Will of Susanna Blake, spinster of Dover, Kent - The National Archives PROB 11/2109/264, probated 20 Mar 1850

This will links back to the earlier will of the mother of the testatrix, Susanna Blake, and she was named Susannah Blake (late of Sittingbourne):

http://kippeeb.blogspot.com/2020/01/will-of-susanna-blake-widow-of.html

Susanna Blake, present testatrix, adds some more family information. The children of Thomas Blake (her brother) were named: Thomas Blake, George Blake, Richard Turner Blake, Frederick Blake, Francis Blake and Jane Blake. Susanna names her sister Elizabeth King’s daughters :  Eliza King and Emma King. Two nieces Anne Blake and Susan Grant. One more legatee is named Anne Grant Giret.

Again searching on these children did not lead me to this Blake family. It is somewhat of a mystery actually.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 4 Feb 2020
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2109/264
Testator: Susanna Blake, spinster
Place: Dover, Kent
Type of Record:    Will
Date of document: 16 Oct 1846, probated 20 Mar 1850

[Margin]: Susanna Blake 14

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Susanna Blake late of Sittingbourne in the County of Kent
3    but now of Dover in the same county spinster whereas my Mother
4    Susannah Blake late of Sittingbourne aforesaid widow deceased by
5    her last will and testament bearing date the thirty first day of May
6    one thousand eight hundred and forty one did give all her personal
7    Estate and Effects unto me the said Susanna Blake her nephew George
8    Blake and Thomas Pain of Dover aforesaid Gentleman their executors
9    administrators and assigns Upon trust for sale as in the said Will is
10    particularly mentioned with a direction that the said trustees should
11    invest a sum of three thousand pounds in their his or her names or
12    name in the purchase of any of the parliamentary Stocks or public
13    funds of Great Britain or at Interest upon Government or real securities
14    in England to be varied for other Stocks funds or securities of the like
15    nature at the direction of the said trustees and that the said Trustees
16    should stand possessed of the said sum of three thousand pounds and
17    the Stocks funds and securities upon which the same should be invested
18    and the interest dividends and annual produce thereof upon such
19    trusts intents and purposes and under and subject to such powers pro
20    visoes and declarations as I the said Susanna Blake should legally
21    Deed or Will appoint and dispose of the same or any part thereof
22    unto or in favor of all or any of the children of my said Mother and
23    their issue in such manner and portions in all respects as I the
24    said Susanna Blake should think proper Now I do hereby by virtue
25    of the said power and authority enabling me in this behalf con
26    tained in the said Will of my said Mother and of every other power
27    or authority in anywise enabling me in this behalf appoint and
28    dispose that immediately after my decease the said sum of three
29    thousand pounds or the Stocks funds and securities upon which
30    the same shall be invested in the manner and proportions after
31    mentioned as to the sum of one thousand pounds part thereof I
32    give unto my cousin the said George Blake his executors and
33    administrators Upon trust to pay the interest dividends and annual
34    produce of such one thousand pounds unto my sister Elizabeth King
35    during her life and from and immediately after her decease upon
36    trust to pay the interest dividends and annual produce thereof unto
37    and equally between her two daughters Eliza King and Emma King
38    for and during and so long as they shall both remain single and in
39    case of the marriage of one of them then the whole of such interest
40    dividends and annual produce thereof to be In trust for such one
41    as shall so remain single and from and after the marriage of both
42    of them the said Eliza King and Emma King then upon trust to
43    pay the said sum of one thousand pounds or the Stocks Funds or secu
44    rities upon which the same shall be invested unto and equally
45    between the said Eliza King and Emma King but if they both shall
46    die single Then I direct the the said sum of one thousand pounds or the
47    Stocks Funds and securities upon which the same shall be invested
48    and the interest dividends and annual produce thereof shall be paid
49    unto and equally between all the brothers and sister of the said Eliza
50    King and Emma King and as to the sum of one thousand pounds
51    further part of the said sum of three thousand pounds Upon trust
52    to the interest dividends and annual produce thereof unto my Sister
53    Ann Smith during her life free from the control of her present or any
54    future husband so that her receipt along shall be a sufficient discharge
55    to my trustee or trustees for the time being for the same and from
56    and immediately after the decease of the said Ann Smith upon trust to
57    pay the said sum of one thousand pounds or the Stocks Funds and secu
58    rities Upon which the same shall be invested unto Anne Grant Giret
59    and as to the sum of five hundred pounds further part of the said sum
60    of three thousand pounds upon trust to pay the same or the Stocks Funds
61    and securities upon which the same shall be invested unto and
62    equally between my five Nephews Thomas Blake, George Blake, Richard
63    Turner Blake, Frederick Blake and Francis Blake and my niece Jane
64    Blake children of my late brother Thomas Blake and as to the sum of
65    five hundred pounds (the remaining part of the said sum of three
66    thousand pounds upon trust to pay the same or the Stocks Funds and
67    Securities upon which the same shall be invested unto and equally
68    between my nieces Susan Grant and Anne Blake and I declare that
69    the receipts of my said trustee or trustees for the time being for all monies
70    Stocks funds and securities as shall be paid or transferred to him or
71    them by virtue of this my Will shall effectually discharge the persons
72    paying or transferring the same from maturity to see to the application
73    thereof and I do declare that my said trustees shall be answerable for
74    their respective acts receipts and defaults only and shall be _____ to retain
75    and to allow to each other out of the monies coming to their hands by
76    virtue of this my Will all expences incurred in the activities of the
77    trust thereof and I declare that on the death refusal or incapacity of
78    the said trustee or of any trustees or trustees to be appointed under this
79    clause it shall be lawful for my said trustee or trustees or the survi
80    vor of them and after the death of such survivor for the capable
81    trustees or trustee if any for the time being of this my Will whether
82    refusing further to act or not of if none for the executors or administrators
83    of  the last deceased trustee to appoint a fit person or persons to supply
84    the place of the deceased refusing or incapable trustees or trustee And I
85    declare that the previous clauses so far as they concern my trustees
86    herein before named shall extend and be applied to the trustees and
87    trustee for the time being of this my Will And I do hereby nominate
88    and appoint my said Cousin George Blake Sole Executor of this my
89    last Will and testament In witness whereof I have to this my last Will
90    and testament in three sheets of paper contained set my hand this
91    sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
92    hundred and forty six Susanna Blake Signed by the said
93    testatrix in the presence of us present at the same time who in her
94    presence at her request and in the presence of each other have hereunto
95    subscribed our names as Witnesses the words “so long as” between the
96    second and third lines the word “Sister” between the fourteenth and fif
97    tenth lines and the words “and my niece Jane Blake” between the twenty
98    ninth and thirtieth lines of the second sheet being first severally made
99    and interlined Nic Isaac Notary Public Dover Geo Rose his Clerk
100    Proved at London 20th March 1850 before the Worshipful Robert
101    Joseph Phillimore doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of George
102    Blake the sole Executor to whom Admon limited to the sum of three
103    thousand pounds and the Stocks funds and securities upon which the
104    same hath been invested and the dividends or interest thereof but
105    no which or otherwise was granted having been first Sworn duly
106    to administer Special Admon of rest of goods passed this month
107    On the 1st June 1869 Admon of the rest of the personal estate and effects
108    (in respect of which she is dead intestate) of Susanna Blake Sittingbourne in the
109    County of Kent afterwards of Dover in the said County But late of Boulogne
110    Sur Mer in France deceased who died 14 December 1849 at Boulogne Sur Mer
111    aforesaid a Spinster without a Parent left was administered by Ann Smith (Wife
112    of John Grant Smith) deceased whilst living the natural and lawful Sister and one of
113    the next of kin of the said deceased was granted to Ann Marshall (wife of Robert
114    Marshall) the lawful niece and one of the persons entitled in distribution to the
115    Personal estate and effects of the said deceased All _____ of _____ ______ ______
116    George Blake the natural and lawful Brother and Elizabeth King Widow the natural
117    and lawful Sister also and only Sister next of Kin of the said deceased having _______
118    her interest without having taken upon herself the Letters of Administration of
119    the rest of the personal estate and effects of the said deceased left unadministered
120    as aforesaid

Will of Samuel Blake belonging to his Majesties ship the Boyne - The National Archives PROB 11/434, probated 12 Nov 1697

There are too many Samuel Blake baptisms to even suggest a possible person. The same is true for his executrix Elizabeth Lowen. One of the witnesses is named Samuell Rolf which is interesting as one Rolf family at Andover married into the Blake family. However I was not able to particularly relate this Samuell Rolf to that family.

