Cullompton Wills

Contents

• Introduction
• List of wills
• Notes on the transcriptions
• References

Introduction

The German Blitz of May 1942 destroyed much of Exeter city centre. Tragically one of the buildings destroyed was the City library where over a million books and documents were destroyed. Amongst these were Devon Wills and Inventories thus depriving Devon of so much of historical importance.

The availability of Devon Wills is well documented by the Devon Wills Project, originally on the Genuki website but can now be accessed via the Devon Family History website

Fortunately there do remain contemporary copies of some of the Wills, with a couple of sources online. Note that these are copies of the original Wills and as such can contain some transcription errors embedded in them

PCC Wills The first of these are the Wills copied when registered by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC). These are available via the National Archives at Kew and via their Discovery website. A fee of £3.50 is required to download each one but at present can be obtained for free on registration (and fair use policy).

Cullompton Wills in this database date from 1529 to 1858 – the later Wills are usually quite readable, but earlier Wills can be a bit more difficult especially when written in medieval Latin with abbreviations

IRW Wills The second readily available source are the copies made for the Estate or Inland Revenue Wills (IRW) from 1812 to 1857. Microfiche copies are available at the Devon Heritage Centre in Exeter, who hold the copyright

They are also available (and easier to see) for free on the Familysearch website but to find them, rather than use the home page it is easier to put “Devon Wills family search” in a search engine. (Note make sure to take the “familysearch” option rather than the “findmypast” which may come higher). To view these original images registration will be required

Transcriptions have already been made of some of these Wills and many of these are on the Cullompton page of Genuki. A larger list are on this Cullompton History website.

Both the PCC and IRW collections are subject to strict copyright of the original images.

List of wills

This is a list of the Cullompton wills transcribed by Art Ames with links to the actual transcriptions where available.

