Will of Robert Blake, Mariner, Barnstaple, Devon - The National Archives PROB 11/1566/154, probated 10 Mar 1815

Robert Blake, testator, was a Mariner living in Barnstape, Devon. He is perhaps the Robert Blake baptized 27 Jul 1744 at Barnstaple son of John and Susanna Blake. Although his will was duly probated and listed in the Index to Death Duty Registers, I did not find his burial.

Likely his daughter Ann Blake was baptized 6 Nov 1765 at Barnstaple daughter of Robert and Ann.
A Susanna Blake was baptized 24 Jan 1773 at Barnstaple daughter of Robert and Ann. Susanna was buried 2 Oct 1775 at Barnstaple.
Possibly his daughter Jenny (Jane) Blake was baptized 28 Jul 1776 at Barnstaple daughter of Robert and Ann.
A Susanna Blake was baptized 15 Apr 1781 at Barnstaple daughter of Robert and Ann.

A Robert Blake married Ann Dimon 23 Oct 1764 at Barnstaple. The records on Find My Past do not mention if he was a Mariner. 

Ann Blake married Charles Jordan 6 Aug 1786 at Barnstaple.
Jane Blake married Walter Gribble 11 Oct 1797 at Barnstaple.
Susanna Blake married John Pearse 13 Jan 1804 at Barnstaple.

I do not normally trace down the children of Blake unless their father was a Blake. That includes me as it turns out since my husband’s surname is Kipp.

Two sons were born to a Robert and Ann (Dimon likely in the case of John) Blake and baptized at Barnstaple:

John Dymon Blake was baptized 8 Nov 1767
George Blake was baptized 17 Dec 1768

I did not locate any burials for John Dymon Blake or George Blake.

I did not find a reasonable marriage for the possible parents of Robert Blake, John and Susanna Blake.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 4 Jan 2020
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1566/154
Testator: Robert Blake, Mariner
Place: Barnstaple, Devon
Type of Record:    Memorandum
Date of document: 27 Apr 1804, probated 10 Mar 1815

[Margin]: Robert Blake 39

1    I Robert Blake of Barnstaple in the County of
2    Devon Mariner do make my last Will and Testament in manner
3    following that is First I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jane
4    wife of Walter Gribble of Barnstaple aforesaid Mariner the Sum of
5    twenty pounds of lawful British Money Current in England to be
6    paid her by my Executrix hereinafter mentioned within one Month
7    next after my decease Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter
8    Susanna Wife of John Pearse of Barnstaple aforesaid Mariner
9    the one fourth part of the Brigantine Jupiter together with the
10    one fourth part of her Stores Rigging and Stock and all my right
11    Title Property and Interest I have in the said Brigantine Jupiter
12    to be delivered to my said daughter Susanna Pearse by my Executrix
13    hereinafter mentioned immediately after my decease Item I give
14    and bequeath unto my two daughters Jane Gribble and Susanna
15    Pearse and unto my two sons in law Walter Gribble and John
16    Pearse a Suit of Mourning each to be provided by my Executrix
17    herein after mentioned immediately after my decease Item I give
18    and bequeath unto my Grandson Robert Gribble my Watch and
19    Silver Buckles to be delivered to him by my Executrix when
20    he attains his age of twenty one years or before as to her shall
21    seem meet Also I further order and direct that my Executrix do
22    maintain educate and bring up my said Grandson Robert Gribble
23    until he shall attain his age of fourteen Years and then I give and
24    bequeath my said Grandson Twenty pounds of lawful British
25    money to bind him out as an Apprentice and for finding him
26    apparel during his Apprenticeship which Sum to be paid by my
27    Executrix and she to bind him to such Master or Mistress as she
28    shall approve of Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Anne
29    Jordan All that Messuage Tenement or dwelling house situate in
30    Well Street wherein I now reside and which I hold for the
31    remainder of a Term of Sixty Years by and under the Feoffees of
32    the Long Bridge of Barnstaple aforesaid to hold the same with
33    all and singular its appurts unto my said daughter Anne Jordan
34    for and during her natural life or until her second Marriage
35    and from and immediately after her decease or second Marriage
36    which shall first happen Then I give and bequeath the said
37    Messuage Tenement or dwelling house with its Appurts unto my
38    daughter Susanna Pearse during the then rest residue and the
39    remainder of the said Term of Years that may then be to come
40    and unexpired I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Anne
41    Jordan the moderate use of all my household Goods plate Bed
42    and Table linens and Furniture of every description whatsoever
43    during her natural life or until her second Marriage and from
44    and immediately after her decease or second Marriage which shall
45    first happen I give and bequeath all my said household Goods
46    and Furniture Plate Bed and Table Linen as aforesaid unto my
47    two daughters Jane Gribble and Susanna Pearse equally between
48    them share and share alike Item I give and bequeath unto John
49    Dennis of Barnstaple aforesaid Ironmonger and John Baker of
50    the same place Tanner and to the Survivor of them and to the
51    Executors Admors and Assigns of such Survivor All such Sum
52    and Sums of Money as I now or may hereafter have laid out placed
53    or vested in the Stocks Funds or upon Government Security or
54    Securitys and all and every or any which Stock Funds or Government
55    Security or Securities shall and may be from time to time or at any
56    time by and with the Consent and Approbation of my daughter
57    Anne Jordan alter or transferred assigned and disposed of and the
58    monies thereby arriving again invested and placed out upon new
59    or other Security or Securities Stocks Funds or Government Security
60    or Securities as to them the said John Dennis and John Baker or
61    the Survivor of them or the Exors Admors and Assigns of such Survivor
62    shall seem meet (by and with the Consent and Approbation of
63    my daughter Anne Jordan during her natural life or until her second
64    marriage that is that they the said John Dennis and John Baker
65    and the Survivor of them and the Exors Admors and Assigns of such
66    survivor do and shall from and immediately after my decease during
67    the natural Life of my daughter Anne Jordan or until her second
68    marriage which shall fir happen pay all the dividends Interest
69    and annual produce of all such Sum or Sums of Money as shall
70    or may be invested or placed in the Stocks Funds or on Government
71    Security or Securities (as the same shall become due) into the hands
72    of my said daughter Anne Jordan or into the hands of such person
73    or persons as she shall by any Note in Writing to be by her signed
74    with her own hand from time to time direct and appoint and from
75    and immediately after the decease or second Marriage of my daughter
76    Anne Jordan which shall first happen Then and as for and concerning
77    all such Sum or Sums of Money as placed or invested in the Stocks
78    Funds or on Government Security or Securities as aforesaid shall or
79    may be invested or placed And also all such dividends or annual
80    produce as shall happen to be then due and owing In Trust for
81    One Moiety or half of all such dividends and annual produce of
82    all such Sum and Sums of Money be invested or placed as aforesaid
83    for my daughter Jane wife of Walter Gribble during her natural life
84    and from and immediately after her decease In Trust that they the
85    said John Dennis and John Baker and the Survivor of them and the
86    Exors Admors and Assigns of such Survivor shall and do from and
87    immediately after the decease of my daughter Jane Gribble pay assign
88    transfer and make over the Moiety or one half of all such capital
89    Stock Funds or Government Security or Securities wherein or upon
90    which the same shall or may be invested or placed together with all
91    such dividends or annual produce as may then happen to be due
92    after the decease of my daughter Jane Gribble to all and every of her
93    Children then living equally between them share and share alike but
94    if one Child only shall be then living then to such only Child and to
95    his or her Exors Admors or Assigns but if one or more of my daughter
96    Jane Gribble’s Children shall die before my daughter Jane Gribble
97    leaving Issue lawfully begotten then the Issue of such her Child or
98    Children so dying to be entitled to the Share or Share of his her or
99    their parent or parents so dying as aforesaid and from and immediately
100    after the decease or second Marriage of my daughter Anne Jordan
101    which shall first happen Then as for and concerning the other Moiety
102    or one half of the dividends or annual produce of such Sum and
103    Sums so invested or placed in the Funds Stocks or upon Government
104    Security or Securities as aforesaid In Trust that they the said John
105    Dennis and John Baker and the Survivor them and the Exors
106    Admors and Assigns of such Survivor do and shall from thenceforth
107    during the natural Life of my daughter Susanna Pearse pay the other
108    Moiety or one half of all such dividends or annual produce thereof
109    (as the same shall become due) into the hands of my daughter
110    Susanna Pearse during her natural life and from and immediately
111    after her decease In Trust that they the said John Dennis and John
112    Baker and the Survivor of them and the Exors Admors and Assigns
113    of such Survivor shall from and immediately after the decease of my
114    said daughter Susanna Pearse pay assign transfer and make over the
115    other Moiety or one half of all such Capital Stocks Funds or Government
116    Security and Securities wherein or upon which the same shall or may
117    be invested or placed together with all such dividends or annual
118    produce as may then happen to be due after the death of my said
119    daughter Susanna Pearse to all and every of her Children then living
120    equally between them share and share alike but if one Child only
121    shall be then living then to such only Child and to his or her Exors
122    Admors or Assigns But if one of more of my daughter Susanna
123    Pearse’s children shall die before his her or their Mother leaving Issue
124    lawfully begotten then the Issue of her Child or Children so dying to be entitled to the share or shares of his her or their parent or parents so dying as
125    aforesaid But if either of my Children Jane Gribble or Susanna Pearse
126    shall die without Issue lawfully begotten Then In Trust that they the said
127    John Dennis and John Baker and the Survivor of them and the Exors
128    Admors and Assigns of such Survivor shall from and immediately after
129    the decease of either of them so dying without Issue pay assign
130    transfer and make over such the Moiety of her as dying without Issue
131    of all such Capital Stock Funds or Government Security or Securities as
132    aforesaid together with all such dividends or annual produce as may
133    then happen to be due to all and every of the Children of the Survivor
134    of them then living equally between them share and share alike if
135    but one Child then living then to such only Child and to his or her
136    Exors Admors and Assigns Item all the rest residue and remainder
137    of my Good Chattels personal and testamentary Estate and Effects
138    whatsoever and wheresoever and of what kind or Sort soever after the
139    payment of my just debts Legacies and Funeral Expences) I give and
140    bequeath the same and every part and parcel thereof unto my daughter
141    Anne Jordan and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my
142    said daughter Anne Jordan whole and sole Executrix of this my last
143    Will and Testament But in case my said daughter Anne Jordan shall
144    marry or intermarry again after my decease then from and immediately
145    on such second Marriage taking place or effect I then nominate constitute and
146    appoint my two daughters Jane Gribble and Susanna Pearse joint and
147    Sole Executrixes of this my last Will and Testament immediately on
148    such second marriage and I hereby revoke and make void all former
149    and other Will and Wills by me at any time or times heretofore made
150    and Lastly I hereby declare that they the said John Dennis and John
151    Baker or either of them or their or either of their Exors Admors or
152    assigns shall not be charged with or accountable for any more Monies
153    Estate or Effects than he or they shall respectively receive by Virtue of
154    this my Will nor the one of them for the other nor for the acts deeds
155    receipts defaults or disbursement for one for the other but each of
156    them for his own Acts deeds receipts defaults or disbursements
157    and that it shall be lawful to and for each of them my Trustees
158    and the Survivor of them and the Exors Admors and Assigns of such
159    survivor in the first place by and out of the Trust Estate to deduct
160    and reimburse him and themselves all such loss Costs Charges and
161    Expences as they or either of them shall sustain expend or be
162    put at for or by reason of the Trust hereby in them reposed or
163    in the management thereof In Witness whereof I the said Robert
164    Blake the Testator to this my last Will and Testament contained
165    in this and the three preceding Sheets of paper have set my hand
166    and my hand and Seal to this last Sheet the twenty seventh day
167    of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
168    and four Robert Blake Signed sealed published and
169    declared by the said Robert Blake the Testator as and for his
170    Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto
171    subscribed our Names as Witness in his presence and at his request
172    and in the presence of each other Samuel Lee W Westelley
173    Whereas I Robert Blake of Barnstaple in the County of
174    Devon Mariner ave made my last Will and Testament in writing
175    bearing date the twenty seventh day of April in the year of our Lord one
176    thousand eight hundred and four Now by this Codicil to my said
177    Last Will and Testament I do give and devise all that my Messuage
178    or dwellinghouse with the outhouses Curtilage and Garden and other
179    appurts thereunto belonging situate lying and being in Barnstaple
181    aforesaid in a certain Street there called Silver Street and now in the
182    several occupations of William Watts and John Pearse (and which
183    I lately purchased of Mr John Hodge) unto my daughter Ann
184    Jordan *in my said will named and unto her heirs and assigns for
185    ever and I hereby ratify and confirm my said Will and all the Gifts
186    Devises Bequests Matter and Things therein contained (whereby
187    altered) And I do hereby decare this Writing to be a Codicil to my
188    said Will and direct it to be accepted and taken as part thereof as
189    fully as if the same had been actually inserted therein and also
190    direct it to be annexed thereto In Witness whereof I the said
191    Robert Blake have to this Codicil to my said last Will and Testament
192    set my hand and Seal this fifth day of March in the Year of
193    our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven Robert Blake
194    Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Robert
195    Blake as and for a Codicil to his last Will and Testament in the
196    presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our Names as
197    Witnesses thereto in his presence at his request in the presence of each other Robert Westacott
198    Robert Yeo John Foller
199    Whereas I Robert Blake of Barnstaple in the County
200    of Devon Mariner have made and duly executed my last Will
201    and Testament in writing bearing the twenty seventh day of April
202    in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four and
203    have also made and duly executed a Codicil annexed thereunto bearing
204    date the fifth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand
205    eight hundred and seven and whereas by my said Will I have
206    given and bequeathed unto my daughter Jane the then Wife but
207    now Widow of Walter Gribble of Barnstaple aforesaid Mariner
208    the Sum of twenty pounds to be paid her by my Executrix thereinafter
209    mentioned within one Month next after my deceae Now I do hereby
210    revoke and make void the said Legacy of twenty pounds so made and
211    bequeathed by my said Will unto my said daughter Jane Gribble
212    in as far as concerns the time and manner of payment of the same
213    and instead thereof I do will and direct that the said Sum of
214    twenty pounds shall be paid to my said daughter Jane Gribble
215    by my said Executrix in my said Will mentioned in weekly Sums
216    after the rate of two shillings a week until the whole Sum of twenty
217    pounds be fully paid the first weekly payment of two shillings to commence
218    and be made within one week next after my decease And I do ordain
219    and declare this present Writing to be a second Codicil to my said Will
220    and that the same shall be annexed thereto and taken part thereof
221    and do confirm my said Will and former Codicil in every particular
222    thereof that is not hereby altered In Witness whereof I have to this
223    Codicil set my hand and Seal the seventh day of October in the
224    year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourteen Robert
225    Blake Signed sealed published and declared by the said Robert
226    Blake as and for a Codicil to be annexed to his last Will and Testament
227    in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our Names as
228    witnesses thereto in his presence at his request and in the presence of
229    each other William Gribble William Henry Thorne
230    Proved at London with two Codicils 10th March 1815 before the
231    Judge by the Oath of Anne Jordan Widow the daughter and sole
232    Executrix to whom Admon was granted having been first sworn by
233    Comm[issi]on duly to administer