HMS Boyne was an 80 gun Royal Navy second rate ship of the line launched in 1692. This ship was under the command of Captain Dursley when she helped take Gibraltar in 1704.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 3 Oct 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/434
Name of testator: Samuel Blake, Mariner
Place:  belonging to his Majesties ship the Boyne
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 2 Nov 1696, probated 12 Nov 1697

[In margin]: Tm Samuelis Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    this second day of November Anno domini 1696 I Samuell Blake mariner
3    belonging to his Majesties ship the Boyne being sick and weake in body
4    but of perfect mind and memory doe make and declare these presents to containe
5    my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say First I bequeath my Soule to God
6    and my Body to the Earth Item all such wages sume and summes of money
7    goods Chattels and Estate whatsoever wherewith att the time of my decease
8    I shall be the possessed or which shall then belong or of right appertaine
9    unto me my debts and funeral Expences being first paid I doe give
10    devise and bequeath unto Elizabeth Lowen of Portsmouth in the
11    County of Southton and I doe hereby nominate and appoint the said
12    Elizabeth Executrix of this my will and doe revoke all other wills by me
13    formerly made In Wittness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and
11    Seale the said second day of November Anno domini 1696 being the day
15    and yeare first above written Samuel Blake Signed sealed published
16    and declared in the presence of us John Smith Samuell Rolf Jno Hughs
17    John Sleensow
18    Probatum fuit huiusmodi Testamentum apud London
19    Coram venti et Egregi viro domini Richardo Raines Militis legum
20    doctore Curiae Prerogative Cantuariensis Magistri Custodis siue
21    Commissario legitime Constituto duodecimo die Mensis Novembris
22    Anno domini Millesimo Sexcentesimo Nonagenio Sexto Juramento Elizabetha
23    Lewen Executricis in dicto Testamento nominati Cui Commissa fuit
24    Administratio omnium et singulorum bonorum jurium et creditorum dicti defuncti
25    de bene et fideliter administrando Eadem Ad sancta dei Evangelia
26    vigore Commissionis Jurat ex[a]m[inatus]

Will of Reignald Blake, yeoman, Padstow, Cornwall - The National Archives 11/222/68, probated 14 May 1652

The will of Reignald Blake and he names his wife Jane and sons Renald, William, Thomas and Christopher and daughters Catterne Comely and Anstie Smith. The granddaughter has probated the will and she is named Jane Smith. Jane Blake (wife of Reignald the testator) wrote a will which was probated 5 Jul 1652 and she names her sons Reynold and William. Sons in law named by her were Richard Smith (with daughter Jane married to Anstice and Jane brought to probate her grandfather’s will) and William Comely (married to Catterne). Jane Smith was also one of her executors. Perhaps in going through papers they found the grandfather’s will which had not been probated.

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/05/will-of-jane-blake-widow-of-padstow.html

He also names a John Blake of Luxilian. John’s will was blogged 29 May 2013:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/05/will-of-john-blake-of-luxulyan-cornwall.html

Just of interest Luxulyan is 14 miles SE of Padstow.

Also at Padstow there was the will of Oliver Blake probated 26 May 1608 but he does not mention a son Reginald so do not know if there is a relationship between these families.

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/06/will-of-oliver-blake-of-padstow.html

There is mention on the National Archives website of property held by the Arundell family of Lanherne where Thomas Blake son of Reginald Blake, yeoman deceased has surrendered the property:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=021-ar_4-2&cid=1-1-4-3-2#1-1-4-3-2

This is also mentioned in the will of Andrew Blake Cooper at St Breock Cornwall also blogged:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/05/will-of-andrew-blake-cooper-st-breock.html

How and if these Blake families fit together is still to be determined but having the wills at least gives in many cases a number of generations to study.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 15 Jun 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/222/68
Testator: Reignald Blake
Place: Padstow, Cornwall, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 28 Nov 1640, probated 14 May 1652
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Test: Reynald
[Margin]: Blake
[Top]: The twenty eight day of November in the
[Top]: yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred Forty

1    I Reignald Blake of Padestow in the County of Cornwall doe make
2    this my last will and Testament in manner and forme following First I doe be-
3    queath my soule to the Allmighty God my Maker and Redeemer and my bodie to the
4    holy turfe Item I doe give to my daughter Catterne Comely twenty pounds to be
5    paid her at the end of two yeares after my death Item I doe give unto my sonne Renald
6    Blake Twenty pounds to be paid three yeares after my death Nowe I doe give to him and his
7    heyres forever one house or Tenement in the new streete of Padstow which John Harbur
8    doth dwell in Item I doe give to my sonne William Blake the somme of twenty pounds
9    to bee paid Fouer yeares next after my death Item I doe give to each of my children
10    Anstie Smith Thomas Blake and Christopher Blake twelfe pense apiece All the rest of
11    my goods and chattels not given nor bestowed within the realme of England I doe freely
12    give unto my wife Jane Blake And shee I doe make my whole and sole Executrix In
13    witness whereof I have here unto sett my hands and seale in the day and yeare above
14    written In witness of these whose names are here unto written Renald Blake There is
15    one house or Tenement in the new streete which is in lane betweene Henry Stuebley and
16    Renald Blake which is my owne land Francis Grigg a salt sixe spoones of silver a masur
17    cup bounde with silver and gold vii li Dorothy Wilton one brewing panne of brasse and one
18    rower one pan viiij s John Blake of Luxilian one pan now to be paide of white brasse worth
19    iiij li Tamson Artur one pan of brasse 8 s Gregg a crock a kettle and a pan and an one pound
20    and vj s John Wilton my great crocke or his Mothers vij s Richard Thomas The signe of
21    William Millrod the signe of Jane Dive
22    The fourteenth day of May in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand sixe
23    hundred fifty two issued out a commission to Jane Smith the natural and lawfull
24    grandchild of Sara Blake late whilst shee lived Executrix of the last will and Testament
25    of Reginald Blake late of Padstowe in the County of Cornwall deceased (having goods
26    etc) To administer all and singular the goods chattels and debts of the deceased according
27    to the tenor of his will for that she says Sara Blake dyed before shee proved the sayd
28    will in this Court shee the sayde Jane being first sworne by virtue of a Commission in
29    that behalfe extracted well and truly to administer the same

Will of Ann Blake of Kensington, Middlesex - National Archives PROB 11/313/302, probated 15 Mar 1664

An interesting will to follow that of her father William Blake (Esquire of Inner Temple) blogged earlier:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/11/will-of-william-blake-esquire-of-inner.html

The family links as she mentions her brother Christopher and sister Mary. I wonder where she traveled to all those years ago as she talks about going over the "seas" perhaps she means to America as there were a lot of people going there in the early 1660s. Charles has returned as King Charles II of England. She has done well with her fifty pounds from her father as she now have more than three hundred pounds to dispose of in her will. Her father died in 1645 so this is sixteen years later when she is writing her will.

