Precis of the wills of Takeley residents. Q to Z
This document includes précis of the wills of Takeley people.
Wills marked E.R.O. are included by kind permission of Essex Records Office.
Wills marked New College are included by kind permission of the Warden and Fellows on New College, Oxford
Wills marked P.C.C are from the Prerogative Court of Canterbury and are included by kind permission National Archives
Notes by the compiler.
BR references are on microfiche from Essex Records Office.
BW references are on microfilm, or available in the original from Essex Records Office.
The E.R.O. is continually updating the access to wills, so some wills with a reference of D/ABR may now have a D/ABW reference.
“ ” indicates a direct quotation.
[ ] indicates a note by the compiler
….indicates that words have been left out, either because they are unreadable, or because there is a gap or hole in the original document.
Some punctuation has been added to make the text easier to read.
? indicates that the compiler is uncertain of the reading.
A nuncupative will is one that was made by word of mouth only, and before credible witnesses who later made sworn statements before the Probate Court.
The words God, Saviour, Redeemer etc. in the preamble have been given capital letters throughout, even where they are not given in the original. As these are standard in most early wills they are noted only when it is felt to be particularly significant.
1/- and other money values have been given as 1s. etc.
Probate dates are given where they occur in the original. Not all wills have a probate date.
All lands and people are in Takeley unless otherwise specified.
All personal names and place names have been given capital letters, even where they are not given in the original.
The spelling has not been modernised. Proper names are as in the original. Abbreviations have been extended.
“ by estimation” and “more or less” have been omitted as they are standard usage.
I am grateful to Pat Salmon for the additional material from the Takeley parish registers, Marilyn Sayers for helping to check the references and to Phyllis Altham for proof reading the work.
Ramsey, Joseph, cordwainer, 24/03/1807, E.R.O. D/ABR 120/2/69.
Wife,Mary Ramsey and son, Daniel Ramsey equally :- houses, messuages, tenements, barns, stables, outhouses, gardens, orchards, lands, grounds, fields, crofts, meadows, pastures, hereditaments and premises.
Also stock in trade, moneys, securities, and personal estate whatsoever.
All share and share alike for the term of their lives, and then to the longest liver of them.
He makes exception that no member, male or female of the family of Hampton is to receive anything.
Executor and Executrix:- Son, Daniel Ramsey, wife, Mary Ramsey.
Witnesses:- John Pope, Peter Harris, John Rous.
Probate:=27/12/1814.
[This was compared with the original on 05/10/1836. Joseph Ramsey died 01/11/1814 aged 70 years. His son Daniel Ramsey died before his mother. Mary totally ignores his wishes and left several bequests to her family the Hamptons.]
Daniel Ramsey died before his mother.
Ramsey, Mary, widow, 11/02/1833, E.R.O. D/DB/T 1372.
Cousin, James Stock of London, son of the late Samuel Stock of Dagenham, Rippleside, farmer:= five acres of freehold ground with shares in Hatfield Forest, and the house, outhouses with barns, stables, cow house, hog house, gardens. orchards and shrubberies. All with the exception of two rooms in the house and two outhouse which go to her sister.
Five acres of copyhold land called Chapmans, held of Warish Hall.
He is to paint and care for the post and rails of the tombs in Takeley church. All to Stock and his heirs so long as the name continues. He gets nothing except for £10 yearly until he is twenty eight years old.
If he dies without heirs it all goes to William Crabb of Spellbrook on the same terms.
Sister, Lucy Crisp:= she inherits all the above if Stock and Crabb die without heirs. She also inherits the Dicky and Dicky cart , her hay and 7s. a week. This is together with the use of the parlour and the room above it, the use of the Dicky, stable, the cart shed and the pond. Also her wearing apparel clothes and a pair of sheets marked M.H.
Sister, Susannah Hampton:= 7s. a week.
Nephew, Joseph Ramsey Crisp:= £40.
Niece, Sarah Crisp:= £20 and her looking glass in a walnut frame wit a groove in it.
Niece, Elizabeth Crisp:= £40 and her small chest of drawers containing four drawers with locks and keys.