Reworking Blake yDNA website

Back to reworking the Blake yDNA website. I would like to complete this project before the next Blake Newsletter due 1st of October.

Looking at R-M269 grouping and that includes a number of the sub-groups on the present website. Unfortunately only a few have taken their results beyond this initial subclade of R1b. Thinking through this difficult, some of the sub-groups were set up by an earlier research who placed individuals into particular groups based on email correspondence with them. I do not like to particularly do away with these initial groups unless I can replace them with something more meaningful in terms of SNPs designations to deeper subclades.

Likely I will retain some of this nomenclature but where I have deeper subclades to work with I will group individuals into these deeper subclades. In the next newsletter I will ask that people in those deeper subclades write to me with details on their Blake family line to see if I am able to improve on the divisions by relevant family information.

The goal in all of this is to provide information on the yDNA portion of the Blake study carrying the Blake surname.

Looking at the original Group labeled D English Ancestry (3) - includes Blakes who descend from William Blake and Agnes Band (nee Thorne). There are four members in this group and none of them have done any deep clade testing. This original grouping was done by an earlier Blake researcher. The reference to William Blake and Agnes Band (nee Thorne) will be discussed after looking at the yDNA allele result for these four individuals. On the first 12 markers, these four individuals are a perfect match. On the next nine markers three members continue to be a perfect match. DYS464abcd(ef) is a set of fast moving (i.e. prone to mutation) markers and at this point the three members of the group have for one individual just one difference yielding 2 members as 25/25 and one member as 24/25. Moving on to 37 markers we have 2 members are matching 37/37 and one member has one difference (the same member as had the earlier difference) yielding 35/37. Generally having the same surname and matching this closely indicates a shared ancestor but the number of generations back can not be determined exactly. Two members of the group have tested to 67 markers and just one mismatch and again the earlier member with the mismatches has this third mismatch yielding 64/67 as the shared matches between these two members. Still well within an acceptable degree of difference to be sharing common ancestry but again no ideas on far back this shared ancestor lived. having determined that this group has shared ancestry, I will move on to look at the history attached to this family line. None of the members of this group have completed Family Finder. One member of the group has stated his furtherest back Blake ancestor was Humphrey Blake who died 1515 at Plainfield, Somerset. 

The William Blake referred to above was married to Agnis Band (widow and formerly Thorne). This William Blake first was allotted land in Dorchester, Massachusetts on the 14th of May 1636. A visit to the New England Historic Genealogical Society library in Boston in 2005 yielded a number of Blake genealogies for me to examine (and photograph) at that time. Francis E Blake in 1898 compiled a history: Increase Blake of Boston, His Ancestors and Descendants, with a Full Account of William Blake of Dorchester and his Five Children. In his book he corrected the work of H. G. Somerby which is now regarded as quite fraudulent.

On Page 13 of his book he has a copy of the Agreement to the articles of association at Agawam now Springfield. He states that the signature of this William Blake bears good resemblance to his known signature at later times.

The family of William and Agnis (Band, Thorne) Blake as known in the Colony included: John, Anne, William, James and Edward. There are a number of Blake genealogies that provide information on the descendants of these five children. If an individual matches these four individuals perfectly at 12 markers, 0 to 2 markers off at 37 markers, 0 to 4 markers off at 67 markers (and the more markers the better that is for sure)  and has a paper trail back to William and Agnis Blake, I would appreciate hearing from you. Actually identifying the immigrant William Blake with a set of markers would be a real step forward. The more complicated (although I must admit doing American genealogy is a real challenge having watched my husband pursue his ancestors for nearly 50 years and we have spent many many hours in the many record offices/research facilities in the New England States and New York) aspect of this research is taking this line back to England. I think quite rightly this is an English family; they are in an English Colony and accepted as English so having made that one premise I will move back in my thinking to Somerset which is said by these descendants of this couple to be the original homeland of this couple. 

I have a number of Blake genealogies but Francis Blake has done an interesting work on this family (his own actually). He writes about Increase Blake  who was the son of Increase Blake, grandson of James Blake, great grandson of James Blake and great great grandson of William (the immigrant) Blake. 

