The BARNES Family settled in Fordington well before the start of parish registers where fragments survive from as early as 1577. Many Registers are also missing for the entire period 1577 to 1663 inc GN1. What we do know of them comes mainly from a series of Wills and Letters of Administration held at the Wiltshire Archives as Fordington, unlike the rest of Dorchester, was a Royal Borough and came under the peculiar jurisdiction of the Dean of Sarum. From these Wills it is clear that they were husbandmen, and yeomen living in Fordington and working agricultural strips in Fordington Fields. They are interesting in that several inventories give us a good insight to the way they lived and a few of the people they interacted with and more importantly family relationships. The loss of so many records makes it extremely difficult to be sure of some relationships but recently (2023) Peta Winzar has kindly provided transcriptions of the Surveys of Fordington Manor which were undertaken for the Prince of Wales in the years 1600 , 1615 and 1650 . These documents are invaluable as they cover some of the ground where documents are missing and specifically relate to copyhold grants for tenements and plots granted for up to 3 lives in Fordington Fields . Whilst this has doubled our knowledge we are still a long way short of comprehensive information. All the evidence so far however points to only one family whose descendants worked plots of land in Fordington Fields for many generations.
© Compiled and transcribed by Michael Russell OPC for Fordington Oct 2023
John BARNES (c1515-1567) appears to be one of the sons of the family that originally settled in Fordington during the reign of Henry VIII. There is no trace of any information relating to his own parents or siblings. He lived through a very turbulent period of our history which included the dissolution of the monasteries 1536-1540, Henry VIII's demise in 1547, the short Regency of Edward VI (1541-1553), The 9 day reign of Jane Grey who was quickly overthrown by the Catholic Queen Mary I (1553-1558) and finally the first 9 years in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I who ascended the thrown in 1558. John was probably born circa 1515 and married his wife Christian about 1542. His eldest son John BARNES is not mentioned in his will being already independent with his own plot in Fordington Fields but he left a Will when he died in 1609 in which he leaves bequests to his sister Thomasin and other surviving siblings, nephews and nieces.
We know from John BARNES (c1515-1567) Will dated 7th Feb 1566/7 and transcribed below, that he probably died within a few months before probate was granted on 28th May 1567. His death predates the start of surviving Parish Registers at St Georges Church which start in 1577 but he asks in his Will to be buried at Fordington. He was survived by his wife named Christian who he appoints as his executrix, and leaves bequests to his surviving children named as William BARNES Senior, William BARNES Junior, Dorothy, Thomasin and Eme. He also appoints in his Will 'his beloved bretherin GN3 Robert BARNES as one of his Overseers who was also one of the witnesses when it was signed on 7th Feb 1566/7 and clearly therefore already a responsible adult. Robert lives for another 20 years after John's death and a transcription of his own Will is given in Section 2 below.
© Wilshire Archives Dated 7th Feb 1566/7 -- Proved 28th May 1567 GN4
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In the name of God Amen the seventh day of February Ao Dm mli ¢¢¢¢¢ lxij [1567] I John BARNES of Fordington in the peculiar jurisdiction there, sick in body but of good and pfecte [perfect] remembrance (thanks be God) Do ordain and make my Testament containing my Last Will in manner and form following, ,
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First:- I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty god my creator only redeemer & Saviour, And: my body to be the ecclesiastical burial of my parish aforesaid [Fordington]
Item: I bequeath to our Lady church of Sarum 4d
Item: To the church of Fordington half an acre of barley
Item: To the poor mens box in Fordington 7d
Item: I bequeath to my son William Barnes Senior a cart with one cart horse to be delivered him immediately after the decease of my wife and not before, And - if it fortune the said William to dye before he do enjoy the above said cart and horse then I will my son* William Barnes Junior to enjoy the same at such time as is above specified and not before
Item: To every one of my daughters two sheep each
Item: To every of my sons two sheep each
Item:: To my daughter Dorothy one brass pan containing abt 6 gallons in measure
Item: To my daughter Thomasyn [Thomasin] one brass crock of two gallons
Item: To my daughter Eme one kettle containing about 6 gallons
Item: The residue of my goods movable and unmovable I give and bequeath to my wife Christian which said Christian I do ordain and make the only and whole executrix of this my last & Testament
Item: I do ordain and appoint my trusted and well beloved bretherin Robert Barnes & William Cosen the elder to see this my present testament and last will to be well and faithfully performed & done
These Witnesses Roger Crockett Vicar these William Cosen, Robert Barnes & Ambrose Hunt with others
(Very rough translation from Latin) Probate of the written testament of John BARNES deceased of the pish [pariah] Fordington within the peculiar jurisdiction of the Dean of Sarum was granted by the Magistrate John JAMES Doctor of Law and official of the Court on xxviij [28th] day in the month of May Anno Domini mli ¢¢¢¢¢ lxvij [1567]
(1.1 John BARNES (c1543-1609) Does not feature in his fathers Will as he had already received his inheritance when his father paid for a copyhold tenement and farthinghold in Fordington Fields. Although the record is badly damaged he appears in the 1600 Survey of Fordington Manor as holding a relatively new copyhold grant dated 1599/1600. Unfortunately this survey did not include extant lives on the copyhold grants but may possibly have been granted to include his wife Maude. We know of her from his Will dated in 1609 which makes her his executrix and leaves various bequests to his siblings and their offspring. It also confirms that he was a tenant farmer. as the inventory of his goods includes reference to 15 acres of corn (a farthinghold) and 20 shillings worth of wheat lying in the Barn as well as owning 2 cows, 2 bullocks, a hog, 136 sheep and 11 lambs. A transcription of his Will and Inventory of his goods and more information about him is the subject of Section 3 below.
(1.2) William BARNES Senior (1545-1620)
(1.2.1) Margareta BARNES (1604- ) described as the daughter of William BARNES Senior was baptised on the 28th April 1604 at FStG Church. There is no sign of a prior marriage probably because parish registers have not survived from 1595 to 1605. She married Owen HENDRY at FStG on 27th May 1630.
(1.3) Dorothy BARNES (c1548 - aft 1567) Beneficiary under his fathers Will in 1567 left brass pan and 2 sheep. No further trace, probably died, as not a beneficiary in her brother John Barnes Will in 1609.
