Will of Charles Lovejoy 1648

 CHARLES LOVEJOY SHOEMAKER OF GREAT MARLOW. 

Will both written and proved in 1648.

Says he weak and ill in body but of sound mind and in good and perfect memory.

Commends soul to God. Body to be returned to the earth from whence it came.

Loving wife Abigail gets his messuage with appurtenances in Marlow. At some convenient time she is to sell it and pay his debts from the resulting money. The rest of the sale money to go to wife Abigail and dear daughter Elizabeth for their maintenance and livelihood.

All other goods, chattels and household goods after debts and funeral expenses paid to wife Abigail who is named sole executor.

Will witnessed by William FF..r (Farmer?), Robert Young, Robert Bennett.

Transcribed and then summarised here by Charlotte Day from a copy of the original P.C.C will held at the National Archives, Kew.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use this summary for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Will Summary William Hollis of Great Marlow 1651

A messy will with heavy crossings out, notes squeezed into margins and some hard to read parts. I've done my level best with it!

 William Hollis, wheelwright of Great Marlow. Will written 1650. Proved 1651.

Weak of body but of good and perfect memory, thanks to God. Commends soul to Almighty God and the Holy Ghost.

Burial to be in a Christian manner as is seen fit by the will's executor.

To son Jerome and his heirs all the free land testator has had of late by agreement with John Hammond. These are part of  the lands purchased by the testator and John Hammond from Daniel Bankys. Also to him and his heirs all testator's free lands anywhere in the realm and all his leased lands ditto.

Beloved wife Joan instead of her dowry (which seems to be linked to some of those free lands) £30 to be paid in two £15 installments. The first installment to be within six months of his decease. Then Joan should leave son Jerome house. Six months after she does so the rest of the £15 to be paid. Also to Joan three pairs of sheets, two green ..., a high joined stool and two joined stools, a kettle which is next in size to the great kettle and also a small kettle, 2 pewter dishes and the pewter that was hers before marriage, the kitchen table, the trunk in the room where he lies, all her wearing apparel whether woollen or linen and her hats, stockings and shoes, three diaper napkins, half a dozen ?course? napkins, one pewter flagon.

Daughter Margaret £10 at marriage if she marries with the consent and liking of he older brother.  Plus £5 forty days after such a marriage.

Daughter Mary £5 to be paid to her in weekly installments from the week after testator dies.

Son Thomas, son in law William Raunce and son in law William Langley  £... each.

Residue of goods after debts and expenses paid to son Jerome who is the executor.

Will witnessed by John Langley and Elizabeth Sherley. Elizabeth made her mark rather than sign.

Summarized from a transcription I made from a will held at the National Archives, Kew.

Other wills on this blog can be found by looking at the Wills option on the menu. To find every mention of a person on the blog look for them in the Person Index. Look under Ollis too as people in this period did not routinely pronounce the letter h and so Hollis would be spoken "Ollis". 

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use this transcription for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

1600s Trade Directory Great Marlow - Part One

 Whenever we come across a mention of an individual with a profession attached in a will, property deed/description, etc etc we note it down. This directory is the result, but is not yet anywhere near complete online. 

Dates are the earliest or only reference and the last for a person of this name practicing that specific occupation. Servants are not included as there are too many to list. To find all mentions of an individual or family here, use the A-Z Person Index in the top drop down menu. Bear in mind that many people had more than one profession and because of the habit of repeating generations using the same names, not all "John Smith, labourer" are necessarily the same person. Spellings are uncorrected from the original source material. All the below are referred as being resident or "of Great Marlow" unless stated otherwise but the wealthier may have had more than one place of residence. 

Researched and written by Kathryn Day and Charlotte Day.

Part 1 Apothecaries to Innkeepers

Apothecary

Robert Welbanke, High Street 1685.

Bakers

Thomas Lane 1672-92. From at least 1683 High Street, East side.

Charles Lawrence. High Street.

Hugh Liddell/Lydall 1692.

Barbers (probably Barber Surgeons too but we stick to contemporary descriptions of a trade)

John Hutchins senior. 1681.

Barber Surgeons

Charles Blewitt, High Street 1693. Charles Blewitt junior is barber in the High Street 1701. 

John Oxlade 1698.

Bargemen

John Beaver / Beavor 1679.

Thomas Bray 1697.

William Carter 1699, Little Marlow.

Thomas Chalfont 1681.

James Crane 1660.

Giles Durvall 1657.

Richard Gibbons, wife Jane 1698.

Hugh Harman 1642.

John Haywood/Heywood 1681

Samuel Hayward, 1670 Little Marlow. 

Daniel Jesse junior 1698.

William Johnson 1688.

Thomas Jordan, Little Marlow 1694.

Christopher Kebblewhite 1698.

William Lawrence 1692.

John Lovejoye 1696 (possibly at Little Marlow).

John Piggot, will proved 1695. View transcript here Wife Margaret.  

Richard Piggott 1653-57.

