Looking back in time

This is the day to create the last section of the Somerby chapter and it will look at the work of Paul C. Reed a well known American genealogist who published in The American Genealogist (TAG), Volume 74, 1999 an interesting article namely: Two Somerby Frauds or "Placing the Flesh on the Wrong Bones. My husband Edward being a subscriber through his membership in the New England Historic and Genealogical Society (NEHGS) I was able to download the article. Earlier he had published an article in the New England Historical Genealogical Register (NEHGR) which ia also downloaded and it was about Dorothy _____,. The key in our search for Shadrack Hapgood. This was one of the families that Charlou Dolan researched along with Blake. Finding these two articles when my husband brought my attention to them sometime after 2004 when my interest in family history suddenly developed thanks to my cousin George DeKay wanting a Pincombe Profile for the book he was editing namely: Delaware and Westminster Townships (two parts), published by the Westminster Township Historical Society, November 2006. My thoughts were pretty much on the Pincombe family at this point and I put the two papers into a folder labelled Blake because I saw mention of the Blake family. I was still working full time in those days and started taking the courses to complete my Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies (PLCGS) which I did complete in 2007. As always my first thought was to acquire the tools to do the Pincombe Profile since my mother had just passed away in 2002 and my maternal uncle in 2003. My uncle had given a package of his personal papers to my husband to write up his story. My husband passed them to me after 2004 and said this is your job and I put them in a safe spot as I needed to go back further than my uncle. 

Interestingly it was me that said we should do our DNA with Sorenson - my husband somewhat ambivalent at giving the world the knowledge of his genes thought about it for quite a while actually but I went ahead and ordered two kits and waited until he was ready to do them. He was in a quandry about his Kipp line as Isaac his 2x great grandfather had been born in 1764 in North East Township, Dutchess County, New York just as the Revolution was about to begin. His parentage was unknown but he was married to Hannah Mead who appears very correctly to be the daughter of Jonathan Mead the Cooper III who was definitely a Patriot in this Revolution. They lived next door or with Jonathan Mead and family in the 1790 census. But I digress. I said to my husband the best way to prove a line is with yDNA and he was hooked and off the kits went to Sorenson and then into FT DNA they were transferred as there was a setup to do that. Lots more testing and we were into the DNA at its beginnings. DNA would fundamentally change how people did their genealogy - a genealogy without DNA is no longer complete but it did take about half of a generation to convince genealogists of this case. Edward and I did give lectures at various time on DNA in our area. My results had been fascinating as I quickly found literally many many Pincombe cousins both in the Utah area where I knew they had gone (my mother mentioned that) and all across Canada and into many parts of the United States. The first database I signed up for was the first time I used it basically. I searched on my Pincombe family that had come from Devon in the 1850s and discovered a likely family but hidden behind the paywall of Ancestry. It suggested that I could sign up for two weeks for free, I went for the membership and was soon in there with the passenger manifest and there they were, my Pincombes. It continued to amaze Edward as I spent all of my spare non-working time on genealogy as I had spent the first nearly fourty years of our marriage with no interest in genealogy except I did help him when we went to repositories where he wanted to find something interesting he had received from cousins around the world actually. Edward's correspondence list was huge.

So one day shortly after I submitted the Pincombe Profile to my cousin George DeKay, I sat down and read Paul Reed's papers and was astounded as I discovered that the bits and pieces that my grandfather (and occasionally my father) had shared with me as a child appeared in print in these articles. It was an amazing moment that spring of 2005 (the profile was due and it was promptly submitted on time for publication) and it was one day after gardening with Edward that I came in and read the papers. I was still working then full time and would be for another couple of years. Edward had retired in 2004. I had decided to join The Guild of one-name Studies and being the sort a person I am had selected three study names (Pincombe, Lambden and Siderfin). They were just very interesting names Lambden and Siderfin and Pincombe is obvious (I thought they were all small projects but actually much larger the second two and I have set aside Lambden for anyone to pick up. The Blake study had been held by Paul Blake and being such a newbie I would not have even considering attempting Blake for sure. But here it was all that information about Nicholas Blake of Enham and it fitted the stories my grandfather told me in terms of the fraud committed. 

Today I will read through those papers as it is a long time since I have done so. I will also add in the section on Paul Reed's paper into the chapter as it will complete it. 