Surname	First Name(s)	Occupation/ Status	Year	Places
Abbott	Sarah	Widow	1842	Post Heas (is this Pottshayes?)
Alwaye	Thomas		1570
Anning	James	gentleman	1830
Atkins	Johane	Widow	1618	Colebrooke
Atkins	Thomas	gentleman	1655
Atkins	Thomazine	Widow	1657	Hayne, Growen
Atkyns	Henry		1613	Swyneland
Atkyns	Symon	yeoman	1653	Fenne or Venne, Stockcombe Stockham, Mutterton,
Axon	John	yeoman	1804
Babedge	George	clothier	1628	Tiverton market
Babidge	Elizabeth	Widow	1656
Babidge	Mary	Widow	1632
Bagter	Charles	yeoman	1615	Hayne
Baker	Elias	Gentleman	1855	Little Hackland or Peter Hills
Baker	Mary	spinster	1759
Baker	Thomas	yeoman	1659	Ponsford,Heathallers, Three corner close, Stobbingdon, milk moors, Tuckers house, Padbrook, Maglands als Hayne (Home) Oke
Baker	Thomas	Gentleman	1854	Fulfords, Higher Shutelake, Weaver
Baker	Thomas Harris	Gentleman	1855	Hackland, Kingsmill
Bale	John	dyer	1659	Church Lane
Bale	John	Staymaker.	1818
Bale	Thomas	staymaker	1823
Ball	John	gentleman	1608
Banton	Grace	Widow	1698
Banton	John		1694
Barnes	Mary	Widow	1791	Clist, Westex,
Baston	Thomas	Tinman	1838
Beavill	Thomas	husbandman	1656	Whiteheathfield Tenement
Bell	Edward	wheelwright	1836
Bennett	Giles	Ropemaker	1821	Caryls Stoneyford
Bennett	John	Gentleman	1831	Shutehanger, Leonard Moore Halberton, Coxcroft other wise Matthews, Cullompton Tiverton turnpike road
Berrey	John	carrier	1636
Besley	James	Labourer	1821
Bilbie	Elizabeth	Widow	1845
Bilbie	Mary	spinster	1840
Bilbie	Sarah	spinster	1855
Bilbie	Thomas Castleman	Bell Founder	1814
Blackmore	George	Sergemaker	1831	New Street
Blackmore	Humphry	gentleman	1733	Rull, Higher Newland, Lower Newland, Cranklands, Baldwins Croft Uffculme, Rull Green, Yellands close alias Bales Close, Georges Will Meadow
Blackmore	Humphrey	gentleman	1789	Rull
Blackmore	James	Yeoman	1848
Blackmore	John	gentleman	1646	Knoll
Blackmore	John	Gentleman	1845	Hayne Farm, Higher Moorhayes, Paradise cottage
Blackmore	Mary	Wife	1837	Pearceys New Street
Blackmore	Sarah	Widow	1812	Uffculme
Blampin	Grace	Widow	1840
Blampin	John	Yeoman	1835
Blampin	Thomas	Innholder	1822	Wood Mill (manor of Aller Peverall), Half Moon, Willand Moor,
Blampin	Thomas James	Innkeeper	1849	Wood Mill, Half Moon Inn,
Bowden	Margaret	spinster	1786	Hillersdon
Bowerman	James	innholder	1844
Brice	John	Gentleman	1817	mention of Malthouse and Malt Mills
Broom	Edmund	Malster	1856	Broad Meads Fore Street
Broom	Thomas	Yeoman	1836	Wheatcroft
Broom	William	Yeoman	1832	Higher Morefields Lower Moorfields and Broadmoor Corner , Mutterton Moor
Brown	Frances	Spinster	1832	Unitarian Meeting House
Brown	Martha	Widow	1845	Fordton(Crediton), Crediton Unitarian Meeting house, Cullompton Unitarian Meeting house
Brown	Mary Elizabeth		1855	Hertford Street Mayfair, Christchurch Surrey, St. Mary Newington
Brown	William	clothier	1824	Fordton(Crediton),
Brown	William	Yeoman	1856	Crankland Farm
Browne	Robert	husbandman	1592	Prescott
Brutton	Alice	Wife	1807	Perpetuity of Living of Cullompton Church
Brutton	Elizabeth	Wife	1795	Broad Street (London), Slade (Salcombe),
Brutton	Henry	gentleman	1821	Shepherds
Brutton	John Veryard	clerk	1821
Budd	William	Baker	1851	Duck Street
Burn	Christiana	Widow	1824	Hillersdon
Burnard	Mary	Wife	1814
Burnard	William	Malster	1834	Kings Head
Burrough	Henry	Farmer	1845
Burrow	Thomas	Tailor	1839	Rouses Bridges Street
Burton	Michael	Yeoman	1823
Bussell	John	Sergemaker	1815	Speeds
Bussell	John	Tailor	1821
