Another spring has come to Ottawa; the robins have returned. This morning we were greeted with ten centimetres of snow - the heavy wet stuff that does tell us spring is coming one of these days. The snow in the back yard is still at least a metre deep and higher in spots. Mind you a couple of hot days and that will quickly melt fortunately. Then it will be mud season which is really spring here; lots of mud and pretty spring flowers! The crocuses often pick their way through the snow to bloom in our back yard in the warm spots.

Working on an interesting set of wills for Captain John Blake's family of the Honourable East India Company. I know that the furtherest back John Blake lived in the late 1600s and trying to match him up with some of the John Blake wills - not an easy task given the number of John Blake wills! However it was his grand daughter Arabella Blake that started the search along with Sally Hitchin Pelly whose husband Henry Hinde Pelly and their son John Henry Pelly have quite a bit online. But working back has been a challenge and I was surprised once I found the name of the wife of the father of Arabella (also a Captain John Blake in the HEIC) that other researchers hadn't located the marriage of John Blake and Mary Tymewell at Westminster Abbey. But in general I do not see that anybody has been researching the line.

The will of John Blake, father of Arabella and husband of Mary Tymewell will appear in my blog a little later today. I am still working on the discussion. 

This is the will of John Blake, husband of Mary Blake (will blogged yesterday)

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/03/will-of-arabella-blake-spinster-upton.html

and son of Captain John Blake of the Honourable East India Company (still have not found further information on this man), and father of Arabella Blake, spinster, whose will was blogged earlier:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/03/will-of-arabella-blake-spinster-upton.html

The testator is possibly the John Blake baptized 29 Aug 1713 at Saint Dunstan, Stepney and son of John Blake and possibly Mary Daberon. The supposition for this is the published registers for Westminster Abbey where a note attached to the marriage of John Blake and Mary Tymewell mentions that he was the son of Captain John Blake and Mary his wife and born at Limehouse, Middlesex 27 Aug 1713. He is then mentioned as living on Parliament Street, Westminster in his latter life. Limehouse is in the Tower Hamlets. St Dunstan Stepney is also in the Tower Hamlets.

By way of determining which John Blake is the father of the testator there is one clue in the will. He mentions the children of his nephew Blake Bradby namely James Bradby and the wife of Blake Bradby, Elizabeth Sophia. Possibly he has a sister married to unknown Bradly.

The will of John Bradby Blake is to come next and this is the brother of Arabella and son of the present testator.

I shall try to have a further look at the Honourable East India Company another time.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 March 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1189/132
Testator: John Blake, Esquier
Place: Saint Margaret Westminster, Middlesex, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 6 Mar 1781, probated 9 Mar 1790
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: John
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: Esquire

1    I John Blake of Parliament
2    Street in the parish of St Margaret Westminster in the
3    County of Middlesex Esq[uie]r being of sound Mind Memory
4    and understanding do make this my last Will and Testament
5    in manner following that is to say I will and direct that
6    my Funeral Expences and all my just debts be discharged
7    paid and subject thereto I give and dispose of my Estate
8    and Effects as follows I give unto my daughter Sally
    [Page 2]
9    Hitchin Pelly wife of Henry Hinde Pelly of Upton in the
10    County of Essex Esq[uie]r the Capital Sum of two Thousand
11    pounds old South Sea annuities I give unto my daughter
12    Arabella Blake the like Capital Sum of two Thousand pounds
13    Old South Sea Annuities I give unto my daughter Mary
14    Tymewell Blake the like Capital sum of two Thousand
15    pounds Old South Sea Anuities and my Will is that the
16    said several Capital Sums of Old South Sea Annuities
17    shall be transferred to my said daughters by my Executrix
18    hereinafter named within three Calendar Months next
19    after my death but in case I shall not be possessed of
20    old South Sea Annuities sufficient to answer the said Legacies
21    Then I will and direct that my said Executrix shall by
22    and out of my personal Estate buy so much Old South
23    Sea Annuities as will make up the deficiency I give to
24    my Wife Mary Blake and the said Henry Hinde Pelly
25    the Capital Sum of One Thousand pounds three per
26    cent Bank Annuities reduced upon Trust they they or
27    the Survivor of them or the Executors or Administrators
28    of such Survivor shall transfer assign and pay the
29    same and the Interest and dividends thereof that shall
30    not be applied for the purposes hereafter mentioned
31    unto my adopted Grandson John Joseph Blake now
32    living with me and reputed to be the Son of John
33    Bradby Blake (late a Supra Cargo at Canton in
34    China deceased) by Maria de Nosorio of Macao
35    when and if he shall live to attain his age of twenty one
36    years which will be on the seventh day of January
37    1795 but in case of his death before that age then
38    I will that the said one thousand pounds three per
39    cent Bank annuities reduced or so much thereof as
40    they shall think proper for and towards the Maintenance
41    and Education of my said adopted Grandson I give to
42    James Bradby now an Infant Son of my Nephew
43    Blake Bradby deceased the Sum of one hundred pounds
44    the same to be paid by my Executrix hereafter named
45    to Elizabeth Sophia Bradby Mother of the said Infant
46    to be applied by her for the benefit of the said Child at
47    her discretion I give to Mr John Hogarth Apothecary
48    of Vigro Lane in the parish of Saint James Fifty pounds
49    or a Ring as a Mark of Family Friendship I give to
50    Mr Bateman Robson of Lincolns Inn twenty five pounds
51    and to Mr Christopher Morris of the same place the
52    like Sum of twenty five pounds I give to the Treasurer
53    of Greenwich hospital for the time being the Sum of
    [Page 3]
54    twenty five pounds to be applied to the Fund for the benefit
55    of the Seamen in that hospital All the Rest Residue and
56    Remainder of my Estate and Effects whatsoever and
57    wheresoever whether Real or personal I give devise and
58    bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my
60    said wife Mary Blake her heirs Executors Administrators
61    and Assigns to and for her and their own use and
62    benefit absolutely for ever and I do hereby constitute
63    and appoint my said wife sole Executrix of this my
64    last Will and Testament hereby revoking and declaring
65    void all former and other Wills and Codicils by me at
66    any time heretofore made and do declare this only to be
67    my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I
68    have to this my said last Will and Testament (all of
69    my own handwriting) set my hand and Seal this sixth
70    day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand
71    seven hundred and eighty one J Blake Signed
72    Sealed published and declared by the said Testator John
73    Blake (after the word “pounds” being interlined in the
74    fifteenth Line as and for his last Will and Testament in
75    in the presence of us who in his presence and in the
76    presence of each other have hereunto subscribed out
77    Names as Witnesses Samuel Stratt John Croft Edw[ar]d
78    Parratt
79    This Will was proved at London on the
80    ninth day of March in the year of our Lord one
81    thousand seven hundred and ninety before the worshipful
82    John Michell doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right
83    honourable Sir William Wynne Knight doctor of
84    Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative
85    Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath
86    of Mary Blake Widow the Relict of the deceased and
87    sole Executrix named in the said Will to whom Admon
88    was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels
89    and Credits of the said deceased she having been
90    first sworn duly to administer

This is one of the wills that would not have appeared until much later as it is in my Miscellaneous Locations folder under East India. John Bradby Blake is the testator.

Looking back at John, the testator’s, mother and she was living in Speenhill Berkshire at the time of her will being written. Major houses in Speen include Speen Manor, Speen Hill Lodge and Goldwell House on the Bath road. The latter road was much favoured by wealthy Newburians of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Until commercial redevelopment in the second half of the twentieth century, it boasted several fine houses.

Interesting that Mary Blake should be living in Speen where there was a Blake family in the 1500s and 1800s. Will of James Blake, yeoman of Speen, probated 13 Mar 1807 and he mentions a daughter Jane Brown in London transcribed earlier:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/04/will-of-james-blake-yeoman-of-speen.html

and the will of William Speen, yeoman of Speen, probated 28 Jul 1552 and he mentions his son Anthony and brothers John and Richard:

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

Probably a coincidence but interesting nonetheless.

The spelling of the name is now confirmed to be John Bradby Blake and I will go back and correct that spelling in the earlier wills as it did rather look like Bradly. The transcription appears to be a bit disjointed towards the end. The probate has not been copied. The date of the probate given to this one was from another will. It would appear that John Blake first deposed and then at a later date John Blake and his daughter Sally Hitchin Blake deposed.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 30 March 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1001/313 and PROB 11/1011/166
Testator: John Bradby Blake, Supra Cargo in the Service of the hon[oura]ble the united Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies
Place: Caton, China
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 30 Nov 1772, probated 13 Oct 1774 and around the 12 Sep 1775
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Top] Canton in China November the 30th 1772
[Margin]: John Bradby
[Margin]: Blake Esq[uie]r

1    I John Bradby Blake
2    Supra Cargo in the Service of the Hon[oura]ble the united
3    Company of Merchants of England trading to the East
4    Indies do make this my last Will and Testament hereby
5    revoking a former Will made by me on the 13th day of
6    January 1767 or that that time and also the Codicil
7    thereunto annexed on or about the twenty first day of
8    December 1768 and left in the hands of my Father Also
9    hereby revoking and rendering null and void all and each
10    Will and Testament prior to the date of this present Writing
11    which I again declare to be my last Will and Testament
12    First I will and direct that all my just debts and Funeral
13    Expences be fully paid To my dear Sister Sally Hitchin Blake
14    I leave and bequeath One thousand pounds Sterling (£1000)
15    To my dear Sister Arabella Blake I leave and bequeath
16    one thousand pounds Sterling (£1000) To my dear Sister
17    Mary Tymewell Blake I leave and bequeath One thousand
18    pounds Sterling (£1000) the two first mentioned Legacies
19    to my dear Sisters Sally Hitchin Blake and Arabella Blake
20    I desire may be unto themselves respectively out of
21    the first monies that are or may be in the hands of my
22    Executor and Executrix after all just debts and discharges the
23    latter Legacy unto my dear Sister Mary Tymewell Blake to
24    be also paid in like manner unto my dear Father In Trust
25    for my said Sister until she attains the age of twenty one
26    years and in case of her death without Children before that
27    period I leave the said Legacy to be equally divided between
28    my abovementioned Sisters Sally Hitchin Blake and Arabella
29    Blake I give and bequeath to my honoured Father all my
30    Books Mathematical Instruments China paintings ChinaWare
31    Lacquer Ware and all Chinese Curiosities that I may have
32    actually purchased or sent to Europe Unless I have ordered
33    particular articles for particular persons and have specified
34    the same in Writing or otherways Except all Legacies that
35    may be annexed either to this Will or Codicils signed by me
    [Page 2]
36    of a later date than this my present Will and Testament
37    all which I direct may be first discharged the rest residue
38    and remainder of all my Estate and Effects whatsoever and
39    wheresoever both real and personal which I shall or may
40    be any ways seized possessed of interested in or intitled unto
41    at the time of my death I hereby order and direct may
42    be placed in Trust of any five persons whom my Father
43    John Blake my Mother Mary Blake my three Sisters viz
44    Sally Hitchin Blake Arabella Blake and Mary Tymewell
45    Blake may chuse to appoint each of them to appoint One
46    Trustee at their own pleasure and again respectively to
47    chuse another Trustee upon the death of the people q
48    appointed or upon their declining such Trust so that all may
49    have at all times a Trustee who is appointed
50    at the will and pleasure of each person respectively interested
51    in this Legacy This the Residue of my Estate to be either
52    placed in the public Funds Landed Estates Mortgages or in
53    any manner the majority of Trustees so appointed may think
54    proper and at their pleasure again changed renewed and
55    placed to Interest in what ever manner they may deem more
56    secure and for the General Interest of all parties concerned the
57    whole Interest or profits arising therefrom to be paid to my
58    honoured Father John Blake annually for his own use and
60    benefit during his Lifetime and in case of his death before
61    the death of my dear Mother the whole Interest or Profits
62    arising from this Trust to be paid in like manner to my said
63    dear Mother Mary Blake from the time of my Father’s death
64    during her own Life and at the death of both my Father
65    and Mother the aforementioned Capital vested in the hands
66    of the Trustees aforesaid being the Nett Residue and
67    Remainder of my Estate at the time of my death I will order
68    and direct may be by the aforesaid Trustees divided equally
69    share and share alike between my three Sisters before named
70    in this Will viz Sally Hitchin Blake Arabella Blake Mary
71    Tymewell Blake for their own use benefit and behoof
72    respectively and Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint
73    my honoured Father John Blake and my dear Sister Sally
74    Hitchin Blake Executor and Executrix of this my last Will
75    and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set
76    my hand and seal this thirtieth day of November in the year
77    of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and seventy two at
78    Canton in China John Bradby Blake Signed sealed
79    published and declared by the Testator John Bradby Blake
80    as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of
81    us who in his presence and in the presence of each other
82    at his request have hereunto subscribed our Names as
83    Witnesses Will[ia]m Rous W[ilia]m Harrison Matt[he]w Raper Jun[io]r
84    Canton in China
85    The following particulars I mean as Codicils to a
86    Will
    [Page 3]
87    Will and Testament made by me at Canton in China dated
88    the        day of      Signed sealed and Witnessed the
89    original sent to Europe by hand the copy remaining among
90    my papers
91    1Imprimis To my Friend William Rous Esq[uie]r I leave
92    and bequeath one hundred pounds sterling (£100 Sterling)
93    Signed John Bradby Blake
94    2To my Friend William Harrison Esq[uie]r I leave and bequeath
95    one hundred pounds sterling (£100 Sterling) Signed John
96    Bradby Blake
97    3To my Friend Mr John Hogarth Surgeon and Apothecary
98    London I give and bequeath my Gold Watch made by Elliott
99    Signed John Bradby Blake
100    4To my Friend Thomas Bevan Esquire I leave and
101    bequeath my diamond Ring Signed John Bradby Blake
102    5To my Servant at the time of my death I leave and
103    bequeath all my Linnen and Wearing apparel subject however
104    to the Will and pleasure of William Harrison Esquire if he
105    does not think his behavior intitles him to them I leave
106    them to his option to give to such Servants in the Factory
107    or other persons whom he may think proper and moreover
108    should the said Mr Harrison think his behavior does entitle
109    him to a further remembrance I leave him Twenty pounds
110    Sterling if not this last Legacy to be null and void Signed
111    John Bradby Blake
112    This is a true and faithful Copy taken by me W[ilia]m
113    Harrison Canton Nov: 19th 1773
114    Oct[obe]r 12th 1774
115    Appeared personally John Blake of the parish of
116    Saint Margaret Westminster in the County of Middlesex
117    Esquire and made Oath that he is the natural and lawful
118    Father and one of the Executors named in the last Will and
119    Testament of John Bradby Blake Esquire late a Supra
120    Cargo in the Service of the Honorable the united Company
121    of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies at the
122    City of Canton in China a Batchelor deceased the said
123    original Will being now hereunto annexed and bearing date
124    the thirtieth day of November in the year of our Lord
    [Page 4]
125    Appeared personally John Blake of
126    the parish of St Margaret Westminster in the County of
127    Middlesex Esquire and Sally Hitchin Blake of the same parish
128    Spinster and being sworn upon the holy Evangelists to depose
129    the truth made Oath as follows to wit that they are the natural
130    and lawfull Father and Sister of John Bradby Blake late
131    Supercargo in the Service of the honourable the united
132    Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies
133    at the City of Canton in China Esquire deceased and that they
134    knew and were well acquainted with the manner and
135    character of handwriting and Subscription of the said deceased
136    having often seen him write and subscribe his Name and
137    having now viewed and carefully perused the paper Writing
138    hereunto annexed purporting to be and contain five Codicils or
139    Additions to the last Will and Testament of the said deceased
140    severally numbred 1 2 3 4 5 and respectively Subscribed John
141    Bradby Blake they these deponents say that they verily in
142    their Consciences believe the whole Series and Contents of this
143    said Paper Writing and the Names John Bradby Blake
144    appearing to be set and subscribed to each of the said Codicils
145    to be all of the proper handwriting and Subscription of the
146    said deceased Jno Blake Sally Hitchin Blake 8th September 1775
147    The said John Blake Esquire and Sally Hitchin Blake Spinster
148    were duly sworn to the truth of this affidavit before me
149    Geo: Harris Surrogate B[  ]t Jenner Not Publ

