The BARON Family (Part 1)
Burgesses of Dorchester (1419 - 1485 )

King Henry V (1386-1422)

King Henry V - Reign (1413-1422)
© National Portrait Gallery, London under Creative Commons Licence

We are at a time during the the Anglo French conflict generally known as the 100 year war.
The year '1419' has significance as in January of that year Rouen had surrendered after a long siege to Henry V
and this brought Normandy under the control of England

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PROGENITORS of the BARNES Family

King Henry VI (1421-1453)

King Henry VI - 1st Reign (1422-1461)
(Regency until 1437)
© National Portrait Gallery, London under Creative Commons Licence

On 30th May 1431 aged about 19 Joan of Arc was burned at the stake , and on ⁽²⁾
16th Dec 1431 King Henry VI crowned King of France.

(1) - All the records listed on the Annex have been extracted from the Municipal Records of Dorchester, which to date (2024) is our only source for members of the BARON family. I hope that in the future it will be possible to consult the original documents but it would have to be done by someone who was fluent in Latin. Charter 486 for example is clearly a summary of his will and it would be interesting to see how their surname was written in Latin and whether this was consistent across all the documents. Also basic things like when probate was granted I also hope that other documentation may be located from Manor roles or Chancery suits which may add to our knowledge.

(2) - King Henry VI - 1431: Source The Wordsworth Book of the Kings and Queens of Britain pub 1997- page 90: - "Joan of Arc was shortly captured in France. He was in Rouen during her trial, and probably attended some of the sittings. On 2 December he entered Paris and was given a triumphant welcome. He was crowned [King of France] in Nôtre Dame on 16 December" 1431.

(3) - King Henry VI 1440:- He founded Eton College in 1440 as "Kinge's College Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore" as a charity school to provide free education 70 poor boys who would then go onto King's College Cambridge which he also founded in 1441.

BACKGROUND: Few records survive prior to 1500 but it is now clear that the progenitors of the BARNES Family of Fordington originally settled to live in Dorchester in the year 1419 when their surname has been transcribed from Latin as 'BARON'.

The first known member of the Baron family to actually live in Fordington was Walter BARON, and we know from his Will written on 18th March 1440 that he was then already living with his wife Margaret and eldest son John BARON in Fordington. As stated in the section above it is Walter's holdings in 'East Street' that have descended through his son John and probably through a grandson to descend to John BARNES (1512-1567) Yeoman of Fordington who is the oldest member of the BARNES family from which we can trace a line of descent.

Complete Listing of known surviving records of the BARNES family and my research notes can be accessed at Annex B through this link.

In this section we are trying to cover the period from 1500 until the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660. Parish Registers⁽¹⁾ for Fordington only started in 1577 and most were lost during the Civil War but we are fortunate that some badly damaged transcipts sent to the Bishop at Blandford have survived and the family still had sufficient wealth and status to leave behind a series of Wills and Letters of Administration held at the Wiltshire Archives from which we have a better idea of relationships. Another important series of records to come to light this year [2024] are the Surveys of the Manor of Fordington from 1600 to 1650 ⁽²⁾ which list the tenants and these, with the research into the BARON Family of Dorchester and the transcription of the Inquiry into the Steward of Fordington Manor Thomas Carewe in 1565 has meant we have a lot more information available and led to this significant review.

King Henry VIII (1491-1547)

King Henry VIII - Reign (1509-1547)

We know from John Barnes age given at an Inquiry in 1565 into the conduct of Thomas Carewe, the Steward of Fordington Manor, that John BARNES was born in 1513. Only four years had passed since Henry VIII was crowned King at Westminster Abbey and married his brother's widow Catherine of Aragon. In June of the year John BARNES was born Henry VIII invaded France, landing at Calais with an army of 40,000.

John BARNES lived through a very turbulent period of our history which included the breakaway from Rome and the establishment of the Church of England (1532-4), 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.

