Summaries of registered wills in PCC by Richard Wiltshire made using
The National Archives PCC Will Index and PROB 11 microfilms at the Family Records Centre, London.
The wills listed below are taken from the registered will copies of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The following place terms
were
used to find the Langton Matravers Wills on
The National Archives index
:Herston, Langton, Maltravers, Matravers, Purbeck, Purbick
A will is a formal document setting out what a person wants to happen to their possessions after their death.
Until 1858, wills had to be proved (formally approved) by church courts. The Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC),
London was the most important and highest of these courts, and dealt with the relatively wealthy individuals living mainly
in the ecclesiastical province of Canterbury covering the south of England and most of Wales. The wills were often proved
at the PCC rather than at the deceased's local court for a variety of reasons which include:
- wealth
- prestige
- the continuity of the testamentary business of one family in the same court
- because the will related to another proved in the PCC
- that the deceased had lands in more than one diocese, so that the local courts did not have jurisdiction.
It is important to note that there are more wills which were proved at the
lower local church court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset. These are held at
Dorset County Record Office.
Alexander Dennet,
Dennett or Dennette of Langton in Isle of Purbeck, yeoman
Dated: 27 May 1584
- 'being sick in body'
- Reparations of the church of Langton: 6s 8d
- John (eldest son): mill in Swanwiche with all implements and stock that Henry Durant now has of mine upon the same
- Anthony (son): £100 when 21 years, to be put be put forth and profit 'to find him a School'
- Mary Dennett (dau): £100 when 21 or sooner if overseers shall think so meet
- John (youngest son): lands and tenements in Ashemersworthe, County of Southampton; all stock of cattle, corn and goods
I have upon Lalee and Whatcombe within the parish of Whitchurch to be put forth for profit until he is 21 years old
- Edith (servant): 40s Poor of Langton: 10s
- John Fysher [Fisher] (brother)'s children: a sheep each
- Roger Fysher [Fisher] (brother)'s children: a sheep each
- Alexander Fisher (godson): cow
- John Reinell of Blandford: forgives him 'a bill obligatory of £10'
- Alice (wife): 'my farm of Langton', rest and executrix
Overseers: John and Roger Fisher ['Fysher'], ('wellbeloved brothers') and Thomas Browne (friend)
Witnesses: Edward Buckett, clerk, John Fysher and Roger Fyssher
Proved 9 October 1584 by Alice Dennett, widow
PROB 11/128/104
Alice Dennett, Widow, Langton Matravers, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Dated: 10 February 1615
- ‘sick in body’
- body to be buried in church or churchyard, Langton Matravers
- Church of Langton: 10s for reparation of the church
- Poor of Langton: 13s 4d
- Poor of Swanwiche: 6s 8d
- Thomas Havyland, gentleman of Langton, William Harvey, gentleman of Langton and kinsman
William Mayo, William Fisher and Roger Fisher, gentleman (‘friends’): £200 on trust to be recovered
from the following debts:
- John Phelps, yeoman of Turners Pudle, and Richard Phelpes son of John: £40
William Loope and Thomas Meader of Bere Regis, yeomen: £10
William Loope and John Loope of Bere Regis, yeomen: £20
Richard Notting and Thomas Scavier, yeomen of Winterbourne Kyngston: £20
Edward Clavell, Gentleman of Winfrith and William Hodges, Esquire of Chaldon Lyenning: £50
George Dawe, yeoman of Bere Regis and William Burges, yeoman of Wareham: £28 12s
Edward Lilington of Great Kimmeridge [‘Chymeridge’] and Bartholmew Parris of the same
place, husbandman: £22
Henry Wells, Gentleman of Swanwiche: £10
- The recovered debts to be paid to:
- Mary Welles (daughter): profits from the £200 to be paid on Feasts of the Annunciation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Michael the Archangel or within 20 days next.
- The following to be paid within a year after Mary Welles decease:
- Alexander, Edward, John and Thomas Dennett (‘nephews’) sons of Anthony Dennett (‘son’): £20 each
- Anthony Dennett (‘nephew’) son of Anthony Dennett (‘son’): £40
- Nicholas Welles, Avis Atwater, John Welles and Elizabeth Welles (‘nephews’ and ‘nieces’) sons
and daughters of John Welles (son-in-law): £20 each
- John Dennett (son): £50 to be paid 1 year after my decease. New ‘crocke’ and my cupboard in the Parlour
- Mary Welles (daughter): my great ‘crocke’ and wheat ‘reeke’ being the ‘carne’ of 1 acre of ground
- Anthony and John Dennett and Mary Welles (my children): all pewter vessels
- Anthony Dennett (‘nephew’): £20, 20 ewes, 1 cow
- Amy Dennett (‘niece’): £10, 20 ewes, 1 cow
- Elizabeth Fry daughter of Roger Fisher (brother), deceased, and her children now living: £5
(and 1 ewe for each child)
- Alexander Dennett (said nephew): 1 privy seal of £13 6s 8d and money due the same which
I lent to the King’s ‘Majestie’
- Children of Mary Harvye (cousin): 2 ewes each
- Anthony Dennett (son): capital house in Wareham commonly called the George, now known by the
name of Anchor with ‘sellers, sollers’, gardens and backsides with common pasture for 1 cow or horse
in the meadow and commons of Wareham with 4 acres of meadow in Portland Meade held by lease of
15 September 41st year of Elizabeth I, made by Thomas Cadbury, Gentleman of Wareham to me for
120 years. Anthony to pay yearly profits to Mary Welles (daughter).
