Will of Barnard Blake, Esquire, of Westerham, Kent - The National Archives, PROB 11/1366/131

The testator, Barnard Blake, was buried 26 Nov 1801 at Westerham. The age was mentioned as 70 years. He served an apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker with John West, St Paul Covent Garden Middlesex. His father was named William Blake. Bernard Blake was baptized at Westerham 1 Nov 1731 son of William Blake.

Bank of England Wills Extracts Folio 27206 21 Apr 1807 which is an adjustment to the will below.  There is the sum of £1500. Annuities in the names of Master Marmaduke Lewis of Farmingham Kent. Richard Board of Westerham Kent. Alexander Roby of Bush Lane Merchant. Barnard Blake of Shipbourne Kent Gent.

Folio 27272 has a second extract. There is also the sum of £1500. Annuities in the names of The Reverend Marmaduke Lewis of Farmingham. Rev Richard Board of Westerham.

The Reverend Marmaduke Lewis is deceased as appears by Probate dated 8th August 1806 these Annuities are therefore at the Disposal of the Survivors in the respective Accounts. Registered 12th Nov 1806.

Barnard Blake married Ann Lewis 19 Feb 1760 at Barking, Essex. Ann was buried 24 May 1776 at Westerham. Susan Blake, their daughter, was baptized 26 Oct 1764 and buried 19 Apr 1765. Penelope Rebecca Blake, their daughter was buried 26 Jun 1773. There was a marble monument which can be seen on gravestone photos

https://www.gravestonephotos.com/public/gravedetails.php?grave=339598

A very sad tale is recounted in the will as Barnard asked to be buried in the same vault as his wife and children.

Barnard Blake was likely the son of William Blake and Rebecca Brooker who married 11 Feb 1728 at Westerham, Kent. Rebecca was buried 24 Jun 1789 at Westerham as the widow of William). William may have been buried 28 Jan 1771. They baptized the following children at Westerham:

Sarah Blake was baptized 9 Dec 1729
Thomas Blake was baptized 18 Dec 1730 (there was a Thomas Blake buried 29 Dec 1730)
Bernard Blake was baptized 1 Nov 1731
Rebecka Blake was baptized 29 Jun 1733
Mitchell Blake was baptized 12 Apr 1735 (there was a Mitchell Blake buried 25 Aug 1736)
Elizabeth was baptized 22 Nov 1736
William Blake was baptized 17 Nov 1738 (there was a William Blake buried 1 Sep 1792)
Edmund Blake was baptized 19 Mar 1740 (there was an Edmund Blake buried 6 Sep 1756)
Dorithy Blake was baptized 28 Feb 1742
Mary Blake was baptized 20 Feb 1743
Anne Blake was baptized 22 Jun 1747 (there was an Ann Blake buried 12 Jan 1791)
Jane Blake was baptized 22 Jun 1747
Alice Blake was baptized 11 Apr 1749
Penelope Blake was baptized 4 Jun 1751

Dorothy Blake married Peter Tow 6 Jul 1782 at Westerham. Two of their children are mentioned in the will below: Barnard Tow and Mary Ann Tow.

A William Blake married Mary Humphery 5 Aug 1765 at Westerham and described as William Blake junior.

I couldn’t locate parents for William Blake marrying Rebecca Brooker at Westerham.

There are still another 24 wills for the Blake family in Kent. Perhaps something will show up in another will that will link this family back.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 7 Jul 2019
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1366/131
Testator: Barnard Blake, Esquire
Place: Westerham, Kent
Type of Record:    Will
Date of document: 14 Apr 1801, probated 2 Dec 1801

