmacion of this
31    present codcill I have sett my hand and Seale this third daye of January Anno D[om]ni
32    1647 Dorothy Blake [signed] Published Sealed and Subscribed in the pre[sen]ce of Elinor Bunny her
33    Marke Elizabeth Whann & others
34    In the name of God Amen december
    [page 2]
35    the last An[n]o D[om]ni 1647, I Dorothy Blake of Andever in the County of South[amp]t[on] widd beinge
36    sicke in body yet (thankes bee given to god) of good and perfect mind and memory by waye of
37    Codicill w[hi]ch I desire may be annexed to my last will and Testament in that the same may
38    bee reputed and taken as part and parcel thereof) doe hereby further declare my will
39    and meaninge in manner and forme followinge viz a [viz]t my will and meaninge ys that the legacys
40    which by my last will and Testament bearing date the xiijth of October 1647 I bequeathed
41    to my sonnes William and Peeter Blake and to my Daughter Margarett Terry Marie
42    Spearinge and Anne Long bee raysed and payed out of the moneys due unto mee by bond
43    or other specialtyes as the same shall aryse to bee due and can be recovered by my Executor
44    And if the sayd moneys soe to become due cannot bee recovered but by suits in Lawe that
45    then my sayd sonnes and daughters above mencioned shall according to their severall proportions
46    ioyne in the charges of the Lawe w[i]th my Executor in the prosecution thereof eyther as
47    Plaintifes or Defendants ag[ain]st those in whose handes the sayd money shal[l ]bee then due and
48    shal[ l]be soe deteyned And yf any losse shall happen to bee or that any of the sayd Debtes
49    by specialties or otherwise shall proove desparate and cannot be recovered then my will
50    and meanings ys that all the sayd Legacies (according to their severall proportions) doe
51    beare at their owne costes their proportionable partes of demnity of the Legacies in my
52    sayd last will given unto them or eyther of them In witnesse whereof to this p[re]sent Codicill
53    I have subscribed my name and sett to my Seale  Herein the day and year above written
54    Dorothy Blake[signed] Read signed sealed and published as p[ar]cell of my last will and Testament in
55    the presence of William Smyth Nicho[las] Blake Ex[ecu]t[o]rs
    [break for ease of reading]
56    In the name of God Amen I Dorothy
57    Blake of Andover in the County of South[amp]t[on] widdowe being at this present of good
58    and perfect memory this thirteenth day of October 1647 in the three and twentieth
59    yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord King Charles of England et[c] doe make and ordaine
60    this my last will and Testament in man[n]er and forme followinge That ys to say first I
61    commend my Soule into the handes of my faithfull Creatour assuredly trusting through
62    the only merritts and mediation of Jesus Christ my Blessed Redeemer to Obtain remission of
63    my sinnes and eternall happines by him my body I committ to the earth to be decently
64    interred at the said discretion of the Executor of this my last will there to rest in hope of
65    joyfull resurrection And so touching the disposecion of my worldly estate my will and meaning
66    ys as followeth Imprimis I give unto my sonne William Blake Clercke the somme of twoe
67    hundred poundes lawfull English money to bee raysed and payd unto him out of my personell
68    estate and the yearly Rent of my lease att Chilboulton in the sayd County the same to bee
69    payd att four payments within the space of two yeares next cominge after my decease
70    att the two most usuall times or dayes of payment in the year That is to say att the five and
71    twentyth of March yearly and the nyne and twentyth of September yearly in the sayd
72    two yeares by equall portions the first payment thereof to beginne att eyther of the sayd
73    dayes which of them shall first come after my decease or sooner yf ytt can be raysed out
74    of my estate upon condicion that he utterly relinquish and waive the benefitt of the
75    legacye of Three skore poundes bequeathed unto him in or by the last will or Testament
76    of William Blake my late husband his late Father deceased Item I give unto my
77    sonne Peter Blake the like somme of two hundred poundes to bee raysed and payd as
78    afforesayd upon the like condicion as afforesayd And in case eyther of my sayd sonnes
79    William or Peter shall dye before they or eyther of them shall receaved their or
80    eyther of their Legacy or Legacyes soe bequeathed as afforesayd in part or in all my will ys
81    that then the same or such remanying part thereof behind shal[l ]bee payed by my Executor
82    according to and att the times herein before lymitted for the payment thereof to such
83    As they or eyther of  them by their or eyther of their last will or other disposall shall
84    appoint Item I give unto my daughter Margarett Terry the Somme of one hundred
85    Poundes of like lawfull money to bee payd unto her within Three monthes after my two
    [Page 3]
86    sonnes shall have received their legacyes afforesayd It[e]m I give unto my daughter Mary Spearinger
87    the somme of one hundred poundes of like lawfull money to be payd unto her within three
88    monthes after my said twoe sonnes and daughter Terry shall have received their severall legacyes