Cape	John	yeoman	1612	Wellington
Carthew	Jane	spinster	1841
Cholas	Thomas		1557
Churley	Sarah	Spinster	1830
Clarke	Thomas	gentleman	1715	Hillersdon
Clash	Phillip		1657	Langford
Cockram	George	merchant	1584	Upton Weaver, Northcome, Growen
Cockram	George	gentleman	1646	Lower Growen als Growhaies, Croft, Turnett, Townelake
Cockram	Thomas	gentleman	1646	Woodcockswell, Cranklands, Hillersdon
Cole	John	merchant	1564	Bycott Place (Halberton), Kingsford
Coleman	Robert	Yeoman	1840	Heathaller Scabbertons
Coombe	Thomazin	Widow	1847	Poundhay Pitt
Crocker	Simon	bachelor	1613
Crosse	Henry	Esquire	1827	Payhembury, Bolealler, Anthony Palmers & Davies, Mill Tenement, Halsewood, Whiteheathfield, Lizwills
Crosse	James	esquire	1836	Knowle, Ponsford, Broomhills, Langlands, Hills Tenement, Cross Close, Halberton, Tiverton, Morebath
Crosse	William		1588	Almshouse
Crudge	Richard	Gentleman	1817
Cruwys	Henry	Esquire	1760	Hillersdon, manor of Ponnsford, manor of Upton Weaver,
Cruwys	Jane	Widow	1765	Hillersden,
Dart	Elizabeth	Widow	1832	Kings Mill
Dean	Richard	yeoman	1770	Hillersdon, Butterleigh
Deeve	Richard	esquire	1646
Dicks	Samuel	clerk	1720	Ashbrittle Rectory, Brook Tenement
Dodge	Henry	Woolcomber	1835
Driver	John	gentleman	1635
Dubb	William	Victualler	1813	Skinner & Brown Bank
Dunn	Sarah	Widow	1852
Ellicott	Thomas Pyle	Butcher	1828
Elworthy	Elizabeth	Widow	1857
Elworthy	William	Weaver	1834	New Street
English	Richard	gentleman	1624
Evans	John	yeoman	1651	Town Lake,
Evans	Mary	spinster	1792
Farrant	Mark	the elder	1845	Growen
Farye	Robert	husbandman	1659
Finnemore	John	gentleman	1748
Flay	Thomas	gentleman	1679	Chaldon, Garlandhayes (Bradninch), Rewse (Thorne, Somerset)
Flood	John	Mason.	1857	New Street, Exeter Road, Crow Green, Clampitts
Flood formerly Melhuish	Elizabeth	Widow	1825
Foster	Sarah	Widow	1851
Foweraker	Edward	Whitebread Baker	1815	Kingsand Cornwall
Fowler	George	Cooper	1813
Fowler	Ralph		1676	Guyes Meadow, Barns Close, George Well Meadow,, Stobbindons, Shortlands, Wormfell,
Frank	Evans	–	1820	Dorothy Normans, Shortlands
Frost	Henry	Builder	1821
Frost	John Bodley	Victualler	1826
Frost	Joseph	Gentleman	1857	Paradise, Lowmans, Methodist Chapel, Great Waterleats, Tobyham, Colebrooke Lane, Wishes Croft, Murchs, Sugar Well, Knowle Lane, Bewley, Bamfields
Frost	Robert	Malster	1835	Red Lion
Frost	Silas	Malster	1822	Hawke & Blakeney, Old Bell, New Bell, New Street, Crowgreen
Fry	Hannah	Widow	1847	Crow Green
Fry	Samuel	–	1814
Fry	Samuel	Sergeweaver	1843
Gale	Amos	Yeoman	1835
Gay	Richard	chirurgion	1629
Gaye	Richard	surgeon	1672	Hirkaller or Heathaller, Were Meadow, Crowe Green, Marshalls, Crosse Close, Brooke Tenement, Buckland, Longbridge, Cogland,
Geard	Henry	yeoman	1622	Westcott
Gird or Gyrd	Thomas	clothier	1608
Godfrey	George	Gentleman	1848	Parsons, Frogpool, Easter Waterleats, Godfrey’s place, New street, New Cut to Shortlands,
Goldsworthy	Mary	Spinster	1856
Grant	Thomas	Yeoman	1848	Week Fram, Stonyford
Griffin	Sarah	Widow	1843
Gyles	John		1587	Padbrook, Marks ground, John Warrens ground
Gyles	John		1609	Padbrooke, Markes Ground, John Warrens Ground
Harding	Elizabeth	Widow	1839	Bampton Morebath
Harding	Henry	Officer of Excise	1829
Harris	Francis	Yeoman	1835
Harvey	Richard	Grocer	1855
Hatch	Edmond	esquire	1664	Langford (manor), Northmolton, Southmolton, Bishopps Nymet, Bow
Hayman	John	Gentleman	1819	Colebrooke Court, Colebrooke, Ragged Gate, Moores
