WESTOVER WILLS AND INVENTORIES.
There is a good deal of what is interesting in old wills. They show a man's family and kinsfolk, and the furniture of his house, and they also show customs and things and words which were in his day but are not in our day. So they are useful from several different points of view.
On the North side of the Cathedral Green at Wells, next but one to the Deanery, stands the District Probate Registry. Here are kept a great number of Somersetshire wills from 1528 to the present time. They are well indexed, so that there is no difficulty in finding out what is there. Mr. Weaver has just published a very useful work called "Wells Wills," being extracts from all the wills from 1528 to 1536 arranged by parishes. Formerly the Bishop and the Dean each had a Probate office. The wills from both their offices are now kept here. Wedmore was what is called a Peculiar of the Dean of Wells, and so Wedmore people used to prove their wills in the Dean's Court and not in the Bishop's. But unfortunately all the wills proved in the Dean's Court before 1660 have been lost; so that Wedmore wills before 1660 are scarce. There are none in Mr. Weaver's book. I have been through the Indexes at Wells, and there are no Wedmore wills there earlier than 1660, excepting during about 10 years, 1570 to 1580, when for some reason or other they were proved in the Bishop's Court. With the wills are generally inventories of the testator's personal effects made immediately after his or her death. I have taken from the Registry at Wells all the Westover Wills and Inventories that are there. By rights the wills should be printed verbatim. But they are often so much longer and more intricate than they need be, three words being used where one is enough, that the temptation to shorten and simplify them is very great. In the case of the wills of the Wedmore Westovers I have resisted this temptation. In the case of the Allertonians I have generally yielded to it. I am obliged for the courtesy that I met with at the Registry.
1. This is the Will of .John Westover of Stoughton, 1574, printed verbatim.
In the name of God Amen. The 13th day of ye mouneth of Maye, 1574, I John Westover of Stoughton in the Parish of Wedmore, husbandeman, being of whole mynde and in good and parfect remembrance, laud and praise be unto Almighty God, make and ordayne this my present testament conteyning herein my last will in manner and form following.-That is to say-First, I commende my soul unto Almighty God my Maker and Readeemer, and my bodye to be buryed in the Parish Churchyarde of Wedmore. And I bequeath to the poore mens box 12 pence. Item I geve and bequeath to my daughter Grace the bullocks of fower yeares age, a cowe calde Sparkle and the said cowes calfe of this yeares weyning, a red bullock of two yeares age, a cowes calfe of one yeares age, a Baye mare, eight ewes and ther lambes, fortie five shillings sterling of the fower pounds tenne shillings that William Evans of Weare oweth me, for that he promised to paye unto me the sayed summe bor one White that had wheate of me as much as cam to the sayed summe, and tenn shillings more if John Boorde can get it of the sayed White, and 40 shillings that William Tutton oweth me. Item I geve to the sayed Grace after her mother's decease the greatest crocke and the greatest panne.
Item I geve and bequeath to Joane my daughter a cowe called Pickle and two of her calfes, the one a yearling, the other of this yeares weyning, a blacke bullocke of two yeares age, fyve weathers going in ye moor, a rone mare and ye last yeares colte of ye sayed mare, nine acres of pasturadge (?) ground at Blackforde with the croppe for all the yeares that shalbe to come after my decease, my parte of the wheate mowe in John Boord his backeside, the which is betwene the sayed John Boorde and me, and all other thinges ells that is belonging unto me in any kynde of thing or matter that is betwixt John Borde and me. Item I geve and bequeath to Mary my daughter two bullockes called Taile and Gallante, a redd starred steere of two yeares age, two red bullockes yearlinges, a cowe called Lillye, a blacke mare, two horse coltes the one of two yeares age the other a yeare old and one of them a rone and the other a baye, tenne sheepe and fortie shillings stirlinge the which Richard Councell of Theale oweth unto me. Item I geve and bequeath to my brother Thomas and Joane my daughter ye blacke mare's colte and the tithing of Dunnyngham and Burmeade for two yeares and also wooll and lambe (if that Richard Councell and John Wall will not have it) and my brother Thomas shall see the rent to be payed to Master Booreman, Item I geve to my sayed brother my hackney saddle and my feight (or flight) nett. Item I geve to John Starre my blewe coate. And the resydue of all my apparell, saving my cloak, I geve to my brother Thomas. Item I geve to Ellen Poole two sheepe and a busshell of wheate. Item I geve to my sister Julyana Mayne a white pigg, and to her children two busshells of wheate in the fyelde. Item I geve to my wife all the corne that is left in the barton of the last yeares croppe, so that she will keepe and bring up my children.