As noted above one of the testers in this D - English Ancestry (3) group has given his furtherest back ancestor as Humphrey Blake. Francis Blake in his book was in correspondence with a descendant of one of the brothers of William the immigrant Blake, namely Edward J Blake  and he lived at Crewkerne, Somerset as identified by Francis Blake.  Edward Jarman Blake was born Sep quarter 1853 in Taunton RD (Free BMD, accessed 26 Sep 2018). Included in Taunton is Bishops Hull where Edward Jarman Blake is found on the 1861 census (Find My Past) with his parents William Blake, Fanny F O Blake (actual Fanny Follett Osler (Browne) Blake) and his five siblings. His father was a Justice of Chelsea and a landed proprietor born in 1816 at Crewkerne, Somerset. On the 1901 census, Edward Jarman Blake is located at Crewkerne on the census. He is a solicitor and his children were born at Crewkerne commencing in 1894. This fits in very well with the publication date of the book in 1898. 

William, father of Edward Jarman Blake, was born 19 Nov 1815 and baptized 4 Nov 1816 at Crewkerne in the Presbyterian Church. His father William was a minister in that Church and his mother was named Elizabeth.  William Blake and Elizabeth Jarman married in Bath 21 Oct 1812. There is a Pedigree Chart held by the Blake Museum at Bridgwater which does trace this line back (chart 5):

Where we can see that William Blake of Crewkerne who married Elizabeth Jarman was baptized 31 Mar 1773. Using another portion of the chart his parents are named as (Reverend) William Blake and Hannah (Downing) Blake and they married 1 Sep 1768 at Bishops Hull, Somerset. 

William Blake (married to Hannah Downing) was baptized 29 Apr 1730 son of William Blake and Jane A'Court who married 21 Oct 1712 at Yeovil, Somerset. William was their youngest child according to the Charts published by the Blake Museum and this does fit with the records.

The two last charts do fit together. Rev Malachi Blake in the lower right corner of the last chart can be seen in the second last chart top line and 2nd individual to the right from the left hand edge.

William Blake lived at Taunton at least towards the end of his life as he was buried there 31 Jan 1772. He was the son of the Reverend Malachi Blake and Mary (Mico) Blake.

In the middle of the above image William Blake of Taunton married Jane A'Court and the parents of William in the line above and to the left the Rev Malachi Blake married to Mary Mico. Find my Past has the baptism of Malachi Blake 24 Jun 1651 at Pitminster, Somerset son of John Blake although it is only a transcription of a record. The Rev Malachi Blake is said to be living at Wellington which is within the Taunton Registration district (as is Pitminster).

The Chart at the Blake Museum lists the parents of Malachi Blake as John Blake and Mary Wilkins who married 20 Jun 1648 at Pitminster. The website of Roy Parkhouse with his transcriptions of the Pitminster Parish Registers (http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/SOM/Pitminster/PitBap_Be) lists the following children baptized by John Blake as Malachi baptized 24 Jun 1651, Elizabeth baptized 12 Mar 1652, William baptized 13 Feb 1654, Samuell baptized 16 Dec 1656, and John baptized 16 May 1659 (also an unknown daughter baptized 3 Dec 1661). These records do fit in with the chart above.

Comparing this new chart with the one above William Blake of Taunton married to Jane A'Court is in the middle of the chart on the left. The line above has William Blake of Pitminster which can be seen on the chart above and is just above William Blake and Jane A'Court. Looking to the right the grandfather of William Blake married to Jane A'Court is listed as John Blake of Pitminster and his wife Mary Wilkins.

The father of this John Blake is named as John Blake of Pitminster married to Elizabeth. His probate was administered 1 May 1647 but no record could be located for this particular administration. John was baptized 19 Jun 1597 but these records are not available to the author. This particular individual is important to the story as the chart shows that it was his brother William Blake of Pitminster baptized 10 Jul 1594 was the William Blake who went to Dorchester in the Massachusetts Bay Colony with his wife Agnes (Bond, Thorne) Blake and their children.

The parents of John and William are named as William Blake of Pitminster and Anne (unknown). This William is listed as buried in 1642.

The individual who created this large chart held by the Blake Museum is unknown. It is in the same handwriting so was created after the last entry in the 1920s.

Horatio Gates Somerby did create a set of information which has now been declared fraudulent where he referred to the progenitor of the Blake family of Wiltshire as a Robert Blake (having dropped the de from his name i.e. Robert de Blake). He named his son as Robert and then Henry son of that Robert married to Elizabeth daughter of Edward Durant. One can thus assume that the author did not actually use his work.

Looking at the timeline we have Robert Blake married to Avice (Malwyn, Wallop?) and that she died 29 Oct: 13 Edward IV (regnal year translates to 1473), with an Inquisition Post Mortem 29 Oct: 14 Edward IV. The regnal year 29 Oct 14 translates to 1474.  The National Archives UK has this particular document dated as between 4 March 1474 and the 3rd of March 1475 (C 140/48/6) listed under Blake, Amice Wilts and I did send in a correction to Blake, Avice [Wilts]. Working backwards and a transcription of this document states that her son John was 40 years of age making Avice around 60 in 1473 giving her a year of birth approximately 1413. Her husband Robert would have been born around this time and he is stated to be the son of Henry Blake and even if we attribute just 20 years to each generation this would take us back to 1393. Henry's father is said to be William and twenty years back would mean a year of birth of 1373. This William a son of Henry and twenty more years back to 1353. This Henry the son of Richard Blaque and hence born circa 1333. This Richard the son of Robert and hence born in 1313 at the earliest. The record of Robert being a juror in 1336 is hence possible.

There isn't any information on the creator of this particular document. No information on the source of all the material or whether an earlier document was copied. As can be seen in the trace back above many of the records are backed up by other researchers' transcriptions through the years. On the early part of the chart shown above I have absolutely no ideas on whether it is fully correct. I have not yet found the record from 1336 for Robert Blake. The National Archives UK holds a number of juror lists. But I did find one interesting records of a Grant (at Echelhampton) by Robert le Blake to John Malewayn of all his lands and tenements in Echelhamptone which he by feoffment of his brother Adam Blake and which were lately Robert de Echelhamptone's. This record is held by the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre and was dated 1358 with reference 1720/154. At the archives search for the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre I located a few documents for Robert le Blake:

Reference 1720/120, Grant (at Calne): By John de Fynemore to William Rolf of Blakelonde and Agnes his wife for their lives, or a piece of arable land in the field of Blakelonde (Blackland). Witnessed: John le Chamberleyn, Thomas de Takelberwe, Robert le Blake, William Asser, LAdam le Schetere, William de Taseworthe. Date: 1334

Reference 1720/137, Grant (at Stockeleghe): By Adam le Chamberleyn of Stokkelegh to John le Glasyere and Isabella his wife, of all his lands and tenements in the hundred of Calne, for the life of the grantor, with reversion of lands in Stokkelegh. Witnessed: Geoffrey of Castreton, Robert Cauntelou, John Blount, Robert le Blake, Thomas of Roude, Adam le Sheoter, William of Taseworth. Date: 1347

Reference 1720/139, Re-Conveyance (at Stokkeleye): By John Glasiere and Isabella his wife to Adam le Chamberleyn of the property at Stockley conveyed to them in 1720/137 and 1720/138, excepting 1/2 acre in the field called Nywelond. Witnessed: Geoffrey of Castreton, Robert of Cantelupe, John Blound, Robert Blake, Thomas of Roude, Adam Schetere, William of Taseworth. Date: 1347

Reference 1720/148, Grant (at Chippenham): By Richard le Scrivayn of Chippe(n)ham of licence to his tenant Juliana atte Slow, to exchange two acres of arable land at  Kemerford (Quemerford in Calne) with Robert le Blake. Witnessed: Roger le Tay...(?), John le Gode, John Waleys, John Bacon, William Cripce. Date: 1351

Reference 1720/152,  Bond (at Hungerford)(: From Thomas Hungerford and Robert le Blake for payment of £50 to John Malewayn of Echelmaptone. Date: 1358

Reference 1720/154, Grant (at Echelmapton): By Robert le Blake to John Malewayn  etc. as mentioned above.

Reference 1720/164, Grant (at Bromham): By John de la Roche, knight, to John atte Halle of Whetham, of all his "standing" which he had from Ralph Scut of Sende (Seend) in the lands and tenements which were formerly John Fynamour's in socage, and which came to Ralph as next of kin to William, son and heir of the said John Fynamour, in wardship of the minority of the said William. Witnessed: Robert le Blake, Robert de Cauntulo, John de Stodlegh, Robert Asser, William Howes. Date: 1363

Reference 1720/213, Lease (at Whetham): By William Fynamour of Whetham and Agnes his wife to John Waryn of Hedington, for six years, of two crofts as le Brodes. Witnessed: John Blake, Robert Salman, John Houwes, John Taseward, William Averay. Date: 1395

An interesting set of documents in that a Robert Blake would marry Avice Malewyn (widow) in the early 1400s. One is left to wonder who the John Blake is in the 1395 document. Robert appears to be alive at least until 1363 if it is the same Robert throughout the 1300s.

In 1351 Robert le Blake acquires land at Quemberford which is an interesting find.

Searching on Robert Blake instead of Robert le Blake yields 84 results of which 7 are in the 1300s and 1400s and not yet added.