Whatever happened to Mary and did Ann go to the Americas? However I am sticking strictly to my one name study and only record the marriages of Blake daughters and their children if I find them. My interest is in the Blake surname only.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded:  14 Nov 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/313/302
Testator: Ann Blake of Kensington
Place: Middlesex, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 6 Jan 1661, probated 15 Mar 1664
Read: Electronic copy images
Condition: middle English writing legible, copy clear

[Margin] Testament
[Margin]: Anna Blake

1    I Ann Blake daughter of
2    William Blake late of Kensington in the Countie of Middlesex Esquire
3    deceased whilst I enioy health and memory I doe make and ordaine this my
4    Last Will and Testament restoring my Soule to God and my Body to the Earth
5    to be privately buried at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named or such
6    other my freind whoe shall be on or neare the place where I happen to die
7    They not exceeding the summe of Twentie pounds in the Expences of my fune-
8    rall To my only Brother Christopher Blake Esquire I give five pounds to
9    buy him a Ring To my only Sister Mary now wife of Joseph Dornoy of London
10    Merchant I give my greene wrought Bedd Greene hangings and all other fur-
11    niture to the same belonging except Linnen The Residue of my Estate Reall and
12    personall I give and bequeath unto Sir Allen Brodrick of Wandsworth in the
13    countie of Surrey Knight John Duke Esquire sonn and heire apparant of
14    Sir Edward Duke of Banhall in the Countie of Suffolk Barronett and
15    Elizabeth Duke wife of Doctor Edward Duke whome I make and ordaine
16    ioynt Executors of this my last Will and Testament in Trust and confidence
17    That within Six moneths next after my decease if I dye in England or within
18    Six moneths after the certaine knowledge of my death in case I dye in parts
19    beyond the Seas They shall pay or cause to be payed the summe of Three
20    Hundred
    [Page 2]
21    Hundred pounds sterling to such person or persons as my aforesaid Sister
22    Mary shall nominate and appoynte if she be living at that time my intent being that
23    her sayd husband Joseph Dornoy should have no interest or share in the same but
24    that it be freely and clearelie at her dispose for the use of her selfe and her children
25    and in case she and they happen to dye in the meane yeare then the said summe
26    to be paid in manner as before is exprest unto my godsonn Toste "_____" Duke unto
27    whome I give and likewise bequeath the Residue and Remainder of my Estate Reall
28    and personall if he be then living And in the case of his death the same to be given unto
29    his Mother Mistres Elizabeth Duke aforesaid In witness whereof I have hereunto
30    sett my hand and Seale This Sixth day of Januarie Anno domini One thousand
31    six hundred sixtie one Anne Blake Signed and sealed in the presence of John Torry
32    Jane Smith

Will of Robert Blake yeoman of Castle Coombe - National Archives PROB 11/163/729, probated 4 Jun 1633

Another interesting will by a Robert Blake. He does not appear to leave any descendants and Castle Combe is 11 miles WNW of Calne Wiltshire. He is married to Margaret and no children are mentioned. He has a couple of godsons but no other Blake mentioned in the will than himself and his wife. His wife has several relatives including Elizabeth Wallop and Marie Smith wife of John Smith.

Probably the most interesting item is the closeness to Calne Wiltshire where the Blake family lived from the 13th century on and probably earlier.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 28 Oct 2012
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/163/729
Name of testator: Robert Blake, yeoman
Place: Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated  23 Nov 1632, probated 4 Jun 1633
Read: Electronic file images
Condition: fine light text, middle English writing, 17th century
[In margin] T [estator] Robti Blake

1    In the name of God Amen the three and Twentieth of
    [Page 2]
2    November in the yeare of our Lord Christ one thousand six hundred thirtie and two And in the eight yeare of the
3    raigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles by the grace of God king of England Scotland Frannce and Ireland, defender
4    of the Faith etc I Robert Blake of Castle Combe in the Countie of Wiltes yeoman being weake in bodie but
5    of good and perfect memorie thanks bee to God and being taught and instructed by the word of God that it is
6    appoynted that all men shall die As is nothyng is more certayne than death soe, nothing more uncertayne
7    then the houre of death in a true and unfayned acknowledgement and confession of all my sinnes unto allmightie
8    whom I have as a most wretched sinner most grevouslie offended and whereof by the onely merritts perfect
9    obedience and suffering of Jesus Christ my all sufficient Lord and Savyour apprehended and taken hereby upon
10    by a true and lively faith I assuredly beleeve to have free pardon and forgivenes of all my sinnes the same never
11    to bee layd to my Charge doe ordayne appoynt and declare and make this my last Will and Testament in
12    manner and forme following First I commend my soule and spritt unto God that gave it mee as unto a most
13    faithfull Creator And my bodie unto the Earth from whence it came to bee buried in the parish Church of
14    of Castle Combe aforesaid at the care and discre[c]ion of my Executors verely beleveing according to the
15    truth of the holy Scripture that I shall receive the same legacie att the generall resurrec[t]ion of all Flesh
16    to bee reunyted to my soule noe more from thenceforth subject to corruption but mortall glorious and
17    incorruptible like unto the glorious bodie of the sonne our Lord and Savyour Jesus Christ of whom I hope
18    to receive life everlasting and glory in the Communion of S[ai]nts for ever And touching those temporall blessings
19    and goods which the Lord in mercy hath bestowed upon mee in this transitorie life I thus dispose of them
20    Imprimis I give and bequeath unto the poore of the parish of Castle Combe fortie shillings to bee given and
21    distributed att my Funerall Item I give and bequeath to the poore of Yatton Keinill  tenne shillings to
22    bee paid within five weeks after my funerall Item I give and bequeath unto Marie Smith wife to
23    John Smith of Castle Combe in the Countie of Wiltes my Wife's kinsewoman fortie pounds to bee paid
24    on St John Baptists daie next and immediately after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto
25    Elizabeth Wallop my now household servant and wife's kinsewoman Fortie pounds to bee paid on St John
26    Baptists day next and immediately after my decease Item I give and bequeath to William Osborne of
27    Marshfield Tayler in the Countie of Gloucester tenne pounds to bee paid him at Michaelmas next and
28    immediately after my decease Item I give and bequeath to Robert Smith sonne to John Smith of Castle
29    Combe my Godsonne  one sheep Item I give and bequeath to Robert Moodie my Godsonne one sheepe
30    All the rest of my goods chattell plate and Implements of housholdstuffe whatsoever not before bequeathed
31    and disposed I give and bequeath unto my wife Margarett Blake whom I make my full and sole Executrix
32    of this my last Will and Testament nothing doubting but that shee will see this my last Will and
33    Testament here expressed and declared in all things performed according to the trust and confidence I
34    repose on her my loveing wife And allso I doe nommyate and entreate my severall good friends Mr Thomas
35    Cullenor and Robert Smith both of Castle Combe in the Countie of Wiltes aforesaid to bee
36    overseers of this my last Will and Testament desireing them and either of them to bee aideng and
37    assisting unto my said Executrix to the best of their advice and power in the execu[t]ion and performance
38    of the premisses And for their paines and diligence to bee taken therein I doe give unto them twelve
39    pence apeece in remembrance of mee In wittnes whereof I have sett my hand and Seale to this my last
40    will and Testament the daie and yeare first abovewritten in the presence of Robert Blake his kres[t]
41    and marke Thomas Cullynor Robert Smith his marke

Will of Nicholas Blake, yeoman of Wootton Rivers - National Archives PROB 11/187/287, probated 29 Nov 1641

Nicholas Blake testator in this will mentions a number of his relatives and their children which is always helpful. One of his brothers is Stephen (deceased) with sons Edmond, Nicholas and Stephen and daughter Elizabeth Hatherill (widow).  He also mentions a Nicholas Blake his kinsman of Wootton Rivers who also has a son Nicholas. I wonder what manors were at Wootton Rivers and whether Nicholas Blake can be tracked in the manor papers. He isn't wealthy but he is a yeoman. He also mentions another cousin Katherine Edington.

