Will of Elizabeth Blake, widow, of Over Stowey, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/255/325, probated 16 May 1656

Elizabeth Blake, the testatrix, was the wife of Robert Blake and this Robert probably the son of Robert Blake, yeoman of Halse, who left his will which was probated 15 Jun 1639. Is this family descendant of Thomas Blake of Wedmore since Robert (will probated 1639) mentions John Blake of Kingston as one of his Executors in Trust:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-robert-blake-of-halse-national.html

In this will Robert mentions his sons Robert, Edmond, John, and Richard and daughters Grace, Jane and Edith.

The will of Robert (husband of Elizabeth the testatrix and will still to be transcribed) mentions his brother Edmund and the same children as below in the will of his widow Elizabeth, John, Robert and Grace.

Perhaps the clue lies in John Selleck one of the overseers in the will below. He is named as brother in the will and brother in law in the probate so probably brother in law. Now is he the husband of one of Elizabeth’s sister(s) or married to one of Robert’s sisters Grace, Jane or Edith?

Agnes Blake was married to Robert whose will was probated in 1639 and her will also blogged:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-agnis-blake-widow-of-halse_17.html

She too mentions Robert, Edmond, John and Richard as sons and Grace, Jane and Edith as daughters. Her will was probated in 1641. She does not mention grandchildren so the marriage of Robert Blake and Elizabeth (unknown) must be in 1641 or after which would mean that none of the three children of Robert and Elizabeth was older than 15 when Elizabeth wrote her will or older than 11 when Robert wrote his will.

Returning again to the Visitations of Somersetshire 1623 and the entry for the Perry family. Elizabeth Perry daughter of John Perry and Joane James married first John Smith and second Robert Blake. Since the visitation was taken in 1623 this Elizabeth is an aunt to the children of her sibling Robert married to Elizabeth Warren. The children of Robert and Elizabeth Perry are married and have children of their own. This is not the Elizabeth Blake who has left the present will as she would be too elderly to be her. The Elizabeth Perry in the visitations would be born circa 1550-1560. That helps to eliminate this family at Halse as being part of the present Blake family being examined although I wonder who Robert Blake married to Elizabeth Perry was.

Perhaps this is the time to look at the articles published in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register by Clifford L. Stott. I had found the published accounts for the Blake Family of Andover, Hampshire linking that family to the Somerset Blake family and knew them to be absolutely incorrect since wills existed to disprove the connection first suggested by Horatio Gates Somerby and stated to be erroneous in this article published in the April Register of 2009. Finding this verification of what I had found from the wills is possibly what led me onwards into eventually taking on the Blake-one-name study at the Guild of one name studies.

In this paper Thomas Blake (son of Humphrey and Agnis Blake) is said to have married Ann Castleton but the records in the Blake Museum at Bridgwater list this Thomas as marrying Isobel and that he was buried 8 Dec 1580 at Wedmore. This couple baptized nine children at Wedmore namely:

1.    John baptized 29 Mar 1561; deceased by 1570
2.    Joan baptized 7 Aug 1562; deceased by 1572
3.    Thomas baptized 21 May 1563 (married to Alice Tutton 10 Feb 1587 at Wedmore) and buried there 16 Apr 1613.
4.    Edward baptized 16 Sep 1565 and buried 23 Mar 1569 at Wedmore
5.    Lucia baptized 28 Jun 1568 married to Robert Jarvis 11 Jan 1586 at Wedmore
6.    John baptized 6 Dec 1570; buried 9 Dec 1570
7.    Joan baptized 20 Jan 1572
8.    Edward baptized 13 Mar 1575 and buried 17 Oct 1576 at Wedmore
9.    Elizabeth baptized 18 Oct 1577

Clifford Stott has stated that this is only a possibility as there were other Blake families and deciding that this Thomas was the son of Humphrey was unclear.

The will of Thomas Blake of Wedmore was blogged:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-thomas-blake-of-wedmore.html

and he has written it 17 Dec 1577. Only four of these children have survived to 1577 namely Thomas, Lucia, John and Elizabeth. His elder brother John (the elder) was buried 10 Dec 1576 at Overstowey which leaves his younger brother John Blake the younger to be the John Blake mentioned in the will of Thomas Blake.

Thomas Blake son of the testatrix married Alice Tutton 10 Feb 1587 at Wedmore as mentioned earlier. Thomas buried 16 April 1613 and Alice buried 23 Jul 1632 both at Wedmore.

