Showing posts with label Richards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richards. Show all posts

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Will of Henry Blake of Lehinch, co Mayo, Ireland - The National Archives, PROB 11/1075, probated 14 Mar 1781

The testator, Henry Blake, is descendant of the Galway Blake family being a 12th great grandson of Richard Caddell alias Blake. Henry, the testator, was the son of Henry Blake and Charity Annesley and his sister Charity married Thomas Newburgh. Neither of the children had any descendants and, as mentioned, the property of the testator is passing to his kinsman Valentine Blake son of Mark Blake.

The grandfather of the testator was Patrick Blake and Patrick was the son of Henry Blake who had emigrated to Montserrat about 1668, returning to Galway in 1676 where he purchased the estate of Lehinch, Co Mayo and the estate of Renvyle, Co Galway. This Henry had three sons Patrick, John and Nicholas and a daughter Katherine. None of these sons had a line that continued past the current testator.

Henry was the son of John Blake and Mary French. John had been the Mayor of Galway and was elected MP. His family included four sons and four daughters. The eldest son was named Thomas Blake with Henry being the second eldest. The present testator had selected the descendant of Thomas to be his successor to his estates. Thomas married Mary Blake (his cousin) and their eldest son was John Blake and he married Eveline Lynch. Their second eldest son was Mark Blake and he had married Joan French. Their second eldest son was Valentine Blake mentioned in the will below.

Relationship Chart


Valentine Blake [120] is the 3rd cousin of Henry Blake [1602]

                                Common Ancestor

                                  * John Blake [73]
                                (          -1680/1681)
                                 * Mary French [84]
                                   
                                         |
                     ----------------------------------------
                     |                                      |
                     |                                      |
            * Henry Blake [86]                      * Thomas Blake [85]
             (          -1704)                     (          -Abt 1690)
                                                             Mary Blake [876]
                                              Married likely 10 Feb 1658 [54]
                     |                                      |
                     |                                      |
           * Patrick Blake [87]                     * John Blake [107]
             (          -1693)                     (          -Aft 1720)
                                                           Eveline Lynch [114]
                                                  Married 28 Dec 1695 [57]
                     |                                      |
                     |                                      |
            * Henry Blake [88]                      * Mark Blake [116]
          Charity Annesley [1600]                    Joan French [117]
             (          -1732)                   Married 18 Sep 1731 [58]
            Married 1721 [731]
                     |                                      |
                     |                                      |
           * Henry Blake [1602]                   * Valentine Blake [120]
           (          -Bef 1780)                     (          -1800)


Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 14 Feb 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/1075
Name of testator: Henry Blake
Place: Lehinch, Mayo, Ireland
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 5 May 1779, probated 14 Mar 1781

[In margin] Henry Blake Esqr
[Top] Extracted from the Registry of his Majestys Court of Prerogative in Ireland

