Index of Wills
My thanks to John Rogan for sending me a great deal of information taken from the 1983 edition of Genealogy for Librarians, which I have taken an extract and paraphrased as follows:
This index contains an extracted list of persons 'of Canford Magna' who left wills, letters of administration or inventories to be found with the Probate Registry at Blandford Dorset, Archdeaconry Court of Dorset up to 1793 and Canford Magna Peculiar.
The names are extracted from indexes found in publications at the Dorset Record Office and elsewhere. Copies of these documents should be available from the Dorset Record Office. Please note that this index is not complete. Also included are some names of persons with wills proven in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, this comes from the National Archives website where the wills can be downloaded for £3.00 each. To date there are more than 800,000 wills on the site and the years from 1700-1858 are complete. There are weekly uploads to finish the years 1650-1699
A Will originally was a document disposing of real property ie, land and buildings ( which only became possible with the passing of [Statute of Wills 1540], and a Testament , where disposing of personal property, ie goods, cash etc. The distinction gradually disappearred, and the terms came to be interchangeable and modern will use the phrase “Last Will and Testament...” Letters of Administration are granted in cases where the deceased leaves no will and in certain others where, for example, no executors have been appointed.
In the Middle Ages a highly complex system for granting probate and administration based upon a hierarchy of ecclesiastical courts was developed. Which court had jurisdiction in a particular case depended upon where the deceased held “bone notabiia”, ie, goods or property amounting to Five Pounds or more. If in a single Archdeaconry, the Archdeacon's Court had jurisdication. If in two or more Archdeanconries within one Diocese, the will would be proved in the Bishop's Consistory Court. In two or more Dioceses in a Province, the Archbishop's Prerogative Court would apply. If in both Provinces, the Will would be proven by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC). A number of factors would affect and complicate this very simplistic illustration of how wills were proven, for example, episcopal visitations would suspend business in the lower courts and perhaps pass to one of the higher courts.
A number of ecclesiastical peculiars existed (of which Canford is one) who claimed their own jurisdictions and some secular courts also claimed jurisdiction such as those of boroughs over the estates of freemen, and those of some manors over the estates of teneants. Additionally, some testators may have made more than one will, or the same will (or part of) may have been proved or enrolled in the records of more than one court!
Surname |
First Name |
Occupation/Condition/Rank |
Date Proven |
Reg. No. |
Court |
| ADEY |
William |
Merchant and Ship Owner |
16 Oct 1812 |
PROB 11/1537 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| ALLEN |
James |
Master Mariner |
14 Nov 1825 |
PROB 11/1705 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| ARROWSMITH |
Charles |
|
19 Oct 1779 |
PROB 11/1057 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| AWBREY |
William |
|
11 Nov 1549 |
PROB 11/32 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BAILY |
Jane |
Spinster |
5 Mar 1828 |
PROB 11/1737 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BAILY |
John |
Yeoman |
24 Mar 1809 |
PROB 11/1494 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BANKS |
William |
Miller |
15 Nov 1825 |
PROB 11/1705 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BARNES |
Lawrence |
Yeoman |
1 Dec 1584 |
PROB 11/676 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BARNES |
Robert |
|
19 Mar 1596 |
PROB 11/87 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BARTLETT |
William Oldfield (Revd.) |
Clerk |
7 Nov 1842 |
PROB 11/1970 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BARTLETT |
William Oldfield (Revd.) |
Clerk |
7 Nov 1842 |
PROB 11/1970 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BARTLETT |
John |
Yeoman |
13 May 1714 |
PROB 11/540 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BEAMONT |
William |
Clerk |
8 May 1676 |
PROB 11/350 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BENNETT |
William |
|
11 mary 1846 |
PROB 11/2035 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BEVERLEY |
Edward |
|
28 Nov 1558 |
PROB 11/42A |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BRAFFETT OR BRASSETT |
