Until 1858 all wills had to be proved (formally approved) by church and other courts. The Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC), the most important of these courts, dealt with the relatively
wealthy individuals living mainly in the south of England and most of Wales (what was originally the ecclesiastical province of Canterbury). Wills of less wealthy individuals whose property lay
within the confines of a single parish may have been proved in a number of other ecclesiastical courts, including the Archdeaconry Court of Exeter (pre-1843); the Archdeaconry Court of Dorset;
the Consistory Court of the Bishop of Exeter (pre-1843); the Royal Peculiar of Sarum and other peculiars. From 1858 all wills were indexed centrally and this index is widely available at Record
Offices, Probate Registries and the LDS Church.
The tables below provide details of wills of Arne residents, but may not be exhaustive. They are arranged according to the Gregorian Calendar, with the Julian year indicated to the
left of the forward slash (/) in those years when the Julian Calendar, which ran from March 25th to March 24th, was in use (i.e. prior to 1752, 1751 being the transition year).
NAME Type
& DateBeneficiaries Executor/trix (Wills) or
Adminstrator/trix (Admons)Witnesses (Wills) or
Sureties/Witnesses (Admons)Reference BAKER Thomas the Elder
Mariner of ArneWill
20 Jun 1649
Proved
06 May 1650poor of the parish of Arne
poor of the parish of Studland
Mary BAKER, his last wife, deceased [honours the legacies she gave on her death bed]
Margaret BAKER, his now wife
William DOLBERIE, father-in-law [Margaret’s father]
Nicholas BROWNE, previous husband of Margaret BAKER née DOLBERIE, deceased [concerning property she had of him]
Roger BAKER, son
Joane, wife of Thomas LOOPE, daughter
Anna TRUE, daughter
Thomas BAKER, son
Edith BAKER, daughter
William BAKER, son
Richard BAKER, son [property lately bought of William GIGGER of Wareham]
Thomas, son of Roger BAKER, grandson
other grandchildren not namedWilliam BAKER, son
Richard BAKER, son
Overseers:
Thomas BAKER of Arne, brother
Thomas BAKER of Slape, late wife Mary’s brother
Thomas BAKER, son
NB: Will proved by Thomas BAKER brother & Thomas BAKER son - Richard & William BAKER may still have been minorsJohn CHEESEMAN
William SMITHPrerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/212/132BAKER Roger
of ArneAdmon
06 AUG 1681
Bond for £100- John BAKER, son
Anne BAKER, daughterJohn BAKER [...] of Arne
Anne BAKER spinster of Arne
Nicholas PAINE farmer of Arne
Thomas PUNCH Joiner of Wareham
signed in the presence of Roger CLAVELL & Rebecca FRYDorset Archdeaconry
DA/A/1681 7BAKER Thomas
of Arne
[NB: tombstone in Arne Chapel of "Mary BAKER, the loving wife of Thomas BAKER junior upward of ?? yrs departed this life 16 Mar 1673/4"]Admon
30 Oct 1683
Bond for £40- Mary BAKER alias LAURENCE, daughter Edward LAURENCE Gent of Evershot
Alice BAKER widow of Arne
in the presence of Henry WILLIS & James BOURNEDorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1683 4BAKER Thomas
Yeoman of ArneInventory:
16 Jan 1710/11
Exhibited in Court:
29 Jun 1711Value: £132.9s.10d. - Thomas BROWNE
Christopher PIKEBristol Consistory Court
BC/I/B 10BAKER John
Yeoman of Slepe, ArneWill
26 Sep 1730
Proved
23 Feb 1730/1John BAKER, son
Elizabeth BAKER, daughter
William BAKER, son
Thomas BAKER, son
The widow of his son Christopher BAKER [not named]William BAKER, son C. PORTER
George LOOPE