Mary Lucy Crisp:= £40 and her largest painted clothes chest with iron round the corners.
Nephew, William Crisp:= £8 and the same to his daughter Sarah Crisp.
Nephew, James Crisp:= £10 and her middle sized tea table.
Charles and Peter, sons of nephew James Crisp:= £8 each.
Brother, Jonas Hampton and wife Sarah:= ½ bushel of coal every week , winter and summer for their lives and that of the longest liver.
Also her great wooden armchair and the use of her thirty four clocks for his lifetime and then they go to his son. One pair of sheets with MR marked on them.
Nephew, Charles Hampton:= cradle and child’s chair, a looking glass in a walnut wooden frame bowling out round .Also £10.
Great nephews and niece, Charles, Henry and Susannah, children of Charles Hampton:= £20 each.
Niece, Lucy Poole:= £5.
Niece, Susannah White:= £5.
Susannah White’s son John, and his daughter Mary Ann:= £10 each.
William Crabb, senior, and his brother Joseph Crabb:= £5 each.
Nephew, William, son of brother Jonas Hampton. The thirty four clocks after the death of his father and £10.
Niece, Sarah Hampton:= her oak drawers containing three drawers and the japanned corner cupboard containing three men and a bird on it.
William Crabb junior’s son, James:= £5.
Catherine Crabb:= £1 a year for five years to be laid out for clothes for her.
Samson, son of Robert Garritt:= £5.
Robert Tweed, senior of Bishop’s Stortford, surgeon := £30.
John Tweed, surgeon of Bishop’s Stortford for their trouble := £30
Executors:= Robert and John Tweed , surgeons of Bishop’s Stortford.
Witnesses:= John Jaques, Parsons Little, John Haydon.
Probate := 11/02/1833.
[the tomb of Mary Ramsey is in Takeley churchyard, but there is no visible grave for Joseph and Daniel Ramsey. Her sister Lucy Crisp was a member of the Takeley chapel, but Joseph and Daniel are not recorded there. It can be seen that Mary totally disregarded the wishes expressed in her husband James’ will].
[Joseph and Mary Ramsey lived at Sparrows Hall, now called The Clock House in Takeley Street]. .
Raven, Joseph, farmer. 06/06/1821, National Archives PROB 11/1709.
To be buried in Takeley churchyard as near to his wife as possible, in a grave bricked over and a headstone with a suitable inscription to his memory. [There is a Raven grave in the “East” section of the graveyard]
Nicholas and Susannah Patmore:= £10 each to be paid from the £50 that Nicholas owes him. If the debt has already been paid then the legacy to come out of his personal estate.
Joseph, son of William Pryor of Kings Hatfield otherwise Hatfield Broad Oak, farmer:= £10
Jane, daughter of nephew Clement Hall, who dwells with testator:= the bed, bedding furniture belonging which stands in the blue room of his dwelling house, all his bed and table linen, his bureau, Pembroke table dressing glass, 2 pair of plated candlesticks and bedside carpets.
She also gets a quarter share of all his monies, securities and personal estate.
Jane’s father, nephew Clement Hall of Maldon, taylor:= £20 on behalf of his daughter.
Clement Hall’s other children:= £100 to be equally divided among them. One son William Hall is gone abroad. If he does not return within seven years, or is known to have died then his legacy to be paid to his sister, Jane Hall.
Nephew, Edward Ellis:= his clothes, wearing apparel and linen, except for that already given.
He gets a quarter share of all the rest of his monies, securities and personal estate.
Nephew, John Perry:= quarter share as above.
Nicholas Patmore;= quarter share as above.
Patmore receives money in trust for several family members as follows.
For nephew, Edward Ellis until his son William Ellis reaches the age of twenty one years..
If William dies then the money becomes part of the main estate.
£200 in consolidated bank annuities with the Bank of England.
Nephew, John Perry of Harlow, breeches maker, for his son John Perry as above.
Neice, Jane Perry, daughter of John Perry senior, as above.
Executor:= Nicholas Patmore.
Witnesses:= Thomas Glew, J.W. Turgett.
Probate:= 04/02/1826.