William Piggott 1650, 1653. Wife Mary. 

William Platts 1697.

Thomas Pye 1699.

John Ridley, Little Marlow 1695.

Ralph Thomas 1689. Was press ganged into navy in 1660's and injured in service. 

Peter Topling 1610.

Christopher Trusse 1662 profession given on marriage to Anne Greenaway of Reading in this year, a fellow bargeman's daughter. See also below. 

Robert Tyler junior, Little Marlow, 1695.

John Webb senior 1657.

Thomas Wright 1679.

Bargemasters

William East 1698. A William East acted as Bridgewarden 1644 +

Samuel Phillips 1693. Probably lived High Street.

Castor Trusse 1670. 

Christopher Truss 1690 (see above too)

Basketmaker

Richard Sawyer, died c 1699.

Blacksmiths 

John Cooke (or Cocke) 1643.

William Godfrey, Little Marlow 1685.

James Howe 1698. High Street.

John Lambden. Will proved 1693.

Thomas Smith, in premises NE of Crown. 1650.

Mathew Thompson, Little Marlow.

Braziers

John Haywood/Heywood. 1689 See also bargeman.  

Brewers

Robert Boothie / Boothe 1602

William Childe 1610 (beer brewer)

James Fish 1673. Owned a property High Street.

George Munday 1640. Wife Dorcas. 

Ambrose Thompson 1692. Lived Dean Street.

Edward Wooden 1610. Took on the Crown in 1617.

Bricklayers

John Martin 1641

Builders

John Harris 1672.

Robert Harris 1643.

Butchers

John Elliott 1.)1611,1678.  2.)John senior 1681 and 3.) 1698 (may be same as 2 but not styled "senior".

Thomas Elliott senior 1697.

William Elliott 1685-death circa 1716.

John Harris 1674, and John Harris junior and senior 1697. Latter was in High Street, East side. One of the later Johns could also be the 1674 John.

Carpenters

William Buck 1695 -1701 minimum.

William Dell 1699.

Richard Thorne, will proved 1660. 

Carriers

Sylvester Carter. 1680. 

Chandlers

Richard Widmer /Widmore 1681.

Chapmen

Adam Morrer 1697.

Clockmaker (see also Watchmakers)

Richard Lee 1688.

Cordwainers (shoemaker as opposed to cobbler who repaired shoes)

James Douglas 1693.

John Haycroft 1682.

William Haycroft 1696.

John Jones 1691.

William Smalley 1699.

Peter Rivers  - also a unsuccessful highwayman! For more see here.

Farriers

Robert Moone 1694.

Farmers

William Carter, Little Marlow.

Thomas Harding, Monkton Farm, Little Marlow. "Monken" .

John Langley, Blounts. 1610. 

Richard Silver, Little Marlow.

Gentry

William Allanson of Little Marlow 1633. 

William Brin(c)khurst 1602 Sometimes rendered as Bringhurst because the letter g on the end of a syllable then had a harsh "ck" sound.

Thomas Crompton 1690.

John Farmer. 1. Of Little Rogers, Great Marlow 1617.  2. Of Clerkenwell and Marlow 1632. 3. Died 1660. 

Thomas Farmer alias Draper 1600 2. Thomas Draper 1677. 

Henry Fletcher 1691.

William Freeman 1632. Previously of London according to his will proved 1637. Also described as yeoman. Read a will transcript here.

Jasper Geary 1684.

William Hors(e)poole died 1642, age 77, wife Mary nee Washington died 1644 age 63. Of Great Rogers, and also Grey's Inn. Formerly of Maidstone, Kent. 

Thomas Medwin (Mudwin) Little Marlow 1678.

John Moore snr 1623.

Robert Moore 1660.

Henry Pendleton 1610 (also described as yeoman). 

Nicholas Perry 1623.  

John Rivers 1696.

Thomas Scott resident 1634 -1655. Executed 1660 as a regicide. Little Marlow but also owned properties in Peter Street Great Marlow. A prominent Parliamentarian, he also had much London property, including Lambeth Manor and Kennington Manor. Son of Thomas Scott of London. Wife Alice nee Allanson /Allinson. In Little Marlow he lived at Westhorpe Manor but it is uncertain if he lived there and not elsewhere in Little Marlow for the whole of the time period mentioned. The Allanson family were also resident in Little Marlow for a time though of London origin.

Laud Winc(k)les 1699.

Thomas Winc(k)les 1673.

Glaziers

Thomas Duffin 1679.

Robert Young 1647-50.

Glovers

Richard Clarke, 1650. In premises SW of Crown (upper).

Goldsmiths

Peter Shanin (Shavin). See his 1667 will here.

Husbandmen

William Carter 1696.

John Church, Little Marlow 1695.

Thomas Harding, Little Marlow 1695.

William Harman 1653. Possibly at Little Marlow?

William Honnor 1698.

Robert Johnson, Little Marlow 1640. Wife Agnes. 

