Will of Arthure Huckvale - Wigginton, Oxfordshire - 1643

The will of Arthur Huckvale (c.1560-1634) of Wigginton, Oxfordshire, Gentleman, husband to Alecia ex Bruce nee Stratford, step-father to William and Abigail Bruce (married to Nicholas Austen). He is not a direct ancestor and appears to have had no children of his own, but he is almost certainly the grandson of Christopher Huckvale, my 11th great-grandfather via another Huckvale line. Arthur, did however, marry Alecia, the widow of William Bruce (who died in July 1577, as a result of the Black Assizes of Oxford. William Bruce and Alecia are my 10th great-grandparents and Arthur left the residue of his estate to be split between his two step-children whom he also made executors. Despite not havig any direct descendents, Arthur's will was a keystone in pulling together the relationships and parish records of the wide-ranging array of people to whom he left bequests. Transcribed by myself.
Source: Oxfordshire Wills Index, 1516-1857; Registered Will; 199.21; 31/4/7; Oxfordshire Archives

 

Original Will:

In the name of god, Amen, The twelue day of march, in the
nynth yeere of the raigne of our Sou[er]aigne Lord
Charles [1633/4], Kinge of England Scotland, ffrance & Ireland kinge
defender of the fayth Ec I Arthure Huckvale of wigginton in
the County of Oxon gent[leman], beinge weake in body, but of good and
byfitt mynd & memorie (I thanke the lord) doe make & ordayne this
my last will & Testament in manner & forme as followeth Imprimis
I bequeath my soule into the hands of almightie god, hopinge to be saued
onelie by the merits of Jesus christ And my body to be buried
in the Church of wigginton, Item I give unto the Church of wigginton
lix shillings & eight pence, Item I give unto the poore of wigginton
tenn shillings . Item I give unto the poore of Hoock Norton fforty
shillings . Item I give unto the poore of Nether hayford twentie shillings
Item I give towards the mayntenance of Heyford Bridge tenn shillings
Item I give & bequeath unto my Cosen William Bruce & his wife
fforty shillings, Item I give unto my daughter in law ffrancis Bruce
twentie shillings. Item I give unto my Cosen George Blount & his
wife six pounds thirteene shillings & eight pence, Item I give unto
William Blount the Bedstaede & the bed I lie on with all the
ffurniture hereto belonginge, & my presse, Item I give unto John
Blount fforty shillings, Item I give unto Marie Blount Hanna
Blount & Abigall Blount twentie shillings apeece, Item I give
& bequeath unto Samuel Lydiate & his wife tenn pounds, Item
I give unto Richard Lydiate three pounds, Iten I give unto william
Lydiate three pounds, Item I give unto Christopher Lydiate tenn
shillings, Item I give unto Abigall Lydiate & Ann Lydiate tenn
shillings apeece, Item I give & bequeath unto Thomas Huckell
& his wife fforty shillings . Item I give & bequeath unto my
Cosen Cuthberth Huckvale twentie shillings . Item I give
& bequeath unto my Cosen william Huckvale & his wife six
pounds thirteene shillings & eight pence, Item I give unto Thomas
Huckvale Richarde Huckvale & Marke Huckvale tenn shillings
a peece, Item I give unto William Austin & his wife three pounds
Item all the rest of my goods unbequeathed/ Item I give unto
ffoulke maulcher & Thomas Baylies two shillings a peece, Item
I give unto Elizabeth Elener three shillings fower pence, Item
all the rest of my goods unbequeathed I give unto my sonn william
Bruce, and to my daughter Abigall Austin, whome I make & appoint
to my sole executors of this my last will & Testament, In witnes
whereof I have hereunto set my hande the daye and yeere first
above written . / .
                Arthure H Huckvale
                       his         mark
witnes hereunto
George Blount
ffoulke Malcher
John Stranke

Probatu[m] erat hoc testam[en]tu[m] apud Oxon
tertio die mensis Novembris Anno
D[omi]ni 1634 cora[m] ven[erabi]li viro Edro.
Willson Sacre Theologie Bacc[alari]o ven[erabi]lis viri
Richardi Louch legum d[o]c[t]oris Reuerendi
[Chris]to p[at]ris ac d[omi]ni d[omi]ni Johannis p[er]missione
d[ivi]na Oxon Ep[iscop]i vicarii in Sp[irit]ualibus gen[era]lio et
Officialis princ[ipa]lis l[egi]time constituti Ac per
eu[m] approbatu[m] et insumatu[m] p[ro]q[ue] vero valore et
validitate eiusd[em] l[egi]time p[ro]nunciatu[m] comissaq[ue]
fuit et est p[er] eu[m] ad[ministrand]o xc eiusq[ue] testam[entum]
qual[ite]rcunq[ue] concernen[tium] W[illia]mo Bruce et
Abigael Austin executorib[us] in eod[em] testam[entum]
no[m]i[n]atis In forma iuris iurat[e] saluo iure
cuiuscunq[ue]

