Will of Elizabeth Blake - National Archives PROB 11/794/239, probated 12 May 1752

This will is written by the second wife of William Blake Mercer of Christchurch whose will was probated 8 Mar 1745. I have transcribed his will earlier in the year:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/05/will-of-william-blake-mercer-of.html

Primarily this will is about the second family of William Blake married to Elizabeth Hook. Elizabeth Blake identifies her father as William Hook deceased and that he owned a property called Little Kingston, Isle of Wight. Elizabeth has a sister Margaret Williams widow of Christchurch. She has the two daughters mentioned in William's will Hook (baptized 8 Dec 1727 at Christchurch (C14658-1 Family Search) (married to Francis Hackman (24 May 1750 at Christchurch (M14658-1 Family Search)) and Sarah (unmarried).

The executors of this will are Edward Hooper and James Worsley. David Worsley was one of the Executors of William's will but no relationship is known between these two men. However, one of Elizabeth's sisters is married to (unknown) Worsley (and James Worsley is said to be her cousin). Another sister was Grissel Hook mentioned in the will.

Also mentioned is the daughter of William Blake from his first marriage Elizabeth Dorothy Blake (right heir if Sarah and Hook die without heirs) and she is married to her first cousin John Garret Blake. Elizabeth's brother William Hook is also mentioned. Not a lot of new information on this Blake line (but new information on the Hook family for anyone interested) which is known to include siblings for William (husband of Elizabeth Blake testator) of Stephen (children: Stephen, Richard, Mary, Sarah, Dorathe, and perhaps grandchildren: Katherin and Stephen), John (father of John Garrett Blake) and his sister Dorathey married to Nicholas Slade.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 28 Sep 2012
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/794/239
Name of testator: Elizabeth Blake, Widow
Place: Christchurch Twyneham, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated:, 16 Aug 1750, probated 12 May 1752
Read: Electronic file images
Condition: modern English writing, 18th century
[In margin] Elizabeth
[In margin] Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Elizabeth Blake of the Borough of Christchurch Twyneham in the
3    County of Southampton Widow being in good health of Body, and of
4    sound and perfect mind memory and understanding (blessed be God
5    therefore do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in
6    manner and form following (that is to say) Whereas by virtue of the last
7    Will and Testament of my late Father William Hook deceased and
8    otherwise I am Intitled to the principal sum of one hundred and fifty
9    pounds payable out of a certain Estate called Little Kingston in the Isle
10    of Wight and County aforesaid when the same shall be sold and
11    till then to the Interest thereof at the rate of four pounds per
12    centum per annum I do hereby give and bequeath unto my
13    loving Sister Margaret Williams of Christchurch aforesaid Widow
14    the Yearly Sum of five pounds clear of all deductions for taxes
15    or otherwise for and during her natural Life if she shall so
16    long continue for and during her natural Life if she shall so
17    long continue her present Widowhood to be paid her yearly out
18    of the Interest and produce of the said sum of one hundred and
19    fifty pounds by my Executrixes herein after named the first
20    payment thereof to begin and be made three months after my
21    decease and I do hereby charge the said Sum of one hundred and
22    fifty pounds and the Interest and produce thereof with the payment
23    of the said yearly sum of five pounds unto my said Sister Margaret Williams accordingly
    [Page 2]
24    And from and immediately after the decease or determination of the
25    present widowhood of my said sister Margaret Williams I give and
26    bequeath the said sum of one hundred and fifty pounds and the then
27    growing Interest and produce thereof and also the overplus of the Interest
28    and produce there in the mean time as it becomes due unto my
29    two daughters Hook the wife of Francis Hackman gentleman and
30   Sarah Blake and to their Executors and administrators for ever
31    equally share and share alike and I do give and bequeath unto my loving
32    friend Edward Hooper of Hurn Court in the parish of Christchurch
33   aforesaid Esquire and to my loving Cousin James Worsley of the Isle of
34    Wight aforesaid Esquire (my Trustees) the sum of four hundred
35    pounds of lawful money of Great Britain Upon this special Trust and
36    confidence in them reposed and to the end intent and purpose that they
37    the said Edward Hooper and James Worsley and the survivor of them
38    and the Executors and Administrators of such Survivors and shall
39    as soon as conveniently may be after my decease from time to time
40    put out and continue the same at Interest in their own Names
41    or Name upon such Securitys or Security as can be gotten for
42    the same and the Interest and produce thereof as the same from
43    time to time becomes due and payable pay unto my said
44    daughter Sarah Blake into her own hands to be for her sole and
45    separate use and benefit during the term of her natural life whose
46    Receipts alone (whether covert or sole) shall be sufficient discharges
47    for the same and from and after the death of my said daughter
48    Sarah Blake then upon further Trust that they the said Edward Hooper
49    and James Worsley and the Survivor of them and the Executors and
50    Administrators of such Survivors shall pay the said Sum of four hundred
51    pounds and the Interest and produce whereof unto such of the children
52    (if more than one) of the Body of my said daughter Sarah Blake
53    lawfully to be begotten equally share and share alike as shall live
54    to attain the age of twenty one years or be married at
55    their respective ages of twenty one years or days of marriage and
56    if but one such child then to such only child at his or her
57    age of twenty one years or day of marriage and
58    if it shall happen that there shall be no such child or
59    children living at the time of the death of my said daughter
60    Sarah Blake or such child or children shall happen to die
61    unmarried and under the age of twenty one years then upon further
62    trust that they the said Edward Hooper and James Worsley and the
