The will of Elizabeth Blake widow of Abingdon Berkshire. Richard Blake, Surgeon Abingdon St Helen, Berkshire, married Elizabeth Jackson, Abingdon St Helen, Berkshire, 4 Dec 1786 and William Eldridge, gent, Abingdon St Helen was the bondsman. They were married by Sarum Marrige Licence issued by the Bishop of Salisbury.
I could not find any particular information on this Blake family of Abingdon Berkshire - there were earlier Blake families in Abingdon but I do not know if this family is descendant of the earlier families.
Perhaps one of the more fascinating items is the naming of James Clealand of Rathgael House Bangor Ireland as one of her trustees.
The mother of Richard Blake was Frances Blake and this may assist with placing this Blake family in the future
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 4 Apr 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1750/65
Testator: Elizabeth Blake, widow
Place: Abingdon, Berkshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 12 Jun 1826, probated 27 Jan 1829
Read: Electronic copy images
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Elizabeth
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 24
1 I Elizabeth Blake of Abingdon in the County of
2 Berks widow do hereby revoke all former Wills Codicils and testamentary dispositions by me
3 at any time heretofore made and declare this to be my last Will and Testament Whereas under
4 and by virtue of a certain Indenture bearing date the fifteenth day of December one
5 thousand seven hundred and eighty five and made between Richard Blake of
6 Abingdon in the County of Berks Surgeon and Apothecary of the first part Frances
7 Blake of Reading in the said County of Berks widow Mother of the said Richard Blake
8 of the second part myself the said testatrix by my then name and addition of Elizabeth
9 Jackson of Abingdon aforesaid Spinster of the third part and William Eldridge of
10 Abingdon aforesaid Mercer and Joseph Tombs of Abingdon aforesaid Mercer of the
11 fourth part purporting to be a Settlement made in contemplation of my marriage then
12 intended with the said Richard Blake the sum of eight hundred and fifty pounds
13 interest or share in the capital or joint stock of four pounds per cent annuities
14 consolidated transferrable at the Bank of England was transferred into the names
15 of the said William Eldridge and Joseph Tombs Upon the several trusts in the said
16 Indenture expressed and in particular in case there should be two or more children of
17 the said Richard Blake on the body of me the said testatrix begotten then that the said
18 trustees did and should assign transfer and dispose of the said capital or joint stock
19 annuities and premises and every part thereof unto such one of more of the same children
20 in such parts shares and proportions manner and form and with and under such
21 restrictions and limitations as the said Richard Blake and myself the said testatrix should
22 at any time or times during our joint lives by any writing or writings under our respective
23 hands and seals attested by two or more credible witnesses jointly direct limit or appoint
24 the same And in default of such joint direction limitation or appointment then as the
25 survivor of us should at anytime or times during his or my life by any writing or writings
26 under his or my hand and seal attested by two or more credible witnesses or by his or
27 my last Will and Testament in writing or any writing purporting to be this or my last Will and
28 Testament by him or me signed sealed and published in the presence of the like
30 number of witnesses direct limit give or appoint the same and whereas the said intended
31 marriage afterwards took effect between the said Richard Blake and me the said testatrix and
32 there is issue of the said marriage three children namely John, Frances Henrietta and
33 Sophia And whereas the said Richard Blake hath since departed this life and no joint
34 direction limitation or appointment of the said eight hundred and fifty pounds trust fund
35 or of any part thereof hath been made by the said Richard Blake and me the said
36 testatrix his wife pursuant to the power for that purpose contained in the said
37 Indenture of Settlement Now I the said testatrix in pursuant and in exercise and
38 execution of the power and authority to me for that purpose given or reserved in and
39 by the said hereinbefore in part recited Indenture of Settlement and of every or any
40 other power or authority enabling me in this behalf do in and by this my last
41 Will and Testament in writing by me signed sealed and published in the presence of
42 and attested by the two or more credible persons whose names are or are intended to be
43 hereunto subscribed as witnesses attesting the same direct limit and appoint That all
44 that the said sum of eight hundred and fifty pounds four pounds per cent bank
45 annuities (since reduced to three and a half per cent reduced annuities) as aforesaid
46 shall from and immediately after my decease vest in and become the property of my said
47 daughter Sophia her executors administrators and assigns and that the trustee or
48 trustees of the same trust fund his executors administrators or assigns do and shall pay
49 assign and transfer the same and the dividends interest and proceeds thereof unto my said
50 daughter Sophia the executors administrators and assigns for her and their own
51 absolute use and benefit I give devise and bequeath unto my son in law John
52 Eldridge of Old Park near Devizes in the County of Wilts Esquire and James
53 Clealand of Rathgael House Bangor in Ireland Esquire all my messuages farms lands
54 tenements and hereditaments situate in the several parishes of Plumbland
55 and
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56 and Aspartia and elsewhere in the County of Cumberland and all other my estates
57 whatsoever and wheresoever as well freehold as customary or copyhold of inheritance or
58 leasehold or of any other tenure with their and every of their appurtenances and also all
59 my monies and all my other stock funds and securities for money household goods plate linen
60 china and personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind
61 soever To hold the same and every part and parcel thereof with their and every of their
62 appurt[enance]s unto them the said John Eldridge and James Clealand their heirs executors
63 administrators and assigns respectively according to the several natures and tenures thereof
64 Upon trust in the first place to levy and raise if necessary by sale mortgage or otherwise and
65 to set apart a sufficient sum to purchase the sum of one thousand seven hundred
66 pounds bank three and a half per cent reduced annuities and to stand possessed thereof and
