The testator John Blake of Slindon Sussex has been married at least twice. His second wife is Elen Linne (but she was a widow at the time of her marriage to John). John has three children Thomas Blake his eldest son and John Blake not yet 21 years of age and a daughter married to Richard Page. He holds land by copyhold so it should be possible to learn more about him in the records of Sussex. No hints on his parents in his will and he does not mention any siblings.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 3 Dec 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/61/261
Testator: John Blake, yeoman
Place: Slindon, Sussex, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 12 Dec 1578, probated 23 May 1579
Read: Electronic copy images
Condition: middle English writing fine, small print
[Margin] T[estament] Johis
[Margin]: Blake yeoman
1 In the name of God Amen the twelve daie of december Anno domini one thou
2 sande five hundred seventie and eight / I John Blake of the parishe of Slinden in the Countie of Sussex ye[o]man
3 beinge in good and perfect Remembrance thankes be given to god make this my last will and testament in manner
4 and forme followinge First I comend my soule to almightie god and my bodie to be buried in the churchyarde of
5 Slinden as nighe as convenientlie may be to the grave there of my saide wief deceased / Item I give to the mother
6 churche of Chichister two shillinges to be bestowed imediatlie after my death upon some parte of the glasse in
7 the windowes there broken or decayed Item I give towardes the Reper[at]ions of Culliton Haven ye twelve pence
8 Item my will is that if at anie time within seaven yeares next after my death that houghton bridge be nowe
9 made then my executrixe shall put towardes the charge thereof tenn shillinges / Item I give to everie one of
10 my god children xij d Item I give towardes the Repara[t]ions of the parrishe Church of Slindon iiis iiij d and to the repara[t]ions of the parishe churche of Madehurst twelve pence
11 Item my will is that there shal[l ]be twelve bushells of wheate baked and three barrells of beire and twoe sheepe to be
12 baked and geven to the poore at the daie of my buriall not to the intent that they shoulde for that praye for my soule
13 but in token of my good will towardes the relief of the poore / Item I gie to Thomas Cobden my servant tenn qu[ar]ters
14 of barley whereof five to be delivered at the feaste of all saintes next after my deathe and th[e ]other five at the feaste
15 of all saintes which shal[l ]be in the yeare of oure lorde god one thousand five hundred and eightie / Item I give to
16 Thomas Streate my servante foure bushells of barley and everie one of the rest of my servantes two bushells
17 of barley / Item I will to John Witton and Dorathie Sewarde my servauntes fifteene pounds of usual money of
18 England in full payment and satisfaction of all and singuler debtes dueties and legacies dew by me to be paide by
19 them and either of them and that all suche goodes as they have now in theire possession shal[l ]be preysed and left to
20 them in parte of payment of the said xv li and the residue to be paide by my executrixe Item I will that my executrix
21 shall geve them tenne _esses of meate furnished at the daie of theire marriage Item I give to Elizabeth Smithe my sisters
22 daughter five quarters of barlie to be paide to her at th[e ]age of one and twentie yeares or at the daie of her marriage w[hi]ch
23 shall firste happen / Item I give to Thomas Blake my sonne fortie poundes of usuall money of England to be paide to the
24 saide Thomas at the discretion of my overseers / Item I will that my executrixe at her charges this present yeare shal[l ]lese
25 and sowe both my said Thomas coppie holdes at Slinden with such grayne as the laynes there shall require and as well
26 the saide grayne so sowen as aforesaide as also the wheate nowe in grasse growinge uppon one of the two closes parcell
27 of the said coppie houldes which of them at harvest next my said sonne shall chuse to bee turned and harvested into four
28 convenient barne at the charges of my saide executrix to the use of my said sonne Thomas and my will is that if
29 my saide sonne Thomas will not be ruled by my wife and my overseers in ioyninge him selfe in mariage then I will
30 twentie pounds of the said fortie pounds to my said sonne afore given to remaine to my sonne John Blake to be paide
31 to him at the time hereafter men[t]ioned of the payment of his other legacies / Item I will to my said sonne Thomas
32 the close that I have of Simon Trimlet duringe all the yeares as yet were come in the same And I will that my wief shall
33 cut and sowe the said close with corne according to the lawe for this yeare to the use of my said sonne Thomas and the
34 corne thereof cominge to hime as his other graine afore given and this yeares cost to be paide by my said wief also
35 Item I give to Agnes Wekins my wiefe's daughter tenn pounds of lawfull money of England and I will to her
36 my cubborde bedsteddell all the seellinges and glasse in the house at Hibberde to be delivered to her at charge of eighteene
37 yeares or the daie of her marriage which of them first shall come And if it shall happen the said Agnes to die and
38 not married before the saide age Then I will the saide legacies to remaine to my saide sonne John if he be then livinge
39 and if he doe not survive the said Agnes the said legacies whollie to remaine to Elen my wief / Item I give to my verie