Edward Lovejoy, Little Marlow, 1695.

Christopher Robinson, Little Marlow 1695.

Giles Shank 1698.

Robert Tyler senior, Little Marlow 1692.

Inn holders/Ale house keepers etc 

Mathew Cane. Was Innkeeper 1636. At Angel 1643, described as former occupier of (Upper) Crown 1650. 

Richard Clark, The Bear, High Street c1650-1667.

William Church, Hedsor, Little Marlow 1695.

Eleanor Cocke, widow 1698

Richard Cotterell 1693 - 1697. Bull, High Street (a beer seller from at least 1692 but can't be sure at this premises).

John and Margery Fecye (Black Boy), John died 1602 or before, Margery takes over.

William Hopkins 1688-1690 minimum. Late of Crown and Broad Arrow 1691, had been in trouble for running an unlicensed alehouse a little before. 

William James, The Angel, High Street 1625.

Joseph Johnson, King's Head High Street 1687. 

William Osbourne, The Kings Head, High Street. Date?

Francis Pagett, The Feathers 1693.

Henry Ridley senior, Little Marlow 1691-  1697 at least. 

John Rivers, 1686, 1697. Mrs Rivers 1697.

Henry Pomfrett 1. Died 1671. 2. Trading 1699. Both innholders. 

William and Joan Pomfret, The Three Tuns, High Street at this date 1693. Probably from 1685. Prior to that at Kings Head, High Street. Joan still an innkeeper 1697 as a widow.

Thomas Shrympton 1602

Bonaventure Ward, Crown (Upper) pre 1650.  

Elizabeth Wooten, Crown (Upper) 1650. 

 

Part Two - here

Related Posts:

 Index of posts relating to specific shops and businesses here

Index of posts relating to specific trades and general Marlow history here

Pub etc Related Posts here

Recreated 1700s trade directory here

Recreated 1820s trade directory part 1 here Part 2 here

Recreated 1800-19 trade directory Part One here

To find every mention of your ancestor here use the A-Z person index in the top drop down menu. 

©Marlow Ancestors.

 

Will John Piggott Of Great Marlow (proved 1695)

 Transcribed by me from a copy of the will received from the National Archives, Kew and then summarized here.

Transcription ©Marlow Ancestors. Use it if you like, with credit to this blog.

JOHN PIGGOTT, BARGEMAN OF GREAT MARLOW. WILL WRITTEN 1693.  PROVED 1695.

Weak in body but of perfect mind and memory.

Commends soul to God.

To be decently buried at executor's discretion.

Beloved wife Margaret three houses in Great Marlow: the house they now live in, the adjoining house in the occupation of Thomas ?Canplyn? and another in the occupation of William Beckford and their appurtenances to pay for her own maintenance and that of their youngest three children. This for the term of her natural life and after that the three premises go to testator's eldest son John Piggott of London, cooper, in trust that he will sell them and the money raised from that sale to be divided into five equal parts. One part to John himself. The other parts to testator's other children William, Elizabeth, Richard, and Mary. 

If any of the children die before the money is divided, and have no children of their own, their share to be divided between the children that are still living.

If John himself dies other son William to do the selling and division. If he also dies then any of the surviving children to do the same.

Rest of personal property after debts paid to wife Margaret who is the will's sole executor.

Witnessed by William Beckford, Henry Williams, John Gibbons.

A tribute to our bargemen here

To find all mentions of an individual here, use the A-Z person index on the top drop down menu. There's over 3,250 people mentioned there and new content is added daily currently. 

Link to list of other Great Marlow wills transcribed here on blog here

Recreated 1600s trade directory for Marlow: here (lists other Great Marlow and Little Marlow bargeman) and 1700s here

Will Summary Thomas Jordan of Great Marlow 1611

 Thomas Jordan yeoman of Great Marlow, will proved 1611

Sick and weak in body but of good and perfect mind and memory.

Commends soul to God.

Burial requested in Marlow churchyard.

5 shillings to Marlow church.

10 shillings to be distributed amongst the Marlow poor at his burial.

To my wife's son John ?Greetham £10 at age 18, ...platters, two pairs of hempen sheets and a feather bolster.

To my wife's daughter Ann Greetham £5 at age 18 or at her marriage if sooner, three platters, two pairs of hempen sheets and a feather bolster.

Son John Jordan £40 at age 18, my best bedstead, my best feather bed, two of my best bolsters, three pairs of my best sheets, 2 of my best blankets, the green carpet for my table [table cover], my great brass pan, my great brass pot and my biggest brass kettle.

All money and goods left to the children to be in the use and possession of wife Mary as long as she remains unmarried, and before the children reach the specified ages. If she does remarry the will overseers to have the money and goods until the children reach their ages, investing the money as they think best for the children.

All rest of personal property after debts and expenses paid to go to wife Mary who is the will's executor. Will overseers m"well beloved brother in law" John Bolter of Radnage, Bucks gent and my natural brother John Jordan of Great Marlow.