[Margin]: Barnard Blake, Esquire

1    This is the Will of me
2    Barnard Blake of Westerham in the County
3    of Kent I desire to be decently buried in the same
4    Vault in the Church of Westerham as my late
5    dear Wife and Children are buried at the
6    discretion of my Executor herein named and I do
7    direct him to place a marble Monument in
8    memory of my said family not to exceed Fifty pounds
9    in Value I give and bequeath to Rich[ar]d Packham
10    of the Parish of Wrotham in the County of
11    Kent Esq[uie]r and to Renwill Oldaker of the
12    Parish of Barking in the County of Essex
13    Gentleman and to their heirs and to the heirs
14    of the Survivor of them all my freehold and
15    copyhold Estates in the parish of Westerham in
16    the County of Kent with all other my real
17    Estates wheresoever and whatsoever upon
18    Trust to receive the rents and profits thereof
19    And pay the same to my three Sisters share and
20    share alike for and during their natural lives
21    and to the live of the longest liver of them and from
22    and after their decease I give the same to my
23    Nephew Thomas Deane his heirs and assigns
24    and I do recommend my said Trustees to permit
25    my Sister Dorothy to occupie all the premises
26    I have in my occupation in Westerham at
27    the yearly Rent of Fifteen pounds during her
28    natural life likewise I recommend to my said
29    Trustees to permit my Sister Mary to occupie
30    at the present rent she pays three pounds a year
31    during her life for all the premises she now
32    has I give to my Sister Dorothy all such
33    Furniture and plate as was my late Aunt _____
34    and I do give her also the use of all this my
35    Furniture in my house if she choses to occupie
36    it during her life and after her decease I give
37    The same to my Nephew Thomas Deane I
38    give to my said Sisters Ten pounds Each to
39    William Langridge Sarah Wallis Barnes
40    Martin five pounds Each to any servants that
41    are with me and have been with me
42    one full year Five pounds
43    each and my Wearing apparel to the poor of
44    Westerham Five pounds To such has have
45    Received no alums therefrom all the rest of my
46    personal I give to my above named Trustees
47    to receive the Interest therefrom and pay the
48    same to my said three sisters during their
49    natural lives and to the Survivor of them and
50    after the death of such Survivor I give to my
51    niece Martha Oldaker the sum of two hundred
52    pounds to Nephew William Blake three hundred
53    pounds to my niece Mary Blake one hundred
54    pounds to my Nephew Barnard Tow five hundred
55    pounds to my Niece Mary Ann Tow one hundred
56    pounds to my Niece Penelope Butler one hundred
57    And Fifty pounds to the Reverend Marmaduke
58    Lewis Fifty pounds to Jno Werham Lewis Esqr
59    twenty pounds to my above named Trustees
60    Ten pounds Each to all other my Nieces and
61    Nephews Five pounds each all the rest of my
62    said personal Estates whatsoever give to my said
63    Nephew Thos Dean and I do make him Sole
64    Executor of this my Will dated this fourteenth
65    day of April one thousand Eight hundred and
66    one Barn[ar]d Blake Signed Sealed
67    published and declared by Barn[ar]d Blake to
68    be his last Will and Testament in presence
69    of us who at his request and in presence of
70    each other have subscribed our Names as
71    Witnesses thereof Sah Diplock Mary Payton
72    Thomas Coleman
73    This Will was proved at London the
74    second day of December in the year of our Lord
75    One thousand Eight hundred and one before
76    the Worshipful John Sewell doctor of Laws
77    and Surrogate of the Right honorable Sir
78    William Wynne Knight doctor of Laws Master
79    Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court
80    of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath
81    of Thomas Deane the Nephew and Sole Executor
82    named in the said Will to whom Administration
83    was granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattles
84    and Credits of the said deceased having been first
85    sworn duly to administer

Will of Peter Blake of Saint Breock, Cornwall - The National Archives PROB 11/706/316, probated 13 Dec 1740

Peter Blake is the testator and he states that he is of Saint Breock. He names his brother in law as John Buscombe so perhaps his wife’s maiden name was Buscombe. No children are named. Peter was a common name in the Blake family at Breock.

Looking back at the will of Andrew Blake and his executrix was to be living in Southwark and his will was dated 1691 so earlier and he mentions his brothers and their children and they include a Peter Blake son of Henry Blake. Is this the Peter Blake writing this will?

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

On the OPC webpage for St Breock there is memtion that John Buscombe was a Church Warden in 1732 at St Breock.