It was proved, this testament, at Oxford
the third day of the month of November Anno
Domini 1634 before the venerable Edward
Willson Bachelor of Sacred Theology of the venerable
Richard Louch doctor of laws,
vicar general in spiritual matters and
lawfully appointed principal Official
of the Reverend
father and lord in Christ, lord John, by divine
permission, Bishop of Oxford, And through
this it was approved and registered and for the true value and
validity of the same, lawfully declared, and the administration
was and is commited, etc. and concerning his
testament by whatever means, to William Bruce and
Abigael Austin named executors in the same testament
Sworn in the form of the law and preserving the right
of anyone.


 

Will of Christopher Huckvalle - Overnorton, Oxfordshire - 1577

The will of Christopher Huckvalle (-July 1577) of Over Norton, Oxfordshire, Gentleman. He is my 11th great-grandfather. Transcribed by myself.
Source: Oxfordshire Wills Index 1516-1857; 185.468; Oxfordshire Archives

Registered Will:
                                                    CCCClxviij
        Testamentu[m] Christopheri Hucvalle de
        Overnorton in com. Oxon generosi

        Testament of Christopher Hucvalle of
        Overnorton in the County of Oxford gentleman

In the name of god Amen the xxiijth daye of Julye Anno Dmi 1577 I
Christopher Huckvalle of Ov[er]norton in the countie of Oxon gentelman
beinge sycke of bodye but of good and parfyet remebrance thanks
be to god, do ordayne and make this my last wyll and testa
ment in manner and forme Followinge Revokinge all Former
wylls heretofore by me made Fyrst I bequeathe my soule to the
handes of almightie god my saviour and redemer by whose merytts
I truste to be saved and my bodye to be buryed within the church of
Chepingnorton Imprimis I give and bequeathe unto Christes
Church in Oxon xijd Itm I give and bequeathe unto the
poore people of Chepingnorton xs in monie Itm I give &
bequeathe unto to the poore people of Overnorton to everye cotiger iiijd
Itm my mynde and wyll is and allso I give and bequeathe unto
my lovinge wyffe Anne Huckvalle my detts beinge payed and
my Funeralls dyscharged all my goodes and cattalls moveable
and immoveable, whatsoever I have monies and debts wherin I make
my full executrixe of this my last wyll and testament for her
better preferment of lyainge In wytnes hereof I have hereunto
sett my hande and seale geven the daye and yeare above wryten
in the presents of these persons whose names are underwryten
by me Christopher Huckvalle     Richarde Busbye     by me Thomas
Carrys

    Probatum erat hoc Testamentu[m] cora[m] nobis
    Thoma Yale legius doctore Sedit Archepiscopal[i]s
    Cantuarien[is] officiali l[egi]time constitu[i]t decimo septimo
    dei  mensis Augusti Anno d[omi]mi 1577 ac p[er] nos appro
    bat[ur] et insumat[ur] ac pro vero valore eiusdem l[egi]time
    pronu[n]ciat[um] Comissaq[ue] fuit et est p[er] nob[is] Administra[ndo]
    o[mn]iu[m] et sing[u]loru[m] bonoru[m] dict[i] defunct[i] et eius Testa
    ment[um] qual[ite]rcu[m]q[ue] concernen[tium] executrici eadem
    no[mi]nat[ur] in p[er]sona Wyll[ia]m Shawe apparitoris procura
    toris eius in forma iuris iurat[e] Saluo iure
    cuiuscu[m]q[ue] ac p[er] eande[m] admiss[e] et accept[e].

    It was proved, this Testament before us
    Thomas Yale doctor of laws Sat as the lawfully appointed
    official of the Archbishopric of Canterbury the seventeenth
    day of the month of August Anno Domini 1577 and through us
    approved and registered and for the true value of the same, lawfully
    declared, and the Adminstration was and is Commited through us
    of all and singular the goods of the said deceased and concerning
    his Testament by whatever means, to be fulfilled by the execurix
    of the same, this sworn in the form of the law, in person, by Wylliam Shawe
    official agent, preserving the right
    of anyone, and through the same admitted and accepted.
   