Reference 1300/33, Quitclaim: Sir William Esturmy, to Robert Erleghe his kinsman, of all rights in lands, called Ringlonde, Welyngtones and Saff[es][? Gyffardes] in Burbage. Witnessed: Welter Beauchamp and Robert Shotesbroke, kts., William Darell, Robert Blake, Robert Selman, Richard Stopwelle, William Coventre. Very fine armorial seal. Date: 1404

Reference 1720/115, Undated petition (in French), Reign of Edward III: To Mons. de la Souche and de Hayngworthe, from William Fynamous, a tenant of the manor of Kalstone. Gynamour holds of the manor a tenement and land at Stokkeleye, a portion of which is in the hands of Robert Blake. He has been distrained on for the whole and prays therefore for relief. Date: 1327-1377

Reference 1720/138, Quitclaim (at Stockelegy): By Adam Chamberleyn to John Glasyere and Isabella his wife for the lands etc. granted by him to them in Stockelegh. Small red seal with hunting horn. Witnessed: Geoffrey of Castreton, Robert of Cauntelou, Robert Blake, John Blount, Thomas of Roude, Adam Sheoter, William of Taseworth. Date: 1347

Reference 1720/140, Conveyance (at Coumbe): By Adam Chamberlayn to John Fynamour and Alice his wife of a messuage and lands in Coumbe, with reversions of lands etc. in Stokkelegh (Stockley, Calne) and the tenement and land which John Avenel formerly held in Tazeworthe (Tasworth, Calne) all of which the grantor had by feoffment of the said John Fynamor. Witnessed: Geoffrey Castretton, Robert Cauntelo, Robert Blake, John Glasiare, Thomas Cockelbergh, John Atte Halle. Date: 1349

Reference 1720/163, Acknowledgement (at Calstone): By William la Zouche, lord of Haryngworthe and Adam Darderne, rector of the church of Berughby of the receipt from John atte Hale of Whetham, Robert Blake, William de Wychamptone, Robert Felawe, Robert atte Slade and Robert Asser, of £10, in part payment of £40. Date: 1363

Reference 1720/165, Grant (at Wynterbourne Basset): By William Hereberd of Budestone to William de Byde, clerk, of his lands and tenements in Wynterbourne Basset. Round green seal of William Hereberd, with a coat of arms. Witnessed: William Worston, Peter Besiles, Thomas Hungerford, Michael Skyllynges, Robert Blake, William Arnald, John Aunsel, John Russel. Date: 1363

Reference 1720/199, Grant (at Calne): By Geoffrey Symple of Wynterbourne Whitcherch (Dorset) to John Blake of Quemerford, of an acre of land in the field called Westyntone. Witnessed: William Wychamptone, Richard Roude, Robert Formage, Roger Carpenter, Richard Chamberlayn. Date: 1386

Reference 1720/206, Quitclaim (at Calne): By Walter Hertlaund of Carswell in the parish of Newent to William Fynamour of Whetham, of all his right in the lands etc., which were formerly Sewales in Ryddelawe and Vegham (Rudloe and Fogham, Box) or elsewhere in the parish of Box. Witnessed: John Blake, John Stodlegh, John atte Hall, Robert Felawe, William Wychampton. Date: 1390

Having all these documents at hand might prove interesting looking at the Blake family in this time period in Wiltshire. 

A few thoughts I am left with: Who is John Blake  of Quemerford in 1386? That Robert le Blake was never referred to as Robert de Blake always Robert Blake or Robert le Blake. One is left to wonder if he is a descendant of Richard le Blake who asked to set up a market in 1274 as a merchant from Rouen, France. All the references to Calne are rather interesting. Could it be that a researcher in the past like Horatio Gates Somerby read through these documents and not being able to read the early Latin and understand it or perhaps having difficulty with reading the actual text simply picked up on the surname Blake and the various places and assumed that they referred in some way to Robert Blake as a property in which he was involved? 

Comparing this chart to the published works of the notes of Horatio Gates Somerby (produced by W.H.W. at Boston, December, 1881 private printing). This printing was considered by Mr Stanton Blake and his brothers and they have consented to have this book printed for the use of the family. 

Stanton Blake was the eldest son of George Baty Blake (his two older brothers died as infants) and he was born 8 May 1837. He had four brothers. George Baty Blake married Ann Hull Blake (daughter of Joshua Blake) 6 May 1833. 

George Baty Blake was the son of John Welland Blake and Abigail Jones. John Welland Blake was the son of Joseph Blake of Boston and Hingham and he married Deborah Smith. Joseph was the eldest son of Joseph Blake of Boston and Mary Welland (married 18 May 1738). Joseph was the son of Solomon Blake of Boston and he had married Abigail Arnold 24 August 1704. Solomon was the son of Edward Blake of Milton and he married Patience Pope. Edward Blake was the son of William Blake (the immigrant) and his wife Agnes (Band, Thorne). 

This is the first time that I have looked at the book often referred to as Horatio Gates Somerby's  genealogical research. I have not done the research on this line but would say that his details on the family of William Blake (the immigrant) would appear to be as it was known in the 1800s and I have not actually seen anything to indicate that he was in error in this part of his notes. 

This has been an interesting look at the information that is available in the Record Offices of Wiltshire/Somerset on the Blake family that can be reviewed online. Although I continue to say that Horatio Gates Somerby was incorrect some of the fault can be attributed to incorrect copying from this original book. Nonetheless he is incorrect to name my ancient ancestor Nicholas Blake of Enham as a grandson of Robert Blake of Calne, there isn't anything to prove that nor was Nicholas' mother named Mary. Clearly in the will of Jone Blake dated 23 Mar 1527 she names her children Nycholas, Robt and Elsabeth [Blake) Mylne. She indicates that she is living at Enham. 

Will of the Reverend Malachi Blake, dissenting minister, of Blandford Forum, Dorset - The National Archives PROB 11/861/64, probated 1 Dec 1760

Always interesting to find a will that you can fit into family lines. The present testator Malachi Blake of Blandford Forum was mentioned several days ago as the likely father of Elizabeth Blake, Spinster, Blandford who left her will in 1792. Indeed he is her father.

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/08/will-of-elizabeth-blake-of-blandford.html

Malachi names his children: Mary Tice, Elizabeth Blake, William Blake and Sarah Fisher. At the time of writing the will he has named his grandchildren as:  Mary, Malachi, Elizabeth, Sarah, William, Samuel, and John Tice and Robert Fisher. Interesting that what I surmised with regard to William, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah being siblings has turned out to be accurate but then I did find material later on line verifying that as well. But the actual will of Malachi Blake is a treasure for this particular line.

Probably, from the lands which are held by Malachi Blake, he lived in Somerset prior to taking up ministry at Blandford Forum. The Oxford Index of National Biography (ISBM 9780198614128) states that: Blake, Malachi (bap. 1687, d. 1760), Presbyterian minister, was born at Blagdon, near Taunton, Somerset, and baptized there on 16 August 1687, the second son of Malachi Blake (1651-1705). He appears to have been educated and trained for the ministry by his father, an itinerant preacher…….

His father was perhaps the Reverend Malachi Blake who was born 24 Jun 1651 at Blagdon Somerset (buried 1705) and he married Mary Mico. This Malachi Blake founded the dissenting congregation at Wellington ( all this information from The History and Antiquities of Dissenting Churches and Meeting houses, in London, Westminster, and Southwark, Volume 2, Walter Wilson: W. Button, 1808). They had five children according to the website I mentioned in the blog for Elizabeth Blake:
http://www.portbury-hundred.co.uk/admiralreport.htm

Although I do not acquire entirely with this website, some of the information is fully sourced but I would recommend verifying every individual if you feel that you are descendant of this family.

John (1684), Malachi (testator of the present will) (1687), Sarah, Mary and William (1688-1772).

The actual line of the present testator does daughter out as his son William does not have any children.

Books written in the early 1800s do identify this family with the same Blake family as Lord High Admiral Robert Blake. It would not be surprising given the location for this particular Blake family. Perhaps there will be wills in the Somerset block that will help to take this family back further. This particular website takes this family line back to John Blake the elder (brother to Robert Blake (grandfather of the admiral).

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 1 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/861/64
Testator: Malachi Blake Dissenting Minister
Place: Blandford Forum, Dorset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 22 May 1753, probated 1 Dec 1760
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Malachi
[Margin]: Blake