- Also messuage or burbage 4 gardens in Wareham held by lease by Roger Gerrard of ‘Worthgreate’
1 June 12th year of James I, for 99 years determinable on 3 lives. Anthony to pay yearly profits to
Mary Welles (daughter). If Mary dies then profits of last mentioned lease go to John Welles (‘nephew’)
for rest of term. After the death of myself, Mary Welles (daughter) and John Welles (‘nephew’) then it
remains with Elizabeth Welles (‘niece’)
- John Major son of John Major, grocer of Blandford: 3 ewes
- Alice Dennett daughter of Anthony (son): £10, 20 ewes, 1 cow
- John Dennett (son): featherbed and bolster in the ‘Trucklebed in my Chamber’, pair of blankets,
pair of sheets and a coverlet and the bedstead in the Parlour
- Mary Welles (daughter): wearing apparel, ‘a downe bed wherin I now lye’, 2 feather bolsters,
pair of blankets, an ‘orras coverlet in the Parlour’, the coffer and all that is mine in it, and the trunk
in the Chamber where I lie and one half of contents of said trunk (except such writings that are in the
said chest or coffer and trunk) and except 1 silver salt gilded and 5 silver spoons therein which I give to:
- Anthony (son): the salt
- John (son): 3 spoons
- The 2 daughters of William Fisher (kinsman abovenamed): 2 spoons
- Mary Harvey (cousin): 1 heifer bullock 2 year old
- Mary Welles (daughter): best draper table cloth
- Mary Welles (daughter) and Anthony Dennett (son)’s wife: dozen of Holland table napkins,
10 draper table napkins and my pillows
- Anthony (son): 2 pair of sheets (one pair of which is ‘peced’ by the sides)
- Mary Welles (daughter): 4 pair of sheets and 1 red cow with a white face
- Godchildren: 12d each
- Anthony (son): residue
Executor: Anthony (son)
Overseers: David Grove, Gentleman of Worth and Mathew Harvey (kinsman): 10s each
Trustees: 10s each
Signed by testatrix
Witnesses: Thomas Havyland, Anthony Dennett, John Quoke
Memorandum - John Wells is not to question the executor ‘or demand which he may pretend to be due unto him
in the right of his said wife’
- William Fisher (cousin) his wife: 11s in gold
- Roger Fisher (cousin) his wife: 11s in gold
- Cicely Havyland (Godchildren): 11s in gold
- John Dennett (son): best carpet
Signed by testatrix
Witnesses: Thomas Havyland, John Dennett, Robert Maynard, John Quoke
Proved: 22 November 1616 (by Anthony (son))
Sentence (in Latin): not transcribed here
PROB 11/148)
Richard Smith or
Smithe, Yeoman of Langton, Dorset
Dated 15 February 1624/1625
- ‘sicke of bodie’
- ‘my bodie to be buried in the churchyard of Langton’
- Richard (son): £16, best bed furnished and best ‘crocke’
- Thomas (son): £5 and a crock
- John (son): £20
- Thomas and John (sons): one obligation of £20 ‘wherein Christopher [-ettie?] and
Robert [Bettie?] stand bound unto me’
- ‘Gyles’ (son): £8
- Margaret (daughter): 3s 4d
- Anne Keylway (grandchild): £5
- Susana Keylway (grandchild): 20s
- Joane Scott (grandchild): 20s
- Edith Scott (grandchild): 20s
- Thomas Scott (grandchild): 10s
- Thomas ‘the sonne of my daughter Elizabeth’: 40s
- My ‘sister Carpenter’s children which she [haild?] by her husband [Clare?]’:
20s equally divided between them
- Margerie Smithes (sister) children: 20s equally divided between them
- ‘Poore of the parish os [Late Godforde?]’: 5s
- Poor of Langton: 3s 4d
- Thomas Scott (son-in-law): 10s
- ‘John Dibsdaie’ of Langton: 2s 5d
- Robert Keylwaye (son-in-law): rest of my goods
Executor: Robert Keylwaye
Overseers: John Dibsdale and Thomas Scott the elder
Signed by testator
Witnesses: John Dibsdale, Thomas Scott, [?] White, Roger Lodder.