67 receive and pay the dividends and produce thereof as and when the same shall be
68 received into the proper hands of my son John for his support and maintenance and
69 so and in such manner as that the same may not be assignable by him for and during the
70 term of his natural life and after his decease upon further trust to assign and transfer the
71 sum of two hundred pounds stock part thereof unto my said daughter Frances Henrietta
72 Eldridge for her own use and benefit and upon further trust immediately after the
73 decease of my said son to stand possessed of the residue of the said one thousand seven
74 hundred pounds stock In trust for my said daughter Sophia her executors adm[inistrat]ors and
75 assigns for her and their own use and benefit and to be assigned transferred and disposed
76 of as she or they may direct And as to all other the said trust premises after setting apart
77 the said one thousand seven hundred pounds stock as aforesaid In trust for the sold
78 and absolute use and benefit of my said daughter Sophia her heirs executors
79 administrators and assigns and to be by her and them from time to time and at all times
80 disposed of as she or they may think proper And I do hereby declare my will and mind to
81 be that the several legacies and bequests by me hereinbefore made and bequeathed to or
82 in favor of each of my said children are intended by me to include all claims which they or
83 either of them have or ever has to any share of the personal estate of which their late
84 father died possessed Provided always that in case my said trustees or either of them or
85 any succeeding trustee or trustees to be appointed as hereinafter mentioned shall die or be
86 desirous to be discharged from the said trusts or shall refuse or neglect or become incapable
87 to act in the trusts of this my will is shall be lawful for the surviving or continuing orother
88 acting trustees or trustee for the time being from time to time as there shall be
89 occasion by any deed or deeds to be by them or him legally executed to nominate
90 substitute or appoint any other person or persons to be a trustee or trustees in the place
91 of the trustees or trustee so dying desiring to be discharged or refusing or neglecting or
92 becoming incapable to act as aforesaid for all or any of the trusts or purposes in this my
93 Will expressed and thereupon all and singular the said trust premises shall be conveyed
94 or assigned and assured so as that the same shall and may become vested in such
95 surviving and continuing and such new trustees or trustee or in such new trustees only as
96 the case may require Upon the trusts before expressed or such of them as shall be
97 then subsisting or capable of taking effect All and every which new trustee or trustees
98 shall and lawfully may act in the execution of the said trusts as fully and effectually to all
99 intents and purposes whatsoever and with the like powers authorities and
100 indemnifications in all respects as if he or they had been originally appointed a trustee
101 or trustees by this my Will And I do hereby further declare my will and mind to be that
102 they the said John Eldridge and James Clealand or either of them shall not be
103 answerable or accountable for the acts receipts payments or disbursements of the other
104 of them but each of them only for his own acts deeds receipts payments or disbursements
105 nor shall be answerable or accountable for any more of the said trust estates
106 monies and premises than shall come to their respective hands nor with or for any
107 involuntary losses which may happen to the said trust premises without their wilful
108 default or negligence And further that the receipt or receipts of my said trustees shall be
109 good and sufficient discharges to any purchaser or purchasers to whom my said
110 estates or any part of them shall be conveyed or sold and that such purchases or
111 purchasers shall not be answerable to accountable for or be bound to see to the
112 application of their respective purchase monies or any part thereof or be in any
113 manner
[Page 3]
114 manner accountable for any misapplication or nonapplication thereof or a of any
115 part thereof And further that it shall be lawful for my said trustees by and out of the
116 said trust monies which shall come to their respective hands to retain to himself and
117 themselves and also to allow to his and their Co trustee and Co trustees all costs charges and
118 expences which they or either of them shall pay sustain or be put into by reason or
119 means of the performance or execution of the trusts aforesaid or any of them or in relation
120 thereto Lastly I appoint the said John Eldridge and my said daughter Sophia
121 executor and executrix of this my Will In Witness whereof I the said testatrix Elizabeth
122 Blake have to this my last Will and Testament written upon five sheets of paper set my
123 hand to the first four sheets thereof and my hand and seal to this fifth and last sheet thereof
124 this twelfth day of June one thousand eight hundred and twenty six Eliz[abe]th Blake
125 Signed sealed published and declared by the said Elizabeth Blake the testatrix as
126 and for her last will and Testament in the presence of us who in her presence at her request
127 and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses
128 Ja[me]s Cole Mayor Abingdon Berks William Cheer servant
129 to Mr Cole James Will[ia]m Barrell Abingdon Berks Solicitor
130 Proved at London 27th January 1829 before the Judge by the oaths of John
131 Eldridge Esq[uie]r and Sophia Blake Spinster the daughter the exe[cut]ors to whom adm[inistrati]on was
132 granted having been first sworn by Com[missi]on duly to adm[iniste]r
Showing posts with label Tombs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tombs. Show all posts
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Monday, October 8, 2012
Will of James Blake Gentleman, Birchmore, Isle of Wight - PROB 11/1395/214, probated 6 Jul 1803
The testator James Blake is at Birchmore on the Isle of Wight; West Birchmore belonged to his wife's family and she was the heir of her grandfather William Ruffin. James Blake married Elizabeth Ruffin Scott 23 Mar 1759 at Christchurch, Hampshire, England (M14658-1 Family Search). James appears to be the son of John Blake and Susanne de Garis and he was born 27 Nov 1731 in the Guernsey Channel Islands and died/was buried in St George Churchyard at Arreton, Isle of Wight 7 June 1803. Elizabeth Ruffin Scott Blake died/was buried 26 Mar 1790 also in St George Churchyard. James mother Susanne de Garis Blake was born on the Guernsey Channel Islands and died/was buried 26 May 1781 also in St George Churchyard near her son.