Will witnessed by Roger Godfrey, Thomas Braughing, and William ....feld. (Probably Stutfield)

Will summarized from a transcription I made of a will held at the National Archives, Kew. © Marlow Ancestors. You may use and reproduce this summary if you give tocredit this blog.

To find other will transcripts for Marlow and nearby, see our index here

All mentions of a family or individual can be found in the A-Z person index in the top drop down menu. 

Will Summary Peter Shanin [Shavin] of Great Marlow 1667

 Transcription by me from a will ordered from the National Archives, Kew.

PETER SHANIN, GOLDSMITH OF GREAT MARLOW. WILL PROVED 1667. Note: in other records Peter and his family members appear as SHAVIN.

Weak in body but of good and perfect memory.

Commends soul to God.

Kinswomen Mary... and her daughter Mary 1 shilling each.

Loving wife Elizabeth the executor. She gets all of the below: 

Tenement or dwelling house in Temple... Parish of St Clements in the Strand Middlesex [London] in occupation of upholsterer Christopher ?Prosse.

Tenement East side of Great Marlow High Street then divided into several tenements in occupations of Richard Fulton, ....Barnes and ....Barnes, widow.

House in Henley Street where testator then lived which was recently bought of Thomas Braughing of Great Marlow plus all the outhouses, buildings, barns, stables, yard, orchards, gardens and appurtenances that go with it.

All rights, claims and title to a tenement in Knightsbridge, Middlesex [London].

All other personal property, bonds, bills, debts, monies, household goods and utensils, plate.

Witnessed by Richard Widmore, Thomas Floide, Thomas Ffarmer.

Transcribed and then summarised by Charlotte Day from a P.C.C will held at the National Archives, Kew.

©Marlow Ancestors. Reproduction welcome  by family and local history researchers with credit.

Will Summary William Freeman of Great Marlow

 William Freeman Yeoman. Will proved 1637.

Now living Great Marlow, previously of London.

Weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks to God.

Commends soul to God.

Burial in a Christian manner at discretion of executor.

Loving wife Agnes my messuage in Bidnell? in the county of Bedford and all closes, orchards, gardens and appurtenances belonging to it for her life then to my son John Freeman and his heirs. If John has no heirs then it equally to the children of my daughters Joan Ju... and Elizabeth Ffons.... These daughters anyway get 5 shillings to buy a silver spoon each.

Rest of personal property to wife Agnes who is executor.

Witnessed by Nathaniel Priest, Thomas Langley, .... Priest  and Thomas Braughing.

Will Summary James Braughing of Great Marlow 1686.

 PCC will transcribed by me from a copy obtained from the National Archives Kew and summarised here.

JAMES BRAUGHING MALTSTER. WILL PROVED 1686.

Weak of body but of sound mind and perfect memory. 

Commends soul to God.

To be buried at executor's discretion.

Legacy belonging to his sister Frances from their dad Thomas to be paid over to her.

All debts to be paid within one year.

Everything else to be equally divided between his sisters Elizabeth Child and Frances Braughing who are the executors.

Witnessed by William Pomfrett [he was an innkeeper in the High Street with his wife Joan. See a transcription of Joan's will here and more about the couple's premises here] John Hayward, Thomas Barnett.

Will proved by Frances with power to administer reserved to Elizabeth too.

See the Person Index for all mentions of someone on the blog. There is also a Wills option on the menu for other will transcription summaries.

©Marlow Ancestors. If using my transcription summary please credit this blog but you are welcome to do so.

Will Nicholas Perry of Great Marlow

 Nicholas Perry Gent* of Great Marlow proved 1668.

Says he in perfect health, mind and memory.

Commends soul to God.

Daughter Susan Perry his messuage in Bourton in the parish of Shrivenham in Berkshire and all the freehold land belonging to it. Also to her one half of his messuage or dwelling house in Marlow in the tenure of Jeronimas Bannes and the malthouse belonging to it with the use of the gateway in Lumps, also the Lumps House, ...st.. Mead and the closes over the lane. If testator's son Thomas gives Susan £300 then he can have the property instead.

Daughter also gets half the testator's household goods plus the harps...

Son in law Thomas Stratton and his wife my daughter 20 shillings each for mourning rings. To their son testator's grandchild Thomas Stratton 40 shillings to buy him books. 

Poor of Marlow £5 to be distributed at testator's burial by the overseers of the poor.

Executor: Son Thomas.

Overseers of will: son in law Thomas Stratton and nephew John Ridge.

*he was a lawyer by trade but may have retired by the time of his will.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use my will transcription summary if you credit this blog and link here.

Will from the National Archives, Kew.

**To find all mentions of an individual on this blog choose the Person Index option on the drop down menu**

**Other wills on the blog are listed on the Wills menu option**

Brief Will Summary for John Plumridge [Plomridge] 1630

 I have transcribed to the best of my ability this will which is held at the National Archives Kew and then summarised it briefly here. ©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use this summary elsewhere if you give credit to this blog and link here.