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Henry Blake of Lehinch in the County of Mayo Esqr
3    do make and publish this my last Will and Testament
4    and dispose of my real and personal Estates in manner
5    following hereby revoking all former Wills First I devise
6    all my Lands and my Estates in the Countys of
7    Mayo and Galway Subject to and chargeable with
8    all my Just debts which I order and will to be paid
9    out of the Rents and proceeds thereof and Subject
10    also to such Legacies and annuities as are herein
11    after bequeathed and charged upon the same unto the
12    Honourable James Brown of __n Street in the City
13    of Dublin Councellor at Law and Arthur McGuire
14    of Dawson Street in the said City Esqr and their
15    heirs to the use of and In Trust for my Kinsman
16    Valentine Blake late of the Island of Jamaica
17    Merchant but now at Lehinch above mentioned for and
18    during the Term of his natural life and from and
19    after the determination of that Estate to my said
20    Trustees James Brown and Arthur McGuire and
21    their heirs during the life of the said Valentine Blake
22    to preserve the contingent Remainders herein after
23    limited from being destroyed and for that purpose
24    to make Entries and bring actions as the case
25    shall require yet nevertheless in Trust to permit the said
26    Valentine Blake and his assigns to receive the Rents
27    and profits thereof to his and their own proper use
28    and benefit during his life and from and after his
29    decease to the use of the first and every other Son of
30    the said Valentine Blake severally and Successively
31    one after the other according to their priority of
32    Birth and the heirs Male of their Several and
33    respective Bodies in regular Tail Male provided
34    always that such Sons of said Valentine Blake
35    be begotten the Body of a protestant Wife born of
36    a protestant Father and Mother and not otherwise
37    and I do hereby give full power to said Valentine
38    Vale to charge my said Estates in the hands of my
39    Trustees aforesaid with a Jointure to the life of
40    any such protestant wife as is above discribed whom
41    he may Marry to consist of any annual
42    he may think fit not Exceeding however Five
43    hundred pounds a Year and also to charge them
44    with the Sum of Five thousand pounds for any
45    Younger Children he may have by such protestant
46    Wife to be divided amongst them in such shares
47    and to be payable at such times as he shall by any
48    authentick writing appoint and also to make Leases
49    of any of my said Lands for Twenty one Years or two
50    Lives at the best Improved Rent but no in Reversion
51    But if my said Kinsman Valentine Blake should not
52    Marry such a protestant Wife or so Marrying should
53    not leave Issue Male by her or that such Issue being
54    had should die before full Age without leaving Issue
55    Male then and in any of such cases my Will is that all
56    my said Lands and Real Estates shall be and go to the
57    use of my Kinsman John Blake Son of Mark
58    Blake of the Town of Galway and Younger Brother
59    of the aforesaid Valentine Blake for and during his
60    natural life with the same provisions for preserving
61    contingent remainders as have been herein before
62    mentioned in my devise to his Elder Brother Valentine
63    Blake provided the said John shall become a protestant
64    within three Months after the said Lands shall fall
65    to him and after his decease to the use of his Sons
66    Successively in regular Tail Male following Exactly the
67    same Line of Succession as is mentioned in my devise
68    to the Sons of his Brother Valentine and Subject
69    to the same Condition of such Son being born of
70    such a protestant Wife as is above described and in
71    case the said John Blake shall Marry ever a protestant
72    Wife I then give him the same powers for Settling
73    a Jointure charging with portions for Younger
74    Children and making of Leases that I have herein
75    above given to his Elder Brother Valentine but if he the
76    said John Blake should not so conform or not
77    Marry such a protestant Wife or so Marrying there
78    should be a Failure of Issue Male by such Marriage
79    then my Will is that all my said Lands and Estates
80    in the Countys aforesaid shall be and go to the use
81    of Arthur Mr Guire Esqr my Trustee above mentioned
82    and his heirs for ever Secondly I devise my share of
83    and all my Interest in the Lands of Lullimore and
84    Lullibog lying in the County of Kildare to my
85    Kinsman Arthur McGuire Esqr my Trustee before
86    mentioned and in heirs for ever the said Lands being
87    used by John Annesley of Ballysax in the said County
88    of Kildare Esqr Thirdly I hereby charge my said
89    Lands and Estates in the Countys of Mayo and Galway
90    aforesaid with the following Legacies and annual
91    Rent charges to be paid out of the Rents of said
92    Lands and order that the Rent charges shall
93    commence on the first day of May which shall next
94    ensue the day of my decease and shall thence forward
95    be payable half Yearly and be recoverable by Distress
96    Viz[ a vi]t I bequeath to my Cousin Dorothy Rutledge of
97    Killala in the County of Mayo aforesaid but now of
98    Lehnich before mentioned a Rent charge of Sixty
99    pounds a Year for and during her life to her sole and
100    Separate use as if unmarried to be paid into no
101    hands but her own and upon her own Receipt only
102    and this I give her in lieu of the annuity I now
103    allow her which is to cease on my death and I
104    hereby ratify the Gift of one hundred pounds which
105    I formerly promised her in my Letter to her Brother
106    Francis Knox Esqre a bequeath to each of her
107    daughters Mary and Charity Rutledge the Sum of
108    two hundred pounds to be paid to them on the days
109    of their Marriage respectively provided they Marry
110    with the previous advice and intire consent of their
111    mother above mentioned and of their uncle Francis
112    Knox Esqre and if they should not Marry in the
113    life time of their said Mother then the said two