I couldn't decide if it was the weather, all that rain, but my eyes have been very strained but today that disappeared although will not spend too much time on the computer as it is cleaning day three and the upstairs which does take a good portion of the day. No idea why the eyestrain really (perhaps reading the Latin which I was putting a bit too much time into) but our direction ahead as a country continues towards diversifying our trade and it is pretty much top of mind (I was listening to the Premiers of the Provinces talking yesterday). It is good to see and we will be an even stronger partner on this continent as we build up our military and work with the Arctic countries of the same mind as us on our common need to provide protection of the Arctic. I think our focus is good and we need to continue removing any trade barriers between the provinces as there are lots of items that we could be buying that are home-grown. Re-starting some of our lost industries should also be top of mind I think and certainly getting those shovels in the ground to do the work that needs to be done. I was actually not opposed to the province buying a new airplane (surprising perhaps) but this is a huge province and the Premier needs to be more aware of what is happening all over the province (the availability of transportation quickly and with sufficient room to bring people along with the Premier is important (providing potential investors and customers with such extras is always a good plan). This is a time of growth for Canada as we concentrate on supporting the world being a peaceful place but always preparing to defend that peace. History through the centuries has shown that the peacemakers win.

Drinking my tea and solitaire puzzles to do. Today is Earth Day. Thank you God for this beautiful world. 

 

Will of Mary Blake, Spinster, Walcot, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/1791b/122, probated 10 Nov 1831

Checking the records at Bath/Walcot for this Blake family did not let me associate the testatrix Mary Blake with either of the George Blake families there.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 22 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1791b/122
Testator: Mary Blake, Spinster
Place: Walcot, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 2 Feb 1831, probated 10 Nov 1831
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Mary
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 4

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Mary Blake of the Parish of Walcot in the County of Somerset
3    Spinster First I direct all my just debts funeral and testamentary expences to be
4    satisfied I give my Miniature Paintings of two of Mr Leslie’s family to Mrs Eleanor
5    Leslie I give to my dear Sister Mabel Bayles Wife of Mr Charles Bayles the
6    sum of Thirty pounds I give to my Niece Eleanor Davidson who is now residing
7    with me the sum of One hundred pounds and to her Sister Elizabeth Reed Wife
8    of Mr George Reed the sum of Fifty pounds for her own use independent of
9    her husband and of his debts and control I give to my Nephew Thomas
10    Davidson the sum of Seventy pounds and to my Nephew Henry Davidson (the
11    brother of the said Thomas Davidson) the sum of Fifty pounds All the above
12    Legacies I direct to be paid within six Calendar Months next after my decease
13    and I give all my household Goods and Furniture watch Books and all the
14    Residue of my estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature
15    or kind soever unto my said Niece Eleanor Davidson for her own use and benefit
16    And I appoint the said Eleanor Davidson sole Executrix of this my Will hereby
17    revoking all former Wills by me heretofore made In Witness whereof I have here
18    unto set my hand and seal this second day of February in the Year of Our Lord
19    One thousand eight hundred and thirty one Mary Blake Signed sealed
20    Published and declared by the said Mary Blake the Testatrix as and for her last Will
21    and Testament in the presence of us who in her presence at her request and in the
22    presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses W B
23    Lidiard 3 Wood Street Green Square Bath Thomas Smith Albion Place Bath
24    Proved at London 10th November 1831 before the Judge by the Oath of
25    Eleanor Davison (in the Will written Davidson) Spinster the Niece the sole Executrix to whom Admon was
26    granted having been first Sworn by Commission duly to administer.

Will of Malachi Blake, Esquire, Taunton St Mary Magdalen, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/1260/202, probated 13 May 1795

Malachi Blake is known to me as the son of William Blake and Jane A’Court who were married 21 Oct 1712 at Yeovil, Somerset. This couple had seven children but the place of their birth and baptism I have not yet located. The dates below are from the Portbury website and the chart below produced by using this website with some corrections although for the most part it appears to be correct with a few mixups in the connection) (http://www.portbury-hundred.co.uk/admiralreport.htm) and with the caution that these dates need to be verified and all connections which do not include a primary reference checked. Eventually I plan to post the gedcom for this particular legacy file once I have verified all the dates and links:

Children of William Blake and Jane A’Court (married 21 Oct 1712 at Yeovil and Jane was the daughter of William A’Court who lived in Yeovil)):

Jane born 2 May 1714
Abigail born 17 Jun 1715
Mary born 26 Sep 1717; married Samuel Reed circa 1760 (no issue)
Susannah born 2 Aug 1720; married Thomas Towell September 1759
Malachi born circa 1724; married Sarah Biscoe and they had one child Malachi Biscoe Blake (died at 3 years of age)
Catherine born circa 1725
William born 29 Apr 1730; married Hannah Downing 18 Oct 1766 in Bishops Hull and they had five children: Malachi born 20 Jun 1771, William born 31 Mar 1773, Downing born 9 Jan 1775, Hannah (not shown in Crewkerne records but mentioned in will) and Mary born 20 May 1777.