25 August 2013 I blogged the total number of wills that I still have remaining to be transcribed. I am going to do an update just to remind me of wills that I have promised to do over time and the remaining Blake wills that I am hoping to complete by the end of the year. 

Blake 486 (includes 7 only for which no place is indicated)
Abbs 1
King 17
Kingdon 1
Kip 3
Locke 7
Burges 1
Butt 1
Carter 3
Chorley-Churley-Charley 15
Coffin 3
Kent 10
Knight 2
Lambden 5
Lywood 4
Millin 3
Moggeridge-Modridg-Moggridge 12
Question 3
Quirke 1
Rawlings-Rawlins 12
Robson 2
Rolles 3
Routledge 5
Rowcliffe 6
Siderfin 3
Snowe 5
Tapp 1
Thomas 3
Upcott 3
Vicary 6

I have since then acquired a number of new wills including:

Blake at Record Offices not PCC which all the above Blake are

namely from Dorset, Hampshire, London, Westminster, Gloucestershire Record Offices

482 wills

Family Search I still have 21 wills to transcribe

Total number of wills is an amazing number:  1109 wills

A busy job ahead for me still but I remain dedicated to complete all the Blake wills that I am able to transcribe but with summer coming on I can see my time will be shortened somewhat as I have a couple of other projects that I want to complete so finishing by the end of December for the PCC wills might work but definitely not for all the new wills that I have acquired.

Edward Blake is the testator and he is named as a widower. A niece Ann Wuts, spinster, is named as his administrator. Elizabeth Atherton was named by Edward as his legatee; she was his housekeeper. His death is likely recorded on Free BMD as Edward Blake in West Ham registration district, volume 12 and page 189, June quarter 1844.

I did find Edward Blake and Elizabeth Atherton on the 1841 census in Tower Hamlets (All Saints Poplar) with Edward listed as 78 years of age and independent and born in Middlesex and Elizabeth Atherton as 68 and born in Middlesex. They are living with Ann Anson 52 years and Jane Anson 10 years of age both born in Middlesex. They live on Regent Street South. There are a number of Shipwrights close by as well as Watermen. Also living there is Mary Page 45 years of age and also born in Middlesex.

I did find a death for Elizabeth Atherton in 1845 at Saffron Walden but can not determine if this is the same person.

I could not find any information on an Ann Wuts/Wats.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 31 March 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2001/203
Testator: Edward Blake
Place: No 36 Angle Lane Stratford, Essex, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 24 Apr 1842, probated 30 Jul 1844
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Edward
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 5

1    This is to Certify that I Edward Blake of
2    No 36 Angle Lane Stratford in the County of Essex in sound mind and body
3    and good understanding and freely give unto my housekeeper Elizabeth
4    Atherton all my household furniture consisting of Chairs Tables Beds and
5    bedding linen china and glass and every thing that is on the said premises
6    without any molestation by any person whatever and I do also put in
7    the hands of my said housekeeper Elizabeth Atherton the sum of ten
8    pounds to pay my funeral expences in the event of me dying first and
9    after the funeral expences is paid the said Elizabeth Atherton is to have
10    the residue of what is left for her own use this performed the 24th of April in
11    the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two Edward
12    Blake X his Mark
13    In Witness there of William Wright
14    the 21st of April 1842 George Pennell
15    In the goods of Edward Blake deceased
16    Appeared Personally George Pennell of
17    Angel Lane Stratford in the County of Essex Bricklayer and made oath
18    that he is one of the subscribed Witnesses to the last Will and testament of
19    Edward Blake late of Stratford in the County of Essex deceased bearing date
20    the twenty fourth day of April one thousand eight hundred and forty two
21    and now hereunto annexed and he further made Oath that on the twen-
22    ty fourth day of April aforesaid the said testator duly executed his said
23    Will by making his mark at the foot or end thereof in the presence of this
24    deponent and William Wright the other subscribed Witness thereto who
25    was present at the same time and this deponent and the said William
26    Wright thereupon attested and subscribed the said Will in the presence
27    of the said Testator George Pennell On the 24th day of July
28    1844 the said George Pennell was duly sworn to the truth of this Affidavit
29    before me J J Pratt Sur: William Neve Noty. Publ.
30    On the 30th July 1844 Administration with the Will annexed of the
31    Goods Chattels and Credits of Edward Blake late of Angel Lane Stratford in
32    the County of Essex Widower deceased was granted to Ann Wuts Spinster
33    the lawful niece and only next of kin of the said deceased having been
34    first sworn duly to administer no Executor or Residuary Legatee

James Blake, the testator, doesn’t help us at all with his will naming only his executor and trustee as Robert Ashmall of Lincolns Inn. Robert Ashmall is listed as the second son of Thomas Ashmall of Amerston in a pedigree chart found on British History online. Amerston appears to be part of Durham County – Elwick Hall Parish.

 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/image.aspx?compid=76343&filename=fig31.gif&pubid=456

 The entry for Robert is listed as Robert Ashmall baptized 31 May 1674, and his obituary published circa 1758. Thomas his father married twice and his first wife Elizabeth (mother of Robert) was a sister of Robert and Humphrey Butler of Gray's Inn. This Thomas was the son of Thomas Ashmall of Amerston (aged 45 years on 20 Aug 1666, ob 10 Jun 1674) and married to Dorothy daughter of Ferdinando Huddleston of Millum, Cumberland. This Thomas also a son of a Thomas Ashmall of Aughton and married to Anne daughter of Thomas Letherborough of Aughton. Again the father of this Thomas also a Thomas Ashmall of Aughton and married to (unknown) daughter of (unknown) Worthington. The furtherest back ancestor Hugh Ashmall of Ashmall nigh Ormiskirk in Lancashire and he married the daughter of (unknown) Kirkby of Kirkby. However that doesn't particularly help me with the Blake family in this particular will. I do not see any mention of Blake in this chart. Interestingly though this famnily was Roman Catholic with one of the step brothers of Robert Ashmall ordained as a priest (Ferdinando Ashmall).

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 31 March 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/619/117
Testator: James Blake
Place: Bromley, Essex, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 4 Jan 1727, probated 13 Jan 1728
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: T[esta]m[ent]
[Margin]: Jacobi Blake
[Margin]: 5

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I James Blake of the parish of Bromley in the County of
3    Essex being of sound and disposeing mind and memory do make this
4    my last Will and Testament in Manner following Imprimis I commit
5    my soule to Almighty God and my body to be buried according to the
6    discretion of my Executor hereinafter named And as to all the
7    Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me as well reall as
8    personal I give devise and bequeath the same unto Robert Ashmall
9    of Lincolns Inn in the County of Middlesex Esq[uie]r his heires
10    Executors and Administrators and I do hereby further constitute
11    and appoint the said Robert Ashmall to be my full and sole
12    Executor and doe declare this to be my last Will and Testament
13    In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale this
14    fourth day of January in the first yeare of the reigne of our
15    Soveraigne Lord George the second Annoqz d[omi]ni 1727 James
16    Blake Signed sealed published and declared by the said
17    James Blake as and for his last Will and Testament in the
18    presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names in his
19    presence and at his request A Boucher John Gaye Joshua
20    Covell
21    Probatum fuit huijusmodi Testamentum apud London
22    decimo tertio die Mensis Januarij Anno domini Millesimo
23    Septingentesimo Vicesimo Sepcius coram venerabili viro Carolo
24    Pinfold Legum doctore Surrogate Venerabili et Egregij viri
25    Johannis Bettesworth Legum doctoris Curia Prerogative
26    Cantuariensis Magistri Custodio Sive Commissary legitime
27    constitution Juramento Roberti Ashmall Executoris in dicto
28    Testamento nominat Cui commissa fuit administration ominium
29    et singulorum bonorum jurium et Creditorum dicti defuncti
30    de bene et fideliter administrando eadem ad Sancta dei
31    Evangelia jurat Exam

Johan Moggeridge is the testatrix and she lived at Nettlecombe, Somerset. This parish is 3 miles south west of Williton and 15 miles west of Taunton. To place it in the area where my Moggeridge family was known to live, Nettlecombe is 5 miles south east of Dunster, 8 miles ESE of Wootton Courtenay, 10 miles ESE of Selworthy and 12 miles ESE of Porlock.

She is perhaps quite elderly as her will is nuncupative. Cleanger Devon is likely Clayhanger. Holcombe Rogus is also in Devon. The brother of the testatrix is named as Thomas Stone and her nephew Alexander Stone and they live at Holcombe Rogus. The Mannyng family of Nettlecombe is also mentioned – Grace daughter of John. Chipstable Somerset is 7 miles from Nettlecombe where the Merch family lives also mentioned in the will. The Knowell family at Milverton is also mentioned. Her sister Grace lives at Holcombe (perhaps Rogus) and is the wife of John Helling. John Mannyng is her executor.

