Will of Daniel Gyles, linen draper, 1746 (proved 1750)
Herts RO 191AW4
In the name of God Amen I Daniel Gyles of Winslow in the County of Bucks Linen Draper being something indisposed in body but of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding do make this my last will and testament in manner following (that is to say) first and principally I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it trusting through the merits and intercession of Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redeemer to be made partaker of everlasting life And my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executor hereinafter named And as for such worldly estate as it hath or shall please God to bless me with I give and dispose thereof as followeth First I give and bequeath unto my eldest son William Gyles and unto my son Daniel Gyles (whom I have already provided for) but one shilling each to be paid unto them by my executor hereinafter named within one month next after my decease Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Holmes All my household goods in my own possession to be delivered unto her immediately after my death Also I give and bequeath unto the said Mary Holmes my daughter my wheathouse and two hovels in my yards and backsides belonging to my homestall Also I give devise and bequeath unto Samuel Gyles my son and his heirs and assigns for ever All and every my copyhold lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever lying and being in the parish of Winslow aforesaid and held of the Manor of Winslow aforesaid with its members and the appurtenances belonging to the same And also all my estate right title interest equity of redemption claim and demand whatsoever of in or to my said copyhold lands tenements and hereditaments or any part or parcel thereof Also I give and bequeath All the rest of my goods chattels and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto the said Samuel Gyles my son whom I make full and sole executor of this my last will and testament And lastly I do hereby revoke and make void all former wills by me made and do declare this to be my last will and testament and none other In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of November in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty six
Daniel Gyles
Signed sealed published and declared by the said
Daniel Gyles the Testator as and for his last will and
testament in the presence of us who have thereunto
subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence
of the said testator and of each other
[signed]
William Goodman
John Tattham
Peter Goldsworth sen
[Proved 24 Oct 1750]
Notes
Daniel Gyles was the son of William Gyles d.1702, although he is not named in his will. See Gyles Family page. He carried on the family business, and had an important role at Keach's Meeting House. He was a prominent figure in Winslow, and one of the four men who each kept a key to the chest in which manorial documents were stored (National Archives, C11/1919/6 (Selby v Lowndes), f.8, evidence of Thomas Mountague, 1717). As a Baptist he is not found in the parish registers. He was the Daniel Gyles senior who died on 5 April 1747 aged 74, according to a memorial tablet in the Meeting House. He married his first wife Beatrice Taylor of Woburn in 1691; she seems to have been 10 years older. His second wife Mary died on 15 Aug 1734 aged 58. His son William was described as gentleman of Tingewick in the relevant manor court entry in 1747, and Sarah Perkins of Tingewick at East Claydon on 30 Nov 1719 (he later lived in Towcester).
Centre for Bucks Studies AR 27/2011
Daniel Gyles' death was reported at the manor court held on 27-8 Oct 1747. He held the following land:
- A 4-acre close of pasture now in the occupation of John Bailey, abutting the land of Nicholas Merwin gent. on the west, the house and yard of John Burrall, butcher on the east.
- A piece of pasture ground called the Little Pightles adjoining the above close, the land of Richard Lowndes esq. lord of the manor north, Buckingham Road east.
- A piece of arable land containing 4 acres abutting the land of Mr Lowndes north, Mr Alexander Markham west.
- Two closes of pasture ground lying together called the Cross Lanes containing 4 acres, now in the occupation of Richard Gibbs, abutting the land of Mr Lowndes north, Mr Markham east.
- A half-acre of pasture in Demoram Field abutting on Tent Hedge, the land of Daniel Gyles north, Mr Lowndes west.
At the court on 1 Nov 1746 he surrendered this to "the use of his will" so that he could bequeath it by will. Samuel Gyles was admitted as tenant at the 1747 court, paying a fine of £1 9s. Samuel sold the first close in 1750, when he was described as a draper of Biggleswade.
National Archives, E112/779/10 [summary] Easter Term 2 Anne = 1703
Complainant: Mary Gyles under the age of 21, daughter of Daniel Gyles of Winslow linen draper and Beatrice his wife who was daughter of Elizabeth Taylor late of Woburn, Beds, widow. Samuel Norman of Winslow grocer her uncle and next friend.
Elizabeth wanted to place money out at interest for the benefit of her two daughters Rebecca and Beatrice. By the advice of William Newman then of Houghton Regis, yeoman she lent £50 to John Fowler of Ivinghoe, yeoman at 6% interest secured by indenture of mortgage of 29 March 1681 for a close of pasture containing 4 acres in the possession of Robert Man his tenant in Hockliffe. Newman was to receive the interest.
Rebecca the younger daughter died unmarried. During her mother's lifetime, Beatrice married Daniel Gyles and had daughters Mary and Beatrice and no other children. Elizabeth wanted the money to be for the benefit of Mary and Beatrice jr. Daniel promised to follow her wish, and she died intestate. Daniel was administrator. By indenture dated 20 Oct 1699 he transferred the mortgage to Robert Adams and Simon Taylor as trustees and paid them £84 10s to be put out for their benefit.
Beatrice jr is since dead. Newman denied any knowledge or receiving interest, although Elizabeth said there were great arrears. Fowler produced an acquittance under Newman’s hand for £30 for 10 years interest. Newman said he had received it but paid it to Elizabeth.
All documents have come into Newman’s hands. Newman confederated with Fowler, Daniel Gyles, Adams & Taylor to defraud Mary.