Interesting that he wrote his will while visiting at Berwick Street in Saint James’ Westminster. The survey of London which included The Parish of St James Westminster, South of Piccadilly lists a Robert Hutchinson and he was a carpenter living at number 21. I am not able to see this book unfortunately.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 4 Jun 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/706/316
Testator: Peter Blake
Place: Saint Breock, Cornwall, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 13 Jul 1738 , probated 13 Dec 1740
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Peter
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the name of God Amen
2    I Peter Blake of the parish of Saint Breock in the County
3    of Cornwall being at present in an ill State of health but of
4    sound mind and memory thanks be to God for the same Do
5    make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form
6    following that is to say I give and bequeath to my kinswoman
7    Mary Moyes ten pounds Also I give and bequeath to my
8    loving wife Margaret Two hundred pounds Lastly all the
9    rest and residue of my Estates Goods and Chattells I give and
10    bequeath to my brother Law John Buscombe and his heirs
11    for ever Upon condition that the said Buscombe do pay and
12    discharge all my debts and Funeral Expences whatsoever and
13    for that purpose do nominate and appoint the said John
14    Buscombe Executor of this my last Will and Testament revoking
15    and cancelling all former Wills by me made In Witness my
16    hand this thirteenth day of July one thousand seven hundred
17    and thirty Eight in Berwick Street Saint James’s Westminster
18    Peter Blake Signed Sealed published and declared to be my
19    last Will and Testament in presence of us Robert Hutchinson
20    Cathen Hutchinson Francis Wallis Esquire
21    This Will was proved at London before the
22    Right Worshipfull John Bettesworth doctor of Laws Master
23    Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury
24    lawfully consdtituted the thirteenth day of December in the year
25    of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty by the Oath
26    of John Buscombe the sole Executor named in the last Will
27    and Testament of the said deceased to whom administration
28    was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits
29    of the said deceased being first sworn by Commission duly to
30    administer the same

Will of Hannah Blake wife of Saint Mary Abchurch, City of London - National Archives PROB 11/309/329, probated 20 Nov 1662

Hannah Blake testator is the wife of Edward Blake. She was Hannah Brushe baptized 26 Apr 1628 at Saint Mary Abchurch, London, England and the daughter of Thomas Brushe and Margaret. in 1655 when she married Edward Blake she would have been 27 years of age and when she was first widowed in 1649 she would have been 21 years of age which is, of course, possible. She must have then married a second time to an unknown Clarke although I was not able to identify that marriage in the IGI.

There is an infant Hannah Blake baptized 27 Nov 1658 daughter of Edward and Hannah Blake at Saint James Garlickhithe, London (C02249-2 Family Search). There was also a daughter Mary Blake baptized 1 Mar 1656 also at Saint James Garlickhithe.
The marriage of Edward Blake and Hannah Clarke was celebrated at Saint Mary Abchurch, London 5 Jan 1655 and there is an estimate of 1628 as the year of birth for Edward as he was 27 years of age. The bride was 23 (probably a transcription error as she was likely 27 years of age and hence born circa 1628 (M04589-1 Family Search). Hannah Pond now Blake was a widow in 1649 by the Indenture. She would have been only 21years of age and a widow. Her surname marrying Edward Blake was Clarke and she identifies her father as Thomas Brush.

Probably not a really valuable will in terms of learning about the Blake family.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 3 Nov 2012
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/309/329
Name of testator: Hannah Blake, wife
Place: Saint Mary Abchurch, City of London, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 18 Nov 1659, probated 20 Nov 1662
Read: Electronic file images
Condition: clear flowing writing, middle English, some smudging but clear