John |
Gentleman |
6 Jul 1832 |
PROB 11/1802 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BROWN |
John |
Gentleman |
13 Dec 1737 |
PROB 11/686 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BUDDEN |
Richarde |
Husbandman |
2 Dec 1596 |
PROB 11/88 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BURGESS |
James Govier |
Malster |
24 Nov 1826 |
PROB 11/1718 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| BURT |
Jane |
Widow |
18 Mar 1662 |
PROB 11/307 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| CLOAD |
Thomas |
Gentleman |
8 Jun 1758 |
PROB 11/838 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| COBB |
William |
Mariner |
29 Aug 1785 |
PROB 11/1132 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| COLLIAR OR COLLIER |
John |
Husbandman |
2 Jun 1592 |
PROB 11/71 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| COMBE |
Anne |
Widow |
20 Jul 1641 |
PROB 11/186 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| COORSINE |
John |
Husbandman |
26 Jun 1633 |
PROB 11/163 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| CORBEN |
John |
Yeoman |
27 Mar 1810 |
PROB 11/1509 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| CORBEN |
Alice |
Spinster |
5 Feb 1669 |
PROB 11/329 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| CORBIN |
John |
|
12 Aug 1904 |
|
Little Canford Administration |
| CRUMPLER |
Thomas |
Farmer |
18 Feb 1840 |
PROB 11/1922 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| CUTLER |
William |
|
25 Sep 1904 |
|
Canford |
| DARBY |
George |
|
24 Jul 1724 |
PROB 11/598 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| DARLY |
Richard |
|
2 Mar 1663 |
PROB 11/310 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| DEAN |
Elizabeth |
Spinster |
6 Feb 1847 |
PROB 11/2050 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| DEAN OR DEANE |
William |
|
7 Oct 1706 |
PROB 11/490 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| DEANE |
Richard |
Yeoman |
8 Dec 1609 |
PROB 11/114 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| DEANE |
Robert |
Yeoman |
7 Mar 1635 |
PROB 11/167 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| EDEMAN OR EDMAN |
William |
Yeoman |
2 May 1592 |
PROB 11/79 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| FISHER |
Anne |
Widow |
12 Feb 1695 |
PROB 11/424 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| FITZHENRY |
Frances |
Widow |
28 Mar 1775 |
PROB 11/1006 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| FOARD |
William |
Mariner |
18 Dec 1673 |
PROB 11/343 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| FORD |
Willyam |
|
17 Jun 1608 |
PROB 11/112 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| GARE OR GEEAR |
Thomas |
Mariner |
18 Nov 1740 |
PROB 11/705 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| GARLAND |
Francis Penton |
|
30 Jan 1850 |
PROB 11/2106 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| GILLINGHAM |
John |
Yeoman |
4 Jul 1688 |
PROB 11/392 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| GILLINGHAM |
Jenny |
Widow |
25 Jun 1808 |
PROB 11/1481 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| GILLINGHAM |
Thomas |
Gentleman |
5 Jul 1650 |
PROB 11/213 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| GRAHAM |
Christopher |
Gentleman |
2 Aug 1810 |
PROB 11/1514 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| GUEST |
Josiah John (Sir) |
|
6 Jan 1853 |
PROB 11/2165 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| HANHAM |
Joseph |
Yeoman |
11 Jan 1839 |
PROB 11/1905 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| HART |
Marmaduke |
Yeoman |
8 Feb 1672 |
PROB 11/338 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| HAYES |
William Richard |
Gentleman |
11 Mar 1820 |
PROB 11/1626 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| HENNING |
Robert (Revd) |
Clerk |
25 May 1799 |
PROB 11/1324 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| HILEY |
William |
Gentleman |
30 Oct 1753 |
PROB 11/804 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| HILEY |
Charles |
|
8 Feb 1790 |
PROB 11/1188 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| HILGRONE OR HILLGRONE |
Edith |
Widow |
26 Feb 1618 |
PROB 11/131 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| HILL |
Mary |
Widow |
4 Apr 1821 |
PROB 11/142 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| HILL |
Christopher |
Yeoman |
19 sep 1804 |
PROB 11/1414 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| HOLLAND |
Thomas |
Yeoman |
10 Jul 1852 |
PROB 11/2156 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| HOLMES |
James |
|
7 Jun 1834 |