Since his brother in law is Geoffrey Winter, perhaps his wife was Elizabeth Winter.

Wootton Rivers is 16 miles NW of Andover Hampshire, 19 miles NNE of South Newton, and 14 miles ESE of Calne. A rather interesting spot to be in roughly half way between Calne and Andover.

There is a will for Jeffery Wynter/Winter yeoman of Wootton Rivers probated 3 Feb 1620 which might prove interesting for this family.

The entry that I am finding that might be interesting for this Blake family at Wootton Rivers is labeled Ludgershall (Wootton Rivers is 9 miles NNW of Ludgershall). There is a burial for Katherine Edington at Ludgershall 24 Jul 1644 (wife of Edward Edington).

There is a baptism for Elizabeth Blake daughter of Steven Blake at Warminster (Saint Denys 22 Apr 1609 C15334-2 Family Search) which might seem rather distant at 23 miles WSW of Wootton Rivers.


Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 27 Oct 2012
Source:  The National Archives PROB 11/187/287
Name of testator: Nicholas Blake, Yeoman
Place: Wootton Rivers, Wiltshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 31 Oct 1640, probated 29 Nov 1641
Read: Electronic file images
Condition: 17th century, middle English, small clear writing
[Margin] T[estament] Nicholas
[Margin] Blake

1    In the name of God Amen
2    the last day of October in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand sixe hundred
3    and fourtie I Nicholas Blake of Wotton Rivers in the Countie of Wilts[hire] yeom[an]
4    considering the uncerteinty of this mortall life doe ordaine and make my last
5    will and testament as followeth Viz[a vi]t First and principally I committ my soule
6    into the hands of Allmighty God and my bodie to be buried in the church of
7    Milton Livornye after this life ended to enioye life everlastinge in heaven And as touching
8    such transitorie goods as it hath pleased god of his goodnes to endowe mee with all I doe
9    leave devise will and bequeath them as herein is hereafter sett donne and appointed and
10    That is to say First I give devise will and bequeath to my parish church of Wotton
11    Rivers Twentie shillings And I give to bee distributed to the poore of that parish att
12    the tyme of my funerall Twenty shillings Item I give to the parish church of Milton
13    aforesaid Twenty shillings And to the poore people of that parish Twenty shillings Item
14    I give unto Edmond Blake the sonne of my deceased brother Stephen Blake thirty pounds
15    in money) Item I doe give unto Edmond Blake and Stephen Blake the sonnes of
16    the said Edmond Blake fourtie pounds to bee delivered to my overseers within one
17    yeare next after my decease to be ymploied by my said overseers to the uses of the said Edmond
18    and Stephen untill they shall bee of the ages of one and twentie years and then to
19    bee paid to them or the survivor of them with the encrease thereof Provided nevertheles
20    that yf both of them shall die before theire ages of one and twentie years then the s[ai]d
21    fourtie pounds with the encrease thereof shall bee paid to the executors or administrators
22    of the survivor of them within one yeare after the decease of the survivor of them the said
23    Edmond and Stephen Item my Will is that within one yeare next after my decease the
24    somme of Thirtie pounds shall bee devided into the hands of my overseers the p[ro]fitt
25    whereof arisenge shall bee yearly paid unto Nicholas Blake sonne of the said Stephen
26    Blake deceased duringe the life of the same Nicholas and after his decease the same am[ount]
27    Thirty pounds to bee equally devided and paid unto such of the nowe children of the same
28    Nicholas as shall be then livinge Item I give unto Elizabeth Hatherill widdowe daughter
29    of the said Stephen Blake deceased fyve pounds in money Item I give unto John day
30    the sonne of John day of Berwicke the somme of sixe pounds to bee delivered to
31    his father to the use of the said John the sonne Item I give unto Robert day the
32    sonne of Edmond day the somme of sixe pounds to bee delivered to the said Edmond
    [Page 2]
33    to the use of the said Robert Item I give to Nicholas Blake the sonne of Nicholas Blake
34    of Wotton Rivers my kinsman fourtie pounds to be delivered to my overseers to his use And
35    to bee paid to him with the increase thereof at his age of eighteene years And If hee
36    die before his said age then the same to remayneth his executors or administrators And to bee
37    paid within on yeare next after his decease Item I give unto George Stagg the sonne
38    of Lawrence Stagge sixe pounds to be delivered to his use into the hands of the said Lawrence Stagg
39    and unto James Stagg sonne of the said Lawrence Stagg I give the somme of fowre
40    pounds to be dleivered to his use to the said Lawrence Item I give unto Jeoffery Winter
41    the sonne of Jeoffry Winter my brother in lawe five pounds to be paid to the father to
42    the sonnes use Item I give to Elizabeth Whitehart daughter of Geoffery Whithart
43    fourtie shillings to bee paid to her father to her use And I doe make and ordaine Elizabeth my Wife 
44    the executrix of this my last will and testament giveing her to that purpose all my goods
45    and chattles And I doe appointe and desir the said Lawrence Stagg  And Edmond
46    Day to bee the overseers of this my Will and testament and in token of my love I doe
47    give to everie of them twentie shillings a peece Item I give to Katherin Edington
48    my cosen fower pounds in money Nicholas Blake Witnesses hereunto Thomas
49    Bennett notary publique and William Smith

Will of William Blake, Gentleman of Portsmouth, Hampshire, National Archives PROB 11/1644 Image Reference 136/135, probated 15 Jun 1821

Two wills that fit together is always a nice find. This William is the father of Arthur who left his will dated 1838 and probated in 1841. The one clue that really connects them is the individual to whom William the father has given a mortgage and that Arthur forgives him the interest owed to him from that mortgage at the time of Arthur's decease. Arthur did not marry and so his father's legacies now will go to the grandchildren. There must be a story connected to Arthur but the will doesn't reveal it to us. Why he is living with the Mitchell family? Even by 1821 he appears to not be living with his father. Perhaps the marriage of William to Mary is a second marriage as they have a daughter under 21 when the will was written. It was also three years before Arthur's will was probated.

William's (testator) sister Ann Blake married (unknown) Smith and a search of the LDS website reveals a few possible marriages.