The following information from Google books:

Baptisms at Wedmore:

John son of Thomas Blake 29 Mar 1561
Johanna Blake 7 Aug 1562
Thomas Blake 21 May 1563
Issebella daughter of John Blake 14 Feb 1564
Edward son of Thomas Blake 16 Sep 1565
Essebella daughter of John Blake de Cocklade 3 Mar 1567
Lucia daughter of Thomas Blake de Blackforde 28 Jun 1568
Christiana daughter of John Blake 2 Feb 1569
John son of Thomas Blake 6 Dec 1570; buried 9 Dec 1570
John son of Thomas Blake 20 Jan 1571
Maria daughter of John Blake 23 Mar 1571
Grace daughter of John Blake 16 Feb 1574
Edward son of Thomas Blake 13 Mar 1574
Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Blake 18 Oct 1577
Edith daughter of John Blake 8 Dec 1578
Margaret daughter of John Blake 1 Oct 1581
Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Blake 3 Jun 1588
Richard son of Thomas Blake 29 Nov 1590
Maria daughter of Thomas Blake de Blackforde 14 Jul 1596
Joanna daughter of Richard Blake 18 Jan 1599; buried 30 Mar 1606
Joanna daughter of Thomas Blake de Blackford 4 Jun 1600
John son of Richard Blake 29 Sep 1602; buried 1 May 1603
Richard son of Richard Blake 5 Aug 1604
John son of Richard Blake 7 Jun 1607
Benjamin Blake son of Josias Blake 19 Feb 1670; buried 25 Feb 1671

Marriages at Wedmore:

William Hourcombe and Julia Blake 26 Sep 1569
Thomas Wall and Alice Blake 1 Jun 1581
Robert Jarvis and Lucia Blake 1 Nov 1586
Thomas Blake and Alice Tutton 2 Oct 1587
William Yeascombe and Johanne Blake 20 April 1588
William Downe and Johanne Blake 24 May 1593
Thomas Rainold de Blagdonn and Isabella Blake de Cocklake 7 Feb 1594
Richard Blake and Edeth Pytt (widow) 4 Nov 1598
John Coles and Christiana Blake 19 Apr 1599
Richard Adames and Grace Blake 12 Nov 1601
Richard Vowles and Mariam Blake 1 Jul 1602
Edmund Colborne and Mariam Blake 29 Apr 1619
Robert Pope and Joan Blake 6 Feb 1622
Richard Blake and Margery Quicke 11 Jul 1625
John Smith and Margery Blake (widow) 11 Apr 1627
Richard Blake and Joan Champeny (widow) 29 Oct 1629
William Yescombe and Joane Blake 15 Jan 1634
John Blake and Sibbell Warman 10 May 1653
William Tayler and Joana Blake de Cocklake 26 Sep 1678
Thomas Barns and Elizabeth Blake 5 Dec 1719
James Blake and Sarah Beacham 2 Jul 1749

As can be seen the Blake family has virtually disappeared from Wedmore by the 1630s with just the occasional marriage.

This still does not answer the question about Robert and Elizabeth Blake (the testatrix) and their family. That Elizabeth is remembering the poor of Overstowey where she currently lives and the poor of Halse does give one pause to think that she may have moved back to Overstowey after the death of her husband in 1562.

Presumably Thomas and John baptizing children at Wedmore are the sons of Thomas who left his will at Wedmore dated 1577 and probated 1581. Indeed looking at the burials for Wedmore he must be the Thomas Blake buried at Wedmore 8 Dec 1580. Along with Thomas in the 1560s and he lived at Blackford there is a John Blake baptizing children at Wedmore and he lived at Cocklade. This John Blake is John Blake the younger married to Christian Jugg 18 Aug 1558 at Over Stowey.

Looking at the families having children in the latter part of the 1580s and early 1600s at  Wedmore:

Thomas Blake and Alice Tutton married 2 Oct 1587 (son of Thomas Blake)

Elizabeth 3 Jun 1588
Richard 29 Nov 1590
Maria 14 Jul 1596
Joanna 4 Jun 1600

Richard Blake and Edeth Pytt (widow) married 4 Nov 1598 (son of John Blake the younger)

Joanna 18 Jan 1599; buried 30 Mar 1606
John 29 Sep 1602; buried 1 May 1603
Richard 5 Aug 1604
John 7 Jun 1607

Having worked through that exercise I can see that there isn’t a Robert Blake born at Wedmore in this time period. There remains only Richard son of Thomas carrying the Blake surname as I do not have any children for his younger brother John.

Richard Blake married to Edith Pitt is the only descendant of John Blake the younger carrying the Blake surname and it is known from the registers that Richard was buried at Wedmore 2 Jan 1630. His son Richard married Margery Quicke and they had a son John who married Sibbell Warman and this John was buried 13 Feb 1673 at Wedmore. This John does not appear to have baptized any children at Wedmore.