As far as we can tell from the ages of his 6 known children he probably married his wife Christian about the year 1542. His eldest son John BARNES (c1543-1609) is not mentioned in his will (he was about 24 when his father died) having received his inheritance at his majority and was already married and independent with his own farthinghold plot surrendered by his father in Fordington Fields. He left a Will however when he died in 1609 in which he leaves bequests to his sister Thomasin and other surviving siblings, nephews and nieces. Another important discovery this year is that the next most important member of this family, Robert BARNES (d.1588) was John BARNES youngest brother who is covered in Section 2 below .

We know from John BARNES (~1512-1567) 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 begin in 1577. He asks in his Will however to be buried at Fordington. He was survived by his wife named Christian who he appoints as his executrix, and leaves bequests to his 5 (youngest) 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. Robert lives for another 20 years after John's death (Link to a transcription of Robert's Will ).

In the name of God Amen the seventh day of February Ao Dm m^li ¢¢¢¢¢ 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, ,

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 m^li ¢¢¢¢¢ lxvij [1567]

(a) Various Copyhold Plots of land with a tenement held by custom of the manor by the Barnes Family - Link to summary chart

(b) Extracts from The Casebook of  Sir Francis Ashley JP which lists many of the cases that came before him. Whilst it does not paint a very endearing picture of the BARNES Family, who often came to his attention, I suspect it reflects a more realistic picture however of daily life for Fordington Tenants and shows how interrelated the various families were.

KNOWN CHILDREN of John and Christian BARNES:-

(1.1) John BARNES (c1543-1609) Does not feature in his fathers Will as he had already received his inheritance at his majority, which included the surrender of a copyhold farthinghold plot and tenement to him in the East Tything of Fordington Fields. Although the record is badly damaged this appears in the 1600 Survey of Fordington Manor. His father would have surrendered the copyhold, as he was entitled to do by custom of the Manor, so that his son could take a new copyhold for 3 lives without paying a heriot. Unfortunately this survey did not include extant lives on copyhold grants but would probably have included 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. They do not appear to have had any children. A transcription of his Will and Inventory of his goods and more information about him is the subject of Section 3 below.

Under Significant update Dec 2024
(NOTE:-) William BARNESDifferentiation:

[NOTE:-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 in 1545 and William BARNES Junior 8 years later in 1553. The only situation I can think of is that Wm Barnes Junior was perhaps a nephew of one of John's brothers and already named William Barnes. If both his parents 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.

On the 12 Dec 1585 further complications start to occur as a William BARNES the son of a William BARNES The Younger is baptised at FStG, and another William BARNES the son of a William BARNES is also baptised there on 25th Nov 1587. There is no sign of any burials although some records are missing.⁽²⁾ Working out exact relationships is not straightforward because we know for sure the the same people are sometimes referred to differently particularly between court records and parish records.

Subsequent records strongly suggest that both these sons are children of Wm Barnes senior and junior and after 1585 they were often referred to as William BARNES the Elder and 'Willaim BARNES the Younger' but not exclusively. The first references are in Robert BARNES Will in 1588 when he leaves bequests to William Barnes the elder and the younger. Also over a decade later in their brother John BARNES Will in 1609 when he refers to William BARNES the son of William BARNES the Elder which is the second baptism referred to above in 1587. The preceeding entry refers to 7 children of William BARNES, which is actually William Barnes Junior/the younger. The order of bequests is reversed mainly because William Barnes Junior/The younger married early and has already had 7 children whilst William Barnes Senior/ The Elder married to Marie late and they only had their son William in Nov 1587 before Marie died 2 months later.

(1.2) William BARNES Senior (1545-1621) [Later also known as William BARNES The Elder]

Under his father's Will, which was proved on 28th May 1567, he is bequeathed "a cart with one cart horse to be delivered him immediately after the decease of my wife and not before", and in the event of his death they are to go to his brother Wm Barnes Junior. The only other bequest is that he along with all his surviving sons gets 2 sheep each. His elder brother John does not feature in the will (apart from presumably also receiving 2 sheep) as he has already left home, married and established his own smallholding with his father's help.

His father's death however has clearly left William effecively in charge of the family plot as it was held for 3 lives, his fathers, his mother Christian and himself. This is made clear in the 1607 Survey of Fordington Manor when we learn that a William BARNES is in possession of a whole place plot in 'East Street' in the East Tything of Fordington Fields amounting to 54 acres of arable land with another 2 acres of meadow and 3 yards of pasture, for which he is paying 23s 4d rent. It is clear this is William BARNES Senior/Elder as the previous owner of the plot is recorded in the Survey as having been "Christian his mother, relict of John Barnes his father".