Henry Sherman Fennell married Ann Smith 4 Jun 1815 at Saint Thomas Parish Church, Portsmouth.More work on this will later as I put the wills together of family members.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 14 May 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/1644 Image Reference 136/135
Place: Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
Testator: William Blake, Gentleman of Portsmouth, Hampshire
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 3 Jan 1820, probated 15 Jun 1821
Read: Electronic copy
Condition: image, small script, contrast medium, probably in his own handwriting

[In margin] William Blake 24

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me William Blake of Portsmouth in the county of Hants Gentleman
3    made whilst in an indifferent state of health but of sound and disposing
4    mind memory and understanding to hereby, I give devise bequeath and
5    bequeath dispose of all my real and personal estate and effects in manner following
6    that is to say I give and devise unto my wife Mary and to my son in law Richard
7    Batchelor of Portsmouth aforesaid Surgeon and my friend William
8    Prince of the same place Hatter and to the survivor of them and his heirs
9    all those my two messuages or dwelling houses with the appurtenances
10    there to belonging situate and being at Buckland in the parish of Portsea
11    in the said County was occupied by Mr. Hoffmister and Mr. Saunders and
12    also all that my messuage or dwelling house situate in Fredrick Street
13    in Portsea aforesaid No 18 occupied by Mrs Balfour sublett to a charge
14    of two hundred pounds now existing on such said messuage and
15    premises and chargeable therewith To hold the same three messuages
16    subject and chargeable therewith To hold the as aforesaid to my said
17    wife Mary the said Richard Batchelor and William Prince and
18    to the survivor of them and his or her heirs upon trust nevertheless
19    to permit my son said Arthur Blake to receive the writs of the said
20    messuage and Premises from and after the expiration of twelve
21    calendar months from my decease for his life and immediately after
22    his decease or in case my said son shall die leaving a wife and child
23    or children Then In trust to retain the rents of my said three messuages
24    and premises and pay the same unto the widow of my said son Arthur
25    for her life and after her decease upon trust and I devise the said three
26    messuages and premises unto all and every the child or children of my
27    said son lawfully begotten if more than one as tenants in common
28    and if but one than to such only child his or her heirs and assigns
29    for ever but in case my said son should die without having a
30    wife or child or children lawfully begotten then I give and devise
31    the said three messuages and premises unto my sister Ann Smith of
32    Portsea aforesaid widow for her life and after her decease I give and
33    devise the said three messuages unto the children of the said Ann
34    Smith living at her decease their heirs and assigns for ever as tenants
35    in common and not as joint Tenants I give and devise unto Charlotte
36    White Butler of Portsea aforesaid spinster and to her heirs and
37    assigns for ever all that my messuage or dwelling house situate
38    in Daniel Street in Portsea aforesaid and lately occupied by my
39    mother in law Francis Blake deceased but now by the said
40    Charlotte White Butler and I give and bequeath the principal
41    sum of eight hundred pounds now secured to me on mortgage of an
42    estaate on Oyster Street in Portsmouth aforesaid belonginge to Mr
43    Joseph Puelman unto my said wife Mary and the said Rich[ar]d
44    Batchelor and William Prince upon trust and confidence
45    nevertheless that they my said trustees or the survivors or survivor of them
46    or the executors or administrators of such survivor do and shall
47    after twelve calendar months from my decease call in one
48    hundred pounds principal money part of the said sum of eight
49    hundred pounds and when received upon trust and I direct sixty
    [Page 2]
50    pounds par thereof to be paid to my said sister Ann Smith
51    for her own use with the interest to accrue from twelve
51    calendar months next after my decease twenty pounds other part
52    thereof to her son John Smith of Portsea aforesaid Shipwright and
53    twenty pounds remaining part thereof unto her daughter Ann
54    Fennell wife of Henry Fennell of Portsea aforesaid Labourer and
55    also upon further trust to receive the interest of the remaining sum of
56    seven hundred pounds every three calendar months if payment can
57    be so obtained and to pay the same when and as borrowed unto my
58    said son Arthur Blake for his life and after his decease upon
59    trust to pay the interest of the said sum of seven hundred pounds
60    other part thereof unto the widow of my said son Arthur for her
61    life and immediately after her decease then In trust and I give the
62    said sum of seven hundred pounds unto all and every the children of
63    my said son Arthur living at the time of the decease of his said widow
64    in equal shares and proportions but in case my said son should
65    die leaving only a widow and without child or children then I direct
66    my said trustees to pay the interest of four hundred pounds only part
67    of the said sum of seven hundred pounds to my said sons widow
68    for her life and the remaining sum of three hundred pounds I
69    hereby direct them to pay to my two Grandsons in law William
70    Cunningham Batchelor and Richard Batchelor sons of my son
71    in law William Cunningham Batchelor late of Portsmouth afor[esai]d
72    Merchant and in case my said son Arthur should die without
73    leaving either a widow or child or children then after his decease I
74    give and bequeath the said sum of seven hundred pounds in
75    manner following that is to say four hundred pounds part thereof
76    to my said daughter Ann Blake for her own use and one hundred and
77    fifty pounds to each of my said Grandsons in law the said William
78    Cunningham Batchelor and Richard Batchelor and in case of the decease
79    of my said daughter Ann Blake under the age of twenty one years
80    I give and bequeath twelve hundred pounds stock five percent Ann[uitie]s
81    under the power reserved in my marriage Settlement and now standing
82    in the joint names of myself John Whitlow and Harrison Deacon in
83    manner following I give and bequeath six hundred and forty
84    pounds stock part thereof unto my son in law and my three daughters
85    in law namely the said Richard Batchelor Sarah Batchelor Mary
86    Batchelor and Elizabeth Batchelor in equal shares and proportions
87    to and for their own use and benefit absolutely and one hundred and
88    sixty pounds stock other part of the said twelve hundred pounds
89    stock I give and bequeath unto my said two Grandsons in law
90    William Cunningham Batchelor and Richard Batchelor
91    equally share and share alike and the remaining four hundred
92    pounds stock I hereby give and bequeath unto my said wife Mary
93    Blake and to the said Richard Batchelor and William Prince their
94    executors administrators and assigns upon trust and confidence that
95    they my said trustees or the survivor of them or the executors or
96    administrators of such survivor shall and do permit and suffer my
97    said son Arthur to receive and take the dividends and interest thereof
98    for his life and from and immediately after his decease then  I give
99    and bequeath the sum of two hundred pounds part thereof to the
100    children of my sister Ann Smith widow equally share and share
101    alike and the remaining sum of two hundred pounds I give and
102    bequeath unto and equally between my said son in law and three
103    daughters in law namely Richard Batchelor Sarah Mary and
104    Elizabeth Batchelor to and for their own use and benefit and I give
105    and bequeath unto my said trustees the said Richard Batchelor
    [Page 3]
106    and William Prince the sum of ten pounds each as a
107    compensation for the care and trouble they will be put to in the
108    execution of the trusts hereby in them reposed to be paid  them
109    at the expiration of fifteen calendar months next after my decease
110    and I give and bequeath unto my said wife Mary all my household
111    Goods and furniture of household plate linen and China together
112    with all my ready money securities for money debts rents and interest
113    and money due and owing to me and to grow due and accrue then to me
114    from twelve calendar months next after the day of my decease and
115    all the residue and remainder of my personal estate and effects of
116    what nature the same shall consist at my decease and not
117    hereinbefore by me disposed of subject nevertheless to the payment
118    of my just debts funeral expences and the costs of proving this my
119    will I give to her my said wife for her own use and benefit absolutely
120    and I authorize and fully empower my said trustees or the survivor
121    of them and his or her heirs to sell and dispose of my said three
122    freehold messuages and premises hereunto first by me herebefore devised
123    or any or other of them by public or private sale as they he or she may
124    think most advantageous and on sale of such my said real estate
125    or any part thereof I direct that the receipt or receipts of my said
126    trustees or the survivors or survivor of them shall be a good and
127    sufficient discharge to a purchaser or purchasers thereof and on sale
128    as aforesaid to plan the consideration money arising there from in
129    the public stocks or funds of this Kingdom or on good real security
130    on the trusts aforesaid and it is my will that my said trustees or the
131    survivors or survivor of them shall from time to time as often as
132    they shall think proper alter and change the securities on which
133    the said trust monies or any part  thereof are now or shall hereafter
134    be placed out and from time to time as often as they shall think
135    fit again the place the same out upon Government or other good
136    real sufficient security or securities in such manner as they shall
137    think most beneficial and it is my will and meaning that my said
138    trustees or either of them shall not be liable to make good any
139    loss of losses that shall happen in the execution of the trusts
140    mentioned in this my will unless the same shall appear to
141    happen by or through their or either of their wilful neglect or
142    default nor shall either of my said trustees be answerable or
143    accountable for the acts deeds receipts or disbursements of the
144    other of them but each of them shall be answerable for his and
145    her own separate acts deeds receipts and disbursements only and I
146    hereby direct that my said trustees shall reimburse themselves out
147    of my said estate and effects all necessary costs charges and expences
148    whatsoever that they or either of them shall be put into in the
149    execution of this my will or the trusts hereby in them reposed
150    and lastly I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said
151    wife Mary and my son in law the said Richard Batchelor
152    and William Prince my trustees executrix and executors of this
153    my last will and testate testament and hereby revoke and make
154    void all former and other will and wills by me at any time
155    heretofore made and do declare this only to be said testament my last will and
156    testament In witness whereof I the said William Blake the
157    testator have to this my last will and testament the whole whereof
158    is contained in five sheets of paper set my hand and seal that is to
159    say may hand to the first four sheets hereof and my hand and seal
160    to this fifth and last sheet thereof this third day of January in the
161    year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty W[illia]m Blake
162    [seal] Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Blake
    [Page 4]
163    the Testator as and for his last will and Testament on the day
164    of the date in the presence of us who at his request in his presence
165    and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as
166    witnesses hereto W[illia]m Glendening Sol Portsea W[illia]m Allen James Garrate
167    Proved at London 15th June 1821 before the Judge by the oaths
168    of Mary Blake widow the Relict Richard Batchelor and William
169    Prince the executors to whom administration was granted having
170    been first sworn duly to administer