Elizabeth LOOPEDorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1730 61BAKER William
Yeoman of Slep, ArneWill
27 Dec 1780
Proved
22 Oct 1781
Oath of Admon
27 Oct 1781Thomas BAKER of Witch [a farm in Corfe Castle parish], nephew
Wiliam BAKER of Middleburgh [parish of Wareham Holy Trinity], nephew
George BAKER of Leason, nephew
Christopher BAKER of Slep, nephew
Sarah DARBY of Child Green, niece
Martha BAKER of Slep, niece
William son of William WEST of Fitzworth [in Corfe Castle], nephew
Joseph BAKER of Slep, nephewThomas BAKER, nephew
swore Oath of Admon before George Ryves HAWKERMary BURGES
John CARDDorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1781 4BEER John
Butcher or ArneRenunciation of Admon:
25 Dec 1756
Admon:
27 Dec 1756
Bond for £200John BEER died intestate and indebted to the sum of £46.10s.0d. for goods sold and delivered Robert GREGORY, Yeoman of Galton [parish of Owermoigne] and Sarah his wife, late Sarah BEER widow, the mother of the deceased, renounced Admon in favour of William CHISMAN, his principal creditor Witnesses to renunciation:
Joseph GOODWIN
William FILLITER
Admon Bondsmen:
William CHEESMAN, Yeoman of Arne [signed CHISMAN]
Richard TALBOT junior, Yeoman of Arne
John RUSSEL, Labourer of Arne
in the presence of:
Joan FRY
John SYMONDSDorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1756 1BRINTON John
Yeoman of ArneWill
25 Oct 1712
Proved
04 FEB 1717/18Sarah BRINTON, wife
John BRINTON, son
John WARVILLE, brother-in-law
Jane WARVILLE, sister
John WARVILLE, nephew
Rachel WARVILLE, niece
John KEYSAR, brother-in-lawSarah BRINTON, wife
sworn before Thomas RILEY surrogateHenry KAINES
Sarah SOUTH
Richard KAINESDorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1717 3BROWNING(E) John
Yeoman of ArneWill
19 Jan 1638/9
Proved
19 Nov 1641Church of Arne [for repairs]
poor of Arne
Church of Wareham Holy Trinity [for repairs]
poor of Wareham Holy Trinity
Church of Lytchett Minster [for repairs]
poor of Lytchett Minster
Church of Bere Regis [for repairs]
poor of Bere Regis
John FRANCKLIN the Elder
Mary, daughter of Thomas FRANCKLIN
Mathew FRANCKLIN ’her sister’ [of Mary above]
Margerie, daughter of John GREENE
John, son of John BROWNINGE of Newton
John, son of Christopher BROWNINGE
John FOOTE of Fivven Ockfoard
Henry TAYLER of Arne, his servant
Elinor, wife of Henry TAYLER
John CHISMAN of Wareham, kinsman
William LANCKNY of Arne
John FRANCKLIN the younger
godchildren not namedJohn FRANCKLIN the younger
Overseers:
Thomas PITT of Blandford Forum
Thomas YARD, Minister of BarwickeJohn CHISMAN
Henrie TAYLOR
Edward CHISMANPrerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/187/376CHISMAN William
Gentleman of ArneWill
23 Oct 1767
Codicil
03 Feb 1769/70
Proved
13 Jul 1770Margaret FALL, sister
7 children of Margaret FALL
Daughters of late sister Mary HARDING:
1. Elizabeth, wife of Richard HAM
2. Hannah, wife of William REEKS
3. Garthrew, wife of Charles HOLLOWAY
4. Mary, wife of John VYE
5. Margaret (deceased), wife of John LUSH
James HARDING, nephew
Martha EGGERTON, sister-in-law
Mary CHISMAN, wife
Elizabeth, daughter of Josiah MOTT & Elizabeth his wife, a daughter of Margaret FALL
William, son of William & Hannah REEKS, grand-nephew
William Chisman, son of Josiah & Elizabeth MOTT, grand-nephew
William BEER, kinsman
Jonadab CHISMAN, Ironmonger of Wareham, kinsman
William FILLETER, Gentleman of Wareham, friend
John, son of Jonadab CHISMANExecutors/ Trustees:
Jonadab CHISMAN
William FILLETER
BY CODICIL:
Legacy of Elizabeth, wife of Richard HAM, passed to Hannah HAM her daughter due to the death of said Elizabeth
George, son of William FILLETER and Mary CAKE, his servant maid, also given legacies
sworn before John COMBE surrogateWitnesses to Will:
Thomas PHIPPARD
W. CRIBB
Witnesses to Codicil:
Robert GOODWIN
Lewis COCKRAM
Thomas COCKRAMBristol Consistory Court
BC/W/C 51COCKRAM Thomas
Gentleman of ArneWill
14 Sep 1757
Proved
06 Mar 1760Anne COCKRAM, wife
Lewis COCKRAM, son
Thomas COCKRAM, son
Anne COCKRAM, daughter
Mary COCKRAM, daughter
Sarah COCKRAM, daughter - legacy conditional upon her NOT marrying William LUMBERThomas COCKRAM, son
sworn before John COOTH surrogateRobert HANN
Robert DOWDALL juniorDorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1760 2COCKRAM Anne
Widow of ArneWill
09 Oct 1763
Proved
03 Dec 1764Lewis COCKRAM, son
Thomas COCKRAM, son
Anne COCKRAM, daughter
Mary COCKRAM, daughter
Sarah COCKRAM, daughterAnne COCKRAM, daughter
Mary COCKRAM, daughter
Sarah COCKRAM, daughter
sworn before John HUTCHINS, Rector of Wareham, surrogate of the Archdeacon of DorsetRobert HANN
Elizabeth KITCATDorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1764 3COCKRAM Thomas
Yeoman of ArneAdmon
30 Dec 1786
Bond for £200- Lewis COCKRAM, brother Lewis COCKRAM, Husbandman of Arne
Richard TAYLOR, Gentleman of Corfe Castle
John Burleigh NINEHAM, Gentleman of Wareham
in the presence of George FILLITERDorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1787 1DOWDON Aaron
’he lived at Arne but died on board HMS Dunkirk man of war’Will
24 Oct 1702
Proved
23 Aug 1703Elizabeth AGGERTON [EGGERDON] George AGGERTON [EGGERDON] of Poole, father of Elizabeth
sworn before Thomas SUTTON surrogateJohn JHINKINSON
George ANDREW
Richard HORSLEYDorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1703 4EGGERDON George
of ArneWill
09 Jun 1725
Admon
05 Aug 1725
Bond for £1000Hannah EGGERDON, wife
Elizabeth EGGERDON, daughter
wife of William CHISMAN of Wareham, daughter [i.e. Mary]
Martha EGGERDON, daughterTrustees:
John FISHER of Arne
William CHISMAN of Wareham
no Executor appointed, hence the AdmonWitnesses to Will:
William SOMNER
John BRINTON
Bondsmen:
John FISHER, Yeoman of Arne
William CHISMAN, Wheelwright of Wareham
Christopher WHITMAEL of Blandford
in the presence of W. FITZHERBERT & Thomas RILEY surrogateDorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1725 3FISHER John
of Arne within the Parish of Wareham Holy TrinityAdmon
29 Jun 1733
Bond for £500- Alice MERCER, sister Alice MERCER, Widow of Lytchett Minster
John BREWER, Yeoman of Lytchett Minster
Robert KEYNES [signed KAINES], Gentleman of Wareham
in the presence of:
Sam ELLIOTT
Elizabeth KINGSTONDorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1733 4FRANCKLIN Christopher
Husbandman of Arne
wished to be buried as near to his father as possible in the churchyard of Lytchett MinsterWill
28 Apr 1649
Proved
06 May 1650Church of Lytchett Minster [for repairs]
poor of Lytchett Minster
Mary FRANCKLIN, wife
William LANCKNEY of Arne
John FURMAGE, servant
Richard FRANCKLIN, kinsman
John TRENCHFIELD, godson
Margaret FLOOKS, maid servant
Thomas FRANCKLIN, sonThomas FRANCKLIN, son
Overseers:
Thomas BAKER of Slepp, father-in-law
James FRANCKLIN of Lytchett, cousin
Will proved by Thomas BAKER since Thomas FRANCKLIN was a minorBartholomew KEYSER
William BARNES
Edward VYEPrerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/212/137HENNING William
Husbandman of SlepWill
11 May 1658
Proved
10 Aug 1658William HENNING, son