114    hundred pounds so bequeathed to each of them shall
115    bear Interest from their said Mothers decease and
116    not before I bequeath to James Rutledge the
117    Brother of the aforesaid Mary and Charity Rutledge
118    the Sum of three hundred pounds to bear Interest
119    from the day of my decease but not to be payable
120    except upon some rational Scheme for his advancement
121    to be approved of by his uncle Francis Knox aforesaid
122    and by my Executors herein after mentioned or any
123    two of them I bequeath to my Cousins Ann Cuff and
124    Bridget Cuff of Stephens Green in the City of Dublin
125    a Rent charge of twenty pounds a year to each of
126    them Severally for and during their lives respectively
127    requesting their kind acceptance of this small Token
128    of my regard and Esteem I bequeath to my Servant
129    Hugh Kane now living with me at Lehinch
130    aforesaid a Rent charge of Fifteen pounds a year
131    during his life over and above his wages which I
132    hereby order to be continued and paid to him
133    Yearly as long as he lives out of the Rents of
134    my Lands aforesaid and I leave him besides
135    Forty pounds to Build a house I order that all
136    the Servants living with me at the time of my
137    decease shall each of them receive a Years wages
138    over and above what may be then due to them
139    Fourthly as to all the personal Estate I may die
140    possessed of in the Kingdom of England or Ireland
141    I dispose of it in the manner following I give to
142    my friend and Kinsman the hon[our]able George
143    Browne of Claremont in the County of Mayo all
144    my plate Jewells and Trinkets that are in my
145    Iron Chest at Arthur McGuire Esqre in Dawson
146    Street Dublin to be applied to the use of his
147    daughter Margaret Browne as he may think fit
148    I give to my Kinsman Francis Blake of Ralena
149    in the County of Roscommon Esqre one hundred
150    Guineas and I give the like Sum of one hundred
151    Guineas to my friend Fitzherbert Richards now of half
152    Moon Street in the City of London Esqre and I give
153    the like Sum to the hon[oura]ble James Browne my
154    Trustee herein before mentioned requesting of each of
155    them that they would respectively lay out this Money
156    in the purchase a Ring a Snuff Box or something
157    of that sort to be kept as a Memorial of their Friend
158    I give to my Kinsman John Knox of Dorset Street
159    in the City of Dublin Second Son of James Knox
160    of Moyne in the County of Mayo Esqre Five hundred
161    pounds I give to my friend Parsons Sterling of
162    Sackville Street in the City of London Esqre the eight
163    hundred pounds Stock which I have there in the
164    four per Cent Bank Consolidated Annuities In Trust
165    to his Son James Sterling to be applied to the sole
166    use and advancement of the said James and to
167    no other purpose whatever I give to my Friend
168    Arthur McGuire Esqre above mentioned Six hundred
169    pounds together with all the Interest and Costs
170    which may be due at my decease on the Several
171    Bonds left including Settlement Bonds or all __of them as have not be applied by
172    me to the exs of my Mothers Will or the Expences
173    of the Executorship thereof I order my Executors to
174    deliver up to those Intitled to them by virtue of my
175    Mothers Will first deducting out of the Contents of
176    said Bonds whatever may remain due to me for
177    the said Expences of the Executorship and the debts
178    and Legacies discharged by me as to all the rest of
179    my said personal Fortune be it where it will or of
180    what nature it may I give to my Kinsman
181    Valentine Blake aforesaid and do hereby appoint
182    my residuary Legatee thereof Lastly I appoint the
183    Hon[oura]ble George Browne also before mentioned Arthur
184    McGuire Esqre herein also before mentioned and the
185    said Valentine Blake to be the Executors of this
186    my last Will and In Witness whereof I have hereunto
187    put my hand and Seal the Fifth day of May
188    one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy nine 1779
189    when the words benefit and the the words so
190    conform or not and the words and not before and
191    the word there and the word be were Interlined
192    in different places with my own hand H Blake
193    Signed Sealed published and declared by the
194    above named Henry Blake as his last Will and
195    Testament in the presence of us who Subscribe our
196    names as Witnesses in his presence and in the
197    presence of each other Christ Howe Thom Lindsey
198    Willm Fish
199    In the Name of God Amen
200    I Henry Blake of Lehinch in the Kingdom of
201    Ireland but now of Maddox Street Hanover Square
202    in the City of London do make and publish this
203    Codicil to my last Will and Testament which I
204    deposited in the hands of the hon[oura]ble George
205    Browne of Claremont in the Kingdom of
206    Ireland First I order that I may be Buried in a
207    very private manner at Bromley or Eltham in
208    Kent at the option of such of my Relations and
209    Friends as may be kind enough to see these last
210    offices performed to me and in hopes that my
211    Bones may be the more likely to remain undisturbed
212    I desire that my Grave may be made very deep and
213    desire that there may be no Inscription on the Flat
214    Stone to be placed over my Grave but these words
215    Sir Edgment Henricus Blake armiger ob nt Vpa
216    with my arms Engraved at Top in the plain manner
217    they are on my Seal 2dly I order that the following
218    Tenants at Lehinch shall be Forgiven all the
219    arrears of Rent which they may owe at the May
220    or November proceeding my death viz Robert Dyrcoll
221    Samuel Johnston George Buchard Patrick and
222    John Hagarty Brothers at Cloneen and Cormick
223    Hugllos of the same place and also Michael
224    Hugllos of Towne Daikin and Henry Pott Mallett
225    (Kirwan the Son of the Sick old Mary) and I desire each
226    of the poor cotters of Siss__tava may be Forgiven
227    half a years Rent in their account next occurring
228    my decease Also the three last named persons are