This line is collateral to Admiral Robert Blake:

Admiral Robert Blake [101] is the 2nd cousin 4 times removed of Malachi Blake [605]

                                Common Ancestor

                              * Humphrey-21 Blake [1]
                                  (Cir 1499-1558)
                                    * Agnis [2]
                                 (          -1585)
                                   Married  [1]
                                        |
                    -------------------------------------------------------------
                    |                                                               |
                    |                                                               |
     * John-27 (the elder) Blake [3]              * Robert-28 Blake [4]
          (Cir 1521-After 1576)                    (Cir 1523-Cir 1592)
               Johan [12]                         Margaret Symonds [22]
            (          -1595)                       (          -1600)
          Married Cir 1541 [4]                        Married  [5]
                    |                                                                 |
                    |                                                                 |
         * William-39 Blake [18]                 * Humphry-43 Blake [25]
           (Cir 1559-Cir 1642)                       (Cir 1563-1625)
                Anne [84]                Sarah Swithers formerly Williams [100]
            (          -1644)                       (          -1638)
              Married  [21]                      Married 5 Oct 1597 [26]
                    |                                                                  |
                    |                                                                  |
          * John-59 Blake [88]                * Admiral Robert Blake [101]
               (1597-1645)                             (1598-1657)
             Elizabeth [155]
              Married  [38]
                    |
                    |
          * John-86 Blake [158]
               (1629-1682)
           Mary Wilkins [276]
        Married 20 Jun 1648 [84]
                    |
                    |
   * Reverend Malachi-112 Blake [278]
               (1651-1705)
             Mary Mico [414]
             Married  [140]
                    |
                    |
        * William-140 Blake [419]
               (1688-1772)
           Jane A'Court [529]
               (1689-1769)
        Married 21 Oct 1712 [186]
                    |
                    |
       * Malachi-162 Blake [538]
               (1724-1795)



Names mentioned in the will

Malachi Blake, Taunton St Mary Magdalen, testator
Malachi Blake, nephew, son of Rev William Blake of Crewkerne
Reverend William Blake, Crewkerne
James Poole, Esquire, landowner
Mr Philip Maire, landowner
Mr James Gay, tenant
John Bradbeer, tenant
John Norman, sergemaker, Taunton, trustee
Joseph Jeffries, sergemaker, Taunton, trustee
William Blake, nephew, son of Rev William Blake of Crewkerne
Downing Blake, nephew, son of Rev William Blake of Crewkerne
Hannah Blake, niece, daughter of Rev William Blake of Crewkerne
Mary Blake, niece, daughter of Rev William Blake of Crewkerne
Abigail Blake, sister
Susannah Towell, wife of Thomas Towell, sister
Mr John Collier, nephew in law, Apothecary, City of London
Mr Joseph Biscoe, father in law, deceased
Thomas Emlyn, John Street, London
Bethia Emlyn, John Street, London, wife of Thomas
Edmund Calamy, Lincolns Inn Square, London
Mrs Calamy, Lincolns Inn Square, London
Mr Elisha Biscoe, brother in law, deceased
Mr Vincent Biscoe, brother in law
Mrs Cope, sister in law (sister of wife)
Reverend John Ward, Taunton St James
Mr John Hayne Bovet, attorney
Miss Crokers (two sisters, neighbours)
Joseph Wrightford, servant
Ann Manley, servant
Mary Reed, widow, sister
Nehemiah Bewsey, witness
Edward Hill, witness
Thomas Sabine, witness

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 17 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1260/202
Testator: Malachi Blake, Esquire
Place: Taunton St Mary Magdalen, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 18 Apr 1789, probated 13 May 1795
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Malachi
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: Esq[uie]r