Codicil ‘to be added to my father in lawe his will’ 24 February 1624. ‘He gave’: Richard (son):
‘beste cetle and one Iron barre his best cloake and all his apparell [?] his best [coate?] which
he gave to his sister Carpenter but if she be dead then he will was that Henrie Reades father
of [Ibsly?] should have it if he did assure unto Elizabeth the wife of the said Henrie Reade her
widdowes [estate?] in the Tenement he dwelleth in and upon that condicon he gave unto the saide
Henrie Reade his mare.’
- Thomas (son): second best ‘cetle’ and his two best platters
- Richard (son): ‘goodes at his house at Blanford’
- Thomas son of his daughter Elizabeth: one obligation or Bill by which ‘Thomas [Damell?]’ of
Ringswood is bound to pay him 40s
Witness: Robert Keylwaie.
Proved: 8 February 1626
PROB 11/152/119
John Reade or Read, Husbandman of ‘Knightstone’, Langton Matravers, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Dated: 1 April 1625
- ‘weak in body’
- to be buried at Langton churchyard
- Thomas Vie son of Richard: £50 when 21 years old
- Agnis Vie daughter of Richard (‘son-in-law): £5 to be paid 12 months and 6 days after the
death of Alice Phippard
- Poor of Langton: 2s
- Langton church: 12d
- Richard Vie (son-in-law): ‘out of love and affection and in lieu of kindness received
of him’: all my goods
Executor: Richard Vie (son-in-law)
Overseers: John Ball, Minister of Langton and Hugh Vie of Langton
Mark of testator
Witnesses: John Ball, Edward Marshall (his mark)
Proved: 5 December 1627 (by executor)
John Ball
of Langton, Isle of Purbeck, Clerk
Dated 4 June 1639
- Poor of Langton: 20s to be distributed by executor or any one of my overseers at my burial
- deed of uses indented provided for means of maintenance for my three sons John, Samuel and
Phinehas [Phineas] out of lands in Holton. Executor and overseers to take rents etc until sons are 21
and employ for their maintenance binding them each apprentices
- John (son): best silver salt
- Samuel (son): silver beer bowl
- Phinehas [Phineas] (son): other silver salt consisting of three pieces
- Alice, Sara, Dorcas and Hannah (daus): £100 each when 21 or married; and rest of goods
- Alice and Sarah (eldest daus) and John (son): £5 each being a legacy bequeathed by their
grandmother Alice Pitt and by me received for them
- Samuel Ball ('my dear brother'): executor only to keep or dispose of things for best of my children; and 40s
- Mr John White of Dorchester, Clerk; Dennis Bond, gent; John Hardy, yeoman (‘dear and loving kinsmen’): overseers and 20s
Witnesses: Francis Lewis, Clerk; Robert Serrell; John Hardy; Phillipp Gillingham
Proved 29 April 1640 by Samuel Ball, executor
Robert Serrill or Serrell of Langton within the Isle of Purbeck, yeoman
Dated -11 March 1641/42
- Poor of Langton: £3, 20s to be bestowed shortly after my decease by the minister, churchwardens and overseers;
other 40s to be bestowed by my executor and overseers for the binding of two poor children apprentice
- Poor of Swannedge [Swanage]: 40s in the same way for the good of two poor children
- 'I lived with my loving wife Elizabeth above 8 years after the birth of my eldest daughter and expecting no further issue I did in that
grace, put the life of my said wife into a living at Combe worth near £20 by the year; besides that estate that will come to her after my
decease by virtue of her marriage with me; by which means I am disabled to provide for my other children and especially for my eldest son
(whom [?]ed hath since given me) during her life according as it is usual and fit to be done. Therefore my earnest desire is that my said wife
(according to her promise made to me) would allow my eldest son £10 yearly during the time she enjoys the living I now dwell in. And
provided she does so I do bequeath unto her £50 to be taken in householdstuff such as she shall like best of'
- Samuel (eldest son): house and land I now dwell in which falls to him after life of my wife; £50 when 21 years old 'on condition that he make
good to William Phippard of Langton aforesaid junior the estate I granted him in a small tenement at Langton'. Otherwise executor to make it
good out of the £50.