1    This is the last Will:
2    and Testament of me Malachi Blake of Blandford
3    Forum in the County of Dorset dissenting Minister made
4    and published this Twenty Second day of May In the year
5    of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and fifty three
6    First of all I will that all my debts and Funeral Expences
7    be paid and discharged [Whereas by my Dormant Surrender
8    bearing date June the Twenty fourth In the year of our
9    Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Fifty I have Surrendred
10    into the hands of the Lord of the Manor of Taunton Dean
11    in the County of Somerset all my Messuages Tenements
12    Lands and Cottages whatsoever as well Bond land as in
13    Donland customary and Freeable within the hundred of
14    Poundisford and Mannor of Taunton Dean aforesaid To the
    [Page 2]
15    use and behoof of William Blake my Son upon Condition that
16    my said Son  his heirs and assigns Shall pay or cause to be
17    paid all and all manner of Gifts Bequests and Legacys Sum
18    and Sums of Money to be mentioned and contained In my last
19    Will and Testament which on the part and behalf of my said
20    Son and his heirs out of the said Lands aforesaid are to be
21    paid Now in Pursuance of the power reserved unto me
22    in and by the Condition of the said Surrender I do Give and
23    Bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Blake the Sum of
24    One hundred and Sixty pounds in Lawful Money of Great
25    Britain to be paid unto her within One Month next after my
26    Decease Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah
27    Fisher Wife of Robert Fisher the Sum of Sixty pounds in
28    Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid unto her within
29    Six Months next after my decease Also I Give and bequeath
30    unto my Daughter Mary Tice Wife of William Tice the
31    Sum of Twenty pounds Also I give unto my Grandson
32    Malachi Tice the Sum of Ten pounds Also I Give unto my
33    Grandson Robert Fisher the Sum of Ten pounds These three
34    last Sums herenamed and Given to Mary Tice Malachi
35    Tice and Robert Fisher I Will and Order these said Several
36    Sum and Sums of Money to be paid unto them in Good and
37    Lawful Money of Great Britain within Twelve Months next
38    after my Decease Also Whereas by my Dormant Surrender
39    bearing Date the first day of October In the year of our Lord
40    One thousand Seven hundred and Forty Seven I have Surrendred
41    into the hands of the Lord of the Mannor of Taunton Dean all
42    my Messuages Tenements and Lands lying within the hundred
43    of Staplegrove And also Whereas by my Dormant Surrender
44    bearing Date the Twenty fourth of June In the year of our
45    Lord One thousand Seven hundred and fifty I have Surrendred
46    into the hands of the Lord of the Mannor of Taunton Dean
47    a Dwelling house with all its Offices and Appurtenances
48    Situate lying and being in East Street in the parish of Taunton
49    St Mary Magdaline in the hundred of Hollway To the use and
50    behoof of William Blake my Son his heirs and Assigns Subject
51    Nevertheless to pay or cause to be paid all and all manner of
52    Gifts Bequests and Legacys Sum and Sums of Money whatsoever
53    mentioned contained Expressed and Declared in and by my last
54    Will and Testament which in the part and behoof of my said
55    Son and his heirs out of the said Lands aforesaid in the hundred
56    of Staplegrove and out of the Dwelling house aforesaid in
57    the hundred of Hollway are to be paid Now in Pursuance
58    of this power reserved unto me in and by Condition of the
59    Said Surrender I do Give and bequeath unto my loving Wife
60    Katherine Blake the Sum of One hundred and thirty pounds
61    in Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid unto her within
62    three Months next after my Decease Also I do Give and bequeath
63    Unto my Daughter Elizabeth Blake the Sum of Fourscore to
64    Eighty pounds Also I Give unto my Daughter Mary Tice the Sum
65    of Forty pounds Also I Give unto my Daughter Sarah Fisher
66    the Sum of Forty pounds Also I Give unto my Eight Grandchildren
    [Page 3]
67    Viz Mary Malachi Elizabeth Sarah William Samuel and
68    John Tice and to Robert Fisher the Sum of Forty pounds
69    , that is to say, to each of them Five pounds apiece these
70    Four last Sums here mentioned and Given that is to say
71    To Elizabeth Blake Eighty pounds To Mary Tice Forty
72    Pounds To Sarah Fisher Forty pounds and the Sum of
73    Forty pounds to my Eight Grandchildren I will and Order
74    these said Sum and Sums to be paid unto them in good and
75    lawful Money of Great Britain out of the said Estates in
76    the hundred of Staplegrove and Dwelling house in the
77    Hundred of Hollway before said to my said Children and
78    Grandchildren at the time and Times hereafter Specified
79    or directed, that is to say, I will and appoint that these
80    said Several Sum and Sums Shall become their property
81    Imediately after my Death and I do hereby Bind the aforenamed
82    Estates and Dwelling house for the payment thereof Yet
83    I hereby reserve unto my said Son William Blake my
84    Executor hereinafter named a Liberty of postponing the
85    payment of the Principal Sum or Sums of Money due hereby
86    to them until three Years after my Death however my Will
87    Further is and I hereby appoint my said Son from the time
88    of my Death to pay or cause to be paid out of the Rents
89    Incomes and profits of the said Dwelling house and Estates
90    by half yearly payments after the rate of Four pounds to
91    the hundred the Interest of the said Several Sum and Sums
92    unto my said Children and Grandchildren until their particular
93    or Several principal Sum or Sums be paid unto them Also
94    I Give unto my Daughter Mary Tice the Bed Curtains
95    Quilt and Blankets and Bedstead that Stands and which
96    Are commonly used in the Parlour Chamber commonly
97    Called Mrs Cerbets Also I Give unto my Daughter Elizabeth
98    Blake the Bed Curtains Quilt and Blankets and Bedstead
99    that Stands in and which are commonly used in the Best
100    Chamber Also I Give unto my Grandaughter Mary Tice
101    (for certain good reasons) the larger Silver Cup which was my
102    late Wives Also I Give unto my Daughter Elizabeth Blake
103    the Best Chest of Drawers which Stand in my own Lodging
104    Room Also I Give unto my Son in Law Robert Fisher the Stand
105    of arms which I bought a few years past All the Rest and
106    Residue of my household Goods plate and Rings I Give
107    unto my Four children Mary Tice Elizabeth Blake William
108    Blake and Sarah Fisher to be Equally Divided between them
109    Share and Share alike Also I Give unto my Son in Law
110    William Tice Mr Henrys Annotations the two first Volumes
111    in Folio Also I Give unto my Daughter in Law Hannah Blake
112    Doctor Guyse’s three Volumes in Quarto Viz his paraphrase on
113    the New Testament and Mr Burket on the 4 Evangelist a thin
114    Folio Also I Give unto my Grandson Malachi Tice Littleton’s
115    Dictionary and Horace and Juvenal in Usum Delphini Also I
116    Give unto Samuel Bellows the Elder Stronge Discourses on
117    the Two Covenants a Folio and Doctor Jacomb on the Eight of the
118    Romans a Quarto Also the Rest and Residue of my Books I Give
    [Page 4]
119    unto my said Four children Mary Tice Elizabeth Blake William
120    Blake and Sarah Fisher to be Equally Divided between them
121    Share and Share alike Also I Give and bequeath all the
122    household Goods now in my possession that were the Goods
123    of the late Mr Coombes (having bought them of his relations
124    since I married my now Wife Katharine Blake) unto my
125    said Four Children William Blake Mary Tice Elizabeth Blake
126    and Sarah Fisher to be Divided equally amongst them Share
127    and Share alike Also I Give unto my loving Wife Katherine
128    Blake all the household Goods plate and Furniture which
129    were in her possession before I Married her Exclusive of
130    the Goods things and Effects belonging to the personal Estates
131    of Thomas Coombes Clerk and Henry Wells (both deceased) or
132    either of them Also I Give and bequeath my Leasehold Estate
133    Situate lying and being in the Parish of Hammoon in the
134    County of Dorset commonly called Purkers Leaze with a
135    Meadow thereunto Adjoyning or belonging unto my Said
136    Son William Blake Subject Nevertheless to some Rent
137    charges hereinafter named, that is to say, To an Annual
138    Rent charge of Five pounds of good and Lawful Money of
139    Great Britain yearly and every year unto my said Daughter
140    Elizabeth Blake during the Term of her Natural life and
141    also to an Annual Rent charge of Five pounds to my said
142    Daughter Sarah Fisher during the Term of her Natural life
143    and Also to an Annual Rent charge of Four pounds to my said
144    Daughter Mary Tice during the Term of her Natural life
145    And my Will is that these three yearly Rent charges Shall be
146    paid to my said three Daughters out of the said Estate by my
147    said Son William Blake his heirs and assigns and that
148    the said Leasehold Estate Shall by this my last Will and
149    Testament Stand charged and chargeable with the payment
150    of these three yearly Rent charges by half yearly payments to
151    each of my said three Daughters as long as they Shall live
152    and that the first half yearly payment Shall commence
153    Immediately upon the Expiration of Six months next after my
154    decease and continue to be paid to each one of them during
155    the Term of their Natural lives and in Case of nonpayment
156    of the said Rent charges before Given and bequeathed I hereby
157    Empower and Authorize my Said daughters or either of them
158    Viz Elizabeth Blake Sarah Fisher and Mary Tice to enter upon
159    the said Estate and to pay her or themselves as the Law Shall
160    Direct Also I Give and bequeath all my Right property Claim
161    and Interest in a Leasehold Estate purchased of George Pit
162    Esq[uie]r part of the Mannor of Hilton Situate lying and being in
163    the parish of Ockford Fitzpaine in the County of Dorset
164    after the death of my Wife Katherine Blake and during
165    the lives of Peter Maber of EverShot and my Grandaughter
166    Mary Tice I Give I say this my said Estate unto my Daughter
167    Elizabeth Blake and to my Grandaughter Mary Tice to them
168    Jointly And my Will is that they the said Elizabeth Blake and
169    Mary Tice have and Shall have an equal Interest in the
170    Same Inclusive of their Joint property and of the yearly
    [Page 5]
171    Interest Rents and profits of the said Estate Share and Share
172    alike And I hereby Further appoint that if after the Death
173    of my Wife my said Daughter Elizabeth Blake and Mary
174    Tice my Grandaughter Shall think best to buy in another
175    life that my daughter Elizabeth Blake’s life Shall be the
176    life to be bought in upon the said Estate if She herself
177    chuses it Also I Give unto my Son William Blake all
178    that messuage and Estate in the parish of Hammoon
179    in the County of Dorset of which Mr Trenchard is the Lord
181    and now in the possession of William Dean during his
182    life Also I Give unto my said Four Children Mary
183    Tice Elizabeth Blake William Blake and Sarah Fisher
184    all that my Right Claim and Interest (which I myself
185    am possessed of by Mrs Rachel Grove her last Will and
186    Testament) in all Bonds and Notes of hand due from the
187    Lady Elizabeth Russel Tryphena Grove and Tryphena
188    Russel to Rachel Grove late of Donhead St Mary
189    to be Divided between my said Children Share and Share
190    alike Also I Give unto my said Son William Blake
191    and to my Grandson Malachi Tice equally and Share
192    and Share alike all my Right Claim and property and
193    Interest in a Share of the Navigation of the River Dee
194    Also I Give unto my said loving Wife Katharine Blake
195    the Sum of Twenty pounds to be paid unto her Imediately
196    after my Decease Also Whereas there is a Bond Given to
197    me and my Wife Katherine Blake from John Lacy and
198    Thomas Haines and Mary Wells bearing Date February
199    the Seventeenth in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven
200    hundred and Fifty two for the Sum of Thirty nine pounds
201    when the Interest due to me upon the said Bond to the
202    time of my Death Shall be fully paid then I hereby Give
203    the property of the said Bond to my Wife Katharine Blake
204    and order it to be Delivered to her forthwith Also I Give
205    unto Samuel Bellows my Clark One Guinea Also all the
206    Rest and Residue of my Goods and Chattels and Securities not
207    before Given after my Debts Legacys and Funeral Expences
208    are paid and discharged I Give and bequeath unto my
209    said Four Children Mary Tice Elizabeth Blake William
210    Blake and Sarah Fisher to be Equally Divided between them
211    Share and Share alike Also I do hereby nominate
212    Constitute and appoint my said Son William Blake whole
213    and Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament
214    In Witness whereof I the said Malachi Blake have to
215    this my last Will and Testament Set my Name and Seal
216    to the Sheet and half Sheet of Paper wherein is contained
217    my whole as well as my last Will and Testament the day
218    and year first above written viz May 22nd 1753 Malachi
219    Blake Signed Sealed published and Declared by Malachi
220    Blake the said Testator as and for his last Will and
221    Testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our
222    names as Witnesses unto the same in the said Testator’s
223    presence and at his request Ambrose Biles Jun[io]r
    [Page 6]
224    Elizabeth Thorne Joseph Bellows
225    August Twenty Ninth One thousand Seven
226    hundred and fifty five I Malachi Blake of Blandford Forum
227    make and appoint this as my Codicil to my last Will and
228    Testament which bears date May the Twenty Second One
229    thousand Seven hundred and Fifty three Whereas my Dormant
230    Surrender of my Estate at Rowbarton in the hundred of
231    Staplegrove is Expired and my Dormant Surrender of my
232    Estate at Horsly in the hundred of Poundisford and of my
233    Dwelling house in Taunton in the hundred of Hollway both
234    which are Included in one surrender and is near Expiring
235    I have therefore thought proper to make a new Dormant
236    Surrender which bears Date the thirteenth day of August
237    One thousand Seven hundred and Fifty five Inclusive of all
238    my Messuages Tenements Lands and Cottages whatsoever
239    within the hundreds aforesaid and Elsewhere within the
240    Manor of Taunton Dean to the Use and behoof of William
241    Blake my Son his heirs and assigns for ever according to
242    the Custom of the Manor aforesaid To be holden upon
243    Conditions following (to wit) that the said William Blake
244    his heirs and assigns shall pay or cause to be paid all and
245    all manner of bequests Legacys Sum and Sums of Money
246    whatsoever and also do perform fulfill and Execute all and
247    Singular other the articles Clauses Matters and things
248    mentioned and contained in the last Will and Testament
249    of the said Malachi Blake Already or hereafter to be
250    made which on the part and behalf of the said William
251    Blake his heirs or assigns out of for or in respect of the
252    Lands aforesaid are or Shall be Directed in and by the said
253    last Will to be paid done performed fulfilled and Executed
254    and that according to the true Intent and Meaning of the
255    same Will having observed that it is mentioned and said
256    in my last Surrender bearing date as above said the 13th
257    day of August 1755 (A Copy of which I have by me) the Last
258    Will and Testament of the said Malachi Blake already or
259    hereafter to be made I do by this my Codicil Declare
260    Testify and Ordain that my last Will and Testament be
261    and is that which bears Date as before said May the
262    Twenty Second One thousand Seven hundred and Fifty three
263    and that this my last Will and Testament together with
264    my last Surrender of the 13 of August 1755 be looked upon
265    as esteemed as Inseperately united and Just the very same
266    as if my aforesaid last Will has been made and had born
267    Date a Day or Week or two after the Date of my said last
268    Surrender and the very Same to all Intents and purposes
269    as if my said last Will had Expressly mentioned therein the
270    very date of my last Dormant Surrender and that this
271    my last Will before named be the Rule of my Sons precedence
272    and in all respects whatsoever binding on him as my last
273    Will and Testament In Testimony that this is my Codicil to
    [Page 7]
274    my last Will and Testament which bears Date May 22nd
275    1753 I do hereunto the day and Date above written
276    set my hand and Seal Malachi Blake In the
277    presence of the persons whose Names are hereunder
278    written, I do now publish and Declare this to be my
279    Codicil to my last Will and Testament Henry Field
280    Rebekah Blake Betty Howard
281    This Will was proved at London with a
282    Codicil the first day of December In the year of our
283    Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Sixty before the
284    Worshipful James Marriott Doctor of Laws Surrogate
285    of the Right Worshipful Edward Simpson also Doctor
286    of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative
287    Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of
288    William Blake the Son of the deceased and Sole Executor
289    named in the said Will to whom Administration was
290    Granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and
291    Credits of the said deceased he having been first Sworn
292    Duly to administer