And if it fortune any of my said children to deceasse before they be of lawful age, or before that time be not marryed, her parte or her parte so decessing shall remaine to the other of them then survyving.
And my will is that Joane my wife have the using of all the goodes of my sayed children except that parte that remayneth in John Borde's keeping, the which he shall putte to some profit for my daughter Joane so long as it shalbe for ther profitte. Item I ordayne and appoint Richard Pressey and John Councell oversears of this my last will and testament. And I bequeath to either of them for ther paynes in that behalfe fower pence. The resydue of all my goodes and cattell I wholie geve and bequeath to the said Joane my wife, whom also of this my present testament I make and ordayne my whole and sole executrix.
Witnesses, William Tutton, Richard Pressey, John Boorde, John Councell. Proved Oct. 23, 1574.
2. This is the Will of Joan Westover of A1lerton, 1580, printed verbatim.
In the name of God, Amen. Feb. 13, 1580, I Johanna Westover of the Parish of Allerton within the Dioces of Bathe & Welles, being sick in bodye but of perfecte remembrance, thankes be unto Almightie God, doe make and ordayne my laste will and testament in manner and forme followinge.
Firste, I doe bequeath my soule unto Almightie God, and my bodye to be buried in the Parish Churchyard of Wedmore.
Item, I geve to the same Churche 2 pence. Item I geve to the Churche of Allertone 2 pence. Item I geve to the mother Churche of Wells 2 pence. Item I geve to my sonne William xx shillings. Item I geve to John my sonne x1 shillings. Item I geve unto Johanna Bendole my daughter x shillings, and the same Johanes children xx pence a peece. Item I geve to Agnis Millerd my daughters children xx pence to every one of them. Item I geve to my three daughters Joan Agnis and Marye all my apparrell equallie to be divided amongst them. The rest of all my goodes not bequeathed I bequeath to my daughter Marye whom I make and ordayne my whole and sole executor. These being witnesses, Andrew Westover, Reynolde Kine, Richard Westover, Margaret Hogges the wyfe of Thomas Hogges, Feb. 13, 1580. Proved April 29, 1580.
3. This is the Will of Richard Westover of Allerton, Co. Somerset, yeoman, May 9, 1679. I have shortened jt.
First my soul, etc, (as usual): my body to be buried in the Churchyard of Allerton. All my land with the appurtenances belonging to the mansion house wherein I now dwell to Richard Westover my son; also all my land in Allerton, Weare and Compton to Richard my son; which house in Compton is now in the possession of Mr. George Wickham, Minister of Badgworth: also 4 acres of arable which was once Mr. Godwyn's land: also all my goods, cattells, chattells & household stuff both within and without, except one bed to my wife Joan, and another to my daughter Joan. My will is that Richard my son pay all my debts and keep my daughter Mary in school till she accomplish 21 years. Likewise not to remove Joan my wife out of the house where she now dwells as long as she lives a widow. If Richard die without issue, said lands are to be divided equally between my daughters Joan Blessley and Mary Westover. Richard is to pay my daugher Mary £60 when she accomplish 21 years. I appoint Richard my executor, and Adrian Bower & Thomas Blessley overseers.
Proved July 15, 1680. A few alterations were made on May 8, 1680.