- John (son): £100 when 21 years old
- Bridgett, Elizabeth and Mary (daus): £100 when 21 or married
- 'God hath given me some hope of another child by my foresaid wife': to be bequested same as siblings
- John Eyres ('very loving friend'): executor and 40s by the year 'in thankfulness for his pains'. If he should fail then Mr James Havelland [Haviland]
and if a son is of age and thought competent then he is also to take charge of money for the good of my children
- Mr Josiah White, Mr Francis Lewis, Mr James Havelland and Mr Edward Harvie
[Harvey] ('loving friends')
: overseers - executor to acquaint them yearly 'what the estate is and
how it is improved and expended'
Witnesses: William Harvey senior, James Havelland, John Eyres junior
Proved 1 July 1642 by John Eyres
Josiah White clerk and
Rector of Lankton [Langton], Isle of Purbeck
Dated at Poole 6 November 1643
- 'lying sick in the Town and County of Poole'
- Body to be buried in churchyard at Poole before it be carried into the church without church service
- 'I know not but it may be better done into the church than without'
- 'most dear mother for all her... pains in going up and down to diverse places for my education and most tender
care and great charge of me always (beyond the sum of an ordinary mother)': portion of lands and tenements
in hamlet of Roxwell in parish of Rittle [Writtle], Essex, house being called Thetches or Fetches as bequeathed
to me by John White, Clerk (father). The land is adjacent to a part of land called Rookes lands which my mother
lately bought of myself and my brother John and William White to have and to hold that land called Thetches or
Fetches to the use of my dear mother 'I know not upon what straightes her old age' 'and my brothers being young
and better able to shift for themselves'. I desire her by will and testament to bequeath to those of my said brothers
as she shall think most serviceable and know money 'is but small'
- John, William and James (my three brothers): £10 each
- Poor of Langton: out of money owing me in that parish £5 to be distributed within six months of decease
- Poor of Poole: 50s to be distributed by churchwardens and overseers a month after decease
- John, William and James (my three brothers): all household goods within and without, wearing apparel to be distributed by mother
- Mistress Mary Drake of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, widow (mother): executrix
- John, William and James (my three brothers): overseers
- As to my books - my mother and brothers to take such books 'as are useful for them' and remainder to be 'distributed
to such ministers my friends as are in distress'
Witnesses: Robert Butler, Barret Land, George Sturn, Theophilus Man
The deeds of the land are partly in my mother Drakes hands and partly in my own and my
aunt Mistress Mary Whyte's hands in Dorchester
Proved 15 May 1645 by Mary Drake
Sentence 10 July 1647 (PROB11/202)
Edward Mompesson of Langton, Isle of Purbeck, gentleman
Nuncupative will made 26 February 1646/47
- being 'sick and weak of body' declared his last will and testament nuncupative:
- Elizabeth Mompesson (dau): £200
- Patience (dau): £100
- Margarett (dau): £100
- Edward (son): £100
- Above to be raised from his lands 'hoped that George Mompesson his son and heir would not prove so undutiful as not to pay it'
- Words before: Nathaniell Connes; Sence Nineham her mark; Anne Symes her mark; Isabell Bower her mark
Witnesses touching their knowledge: 4 October 1647: Brune Cockram clerk, Jo: Sacheverell, clerk
Proved 25 November 1647 by Margaret widow of Edward
John Maynard
of Langton, Isle of Purbeck
Will made: 9 July 1657
-
Alice (wife): executrix
-
Mr John Eyres of Remscombe in Worth and Mr Nicholas Lanning of Lynch in Corfe
('loving Christian friends'): overseers in trust
-
Alice (wife): house in Swanage that Thomas Ellery lives in with two gardens
belonging, for her life and at her decease to dispose to whom she pleases; rest
-
Dorothy Browne of Corfe Castle (sister): £10; and her daughter Margery Browne
20s
-
Anne Street of Corfe (sister): £3; her son John Street 20s
Witnesses: Christopher Lawrence, Elizabeth Lawrence
Proved: 11 December 1658 by Alice Maynard, relict and executrix
PROB 11/335/3
William Cull, marbler of Langton Matravers, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Dated: 10 October 1670
- ‘weak of body’
- William (younger son): west part of house and garden which stands on my land
- John (son): east part of house and garden to be enjoyed after my decease
- Dorothy (wife): remainder of land and house and garden where I now live. Then to John (son). £4 score
- John, Dorothy, Sarah, Mary and William (sons and daughters): £4 score each
- John (son): to pay my children £10 each at end of 7 years after my and my wife’s decease
- ‘because some of my children are under age my will is that my wife Dorothy and son John
do take care of their education and manage their legacies for their maintenance and best advantage’
- John (son): the work and service of my two apprentices Thomas Grove and Thomas Trenchfeild
during their term maintaining them and perfecting them in their trade
- John (son) and Dorothy (wife): rest
Executor and executrix: John (son) and Dorothy (wife)
Overseers: Samuel Serrell and Bartholemew Pyke (‘loving friends’): for their pains
a pair of gloves of half a crown each
Mark of testator (X)
Witnesses: George King, Thomas Grate[?]