40 good M[aste]r Mr Anthonie Kempe Esquire five pounds to stand my good M[aste]r to my saide wief and children and to be a staye
41 and aide to them and my overseers hereafter if they shall have anie trouble / Item I give to James Evans my serv[an]t
42 five quarters of barley to be paide to him at the daye of his marriage the residue of all my goodes moveable and un
43 moveable my debttes paide and this my will performed I give and bequeathe to Elen my saide wief and John my
44 said sonne equallie to be devided amonge them and I ordaine and make the said Elen my wief whole executrixe of this my
45 last will and testament Item I appoint my said sonne John with his whole stocke and legacie to be in the custodie of the saide
46 Elen my wief untill he shall accomplishe the age of one and twentie yeares at the which age my will is that he shall
47 receive his Full stocke stocke and por[t]ion of my goodes And if it shall happen the said Elen my wief at anie time
48 hereafter to be married before my saide sonne John shall come to th[e ]age of one and twentie years Then my will is that
49 he to whome my saide wief shal[l ]be married shall before theire contract of matrimonie seale and deliver as his acte to the
50 saide John my sonnes use of such bondes and with sufficient suerties as all my overseers shall desire and like of bothe
51 for the performinge of this my will and also so the good educa[t]ion of the said John my sonne and for the saffe kepinge
52 and suer payment of the saide John my sonnes whole stocke and por[t]ion dewe by this my will when he shall come to th[e ]age
53 abovesaide And if Elen my said wiefe and he that shall marrie my saide wief doe not seale and deliver the saide bondes
54 before the contracte of theire matrimonie Then I will that John Linne Thomas Linne and William Linne my
55 wiffe's bretheren and Richard Page my sonne in lawe shall have the bringinge up of the said John my sonne in the
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56 in the feare of god and learninge and also they to have his stocke and legacies afore given untill the saide John accomplishe
57 his saide age of one and twentie yeares aniethinge before men[t]ioned to the contrarie in anie wise not withstandinge and
58 they to be bounde to the saide Mr Anthonie Kempe my goodm[aste]r for the kepinge of my saide sonne John with necessaries and
59 learninge and for the sure payment of my saide sonne Johns whole stock without diminisshinge of the saide stocke when
60 he shall come to th[e ]age of one and twentie yeares / Item I give to Agnes Page William Page Richard Page and to
61 Thomas Page my daughter's children five pounds of usuall money of England to everie of them to be delivered to ev[er]ie
62 of them at theire severall ages of one and twentie yeares or the daye of theire severall marriages which of them shall
63 happen first to come / and if it shall happen anie of the said children to die before the accomplishment of theire saide
64 severall ages and not maried then I will his her or theire legacies so deceassed to remaine to the survivor or survivors of
65 them And if all they shall fortune to die before the saide age and not married then I will theire whole legacies to remaine
66 to theire mother Also my will is that if my overseers or anie of them shall at anie time hereafter for anie convenient
67 purchase either of coppieholde lease or freehoulde that maybe necessarye and profitable for the saide John my sonne
68 when he shall come to his saide age That then my saide executrix shall paie and deliver to my overseeers or one of them
69 the saide stocke of my saide sonne John or as muche of the same stocke as shal[l ]be sufficient for the purchase aforesaide
70 within one half yeare next after request made by my saide overseeers or one of them to my saide wiefe or him that
71 shall marrie with her / Provided alwaies and my verie will is that my saide wief shall have the use and occupa[t]ion
72 of the saide landes so purchased untill my saide sonne John shall accomplishe his saide age of one and twentie yeares
73 And if my saide wief or he that shall marrie with her doe not paie suche somes of money as shal[l ]be demanded of her
74 or him that shall marrie withe her for the saide purchase so that the said some be not more then the stocke of my
75 saide sonne John shall amount unto, Then I will that thene half of the por[t]ion due to my saide wief by this my
76 last will shall remaine to my saide sonne John to be paide to him at his age aforesaide Item I will that my goodes
77 shal[l ]be preysed immediatlie after my deathe to the uttermost valewe for the better advansement of my saide sonn
78 John's por[t]ion and stocke / Item I will to Elizabeth Stradlinge wief of Anthonie Stradlinge foure bushells of wheate
79 Item I will that if by lawe there require anie mo[r]e wordes or anie wordes be superfluous in this my will that
80 my executrixe and overseers by theire learned connsaite shall have power to add or diminishe the same so that
81 no parte of the sure and true meaninge of this my will or anie clause or sentence therein be not altered or chan
82 ged and not otherwise / And I doe ordaine and make the said John Linne Thomas Linne William Linne
83 and Richard Page overseers of this my will and I give to everie of them three shillinges foure pence and all there
84 charges in anie thinge concerning this my will to be borne by mine executrxe And if it shall fortune my said sonne