1    The last Will and Testament
2    of me Malachi Blake of Taunton St Mary Magdalen in
3    the County of Somerset Esq[uie]r being in good health of body
4    and of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding
5    (Blessed be God) made and published this eighteenth day of
6    April in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred
7    and eighty nine In manner following that is to say
8    whereas I have made or intend shortly to make a surrender
9    called a dormant Surrender of all and singular my Customary
10    Lands of Inheritance parcels of the Manor of Taunton
11    deane To the uses of my last Will and Testament Now I
12    hereby give and bequeath unto my nephew Malachi Blake
13    Son of my Brother the Rev William Blake of Crewkerne
14    in the County of Somerset One Annuity of clear Yearly Rent
15    charge of One hundred Guineas of lawful money of Great
16    Britain to be paid him by even quarterly payments by and
17    out of my several Farms Lands and hereditaments parcels
18    of the Manor of Taunton deane situate lying within the
19    Parish of Taunton St Mary Magdalen afores[ai]d which I
20    lately purchased of James Poole Esq[uie]r or his Trustees and of
21    Mr. Philip Maire now in the several occupations of Mr
22    James Gay and John Bradbeer as my tenants the same
23    to be paid to my said nephew and his assigns during the
24    natural life of my s[ai]d Brother by quarterly payments and
25    on the four most usual days of payment in the year (that
26    is to say) Midsummer, Michaelmas, Christmas and Lady
27    Day in each year the first of such payments to be made on
28    such of the said days as shall first and next happen after
29    my decease and that without any deduction or abatement
    [Page 2]
30    whatsoever for Land Tax or otherwise and subject thereto I
31    give and devise all and singular my s[ai]d Customary Farms and
32    Lands Tenements hereditaments and premises with their
33    respective appurtenances unto my said Brother the s[ai]d Will[ia]m
34    Blake for and during the term of his natural life without
35    impeachment of or for any manner of Waste (except
36    voluntary Waste in houses) he yielding paying
37    doing and performing all necessary rents suits and services to
38    the Lord of the Manor for the time being therefore due and
39    of right accustomed and from and after his decease I give
40    and devise all and singular the same Customary Farms
41    Lands and premises with the respective appurt[enance]s unto my
42    s[ai]d nephew Malachi Blake and his assigns for and during
43    the term of his natural life without impeachment of
44    or for any manner of Waste (except as afores[ai]d) he and
45    they yielding paying doing and performing all necessary
46    rents suits and services to the Lord of the Manor as afores[ai]d
47    and after the determination of that Estate remainder
48    to John Norman and Joseph Jeffries both of Taunton
49    afores[ai]d Sergemakers and their heirs according the Custom
50    of the Manor of Taunton deane for and during the natural
51    life of my s[ai]d nephew the s[ai]d Malachi Blake In Trust
52    nevertheless to preserve the contingent remainders
53    hereinafter limited and from and immediately after the
54    death of the said Malachi Blake remainder to all and every
55    or such one or more of the Son or Sons of my s[ai]d Nephew
56    the s[ai]d Malachi Blake lawfully to be begotten for such
57    Estate or Estates at such time and times and in such parts
58    shares and proportions manner and form as he my s[ai]d nephew
59    Malachi Blake by any deed or deeds under his hand and
60    seal with or without power of revocation to be duly executed
61    in the presence of and attested by two or more credible
62    witnesses or by his last Will and Testament in writing to be
63    duly executed in the presence of and attested by a like number
64    of Witnesses shall direct limit or appoint give or devise the
65    same or any part or parts thereof and for want of such
66    direction limitation or appointment Gift or devise
67    remainder To the first and every other Son and Sons of
68    the s[ai]d Malachi Blake and the heirs of his and their
69    respective body and bodies lawfully to be begotten the
70    eldest of such Sons and the heirs of his body to be preferred
71    and to take before the younger or youngest and the heirs of his
72    and their body and bodies according to the Custom of the s[ai]d
73    Manor of Taunton deane and in default of all such issue
74    remainder To my nephew William Blake (another Son of
75    my said Brother William Blake) and his assigns for his
76    life without impeachment of or for any manner of waste
77    (except as afores[ai]d) he and they in like manner paying
78    doing and performing all necessary rents suits and services
79    to the Lord of the Manor for the time being and from
80    and after the determination of that Estate remainder to the
81    said John Norman and Joseph Jeffries and their heirs according
    [Page 3]
82    to the Custom of the s[ai]d Manor of Taunton deane for and
83    during the natural life of my s[ai]d nephew the s[ai]d William
84    Blake remainder to all and every or such one or more of the
85    Son or Sons of my said nephew the s[ai]d William Blake
86    lawfully to be begotten for such Estate and Estates of such
87    time and times and in such parts shares and proportions
88    manner and form and he my s[ai]d nephew William Blake by
89    any deed or deeds under his hand and seal with or without