The National Archives (UK) has a document 1936 M/L/138 dated 1671 which has the following information 1. John Bluett, 2. Mary Clarke and William Franckpitt, Holcombe Rogus. Premises: Alexander Stone’s messuage Term: 1 life, Rent: 1 s 4 d, Fine £10

Searched through the PCC wills looking for the Stone, Helling, Knowell, Merch and Manning families mentioned above but did not see anything worth pursuing at this time. It does lend credence to the idea that the Moggeridge family was back and forth between North Devon and West Somerset.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 1 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/177/35
Testator: Joan Moggeridge, Widow
Place: Nettlecombe, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 28 Nov 1637, probated 4 May 1638
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: T[estament] Joanne
[Margin]: Moggeridge

1    Memorandum that in the moneth
2    of November in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred thirtie
3    seaven and on or about the eight and twentieth day of the same moneth Johan Moggeridge
4    late whilest shee lived of Nettlecombe in the Countie of Som[er]set widow deceased
5    being sicke in bodie but of p[er]fect minde memory and understanding and being
6    desirous to make her last will and Testament and therby settle her estate did
7    utter and speake theis words or the like in effect following viz[ a vi]t First shee
8    gave and bequeathed unto Alexander Stone sonne of Thomas Stone of
9    Holcome Rogus her brother the som[m]e of ten pounds of lawfull money of England
10    Item she gave unto Grace Mannyng daughter of John Mannyng of Nettlecombe
    [Page 2]
11    aforesaid gent the som[m]e of eight pounds of lawfull money of England one coffer or chest
12    and her safeguard Alsoe she gave unto Radigon Merch daughter of Katherine Merch of
13    Chipstable in the Countie aforesaid widdowe one coffer two wastcotes and all such
14    implemente and houshouldstuff as she then had in the house and custodie of the said
15    Katherine and likewise all such ymplement and houshouldstuff as she then had in the house
16    and custodie of R[ue]ben Potter and Grace his wife of Cleanger in the Countie of
17    Devon Alsoe she gave unto Johan Knowell the wife of Thomas Knowell of
18    Milverton in the Countie of Som[er]set aforenamed one peece of greene woolen cloth
19    Alsoe she gave unto Elizabeth Helling her sister the wife of John Helling of Holcombe
20    aforesaid one smock Alsoe she gave unto Elizabeth Pugslie one peece of red
21    woolen cloath All the rest and residue of her goods and chattles not before herein
22    given and bequeathed she gave and bequeathed unto the foresaid John Manning
23    whome she made and no[mi]nated her whole and sole executor of this her last will and
24    Testament All such words or the like in effect were spoken by the said Johan
25    w[i]th an intent and purpose to make and declare her last will Att all and singular
26    which premises shee the said Joan was of good and p[er]fect memory in the p[re]sence
27    and heareing of the witnesses whole names are hereunder subscribed The m[ar]ke
28    of Margaret Webb witn[ess] the marke of Elizabeth Pougslie witness
29    Probatum fuit testamentum suprascriptumn apud London coram venli
30    viro dno Henrico Marten inte legume dcore Curia Prerogative Cantuar
31    viro Custode sino Comtie litime constituto Quarto die Mensis Maij anno d[omi]ni
32    millimo sexcemo tricesimo octano Juramento Johannis Manning gen of executoris
33    vinci in humoi teste noiat Cui commissa fuit admistrato bonorum unium et creditorium
34    defci de bene et fidelr admstrando ead Ad sca dei Evangelia Coram Roberto
35    Gaie clico vigore Comissoinis Jurat

The testator is John Mogridg. No mention of location is given. He lists his brothers as Anthony Mogridg, Andrew Mogridg, Peter [Mogridg] and Thomas Mogridg.

There is an Anthony mogridg baptized at Pitminster 6 Mar 1635 son of William and Gillion Mogridge (Family Search) but also a sister mentioned baptized 3 Mar 1638. Thomas Mogridge is baptized 21 Dec 1651 at Pitmister son of William Mogridge. There are several other children. Interesting but not conclusive.

Someone knowing the language of Somerset in this time period might recognize if this is possibly of the West Country of England.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 3 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/239/282
Testator: John Mogridg
Place: England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: undated, probated 6 Feb 1653/54
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]:
[Margin]:

1    In the name of God Amen
2    I John Mogridg being of perfect memory thankes be to Almightye God doe
3    make this my last Will and Testament First I commend my Soule into the hands
4    of Almighty God my Maker and Redeemer and my body to the earth from whence
5    it came Imprimis I give and bequeath to Anthony Mogridg my Brother one milch
6    Cowe j Stye four sheepe my Hoggsides one hare cloth one Winnsheete a payre of
7    carte wheeles all my Poulton and Poultrye my Harrowes my brasse pott my Cawdron
8    to my Brother Andrew Mogridg forty shillings to my Brother Peter five poundes
9    to my Brother Thomas Mogridg five poundes All the rest of my goods not given
10    not bequeathed I give and bequeath to Richard Dennis whome I make my whole
11    Executor to see this my Will performed fulfilled and kept all theise good vieers which
12    bequeath to be paid within one yeare after my decease John Mogridg William Gune
13    Thomas Wills
14    This will was proved att Westminster the sixth day
15    of February in the yeare of our Lord God (wording in the English Style) one thousand
16    six hundred fiftye and three before the Judges for probate of Wills and granting
17    administrations lawfully authorized by the oath of Richard Dennis Executor
18    named in the said Will to whome administration was committed he being first
19    sworne by Commission truly and faithfully to administer

4 Apr 2014      Blake Newsletter , Volume 3, Issue 2


Will Transcriptions

I continue working on the Blake Wills (with a few others intertwined on occasion) and I am proceeding alphabetically through the counties. Currently I am working on Essex and they can be seen on my blog: http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/ . I have been working on the early Hampshire Wills (1500s) and will continue doing that as I acquire them. There have been a number of linking wills which have permitted me to collect several generations of detail on particular lines.

Founding Blake lines

The overall plan is to see if I can push back in each distinctive area of the British Isles the Blake family that is located there in the 1500s.

Thus far I have been successful with the Blake family at Andover with the will of Robert Blake (in Latin) which mentions his sons Richard and Thomas. Within the will he mentions a William Blake, an Andrew Blake and a Robert Blake. This testator is perhaps the Robert Blake said to have been married to Maude Snell. Although this is listed in some of the Blake genealogies produced over the last 100 years the actual record comes from the work of Horatio Gates Somerby and thus is suspect.
Certainly the time frame is correct as noted in the Blake genealogies; Robert died likely in 1521. That Robert is said to have had a brother William and in the will of Robert there is a William mentioned but no relationship stated. I am postulating that he might be the William Blake married to Avis Ripley from the Blake Pedigree Chart held at the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office. There is no further information on Robert in the records of Horatio Gates Somerby.

This has pushed the Blake line at Andover back from Nicholas (son of Jone Blake, widow, who left her will in 1527 and now her husband who left his will in 1522) to his likely father Richard and his likely father Robert. This line then is at Andover back into the mid 1400s using the Blake surname which is starting to come close to the Calendar of Patent Rolls Records discussed in my blog where there were 13 entries in Hampshire for Blake (http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/01/calendar-of-patent-rolls-summary-of.html ). In 1452 there is a George Blake mentioned, in 1421 a John Blake, in 4015 a John Blake, in 1402 an Andrew Blake, in 1394 a John Blake, in 1352 a Henry le Blake, a Walter le Blake and an Alice le Blake, in 1343 a Robert Blake and in 1323 a Simon le Blake. Enter under Berkshire but Andover is listed as the place there is a John le Blake in 1340 and a Roger le Blake also 1340.

What exactly is this telling me and how significant is it? Primarily it is telling me that there was a Blake line at Andover very close in time to the testators of the Blake wills in the early 1500s. The continuity thus expressed is significant as I wonder why my line, known to be an ancient line in the British Isles, chose to have the surname Blake. At what point did they choose the surname in the past? I still need to read the Manor Records for Andover to see what I can learn.

yDNA

One of the reasons for holding back on the newsletter (it is four days late), was the release of the Big Y test results by FT DNA. I have been watching as they roll out to see if they will have any impact on the Blake results. Thus far I do not see anything that catches my attention but the time is early and the work really just beginning.

If anyone has an item they wish to place in this newsletter please let me know.

Elizabeth Kipp née Blake (kippeeb@rogers.com)

John Blake is the testator and he is a husbandman in the parish of Dagenham, Essex. He names his son as John Blake and his executor Stephen Burton Junior is to be guardian if John is not 21 years of age when the testator dies.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 31 March 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/669/279
Testator: John Blake
Place: Dagenham, Essex, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 19 Nov 1730, probated 8 Feb 1735
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: John
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I John Blake of the parish of Dagneham in the County of Essex
3    husbandman being not well in health and knowing that life is
4    uncertain but in perfect disposeing mind and memory (praised be
5    God for the same doe make and ordain this my last Will and
6    Testament in manner and form following First and principally
7    I resigne my Soul into the mercifull hands of Almighty God my
8    creator hoping through the merits of my blessed Saviour and
9    Redeemer Jesus Christ to obtain free pardon and remission of
10    all my Sins and my body to be buried in Christian burial after the
11    discretion of my Executor herein after named and which God hath
12    been pleased to bestow upon in this world I dispose thereof as followeth
13    Imprimis I give and bequeath to my Son John Blake All that
14    my copyhold Messuage or Tenement Scituate lying and being
15    in the parish of Dagneham  to him and to his heirs forever he
16    taking care to pay to the Mann[o]r of Barkin their dues which is
17    usuall and accustomly paid and if it shall please God that my said
18    Son shall dye without heirs then I do give the same said Messuage
19    and Tenement to my Friend Stephen Burton Junior and also
20    the Income of the said Messuage towards bring up my Son till he
21    is able to take care for himself or at the age of Twenty one years
22    or day of marriage which first shall happen Item all the rest of
23    my Goods and Chattels whatsoever and wheresoever I give and
24    bequeath to the aforesaid Stephen Burton jun[io]r after my debts
25    and funeral Expences discharged and also on the account that he
26    is to see my son brought up till he shall come to the age aforesaid
27    and do also make him my sole Executor of this my last Will and
28    Testament revoking all other Wills heretofore made In Witness
29    whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 19th day of
30    November Annoqz dom[ini] 1730 The mark of John Blake Signed
31    Sealed published and declared to be last will of the said John Blake
32    in the presence of John Butler The marke of John Tayler
33    George Davis
34    This Will was proved at London the Eighth day
35    of February in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred
36    and Thirty Four before the Worshipfull John Andrew doctor of
37    Laws Surrogate to the Right Worshipfull John Bettesworth
38    doctor also of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative
39    Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Stephen
40    Burton Junior Sole Executor named in the said Will To whom
41    Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattels
42    and Credits of the said deceased being first sworn duly to Administer

As I was working away later this afternoon I looked out the window and saw light flakes of snow falling. Mind you it isn't that unusual to see snow in April but the winter has been long and I must admit it is time for it to finish!

The testator, John Blake of Stratford Langthorn, West Ham, Essex, does give a few clues to his family. He is married to Mary. He has a half brother John Robinson and two nieces Elizabeth Rolph and Mary Litchfield. He identifies the home location for John Robinson as Sudbrook, Lincolnshire (near Lincoln).

