Will of Elizabeth Blake, widow of Clevedon, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/2155/412, probated 27 Jul 1852

The testatrix is Elizabeth Blake of Clevedon, Somerset and she was a widow. The marriage of her son John (Royal Artillery) to Sophia Helen Barrow (youngest daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Barrow) was celebrated at St Marys Church, Taunton 18 June 1833 as mentioned in The Gentleman’s Magazine (London, England), Volume 153 on page 558. The witnesses to this marriage were Charles Barrow and Mary Luson.

The marriage of Anna M Blake to William Addison was celebrated at Taunton St James 19 Apr 1831 (groom was of St Mary Magdalen) and this marriage by licence.

I did find John Blake and his wife Sophia and daughter Julia on the 1851 census at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. He is a retired Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery and 56 years of age. His wife is 41 years of age and their daughter 20 years of age. John is born in Devonshire, his wife in the East Indies and their daughter in Paris, France. A rather interesting find since I now know that this is perhaps a Devonshire Blake family.

On the 1861 census at Bath, Somerset, John Blake is listed as born in Devonport, Devonshire and a Lieutenant on half pay in the Royal Artillery aged 66 years, his wife Sophia Helen was born in Madras, East Indies aged 51, Emily Blundell Blake their daughter, unmarried and 22 years of age born in France.

On the 1871 census at Bath, Somerset, John Blake listed as 76 years of age, Captain in the Royal Artillery, born in Devonport Devon, his wife Sophia Helen listed as 61 years of age and born in Madras East India.

Is this John a son of William Blake of Devonport, who was a brother to Samuel Blake of Sherborne and his will blogged:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/09/will-of-samuel-blake-yeoman-of.html

I could not learn anything about William Blake of Devonport earlier but if his wife was Elizabeth that could be helpful.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 30 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2155/412
Testator: Elizabeth Blake, widow
Place: Clevedon, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 25 Feb 1851, probated 27 Jul 1852
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Elizabeth
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 4

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Elizabeth Blake of Clevedon in the County of Somerset Widow I
3    give and bequeath unto my dear Son John Blake of Cheltenham Esquire
4    Ret. And my friend John Nicholas Bennett of Plymouth Gentleman their
5    executors and administrators All my money and securities for money
6    furniture plate linen Estate and Effects whatsoever except the articles herein
7    after excepted upon trust for the sole and separate use benefit and disposition
8    of my dear daughter Anna Maria Addison the Wife of Mr William
9    Addison as and for her sole and separate estate independent of her said
10    husband and to be free from his control debts and engagements I except from the
11    above general bequest my picture of Louis the 16th of France the Portrait of
12    Squire Maurice of Saxony and my silver sugar basin which I give and
13    bequeath to my said dear Son John Blake and I also give him after my said
14    daughters decease the Portrait of myself and my diamond emerald ring I
15    give my dear grandson Charles my Writing desk To my dear daughter in
16    law Sophia Helen I give my Garnet ring and black embroidered shawl and
    [Page 2]
17    and to my dear granddaughter Julia Catherine my Pearl Brooch And I hereby
18    express my desire that whatever of my property may be existing at the time
19    of my daughters death she will give to my three grandchildren Elizabeth
20    Sophia George Frederic and Emily Blundell Blake equally and alike I hereby
21    appoint my said Son John Blake and my said friend John Nicholas Bennett
22    Executors of this my said Will dated this 25th day of February 1851 Elizabeth
23    Blake Signed published and declared by the said Elizabeth Blake as and for
24    her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in her presence at her
25    request and in the presence of each other at the same time have hereunto subscri-
26    bed our names as Witnesses John Maynard Clevedon Louisa Maynard
27    Proved at London 27th July 1852 before The Judge by the oaths of John
28    Blake Esquire the Son and John Nicholas Bennett Esquire the Executors to
29    whom Admon was granted having been first sworn by Comon duly to ad[minister]r

Will of Jane Blake, Widow, Plymouth, Devon - The National Archives PROB 11/2020/328, probated 24 Jul 1845

Jane Blake, the testator, was buried at Charles Church Plymouth 17 Jul 1845 at the age of 82 years. She lived on Hoe Street in Plymouth. She would have been born around 1763 and I found a baptism (Find My Past) for Jane 21 Oct 1763 at Charles Plymouth and daughter of William and Jane Keys.