229    all of Carrowkell[y] 3dly I bequeath to the two Miss
230    Morgans with whom I lodge all the Furniture that
231    belongs to me in the dining Room here viz[ a vi]t my
232    large Book Case my large reading desk with the
233    Cabinet of Drawers underneath it my Small
234    writing desk and all my Framed and Glazed
235    prints in the Dineing Room and Closet and all the
236    Ireland Tea Trays and the Table Tray I likewise
237    bequeath to Miss Ann Morgan Fifty Guineas and
238    to her Sister Miss Elizabeth Morgan thirty Guineas
239    for their Great care of me during my Illness to be
240    paid them directly and the Furniture to be delivered
241    up to them as soon as my Executors has taken out
242    the Contents 4thly I give to my Servant Patrick
243    Donoghoe if living with me at the time of my
244    death all my Linnen and wearing apparel of
245    every kind that I have in England I order that
246    his wages and Boys wages be continued till my
247    Executor comes to England and has Settled my
248    affairs here provided said Patrick will remain here
249    as long as I hope he will I order he may get
250    ten pounds to buy him Mourning and Ten
251    pounds more to be on his Expences back to Ireland
252    and that when he gets there he may get two
253    years wages over and above what may be then due to
254    him 5thly I order that Hugh McCoy shall stand
255    rent free in his Freehold during his life he paying
256    only for those acres which he holds over and above his
257    Freehold 6thly if I should not die in London or near
258    it I desire that I may be buried at the nearest
259    Village Church to the place of my decease 7thly I
260    appoint my Kinsman Valentine Blake now of
261    Lehinch Executor to this Codicil 8thly I leave the
262    following Trifles to some of my Friends which
263    I request they will kindly accept as Small
264    Memorandums of the regard of their departed
265    Friend and if I should have made any different
266    disposition of the Following things in will (which
267    I cannot now recollect not having a copy of my
268    Will by me) I desire that the present disposition may
269    stand good notwithstanding said Will viz[ a vi]t I leave
270    my Graham watch and Seals except the Seals
271    with my arms and Cypher which I leave to my
272    Executor to my Friends the hon[oura]ble Richard Gow
273    now of this City I leave my Gold Headed Cane
274    to my Friend Parsons Sterlings Esqre now also of
275    this City and I leave the diamond Ring that was
276    in _isters which will be found in one of the
277    drawers of my large Reading desk to my Friend
278    Francis Knox Esqre now likewise of this City but I
279    desire that before it is presented to him my Executor
280    would get it now set in a handsome manner
281    with small Stones Round it either as a Mourning
282    Ring or as a Socket at the choise of my said
283    Friend 9thly I desire that all my Books and prints
284    may be Sold by action or otherwise as my Executor
285    may be advised but I recommend that Mr Paine
286    at the Mews gate in Castle Street may have a
287    preference he being the faires honeste man
288    my Executor can deal with the prints I
289    suppose be Sold by action and I bequeath the
290    produce of said Books and prints to my
291    Cousin Bridget Cuff of Stephens Green Dublin
292    10thly I bequeath the eight hundred pounds Stock
293    which I have in the Four per Cent Consol Fund
294    to my Friend Parsons Sterling Esqre above
295    mentioned In Trust for the use of his Son James
296    Sterling if I should have mentioned this bequest
297    in my Will as I believe I have it being always
298    my intentions that what is here mentioned is only
299    to be considered as a confirmation of the said
300    Legacy in my Will or rather an unnecessary
301    repetition I except out of the Book I have ordered
302    to be held here those which are ready packed up
303    in the deal Box in the Clost they being mostly
304    Books printed in Dublin which are not Saleable here
305    and I desire my Executor may take them to
306    Ireland for his own use In witness whereof I have
307    here unto put my hand and Seal in London this
308    18 December 1779 H Blake Signed Sealed and
309    published in presence of Wm Lyndon
310    The last will and Testament and Codicil of
311    Henry Blake late of Lehinch in the county
312    of Mayo Esquire deceased (having and soforth
313    was proved and approved in Common Form
314    of Said and Registered in his Majesty Court
315    of Prerogative and the burden of the Execution
316    of and administration of the Goods
317    and so forth of the said deceased were
318    granted by the most Reverend Father
319    Richard and so forth to Valentine Blake
329    Esquire one of the Executors therein named
321    he being first personally Sworn Saving the
322    the Right of the honourable George
323    Browne and Arthur McGuire Esquire
324    the other Executors and so Forth (Sowing
325    and soforth) dated the 9th day of November
326    in the year of our Lord 1780
327    A true copy which I attest
328    Hen Upton
329    d Regr
330    This Will was proved at London with a
331    Codicil the fourteenth day of March in the Year
332    of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred eighty
333    one before the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert
334    doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the
335    prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted
336    by the oath of Valentine Blake one of Executors
337    named in the said Will to whom administration
338    was granted of all and Singular the Goods
339    Chattels and Credits of the deceased having
340    been first Sworn by Commission duly to administer
341    power reserved of making the like grant to the
342    Honourable George Browne and Arthur Mc
343    Guire otherwise Macquire Esquire the other
344    Executors named in the said Will when they
345    or either of them shall apply for the same.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Will of John Blake, Kings Enham, Hampshire - Family Search film 186872, catalogue A-294, number 62, probated 16 Apr 1572