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 1 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/973/19
Testator: John Blake, Gentleman
Place: Stratford Langthorn, West Ham, Essex, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 26 Jul 1771, probated 2 Dec 1771
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: John
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I John Blake of Stratford Langthorn in the Parish
3    of Westham in the County of Essex Gentleman being
4    in perfect health and memory for which I render
5    hearty thanks to God but considering the frailty of
6    human life Do make this my last Will and Testament
7    in manner and form following (that is to say) I com[m]end
8    my Soul into the hands of Almighty God believing in
9    him Remission of Sins and Everlasting life by the
10    Merits Death and Passion of Jesus Christ my
11    Saviour and Redeemer my Body I Commit to the
12    Earth to be Decently Interred by my Executrix herein
13    after named as follows That is to say If I shall die
14    in the Town of Stratford aforesaid then to be buried
15    in the Churchyard belonging to the Parish of
16    Westham in the Vault belonging formerly to Mr
17    Yarsons’s Family if agreeable to them if not in
18    a Grave Six feet Deep and as near the said Vault
19    as Convenient and to have a hand Stone inscribing
20    who and what I was and as to my Worldly Estate I
21    Dispose thereof as follows Imprimis I will that all
22    my Just Debts and Funeral Charges be first paid and
23    satisfied Item I give and bequeath unto my half
24    Brother John Robinson of Sudbrook near Lincoln
25    in the County of Lincoln Thirty pounds if he shall
    [Page 2]
26    be living at the time of my Decease if not then
27    I Give and bequeath the said Thirty pounds
28    unto my two Neices Elizabeth Rolph and Mary
29    Litchfield equally Share and Share alike Item
30    I Give and bequeath unto Charles Smith Esquire
31    Treasurer of the Charity School of Westham or
32    his successor (if he should Die in my life or be
33    removed) Twenty pounds for the use of the said
34    Charity Item I Give unto John Grant one Suit of
35    my Cloaths at the Discretion of my Said Wife and
36    as to all the Rest Residue and Remainder of my
37    Estate and Effects whatsoever or wheresoever the
38    same is was or shall or may be at the time of my
39    Decease I Give Devise and bequeath the same
40    unto my beloved Wife Mary Blake her executors
41    admors and Assigns for ever and I do hereby
42    revoke all former and other Wills by me at any
43    time heretofore made and do publish and declare
44    this and this only to be my last Will and Testament
45    and do hereby Constitute and Appoint my Said
46    beloved Wife Mary Blake Sole Executrix hereof
47    In Witness whereof I the said John Blake the
48    Testator have to this my Last Will and Testament
49    set my hand and affixed my Seal this Twenty Sixth
50    day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand
51    Seven hundred and Seventy one John Blake
52    Signed, Sealed, published and declared by the
53    Testator John Blake as and for his last Will
54    and Testament in the presence of us who have in
55    his presence and in the presence of each other
56    and at his request Subscribed our names as
57    Witnesses hereto the words (Thirty pounds) being
58    first interlined Thomas Crook and an Wm Deyongh
60    This Will was proved at London the
61    second day of December in the year of our Lord
62    One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one
63    before the Worshipful Andrew Coltee Ducarel
64    doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right Worshipful
65    George hay also doctor of Laws Master Keeper
66    or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
67    lawfully Constituted by the Oath of Mary Blake
68    Widow the Relict of the deceased Sole Executrix named
69    in the Said Will to whom Administration was Granted
70    of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits
71    of the said deceased she having been first sworn
72    duly to administer

The testator, Mary Blake, lives at Stratford, Essex. Her maiden name of Rolph has been helpful in locating that family in Tilty, Essex. William Rolph is identified as the father of Jesse as mentioned in the will below. Jessie was said to be baptized 19 Jan 1755 at Tilty

http://blighty.50megs.com/RonBrand.html

His page continues with the descent of this family through Jesse.

The will of John Blake of Stratford Langthorn was published yesterday

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/04/will-of-john-blake-gentleman-stratford.html

And I suspect that he is the husband of Mary the present testator as he mentions a niece Elizabeth Rolph and a niece Mary Litchfield. Neither of the wills mentions children. Boyd’s marriage index does provide a marriage for John Blake and Mary Rolf in 1762 in Ham West. No further information but will check the Society of Genealogists (SOG) since they produced Boyd’s marriage index.

The Apprenticeship records SOG volume 8, page 1437 lists a Charles Curtis as an apprentice to John Blake, Baker, at Stratford Langthorne in 1758 (mentioned in this will as a leasee). In 1782 there is an apprentice Robert Barnard to John Blake at Thaxted Essex, Baker. I wonder who the John Blake at Thaxted, Essex is related to.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 3 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/982/188
Testator: Mary Blake, widow
Place: Stratford, Essex, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 14 May 1772, probated 7 Nov 1772
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Mary Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Mary Blake of Stratford in the County of Essex Widow
3    being of sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding
4    do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following
5    Whereas I am intitled to a Leasehold Estate (with Right of
6    Renewal for a further Term) situate at Stratford aforesaid now
7    in the Tenure or Occupation of Mr Charles Curtis Baker Now
8    I do hereby give the said Lease and benefit of Renewall unto
9    my Mother Mary Rolph of Thaxsted in the County of Essex
    [Page 2]
10    leases for and during the Term of her natural Life subject
11    to the Rent and Covenants in the said Indenture of Lease and from
12    and after her decease then I give the said Lease and premises
13    unto my Brother William Rolph of Tilty in Essex if he shall be
14    then living subject as aforesaid But in case my said Brother
15    William shall dye in the lifetime of my said Brother then I give
16    the said Lease and premises subject as aforesaid to my Sisters
17    Martha Miller Hannah Litchfield and Jane Schofield either to sell
18    the said Lease or to keep the same if they shall all Agree to
19    sell the same then the Monies arising by such Sale to be equally
20    divided between them or such of them as shall be living at the
21    time of my decease And in case they shall agree to keep the
22    said Lease then I give the Rents and profits of the said Lease
23    and premises to be equally divided between such of my said
24    Sisters as shall be living as aforesaid Item I give unto my
25    said Brother William Rolph Three hundred and Fifty pounds
26    South Sea New annuities to be Transferred to him immediately
27    after my decease Item I give unto his Son Jessey Rolph Fifty
28    pounds like South Sea Annuities to be transferred to him when
29    he shall attain his Age of Twenty two Years Item I give unto
30    my Sister Martha Miller Three hundred pounds like South Sea
31    Annuities to be Transferred to her Immediately after my decease
32    the same to be for her own sole and separate use and no wise
33    subject to the Debts of Controul of her present or any future
34    husband Item I give to my Sister Jane Schofield Two
35    hundred and Fifty pounds like South Sea Annuities to be
36    Transferred to her as aforesaid And the same to be no wise
37    subject to the Debts or Controul of her present or any future
38    husband Item I give unto her Son John Schofield One
39    hundred pounds like South Sea Annuities to be Transferred to
40    him when he shall attain his Age of Twenty two Years Item I
41    give one hundred pounds like South Sea Annuities to be equally
42    divided between such of the daughters of my said Sister Schofield
43    as shall be living at the time of my decease Item I give unto
44    my Sister Hannah Litchfield Two hundred pounds like South Sea
45    Annuities for her own sole and separate Use as aforesaid to be
46    Transferred to her immediately after my decease Item I order
47    that my said Sister Martha Miller shall take to herself so
48    much of the best of my Wearing apparel of all sorts as she
49    shall think fit and the Residue thereof I give equally between
50    my said Sister Schofields Children Item I order that my Executors
51    hereinafter named do with all convenient speed after my decease
52    sell and dispose of all my household Goods Linen and
53    Furniture except what I have before disposed of together with
54    all my plate Jewells and China And out of the Monies arising
55    thereby pay all my just Debts and Funeral Expences And then
56    the Rest and Residue of my Estate and Effects whatsoever and
57    wheresoever I give and bequeath the same unto and between
58    my said Brothers and Sister’s Children as shall be living at the
60    time of my decease equally Share and Share alike and I do
61    hereby revoke all former and other Wills and Testament by me at any time hereto made and do declare this and this only to be my last Will and do
62    constitute and appoint my said Brother William Rolph and my
    [Page 3]
63    said Sister Martha Miller joint Executors of this my Will In
64    Witness whereof I the said Mary Blake have to this my last
65    Will and Testament contained in two Sheets of paper set my
66    hand and to the last set my hand and Seal this fourteenth day
67    of September One Thousand seven hundred and seventy two
68    M Blake Signed sealed published and declared by the
69    Testatrix Mary Blake as and for her last Will and Testament
70    in the presence of us who have in her presence and at her
71    request subscribed our Names as Witnesses hereto M Fletcher
72    Wm Deyongh
73    This Will was proved at London the Seventh day
74    of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven
75    hundred and seventy two before the worshipful Andrew Coltee
76    Ducarel Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Worshipful
77    George Hay Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the
78    Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oaths
79    of William Rolph the Brother of the deceased and Martha
80    Miller (wife of John Miller) the Sister of the said deceased and
81    Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration was
82    granted of all and singular the Goods Chattles and Credits and
83    Credits of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to
84    administer.

Priscilla Blake is the testatrix. She died March quarter 1855 in Lexden RD/ She is on the 1851 census at Copford, Lexden, Essex. She is listed as a Lady and was born at Halsted, Essex. Everyone living at the same address is a servant. She was born in 1797. Her maiden surname was Honywood and she was of Marks Hall, Essex. Another descendant of the Galway Blake family, Arthur Netterville Blake was the son of Netterville Blake of Kilcloghans Co. He was a Captain in the British Military. He married (first wife) 7 Feb 1842 Mrs. Priscilla Honywood (relict of Philip Honywood) and they did not have any children. She died 9 Feb 1855. Her maiden name was Hanbury and she was the daughter of Charles Hanbury and Priscilla Blane. Arthur Netterville Blake then married Harriet Graham who was the daughter of Richard Blake and Eliza O’Donel (Richard was the son of George Blake and Juliane Lynch of Garracloone (another Galway Blake line).

Arthur’s will was proved at Tuam (Ireland) 7 Mar 1876. Arthur was the son of (Captain) Netterville Blake of Newborough, County Galway and he was the second son of Dominick Blake of Castlegrove and his first wife Francis Netterville. From the second marriage of Dominick Blake are descended one line of the Blake family in Canada (not my line!).

From the Landed Estates database: http://landedestates.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/search.jsp?q=parishes

(Estate) Blake (Castlegrove) - By his will (1612) Robert Blake of Ardfry left the lands of Castlegrove or Fartigare as they were originally known, in the barony of Dunmore, county Galway, to his seventh son, Andrew Blake. In the mid 18th century Dominick Blake of Castlegrove married Frances, daughter of Nicholas, 5th Viscount Netterville, as his first wife. Their second son founded the Blake family of Newborough. The Blakes of Canada are descended from Dominick Blake's second marriage. Castlegrove, an estate of over 2,300 acres belonging to Edward Blake, was advertised for sale in November 1852 and bought by John W. Cannon. Edward Blake still held land in the parishes of Killererin, Dunmore and Tuam at the time of Griffith's Valuation. An Edward Blake of Belgium owned 924 acres in county Galway and 1698 acres in county Roscommon in the 1870s. Netterville Blake of Newborough, parish of Kilbennan, barony of Dunmore, county Galway, second son of Dominick Blake of Castlegrove, had a large family of 14 children. His third son Arthur Netterville Blake lived at Kilcloghan House, north of Tuam and held the 93 acres of the townland of Mount Potter in fee, presumably having bought it from Jeremiah Tully in the Encumbered Estates' Court in 1850. Martin Blake writes that Arthur's younger brother James Netterville Blake, a doctor, lived at Newborough. The Blakes held Newborough from Patrick Crean Lynch. Lands at Lisnanny and Ballyroe, barony of Dunmore, amounting to 656 acres and 218 at Burris, barony of Clanmorris in county Mayo were advertised for sale by the trustees of Margaret Blake widow of James Netterville Blake in 1851.

The will of Arthur Netterville Blake will eventually appear in the Irish Wills if I am able to locate it.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 6 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2207/432
Testator: Priscilla Blake, wife
Place: Marks Hall, Essex, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 28 May 1842, probated 29 Mar 1855
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Priscilla
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 11