The record for this plot in the previous Survey in the year 1600 is somewhat damaged but William BARNES Senior is listed in the heading of the document as one of the customary tenants so you know his name will appear within those listed further down in the document. In fact he is listed there as William BARNES the Elder and we can see that it is the only Whole Place Plot held by a William BARNES. Link to Summary Chart of plots. This suggests that Christian BARNES his mother died pre 1600 (Parish Registers for Fordington are missing from 1593 - 1602 inc ).


William Barnes Senior married Marie HUNT the daughter of one of the deceased sons of Ambrose Hunt (d.1587) about the year 1585 when parish registers are missing. They had a son William BARNES baptised at FStG on 25th Nov 1587. His wife Marie however was buried at FStG on 11 January 1587/8 so there may have been complications following his birth as we can trace no other children. William Barnes Senior's name next appears in 1588 in the Will of his uncle Robert BARNES, the brother and overseer of his father's will, when a brass pot he had lent to William is formally bequeathed to him.

William BARNES Senior/Elder is still shown as the tenant of the Whole Place Plot in the 1615 Survey of Fordington Manor but his name has been recorded as William BARONS Senior. This is the only occasion when BARONS instead of BARNES has been registered at Fordington but is not inappropriate as his father's plot at 'East Street' descended from Walter and Margaret BARONS of Dorchester through his son John BARON and probably though another generation to his father. William is still paying 23s 4d rent and the plot is now recorded as being 56 acres of arable land + 2 acres of meadow but no pasture. This time it also records that there are 2 lives left, aged 70 and 62. The former being himself (born 1545) and the latter his younger brother William Barnes Junior/Younger (born 1553). This ties in with the death of his own wife and his fathers wish that in the event of Wm Senior's death the cart and carthorse should decend to his younger brother.

William BARNES Senior/Elder


(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 after 1567 and 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.



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(1.5) William BARNES Junior (1553-aft 1618/19)

[Note:- See Comments at 1.2. above, after 1585 when he also had a son he named 'William Barnes', Wm Barnes Junior also became known as William BARNES The Younger]



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:-

(1.5.1) William BARNES (1585-1660) bapt as the son of William BARNES the younger at FStG 12th Dec 1585.

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).

(1.6.1) 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

(a) Bequest to Ralph JUSTER:-   He is Robert's long standing servant and the two families remain very close. Ralph is even shown on the 1607 Survey of Fordington Manor as the previous owner of a farthinghold plot at East Street which has descended to William BARNES Junior before the year 1600. From Agnes BARNES Will in 1591 (Robert's widow) we know Ralph was married to Mary and Edith JUSTER the beneiciary listed below is their eldest daughter.

(b) Bequest 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

(c) Bequests to William BARNES the Elder and John BARNES the Younger:-   On the 25th Nov 1587 William BARNES junior had a son he also named William BARNES, After this date Wm Barnes Senior was often referred to as William BARNES 'The Elder' as in Robert BARNES Will in 1588 below and the Survey of Fordington Manor in the year 1600. William Barnes junior is then called Wm Barnes The younger.