Inventory of goods etc. of Richard Westover of Allerton, yeoman, deceased May 15, 1680.
| Item | £ | s. | d. |
| In ready Money | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Wearing apparel | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Hall | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Hall Chamber | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Inner Chamber | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Twindehouse Chamber | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| In the Kitching Chamber | 1 | 6 | 8 |
| In the Cheese Chamber | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Oxen, cows, horses, & all other Rodden beasts, as steares yearlings, calves | 74 | 0 | 0 |
| Hay & Corn in the Backside | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Piggs | 4 | 10 | 0 |
| Brass & Pewter | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Timber vessels | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| Plow Harness | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Wood, helme, stowles & fire fuell standing in the backside | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| For Bees | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| For Bacon | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| For a malt mill | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| Corn & grain growing upon the premises | 48 | 0 | 0 |
| Sadles, bridles, lumbard goods etc. | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Total | 195 | 18 | 0 |
4. This is the will of surgeon John, baptized March 1615/6,buried Feb 1678/9. I have given the inscription on his tombstone at p. 86. I should have said that the lines form an acrostic, so that they cannot be stock lines, but written for him.
In the name of God Amen. I John Westover of the Parish of Wedmore, Co. Somerset, Chyrurgion, being sick of body but thankes be unto God of good and perfect memory, doe hereby make and ordaine this my last will and testyment as followeth. First I bequeath my soul into the hands of God Almightie my Maker and Redeemer, and my body to be buried in the Church or Churchyard of Wedmore; and as for my worldly goods I dispose as followeth. Imprimis, I give unto my daughter Hannah Westover £ 100 to be paid unto her in the issue of 3 years after my death. Item I give unto my daughter An £100 to be paid in the issue of 4 years after my decease. Item I give to my son John Westover my land and all as doe belong to my dwelling house in Wedmore after my wive's life to him and his heires for ever, and also the fee of the 3 yards that lie by my windmill, but not to have it in his possession till after my son Henry's life except xii pence rent, sixpence at a lady day and six pence at in and upon Mickeal's day which shall happen first after his mother's death to be payed by my son Henry during his life to his brother John or his heires. Item I .give unto my son Andrew Westover £8 a year out of the profitts of Goodmeads and Adamses two acres after his mother's death to be paid him by his brother John Westover during his brother John's life and John to keep this grounds in his owne possession to doe it, but he shall pay this £8 to his brother Andrew quarterly every quarter 40 shillings at Michaells tide, Crismas, a lady day or Midsomer which shall first happen after his mother's death and not before: but if it doe please God that my son John doe die before his brother Andrew, then my son Andrew shall have it in his own possession to whom I doe give this Goodmeads and Adams 2 acres during his life and the stats (?) that be upon the grounds. Item I give unto my son Henry my windmill during the stats (?) that be upon the mill and the 3 yards by the mill during his life, only he shall pay the widdow Steevens three shillings and sixpence every a lady day, but till after his mother's death he shall not have the profitts of the mill neither the 3 yards neither shall he pay any rent concerning it. Item I give unto my grand-child William Rowley 9 acres of land which was formerly Mr. Huxlyes being and lyinge 2 acres in Burmead, 5 acres and Aisson Mill, 1/2 acre at Lobthorn, 1 yard at Binham's hill, and 3 yards at Long doolie, and acre at Suldon, to him and to his heires of his mother's side for ever in lieu of all that was dew to him by accounts or any other accounts demands or reckonings what soe ever, and £10 of money upon the sum accounted to be paid unto him when he shall come to the age of 21 years, but the profits of this land he shall have after he shall come to the adg of 14 years, but I doe appoint my son John to be his overseer till he is of the adge of 21 years. Item I doe give unto my grand-child William Rowley that 9 acres of ground that I bought of the widdow Shew (?) to him being of Sir William Whittmore's land in lieu of all bills bands accounts or any other reckonings what soe ever and the profits to remain forthwith after my decease to him, and I doe apoint my son John to be his tutor or guardian also till he the said William Rowley shall come to be of the age of 2! years. Item I give my five children £30 a peece to be payed them upon in and at my wives Merridg day if she doe chance to marry not else, and if it doth please God that she doe marry then my will is allsoe that my sons shall have their effects that I have given them at the Marridg day except the whome living, and that she shall keep till death. Item all the rest of my goods and chattles I give to my wife whom I doe make my wholle and sole executor of this my last will and testament, in witness whereof I the said John Westover have hereunto sett my hand and seale, Feb. 8 1678, in the presence of us Henry Westover, John Davies, John Clap.