90    power of revocation to be duly executed in the presence of
91    and attested by two or more credible Witnesses or by his last
92    Will and Testament in Writing to be by him duly executed
93    in the presence of and attested by a like number of Witnesses
94    shall direct limit or appoint give or devise the same or
95    any part of parts thereof and for want of such direction
96    limitation or appointment gift or devise remainder
97    to the first and every other Son and Sons of my s[ai]d nephew the
98    s[ai]d William Blake and the heirs of his and their respective
99    body and bodies lawfully to be begotten the eldest of such
100    Sons and the heirs of his Body being to be preferred and
101    to take before the younger or youngest and the heirs of
102    his and their body and bodies according to the Custom of the s[ai]d
103    Manor of Taunton deane and in default of all such issue
104    remainder to my nephew Downing Blake (the third Son
105    of my s[ai]d Brother William Blake) and his assigns for and
106    during the term of his natural life without impeachment
107    of or for any manner of waste (except as afores[ai]d) he and they
108    also paying doing and performing all necessary rents
109    suits and services to the Lord of the Manor for the time being
110    and from and after the determination of that Estate
111    remainder to the s[ai]d John Norman and Joseph Jeffries and
112    their heirs according to the Custom of the s[ai]d Manor of
113    Taunton deane for and during the natural life of my s[ai]d
114    nephew Downing Blake In Trust nevertheless to preserve
115    the contingent remainders hereinafter limited and from
116    and immediately after the death of my s[ai]d nephew Downing
117    Blake remainder to all and every or such one or more of the Son and Sons being Sons of the said Downing Blake lawfully to be begotten for such Estate and Estates at
118    such time and times and in such parts shares and proportions
119    manner and form as he my said nephew Downing Blake
120    by any such his deed or deeds or last Will and Testament
121    as afores[ai]d shall direct limit or appoint give or devise the
122    same or any part thereof and for want of such direction
123    limitation or appointment gift or devise remainder To
124    the first and every other Son and Sons of my s[ai]d nephew Downing
125    Blake and the heirs of his and their respective body and bodies
126    lawfully to be begotten the eldest of such sons and the heirs of
127    his body to be preferred and to take before the younger or
128    youngest and the heirs of his and their body and bodies according
129    to the Custom of the Manor of Taunton deane and in
130    default of all such Issue male of my s[ai]d nephew resp[ective]ly
131    then I give and devise all my s[ai]d Customary Farms and Lands
132    parcels of the s[ai]d Manor of Taunton deane unto my niece
133    Hannah Blake and her assigns for and during the term of her
    [Page 4]
134    natural life without impeachment of or for any manner
135    of waste (except only as afores[ai]d) she and they in like manner
136    yielding paying doing and performing all rents suits and services
137    as aforesaid and from and after her decease remainder to my
138    niece Mary Blake for and during the term of her natural life
139    without impeachment of or for any manner of Waste
140    (except as aforesaid) she and they also paying doing and
141    performing all rents Suits and Services as afores[ai]d and from
142    and after the decease remainder to all and every the daughter
143    and daughters of my s[ai]d nephew Malachi Blake and their heirs
144    according to the Custom of the s[ai]d Manor Taunton deane
145    and in default of such daughters and daughter remainder
146    to all and every the daughters and daughter of my s[ai]d nephew
147    William Blake and their heirs according to the Custom of the
148    said Manor of Taunton deane and in default of such
149    daughters and daughter of my s[ai]d nephew William Blake
150    remainder to all and every the daughters and daughter of
151    my s[ai]d nephew Downing Blake and their heirs according to
152    the Custom of the s[ai]d Manor of Taunton deane And in
153    default of all such issue both Male and Female of my s[ai]d
154    nephews respectively Then I give and devise all my said
155    Customary Farms and Lands parcels of the s[ai]d Manor of
156    Taunton deane unto my own right heirs according to the
157    Custom of the s[ai]d Manor and to or for no other use intent
158    or purpose whatsoever Also I give and bequeath to my Sister
159    Abigail Blake during the term of her natural life an
160    annuity or clear yearly sum of Fifteen pounds to be paid
161    by my Executors hereinafter named out of my Executory
162    Estate by equal half yearly payments the first to be made
163    at the end of Six months next after my decease and to
164    my Sister Susannah the Wife of Mr Thomas Towell during
165    her natural life an annuity or clear yearly sum of
166    Twenty pounds to be also paid by my Exors as aforesaid
167    by equal half yearly payments the first payment to be
168    made at the end of six months as aforesaid and in case
169    my brother in Law the said Thomas Towell survives his
170    s[ai]d Wife Then I give him during his natural life an
171    annuity or clear yearly sum of Ten pounds payable
172    in like manner by and out of my Executory Estate by
173    equal half yearly payments The first payment to
174    begin and be made at the end of Six Months next