I also found the marriage of John Blake of the Parish of St Andrew Brandy Merchant and a Bachelor to Jane Keys of the Parish of St Andrew Spinster and they were married by Licence the 27 Oct 1793 by John Gandy and they both signed the parish Register in the presence of T Lovell and Margaret Mary Lovell. This was Marriage Number 670 in the Parish Register.

There was a John Blake son of John and Eleanor Blake baptized 11 Jun 1759 at Charles Plymouth Devon and I suspect he is her husband.

A rather interesting article in the London Gazette Issue 15587, page 631: Pursuant to a Decree of the High Court of Chancery made in a Cause Borkett and others against Redhead, the Creditors of John Blake, late of Plymouth, in the County of Devon, Brandy Merchant, (who died in the Year 1795, Intestate,) are forthwith to come in and prove their Debts before Peter Holford, Esquire; one of the Masters of the said Court, at his Chambers in Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, or in Default thereof they will be excluded the Benefit of the said Decree.

I did locate Jane on the 1841 Census living in the same household on Hoe Street as Margaret Lovell – both are 75 years of age and independent. They live in St Andrew Parish.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 26 Jul 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2020/328
Testator: Jane Blake, Widow
Place: Plymouth, Devon, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 4 Mar 1843, probated 24 Jul 1845
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Jane
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 6

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Jane Blake of Plimouth in the County of Devon Widow I
3    direct my body to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executor
4    hereinafter named in the Church yard of the Parish Church of Charles in
5    Plymouth aforesaid by the side of my deceased husband I give and bequ-
6    eath unto my Cousin Margaret Mary Lovell of Plymouth aforesaid
7    widow the legacy or sum of five pounds to be laid out in the purchase
8    of a ring or some other token of my esteem and regard also I give and
9    bequeath unto my nephew Elias Keys of Devonport in the County
10    of Devon printer my Fathers picture or likeness and I give and bequeath
11    unto the wife of the said Elias Keys all the wearing apparel of which
12    I shall be possessed at the time of my decease And as to and concer-
13    ning all the rest Residue and remainder of my monies securities for
14    money goods chattels articles and effects and personal estate whatsoever
15    not hereinbefore bequeathed I give and bequeath the same and every
    [Page 2]
16    part and parcel thereof unto my dear Grandson Alfred L__aft the
17    younger to and for his own absolute use benefit and disposal and I do
18    hereby nominate constitute and appoint my good friend Charles Cobley
19    Whiteford of Plymouth aforesaid Solicitor Sole Executor of this my Will
20    hereby revoking all former and other wills by me at any time hereto
21    fore made and declaring this to be my only last Will and Testament In testi-
22    money whereof I the said Jane Blake have to this my last Will and Tes-
23    tament set my hand and Seal the fourth day of March in the year of
24    our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three Jane Blake
25    Signed Sealed published and declared by the above named Jane
26    Blake the Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament in the pre-
27    sence of us being present at the same time who at the request and in
28    her presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names
29    as Witnesses hereto Wm B Lane of Plymouth Gentleman Jas G
30    Ford Clerk to Messrs Whiteford and Bennett Solr Plymouth
31    Proved at London 24th July 1845 before the Worshipful Frederic
32    Thomas Pratt Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the Oath of Charles
33    Cobley Whiteford Esquire the sole Executor to whom admon was granted
34    having been first sworn duly to administer

Will of George Blake, Gentleman, Plymouth - The National Archives, PROB 11/326/267, probated 19 Feb 1667/68

George Blake the testator is the son of Humphrey Blake and Sara Williams who lived at Bridgwater, Somerset. George is a brother to Admiral Robert Blake. This line continues back to Robert Blake and Margaret Symonds also of Bridgwater and thence back to Humphrey Blake and Ann (unknown) who lived at Overstowey. The father of Humphrey is not known reliably but is suspected to be John Blake who is shown on the Blake Pedigree Chart held by the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office. John was a son of William Blake and Margaret Browne. This William was then the son of David Blake and Joane Mallet. This David then being a son of John Blake/Blague and Margaret Dyncham (first wife). This John does not mention having a son by his first wife in his will of 1504.

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/10/will-of-john-blake-national-archives.html

If this can ever be proven to be correct (the lineage back) then the Somerset Blake family of Overstowey/Bridgwater would be descendant of the Blake family of Calne/Quemberford Wiltshire.

Always nice to be able to link a will to a known family line and George mentions his children George and Robert, and daughters Sarah, Elizabeth, Bridget and Jane (married to William Bickton) as well as his wife Jane.