Looking at a number of trees on Ancestry this Blake family is purported to have been on the Isle of Wight from at least the mid 1500s on. There is no mention of a Blake family there in British History Online for Shalfleet. However that doesn't preclude the Blake family being there. They simply were not mentioned in the British History Online for Shalfleet.
James father is named as John Blake who was likely born 3 Nov 1696 at Ningwood Isle of Wight (died/buried 29 Apr 1731 at Compton, Isle of Wight). John married Susanne de Garis 6 May 1729 in Brooke, Isle of Wight (and she was his second wife). John (born 1696) was said to be the son of John Blake and Mary Ranier (there is a marriage listed in a set of transcriptions for Shalfleet online showing a marriage between John Blake and Mary Ranear 24 Sep 1691. http://www.sources.shalfleet.net/shalfleet_marriages_1604-1751.htm
This Register begins with 1604 and ends in 1837 and this is the only marriage for a male Blake at Shalfleet (a Mary Blake married Abraham Tricket 1 Jan 1660). However baptisms from the same source show a John Blake son of Georg Blake baptized 10 Sep 1609, Anna Blake daughter of John Blake baptized 10 Mar 1643, Elez Blake daughter of John Blake baptized 24 Jul 1652, David Blake son of John Blake baptized 24 Sep 1694, John Blake (as above) baptized 29 Nov 1696 son of John and Jane Blake (born 10 Nov 1696), James Blake baptized 9 Mar 1698 son of John and Jane Blake (born 11 Feb 1698), Mary Blake daughter of John Blake baptized 20 Jun 1705, John Blake baptized 19 Mar 1729 son of John Blake the younger and no further baptisms to the end of 1799 in this transcription http://www.sources.shalfleet.net/shalfleet_baptisms_1786-1799.htm. The Burial Register has also been transcribed Edward Blake was buried 15 Mar 1661, Elizabeth Blake was buried 15 Feb 1691 (or 1692), Anne Blake wife of Mr. John Blake was buried 20 Apr 1721, Mr. John Blake was buried 29 Apr 1731 and the website again: http://www.sources.shalfleet.net/shalfleet_burial_records_1725_1752.htm
Although John Blake married Jane Ranear at Shalfleet they did not baptize their children there other than David, John, James and Mary according to the online transcriptions (missing would be Sarah, Jane and Elizabeth mentioned in the tree on Ancestry). It would be interesting to see if there is any proof for saying that James Blake born at Guernsey Channel Islands son of John Blake and Susanne de Garis has as his grandparents John Blake and Jane Ranear. James was a posthumous child it would appear which probably accounts for his being born on the Guernsey Islands (his father died/was buried 29 Apr 1731 at Compton Isle of Wight according to the Ancestry tree. Compton Bay is located on the west side of the Isle of Wight. The one linking items is definitely the burial of Susanne Blake 26 May 1781 widow of John Blake close by the burial of her son James Blake (7 Jun 1803). One problem with that is the recording of the memorial stones in the graveyard: http://www.isle-of-wight-fhs.co.uk/mis_bis/mis_arreton_st_george_churchyard.pdf
as there is a stone that says buried James Blake (D5 17 Nov 1795) wife of Elizabeth Scott Blake. But by his will we know that he was buried after 1 Feb 1802 and before 6 Jul 1803. Elizabeth is buried next to her parents Mary Scott buried 1 Jan 1766 widow of Joseph Scott.
Elizabeth (daughter of James Blake testator) married Richard Hall Tombs (marriage not yet located). Children of Richard and Elizabeth: Elizabeth Blake Tombs baptized 31 Mar 1783 at St Thomas Winchester, Mary Tombs baptized 23 Mar 1784 at Saint Thomas Winchester (K13675-1 Family Search), for Richard Tombs I did not find his christening at Winchester.
Other Blake memorials from the webpage for St George Churchyard at Arreton Isle of Wight
C 5 Blake, Elizabeth Ruffin 26.3.1790 wife of James Blake
C 6 Scott, Mary 1.1.1766 widow of Joseph Scott
C 7 Blake, Joseph 6.12.1796 son of James Blake
C 26 Blake, James 7.6.1803
C 27 Blake, Susanna 26.5.1781 widow of John Blake
F 94 Blake, James Ruffin Scott 24.10.1905 also wife grace, son William
F 95 Blake, Sarah 8.11.1906 also James her husband
C 49 Blake, Mary April 1852 wife of James Blake
D 4 Blake, Walter Scott 22.9.1872 son of James Blake
D 5 Blake, James 17.11.1795 wife Elizabeth Scott Blake
D 6 Blake, Frances 2.11.1895 James Ruffin Blake
D 17 Blake, Mary 24.7.1831 dau of James Ruffin Blake
D 18 Blake, James Ruffin 18.3.1839 wife Elizabeth
D 19 Blake, Susannah 9.1.1815
D 20 Blake, Benjamin 28.10.1837
D 21 Blake, John 9.1.1826 also Charlotte his wife
D 22 Blake, Charles 17.3.1827 son of John Blake
D 29 Blake, Sussanna 31.7.1818 dau of John Blake
D 30 Blake, William 27.12.1808 son of John Blake
D 32 Blake, Susannah 31.10.1811 burned to death
D 33 Blake, Mary 4.5.1797 wife of henry Blake
D 34 Blake, Henry 22.10.1845 Mary his wife & son Richard
D 35 Blake, Ann 23.9.1845 wife of James Blake
E 23 Blake, Mary 20.7.1808 also Jonathan her husband
F 73 Blake, Julia Groundsell 9.6.1878 dau of James Fred bro of
James
F 94 Blake, James Ruffin Scott 24.10.1905 also wife grace, son William
F 95 Blake, Sarah 8.11.1906 also James her husband
F 108 Blake, Mary 9.4.1870 Mary (wife) and Jessie
Saunders dau.