William, son of William HENNING, grandson
John, son of William HENNING, grandson
Nicholas HENNING, son
Anne, dau of Nicholas HENNING, granddaughter
Nicholas, son of Nicholas HENNING, grandson
Elianor HENNING, daughterExecutrix:
Elianor HENNING, daughter
Overseers:
Thomas BAKER of Slep
George LOOPE of SlepThomas BAKER
George LOOPEPrerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/280/168HENNING Richard
of SlepeOath of Admon
19 Apr 1671
Admon Bond
19 Apr 1671
Bond for £100- Margaret HENNING, relict of the deceased
sworn before Francis GIBSONMargaret HENNING, widow of Slepe in the parish of Arne
Richard HENNING junior, farmer of East Holme
in the presence of:
Francis GIBSON clerk
Edward VYE
Latham HARDINGEDorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1671 86 + 88HENING Margaret
Widow of ArneAdmon
19 Jun 1675
Bond for £100- Nicholas HENING, son
Thomas HENING, sonNicholas HENING, farmer of East Holme
Thomas HENING, farmer of East Holme
Richard HENING, farmer of East Holme
in the presence of:
Richard FITZHERBERTDorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1675 2HENNING Agnes
Widow of ArneAdmon
16 Aug 1690
Bond for £120- William HENNING, son William HENNING, Seaman of Arne
William HARRIS, Yeoman of Spetisbury
in the presence of:
F. HORLOCK
George CLARKDorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1690 3HENNING William
of ArneAdmon
22 Apr 1721
Bond for £200- Jane WHIFFEN, daughter
Mary HATCHETT, daughterGeorge WHIFFEN, Mariner of Arne [& husband of Jane]
William HATCHET, Yeoman of Arne [& husband of Mary, signed HATCHARD]
George AGGERTON, Farmer of Arne [signed EGGERDON]
George HARCOURT, Farmer of Hamworthy
in the presence of:
R. ERLEBC/Com/H 108 JACOB John Senior
of ArneWill
26 Dec 1776
Proved
08 Mar 1798Mary JACOB, present wife
John JACOB, son
Elizabeth JACOB, daughter
Sarah JACOB, daughter
William JACOB, son
Martha JACOB, daughterExecutors in trust:
Albert EDWARD, clerk of Dorchester, friend
John JACOB of Wood St., London, sonNo witnesses
Ebenezer LEATHLEY, Gentleman of Newgate St, Christ Church, London & Robert FISHER, Gentleman of the same place swore that the Will was in the handwriting of the deceasedPrerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/1202/77LANKNEY Roger
Mariner of ArneWill
01 Aug 1653
Proved
29 Mar 1654Honor HENNINGE, sister
Agnes HENNINGE, sister
William, son of William & Honor HENNINGE, ’cousin’ [nephew]Nuncupative Will
Admon granted to:
Honor, wife of William HENNING, sister
Agnes, wife of Nicholas HENNING, sisterThomas ROLLS
Bezaliell GARMY [male]Prerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/235/153LOUPE George
Gentleman of SleapeWill
02 Aug 1654
Proved
[...] [...] 1654
[day and month left blank, but previous Will proved on 01 Dec 1654]George LOUPE, only & beloved son
Alice BAKER, only & beloved daughter
Katherine LOUPE, dearly beloved wife
Andrew LOUPE, gentleman deceased [relative who gave him a legacy of property at Briantspuddle]
Thomas BAKER, son-in-law
Allice EGERTON, sister
Mary HARDING, kinswoman
John WILLIAMS, servant
Mary CLENCH, servant
poor of Wareham
poor of "Earne & Sleape"
poor of [blank]Katherine LOUPE, wife
Overseers:
Anthony LAWES, brother
Latham HARDING, cousinAnthony LAWES
Thomas LOUPE
Allice BAKER
Mary CLENCHEPrerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/237/322LOOPE Katherine
Widow of Slepe, ArneWill
02 Jan 1667/8
Proved
28 Apr 1668poor of Wareham Lady St. Mary
Church of Wareham Lady St. Mary [for repairs]
poor of Arne