Working through all of this it does make sense that Thomas Blake (son of Humphrey) and John Blake the younger (son of Humphrey) could be brothers and both living at Wedmore. I feel that the Blake Museum at Bridgwater has probably done extensive research on the children of Humphrey Blake (great grandfather of Admiral Robert Blake) and this meander through the data does agree totally with their chart.

The question remains who is Robert Blake at Halse married to the present testatrix Elizabeth Blake of Overstowey. Is it just coincidence that she moves from Halse to Overstowey? Perhaps his will will be helpful when I reach it in a couple of weeks. Did John the second son of Thomas have a son Robert who later lived at Halse?

Looking again at the first paper on the Humphrey Blake family by Clifford Stott the children of John Blake the younger (married to Christian Jugg) I have all the children he has listed plus another 6 daughters baptized at Wedmore. Gradually as all this is pulled together I hope to be able to see the Blake family in Somerset more clearly. I also would like further proof that Thomas Blake of Wedmore and John Blake of Wedmore were siblings.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/255/325
Testator: Elizabeth Blake, widow
Place: Over Stowey, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 22 Dec 1655, probated 16 May 1656
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: T[estament]
[Margin]: Elizabeth
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the name of God Amen It
2    Elizabeth Blake of Overstowey in the county of Somersett widowe doe
3    make and ordayne this my last will and Testament in manner and forme
4    following First I commend my Soule into the hands of Almightie God
5    my maker hopeing assuredly through the merritts of Jesus Christ my
6    saviour to bee made partaker of life ever lasting And I commit my body
7    to the earth from whence it was taken; Alsoe I give to the poore of Overstowey
8    Five shillings And to the poore of Halse Five shillings To be distributed by my
9    Overseers Alsoe I give to my sonne John Blake Fower score pounds To be disposed
10    of by my Overseers hereafter named according to their discretion for the good and
11    benifitt of my said sonne Alsoe I give to my daughter Grace Blake Fower score
12    pounds To be paid unto her within sixe monthes after her marriage or other age of
13    One and Twentie yeares which shall first happen And my Will is that my said daughter
14    shall have the profit to be raised by her said legacy yearely towards her maintenance
15    in the meanetyme And if she dye before the said Fower score pounds become payable to
16    her I give the same to my said sonne John; And if my sonne John dye before his said
17    legacie shall be disposed of as aforesaid; My will is That soe much as shall remayne
18    thereof at his death shall accrues and redowne to my sonne Robert Blake Alsoe I give
19    to my sonne John Fower silver spoones And to my daughter Grace Five silver spoones
20    my silver salt cellar and gilted Cupp, my gold ring my weareing apparel, my Holland
21    sheetes and Holland drawers for pillows and my lesser silver bowle which was given by
22    my sister Joane her Godmother All the rest of my goods and chattels I give and be-
23    queath to my said sonne Robert Whom I make and ordayne Executor of this my last Will
24    and Testament but in case my sonne Robert dye before hee shall accomplish the age of
25    One and Twentie yeares I doe make my sonne John Executor of this my last Will and
26    Testament And I desire my brother John Selleck and my brother in law William
27    Hawkins and my cozen George Comer to bee Overseers hereof and to manage
28    my two sonnes Estates for the good and benifitt of my said sonnes until they shall
29    respectively attaine to the age of seventeen yeares; And to put my daughters
30    portion to the best profit they can for her; And I further desire my brother John
31    Selleck to take letters of Administration with my will annexed dureing the minority
32    of my Executor And if he dye I desire my said brother in lawe to doe it And to bring
33    upp my Children in the feare of the Lord; And I hope my Children will be loveinge
34    one towards another and very thankefull to there supervisors for theire love and
35    And paines towards and for them In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my
36    hand and seale the two and twentieth day of December in the yeare of our lord one
37    thousand and sixe hundred Fiftie five I give to the said Overseers Twenty shillings
    [Page 2]
38    shillings a peece; And I desire the said George Comer (In case the other Overseers before
39    named dye whilst any one of my children is under the age of seventeen years to be an
40    administrator for them If neede be Elizabeth Blake Signed sealed and declared by
41    the Testatrix to bee her last will and Testament in the presence of Robert Blinman Joane
42    Blinman the marke of Joane Morris
43    The sixteenth day of May in the yeare of our Lord God One thousand six hundred
44    fiftie and sixe issued forth Letters of Administration (with the will annexed) to John
45    Sellecke the brother in lawe and Testamentary Guardian of Robert Blake the natural
46    and lawfull sonne and sole Executor of Elizabeth Blake late of Overstowey in the county
47    of Somersett widowe deceased To administer all and singular the goods Chattells and debts
48    of the said deceased according to the tenor and effect of the said will dureing the minoritie and
49    for the onely and proper use and behoofe of the said Robert Blake hee the said John Seillicke
50    being first by Commission sworne truly to administer the same

Abstracts of Blake Somersetshire Wills copied from the manuscript collections of the late Rev. Frederick Brown, M.A., F.S.A.