     

Will of Roberte Huckvale - Oxford, Oxfordshire - 1553

 The will of Roberte Huckvale (-c.1555) of Oxford, Oxfordshire, husband to Elynore nee Carycke, father to Christophere and Dorothie (married to Wyllyam Bucknore), Gentleman. He is my 12th great-grandfather. Transcribed by myself.
Source: Oxfordshire Wills Index 1516-1857; 181.37; Oxfordshire Archives

Registered Will:

            Testamentum Roberti Huckvale p[ar]och[ialis] b[ea]te Marie
            Magdalene c initats oxon
In dei noie amen the xxii daye of Aprill in the yere of our Lorde god a thousande
fyve hundred fyftie and three and in the sixte yere of the reigne of our
Soveraigne Lorde Edwarde the syxte by the grace of god kynge of England
France and Irelande defender of the faith and in parth under god of the
churche of England and of Ireland supreame heed I Roberte Huckvale of the
Citie and Diocese of Oxforde, in the Countie of Oxford gent the daye of making
hereof beyng hole of memorie and allso of bodie thanks be gyven therfore
to allmyghtie god doo conscibute and make this my last wyll and testamint
in maner and forme following Fyrst I doo bequeth my sowle to allmyghty
god & blessed ladie saynte Marie the mother of Christe Jesu and to all
the holly cumpanye of heaven and my bodie to be buryed within the
parisshe churche of blessed Marie Magdalene with owte the northe
gate of the Citie of Oxford before the quire doore and in the bodie of the same
churche and next unto the grave where the bodie of Elynore my wyffe
lyith there buryed and I doo gyve and bequeth unto the Cathedrall
churche of the said Diocese of Oxford for tythes forgotton vid And to
fyve poore men the daye of my buryall to be gyven fyve pence in the
honor of the fyve wounds of Christe Jesu and the same day of my death
and at my buryall to have suche service in the said parisshe churche
of blessed Marie Magdalene as then shalbe permitted by the lawes
of god and the kyngs Maties. ordinnaes in the same churche with all
other prayours, services and suffrages as then shalbe permitted and used
in everie churche for sowles departed owte of this presente and transitery
lyffe The vicar and Curate of the said parisshe churche of Marie
Magdalene then praying for my sowle and all christen sowles to
have for his paynes xiid beside thoffering penye And to fyve other
preists if they maye then be had xxd eny preiste iiijd there to singe
or praye in the quire for my sowle and all christian sowles, To syxe
poore childer to helpe in the quire vjd The clerke of the churche viijd
And to the ringars of the bells vjd And in the tyme of my departing
owte of this worlde and presente lyffe one bell to be tolled before
my death a good whyle and lykewyse after my death that sume
good people may praye for my sowle to allmyghtie god to take it to
his mercye And the bell may of the Citie of Oxford goyng abouate
to induce the people and to putte theym in remembrannce to pray
lylewyse when I am departed and dead vjd and to a poore man
to make my grave iiijd And allso I wyll that on the daye of my
buryall shalbe dealed and gyven in almes syx dosen of whyte
bredde to poore people at home at their howses dwelling within
the said parisshe of Marie Magdalene where moste nede is or els
syx shillings in money by the discretion of myne executors and to
other as farre as it wyll goo with other charitable werks as
shalbe thought best by the discretion of my executors and of their
executors at my buryall monethes mynde and at my yeres mynde
or anniversarie in the fyrste yere after my death And after the fyrst
yere I wyll that once in the yere my anniversarie to be kept by
the space of fyftene yeres with lyke service in the churche almys and
distributions to poore people the daye that I was quicke and dead
the daye before or the daye after yerely duryng the said xv yeres
to be hadd and donne by my executors yf the lawes of allmightie
god and the kyngs graces lawes and ordinincs wyll & mytte the same
to be had and donne in maner and forme as is aforesaid So that
thirtene shillings four pence in money be gyven bestowed and
applyed yerely once in the yere at the said Anniversarie in the
service of the churche almes deades and other charitable werkes