85 John to die before he shall accomplishe his saide age of one and twentie yeares Then my will is that twentie pounds
86 of his stocks and legacies shall remaine to my said sonne Thomas the residue of his stocke and legacies to remaine
87 to the saide Elen my wief / witnesses of this my last will and testament Richard Stroughe Clerke parson
88 of Slindon aforesaide and John Fallicke and Henrie Puttocke with others
Showing posts with label Stradlinge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stradlinge. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Will of Margaret Blake, wife of Robert Blake, Images from the National Archives (my own)
I have been meaning to start on the Somerset wills that I imaged when we were at Kew in 2010 but time has slipped by very quickly and now that I am into looking at the Blake family of Somerset it is time to transcribe the Blake wills that I have of Somerset (I have another dozen wills to transcribe). Others have transcribed the will of Margarett Blake in part but I decided to do the entire version. Margaret is grandmother to Lord High Admiral Robert Blake (son of Humphrey) and mentioned in her will.
Margaret mentions her husband Robert of Bridgewater and quickly we know which family line this is plus her children Anstice (mentioned in her grandfather Humphrey Blake's will so alive in 1558 and more than 42 years of age), Humphrey with his nine children and William who will be an overseer along with others. Only Robert the eldest son of Humphrey is mentioned and he is thought to be about one year old when this will was written in 1599. The sons must have married late or they were much younger than Anstice perhaps. As I transcribe the parish records (if available), I may discover more about this family. But for the moment the will is an interesting read (three pages in length). I found it interesting the insistence that the young girls mentioned in the will were not permitted to marry before 25 with permission.
My initial thoughts when I was first into genealogy back in 2003 was that people married young but I found that some of my ancestors did marry young but many of them were in their early twenties.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 11 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives (images by me of #624)
Name of testator: Margarett Blake
Place: Bridgewater, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 20 Apr 1599, probated 7 Nov 1600
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 16th century, bold copy, script
[In margin] T: Margarete
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of god Amen the Twentithe daye of Aprill in the yere
2 of our Lorde god One Thousande fyve hundred ninety and nyne, And in the
3 One and Fouretithe yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Ladie Elizabeth by the
4 grace of god Queene of Englande Frannce and Irelande defendor of the fayth Etc
5 I Margarett Blake of Bridgewater in the Countie of Somersett, widowe, late wief
6 of Roberte Blake deceassed beinge of perfecte healthe and good memorye (thankes be
7 to god) knowinge the instabillitie of this mortall life, That deathe is sure to every man
8 and nothinge more uncertaine then the tyme thereof do make my last will and testam[en]t
9 in manner and forme followinge, Firste I bequeathe my soule to Almightie God, And my
10 bodie to the grave, beseachinge him of his infinite mercye by the death and merites of my
11 Lorde and Saviour Christ; To receive my spirite into his kingdome when it shall please his
12 devine Maiestie to dissolve the same from this Earthlie bodie, Item I give and bequeathe
13 to the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses of the Boroughe of Bridgwater the somme of tenne
14 pounds, to be levyed gathered and paide in unto them by and out of the interest and increase
15 of suche money as I nowe have, or at the time of my deathe shall have forthe at interests,
16 whiche money my will is shall be let forthe for use, until such tyme as the said tenne
17 poundes and other my Lecacies herein conteyned shall be fullie satisfied and paide, And I doe
18 devise and appoynte that the saide Tenne poundes shall yerelie for ever be lett forthe to
19 use, for the benefitt and beheese of the poore people of the Boroughe of Bridgewater afore-
20 saide, To be employed and bestowed yerelie at Alhollowtide in Six Smockes for Six poore
21 women, or for more, or lesse, as the saide use will stretch unto for the tyme beinge. To
22 be given them yerelie, duringe the lyves of my sonnes William and Humfrye, To such
23 poore people as they or the survivor of them shall appoynte within the Boroughe afore-
24 saide, And after their deathes the same allwayes to be distributed as aforesaide in Smockes
25 for the poore of the same Boroughe at the tyme aforesaide by the discretion and appoyntm[en]t
26 of the Maior and councell of the saide Boroughe for the tyme beinge, Item I give to the
27 Almes house of Bridgwater standinge withoute the westgate a Coverlett of downye
28 and A paire of newe canvas sheetes To this and That when anie of them be sicke and shall
29 neede the same to use the saide coverlett and sheetes, And when anie of them doe dye to
30 use the Coverlett to laye over the corps in carryenge to their buryall, More I give
31 the saide Almes house at the houre of my deathe foure shillinges in money, More I give
32 to the poore of Bridgewater (exceptinge the Almes houses) as to be distributed at my
33 buryall by the discretion of my Executors in trust, Twentie shillinges in money, Item,