The loss of the wills during the bombing of Exeter Record Office during WWII has been a calamity for researchers in Devon and Somerset. Due to the interest of a number of people including the Reverend Frederick Brown who prepared the manuscript and Frederick Arthur Crisp who had it printed in 1888, abstracts of these valuable genealogical tools are available. I have collected the wills of the Blake family in the Six Volumes. Although I have these on Microfiche they are now all available on Internet Archive or Google Books.

I have put these abstracts up in order as they appear in each volume. There are a few typos which will get corrected as time passes. I hope to enter after each abstract how they fit into the Blake families in Somerset (if I can!).

First Series:
Thomas Blake. Will dated 23 Nov 1609, proved by Frances Blake, widow, 11 Jan 1609. Lands to my wife, then to my son Edmund, and Elizabeth my daughter. Admon. 22 Dec 1623 to John Broughton [and etc]. Elisabeth his wife, daughter of deceased, Frances Blake, widow, having died.

William Huishe, of Aller, Somerset, gent. Will dated 8 May 1611, proved 12 June 1611. To SompfordBrett, Co. Som 40 s. To each of my sons, £300. Children of my daughter Grace. My sister Grace Parker. My son in law John Marshe. My son in law Nicholas Sellacke. To Mr. Nicholas Parker, a goulde ring. To my sister Elizabeth Blake, 20 Nobles. Residue to my three sons, William, George, [and etc] John.

John Perry, of Halse, Somerset, gent. Will dated 7 Mar 1617, proved 22 May 1618. To be buried in the Churchyard of Halse, near my wife. My grandchild John Crosse, £12 yearly, for three years. My grandchild Alice Trowte. My son Robert Perry, Exor. The three sons of John Shute, deceased, my sister's son Xtopher, Robert, [and etc] Roger Shute. My sons in law, Mr. Thomas Jones, Mr. Henry Yate, Robert Blake, William Crosse, [and etc] Robert Trowte, Overseers. Symon Sydenham, a witness.

Humfrey Blake, of Overstowey, Somerset, Gent. Will dated 19 Nov 1 Eliz: proved 11 May 1559. To be buried in the parish church of Overstowey, with such orisons [and etc] prayers to be said [and etc] done for me at my Buriall, months mind [and etc] in the daye of my annyversarie as shall be thought most mete by my Executors, [and etc]. To the Parson of Aissheholt to pray for me, 10 s. To Anstice Blake, one of the daughters of Robert Blake, for her advancement in marriage, £6. 6. 8. To Jone Slocombe, daughter of George Slocumbe, 20 s. To Agnes Mannynge, my daughter, £4. To Catherine Cabull, 6 s 8 d. To Alice Cabull, my sister, 6 s 8 d. To John Blake the elder, my son, £100. To Robert Blake [grandfather of the famous admiral, his namesake: b 1599 d 1657] my son, £100. To Thomas Blake, my son, £20. To Eleanor Langham, my daughter, 10 s. To Alice Slocombe, my daughter, 6 s 8 d. Manor of Tuxwell, Somerset, to my son Robert Blake [and etc], his heirs, [and etc], then to Thomas, my son, then to John Blake the younger, my son. To John Blake the elder, my son, [and etc] his heirs, lands, [and etc], in Bishops Lydiard. My friend, Humphrey Coles, esq., £5, to see my will performed, [and etc]. Residue to Anne my wife, [and etc] my son John Blake the younger, Executors. Overseers, John Blake the elder, Robert Blake, William Luker.

Second Series:
Humphry Blake the Elder (of Over Stowey, clothier, deceased and buried 20 Mar 1619); his wife Ann was buried 11 Dec 1645). Will dated 21 Sep 1618, proved 27 Jun 1620, by his son Humphry Blake. To be buried at Over Stowey. Advowson of Aisholt to my son Edmund, in default to Mary my daughter, then to my son Robert. Elizabeth, wife of Humphry my son. To Ann Blake my wife, 100 marks. My son Richard. My son John. Robert Perry, gent. Humphry Blake, of Bridgewater, gent. William Blake. Richard Blake, of Stogumber, gent. Robert Blake.