Heath	Grace	Wife	1843
Heathfield	Alice	Widow	1660
Hepper	Edward	gentleman	1848	Exeter St. David
Herdinge or Hardinge	John	yeoman	1653	Grange or Weaver Land,
Hill	Henry	Collector of Taxes	1853
Hill	Robert	tanner	1658	Westcott, Cullompton poor, Chawleigh poor, Cheldon poor
Hitt	George	Yeoman	1832	Nutwll (Ealsbeer)
Hitt	Thomas	Farmer	1855	Langford Court, Poundy Pitt
Hoare	Sarah	Widow	1823
Hoare	William	White Bread Baker	1819	New Inn
Hole	James	Painter Plumber Glazier	1848
Hole	John	gentleman	1827	Peverstone, Winham, Yonder Winham, Holmingcleve, Manor of Allerpeverell
Hole	William	gentleman	1843	Peverstone, Winham, Yonder Winham, Tye, Westcott
Huish	Amy	Widow	1807	Bones Ground
Jarman	Elias	Sergemaker	1796	Wick (Bradninch), Heal fields (Bradninch), Milhayes (Bickleigh), Clamourclive (Bickleigh)
Jarman	Elias	Builder	1854
Jerningham otherwise Jernegan	Maria Selina	Widow	1816
Joyce	William	tailor	1654
Kellwaye	Symon	merchant	1569	Kingsmill
Kaylewaye	John		1530
Kendall	Jonas	gentleman	1659	Wormerwell, Higher & Western Scabingdons, Shortlands, Perrywoods, Dodpoole,Culme Bridge, Bowriwoods,Harlowend place, Great Clampitt, Crosse Close
Kenwood	Ann	Widow	1853
King	Elizabeth	Widow	1847	Colebrook
Lane	John		1529
Lane	John	yeoman	1639	Payhembury, Broadhembury
Lanne	Richard	yeoman	1646
Leigh	Henry	yeoman	1719	Cruwys Morchard, Halberton, Saleham (Middlesex), Tything of Ponnsford, Winkhays, Kelleigh (Cruwys Morchard), Combeland als South Combe,
Lenynge	Richard		1568
Liswell	Roger	yeoman	1646	Allerpeverell
Littlejohn	Anne	Widow	1579	Knolle, Upton,
Lugg	Henry	yeoman	1658	Clisthydon (poor)
Luxton	John	Miller	1817	Crediton
Manfield	John	Yeoman	1853	Bathills Priory
Manninge	Christopher	gentleman	1577
Markes	Thomas	clothier	1575
Martin	Elizabeth	Widow	1844	Lower Bolealler (Tye), Mutterton, Langford Heathfield, Shuffshayes, Nackershole Cot, Upton
Martin	John	Gentleman	1813	Great Upton, Upton Overland, Hills Knowle Lane
Martin	John	Gentleman	1826
Martin	Mary	Widow	1822
Martin	Philip	Gentleman	1834	Great Upton, Upton Overland,
Martin	Thomas	Sadler	1784
Martin	William	Dairyman	1825
Matthews	Henry	Plumber and Glazier	1822
Matthews	Mary Frank	Wife	1854
May	George	Whitesmith	1825
May	John	Innkeeper	1842	Devonshire Inn
Melhuish	Charles	Gentleman	1822	Hills (Musbeer, Halberton), Ashford Lands (Burlescombe), Lower rough Shellis otherwise Sheldy Mead,
Melhuish	Elizabeth	Widow	1820
Merchant	John	Sergemaker	1833
Merefeild or Merrifeild	Christian	Widow	1657
Midleton	Joane	Widow	1602
Mills	Ferdinando	baker	1799	Quakers Meeting house, Bathills,
Mills	John	Baker	1837	Spicelands Uffculme, Sumpters, Low Street, Waterleats, Sol Bakers
Mills	William	Carpenter	1830	The College, Turnpike road
Minson	Robert	Cooper	1827	Low Street
Minson	Thomas	Gentleman	1837
Mitchell	Dorothy	Widow	1845
Mogrige	Thomas		1564	Westcotte, Bulley, Shortlands,
Mogrige alias Coxston alias Mogrig	Emlyn	Wife	1564
Mondy	John	Yeoman	1824	Fordaller als Walronds (Langford)
Mondy	Juliana	Widow	1843
More	John	Esquire	1639	Tenby, Morehayes
Morgan	Richard	merchant	1593	Kingsmill, Hakeland, Upton, Growing
Morgan	Samuel	dissenting minister	1794
Morgan	Thomas	weaver	1651
Morle	Sarah	Widow	1827	Bridgwater
Mortimore	Henry	Yeoman	1825	Bradninch
Moyley	Humphrey	yeoman	1652	Colebrooke ground, Swyneham
Mudford	John	merchant	1696
Mudford	John	clothier	1709
Murch	John		1828	London
Murch	Joseph	Tin plate worker	1840	Cullompton National School