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34 I give to the Almes house of Storguisey fyve shillinges, And fyve shillinges more to oth[e]r
35 of the poore of that parishe by the discretion of the churchwardens there for the time
36 beinge, and my cosen Bartholmewe More of weeke, if he then shall be lyvinge, Item I
37 give to the poore of Spaxton Tenne shillinges to be distributed by the discretion of the
38 churchwardens there, and the Tenemente of Tuxwell for the tyme beinge, Item I give to
39 my sonne William Blake a coverlett of Tapistrye, and one silver spoone, Item I give to
40 my sonne Humfreys childe Robert Blake A Spur Royall of gould, Item I give to my
41 daughter Anstis Buckinge my best cloake, my best hatt and my blewe mantell, Item
42 I give to Emanuell Buckinge Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to Anne white Tenne
43 shillinges in goulde Item I give to Richard and Roberte Stradlinges sonnes of Richard
44 Stradlinge, To eache of them Tenne shillinges, to be bestowed for them in some needfull
45 garmentes or bookes as my Executors in trust shall thinke good, Item I give to my Sister
46 Elizabethe Symons Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to my Sister Dorothie Sinder-
47 combe Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to my cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey
48 one silver spoone and Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to master Nicholas Strete
49 the elder one silver spoone, And a spur Royall of gould, Item I give to mistresse Marye
50 Streete his wife my martin Skynnes and velvet waste, Item I give to master John
51 Michell one silver spoone, Item I give to mistres Dorothie Michell his wife my gould
52 Ringe withe deathes head, Item I give to Marye Stradlinge the wife of Richarde
53 Stradlinge my furred gowne, Item I give to Sara Popham my god daughter my gould
54 Ringe withe Turkeys stone, Item I give to a preacher for a Sermon at my Buryall
55 Tenne shillinges, Item I give to Jane Stradlinge daughter of Richard Stradlinge,
56 Fouretie poundes in money, my Sea Chist withoute feete beinge empty, And a litle
57 spruce chist with theis thinges in it viz [a vi]t a silver sault double guilt with a cover,
58 weyenge Sixtene ounces and haulf, A vallaunce for a Bed of needle worke conteyninge three
59 panes. A paire of fine hollande sheetes, and a bearinge flannynge of stamell clothe, More
60 I give her my best gowne, best petticoate, and greatest panne nexte to my sonne Humfreys
61 panne, Item I give to Grace Stradlinge Sister of the saide Jane fourtie poundes in
62 money, my newe chist of two bushells, being emptie, my lesser spruce chist also
63 emptie, my gowne of London browne, my seconde greatest panne, And two needle worke
64 Cusshions, Item I give all my wearinge lynnen to the saide Jane and Grace equally
65 betwene them to be devided, And the lynnen in the litle blacke chist or Coffer I give
66 to the saide Jane and Grace, as it is there already devided in the saide Chist viz [a vi]t that
67 parte or bundell wherein the Curtynes are, to be for Jane, The other parte or bundell
68 for Grace withe also the chist, Also my will is That if the saide Jane or Grace
69 Stradlinge or either of them shall happen to dye before the tyme in the which they
70 are to Receive their Legacyes accordinge to this my will hereafter specified: That then
71 such Legacies of her that shall so dye shall whollie Remaine unto the Survivor of the
72 saide Jane and Grace, And if they bothe shall happen to dye before the saide tyme:
73 That then is shall whollie Remaine unto Richard and Roberte Stradlinges brothers
74 of the saide Jane and Grace equallie to be devided, or to the survivor of them, To be
75 paide to them when they bothe, or the survivor of them shall accomplishe the age hereafter
76 specified, And whereas Robert Blake my late husbande deceassed did leave att the
77 tyme of his deathe the somme of twelvescore poundes of currante Englishe moneye
78 in the handes of Richard Hodges deceassed and one Leonarde Crosse: To the end that
79 Twentie poundes of the yerelie gaine and increase thereof should be paide unto me
80 Yerelie for my mainetenaunce duringe my life, And did further will and appointe
81 That the said somme of Twelvescore poundes should be paide unto, and for ever
82 remaine and be in the handes and keepinge of the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses
83 of the Borough of Bridgwater, to this end and purpose That the saide Maior Aldermen
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84 and Burgesses and their successors for ever should let forthe or otherwise employ the saide
85 somme of Twelve score poundes and therewith to make a yerelie gaine of Twentie pounds
86 And the same Twentie poundes yerelie after my death to distribute and give in this manner
87 followinge viz [a vi]t, Sixtene poundes thereof to be given and devided yerely amongest the poore
88 people of the Boroughe of Bridgwater aforesaide accordinge to the discretion of the Maior
89 Aldermen and councell of the saide Boroughe And the other fouer poundes residue of the
90 saide Twentie poundes for Reparation and amendmente of the cawsies and highe-
91 wayes neare to the saide Borough of Bridgewater by the like order and discretion as
92 is aforesaide, And especially willed me to have care and to procure the same to be
93 Performed, my will and spetiate desire and Request therefore is, That if the saide twelve