by the discretion of my executors duryng the foresaid xv yeres And yf suche service
in the churche distributions and almes dedes to be donne at the said Anniversarie
now lykewyse any anniversarie or yeres mynde in eny churche for sowles Aepled
can not be permytted to be donne by the kyngs graces ordinnities and lawes
That I wyll then the said xiijs iiijd to be distributed and applyed in allmes
yerely to poore people and converted in to other charitable werks and
dedes by the discretion of myne executors the daye as is above rehersed for
the weale of my sowle and for prayour to be said for my sowle and all Christian
sowles duryng the said xv yeres in any place where my executors to poore
people or otherwise shall thincke best to be donne And to warde all whiche
chargies and yerely distributions to be had and donne for my sowls health
I wyll that the yeres that shalbe then to cume and not ended of the leasse
of my howse which I dwell in Magdalene parisshe by Oxford and within the
hundred of Northgate Strete withowte the northgate of the Citie of Oxforde
belonging to Magdalene College in Oxford after my death shall be
solde to some honest persons to inhabite in the same as I have longe done and
the money that shalbe receaved for the same leasse after it is solde by
my executors yf I my selffe doo not sell and departe with the same in
my lyffe tyme, shalbe applyed to warde the charges of my said anniversarye
and yeres mynde, or fowarde other cheritable dedes as is aforesaid for
the exoneracon of my heires and executors of the same as farre as it wyll
extende And the rest of the said charges to be borne and payed yerelye
duryng the said xv yeres by my heires and my executors in maner
and for me followinge wherof I wyll that my executors shall receave
yerely to be payed to theym and to their assignes by the hands off my
remite or remits owte of my lande by Stroudewater in the Conntie
of Gloucester yerely of the foresaid xiijs iiijd to be applyed to the
performance of this my laste wyll duryng the said fyftene yeres eny
yere syxe shillings and eight pence and my executors other syxe shillings
and eight pence indifferently to be borne betwein my heires and my
executors and by their heires and their executors after their deathe
And as towchinge all my lands and tenements in the countie off
Gloucester I doo dye seased of theym to thintente to cast a niste and
a trewe possession to my sonne and heire Christophere Huckvale and
to his heires And I wyll that after my death the same Christophere
shall enioye all suche Annuities yerely for terme of his lyffe
wherin I have made hym Ioynte patent withine And as towching
all my moveable goods I doo gyve theym and bequeth theym to
Wyllyam Bucknore and Dorothie my dowghter of Cumnore in the
Countie of Berks besydes my legacies, except all suche goods as
I the said Roberte Huckvale shall gyve awaye with myne owne hands
and assigne to my children and other of my frends as legacies And
I the said Roberte Huckvale doo constitute and make the said
Wyllyam Bucknore and Dorothie my dowghter my trew and faithfull
executore and executrix to perfourme this my testamente and last
wyll and to do for my sowle And I wyll that Margaret Dewe
my Se[rv]unte shall have all suche her small stuffe of houshold as
she hath within my house with her apparell yf anye suche stuffe be
And I do bequeth unto her my best mattresse a coverlett a
bolster and a paire of sheets besyds suche rayment of myne as
I shall delyver with myne owne hands And where as my brother
Richard Carricke of Chepingnorton is indetted unto me in the