Katherine BAKER, granddaughter
Thomas BAKER, grandson
Mary BAKER, granddaughter
unborn child of Alice BAKER yet in her womb
Alice BAKER, daughter
Thomas BAKER Clothyer, son-in-law
John LOOPE of Henbury, cousin [owed her money]
George LOOPE, son
George LOOPE, grandson
Amy / Anne LOOPE, granddaughterExecutors in Trust:
Thomas EGARDON, kinsman
Latham HARDINGE, kinsman
Christopher WHITE of Wareham, friendEdward VYE
Thomas BAKER
Latham HARDINGEPrerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/326/611SAMPSOME Thomas
Bachelor intestate of Slape in ye parish of ArneAdmon
07 Nov 1795
Bond for £600- Richard SAMPSOME, brother Richard SAMPSOME [signed SAMPSON], of West Stafford
John WELLMAN, Yeoman of Poxwell
Richard WILLIAMS, Yeoman of West Knighton
in the presence of:
John Cale MANFIELD
Joseph JOHNSDorset Archdeaconry
DA/A/1795 1STENT William
Farmer of ArneWill
28 Mar 1696
Proved
23 May 1696Hanna STENT, wife
Sarra STENT, daughter
Mary STENT, daughter
Elizabeth STENT, daughter
William STENT, son
John STENT, brotherJohn STENT, brother
sworn before George FROMEJohn SERELL
William BARTLETT
Ann GILLIAMBristol Consistory Court
BC/W/S 135TALBOT Richard
Yeoman of ArneWill
03 Aug 1793
Proved
20 Oct 1797
Effects under £100James TALBOT, son
Robert TALBOT, son
Mary TALBOT, daughter
Sarah TALBOT, daughter
Richard TALBOT, sonRichard TALBOT, son
sworn before George BONFIELDWilliam STICKLAND
John CARDDorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1797 4TITO Avice
’Sing... [single woman?] of Arne’
This Admon is eaten away down the right-hand sideAdmon
15 Feb 1669/70
Amount of Bond no longer visible- Jane GARE alias TITO
Thomas GAREJane GARE alias TITO
Thomas GARE, Drower of Poole
Laurence CRIBB, Farmer of Owermoigne
sworn before Richard FITZHERBERTDorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1669 2VYE Edward
Gentleman of Arne
[died 27 Jan 1682/3 age 78 as per his tombstone by the altar in Arne Chapel, next to that of his son John]Will
30 Nov 1681
Proved
12 May 1683John VYE, son - ’lately buried’ [in Arne Chapel on 12 Oct 1676 age 22]
Thomas BAKER, father-in-law
Mary VYE, wife
Anne BAKER, daughter
Margaret VYE, daughter
Mary VYE, daughter
Elizabeth VYE, daughter
Widow BAKER [relation not mentioned]
Thomas BAKER, grandson
KNOWLES, blacksmith of Corfe Castle, lessee
wife of Matthew MOSS of Corfe Castle, life on lease
Thomas FRANCKLING, son-in-law
Thomas BAKER, son-in-law
Elinor CHAFFYE, daughter-in-law
poor of ArneExecutors in trust:
William COLLINS, kinsman
Giles COLLINS, kinsman [brother of William]Thomas FRANCKLING
John FISHER
John ?JONESPrerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/373/79VYE Mary
Widow of ArneWill
20 Jun 1689
Proved
08 Jan 1691/2Thomas BAKER, grandson
Anthony BAKER, predecessor on copyhold [relation not stated]
Giles COLLINS of Fitzworth [Corfe Castle], successor on copyhold [relation not stated]
Mary BAKER, granddaughter
Thomas FRANKLYN, grandson
Mary FRANKLYN, granddaughter
Edward STOURTON, grandson
Edward BROWNE, grandson
Elizabeth STOURTON widow, daughter
Margaret, wife of John BROWNE the younger of Kingston Corfe Castle, daughterJoint Executrixes:
Elizabeth STOURTON, daughter
Margaret BROWNE, daughter
sworn before Richard RODERICK
Trustees in respect of the copyhold for Thomas BAKER:
William COLLINS, Gent of East Linch [Corfe Castle]
George LOOPE
Overseers of the Will:
William COLLINS
Giles COLLINSFrances STOURTON
Nathaniell SPEARE
Joseph WISEMANDorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1691 3