Proved: 23 January 1670/1671 (by executrix and executor)
PROB 11/381/118
John Cull
of Langton Matravers, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Dated: 18 July 1685
- ‘weak in body’
- Bridget (‘beloved wife’): lands in Langton Wallis then to John (son) forever on condition that
he pays Sarah (daughter) £40 within half a year after my wife’s decease and let her enjoy the
west part of the house and garden during her life
- William (brother): house where I live for exchange for his life in the west part of the house where
my land is which was given him by will of my father
- Bridget (wife): Stephen Dowland (my apprentice boy) for her ‘to have the benefit of his work during
the time he is to serve my wife maintaining him and taking care to have him perfected in his trade’
- Bridget (wife) and children: household goods which are my own
- Bridget (wife), William Cull (brother) and Mary Cull (sister): rest
- William and Mary Cull (brother and sister): £100 each due from wills of my father and mother and
sister Sarah. If money does not arise, it is to be made up from the rents from one of the houses on my land
- ‘and my earnest desire as a dying man is that my wife brother and sister would carry things
fairly among them and preserve peace in the family’
Executrixes and Executor: Bridget (wife), William Cull (brother) and Mary Cull (sister)
Overseers: Edward Taylor (father-in-law) and Edward Cole (friend)
Signed by testator
Witnesses: George King, John ‘Hancoke’, Ephraim Taylor, William Bower, Thomas Coomes
Proved: 9 October 1685 (by executrixes and executor)
Thomas Franklin
- 'being the enjoyer of perfect health and memory'
- No will date
- Betty Franklyn (sister): estate called Tomssess, Langton Wallis, Isle of Purbeck with farm house barns stables
outhouses orchards messuages etc as well as Lords rent of all such tenements as are farmed out and the whole
possession thereof when they fall in hand; meadow at Corfe Castle and my garden plot in Wareham both being in
the Isle of Purbeck; third part of Fitzworth and Clowell Estates with barns stables outhouses and tenements and
my third part of Phelpses and Godwins Estate with barns stables outhouses and tenements and also Lords rent
of Godwins House with all goods personal effects etc
- Mr Edward Dampier: £30 to buy mourning clothes and rings for himself and family
- Poor of Langton Wallis: £10 to be paid by my sister to poor people as receive no alms from the parish
- After death of Betty Franklin (sister) ['and her husband' - although not married at time of the will] the estates devolve
to Thomas Windsor of Stobury and his children during their lives, then to Ann Windsor sister of Thomas, of same place,
if no legal children then devolves to Mr Edward Dampier of Lancton [Langton] Matravers; then to Thomas Dampier his
eldest son; then John; then Edward; then Robert; then Betty Dampier eldest daughter; then Mary youngest daughter
- but if she marries a Franklin then to her forever, otherwise returns to said Robert Dampier 'and according to my
father's will I have full power and authority to dispose of my estates and accordingly I have done it suitable to my pleasure'
- Betty Franklin (sister): executrix
- Mr Edward Dampier (friend): trustee to prevent my sister from labouring under any imposition and its my hearty desire
if I die in London or in any other place within 120 miles of Langton Matravers that my body might be brought and interred
in the churchyard belonging to the said parish and in the grave wherein my father was laid'
- If Robert Dampier die without issue then the estates devolve to Mary, then Betty, then to Mr Dampier's eldest son
and so on 'and so descend to the enjoyment of each sons heirs according to birth right'
Witnesses: Lewis and Ann Cole, William Milner
Proved: 14 February 1755 by Betty Franklin, spinster and sister of testator
PROB 11/610/160
Thomas Dowland of Langton Matravers, Dorset
Dated: 9 July 1725
- Samuel (eldest son): £10 when 21 years. £40 to be paid in 6 months by John Cull after the
decease of Bridget Hancock wife of Edward of Langton. If she dies before my son reaches
21 years then sum of money to remain with Tryphena Dowland (wife) until he reaches 21 years.
- Tryphena (‘beloved wife’): houses with gardens at Comb, Langton for the life of Samuel (son)
and Johannah (daughter). Then to Johannah (daughter) and James (youngest son) during the
lives of Samuel and Johannah.
- Tryphena (‘beloved wife’): rest
- James and Johannah (son and daughter): goods
Trustees and Guardians: ‘If my said wife Tryphena Dowland should die without will my children
being young I do by her consent nominate and appoint’ William Melmoth of Sandwich and
John Dowland (brother) of Langton
Executrix: wife
Signed by testator
Witnesses: William Melmoth, Thomas Manning
Proved: 10 August 1726 (by wife)
PROB 11/738/76
John Cull, Marbler of Langton Matravers, Isle of Purbeck , Dorset
Dated: 7 September 1738
- Edward Hancock (father-in-law): house I now dwell and use of household goods that were
given between me and my late mother by my late father deceased. Annuity of 40s/year paid half yearly.