Inventory of all the goods and chattels of John Westover of Wedmore yeoman, taken and prized Feb. 8, 1678, by William Westover, Henry Westover and Thomas Coles.
| Item | £ | s. | d. |
| Imp. His wearing apparel and money in purs | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Item. Book debts | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Two beds & bedsteeds and their furniture & other goods in the hall chamber | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| In the new chamber one bedsteed with other furniture | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Beding, bedsteeds, & all other goods in the Kitchen chamber | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| The goods in the West chamber | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| All the Pewter and brass | 40 | 0 | 0 |
| The butts, hodgsheads & barrells in the Sellar with other timber vessels in Kitchen and Brewhouse | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| The furniture in the hall | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| The lininge | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| All the liveinge goods | 253 | 0 | 0 |
| The Corn & hay in the yard | 121 | 10 | 0 |
| The wheate growing on the ground | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| For the plow harness | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| The apple press & materials thereto belonging | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| The fire fewell | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Three mow stadls | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| The working tools, Iron dogs, varks spits and other Iron implements of household stuff | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Foure chattle leases | 154 | 0 | 0 |
| The Provision in the house | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| The forgotten goods | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sum Total | 772 | 10 | 0 |
5. The will of Joan Westover, wife of Surgeon John, printed verbatim. She was the daughter of William Coles. Bapt. Feb., 1618/9 Buried April, 1692.
In the name of God Amen. I Joan Westover of Wedmore, Co. Somerset, (being very aged but blessed be Almighty God of sound and perfect mind and memory) doe make and ordaine this my last will and testament in manner and form following. Imp. I give and bequeath my soule into the hands of Almighty God my Creator, hopeing through the meritorious death and passion of Jesus Christ my Saviour to have free pardon and remission of all my sins, and my body to the earth, not doubting to have a blessed and glorious resurrection to life everlasting, to have Christian burial in the Parish Church of Wedmore aforesaid according as my executor shall think fit. Item I give & bequeath unto my sonne Andrew Westover one feather bed, one rugg, boulster, curtaines and vallenc and what else belong to the same, and also one paire of sheets, and one diaper table cloth, and also half a dozen of diaper (Two or three words in this will may need explanation. Vallences or Vallens are bed-curtains. (Bailey). A pillowby is a pillowbere, a pillow-case. (Halliwell, Nares). Diaper is a linen cloth wrought with flowers and figures. (Bailey). F. C. may possibly stand for Phillis Coles, who 1 think was the stepmother of the testator.) napkins, and one of my biggest brasse pottes (excepting twoo). Also I give and bequeath unto Hannah Poole my daughter one beareing sheet marked with the letters F.C., and one pillowby, and also one diaper table cloth, and half a dozen diaper napkins, and also my best suite of weareing apparell. Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Anne one beareing sheet marked with F.C., and a pillowby, and one diaper table cloth, and half a dozen diaper napkins. Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne Henry Westover my fowerth biggest brasse pot to be delivered him within 12 months after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto my grand-children 12 pence a peece. Item I give unto my sonne Henry Westover 10 shillings to be paid him within 12 months after my decease. Item I give unto my daughter Ann my gold signett ring to be delivered her after my decease. And as for all the rest. of my estate goods and chattells, both real and personal, I give and bequeath unto my sonne John Westover, whom I make and ordaine my whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament. May 14, 1685.
Witnesses, Robert Wormald, Martin Heaths.
Proved at Wells May 14,1692.
Inventory of the goods & chattels of the above Joan Westover of Wedmore, widow, deceased, taken April 25, 1692 by William Westover, John Pitt and John Thatcher.