sume of vjli vjs as in the right of my wyfee Elinor his syster yf Richarde
Carycke of Tewksbury doo well and trewly delyver to Thomas Carycke
of the same Towne his nevye at the setting up of his occupations xls
that then I doo remytte the said Richarde Carricke my brother and
his executors of all the said xjli xjs viijd of rent beyng to me dew
unpayed In wytnesse wherof to this my laste wyll and testament
I the said Roberte Huckvale have putt my seale and wrytten this
with myne owne hande the day and yere abovesaid These beyng
wytnesses Mr Bryttylbanke vicar there Wyllyam Lannder
Thomas Dugdale and Abell Smyth the day & yere abovesaid
And after this the said Roberte Huckvale in his lyffe tyme the
daye of marche in the seconde and thirde yere of Philippe and Marie
by the grace of god kynge and quene of England France Naples
Jerusalem and Irelande defenders of the faith princies of Spayne
and Sicill Archdukes of Ausrygge and Brabant Countesses off
Haspurge Flannders and Tyroll callyng before hym for farder
wytnesse of this my Testamente James Dodwell John Toldervye
hedyll and Roberte Jakson as wytnesses to this his laste wyll And
farther I wyll that John Bucknore and John Huckvale my childers
chylder shalbe and I doo conscitute and make theym trew overseers
of this my last wyll and Testamente and to call upon myne executor
executrix within wrytten for the perfourmance of this my laste
wyll and John Huckvale my sonne Christophere Huckvales sunne
and John Bucknore my dawghter Dorothie Bucknores sune do have
for their paynes the two Joyned tabulls standing in my hall
Christopher Huckvale the gylt table with the kyngs armes of
England paynted and gylt and John Buckenore the other ioyned
table there and eny one of theym a gowne of myne owne wawinge
furred or lyned by the discretion of my executor and executrix
within wrytten and the churchewardens of the parisshe churche
of Blessed Marie Magdalene yerely for the tyme beyng duryng
the said xv yeres after my deceasse to have yerely to theym payed
by the hands of my heires and my executor and executrixe
the daye of my anniversarye and yeres mynde two shillings that is
to saye xijd to the use of the parisshe churche of Marie Magdalene
and zijd for the churche wardens for their owne uses and
for their paynes to remembre the said Anniversarie yerely
duryng the said xv yeres after my decesasse which two shillings
so bequethyd shalbe parte and parcell of the xiijs iijd before
recited within this my Testamente And the rest of the said
xiijs iiijd which is xjs iiijd to be bestowed and applyed toward
the chargies of my annivsarie and yeres mynde yerely in the
service of allmyghtie god and in almys to poore people of the said
parisshe of Mari Magdalene as is within rehersed in this
my testamente and laste wyll and I the said Roberte
Huckvale wyll that all this wrytten and recited before in
the backsyde of this my Testamente to be p[ar]cell of this my
last wyll
            p[er] me Robertu[m] Huckvale mann ppa/
        Probatu[m] erat hoc Testamentu[m] Roberti
        Huckvale p[ar]och[ialis] b[ea]te Marie Magdalene in

        suburbiis C[o]mitat[is] oxon dum vixit nup[er] def[uncti] p[rese]ntibus
        annex coram nobis Waltero Wryght legum doctore
        R[everen]di in chr[ist]o p[at]ris ac d[omi]ni domini Roberti p[er]missione di[vin]a
        oxon. Ep[iscop]i vicario in sp[irit]ualib[us] generali necnon
        Arch[idiacono] oxon[iensis] Arch[ideaconati] apud oxon[iensem] die mercurij
        viz. [videlicet] xxvjto. die mensis Augusti Anno d[omi]ni 1556 ac
        p[er] nos approbatum et insumatu[m] necnon pro
        vero valore eiusdem l[egi]time pronu[n]ciatu[m] Comissaq[ue]
        fuit et est administr[an]d[o] o[mni]um et sing[u]loru[m] bonorum
        dict[orum] iuriu[m] catalloru[m] et creditoru[m] dict[i] Robertum
        defunctu[m] et eius Testamentu[m] qual[ite]rcu[m]q[ue] co[n]cernen[tium]
        de b[e]n[e] et fidel[ite]r administrando eadem ac soluennt[ur]
        debita et legata eiusdem def[uncti] ac dictum Testame[n]tu[m]
        p[er]implendo Will[ia]mo Bucknore et Dorothee eins
        uxori executoribus in dict[i] Testamento no[m]i[n]at[ur]
        in forma iur[i]s iurat[e] Saluo iure cuiuscumq[ue]
        ac p[er] eosdem admiss[e] et accept[e]/


        It was proved, this testament of Robert
        Huckvale of the parish of the blessed Marie Magdalene in
        the suburb of the County of Oxford while he lived, recently deceased, by the presents
        attached, before us Walter Wryght doctor of laws,
        vicar general in spiritual matters of the
        Reverend father and lord in Christ, lord Robert, by divine permission,
        Bishop of Oxford, and also
        Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry of Oxford, at Oxford, on the day of Mercury [Wednesday]
        namely 26th day of the month of August Anno Domini 1556 and
        through us approved and registered and also for
        the true value of the same, lawfully declared, and the administration
        was and is commited of all and singular the said
        goods rights chattels and debts of the said deceased
        Robert and concerning his Testament by whatever means,
        the same to be well and faithfully administered and
        the debts and legacy of the same deceased and said Testament shall be paid,   
        to be fulfilled by William Bucknore and Dorothee his
        wife named executors in the said Testament,
        sworn in the form of the law, preserving the right of anyone,
        and through the same admitted and accepted.

My Gateway Ancestors into the SCA Period

It's a common concept in genealogy to talk about f=gatewat ancestors, often the ones that provide the link from one territory to another, such as those that were the initial immigrants to a new country. The same concept can be applied in time, So below are my gateway ancestors into the SCA period. I have set the boundary as the first person born within period, whether or not they died in period or after. Usually the bridge the boundary. This list will be updated as time goes on.