63    Survivor of them his Executors and Administrators shall pay the
64    Interest and produce of the said sum of four hundred pounds as
65    the same shall from time to time become due and payable unto
66    my said daughter Hook (if then living) into her own hands to be
67    for her sole and separate use and benefit exclusive of her husband
68    during the term of her natural life whose receipts alone (not withstanding
69    her coverture) shall from time to time and at all times during the
70    continuance thereof be sufficient discharges for the same  And from
71    and after the decease of my said daughter Hook then Upon further trust
72    that they the said Edward Hooper and James Worsley and the survivor
73    of them his Executors and Administrators shall pay the said sum of
74    four hundred pounds and the Interest and produce thereof unto such of the
75    children (if more than one) of the body of my said daughter Hook lawfully
    [Page 3]
76    begotten or to be begotten equally share and share alike as shall
77    live to attain the age of the twenty one years or be
78    married at their respective ages of twenty one years or days of
79    marriage and if but one such child then to such only child
80    at his or her age of twenty one years or day of marriage
81    And if it shall happen that there shall be no such child or
82    children living at the time of the death of my said daughter
83    Hook or such child and children shall happen to die
84    unmarried and under the age of twenty one years then upon
85    further Trust that they the said Edward Hooper and James Worsley
86    and the Survivor of them his Executors and Administrators shall pay
87    the said sum of four hundred pounds and the Interest and produce
88    thereof unto Dorothy Blake (the daughter of John Garrett Blake) or to
89    her Executors or Administrators to be and remain unto the for her and
90    their own proper use and benefit forever And my will is and I
91    do hereby order and direct the said Edward Hooper and James Worsley
92    their Executors and Administrators to reimburse themselves out of the
93    said sum of four hundred pounds and the growing Interest and
94    produce thereof all such Costs charges and expences as they or either of
95    them shall be as or put unto bear or sustain in or about the
96    execution of all or any of the Trusts aforesaid or for any
97    matter of thing touching concerning or relating to the same and
98    that they shall not be chargeable or answerable for any of the Trust
99    money that shall happen to be lost in lending the same And
100    I do desire the said Edward Hooper and James Worsley to take
101    upon themselves the Trust herein in them reposed and to see
102    that the same be duly and truly performed according to my true Intent
103    and meaning and for their trouble and pains therein I give to
104    each of them (so acting therein) the sum of five pounds of
105    like lawful money I also give and bequeath unto Sarah the Wife
106    of John Waterman of Christchurch aforesaid Butcher the sum of five
107    pounds a year during the term of five years (if she shall so
108    long live) to be paid on the Feast of Saint Michael the
109    Arch Angel yearly by my Executrixes therein after named into her own
110    hands to be for her own proper disposal and for her personal
111    and separate use and benefit (exclusive of her husband) whose Receipts
112    alone notwithstanding her coverture shall be sufficient discharges for the
113    same the first of which payments to begin and be made on the Feast of
114    Saint Michael the Arch Angel next after my decease I also give
115    and bequeath unto the poor widows of the Town of Christchurch aforesaid
116    who shall not receive Alms of the Parish the sum of five
117    pounds of like money to be paid and distributed amongst them
118    by and at the discretion of my Executrixes herein after named one
119    month after my decease I also give to my sister Mary
120    Worsley and her six daughters to my Sister Grissel Hook To my
121    Daughter in Law Elizabeth Dorothy Blake and to my Brother William
122    Hook and to each and every of them a Mourning Ring All the
123    rest residue and remainder of my Goods Chattels Household Stuff Utensils
124    Ready Money Money due upon Book Bills Bonds Judgments Executions
125    Mortgages Plate Rings Jewels and all other my Estate whatsoever and
126    wheresoever (after that my debts charges in sickness funeral expences and
127    the Legacys herein before given and bequeathed shall be fully paid and
    [Page 4]
128    I give and bequeath unto my said daughters Hook the wife of
129    the said Francis Hackman and Sarah Blake equall to be divided
130    between them share and share alike and I do hereby nominate constitute
131    and appoint them my said daughters Hook and Sarah joint Executrixes
132    of this my last Will and Testament And I do hereby revoke and make
133    void all former Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made and do
134    publish and declare this only to be my last Will and Testament
135    And Lastly I desire to be buried at Christchurch aforesaid by my dear
136    husband and as to the order and manner of my Funeral I desire
137    it may be done decently after Night as was my dear Husbands In
138    Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament (being
139    contained in five sheets of paper) set my hand and Seal the sixteenth
140    day of August in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred
141    and fifty Eliza: Blake. Signed sealed published and declared by the said
142    Elizabeth Blake the Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament
143    in the presence of us who subscribed our Names hereto at her
144    request in her presence and in the presence of each other James
145    Newsam [signed] Ar: Blanchard [signed] Jno Oakes [signed]
146    This Will was proved at London on the twelfth
147    day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
148    hundred and fifty two before the Right Honourable Sir
149    George Lee Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or
150    Commisary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
151    constituted by the Oaths of Hooke Hackman (wife of Francis Hackman)
152    and Sarah Blake Spinster the daughters of the deceased and
153    the Executrixes named in the said Will to whom Administration
154    was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of
155    the said deceased being first sworn by Commission duly to
156    administer