89    afforesayd It[e]m I give unto my daughter Joane Sedgewicke the like somme of one hundred poundes
90    and unto her two sonnes I give the somme of twenty poundes apeece to bee deducted and
91    allowed unto them respectively out of that somme which my sonne in law Robert Sedgwick
92    doth owe unto mee Item I give unto my daughter Anne Longe the like somme of one hundred
93    poundes to bee payd unto her w[i]thin three monthes after my sayd sonnes and daughters shall
94    received their severall legacyes aforesaid It[e]m I give unto Joseph Blake the sonne of my sonne
95    Richard Blake all that my house and land with the appurten[an]ces in Overton in the County
96    aforesaid after the decease of his sayd Father To have and to houlde unto him and his heires for
97    ever uppon this condicion that my daughter Dorothy Smyth shall and may quietly and
98    venerably hold and enjoy during her naturall lyfe the house wherein she now dwelleth in
99    Andover aforesayd late in the Tenure of Roger Sherfield gent Item I give unto Dorothy Jane
100    Sarah and Elizabeth Blake the foure daughters of my sayd sonne Richard Blake and unto
101    his sonne William Blake the somme of Tenn poundes apeece to bee payd unto the sayd
102    Four daughters att their several ages of eighteen yeares or dayes of marynge respectively
103    Whether of the two shall first happen. And unto the sayd William Blake att his age of one
104    and Twentye yeares. Item I give unto Dorothy, Mary, Sarah and Elizabeth Smyth the
105    daughters of my daughter Smyth the somme ofTwenty poundes a yeare to be payd unto
106    them att their severall ages of eighteen yeares or dayes of marrynge respectively whether
107    of the two shall first happen yf  the same may bee soone raysed out of my estate and yf not
108    soe soone then ymediatly after the raysing thereof; And in case the same bee sooner raysed
109    then my executor herein named to allow and pay unto them respectively for and towardes their
110    maintenance att, and after the yearly rate or somme of six poundes p[er]centes for and
111    during all suche time as the several legacyes aforesayd shall remayne usatisfyed Item I
112    give unto Dorothy Spearinge the daughter of my daughter Mary Speeringe the some
113    of five poundes lawfull money of England and unto Dorothy Blake the daughter of
114    my brother Peter Blake the like somme of Five poundes to be payd unto them and to
115    eyther of them within six months next after my decease. And my will and meanings
116    ys that yf my whole estate will not extend soe farre as to satisfy all the severall
117    legacyes aforesaid Then every of the Legattes afforesayd shal[l ]be abated out of his her
118    or their Legacyes soe much in proportion as the estate shalbe deficient and come short
119    of the same And further my will ys that all such necessary Chardges and expenses eyther
120    in trust or equity- as my Executors herein named shalbe putt unto in as touching the due
121    execution of this my last will shalbe deducted by him and allowed unto him out of my
122    estate Item I give unto Twenty poor widdowes of the Parishe of Andover aforesayd of
123    good report the sommes of twelve pence apeece and unto Twenty poor widdowes of the
124    Parish of Overton afforesayd of like report the like somme of Twelve pence a peece to bee
125    payd unto them respectively ymmediately after my decease Item I give unto my sonne
126    in law Mr. Thomas Warren and to all my children and to my sonne Richard Blake
127    his wife the somme of three poundes a peece to buy them blacke for mourninge and
128    to my syster Clement Huchins the somme of fifty shillings to buy her a mourninge
129    Gowne Ite[m] I give unto my sonne William Blake my second damaske table cloth
130    one dozen of my best diaper napkins one dyaper towel and one payre of my best
131    holland sheets Item I give unto my sonne Peter Blake my best brasse pott one
132    payre of dowlas sheetes one payre of dowlas pillowbeeres one of my next best Table
133    clothes one dozen of napkins and one Towell of the next best after my sonne William
134    hath chosen his Item I give unto my daughter Terry my best black Gowne and Petticoat
135    and to my daughter Long my second best Gowne and mowheare Petticoate and unto
136    my daughter Dorothy Smyth All the residue of my wearing apparel of what kind
137    soever The residue of all my goodes and chattels whatsoever not hereby otherwise
    [Page 4]
138    disposed or charged I give and bequeath unto my sayd sonne Richard Blake whom I make and ordaine
139    sole Executor of this my last will and Testament And I do make and devise William Smyth of
140    Waddiche and Nicholas Blake of Gavilacre in the sayd county gent my loving friendes to bee
141    overseers of this my last will And for their paynes and faithfull assistance unto my Executor
142    in and about the same I give to eyther of them twenty shillings a peece to be payd att my
143    buryall In witness whereof I have published this to bee my last will and Testament revoking
144    hereby all former and have hereunto sett my hand and Seale the day and yeare herein first above
145    written Dorothy Blake Subscribed Sealed and Published in the p[re]sence of Thomas Chirch