Arthur Blake, of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, gent. Will dated 3 Nov 1652, proved 16 Jun 1653 by the Overseers during the minority of Elizabeth Blake. Arthur Blake my nephew and godson. My two youngest brothers. Mary my youngest daughter. Jane my now wife. Elizabeth my eldest daughter. My uncle Edward Blake, my brother Humphry Blake, and John Michel, Overseers.

Richard Blake, of Neather Weacombe, Stogumber, Somerset, gent. Will dated 17 Sep 1654, proved 15 Dec 1666, by his relict Ann Blake. My wife Ann. My eldest son John. My 2nd son Richard, [and etc].

Humphry Blake, of Planisfield, Over Stowey, Somerset, gent. Will dated 17 Jan 1664, proved 22 Dec 1665 by Elizabeth, the relict. My son John Blake. To my son Nathaniel Blake, the advowson of Aisholt, [and etc] an annuity of £30. To my son Arthur, an annuity of £10. Tenement in Charlinch, late in the occupation of my brother Richard Blake, dec . To my son Roger, an annuity of £10 out of the tenement in Lowe Aisholt which I bought of Edward Huish, of Donyford, dec. My daughter Elizabeth Blake, £300 at age of 21. Elizabeth, now wife of my son John Blake, [and etc]; Dorothy, daughter of John Blake, 20s each for rings. My daughter Mary Blake, a silver tankard, [and etc]; £300, at age of 21. Residue to Elizabeth (Elizabeth, wife of Humphrey Blake, was daughter of [Nathaniel] Upton, of Fifehead. Humphrey Blake was buried 14 Jun 1665, at Asholt. Memorial Inscription in Asholt Church to him, and also to Humphry his son, who was buried 27 Sep 1664) my now wife, Extrix. My friends Drs. John Sellick, of Nether Stowey, D.D., John Pratt, of Thurloxton, [and etc] George Upton, of Fifehead, Overseers. Codicil. £200 to my son Arthur Blake.

Arthur Blake, of Middlesex, gent. Will dated 13 Mar 1724, proved 26 Jul 1725, by Sarah Blake, the relict. My father Mr. Arthur Blake, of Padnoller (in the parish of Cannington), Somerset, gent. Edmund, Nathaniel, Elizabeth, [and etc]; Joane Blake, [and etc]; Mrs. Catherine Ritson, children of the same Arthur Blake, and John, Jane, Elizabeth, [and etc]; Catherine Ritson, children of Robert [and etc]; Catherine Ritson 10s each for rings. My wife, Sarah Blake, Extrix.

William Sealey, Mercer, of Bridgewater, Somerset. Will dated 18 Feb 1632, proved 24 Mar 1633 (Old Style), by Joan the relict. My sons in law, John Devenish, clerk, & Humphry Blake. My brother Edward Sealey, [and etc] Bartholomew Safford, clerk, Trustees.

Thomas Hawker, of Spargrove, Battcombe, Somerset, Esq. Will dated 11 Mar 1628, proved 24 Jun 1636, by Ladie Hawker (Thomas Hawker, 1594, married Ladie, daughter of William Fillol, of Woodlands, Dorset), widow, power reserved to his daughter Ladie Hawker. To my wife Ladie Hawker, all my goods, [and etc]. My daughter Elizabeth Bisse, wife of Edward Bisse the younger, of Spargrove. My daughter Ann Blake, wife of William Blake of Kensington, Middlesex, esq. My daughter Ladie Hawker, £1,000, now in the hands of William blake aforesaid, [and etc]; also various sums of money owing to me on bonds, [and etc], [and etc]; if she dies during her minority [and etc]; before her marriage, John Fillott, gent., my brother in law, to be my Exor.

Thomas Blake, of Wedmore, Somerset, yeoman. Will dated 17 Dec 1580, proved 27 Jan 1580 (Old Style) by Isabell the relict. My sons Thomas [and etc]; John. My daughters Luce [and etc]; Elizabeth. Residue to Isabell my wife, Exix. William Baber, [and etc]; my brother John Blake, overseers.

Robert Blake, of Porlock, Somerset, Clerk. Will dated 17 Apr 1646. Admon. 23 Jun 1646, to his brother George Blake. My daughter Mary blake, Exix. My sister Ursula [and etc]; her husband. My sister Mary [and etc]; her husband. My father Mr. Elias Blake, Parson of East Anstie.