(1.4) Thomasyn BARNES (c 1551 - aft 1609)Beneficiary under her fathers Will in 1567 left brass crock and 2 sheep. She married a Thomas SHERWYN before 1576 as a son John SHERWYN was baptised at FStG in the early part of the year 1577. She is the beneficiary in Robert BARNES Will in 1588 referred to as Tomsie SHERRINGE who is to be 'paid after my wife's decease £6.13.4d'. She is also a beneficiary under the will of her brother John Barnes who died in 1609 who refers to her as his sister Thomasin SHERWIN when he leaves her "an acre of barley lying in Marell, a half acre of wheat lying in Shortbreach, and a yard of barley lying in Yorden". John also leaves her husband Thomas SHERWIN a pair of breeches and his waistcoat together with a bushel of malt and 2 bushels of wheat. They clearly also had another son as John also leaves a sheep to their son Robert SHERWIN. I have found no other trace of her family.
(1.5) William BARNES Junior (1553-aft 1618/19)
There are many references to a William BARNES throughout surviving documentation and complications are evident right from the start with his father's Will in 1567. I have never come across a situation where parents have given two surviving sons the same name and simply differentiated between them by 'senior' and 'junior' but copyhold grants in 1615 do indeed suggest that William BARNES Senior was born c1545 and William BARNES Junior c1553.
The only situation I can think of is that he was perhaps a nephew of one of John's brothers and already named William Barnes. If both his parents had died when he was very young and there was no other suitable guardian perhaps he was simply adopted as another of their children? In any event both senior and junior survive, as explained above, as William Barnes junior is listed in the 1615 Survey for the Manor of Fordington
as holding the half place* of 25 acres and 3 rood previously held in 1600 by his elder brother. Usefully it gives his age as being 62 making him born c1553, which suggests he is also now the second life in William Barnes Senior's whole place plot that he has taken over from William Barnes the Elder.
Returning to the half place copyhold held in his name* it is held for two lives, his own aged 62 and a 2nd life aged 53 which is probably his wife making her born c1562.
The average age at which men married in Fordington was 27 so we might expect children from around 1580. Although baptism registers have not survived from 1578-1584 there is are two baptisms one in 1585 and another 1587. The first is for a William Barnes the son of William Barnes the younger whom I believe to be the son of William Barnes the Elder, but the second is for a William BARNES the son of William BARNES-- (edge of document missing) who was baptised on the 25th Nov 1587. He seems likely to be one of their children with his mother then being aged 25.
Entry from Casebook of Sir Francis Ashley JP :-
Page 56 : 8th Jan 1618/19 William BARNES Junior of Fordington, described as a labourer, was bound over in the sum of £20 along with Hamnet WHITE the husband of Christian BARNES together with her brother Michael BARNES in the sum of £10 to the next Quarter Sessions for being drunk and striking the constable and abusing his own father. On the 16th Jan 1618/19 at the same Quarter Sessions another order issued against William BARNES Junior of Fordington in £10 and William BARNES Senior and Hamnet White bound over to the next Sessions at Blandford in £5 - amongst other orders annotated as "Tipler Suppressed".
Children:-
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(1.5.1) William BARNES (1587-1660) bapt FStG 25th Nov 1587. Entry from Casebook of Sir Francis Ashley JP :- Page 6 "John STANDISH bound over in £10 for harbouring idle persons in his house and other misdemeanors - bound over with Thomas Blatcheford brewer of Dorchester in £5 and Wm Barnes of Fordington in £5. -- This will be either Wm Barnes the son of Wm Barnes Junior (1587- ) above or Wm Barnes the son of Wm Barnes the Younger (1585 - ) .
If we now look at the situation in the 1650 Survey of Fordington Manor we have a William BARNES holding a copyhold grant dated 22nd Oct 1639 for "a tenant with appurtenances commonly called a whole place containing by estimation 2 acres & 3 roods of Meadow & pasture and 54 acres of Arable for the Lives of the said Wm aged 60 years And of Robt Barnes his Brother aged 57 years and of Anthony his sonne aged 28 years successively according to the Custom of the said Manor". So the plot is within a quarter of an acre of the estimated size of the original plot held by William Barnes Senior by copyhold granted in 1590/1, and we have confirmation that it has descended by custom of the manor. William's age of 60 as ever with the Surveys is a best estimate but fits reasonably well with his actual baptism in 1587. On this basis William has a brother Robert and a nephew Anthony as shown in para (1.5.2) below.
[Note:- Parish Registers Missing or too badly damaged 1589-1602 inc and 1609-1613 inc*]
(1.5.2) Robert BARNES (c1590/1593 - aft.1650) married Unknown c1614?
(1.5.2.1) Yeedith [Edith] BARNES (1615 - aft.1615) Baptised FStG 28th July 1615
(1.5.2.1) Anthony BARNES (c1623 - aft.1650)
(1.5.3) Catheryne [Catherine] BARNES (* ? - 1618) recorded as the daughter of William BARNES Junior (Sic) buried FStG 8th Mar 1618/19.
William BARNES (1587-1660) wrote his Will on 20th July 1658 describing himself as a Yeoman stricken in years (follow link for image and transcription).
(1.6) Eme [Emme] BARNES (c1555-1630/1) - Beneficiary under her fathers Will in 1567 when he left her 2 sheep and a kettle containing 6 gallons. She married Roger WINSOR (1551-1640's) a husbandman of Fordington during the period 1579 to 1585/6 when parish registers are missing. Roger was the 2nd son of John WINDSOR the Elder who left him 'his best acre of barley' in his Will dated 30th Apr 1583. On 1st April 1588 her Husband Roger WINSOR was one of the appraisers of the goods of Robert BARNES and was one of the witnesses to the signing of the Will of his widow Agnes BARNES written on 28th Dec 1591. Roger WYNSOR appears in the listing of Tenants in the 1600 Survey of Fordington Manor which shows he held a half place by copyhold grant dated 1566/7. Roger still held this half place in the 1615 Survey of the Manor, when he was aged 64 (ie born circa 1551, which means he was named on the copy when he was around 11 years old). In the 1607 Survey of the manor, his holding is described as Roger Wynsor, Brittayne, East Tithing, son of John [deceased – 1583] and Alice - 22 and a half acres, one and a half meadows, and one yard of pasture – rent 13s 4d.
Eme WINSOR was a beneficiary under her brother John BARNES Will dated 1609 being left a bushel of malt. Her husband Roger WINSORE is left his best coat and shoes . Emme WINSOR described as the wife of Roger WINSOR was buried at FStG on 7th Feb 1630/1.
