Swanage Wills

Transcribed by Kim Parker from microfilms at the Dorset History Centre

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1799/53

Benjamin Bower of Swanage in the Isle of Purbeck
Will dated: 10 Apr 1799

- First I give and bequeath unto my Brother Petter Bower of Plymouth in the County of Devon the sum of
  Two Shillings and Six pence of Lawful Money

- Also I give and Bequeath unto my Sister Sarah Diddams of Portsmouth in the County of Hampshire the
  sum of Two Shillings and Six Pence of Lawful Money

- Also I give and Bequeath unto my Sons Aaron Bower and John Stevens Bower and my Daughters Elizabeth
  Stickland and Sarah Bower all that my Lease Hold Estate and Land on the Shore – the Bankers and the
  House: all to be Equally Divided between them: and the Executors Aaron Bower and John Stevens Bower
  to take their Sister Sarah Bower’s Part and to Allow Her Ten Pounds a year to be Paid yearly to Her

- Also I give devise and bequeath unto my Son Aaron Bower all those my Freehold Houses and Lands in
  Swanage In the Isle  of Purbeck and County of Dorset now in the Possession of Peter Stevens James
  Warren and Sarah Morrest as tennants – to have and To Hold to his Heirs and Assigns for ever

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Sons Aaron Bower and John Stevens Bower all my Quarry and Quarry
  Tools and other Matters Belonging to the Quarry Except the Horse: to have and To Hold for ever

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Son John Stevens Bower one Lease Hold House in Swanage aforesaid
  now in the possession of Elizabeth Warren as tenant

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Stickland one Lease Hold House in Swanage now in
  the possession of Sarah Seamer as tenant

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah Bower one Lease Hold House in Swanage now in the
  possession of Ann Hancock as tenant

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Stickland my part of one Lease Hold House in Swanage
  now in the possession of Joseph Stickland as tenant

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah Bower my part of one Lease Hold House in Swanage now
  in the possession of Thomas Burt as tenant

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Sister in Law Mary Stevens twenty Pounds to be paid in Twelve Months

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Sons Aaron Bower and John Stevens Bower all my trade of every kind
  Whatsoever it may be Equally Between them

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Beloved Daughter Sarah Bower one of my best Beds and all Belonging to it

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Beloved Daughter Elizabeth Stickland one Bed

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Beloved Son Aaron Bower one Bed

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Beloved Son John Stevens Bower one Bed

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Grandaughter Elizabeth Stickland five Guineas

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Son Aaron Bower and my Son John Stevens Bower and my Daughter
  Elizabeth Stickland and my Daughter Sarah Bower all my House hold Furniture to be Equally divided Between them

- Also I give and bequeath to my Son John Stevens Bower my Best Watch

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Sons Aaron Bower and John Stevens Bower all my wearing Apparal Linnen
  and Wollen to be Equally divided between them

- Also I Impower my said Sons the Executors Aaron Bower and John Stevens Bower to Pay all my Debts and
  Receive all my Credit and after that the Executors to have use of the Money for Two years for the use of the trade
  and after that the Money to be Equally divided between my said Sons and Daughters and Aaron Bower and John
  Stevens Bower to take their Sister Sarah Bower’s part and Allow her Ten Pounds a year to be Paid yearly

Executors: Aaron Bower (Son) & John Stevens Bower (Son)
Signed by Testator
Witnesses: Joseph Smedmore, Richard Butler, Peter Stevens
Will proved: 08 Jun 1799
Aaron Bower and John Stevens Bower were sworn before John Morton Colson, Commissioner
Effects under: £300

Transcribed by Kim Parker from microfilms at the Dorset History Centre

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1799/52

Alice Fry  Widow of Sandwich in the Isle of Purbeck
Will dated: 13 Aug 1794

- First I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Susannah Sharron my two black woolen Gowns, two black
  Petticoats, two under Petticoats, four Shifts, four Aprons, two white neck Handkerchiefs, one dozen Mobs,
  my black silk Bonnet & Cloak, a cloth Cloak, two silk Handkerchiefs, my best Stays, four pairs of Stockings
  and four pair of Shoes

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Jane Ash my Feather Bed, Bolster & Pillow, one Blanket & a
  Quilt which is white on the one side & colored on the other side

- Also I give and bequeath unto Jane Sharron the eldest Daughter of my said Daughter Susannah Sharron
  a large silver spoon

- Also I give unto Elizabeth Sharron another Daughter of the said Susannah Sharron a large silver spoon

Residuary Legatee in Trust - John Dampier, Esquire - to dispose of the remainder as follows:

- First to Ann Fry Davis, the eldest Daughter of my late deceased Daughter Ann Davis – my best white Quilt
  markt A.F.D.

- all other my Effects either Household Goods, Furniture, Linen or Money to be equally divided amongst the
  three Children of my said late deceased Daughter Ann Davis, Namely – Ann Fry Davis, Harriot Davis and
  Alice Davis

Codicil [of the same date as the Will and part thereof]

- N.B. Amongst my Effects will be found a large silver spoon markt thus A.F./A.R./1778 & a pair of silver Buckles
  markt E.R. left in my care by Mr James Rutherford, the spoon for Alice Davis & the Buckles for Harriot Davis –
  Daughters of my late deceased Daughter Ann Davis

Executor & Trustee: John Dampier, Esquire
Signed by Testator
Witnesses: Joseph Gover, Eleanor Ashley Warren, Ann Warren
Will proved: 04 Sep 1799
John Dampier, Esquire, sworn before George Hooten Hyde

 

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1800/57

Susannah Hurlock, spinster of Poole and now residing in Swanage
Will made: 2 February 1799

- My legacy of £50 from James Flook (uncle) to be paid by his executor Joseph Manwell on the decease of Mary Flook (aunt), and
  household goods and aunt's wearing apparel on her decease 'I being in a very weak state of health and not likely to survive my said
  aunt there remains a doubt in that case with my said uncles executor whether I have a right to dispose of the said legacies'...
  Joseph Manwell 'of his own free will (whether I have a right to the said legacies or not) has been so kind as to advance and lend me
  three shillings a week (chargeable with interest until the death of my said aunt) to my relief during my affliction’.

- Henry Gillingham (executor) and Joseph Manwell: to consult a counsellor learned in the law or opinion of three attorneys
  (money to come out of the £50). If agreed that I have the right then: Joseph Manwell: to withhold as much of £50 to pay expenses
  etc until death of my aunt

- Mary Flook (aunt): 3s a week if it meets approbation of Joseph Manwell; wearing apparel both mine and hers at her discretion to distribute
  among her relations

- William Melmoth (cousin): £10 or what remains after decease of my aunt

- Timothy Warren (nephew): residue of the £50 minus legacies above

- Timothy Warren (nephew): all household goods - executor to sell them after aunt's decease and money to put to interest for the benefit of him
  until her come of age. If he dies before 21 then interest to Henry, Lucy Burt and Martha wife of Richard Marks of Portsmouth (cousins), to
  be divided between them. If it be over £22 10s then it is to be divided between my five cousins: Henry Burt, Lucy Burt, Ann wife of Joseph Woolfries,
  Martha wife of Richard Marks and Mary daughter of James Meader.

- Henry Gillingham: executor and trust for Timothy Warren (nephew) during his minority

The will was not signed as Susannah Hurlock died on 2 February 1799 before it was finished. She had declared the contents before Mary Flook,
Lucy Treleven and Joseph Gover.
Witnessed by them: 5 February 1799
Declaration: Joseph Gover, schoolmaster of Sandwich declares he well knew Susannah Hurlock. On 30 January 1799 he received instructions
from the deceased in the presence of Mary Flook to make her will. He made a draft 1 February he read it over and declared it to be agreeable
to her wishes in the presence of Mary Flook. He therefore agreed to make a fairer copy for signature, at the evening there was a meeting convened
on parish business, called in on his way at the deceased house he checked with Lucy Treleven and Phoebe Brown who stated no immediate danger
of death. On 2 February at 8am he therefore called to Mary Flook where the deceased lodged and enquired of Lucy Treleven if he should go up and
get the will signed, who replied the deceased had died. Mary Flook and Lucy Treleven declared the will to be according to deceased's wishes.
Sworn before Ed. Binfield, clerk surrogaate for this purpose specially appointed

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1801/10

Mary Cole, widow of Heason [sic - Herston], Swanage
Administration bond: James Galley, Joseph Galley, Samuel Galley, quarrymen of Langton Matravers
21 February 1801

James Galley, next of kin of Mary Cole [‘Jonathan Cole’ crossed out]

Witnesses: John Gent, Thomas Lamb
Commission oath 21 January 1801: to be provided to James Galley, brother of Mary Cole.
Commission executed 21 February 1801 effects sworn under £100 before John Gent, Commissioner

Transcribed by Kim Parker from microfilms at the Dorset History Centre

Moses Gillingham  Innkeeper of Swanage in the Isle of Purbeck
Will dated: 08 Apr 1801

- First I give devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Sarah Gillingham all that my Freehold Dwelling House Outhouses
  Garden Land and Premises with the Appurtenances thereunto belonging and now in the Occupation of Captain Henry
  Festing situate and being in Swanage aforesaid to have and to hold all and singular the said Freehold Dwelling House
  Outhouses Garden Land and Premises with the Appurtenances unto my said wife Sarah Gillingham for and during her
  natural Life provided that out of the said devised Premises my said wife shall well and truly pay unto my Nephew Moses
  Gillingham his Heirs and Assigns the sum of fifty Pounds of lawful money of the United Kingdom to be paid unto my
  said Nephew Moses Gillingham his Heirs and Assigns by my said wife Sarah Gillingham immediately after my Decease

- And after my Wife’s Decease then I give bequeath and devise the said Freehold Dwelling House Outhouses Garden
  Land and Premises with the Appurtenances unto my Father-in-law Rose Smith of Langton in the said county of Dorset
  Blacksmith for and during his natural Life and after his Decease then I give devise and bequeath the said Freehold
  Dwelling House Outhouses Garden Land and Premises with the Appurtenances unto my Brother-in-law William Smith
  and to his Heirs and Assigns forever provided also that the circumstances of my Affairs at the time of my Decease should
  not require that the said Freehold Dwelling House Outhouses Garden Land and Premises before mentioned be sold for the
  Payment of my just Debts funeral or other Expences but if it be found requisite by my Executors that the said House Land
  and Premises should be sold for any of the above Purposes then my said wife shall have full Power to sell and dispose of
  the same by paying my said Nephew Moses Gillingham the before mentioned sum of fifty pounds out of the money arising
  from the sale thereof

- And my will is that if it be found requisite the said House Land and Premises should be the first Article out of all my real or
  Personal Estate which shall be exposed to sale

