Wills & Administrations

Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers (at The National Archives, Kew)

PROB 11/89/539

Will of Thomas Somerwell of Swimbridge, Devon

Will made 23 June 1595; Thomas buried 21 Feb 1597; probate granted 9 June 1597

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In the name of god Amen the three and twentithe daie of June in the yeare of our Lord God One thowsand five hundred Ninetie five I Thomas Somerwell of the parishe of Swimbridge in the countie of Devon & dioces of Exon beinge in perfect minde and memorie thankes be unto god doe make my last will and Testament in manner and forme following Firste I commend my soule into the handes of almightie God and my bodie to be brought unto the holie earthe. It[em] I give and bequeath unto the poore of the parishe of Swimbridge twentie pence. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Christian Somerwell fortie markes at her daie of marriage. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Thomasine Somerwell fortie markes at her daie of marriage and if my said two daughters or anie of them doe die before they be married Then the said monie shall remaine in my Executrix handes. Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne John Somerwell Six poundes within one whole yeare after my decease The residue of all my goodes and chattels moveable & unmoveable not given nor bequeathed I give and bequeath unto my wife Johan Somerwell and her I doe make and ordaine to be my whole Executrix of this my last will and Testament in manner and forme above written. Witnesses hereof John Broocke minister John Squirrell sen[ior] John Nott sen[ior] and Thomas Honnoctt [?] with others.

Latin note of probate at London, in front of William Lewyn DL, master of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, on [?] day of June 1595. Probate was granted to Joane, relict and executrix named in the will.

Death Duty Registers (Public Records Office)

Barnstaple Administrations

284 August 25th 1802 Under 600

John Sommerwill of Marwood, Devon, husbandman. Executrix Elizabeth Somerwill of Marwood, residual legatee, wife. All the rest of his Goods Chattels Effects & Personal Estate and appointed his said wife sole Executrix.317 March 25th 1803 Under 600
Elizabeth Summerwill of Marwood Devon Widow. Executrix Mary Mules. Legatee Mary Mules resid. legatee. The appointed Mary Mules Daughter of Darkers Mules of the Parish of Marwood sole Executrix.IR27/337
381 Probate sworn August 6th 1804. Under 600
Thomas Sommerwill of Marwood Devon yeoman. Executor Thomas Sommerwill of the same.
Legatees-
Thomas Sommerwill - Son - All that his Leasehold Messuage and Tenement called Whidden in Marwood To hold to him during the Term of his natural Life & after his decease he gave the same to his Grandson John Sommerwill and his assigns during his right and Interest therein.
Jane Sommerwill - Daughter. All that Dwelling House Orchard and Garden in Marwood aforesaid To hold to his said Daughter during his Right and Interest therein, he also gave her Fifty Pounds to be paid by his Executor one year after his decease.
Thomas Sommerwill Residual Legatee - Son. All the rest residue and remainder of his Personal and Testamentary Estate Goods and Chattels (subject to the Payment of his just Debts Legacies and Funeral Expenses he gave to his said son and appointed him sole Executor.
See notes on Summerwill Land at Whiddon

IR27/3/607
607 SOMERWILL, Jno. Tawstock. Archdeaconry of Barnstaple 3/607 300
Late of Tawstock, Devon, Yeoman who died 9th Feb 1815.
Executors: Jno Crispin, Wm. Maker, Tawstock, Devon.
Part of furniture to Susanna Summerwill, wife
to Jno Summerwill, son, when 21
Residue equally among Susanna Summerwill, wife; Jno Summerwill, son; Elizth Summerwill, daur; Prudence Summerwill, dr; Richard Summerwill, son (with benefit of survivorship)
Not liable to duty

Consistory Court Wills

IR27/333
367 Will dated 8th June 1803. Probate dated Nov 2 1805. Effects under 450
Grace Sommerwill of Swimbridge in the County of Devon Widow. Executor John Cowel. After some pecuniary legacies under 20 each All the Residue to sd. John Cowel. Brother. Residuary Legatee.

Will Copies - Devon Record Office

IO78 ROBERT SOMMERWILL

Copy of the will of Robert Sommerwill late of Swymbridge in Devon, yeoman, deceased. Executor: Robert Sommerwill. Proved in the Consistory Court of Exeter 30th March 1839. Effects under 20. Will made 27th March 1828. Witnesses by John Burgess, William Thomas and Alexander Gaydon.
“I will and desire that one hundred sheves of reed be purchased within two months after my deceace and layed up for the repairs of my tenement and the expence be taken from my funeral money from the Club.”
Two pounds to “my beloved wife”.
Remainder to “my son and daughter Robert and Ann Sommerwill”.

IO79 WILLIAM SOMMERWILL

Copy of the will of William Sommerwill late of the Parish of Swimbridge in the County of Devon, Carpenter, Deceased. Executrixes: Elizabeth Sommerwill Spinster and Susanna Gaydon the wife of Alexander Gaydon both the same place. Proved in the Consistorial Registry of the Lord Bishop of Exeter 21st July 1825. Effects sworn under 200. Will made 18th March 1825.
To daughter Elizabeth: “a plot of Ground being part of my tenement the East side of the Turnpike and adjoining the Parish Lands and on the North by the Parish highway to her During her Life and if Married for her Husband to have the same During his Life and if no Children to return to my Executricses.”
To daughters Mary Burgess and Susanna Gaydon: a plot of orchard ground “part of my Tenement in Swymbridge Village lying to the North End of the Turnpike Bridge and joins with the late John Upton’s Orchard.” All household furniture, goods, chattels. The brewing utensils were to remain with Susanna “as long as she remains in the Publick house and no longer, then to be parted between” Mary and Susanna.
To Elizabeth, Mary and Susanna equally: “all my Tenement Bills, Bond Notes or any thing else” (i.e. income from his properties). Also rents from his leasehold tenement in Chittlehampton.
If Elizabeth never married “nor never having no lawful children” all her rights were to return to Mary and Susanna.

Other Wills 1812-1825

It appears that all wills deposited at Exeter were destroyed by enemy action in 1942. The following are listed as having once been extant:

Index of Barnstaple Wills 1563-1858

Calendar of Devon & Cornwall Wills

Society of Genealogists’ Slip Index

1392 William Somerwell, Burgess of Bristol. Will dated Dec 6 1392. Proved London 1392 Mar 16

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