F 109 Blake, Henry 29.10.1899 sexton for 40 years
F 148 Blake, James 31.3.1863
Looking at the IGI now for marriages and could not find the 8 Apr 1721 marriage of Joseph Scott and Mary Ruffin however this online tree does have an extracted parish record from Ancestry (Marriage License allegations, Bishop of Winchester 1689 1837) showing Joseph Scott of Christchurch gent marrying Mary Russin spinster at Milton, C., or Sopley 8 Apr 1721. This same site has a date of birth 6 Dec 1700 in Arreton for Mary Ruffin and a date of death 1 Jan 1766 in Arreton which does agree with the burial date shown on the tombstone mentioned earlier in St George Churchyard at Arreton. Elizabeth Ruffin Blake was born/baptized 5 Apr 1739 in Merston Isle of Wight according to the family tree on Ancestry (Betey Roffen Scott was baptized 11 Apr 1739 at Christchurch, Hampshire daughter of Joseph Scott C01763-1 Family Search). An interesting history from British History online: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42063.
Birchmore formed part of the early lords' hunting ground, and is referred to in the list of liberties allowed to Isabel de Fortibus, Countess of Albemarle, in 1279. (fn. 12) It lies opposite Stone, a little to the east, and the present house appears to be an early 18thcentury structure. During part of the 16th and 17th centuries it was owned by the yeoman family of Harbert (fn. 13) or Herbert, but in the 18th century by the family of Ruffin. The date stone in the east gable, W.R.S. 1736, evidently refers to a member of the latter family. (fn. 14) In a lease of East Birchmore, 19 May 1753, the holder is described as 'William Ruffin of Birchmore, gentleman.' Elizabeth, granddaughter of William Ruffin, married James Blake, who thus came into possession of Birchmore, which is now administered by the executors of the late Mr. Scott Blake.
It would be interesting to look at this Blake line as it does appear to be the earliest line on the Isle of Wight at least back into the mid 1600s by the Parish Registers at Shalfleet.
James in his will mentions his sons: James Ruffin Blake, John Blake, Henry Blake and Benjamin Blake and his daughters: Elizabeth Tombs, Susanna Blake and Jane Blake. The online tree lists his children as Elizabeth (born/baptized 12 Feb 1760 in Arreton, James Ruffin (born/baptized 2 Jul 1762 at Arreton), John, Susannah (born/baptized 29 Dec 1768 in Arreton), Henry (born baptized 26 Feb 1771 in Arreton), Jane (circa 1771), Benjamin (circa 1772), Jane (circa 1773), and Joseph (circa 1773 died/buried 10 Dec 1796 in Arreton). John one of the sons is found on the Census in 1841 and 1851 at Godshill and he lists his date of birth at 1767 and 1766 which would fit into the above scheme for the children of James. The IGI does not list these baptisms unfortunately (the parish Registers for Arreton are listed as being from 1754 to 1978 so should be able to find these baptisms there).
This family can be traced down into the 1900s through the census. I must admit to a strong curiosity if they are descendant of the Wiltshire Blake family. If indeed James was the son of John baptized 3 Nov 1696 at Ningwood near Shalfleet and he the son of John Blake and Mary Ranear married 24 Sep 1691 at Shalfleet, one wonders how much further back it would be possible to trace this Blake line on the Isle of Wight. Online trees do take this line back further on the Isle of Wight. However by the late 1600s there were a lot of Blake lines in southern Hampshire/Dorset and Wiltshire.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 7 Oct 2012
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1395/214
Name of testator: James Blake, Gentleman
Place: Birchmore, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated:, 1 Jan 1802, probated 6 Jul 1803
Read: Electronic file images
Condition: middle and modern English, 19th century, smudged but fairly clear copy
[In margin] James
[In margin] Blake
1 This is the last Will
2 and Testament of me James Blake Es[quire]
3 Birchmore in the Isle of Wight in the
4 County of Southampton Gentleman as
5 follows first I Will order and direct that all my
6 just debts funeral expences and be fully paid
7 and satisfied by my Executors hereinafter
8 named and appointed within a convenient
9 time after my decease and I give and Bequeath
10 the Sum of ten pounds unto and amongst
11 the poor of the parish of Arreton for to be
12 laid out in Bread and distributed amongs[t]
13 them within One Month next after my
14 decease at the option of my Executors Also
15 I give and devise all my Estate and Interest
16 of and in a certain Farm and Lands called
17 Hillis situate in the parish of Northwood
18 in the Isle of Wight unto and between my
19 four sons James Ruffin Blake John Blake
20 Henry Blake and Benjamin Blake their heirs
21 and assigns as tenants in common And
22 Whereas my son James Ruffin Blake is
23 intitled to the Capital Messuage Farm Land
24 and Premises with the appurt[enance]s called West
25 Birchmore as heir at Law of his late Mother
26 __ors I do give devise and bequeath all those
27 the great Tithes of the same Farm Land
28 and Premises unto my son James Ruffin
29 Blake his heirs and Assigns forever Also I
30 give devise and Bequeath my Messuage
31 Farm and premises with the app[urtenan]ces called
32 East Birchmore with the proxies (or Great tithes)
33 thereof and also the Great Tithes of
34 Leybrooksfield and Horsecroft and the Great
35 Tithes of the Farm and Lands called
36 Skinners unto my son James Ruffin Blake his
37 heirs and assigns forever upon condition
38 nevertheless that he the said James
39 Ruffin Blake his heirs and assigns do and
40 within twelve Months after my decease
41 pay or raise to be paid unto my Son
42 Benjamin Blake and to my two daughters
43 Susanna and Jane Blake the sum of one