Will of William Blake, Mercer of Christchurch, Hampshire, National Archives PROB 11/738 Image Reference 196/202, probated 8 Mar 1745

I will be posting a will today for my Blake one name study and then a will tomorrow for my one name Blake study. The next items will then be for the Routledge papers that my cousin asked me to transcribe. It will likely be a couple of weeks before I return once again to the Hampshire Blake wills. In the meantime if Blake is an interest of yours please consider doing yDNA testing to help discover all the Blake lines of the Isles. The yDNA project at FT DNA can be seen here:

http://www.familytreedna.com/public/blake/

All of the originals of these wills are available for download on the National Archives website for the extremely reasonable price of  £3.50. Once you discover your ancestor on a will it is wonderful to have a copy of that will.

William Blake of Christchurch was married twice with his second wife being Elizabeth Hook and they were married 24 May 1719 at Christchurch. Hook, one of their daughters, was baptized 8 Dec 1727 at Christchurch.

Elizabeth Dorothy Blake (daughter from his first marriage) was baptized 5 Jun 1711 at Christchurch. Elizabeth Dorothy Blake married her cousin John Garrett Blake 1 Oct 1728 at Christchurch.  Their first child William was baptized 5 Dec 1729 at Christchurch and their second child was Dorothy for whom I could not locate a baptism yet.

In his Will, William mentions his siblings and their children which is always a very nice linking document to have. He has brothers Stephen Blake and John Blake (deceased) and sister Dorothy Slade (deceased). His father was Johannis Blake, his mother Dorothea and his will is the next one to be transcribed.

Stephen his brother has children baptized at Christchurch: Stephen baptized 23 Apr 1710, Richard baptized 29 Sep 1713, Mary baptized 12 Oct 1715, Sarah baptized 27 Sep 1717, Dorathe baptized 4 Nov 1719. Possibly his son Stephen has children baptized at Christchurch: Katherin baptized 22 Feb 1733 and Stephen baptized 19 Sep 1735.

John his brother is the father of John Garrett Blake who married William's eldest daughter Elizabeth Dorothy Blake. John's daughter Jane married (unknown) Boorne (sp).