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Priscilla Blake the wife of Arthur Netterville Blake Esquire
3    now residing at Marks Hall in the County of Essex Whereas by the
4    Settlement made on my marriage with the said Arthur Netterville
5    Blake dated the sixth day of December one thousand eight hundred and
6    forty one the sum of one thousand two hundred and fifty pounds three
7    per cent consolidated annuities one thousand pounds bank stock two
8    hundred and eighty eight pounds Royal Exchange Stock and two hundred
9    and ninety eight pounds eighteen shillings and two pence River dee Stock
10    was assigned to the Reverend Charles Gooch of Topsfield Essex Clerk and
11    Philip Hanbury of Lombard Street London Banker In trust (subject to
12    the life interest thereby given to the said Arthur Netterville Blake therein
13    and to a power for raising a certain sum thereof which has been exer
14    rised for such person or persons for such interests and purposes and with
15    under and subject to such powers provisioes and declarations as I the
16    said Priscilla Blake by my last Will and Testament or any Codicil or
17    Codicils thereto should notwithstanding my coverture direct or appoint
18    and in default of such direction or appointment and so far as any such
19    direction or appointment should not extend In trust for the person or per
20    sons who under the Statute for the distribution of the personal estate of
21    Intestates would at the time of my decease have been entitled to my
22    personal estate if I had died intestate and the marriage between me
23    and the said Arthur Netterville Blake had not been solemnized and to
24    be divided between such persons if more than one in the shares as
25    which the same would be distributed by virtue of the said Statue
26    And whereas I have made a Will in pursuance of the said powers
27    which I am now desirous to revoke and it is my intention that the
28    said trust funds should as in the course and belong to the previous
29    provisos in my said in part recited Settlement Now thus revoked I do
30    hereby utterly revoke and cancel the said Will as is aforesaid made
31    by me in pursuance of the said power and every direction and appoint
32    ment thereby made and also all other Wills and Testaments and
33    Codicil or Codicils at any time heretofore made and consented by me
34    And I do hereby so far as I have any power so to do confirm the
35    hereinbefore in part recited settlement and the trusts and provisions
36    therein contained In witness whereof I have hereunder set my hand
37    this twenty eighth day of May one thousand eighteen hundred and forty
38    two Priscilla Blake Signed and declared by the said Priscilla
39    Blake the Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament in the pre-
40    sence of us present at the same time who in her presence at her request
41    and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names
42    as witnesses Osgood Hanbury Cogeshall Essex Esquire
43    Guigis Sanforde Bailiff to Osgood Hanbury Esquire
44    This is a Codicil to the last Will and testament of me
45    Priscilla Blake of Marks Hall in the County of Essex the wife of
46    Arthur Netterville Blake Esquire but now living a separate life apart
47    from him under and by virtue of a deed of Separation bearing date the
48    twentieth day of September instant and now acting as if I was ____
49    sole and unmarried which said Will bears date the twenty eighth day of
50    May now last past Whereas I the said Priscilla Blake being entitled
51    to as my own private and exclusive property independently of the
52    said Arthur Netterville Blake and subject to my entire control and disposi
53    tion consisting of household and other furniture plate linen china
54    books wines carriage horses deer live and dead farming stock crops
55    and other effects and property div by a certain Indenture of Assign-
56    ment bearing even date with the said deed of Separation between me
57    and the said Arthur Netterville Blake assign over the same to my
58    brother Edward Hanbury of Hackeston in the County of Suffolk Esquire
60    upon certain trusts therein mentioned as an indemnity to the said
61    Edward Hanbury his executors administrators and assigns against any
62    responsibility incurred by him under the covenants entered into by him
63    on my behalf in the said deed of Separation Now I do hereby after
64    payment of all my just debts funeral and testamentary expences give
65    and bequeath unto my children Robert Honywood Priscilla Honywood
66    and Walter Honywood equally to be divided between them on their
67    severally attaining the age of twenty one years all so much and such
68    part of my said estate and effects as aforesaid as shall not have been
69    applied by the said Edward Hanbury his executors administrators and
70    assigns under the trusts in the said Indenture of Assignment expressed
71    And I nominate and appoint the said Edward Hanbury and my brother
72    in law Christopher Hewetson Barnes of Babergh in the County of
73    Suffolk Esquire my Executors In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
74    hand this twenty second day of September one thousand eight hundred
75    and forty two Priscilla Blake Signed and declared by the said
76    Priscilla Blake as and for a Codicil to her last Will and Testament in
77    the presence of us present at the same time who in her presence at her
78    request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our
79    names as witnesses Tho: Sadler Sol[icito]r Coggeshall Essex Sarah
80    Sallines Servant to Mrs Blake
81    On the 29th March 1855 Admon with the Will and Codicil annexed
82    of the goods chattels and credits of Priscilla Blake Wife of Arthur
83    Netterville Blake Esquire, late of Copford Place in the Parish of
84    Copford in the County of Essex deceased Limited so far only as concerns
85    all the right title and interest of the deceased in and to all such per
86    sonal estate and effects as she the said deceased by virtue of two certain
87    Indentures bearing date respectively the 6th December 1841 and the 20th September
88    1842 has a right to appoint or dispose of and hath in and by her
89    said Will appointed and disposed of accordingly but no further or
90    otherwise were granted to Robert Honywood the son of the said deceased
91    and a Principal Legatee named in the said Codicil he  having been first
92    sworn by Com[missi]on duly to admini[ster] Christopher Hewitson Barnes the
93    surviving Executor named in the Codicil having first renounced the Probate
94    and execution of the said Will and Codicil as by Acts of Court appears
95    On the 20th April 1855 Admon of the rest of the Goods chattels and
96    credits of Priscilla Blake (wife of Arthur Netterville Blake Esquire
97    late of Copford Place in the Parish of Copford in the County of Essex
98    deceased concerning which the said intestate was granted to the said
99    Arthur Netterville Blake the lawful husband of the said deceased hav-
100    ing been first sworn duly to administer

Locating the husband of Sarah Blake was not possible initially as he was not named in the will.

Her niece Elizabeth Simpson, married to William Woolley Simpson, was also not found although I did find the Will of her husband and they were living at Montagu Place Russell Square Middlesex as well as his being an Auctioneer at Bucklersbury London. It is a short will which leaves everything to his wife Elizabeth; will dated 12 Oct 1847 and probated 9 Dec 1847.

The marriage of Mr John Wyatt Lee of Maldon, Essex to Ann Dunkin (daughter of John Dunkin Esquire of Woodham Mortimer) at Woodham Mortimer 17 October 1805 (Find My Past).

One of the names of the great nephews of Sarah Blake is William Staddon Blake Lee and googling this name reveals a William Staddon Blake who lived in St Mary Woolnoth and St Mary Woolchurch, London. He was in 1795 one of the churchwardens.

There is a will for William Stadden Blake of Change Alley in the City of London, Engraver. He mentions his wife Sarah Blake. His will was probated 10 November 1814. His will was written 2 Nov 1795. I will transcribe his will next. It is interesting sometimes how one can discover more about individuals who leave their wills. I did find the baptism of William Stadden Blake son of William and Fanny Blake of Saff[ron]hill, St Andrew Holborn, 14 Jan 1747 (Ancestry.ca). Cornhill is approximately 1 mile away from Saffron Hill.

Names mentioned in the will:

Sarah Blake, testatrix, Maldon, Essex
Francis Maria Lee, executrix, sister, Maldon, Essex
John Rowe, tenant, Change Alley, Cornhill, London
George Turney, tenant, Change Alley, Cornhill, London
Elizabeth Simpson, niece, Bucklersbury, London
William Woolley Simpson, Auctioneer, husband of Elizabeth, Bucklersbury, London
John Wyatt Lee, nephew
Thomas Lee, son of John Wyatt Lee, great nephew
David Stringlet, tenant, Great Totham, Essex
John Dunkin Lee, son of John Wyatt Lee, great nephew
William Staddon Blake Lee, son of John Wyatt Lee, great nephew,
Samuel Willett, executor, Barnards Inn, Middlesex, gentleman
George May, executor, Maldon, Surgeon
Mary Lee, daughter of John Wyatt Lee, great niece
Nancy Lee, daughter of John Wyatt Lee, great niece
Joanna Dunkin Lee, daughter of John Wyatt Lee, great niece
Elizabeth Frances Lee, daughter of John Wyatt Lee, great niece
Emma Lee, daughter of John Wyatt Lee, great niece
Robert Clarke, Little Totham, Essex, Farmer
Hannah Fanks, Castle Street, Southwark Bridge
Ann Cotter, wife of Joseph Cotter, Great Totham, Essex
Joseph Cotter, Great Totham, Essex, husband of Ann, Innholder
Elizabeth Sly, Purleigh, Essex
Elizabeth Goddard, residing with Lady Julia Howard
Ann Goddard, sister of Elizabeth Goddard
Elizabeth Foster, servant
Mary Wood, servant to Francis Maria Lee
Hannah Ruggles, residing with the testatrix
Betsy Stotherd, witness
Wm Wright, witness, Sol[icito]r Maldon
Z: W: Digby, witness, Clerk to Wm Wright

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 6 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1708/416
Testator: Sarah Blake, Widow
Place: Maldon, Essex, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 10 Jun 1825, probated 27 Feb 1826
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Sarah
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 27