PROB 11/1832 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| HUMFREY |
John |
Gentleman |
30 Mar 1736 |
PROB 11/676 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| HUMFREY |
Elizabeth |
|
27 Jul 1904 |
34 |
Little Canford Administration |
| HUMFREY |
Elizabeth |
|
27 Jul 1904 |
27 |
Little Canford Administration |
| HUMFREY |
William |
|
12 Sep 1904 |
24 |
Little Canford Administration |
| HUMFREY |
Thomas |
Gentleman |
25 Oct 1703 |
PROB 11/472 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| JOHNSTON |
George William |
Gentleman |
24 Jul 1826 |
PROB 11/1714 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| JUBBER |
Vincente |
Husbandman |
28 Jan 1602 |
PROB 11/99 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| JUBBER |
Richard |
Husbandman |
30 May 1633 |
PROB 11/163 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| KING |
Dorothy |
|
6 Aug 1904 |
2 |
Canford |
| KING |
Christopher |
Gentleman |
23 Dec 1734 |
PROB 11/668 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| KING |
Richard jun. |
|
28 Jul 1904 |
31 |
Little Canford Administration |
| LAMB |
John |
Gentleman |
10 Dec 1799 |
PROB 11/1334 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| LAMB |
Mary |
Widow |
5 Mar 1808 |
PROB 11/1485 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| LAMB |
John |
Gentleman |
2 Mar 1663 |
PROB 11/1334 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| LAMBERT |
Elizabeth |
Spinster |
31 Aug 1842 |
PROB 11/1967 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| LAMBERT |
Mary |
Widow |
29 Aug 1814 |
PROB 11/1559 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| LATELY |
John |
Seaman |
10 Mar 1656 |
PROB 11/253 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| LEIGH |
Frances |
|
29 Aug 1904 |
23 |
Little Canford Administration |
| LOCKER |
Henry |
|
PROB 11/174 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
|
| LOCKER |
George |
|
26 Jul 1774 |
PROB 11/999 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| LOCKYER |
George |
Yeoman |
26 Jul 1774 |
PROB 11/999 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| LOCKYER |
Richard |
Yeoman |
14 Jul 1655 |
PROB 11/244 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| LOCKYER |
Jane |
Widow |
11 Jan 1679 |
PROB 11/359 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| MACKRELL |
William |
|
28 Jul 1774 |
PROB 11/999 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| MEABY |
James |
|
1 Jul 1848 |
PROB 11/2078 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| MINTEY |
Moses |
|
11 Nov 1904 |
15 |
Little Canford Administration |
| MULLENS |
Roger |
Gentleman |
8 Jan 1669 |
PROB 11/329 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| NEAVE |
Martin |
Mealman |
2 Mar 1814 |
PROB 11/1554 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PAINE |
John |
Gentleman |
17 Jan 1823 |
PROB 11/1665 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PAINE OR PAIN |
Anne |
Wife |
8 Oct 1772 |
PROB 11/982 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PAINTER |
Thomas |
Yeoman |
25 Jun 1806 |
PROB 11/1445 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PAINTER |
Ann |
Widow |
20 Mar 1810 |
PROB 11/1509 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PAINTER |
Ann |
Widow |
20 Mar 1810 |
PROB 11/1509 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PARSETT |
Richard |
Gentleman |
16 Nov 1661 |
PROB 11/306 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PAYNTER |
Robert |
Yeoman |
12 Feb 1594 |
PROB 11/83 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PEARCE |
John |
Yeoman |
10 Oct 1649 |
PROB 11/209 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PEARCE |
Elizabeth |
Widow |
8 May 1638 |
PROB 11/177 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PELLY |
Thomas |
Yeoman |
31 May 1786 |
PROB 11/1142 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PELLY |
George |
Yeoman |
15 Aug 1782 |
PROB 11/1094 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PIKE |
Mary |
Widow |
3 Jun 1833 |
PROB 11/1817 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PONSONBY |
Barbara Rt. Hon |
Baroness de Mauley |
20 Feb 1845 |
PROB 11/2012 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PRIOR |
Richard |
|
15 Mar 1849 |
PROB 11/2090 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| PYMAR |
James |
|
17 Jan 1853 |
PROB 11/2165 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| ROE |
Thomas |
Master Mariner |
3 May 1834 |
PROB 11/1831 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| ROOKE |
Gyles |
Yeoman |
13 May 1682 |
PROB 11/370 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| ROSE |
Peter |