His sister Dorathey Blake married Nicholas Slade on 26 Dec 1694 at Christchurch. Their daughter Sarah was baptized 3 Dec 1696 at Christchurch and she  married Thomas Janes 13 May 1719 at Christchurch. Their son Nicholas (not mentioned in this will) was baptized 14 Jan 1692 and 31 Jan 1701 (likely the first Nicholas died, Nicholas is mentioned in his grandfather's will).

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 16 May 2012
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/738 Image Reference 196/202
Place: Christchurch, Hampshire, England
Testator: William Blake, Mercer of Christchurch, Hampshire
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 9 Jun 1744, probated 8 Mar 1745
Read: Electronic copy
Condition: image, small script, bold text

[In margin] William Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen I
2    I William Blake of the Borough of Christchurch in the
3    County of Southampton Mercer being in good health of Body
4    and of sound and perfect Mind and Memory (blessed be
5    God therefore) but calling to mind the uncertainty of this
6    transitory life and that all flesh must die do make and
7    publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following
8    that is to say First and principally I commit my Soul to the
9    hands of Almighty god who gave it me and my Body to
10    the Earth from whence it came to be decently buried at
11    the discretion of my Executrix hereinafter named and as
12    for that Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to
13    enrich me I dispose thereof as followeth (that is to say) First
14    I will that all my just debts and funeral Expences be first paid
15    and satisfied and I give and bequeath unto David Worsley
16    of the Isle of White Esq[uir]e and Lawrence Jackson of the Borough
17    of Christchurch aforesaid Gentleman my Trustees the Sum of
18    two hundred pounds of lawful British Money upon this
19    special Trust and Confidence in them reposed and to the
20    intent and purpose that they the said David Worsley and
21    Lawrence Jackson and the survivor of them and the said
22    Executors and Administrators of such Survivor do and shall
23    as soon as conveniently may be after my decease place
24    out and continue the same at Interest on such security and
25    Securities as can be got for the same and the Interest and
26    produce thereof during the natural Life of my daughter
27    Elizabeth Dorothy Blake now wife of John Garret Blake
28    the same from time to time becomes due shall pay unto her
29    my said daughter Elizabeth Dorothy Blake into her own
30    hands to be for her own proper disposal and for her personal
31    and separate use and benefit exclusive of her husband
32    whose receipts alone (notwithstanding her coverture) shall
33    from time to time and at all times during the continuance
34    thereof be sufficient discharges for the same and from and
35    after the death of my said daughter Elizabeth Dorothy
36    Blake then upon this further Trust and confidence that they
37    the said David Worsley and Lawrence Jackson and the
38    Survivor of them of them and the Executors and Administrators
    [Page 2]
39    of such Survivor to and shall pay the said Sum of two hundred
40    pounds and all interest due for the same unto my Grandchildren
41    William and Dorothy Blake children of my said daughter
42    Elizabeth Dorothy Blake equally Share and Share alike at
43    their several and respective ages of twenty one years or
44    days of Marriage and if either of them die under age and
45    unmarried then the whole to the Survivor of them at the age
46    of twenty one years or Marriage as aforesaid and in case
47    both of my said Grandchildren die under age and unmarried
48    Then upon this further Trust and confidence that they the said
49    David Worsley and Lawrence Jackson and the Survivor of
50    them and the Executors and Administrators of such Survivor
51    do and shall pay the said Sum of two hundred pounds and all
51    Interest and for the same unto my two daughters Hook and
52    Sarah Blake equally or to the Survivor of them or to the
53    Executors Administrators and Assigns of such Survivor also I
54    give and bequeath unto my said Grandchildren William and
55    Dorothy Blake the sum of fifty pounds a piece of like Money
56    to be paid them severally at their respective ages of twenty
57    one years or days of Marriage and if either of them dye
58    under age and unmarried then his or her Legacy of fifty
59    pounds so dying I will to the Survivor to be paid at the age
60    of twenty one years or Marriage as aforesaid and in case both
61    of them dyes under age and unmarried then I give their
62    Legacys equally betwixt my said daughters Hook and Sarah
63    Blake also I give and bequeath unto my said daughters Hook
64    and Sarah Blake the sum of four hundred pounds a piece of
65    like Money to be paid them severally at their respective ages
66    of twenty one years or days of Marriage And if either of
67    them dye under age and unmarried then I give her Legacy
68    of four hundred pounds so dying to the Survivor of them at the
69    age of twenty one years or Marriage as aforesaid and I gave