- I also give devise and bequeath unto my said Wife Sarah Gillingham all that my Leasehold Estate called Biles which I hold
  by Lease for the Term of ninety-nine years under the Fee-offees of Illminster School together with the Barnes Stables
  Outhouses and Buildings on the said Estate situate and being in Swanage aforesaid for and during her natural Life provided
  the Interest which I have in the said Estate should so long continue and after my Wife’s Decease then I give one half share
  of the Rents or Profits of the said Estate unto my Father-in-law Rose Smith of Langton aforesaid for and during his natural
  Life and after his Decease then I give devise and bequeath the said half share of the Rents or Profits of the said Estate unto
  my Brother-in-law William Smith and to his Heirs Executors and Assigns during my Interest in the said Estate The other half
  share of the said Rents  or Profits of the said Estate After my Wife’s Decease I give devise and bequeath unto my Nephew
  Moses Gillingham and to my Niece Mary Gillingham and to their Heirs Executors and Assigns as Tenants in Common and not
  as joint Tennants

- I also give devise and bequeath unto my said Wife Sarah Gillingham all that my Dwelling House Outhouses Stables Garden
  Premises and Appurtenances thereunto belonging wherein I now Live and known by the name of the Ship Inn and which I
  hold under John Dampier Esquire by Lease for the Term of Ninety-nine years to have and to hold the said House called the
  Ship Inn with the Outhouses Stables Garden Premises and Appurtenances unto my said Wife Sarah Gillingham for and
  during her natural Life and after her Decease then I give devise and bequeath the said House Outhouses Stables Garden
  Premises and Appurtenances unto my Nephew Moses Gillingham his Executors and Assigns for and during the Residue and
  Remainder of the Term then to come
  and unexpired. He the said Moses Gillingham paying out of the said devised premises unto my Mother Ann Gillingham Eight
  Pound yearly and every year during her Life or during the residue and remainder of the Term then to come and unexpired
  Also paying unto the before-mentioned William Smith Four Pounds yearly and every year during the remainder of the time
  then to come and unexpired. But if my said Wife should outlive my said Mother then the said Moses Gillingham shall pay unto
  the said William Smith his Executors and assigns Eight Pounds yearly and every year during the residue and remainder of
  the said term then to come and unexpired. And also pay unto his Sister Mary Gillingham her Executors and Assigns Four
  Pounds yearly and every year during the residue and remainder of the said term then to come and unexpired

- I give and bequeath unto my Mother Ann Gillingham Eight Pound a year to be paid her by my Wife yearly and every year
  out of my Personal Estate during her Natural Life unless my said Mother choose to live in House with my said Wife But if
  she choose to live in House with my Wife then she is not to Pay her the Eight Pounds a year

- I give and bequeath unto my said Wife Sarah Gillingham all my Farming Stock and Crops with all my Household Goods and
  Furniture

- I give and bequeath unto my Nephew John Gillingham and my Nieces Ann Gillingham and Sarah Gillingham and to my
  Nephew Henry Pushman and to my Niece Anna Daimon the wife of Thomas Daimon and to my Niece Mary Pushman Five
  Pounds apiece to be paid to each of them out of the Value of my Household Goods and Furniture after the Decease of
  my Wife Provided that that part of my Property shall be at the time of her Death of a sufficient value for that Purpose.

- I give to my Brother William Gillingham his Heirs Executors and Assigns all my share or dividend which may be allowed to
  belong to me of my Late Father’s Effects of which I have not received any Part as yet. But whatsoever shall in Furniture
  shall be found to belong to me as a share or dividend of the said Effects I give it all to my said Brother William Gillingham
  his Heirs Executors and Assigns

Residuary Legatees in Trust for Sarah Gillingham (Wife): Thomas Lamb Glazier (friend) & Joseph Gover Schoolmaster (friend)
Executors: Thomas Lamb Glazier & Joseph Gover Schoolmaster
Signed by Testator
Witnesses: Thomas Rawlins, Richard Linington, William Soper
Will proved: 25 Jan 1802
Thomas Lamb & Joseph Gover sworn before Th. Topping
Effects under: £600

Biographical Information: Kim Parker

TESTATOR = Moses Gillingham, son of William Gillingham & Ann Brine, born Swanage 1758 and died there in January 1802,
having been the Innkeeper of the Ship Inn like his father before him and his widowed paternal grandmother, Mary Gillingham,
before that. He was clearly a favourite of his Uncle Moses Vivian, husband of his Aunt Mary Vivian née Gillingham (died 1799),
inheriting the lion’s share of his property in 1795. He probably died of Dropsy, since the 1798 militia list mentions he was
suffering from that ailment.

WIFE = Sarah Gillingham née Smith, born Langton Matravers 1759, daughter of Rose & Margaret Smith, married Moses at
Langton Matravers in 1784 and died at Swanage in 1826 without issue.

PARENTS = William Gillingham c1723-1788 (death date evidenced by the Land Tax Assessments) who trained as a Purbeck
marbler (as per the 1760 alehouse recognizance which describes him as such) but became an innkeeper, taking over as the
Landlord of the Ship Inn when his mother, Mary Gillingham née Vivian, died in 1752. In 1748 he had married Ann Brine
(1723-1807), daughter of Thomas Brine & Martha Petten of Swanage.

SIBLINGS =
(1) Henry Gillingham (mentioned only by implication as his three youngest surviving children are described as Moses’ nephew
and nieces) born in 1750 (although the register incorrectly records his mother’s name as Mary instead of Ann, but we know he
was Moses’ brother because they were both described in the will of Moses Vivian as his nephews) and married at Swanage in
1772 to Sarah Bonfield (c1750-1801) by whom he had at least 8 children, only one of whom outlived him. He was a non-conformist
(hence the absence of the christenings of his children in the Swanage parish registers) and a highly successful stone merchant
who died aged 91 in 1841;

(2) Mary Gillingham, born in 1752, who married Henry Gillingham’s business partner Henry Pushman (1742-1823) in 1773,
witnessed Moses’ marriage to Sarah Smith in 1784 and died in 1838, and

(3) William Gillingham born 1755, a marbler like his father before him, who in 1777 married Sarah Manuel (1759-1826) and
named his only son Moses - his daughter, born before marriage, being named Mary – and died in 1801 (as evidenced by
the Land Tax Assessments). In fact he died days before this Will was signed (buried at Swanage on 6th April 1801). He is
mentioned in the Will either because it was drafted just before he died or to establish rights for his Estate.

FATHER-IN-LAW = Rose Smith, Blacksmith of Langton Matravers born 1731 at Worth Matravers, son of Edward Smith &
Ann Rose, who married Margaret Nineham (1732-1793) at East Stoke in 1754 and died aged 82, buried at Worth Matravers in 1813.

BROTHER-IN-LAW = William Smith born at Langton Matravers in 1774, died at Swanage 20 May 1840 (see transcript of Will on
this website).

NEPHEWS & NIECES =
(1) Moses Gillingham, son of William Gillingham & Sarah Manual born 1778 and originally trained as a marbler (as per the 1798
militia list), appears to have taken over at the Ship Inn after his Aunt Sarah (Smith) Gillingham died. In 1798 he married Lucy Toop
(1777-1863). Ownership of the Ship Inn transferred to the Panton Brewery in the mid 1830s. (Incidentally, James Panton’s wife
Mary Sarah was a Gillingham descended from another and separate line, which was established in Swanage in the 1770s when
her grandfather, William Gillingham moved there from the Holworth/ Cerne Abbas area of Dorset.) This sale would coincide with the
expiration of the 99 year lease mentioned in his Uncle’s will, assuming his Great Grandmother Mary Gillingham took the lease out
c1735 when her name appears on an alehouse recognizance for the first time. Moses and Lucy later moved to Greenwich, Kent
where he died in 1858 and she died on 24 Aug 1863.

(2) Mary Gillingham Manuel, daughter of William & Sarah (Manual) Gillingham born 1776, married Pleasant Francis (1777-1855)
of the Isle of Wight in 1801 and died at Swanage in 1850 without issue.

(3) John Gillingham was probably the third son of Henry & Sarah (Bonfield) Gillingham – it is hard to tell the order in which the
children were born because their christenings are not recorded in the Swanage Parish Register, as they were non-conformists.
Henry Gillingham junior (c1774-1855) appears to have been the eldest son, followed by William Gillingham (died 1799), who was
at least 18 in 1798 when he was included on the Swanage militia list, a Hosier suffering from consumption. From his age at his
burial in 1806, John’s estimated birth year is 1778. As per the 1798 Swanage militia list he too was a stone mason.

(4) Ann Gillingham was a daughter of Henry & Sarah (Bonfield) Gillingham, birth year unknown. She died in 1803 and, together
with her sisters Hester (died 1793), Elizabeth (died 1797) and Martha (died 1800) and her brothers John and William, she is
commemorated on her mother Sarah (Bonfield) Gillingham’s tombstone.

(5) Sarah Gillingham appears to have been Henry & Sarah (Bonfield) Gillingham’s youngest child, born c1793 judging from her
age at death. She married Isaac Bower (c1792-1835) in 1817 and died in 1838 without issue.

(6) Henry Pushman was born in 1780, son of Henry & Mary (Gillingham) Pushman. He married first Elizabeth Davies (c1783-1816)
in 1802 and second Catherine Seymore/Seymour (1790-1877) in 1831. He was jailed at the age of 70 for 21 days after defaulting
on debts in 1850 and died at Swanage in 1860.

(7) Hannah Caines Pushman was born in 1777, daughter of Henry & Mary (Gillingham) Pushman and appears to have been named
after Hannah Caines, the sister of her father’s step-mother, Mary Caines. She married Thomas Damon of Studland at Swanage in 1800.

(8) Mary Pushman was born in 1784, daughter of Henry & Mary (Gillingham) Pushman. She was unmarried at the time her father drew
up his will in 1823, so is probably the Mary Pushman buried at Swanage on November 2nd 1826 aged 43.

FRIENDS =
(1) Thomas Lamb, Plumber & Glazier, died at Swanage in 1816.
(2) Joseph Gover, Schoolmaster, died at Swanage in 1817.

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1802/55

Thomas Marsh, stone merchant of Swanage
Will made: 14 May 1800

- Samuel Marsh (nephew): £60 in trust to hold and pay yearly interest to Sarah Collins (daughter) and after her decease the money to be divided
  between her children

- Sarah Collins (dau): one half part of household furniture goods, plate, china, linnen and woollen

- Elizabeth (wife): 4s a week to be paid by my executor

- John (son): wearing apparel and one half part of household furniture goods, plate, china, linnen and woollen

- John (son): moiety of freehold houses wherein I and my son now live, and outhouses etc, and rest on condition of payments and one half of
  effects to children of Sarah Collins

Witnesses: James Marsh, Peter Marsh, Thomas Lamb
Proved: 10 February 1802 to John Marsh, effects under £600

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1803/22

James Marsh, baker of Swanage
Administration bond: Ann Marsh, widow of Swanage, Peter Marsh, brewer of Swanage and John Doe bound 14 June 1803

- Ann Marsh widow and relict of intestate to administer effects

Before: W Monday
Sworn: same date, effects under £100, intestate died 6 April 1803, sworn before Topping
 

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1804/22

John Phipard, [Phippard], senior of Swanage, Dorset
Dated: 1 October 1798

- Mary Phipard (wife): ‘the house where she now lives’ and all goods.

- Anthony, John, George, Benjamin and Joseph Phipard (sons) and Peter Pushman and
  Able Bonfeld [Abel Bonfield] (2 sons-in-law): equal share in my Quarry and they are to pay Mary Phipard
  1s/week. ‘If they Neglect it they will forfeit the Quarry’.