Agnes Blake, of Halse, Somerset, spinster. Admon. 23 Jan 1646 (Old Style) to her brother Robert Blake.

Ann Blake, widow of William Blake. Will dated 1 Nov 1650, proved 6 Apr 1651, by her daughter Ann Blake. Lands in Kensington [and etc]; Brompton, Midd., [and etc]; £800, to my daughter Ann Blake, at age of 23, but my son Xtopher Blake to have the lands on payment of £800 to her. My friend John Maynard of the Middle Temple. My daughter Mary Blake, £100. To my dear mother Mrs. Lady Hawker, my sister Bisse, [and etc]; my sister Chafin, 20s each for rings. Poor of St. Andrew, Holborn, £3. Residue to my daughter Ann Blake, Exix.

Elizabeth Blake, of Overstowey, Somerset, widow. Will dated 22 Dec 1655, proved 16 May 1656, by John Sellick. To poor of Halse [and etc]; Overstowey. My son John, £80. My daughter Grace, £80 at 21. My son Robert. My brother John Sellick, my brother in law William Hawkins, [and etc]; my cousin George Corner, Overseers.

William Blake, of Bridgewater, Somerset, Dr of Laws. Will dated 24 Oct 1667, proved 30 Nov 1667, by Nicholas and Benjamin Blake. To the poor of Bridgewater, £100. My brother Humphry Blake, £10. Nicholas Blake, £50. Brothers Benjamin Blake and Alexander Blake, £50 each. To George, Robert, Sarah, elisabeth, [and etc]; Bridget, children of my brother George Blake, of Plymouth, dec, £50 among them. To the two children of my niece Gorges, of Fowey, Cornwall, dec, £40. My sister Bowdich, of Chardstock, Dorset, £10. My niece Sarah Blake, daughter of my brother Humphrey Blake, £5. To my niece Bridget Chapell, £10. My farm at Knowle in Bawdripp to my brothers Nicholas [and etc]; Benjamin Blake, for raising legacies. All my plate to my niece Sarah, daughter of my brother Benjamin Blake.

George Blake, of Plymouth, Devon, gent. Will dated 3 Feb 1667 (Old Style), proved 19 Feb 1667 (Old Style). My sons George [and etc]; Robert. My daughters Bridget [and etc]; Jane. My son in law William Bickton.

Richard Blake, of Exeter, merchant. Will dated 31 Mar 1690, proved 22 Jan 1702 (Old Style) by Johanna Crosse. My cousin Elisabeth Kempe, daughter of Alexander Kempe, late of Wellington, Somerset, dec. Residue to my sister in law Johanna Crosse, daughter of my father in law John Crosse, of Trull, Somerset, gent, Exix.

Mary Blake relict of William Blake, merchant, of Bridgwater. Will dated 20 Jan 1725, proved 15 May 1727 by Henry Sellick. Thomas Minturne, my first husband. To Henry Sellick, of West Monckton, £20. Many Sealeys named.

Third Series:

Robert Blake, of Halse, Somerset, Yeoman. Will (date not given), proved 15 Jun 1639. My wife Agnes. My daughter Agnes. Her grandmother Edith Blake. My daughters Jane [and etc]; Edith. My sons Richard, John, [and etc]; Edmund. My son Robert, Exor. 

Agnes Blake, of Halse, Somerset, Widow. Will dated 9 Jan 1640, proved 5 May 1641. My daughters Edith, Grace, [and etc]; Jane. My sons Robert, Edmund, [and etc]; John. Residue to Richard Blake, my son, under age.

John Musgrave, Merchant, of Barnstaple, Devon. Will dated 4 Mar 16 Ch II, proved 2 Dec 1691, by his brother Thomas Musgrave. Poor of North Petherton, 40s. My father in law Mr. Martin Blake. My Mother. My brother George Musgrave. My cousin Mary Musgrave. My brother John Blake, 20s for a ring. My sister Hannah West, £5. My cousin Ann Prideaux, daughter of Mr. James Prideaux, of Plymouth, £10.

 William Sealey, of Bridgwater, Somerset, Merchant. Will dated 27 Mar 1644, proved 10 May 1646, by Susan Sealey, widow. My wife Susan. My eldest son William Sealey, my 2nd son Alexander, my 3rd son John, [and etc]; 4th son Samuel. My daughters Joan [and etc]; Susan, £100 each. Overseers, my father in law Mr. Alexander Horwood, my brother in law Mr. John Horwood. My brother Mr. Edward Sealey. My brother in law Mr. Humphry Blake.