- Elizabeth Dowland (kinswoman), widow of Samuel, deceased, Marbler of Langton:
‘my new built house at Langton’ so long as she continues a widow and use of household goods
not given to Edward Hancock
- Samuel Serrell, Esquire of Langton, Robert Nineham, Yeoman of Quarr, Worth Matravers and John Smith,
Yeoman of Ulwell, Swanwich (‘worthy friends’): rest of goods etc on trust for the following:
- Elizabeth Dowland (kinswoman): to have use of and receive profits from leasehold tenement in
Studland, for the education and breeding up of Sarah Dowland her daughter (‘an infant now of
the age of 16 months’) until 21 years or married provided that Elizabeth Dowland does not marry.
If she dies then trustees are to give the land to Thomas and Jane Duke of Studland for remainder of the term.
- Sarah Dowland: education from rents from freehold land. In default of issue to Thomas Duke and
William Swyer of Galton, Dorset son of William, deceased
- Household goods to be sold and money from rents to be used to buy lands of inheritance in fee
simple in counties of Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire or Southampton
Executors: Samuel Serrell, Robert Nineham and John Smith
Signed by testator
Witnesses: Joseph Foot, Betty Bonfield, Samuel Foot
Proved: 26 March 1745 (by Robert Nineham and John Smith)
PROB 11/845/109
John Sanders, Yeoman, of Langton Matravers, Dorset
Dated: 5 May 1746
- Benjamin (son): living at Pucklake, then to Joseph (son).
- Joseph (son): living at Worth Matravers 'during the lives that are upon it'
- Ann Phiphard (daughter): £10
- James (grandson) son of Benjamin (son): £70 10s either when 21 years old or 'otherwise this
money is to be laid out in putting in of his life into his mothers Living called Loargrow
[or Hargrow?] to be paid by his father'
- Joseph (son): 'My goods in my Two rooms above and below Except a Chest I Give unto my
Grandson James [son of Benjamin]… which was my Fathers'
- Robert (son), Susanna Butler (daughter), Sarah Osmon (daughter), Jone Kingsell (daughter): 2s 6d each
- My grandchildren: 1s each and also 'the Bond one Thomas Serrell of Forty Pounds if it is ever likely to be paid'
- Susanna Butler (daughter), Jone Kingsell (daughter), Ann Phipard (daughter), Sarah Osmond (daughter)
and John (grandson) son of Robert: £5 each
- Rest of money to remain with Executors.
- 'the Clock and Jack and two Furnesses and rack are to remain in the House not to be removed
till after the death of Benjamin Sanders or Joseph Sanders'.
- Wife: the rest 'if she keep herself in my Name'
- 'If Joseph Sanders out live his Father and Mother for to have all the Fewell that is mine and to have
two weeks Liberty to carry the Cowss and Fewell away Twenty Shillings in Bread I Give the first
Sabbath after I am Buried'
Executrix and executor: wife and Joseph (son)
Witnesses: Katherine Harson [Haxson?], Marth Masters, Daniel Masters
Proved: 20 March 1759 (by son Joseph).
Richard Keat or Keate, marbler of Langton, Isle of Purbeck
Dated 11 October 1756
- to be buried in a clean and decent manner with as little expense as possible'
- 'dear and loving wife' [note: name not given but is Sarah Keat was Sarah Dowland]: £20 and
house I live in during her life or time she remains unmarried with the garden and use of all goods
- 'my wife eldest daughter Joanna': house that was my wife's before marriage
- 'to her youngest daughter Ann: all the rest and the house after my wife's decease. If deceased then
to brother John Keat's son John Keat
-
Ann: executrix, if I die before she reaches 18, then John Combes, Clerk and Peter Camell of Sandwich
to be trustees over her
Witnesses: Mary Cole, Francis Andrews, Ann Williams
Proved 7 September 1763 by Ann Dowland spinster executrix
On [blank] August 1810 administration of will
of Richard Keate left unadministered by Ann Barnes formerly Ann Dowland spinster since also deceased
were granted to Robert Barnes her husband and administrator of her goods
Abstracted from transcript in Sue Mills’ possession (from reference PROB 11/896/285)
William Chinchen, Stone Merchant of Langton Matravers, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Dated: 17 February 1764
- Titus (son): leasehold house and garden in Langton Matravers and now in my own possession,
for the remainder of my term therein
- Mary Lander (daughter) wife of Thomas Lander, Stone Merchant of Langton Matravers: £50
- Robert (son): £50 and also ‘all such Monies as he now Owes me on a Ballance of Account or otherwise’
- James Chinchen (son): £20
- William Chinchen (son): £60
- Mary Brown (servant): £10
- All above legacies to be paid 1 year and 1 day after my decease
- Titus (son): rest and residue of my moneys, goods and personal estates
Executor: Titus (son)
Mark of testator
Witnesses: John Talbot, William Filliter Proved: 15 March 1764
Timothy Smith, Yeoman of Eastington Farm, Langton and Worth, Isle of Purbeck , Dorset
Dated: 7 December 1799
- Elizabeth Voss (niece) daughter of Robert: £500
- Rose Smith (brother): £100
- William Smith (brother): £100
- Child or children of Edward Smith (late brother): £100
- Betty Voss (sister): £5
- All legacies to be paid in 12 months
- George Cull alias Smith son of Sarah Smith (my sister): residue
Executor: George Cull alias Smith
Signed by testator
Witnesses: John Dampier and Mary Marshfield
Proved: 6 October 1804 (to George Cull alias Smith)
PROB 11/1519/64
John Edmonds or
Edmunds , Yeoman of Langton Matravers, Isle of Purbeck , Dorset
Dated: 12 October 1808
- ‘my desire is that my grave shall be made close at the south side of my son William’s grave
and level at the bottom and that my sons wagon shall carry my corpse to Kingston and four of his
labourers to carry my corpse to the grave and each man to be paid half a crown for his trouble’
- George (grandson) son of George and Dorcas Edmonds: silver watch. £300 when 21 years old.