- Mary Phipard (wife): Bowers and Phipards Living and the houses belonging for her life and ‘to be let
  to the best advantage by my Son Anthony Phipard who I make my sole executor desiring him to do
  this thing that is right by his mother and his brothers and sisters’. The Living after wife’s death to be
  divided equally between my children during Anthony Phipard’s life: Anthony, John, George, Benjamin
  and Joseph Phipard, Ann King, Mary Mashfield, Susanah Pushman and Sarah Bonfeld.

- Anthony, John, George, Benjamin and Joseph Phipard, Ann King, Mary Mashfield, Susanah Pushman
  and Sarah Bonfeld: the house in Swanage Feld after the death of wife

- Mary Phipard (wife): my wearing apparrel to give it to her children ‘as she thinks is most in want’

Witnesses: William Curtice, Sarah Cuttice (X), William Curtis Randell
Executor: Anthony Phipard (son)
Proved: 7 January 1804 (by the oath of Anthony Phipard).

Effects: under £300 by oath
Testator died: 20 October 1803

 

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1804/23

Thomas Hancock of Swanage, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Dated: 18 December 1796

- Joan (wife): £10, house where I now live, garden, outhouses as long as she continues a widow.
  A bed and all belongings, chairs, tables, tea furniture, fire furniture. To be given up on her marriage
  or death to the executors.

- Sarah (daughter) wife of John Haysom: tenement in Swanage and garden in occupation of Robert Hancock (son)

- William and Thomas Hancock (sons): right and title to house in Swanage called New Inn in occupation
  of William Hancock (son). William may occupy and pay his brother half the annual rent of New Inn.

- James and Robert (sons): tenement near Mill Pond, Swanage with garden, outhouses in occupation
  of Hannah Hixton. Robert may occupy and pay his brother half the annual rent.

- My 5 children: residue

Executors: William and Robert Hancock (sons)
Signed by testator
Witnesses: Joseph Gover and Anthony Phippard

6 August 1804, Swanage: Robert Hancock requests that William Hancock may be permitted to procure
probate. Signed by Robert Hancock.
Proved: 9 August 1804 on oath of William (son)
Effects: under £300

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1805/27

Timothy Chinchen, esquire, of Swanage, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Dated: 15 October 1801

- Nathan (son): freehold banker or wharf, counting house and store house at Swanage, forever.
  Leasehold estates in Swanage for remainder of term

- Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, Susanna and Frances Spriggs (grandchildren), children of late son
  Timothy: £100 when 21 years old or 12 months after my decease. In meantime to be used for their
  maintenance.

- Nathan (son): money, ‘sloops and vessels with the sails, rigging’ and residue

Executor: Nathan (son)
Signed by testator
Witnesses: John Levett, Thomas Lamb, William Lander
Proved: 19 April 1805 (on oath of Nathan Chinchen)
Effects: under £1000

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1807/10

Richard Bridle, quarryman, widower of Hurston [Herston], Sandwich
Administration: Richard Baker, baker of Sandwich, Joseph Gover, school master and Thomas Lamb, plumber of same

9 December 1807
Richard Baker bound to administer goods etc
Witnesses: John Colson, Susan Chinchen

 

Thomas Linington, mason of Swanage, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Dated: 14 February 1807

- Ann (wife): house wherein I live with outhouses, garden and household goods and furniture.
  Then after her decease:

- Henry (son): a flock bed with belongings

- Hannah Smedmore (daughter) a dining table and tea table

- John (son): best bed and belongings, clock, corner cupboard, looking glass, tablespoon with all
  other goods and the house outhouses and garden aforementioned. After his decease, should
  my interest in the property remain, house and goods to Hannah Smedmore (daughter)

Executor: John (son)
Signed by testator
Witnesses: Joseph Gover, Francis Warren

 

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1808/42

Thomas Linington, mason of Swanage, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Administration bond: 20 February 1808 Hannah Smedmore, widow of Swanage, Joseph Smedmore Joseph Smedmore the elder,
Innholder of Swanage, Joseph Gover, schoolmaster of Swanage.
Are bound to £200.

Hannah Smedmore, daughter and residuary legatee of Thomas Linington, mason of Swanage and administratrix of John Linington
her late brother of Swanage and of Thomas Linington, John the son of Thomas sole executor in the will dying without taking on the
execution of the will. Hannah to administer and pay debts deceased owed.

Signed by those bound
Witnesses: Henry Taylor Clerk, Peter Notley
Commission: 20 February 1808 to Hannah Smedmore, widow of Swanage, daughter of Thomas Linington.
Goods sworn under £100.
Testator died 27 March 1807
Commission executed 20 February 1808 before Henry Taylor, Commissioner

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1808/12

John Linington, mariner and batchelor of Swanage
Administration bond: 20 February 1808

Hannah Smedmore, widow of Swanage, Joseph Smedmore Joseph Smedmore the elder, Innholder of Swanage,
Joseph Gover, schoolmaster of Swanage.
Are bound to £200
Condition: Hannah Smedmore administers the goods of John Linington, her late brother
Signed by those bound

Witnesses: Henry Taylor Clerk, Peter Notley
Renunciation: Ann Linington of Swanage, widow. Her son John Linington, bachelor, mariner of Swanage died intestate,
she renounces her right to administer.

Witnesses: Joseph Gover, Francis Warren
Commission: 20 February 1808 to Hannah Smedmore, widow of Swanage, Ann Linington, mother of John Linington
having renounced
Goods sworn under £100.
Testator died 28 January 1808
Commission executed 20 February 1808 before Henry Taylor, Commissioner

 

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1810/34B

Robert Bonfield, marbler of Herston, Swanage
Will made: 13 February 1808

- Ann Goringe (gdau) wife of Thomas: north part of my house in which I now live consisting of one room on the first floor,
  a chamber over it and the garret above the chamber. One moiety or half part of my garden and one half of my fuelhouse.
  On her decease to Robert Bonfield (gson)

- Robert Bonfield (gson): other part of the above house, garden and fuelhouse, and arable and meadow, goods etc at Herston

- John Bonfield (son): £5 to be paid in instalments as the executor thinks best

- Ann Goringe (gdau): clock, silver table spoon wainscot tea table, a bell metal pot and hooks, and third of money

- Sarah Edmonds, spinster (gdau): 1 guinea, feather bed bedstead and all bedclothes and furniture belonging to it

- Christopher Haysom (gson): 1 guinea, best coat

- Robert Bonfield (gson): rest and residue except above mentioned, and executor

Witnesses: Joseph Gover, Jeremiah Warren, Samuel Bonfield
|Proved 25 August 1810 by Robert Bonfield, goods sworn under £90 before Edmund Bryer.
Annotated in pencil ‘Probate to be sent to Robert Bondfield, stone mason Thornton in Gosport’

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1810/70

James Bower of Swanage, Dorset
Dated: 19 April 1791


- Sarah (wife): with the right to sue to receive and recover for me for her benefit all money and debts
  due to me, all quarries shares and part of quarry working tools, household goods, furniture, bed etc

Executrix: Sarah (wife)
Signed by testator
Witnesses: George MacBride, John Tombs, James Weeks

Commission: 20 November 1810
To Sarah Bower, widow.
Goods sworn under £100
Commission executed 30 November 1810 before Samuel Gale

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1811/14

Robert Barnes, boatbuilder of Swanage
Administration: Robert Barnes, boatbuilder of Swanage and Thomas Lamb, auctioneer of Swanage and Isaac Horlock, gentleman
of Blandford Forum bound 18 July 1811

Robert Barnes son of Robert Barnes deceased to administer
Before: M Topping, William Bell junior
Goods sworn under £300 before M Topping

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1811/13

Robert Squibb, junior, stone mason of Swanage
Renunciation: 17 April 1811 Robert Squibb, the elder of Worth Matravers, stone mason, father of Robert Squibb the younger,
of Swanage 'yeoman' renounces administration.

Witnesses: James Squibb, Robert Dugdale
Administration bond: 17 April 1811
Edward Squibb, stone mason of Southampton, Samuel Squibb, stone mason of Swanage, Joseph Gover, school master of Swanage
and John Briggs, cordwainer of Swanage bound.

Edward Squibb and Samuel Squibb, brothers of Robert Squibb to administer
Witnesses: James Squibb, Robert Dugdale
Sworn same date, effects under £300, before Samuel Gale, Rector of Swanage

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1811/48

Sarah Toms [Tomes], widow of Swanage, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Dated: 4 August 1809

- John (son): freehold house, garden and lands in Swanage in his occupation, forever.

- Mary Hibbs (daughter) wife of Robert: freehold house, garden and lands in Swanage in occupation
  of Robert Hibbs, forever

- James Toms (grandson) son of John (son): house, garden and land in Swanage in occupation
  of Richard Linnington, for rest of lives and term

- Dolly Stickland (granddaughter) wife of Joseph: house, garden and land in Swanage adjacent the last
  mentioned house, in occupation of Joseph Stickland (abovesaid) for rest of lives and term

- Isaac Haysom (grandson) son of William Haysom the elder of Swanage: house, garden and land in
  Swanage in occupation of Hannah ‘Hexton’, for rest of lives and term

- William Haysom (grandson) son of William Haysom the elder of Swanage: 1s

- John (son): all household goods, furniture and wearing apparel

Executrix: Mary Hibbs (daughter)
Mark of testatrix
Witnesses: Joseph Ellis, George Ellis, Robert Dugdale
Will proved: 22 February 1811 by Mary Hibbs, daughter of Sarah Toms.
Goods sworn under £100, testatrix died 17 April 1810, sworn before Samuel Gale, Rector of Swanage

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1812/39

Richard Bower, baker of Swanage, Dorset
Dated: 22 June 1811

- Sarah (‘well beloved wife’): all property so long as she continues a widow. Then to Mary, Elizabeth,
  Charles and Sarah Bower (my 4 children) on her decease or remarriage. ‘but if my said wife should
  at this time be pregnant and should bring forth another child then that child shall share in all my said
  property’.

Executrix and executor: Sarah Bower (wife) and William Richards (brother in law)
Signed by testator
Witnesses: Thomas Lamb and John Ashby

Commission: 30 July 1812
Reverend William Bond, John Dampier and Samuel Gale, Clerks to administer the goods
of Richard Bower, deceased
Goods sworn under £1500
Commission executed and Sarah Bower and William Richards sworn 5 August 1812 before
Samuel Gale

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1816/57

Thomas Lamb, plumber and glazier of Swanage, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Dated: 23 November 1815 [by testator]

- ‘I will that my funeral be extremely plain’

- Mary Lamb Hickson alias Mary Hickson, daughter of Mary Hickson: ‘money due from
  the Friendly Society’ and £150

- Thomas Hatchard: ‘every days and working clothes’ reserving my best clothes

- Sally McBride: £5 ‘for her faithful services’ and a further £5 if any effects remain after payment
  of the other legacies

- Timothy and Joseph Lamb (brothers): wearing apparel except that bequeathed above

- Joseph Bennet Lamb (nephew): £10 and ‘my glaziers diamonds’

- Children of Timothy Lamb (brother), Joseph Lamb (brother) and Elizabeth Forrest (late Bellows)
  (sister): £5 each

- Thomas Lamb Daimon son of William and Sarah Daimon: silver watch and 6 silver teaspoons
  marked ‘L’

- Mary Lamb Hickson alias Mary Hickson: rest of property remaining or reverting to me on the
  death of my mother

Executrix: Mary Lamb Hickson alias Mary Hickson
Trustee: Joseph Gover (friend) ‘to afford her all that assistance he is so well qualified to give’
Signed by testator
Witnesses: John Barnes, John Marshfield

Codicil: 21 March 1816
- Joseph Gover: silver watch formerly bequeathed to Thomas Lamb Daimon, and wearing apparel
  formerly bequeathed to Timothy and Joseph Lamb (brothers)

- Timothy Lamb (brother), Joseph Lamb (brother), and Joseph Lamb, junior (nephew): my books

- Joseph Lamb, junior (nephew): clock

Signed by testator
Witnesses: John Barnes, John Marshfield
Administration Bond: 13 May 1816 Joseph Gover, schoolmaster of Swanage, George Butler, grocer and
William Travers, Innholder are bound to £1600.