| Item | £ | s. | d. |
| Imp. Her Wearing apparell & money in pockett | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| It: 13 Horse beastes | 30 | 5 | 0 |
| One yoake of oxen | 7 | 10 | 0 |
| Fower cowes and calves | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Eight young beasts | 12 | 10 | 0 |
| Two piges | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| The plow harness | 12 | 10 | 0 |
| The Corn & hay in the Backside | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| The corn upon ground | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 beds & bedsteeds & furniture belonging | 30 | 2 | 6 |
| The Cofers, table bordes & chest above stairs | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| In the hall one table bord, one side bord, & cubbord & joynt stools | 1 | 12 | 6 |
| The Corne, cheese & timber virsells in the new house. | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| The brass & pewter in the Chichen & virsells in the brewhouse | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| The provision in house | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Beare, Sider & virsells in the siller. | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| The lomber goods & things not seen or forgotten | 0 | 9 | 9 |
|
160 | 3 | 6 |
6. This is an abstract of the Will of Richard Westover, of Allerton, yeoman, dated Jan. 24, 1710 "according to the computation of the Church of England."
His body is to be buried at the discretion of his executor. He gives one shilling to Ann his wife and also one chatle lease lying among the ground belonging to Melsbury farm, upon condition that she remove out of the house where she now lives in ten days after his death. He gives to his daughter Ann Westover £ 10, to be paid in 2 years after his death. He gives to his son Andrew Westover 2 shillings. He gives to his son John Westover £5 to be paid in 3 years. He gives to his son Edmund Westover £20 to be paid when he reach the age of 21 years. His executor is to keep and maintain Edmund in sufficient meat, drink, and apparell, or bind him out an apprentice to some artificial trade. All the rest of his houses, lands, goods, etc., he gives to his son Richard upon condition that he pays all his debts and legacies, and does not suffer "Ann my wife" to be in the house more than 10 days after his death. Upon this condition he makes Richard his sole executor. Otherwise he gives everything to Richard Blesley for ever upon the same condition.
Witnesses, Edmond Wall, John Deane, Robert Grimsteed, Richard Gane. Proved at Wells April 5, 1710.
7. This is the Will of Henry Westover, 3rd son of Surgeon John, younger brother and heir of Doctor John. He was bapt. Sept., 1651, buried June, 1709.
In the name of God Amen. June 18, 1709, according to the computation of the Church of England, I Henry Westover of Wedmore, Co. Somerset, yeoman, being of perfect memory and remembrance praised be God doe make and ordaine this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First, I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Maker, hoping that through the meritorious death and passion of Jesus Christ my only Saviour and Redeemer to receive free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins. And as for my body to be buried in Christian burial at ye discretion of my executor and executrix hereafter nominated. And as touching the disposal of all such temporal estate and goods as it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me I give and dispose thereof as followeth. Item I give to my daughter Joan Westover the sum of £100 to be paid when she shall attain to the age of 25 years. Furthermore my will is that the said £100 shall be laid out in some peice or parcell of land for her use and to the heirs of her body she dying possessed of an heir, other wise to the heir male of the right blood of and in my name. Item I give to my daughter Joan one feather-bed with the appurtenance thereunto belonging, and also one thing of a sort of all sorts of household goods now in the house. Item I give to my son Henery Westover £100 to be paid him when he shall attain unto the age of 21 years, also one feather bed with the appurtenance thereunto belonging, and also one thing of a sort of all sorts of household goods now in the house, Also I give to my son Henry one orchard containing 2 acres more or less lying at the upper end of Clements furlong, the land of Mr. Peter Davis on the West side, and the ground of Robert Bunn on the East side, for the term of his life, and after his decease to my son John and his heirs for ever. Item I give to s-ny son John Westover after the decease of hannah my wife all my lands which I am now possessed of, except before excepted, upon condition that he shall not sell any part or parcell of the same land. And it he doth sell any of the said land, then I give the land wholly and solely to my son Henry Westover and his heirs for ever. Item I give 4 acres of long lease called Clements Close to Hannah my wife for the term of her life, and after her decease to my son John Westover, for the remainder of the years then unexpired, upon condition that my son John shall and will keep and maintain and allow my daughter Joan and Henry my son sufficient meat and drink and apparel until they attain to the age of 21 years each, at his own proper cost and charges. I give all the rest of my goods and chattels unto my son John and Hannah my wife for the term of her life provided she keep herself in my name and unmarried; otherwise I give her one shilling, and afterwards to my son for ever, she doing anything contrary to my will as aforesaid. And then my son John and Hannah my wife paying all my debts and legacies as aforesaid, I make them sole executor and executrix of this my last will and testament, revoking all others.