44 thousand pounds apiece of lawful money of Great
45 Britain And I do hereby charge and make
46 chargeable the said Messuage Farm Lands
47 and premises so given and devised to the
48 said James Ruffin Blake to and with the
49 payment of the said three several Legacies of
50 One thousand pounds each And I give
51 and Bequeath to my Son John Blake of
52 Westocott five hundred pounds of lawful
53 money of Great Britain and to my son
[Page 2]
54 Henry Blake I give and Bequeath the like
55 sum of five hundred pounds of like money
56 Also I give and Bequeath to my Son
57 Benjamin Blake two hundred pounds of
58 like lawful money also I give and bequeath
59 to my daughter Elizabeth Wife of Richard
60 Hall Tombs of the City of Winchester the
61 dividends and Interest of the Sum of thirteen
62 hundred pounds three per cent Reduced Bank
62 Annuities for and during her natural life and
63 from and after her decease I give and bequeath
64 the said thirteen hundred pounds reduced
65 annuities unto my grand daughter Mary Ann
66 Tombs and to my Grand Son Richard Tombs
67 to be equally divided between them share
68 and share alike on their severally attaining
69 the age of twenty One years and in case
70 of the death of either of them my Grand
71 daughter or Grand Son before they had he
72 or she has attained the age of twenty One
73 years unmarried and without leaving any
74 child or children then and in such case I
75 give and Bequeath the whole of the thirteen
76 hundred pounds reduced Annuities to the Survivor
77 of them I give and Bequeath to my daughter
78 Susanna Blake and to my daughter Jane
79 Blake five hundred pounds to each of them of
80 lawful money moneys of Great Britain Also I
81 give and Bequeath to my said daughters
82 Susanna and Jane Blake my Gold Rings and
83 Trinkets to be divided between them I give and
84 Bequeath to my Son James Ruffin Blake my
85 household Goods and Furniture except such part
86 as he shall chose ^ I give and Bequeath
his Brothers and Sisters also I give and Bequeath to
87 to my said Son James Ruffin Blake my
88 live and dead Stock in husbantry except
89 such part as he shall chose to give and
90 Relinquish to his Brother Benjamin Also
91 I give and Bequeath to my said Son James
92 Ruffin Blake and my said son Benjamin Blake
93 and my said daughters Susanna and Jane
94 Blake my Linnen and China to be divided
95 between them I give and Bequeath to my said
96 Son James Ruffin Blake a pair of Silver
97 candle sticks two large Silver Waiters given by
98 my late Cousin Mary Quail I also give and
99 Bequeath the rest of my Silver plate to and
100 between my said Sons and daughters namely
101 James Ruffin Blake Benjamin Blake Susannah
102 and Jane Blake and likewise between my two Sons
103 John and Henry Blake share and share alike to be
104 divided between them I give and Bequeath unto
105 my daughter Elizabeth Tombs six large Silver table
106 Spoons
[Page 4]
107 Spoons and six silver tea spoons or ready money in
108 lieu of it at the option of my Executors and I give
109 and Bequeath unto my said Son James Ruffin Blake
110 the sum of forty pounds by me received on
111 sale of a small Estate at Christchurch which
112 was the property of my late Wife and I give to my
113 worthy friend Elizabeth Hawker Spinster of Portsmouth
114 five Guineas for a Ring in reward for her kindly attendance
115 on me in my sickness and I give and Bequeath all
116 the rest residue and Remainder of my money
117 and Securities for money and all my personal
118 Estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto
119 and between my four sons namely James Ruffin
120 blake John Blake Henry Blake and Benjamin
121 B lake equally divided between them and I do hereby
122 nominate constitute and appoint my said Sons
123 James Ruffin Blake John Blake and Henry Blake
124 to be Joint Executors of this my Will hereby
125 revoking all former Wills by me at any time
126 heretofore made In Witness whereof I the said
127 Testator James Blake have to this my last Will
128 and Testament containing three sheets of paper
129 to the first and second sheet set my hand and to
130 this third and last sheet my hand and seal the
131 first day of January in the year of Our Lord
132 One thousand eight hundred and two Js Blake [signed]
133 [Seal] Signed sealed published and declared by the said
134 Testator James Blake as and for his last Will and
135 Testament in the presence of us who at his request
136 and in his presence and in the presence of each
137 other have subscribed our names as Witnesses here
138 unto the words in the seventh line of the first
139 sheet interlined is and in the second sheet fifth
140 lines Bank ditto Eleventh lines the death of and
141 in ditto twenty three lines Ruffin Wm Baker [signed]
142 Wm Baker Jr [signed] W Chamberlain [signed]
143 This Will was proved at London On the
144 sixth day of July in the year of Our Lord One
145 thousand eight hundred and three before the Right
146 honorable Sir William Wynne Knight Doctor of Laws
147 and Master Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative
148 Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oaths of
149 James Ruffin Blake John Blake and Henry
150 Blake the Sons of the deceased and the Executors
151 named in the said Will to whom Administration was
152 granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits
153 of the deceased having been first sworn duly to
154 Administer by Commission
Looking at a number of trees on Ancestry this Blake family is purported to have been on the Isle of Wight from at least the mid 1500s on. There is no mention of a Blake family there in British History Online for Shalfleet. However that doesn't preclude the Blake family being there. They simply were not mentioned in the British History Online for Shalfleet.