Mary Lamb Hickson alias Mary Hickson, executrix is a minor ‘now of the age of 18 years’,
Joseph Gover to administer the goods of Thomas Lamb, deceased during her minority
Signed by those bound
Witnesses: John Ellis, Robert Dugdale
Commission: 11 May 1816
Joseph Gover, schoolmaster to administer during minority of Mary Lamb Hixson.
Goods sworn under £800
Commission executed: 13 May 1816 before Samuel Gale, Commissioner

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1819/52

Mary Lamb Hixon
Will made 25 April and signed 1 May 1818

- Mary Lamb Hixon daughter of Mary Hixon, spinster ‘being sensible’

- Mary Hixon (mother): all and executrix and everything entitled to her under will of Thomas Lamb, plumber and glazier of Swanage.

- John Webber son of John and Joanah [Joanna] Webber of Swanage: at death of Mary Hixon (mother) whatever of my property

Witnesses: Grace Haysom, Elizabeth Davis[?]
Mary Lamb Hixon died 31 May 1818.
Mary Hixon to administer the will 29 July 1819.
Proved 6 August 1819 goods sworn under £40

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1820/8

Charles Collis, shopkeeper of Shapwick, Dorset [see mention of Swanage below]
Commission oath: 15 November 1820 to administer the oath to John Burleigh Nineham and take and see the bond executed.
20 November: oath administered goods sworn under £50, intestate died 15 March 1817.

John Burleigh Nineham, yeoman of Little Canford, Hampreston, Dorset: oath - he saith that Mary Collis, widow of Wareham
(relict of William Collis, yeoman of Swanage, and mother and next of kin of Charles Collis, shopkeeper of Shapwick, deceased intestate)
is 'in a State of Insanity and Mental Derangement'and unable to administer or renounce administration

20 November 1820, Wimborne Minster before James Mayo, Commissioner
Bond: Robert Collis, labourer of Bradle, Church Knowle, William Low, stationer of Wimborne Minster, William Barfoot, timber merchant of
Wimborne Minster
20 November 1820 Robert Collis, brother and administrator of Charles Collis. Before James Mayo and Isaac Conyer[?]

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1821/18

Joseph Ellis, carpenter of Sandwich otherwise Swanage
Will dated: 23 February 1815

- John (son): dwelling house in Herston, Sandwich in occupation of Priscilla Edmunds, widow

- Joseph (son): dwelling house in Herston, Sandwich in occupation of James Warren adjoining aforesaid mentioned house

- Charles (son): dwelling house in Herston, Sandwich in occupation of Thomas Keats

- Robert (son): dwelling house in Herston, Sandwich in occupation of Samuel Bonfield

- George (son): eastern part of house, garden etc with eastern most part of garden purchased of Mrs Serrell in
  Sandwich in occupation of Reverend John Collins, dissenting minister

- Timothy Bird Ellis (son): my new erected house being the western part of the same as above in occupation of
  Reverend John Thornton

- Elizabeth Collins (dau) wife of the said Reverend John Collins: house in Herston in occupation of [blank] Phippard

- Timothy Bird Ellis (son): rest including tools on condition that he pays Kezia Savage (dau) wife of Thomas,
  Elizabeth Collins (dau), Ann Cox (dau) wife of John Cox, Mary Cole (dau) wife of John Cole: £30 each in 18 calendar months
  after my decease

Witnesses: John Thornton, Robert Dugdale, James Hancock
Proved: 21 April 1821 to Timothy Bird Ellis.
Testator died 21 July 1820

DHC reference: AD/DT/W/1822/36

Thomas Manwell, stonemason of Swanage
Will made: 28 June 1815

- 'being very sick and weak of body' 'calling to mind the mortality of my body, knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die...'

- Anne ('beloved wife'): freehold estate in Swanage of one house in the occupation of Priscilla Manwell, widow; and 'another tenement
  now building and adjoining the last mentioned tenement, together with a strip of garden' in the occupation of Peter Gover, which premises
  were lately purchased of Mr Yetman and are situate near a Field called Rarbes[?]

- Anne (wife): leasehold house and garden near Church Bridge, Swanage

- Anne (wife): household goods, monies etc, except books and manuscripts and mathematical instruments which I give and bequeath
  hereafter mentioned.

- Thomas ('beloved son'): executor and all books and manuscripts and mathematical instruments, and after the death of my wife, the
  freehold inheritance of the cottage I am now building next north and adjoining to the cottage occupied by Priscilla Manwell, widow and
  one moiety of the strip of garden near to which cottage and garden are situate near a field called Reobres, Swanage

- Matilda ('beloved daughter') wife of Peter Gover: after death of my wife, house near Church-bridge now in my occupation and garden,
  which premises are held by me on lease of Mr Dampier

- William and Ann Manwell (grandchildren) children of William ('beloved son deceased'): freehold inheritance after wife's decease of cottage
  occupied by their mother Priscilla Manwell and moiety of strip of garden near to now in occupation of Peter Gover to be equally divided.

- Thomas (son): rest

Witnesses: Joseph Smedmore, John Tomes, Senior, John Shot Junior (x)
Proved: 20 August 1822, to Thomas (son).
Deceased died 4 February 1822, goods sworn under £200

 

Transcribed by Kim Parker from microfilms at the Dorset History Centre

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1823/9

Thomas Rawlins Yeoman of Sandwich otherwise Swanage in the Isle of Purbeck
Will dated: 08 Oct 1819

- I give devise and bequeath unto William Linnington of Sandwich otherwise Swanage aforesaid Stone Mason
  (in consideration of a sum of money already paid and advanced by him to me) all that Freehold Messuage
  Tenement or Dwellinghouse with the Outhouses Garden Land Hereditaments and Premises thereto belonging
  situate and being at Sandwich otherwise Swanage aforesaid and now in the tenure and occupation of the
  said William Linnington with the liberty and privilege of going to and from my Pump now in the Yard adjoining
  thereto and the joint use of the Water therein for the use of his Family or Tenants To hold the said Messuage
  Tenement or Dwellinghouse with the Outhouses Land Hereditaments and Premises thereto belonging as the
  same is now marked and bounded out together with the liberty and privilege of going to and from the said Pump
  and the joint use of the Water therein unto the said William Linnington his Heirs and Assigns for ever

- Also I give devise and bequeath unto my Wife Clare Rawlins All those my two freehold Messuages Tenements
  or Dwellinghouses with the Outhouses Gardens Land Hereditaments and Premises thereto belonging situate
  and being at Sandwich otherwise Swanage aforesaid and now in my own occupation and Thomas Shot as
  tenant thereof together with the liberty and privilege of going to and from the said Pump and the joint use of the
  Water therein To hold my said two last mentioned freehold Messuages Tenements or Dwellinghouses with the
  Outhouses Gardens Land Hereditaments and Premises thereto belonging together with the liberty and privilege
  of going to and from the said Pump and the joint use of the Water therein unto my said Wife Clare Rawlins her
  Heirs and Assigns for ever

- Also I give devise and bequeath unto my said Wife Clare Rawlins all that freehold Messuage Tenement or
  Dwellinghouse with the Outhouses Garden Land Hereditaments and Premises thereto belonging situate and
  being at Sandwich otherwise Swanage aforesaid and now in the occupation of George Hancock as Tenant thereof
  To hold my said last mentioned freehold Messuage Tenement or Dwellinghouse with the Outhouses Garden Land
  Hereditaments and Premises thereto belonging and now in the occupation of George Hancock unto my said Wife
  Clare Rawlins and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease
  Then I give devise and bequeath my said last mentioned freehold Messuage Tenement or Dwellinghouse with the
  Outhouses Garden Land Hereditaments and Premises thereto belonging so devised to my said Wife for life as aforesaid
  unto John Smith of Sandwich otherwise Swanage aforesaid Yeoman who I hereby nominate and appoint as Trustee
  and Executor of this my Will with her my said Wife To hold the said Messuage Tenement or Dwellinghouse with the
  Outhouses Garden Land Hereditaments and Premises thereto belonging unto the said John Smith his Heirs and
  Assigns Upon the several uses trusts intents and purposes hereinafter mentioned, that is to say, Upon Trust that him
  my said Trustee John Smith his Heirs and Assigns shall and do with all convenient speed after my said Wife’s decease
  sell convey and dispose of or cause to be sold conveyed and disposed of by public sale or auction all that my said
  last mentioned freehold Messuage Tenement or Dwellinghouse with the Outhouses Garden Land Hereditaments and
  Premises thereto belonging so devised to my said Wife for life as aforesaid for the most money and best price or
  prices which can or may be had or obtained for the same and shall and do release convey assign and make over the
  same when so sold unto the Purchaser or respective Purchasers thereof his her and their Heirs Executors Administrators
  and Assigns for ever And that such purchaser or purchasers who shall so pay any such sum or sums of money shall
  not afterwards be obliged or concerned to see to the application of the same or be in anywise answerable for the loss
  misapplication or non application thereof or of any part thereof and upon receipt and payment thereof give sufficient
  acquittances and discharges for the same And shall and do pay apply and dispose of the monies arising from the sale
  or sales thereof in such manner as hereinafter is mentioned and declared concerning the same, that is to say, Upon
  Trust that him my said Trustee his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns do and shall with the monies arising from
  such sale or sales (after deducting all the costs charges and expenses attending the same) pay or cause the same to be
  paid unto my Son Joseph Rawlins and my Daughters Lucy Haysom Wife of Timothy Haysom of Sandwich otherwise
  Swanage aforesaid Stone Mason and Hannah Hammett Wife of William Hammett of Barnstable in the County of Devon
  Sargeant in the North Devon Militia their Executors Administrators and Assigns equally to be divided between them share
  and share alike and their receipts alone notwithstanding their coverture shall be sufficient discharges for the same