1    In the Name of God Amen I
2    Sarah Blake of Saint Mary Islington in the County of Middlesex but me residing
3    at Maldon in the County of Essex Widow being of sound mine memory and
4    understanding (praised be God for the same) do make publish and declare my last
5    Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) in the first place I direct
6    all my just debts Funeral and Testamentary Expenses to be paid off and discharged
7    by my Executrix and Executors hereinafter appointed from and out of my personal
8    Estate And I give devise and bequeath unto my Sister Francis Maria Lee of Maldon
9    aforesaid Spinster all those my two Leasehold Messuages or dwellinghouses with the
    [Page 2]
10    outbuildings and appurtenances thereto respectively belonging being Numbers 16 and 18 in
11    Change Alley Cornhill in the City of London now in the occupations of John Rowe
12    and George Turney To hold the same unto the said Francis Maria Lee her Executors
13    Administrators and Assigns to and for her and their own absolute use and benefit for the
14    residue of my Estate Term and interest therein respectively And I also give and bequeath
15    unto my said Sister Francis Maria Lee all my Principal Money Stocks of Funds
16    standing in my Name in the Long Annuities in the Books of the Governor and
17    Company of the Bank of England to and for her own absolute use and benefit and direct
18    the same to be paid or transferred to her within six months next after my decease
19    and I give and bequeath unto my Niece Elizabeth Simpson Wife of William Woolley
20    Simpson of Bucklersbury in the said City of London Auctioner the Sum of two thousand
21    pounds Stock part of the money Stock or Trust standing in my name in the new four
22    per cent Annuities to and for her own absolute use and benefit and direct the same
23    to be paid or transferred to her within six Calendar months next after my decease but
24    in case she shall happen to depart this life in my lifetime hereby the said Legacy
25    would lapse then I give and bequeath the said two thousand pounds Stock in the
26    now four per cent Annuities unto the said William Woolley Simpson absolutely
27    and direct the same to be paid or transferred to him within six Calendar months
28    next after my decease And I give and bequeath unto my Nephew John Wyatt Lee
29    the Legacy or Sum of One thousand pounds and direct the same to be paid to him
30    within six Calendar Months next after my decease to and for his absolute use and
31    and benefit And I give and devise unto Thomas Lee Son of the said John Wyatt Lee All
32    that my Messuage or dwellinghouse with the Outbuildings Yards Gardens and the
33    several pieces or parcels of Land thereto belonging containing by Estimation thirty
34    acres (be the same more or less) with the Appurtenances (part Freehold and part
35    Copyhold) situate and being in the parish of Great Totham in the said County of
36    Essex now in the occupation of David Stringlet To hold the same unto the same
37    Thomas Lee his heirs and Assigns for ever And I give and bequeath unto John
38    Dunkin Lee another Son of my said Nephew John Wyatt Lee All those my ten
39    shares (of One hundred pounds each) of and in the Capital Stock of a certain Company
40    called or known by the Name of the West Middlesex Waterworks Company and direct
41    that the same shall become vested in and be paid or Assigned and transferred to him
42    when he shall attain the Age of twenty one Years and the Interest dividends and
43    produce thereof in the meantime I direct to be paid to his Father the said John
44    Wyatt Lee to be applied by him for and towards his maintenance benefit and
45    Education and I give and bequeath unto William Staddon Blake Lee another Son
46    of the said John Wyatt Lee All and every my shares (being about twenty one in number
47    of and in the Capital Stock of a certain Company called the London Dock Company And
48    also all my shares and Interest or Interests in the Capital Stock of a certain Company
49    called the Waterloo or Stand Bridge Company and direct that the same respectively shall
50    become vested in and be paid or Assigned and transferred to him when he shall attain the
51    age of twenty one years And the Interest dividends and produce thereof respectively in
52    the meantime I direct to be paid to his Father the said John Wyatt Lee to be applied
53    by him for and towards his maintenance benefit and education provided always And
54    in case either or both of them the said John Dunkin Lee and William Stadden Blake
55    Lee shall happen to depart this life under the Age of twenty one years then I give and
56    bequeath the shares of the Stock of him of them so dying unto all his or their surviving
57    Brothers and Sisters in equal shares and proportions share and share alike and in
58    case there shall be but one Survivor then I give and bequeath the whole to such
60    only Surviving Child to and for his or her own absolute use and benefit and direct that
61    such accruing share or shares shall become vested in and be paid to assigned and
62    transferred to them him or her as and when they severally attain the Age of twenty one
63    Years and the Dividends Interest or produce thereof in the meantime I direct to be paid
64    to the said John Wyatt Lee to be by him applied for and towards their his or her
65    maintenance benefit and Education and I give and bequeath unto my Sister the said
66    Francis Maria Lee Samuel Willett of Barnards Inn in the said County of Middlesex
67    Gentleman and George May of Maldon aforesaid Surgeon the Sum of two thousand
    [Page 3]
68    five hundred pounds upon trust that they the said Francis Maria Lee Samuel
69    Willett and George May or the Survivors or Survivor of them or the Executors or Admors
70    of such Survivor do and shall lay out and invest the same in their his or her own
71    names or name in some or one of the public Stocks or Funds or upon Government or
72    Real Security at Interest and from time to time to call in alter and transpose such Stocks
73    Funds and Securities as they she or he shall think fit and proper and do and shall pay the
74    Interest dividends and annual produce thereof as and when the same shall become due
75    and be received into the proper hands of the said John Wyatt Lee to be by him applied
76    for and towards the maintenance benefit and Education of his daughters Mary Lee
77    Nancy Lee Joanna Dunkin Lee Elizabeth Frances Lee and Emma Lee until they
78    shall severally and respectively attain the age of twenty one years and Marry with
79    the consent of my said Trustees or Trustee for the time being or the majority of them
80    or until such time or period as they shall (from any other cause than marriage)
81    severally cease to be maintained and supported by and at the Expence of the said John
82    Wyatt Lee their Father And when and as they shall severally and respectively attain
83    the age of twenty one Years and marry with such Consent as aforesaid or as and
84    when they shall (from any other cause than Marriage) severally cease to be
85    maintained and supported by their said Father then I do hereby declare and direct that
86    that the said Francis Maria Lee Samuel Willett and George May or the
87    Survivors or Survivor of them or the Executors or Administrators of such Survivor
88    shall stand and be possessed of the said Sum of two thousand five hundred pounds
89    or the Stocks Funds and Securities in or upon which the same shall be laid out and
90    invested as aforesaid in trust for and to pay or assign and transfer the same unto the
91    said Mary Lee Nancy Lee Joanna Dunkin Lee Elizabeth Frances Lee and Emma
92    Lee in equal shares and proportions share and share alike to and for their
93    respective absolute use and benefit nevertheless I do hereby declare my Mind and Will
94    to be that the said several and respective shares shall become vested in the said daughters
95    of the said John Wyatt Lee as and when they severally attain the age of twenty one
96    years notwithstanding the payment thereof is postponed till the time of their
97    marriage or (from any other cause) ceasing to be maintained and supported by
98    their said Father provided always and I do hereby further declare and direct that if
99    any one of more of them the said Mary Lee Nancy Lee Joanna Dunkin Lee Elizabeth Frances
100    Lee and Emma Lee shall happen to depart this life under the Age of twenty one
101    Years then the share or shares of her or them so dying shall go accrue and belong
102    to the Survivors of them in equal shares and in case of only one Survivor then the whole
103    shall go and accrue to such Survivor and shall vest in and be paid or assigned and
104    transferred to them or her at the same time or times and be subject to the same
105    contingency as is hereinbefore declared or expressed relative to her or their original
106    share or shares and the dividends and Interest thereof in the mean time shall be
107    paid and applied for their benefit as aforesaid And I give devise and bequeath unto
108    my Friend the said Samuel Willett All those two Leasehold Messuages or dwelling
109    houses with the Outbuildings Yards Gardens and Appurtenances thereto belonging
110    being Numbers 29 and 30 in Queens Row Walworth in the County of Surrey To
111    hold the same unto the said Samuel Willett his Executors Administrators and
112    Assigns to and for his and their own absolute use benefit and disposal for the
113    residue of my Estate Term and Interest therein respectively and I also give and
114    bequeath unto the said Samuel Willett the Legacy or Sum of One hundred pounds
115    and I give and bequeath unto my Friend the said George May the Sum of Fifty
116    pounds and I give and bequeath unto my Friend Robert Clarke of Little Totham
117    in the said County of Essex Farmer to Hannah Fanks of Castle Street Southwark
118    Bridge to Ann Cotter wife of Joseph Cotter of Great Totham aforesaid Innholder
119    and to Elizabeth Sly of Purleigh in the said County of Essex the Sum of Five Guineas
120    each as a token of my respect for them and I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth
121    Goddard now residing with Lady Julia Howard the Sum of nineteen Guineas
122    and I give and bequeath to Ann Goddard the Sister of the said Elizabeth Goddard
123    the Sum of Five Guineas and I give and bequeath unto my Servant Elizabeth
124    Foster the Sum of ten Guineas and I give and bequeath unto Mary Wood the
    [Page 4]
125    Servant of my said Sister Frances Maria Lee the Sum of Five Guineas all which said
126    several last mentioned Legacies I will and direct shall be paid to the said several and
127    respective Legatees thereof within one Calendar months next after my decease and I
128    give and bequeath unto Hannah Ruggles now residing with me all my Clothes and
129    Linen And I give and bequeath unto my said Sister Francis Maria Lee All and
130    singular my ready money and Securities for Money debts and the rest and residue of
131    my personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever to and for her own absolute use benefit
132    and disposal And I hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said Francis Maria
133    Lee Samuel Willett and George May Executrix and Executors of this my Will And
134    do hereby declare my Will to be that my said Trustees and Executrix and Executors and
135    and their respective Executors and Administrators shall be charged and Chargeable
136    respectively for such monies only as they respectively shall actually receive by virtue
137    of this my Will notwithstanding their or any of their giving or signing or joining
138    in any receipt or receipts for the sake of Conformity And that no one or more of
139    them shall be answerable or accountable for the acts receipts neglects of defaults of
140    the others or other of them but each and every of them for her and his own acts
141    receipts neglects and defaults only and that they or any or either of them shall not
142    be answerable or accountable for any Banker Broker or other person with or to
143    whom or in whose hands any part of the said Trust monies shall or may be
144    intrusted paid or deposited for safe custody or otherwise in the Execution of the
145    Trusts of this my Will nor for the rise or fall in the price or value of Stocks or the
146    insufficiency or deficiency in Title or value of any Security and Securities in or upon
147    which the said Trust monies or any part thereof shall be laid out or invested nor
148    for any other loss of misfortune which may happen to the same trust monies
149    or any part thereof except the same shall happen by or through his her or
150    their own respective wilful act neglect or default and also that it shall be
151    lawful for my said Trustees and Executrix and Executors and their respective
152    Executors and Administrators by and out of the monies which shall come to
153    their hands by virtue of the trusts aforesaid to retain to and reimburse themselves
154    respectively and also to allow their respective Co Trustee and Executrix and Executor or respective Co Trustees and Executrix and Executors
155    All Costs Charges damages and Expenses which they or any or either of them shall
156    or may pay sustain or be put unto in the Execution of this my Will and the trusts
157    hereby in them reposed and I hereby revoke and make void all former Wills by me
158    at any time heretofore made and declare this alone to be and contain my last
159    Will and Testament In witness whereof I have to this  my Will contained in five
160    Sheets of paper set my hand and Seal to wit my hand to the four preceding sheets
161    and my hand and Seal to this fifth and last sheet hereof the tenth day of June in
162    the Year one thousand eight hundred and twenty five Sarah Blake
163    Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Sarah Blake as and for her last Will
164    and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto at her request in her
165    presence and in the presence of each other Subscribed our names as Witnesses
166    Betsy Stotherd Wm Wright Sol[icito]r Maldon Z: W: Digby his Clerk
167    Proved at London 27th February 1826 before the Worshipful Jesse Addams d[octo]r of Laws
168    and Surr[ogate] by the Oaths of Frances (in the will written Francis) Maria Lee Spinster the
169    Sister Samuel Willett and George May Esq[uie]rs the Ex[ecuto]rs to whom Adm[inistrati]on was granted
170    being first Sworn duly to adm[iniste]r

The testator William Stadden Blake’s will is so short compared to that of his wife Sarah Blake, blogged yesterday:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/04/will-of-sarah-blake-widow-maldon-essex.html

Sarah’s will discussion recorded a few details for William namely:

The baptism of William Stadden Blake son of William and Fanny Blake of Saff[ron]hill, took place at St Andrew Holborn, 14 Jan 1747. Cornhill is approximately 1 mile away from Saffron Hill.

Googling this name reveals a William Staddon Blake who lived in St Mary Woolnoth and St Mary Woolchurch, London. He was in 1795 one of the churchwardens. It also reveals his career as an Engraver and that his work is still circulating and being purchased/sold. Interesting that there are these two William Blake in this same time period in the same area. The one William Blake, Poet Laureate of England and the other William Stadden Blake an engraver of notable fame.

However, I was unable to determine any more details on his parents William and Fanny Blake. I did not find any other children baptized to this couple. There isn’t a will for a William Blake in London that would fit.

I did find a discrepancy with the online records in that The Freedom of the City Admission Papers for William Stadden Blake name him as a son of Daniel Blake, Vintner of London (deceased) and this Daniel is known to me. It says that William Stadden Blake is apprenticed to Samuel Carr Harper a citizen and Clothworker of London and that he will serve for seven years beginning 2 Dec 1761. If he is the William Stadden Blake baptized 14 Jan 1747 then he would be 14 years of age which would be reasonable. He already has a very good signature so has been at school. There was a marriage for Daniel Blake (St Sepulchres, widower)) and Frances Crane 1 Apr 1739 (Ancestry.ca) in London (she of St Andrew Holborn, spinster). This is a Clandestine Marriage Register for marriages performed by The Reverend Mr Wyatt, the Reverend Mr Ashwell, the Reverend Mr Lindey, the Reverend Mr Flood and the Reverend Mr Daw.

I found a baptism for a Sarah Blake 18 Jan 1740 at St Andrew Holborn to Daniel and Fanny Blake. Another baptism for a John Blake son of Daniel and Frances Blake, St Andrew Holborn 28 Oct 1744. 

I do not see two William Stadden Blake entries. Daniel Blake, citizen and vitner of London, is shown with only two sons William and Francis. He did marry a second time to Frances Monoux. Perhaps these baptisms at St Andrew Holborn are from his second marriage? The father of Daniel was William. Daniel had a son William from his first marriage. Why the middle name of Stadden? 

The exciting part of all of this searching was finding another published Blake Pedigree in the Survey of London, volume 17. I have inserted it into this blog. I will write a separate blog to discuss this Pedigree. It concerns the Blake family at Andover and offers a few more clues with regard to the Blake Pedigree Chart held at the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office.






Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 7 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1562/134
Testator: William Stadden Blake, Engraver
Place: Change Alley, London, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 2 Nov 1795, probated 10 Nov 1814
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: William
[Margin]: Stadden
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen I William
2    Stadden Blake of Change Alley in the City of London Engraver being of sound
3    and disposing Memory and understanding do make publish and declare this my last
4    Will and Testament as follows first and principally I commend my Soul into the hands
5    of Almighty God who gave it my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently
6    interred and as to all such Worldly Estate and Effects of what nature or kind soever
7    whether Real or personal which I shall be possess of Interest in or intitled unto
8    at the time of my decease I give devise and bequeath the same unto my beloved Wife Sarah
9    Blake her Executors Administrators and Assigns for ever and I do hereby nominate constitute
10    and appoint my said beloved Wife Sarah Blake Sole Executrix of this my Will hereby
11    revoking and making void all former and other Wills by me made I do declare this to be and
12    contain my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hands
13    and Seal in London this second day of November in the year of our Lord one
14    thousand seven hundred and ninety five W[ilia]m Stad[de]n Blake Signed Sealed published
15    declared and delivered by the Testator William Stadden Blake as and for his last
16    Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each
17    other have subscribed our Names as Witnesses W[ilia]m Hammatt Rich[ar]d Vining
18    Fra[nci]s Davies
19    Proved at London 10 November 1814 before the Worshippful
20    Steward Beaumont Burnaby doctor of Laws and Surr[ogate] by the Oath of Sarah
21    Blake Widow the Relict the Sole Exec[utr]ix to whom Admon Admon was granted
22    having been first sworn duly to adm[iniste]r

A discussion on the visitation and pedigree documents for the Blake family at Andover and how they contribute to knowledge on the Blake families of Wiltshire.

The first document of interest is the Visitation for the Blake family published in 1632 and part of the Visitation of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight taken in 1686. This particular Visitation does not carry any dates however there are some known dates. William Blake of Eaton towne is named as the furtherest back ancestor and he is known to have left his will in 1582 and it was probated in 1582. His will does not mention any grandchildren. Four of his children are listed in this visitation, his son John, the eldest, his son William, second eldest, his son Peter, third eldest and his daughter Agnes. This particular visitation immediately raises the question was William married twice. He names ten children in his will and his wife is named Elizabeth. He goes to great lengths to ensure his wife’s income when he has died. Four of the names are duplicated in the list of the children, namely: John, William, Peter and Agnes. However he has Agnes married to (unknown) Kynton whereas the visitation names her husband as Roger Hyde. John is married to Margaret daughter of William Blake of Eaton towne. Three children are listed for this couple William Blake of Hales House, Middlesex, JP (married to Mary daughter of Henry Beverley of London and two sons are listed William (1) and John (2)) and Sara married to William Rolfe). Peter is a Counsellor of the Inner Temple and William Blake of Eaton towne is listed with three sons William (married to Ann daughter of Thomas Tutt of Chilbolton), Peter and Nicholas. There are a few known dates. Peter Blake died in 1624 (left his will which was probated that year). William Blake (his brother) left his will in 1607 (probated that year). John the eldest (married to Margaret) left his will which was probated in 1610. His wife Margaret was buried 12 Sep 1613. Not named on this document, Thomas Blake, son of John (son of William) was buried in 1660 at St Pauls Church, Covent Garden, London. This is one of the harder Visitations to understand. Why was it produced as it is in 1686. There isn’t any information on the chart that reaches to 1686. It is all from a generation and more earlier.