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^GN6 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 ----------------------xxxiij^s iiij^d
Item: Wheat not Threshed ---------------------------xxxij^s
Item: Wheat in the field xji [12] acres --------------xiij^li vj^s viiij^d
Item: iij [3] acres of oats lately sowed & a yard of ffathes --?xvj^s
Item: Dredge malt 14 bushels ------------------------ix^s iiij^d
Item: Four Horses & Harness ------------------------iiij^li vj^s viij^d
Item: iij [3] Kyne [Cows] -----------------------------iiij^li
Item: ij [2] small pigs ---------------------------------viij^s
Item: Sheep good and bad [i.e. infected with liver fluke]---vj^li v^s
Item: a Cart furnisht [furnished] --------------------xx^s
Item: a full four harrows & plough chain -----------vs viij^d
Item: ij [2] saddles ------------------------------------iij^s iiij^d
Item: Timber & wood in the backside --------------xx^s
Item: a trooc? grinding stone & a sheaf ring --------xx^d
Item: ij [2] baoies?, ij [2] saws iij [3] borriers & a chesell [chisel] ----iij^s
Item: iij [3] keeping hooks & ij [2] corn pikes -------xij^d
Item: a woodpooke ij [2] hatchets an axe -------------xvj^d
Item: iij [3] pairs of fetters & ij horse locks -----------iij^s
Item: a slegge [sledge?] a Lantern, a Bottle -----------xij^d
Item: iiij [4] fates [vats] ij [2] toubes [tubs] & v [5] firkins ----vj^s iiij^d
Item: a brake, bushel & peck, old boards & other trash -----iij^s iiij^d
Item: a brass pan in the furnace ----------------------xiij^siiij^d
Item: ij [2] brass pots given as an implement --------xij^s
Item: iij [3] brass pots & a skillet ---------------------xiij^s iiij^d
Item: iij [3] brass pans ij [2] kettles a chaffing dish & a skimmer ---xx^s
Item: a yotinge fate ---------------------------------------viij^s
Item: the second best chest ------------------------------viii^s
Item: iiij [4] coffers & a chest ----------------------------xvj^s
Item: the lesser cupboard & table board -----------------viij^s
Item: another cupboard & a salt ---------------------------ix^s
Item: iij [3] forms iij [3] chairs ij [2] stools & a settle -----vj^s viiij^d
Item: ij [2] platters a pottinger ij [2] candlesticks & a salt given as a legacy ---iij^s vj^d
Item: vj [6] platters v [5] pottingers & v [5] saucers ------xiiij^s
Item: dishes trenchers & a bowl ---------------------------xij^d
Item: ij [2] pot crokes ij[2] pott hangings a broche & a gridiron, andier & tonges -----ij^s
Item: a still ----------------------ij^s vj^d
Item: a bow, sheef of arrows,sword & dagger --------x^s
Item: viij [8] silver spoons ----------------xxiiij^s
Item: DEBTS Due to Him ------------------------xxiiij^li
Item: ij [2] feather beds ij [2] bolsters ij [2] pillows ----xx^s
Item: iij [3] pair of sheets a coverlett ----iij [3] board cloths & ij [2] pillowtyes ---x^s
Item: iij [3] Bedsteads ---------------------------iiij^s
Item: His Apparel ---------------------------------xv^s viij^d
SUM Total is : l^li xj^s viij^d

Whereof deduct Wheat which he owes as appears in his will - 19 Bushels ------xxxviij^s
Item: Debts which he owes in all vij^li
Then xlj^li xij^s


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.

Will of Agnes BARNES Widow of Fordington (d.1591)
PRO 11/77 Dated 28th Dec 1591 : Buried FStG Apr/May 1591 : Proved 17th June 1591

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 [WINSOR*] and others

*[Note:- Roger WINSOR was the husband of Eme WINSOR nee BARNES (c1555-1630/1) the daughter of John BARNES (~1512-1567) ]

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 of John BARNES of Fordington
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

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 --ij^sijs [2s.]
Item:: To the poor people there x^s [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 Rog^er 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 Rog^er WINSORE my best coat, & best shoes,
Item: To his son Rog^er WINSORE my best doublet & second best shoes, j [1] yoe [ewe] & lamb, & j [1] pure sheep
Item: To Marian WINSORE, Margery, & Katherine daughters of Rog^er 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]

An Inventory of all the goods chattels and debts of John BARNES who deceased the xvj^th [16th] day of June 1609 praised by Roger WINSORE, William TUCKER, John WHITE

Impremis: [In the first place] one standing bed with its furniture ---- iiij^li xiij^s iiij^d