Nichols	James	Druggist and Grocer	1843
Norcross	Jane	Widow	1855
Norman	Henry		1657
Norman	John	Mason.	1830	Westcott
Norman	William	yeoman	1659	Mutterton
Nosworthy	Joseph	gentleman	1806	Colebrook Lane
Oram	John	officer	1857
Oxenham	Thomas	husbandman	1658
Page	William		1566	Broke choppen place, Eystlande
Palmer	Hannah	Widow	1822
Palmer	John	Taylor	1818
Pannell	Betty	Wife	1800
Pannell	Joseph	Gentleman	1845
Pannell	Mary	Widow	1855
Pannell	Richard	Druggist	1814
Pannell	Thomas	gentleman	1820
Pannell	William	Bell Founder	1853
Pares	Henry	merchant	1567
Paris or Parys	Humphrey	merchant	1595	Millhayes, Upton Weaver, Wood Furlong, Northwood
Pasmore	Lydia	Widow	1785	Turners and Blackallers – New Street near Quaker Burying Ground,, Broom Hills, Norths house
Pearce	Alice	Spinster	1819
Pickering	James	tanner	1816
Pine	Stephen	Farmer	1843	Allerwood Gate and Allerwood Corner fields (Kentisbeare)
Pitt	Robert		1832	Woodcockswell, Matthews & Holliers (East Butterley), Uobornford (Holberton), New Inn (Butterley), Penn (Cheriton Fitzpayne),
Plumpton	Samuel	Yeoman	1818
Poole	Betty	Widow	1856	Culmpyne Clayhidon
Poole	Charles	gentleman	1856
Poole	Francis		1842
Potter	John	Yeoman	1814
Pring	Richard	Yeoman	1823	Travellers Rest, Fulfords
Prowse	Thomas	esquire	1646	Dunkeswell, Wilton (Somerset), Wanstrowe (Somerset), Cotley, Dalwood, Wolford, The Bell (Taunton), Highlands (Wilton,) Hills close (Wilton), Shirelands (Wilton), Chilton Prowse (Thorverton),
Pulman	Thomas	gentleman	1654	Quants place, Broome Hill, Crosselands, Oxlands
Pyle	John	Yeoman	1837	Pettyhays or Pottshays
Radcliff	John	merchant	1584	Marytavie, Petertavie, Tavistock
Radford	Frances	Widow	1844	Kentisbeare
Radford	Mary	spinster	1843
Rapgent	Roger	husbandman	1646
Read	John	Yeoman	1837
Rice	Richard	Currier	1828	Turners Tenement
Ridler	John	Yeoman	1857	Week
Rollestone	Thomas		1656
Rowe	Roger	Yeoman	1814	Stonyford, Portmans Mellishes, Crosses, Broomhills, Barn Close
Rutley	John	worsted weaver	1656
Saffin	Anne	Widow	1705
Saffyn	George	gentleman	1612	Crosslands (Uffculme), Weeke
Salter	Charles	Yeoman	1848	Westcott Haymans House Part of Hills Crow Green New Street Exeter road Trumps Mutterton Moor Stone Coombehayes Humphrey Thorne
Salter	Hannah	Widow	1856
Salter	John	Yeoman	1814	Mutterton Slough Pool Bashay late Charity Starkes late Allens
Salter	John	Gentleman	1838
Salter	Robert	Yeoman	1814	Stonecombehay (Bradninch) Late Murches
Salter	Robert	yeoman	1834	Westcott
Seaman	Joseph	sergemaker	1821
Selleck	William	gentleman	1733
Sellwood	Charles	Fellmonger	1833	Venn Tenement (part of Upcotts). Godfreys Plot,
Sellwood	Grace	spinster	1848
Sellwood	John	Gentleman	1830	Colaton Raleigh, Low Street,
Shere	Ambrose	Farmer	1840	Yeates estate,
Shere	Mary	spinster	1849
Shiles	Thomas	Woolcomber	1838	New Street, Stonyford
Short	John	surgeon	1763
Shute	Stephen		1824	Padbrook
Skinner	Henry	banker	1829
Skinner	Hugh	Surgeon & apothecary	1812	Boylings, Girds Tenement
Sladde	Henry		1518
Smith	John		1657
Smyth	Robert	baker	1571
Southey	George	Malster	1853
Stanford	Mary	Widow	1854
Stark	John	yeoman	1840	New Street
Stone	Richard	clothier	1681
Sumpter	Elizabeth	Widow	1660	Turnett, Owlecombe, Potteshaies, Whiteheathfield,
Sumpter	Thomas	clothier	1645	Turnett als Branscombes Place, Great Meadow, Pothaies, Broomhills
Sumpter	William	clothier	1642	Brownscoombe, Turnett, Whiteheathfield, Pottshaies,
Surridge	Henry	cordwainer	1846