The next document to examine is the Visitation for Blake of Andover and it refers back to the Visitation of London 1663-64. It is also from the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 1686 Visitation. This particular one begins with William Blake of Easton-Town married to Anne daughter of Thomas Tutt and lists their child as Richard Blake married to Joane daughter of William Blake of Easton Town. Two children are then listed for this couple William of Andover, linen draper, will probated 1642 and he was married to Dorothy Madgwick and two children are listed for them Peter (High Sheriff of Hampshire aged 66 in 1686 and will probated 1694) and he was married to Margaret daughter of Vincent Smith (1st wife) and they had three children Peter age 20 in 1686, Elizabeth age 18 in 1686 and Sarah age 17 in 1686. The second wife of Peter was Elizabeth daughter of James Gould. The second child listed for William Blake and Dorothy Madgwick was John who was apprenticed to Robert Mason 11 Jul 1642. Comparing this to the chart above, William married to Anne Tutt can also been there as the son of William Blake and he has siblings Peter and Nicholas.



The third document of interest is from the Visitation of London 1663-64 and it is for Richard Blake of Tower Ward. The document states that Richard is of Andover and married to Jone the daughter of William Blake of Easton and that they have a son Richard Blake of London who has two sons. This particular visitation is signed by Richard Blake. The will for Richard Blake of Tower Ward was probated in 1644 and he is known to have been baptized at Andover 30 Sep 1593 and buried there 12 Apr 1644. The burial register notes that he is from London. Richard, his father was buried 14 Jan 1622 at Andover and his wife Jone Blake was buried 20 May 1631 at Andover. This couple had 14 children (four died either as infants or young children) leaving William, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Jone, Elenor, Margaret, Richard, Peter, John and Nicholas living to adulthood. By the will of Richard Blake of Tower Ward, he can be placed into this family as he mentions a number of his siblings. But most importantly he does not mention any children. The two sons mentioned in the 1633 Visitation are not mentioned in his Will. Documents 2 and 3 include similar material but the will of Richard shows a problem with Document 2. Richard’s sons did not survive and he was buried in 1644. Who signed this Visitation?


Moving on to Document 4 which is from Middlesex Pedigrees. It is virtually the same as Document 1 except William Blake is of Estontowne. There isn’t any information listed under William Blake, his son. Anne is married to Roger Hyde instead of Agnes. The Pedigree is labeled Blake of Hales House. This reinforces Document 1.




Document 5 is from the Visitation of Surrey 1662-8 and is labeled Blague alias Blake. This particular document carries the quarters arms with Blague/Durant/Bellot/Wallop being quartered thereupon. At the top of the pedigree is John Blague alias Blake of Essington and his children are listed as Thomas Blague or Blake and Sir William Blake of Kensington. This document for ancestry resembles Documents 1 and 4. There is no information for Sir William Blake at Kensington (William Blake of Hale House). Thomas Blague or Blake is married to Elinor Hall daughter of Robert Hall (brother to Sir John Hall). Two sons are listed for this couple namely Thomas Blake of Essington married to Dorothy Mayhew (two sons are listed for this couple Thomas and Richard) and Richard Blake of Long Ditton, Surrey and he is the Captain of the Trained Bands in Middlesex County 1662 and married to Elizabeth daughter of John Bathurst of London, Doctor in Phisick (they have a daughter Elizabeth 10 months old in 1662). This is signed by Richard Blake. This document is taking the Blake family back to the Blake family at Calne as the Durant and Bellot families are listed in the Blake Pedigree Chart held at the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office.



Document six in the latest Pedigree Chart for Blake which I found in the Survey of London, Volume 17 (The Village of Highgate, St Pancras, Part I) and published by the London County Council, The County Hall, London, SE 1936. The primary reason that Blake occurs in this particular book is the work done by William Blake of Hales House with regard to the Ladies School. The first mention of Blake is on Page 39 and it is Richard Blake son in law of Dr Coysh married to his daughter Susan. On Page 42 Francis Blake is mentioned and he was one of the sons of Thomas Blake and Eleanor Hall and his son Sir Francis Blake and wife Elizabeth are also mentioned. Because the interest is in properties, the Blake name is only mentioned when they are either buying or selling property in this area of London. The next mention is for William Blake on page 50. Then on page 52 Francis Blake is again mentioned. William Blake who founded the “Ladies Hospital” is also mentioned. Just to give a little linking to these Blake men and looking at the Pedigree Chart from this particular document at the head is William Blake of East Anton, Andover and in the next row the document resembles Document four, John Blake married to Margaret, Peter Blake of the Inner Temple, Anne married to Roger Hyde and William Blake of East Anton whose will was probed 5 Mar 1606 and further information is available from “Huddleston” on this entry. The only line carried forward is that of John and Margaret Blake listing their children Sir William Blake of Kensington (Hales House), Sara married to William Rolfe and Thomas Blake of East Anton married to Eleanor daughter of Thomas Hall. The children of Thomas Blake and Eleanor are listed as Sir Richard Blake, Francis Blake (Highgate), William Blake, Robert Blake, Arthur Blake and Thomas Blake of Essington (Herts? Is this an error?). The known children  for Thomas and Eleanor from various wills are Eleanor, Thomas, Arthur, Robert, Francis, William and Richard. The children of Francis Blake and Mary daughter of Sir Anthony Cope (Highgate) are listed as Sir Francis Blake of Coggs, Oxon and Ford Castle (aged 22 years in 1662), William Blake of Coggs (founded the “Ladies’ Hospital” at Highgate), and Eleanor married to Elisha Briscoe. These names fit into the pages mentioned above and give a little context around the information. Page 52 now mentioned that Francis Blake is the father of William Blake of Covent Garden, woollen draper. Page 61 gives a little more family information in that William Blake brother of Francis Blake (Highgate) is mentioned and his son Daniel Blake (both of these men being vintners and citizens of London). Daniel had two sons William and Francis. Which gives rise to why I found this chart in the first place. I was looking for information on William Stadden Blake whose father was said to be, by the Indenture document, Daniel Blake citizen and vintner of London. But the baptism of William Stadden Blake is to William and Fanny Blake.



The final document, number 7, looks at the Blake Pedigree Chart held by the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office (and the College of Arms in London). In this Chart William Blake of Easton town alias Essington, Southampton is named as the 4th son of Roger Blake and Mary Baynard and married to Avice Ripley with children Agnes married to Roger Hyde the younger, Peter Blake 3rd son (of the Inner Temple), John of Easton town eldest son and married to Margaret daughter of William Blake of Estontown and William second son. Peter does not marry. William’s wife is not identified but children are listed as William Blake of Easton town eldest son and married to Anne daughter of Thomas Tutt of Chilbolton, Peter second son and Nicholas third son. John is listed as having daughter Sarah married to William Rolfe and sons Thomas married to Eleanor Hall, and Sir William Blake married to Mary Beverley. William and Mary are listed as having son John (2nd son who died without issue) and William. Thomas and Eleanor are listed as having daughter Eleanor married to John Stacy of London and sons Arthur, 3rd son (with son Arthur who died without issue), Thomas Blake of Essington, eldest son married to Dorothy Maiw with sons Thomas, Robert and Charles and daughter Mary, Robert, second son, of Enham married to Joane Pyle and they had sons Edward and Robert, Francis  of Highgate, 4th son married to Catherine Browne 1st and they had Eleanor married to Elisha Briscoe, William of Coggs and Francis of Ford Castle, William 6th son of St Pauls Covent Garden married to Margaret Fountain and their children Daniel married to Eleanor Stafford (their children Thomas of Coggs (married to Felicia Wilkinson and this line continues), William, Margaret and Eleanor) and Richard of Clerkenwell 5th son married to Elizabeth Bathurst. The Pedigree Chart was created in 1690 with additions up to 1740. This chart carries an interesting note “Note that upon the Attestation of the above delineated Genealogie the Wife of William Blake fourth Son of Roger Blaake of Calne was then unknown, But it since appearing to Us by sufficiewnt Evidence that He married Avice daughter of Sir Gervase Ripley of Ripley in the New Forrest Hants, We caused the same together with the Arms and Figures in the Margin to be Insertged as also such other Coats of the Matches as were not at that time filled So that there now remains Blanks in these Escocheons only viz[a vi]t Edward Dorrant, 2dly John and Edward Blague, 3dly Mary and Elizabeth Blake unmarried 4thly William Blake, Mary and Catherine Dormer all these in their Infancy Witness our Hands this 4th day of November Ao 1690 and signed Thomas George Garte_ and Hen St George Clar___” The references used are as follows: This Descdent of Blake excepting the latter part of the Gloucestershire Line which was supplied from other Authentick matters of Record exhibited for that purpose is Extracted out of the Visitation Books …. And they are so delineated in the document. Document 7 is not published because it is under copyright. The images can be purchased from the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office.

Finding Document 6 has caused me to have a relook at all of these documents. There is a definite discrepancy in Document 2 which I have mentioned before. Whatever the proof was that proved William Blake married to Avis Ripley to be a son of Roger Blake and Mary Baynard would be a most interesting document. Since Roger’s will only mentions his eldest son and his youngest daughter one is left to find other documents to prove the relationship since the Visitation does not list William. The William who left his will in 1582 at Eastontown was the son of Nicholas as he mentions his siblings in his will. Did two William Blakes die at Eastontown in 1582? That mystery is not solved.

Visitation of Wiltshire mentioned above and decided to include this image just for completeness sake.





Only one son is mentioned, namely Thomas. This neither verifies nor negates William Blake married to Avis Ripley being a son of Roger Blake and Mary Baynard. There is another Visitation of Wiltshire which lists more of the children of Roger and Mary but still does not list a William.

The testator, Thomas Blake, is a Surgeon. His will leaves one with the impression that he may be from Dormansland in Surrey and this is an article on Dormansland:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dormansland,_Surrey

British History online does not reveal any interesting details on the property mentioned by Thomas Blake in Ford Manor at Dormansland, Surrey. (Map attached: http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/23762)




No further details obtained for this testator. Since he is a surgeon and there is an implication that he was in the military I did try Find My Past. The 1730s though is a bit early for military records. There is a Training Colony to the north in the map. Might pursue that notion later.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 8 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/680/349
Testator: Thomas Blake, Surgeon
Place: Stratford, Essex, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 26 Feb 1733, probated 15 Dec 1736
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Thomas
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Thomas Blake of Stratford in the County of Essex Surgeon
3    being weak of body but of sound and disposing mind memory and
4    understanding and considering the uncertainty of this Transitory Life
5    Doe make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament
6    in manner following First and principally my Soul I com[m]it
7    into the hands of Almight God who gave it Trusting
8    through the Merits death passion and Mediation of my only
9    Saviour and redeemer Jesus Christ to have remission of all
10    my Sins and enjoy everlasting life my body I commit to the
11    Earth to be decently Interred at the discretion of my Executrix
12    hereinafter named and as for and concerning all my real
13    and personal Estates which it hath pleased God to Bless me
14    with I give bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth Imprimis
15    all my personal Estate consisting of ready money Goods Chattels
16    household Furniture and Effects I give devise and bequeath the
17    same unto my loving wife Anna Blake for and during her
18    natural life and after her decease my Will and intention is and
19    I doe hereby give devise and bequeath the same unto my three
20    daughters Elizabeth Anna and Martha or to such of them as
21    shall be then living and their heirs for ever Equally to be divided
22    between them share and share alike Item all those two Messuages
23    or Tenements with the Barns Stables outhouses Buildings
24    Gardens and Orchards thereunto belonging or appertaining
25    And also all that Farm Meadow pasture arable and Woodland
26    to the said Messuages or Tenements adjoining belonging or
27    Appertaining containing in the whole by Estimation Sixty four
28    Acres more or less and also all those three acres of Meadow
29    Land lying and being in Fenn Mead All which said Messuages
30    or Tenements Farm Lands and premises are part of the Mannor
31    of Ford and are situate lying and being at or near a place called
32    dormans Land in the parish of Lingfeild in the County of Surrey and
33    are now Lett by Lease to and are in the tenure or occupation
34    of Thomas Pledge husbandman his undertennants or assigns
35    all which said premises are already settled upon my said Wife
36    Anna I give devise and bequeath the same unto my said loving
37    Wife Anna for and during her natural Life and after the death
38    of my said Wife Anna my Will and Intention is And I do hereby
39    give devise and bequeath the same unto my said three daughters
40    Elizabeth Anna and Martha or to such of them as shall be then
41    living and to their heirs for Ever equally to be divided between
42    them share and share alike Item as for and concerning the
43    Lease of the house I now live in of which there is now to come
44    six year and upwards all my debts and Effects both at home and
45    abroad which shall be anyways due owing or belonging to me
46    at the time of my decease or which may be obtained for or in
47    respect of the debt due to me from the Government I give
48    devise and bequeath the same and my Will and intention is that the
49    Same (after payment of all my just debts and Funeral Expences) be
50    equally divided share and share alike between my said loving wife
51    Anna and my said three daughters Elizabeth Anna and Martha
52    so soon as conveniently may be after the same shall be got in and
53    received And I doe hereby nominate and appoint my said
54    loving wife Anna Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament
55    hereby revoking all former and other Wills heretofore by me made
56    And I do hereby ratify and confirm these presents to stand and be
    [Page 2]
57    as and for my only last Will and Testament In Witness whereof the
58    said Thomas Blake the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament
60    sett my hand and Seal this Twenty Sixth day of February in the year
61    of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and thirty three and in
62    the seventh year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the
63    Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland
64    king defender of the Faith and so forth Thomas Blake Signed
65    Sealed published and declared by the said Thomas Blake the Testator as
66    and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto
67    subscribed our Names as Witnesses in  his presence and at his request
68    Tho[ma]s Wilson at Stratford Tho[ma]s Hagger at Stratford Fra[nci]s Curteis
69    This Will was proved at London the Fifteenth day
70    of December in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred
71    thirty six before the Worshipfull Stephen Cottrell doctor of Laws Surrogate
72    to the Right Worshipfull John Bettesworth doctor also of Laws
73    Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
74    lawfully constituted by the oath of Anna Blake widow the Relict
75    and Sole Executrix named in the said Will To whom Administration
76    was granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of
77    the said deceased being first Sworn duly to Administer

Susannah Blake is the testatrix and the name of her husband has not been stated. Trying to find the name of the husband may be difficult as she has died before census taking begins but after Civil Registration. Susannah is likely the Susannah Blake who died March quarter 1838 at West Ham listed on Free BMD.