Item: Three pair of sheets & iiij [4] coffers ---- xx^s

Item: His wearing apparel ---- ij^li

Item: j [1] grinterne & malt therein ----j^{li xiijs iiijd}

Item: j [1] picke, a mor?a, with other vessels ----ix^s viij^d

Item: j [12] brass pan ---- xiij^{s iiijd}

Item: iiij [4] bass pots , j [1] posnet, & j[1] kettle ----xxv^s

Item: Pewter vessels , j [1] candlestick and j [1] mortice --- xx^s

Item: j [1] cupboard & j [1] chest ---- xx^s

Item: ij [2] pans of brandize, pothooke and j [1] frying pan ---- ij^s

Item j [1] tableboard & ij [2] frame stools ---- x^s

Item: ij [2] trendels, j [1] covell [coverlett?] & iij [3] vats ----xij^s

Item: iiij [4] barrels, iij [3] trendels, j [1] bowl, i [1] three platters---- x^s

Item: ij [2] [pales, j [1] bushell & j [1] peck ----ij^s

Item: wheat in the barn ---- xx^s

Item: ij [2] kine, ij [2] bullocks, & j [1] hog ---- v^lix^s

Item: vj [6] score & xvj [136] Sheep ---- xlj^li xij^s

Item: xj [11] lambs ---- xxij^s

Item: xv acres & half of corn ---- xxvij^li

Debts due unto the said John BARNES

Impremis: Thomas DENSH ----xlij^s
John MOOGE ---- xj^s

[Note:- There is no sum total or signatures on the Inventory]

Under Significant revision 2024

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.

(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"

(5.1.1.1) Katherine BARNES bapt 23rd Dec 1615

(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 :-
(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).


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."

Marriages:-
Micheas BARNES married three times. We know nothing about his first wife whom he married circa 1620 by whom there may well have been other children in addition to those listed below. She is likely to have died during the Civil War or during the Restoration when parish registers are missing from 1640 to 1663.

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.


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


" WILL of Micheas BARNES Yeoman of Fordington
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 God: 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

" Inventory of the goods of Mink [Micheas] BARNES Yeoman of Fordington
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




---



X. Anthony BARNES Senior (1548- aft 1618*) Yeoman of Fordington

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 (~1512-1567).

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. From the Suryey in 1607 that it was located at Borestreet in Fordington Fields, of 56 acres of arable land with 2½ acres of Meadow and a yard of pasture. From the Survey in 1615 we discover he was then aged 67 years making him born approximately in 1548. The plot was 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 to marry 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:-

(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.

There are no further references to Anthony EAMES Senior after 7th Jan 1617/18 above when he was aged ~69.

[Note:- (*) Burials at FStG are missing from 1616 up to 24 Mar 1618 a short window of 3 months during which time he may have died. We are also missing burials for April to June inc for the year 1626 by which time he would have been 78. and the whole of 1629 (aged 81) and 1634 (aged 86) and 1836 (aged 88) and of course we are then into the missing records for the civil war from 1640 to 1663. The absence of any trace of a Will or Letter of administration for his estate might indicate that he lived into his 90's ? I have therefore left it that he died after 1618. ]
Known Children from the marriage of Anthony BARNES (Senior) to Agnes c1580/1 :-
(4.1) Anthony BARNES Junior (1582 - aft.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.


(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.

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GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH NOTES (GN) :-      [Link to Annex B List of known BARNES names ]

OLD Genealogical Notes:-

Sources:- The Wordworth Book of the Kings and Queens of Britain 1997 Edition

(1). Research - Documentation entries located for the BARNES Family up to 1662:-

1626 - 3 Oct - Michalah [Michael or Michael] BARNES Yeoman of Fordington bound over (£10) - Casebook F.Ashley
1626 - 4 Oct - William BARNES pleaded guilty fined 3s 4d -Casebook F.Ashley
1626 - 24 Dec - John BARNES of Fordington Husbandman bound in £20 and Micael BARNES of same husbandman £10 bound over- Casebook F.Ashley
1630 - 6-8 Apr - Quarter Sessions held at Sherborne Anthony EAMES & Michaiah [i.e. Michael or Micheas] BARNES were appointed Constables of the Manor of Fordington. (Image 253 of 684)
1631 - 19-21 Apr - Quarter Sesions held at Sherborne John BARNES was appointed Constable of the Manor of Fordington. - also F.Ashley Casebook
1631/2 - 24 Mar - John BARNES of Fordington husbandman £10 with others - bound over to the next sessions 'for beating Michaiah [Micheas] BARNES upon the high way' See entry Casebook F.Ashley for full text.
1634/5 - 14 Jan - Argument at Qtr Sess over Anthony BARNES suspected of a robbery - William Whiteways Diary
1635 - 7-9 Apr - Quarter Sessions held at Sherborne Willus LILLINGTON & Michaias BARNES were appointed Constables of [the Manor of] Fordington. (Image 502 of 684) [Note:- Micheas BARNES was the son of William BARNES Junior and sister to Christian BARNES who married Hamnet WHITE check out this statement
1648 - 24th Oct - Walter BARNES a Witness to an Indenture Charter 691 MRD age 372