JOHN PLUMRIDGE [PLOMRIDGE] 

Commends soul to God- the father, son and Holy Ghost.

Burial in Marlow Church in a Christian manner. On day of burial money to be distributed to the poor people of Great Marlow at executors' discretion.

To well loved wife Margaret the house [in another sentence called a farm house] where they live in Lane End and a four foot by four foot strip of the "backside or yard" that belongs to it. This strip, running from the kitchen door, will give her access to come and go from the house. The rest of that backside goes to nephews John Plumridge son of my brother ?R.... and John Plumridge son of my brother William Plumridge of Bray in the County of Berkshire, tilemaker. These two nephews will inherit the backside strip and the house after Margaret's death.

Margaret also gets the moiety of one half of the household stuff, utensils, furniture in their Lane End home.

A house in Marlow High Street and the edifices, backsides and gardens that go with it which is in the occupation of Thomas Shirley to nephews William Northe son of Henry Northe deceased and of Agnes my sister and Henry Cane son of Mathew Cane and of .... my sister.

To any nieces and nephews not already mentioned who are alive at my death 40 shillings each.

Executors my loving brethren Richard Plumridge and ?Plumridge.  These get all residual goods. Will overseers William Plumridge and Mathew Cane. To each of them as token of love and esteem 5 shillings.

To witness Robert Farmer, William Plumridge, John...

Fun Things To Do In 1600s Marlow

Just in case time travel becomes a reality here's a guide to how to spend your leisure hours in 1600s Marlow and it's environs.

Go bowling at the King's Head pub bowling alley in the High Street. First mentioned 1680s.

Take a tipple at the above or perhaps at the Angel or the Bull Head pubs in Marlow High Street, or the Upper Crown in Market Square, or the Black Boy near the river. Other inns are available too, no need to go thirsty in 1600s Marlow. 

Visit the church and see memorial brasses from the 13 and 1400s. Sadly these are lost to us now. Unless you are visiting during the Civil War when soldiers are occupying the site. Probably best not try to go inside then. The church needs  deep cleaning afterwards.

Visit the ruins of the dissolved Little Marlow Abbey which were still standing into the 1700s. Medieval wall paintings can be seen inside them.

Cross the river to Bisham and cure your poor eyesight in it's magic stream Visitors like you have been splashing their eyes with this water for centuries. Sceptics will tell you the great coldness of the water gives you only a few moments of heightened clarity of vision and it won't last but what do they know? Princess Elizabeth's Well also in Bisham offers the same benefits. 

Do some wildlife spotting You can still see otters in the Thames at Marlow plus wild salmon and eels. If you've never heard a cuckoo now may be your chance, especially if you do visit the Bisham side of the river. Hares are especially common around Little Marlow but can be seen everywhere.

See who is the town stocks in the Market Place - commiserate with them or throw a rotten apple, your choice.

Enjoy some Morris dancing- Marlow Church bought and kept for the town (plus lent out to nearby villages) Morris costumes from at least the late 1500s to at least the 1630s. I am not sure why it fell to them to kit out dancers whose dance was a leftover from pre-Christian rituals but it did. Best time to visit to see them is May.

Run very fast- out of town. If you are visiting in 1665, that is. A plague outbreak will kill at least 50 people in the town this year.

Written by Charlotte Day.

©Marlow Ancestors.

Will Summary for William Stutfield of Great Marlow 1629

 Transcribed by me from a will held at the National Archives and then summarized here. ©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use this material if you credit this blog for it and link here.

WILLIAM STUTFIELD OF GREAT MARLOW, MERCER. WILL WRITTEN 1628, PROVEN 1629

Says he weak in body but of good and perfect memory.

Commends soul to God.

5 shillings to the poor of Great Marlow.

Cousin* Thomas Stutfield's two children that were born at Marlow 10 shillings each.

Cousin John Stutfield's two children 5 shillings each.

To my late servant* John Golding 20 shillings.

Rest of goods, chattels, ready money and debts owed to him after all bequests, funeral expenses and debts paid to go to his living wife Grace and William Higge her brother. They are the two executors.

Will overseers friends Thomas ?Holkins and William Holkins. They each get 5 shillings as a token of love and remembrance.

Witnesses: William ?Hiton, Samuel James and Thomas Brangyng [could be Braughing or Brangwyn as they were  local names at the time].

*Bear in mind we don't exactly speak the same language as they did in the 1600s. The word "cousin" was loosely given and "servant" could be a domestic, any other kind of employee or, often, an apprentice.

For more similar posts try the Wills option on the menu and don't forget the Person Index.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use this transcription summary if you credit this blog.

Will of Henry Lovejoy 1630

Henry Lovejoy, tailor of Great Marlow. Will proved 1630.

Says he weak in body but has a perfect memory.

Asks to be buried in Marlow churchyard as close to his first wife as is convenient.