ADDAMS, Walter
(bp.1564 Driffield, Gloucestershire; br. 1632 Eastleach Martin, Gloucestershire)
Curate of Eastleach Martin and Eastleach Turville.

[AUSTEN], Abigail
(br.1643 Wiginton, Oxfordshire)
Married to Nycholas Austen and mother of Abigail who married William Huckvale.

AUSTEN, Nycholas
(bn: 1557 Gloucestershire; d.1613 Banbury, Oxfordshire)
Daughter, Abigail, by his second marriage to Abigail, married William Huckvale.
Graduate of Oxford University, long term town clerk for Banbury, Oxfordshire.

AYRES, Rachell
(m.1605 Haseley, Warwickshire; br.1656 Allesley, Warwickshire)
Married to Thomas Rawbone.

HUCKVALE, William
(bp.1594 Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire; m.1632 Wigginton, Oxfordshire)
Married to Abigail Austen, daughter of Nycholas Austen and his wife Abigail.

MIDWINTER, Edward
(br.1618)

RAWBONE, Thomas
(m.1605 Haseley, Wawickshire; br.1651 Allesley, Warwickshire)
Married to Rachell Ayres.

THRIFT, Jane
(m.1593 Milton, Worcestershire; br.1647 Whitchurch, Warwickshire)
Married to Humfrey Underhill.

UNDERHILL, Humfrey
(bn.1559; m.1593 Milton, Worcestershire; br.1634 Whitchurch, Warwickshire)
Married to Jane Thrift.

A Messuage called ... (in fact anything called ...)

When it comes to property names a common form in wills and indentures is to refer to them an 'a messauge called'. I recently had cause to use this phrase in the Discovery catalogue of the UK National Archives, with rather a hefty set of results. Hence i am constructing this post which will be edited as I, probably intermittently, go through this list.

I found there were frequent references to other things called ... and other obvious names which didn't use this pattern. As a result I  have created a LibreOffice Firebird embedded database of what I am finding and am picking out all names of places which are not identifiable as a hamlet or larger. So far I have completed all results of the query "messuage called" for any series beginning with E, for dates before 1600.

This database can be downloaded from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eNhqbds2qg8pjot6IXDvozsxgO6fkOpA/view?usp=sharing

On Abigail Austen, wife of William Huckvale, 1609-1667

There is an oft cited 'fact' that Abigail Austen, wife of William Huckvale, is the daughter of William Austen and Anne Taylor, resident in Southwark, London. Trees and descents which claim this either don't cite a source at all, or cite the Millennium File, a notorious sink of unsourced user supplied information, often wishful thinking, created by the now defunct Institute of Family Research.

In this case the Millennium File entry is a clearly a vague and poor estimate based on where Abigail lived as a married women and 20 years before her marriage.There is no baptism of an Abigail Austen in the Over Norton or Chipping Norton parish records at or around this time, nor any William or Anne Austen as parents at the time. There is a Richard Austen having children in the parish at the time, but not an Abigail.

There is no record of any Abigail baptised for William and Anne Austen that I've seen, nor is an Abigail mentioned in William's will of 1833. William has some fame as a religious author and I suspect was therefore a favorable ancestor to try and achieve in some circles.

In summary, this connection is another piece of Millennium File nonsense based on no actual sources.

The real Abigail Austen is the daughter of Nycholas Austen and Abigail (surname as yet unknown), baptised in Banbury, Oxfordshire on 23 April 1609. Wigginton, where she married, and is described as resident, is pretty much equidistant on a line between Chipping Norton and Banbury, which themselves are only 13 miles apart. Indeed Wigginton's modern address town is Banbury. William leaves money to the church of Wigginton, as well as certain interests there, in his will of 1613 and Abigail, his wife, is buried there in 1643.

(Note: in the records various spellings of Abigail, Nycholas and Austen appear, Austen often spelt as Awstin.)

Will of Nicholas Austen - Banbury, Oxfordshire - 1613

The will of Nicholas Austen (c.1557-1613) of Banbury, Oxfordshire, husband to Abigail, father to Abigail and William, and Town Clerk of Banbury for at least 25 years. He is my 9th great-grandfather. Transcribed by myself, although there is one word in the probate that I can't make sense of, even though it isn't particularly illegible.
Source: UK National Archives, PROB 11/122/24


Apart from some specific household items and livestock, Nicholas divides his possessions evenly between his daughter and son.