Will of John Blake, Clerke of Feyreford, Gloucestershire, National Archives PROB 11/37, Image Reference 291/231 , probated 4 Apr 1555

Again, I chose this will to photograph at Kew because it was the earliest Blake will in Gloucestershire. Date in 1552 and probated in 1555. I can not find him on the Clergy database for England nor is he listed as a graduate of Oxford University. However he may appear in the Wiltshire and Swindon Pedigree Chart listed as John Blague Abbot of Cirencester in County Gloucester. He is, from the chart, the son of David Blague and Joanne Mallet with this David being the son of John Blague and Margaret Denham/Dyncham/Dinham. John was the son of Robert Blake and Avice Wallop and was mentioned in his mother's will as being over 40 with her will being probated in 1474. The timing does work  with John born in 1434 or earlier, then his son David born before 1474 and his son John being born in the late 1400s or early 1500s. You might wonder why John doesn't mention his family but he has been in this diocese prior to the Dissolution of the Abbeys by King Henry VIII as he is named as Abbot at the time of Dissolution. The people closest to him were probably his servants and the gentry of his area which included Sir Anthony Kyngston and Sir Walter Buck[e]ler. The reference to John Blake as Abbot can be found in the chapter "Gloucestershire-Lincolnshire" by Thomas Cox, Anthony Hall and Robert Morden and part of the book Magna Britannia Antiqua and Nova: or a new exact and comprehansive Survey of the Ancient and Present State of Great-Britain, Volume II, Caesar Ward and Richard Chandler Booksellers: Ship without Temple Bar, 1738.


Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 5 May 2012
Source:  The National Archives PROB 11/37, Image Reference 291/231  (images by me)
Name of testator: John Blake, Clerk of Feyreford
Place: Feyreford, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 2 Jan 1552, probated 4 Apr 1555
Read: Electronic file
Condition: old writing, 16th century, bold copy
[In margin] Testam[ent] Johne Blake clerc

1    In dei nomme Amen seconde die January Anno d[o]m[ini] Millesim[o] quingentesimo qu[i]nqu[a]gesimo
2    secundo est Anno Regin dic[t]i n[upe]r Edwardi Sexti dei gracia Anglie Francie et Hibernie Regis fidei
3    defensore et in terra Eccles[ie] Anglicane et Hibernice suprem[um] Capits Septo / I John Blake of
4    Feyreford in the divi[sion] of cirencester clerke being sicke in bodye and hoole of mynd and in perfect
5    Remembrance do make and ordeyne this my last will and testament in maner and forme folowinge /
6    First I bequeathe my soule to t[he ]handes of Almightie god my Savior and Redemmer which by the power of
7    his most precious blood have delyv[er]ed me from all my synnes and reconsiled me unto god the Father / By
8    the merits of his deathe / and my bodye to be buried wher yt shall please myne Executors John Hiet and
9    John Dawbeny jun[io]r my servemts / And they to paye all my debts whiche I do owe / And also to perform
10    and paye all my legacies as hereafter foloweth / First I bequeathe and geve to the poor mens boxe
11    ii s Fyreford aforesaid / Item I bequeathe to John Wallan Shapelyn Sept pounds in money and clyowne
12    Item I give to Thomas Ligges gentleman x lsand his lyvere / Item I give to Thomas Clark my servent
13    twenty shillings in money and his lyvere / Item to Richard Merynge xxxv s iiij d and his lyverye / Item
14    to Willyam Carter xxx iiij s and his lyverye / Item to Roger Wyatt xxvj s iiij d and his lyverye  / Item to
15    Richard Hall xxvj s viij and his lyvere / Item to John Farges xxx s and his lyverye / Item to
16    Reynold Hooles xxx s and the lyvere / Item to Richard Woodward xx s and his lyvere  / Item to
17    Margery Livey xxv s and one petycote / Item to Faithe Brywater xxiij s and one petycote / Item to
    [Page 2]
18    Katheryn Grey xxiij s and one peticot / All this I give every of them in full payment of their wages
19    and lyvereys / All the rest of my goodes and cattalls moveable and unmoveable not gyven nor
20    Bequeathed after my debts and Legacies be fully contentyd and paide / and my funeralls done / I geve
21    and bequeathe unto John Hall and John Dawbeny Jun[ior] above said my serv[an]ts whome I make and
22    ordeyne my sole Executors / And further I make Overseers of this my last will and testament Sir
23    Anthony Kyngston Knight Sir Walter Buckeler Knight and John George gent to the intent that they
24    shall see all my debts and Legacies abovesaid paide and fulfilled and myne Executors quietly to
25    inioy all the reste of my goodes above bequeathed and geven to them / And they and ev[er]y of them myne
26    Overseers abovesaid to have for their labors and paynes in the premisses fouer markes a peece in money
27    to be paid to them by myne Executors. Thes p[er]sons nis__yng beareing wytnes of this my last will
28    Mathew Glam they being Curate / Richard Stiyhall / Richard More / Thomas Smith
29    Willyam Greene By me John Blake pr[i]est

North Molton Parish Registers and the Will of Robert Pincombe dated 19 Apr 1827 at Bishops Nympton Devon (Inland Revenue Wills - Estate Duty Office, Page 885)

Continuing on with the North Molton Parish Registers as my plan is to complete them this year (i.e. before Christmas). There are now at the end of 1639 baptisms 2568, marriages 406, burials 1081 with 1636 being a particularly difficult year for the parish with a total of 56 burials (a usual year is 30 burials) and 103 banns.