Rayner, Elizabeth, widow, 01/10/1755, E.R.O. D/ABW 98/3/48 D/ABR/24/147.
She wishes to be buried privately and without pomp, with funeral charges not exceeding £40. The directions for her funeral were given on a separate paper. [not now extant]
The poor of Thaxted:= £5 to be distributed by her Executrix in three months after her death.
Daughter, Mary wife of William Nicholson:= rest and residue of her moneys, plate, rings, household stuff, goods, chattels, and personal estate after the payment of debts, funeral charges and legacies.
Son, Smeeth Rayner:= 16 guineas to buy mourning.
Son in law, William Nicholson:= 10 guineas to buy mourning.
Grandsons, John and William, sons of her deceased son William Rayner:= £5 10s. yearly to be paid half yearly, towards their respective educations and maintenance, or for their benefits, or such occasions as the Executrix shall think fit.
Grandson, John Rayner:= £20 at twenty one years.
Grandson, William Rayner:= £15 at the age of twenty one years.
If the Executrix thinks fit then she shall lay out the above £20 & £15 for putting them as apprentices for some trade and providing clothes & other necessaries for them during such apprenticeship.
Sister, Elizabeth Stamences:= £5 for which she has Green Notes. Also 20s. yearly during her life to be paid half yearly .The first payment to be made 6 months after the death of the testator.
Executrix:= daughter, Mary Nicholson.
Witnesses:= Thomas Bridges, George William Nicholson.
Probate:= 10/06/1776.
Robe, William James Green, esquire, of Frogs Hall. 03/08/1847. National Archives.PROB. 11/2075.
Friends Thomas Cocks the elder, Thomas Cocks the younger:= they are appointed as Executors and Trustees of his will They are to sell for best profit all his assets in such a way that they will provide a yearly sum of a clear £400 per annum.
Sophia Walters, now living with him:= the above £400 free from the debts and control of any husband.
Ellen, daughter of the above Sophia Walters:= she is to have one third of the remainder of the money. If she dies before the age of twenty one years then the two Thomas Cocks will inherit.
Executors:= Thomas Cocks the elder, Thomas Cocks the younger.
Witnesses:= Thomas Unwin, solicitor, Sawbridgeworth, Frederick. George Unwin, gentleman, Sawbridgeworth.
Probate:= 25/05/1848.
Rous, John, gent, 23/01/1849, E.R.O. D/ABW 139/2/47.
Son, John James Rous:= freehold messuage or tenement land and hereditaments, and all real estate. His son also gets the interest on the money left to testator’s two grandchildren until they are twenty one years old.
Grandchildren, Jane and Robert Abbott Rous:= £6 when they reach the age of twenty one years.
Executors:= George Leech of Great Dunmow, draper, and testator’s son John James Rous .
Witnesses:= William Robert Warren, clothier, Lydia Monk,
Probate:= 09/09/1850.
Russell, Mary, widow 06/06/1702, E.R.O. D/ABW 77/155.
Aged in body.
Son, James Russell := freehold cottage or tenement with the appurtenances, orchard and backsides, now in the occupation of John Vale. He is to pay her grandson John Everard £5 and her granddaughters, Anne and Elizabeth Everard 20s. within one year after her death.be paid by her son James Russell
Daughter, Susan Russell:= her other freehold cottage or tenement appurtenances, orchards and backsides in Takeley Street, now in the occupation of testator, paying to Elizabeth, wife of Henry Collins of Much Hallingbury, husbandman £10 within in year after the death of the testator.
All her linen and wearing apparel
Son, James Russell, Daughters Elizabeth Collin, Susan Russell, children of daughter Anne Everard:= all her goods after the payment of her debts and funeral expenses, share and share alike.
Executrix:= daughter, Susan Russell.
Witnesses:= John Nicholls, Henry Staines, Phillip Judd.
Probate:= 19/11/1702.
Rutterford/Rotherford, George, shoemaker, 12/05/1599, E.R.O. D/ABW 32/98.
First paragraph relates to Bishop’s Stortford only.
The poor of Takeley := 13s. 4d.