(1.6.1) Roger WINSOR (1587 - aft 1609) Bapt at FStG on 25th May 1587. Beneficiary under Will of John BARNES Will in 1609 when left his best doublet, 2nd best shoes, a ewe, a lamb and a pure sheep.
(1.6.2) Richard WINSOR (c1588 - ) Bapt missing aft June 1588 to Feb 1591 inc. Beneficiary under Will of John BARNES Will in 1609 when he and his sister Alice are left an acre of wheat lying at 'Brewers Pit' - also a sheep
(1.6.3) Alice WINSOR (c1590 - ) Bapt missing aft June 1588 to Feb 1591 inc. Beneficiary under Will of John BARNES Will in 1609 when she and her brother Richard are left an acre of wheat lying at 'Brewers Pit' - also a white coverled, a blanket and a brass pot with a break in the side.
(1.6.4) Mary WINSOR (1592 - ) Bapt at FStG on 9th Apr 1592. Possibly the beneficiary under Will of John BARNES Will in 1609 granted to Marion WINSOR when left 2 sheep
(1.6.5) John WINSOR (1594 - ) Bapt at FStG about June 1594 Beneficiary under Will of John BARNES Will in 1609 when left 2 sheep
(1.6.6) Margery WINSOR (c1596 - ) Bapt Registers Missing 1595 to 1602 inc Beneficiary under Will of John BARNES Will in 1609 when she shares 3 sheep with her sister Katherine
(1.6.7) Katherine WINSOR (c1598 - ) Bapt Registers Missing 1595 to 1602 inc Beneficiary under Will of John BARNES Will in 1609 when she shares 3 sheep with her sister Margery
Robert BARNES (d.1588) was a very close relative of John BARNES (d.1566/7) of Fordington above and was present when his will was written and named as one of his overseers. He is most likely to be the son of one of his brothers. As a young man he appears to have been well established as Robert BARNES, described as being from Fordington, appears in the Municipal Records of Dorchester under Charter 675 dated 10th Aug 1574 when he and his wife Agnes sell to George Robinson a Gentleman their burgage and garden lying north of Durn Lane [later Durngate]. Clearly they are not without means. Both Robert and his wife Agnes live for over another 21 years after John's death before Robert dies leaving a Will and Inventory of his goods which I have transcribed below. Robert Barnes was buried at St Georges Church in Fordington on 27th March 1588. From the Inventory of his goods it is clear that they are also running a smallholding, have a much more substantial list of possessions than average, and even have resident servants (Ralph Juster and his wife Mary, Edith was their daughter) which equates more with the status of a Yeoman than a husbandman. There is no evidence of any surviving children, after a number of specific bequests he leaves the rest to his widow Agnes.
In reading his will it is important to note that 21 years have passed since John BARNES death in 1567. As we might expect a number of things have changed. One of Robert's bequests is to Tomsie SHERINGE. 'Tomsie' is a colloquial form of 'Thomasine' and this is John BARNES daughter Thomasyne BARNES who married after her father's death in 1567 to a Thomas SHERWIN, but before 1576 when her eldest son is baptised at FStG. Ralph JUSTER and his wife Mary are Robert BARNES Servants and Edith JUSTER mentioned in the Will is their eldest daughter. They are also beneficiaries under his widow Agnes Will in 1591.
WILL of Robert BARNES of Fordington
© Wiltshire Archives Will dated 27th Mar 1587/8 -- Inv. 1st Apr 1588-- Proved 1st Apr 1588 GN5
In the name of God Amen the seventh and twentieth day of March in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth - 30th [i.e.17th Nov 1587 to 16th Nov 1588] I Robert BARNES of Fordington within the peculiar jurisdiction of Sarum being sick in body (but thanked be God) of good and perfect memory do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following
First: I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Saviour and redeemer, and my body to be buried within the churchyard of Fordington in Christian burial
Item:: I give and bequeath unto the poor of Fordington 12d.
Item:: I give and bequeath to every of my godchildren 4d
Item:: I give and bequeath unto my man Ralfe [Ralph] JUSTER £5 to be paid immediately after my decease.
Item:: I give and bequeath to Tomsie [Thomasin] SHERINGE [SHERWIN] to be paid after my wife's decease £6.13.4d
Item:: I give and bequeath unto William BARNES the elder a brass pot which I lent him
Item:: I give and bequeath unto William BARNES the younger the cupboard next the entry, 2 candlestick, a salt cellar and 3 pottingers upon the same, my second best chest, the tableboard in the hall, two middle brass pots, a yoting vat, and my brewing pan in the furnace; All which household stuff and implements I will my wife to have the use of them during her natural life
Item:: I give and bequeath unto Edith JUSTER a platter
Item:: I give and bequeath unto Richard RUSSELL Curate of Fordington two ewes and two lambs to be paid him immediately after my decease
Item:: I give and bequeath unto John MOGG a bushel of wheat
Item:: I give and bequeath unto William CORBYN a bushel of wheat
The rest of my goods and chattels both moveable and unmoveable not given and bequeathed (my debts, legacies and funerals discharged) I give and bequeath unto Agnes my wife whom I make my whole Executrix
These being witnesses Richard RUSSELL , [curate]; Ralph WILLES; John MOGG; William CORBIN; Edith DIGGETT and Tomsie SEGER the wife of Robert SEGAR with others
Debts due to me:
Richard PROWER £3
Debts I Owe:
William BARNES the younger at Whitsun next £5
Itm: To William ADYN the younger 20s
To BAYLIE the shoemaker 20s
To hosier I owe 3 bushels of wheat
Itm: To Richard PROWER nine bushels of wheat
Itm: To William BELLMAN seven bushels of wheat
Very Rough Translation - Probate of this written testament of Robti [Robert] BARNES deceased within the prebendary of Fordington and Writhlington before the venerable magistrate and official of Sarum Thomas DILWORTH 10th day of April AD 1588
Impremis: Barley not threshed ----------------------xxxiijs iiijd
Item: Wheat not Threshed ---------------------------xxxijs
Item: Wheat in the field xji [12] acres --------------xiijli vjs viiijd
Item: iij [3] acres of oats lately sowed & a yard of ffathes --?xvjs
Item: Dredge malt 14 bushels ------------------------ixs iiijd
Item: Four Horses & Harness ------------------------iiijli vjs viijd
Item: iij [3] Kyne [Cows] -----------------------------iiijli
Item: ij [2] small pigs ---------------------------------viijs