John Blake of Kings Enham identifies himself as the brother of William Blake, Robert Blake and Richard Blake. The appraisers refer to him as John Blake of Knights Enham. He identifies his children as Robert the elder, Robert the younger, John, Christopher, Jone the elder and Jone the younger, Dorothy and Margaret. Dorothy is the only daughter that he mentions as being under 21 years of age. Christopher is under 18 years of age. His wife is named Alice.

This is again a will from Family Search, Film  186872, Catalogue A-294, number 62.

Charlou Dolan has defined this family of John Blake as follows:

Robert Blake the Elder born after 1551 and died before 1605
Robert Blake the Younger born after 1551 and died before 1619
John Blake born after 1551 and died before 1605
Christopher Blake born after 1556 and died before 1614
Jone Blake
Jone Blake born after 1552
Margaret Blake born after 1551
Dorothy Blake born by 1561 and died before 1633.

Robert Blake in his will of 1542

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/01/will-of-robert-blake-enham-near-andover.html

identifies his children as Robert, John the elder , William, John the younger, Richard and Thomas. Possibly this John does not mention his brothers John the younger and Thomas because they are living at Penton Mewsey on property of their own. He appears to be the first of the brothers to die. He is over 30 years of age because his father died in 1542 and he is the second eldest so at least ten years older than that. Charlou saw all of this John’s children as minors but I am not of that opinion actually. I do not think you can really say except for the two identified as being under 21 and under 18 years of age. I am curious if one of the Jone Blake entries is the wife of Richard Blake of Andover (my ancestors)

I wonder if William Blake the elder/senior is cousin to the testator (son of Nicholas Blake who left his will in 1547, William died in 1582).

Trying to put these individuals into some sort of timeline if one considers that Richard Blake is the husband of one of the Jone Blake. William (supposed grandson of Richard and son of Nicholas) died in 1582 and does not mention any grandchildren. All of his children appear to be 21 years of age in that he does not mention any guardianship. Likely he has grandchildren certainly his father Nicholas mentioned that William had children in his will of 1547 so William was at least 21 by the mid 1540s so born before his grandmother died in 1527 and his possible grandfather Richard in 1522.

Was Nicholas the oldest or was Robert? Jone mentions Nicholas first in her will and if he was the oldest (and now that I have read Paul Reeds take on the will of Richard I am no longer locked into the notion that Robert was the eldest) then Robert’s children may have been younger than their cousin William. So I am somewhat satisfied with my thoughts on this will and I am proceeding to the next will for these brothers. Thomas’s will, youngest of the children of Robert who left his will in 1542 is likely the Thomas Blake at Penton Mewsey leaving his will in 1597. That leaves Robert, William, John the younger, and Richard and the will of John the younger is perhaps the next will to be blogged. I am ambivalent as to whether the will of John at Penton Mewsey in 1593 is John the younger but Charlou Dolan has the will of John in 1587 at Knights Enham as John the younger.

I have again included the inventory as they are most interesting. I will likely be reviewing all of these wills a number of times and could find small changes to the text over time.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 21 Feb 2014
Source: Family Search Film 186872, Catalogue A-294, number 62 or Hampshire Record Office 1572A/07
Testator: John Blake
Place: Kings Enham, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 28 Mar 1572, probated 16 Apr 1572
Condition: 16th century English, legible copy