Magewike (Magwyck, Madgwick) and Charley Families

I continued pulling information out of available sources on the Magewike family. The Hampshire Lay Subsidy 1586 revealed four individuals with this surname: Alice at Dummer is a widow, Walter also at Dummer. John is at Overtonn and some think this is the father of my Dorothy (b c 1589 Overtonn) and married to William Blake 6 Feb 1606 at Andover. Nicholas (son of John and Mary Magewick) is mentioned at Winchester under landes and it is "the heirs of Nicholas Magewike" (he died in 1564). Robert Magewick is at Alton.

The wills of John (died 1538) and Mary (died 1546) are transcribed on the Strudwicke one name study webpages. Mary Magewick of Totford within the parish of Micheldever in her will of 1546 (probate 9 Apr 1546) mentions her sons Gregory and Nicholas and a daughter Margaret who is married. Wife of Gregory is Marjorye and they have children - one eldest son is mentioned. Both Margaret and Nicholas have children as well. A Raffe Magewick is mentioned. John Madgwick of Northington, Hants in his will of 1538 (probate 6 June 1538) mentions his son Gregory, his daughter Margaret Strodwick (Strudwicke) and his son Nicholas. Also mentioned John Maghwyk and his siblings (no relationship stated).

I also worked on the Charley family of Devon as my John Pincombe married Mary Charlie at Bishops Nympton 8 Nov 1767 and she is one of my brickwalls. The priest has listed both as of this parish. She was not baptized at Bishops Nympton. I extracted all the Charley family records from the Freeholder Books and put them together into families. As I worked away at this and extracted the parish records from the IGI I realized that I had one large family grouping centered at Braunton Hundred (mostly at Kentisbury near Barnstaple) and using the IGI I could relate them father to son.

It is possible that Richard is the father of Mary although no baptism has been found that would fit the dates. Richard is the son of John Charley and Elizabeth Richards (married circa 1694). But also there is a Mary daughter of Hugh Charley and Mary baptized 21 Sep 1735 at Arlington, Devon which would make her 32 when she was married (John was 39) and her last child was born in 1778 when she would have been 43 which is within probability. However, no son in this family was named Hugh - children of John Pincombe and Mary Charley were: John b 1768, William b 1769, Mary b 1771, Grace b 1773, Robert b 1775 (my 3x great grandfather), and Thomas b 1778. Nor was a son called Richard although Robert named his 6th son Richard.

Mary is a late birth for Hugh and Mary (it would appear that Hugh died in 1739 (baptized 1676 so 63 when he died as his son John takes over the freehold) as their other children were baptized in 1710, 1712, and 1714 with a daughter Mary being baptized in 1712. Checking the parish records for Kentisbury would be a good next step as they begin in 1674. There is a Mary Charley married to an unknown Charley 8 Apr 1733 at Trentishoe Devon. John Charley and Elizabeth Richards also had a daughter Mary baptized in 1719 but she would have been 48 in 1767 when John Pincombe and Mary Charlie married so unlikely as the last child of that marriage was baptized in 1778 when she would have been 59.

I think I will purchase Kentisbury and Trentishoe PRs to have a look at them. Hugh Charley and John Charley are brothers and sons of John Charley and Charity and both were baptized at Kentisbury. This Charley family also had freeholds at Coombe Martin which is close to Trentishoe. There is one baptism for a Nancy Charley (daughter of William and Mary Charley) 17 Sep 1744 at Trentishoe. There is a patron entry on the IGI of a marriage about 1834 at Trentishoe between William Charley and Maria Jule. Perhaps the first Mary Charley died in childbirth which may have resulted in Hugh Charley and Charity his wife choosing to name this late child Mary especially as she was baptized in 1735 (after their daughter had died since her husband remarried).