More Pincombe entries were found in the latest transcriptions which are most welcome as the family was first in Devon in North Molton in 1485 according to the Visitation. My line moved to Bishops Nympton from East Buckland/Filleigh in the 1590s (remaining there for the most part until they emigrated to Canada in 1850 (last ten years were at Molland)).

This is of course most interesting for my one name study on the Pincombe/Pinkham family at the Guild of one name studies. Along with the wills, I am getting a much deeper understanding of the Pincombe family at North Molton.

These two entries were somewhat confusing until I found the burial of Katherine Pincombe wife of Thomas Pincombe

Baptisms
Pincombe Thomas son Pincombe Thomas   1616 Mar 30
Pincombe William son Pincombe Thomas  Joan 1639 Mar 31


Marriage
Pincombe Thomas Smith Joan 1635 Apr 28

Burials
Pincombe William son Pincombe Thomas  Katherine 1624 Dec 7
Pincomb Joan      1633 Jan 15
Pincombe Katherine wife Pincombe Thomas   1636 Feb 5
Pincomb William      1637 Jan 29

So I now know that Thomas Pincombe marrying Joan Smith was quite likely the son of Thomas Pincombe since the wife of Thomas Pincombe did not die until nearly two years after her son married. But it ends any thought that Richard Pincombe who married Jane Bond 30 Jul 1652 was a son of Thomas who married in 1635 as he was the fourth son of this marriage. Which brings us back to the question asked before in an earlier blog. Who is the Richard Pincombe who married Jane Bond at Chittlehampton?

I now have the name of Thomas Pincombe's wife (father of Bartholomew, Thomas (married to Joan Smith) and Grace) and it was Katherine. However I do not have her surname at this time. They did not marry at North Molton.

Moving away from the Parish Registers for the moment, I also worked on one of the first Pincombe wills that I looked at. The will of Robert Pincombe dated 19 Apr 1827. Robert was my 3x great grandfather and I did grow up hearing a few stories about him. Not a great deal as he died whilst his children were all still young - only his eldest son Robert was 21 years of age when he died. My ancestor was John (some people have asked me why he was disinherited as he received only 5 shillings) but I think that John inherited from his eldest Uncle (John Pincombe at Molland) so that he did not receive anything else from his father other than the token five shillings which said you are my son and I am remembering you in the will. We did find his gravestone at Bishops Nympton attached to the Church Wall (exterior) and somewhat hidden behind a Yew Tree. That was a lucky find. My husband was walking along and noticed the stone and moved the tree a little to read it and said Robert Pincombe died 1827. It immediately caught my attention as I knew that my Robert had died in 1827.

Robert was 52 when he died. That seems very young but at a time when the average age at death was in the late 40s early 50s his age at death was not uncommon. His brothers outlived him by ten to twenty years. His wife had died four years earlier of unknown causes and one of his sons William died two years after his mother. His will was dated the 19 Apr 1827 and he died on the 23rd Apr 1827. Perhaps it was a sudden infectious disease. That information did not pass down in the family.

Robert Pincombe and Elizabeth Rowcliffe was a love match as Elizabeth's father was a fairly prominent land owner and she was his only daughter. Robert was 28 when he married and Elizabeth was 26. They actually married more in line with present day marriages and went on to have eight children (7 sons and 1 daughter). They went through all the family names and the only one that wasn't a father/brother's name was that of Richard. I wonder why Richard although it is a fairly common Pincombe name in this line it had not appeared since Richard son of William Pincombe and Emotte Snow. Richard was the first ancestor at Bishops Nympton. One piece of family lore that did come down was that they had named all of their children after family.

The wills for the Exeter Court were all destroyed in WWII so that the original of this will did not survive the bombing but a copy had been placed with Inland Revenue and so this particular copy has survived and I have transcribed it below with the Probate. It is modern English for the most part - very few middle English terms are used.

The will of Robert Pincombe:

Recorded: 19 Oct 2011
Source: Inland Revenue Wills - p 885
Place: Bishops Nympton, Devon, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 19 Apr 1827 (probated 27 Oct 1827)
Condition: photocopy, bold, modern English writing
Type: three pages - Original will (2 pages) and Probate (1 page)

1 In the name of God, Amen.  I Robert Pincombe of Bishopsnympton
2 in the County of Devon, Yeoman, being infirm in Body but of Sound and disposing
3 Mind Memory and Understanding praised be God for the same do make and ordain
4 this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say, First
5 I give and Bequeath unto my Son Robert Pincombe the Sum four pound a year to be
6 paid to him within one year after my Decease, Also I give unto my Daughter Betsy
7 Pincombe the sum of Four pound a year, Also I give unto my son John Pincombe
8 the [sum] of five shillings, Also I give unto my Son Thomas Pincombe the sum of four Pounds a
9 year after he arrive to the Age of Twenty one, Also my Son George Pincombe the sum of four
10 Pounds a Year after he arrive to the Age of twenty one, Also I give unto my Son Richard
11 Pincombe the sum of four Pounds a year after he arrive to the Age of twenty one, Also I
12 give unto my Son Philip Pincombe the sum of four Pounds A year after he arrive to
13 to the age of twenty one my will is that if either of my Children should happen to
14 die under the Age of twenty one Years and unmarried then the Legacy or Legacies of him
15 or her so dying shall be equally Divided between them Survivors And also if my Son
16 Robert Pincombe should die and have a Widow and During her Widowhood to have her
17 husband share out of my Estate or Estates Also I give Devise and Bequeath unto my
 Brother John Pincombe of Molland and William Pincombe of Bishopsnympton and Phillip
18 Routtcliffe of Mary Ansley in this County, Yeomen. All that my said Moiety and Half
19 fendle of West Wood and my Tenement called East Wood also my Leasehold Estate called
20 Park with their and every of their Appurtenances thereto belonging And also my Goods
21 chattels Personal and Testamentary Estate Whatsoever and Wheresoever
22 Robert Pincombe [signed]
 [Page 2]
23 To hold the same unto the said John Pincombe William Pincombe and Phillip Routcliffe
24 their Executors Administrators and Assignes Subject and Charged and chargeable to and with the
25 Payment of all Just Debts and Legacies herebefore given, Also I authorize and Impower my
26 Trust or Trustees to Mortgage or Assigne over my Estate or Estates if required for the
27 better payment of my Debts Also my Will is that after my Debt is all paid that my Children
28 herein before named, that is to say, my son Robert Pincombe Betsy Pincombe Thomas
29 Pincombe George Pincombe Richard Pincombe and Philip Pincombe to have their equal share alike
30 out of my Estate or Estates And lastly I do hereby Nominate Constitute and appoint the said John
31 Pincombe W[illia] Pincombe and Philip Routcliffe Executors in Trust of this my last Will and Testament
32 and Jointly Guardians of my said Children And I do Declare this to be my last Will and
33 Testament In Wittness whereof I have to the first sheet of this my last Will and Testament I have
34 subscribed my name and At this last sheet I have sett my hand and Seal this nineteenth day of
35 April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven
36 Robert Pincombe [signed and sealed]
37 Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the above named
38 Robert Pincombe the Testator as and for his last will and testament
39 in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have
40 subscribed our Names as witnesses thereto
41 John Pincombe [signed]
42 The Mark of Jane X Arnell
43 The Mark of Ann X Arnell
44 W[itnesse]s sig[ned] as A true Copy
45 William Gray [signed and sealed]
 [Page 3]
46 For EXECUTORS
47 John Pincombe of Molland in
48 the County of Devon, Yeoman
49 and Philip Rowcliffe of
50 Mariansleigh in the same
51 County Yeoman
52 Executors in Trust named in the last Will and Testament of
53 Robert Pincombe late of Bishopsnympton
54 in the County of Devon Yeoman deceased
55 who died on the 23rd Day of April 1827
56 make Oath to say that they have made diligent search and
57 due enquiry after, and in respect of the Personal Estate and Effects of the
58 said Deceased, in order to ascertain the full Amount and Value thereof; and
59 that to the best of their knowledge, information, and belief, the whole of
60 the Goods, Chattles, and Credits, of which the said Deceased died, possessed
61 within the Peculiar Jurisdiction of the
62 Bishop of Exeter
63 (exclusive of what the Deceased may have been possessed of, or intitled to
64 as a Trustee for any other Person or Persons, and not beneficially, but
65 including the Leasehold Estates for Years of the Deceased, whether abso-
66 lute or determinable on Lives, and without deducting any thing on account
67 of the Debts due and owing from the Deceased,) are under the Value of
68 One thousand and five hundred pounds
69 John Pincombe [signed]
70 Philip Rowcliffe [signed]
71 Sworn on the Twelfth
72 Day of October 1827 before me
73 Edward Chave Tunsgate