Witnesses, John Lader, John Hamm, William Deane, Richard Westover.
| Items | £ | s. | d. |
| Imp. Wearing apparel & money in purse |
|
0 | 0 |
| Bonds, bills & broken debts | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| One long lease called Clements Close | 90 | 0 | 0 |
| One long lease of 4 acres arrable lately in possession of Widow Walton | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Another Chatle lease called Laders | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 Plough beasts | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 cowes & 3 yearlings | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 Horse beasts | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 hoggs | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Corne & Hay | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| All the Corne upon ground | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Beds & furniture therunto belonging | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Crock in the hall & pewter & brass | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| Cheese, bacon & all other sorts of provision in the house | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Timber vessels & table boards | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| One Clock | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Plough harness | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Stones | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Pair of grates, tongs, fire shovels, spits & dripping pans with all other iron utensils belonging to the fire | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Board & timber | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| All sorts of fire fuell | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Table linen | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| Geese & poultry | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| All implements of husbandry | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| All goods forgotten & not before prized | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 332 | 12 | 0 |
8 This is the Will of Hannah, Widow of the above named Henry Westover, and mother of Plain John, to whom she leaves the magnificent sum of 1 shilling.
In ye name of God Amen. I Hannah Westover of the Parish of Wedmore, being very sick and weak of body but of good and perfect mind and memory, thanks be given to Almighty God for it, doo make this my will and testament in manner and forme following. First and principly, I give and bequeath my soul into ye hands of Almighty God my Creator and Jesus Christ my Redeemer, by whose death and passion I hope to be saved, and as for my goods and chattles it hath pleased Almighty God to bless me with I give and dispose of as I shall think fitt as followeth.
Item I give to my sun John
Westover ye sum of 1 shilling to be paid him by my executrix within
one munth after my decease. Item I give to my granddaughter Hannah Westover
one goold signet ring to be delivered to her by my executrix within
one munth after my decease. Item all ye rest of my goods anti chattels
of what kind soever, as well moveable as unmoveable, whether in goods
or in money, not yet given, I give and bequeath to my daughter Jone,
whom I make constitute and appoint to be ye full whole and soule executrix
of this my will revoaking all other wills. Feb. 9, 1724.
Witnesses, Gabriel Lytheat, Thomas Thatcher.
Proved at Wells Sept. 11, 1725.
Inventory of goods etc. of Hannah Westover, widow, deceased, taken Feb. 22 1724, by John Westover, John Pollett, William Counsell.
| Item | £ | s. | d. |
|
20 | 0 | 0 |
| In the kitchen chamber on feather bed & furniture belonging | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| One chest, 3 boxes, 1 coffer | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| In the hall chamber one feather bed & bedstead & furniture belonging | 5 | 10 | 0 |
| 6 chairs & other things | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 Syder in the Seller, 7 hogsheads | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| In the outer buttry on cupboard | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| In the kitchen 10 pewter dishes & all the pewter plates, 2 Crocks, 1 brass kittle, one posnet, hangers & pothooks, spits fire shovells tongs bellows etc. | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| In the hall board & frame, chairs, box irons, joint stools | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| The bacon in the house & salt meat | 1 | 16 | 0 |
| All the timber vessels in the house, as hogsheads, tubs, pails etc. | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Aples in house | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Corn in the backside | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| Helm in the backside | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 2 mares & one horse colt | 12 | 5 | 0 |
| Forgotten goods | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total 87 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
9. This is the will of Plain John, son of Henry Westover, and nephew of Doctor John. He was bapt: Oct. 1690, and buried Jan. 3, 1729/30. I have shortened it a little.
In the name of God, Amen. I John Westover of the parish of Wedmore, being sick and weak of body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, doth make this my last will and testament. First and principly I bequeath my soule into ye hands of Almighty God that gave it me and Jesus Christ my Redeemer, by whose death and passsion I hope to be saved. And as for such worldly goods it hath pleased Almighty God to bless me with in this life I give and dispose of in manner and form following.