94 score poundes shall nott in my lyfe tyme be paide, in or otherwise be assured to be paide
95 unto the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough aforesaide accordinge to my saide
96 husbandes will and appointements, That then my Executors and Overseers doe withall
97 conveniente speede procure the same to be don[e], And that my sonne Humfrey to whom the somme
98 is nowe assured doe (as he will answere before god when the secreates of all mens hartes
99 shall be knowne) deliver in the saide assurance and cause the somme to be made to the
100 saide Maior Aldermen and Burgesses accordinge to the will and desire of his said Father
101 afore mentioned, as my self would have don[e], if the same had come to my handes or bin asked
102 unto me, as it ought to have bin by the will of his saide Father , And I doe by theis pre-
103 sents ordaine and make the saide Jane and Grace Stradlinge to be Executors of this my
104 last will and Testament, when they bothe or the survivor of them shall accomplishe the
105 age of Twentye and fyve yeres, or otherwise, when they bothe, or either of them shall
106 marrye, with the consent and good likinge of my beloved frendes master Nicholas Streete
107 Gentleman, William Blake my sonne and my cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey or
108 to the survivor or survivors of them: That from thenceforth it shall and maye be
109 lawfull for the saide Jane and Grace, Or to such as shall soe marrye as aforesaide
110 And not otherwise to take the charge and execu[t]ion of Executorshippe of this my saide
111 Testamente for such por[t]ion as shall be founde due or meant to them or either of them
112 by this my saide Testamente, But if either of the saide Jane or Grace shall rashly
113 and wilfully marrye before they shall accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve yeres
114 as aforesaid withoute the consente and good likings of the above named Nicholas
115 Streete William Blake and Richard Blake, or the survivor or survivors of them
116 That then my will is That suche of them the saide Jane or Grace shall enioy no benefit
117 of this my Testamente, either by legacye or Executorship, but shall whollie Reverte
118 unto the other of the Two Sisters above named whiche shall be founde to observe
119 the Condi[t]ions above written at the tyme before specified: But if bothe of them
120 shall wilfullie marrie before the age aforesaide without the consent of the parties
121 above written: That then bothe of them shall be utterlie voide of anie benefit of this
122 my saide will and Testamente, And from thenceforthe my will is that whole benefitt
123 shall come to the above named Richard and Robert Stradlinges brothers of the saide
124 Jane and Grace equallie to be devided, or to the survivor of them, when they bothe
125 or the survivor of them shall likewise accomplishe the age of Twentye and fyve yeares
126 And in the meane tyme I doe make appointe and request the within named
127 Nicholas Streete, William Blake, and Richard Blake to be the Executors of this
128 my saide will and Testamente (viz [ a vi]t) untill the saide Jane and Grace Stradlinges
129 shall bothe of them or the survivor of them accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve
130 yeres as aforesaide, or otherwise shall marrye withoute the consent of suche as is
131 before specified, And if the saide Legacies shall happen to fall to the above named
132 Richard and Robert Stradlinges, either by the deathe of their saide Sisters or by
133 their defaulte, in marryenge withoute consente as aforesaide, Then my will is that the
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134 saide Richard and Robert Stradlinges or the survivor of them shall likewise be the
135 Executors or Executor of this my saide will and Testamente, when they bothe or the
136 survivor of them shall likewise accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve yeres, and nott
137 before, until whiche type I doe reques[t]e and appointe the saide Nicholas Streete
138 William Blake and Richarde Blake to be the executors of this my saide will, uppon
139 Truste and confidence to the use of such to whom it shall apperteine as is aforesaide
140 And from thenceforthe the Executorshippe of the saide Nicholas Streete, William
141 Blake and Richard Blake to cease and be utterlye voyde, And that they shall be from
142 thenceforthe overseers of this my saide Testamente, And I doe by theis presents
143 Revoke and make voyde All my former willes and Testamentes, And ordeine and
144 appointe this to be my last will and Testamente, In witnes whereof I have to
145 theis presents set my Seale and subscribed my signe geven the day and yere
146 aforesaide
Margaret mentions her husband Robert of Bridgewater and quickly we know which family line this is plus her children Anstice (mentioned in her grandfather Humphrey Blake's will so alive in 1558 and more than 42 years of age), Humphrey with his nine children and William who will be an overseer along with others. Only Robert the eldest son of Humphrey is mentioned and he is thought to be about one year old when this will was written in 1599. The sons must have married late or they were much younger than Anstice perhaps. As I transcribe the parish records (if available), I may discover more about this family. But for the moment the will is an interesting read (three pages in length). I found it interesting the insistence that the young girls mentioned in the will were not permitted to marry before 25 with permission.