James father is named as John Blake who was likely born 3 Nov 1696 at Ningwood Isle of Wight (died/buried 29 Apr 1731 at Compton, Isle of Wight). John married Susanne de Garis 6 May 1729 in Brooke, Isle of Wight (and she was his second wife). John (born 1696) was said to be the son of John Blake and Mary Ranier (there is a marriage listed in a set of transcriptions for Shalfleet online showing a marriage between John Blake and Mary Ranear 24 Sep 1691. http://www.sources.shalfleet.net/shalfleet_marriages_1604-1751.htm
This Register begins with 1604 and ends in 1837 and this is the only marriage for a male Blake at Shalfleet (a Mary Blake married Abraham Tricket 1 Jan 1660). However baptisms from the same source show a John Blake son of Georg Blake baptized 10 Sep 1609, Anna Blake daughter of John Blake baptized 10 Mar 1643, Elez Blake daughter of John Blake baptized 24 Jul 1652, David Blake son of John Blake baptized 24 Sep 1694, John Blake (as above) baptized 29 Nov 1696 son of John and Jane Blake (born 10 Nov 1696), James Blake baptized 9 Mar 1698 son of John and Jane Blake (born 11 Feb 1698), Mary Blake daughter of John Blake baptized 20 Jun 1705, John Blake baptized 19 Mar 1729 son of John Blake the younger and no further baptisms to the end of 1799 in this transcription http://www.sources.shalfleet.net/shalfleet_baptisms_1786-1799.htm. The Burial Register has also been transcribed Edward Blake was buried 15 Mar 1661, Elizabeth Blake was buried 15 Feb 1691 (or 1692), Anne Blake wife of Mr. John Blake was buried 20 Apr 1721, Mr. John Blake was buried 29 Apr 1731 and the website again: http://www.sources.shalfleet.net/shalfleet_burial_records_1725_1752.htm
Although John Blake married Jane Ranear at Shalfleet they did not baptize their children there other than David, John, James and Mary according to the online transcriptions (missing would be Sarah, Jane and Elizabeth mentioned in the tree on Ancestry). It would be interesting to see if there is any proof for saying that James Blake born at Guernsey Channel Islands son of John Blake and Susanne de Garis has as his grandparents John Blake and Jane Ranear. James was a posthumous child it would appear which probably accounts for his being born on the Guernsey Islands (his father died/was buried 29 Apr 1731 at Compton Isle of Wight according to the Ancestry tree. Compton Bay is located on the west side of the Isle of Wight. The one linking items is definitely the burial of Susanne Blake 26 May 1781 widow of John Blake close by the burial of her son James Blake (7 Jun 1803). One problem with that is the recording of the memorial stones in the graveyard: http://www.isle-of-wight-fhs.co.uk/mis_bis/mis_arreton_st_george_churchyard.pdf
as there is a stone that says buried James Blake (D5 17 Nov 1795) wife of Elizabeth Scott Blake. But by his will we know that he was buried after 1 Feb 1802 and before 6 Jul 1803. Elizabeth is buried next to her parents Mary Scott buried 1 Jan 1766 widow of Joseph Scott.
Elizabeth (daughter of James Blake testator) married Richard Hall Tombs (marriage not yet located). Children of Richard and Elizabeth: Elizabeth Blake Tombs baptized 31 Mar 1783 at St Thomas Winchester, Mary Tombs baptized 23 Mar 1784 at Saint Thomas Winchester (K13675-1 Family Search), for Richard Tombs I did not find his christening at Winchester.
Other Blake memorials from the webpage for St George Churchyard at Arreton Isle of Wight
C 5 Blake, Elizabeth Ruffin 26.3.1790 wife of James Blake
C 6 Scott, Mary 1.1.1766 widow of Joseph Scott
C 7 Blake, Joseph 6.12.1796 son of James Blake
C 26 Blake, James 7.6.1803
C 27 Blake, Susanna 26.5.1781 widow of John Blake
F 94 Blake, James Ruffin Scott 24.10.1905 also wife grace, son William
F 95 Blake, Sarah 8.11.1906 also James her husband
C 49 Blake, Mary April 1852 wife of James Blake
D 4 Blake, Walter Scott 22.9.1872 son of James Blake
D 5 Blake, James 17.11.1795 wife Elizabeth Scott Blake
D 6 Blake, Frances 2.11.1895 James Ruffin Blake
D 17 Blake, Mary 24.7.1831 dau of James Ruffin Blake
D 18 Blake, James Ruffin 18.3.1839 wife Elizabeth
D 19 Blake, Susannah 9.1.1815
D 20 Blake, Benjamin 28.10.1837
D 21 Blake, John 9.1.1826 also Charlotte his wife
D 22 Blake, Charles 17.3.1827 son of John Blake
D 29 Blake, Sussanna 31.7.1818 dau of John Blake
D 30 Blake, William 27.12.1808 son of John Blake
D 32 Blake, Susannah 31.10.1811 burned to death
D 33 Blake, Mary 4.5.1797 wife of henry Blake
D 34 Blake, Henry 22.10.1845 Mary his wife & son Richard
D 35 Blake, Ann 23.9.1845 wife of James Blake
E 23 Blake, Mary 20.7.1808 also Jonathan her husband
F 73 Blake, Julia Groundsell 9.6.1878 dau of James Fred bro of
James
F 94 Blake, James Ruffin Scott 24.10.1905 also wife grace, son William
F 95 Blake, Sarah 8.11.1906 also James her husband
F 108 Blake, Mary 9.4.1870 Mary (wife) and Jessie
Saunders dau.