70    devise and bequeath unto my loving Wife Elizabeth Blake
71    all my freehold and Leasehold Messuages Lands Tenements and
72    Hereditaments whatsoever and wheresoever that I shall die
73    seized and possessed of to hold to her my said Wife and her
74    assigns for and during her natural life spent in case my
75    said wife marries again then my Will is that my said Wife
76    and her assigns do and shall out of the Rents and Profits of
77    my said Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments well
78    and truly pay or cause to be paid unto my said daughters
79    Hook and Sarah Blake the yearly annuities or clear yearly
80    Sums of ten pounds apiece in lawfull money of Great Britain
81    during the natural life of my said Wife by two equal half a
82    yearly payments (that is to say) at Michaelmas and Lady Day
83    and the first payment thereof to be made on each of the said days
84    as shall first and next happen after the marriage of my said
85    Wife and I do hereby charge my said Lands Tenements and
86    Hereditaments with payment of the same accordingly and
87    from and after the death of my said Wife I give and devise
88    all my freehold Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments
89    lying and being in the Borough of Christchurch aforesaid and my
    [Page 3]
90    Freehold land containing twelve acres of Meadow (more or
91    less) lying in Bure Meade within the parish of Christchurch
92    aforesaid unto my said daughter Hook Blake and the heirs
93    of her Body lawfully to be begotten and for want of such Issue
94    I give and devise the same to my said daughter Sarah
95    Blake and the heirs of her Body lawfully to be begotten and
96    for want of such Issue I give and devise the same to my
97    Grandson William Blake son of my said daughter Elizabeth
98    Dorothy Blake and to his Heirs and assigns for ever and as
99    from and after the death of my said Wife I give and devise
100    my freehold Estate at Hubborne my close of land containing
101    six acres lying against Summerford Lane which I purchased
102    of Mr. John Smith and my dwelling house Mealhouse Lands
103    and premisses at Common Gate which I purchased of Henry
104    and Mark King all within the parish of Christchurch unto
105    my said daughter Sarah Blake and the heirs of her Body
106    lawfully to be begotten and for want os such Issue I give
107    and devise the same and every part thereof unto my said
108    daughter Hook Blake and to the heirs of her Body lawfully
109    to be begotten and for want of such Issue I give and devise
110    the same unto my said Grandson William Blake the Son
111    of my said daughter Elizabeth Dorothy Blake and to his
112    heirs and assigns for ever and I give five pounds to be
113    distributed amongst the poor of the Borough of Christchurch
114    aforesaid one Month after my decease at the discretion of
115    my Executrix hereafter named and I give five pounds to the
116    Church Wardens of the parish of Christchurch to be laid out
117    in ornamenting their Parish Church and I give to my Brother
118    Stephen Blake and to his Son and three daughters Stephen
119    Mary Sarah and Barbariah and to my late Brother John
120    Blake's son and daughter John Garrett Blake and Jane
121    Boorne and to my late sister Dorothy Slade's daughter
122    Sarah the wife of Mr. Thomas Janes and to each of them
123    one Guinea and I give to my friends in Trust the said
124    David Worsley and Lawrence Jackson five pounds a piece
125    desiring them to take upon themselves the Trust herein in
126    them reposed and to see that this my Will be duly and
127    truly performed all the rest and residue of my Lands Goods
128    Chattels and Credits whatsoever and wheresoever (not before
129    given) I give devise and bequeath unto my loving Wife
130    Elizabeth Blake whole and sole Executrix of this my last Will
131    and Testament and I do hereby revoke and make void all
132    former and other wills by me made In Witness whereof I
133    the said William Blake have to this my last Will and
134    Testament (being contained in two Sheets of paper) set my
135    Hand and Seal the ninth day of June in the year of my
136    Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty four Will[ia]m Blake
137    Signed Sealed Published by the said William Blake the
138    Testator to be his last Will and Testament in the presence
139    of us who subscribed our Names hereto as Witnesses at his
    [Page 3]
140    request and in his presence and in the presence of each
141    other Jno Scott, Joseph Jeans, Jno Oake
142    This Will was proved at London before the
143    Right Worshipfull John Bettesworth Doctor of Laws Master
144    Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury
145    lawfully constituted on the eighth day of March in the
146    year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty
147    four by the Oath of Elizabeth Blake Widow the Relict of
148    the deceased and sole Executrix named in the said Will to
149    whom administration was granted of all and singular the
150    Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased being first
151    sworn Commission duly to administer