Will of Thomas Burges, husbandman, North Molton, Devon - The National Archives PROB 11/66/383, probated 18 Mar 1584

The testator Thomas Burges was a husbandman at North Molton and I refer to him in my blog post:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2011/08/north-molton-parish-registers-burges.html

I am curious if Thomas was a brother to my Paul Burges at North Molton. Paul left a will in 1579 which was lost in the bombing of Exeter during WWII. My trace down from Paul is as follows:

Paul Burges
Matthew Burges
John Burges
Margarett Burges
John Tapp
Elizabeth Tapp
Grace Manning
John Pincombe
Robert Pincombe
John Pincombe
William Robert Pincombe
John Routledge Pincombe (my maternal grandfather)

A total of 13 generations back from me which is an amazing spread of years. I have not yet investigated the Manor Books for North Molton to learn more about the Burges family there but that will be a future project for looking at the Burges family. Since they are so far back I do not have them listed as one of my family lines for researching so will replace the Morgan family with the Burges family.

The second will that I collected for the Burges Family is Robert Burges of Twitchen, Devon and his will was probated 20 May 1590 (PROB 11/75/335). I will transcribe his will the next Burges Research Day. I chose his will because Twitchen is very close to North Molton in Devon.

No mention of Paul Burges in this will but interestingly he names Christopher Pincombe as one of his overseers. Eventually the Burges family does marry into the Pincombe family.

Looking at the extracted Burges family records in the previous blog on the North Molton registers mentioned above I can find the children that Thomas mentions (missing are Anthony, George and Thomas who were likely baptized prior to be beginning of the parish registers):

William son of Thomas Burges baptized 12 Jan 1541
English son of Thomas Burges baptized 11 Jan 1547
Philip son of Thomas Burges baptized 6 Mar 1554
John son of Thomas Burges baptized 4 Mar 1556; buried 4 Mar 1556
William son of Thomas Burges baptized 4 Mar 1556; buried 4 Mar 1556
John son of Thomas Burges baptized 12 May 1557

The last John is probably his grandson (son of his son Thomas). Elizabeth baptized 19 Aug 1540  is likely his daughter but not mentioned (nor is there a burial for her). No answer to a relationship between Paule Burges also baptizing children at the same time in North Molton and this Thomas Burges.

The order in which Thomas mentions his sons: Phillipp, John, Anthonye, William, George, and English. This does appear to be random and not by age looking at he baptisms.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 22 Apr 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/66/383
Testator:  Thomas Burges, Husbandman
Place: North Molton, Devon, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 3 Dec 1582, probated 18 Mar 1583/84
Read: Electronic copy images
Condition: 16th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: T[estament] Thome
[Margin]: Burges

1    In the name of god amen, The Thirde daye of december in the fyve and
2    Twentithe yeare of the reigne of our soveraigne Ladye Elizabeth by the grace of god of England Fraunce
3    and Irelande queene defendresse of the faithe etc I Thomas Burges of the parrishe of North-
4    molton in the Countie of Devon[shire] husbandman beinge of good and perfecte remembrance, doe make
5    and ordeyne this my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge, That is to saie, First
6    I Commytt my sowle into the handes of Allmightie god my Savior and Redeamer and my bodye to be
7    buried in the Churche or Churcheyarde of Northmolton aforesaid: Also I give and bequeathe unto
8    Phillipp Burges my sonne Sixe pounds thirtene shillinges fower pence Item I give to John
9    Burges my Sonne Sixe poundes thirtene shillinges fower pence Item I give to Anthonye my
10    Sonne Sixe poundes thirtene shillinges fower pence Item I give to William my Sonne one Cowe
11    and one heyffer yearlinge Item I give to George Burges my Sonne one heyffer Item I give to
12    Inglish Burges my sonne (after the deathe of Katherine my wyfe) all my ploughe geare withe the longe wayes
13    and harrowes Also I give my sonne Englishe one Mazer Cupp and sixt sylver spoones Item I
14    gyve to Thomas my Sonne one heyfer Item I gyve to John Burges sonne of Thomas Burges one
15    hyfer calfe Item I give to William Burges sonne of Thomas Burges one sheepe Item I gyve to
16    John Thorne one sheepe Item I gyve to Susan Burges one sheepe Item I give to Johane Spocott
17    my Servaunt one ewe sheepe Item I gyve to Cicely my Servaunt one ewe sheepe Item I give
18    to Johane Denfford my servaunt one ewe sheepe Item I give to Richarde Rudge one sheepe Item I
19    gyve to Alexander Latedy one sheepe Item I give to Margarett Mules one sheepe Item I give
20    to the poore people of Northmolton thirtene shillinges fower pence Item I give towardes the
21    maytenance of the Churche of Northmolton twelve pence. Item I give to every of my god-
22    children fower pence Item I give and bequeathe to Catherine my wyfe the use and occupation of
23    all my parte parte and portion of all those messuages Landes and Tenementes with thappurtenancs
24    commonly called Vorlacke and Worttrudge duringe her life (yf my saide terme and interest therein
25    doe so longe contynue) And after her deathe the residue of my said estate tytle and terme of yeares
26    then to comme and not expired of and in the said messuages Landes and tenementes with the
27    appurtenancs I give and bequeath to Phillippe Burges and John Burges and to the Survivors
28    of theme Item my will and intente is that yf my wiffe (after my deathe) doe happen to marrye
29    againe, that then my Sonnes Phillipp, John and Anthonye and everye of theme to have within
    [Page 2]
30    one moneth next after her marriage Sixe poundes thirtene shillinges fower pence over and besides the
31    sixe poundes thirtene shillinges fower pence heretofore given unto them: The Residue of all my goods
32    moveable and unmoveable (my debtes paide and Legacies performed) I give and bequeathe to Katherine
33    my wief whome by this my present last will and Testament I make and ordeyne my whole and onely
34    Executrix trustinge in Allmightie god that she will use her selfe with the same as maie be to the glory
35    of god: And to thintent that this my last Will and Testament maie be the better p[er]formed I make my Rulers
36    and Overseers William Chappell Phillipp Stevens and John Thorne of Lamescombe Theise
37    beinge wittness Christopher Pinckombe and William Chappell with others

