Winslow History | Will of Thomas Blake the elder, gentleman, 1761 (proved 1762)

Will of Thomas Blake the elder, gentleman, 1761 (proved 1762)

Herts RO 200AW2

A summary of the will is given below. Click here for a full transcription.

Body to be buried at the discretion of my executor
To my son Edward Blake and his heirs all my messuage, tenement or farm house situate in Steeple Claydon in Bucks together with all houses, outhouses, edifices, buildings, barns, stables, yards, orchards, gardens and backsides and all that close called Horns Close. And all that other close or enclosed ground lying in the parish of Steeple Claydon. Also all my arable land, ley, meadow, pasture and sweard ground with all and every appurtenance and commons belonging, lying and being dispersed in the open and Common Fields Parish and Precincts of Steeple Claydon and now in the occupation of John Stevens Junior. To hold to him my son Edward Blake and his heirs forever subject to and chargeable with the payment of Three Hundred Pounds and interest for which it already stands security.
To my son Thomas Blake all my copyhold Enclosed Closes of Pasture and Meadow Ground lying in the parish of Great Horwood in the county of Bucks, already surrendered to the use of my will. To hold to him my son Thomas Blake and his heirs forever.
To my said son Edward Blake the sum of One Hundred Pounds.
To my daughter Ann, wife of John Carpenter the sum of One Hundred Pounds.
To my son Robert Blake the sum of Thirty Pounds.
To my son Francis Blake the sum of Twenty Pounds.
To my son William Blake Five Pounds.
To my grandson Robert Dancer Ten Pounds.
To my kinsman John Blake the younger, son of John Blake of Winslow Ten Pounds.
To Anne Goatman my housekeeper if she will continue to be so at the time of my death Ten Pounds.
All legacies given by me shall be paid to them within twelve months next after my decease by my executor.
To my grandson John Blake son of my son Robert Blake Ten Pounds to be paid by my Executor when he shall attain the age of 21 also interest for the same until the ten Pounds shall be due.
To the Poor People of the Parish of Winslow Five Pounds to be laid out in Bread and distributed amongst them at the discretion of my executor. My will is that my Executors will employ my son Robert Blake to bake the same within Three months next after my death.
Also I expressly charge all my Copyhold Inclosed Closes lying in the parish of Great Horwood with the true payment of all these legacies.
To my son Edward Blake all my household goods and Implements.
The rest and residue I give to my son Thomas Blake.
Lastly I do nominate and appoint my son Thomas Blake full and sole executor to this my last will and testament.

Dated Seventh day of April One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty One.
[signed] Thomas Blake
Witnesses: [signed] Robert Gibbs, John Mayne, Joseph Hunt

[probate 1762]

Notes

For more on Thomas Blake see the Blake Family page (he is Thomas 3). He was at least in his seventies when he died (his wife died in 1748), and had probably made other provisions for his younger children. He was the owner of Blake House, Horn Street (now Tinkers Corner), and had a substantial landholding in Winslow which is not mentioned in the will.