Executors to pay him interest at 5% per annum and if he dies money goes to executors
- Ann (granddaughter) daughter of John and Ann Edmonds: fourth best featherbed, bolster and 2 pillows
- Joseph Baker (son-in-law): £100 at my decease.
- John Edmonds (eldest son), Jabez Edmonds (youngest son) and Joseph Baker (son-in-law): remainder
Executors: John Edmonds, Jabez Edmonds and Joseph Baker
Signed by testator
Witnesses: John Butler Dugdale, Jasper Rabbetts Proved: 13 February 1811 (on oath of executors)
PROB 11/1752/138
John Chaffey, Dairyman late of Kimmeridge, now of Langton Matravers, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Dated: 27 January 1829
- Jane daughter of George Stickland, Dairyman of Warmwell, Dorset: lifehold messuage with fuel houses,
garden and land at Knighton, Winfrith Newburgh. Then to Richard son of Samuel Chaffey (my brother),
Labourer of Burton, for the rest of the term unexpired
- Jane Stickland and Richard Chaffey: household goods, to be divided by executors when Jane reaches 21 years age.
- Hannah Chaffey, widow of James (my late nephew), baker of Corfe Castle, and John Hardy,
Yeoman of Langton Matravers: £200 on trust to invest in Parliament Stocks or Public Funds
and give the interest to Mary Best, spinster, of Hyde, Steeple for her life then to her children.
If no issue then to Jane wife of Robert Best, deceased Labourer of Kimmeridge
- Hannah Chaffey: £100
- Frances wife of John Hardy: £100
- Elizabeth Palmer, late Servant, wife of Charles, Labourer of Piddle Town: £10
- All legacies to be paid in 12 months.
- Sarah House (niece), wife of William, Victualler of Herston: my house
- Samuel and Joseph Chaffey (brothers), Hannah Chaffey and Jane Best: residue
Executor and Executrix: John Hardy and Hannah Chaffey
Witnesses: Isaac Hatchard, Robert D Marshfield and John Thorn
Proved: 19 March 1829 (by executrix and executor)
Phineas Chinchen of Langton Matravers, malster
Dated 20 November 1835
-
Thomas Chinchen Edmunds of Poole, carpenter and William Edmunds of Langton Matravers,
labourer (nephews): freehold messuages, dwellinghouses, malthouses, bankers, gardens, lands etc
at Langton Matravers and Sandwich otherwise Swanage as tenants in common
- Ann Edmunds of Langton Matravers, widow (sister): lifehold and leasehold dwellinghouses gardens
lands etc in Langton Matravers and Sandwich otherwise Swanage for the terms to come
- Thomas Chinchen Edmunds of Poole, carpenter and William Edmunds of Langton Matravers, labourer (nephews): £20
- Ann Edmunds of Langton Matravers, widow (sister): £100
- Betsey Hibbs wife of John Hibbs of Langton Matravers, labourer; Jane Horlick wife of Joseph Horlock of Brinscombe Farm,
Isle of Purbeck, yeoman; Mary Horrell wife of Joseph Horrell of Mere, Wiltshire, carrier; Hester Hibbs wife of James Hibbs
of Pucknowle, Isle of Purbeck, dairyman; Charlotte Budden wife of John Budden of Sandwich otherwise Swanage, cordwainer;
Ellen Edmunds of Langton Matravers, spinster and Martha Winter Edmunds of Langton Matravers, spinster (nieces): rest of monies,
securities, monies in the public funds, books, stock in trade, household goods, furniture etc and interest in the sloop called the
Swanage whereof Isaac May is now Master with the tackle and apparel belonging
- Thomas Chinchen Edmunds (nephew) and Charles Barnes of Langton Matravers, cordwainer: executors
Witnesses: James Hussey, Swanage, linen draper; Timothy Farwell Swanage, mason; Robert Dugdale, solicitor, Wareham
Proved 3 August 1840 by executors
Reverend Samuel Serrell of Langton Matravers, Clerk
Dated: 10 May 1839
- Harriot (wife): during her life the mansion house which I now inhabit at Langton Matravers, then to Sheffield (son) forever
- Sheffield (son): all other lands and tenements at Langton Matravers with the land tax which formerly issued out of my property
there which I have redeemed; also my manor of Sandwich [Swanage] and lands the tenements and the land tax redeemed
- Sheffield (son) and Harriot Serrell (dau): £6000 in the £3 10s per cent reduced annuities in trust that they shall pay the
dividends to Harriot (wife) during her life, then half to son and half to dau.