Item: Sheep good and bad [i.e. infected with liver fluke]---vjli vs
Item: a Cart furnisht [furnished] --------------------xxs
Item: a full four harrows & plough chain -----------vs viijd
Item: ij [2] saddles ------------------------------------iijs iiijd
Item: Timber & wood in the backside --------------xxs
Item: a trooc? grinding stone & a sheaf ring --------xxd
Item: ij [2] baoies?, ij [2] saws iij [3] borriers & a chesell [chisel] ----iijs
Item: iij [3] keeping hooks & ij [2] corn pikes -------xijd
Item: a woodpooke ij [2] hatchets an axe -------------xvjd
Item: iij [3] pairs of fetters & ij horse locks -----------iijs
Item: a slegge [sledge?] a Lantern, a Bottle -----------xijd
Item: iiij [4] fates [vats] ij [2] toubes [tubs] & v [5] firkins ----vjs iiijd
Item: a brake, bushel & peck, old boards & other trash -----iijs iiijd
Item: a brass pan in the furnace ----------------------xiijsiiijd
Item: ij [2] brass pots given as an implement --------xijs
Item: iij [3] brass pots & a skillet ---------------------xiijs iiijd
Item: iij [3] brass pans ij [2] kettles a chaffing dish & a skimmer ---xxs
Item: a yotinge fate ---------------------------------------viijs
Item: the second best chest ------------------------------viiis
Item: iiij [4] coffers & a chest ----------------------------xvjs
Item: the lesser cupboard & table board -----------------viijs
Item: another cupboard & a salt ---------------------------ixs
Item: iij [3] forms iij [3] chairs ij [2] stools & a settle -----vjs viiijd
Item: ij [2] platters a pottinger ij [2] candlesticks & a salt given as a legacy ---iijs vjd
Item: vj [6] platters v [5] pottingers & v [5] saucers ------xiiijs
Item: dishes trenchers & a bowl ---------------------------xijd
Item: ij [2] pot crokes ij[2] pott hangings a broche & a gridiron, andier & tonges -----ijs
Item: a still ----------------------ijs vjd
Item: a bow, sheef of arrows,sword & dagger --------xs
Item: viij [8] silver spoons ----------------xxiiijs
Item: DEBTS Due to Him ------------------------xxiiijli
Item: ij [2] feather beds ij [2] bolsters ij [2] pillows ----xxs
Item: iij [3] pair of sheets a coverlett ----iij [3] board cloths & ij [2] pillowtyes ---xs
Item: iij [3] Bedsteads ---------------------------iiijs
Item: His Apparel ---------------------------------xvs viijd
SUM Total is : lli xjs viijd
Whereof deduct Wheat which he owes as appears in his will - 19 Bushels ------xxxviijs
Item: Debts which he owes in all vijli
Then xljli xijs
Inventory was exhibited and probate granted to Agnes BARNES executrix on 1st April 1588
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Agnes BARNES (d.1591) his widow lived another 3 years. She died in 1591 leaving a Will dated 28th Dec 1590 which was proved on 17th June 1591. Although the Parish Register at Fordington is very badly damaged she was one of two widows buried there on either the 17th April or 17th May 1591. Their servants Ralph and Mary JUSTER continued to serve Agnes in her widowhood and she is quite generous to them and their children. Agnes leaves a number of bequests to various people but non to other members of the Barnes Family as these were all dealt with in her husbands Will. By the time she died she was living in a house in Dorchester with Johane YOUNGE the daughter of Roger YOUNGE of Alton and after all her bequests she leaves the rest to the poor of Fordington making the vicar her executor.
PRO 11/77 Dated 28th Dec 1591 : Buried FStG Apr/May 1591 : Proved 17th June 1591
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WILL Agnetis [Agnes] BARNE: Dated the 28th Dec 1590 -- I Agnce [Agnes] BARNE of Fordington ----
I First yield my soul into the hands of god and commit my bodie to the grave to be buried in the Churchyard at FFordington
Also I give unto the poor people of Fordington ten shillings and to the poor alms folke of Dorchester 10s and to the prisoners at the goal of Dorchester 10s--
Item: To Johane YOUNGE the daughter of Roger YOUNGE of Alton now dwelling with me the sum of £5 to be delivered to her on her day of marriage if she so long live; if she died to her sister Agnes YOUNGE Also I give unto the same Johane Young my best cofer
Item: I give to Edith JUSTER the daughter of Ralph JUSTER £5 the cupboard in the hall the greatest candlestick saving one and one platter of the middle sort to remain to her use until the time of her age of 21 or her day of marriage, If she die my will is that her brother Roger JUSTER shall have that portion. Also I give unto Roger JUSTER the son of Ralph JUSTER my best cow and 20 shillings when 21 Also: I give unto Mary JUSTER the wife of Ralph JUSTER my best featherbed and my little skillett
Item: I give unto Roger YOUNG of Alton my grey nagg and to Agnes his daughter a kerchief the greatest candlestick and greatest platter
Item: I give unto my sister Katherine HIBBARTS of Dorchester a canvas hooredcloath [headcloth] and forty shillings;
Item: I give to o Robert BRYNE the elder and Katherine his wife after him and after their days to Robert BRYNE their son a cow to remain among them for their sufference
Item: I give to John KEATE of Weymouth all my household stuff now being in my house at Dorchester
Item: I give unto John STALLINGTON my greatest crocke Also I give unto Richard MYNTERN of Plush my best crocke
Also: I give unto Roger WYNSOR* of Fordington my soull ? and all things thereto belonging
Also: I give to Marryan CORBYN of Dorchester 10s;
Also: I give to Xpofer [Christopher] WHITTLE 5s:
And to Alice PEERE a fine sheet;
Item: I give to a poor kinswoman of mine commonly called Ellen of Dorchester my worst gown my worst pettycoat and a cofer
Lastly I give to every of my godchildren to whom is nothing already bequeathed some part of my pewter and brass vessels yet not given at the discretion of my overseers
The Rest I give unto the poor people of Fordington and do ordaine in their names Christopher WHITTLE Vicar of Fordington my executor Overseers John ADYN and John WATTES of Dorchester
Witnesses:- Christopher WHITTLE John ADYN Senior; John WATTES Roger WYNSTER and others
*[Note:- Roger WINSOR was the husband of Eme WINSOR nee BARNES (c1555-1630/1) the daughter of John BARNES (c1515-1567) ]
The bequests in his will include "to my sister Thomasin SHERWIN" who married Thomas SHERWIN. Most of the other bequests are also to his siblings or his nephews and nieces including his sister Eme BARNES who has married Roger WINSOR.