175    after the decease of his s[ai]d Wife Also I give devise and
176    bequeath unto my nephew in Law Mr John Collier
177    Apothecary All that my sixth part and all other my
178    Estate and Interest of and in a Messuage or dwellinghouse
179    situate in Gloucester Street in the City of London heretofore
181    belonging to my late Father in Law Mr Joseph Biscoe
182    to hold to and to the use of him the said John Collier his
183    heirs Executors administrators and assigns for all my
184    Estate and interest therein and I give to the s[ai]d John Collier and
185    his Wife Mrs Collier the sum of one hundred pounds each
186    also I give to my dear Friends Thomas Emlyn of John Street
    [Page 5]
187    in the City of London Esq[uie]r and Bethia his Wife to each of them
188    the sum of Two hundred and fifty pounds and to Edmund
189    Calamy of Lincolns Inn Square in the City of London Esq[uie]r
190    and his wife the sum of one hundred pounds each Also I
191    give to and amongst the Children of my late Brother in Law
192    Mr Elisha Biscoe deceased the sum of Two hundred
193    pounds to be equally divided between them share and share
194    alike and to and amongst the Children of my late Brother
195    in Law Mr Vincent Biscoe the like sum of Two hundred
196    pounds to be equally divided between them and to the
197    children of my Sister in Law Mrs Cope my late dear
198    Wife’s Sister the like sum of Two hundred pounds to be
199    equally divided between them and I will and direct that
200    my said Executors shall pay to the s[ai]d Mrs Cope for her life
201    an annuity or clear yearly sum of Five pounds One
202    Moiety of which (viz[ a vi]t) Fifty shillings annually I have
203    always voluntarily paid her since my said late Wife’s
204    decease by her particular desire and that together with
205    an additional Fifty shillings make up together the s[ai]d
206    annuity of Five pounds I will shall be paid her yearly by
207    my Executors And I give it to her accordingly for and during
208    the term of her natural life as afores[ai]d Also I give to the
209    Rev John Ward on whose Ministry I attend the sum of
210    five Guineas and to Mr John Hayne Bovet my Attorney
211    twenty Guineas To my Good Neighbours the two Miss
212    Crokers the sum of Fifty Guineas each and in case my present
213    servants Joseph Wrightford and Ann Manley or either of them
214    shall be living with me at my decease I give to them or such
215    of them as may be then living with me the sum of Fifty
216    pounds and to any other Servants or Servant that may
217    have lived with me more than one year the sum of Twenty
218    pounds each and if less than that time the sum of Ten pounds
219    all which several Legacies I will shall be respectively
220    paid by my s[ai]d Exors hereinafter named by and out of my
221    Executory Estate within six months next after my decease
222    and I also will and direct that my s[ai]d Exors shall within one
223    month next after my decease distribute to and amongst
224    the poor of the several parishes of Taunton St Mary
225    Magdalen and Taunton St James as they shall think
226    proper the sum of Ten pounds and the like sum of Ten
227    pounds yearly for nine years afterwards to the poor of
228    the s[ai]d parishes at the discretion of my s[ai]d Exors as to the
229    proportions and persons who are to be the objects of this my
230    donation making together in the whole the sum of One
231    hundred pounds And all the rest and residue of my Messuages
232    Lands Tenements and hereditaments Mortgages in Fee and other
233    Mortgages Money and Securities or money Goods Chattels
234    and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever after payment of my
235    Debts Legacies and Funeral expences I give devise and bequeath
236    the same unto my s[ai]d Brother William Blake and my
237    Sister Mary Reed their heirs Exors and Admors share and
238    share alike to take as tenants in Common and not as joint
    [Page 6]
239    tenants Also it is my desire to be buried in the Morning
240    in the same Cave or Vault in the parish Church of Taunton
241    St James in which my late dear Wife and Child are interred
242    and that there may be no funeral Sermon and Lastly
243    I hereby revoke all former Wills by me made In Testamentary
244    whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament contained
245    in five sheets of paper to the four first sheets set my hand
246    and to this fifth and last sheet set my hand and seal the day
247    and year first above written Malachi Blake
248    Signed Sealed published and declared by the s[ai]d Malachi
249    Blake the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament
250    in the presence of us who have hereunto at his request
251    and in his presence and in the presence of each other subscribed
252    our names as Witnesses Nehemiah Bewsey Edward
253    Hill Tho[ma]s Sabine
254    On the thirteenth day of May in the year of our Lord
255    One thousand seven hundred and ninety five admon
256    with the Will annexed of all and singular the Goods
257    Chattels and Credits of the deceased Malachi Blake late
258    of Taunton Saint Mary Magdalen in the County of
259    Somerset Esquire deceased was granted to The Rev
260    William Blake Clerk the Brother and Mary Reed Widow
261    the Sister of the said deceased and the residuary Legatees
262    named in the said Will (no Executor being named therein)
263    having been first Sworn by Commission duly to adm[iniste]r