- Harriot (wife): plate, books, household goods and furniture during her life, then to Sheffield (son)
- Sheffield (son): rest and executor
Witnesses: David Davies, curate of Worth Matravers; Sarah Davies
Proved: 23 April 1842 by Sheffield (son)
Harriot Serrell of Langton Matravers, widow
Dated:5 November 1845
- Sheffield (son): Two meadows lately purchased of the feoffees of Swanage Church Lands on consideration
that he pays Harriot Serrell (dau) £200
- Charlotte Maria Neave (niece): £50 free of legacy duty
- Sheffield (son): rest Sheffield (son) and Harriot (dau): executor and executrix
Witnesses: Honour Churchouse, Ann Shorland
Proved 8 September 1848 by Sheffield and Harriot (spinster)
Henry Hellier of Langton Matravers, gentleman
Dated: 6 April 1842
- George Linington Hellier (son) and his wife: freehold dwelling house, garden and premises in Langton Matravers
in occupation of James Thorn; after their decease to Henry Hellier (grandson); if deceased to George Hellier (grandson);
if deceased to Mary (granddaughter)
- George Linington Hellier (son) and his wife: £10 per annum out of interest of money in public funds and rest of money
to be shared by grandchildren and all household goods plate linen and china
- Henry and George Hellier (grandsons): executors
Witnesses: D Davies, Cambria Cottage, Langton; Edward Wingate, Langton Matravers; James Talbot, Langton Matravers
Proved 6 December 1848 by executors
Charles Chinchen, farmer and malster of Langton Matravers, Dorset
Dated: 19 May 1848
- Martha (niece) wife of Thomas Clark: £10
- Thomas and William Edmonds (nephews): undivided moiety or equal half part of freehold dwellinghouse
malthouse countinghouse garden piece or parcel of meadow land which I occupy at Langton Matravers
forever as tenants in common; lifehold cottage garden and plot of ground called Coles House, Langton Matravers
occupied by myself and Charles Long, for the term as tenants in common
- William Edmonds (nephew): rest including live and dead stock and crop farming utensils and implements of
husbandry, household goods, furniture, books etc
- Sheffield Serrell of Langton Matravers, Esquire and William Edmonds (nephew): joint executors
Witnesses: Jasper Rabbits, Aaron Smith, Robert D Marshfield
Proved 15 Aug 1851 by William Edmonds, power reserved to Sheffield Serrell
Sarah Davies wife of The Reverend Davis Davies of Langton Matravers, clerk
Dated:14 January 1853
- In exercise of the power and authority given to me by indentures of lease and release and settlement made after my
marriage with Davis Davies, 24-25 Nov 1826, she ratifies these and appoints to:
- Davis Davies (husband): capital messuage or mansion house with farm called Steeple Farm, Steeple in occupation of
William Bridge and cottage with garden adjoining at Steeple in formerly in occupation of George Moores but now of [blank]
Fooks - subject to the interest and power for raising £1000 in the said indenture of release and settlement (which power
has been lately exercised by him) and subject to £50 annuity to Joseph Way Symes (my son, referred to in release or
settlement as Joseph Symes) and payment of £1000 to each of the three children of Betsey Barnes (late granddaughter)
to be paid without interest after death of Joseph Way Symes (son); when 21 years old.
- Davis Davies (husband): rest
- Davis Davies (husband) and Henry Way House of Post Green, Lytchet Minster, Esquire (nephew): executors
Witnesses: James Talbott of Langton, shoe maker; Charles Hordle, Wareham; Robert D Marshfield of Wareham, attorney at law
Proved 6 April 1854 by Davis Davies, rights reserved to Henry Way House.
Renunciation of Henry Way House dated July 1864 field in the registry pursuant of order dated 30 July 186[unclear?]