- Also I give devise and bequeath unto my said Wife Clare Rawlins All that my Tenement or Building with its Appurtenances
  now used as a Counting House situate and being at Sandwich otherwise Swanage aforesaid near the Turnpike Gate there
  and in the tenure or occupation of Messuers Nathan Chinchen and James Chinchen To hold the same unto my said Wife
  Clare Rawlins and her Assigns for and during the Term of her natural life, if my estate and interest therein shall so long
  continue And from and immediately after my said Wife’s decease I give devise and bequeath All that my said Tenement or
  Building with its Appurtenances unto my Grand Daughter Jane Haysom Daughter of the aforesaid Lucy Haysom To hold
  the same to her my said Grand Daughter Lucy [sic] Haysom her Executors Administrators and Assigns for and during all
  the rest residue and remainder of my term of years estate ad interest which shall be therein then to come and unexpired

- Also I give devise and bequeath unto my aforesaid Son Joseph Rawlins All that my freehold Messuage Tenement or
  Dwellinghouse with the Outhouses Garden Land Hereditaments and Premises thereto belonging situate and being at
  Sandwich otherwise Swanage aforesaid and now in the occupation of Peter Hancock the Elder as Tenant thereof To
  hold the same Messuage Tenement or Dwellinghouse with the Outhouses Garden Land Hereditaments and Premises
  thereto belonging unto my said Son Joseph Rawlins his Heirs and Assigns for ever

- Also I give devise and bequeath unto my aforesaid Daughter Lucy Haysom All that my Messuage Tenement or
  Dwellinghouse with the Outhouses Garden Land Hereditaments and Premises thereto belonging situate and being at
  Sandwich otherwise Swanage aforesaid and now in the occupation of my said Daughter Lucy Haysom To hold the same
  unto my said Daughter Lucy Haysom her Executors Administrators and Assigns for and during all the rest residue and
  remainder of my term of years estate and interest which shall be at my decease therein then to come and unexpired

- I give and bequeath unto my said Wife Clare Rawlins one moiety or equal half part (the whole into two equal parts to
  be divided) of All my Household Goods Furniture Plate Linen Woollen Books Glass China Trinkets and Ornaments of
  the Person To hold the same to her my said Wife her Executors Administrators and Assigns for ever

- Also I give and bequeath unto my said Wife Clare Rawlins the use and occupation but not the disposing properly of
  the other moiety or equal half part (the whole into two parts to be divided) of All my said Household Goods Furniture
  Plate Linen Woollen Books Glass China Trinkets and Ornaments of the Person To hold use occupy and enjoy the same
  for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I give and bequeath the same
  unto my aforesaid Son Joseph Rawlins and my aforesaid Daughters Lucy Haysom and Hannah Hammett their Executors
  Administrators and Assigns equally to be divided between them share and share alike

- Also I give and bequeath unto my aforesaid Daughter Lucy Haysom the sum of One Hundred and Thirty pounds to be
  paid her in twelve calendar months next after my decease and her receipt alone notwithstanding her coverture shall be a
  sufficient discharge for the same

- Also I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Lucy Haysom the mangle for mangling Linen which is now in her possession

- Also I give and bequeath unto my said Son Joseph Rawlins the sum of Twenty pounds to be paid him in twelve calendar
  months next after my decease

- Also I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Hannah Hammett the sum of One Hundred and Thirty pounds to be paid her
  after the rate of the sum of Twelve pounds a year until the whole of the said One Hundred and Thirty pounds and such Interest
  as shall accrue thereon shall be fully paid and expended and her receipt alone notwithstanding her coverture shall be a sufficient
  discharge for the same But if my said Daughter Hannah Hammett shall happen to die before the said One Hundred and Thirty
  pounds shall be fully paid and expended then I give and bequeath the residue and remainder thereof unto and among all and
  every the child and children of my said Daughter Hannah Hammett to be payable at and after the rate manner and form
  aforesaid equally between them share and share alike and if but one then the whole to such only one as aforesaid until the whole
  shall be fully paid and expended

- Also I give and bequeath unto my Grandson Thomas Rawlins Son of the late Timothy Rawlins the sum of Ten pounds for the
  purpose of placing him an Apprentice to some Trade or Business Also the further sum of Ten pounds to be paid him at the expiration
  of his Apprenticeship, but if my said Grandson Thomas Rawlins shall happen to die before the said sums or either of them shall
  become due and payable then I give and bequeath the said sums or either of them as shall remain unpaid into and among all and
  every other my Grandchildren as shall be then living equally to be divided between them share and share alike

Residuary Legatee: Clare Rawlins (Wife)
Executors: Clare Rawlins (Wife) and John Smith
Signed by Testator
Witnesses: William Sedcole Bonfield, William Coombes, D. W.(?) Dugdale

Codicil dated: 26 Nov 1822

- Be it known to all others by these Presents that I Thomas Rawlins of Swanage in the Isle of Purbeck in the County of Dorset Yeoman
  have made and declared my last Will and Testament in writing bearing Date the eighth day of October one Thousand eight Hundred
  and Nineteen. I the said Thomas Rawlins by this present Codicil do ratify and confirm my said last Will and Testament and have therein
  bequeathed to my Son Joseph Rawlins and two Daughters Lucy Haysom Hannah Hammett the Half of my Household Goods and the
  Tenement now in the occupation of George Hancock my will and desire is after the decease of my well beloved Wife Clare Rawlins that
  to the aforesaid Lucy Haysom my Daughter I give and bequeath all that Tenement and Garden thereunto belonging and now in the
  occupation of the aforesaid George Hancock and I further give to my Son Joseph Rawlins the sum of Ten pounds and I further give
  to my Daughter Hannah Hammett the sum of Ten pounds

- And my Household Goods I give one third to my beloved Wife Clare Rawlins and the other two thirds I give to my Son Joseph Rawlins
  my Daughters Lucy Haysom Hannah Hammett and my Grandson Thomas Rawlins share and share alike after the decease of my
  beloved Wife Clare Rawlins

Witnesses: John Furmedge, Betty ?Burras, William Sedcole Bonfield
Testator died: 06 Dec 1822
Will proved: 11 Apr 1823
Clare Rawlins and John Smith were sworn before Thomas Oldfeld Bartlett

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1825/15

Joseph Porter of Sandwich
Administration: Ann Porter, widow of Sandwich otherwise Swanage to administer goods of Joseph Porter died intestate;
goods under £300

24 December 1824
Sworn 19 January 1825

Bond: Ann Porter (widow), William Travers, victualler James Craft, custom house officer
19 January 1825

DHC reference: DA/W/1826/43

William Cole, gentleman of Swanage
Will made: 25 January 1826

- Sarah Bartlett Stickland (dau) wife of James Stickland, Swanage: freehold house, Swanage in my occupation; freehold house
  in occupation of Martin Weeks, Swanage; and freehold house in occupation of George Harden. If they or heirs deceased then
  to John William Cole Burt and John Cole Davis (gsons) as tenants in common Whereas I am entitled by will of John Cole (father)
  fee simple and inheritance (subject to life interest of Hester Marsh (sister)) of freehold properties:

- 1 House in Herston, Swanage late in occupation of my father – with ½ of garden of house occupied by Peggy Edmonds
  (below) – to John William Cole Burt (gson)

- 2 House in Herston, Swanage in occupation of Thomas Lambert, Susannah Phippard and Thomas Seymer – to John Cole Davis (gson)

- 3 House in Herston, Swanage in occupation of Peggy Edmonds – with ½ of garden belonging, to John Cole Davis (gson)

- John Cole Davis (gson): freehold house and half fuel house adjoining in Swanage, in occupation of Richard Butler

- John William Cole Burt (gson): freehold tenement ‘Dewhays’, Herston held by lease of the Feoffees of the Ilminster School

- John Cole Davis (gson): silver watch and silver seal late belonging to my father

- John William Cole Burt (gson): large bible by Ryder

- Timothy Burt, stonemason, late of Swanage and James Stickland (sons-in-law) and my two gsons: wearing apparel and books
  equally between them

- Sarah Bartlett Stickland (dau) and James Stickland (son-in-law): executrix and executor

- Samuel Marsh, the elder and Samuel Cross, of Swanage, gentlemen: care of my gsons during their minority and see my
  intentions are duly performed

Witnesses: John Hancock, Samuel Marsh, Junior and C O[?] Bartlett
Proved: 19 July 1826 to Sarah Bartlett Stickland and James Stickland, goods sworn under £50, deceased died 27 January 1826

DHC reference: DA/W/1826/44

Howard Collins of Swanage
Will made: 25 April 1808

- 'I resign my soul to its creator and redeemer - in hopes of its future happiness - as in the disposal of a God - infinitely good'

- Mary ('beloved wife'): enjoy all premises that belong to me as long as she continues a widow

- William, Howard, Elizabeth (now wife of John Stevens), Henry, Abraham, Richard and Rhoda Mary Collins ('my beloved children'):
  share what I may be possessed of at my death and after death of Mary (wife)

Executrix: Mary (wife)
Witnesses: Stephen Bore, Samuel Kellaway, Sarah Bore

Codicil: 25 March 1818 Whereas my sons Henry and Richard are both dead their parts to be shared equally by my children 'my son
Howard Collins has faithfully served me many years' £150 out of my lands and effects and to be joint executor with Mary (wife)

Witnesses: John Adam, John Barnes, George Pushman
Proved 9 August 1826 to Howard Collins, stone merchant of Swanage, surviving executor.
Effects sworn under £200 before G H Hyde in presence of Septimus Smith, Notary Public

 

Transcribed by Kim Parker from microfilms at the Dorset History Centre

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1827/45

Thomas Selby of Swanage
Will dated: 11 May 1827

- First I give to my three children – Elizabeth Jane Selby, Mary Ann Selby and Frances Selby Three Hundred
  Pound which I am entitled at my Decease from the Royal Exchange Insurance Office share & share alike

- All my Household furniture Plate Linen book debts and whatever I am possessed of at my Decease I give to my beloved
  Wife Mary Ann with the Interest of the three Hundred Pound till they should severally attain the age of Twenty-one

Executors & Trustees: William Little of Kingston (Brother in Law) & Mr Charles Notly of Blandford
Signed by Testator
Witnesses: S? Godwin, William Baverstock
Will proved: 12 September 1827 by William Little, yeoman of Winterborne Kingstone one of the executors, power being reserved to
Charles Notley the other executor.
Effects sworn under £600.
Testator died 14 May 1827.
Before George William J Chard, Surrogate

Biographical Information: Kim Parker

Thomas SELBY of Kingston buried at Pimperne 21 May 1827 age 30* (*likely inaccurate)
His wife, Mary Ann SELBY buried at Swanage 07 Sep 1830 age 30
Elizabeth Jane SELBY chr. 08 Aug 1820 Downton, Wiltshire
Mary Ann SELBY chr. 02 Dec 1822 Downton, Wiltshire
Frances SELBY chr. 05 Jan 1825 Downton, Wiltshire

In 1823, in the Will of his Aunt Jane SELBY of Pimperne, Thomas was described as ‘my nephew of Downton
in the County of Wilts Grocer and Tallow Chandler’

Brother-in-law William LITTLE married Jane SELBY at Pimperne 08 Jan 1815
 

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1828/9

Richard Best Blandford Forum bound 22 January 1828

John son of Richard Best to administer Before R Horlock
Sworn goods under £450 by John Best.
Richard Best died intestate 6 January 1828.
Before George W T Chard, Surrogate