Imprimis, I give my daughter
Hannah Westover ye sum of £400 to be paid to her when she shall
attain to the age of 21 years by my executrix hereafter named. Item
I give to my daughter Mary Westover £400 to be paid to her when.
she shall attain to the age of 21 years. And further my will is that
if either of my daughters shall happen to dy before she shall attain
to the age of 21 years, that then the one half of the above-said fortune
of either of them so dying shall be paid to the survivor of them at
the age of 21 years, and the other half and deale of ye abovesaid fortune
be paid to my son John Westover when he shall attain to the age of 21
years. Item I give to my son John Westover all that estate of land that
I bought of Mr William Wiat, John Chalcraft and Benjamin Browning, late
Stones, to him and his heires for ever, but not to be to him delivered
until he shall attain to the age of 24 years, and then to be resigned
to him by his mother or other friends in trust for him, my executrix
to enjoy the same until that time, or other friends in trust for him.
Item -all the rest of my lands and chattle leases I give to my son John
Westover and his heires for ever after the death of Hannah Westover
my now wife...
Item I give to Hannah Westover my now wife all the lands for the term
of her natural life except that before mentioned late Stones, and also
that until my son John shall come to the age of 24 years.whom I hereby
constitute and appoint whole and sole executrix of this my will. I also
constitute and appoint Hannah Westover my now wife, William Counsell
and John Counsell my wife's brothers as trustees and friends in trust
for my children during their minority. I hereby revoke all former wills
etc.
Dec. 25, 1729.
Witnesses Gabriel Lytheatt, George Stone, Jane Counsell.
Proved at Wells Oct. 31, 1730.
10. This is an abstract of the Will of Richard Westover of Chapel Allerton, Yeoman.
He gives to his kinsman,
John, son of his brother Edmund Westover, deceased, all his messuages,
tenements in fee simple fee tail inheritance or otherwise (except what
is hereby otherwise given) to hold to him and his heirs for ever. He
gives to his wife Ann all that leasehold estate which he now holds in
her right at Aston Sutton; but if she refuse to accept it in lieu of
all right of Dower or thirds in his fee simple estate, then it is to
remain to his executor. He also gives his wife his bed, bedsteed and
furniture thereto belonging, which he has now lent to her son Robert
Brice; also his second best crock, one large pewter platter, and one
pewter plate. To his kinsman Richard Westover s 1 shilling. To his kinswoman
Ann Westover of Axbridge half a guinea. To six daughters of William
and Jane Tucker 5 shillings each. To Ann Woodward daughter of John Woodward
deceased 5 shillings. All the rest of his estate, real and personal,
he gives to his kinsman, John Westover, whom he makes his sole executor.
Oct. 13, 1763.
Witnesses, Francis Dean, William Dean, J. Rickard. Proved at Wells Feb.
1, 1764.
The inventory of his goods was taken by James King, Robert Brice, William Starr. Total value £45..14..0.
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS,
1. As it is an interesting question whether Dr. Westover or any of his name were mixed up in Monmouth's rebellion, and as the different evidences that bear upon the question are rather scattered about in the above pages, I now put them all together. (a) There is the tradition mentioned by Mr. Pooley that Judge Jefferies hanged a doctor near the Borough Cross because he helped to dress the wounds of a dying Puritan. (b) There is the tradition that the ladies in Porch house hid two rebels, who were found and executed. (c) There is the fact that during the 16 years covered by the Journal never a visit was made, never a potion was sent, to a single Vicarage house, though a Vicar of Wedmore died during that time. (d) There is the total disappearance of Andrew Westover within a year of the battle of Sedgemoor. If the Westovers were Puritans, and therefore favourers of Monmouth's rebellion, all those four facts, a, b, c, d, would be accounted for.
2. Communications from two or three friends enable me to answer one or two questions that I have asked.
"Stilve," p. 97, is evidently the medieval Stiveleigh, now Stileway, in the Parish of Meare.
"Yonder Allerton" p. 103, evidently means Stone Allerton as opposed to Chapel Allerton, that being the further of the two Allertons from Wedmore.
"A Woodlan Shilling," p. 99, 103. Two suggestions have been made, but neither of them very satisfactory. (a) Wuddle, an old north country word meaning "to cut". (b) The Doctor's way of writing "outland," foreign.