Will of Agnes Blake, widow, Marten - SWRO P2/4 Reg/115A, probated 28 Jan 1562/63

The first will from Wiltshire and it is dated 1 Jan 1562 with probate 28 Jan 1562 (both dates old style). I usually use old style but do not always mark it thus. I generally use 62/63 if I am using new style of dating.

Testator Agnes Blake has a son John and two daughters Elizabeth and Syblye. She lives in the village of Martin which is 9.5 miles south west of Salisbury and close to the border of Hampshire and Dorsetshire. Interesting just 9 miles sse of Ellingham Hampshire where the family of William Blake and Avice Ripley lived for a time. However this is prior to that time period.

Her daughters are not yet married so are perhaps young but likely 21 as no guardian named. Her son John is her executor so likely 21 years old at least.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 16 Oct 2012
Source:  Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office P2/4 Reg/115A
Name of testator: Agnes Blake, Widow
Place: Martin, Wiltshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 1 Jan 1562, probated 28 Jan 1562
Read: Electronic file images
Condition: 16th century, middle English, clear copy (few smudges)
[Header] Testam[ent] Agness Blake Martin vidue

1    In the name of god amen the First day of Januarij
2    in the yere of o[u]r lord god after the compntacay [course and accounting] of the Churche of
3    Englande M C C C C C lxij I Agness Blake wydow of the parishe of Marten
4    sycke of body and p[er]fyte of mynde and remembrance thanks be un to god do
5    make and ordeyne this my p[re]sant testament concernyng my last wyll in
6    man[ner] and forme folowyng. First I bequeathe my soule to Almyghtie god, And
7    my body to be buryed in the churche yarde of West Marten aforesaid I geve to
8    my Mother churche of Sa[lisbur]y ij d It[e]m to Will[ia]m Thorne and his wyfe vj sheepe
9    a crocke, a panne, ij platers a candelstycke and my best Clooke and a petycote
10    and ev[er]y chylde of thers j shepe It[e]m to Agnes Style vj sheepe a crock
11    ij platers a panne a candelstycke and my best Focke and a violet kyrtell
12    ev[er]y one of her chylderen a sheepe It[e]m to my dowghter Elizabeth vj shepe
13    a crocke ij platers and the best candelstycke and my best kyrtell and my best
14    peticote and to ev[er]y one of her chylderen a shepe It[e]m to my dowghter
15    Syblye a pair of shepe ij platers and to ev[er]y one of her chylderen a shepe
16    It[e]m to Edythe Hyll a poteng[er] and to ev[er]y one of her chylderen a shepe
17    It[e]m to Alys Longtrees chylderen ev[er]y one a shepe It[e]m to Purnell Eurts
18    a shepe It[e]m to Jane Style a cowe and vj shepe and a Fether bedd and all
19    thyngs thereto p[er]tenyng It[e]m to ev[er]y godchylde ij d The Resydeu of my
20    goods unbequeathed my legacies p[er]formed I holy geve and bequeath unto
21    my sonne John Blake whom I ordeyne and make myne executor witness
22    hereof Thomas Lawrance clerke John Wyks and John Abbott

1688, 1689 and 1690 at North Molton

The years 1688, 1689 and 1690 were quite severe at North Molton with the burials doubling and more. No indication of the cause in the parish register but looking at a few webpages smallpox is mentioned as being a problem after the 1650s.

At the end of 1690 I  have now transcribed 4347 baptisms, 834 marriages, 2548 burials and 162 banns. There are more people listed as being from another parish which could be the new priest or just more diligent record keeping. The parish if not North Molton is a very handy item to have tracing some of these families where you might find Gould or Thorne or Shapland/Shopland families in many of the parishes in the North Molton area.

The Parish Registers were particularly difficult to read from 1687 to 1690 and hopefully they will improve for the last few years for which I have fiche copy (end of 1706). More Pincombe entries for me to sort out. Certainly there are at least two distinct lines at North Molton. I can not be absolutely sure that they are both descendant of Thomas Pincombe. There is a possibility that they may descend also from William Pincombe (possible third son of Unknown Pencombe who first came to North Molton in 1485).

I think that two more days may well complete the Parish Registers but perhaps a third day will be needed. Once completed than I will proofread it as I have time and then submit it to Genuki Devon where Brian Randall maintains the webpages.

My next project is to convert my word text of the Bishop Nympton parish register to an excel file. The 954 page document will likely take me a number of days to convert. Since I will have dedicated time to do the project I hope to complete it soon and also put it up on Genuki Devon. I am the On Line Parish Clerk for Bishops Nympton.

Will of John Pincombe of Molland dated 3 Apr 1837 (probated 17 Apr 1840) (Source: Inland Revenue Wills - p 884)

The will of John Pincombe of Molland (deceased 19 June 1838) is a rather interesting one. This John was a brother to my 3x great grandfather Robert.

The reason for my Pincombe line coming to Canada passed down through the family was Robert Pincombe (eldest brother to my John Pincombe (2x great grandfather)) who had emigrated to the United States prior to 1835 came back with stories of the rich land to be had for a reasonable price already under cultivation with buildings. Robert had returned to marry Mary Shapland sometime in 1835 and they went back to the United States (Gennessee New York to be precise) almost immediately. Leaving England and coming to Canada was like little more than moving from county to county, except you had to cross an ocean to do it, if you happened to be English/Scot/Irish.

In his will written 3 April 1837, the above mentioned Robert has already returned to the United States and John does not mention him at all. He does though mention all of the other children of Robert Pincombe and Elizabeth Rowcliffe (my 3x great grandparents) with the exception of Elizabeth who has married Richard Elsworthy. Robert Pincombe (my ancestor) in his will had passed all of his copyhold land to his brothers in 1827 and left a number of legacies to his children which were to be paid from the profits of the copyhold land one might assume (although not written). John Pincombe (the present testator), his brother William Pincombe and brother in law Philip Rowcliffe were the Executors of that will.

In this will John identifies himself as being of Great Woods in Molland. This is the property that was held by him for his entire adult life. He is first found on Great Woods in the 1780s. This is now a Grade II Listed Building:

http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-397880-great-woods-farmhouse-molland

MOLLAND
SS 72 NE
14/51 Great Woods Farmhouse
-
20.6.67
II
Farmhouse. Probably C16, with late-C19 addition and mid-to late C20 alterations. Rendered over stone rubble and cob. Gable-ended asbestos-slate roof, formerly thatched. Rendered front lateral stack, tops of stacks of C19 red brick. Plan and development: Probably 3-room and cross-passage plan,  facing west with ground falling to right. Central room with full-height projection and external lateral stack to front, probably with cross passage to right. Service room to right with external lateral stack to rear and upper room to left with entrance in left-hand gable end. C19 wing to rear of upper room with integral brick end stack and lean-to outshut to north.  Old list description mentions open fireplaces, hall with beams and joists, and kitchen with plain timber ceiling. Sawn purlin ends visible in left-hand gable end.

I find the reference to it likely being a 16th Century dwelling most interesting. At some point I want to do a history of the property as I suspect it was one of the properties that William Pincombe (married to Emott Snow) held. My ancestor John Pincombe was a butcher and farmer in this time period at Molland living at Gatcombe. John Pincombe (the testator) does not have any sons so I am assuming that his reference to himself as Elder is because my John Pincombe is considered the younger in this case (both living in Molland). They are fairly close together with John Pincombe (butcher) the younger at Gatcombe being about 1 mile north west of Molland and John Pincombe the Elder at Great Woods being about 1 mile to the south west of Molland. The only other Pincombe at Molland in this time period is Thomas (brother to John at Gatcombe) and he is a wheelwright.