In the name of God amen the thirteenth daye of July
in the yere of the raigne of oure soveraigne Lorde James by the grace of god King
of England ffrance and Ireland & Defender of the faith xc. the Eleaventh and off Scotland the Six
and fortithe Anno Domini one thowsand sixe hundred and thirteene I Nicholas Austen of
Banbury in the Countie of Oxon gent beyng weake and ill in bodye but of good and
perfect mynde and memorye 'I praise god therfore) Do make and ordayne this my put
last will and testament in manner and forme folowinge. ffirst I freelie recommend and
give up my soule to Almightie god that gave yt trusting and steadfastlie beleving to be saved
and live for ever in the kingdome of heaven by the meritts of Jesus xpiste my Redemer and
by no other meanes And I will my bodye to be buryed in the Church or churchyard of
that place where god shall end my synnfull dayes by the appoyntment and direction of my
welbeloved wife Abigall. Item I give and bequeathe unto the poore of the Boroughe of
Banbury twentie shillinges to be put and ymployed in the stocke to buye Coales for them
Item I give and bequeathe unto the churche of wiggenton five shillinges eight pence. Item
I give and bequeathe unto my daughter Abigaile the Bedstead and matt at Mr Gees
wherein I laye: And I allso give and bequeathe unto my saied daughter the featherbed wherein
nowe I lye and the twoe Bolsters twoe pillowes twoe pillowbeeres Curtayns and all other
furniture belonging to the same and my best fyne sheetes and twoe payer of other sheetes my
best sixe tablenapkyns and five other napkynnes that be in the Cofer and the same cofer or
Chest and best Diaper drincking cloth and my litle brass pott and my greate kettle: willing my
saied welbeloved wife shall have the Custodye of all these thinges for my daughter (yf my
wife put in sufficient securitie to my overseers to deliver them to my sayed daughter at
her age of one and twentie yeres or to my sonne william Austen her brother at the age of
one and twentie yeres of the saied william (yf my daughter dye before. ffurther I
give and bequeathe unto my saied Daughter Abigaile six of my best beasts to be delivered
her at her saied age of one and twentie yeres: And yf she dye before then my sayed
welbeloved wife to have them; but my wife to put in securitie as aforesayed to deliver them
(yf my daughter dye before Item I give and bequeathe unto my sonne william Austen, my best
ffeatherbed one best Bolster twoe pillowes twoe pillowbeeres my best homemade Coverlett
two my best bluncks, my next best fyne sheetes and twoe payer of other sheets and twelve of
my midling napkynnes in my chiste aforesayed and my second Diaper drunking cloathe my best
brasse pott and the fagotts and hounges at Mr Gees and my wood in the churchyarde
and fower of my next best beastes, and my wife to have the use of all these thinges
yf she put in sufficient securitie to my overseers aforesayed to deliver all to sayed
Sonne at his age of one and twentie yeres or to his sister Abigaile (yf he dye before)
Item I give and bequeathe unto my saied twoe children my fyve horses gueldinges and
mare and my ploughes Cartes yarrowes and all furnitures of husbandrye to my
sayed twoe children equallie to be parted betwene them and Delivered them at theire severall
ages of one and twentie yeres and my saied welbeloved wife to have the use therof till
my sayed children come to theire saied severall ages yf she put in securitie therfore as
aforesayed And all thinges abovesayed remayning in my sayed wife use I will and
order shalbe for the mayntennce and bringing up of my sayed twoe children. The Rest
of my horses viz: my guelding and the white mare and twoe Colts I freelie give
unto my saied welbeloved and the rest of my Beasts beyng fower and the yeereling