F 109 Blake, Henry 29.10.1899 sexton for 40 years
F 148 Blake, James 31.3.1863
Looking at the IGI now for marriages and could not find the 8 Apr 1721 marriage of Joseph Scott and Mary Ruffin however this online tree does have an extracted parish record from Ancestry (Marriage License allegations, Bishop of Winchester 1689 1837) showing Joseph Scott of Christchurch gent marrying Mary Russin spinster at Milton, C., or Sopley 8 Apr 1721. This same site has a date of birth 6 Dec 1700 in Arreton for Mary Ruffin and a date of death 1 Jan 1766 in Arreton which does agree with the burial date shown on the tombstone mentioned earlier in St George Churchyard at Arreton. Elizabeth Ruffin Blake was born/baptized 5 Apr 1739 in Merston Isle of Wight according to the family tree on Ancestry (Betey Roffen Scott was baptized 11 Apr 1739 at Christchurch, Hampshire daughter of Joseph Scott C01763-1 Family Search). An interesting history from British History online: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42063.
Birchmore formed part of the early lords' hunting ground, and is referred to in the list of liberties allowed to Isabel de Fortibus, Countess of Albemarle, in 1279. (fn. 12) It lies opposite Stone, a little to the east, and the present house appears to be an early 18thcentury structure. During part of the 16th and 17th centuries it was owned by the yeoman family of Harbert (fn. 13) or Herbert, but in the 18th century by the family of Ruffin. The date stone in the east gable, W.R.S. 1736, evidently refers to a member of the latter family. (fn. 14) In a lease of East Birchmore, 19 May 1753, the holder is described as 'William Ruffin of Birchmore, gentleman.' Elizabeth, granddaughter of William Ruffin, married James Blake, who thus came into possession of Birchmore, which is now administered by the executors of the late Mr. Scott Blake.
It would be interesting to look at this Blake line as it does appear to be the earliest line on the Isle of Wight at least back into the mid 1600s by the Parish Registers at Shalfleet.
James in his will mentions his sons: James Ruffin Blake, John Blake, Henry Blake and Benjamin Blake and his daughters: Elizabeth Tombs, Susanna Blake and Jane Blake. The online tree lists his children as Elizabeth (born/baptized 12 Feb 1760 in Arreton, James Ruffin (born/baptized 2 Jul 1762 at Arreton), John, Susannah (born/baptized 29 Dec 1768 in Arreton), Henry (born baptized 26 Feb 1771 in Arreton), Jane (circa 1771), Benjamin (circa 1772), Jane (circa 1773), and Joseph (circa 1773 died/buried 10 Dec 1796 in Arreton). John one of the sons is found on the Census in 1841 and 1851 at Godshill and he lists his date of birth at 1767 and 1766 which would fit into the above scheme for the children of James. The IGI does not list these baptisms unfortunately (the parish Registers for Arreton are listed as being from 1754 to 1978 so should be able to find these baptisms there).
This family can be traced down into the 1900s through the census. I must admit to a strong curiosity if they are descendant of the Wiltshire Blake family. If indeed James was the son of John baptized 3 Nov 1696 at Ningwood near Shalfleet and he the son of John Blake and Mary Ranear married 24 Sep 1691 at Shalfleet, one wonders how much further back it would be possible to trace this Blake line on the Isle of Wight. Online trees do take this line back further on the Isle of Wight. However by the late 1600s there were a lot of Blake lines in southern Hampshire/Dorset and Wiltshire.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 7 Oct 2012
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1395/214
Name of testator: James Blake, Gentleman
Place: Birchmore, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated:, 1 Jan 1802, probated 6 Jul 1803
Read: Electronic file images
Condition: middle and modern English, 19th century, smudged but fairly clear copy
[In margin] James
[In margin] Blake
1 This is the last Will
2 and Testament of me James Blake Es[quire]
3 Birchmore in the Isle of Wight in the
4 County of Southampton Gentleman as
5 follows first I Will order and direct that all my
6 just debts funeral expences and be fully paid
7 and satisfied by my Executors hereinafter
8 named and appointed within a convenient
9 time after my decease and I give and Bequeath
10 the Sum of ten pounds unto and amongst
11 the poor of the parish of Arreton for to be
12 laid out in Bread and distributed amongs[t]
13 them within One Month next after my
14 decease at the option of my Executors Also
15 I give and devise all my Estate and Interest
16 of and in a certain Farm and Lands called
17 Hillis situate in the parish of Northwood
18 in the Isle of Wight unto and between my
19 four sons James Ruffin Blake John Blake
20 Henry Blake and Benjamin Blake their heirs
21 and assigns as tenants in common And
22 Whereas my son James Ruffin Blake is
23 intitled to the Capital Messuage Farm Land
24 and Premises with the appurt[enance]s called West
25 Birchmore as heir at Law of his late Mother
26 __ors I do give devise and bequeath all those
27 the great Tithes of the same Farm Land
28 and Premises unto my son James Ruffin
29 Blake his heirs and Assigns forever Also I
30 give devise and Bequeath my Messuage
31 Farm and premises with the app[urtenan]ces called
32 East Birchmore with the proxies (or Great tithes)
33 thereof and also the Great Tithes of
34 Leybrooksfield and Horsecroft and the Great
35 Tithes of the Farm and Lands called
36 Skinners unto my son James Ruffin Blake his
37 heirs and assigns forever upon condition
38 nevertheless that he the said James
39 Ruffin Blake his heirs and assigns do and