Two silver spoons each to daughters Frances, Christian [a common name for girls in the past. Rarely if ever male] and Elizabeth. These spoons to be delivered to his aunt Christian Jackman for the girl's use.

Also to daughter Elizabeth £10 to be delivered to the same aunt who is to give of to her when she reaches 21 or marries whichever is soonest. If Elizabeth dies before then daughter Christian gets it instead.

Son Henry £10. This to be paid to John Fisher of Abingdon for him to employ for Henry's benefit and good until he 21 then it to be paid over to him.

Testastor's two sisters [names not given] 12p each.

Brother William testator's best suit of apparel.

Brother John testator's sword.

Brother Richard testator's hat and horseman's coat.

Rest of goods, chattels and ready money to loving wife Amat. She sole executor.

Witnessed by Will Stile, John ?Fisher, William James, Thomas Braughings, Geo Lovejoy.

Transcribed by Charlotte Day from a will held at the National Archives, Kew and summarized here.

Use the Will Transcriptions option on the menu for similar posts and the Person Index for all mentions of someone on this blog.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to reuse this content for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Hooks Farm Occupiers

Historic Occupiers list:

Note: historically part of Marlow Manor holdings.

1607- Katherine Rance. Occupier.Widow. Jorden family were the owners.

1658 - John Jorden, yeoman. Later in this year owned or leased by John Moore the brewer. Later purchased by the Guise and Etheredge families. 

1687- 1717 (at least) Richard Corby "Corbee" rented arable land at Hooks. Occupied the farm house too by 1689 at which time his holdings at Hooks and nearby amounted to 110 acres.

1783 - stock and implements sold after death of gentleman owner William Clayton of Harleyford. 

1833- John Fenner. Farm owned by the Claytons. 192 acres. John died that year age 87. He seems to have actually lived in Bisham, Berkshire. The Reading Mercury 25th November 1833 [British Library Archives] said John had been "a true specimen of the Old English Farmer, plain in his manners, and dress" not to mention always punctual and honest. John was farming in Marlow in 1821 but I can't say for certain he was at Hooks then. There was a younger John Fenner farmer of Marlow who moved to Stoke Poges and became a beer seller and ultimately went bankrupt in 1853. Presumably a relative.

1843- William and John Hewett or Hewitt. Their lease on Platts Farm Marlow expired late 1839 so they may have come straight to Hooks then.  They were later at Hambledon and at Blounts alias Blunts Farm, Marlow. In 1840 John was considered lucky not to have lost a leg after being run over by a load of hay. In the end he had a toe amputated only. 

1850-60 Thomas Frost. Wife Elizabeth. Thomas sold off his stock and left town 1860. In 1850 Henry Finch was jailed for stealing two bushels of barley from him. [Bucks Chronicle 5th January 1850, British Library Archives].

1861- 81 James Fountain. In 1861 turnips stolen from his field and in 1864 twelve fowls were taken. As was traditional on most farms these were in the care of his wife. Note that their daughter married in a Congregational church so the family as a whole may have been Congregationalists.

1900- Executors of Henry William Cripps who had died the previous year sold off farm stock. He was a lawyer by trade so someone else must have ran the farm for him. Survived by wife Julia.

1901-06 Abraham Newton Pratt. Moved into the farm Autumn 1901 having come from a farm at Swallowfield, Berkshire. Wife Emily. She bred turkeys on the farm, 6 of which were stolen in 1905.

1908 - Francis Warne.

1911- James Fountain mentioned as farming here which is puzzling as Francis Warne seems also to have been there then.

1913- F Warne and Sons

1915 Messrs "Warnes and Sons"

1916- Francis Warne who died suddenly that year. He was originally from Cornwall. See here for his grave and that of other family members and more on them.

* For Hooks farm use during World War 1 see here

To read posts about everyday life in old Marlow, see the post listing here

Farm occupants are found by me by studying property records, censuses, adverts, court cases, letters, trade journals, wills and more.

To seek someone on this blog use the Person Index on the menu. Hundreds of people are referenced on this blog.

To seek other farms use the "Specific Shops, Streets Etc" option on the menu.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use this research for family or local history purposes if you credit this blog and link here. Thanks. 

Will Summary Richard Sawyer of Great Marlow 1699

Transcription and summary by me of a will held at the National Archives, Kew. ©Marlow Ancestors. Reproduction of or quotation from this summary freely permitted and very welcome providing you credit this blog and link here.

I have transcribed dozens of wills from Marlow and will upload them as time permits.

RICHARD SAWYER OF MARLOW Basket maker. Will proven 1699, written 1698.

Says he sick and weak but of sound and perfect mind and memory.

Commends soul to God.

Loving wife Mary all goods, chattels and household stuff that was hers before marriage.

Daughter Jane Sawyer the featherbed, bedstead, brass, pewter and "kittles" [probably kettles- they were often left in wills of the time] that were her mother's before marriage.

Same to daughter Elizabeth Sawyer [so it seems they did not have the same mother].