Susannah names her sister as Ann Oxbury. Her daughter in law is Martha Cobb. Stephen Oxbury, son of Ann, may be the Stephen Oxborrow found on the 1841 census at St Andrew Capel in Suffolk with his wife Martha 45, (he is 45 and a farmer), daughter Martha 20, daughter Jane 20, and daughter Matilda 15. All are born in Suffolk. Missing on the 1851, 1861 and 1871 Census.

Susannah Howlett is possibly the Susannah married to William Howlett on the census at St Peter South Elmham, Suffolk and she was born at Blythborough and is 44 years old on the 1851 census. On the 1861 census still living at St Peter, husband still living and Susannah born at Blyburgh.

Samuel Eade is born circa 1801 according to the 1841 census and lives at Blythburgh. He is an Agricultural labourer and living with him is his wife Mary and their four children Mary 15, Samuel 12, Elizabeth 10, Joseph 8, James 5, Emma 2 and Susan 5 months. James Eade is 40 years of age on the 1841 census at Blythburgh with wife Rachel and two daughters Maria 11 and Sarah 10.

There is a family tree on WorldConnect for this Samuel Eade born circa 1802 in Blythburgh and the son of John Eade and Elizabeth Algar and back one more generation to Phil;ip Eade and Ann Godfrey but no parents for Elizabeth Algar. Susannah says that Samuel Eade and James Eade are her nephews. The family listed in the World Connect site matches the children of Samuel on the census including ages. Is Susannah an Eade or an Algar? There is an Ann Eade but no husband listed for her.

Leabon Rout was the Licensed Victualler at Crown Inn, Church Street North, West Ham from 1820 to 1841 and then Ann Rout in 1841 and back to Leabon Rout 1845 to 1851, Ann Rout (wife) in 1851 and L Rout in 1855. These years may be continuous. The information is taken from the Post Office Directory, the Census, White’s Directory (http://pubshistory.com/EssexPubs/WestHam/crown.shtml ).

Did not find anything particularly that would let me get at the maiden name of Susannah or the forename of her husband. 

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 8 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1890/194
Testator: Susannah Blake, Widow
Place: West Ham, Essex, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 12 Mar 1836, probated 24 Feb 1838
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Susannah
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 6

1    This is the last Will and Testament of me
2    Susannah Blake of West ham in the County of Essex Widow being weak in
3    body but of a sound mind memory and understanding thanks be to Almighty
4    God for the same do publish this paper writing to be and contain my last Will and Tes-
5    tament in manner following (that is to say) First I desire to be decently buried at the
6    discretion of my Executors hereinafter named and that they do pay and discharge
7    all my just debts personal and Testamentary expences as soon as conveniently may be after my
8    interment I give and bequeath unto my Sister Ann Oxbury all my wearing apparel
9    for her own use my property consisting of household furniture and money in the Bank
10    of England which I desire may be distributed by my Executors as follows In the first
    [Page 2]
11    place I give and bequeath unto my daughter in Law Martha Cobb the sum
12    of five pounds to and for her and their own use and benefit as to all my house
13    hold Furniture plate linen and China I desire my Executors to equally divided between
14    my Nephews and Nieces hereinafter named share and share alike and as to all my
15    ready money money in the Bank of England and all other personal Estate I give
16    and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my Executors hereinafter
17    named upon trust that they convert and turn the whole thereof into ready money
18    and upon the receipt thereof that they or the Survivors of them do (after paying
19    thereout all charges and expences attending the same equally unto and between my
20    Nephews and Nieces namely Stephen Oxbury of Camble St Andrew Suffolk Farmer
21    Susannah Howlett the Wife of [blank] Howlett of St Peters Suffolk Samuel Eade and
22    James Eade both of Blythborough in the said County of Suffolk Labourers share and
23    share alike to and for their own use and benefit And lastly I do hereby appoint
24    my two good friends Labourn Rout of West ham aforesaid Victualler and Wm Gore
25    of Stratford in the County of Essex painter joint Executors of this my Will hereby
26    revoking all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do publish and
27    declare this to be my last Will and Testament In Witness I the said Susannah Blake
28    the Testatrix have to this  my Will contained in one sheet of paper set my hand
29    and Seal this twelfth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
30    hundred and thirty six The Mark and Seal of X Susannah Blake
31    Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Testatrix Susannah Blake as and for
32    her last Will and Testament in our presence who in her presence at her request and in
33    the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses hereto the same
34    having been first read over to her and who made her mark in our presence
35    Edw[ar]d Moore Illford W[ilia]m Coxhead Ilford
36    Proved at London 24th Feb 1838 before the Worshipfull John Danbery d[octo]r of
37    Laws and Surrogate by the Oaths of Leabon (in the will written Leaborn) Rout and
38    William Gore the Executors to whom admon was granted having been first Sworn
39    duly to Administer

The testator, Thomas Blake, is named as a Baker and Yeoman of Sturmer, Essex. Sturmer is 14 miles from Bocking and Braintree. There was a Barnabas Blake family at Bocking namely Barnabas Blake married to Hannah Barnard 26 Sep 1751 at St Mary the Virgin, Bocking. Is Thomas a Brother to this Barnabas Blake? Barnabas was also a baker. He left a will dated prior to 20 Dec 1800 when he was buried at St Mary the Virgin in Bocking. This will transcription can be found on Ancestry in the tree of Johnaowen and others. However this Barnabas does not have children Thomas and Elizabeth so is likely a separate Blake family from this one. Barnabas seemed like an unusual forename but obviously not. I did not find any other Barnabas Blake that I could attach to this family.

Names mentioned in the will:

Thomas Blake, Testator, baker and yeoman, Sturmer, Essex
Elizabeth Blake, wife, executrix
Barnabas Blake, eldest brother
Thomas Blake, nephew, son of Barnabas
Elizabeth Blake, niece, daughter of Barnabas
Mary Bannister, niece
Ann Fraser, sister, Debenham, Essex
Sarah Ling, sister
John Challis, cousin, stone cutter?, Braintree
John Purkiss, executor
Richard Webb, witness
Thomas Mason, witness
Ann Stubbin, witness

No success in sorting this line out at the moment.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 9 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1360/118
Testator: Thomas Blake, Baker and Yeoman
Place: Sturmer, Essex, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 15 May 1800, probated 10 Jul 1801
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Thomas
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Thomas Blake of the parish of Sturmer in the County
3    of Essex Baker and Yeoman being weak in body but
4    of Sound and disposing mind memory and understanding
5    do make and ordain this to be my Last Will and
6    Testament in manner and form following (viz)
7    First and principally I commend my Soul into the
8    hands of Almighty God my heavenly Creator and my
9    body I Commit to the Earth to be decently buried
10    by the order and at the discretion of my Executors
11    herein after named and First I give devise and
12    bequeath unto Elizabeth my Loving Wife all the
13    Income of my real and personal Estate which I
14    leave after my decease with all the Effects that to
15    ine belongeth or appertaineth and my Will is the
16    same shall be Sold within one Year after my
17    decease by my Executors and the Income or Interest
18    thereof I give as aforesaid to my Loving Wife during
19    the term of her natural life and after her
20    decease I give and bequeath unto my Eldest Brother
21    Namely Barnabas Blake Five pounds Also to
22    his two children namely Thomas and Elizabeth
23    twenty pounds each Also to my Neice Mary
24    Bannister the Sum of Fifty pounds Also to the Four
25    Children of my Sister Ann Frazer of Debenham the
26    Sum of twenty pounds each share and share alike
27    also to my Sister Sarah Ling the Sum of twenty pounds
28    Also to my Cousin John Challis of Braintree in Essex
29    the Sum of ten pounds my Will is he should fix
30    me a stone as soon as Convenient after my decease
31    and the rest and Residue that remain after all my
32    just debts Funeral Charges with the probate of this
33    my last Will and Testament are paid off I give
34    and bequeath unto all my before mentioned Legatees
35    to be divided share and share alike and Lastly
36    I Nominate and appoint Mr John Purkiss
37    with Elizabeth my Wife to be the Executors of this
38    my Last Will revoking all others before Witness
39    I  have set my hand and affixt my Seal this
40    2nd day of May One thousand Eight hundred 1800
41    Tho[mas] Blake Signed Sealed and declared to
42    be the Last Will and Testament of Mr. T Blake
43    in his presence and in the presence of Each of us
44    Rich[ar]d Webb Tho[ma]s Masons Mark X Ann
45    Stubbins Mark X
46    I Thomas Blake do
47    annex and Join this for a Codicil to my Will dated
48    May the 2nd 1800 and I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth
49    my Wife therein mentioned the Sum of twenty
50    pounds besides the Income or Interest of all my Estate
51    and Effects therein resited Also I give unto my Sister
52    Allice Frazer of Debenham the Sum of ten pounds
53    Witness my hand this 15 day of May 1800 Thos
54    Blakes Mark X John Purks R[ichar]d Webb
55    13 th May 1801
56    On which day appeared personally Richard Webb
57    of Havershill in the County of Suffolk Baker one of
58    the Subscribing Witnesses to the Last Will and
60    Testament of Thomas Blake late of Sturmer in
61    the County of Essex deceased with a Codicil thereto
62    and made oath that on the Second day of May One
63    thousand Eight hundred he the appearer together
64    with Thomas Mason and Ann Stubbins did see
65    the said deceased Sign Seal publish and declare the
66    paper Writing now here unto annexed beginning
67    thus In the Name of God Amen I Thomas Blake of
68    the parish of Sturmer in the County of Essex Baker
69    and Yeoman ending thus before Witnesses I have
70    set my hand and affixt my Seal this 2nd Day of
71    May One thousand Eight hundred 1800 and thus
72    Subscribed Thos Blake as and for his last
73    Will and Testament and he then Subscribed his
74    Name thereto as Witness and the said Thomas
75    Mason and Ann Stubbins made their Marks
76    thereto and he further saith having fir Carefully
77    viewed and perused the said Will so here unto
78    annexed he saith that the word Five written upon
79    an obliteration after the Name Barnabas Blake
80    in the thirteenth Line also the Words Elizabeth
81    and Niece severally written on Erasures in the
82    Fourteenth line from the top of the said Will were
83    severally so made written and done previous
84    to the deceased executing the said Will in the
85    presence of this deponent and the other Subscribing
86    Witnesses and he Lastly saith that the said
87    Will is in every respect in the same plight and
88    condition as when executed by the deceased in
89    manner before set Forth Rich[ar]d Webb The same
90    day the said Richard Webb was duly sworn to
91    the truth of this affidavit Before me C: Hayward
92    Commiss[ione]r
93    This Will was proved at London with a
94    Codicil the tenth day of July in the year of Our
95    Lord One thousand Eight hundred and One before
96    the Right honorable Sir William Wynne Knight
97    doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of
98    the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
99    constituted by the Oath of John Purks one of the
100    Executors named in the said Will to whom Admon
101    was granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattles
102    and Credits of the said deceased having been First
103    Sworn duly to administer power reserved of
104    making the like grant to Elizabeth Blake Widow
105    the Relict and the other Executor named in the
106    said Will when she shall apply for the same