Robert Studdier, of Fitzhead, Somerset, Yeoman. Will dated 26 Aug 1646, proved 7 Jul 1647. My sister Elisabeth Blake, wife of Humphrey Blake. My cousin Marie Robins. Nathaniel Upton, my beloved father in law, Exor. Poor of Milverton, [and etc].

Nathaniel Upton, of Fitzhead, Somerset, gent. Will dated 11 Oct 1650, proved 8 May 1651, by Katherine, the relict. To my wife Katherine, farm of Great Bickley. My son George Upton. The four sons of my son in law Humphry Blake, viz., Humphry, Nathaniel, Arthur, [and etc] Robert, all under 21, £40 among them. Poor of Fitzhead, Milverton, Wiveliscombe, 20s each parish. My wife Katherine, Exix.

Catherine Upton, of Fitzhead, Somerset, widow. Will dated 28 Jun 1665, proved 16 Feb 1665 (Old Style) by George Upton. My daughter Mary Harrison, wife of Alexander Harrison, gent., £40. Ames Harrison, one of the sons of Alexander Harrison. Other children of Alexander Harrison [and etc]; my said daughter Mary, viz., Alexander, John, William, Roger, George, [and etc]; Katherine Harrison, £20 each at ages of 21. My daughter Elisabeth Blake, wife of Humphry Blake, gent., dec., [and etc]; their children John, Nathaniel, Arthur, Roger, Elisabeth, [and etc]; Mary Blake. Henry Upton, of Burlescomb, my kinsman, £10. John Robbins, son of James Robins, gent., my brother, dec., £10, [and etc]; if John Robins is dead, then to Dorothy [and etc]; Jane Robins, his sisters, £5 each. Frances thomas, my kinswoman, £10. to Robert, Mary, Frances, Roger, [and etc]; alexander, children of John Wynter, my kinsman, dec 40s. to my grandchild Roger Upton, my silver tankard, [and etc]. to Katherine, Ann, [and etc]; Elisabeth, children of my son George Upton, £20 each. George Upton, Exor.

Robert Jessopp, Rector of Kilve, Somerset, Clerk. Will dated 14 Feb 1650 proved 27 Jun 1651, by his son Nathaniel Jessopp. My wife. Joan. My grandchildren John [and etc]; richard blake, sons of Richard blake, of Stogumber, [and etc]; Ann his wife.

Richard Molleins, of Bridgwater, Somerset, gent. Will dated 22 Aug 1574, proved 18 Oct 1574, by Ellen the relict. My son Robert Cuffe, my farm of Hamme. To my wife during the life of William Cuffe, one close of 17 acres. My wife Ellen, Exis. Robert Blake, Mayor of Bridgwater, a witness.

Fourth Series:

William Vawer, of Birdcombe Court, Wraxall, Somerset, gent. Will dated 28 Apr 1748, proved 2 Mar 1750 by elizabeth Hollister, former Vawer, daughter of Testator. Household goods to my beloved [and etc]; only child Elizabeth Vawer. Annuities of £10 each to my brothers John [and etc]; thomas Vawer. William, son of my brother James Vawer. My sister Hanna Butcher. Mill House, [and etc], in Wraxall. My late wife. Lands, [and etc], to Edward Kington, of St George's, gent., [and etc]; richard Blake, in Trust, [and etc].

George Raleigh, of Fardell, in the parish of Cornwood, Devon. Will dated 25 March 1595; proved 18 Mar 1596. Dorothy, my wife. To George Blake alias Raleigh, son of Margaret Blake, of Withicombe Raleigh, £150. To Henry Snidall, my shipp, The Lyon of Exmouth. to Margaret Drake, daughter of thomas Drake, of Harpforde, £50. To George Blake, all lands, [and etc], in Ilsington, Newton Abbott, [and etc], he to be Exor. Lands purchased by my brother John Raleigh.

John Selleck of Overstowey, Somerset, gent. Will dated 1 Sep 1660, proved 6 Jun 1662. My wife Mary. Lands [and etc]; Rectory of Overstowey. My mother Mrs. Joane Selleck. My nephew Robert Blake. My nephew John Blynman. My neices Grace Blake, Joane Upton, and Elisabeth Hawkins. My sisters Joan Blynman [and etc]. Ann Upton.

Julian Webb, of Bridgwater, Somerset. Will dated 26 Jan 1587, proved 16 Apr 1589 by R Blake and [and etc]; Ceeley, Overseers, the extrices being Minors. My two daughters Elizabeth [and etc]; Joane, Extrices. Mr. Robert Blake, Mayor, Mr John Pike & Mr. William Ceeley, Overseers. Further admon. 8 Feb 1597 to Jane Webb, Elizabeth Webb being dead. Another grant 9 Feb 1599 to Thomas Oldmixon, brother of the defunct, Joan Webb being also deceased.