To the two daughters jointly 9 acres of land in Cookham.

Residue of his goods, chattels and personal estate jointly to his wife and two daughters and his wife, all of whom are the executors of his will.

Witnessed by: John Gidley, Mary Kilbey, and Thomas Hobbs.

Notes:

Beds and bedding were expensive items often singled out to be given as gifts in wills.

John Gidley was a Presbyterian minister, which may suggest that Richard was of that bent. Thomas Hobbs the witness above also was witness to the will of John Gidley in 1711.

Will Summary of George Plucknett of Great Marlow 1692

 ©Marlow Ancestors. Please give credit to this blog if reusing this content but you are welcome to do so.

Transcribed by me from a will at the National Archives, Kew and then summarised here.

GEORGE PLUCKNETT, SCRIVENER OF GREAT MARLOW. WILL BOTH WRITTEN AND PROVED IN 1692.

Says he weak in body but has perfect mind and memory.

Commends soul to God.

To be decently buried at the discretion of his executor which is his "loving wife" Elizabeth.

To wife Elizabeth until son George is 21 then to him and his heirs: House in Jewell Street Moorgate Without ward in London which was then in occupation of printer John ?Lake and the four ?rooms built upon testator's land and joined to the house of Thomas Lane victualler.

Son George and his heirs already have a rental interest for 13 years in a house in Old Palace Yard, White City [London]. The reversion of that property left to George.

 "My loving ..." Mr Thomas Hall of Gilt Spire Street, Newgate Without [London] apothecary is to be responsible for putting that property out for the benefit of George and his heirs once that 13 years is up.

All rest of personal estate to wife Elizabeth after debts, legacies and funeral expenses paid.

Will witnessed by John Saxton, John Ranse [probably Rance], Henry Smalle, and John Gibbons.

Post by Charlotte Day.

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Gifts to Marlow's Poor 1600s

I have excluded famous charitable requests. These have all been found by me while transcribing wills from the National Archives.

Thomas Jordan = 6 shillings 8 pence. Will proved 1611.

John Little, yeoman = £5. Will proved 1622.

John Moore, brewer = £5. Will proved 1655. 

John Newton = 5 shillings to 40 honest poor men and poor women. Will proved 1669. He also left the church in Marlow a bible bound in blue Turkish leather with gilt letters on.

John Plumridge, yeoman of Lane End (then considered part of the parish of Great Marlow) = 8 shillings 8 pence. Will proved 1630.

William Stutfield, mercer= 5 shillings. Will proved 1629.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to reuse this information for family or history purposes with credit to this blog.

Will Summary for John Seymour Of Great Marlow 1567

 I obtained a will copy from the National Archives, Kew. This I transcribed to the best of my ability and then summarised here.

JOHN SEYMOUR GENTLEMAN PROVED 1567

Asked for burial in Marlow Church if he died in the Marlow area. Poor householders of the town to be paid a total of 8 shillings to carry his body to the church and put him in the grave [Such a request is common in contemporary wills]. After his burial £3 in money and 40 shillings of wheat bread to be distributed to poor householders of Marlow. Also to the poor householders for 3 score years after his death 10 loads of wood and 5 bushells of wheat.

Wife Alice executor along with Henry Samsone. She was left all goods and chattels in their St Albans house. Samsone recievers money for his pains in being an executor.

Also Alice and testator's sister Julian [a common female name at time. Not usually given to boys] to have all goods not otherwise bequeathed to use for the good of his poor kindred or other poor people. John Godwin to advise them in this charity. He to receive 5 marks himself.

Alice got the occupation and profits from the testator's farm for 49 years if she did not marry again. She was to pay the rent for it to his landlord. If she did remarry then his sister Julian, a widow, and her son got the farm instead. The wood on the farm was to be used carefully.

Julian also received £10 plus for 40 years a yearly rental income worth 20 shillings from a little close "beyond the chapel" and the paled [fenced] ground "next ?Cuthber**? ?Close? in Marlow. This was rented out to John Elgerydge.

To William Hayes son of John Hayes, skinner of London, a mead with 1 acre of arable land lying in Marlow Field which the testator bought in a parcel of land formerly chantry lands. This property was then occupied by John Mathewes a tailor at a rent of 5 shillings a year. Also to William Hayes a garden ?plot? in Dean Lane [Dean Street] with two half acres of land in the Marlow Field, also formerly chantry lands, and also in occupation of John Mathewes for the rent of 5 shillings a year.

To Joan Hawkins now wife of Hawkins a baker of London a house with one acre of land at Marlow barkside [riverside where boats AKA barks pull up] which was also formerly chantry lands. The house was rented and lived in by Leonard ?Coakes? a bricklayer. After her death to her son John Hawkins who the will says was the testator's godson.

Thomas Sandes could have the lease of Marlow's parsonage house provided he refrained from charging testator's widow Alice tithes for that farm she was to have [the right to tithes would have come with the ownership of the property].