[Wrapper]: Johannis Blake de Kings Enham

1    In the name of God Amen The xxviij th daie of marche in the yeare of o[u]r Lord God 1572 I John Blake of Kings Enham
2    in the p[ar]ishe of Andov[er] w[i]thin the Countie of South[amp]t[on] being Sick in bodye but thancks be gevin unto Almightie
3    God in good and p[er]fect Remembrance doe make and ordaine this my Last will and Testament in man[ner] and fourme
4    ensuyinge First I Commit my Soule into the hands of Almightie god through Jesus Christ my Savioure
5    according to his holye woorde And my bodye to be buryed in the Churche yarde of Andov[er] to the will and pleasure of god
6    It[em] I give to the mother Churche of winchestere vj d It[em] I give to Andovere Churche iij s iiij d It[em] I give to the churche
7    of Knights Enham ij s It[em] I give to the poor people of Andover ij s It[em] I give to the vicar xij d It[em] I give to Robert Blake
8    the yo[u]nger my Sonn[e] one cowe, xx ti sheep to runn at leet, half a quart[e]r of Barley and half a quart[e]r of wheat to be
9    delyverid at michelm[a]s aft my decease It[em] I give to John my Sonn[e] one Cow, xx ti shepe, half a quart[e]r of Barley
10    and half a quart[e]r of wheat to be delyverid then also It[em] I give to Chrystover Blake my Sonn[e] one yong Cow, xx ti
11    sheep, half a quart[e]r of Barley and half a quart[e]r of wheat to be delyverid him when he is xviij ters years of age
12    It[em] to Jone Blake my daught[e]r one Cowe, xx ti sheep, one quart[e]r of wheat, one quart[e]r of Barley and four pounds
13    of currant Englishe money to be delyverid her at the daie of her maryage It[em] I give to dorythie my daughter
14    one Cow, xx ti sheip, one acre of wheat and one acre of Barley to be delyverid her when she is xxj ti yeares of
15    age, It[e]m I give to Jone my daught[e]r the yonger one bullock, xx ti sheep, one acre of wheat and one of Barley to be
16    delyverid her at the daie of her maryage It[em] I give to Margaret my daught[e]r one Cow, one bullock xx ti sheep
17    one acre of wheat and one of Barley, and my wyfe or ells my Sonn[e] Robart sen[ior] to have the use of the farme to fund
18    her, and use her honestlye, and yf they will not then I desire my overseers to appoint her to some other honest
19    man and to have the aforesaid Legacie w[i]th her to use her reasonably It[em] I give to Willm Blake my brother
20    v s It[em] my will is that yf any of my children decease before they be of Lawfull age, the same legacies
21    to be equally devidid amongst the Rest It[em] I give to each of my god Childrin iiij d It[em] I give and Bequeath
22    to Robart Blake my eldest Sonn[e] half my Carts, ij of my best horses, ij of my best kine, iiij or of my
23    best hogs xl ti sheep to runn at leate, and the p[ro]ffitt of the same yearly so th[a]t he wilbe a guyde to his
24    mother in her husbandrye and busyness and do her true service until suche tyme as he happen to marrye
25    and then to have hit and use hit as pleasithe him The rest of all my goods and Catailes moveable
26    and unmoveable not gevin nor bequethed I give and bequeath to Alice Blake my wyfe whom I make
27    and ordene my Sole Executrix to pay all my deabts and dischardge all Legacies by me so gevin
28    and bequethid And my overseers I desire to be Willm Blake thelder and Robart Blake my brother
29    I will to eache of them for their paines v s witnesses to this my last will and Testament
30    Edward Richards, Thom[a]s Haywood Willm Martin Thom[a]s Golding Willm Golding John Blake
31    p[ar]son of Knights Enham and he to have for his paynes v s It[em] mother Farnell and Thom[a]s Haiwood to have such of each iiij d
32    It[em] I doe owe unto Richard Blake my brother  x li x s vi d
33    Probatum p[er] iurium s[upra]scri[ptum] ______
34    cora[m] _____ Archici etc xvj
35    die Ap[ri]lis An[no] 1572
36    Comissaqu[e] fuit Admi[nistrato] executris
37    sup[ra]script[um]
    [Page 2]
38    An Inventorye made the viijth daie of Aprill
39    in the yeare of o[u]r Lorde god 1572 of all the goods
40    Catailes moveable or unmoveable of John Blake
41    of Knights Enham in the p[ar]ishe of Andover w[i]thin
43    the Countie of South[amp]t[on] Lately deceased in
44    the year of o[u]r Lord god aforesaid praysid by
45    Willm Blake sen[io]r Edward Thurman Roberte
46    Blake Edwarde Abbott and John Blake p[ar]son
47    Inp[ri]mis in the hall A table bowrde, A round table bourde, A fowrme, one Cubbard iiij or cusshins ij chaires, iij or platters, v potingers, iij saucers iij salt sellers, one chaphing dishe, v ca[n]delsticks one Andiron ij pothangings and the hangings about the hall one basin ij iron barres    xxix s v d   
48    It[em] in the kitchin iiij or Bras potts, iiij or bras kettills one frying pan, ij broches, one pothook    xvij s iij d   
49    It[em] in the Chamber, one fether bed ij fether bolsters, one flock bolster, iij Coverletts ij blancketts ij Testos, iiij or pair of sheets iij table clothes, iij pillowbers, ij pillows ij coats, ij pair of hosin, one dublett, iij shirts iij great chests, one cap one hatt ij coffers    lx s vj d   
50    It[em] one pair of shoes, and one pair of boots and speeres bridell and Saddill    v s   
51    It[em] iij Bedsteads one standing bedsted ij dosin of trenchers xij spoones, ij be of sever, xij dishes    xj s viij d   
52    It[em] ij sawes, iiij or rip hokes one Iron beam w[i]th other olde Iron stuff    vj s viij d   
53    It[em] in the barne by estyma[t]ion v quarters of wheat    iij li xiij s iiij d   
54    It[em] of Barley x quarters    iij li vj s viij d   
55    It[em] of Pie iij bz    iij s iiij d   
56    It[em] ij Iron bound carts    j li viij s iij d   
57    It[em] iiij or horses    l li   
58    It[em] the harness belonging to the same w[i[th wood roops and cart lynes    xxj s   
59    It[em] one Iron bar, one prong, ij bills and one ax, ij plowes, and plow gear, ij pair of plow irons others    xvij s   
60    It[em] of malt viij bz and ij bz meale    xij s   
61    It[em] iiij or barrels, iij _omells, iij pipes one a yruting vate, iiij kivers w[i]th other olde tubbes and ij bucketts    xij s vij d   
62    It[em] vij kine ij bullucks    vij li xiiij s   
63    It[em] of mothers, yewes, and teggs viij xx xvj    xx li x s viij d   
64    It[em] xij hogs great and small    xxxij s   
65    It[em] of wheat and futches xxxv acres    x li xv s   
66    It[em] of Barley, sarim  iiij or acres    xiij s iiij d   
67    It[em] iiij or calves    x s   
68    It[em] iij geese vj henns, ij cocks x ducks and malerds    viij s   
69    It[em] the woode and the ladders    xiij s iiij d   
70    It[em] in money    xx s   
71    It[em] in horse meat    xiij s iiij d   
72    It[em] one bread grate, one ladill, one busshell iij seeves, one seed leep    xx d   
73    It[em] xij acres of otes and peas in    xl s   
74    It[em] vij hogs hanging at Roust    xl s   
75    Sum total    lxxij li xj s x d   

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Will of William Blake, Yeoman of Bishops Lydeard, Somerset, National Archives PROB 11/132, probated 27 Sep 1618

The will of Humphrey (probated 1559) left land to John the elder (his son) in Bishops Lydeard. John does have a son William but I am not sure this is John's son. The only kin mentioned is Philipp Sully. William son of John is said to be married to Anne (unknown) with children: Grace, Eme, William, John, Anne, Robert and Richard. Plus he and his wife were buried at Pitminster in 1642 and 1644 respectively.