Y DNA and deep ancestry

I am in the process of writing up an article for our Blake Newsletter (http://blakeheritage.synthasite.com/the-blake-newsletter.php) which will be published 1st of April 2011. It will be the second issue of this first volume. Barrie Blake created the January issue discussing Heraldry (display of ermine) which can be found at the website mentioned above). Heraldry is a very important part of the Blake Family knowledge because coats of arms were used by a number of the different founding lines. I hope that in one of Barrie's newsletters he tells us something about why particular items were chosen for the individual Blake coats of arms. In the case of my line, why the sheafs of wheat. I might think it was because they were landowners but perhaps there is a deeper significance.

In the course of writing up the article on Y DNA and deep ancestry, I have ended up producing two newsletters and will let Barrie choose the one that he feels best suits our newsletter style. The other one I will then put into my blog because it has a lot of links to a European website that I have just been observing and it is incredible for its depth of study on the European lines and their origins.

I plan to return to the Abbotts Ann Parish Registers after completing the newsletter and will also continue working on my gedcom to be put up on the Blake Heritage site. I would like it to be very complete in terms of all the wills that I have transcribed thus far and the BMB records that I have gleaned from the parish registers that I have transcribed.

Carrying on with yesterday's discussion on the various papers, original records that I am examining once again as I work through my additions to my Blake family tree, I mentioned the paper in The American Genealogist written by Paul Reed. He mentioned that "The Robert Blake of Enham, who was Nicholas Blake's uncle is ancestor of Mary Blake, grandmother of the immigrant Shadrack Hapgood. The will of this Robert Blayke was dated 16 Dec 1522 and though no date of probate was attached, it is listed in the year 1522 in the manuscript calendar. He mentioned his son Thomas Blayke, his son Richard Blayke (executor), Andrew Blayke, William Blayke (no specific relationship stated) and Robert Blayke (no relationship stated). The son Richard died the same year as his father. Richard's will, recorded in Latin, was dated 12 April and proved 23 May 1522. He [Richard] mentioned his wife, my brother Thomas Blayke, Robert Blayke my father and my mother."

Shadrack Hapgood was the son of Joanne Scullard and Thomas Hapgood who married  25 Oct 1641 at Andover Hampshire England. Joanna Scullard was the daughter of Shadrack Scullard and Marye Blake who married probably in 1603. Although the IGI lists their marriage as being in Andover (patron entry), there isn't a marriage in the Andover register for this couple. Perhaps they married at Knights Enham as that was Mary's birthplace. The Knights Enham (extant) registers do not begin until later in the 1600s. Mary's parents were first cousins with Nicholas the son of John Blake the younger and Dorothy Blake the daughter of John Blake the elder. Both Johns were sons of Robert Blake (brother to Nicholas Blake (d 1547)). The reference to Mary being a descendant of Robert who left a will in 1522 does not appear to fit the details. Paul Reed says that Robert was an uncle to Nicholas (d 1547) so must also have been an Uncle to Robert the brother of Nicholas and this Robert left a will in 1542. However, has Paul put together a scenario that might shed some light on this family in the early 1500s.