[Margin]: T[estator] Hanna
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the name of God Amen The
2    Eighteenth day of November in the yeare of our Lord god one
3    Thousand Six hundred fiftie and nyne I Hannah Blake wife of
4    Edward Blake Citizen and woodmonger of London being very sicke
5    and weake in body but of sound mynde and memory praysed be
6    Almighty god for the same doe make and declare this my last will and
7    testament in manner and forme following That is to say First and prin-
8    cipally I committ my precious Soule into the hands of Almighty
9    god which gave it Trusting and assuredly beleeving that through the
10    death and merritts of his deare Sonne Jesus Christ my only Saviour
11    most mercifull redeemer I shall have everlasting life with him in his
12    glorious kingdom my body I committ into the earth until the tyme
13    of
    [Page 2]
14    of its ioyfull resurrection And as touching such worldly estate as it hath
15    pleased Almighty God to blesse me withall And is by lawe in my owne
16    power and propper right to dispose of according to my owne will
17    and disc[ret]ion viz[ a vi]t a messuage or Tenement lately called or knowne by the
18    name or signe of the three Tennes and sometymes called the House and
19    all and singuler other then messuages erections buildings yards orchards
20    gardens wayes casiments proffitts comodities and hereditaments there-
21    unto adioyning and belonging scituate lyeng and being in the parrish
22    of Saint Runwalds and Saint Martins in the towne of Colchester in
23    the County of Essex formerly in the tenure or occupation of George
24    Harrison Edward Killington William Cooker Joane Wilson widdowe
25    Peter Smith Roger Cocke and John Wallis or some or one of them or
26    some other person or persons their assigne or assignes or undertenants in Fee
27    The rever[s]ions of all and singuler the said messuages tenements erections
28    and other the premisses being fully and absolutely vested and titled upon
29    me the said Hannah Blake by vertue of an Indenture dated the Six-
30    teenth day of February which was in the yeare of our Lord god one
31    Thousand six hundred forty and nyne made between Elizabeth
32    Whale of the parrish of East Smithfield in the Countie of Middlesex
33    widdowe of the one parte And in the said Hannah Blake in the tyme
34    of my widdowhood by the name of Hannah Pond of London
35    widdow I geve devise and bequeath the same as followeth viz[ a vi]t I
36    give devise and bequeath all and singuler the said messuages
37    erections buildings and all and singuler other theis premasies setled
38    upon me by the said recited and entire unto my deare and Loving
39    husband Edward Blake for and dureing the terme of his naturall
40    life and after his decease I give devise and bequeath the same premis-
41    ses unto my dear daughter Hannah Blake and such child or chil-
42    dren as I now goe withall living and the life of the longest liver of
43    them And from and after the decease of the longest liver of them
44    I give and bequeath the same premisses unto the right heires of
45    the body of my said daughter Hanna Blake and for default of such
    issue unto the right heires of the body or bodyes of such child or children
46    as I now goe withall And for default of such issue unto the righte
47    heires of the body of my said husband Edward Blake And for want
48    such issue unto Isaack Brush sonne of Edward Brush and his heires
49    for ever Item I make and constitute my deare and honoured father
50    Thomas Brush Cittizen and Clothworker of London James
51    Beech Cittizen and Cooper of London and Christopher Conyers
51    Cittizen and Blacksmith of London Joynt executors of this my
52    last will and testament who I doubt not will be very carefull to see
53    the same due executed and performed In witnes whereof I the
54    said Hannah Blake have set my hand and Seale the day and
55    yeare first above written to this my last will and Testament con-
56    teyned in the preceding sheet and in this present sheete of paper
57    Hannah Blake Signed Sealed Published and declared by the
58    said testatrix on the daye of the date to be hereby will and testa-
59    ment in the presence of us Thomas Brush James Beech
60    Christopher Conyers Anno   S: Ro___

Will of Arthur Blake, Writing Clerk of Briton Street Canal Walk, Southampton, Hampshire, National Archives PROB 11/1945, Image Reference 125/110, probated 7 May 1841

This is likely the Arthur Blake who died June quarter of 1838 at Southampton from Free BMD.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 11 May 2012
Source:  The National Archives PROB 11/1945, Image Reference 125/110  (images by me)
Name of testator: Arthur Blake, Writing Clerk of Briton Street Canal Walk Southampton, Hampshire
Place: Southampton, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated:  25 Apr 1838, probated 7 May 1841
Read: Electronic file
Condition: 19th century, bold lettering
[In margin] Arthur Blake 4

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Arthur Blake Writing Clerk now residing with George
3    Mitchell of Briton Street Canal Walk in the Town and County of
4    Southampton Tailor was and published this twenty fifth day of
5    April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty
6    eight First I will that all my just debts and funeral expences shall be
7    fully paid and satisfied I release Joseph Buelman of Portsmouth
8    from all interest monies which may be due from him to me at the
9    time of my decease all the Rest Residue and Remainder of`
10    my estate and effects I give devise and bequeath unto Ann Mitchell
11    Wife of the said George Mitchell her heirs executors adm[instrato]rs and assigns
12    according to the nature of the same estate and effects whatever real or
13    personal to and for her own absolute use and benefit and I nomi=
14    nate and appoint the said George Mitchell and Ann his wife as
15    Executor and Executrix of this my will and lastly I revoke all for-
16    mer Wills and declare this to be my last Will and Testament In
17    Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day
18    and year first above written. A Blake [seal] Signed sealed published
19    and declared by the testator Arthur Blake as and for his last Will
20    and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in
    the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as
21    witnesses Benj[ami]n Jones Clerk to Cha[rle]s __ires Sol[icito]r Southampton
22    Henry Wallis Bricklayer St Michaels Square Southampton
23    Proved at London 7th May 1841 before the Judge by the oaths
24    of George Mitchell and Ann Mitchell Wife of the said George Mitchell
25    the Executors to whom Adm[inistratio]n was granted having been first sworn
26    by Commission duly to administer.