John BARNES was a beneficiary of 9 shillings under the Will of John TUCKER of Fordington dated 29th Apr 1588 who was buried at FStG on 7th May 1588
Will dated 14th Jun 1609 -- Died 16th June 1609 -- Inv. 1609 -- Proved 1st Sep 1609
© Wiltshire Archives SPC 1609 8 163: P5/1609/3 + P5/8 REG/163B
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BARNES: In the name of the eternal God Amen: The xiiijth [14th] day of June Ano Domini 1609 I John BARNES of Fordington within the peculiar jurisdiction of New Sarum make this my Testament and Last Will in manner and form following:
First: I commend my soul into the hands of God father, who hath made me and all the world, and hath given they son to die for me and for all mankind and further for thy sons sake have mercy upon me & draw me unto the, Amen. Jesus be then a merciful mediator for me unto they father that I may find favour in his sight and to be saved, Amen.
As concerning my body I commend it to the earth and to be buried as is use [custom] and right
Item: I give unto the church of Fordington --ijsijs [2s.]
Item:: To the poor people there xs [10s.]
Item: I give unto John BARNE the son of William BARNE j[1] brass pot which sometimes was his grandfathers, mine coffer, & iiij [4] chairs
Item: To Marye, Christian, Katherine & to Micheas the son and daughters of William BARNE to every of them ij [2] sheep a piece [each]
Item: To himself & to William BARNE & to Anthony BARNE his sons to every of them a sheep
Item: To William BARNE the son of William BARNE the Elder j [1] ewe
Item: I give unto Richard WINSORE & to Alice WINSORE the son and daughter of Roger WINSORE j [1] acre of wheat lying at Brewers Pitte [pit], also I give unto the said Richard j [1] pure sheep
Item: To his brother John WINSORE ij [2] pure sheep
Item: I give to the foresaid Alice WINSORE j [1] white coverled, & j [1] blanket & j [1] brass pot with a break in the side
Item: I give to Roger WINSORE my best coat, & best shoes,
Item: To his son Roger WINSORE my best doublet & second best shoes, j [1] yoe [ewe] & lamb, & j [1] pure sheep
Item: To Marian WINSORE, Margery, & Katherine daughters of Roger WINSORE v [5] sheep, ij [2] of them to remain unto Marian the other to the other 2 sisters
Item: I give to my sister Thomasin SHERWIN [SHERINGE] j [1] acre of barley lying in Marell, j [1] half acre of wheat lying in Shortbreach, j [1] yard of barley lying in Yorden
Item: I give to Thomas SHERWIN j [1] pair of breeches & waistcoat
Item: I give unto Robert SHERWIN his son j [1] sheep
Item: I give to William BARNE the elder j [1] cloak and j [1] coat
Item: to my goddaughter Johan JOHNSON j [1] ewe & lamb
Item: to John, Ann, and Katherine son and daughters of John WHITE vj [6] ewes and vj [6] lambs
Item: I give unto Thomasin SHERWIN j [1] bushel of malt & ij [2] bushels of wheat
Item:em: To Eme WINSOR j [1] bushel of malt
The Residue of my goods moveable and unmoveable by what title or name soever they be called I give and bequeath unto Maude my wife who I appoint & make executrix of this my last Will & Testament & to see my funeral accomplished [Note:- There are no witnesses on either the original or copy will]
© Wiltshire Archives Dated 16th June 1609 ; Ref P5/1609/3
An Inventory of all the goods chattels and debts of John BARNES who deceased the xvjth [16th] day of June 1609 praised by Roger WINSORE, William TUCKER, John WHITE
Impremis: [In the first place] one standing bed with its furniture ---- iiijli xiijs iiijd
Item: Three pair of sheets & iiij [4] coffers ---- xxs
Item: His wearing apparel ---- ijli
Item: j [1] grinterne & malt therein ----jli xiijs iiijd
Item: j [1] picke, a mor?a, with other vessels ----ixs viijd
Item: j [12] brass pan ---- xiijs iiijd
Item: iiij [4] bass pots , j [1] posnet, & j[1] kettle ----xxvs
Item: Pewter vessels , j [1] candlestick and j [1] mortice --- xxs
Item: j [1] cupboard & j [1] chest ---- xxs
Item: ij [2] pans of brandize, pothooke and j [1] frying pan ---- ijs
Item j [1] tableboard & ij [2] frame stools ---- xs
Item: ij [2] trendels, j [1] covell [coverlett?] & iij [3] vats ----xijs
Item: iiij [4] barrels, iij [3] trendels, j [1] bowl, i [1] three platters---- xs
Item: ij [2] [pales, j [1] bushell & j [1] peck ----ijs
Item: wheat in the barn ---- xxs
Item: ij [2] kine, ij [2] bullocks, & j [1] hog ---- vlixs
Item: vj [6] score & xvj [136] Sheep ---- xljli xijs
Item: xj [11] lambs ---- xxijs
Item: xv acres & half of corn ---- xxvijli
Impremis: Thomas DENSH ----xlijs
John MOOGE ---- xjs
We have no information about his direct ancestry but he is clearly contemporary with William BARNES (1545-1620) Senior above and most likely therefore to be a nephew of John BARNES (c1518-1567).
We know from the Survey of Fordington Manor in 1600 that Anthony BARNES (Senior) held a whole place in Fordington Fields by copyhold grant dated c1599 and from the Survey in 1615 that he was then aged 67 years making him born approximately in 1548. The plot was for just over 58 acres and held for 3 lives. His own and for two sons aged 33 and 30. He married an Agnes (c1555-1628) probably around 1580/1 (parish registers are missing 1579-1585inc). We have no information about her ancestry but if she was the average age for a woman of 25 when she married a tentative estimate of when she was born is c1555. Agnes BARNES (c1555-1628), described in the FStG parish burial register as 'the wife of Anthony BARNES', was buried there on 23rd Apr 1628 but does not appear to have left a Will.
Anthony BARNES name appears on a number of official documents:-
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(1588) Anthony BARNES was one of three people from Fordington that appraised the goods of the Robert BARNES Yeoman of Fordington listed above when he died in 1588.