To help link this George with the family at Bridgwater his brother William mentions “the children of my brother George Blake of Plymouth George, Robert, Sarah, Elisabeth and Bridget, deceased” in his will of 24th Oct 1667 so George has died by 24th October 1667 although his will is not probated until 19 Feb 1667/68. George the testator is mentioned in his brother Admiral Robert Blake’s will of 1655 (proved 1657).

There are a number of marriages in the right timeframe in the LDS but none to a Jane.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 26 Jun 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/326/267
Testator: George Blake, Gentleman
Place: Plymouth, Devon, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 3 Feb 1666, probated 19 Feb 1667/68
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: T[esta]m[ent]
[Margin]: Georij
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen  I George
2    Blake of the Borrough of Plimouth in the County of Devon Gentl being weake
3    and sicke of of Body but of a sound mind and perfect memory praised bee to God
4    for the same doe declare my last Will and Testament to bee in manner and forme as
5    hereafter followeth That is to say Imprimis I commend my Soule to God my Createur
6    who gave it mee hopeing and surely trusting that in and by the merits of my deare
7    Saviour Jesus Christ I shall enioy eternall rest and happiness with him in the highest
8    heavens And my Bodye to Christian Buriall handsomely and decently to bee interred And
9    for my Worldly Goods and Estate which it hath pleased God to bestowe upon mee I doe
10    give and bequeath in manner following I doe hereby give unto my two Sonnes George
11    and Robert All that Messuage Tenement and dwelling house Garden and Outhouses
12    and all and every the appurtenances wherein Doctor Roger Ashton now liveth and the
13    Two
    [Page 2]
14    Two Barnes adioyning thereunto Sictuate and being in the Borrough of Plimouth
15    equally to bee devided betwixt them To have and to hold the same to them their Executors
16    administrators and assignes dureing the full Tearme and Estate I have therein Item
17    I doe hereby give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah All that Messuage dwelling
18    house and Garden with its appurten[an]ces Sictuate in Plimouth and wherein one John
19    Dunbarre lately lived it being the Northerne Tenement of thesew three Tenements
20    or howses I lately erected in Plimouth and adioyning to the Garden Docteur Ashton
21    holdeth Item I doe give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth All that Messuage
22    dwelling house and Garden with the appurtenances in Plimouth wherein Katherine
23    Everdon now liveth being the Midle Tenement of the Three Tenements or houses I
24    erected as aforesaid Item I doe hereby give unto my Daughter Bridgett All that
25    Messuage Tenement and dwelling house and Garden with the appurten[an]ces wherein I now
26    live being the Southerne Tenement of the aforesaid Three Tenements The profits of all
27    the aforemencioned Tenements and Messuages with all and every of their appurtenances
28    soe given and bequeathed as aforesaid to come and bee unto my Wife Jane until my
29    children aforesaid shalbe married respectively Provided my wife mainteyne them
30    necessaries until their severall marriages they remaining with her And the Tenement
31    and house given to my daughter Bridgett as aforesaid to bee and remaine unto my Wife
32    after the marriage of the said Bridgett soe long as my Wife shall put unto her or her
33    assignes Six pounds every yeare for the same Item I doe hereby give and bequeath
34    unto my Wife Jane Blake, All that Messuage Tenement and dwelling house Garden
35    outhouses and all other the appurtenances Sictuate and being in Plymouth neere the
36    Middle hoe Lane and which one Docteur Thomas Spencer now holdeth and dwelleth
37    in To have and to hold the same with all and every the appurtenances unto my said Wife
38    and to her Assignes dureing the Tearme of her natural life And after the decease of my
39    said wife the one Moyety of the last mencioned Tenement I doe give unto my Sonne George
40    during the Remainder of the Lease I have in the last mencioned p[re]misses And the other Moiety
41    of this last mencioned Tenement wherein Docteur Thomas Spencer now liveth After my
42    wifes decease I give unto my Sonne in Law William Bickton during the remainder of
43    the said Lease and is in part of a marriage Porcion with my daughter Jane his now
44    wife And Lastly All the Remainder of my Goods and Chattells whatsoever I doe hereby
45    give and Bequeath unto my said Wife to bee given by her amongst my other Children as
46    shee shall thinke fit my Debts being paid and doe make my said Wife my Sole Executrix
47    of this my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand
48    and Seale This Third of February Anno dom[ini] 1666 George Blake Sealed and
49    Published in the p[re]sence of Tho: Spenser Rich: Rowe