According to John's will: To son William Blake all my land in the parish of Bishops Lydeard in Bishops Wood and Bishops Downe. Also one tenement in Plainsfield in the tenure and occupation of Robert Jenkins and all my land in Padnoller in the parish of Spaxton in the tenure and occupation of John Burnell.(probated 1577) and it rather looks like William ended up in Pitminster.

I rather think this is a different William Blake; he is dying in 1618. Looking at the Protestation Returns for Somerset we have: William Blake (noted as aged by the recorder) in Blagdon Tithing of Pitminster. Also in Pitminster there are John and Richard (above it is noted that he has sons William, John, Robert and Richard).  There isn't a Blake living at Bishops Lydeard on the Protestation Returns of 1641-42. William doesn't mention anyone at Bishops Lydeard with the surname Blake other than his wife Johane.

 At this time, I do not see how this William connects into the Humphrey Blake family or whether he does. Like the Halse Blake family there simply isn't enough early information to help connect them back another generation although in the case of the Halse family there are more wills to come.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 20 Apr 2012
Source:  The National Archives PROB 11/132 Image Reference 218/181 (images by me)
Name of testator: William Blake, Yeoman
Place: Bishops Lydeard, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 13 Jun 1618, probated 27 Sep 1618
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 17th century, bold copy
[In margin] T  Willmi
[In margin] Blake

1    In the name of God Amen the thirteenth day of June in A[nn]o
2    Domini one thousand six hundred and Eighteene I William Blake of Leddiard Episcopi
3    yeoman thankes be to god at perfect memorye and calling to mynde the brevitie of mans life
4    dispose to make my last will and testament in manner and forme folowing. First I give
5    and bequeathe my Soule to Almightie god my Creator and my bodie to be buryed in the
6    Churchyarde. Item I give to St Andrewes church in Wells fouer pence.  My will is that
7    Philipp Sully my kyne shall have and enjoy three acres of Land lying in the parish of
8    Hillfarrrance late in the tenure of John Leane which I boughte of Emanuel Capell and the
9    Lease belonging to the same three Acres of Land and the same guifte to commence and begynne
10    ymmediatlie after the deathe of Johane my wife. For my meaning is that the said Johane
11    shall have occupie and enioye the same three acres of Land during her naturall life And allso
12    I do further appoynte give and ordayne that the said Johane my wife shall have occupye
13    and enioye all my Land lying in the parishe of R[u]iston during her naturall life making noe
14    waste or spoyle uppon the premisses. Item I give eache one of all my godchildren one young
15    sheepe a peece to be delivered after my decease by the direction of my Overseers I doe
16    appoynte Thomas Richardes of Norton and Simon Powle of Whithelscome my overseers
17    of this my last will and testament And I give unto Thomas Richards for his paynes taken
18    fyve shillinges And to Simon Powle for his paynes taken twelve pence. All the residue of
19    my goodes and chattells I give to Johane my wife whome I make my sole Executrix of this
20    my will and testament seying me sufficient the buryal and all my debts payed Item I give
21    to John Bowne of Staplegrove one peice of Land conteyning twoe acres lying within the
22    parishe of R[u]iston called Barrowes meade beyng my yeaster peece and the same peece to have
    [page 2]
23    and enioye ymmediatlie after the deathe of Johane my wife. And the same John shall
24    paye out of the saied Landes twelve poundes within one yere after the fall of the sowne
25    Lande that is to Jane the wife of Robert Elleat of R[u]iston three poundes And to Laurence
26    Elliott her sonne fortie shillinges And to Simon Brown of the same parishe fyve poundes
27    And to Johane his sister twentie shillinges. And I do appoynte into the handes of John
28    Lightefoote twentie shillinges by hym to be bestowed for the best benefitt of Thomas Brown
29    his wife and children parcell of the twelve poundes Item I give one other parcell of Lande
30    conteyning three acres called Moore meade late in the tenure of Cristofer Mathews of Stoke Mary
31    unto Frannces Crosse my servante and the same peece to have and enioy ymmeadiatlie after
32    the deathe of Johane, my wife. And the said Franncis shall paye out of the same peece of
33    Land fyve poundes within one yere after the fall of the Lands that is to Anne Crosse her
34    Sister fortie shillinges and to Johane her Sister thirtie shillinges; And to Mary theire
35    Sister thirtie shillinges. Item I give two other peeces of Land lyinge in the parishe of R[u]iston unto
36    Simon Powle of Withelscome conteyning three acres the one called Colparoote the other
37    Haynes Are beying my twoe wester peeces And the same twoe peeces to have and enioye
38    ymmeadiatlie after the deathe of Johane my wife. And the same Simon is to paye out of
39    the twoe parcells of Land tenne poundes within one yere after the fall of the Land that
40    g__s to Walter Oliver of Norton fortie shillinges. And to Johane the daughter of William
41    Jeffrey late of Kyngston deceased three poundes And to her twoe other sisters fortie shillinges
42    shillinges apeece and twentie shillinges to the poore of Liddard Episcopie This to be payde
43    out of the said twoe parcells of Land by Simon aforesayed My meaning is not to taxe or
44    chardge myne Executrix with any parte of Legacey by this my will and Testament Yf god
45    doe enhables me to surrender the Land as chardged with the aforesayed Legaceys  But yf
46    I dye and not Surrender I do chardge my Executrix as she shall annswere at the last day
47    to surrender all the aforesayd Landes lying in Ruiston within one monethe after my decease
48    to the aforenamed John Bowne Frannces Crosse and Simon Powle according to the
49    same intent and meaning of this my will and testament to the chardge and coste of the
50    sayd Francis and Simon yf any of theise which shall have Legacey out of my Landes
51    dye before the tyme of payment that then his or her portion shal[l ]be payd to theire next
52    kyne by the appoyntment of my Overseers And so the peace of god be with you
53    all. The Signe and Seale of William Blake the day and yere above written
54    in the presence of John Comer and Thomas Richards the younger.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Blake family of South Carolina