(1589) Anthony BARNES described as' a husbandmen' and his wife Agnes BARNES were both witnesses to the Will of Ralph WILLES written on 7th Apr 1589. Anthony BARNES was also bound in a Letter of Administration dated 16th July 1591 with his son John WILLES (1559-1616) the executor of his fathers will.
(1604/5) Anthony BARNES referred to as a neighbour was appointed Overseer with 3 others in the Will of William RASKER the Elder of Fordington written on 5th Jan 1604/5 and was also present as a witness when it was signed.
(1613) Anthony BARNES Senior was one of a number of people who appraised the goods etc on 2nd Sep 1613 of Christopher RASKER (1569-1613) when he died.
(1614) Anthony BARNES Senior was a witness to the Will of Joane CROSSE Widow of Fordington dated 6th June 1614
(1615) 1615 - 6th Oct - Entry in Sir Francis Ashley's Casebook page 16: Anthony BARNES of Fordington, yeoman in the sum of £40, Joseph PERKINS of Dorchester clothier in £20, Joseph DYVES of the same , clothier in £20 bound over to the next Sessions in Dorchester for 'Abusing the Constable and committing many foule outrages in contempt of justice', In the meantime to be of good behaviour.
(1617) Entry in 'Fire From Heaven' by David Underdown Page 67 : 1617: Ref to Nicholas Hellier's unsavoury alehouse "His acquaintances included such undesirables as Anthony BARNES , a disorderly Fordington Yeoman
(1617/18) 1617/18 - 7th Jan Entry in Sir Francis Ashley's Casebook page 47: Examination of Marie BARLOW evidence against Nicholas HELLIER : "that (Edward) COLLIER, Anthony BARNES and the said Nicholas HELLIER did use to goe abroad with the hay?, and att another time pulled two long pieces of lead out of his pockett about her fingers length which he said were Tampons to kill deere.
We have been unable to locate his burial, a Will or Letter of administration for his estate. Known Children from the marriage of Anthony BARNES (Senior) to Agnes c1580/1 :-
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(4.1) Anthony BARNES Junior (1582-1617) The second life referred to in the 1615 survey of Fordington Manor was for the life of his eldest son Anthony BARNES when his age was given as being 33 making him born circa 1582. He married to a Mary c1613? and they had a son William BARNES bapt at FStG on 25th Apr 1614.
Mary described as 'the wife of Anthony BARNES Junior' died, possibly from complications at the birth of their 2nd son John, and was buried at FStG on 19th Feb 1618.
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(4.1.1) William BARNES (1614- ) Bap FStG 25th Apr 1614
(4.1.2) John BARNES (1617- 1618) we have no baptism but a son John BARNES described as 'the son of Anthony BARNES Junior' was buried a month after his mother on 23rd March 1618.
(4.2) Unknown (Male) BARNES (1584-aft.1615 ) The third life referred to in the 1615 survey of Fordington Manor was for the life of his 2nd son when his age was given as being 30 making him born circa 1585. We have parish registers however from 1585 to 1588 inc so he is more likely to have been born the year before when registers from 1579 to 1584 inc are missing.
William BARNES the Elder was a beneficiary under the Will of Robert BARNES in 1588 of a brass pot that Robert had lent to him. I have assumed that reference to him as William BARNES the Elder means he was born sometime prior to the birth of William BARNES Senior i.e. before c1545 making him a very old man by the time he died in 1621. This may be why he appears to have passed control of his whole place plot to Wm Barnes Senior by 1615 especially as we have no reference to his son after 1609.
We also know that he was married to a Marie as "Marie the wife of William BARNES the elder was buried the xjth [11th] daye of Januarie 1587/8" at FStG, hence no more children. Marie appears to have been the daughter of one of the deceased sons of Ambrose Hunt (d.1587) who left her a sheep in his Will dated 6th Nov 1586. Ambrose was buried at FStG on 26th Dec 1587 and Marie BARNES nee HUNT (d.1587) may possibly have caught a contagion from him as she was buried there only 15 days later. Robert Barnes (d.1588) himself joined her just 3 months after Ambrose's death. Clearly a trying time for both families who remained close, particularly for William BARNES the Elder who I think is the William BARNES later bound with John HUNT in the administration of the estate of his spinster sister Christain HUNT on 17th July 1600.
The 1600 Survey of the Manor of Fordington shows William BARNES the Elder holding by copyhold grant for a 'whole place' in Fordington Fields. By 1615 however this plot appears to be held by William BARNES Senior.
William BARNES the Elder is also a beneficiary under the Will of his brother John BARNES (d.1609) who leaves him his
cloak and coat. Usefully John Barnes also makes as bequest of
a ewe to 'William the son of William BARNES the Elder' confirming at least one surviving child from his marriage to Marie as shown below. William BARNES the Elder was buried at FStG on 30th Jan 1621 and does not appear to have left a Will.
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(5.1) William BARNES the Younger (bef.1568 - aft 1609) Given the birth of the eldest of 7 children in 1585 he would have married circa 1584. Bride unknown. As his father did not die until 1621 he would probably have worked on his father's whole place farm of 56 acres which they still held in the 1600 Survey of Fordington Manor. Beneficiary under the Will of Robert BARNES (d.1588) receiving *"the cupboard next the entry, 2 candlestick, a salt cellar and 3 pottingers upon the same, my second best chest, the tableboard in the hall, two middle brass pots, a yoting vat, and my brewing pan in the furnace; All which household stuff and implements I will my wife to have the use of them during her natural life". The Inventory of Robert's estate also shows that he 'owed William BARNES the Younger £5 at the next Whitsun'. Robert's widow Agnes BARNES died in April/May 1591 when he presumably received his inheritance. Like his father he also had a bequest in the Will of John BARNES (d.1609) described as "To William BARNE the son of William BARNE the Elder when he was left a Ewe"
(5.1.1) William BARNES (1585 - aft 1615) the son of William BARNES the Younger was baptised at FStG on 12th Dec 1585. Beneficiary of 1 sheep under Will of John BARNES (d.1609). He married on 23rd Nov 1606 (age 21) at FStG between a 'William BARNES' (sic) and Margery RASKER. This Margery appears to be the 3rd child of Robert RASKER and listed as a beneficiary under the will of William RASKER dated 5th Jan 1604/5 when she was unmarried. Known Children [Note:- Parish Registers are missing from 1609 to 1613 inc]
6th Oct 1615 : Extract from Casebook of Sir Francis Ashley JP : Entry from Casebook of Sir Francis Ashley JP :- Page 16 "John STANDISH bound over in £10 for harbouring idle persons in his house and other misdemeanors - bound over with Thomas Blatcheford brewer of Dorchester in £5 and Wm Barnes of Fordington in £5. -- This will be either Wm Barnes the son of Wm Barnes Junior (1587- ) or Wm Barnes the son of Wm Barnes the Younger (1585 - ) above.