40 within twelve Months after my decease
41 pay or raise to be paid unto my Son
42 Benjamin Blake and to my two daughters
43 Susanna and Jane Blake the sum of one
44 thousand pounds apiece of lawful money of Great
45 Britain And I do hereby charge and make
46 chargeable the said Messuage Farm Lands
47 and premises so given and devised to the
48 said James Ruffin Blake to and with the
49 payment of the said three several Legacies of
50 One thousand pounds each And I give
51 and Bequeath to my Son John Blake of
52 Westocott five hundred pounds of lawful
53 money of Great Britain and to my son
[Page 2]
54 Henry Blake I give and Bequeath the like
55 sum of five hundred pounds of like money
56 Also I give and Bequeath to my Son
57 Benjamin Blake two hundred pounds of
58 like lawful money also I give and bequeath
59 to my daughter Elizabeth Wife of Richard
60 Hall Tombs of the City of Winchester the
61 dividends and Interest of the Sum of thirteen
62 hundred pounds three per cent Reduced Bank
62 Annuities for and during her natural life and
63 from and after her decease I give and bequeath
64 the said thirteen hundred pounds reduced
65 annuities unto my grand daughter Mary Ann
66 Tombs and to my Grand Son Richard Tombs
67 to be equally divided between them share
68 and share alike on their severally attaining
69 the age of twenty One years and in case
70 of the death of either of them my Grand
71 daughter or Grand Son before they had he
72 or she has attained the age of twenty One
73 years unmarried and without leaving any
74 child or children then and in such case I
75 give and Bequeath the whole of the thirteen
76 hundred pounds reduced Annuities to the Survivor
77 of them I give and Bequeath to my daughter
78 Susanna Blake and to my daughter Jane
79 Blake five hundred pounds to each of them of
80 lawful money moneys of Great Britain Also I
81 give and Bequeath to my said daughters
82 Susanna and Jane Blake my Gold Rings and
83 Trinkets to be divided between them I give and
84 Bequeath to my Son James Ruffin Blake my
85 household Goods and Furniture except such part
86 as he shall chose ^ I give and Bequeath
his Brothers and Sisters also I give and Bequeath to
87 to my said Son James Ruffin Blake my
88 live and dead Stock in husbantry except
89 such part as he shall chose to give and
90 Relinquish to his Brother Benjamin Also
91 I give and Bequeath to my said Son James
92 Ruffin Blake and my said son Benjamin Blake
93 and my said daughters Susanna and Jane
94 Blake my Linnen and China to be divided
95 between them I give and Bequeath to my said
96 Son James Ruffin Blake a pair of Silver
97 candle sticks two large Silver Waiters given by
98 my late Cousin Mary Quail I also give and
99 Bequeath the rest of my Silver plate to and
100 between my said Sons and daughters namely
101 James Ruffin Blake Benjamin Blake Susannah
102 and Jane Blake and likewise between my two Sons
103 John and Henry Blake share and share alike to be
104 divided between them I give and Bequeath unto
105 my daughter Elizabeth Tombs six large Silver table
106 Spoons
[Page 4]
107 Spoons and six silver tea spoons or ready money in
108 lieu of it at the option of my Executors and I give
109 and Bequeath unto my said Son James Ruffin Blake
110 the sum of forty pounds by me received on
111 sale of a small Estate at Christchurch which
112 was the property of my late Wife and I give to my
113 worthy friend Elizabeth Hawker Spinster of Portsmouth
114 five Guineas for a Ring in reward for her kindly attendance
115 on me in my sickness and I give and Bequeath all
116 the rest residue and Remainder of my money
117 and Securities for money and all my personal
118 Estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever unto
119 and between my four sons namely James Ruffin
120 blake John Blake Henry Blake and Benjamin
121 B lake equally divided between them and I do hereby
122 nominate constitute and appoint my said Sons
123 James Ruffin Blake John Blake and Henry Blake
124 to be Joint Executors of this my Will hereby
125 revoking all former Wills by me at any time
126 heretofore made In Witness whereof I the said
127 Testator James Blake have to this my last Will
128 and Testament containing three sheets of paper
129 to the first and second sheet set my hand and to
130 this third and last sheet my hand and seal the
131 first day of January in the year of Our Lord
132 One thousand eight hundred and two Js Blake [signed]
133 [Seal] Signed sealed published and declared by the said
134 Testator James Blake as and for his last Will and
135 Testament in the presence of us who at his request
136 and in his presence and in the presence of each
137 other have subscribed our names as Witnesses here
138 unto the words in the seventh line of the first
139 sheet interlined is and in the second sheet fifth
140 lines Bank ditto Eleventh lines the death of and
141 in ditto twenty three lines Ruffin Wm Baker [signed]
142 Wm Baker Jr [signed] W Chamberlain [signed]
143 This Will was proved at London On the
144 sixth day of July in the year of Our Lord One
145 thousand eight hundred and three before the Right
146 honorable Sir William Wynne Knight Doctor of Laws
147 and Master Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative
148 Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oaths of
149 James Ruffin Blake John Blake and Henry
150 Blake the Sons of the deceased and the Executors
151 named in the said Will to whom Administration was
152 granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits
153 of the deceased having been first sworn duly to
154 Administer by Commission
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