The Blake family of South Carolina descendants are in the best position for tracing their ancestry back to Somerset; their emigrants are known descendants of Humphrey Blake of Overstowey in that Benjamin Blake was a brother to the Lord High Admiral Robert Blake and the trace back from Benjamin and Robert is quite direct.

I have been entering this family into my legacy Blake one name chart. However, the parents of Humphrey are still somewhat of a mystery. If one looks at the Blake Pedigree chart created from the Visitations then the furtherest back ancestor in this line that goes back to Calne Wiltshire is a John Blake who was the second son of  William Blague/Blake of Lacock, Wiltshire who married Margaret Browne of Wablyn (daughter of William Browne of Wablyn). I have not yet discovered where Wablyn is but assume it was the name of their family home perhaps. William was the son of David Blague/Blake who had married Joane Mallet. Continuing back in this line the parents of David were John Blague/Blake who had married Margaret Dyncham/Dinham/Denham. This John is a known son of Robert Blake and Avice Wallop (widow at time of marriage to Robert) who is mentioned in his mother's will as being 40 years of age or more.

Hence the line from Somerset back to Calne Wiltshire is assured by the chart which is based on the Visitations and for the most part would be accepted as proof of descent. However, the descent from John down to Robert, Lord High Admiral has not been added to this chart. The will of Avice Blake was probated in 1474 at which time her son John was 40 years of age (his date of birth extrapolated back could have been 1434 or earlier). Humphrey the known ancestor of Robert, Lord High Admiral, was buried in 1558 at Overstowey.

John's son David and then David's son William and William's son John are the known descendants from the Calne Wiltshire Blake family. If one assumes a generation length of 30 years then David might have been 10 years of age in 1474 and his son William might have been born in 1494 and his son John might have been born in 1524. However Humphrey died in 1558 leaving behind adult children so he was likely born in the early 1500s. The assumption of 30 year generations may be too long so moving it to 20 years then David could have been born in 1454, his son William in 1474, his son John in 1494 permitting Humphrey then to be born by 1514 which would make him 44 when he died and he could have had adult children. However, there is still a difficulty with this assumption as his eldest son John (the elder) was known to be born circa 1521 although I am still checking for proof of this assertion. One of John's daughters married 2 Oct 1569 (Alice married James Richards) giving her a possible birth date of circa 1547 - 1551 and she was the third child. This makes a birthdate for John of 1521 quite plausible. Perhaps John (son of Robert Blake and Avis Wallop) was older than 40 since the will states: John Blake is her son and nearer heir and is 40 years old or more. Timelines are so very important for genealogical research in order to ensure that what you are predicting is even plausible.

To my knowledge no linking information from Humphrey back to John Blake at Lacock has been found but I am very new at the Blake family history and further research may yield such information. Placing it all on a time line lets one then regard the available information to see if a proposition can be fulfilled with extant evidence. Certainly this family bore the crest of the Wiltshire Blake family. The name Humphrey may itself provide clues as it was not a usual name in the Blake family at this point in time.

To my knowledge no member of this family has tested their yDNA and that would be a bonus for our yDNA study. I have avoided very much becoming involved with the yDNA study other than collaborating with the individuals who manage the study. Blake is such a large study that one cannot do everything and it has been well managed by Barrie Blake in terms of placing the various Blake haplogroups into a rigorous table that permits one to then examine the Blake surname with respect to their yDNA.

I will continue building the family line for the descendants of Humphrey Blake from the journal article in The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, volume 1, number 2, April 1900 pages 153 - 166. There are a couple of other articles published on this family in the same journal which I will attempt to locate. Interestingly there was a singleton ancestor for this line in Joseph Blake born 1700. I found it rather amazing that in this line and my own Blake line there is a singleton Joseph although mine was born in 1730 in Andover Hampshire UK!