1650 - Survey of Fordington Manor :

(1) William BARNES holds copyhold 1639 for tenement & whole place 56:3 acres for 3 lives Wm age 60 (born1590) Robert brother age 57 (born 1593) Anthony his son age 28 born 1622
(2) Micheus BARNES holds by copyhold 1617 a whole place 59:3 acres for 1 life his age 52 (born1598)

1660 - Dec 21 - William BARNES Yeoman Fordington WILL dated 20 July 1658 Inv taken Dec 1660 - sons-in-law Ralph Mullett & Nicholas Bug Son Charles BARNES; grandchildren Anthony Barnes & Phailie Barnes -- main ben: son Anthony Barnes
1662/1665 William BARNES Dorset Royalist Soldiers Pensioned Also See QUARTER SESSIONS held at Shaston 5th and 6th March 1665 [Image 55] "PENSIONER BARNES Wm: It is ordered by this Court that William BARNES of Fordington shall have forty shillings (y anned?) out of the public treasurer

Where year of birth is unknown it has been estimated (identified by use of the letter 'c' for circa before the year) as being 27 years old for a man and 25 years old for a woman. These are averages applying to the Tudor period (1485-1603) for England. See the 'History Today' website under 'Courtship in Tudor England' and many others. It continued however during the House of Stuart (1603-1714). the ' Oxford Illustrated History of Britain' states regarding the Stuart Period" In all social groups, marriage was usually deferred until both partners were in their mid twenties and the wife only had twelve to fifteen childbearing years before her. The reason for this pattern of late marriage seems to be the firm convention that the couple save up enough money to launch themselves as an independent household before they wed. For the better off, this frequently meant university, legal training, an apprenticeship of seven years or more; for the less well off a long term of domestic service, living in with all found but little in the way of cash wages. I have tested this against the few cases where we know the baptism and marriage dates of people in the family. Anthony Eames own children are a good example. John of course died aged 22 unmarried. His daughter Persis was 24, Elizabeth 27, Justus was 34 and Margery 23. Other marriages seem to also hold true. Anthony's brother John bap 1586/7 married about 1619 when he was 32, more important it was the year after he inherited his fathers estate and became financially secure. Anthony Eames himself appears to have been about 21. His brother Richard's son Edward Eames was only 20 when he married but he was an only child and his father had died 4 years earlier so again was financially secure.

(3). Out of hundreds of Fordington Wills I have not come across the use of the word 'bretherin' before when descibing relationships, but technically it is the plural form for brother and in 2024 Helen Ford provided a transcription of the 1600 Survey of Fordington Manor which fnally confirms that he was uncle to William Barnes Junior the 5th known child of John BARNES (1512-1567) ted him overseer of his will. He is also physically present at his death. Robert was probably quite a bit younger than John as he lived another 21 years after his death. There is no trace of any surviving children of his own .

(4). Wiltshire Archives Wills: Ref: SPC 1567 P5/2REG/15B Image available on Ancestry.com for members File:- P05: Probate records of the court of the Dean of Salisbury 0002reg - Image 59 of 537 I have transcribed into modern English

(5) Wiltshire Archives Wills: Ref SPC 1588 5 8: P15/191: (Inventory and original Will - long so 3 images on ancestry.com P5/5REG/8A (Official transcription of Will image 24 of 566 on ancestry.com)

(6) Tomsie SEAGER was probably the wife of Robert SEAGER son of Richard SEAGER (bur 1625) and Florence KETE (1557-1622) See Pedigree Chart