My initial thoughts when I was first into genealogy back in 2003 was that people married young but I found that some of my ancestors did marry young but many of them were in their early twenties.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 11 Apr 2012
Source: The National Archives (images by me of #624)
Name of testator: Margarett Blake
Place: Bridgewater, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 20 Apr 1599, probated 7 Nov 1600
Read: Electronic file
Condition: smudges, 16th century, bold copy, script
[In margin] T: Margarete
[In margin] Blake
1 In the name of god Amen the Twentithe daye of Aprill in the yere
2 of our Lorde god One Thousande fyve hundred ninety and nyne, And in the
3 One and Fouretithe yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Ladie Elizabeth by the
4 grace of god Queene of Englande Frannce and Irelande defendor of the fayth Etc
5 I Margarett Blake of Bridgewater in the Countie of Somersett, widowe, late wief
6 of Roberte Blake deceassed beinge of perfecte healthe and good memorye (thankes be
7 to god) knowinge the instabillitie of this mortall life, That deathe is sure to every man
8 and nothinge more uncertaine then the tyme thereof do make my last will and testam[en]t
9 in manner and forme followinge, Firste I bequeathe my soule to Almightie God, And my
10 bodie to the grave, beseachinge him of his infinite mercye by the death and merites of my
11 Lorde and Saviour Christ; To receive my spirite into his kingdome when it shall please his
12 devine Maiestie to dissolve the same from this Earthlie bodie, Item I give and bequeathe
13 to the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses of the Boroughe of Bridgwater the somme of tenne
14 pounds, to be levyed gathered and paide in unto them by and out of the interest and increase
15 of suche money as I nowe have, or at the time of my deathe shall have forthe at interests,
16 whiche money my will is shall be let forthe for use, until such tyme as the said tenne
17 poundes and other my Lecacies herein conteyned shall be fullie satisfied and paide, And I doe
18 devise and appoynte that the saide Tenne poundes shall yerelie for ever be lett forthe to
19 use, for the benefitt and beheese of the poore people of the Boroughe of Bridgewater afore-
20 saide, To be employed and bestowed yerelie at Alhollowtide in Six Smockes for Six poore
21 women, or for more, or lesse, as the saide use will stretch unto for the tyme beinge. To
22 be given them yerelie, duringe the lyves of my sonnes William and Humfrye, To such
23 poore people as they or the survivor of them shall appoynte within the Boroughe afore-
24 saide, And after their deathes the same allwayes to be distributed as aforesaide in Smockes
25 for the poore of the same Boroughe at the tyme aforesaide by the discretion and appoyntm[en]t
26 of the Maior and councell of the saide Boroughe for the tyme beinge, Item I give to the
27 Almes house of Bridgwater standinge withoute the westgate a Coverlett of downye
28 and A paire of newe canvas sheetes To this and That when anie of them be sicke and shall
29 neede the same to use the saide coverlett and sheetes, And when anie of them doe dye to
30 use the Coverlett to laye over the corps in carryenge to their buryall, More I give
31 the saide Almes house at the houre of my deathe foure shillinges in money, More I give
32 to the poore of Bridgewater (exceptinge the Almes houses) as to be distributed at my
33 buryall by the discretion of my Executors in trust, Twentie shillinges in money, Item,
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34 I give to the Almes house of Storguisey fyve shillinges, And fyve shillinges more to oth[e]r
35 of the poore of that parishe by the discretion of the churchwardens there for the time
36 beinge, and my cosen Bartholmewe More of weeke, if he then shall be lyvinge, Item I
37 give to the poore of Spaxton Tenne shillinges to be distributed by the discretion of the
38 churchwardens there, and the Tenemente of Tuxwell for the tyme beinge, Item I give to
39 my sonne William Blake a coverlett of Tapistrye, and one silver spoone, Item I give to
40 my sonne Humfreys childe Robert Blake A Spur Royall of gould, Item I give to my
41 daughter Anstis Buckinge my best cloake, my best hatt and my blewe mantell, Item
42 I give to Emanuell Buckinge Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to Anne white Tenne
43 shillinges in goulde Item I give to Richard and Roberte Stradlinges sonnes of Richard
44 Stradlinge, To eache of them Tenne shillinges, to be bestowed for them in some needfull