The will commences with his remembering his two brothers William at Bishops Nympton and Thomas at Twitchen and his remaining sister Grace married to Richard Headdon. He remembers his niece Philippia Baker (daughter of Thomas Pincombe at Twitchen) married to Henry Baker. At the end of the will we discover that the witnesses include Richard (to be mentioned) Pincombe, Henry Baker and George Cockram. To the best of my knowledge George Cockram is not related to the Pincombe family. He then remembers the sons of his deceased brother Robert Pincombe  Richard (signer), Philip the youngest, Thomas and George the next two in birth order before Richard (Richard is the second youngest). Then John Pincombe (2nd eldest son of Robert) Butcher is mentioned and there is some confusion on people's part because his aunt Grace Pincombe (sister of the testator's father John) was married to John Butcher and their son was named John Pincombe Butcher but he died as an infant at the same time as his mother died (in childbirth likely or shortly thereafter). He remembers two of Grace Headon's children John and Grace and coincidentally they are the only unmarried ones. The other two boys and three girls are married or living away from the area. One of Grace's daughters Ann married John Bond and their son John Joseph Bond was a Mormon who (with his family) made the trek to Salt Lake City probably in the 1860s. In particular though he mentioned his child born out of wedlock by Ann Smaldon - Mary Pincombe Thorne and she is to inherit Great Woods and Eastweek from him. Great Woods is a freehold but Eastweek he has by Copyhold so lifetime only. He also mentions Thomas Pincombe son of his brother Thomas at Twitchen. He has mentioned the daughter Phillippa already (married to Henry Baker one of the witnesses) but does not mention the other nine living children of Thomas! That is likely because the copyhold land that Robert passed to John and William will now pass to Thomas although not mentioned in the will. Most of the children are still young as well whereas all the others mentioned are adults. William Pincombe Junior of Bishopsnympton is the son of his brother William who also lives at Bishops nympton and is unwell at this time. Again only William is mentioned and not the other living children Mary married to William Matthews (has three children) and Anna married to John Hole (has four children) - the other children have died young. It would appear that most of the legacy recipients are unmarried children of his siblings.

It is always interesting to read this lengthy will where the individual is unmarried and he mentions all of his siblings, his nephews and nieces. It does so help to tie a family together. Plus there is always the curiosity why didn't he marry Ann Smaldon; presumably she was Ann Thorne since the name of their child was Mary Pincombe Thorne. The set of wills that I am now doing (three of them) tie together the children of John Pincombe and Mary Charlie/Charly/Charley but the will that John himself left was lost in the bombing of Exeter Record Office in WWII unfortunately as was the will of his father John Pincombe married to Grace Manning. This family though did make an effort in Canada to retain the genealogy of their family in England. There was a Bible with the genealogy back to John Pincombe and Grace Manning which I saw as a child. The Bible that has my great grandparents Pincombe Wedding Registration does not contain any details prior to the marriage of William Robert Pincombe and Grace Gray.

The will of John Pincombe the elder of Great Woods (my 3x great grand uncle) follows:


Recorded: 26 Oct 2011
Source: Inland Revenue Wills - p 884
Place: Molland, Devon, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 3 Apr 1837 (probated 14 Apr 1840)
Condition: photocopy, light, modern English writing
Type: four pages - Original will (2 pages) and Probate (2 pages)

1 I John Pincombe the Elder of Great Woods in the
2 parish of Molland in the County of Devon Yeoman being at this time
3 sick of Body but of perfect mind and understanding do make and ordain
4 this my last Will and Testament in the following manner - First I give and
5 bequeath unto my Brother William Pincombe the sum of ten pounds Also
6 I give unto my Brother Thomas Pincombe the sum of ten pounds Also I give
7 unto my sister Grace Headon the sum ten pounds Also I give unto niece
8 Philippia Baker the sum of forty pounds. Also I give and bequeath unto my
9 Nephew Richard Pincombe son of the late Robert Pincombe the sum of Thirty
10 Pounds Also I give unto Philip Pincombe my nephew the sum of ten pounds
11 Also I give unto my two Nephews Thomas and George Pincombe Brothers ten
12 Pounds Also I give unto my Nephew John Pincombe Butcher the sum of
13 Ten pounds Also I give unto John Headon my Nephew the sum of ten
14 pounds Also unto my niece Grace Headon the sum of ten pounds - the above
15 Legacies to be paid by my Executors at the expiration of one year after my
16 decease. Also I give unto the poor people of Molland and Bishopsnympton
17 the Sum of twenty shillings in Bread. Also I give and devise and bequeath
18 unto my natural Daughter Mary Pincombe Thorne Daughter of Ann Smaldon
19 All that freehold Estate called Great Woods in the parish of Molland with
20 the appurtenances situate lying and being in the aforesaid parish Molland
21 unto her and unto her Children lawfully begotten and unto her heirs for
22 ever My will is that my said Daughter Mary Pincombe Thorne shall have
23 the whole of the freehold property left by me at my decease on her attaining
24 the age of twenty one years she is not to sign over nor mortgage nor sell
25 nor contract any debt on the aforesaid Estate during the time of her natural
26 life and at her decease I give devise and bequeath the whole of such freehold
27 property left to her by me at my decease unto the heirs, children lawfully
28 begotten of the said Mary Pincombe Thorne the Eldest Son if any to have the
29 freehold property but in default of Sons the eldest daughter and to her heairs
30 for ever the Proprietor of Great Woods may make a jointure to his Wife
31 not exceeding twenty pound a year But if the said Mary Pincombe Thorne
32 before she attains the age of twenty one years and leave no Child or Children
33 nor Grandchildren lawfully beggotten Then I give devise and bequeath all
34 that Freehold Estate called Great Woods in the parish of Molland unto my
35 two Nephews Thomas Pincombe of Twitchin Jun[io]r and John Pincombe Jun[io]r of
36 Molland to them two and to their heirs for ever the said Thomas Pincombe
 [Page 2]
37 and the said John Pincombe may if he succeed to the freehold Estate or
38 their descendants may make a Jointer to their wives at ten pounds a year
39 not exceeding ten pounds a year each. Never to be mortgage nor sold
40 I also give and bequeath unto Mary Pincombe Thorne my Copyhold Estate
41 called Lower Eastweek situated the parish of Bishops nympton when she attains
42 the age of Twenty four year All the rest residue and remainder of my
43 property wheresoever and whatsoever I give upon trust unto Thomas Pincombe
44 my Brother and William Pincombe Jun[io]r of Bishopsnympton whom I nominate
45 and appoint sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament the[y] are to pay
46 and receive all monies connected with the property real and personal by me
47 at my decease untill my Daughter Mary Pincombe Thorne shall attain the
48 age of twenty four years when she is to have the whole of such property
49 in the hands of my Executors in trust. My Will is that my Executors in
50 trust are to pay unto Mary Pincombe Thorne the sum Forty pounds a
51 year to paid in two half yearly paym[en]ts But I confide entirely in the
52 judgment integrity and discretion and ability of my Executors in trust wheather
53 the[y] may think it right & proper or not have the whole of the property real
54 and personal at that time or not to have the whole of the property real and personal in the hands of the Executors in trust until she attains the
55 age of twenty four years, my Executors in trust are to use their own discretion
56 the[y] are to pay all my lawful debts legacies and funeral expences In Witness
57 whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this third day of April 1837
58 John Pincombe [signed and sealed]
59 Signed sealed and declared by the said
60 John Pincombe the Testator for his last Will
61 and Testament in the presence of we who have
62 set our names
63 Richard Pincombe [signed]
64 Henry Baker [signed]
65 George Cockram [signed]
66 Codicil to this will I give to the Executor William Pincombe the sum of Ten
67 pounds - John Pincombe [signed]
 [Page 3] [p 884 in margin]
68 21 July
69 No. 18
70 For the Stamp Office
71 Copy of the Will and Codicil
72 of John Pincombe late of
73 Molland Devon Freeman dec[ease]d
74 Executor
75 Thomas Pincombe of Twitchen
76 Devon Yeoman
77 (Power being resigned to
78 William Pincombe the other
79 Executor)
80 South Molton
81 Proved in the Principal Episcopy
82 of the Lord Bishop of Exeter the
83 14th April 1840
84 Testator Dec[eased] 19 June 1838
85 Effects sworn under £600
86 Ralph Barnes
87 Dep[ut]y Registrar
88 22 Apr 1840 [seal]
89 For 464
 Folios at 6 . 5 . 6
90 [page 4]
91 FOR EXECUTORS
92 Appeared personally Thomas Pincombe of
93 the Parish of Twitchen in the County of
94 Devon Yeoman one of the
95 Executors named in the last Will and Testament with one
96 Codicil thereto of John Pincombe late
97 of Molland in the said County Yeoman
98 who died on the nineteenth Day of June 1838
99 and made Oath, that he had made diligent search and due enquiry
100 after, and in respect of the Personal Estate and Effects of the said Deceased, in
101 order to ascertain the full Amount and Value thereof; and that to the best of
102 his Knowledge, Information, and Belief, the whole of the Goods, Chattels,
103 and Credits, of which the said Deceased died possessed within the
104 Diocese of Exeter (exclusive of what the Deceased may have
105 been possessed of or intitled to as a Trustee for any other Person, or Persons.
106 and not beneficially. (A) but including the Leasehold Estates for Years of the
107 Deceased, whether absolute or determinable on Lives, and without deducting
108 any Thing on Account of the Debts due and owing from the Deceased) are under
109 the Value of Six hundred pounds
110 to the best of this Deponents Knowledge, Information, and Belief, (B) and
111 this Deponent lastly made Oath, that the said Deceased was not possess of
112 or intitled to any Leasehold Estate or Estates for Years of the Deceased, whether
113 absolute or determinable on a Life or Lives, to the best of this Deponents
114 Knowledge, Information, and Belief.
115 Sworn on the fourteenth
116 Day of  April 1840
117 before me
118 Thomas Pincombe [signed]
119 G M Mather B D Surrogate