Calfe and all the rest of my househould stuffe not before herein bequeathed: But I will y
my Daughter in Lawe Anne Blunk shall have a Coverlet, a fflockbed twoe payer of sheets
a Dozen of napkynnes a bolster a pillowe and a pillowbeere and twentie of my best lambes
towardes rearinge her a stocke which I hope my wife will well doe by her Commodities
at wiggenton Broxham and the Cradle close Item I will that my twoe yarde Landes of
Newton Cropp be sould by my overseers and all my sheepe and the Rest of my Lambes towards
the payment of my debts which I hope wilbe seaventie poundes wherof I owe to Will[ia]m
Lewrock twentie twoe poundes at may day next Tenne poundes to Mr William
Goodwyn at his Demande: And by bond to William Thorpe the first of Novemb[er]
next twentie twoe poundes and Mr William Knighte twentie twoe poundes at maye
daye next by bond. And yf this will not reache to paye theise Debts: Then I will the
two calfe yarde lands Cropp at Wroxton to be allso sould for the same. I owe to Will[ia]m
Beckingham abowte sixteene poundes which I have in malte and money in my Awnts
house: Item owyng to my cosin Webb and Henry Halhed abowte twentie poundes, wherof
Mr Gee oweth me eight poundes and above: my brother Hall of Hampsheire fyve poundes
S[i]r William Pope at oure Ladye daye laste fyve poundes And since I rode on Circuite ymeadially
after Ladye daye which is xxx shillinges I hope he will paye at the last and not keepe
yt from my poore infants. Item I give to my Brother Will[ia]m Colchester Mr Stratford
his bonde of fower pounds and the use therof ever synce yt was due Item John Laurence
brother Thomas of Boston oweth me thirtie fower shillings for fourteene strikes of barley
ever synce seede tyme was twoe yeres: And John Maynard oweth fyve shillings fower
pence for beasts grasse in ffursen feild and some writing I made for hym. And Richard
Barnes oweth by his bonde to me fifteene shillings tenne pence. John Keelye oweth but
Sixe shillinges of his Bill of five and twentie shillinges: Item Roger Carter of wroxton
oweth me three poundes and more as appeareth in my litle blacke booke of Reconings: Raphe
Halloweth but fyve shillinges on his bonde which I forgive hym. I owe goode Barrowes
fortie twoe shillinges eight pence for beare and she oweth me for twoe Capiases. Her
twoe sonnes had xxviijd & ciijd for searching her husbands tyme of freedome. Item I owe to
Robert Letche above twentie shillings. Item I give and bequeathe unto my aforesayed twoe
children all my Interest and tearme of yeres of my mesuage and twoe yarde Landes
with thappurt[a]nncs in the village and deildes of North Newnton in the Countie of Oxon
and the Lease therof willing the same to be ordred and Disposed to the best profitt of
my sayed twoe children by my overseers: And yf my wife be nowe with childe and the childe
be borne and live Then I will that childe shall have a parte with my other twoe children
in all thinges And yf that childe shall dye before yt come to the age of one and twenty
yeres: Then I will the portion of hym or her to goe to the other twoe children. Item I
give to George Blunt my best gowne my ryding Coate and halfe all my Apparrell
but my twoe payer of Cloathe breeches which I give my brother William Colchester
and I give George all my bookes. And to William Blonnt I give my twoe blacke
Cloakes and the other halfe of my wearing apparrell. I give my ffather my best chist
And to my mother the litle waynescott chest. And I make and ordeyne my sayed twoe
Children William Austen and Abigaile Austen executors of this my last will and
Testament And my overseers to this my present last will and testament my Brother
William Austen my Cosin John Austen and my Cosin Thomas Webb whome allso I will
shall administer on my childrens behalfe giving unto every of them for theire paynes to
be taken herein fortie shillinges a peece. In Witnesse wherof I have hereunto
set my hande and seale the Daye and yere first abovesayed. Witnesses called
and required hereunto Thomas Webb William Whatley John Austen ./
p me Nichum. Austen ./~/.
Vicesimo septimo die mens[i]s Julij Anno Domini millesimo

sexcentisimo decimo tertio Emanavit Commissio Johanni Austen et Thome Webbe supervisor
nominatis in testamento sive ultima voluntate predict[a] ad administrac[io]ne[m] bona Jura et credita
dicti Defuncti iuxta tenorem et effectum testamenti sive ultime voluntatis predicti def[eren]s
Durante minori Etate Willi[a]m Austen et Abigalis Awsten liberorum ?alium et l[egi]t[i]mo[r]u[m]
dicti Defuncti et executorum in eodem testamento nominat[ur] de bene xc Jurat ./~/.


The twenty seventh day of the month of July Anno Domini one thousand
six hundred and thriteen The Commission Issued to John Austen and Thomas Webb named
overseers in the testament or last will aforesaid the administration of the goods rights and loans
of the said Deceased according to the manner and effect of the testament or last will aforesaid with regard to
duration of the minority ages of William Austen and Abigaie Awsten ? ? and legitimate heirs
the said Deceased and named exectutors in the same testament Sworn well etc.