45 garmentes or bookes as my Executors in trust shall thinke good, Item I give to my Sister
46 Elizabethe Symons Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to my Sister Dorothie Sinder-
47 combe Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to my cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey
48 one silver spoone and Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to master Nicholas Strete
49 the elder one silver spoone, And a spur Royall of gould, Item I give to mistresse Marye
50 Streete his wife my martin Skynnes and velvet waste, Item I give to master John
51 Michell one silver spoone, Item I give to mistres Dorothie Michell his wife my gould
52 Ringe withe deathes head, Item I give to Marye Stradlinge the wife of Richarde
53 Stradlinge my furred gowne, Item I give to Sara Popham my god daughter my gould
54 Ringe withe Turkeys stone, Item I give to a preacher for a Sermon at my Buryall
55 Tenne shillinges, Item I give to Jane Stradlinge daughter of Richard Stradlinge,
56 Fouretie poundes in money, my Sea Chist withoute feete beinge empty, And a litle
57 spruce chist with theis thinges in it viz [a vi]t a silver sault double guilt with a cover,
58 weyenge Sixtene ounces and haulf, A vallaunce for a Bed of needle worke conteyninge three
59 panes. A paire of fine hollande sheetes, and a bearinge flannynge of stamell clothe, More
60 I give her my best gowne, best petticoate, and greatest panne nexte to my sonne Humfreys
61 panne, Item I give to Grace Stradlinge Sister of the saide Jane fourtie poundes in
62 money, my newe chist of two bushells, being emptie, my lesser spruce chist also
63 emptie, my gowne of London browne, my seconde greatest panne, And two needle worke
64 Cusshions, Item I give all my wearinge lynnen to the saide Jane and Grace equally
65 betwene them to be devided, And the lynnen in the litle blacke chist or Coffer I give
66 to the saide Jane and Grace, as it is there already devided in the saide Chist viz [a vi]t that
67 parte or bundell wherein the Curtynes are, to be for Jane, The other parte or bundell
68 for Grace withe also the chist, Also my will is That if the saide Jane or Grace
69 Stradlinge or either of them shall happen to dye before the tyme in the which they
70 are to Receive their Legacyes accordinge to this my will hereafter specified: That then
71 such Legacies of her that shall so dye shall whollie Remaine unto the Survivor of the
72 saide Jane and Grace, And if they bothe shall happen to dye before the saide tyme:
73 That then is shall whollie Remaine unto Richard and Roberte Stradlinges brothers
74 of the saide Jane and Grace equallie to be devided, or to the survivor of them, To be
75 paide to them when they bothe, or the survivor of them shall accomplishe the age hereafter
76 specified, And whereas Robert Blake my late husbande deceassed did leave att the
77 tyme of his deathe the somme of twelvescore poundes of currante Englishe moneye
78 in the handes of Richard Hodges deceassed and one Leonarde Crosse: To the end that
79 Twentie poundes of the yerelie gaine and increase thereof should be paide unto me
80 Yerelie for my mainetenaunce duringe my life, And did further will and appointe
81 That the said somme of Twelvescore poundes should be paide unto, and for ever
82 remaine and be in the handes and keepinge of the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses
83 of the Borough of Bridgwater, to this end and purpose That the saide Maior Aldermen
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84 and Burgesses and their successors for ever should let forthe or otherwise employ the saide
85 somme of Twelve score poundes and therewith to make a yerelie gaine of Twentie pounds
86 And the same Twentie poundes yerelie after my death to distribute and give in this manner
87 followinge viz [a vi]t, Sixtene poundes thereof to be given and devided yerely amongest the poore
88 people of the Boroughe of Bridgwater aforesaide accordinge to the discretion of the Maior
89 Aldermen and councell of the saide Boroughe And the other fouer poundes residue of the
90 saide Twentie poundes for Reparation and amendmente of the cawsies and highe-
91 wayes neare to the saide Borough of Bridgewater by the like order and discretion as
92 is aforesaide, And especially willed me to have care and to procure the same to be
93 Performed, my will and spetiate desire and Request therefore is, That if the saide twelve
94 score poundes shall nott in my lyfe tyme be paide, in or otherwise be assured to be paide
95 unto the Maior Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough aforesaide accordinge to my saide