I also have the wills of the two brothers of Robert Pincombe (John and William) which I plan to transcribe over the next few days and then that leaves me with three other Pincombe wills. The National Archives holds one Pinkham will I need to acquire. The name Pinkham is common in the United States and in some parts of England and is a variant of Pincombe.

William Pinkham, Carpenter of London, Middlesex - dated 21 Feb 1749; PROB 11/768 and Imae Reference 75/78.

Genuki Devon Wills project shows the following Pinkham wills:

Pinkham  Richard  Totnes  DEV (carrier)     1812  W  co     IRW  P 907  
Pinkham  William  Dawlish  DEV (ironmonger)    1835  A  ab  EXE  DDR2  IR 26/490 f.474  [NB - 'Place' shows administrator's abode]; to Ann Pinkham, widow
Pinkham  William  Dawlish  DEV     1837  A  ab  EXE  DDR2  IR 26/494 f.431

At some point I shall try to acquire any of these that are available - the IRW p 907 will be available.

My next step with Pincombe/Pinkham one name study is to once again extract all the names from FreeBMD - I have done this up to 1911 several years ago and placed many of them into families but FreeBMD is up to the early 1950s now and it is time to bring my project up to date.

Lywood Family of Wiltshire - Milston, West Harnham, Fugglestone St Peter, South Newton and Fovant

Most of the work on the Lywood family has been done by Warwick Lywood in his one-name study on Lywood with the Guild of one name Studies. When one looks at the World Profile site of the Lywood surname and I received a surprise because I had only looked at the British Isles profiler before for this surname, the highest frequency for the surname is in Canada at 2.52 per million with the United Kingdom at 2.01 per million and then three European countries - Denmark (0.33), Netherlands (0.32), and Norway (0.28). The top region is the Northwest Territories where the frequency per million shows 110.33 (one does not generally think in millions in the Northwest Territories of Canada :) as there are only 43,529 people living there).

My Lywood connection runs back through my paternal grandmother's line. Her mother Elizabeth Taylor (née Rawlings) was the daughter of Elizabeth Lywood and at that point the name enters into my tree. I have a picture of Elizabeth Lywood probably at a nursing home as the person beside her looks like a nursing sister. She died 2 Jul 1904 at Kimpton (actually at my great grandmother Elizabeth Taylor's home - Elizabeth must have slipped out to buy something as it was her neighbour who was actually listed as being the informant of her death. Unfortunately my paternal grandmother died five years before I was born and not a lot of stories about this family line were passed on as family lore.

Elizabeth Lywood's parents were George Lywood baptized 7 May 1786 at West Harnham and Martha Peck baptized 1 Jul 1792 at Milston. George and Martha married 26 October 1817 at Milston (the registration is somewhat confusing in that Martha is crossed out and the name Rebecca is written in). However, later census show that George married Martha Peck and there isn't a Rebecca to be found. George was a Waterloo pensioner serving in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (23rd Regiment of Foot) and he earned several clasps during his service. He was honourably discharged in 1816 due to asthma. George and Martha had four children:

David baptized 20 Jul 1818 at Milston and married to Maria Henrietta Naish 21 Jun 1840 at Saint Edmunds Church, Salisbury

John baptized 11 Sep 1822 at Milston and married to Martha Elizabeth Jacobs 16 Nov 1844 at Figheldean

Elizabeth (as above)

George baptized 15 Apr 1832 and buried 18 Feb 1849 at Milston

It is John's line that brought the Lywood name to Canada via his grandson William George Lywood who emigrated to Canada in 1913 with his wife Alice Cannons and they were according to the ship's list heading for Winnipeg, Manitoba but they actually lived at Brockville, Ontario. They were accompanied by their children Robert, George and Nellie. This family I did know about from Warwick and I am curious if this is the family that my father corresponded with and can only vaguely remember his doing so when I was a child.

Looking up this family's emigration revealed another Lywood entry in 1919 and it was William John Lywood returning from the 1st world war. I have this person in the tree as a half brother to William George Lywood his father having been married twice - born Dec quarter 1888 at West Harnham. This was a puzzle to me actually and I have finally solved it. There were two Lywood lines in Canada (half siblings) and descended from Robert Lywood (youngest son of John).

I would like to learn a little more about the Lywood family and I have the protestation returns for this area in Wiltshire. I lately acquired these documents when we visited the Allen County Public Library.

Reviewing West Harneham  in 1641-42 I do not find any members of the Lywood family listed and this would be correct as they were not in this area until the middle 1700s.

Reviewing Foffont in 1641-42 I find Robert Lywood listed and indeed this is Robert Lywood married to Alice Baylie and he was born circa 1580s at Fovant and buried there 14 Dec 1660 (Robert and Alice were married 10 Jan 1624 at Fovant). Since his sons were all less than 18 (Robert was 13 and Thomas 8) they are not listed on the protestation return. I am curious about the Baylie family and there is a William Bayly listed. Whether or not this is the father of Alice remains to be proven. I shall set it as a goal of studying this particular family to learn more about the wives of the Lywood men since they are seldom researched in a one name study.

With that in mind I will check for:

Deart (Deare?) at Fovant
Bryan at Idmiston/Fovant/South Newton
Smith at Bemerton/South Newton
Canham at West Harnham

I did find a John Rawlins at South Newton and a Robert Rawlins at Fisherton Anger  which I shall tuck away for the Rawlins day.

There is a Deare family at Wishford Magna (three members on the Protestation Returns).

There is a Smith family at Steeple Langford (one member on the Protestation Return).

There is a Brian family at Langford Pva (one member on the Protestation Return)

There is a Smith family at Wyly (3 members on the Protestation Return).

There is a Smith family at Tilshead (1 member on the Protestation Return).

There is a Smith family at Shrewton (2 members on the Protestation Return (father and son)).

There is a Rawlins family (one member) and Smith family (six members) at Wilton Burg.

There is a Smith family at Fisherton Anger (three members on the Protestation Returns).

Interesting results from that quick survey and it has convinced me that I should enter these Protestation Returns into an excel file so that I can readily look at the names. This area is particularly pertinent to my paternal grandmother's line. My next study time for Lywood will be dedicated to that project.