Gentleman |
15 Nov 1837 |
PROB 11/1886 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| ROWSELL |
Thomas |
Yeoman |
18 Dec 1839 |
PROB 11/1920 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| RUSSELL |
Thomas Macnamara |
Admiral of the Blue in His Majesty's Royal Navy |
3 Sep 1824 |
PROB 11/1690 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| SANSOM |
Thomas Wiltshire |
Yeoman |
8 Sep 1827 |
PROB 11/1731 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| SILBY |
James |
Gentleman |
19 Oct 1846 |
PROB 11/2047 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| SMITH |
Deborah |
Spinster |
25 Oct 1828 |
PROB 11/1747 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| SPURRIER |
Betsey or Elizabeth |
Spinster |
3 Nov 1815 |
PROB 11/1574 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| SPURRIER |
Christopher |
Gentleman |
3 Nov 1815 |
PROB 11/1574 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| STICKLAND |
Mary |
Widow |
24 Oct 1722 |
PROB 11/587 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| STONE |
Thomas |
Gentleman |
23 Aug 1820 |
PROB 11/1633 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| STRONG |
Thomas |
Gentleman |
4 Mar 1835 |
PROB 11/1844 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| TALBOT |
Ann |
Widow |
31 Dec 1796 |
PROB 11/1283 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| THURBORNE |
Roger |
Yeoman |
30 Dec 1730 |
PROB 11/641 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| TILLEY |
Thomas |
Gentleman |
26 Mar 1795 |
PROB 11/1258 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| TILLEY |
George |
Gentleman |
8 Feb 1838 |
PROB 11/1891 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| TOOPE |
Robert |
Gentleman |
28 Jun 1673 |
PROB 11/676 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| TORY |
John |
Yeoman |
10 Jan 1809 |
PROB 11/1492 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| TURNER |
George |
Salt Officer |
31 Dec 1818 |
PROB 11/1611 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| TWYNE |
John |
|
10 Aug 1904 |
23 |
Canford Parva |
| TYNES |
Richard |
Clerk |
12 Jun 1627 |
PROB 11/152 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WAREHAM |
James |
Cordwainer |
27 Oct 1836 |
PROB 11/1868 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WARLAND |
Christopher |
Gentleman |
7 Apr 1849 |
PROB 11/2092 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WARLAND |
Henry |
Gentleman |
17 Aug 1819 |
PROB 11/1619 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WARREN |
William |
Husbandman |
23 Apr 1655 |
PROB 11/249 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WARREN |
Dorothy |
Widow |
16 Feb 1684 |
PROB 11/375 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WASSE |
Matthew (Revd) |
Clerk |
20 Apr 1776 |
PROB 11/1019 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WATERMAN |
William |
Yeoman |
10 Feb 1759 |
PROB 11/844 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WATTS |
Nicholas |
|
4 Nov 1587 |
PROB 11/80 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WAYLAND |
Richard |
Husbandman |
24 Oct 1597 |
PROB 11/90 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WAYLAND |
Henry |
|
15 Jun 1830 |
PROB 11/1395 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WAYLAND |
John |
|
26 May 1846 |
PROB 11/2036 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WEBB |
John (Sir) |
|
12 Nov 1700 |
PROB 11/458 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WEBB |
Barbara Hon. Lady |
Wife |
13 Jun 1740 |
PROB 11/703 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WEBB |
John (Sir) |
|
23 Dec 1745 |
PROB 11/743 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WEBB |
Thomas (Sir) |
|
19 Jul 1763 |
PROB 11/890 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WEBB |
John (Sir) |
|
9 May 1797 |
PROB 11/1291 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WELCH |
Anne |
Widow |
2 Jun 1777 |
PROB 11/1032 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WELCH |
Ann |
Widow |
2 Jun 1777 |
PROB 11/1032 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WELSTEAD |
John |
Yeoman |
20 Nov 1667 |
PROB 11/325 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WILLETT |
Ralph |
|
4 Feb 1795 |
PROB 11/1256 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WILLETT |
John Willett |
|
20 Dec 1815 |
PROB 11/1575 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| WRIGHT |
Christopher (Revd) |
Clerk |
21 Oct 1799 |
PROB 11/1332 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |
| YOUNG |
William Edward Waldron |
Gentleman |
12 Feb 1822 |
PROB 11/1654 |
Prerogative Court of Canterbury |