96 husbandes will and appointements, That then my Executors and Overseers doe withall
97 conveniente speede procure the same to be don[e], And that my sonne Humfrey to whom the somme
98 is nowe assured doe (as he will answere before god when the secreates of all mens hartes
99 shall be knowne) deliver in the saide assurance and cause the somme to be made to the
100 saide Maior Aldermen and Burgesses accordinge to the will and desire of his said Father
101 afore mentioned, as my self would have don[e], if the same had come to my handes or bin asked
102 unto me, as it ought to have bin by the will of his saide Father , And I doe by theis pre-
103 sents ordaine and make the saide Jane and Grace Stradlinge to be Executors of this my
104 last will and Testament, when they bothe or the survivor of them shall accomplishe the
105 age of Twentye and fyve yeres, or otherwise, when they bothe, or either of them shall
106 marrye, with the consent and good likinge of my beloved frendes master Nicholas Streete
107 Gentleman, William Blake my sonne and my cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey or
108 to the survivor or survivors of them: That from thenceforth it shall and maye be
109 lawfull for the saide Jane and Grace, Or to such as shall soe marrye as aforesaide
110 And not otherwise to take the charge and execu[t]ion of Executorshippe of this my saide
111 Testamente for such por[t]ion as shall be founde due or meant to them or either of them
112 by this my saide Testamente, But if either of the saide Jane or Grace shall rashly
113 and wilfully marrye before they shall accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve yeres
114 as aforesaid withoute the consente and good likings of the above named Nicholas
115 Streete William Blake and Richard Blake, or the survivor or survivors of them
116 That then my will is That suche of them the saide Jane or Grace shall enioy no benefit
117 of this my Testamente, either by legacye or Executorship, but shall whollie Reverte
118 unto the other of the Two Sisters above named whiche shall be founde to observe
119 the Condi[t]ions above written at the tyme before specified: But if bothe of them
120 shall wilfullie marrie before the age aforesaide without the consent of the parties
121 above written: That then bothe of them shall be utterlie voide of anie benefit of this
122 my saide will and Testamente, And from thenceforthe my will is that whole benefitt
123 shall come to the above named Richard and Robert Stradlinges brothers of the saide
124 Jane and Grace equallie to be devided, or to the survivor of them, when they bothe
125 or the survivor of them shall likewise accomplishe the age of Twentye and fyve yeares
126 And in the meane tyme I doe make appointe and request the within named
127 Nicholas Streete, William Blake, and Richard Blake to be the Executors of this
128 my saide will and Testamente (viz [ a vi]t) untill the saide Jane and Grace Stradlinges
129 shall bothe of them or the survivor of them accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve
130 yeres as aforesaide, or otherwise shall marrye withoute the consent of suche as is
131 before specified, And if the saide Legacies shall happen to fall to the above named
132 Richard and Robert Stradlinges, either by the deathe of their saide Sisters or by
133 their defaulte, in marryenge withoute consente as aforesaide, Then my will is that the
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134 saide Richard and Robert Stradlinges or the survivor of them shall likewise be the
135 Executors or Executor of this my saide will and Testamente, when they bothe or the
136 survivor of them shall likewise accomplishe the age of Twentie and fyve yeres, and nott
137 before, until whiche type I doe reques[t]e and appointe the saide Nicholas Streete
138 William Blake and Richarde Blake to be the executors of this my saide will, uppon
139 Truste and confidence to the use of such to whom it shall apperteine as is aforesaide
140 And from thenceforthe the Executorshippe of the saide Nicholas Streete, William
141 Blake and Richard Blake to cease and be utterlye voyde, And that they shall be from
142 thenceforthe overseers of this my saide Testamente, And I doe by theis presents
143 Revoke and make voyde All my former willes and Testamentes, And ordeine and
144 appointe this to be my last will and Testamente, In witnes whereof I have to
145 theis presents set my Seale and subscribed my signe geven the day and yere
146 aforesaide
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