Timber to be given to the Bridgewardens for Marlow Bridge repairs but they must pay for it to be felled and carried away*. To be kept up for 60 years, as was an annuity for the maintenance of the bridge ditto. 

Ellen wife of testator's late brother Thomas £5 and to Agnes her maid 40 shillings 

To John Bee 5 marks, and to Thomas Sandes £5. Alice Birche 20 shillings. John Redinge.... To Clemens Swetifer 20...

Gown pared with fox to William Daye. Gown pared with furs to Richard Bowyer.

John Cartel of London, salter £5. 

Joan Pyng daughter of John Pyng of St Albans a brass pot, two .... and 2 ewes 

To Austen Oxe a ?mattress?, bolster , coverlet and a pair of ?sheets?, plus 20 shillings and 4 ewes.

The vicar of Marlow 20 shillings

To "my boy" [Youth employee] Edward £5 cash and "my second gelding". Servant Richard Lommys £3, 6 shillings and 8 pence. Ellen his wife's servant 20 shillings.

*Another member of the Seymour family had previously left a house and wharf in Marlow in trust, for the repairs of the bridge. This was however subject to Chancery proceedings. 

This transcription by Charlotte Day.

© Marlow Ancestors. If reusing this work please credit this blog and link here. You are welcome to do so however.

To date this blog contains mention of approx:

3000

people from or associated with Marlow. (Dec 2021)

Will Summary Hierom Gregory of Little Marlow 1675

Transcription by me from a will held at the National Archives, Kew and then summarised here. If you use this summary please credit to this blog but please feel free to do so.

HIEROM GREGORY, CURATE, OF LITTLE MARLOW. WILL PROVED 1675. WRITTEN 1674. [Note in other records name can be given as Hieron but is usually Hierom]

Says he weak in body but of good and perfect mind and memory.

Puts soul into hands of Almighty God.

To be buried at discretion of his executor who is his son Isaac.

Oldest son Hierom excused debt he owes plus given 5 shillings.

Edward Dunkley husband of testator's daughter Hannah excused £20 debt he owes him.

John Dunkley son of the above given £5 for his apprenticeship.

Testator's daughter Rebecca Beesley, wife of Thomas Beesley, clerk*, £50 plus household goods comprising [amongst some things I could not make out] 2 silver spoons, one dozen of the best napkins, a featherbed, 2 feather bolsters, 2 pillows, 2 pillow covers, the best sheets, 2 joined stools, the great green chair, the low red chair and a needlework cushion. Thomas himself got "the first act from the Book of Martyrs" and all Latin books testator has.

Grandchildren Charles, John and Hannah Beesley £5 each.

Daughter in law * Sarah Mark £5

Kinswoman Anne Slaughter £5

Rest of goods and chattels to son Isaac who is the executor.

Will overseers his loving brother William Bailey of Oxford and kinsman Jeremy Gregory citizen of London.

Witnessed by John Cook and Elizabeth Bulter.

*Language has changed since the 1600s. Be aware the term clerk meant vicar as well as someone in administration. The term daughter in law was used for both a step child and for a woman married to your son. As I have not researched this family further I can't say what is meant specifically by the writer of this will.

Most wills of this period had both executors and overseers. To be excused a debt you owed the will writer was also common.

Will transcription and post by Charlotte Day.

To find every mention of a person on this blog use the Person Index option on the drop down menu.

So far this blog contains mention of

125

people from or associated with Marlow.

Will Summary for Mary Hall of Great Marlow 1696

Summary created from my transcription of a will held at the National Archives, Kew.

MARY HALL, WIDOW OF GREAT MARLOW, WILL PROVED 1696

Says she sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory.

Commends soul to God and asks to be decently buried.

After funeral expenses met, brother Christopher Parsons to receive £10. His son William [referred to as "my loving cousin William Parsons son of my brother Christopher Parsons" [Use of the word cousin to refer to nephews or nieces as well as what modern people call cousins was perfectly normal in the 1600s] to be the will's sole executor. He receives all goods, chattels and personal estate of the deceased not bequeathed elsewhere.

Cousin Mary ?Flint? wife of Christopher ?Flint? of Little Marlow £5.

Cousin Elizabeth Lovejoy, daughter of testator's deceased cousin Thomas Lovejoy late of Little Marlow to receive 1 shilling.

Cousin Dorothy Dell wife of John Dell of Little Marlow ? shillings.

Sister Margaret wife of John Burchett of Cookham 1 shilling.

Will witnesses: Elizabeth Bowles who made a mark only, John Oxlade, Thomas Hobbs.

Transcription and this summary of it by Charlotte Day.

To find every mention of a person on this blog use the Person Index option on the drop down menu.

© Marlow Ancestors. If quoting from this summary or reproducing it please give credit and a link here so that source citations remain attached to the information. You are welcome use this summary in any way.

Old handwriting isn't easy. I have done my very best here. I hope it is useful to you.

So far this blog contains mention of

108

people from or associated with Marlow.