"Fayland" p. 114, is in the Parish of Wraxall.
"Cocke fayer" mentioned several times in the Journal is Cock Hill fair, Cock hill being on the Polden hills, on the road from Glastonbury to Bridgwater.
The Brice family, p. 120, are still represented at Dinnington. Their pedigree will be found in the Visitation of Somersetshire, 1623.
"A marking iron" p, 134. It is suggested that this would be for branding letters on horses, cattle, etc.
John Dyer on the last line but one of p. 101, should have been Abraham Dyer.
3. I am not at all satisfied at not having made out how and when the Westovers first acquired their property here. I had hoped that there might be title-deeds which would show; but I have not been able to meet with them. Mr. Tozer very kindly allowed me to inspect at Teignmouth all the deeds that he had relating to what was formerly Westover's and Councell's. But there was nothing that went back to the times of the Westovers and Councells, nothing earlier than the Marriage Settlement Act of William Singer and Hannah Councell in 1770. This mentioned separately every house and every acre of land, and showed whether it was old Westover or old Councell property; but it threw no light upon the Westovers. It speaks of Porch house as being formerly two tenements. I don't know what that could mean, unless the Madhouse was one of the two tenements.
DR. WESTOVER'S COUSINS.
4. I give a list of all the Cousins and other kinsfolk who are mentioned in the Journal, as it will show to what extent a man is surrounded by his kinsfolk when his family have been in the place for some generations, and when they are in that station of life which has most representatives.
Brothers; Andrew and Henry. Sisters; Ann and Hannah. Brothers-in-law; Thomas Poole of Westhay, and Edward Tincknell. Uncle, William Westover of Westhay. and his son, Cozen William of Mark. Cozens, Mary Westover of Pool-bridge and of Crickham. Other Cozens are Barrow of Wedmore, Matthew Barrow of Portbury, Thomas Blessley of Allerton, Browning of Glastonbury, Cole of Blackford, Jane Cook of Lympsham, Ann Champion, George Councell of Stoughton Cross, George Councell of Stoughton, George Counsell of Cocklake, John Counsell of Huntspill, Mary Counsell of Blackford, William Counsell, Counsell of Theale, Crosman of Brent, Giles Francis of Burtle, William and Mary Hodges, Hill, Ings of Brean, Iveleafe, Larder, John and Elizabeth Pitt, John and Ann Porch of Westhay, John Reynolds of Badgworth, Stone of Panborough, Thomas Tincknell of Allerton, Mary Tincknell, Tincknell of Southwick, Mathew Taunton of Loxton, William and Ann Veale of Sutton, Vowles. These come to him sometimes needing a dose, sometimes a loan of money; and he is as ready with the one as with the other. Brother Thomas Poole, and Cozen William Westover of Mark, were especially frequent in their need of a little loan of cash.
What happened to the Madhouse after the Doctor's death, whether it continued for a time to be used as a Madhouse under other care, or whether it was immediately put to its present use as a barn, I cannot say. But it is certain that 90 years ago and thereabouts the old Vestry in the Church was used as a madhouse. About 12 years ago an old man in the parish of Bawdrip told the late Vicar of Bawdrip that he recollected mad people being kept in Wedmore Church. The late Mrs. Sellick Williams, born in 1800, recollected crazy Mary being kept there, and children used to give her food through the iron bars. The late Mr. Edward Clarke, born in 1801, did not recollect anyone being kept there himself, but had heard his father, John Clarke, tell how he used to keep John Ward there. The late Mr. Mathew Wall, born in 1817, had never heard of mad people being kept in Church; but recollected how that he and other children used to peep into the old Vestry, and then run away in great fear. And that is a very curious instance of how the effect of a thing may survive its cause. No mad people were there when these later children peeped in and ran away; they merely continued to do, without reason, what an earlier generation of children had done with reason.
I had intended giving all the entries in the Wedmore and Allerton Registers relating to the Westovers; but they are so numerous that I cannot afford the space. I am obliged to the Rector of Allerton for allowing me to search the Allerton Registers.
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