18th Jan 1618/19 : Extract page 57 William BARNES of Fordington Husbandman bound over in £20 with John WHITE of Fordington in £10 "Tipler Suppressed"
(5.1.2) Anthonie BARNES (1587 - aft 1615) the son of William BARNES (torn missing) was baptised 16th day of December 1587. Beneficiary of 1 sheep under Will of John BARNES (d.1609).
(5.1.3) John BARNES (c.1589 - aft 1631/2) Husbandman baptism registers missing - Beneficiary of the brass pot which sometimes was his grandfathers together with a coffer and 4 chairs under Will of John BARNES (d.1609). The brass pot seems to carry some significance as it features in Robert BARNES Will (d.1588).
John BARNES is mentioned a number of times in the Casebook of Sir Francis Ashley JP :-
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(1) Page 63 - 30th Mar 1620 - Bound over with his brother Micheas BARNES 10th June 1620 See para 5.1.7. (3) below.
(2) Page 94 : 24th Dec 1626 John BARNES of Fordington, husbandman in £20 Hamnet WHITE & Michael BARNES of the same husbandman each in £10 bound over to the next Sessions.
(3) Page104 - 24th Mar 1631/2 John REASON of Bryanspuddle yeoman in £20; William MILLER of Dorchester brewer and John BARNES of Fordington husbandman each in £10; bound over to the next sessions 'for beating Michaiah [Micheas] BARNES upon the high way'. Richard HARRIS of Kingston Yeoman in £20; John REASON of Bryanspuddle in £20; bound over to the next sessions 'upon the oath of Michaish BARNES'. NOTE:- Released upon petition of Michaish BARNES 7 Apr 1632'. This is interesting as on 7th April 1630 at the Quarter Sessions held at Shaston Michaiah BARNES had been sworn in as a constable of Fordington. and the following year his brother John BARNES took over being sworn in at the Quarter Sessions held at Sherborne from 21st Apr 1631.
(5.1.4) Mary BARNES (c 1591 - aft 1609) baptism registers missing - Beneficiary of 2 sheep under Will of John BARNES (d.1609).
(5.1.5) Christian BARNES (c.1593? -aft 1650) Beneficiary of 2 sheep under Will of John BARNES (d.1609).
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Note:- We are not sure of Christian's actual birth date. This is because we only have her parents marriage followed by baptisms for the first 2 of their 7 children as parish registers are missing from 1579 to Sep 1585 inc & from July 1588 -1590 inc . The rest have had to be estimated as 2 years apart taking the order their names appear in John Barnes (d.1609) Will. In reality I think she was quite a bit before 1593. What we can be sure of is that these families all knew one another very well and marriage would have secured her future. .
She married Hamnet WHITE (c1561-1633/4) at FStG on 28th Feb 1608/9. Hamnet WHITE is listed as a customary tenant in the 1615 Survey of Fordington Manor which shows he was then holding a whole plot in Fordington Fields for a tenement and 60 acres and 3 rood of land. Follow link provided and note my comments about their ages. Hamnet's 1st wife Joan was buried at FStG on 11th Sep 1608 and probably died following complications after the birth of her daughter Elizabeth who had been bapt only 10 days earlier. With a full sized farm and a baby to look after he clearly needed another wife hence marriage 5 months after her death. If my assessment of their respective ages is correct and the 33 years 2nd life refers to her she would have been born earlier in 1582 making her aged 25 at marriage which does seem more likely. When Hamnet died in 1633 Christian was bound in a Letter of Administration with her brother Micheas for the correct administration of Hamnet's estate. Christian still holds this plot in the 1650 Survey of Fordington Manor with her step daughter Elizabeth having reversion rights (although it refers to her mother as being Elenor?).
(5.1.6) Katherine BARNES (c.1595 - aft 1609) baptism registers missing - Beneficiary of 2 sheep under Will of John BARNES (d.1609).
(5.1.7) Micheas (Michael) BARNES (1598 - 1681) Yeoman baptism registers missing - Beneficiary of 2 sheep under Will of John BARNES (d.1609). Michaes (Michael) BARNES, who is variously referred to as a Husbandman or Yeoman of Fordington, is mentioned a number of times in the Casebook of Sir Francis Ashley JP for fairly minor misdemeanors such as being drunk, assault or obstructing constables etc. :-
(1) Page 56 - 8th Jan 1618/19 -- Bound Over with William Barnes Junior and his brother-in-law Hamnet WHITE for being drunk and striking the constable and his own farther
(2) Page 58 - 30th Mar 1619 -- Hamnett WHITE of Fordington, husbandman, in £20 Robert WINSER of the same and Michael BARNES of the same, husbandmen, in £10 Bound over to the next Sessions in Dorchester, 'for shooting of a musket between ix and x o'clock at night at the keeper's howse window and for being droncke'.
(3) Page 63 - 10th June 1620 -- Michael BARNES, yeoman in £20, John BARNES, brother of Michael BARNES, Henry HOLMAN and Hamnet WHITE in £10 bound over 'for taking a possession by force and refusing to let a justice of the peace come into the howse'.
(4) Page 94 - 3rd Oct 1626 -- Ambrose WHITE of Fordington in £20, Michalah [Michaes or Michael] BARNES of the same yeoman and Joseph PARCHES of Dorchester baker each in £10 bound over to the next Sessions. ALSO page 94 : 24th Dec 1626 :John BARNES of Fordington, husbandman in £20 Hamnet WHITE & Michael BARNES of the same husbandman each in £10 bound over to the next Sessions.
(5) Page104 - 24th Mar 1631/2, John REASON of Bryanspuddle yeoman in £20; William MILLER of Dorchester brewer and John BARNES of Fordington husbandman each in £10; bound over to the next sessions 'for beating Michaiah [Micheas] BARNES upon the high way'. Richard HARRIS of Kingston Yeoman in £20; John REASON of Bryanspuddle in £20; bound over to the next sessions 'upon the oath of Michaish BARNES'. NOTE:- Released upon petition of Michaish BARNES 7 Apr 1632'.