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1832/29

Samuel Rawlins of Swanage
Will made: 11 April 1832

- Hester ('beloved wife'): my house and garden, goods, plate, money in bank etc

- Samuel Haysom (nephew): bed and bedstead, watch and my best Close [clothes]

- Timothy Haysom (brother in law) and Samuel Haysom (his son): my Black Close [Clothes]

- Joseph Webber: executor

Witnesses: Joseph Webber, Mary Gillingham, Elizabeth Hancock
Proved: to Joseph Webber.
Deceased died 27 April 1832, effects sworn under £200.
Before: George William J Chard, Surrogate

DHC reference: AD/DT/W/1833/22

Joseph Manwell, quarryman of Swanage
Will made: 27 September 1827

- James and Moses Manwell (sons): wearing apparel

- Household goods to be put in small lots and sold to my children to those of them that will give the most money and the money to be equally divided
  among all my children

- Freehold property two houses with the garden and outhouses belonging and two seats at the church to be sold by public auction and the money to
  be divided between my children

- Mary Tovey (eldest daughter): 'leave in the hands of the executors one third part of all the money that may fall to her share to be given to my
  granson Stephen Masters'

- James, Joseph and Moses Manwell (sons): executors

Witnesses: Robert Burt, James Coleman, Francis Bishop
Will proved: 19 June 1833 to James and Moses Manwell, quarriers.
Goods sworn under £200.
Testator died 25 March 1833.
Before George W L[?] Chard, Surrogate

 

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1837/47

William Curtis Randell Stone Merchant of Swanage
Will dated: 27 Apr 1837

- I give and bequeath unto Mary Francis wife of Pleasant Francis of Swanage in County of Dorset for the term of her
  natural life All that House with the East part of the Garden now occupied by me and situate in Manwells Lane in Swanage
  aforesaid and after the decease of the said Mary Francis I give and bequeath the said House with the East part of the
  Garden as aforesaid to Sarah Gillingham the daughter of Moses and Lucy Gillingham of Greenwich in Kent and to her
  heirs and assigns for ever

- I give devise and bequeath unto Elizabeth Hunt my Granddaughter All that my other Freehold House situate in Manwells
  Lane aforesaid and opposite to the one in which I now live together with all that other part of a Garden called the West
  end both which are now in the occupation of Hester Bonfield To hold the same unto her the said Elizabeth Hunt her heirs
  and assigns for ever

- I give and bequeath all that my Freehold House situate at the top of Manwells Lane aforesaid and now occupied by Betty
  Frampton my Sister unto the said Betty Frampton during the term of her natural life and after her decease I give devise
  and bequeath the said House unto Elizabeth Hunt aforesaid To hold the said House unto her the said Elizabeth Hunt her
  heirs and assigns for ever

- I give and bequeath unto Mary Francis and Elizabeth Hunt aforesaid all my Household Furniture Linen China and Books
  to be equally divided between them and in case they do not agree on the division my will is that the same be sold by public
  auction and the proceeds arising from such auction after payment of the expences attending the same to be equally divided
  between them the said Mary Francis and Elizabeth Hunt

- I give and bequeath unto Mary Francis that silver spoon marked with her Fathers and Mothers mark namely W.S.G.

- I give and bequeath unto Mary Randell daughter of my Brother Thomas Randell a silver cream jug marked with W.S.R.

- I give and bequeath unto Grace Foster another daughter of my said Brother Thomas Randell Ten pounds worth of Timber
  now lying on the Beach at Swanage aforesaid And all the rest of the Timber lying on the Beach as aforesaid I give and
  bequeath the same to the said Grace Foster

- I give and bequeath unto Thomas Randell the younger son of my said Brother Thomas Randell my two Loading Carts
  which I lately purchased at the Sale of the late John Pushman

- I give and bequeath unto my Brother Thomas Randell all my wearing apparel

- And I also give and bequeath unto my said Brother Thomas Randell all the stone which belongs to me on the Bankers which
  I occupy and in taking the same to be careful not to take the stone from the Banker which I rent of Benjamin Bower Stickland
  half of which I underlet to Peter and John Gover as the stone on that half belongs to them the said Peter and John Gover

- I give and bequeath unto William Randell my Nephew my Watch

- I give and bequeath unto John Gover one dozen of my working Tools and the remainder of the said Tools I give unto Edward
  Randell my Nephew in Guernsey

- And whereas all that Timber now on the Beach aforesaid is unpaid for and an agreement having been entered into with the
  person of whom I bought the same should be paid for in stone I direct that the same be paid by Robert Burt Stone Merchant
  of Swanage out of the Stone which is due from him to me and which amounts to more than Twenty one pounds

- I give and bequeath all that seat in the Parish Church of Swanage aforesaid next to the Sextons seat unto Martha Stickland
  wife of John Stickland her heirs and assigns for ever

- I give and bequeath all that one sitting in the Gallery of the said Parish Church of Swanage unto Thomas Randell the younger
  and his heirs and assigns for ever

Executrixes: Mary Francis (step-Daughter) & Elizabeth Hunt (née Gillingham, Step-Granddaughter)
Signed by Testator
Witnesses: Henry Digby Coles DeLaMotte (Surgeon of Swanage), John Summers (Shoemaker of Swanage), Charles William
Willis (Solicitor of Swanage)
Testator died: 03 May 1837
Will proved: 29 Sep 1837
Mary the wife of Pleasant Francis of Swanage aforesaid Mariner and Elizabeth the wife of Edward Hunt of W. S. Trafalgar East
Greenwich in the County of Kent Mariner sworn before Thomas Wise

NB: William Curtis Randell had no children of his own. The grandchildren he refers to are those of his wife, Sarah Gillingham née
Manuel, whom he married at Alverstoke in Hampshire on 09 Jun 1802 witnessed by her son, Moses Gillingham, and the parish
clerk, John Gear.

There is a joint tombstone to William Curtis Randell and Sarah Randell formerly Gillingham née Manuel (who died 05 Dec 1826) in
St Mary’s Churchyard.

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1840/17

Ann Briggs, spinster of Swanage
Administration: Thomas Shott, labourer of Swanage, William Hardy and William Hardy, junior, shoemakers of Swanage
Bound 25 February 1840

Mary Shott wife of the above bounden
Thomas Shott to administer goods of her cousin Ann Briggs
Before Thomas Oldfield Bartlett, Commissioner
Commission: 25 February 1840 to Mary Shott of Swanage wife of Thomas Shott and first cousin of Ann Briggs.
Ann Briggs died 23 December 1839, goods under £100.
Commission executed to Mary Shott, Thomas Shott, William Hardy and William Hardy, junior duly executed the bond 2 March 1840
before Thomas Oldfield Bartlett, Commissioner

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1840/31

Thomas Burt, stone mason formerly of Studland and late of Swanage
Will made: 23 January 1836

- Samuel (bro): wearing apparel

- Charlotte (‘beloved wife’): all freehold messuages, lands, gardens etc near the Mill, Swanage, and rest

- Moses Manwell of Swanage: executor

Witnesses: D Davies, Curate of Studland, Maria Summers, Robert White
Proved 29 July 1840 by Moses Manwell, stone mason of Swanage.
Goods sworn under £200.
Testator died 19 November 1839.
Sworn before H T Tacket[?], Surrogate

Transcribed by Kim Parker from microfilms at the Dorset History Centre

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1840/32

William Smith,  Blacksmith of Swanage
Will dated: 13 Oct 1834

Unto my dear and loving Wife Elizabeth:
- all that my Leasehold House and Blacksmith’s Shop at Swanage aforesaid now in the occupation of my Son Charles Smith
- a moiety to which I am entitled in Biles’ Living called Illminster Land held on the lives of Aaron Bower and Nathan Chinchen
  situate at Swanage aforesaid and to which I am entitled under the Will of the late Moses Gillingham deceased
- all my Household Goods, Wearing Apparel, Chattels and Effects and all other property whether real or personal whatsoever
  and wheresoever to which I am now entitled or may hereafter be entitled at the time of my decease

Executrix: Wife
Signed by Testator
Witnesses: William Venables, George Day – Accountant, Wareham
Testator died: 10 Feb 1840
Will proved: 20 May 1840
Elizabeth Smith, widow, sworn before Thomas Oldfeld Bartlett
Effects under: £200
 

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1841/48

Hester Rawlins [Roawlins], widow of Swanage
Will made: 15 April 1840

- Charles Moulham [Mowlem]: oak chest and two boxes, one pair horns

- Elizabeth Hood: best calo[?] sheet, one pair pillow cases, one square cotton table cloth, two black framed chairs with plain stick crone[?] the
  back the best bible

- Ann Gillingham: oval table, looking glass, 4 pictures and best quilt

- Mary Gillingham: chest drawers ironing cloth light curtains hide peuces and dusters[?] oalns[?] rods and iron

- Martha Gillingham: high back chairs upstairs, patch work quilt washing tub and stool

- Elizabeth Hancock: large stand corner cupboard, china bowl and 'basons'

- Ann Hancock: bed and bedstead, bolsters and pillows, dressing table and covered stool stove up stairs pair towels sheets ditto blankets
  all the spoons large and small tea pot crown[?] Judge cups and saucers and ‘basons’, the delft bowl

- 'All the above names': 'one pound after my funeral expenses'

- 'the two younger sisters Jane and Louisa': 10s each

- Hester Webber the younger: the two pictures

- Susanna: one pair good tumblers glass mustard pot

- Betty Hancock: 'all that is not named is for Betty Hancock to do what she please with it'

- Martha Hancock: blue shawl, 2 coats, 2 pair stockings, 4 shifts, 2 gowns, 3 night caps, 3 ditto, 3 handkerchiefs, 1 pair stays,
  one bonnet: 'if she should die it must go to Betty or her children'

Signed Hester Rawlins (will is in her hand)

Witnesses: John Smith, John Baggs
Administration bond: Betty Hancock, widow of Swanage, Peter Webber, quarrier of Swanage and Joseph Weeks, quarrier of Swanage
bound 19 July 1841. Hester Rawlins appointed no executor but appointed Betty Hancock (niece) her residuary legatee, to administer
Commission oath: 17 July 1841 to Betty Hancock, widow of Swanage, niece of Hester Rawlins
Testator died 6 June 1841, effects sworn under £200, commission executed 19 July 1841 before James Leonard Jackson, Commissioner

 

[Background notes: Hester was buried in 1841 aged 81 years. She was baptised in 1759 to John and Betty Mowlem and married Samuel Rawlins
in 1804. Her sister Susannah Mowlem married James Allen in 1782 and had Eleanor Allen (b abt 1783) who married Matthew Gillingham - their
children Elizabeth (married John Hood in 1831), Ann, Mary, Martha, Jane and Louisa are mentioned in the will. Joseph Weeks and Peter Webber
(bound above), were husbands of Martha and Mary Gillingham respectively. In 1815, Elizabeth Allen, another niece of Hester’s, married
George Hancock – she is the widowed Betty Hancock in the will]

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1843/27

Elizabeth Beaton, widow of Newton, Sandwich or Swanage
Will made: 14 April 1843

- Executors and trustees in will of late husband Samuel Beaton: James Voss, yeoman of Woodyhide, Worth Matravers
  and James Panton, brewer of Lady St Mary, Wareham to pay rents and profits of Newton Estate to Ann Bridle wife of
  William Bridle, carpenter for her exclusive use only

- The lands etc to be divided between John Bridle, Sarah Bower wife of Jeremiah, James Bridle, Mary Bridle, Elizabeth Bridle,
  Jane Bridle, William George Bridle and Isaac Newton Bridle as tenants in common.