Wife, Margaret Rutterford := a messuage in Stortford where Joan Cass dwells with houses, rooms, stalls, profits and commodities in the street called Fish Market towards the north, the messuage called The Broad Arrow to the south, and the tenement of John Hooth to the west.
After her death it goes to daughter Joan Rutterford’s issue, if she have any. Otherwise it goes to his heirs
Also the messuage in Takeley called Forgers which he has on a lease of the remainder of ninety nine years. This is now twenty one years, if she lives that long. After her death it goes to Samuel Burles alias Spooner his son in law on condition he does not trouble Margaret Rutterford for the £4 10s. the testator owes him and also pays £20 to his other son in law Lawrence Gibbs.
His wife is to maintain his daughter Joan at his tenement where he lives during the wife’s life time and provide her with all necessities so long as Joan remains unmarried.
All the rest of his goods, cattle, and wares.
Daughter of his wife, Cicely Mawnsfield:= 30s.
Servant, Robert Baylie of Takeley:= his buck leather doublet and hose. .
Joan Casse is to have the premises for the term of nine years, paying the legatee the rent of 40s. which is what she has hitherto paid. She is also to have the shop and stall for nine years paying the same rent. The Executrix is to reimburse her for the glass window she has set up in his loft.
Executrix := wife, Margaret Rutterford.
Witnesses := Roger Smith, John Whyght, Nicholas Collin, William Burlyng, Thomas Barnard, writer.
Probate := 26/06/1599.
[the will reads as if Margaret Rutterford is his second wife, and Joan Rutterford the daughter of George’s previous marriage]
Sach, William, husbandman, 16/09/1723. E.R.O. D//ABW 94/1/69.
Somewhat infirm in body.
Mother [unnamed]:= all goods, chattels, and personal estate, after paying his debts.
Sister, Mary Sach:= 10s.
Brother, John Sach:= 1s.
Sister, Elizabeth Sach:= 10s.
Sister, Sarah Sach:= 10s.
All the above to be paid in half a year after his death.
William Sach makes a mark.
Executrix:= sister, Mary Jellis, widow.
Witnesses:= William Tucker, John Collier makes a mark, John Frankham.
[A Jos. Sach witnessed the will of John Gibbons of Takeley in 1739]
Probate: = 24/05/1742
Salmon, Edmund the elder, yeoman, 17/10/1820. E.R.O. D/ABW 125/1/8.
Son, Edmund Salmon and son in law, Charles Bunting:= authority to sell all his messuages and lands, free and copyhold.
Sons, George, Edmund, John, William and Jesse Salmon:= a fifth share in sale of real estate and all other property If any one of them should be dead, then his share goes to his children. The money owed to him by sons John and William is to be deducted from their share.
Daughter, Ann, wife of Charles Bunting:= one fifth share as above. The debt of Charles Bunting to Salmon is to be deducted.
Executors:= son, Edmund Salmon, son in law, Charles Bunting.
Witnesses:= Daniel Barthrop, John Yord, mark of John Rose.
Probate:=23/01/1824.
Saunders, Dorothy, widow, 27/09/1803, E.R.O. D/ABW 116/2/45.
Daughter, Lucy Smith at the White Hart, Moreton, widow:= equal share in all her wearing apparel and linen.
Also £10 after all expenses are paid.
Daughter, Mary, wife of Thomas Savill of Takeley Street:= equal share in all her wearing apparel and linen.
Children, Charles Saunders, Thomas Saunders, Mary Savill and Lucy Smith:= equal shares in the residue of her estate.
Executrix:= daughter, Lucy Smith.
Witnesses:= Joseph Ramsey, James White.
Probate:= 01/08/1804.
Saunders, John, yeoman, 13/02/1777, E.R.O. D/ABW 106/1/38.
Wife, Dorothy Saunders:= all his freehold messuage or tenement, lands and personal estate.
Executrix:= wife, Dorothy Saunders.
Witnesses:= James Russell, John Palmer.
Probate:= 24/05/1777.
[ John and Dorothy Saunders’ children:=
Lucy married ?? Smith of White Hart Moreton. Their daughter was called Sophia.
Mary married Thomas Savill of Takeley Street.
Charles and Thomas Saunders.]