This Robert (d 1522) has a son Thomas and a son Richard (who also died in 1522). The Andrew Blake it is noted has no specific relationship. William and Robert also carry the notation no specific relationship. The puzzle of when the death of Richard occurred relative to his father's is perhaps solved by his comment that the actual will was written in December 1521 although not entered into the calendar until probate perhaps. Richard's death was sudden perhaps whereas his father may have already been ill and perhaps succumbed shortly after his son's death. The interesting part in all of this is Thomas. There is a Thomas who leaves a will at Andover in 1541. If Paul Reed is correct and this Robert is a brother to the father of Nicholas (d 1547) and Robert (d 1542), then we have a second line of Blake which dates back to before 1500 at Andover. The name of the one brother would be Robert and the name of the second brother unknown (but married to Jone who left a will in 1527).

In this same will we have three Blake members with no relationship stated: Andrew, William and Robert. In 1522. Nicholas (d 1547) and Robert (d 1542) are probably adults given the calculations I went through in a blog a couple of weeks ago. Nicholas was possibly born in the late 1480s and Robert a similar time period. I wonder why Paul Reed refers to Robert as an uncle of Nicholas. I do not see anything in this text that proves that Robert was his uncle. On the next page of the article Paul Reed's quotes the will that Jone Blake (mother of Nicholas and Robert) left dated 28 Mar 1527. Nicholas' name is written before Robert so one might assume he is the eldest.

One other piece of information in the paper, mentions that Robert Blake's widow was Matilda or Mawde who died in 1525 leaving a will which no longer survives There is a marriage of Robert Blake to Maude Snell as a patron entry on the IGI. I suspect at this point only the manor records for Knights Enham/Kings Enham can provide the answers I am looking for with regard to any connection between Robert Blake married to Maude Snell and Blake married to Jone . 

Finding that this Robert Blake has sons Richard and Thomas is rather interesting though given that there are wills at Andover for a Richard (d 1522) and a Thomas (d 1541). Wills at Andover in this time period listed in the Hampshire Record Office Catalogue for Blake:

1522B/03  Will of Richard Blake (Blayke) of Knights Enham, Hampshire  1522

1522B/04  Will of Robert Blake (Blayke) of Knights Enham, Hampshire  1522

1528B/06  Will of Joan Blake 'of Enham' [=Knights Enham?], Hampshire, widow  1528

1541U/06  Will of Thomas Blake of Andover, Hampshire  1541

1542B/06  Will of Robert Blake of Enham, Andover, Hampshire  1542

1546B/017  Will of Agnes Blake of Quarley, Hampshire, wife of Harry  1546

1546B/018  Will of Harry Blake of Quarley, Hampshire  1546

1547B/008  Will of Walter Blake of East Tytherley, Hampshire  1547

The first five wills in this list have already been put into family grouping but who are the other three people who left wills in the Andover area in the 1540s? Who is Harry (Henry?) Blake and who is Walter Blake? To really put the family together in the 1500s I think we need to know the origins of these two Blake families as well. As soon as the opportunity arises I shall attempt to get hold of those two wills.

If Paul Reed is correct in naming Robert as an uncle of Nicholas (d 1547) then how early was this family at Knights Enham - again a query that might be best answered by the Manor Records. Do they, as some researchers have in their trees, trace back to Henry Blake married to Margaret Billet at Calne? Is their line second cousin to Robert Blake married to Avis Wallop (and first cousin to his father Robert Blake married to Avice Malwyn)? This is the point at which Somerby created a history for the Blake family at Andover. He claimed that William (brother to Robert Blake married to Avice Malwyn) had sons William and Robert. This Robert would be the Robert married to Maude Snell and one is left to presume that the husband of Jone (d 1527) was William. Looking at this from the naming of children - Nicholas named his eldest son William and Robert named his third son William (first son was Robert and second son was John (the elder)). Nicholas' son William named his eldest son John and his second son William. There was always a William Blake in these lines down to the mid 1600s. The Robert Blake line coming down not so often.

However, Horatio Somerby gave children to William supposed brother of Robert that were incorrect - Nicholas was correct but Humphrey was wrong. The wife of William was not Mary as he stated but would have been Jone who left a will in 1547. This is the beginning of the falsification as the history backwards is verified by the College of Arms Chart and the Visitations. The need to eliminate this falsification is shown by the number of family books that are published by descendants of the Blake family particularly in the United States who lift the information on the parentage of Humphrey from this book attaching it as shown in the book to their own line back to Humphrey. Paul Reed's article is greatly appreciated for bringing that to the attention of Blake researchers. However, he has introduced a new query into the study with his comment that Robert (d 1522) was an uncle to Nicholas. Perhaps I will write a query to TAG, as we are subscribers, which might generate a little discussion now that I have clearly put together his thoughts in my mind at least.