Sydenham	Ann	spinster	1831
Sydenham	John	Clerk	1828	Highbray, Ashreigney / Kingsash, Burrington, Kingsnympton, Warkley
Talbot	Robert	Labourer	1851
Taylder alias Taylor	John		1567
Tayler	Hannah	Wife	1821
Tayler	John	hosier	1628
Tayler	William	Yeoman	1825	Giles Tenement, Unitarian Meeting
Taylor	Joseph	Yeoman	1849	Batthills, Upton
Thomas	James	yeoman	1603
Thomas	John	gentleman	1611	Upton, Knoles, Halberton, Stonyford Bridge
Thomas	Mandlyn	Widow	1646	Ponsford
Thomas	Thomasin		1571	Sampford close and meadow, Upton
Toose	John	husbandman	1650
Trock	Thomas	merchant	1630
Troke	Thomas	merchant	1549
Trosse	George	gentleman	1721	Squirrel Inn (Wellington), Growhayes (Growen), Willbine Mead, House close, Path close
Trump	Ann	Widow	1828	Langford
Trump	Anthony	yeoman	1819	Langford
Turner	Abraham	gentleman	1653	Weeke, Muxbeare als Mucklesbeare (Halberton), Symehams, The George, Gayes close, Millhayes, Willyes House
Turner	Abraham	Farmer	1815	Pinhoe
Turner	Thomas	weaver	1854
Turner	William		1561	Saint Georges Well, Harlewyns, Wormeswill, Longlande, Clampytte, Woodyne Close, John Foxes Close, Ponsford, Highhaller, Monkswood, Shortelands, Stoniford Bridge, Dodpole, Culme Bridge, Ponsford Mill, North Perywood,
Upcott	Mary	Spinster	1840	Northdown, Bradninch,
Upcott	Nehemiah	Gentleman	1838	Footlands, Pond Meadow,
Upcott	William	merchant	1851	Shortlands, Quants, Brick Building (Workhouse), White Hart field, Portmans, Dyers Cottage, Martins Garden, Wrights,, Stoneyford, Fore Street, Rushes Close, Plymtree
Upcott	William	woollen manufacturer	1855
Varley	Richard		1599	Stony?, Willand Moor, Perdon, Joan Hills
Venn	John	Yeoman	1832
Voisey	John	Yeoman	1824	Ottery St. Mary
Voisey	John	Innholder	1825
Waldron	Ann	Spinster	1824
Water	Agnes	Widow	1567
Watson	Charles	innholder	1659
Watson	Eleanor	Widow	1678
Watson	John	clothier	1695	Berryes house, Gingerland (Bradninch)
Watson	Peter	clothier	1696	Pasmore grounds, Horwoods tenement (Old Dunkswill)
Weare	Thomasina		1629
Webber	Elizabeth	Widow	1823
Webber	Richard		1651
Webber	Sarah	Widow	1835
Wescomb	Rachel	spinster	1817
Wescomb	Thomas	cordwainer	1827
Westlake	Grace	Widow	1816
White	Charles	Yeoman	1843
White	Richard	gentleman	1790	Willand, Plymtree, Colaton Rawleigh
Wilkins	George	yeoman	1846	Broadfield Wrington Somerset
Williams	Henry	Yeoman	1812
Wolland	William	Malster and Victualler	1822	The Dolphin, Saint Georges Well, Passland Lane
Wood	Christopher	gentleman	1656
Woode	Humfrey		1573
Wright	Sarah	Widow	1774
Wyatt	Christopher	Mason.	1840
Youd	John	Yeoman	1826	Moorhayes

Notes on the transcriptions

Especially with the earlier Wills there are some differences with modern English. Often the letter e is found at the end of words, also the letter I is often replaced by the letter y e.g. yf instead of if and there is a short cut of xp for christ e.g. xpian is christian, Xpopher is Christopher.

I have endeavoured to transcribe letter for letter so a tip for some of these early words is to read them aloud

There are also some special words for clothing / furniture etc that are no longer in use. There is a glossary of these terms in a separate file

References

The Uffculme Wills and Inventories	Uffculme Archive Group – edited Peter Wyatt & published 1997 pp 269 to 277 (A really good glossary of 16th to 18th Century words)
What does it mean – Words in Wills Inventories Deeds and Documents	Eve McLaughlin published Nov 2004 Parchment (Oxford) Ltd