William Keene, of Bishops Compton, Somerset, Gent. Will dated 18 Aug 1604, proved 13 Nov 1604 by Isabel Keene, the relict. To the church, 40s, and to poor 6 s 8 d. Poor of Axbridge, £5, [and etc]; of Wedmore, £3 . 6.8. to Robert Keene, my brother Methuselah's son, all my right to the White Hart at Chipping Norton, Oxon, & a tenement in Wedmore. To Methuselah, £200. To Robert Whiting of Axbridge, [and etc]; John Blake of East Brent, £5 each. John Wells, clerk of Allerton, £5. George Gifford of Tiverton, Devon, [and etc]; Robert Perry, gent, Overseers. My wife Isabel, Exix.

Fifth Series:

Anstis Haviland (née Blake), of Charlinch, Somerset, widow. Will dated 30 Apr 1669, no date of proof. Inventory (£61.10.6) taken 27 Mar 1673. To be buried at Charlinch near my husband. To the poor 10 s. To my youngest son Matthew Haviland, my wedding ring [and etc]; one shilling, [and etc]; to my daughter in law his wife Elizabeth, wearing apparel. Elizabeth, his daughter, [and etc]; to each of her sons, one shilling. To John, son of my son John, my mother's wedding ring [and etc]; my lesser wedding ring. To Mathew, son of my son John, £20, for his advantage till he is 21, 20 s and my signet ring. Residue to my eldest son John Haviland, Exor. William Webber, a witness. Seal, with Arms. Three Castles.

Mary Keyt (she was daughter of William Pratt, of Thurloxton, and widow of John Keyt, grandson of Sir William Keyt, Bart.) of Liversdon in Thurloxton, Somerset, Widow. Will dated 24 Jan 1752. Codicil 22 Oct 1756, proved 7 Jan 1758, by her cousin elizabeth, wife of William Harrison. Deed of Agreement 24 Jan 1752, between me [and etc]; Elizabeth Blake, spinster, daughter of Francis Blake, of Glastonbury, gent., [and etc]; William Harrison, of thurloxton, Yeoman, [and etc]. Marriage intended between William Harrison [and etc]; Elizabeth Blake, [and etc]. 

Married at Thurloxton, 12 Feb 1718, John Keyt, Esq., and Mrs. Mary Pratt

Married at Thurloxton, 22 Feb 1753, Mr. William Harison and Mrs. Elizabeth Blake, both of Thorloxton

Baptized at Thurloxton 7 Mar 1693, Mary daughter of William Pratt, gent., and Mary his wife

Burial at Thurloxton 16 Jul 1731 Mr William Pratt

Burial at Thurloxton 17 Sep 1742 Mrs. Mary Pratt

John Tuxwell, of Spaxton, Somerset. Will dated 16 Jun 1586, proved 1586. To be buried in the Church before my seat. Lands, [and etc], to my mother alice Tuxwell for life, [and etc]; at her death to George Dodington, Gent., my father in law, John Haines alias Milton, my uncle, Humphry blake [and etc]; others, for 21 years in trust for Mary, my daughter, under 21. My wife Johan [and etc]; my daughter Mary, Extrices.

Sixth Series:
Ann Luttrell, relict of Edward Luttrell, the younger, Gent., deceased. Will dated 19 Mar 1721 [Old Style], proved 27 Oct 1722, by Walter Hungerford. To be buried in the Parish Church of Brimble (Bremhill), Wiltshire, near my Mother Dame Frances Hungerford, [and etc]; £100 to be laid out in a monument to her [and etc] to myself, [and etc] £100 for my funeral [and etc]; Carriage of my Corpse. to my cousin diana blake, daughter of James Blake, of russell Street, Bloomsbury, my gold watch, chain, [and etc]. My brother Walter Hungerford's wife. Mourning rings of 10s each to my brother Ducy Hungerford [and etc]; my cousin Jane Blake. To my nephew John Keat, £10 for mourning. Residue to my brother Walter Hungerford, Esq., in Trust for the benefit of my only son until he is 21 or married, [and etc]; if my son should die, then I give the said residue to my brother Walter, he to be Executor. To my brother Ducy Hungerford [and etc]; my nephew John Keate, £100 each. To the poor of Brimble (if my said Son should die), £500, the Interest thereof for the poor, as the Incumbent should think fit. I give to him 40 s for Sermons on Lady Day [and etc]; Michaelmas.