This is interesting as on 7th April 1630 at the Quarter Sessions held at Shaston Michaiah BARNES had been sworn in as a constable of Fordington. and the following year his brother John BARNES took over being sworn in at the Quarter Sessions held at Sherborne from 21st Apr 1631.
Micheas was bound with his sister Christian WHITE nee BARNES for the correct administration of her husbands estate in 1633. Micheas was sworn in for a 2nd time as Constable of Fordington at the Sherborne Assizes held from 7th Sep 1635.
He is listed as a Customary Tenant in the 1650 Survey of Fordington Manor described as " Micheus Barnes holdeth by coppie dated 30 dated Sept:15 Jacobi [1617] a tenement wth thapytenances called a whole place cont by estimacon 3 acres and half of Meddow and 56 acres of arable for the life of him the said Micheus aged 52 yeares according to the custome of the said Mannr."
Mackias BARNES remarried to a Jane HARDY of Grimstone at St Mary's Church in Stratton (just over 3 miles north-west of Dorchester) on 20th Feb 1663/4 and returned to his parish of Fordington. Jane had been the widow of Henry HARDY who was buried at Stratton on 30th May 1662 and Jane was later buried at St Georges Church in Fordington on 23rd Feb 1678/9.
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His 3rd marriage was very late which unusually occurred in All Saints Parish of 10th April 1680 when he married Alice SCUTT. He was then aged 82 and it may well have been undertaken out side Fordington to regularise Alice's position as he wrote his will on 14th July 1681. In his will his first bequests are to his wife Alice whom he leaves 'ten pound ye first year of payment of the bond which I was given of her before we were married' and also 'all my household goods for her use during her life keeping in my name and then to remain to Elizabeth GOULD of ye parish of Shroten [Stratton]' . He made his married daughter Mary GOULD executrix of his will and was buried at FStG on 27th July 1681. His widow Alice BARNES remarried after his death at All Saints Church in Dorchester to Robert BILCKE from Winterborne Steeple
Known children:-
(5.1.7.1) Sarah BARNES (1618- ) baptised FStG 9th Sep 1621
(5.1.7.2) Catring [Catherine] BARNES ( - aft.1681) unknown bapt beneficiary under her father's will in 1681 of 1 shilling.
(5.1.7.3) Joan BARNES (1626- ) baptised 4th Feb 1626 Beneficiary under her father's will of £5 in 1681.
(5.1.7.4) Marey (Mariam) BARNES ( - aft.1681) unknown bapt beneficiary under her father's will in 1681 of 1 shilling and made executrix of his will
(5.1.7.5) Frances BARNES (1635- ) baptised FStG 4th Oct 1635
Dated 14th July 1681 -- Buried 27th July FStG 1681 -- Proved 19th Dec 1681
© Wiltshire Archives: SPC 1681 2 4 : P15/33
WILL: In the name of God amen the 14th of July 1681 etc I Micheas BARNES of Fordington in ye County of Dorset Yeoman being in perfect memory and remembrance :praised be to Gos: do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form Following
First I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God my maker: hoping that through ye meritorious death and passion of Jesus Christ my only Saviour and redeemer I receive free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins and as for my body to be buried in Christian burial at the discretion of my executrix hereafter nominated
Item: I give to my wife Alis [Alice] ten pound ye first year of payment of the bond which I was gave to me of her before I was married.
Item: I give to my wife Alis all my household goods for her use during ye term of her life keeping in my name and then to remain to Elizabeth GOULD of ye parish of Shroten [Stratton]
Item: I give to Micheas STICKLAN £10 to be paid ye 2nd year after my decease
Item: I give to Francis MECKOUR £20 to be paid in full ye fourth year after my decease
Item: I give to my dafter [daughter] Catring [Catherine] 1 shilling
Item: I give to my dafter [daughter] Joan £5 to be paid after ye discretion of my executrix
Item: I give unto Donefi? HENEY? [HENDRY?] my grand child £10 to be paid in six years after my decease
Item: I give unto Roger WINSOR my grand child £10 to be paid after ye discretion of my executrix
Item: I give to ye church of Forington [Fordington] for my burial 10 shillings
Item: I give unto ye poor of Forington [Fordington] ten shillings and for all these my legacies to be paid according to the years appointed after my decease by my wife Alis ye years expired before for her to say to be paid according to this my will or not living out ye full term of six years then of that which is to come to be abolished
Item: I give unto my daughter Marey GOULD one shilling upon condition that she shall pay all my debts and legacies and make her sole executrix of this my last will and testament revoking all other wills and testaments. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal ye day and year first above written
Miches BARNES [Witnesses] William ROBERTS the mark of Henerey GREENING
Dated 4th Aug 1681 : Probate 19th Dec 1681
© Wiltshire Archives: SPC P15/33
August ye 4th 1681 An Inventory taken of ye goods of Mink BARNES who was deceased
[Note:- Mink appears to be a nickname for Micheas] Item: His wearing apparel--- £2
Item: Six Pewter Dishes --- 10s
Item: 1 furness, 1 Cauldron, 1 skillet --- £1
Item: 3 barrels, 5 tubs, 2 pales ---15s
Item: 1 board, 1 cupboard --- 5s
Item: 1 frying pan & tongs & fire pan and rack --- 2s
Item: 1 bed & 2 pairs of sheets & 3 pillowties, 2 pillows & 1 bolster --- £1
Item: 2 bedsteads --- 6s 8d
Item: 1 chest and 2 boxes --- 2s 6d
Item: 3 chairs --- 2s 6d
Item: for feineill & a lader ? ---10s
Item: 1 silver spoon --- 2s 6d
Item: Money --- £3 10s
Item: Money --- £29
Item: Lumber goods with all other small necessaries which not mentioned 2s 6d
This a true Inventory taken of all ye Goods apparel & money of ye Mink BARNES as above written by we
In witness hereunto we have set our hands
Henerey GRINING "H"
William ROBERTS
Probate of this written Testament was granted at Fordington 19th day in the month of December 1681 before Rev Johanne Thornbrough Vicar of Fordington (1665-1683) & Thomas WYATT Prebendary of Fordington & surrogate, to Mariam GOULD daughter of the deceased & executrix nominated in the testament George FROME Registrar