- Ann and Priscilla Caines daus of Thomas Caines late of Lynch, Corfe Castle deceased: annuity £5 each

- Isaac Newton of Tincleton, Dorchester: annuity £10

- Elizabeth Tucker, widow of Bridport: annuity £5

- Levi Marsh of Newton ‘now in my service’: annuity £10

- Ann Bridle wife of William Bridle: residue for her sole and separate use and executrix

Witnesses: F Filliter, solicitor of Wareham, John Smith, yeoman of Swanage, Elizabeth Antram, widow of West Lulworth
James Voss, yeoman of Woodyhide, Worth Matravers and James Panton, brewer of Lady St Mary, Wareham appointed
by will to administer goods etc.

Elizabeth Beaton died 16 April 1843.
1 May 1843, sworn 4 May 1843

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1843/44

Clare Rawlins, widow of Sandwich otherwise Swanage
Will made: 22 October 1842

- William Linington the elder of Swanage, mason and James Bramble, East Lulworth, bailiff: freehold house etc except the small coal house in
  Swanage in occupation of William Benson with the large coalhouse near thereto, late in my occupation and joint use of the pump and water
  therein - in trust to take rents, profits and pay to Ann Linington otherwise Ann White, the natural daughter of the late Mary Ann White
  (wife of Arthur White late of Sandwich otherwise Swanage and now of Wimborne Minster, saddler and collarmaker) - then to Ann's children -
  then to William Linington aforesaid

- Clare Linington (wife of William Linington): freehold houses in Swanage late in occupation of William Bonfield and now of John Arney, together
  with the smal coalhouse near thereto, late in the occupation of Arthur White, together with joint use of the pump and water therein - then to
  William Linington - then to William Linington son of William

- John Linington, son of William Linington (the elder): new erected house in Swanage late in my own occupation and since of Richard Linington
  deceased, small coal house and joint use of the pump and water therein

- Clare Linington: £25

- James Bramble aforesaid: £5

- Children of William Linington the elder: £10 to be divided

- William Linington the elder: £5

- William Linington the elder of Swanage, mason and James Bramble, East Lulworth, bailiff: rest including money in the Wareham and Purbeck Savings Bank
  in trust to invest in Parliamentary Stocks or Public Funds – interest to be paid to Ann Linington otherwise Ann White – then to her children – then to
  William Linington the elder

- William Linington the elder: to be trustee and guardian of Ann Linington otherwise Ann White until she reaches 21 years

- William Linington the elder of Swanage, mason and James Bramble: trustees of will

Witnesses: John Arney, labourer of Swanage, Robert Dugdale, solicitor of Wareham
Commission oath: 18 January 1843 to William Linington the elder of Swanage, mason and James Bramble, East Lulworth, bailiff the joint executors
Sworn died 1 December 1842, effects under £200.
Oath executed 27 January 1843 before Thomas Grey Clarke, Curate of Swanage, Commissioner

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1843/14

Elizabeth Smith, widow of Swanage
Commission oath: 4 December 1843 to Margaret Smith, spinster of Swanage, one of the children of Eizabeth Smith intestate.
Intestate died 1 January 1843, effects under £100.
Commission executed 8 December 1843, William Vye and William Dowland duly executed the bond, before James Leonard Jackson, Commissioner
Administration bond: Margaret Smith, spinster of Swanage, William Vye, butcher of Swanage and William Dowland, blacksmith of Swanage
bound 8 December 1843.

Margaret to administer

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1844/35

William Hatchard, Innholder of Swanage
Will made: 16 June 1843

- Phoebe (wife): leasehold house with the stables, chaisehouses land etc called the Anchor Inn', Swanage now in my occupation;
  and all leasehold land 8 acres in Ulwell, Swanage also in my occupation sometime since purchased of William Travers; and meadow
  ground, Ulwell, Swanage called Sharps Meadow in my occupation; and copyhold stable or tenement garden and premises I lately
  purchased of W P Taunton Esq nearly opposite the Anchor Inn, Swanage in my occupation. Household goods, horses, carriages etc
  as long as she continues a widow, after her decease to Jane Badcock (niece) 'now residing with me'

- James Panton, brewer of Wareham and Robert Dugdale Marshfield, gentleman of Wareham: executors

Witnesses: Samuel Evans, William Vye
Before: James Joyce Evans, Commissioner
Commission oath: 5 March 1844.
Commission executed to the executors 3 April 1844 before James Joyce Evans, Commissioner.
Deceased died 22 December 1843.
Goods etc sworn under £1500.

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1845/2

Robert Tizard Roper, labourer of Newton, Swanage
Administration: Elizabeth Roper, widow of Robert, of Herston, Swanage.

23 January 1845. Sworn 31 January 1845.

Robert died July 1840. Bond: Elizabeth Roper, Lionel Bridle, yeoman of Fordington and John Ansty, baker of Fordington

DHC reference: CP/A/S45

Thomas Gould Senneck, mariner of Swanage
Commission oath: 15 July 1846 to Louisa Senneck, widow of the deceased intestate.
Oath executed and sworn 17 July 1846 before John Cooke, Commissioner.
Effects under £100, Thomas Gould Senneck died 7 January 1846
Administration bond: Louisa Senneck of Swanage, widow, Elizabeth Smith of Middlebere, Holy Trinity, Wareham, widow and
Theodore Craft of Swanage, carpenter bound 17 July 1846

Louisa to administer effects.
Before John Cooke, Commissioner

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1846/31

Elizabeth White of Swanage, widow of the late Lieutenant Colonel White, C.B.
Will made: 27 December 1844

- William Grove White (son): books - Cruden's Concordance, the Works of Josephus, and Ray on ercation

- Anne Bullen (dau), wife of Robert Dugdale Marshfield: gold locket with the hair of her late brother Francis Fane White which I
  now wear, gold ring with her said late brother's hair and his initials, also Russia leather writing desk, work table with castors,
  medicine chest and Keyworths Exposition in 2 volumes

- Louisa (dau) wife of William Smith: tent bedstead full sized mahogany posts, with dimity furniture, mattress, feather bed, bolster
  and pillows belonging to it, also Pembroke mahogany table with castors

- Louisa Smith (dau): £100 which is secured by the promissory note of William Smith, and £30 in addition to enable her to pay the
  legacy duty which will become payable from her at my decease under the will of her late father, and also to enable her the better
  to provide for mourning

- Elizabeth White (dau): rest including furniture books linen, wearing apparel 'jewels trinkets and ornaments of the person'; Pew no. 8
  in the parish church Swanage

- Elizabeth White (dau) and Robert Dugdale Marshfield: executrix and executor

Witnesses: Francis Bishop, Elizabeth Miller Bonfield
Commission oath: 3 August 1846 to be made to Elizabeth White, spinster of Swanage and Robert Dugdale Marshfield of Wareham,
gentleman
Effects sworn under £600, testatrix died 10 June 1846.
Oath executed 10 August 1846 before James Joyce Evans, Commissioner

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1847/54  

Elizabeth Butler, widow of Sandwich or Swanage
Will dated: 8 September 1842

- Martha Butler (dau): all freehold property in Poole and Sandwich, and rest. Executrix

Witnesses: Sarah Card Blacklock Wareham Dorset Robert Dugdale Wareham Dorset
Sworn under £2000 to Martha Hopkins wife of Henry Hopkins, linen draper of Swanage
13 September 1847. Probate granted 1 October 1847
Oath administered, deceased died 19 April 1847

 

DHC reference: DA/W/1847/55

Sarah Cockram, widow of Swanage
Will made: 21 September 1839

- To be ‘buried in the vault in Swanage Church with my late husband in a plain and decent manner and without pall bearers’

- Priscilla Edmonds Cole (niece): ‘the pictures of my late father and mother which hang up in my parlour together with the mourning
  ring given me by my late brother Martin Campbell Cole for his them late wife’, ‘the mourning diamond ring of my late Grandfather
  Best’, goldstone Brooch, best tea chest and writing desk

- Katharine Stent (niece) wife of George: ‘braclets [sic] of my late father and mother’s pictures’

- Mary Colson Lewis (niece): locket miniature picture of my late father and cornelian brooch, pictures of my late husband, brother
  Richard and all other pictures which hang up in my sitting room up stairs, patchwork quilt, large silver waiter and diamond hoop ring

- Sarah Baskett, spinster of Wareham: miniature picture of my late husband

- Julianna Denny (dau of niece Sarah Eliza Munro Denny): silver coins

- Sarah Anne Stent (dau of niece Katharine Stent): gold watch and seals

- Mary Bennett (wife of Stephen Bennett and dau of my friend the late Charlotte Brinsden Everingham): table cloth press now in my kitchen

- Priscilla Edmonds Cole and Katharine Stent (nieces): all plate, china, books, chimney and other ornaments to share equally

- Margaret Young Ellis, Priscilla Edmonds Cole and Katharine Stent (nieces): wearing apparel, linen and bedding to share equally

- Maid servant: to have a new suit of mourning clothes and £5

- Charles Baskett, gentleman of Wareham and Stephen Bennett, gentleman of Wareham: freehold house and garden, Herston lately
  occupied by Reverend David Davies but now void and residue of my goods, in trust to sell and divide into six equal parts:

    - 1/6: Priscilla Edmonds Cole

    - 1/6: Lavinia and Emma Oxford (daus of late niece Arethusa Oxford) when 21 years old. If deceased then to Sarah Anne Stent,
      Julianna Denny and the dau of my niece Margaret Young Ellis

    - 1/6: Katharine Stent (niece), then to Sarah Anne Stent (her dau). If deceased then 1/3 Lavinia and Emma Oxford, 1/3 Julianna Denny,
      1/3 dau of my niece Margaret Young Ellis

    - 1/6: Julianna Denny when 21 years old. If deceased 1/3 Lavinia and Emma Oxford, 1/3 Sarah Anne Stent, 1/3 child of my niece
      Margaret Young Ellis

    - 1/6: Margaret Young Ellis, then to her child when 21 years old. If deceased 1/3 Lavinia and Emma Oxford, 1/3 Sarah Anne Stent,
      1/3 Julianna Denny

    - 1/6: Reverend Thomas Denny for the better support and maintenance of Mary Ellis (my niece). After decease 1/4 Lavinia and
      Emma Oxford, 1/4 Sarah Anne Stent, 1/4 Julianna Denny, 1/4 dau of my niece Margaret Young Ellis

- Charles Baskett, gentleman of Wareham and Stephen Bennett, gentleman of Wareham and Priscilla Edmonds Cole (niece): executors
  and executrix

Witnesses: Harriet Baskett, Mary Gillingham, Robert D Marshfield

Codicil: 12 August 1847

- Replace - maid servant to have a new suit of mourning clothes and £5 - by – ‘each of my maid servants’ to have
  new suit of mourning clothes

- Hester Webber (‘my old and faithful servant’): £19

Witnesses: Harriet Basket and Julia Colson
Administration commission oath: 29 September 1847 to executors and executrix: Charles Baskett, gentleman of
Wareham and Stephen Bennett, gentleman of Wareham and Priscilla Edmonds Cole, spinster of Swanage
Goods sworn under £300. Oath deceased died 5 September 1847, commission executed 8 October 1847, J L Jackson, Commissioner

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1847/56

Joseph Webber, postman of Swanage
Will made (and written by testator): 31 August 1832

- Hester (wife): all my house etc

Witnesses: Elizabeth Hancock, Hester Rawlins, Margaret Edmonds, Peter Webber
Commission oath: to Hester Webber, widow of Swanage
12 April 1847
Sworn: Joseph Webber died 30 August 1838, goods sworn under £100, sworn 16 April 1847 before James Leonard Jackson, Commissioner

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/A/1849/10

Henry Hibbs, Quarrier, widower of Swanage
Commission oath: to be administered to Mary wife of John Thicks, stone Mason of Fawley, Southampton (dau of Henry Hibbs). 14 May 1849

John Thicks bound, effects sworn under £50, died 8 October 1848 intestate
Commission executed 4 June 1849
Administration bond: John Thicks, stone mason of Fawley, Southampton, William Studds, gentleman and Richard Caton, Harness Maker both
of the same place, bound 4 June 1849.
Mary Thicks to administer.
Before Thomas L Shapcott, Commissioner

 

DHC reference: Da/Dt/W/1850/41

Sarah Bartlett Stickland, widow of Swanage, Dorset
Dated: 23 November 1849

- Thomas Stickland (brother-in-law) foreman to Mr White, of Swanage, Maria (niece) daughter of
  Thomas Stickland, John William Cole Burt (nephew) yeoman of Swanage; Hester Cole Burt,
  Ralph Burt, Elizabeth Burt, George Burt and William Burt (children of John William Cole Burt);
  and Hester Agnes Davis daughter of John Cole Davis (nephew): £19 19s 6d each. Legacies for
  those under 21 years to be invested in Wareham and Purbeck or some other Savings Bank and
  allowed to accumulate

- Superintendant of Wesleyan Missionary Society: £6 for funds of the Society

- Elizabeth Coleman wife of Richard of Swanage: £2

- George and Henry Stickland sons of Thomas (brother-in-law): £2 each

- Hester Cole Burt, Elizabeth Burt and Hester Ann Davis: household goods divided between them

- John William Cole Burt (nephew): residue

Executors: John William Cole Burt and John Cole Davis
Signed by testatrix
Witnesses: James Haysom, Robert D Marshfield
Commission: 26 February 1850 to John William Cole Burt, yeoman of Swanage and John Cole Davis,
gentleman of Swanage to administer the will of testatrix
Testatrix died 19 January 1850
Signed by John William Cole Burt, mark of John Cole Davis (x)
Commission certified as executed by J L Jackson, commissioner 1 March 1850

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1850/38

Thomas Hardy, cordwainer of Swanage, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Dated: 20 February 1846

- Jane (wife): £100

- Mary Ann (daughter) wife of John Stevens, cordwainer of Swanage: £20

- William (brother): £10

- The above legacies to be paid as soon as possible

- William (brother): best suite of clothes

- William (nephew) son of William (brother): remainder of wearing apparel

- Jane (wife): freehold tenements and lands in Swanage in occupation of James Harding, Captain May,
  George Harding and Mrs Jones, leasehold messuage in Swanage in my occupation and residue of real
  and personal estate, goods etc. Then to Mary Ann Stevens (daughter) on Jane’s (wife) decease or
  remarriage, forever on condition she pays William Hardy (brother) £50 from the property

Executrix and executor: Jane (wife) and Thomas Stickland, merchant’s clerk of Swanage
Signed by testator
Witnesses: George Best, James Keenan, Robert D Marshfield  Commission: 15 April 1850 to Jane Hardy, widow of Swanage
and Thomas Stickland to administer the goods of the deceased testator
Testator died 25 March 1850
Goods sworn under £450
Signed by Thomas Stickland, mark of Jane Hardy (x)
Sworn 26 April 1850

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1850/39

Peter Phippard of Swanage, Dorset
Dated: 25 April 1850


- Moses Manwell (nephew): house and premises ‘which he rents of me and now in his occupation
  on condition that he pay the whole of the mortgage deed that is outstanding’, and the house adjoining
  occupied by John Best: also the use of the Privy is to be reserved for the House adjoining now in the
  occupation of the aforesaid John Best.

- Joseph Budden (nephew) and Mary Farwell (niece): house and premises in the occupation of John Best
  ‘on condition that the water and right of way to the well be reserved to the house now in the occupation
  of Moses Manwell’.

- Joseph Budden (nephew): wearing apparel and my eight day clock

- Moses Manwell, Joseph Budden and Mary Farwell: to pay all my funeral expenses and the expenses
  attending the administration of the will

- Sarah Manwell (niece) and her daughter Catherine Weeks: all goods to be equally divided between them.

Executor: Moses Manwell (nephew)
Witnesses: John G Gover, William Smith
Signed: [a very shaky Peter Phippard signature]
Commission: 27 May 1850
Moses Manuell, Stonemason of Swanage given power to administer the
will of Peter Phippard, stonemason of Swanage
Testator died 12 May 1850
Goods sworn under £20
Commission certified: 29 May 1850

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1850/40

Mary Smith, spinster of Swanage, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset
Dated: 17 October 1845

- James Smith (nephew) son of Nathaniel (brother): gold watch and seal

- Elizabeth Burden wife of Charles, and Priscilla Card, widow (nieces): all wearing apparel, linen and
  ornaments of the person

- Ann Gillingham (servant): £10 and ‘a complete suit of mourning’

- John Smith, husband of my sister Betty otherwise Elizabeth Smith: freehold house, yard and land
  in Swanage in occupation of James Craft, forever

- Betty otherwise Elizabeth Smith (sister): residue

Executor: John Smith (brother-in-law)
Signed by testatrix
Witnesses: William Shorey, Stephen Masters, Robert D Marshfield
Commission: 12 August 1850 to John Smith, yeoman of Swanage to administer the will of the
testatrix deceased
Goods sworn under £200
Testatrix died 27 July 1850
Signed by John Smith
Commission certified as executed by J L Jackson, commissioner 16 August 1850

DHC reference: DA/A/1850/19

Priscilla Clapcott of Swanage, widow of Francis Clapcott, butcher
Administration - Commission: to be given to George Smith of Swanage, carpenter, brother of deceased to administer (John and Betty Smith,
father and mother of deceased having renounced)

6 November 1850
Sworn under £100
Oath: died 28 August 1850 intestate. Commission executed 8 November 1850 before J L Jackson, Commissioner
Bond: George Smith of Swanage, carpenter, William Craft of Swanage, cabinet maker and William Lance, draper of Wareham
George Smith to administer before J L Jackson, Commissioner 8 November 1850
Renunciation: 8 November 1850 signed John and Betty Smith, father and mother of deceased before J L Jackson, Commissioner

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1852/19

Mary Phippard, widow of Herston, Swanage, Dorset
Dated: 16 November 1840

- William Benfield (son-in-law): cottage, fuelhouse, garden and premises, Herston in my occupation,
  upon trust to sell it by Public Auction and divide the proceeds between Samuel and Thomas Phippard
  (sons) and Hannah Brown wife of James, Mary Best wife of John, Charlotte Haysom wife of Tulevin,
  Sarah Baker wife of John, Jemima Phippard and Elizabeth Benfield, wife of William (daughters).

- Jemima Phippard (daughter): feather bed, bolster and pillow with the bedstead and bedding belonging,
  dining table, tea stand, corner cupboard, four chairs, pot and tea kettle.

- William Benfield (son-in-law): eight day clock and case provided he pays my funeral expenses.

- Samuel and Thomas Phippard (sons) and Hannah Brown, Mary Best, Charlotte Haysom, Sarah Baker,
  Jemima Phippard and Elizabeth Benfield (daughters): residue.

Executor: William Benfield (son-in-law)
Signed X by testatrix
Witnesses: Robert Chamberlain, Francis Haysom, Francis Bishop

Appeared personally: William Benfield, Quarrier of Swanage, Dorset states that deceased died
17 January 1851 and that the estate was under £20 and that the deceased was possessed of no
leasehold estates.
Sworn 6 February 1852.

DHC reference: Dt/Ad/A/1854/13

Ann Hixson, spinster of Swanage
12 April 1854
Commission oath, goods sworn under £200, Ann Hixson died 6 March 1854. Oath executed 21 April 1854

Administration bond: George Hixson, serving in the Coast Guard, of Swanage, Francis Bishop, builder and
George Toms [Tomes], mariner of the same
21 April 1854
George, brother of Ann to administer
Before Robert Duncan Travers, Commissioner

DHC reference: Ad/Dt/W/1855/17

Peter Gover, Stonemason of Church Bridge, Swanage, Dorset
Dated: 31 December 1853

- ‘having been blessed in this life with an estate’ at Church – bridge, Swanage ‘bounded on the north
  by the river or stream running towards the sea with three cottages and garden adjacent, also having five
  children, three sons and two daughters, four of which is living in the parish of Swanage aforesaid,
  but my other son Thomas is now living at Australia’

- John, Thomas, Peter, Elizabeth and Catharin (children): the disposal of the estate to be made ‘suitable
  and agreeable to them all’. The property is to be sold by Private Auction and each cottage is to be valued
  by two competent persons, proceeds to be divided equally between the children, plus remainder

- ‘if my son Thomas is not in England at my decease his portion…is to be deposited in the Wareham
  and Purbeck Savings Bank for him, his heirs or assigns to receive with all interest accruing there from
  at their return to this country, also should there be any building unfurnished at my decease it is to be
  forthwith finished and the bills paid’

Executors: John and Peter (sons)
Signed by testator
Witnesses: Charles Phippard, George Bower
Proved: 4 April 1855 by John and Peter Gover (sons), stonemasons of Swanage
Goods valued under £20
Testator died 3 November 1854

DHC reference: Ad/Dt /W/1856/4

George Cull, yeoman of Belle Vue, Swanage
Will made: 16 September 1853

- Susannah (wife): two freehold cottages etc at Langton Matravers in the occupation of John Bower and William Harden, so long as she
  remains a widow and after her decease or second marriage to Elizabeth (dau) wife of James Cull the younger, and Maria Cull divided
  as tenants in common

- Susannah (wife): rest goods, including farming stock and crop etc as tenants in common.

- Executor and executrix to carry on farming business, or discontinue it if prejudicial to estate, sale of effects to be invested.

- ‘Any advances made by me to Mr Edwin Grant, have been made for his own and absolute use and benefit’

- Richard Andrews (brother in law) and Susannah (wife): Executor and executrix

Witnesses: Elizabeth Gillingham, Robert D Marshfield Richard Andrews, gentleman of Standlynch Charlton, Wiltshire, sole serving executor
19 November 1856.
Estate sworn under £1000. Testator died 26 August 1856. Commission executed 25 November 1856