Wills of William and Rebecca BRIDLE
Maltster & Victualler of Dorchester


©Transcribed by Mike Russell FIPD OPC for Dorchester - 07 Feb 2016

Will of William BRINDLE of Dorchester (died 1781)

Will dated 19 Apr 1781 - Proved 04 Oct 1781 - PROB Ref 11/1082


In The Name of God Amen This is the last Will and Testament of me William BRIDLE of Dorchester in the County of Dorset Maltster made and published this nineteenth day of April in the year of Our Lord Christ One Thousand seven hundred and eighty one.

Being: of sound mind memory and understanding - after commending my soul into the hands of Almighty God and my Body to a decent internment at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named

I give and bequeath: unto my dear wife Rebecca BRINDLE for her own absolute use and benefit all and every the outstanding Debts and Stock in Trade in the Business of a Milliner and Shopkeeper which she now carries on and all ready money, money in the public funds and securities for Money and Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and of what nature or kind soever which she is now or was entitled to or possessed of at the time before or since our marriage

    Subject:however to all Debts owing by her in the said Trade and to the several Legacies and Annuities charged thereon by this my Will

Item: I give to the oldest son (or if only one son then to such only son) of my daughter Mary KELLAWAY that shall be living at the death of my said wife the sum of twenty pounds

    And: to the oldest son (or if only one son then to such only son) of my daughter Ann COLLIER that shall be living at the death of my said wife the sum of twenty pounds such legacies to be payable at the death of my said wife without any interest in the meantime for the same
    And: I do hereby charge and make liable the above Personal Estate and Effects hereinbefore given to my said wife and every part thereof with the payment of the said legacies

Item: I give and devise unto my Son-in-Law John COLLIER of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis inn the said County his Executors Administrators and Assigns for and during the term of fifty years if my said wife shall so long continue my widow, One Annuity or yearly sum of sixteen pounds clear of all deductions whatsoever to be issuing and payable out of and from the Stock in Trade and all other the Personal Estate and Effects hereinbefore given to my said wife and every part thereof which I do hereby charge and make liable thereto to have receive and take the said Annuity or yearly sum unto the said John COLLIER his Executors Administrators and assigns from the ay of my decease fro and during the said term of fifty years determinable as aforesaid by quarterly payments and in equal proportions to wit/ the twenty fifth day of March the twenty fourth day of June the twenty ninth day of September and the twenty fifth day of December yearly the first payment to commence on such said quarter days as shall first happen after my decease To and for and upon the Trusts intents and purposes following (that is to say)

    In Trust: during the joint continuance of the widowhood of my said wife and the life of my son William BRIDLE to pay such Annuity to my said son William BRIDLE and his Assigns for his and their own use and benefit and I do declare that the receipt of my said son notwithstanding his nonage shall be a sufficient discharge to my said Trustee his executors and Administrators for the same
    And: from and after the decease of my said son in case my said wife shall survive him and continue my widow In Trust to pay such Annuity to the same person and persons who shall from time to time be possessed of or entitled to my Copyhold Tenement called 'Howes' Tenement under this my will during the widowhood of my said wife provided always and it is my will that my said wife shall by sufficient methods in the Law absolutely to surrender release and yield up all such estate right claim and demand as she can claim or be entitled to for her widowhood in the said Copyhold Tenement to my said son William BRIDLE and the person and persons to whom the said Premises are devised by this my Will and ratify and confirm such devise
    Or: if my said wife shall marry a second husband that then and from thenceforth the said Annuity shall cease determine and be void

Item: I give the use of all my household goods linen and furniture of every kind to my said wife for her life and after her decease I give the same to our two children William and Rebecca BRIDLE equally share and share alike

Item: I give to my said daughter Mary KELLAWAY the sum of two hundred pounds one hundred pounds part thereof to be paid within one year and the remaining one hundred pounds within two years after my decease

Item: I give to my said daughter Ann COLLIER the sum of three hundred pounds one hundred pounds part of the said sum of three hundred pounds to be paid within one year, one hundred pounds other part thereof to be paid within two years and one hundred pounds the residue of the said sum of three hundred pounds to be paid within three years after my decease

    And:I give the said several legacies to my said daughters Mary and Ann for their respective sole and separate benefit exclusive of their respective Husbands
    And: my will is that neither of the the said legacies shall be in any wise liable to the control Debts or Engagements of their said Husbands but that the same shall be paid into the proper hands of my said daughters Mary & Ann whose respective receipts notwithstanding her and their Coverture shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my Executors hereinafter named for the said several legacies or so much thereof for which such receipt or receipts shall be given.

Item: I give to my said daughter Rebecca BRIDLE the sum of five hundred pounds to be paid to her on attaining the age of twenty one years or day of Marriage which shall first happen

    And: I do direct that the same be in the meantime laid out by my executors and in their names and in the name of the survivor of them and the Executors and Administrators of such survivor on Government or other securities and that such interest and proceed as shall arise therefrom be from time to time applied for the maintenance and support of my said daughter Rebecca
    And: In case my said daughter Rebecca shall die before the said legacy becomes payable Then I Give one third part thereof to my son William BRIDLE his heirs and administrators one other third part thereof to my daughter Mary her executors and administrators and the remaining third part to my daughter Ann COLLIER her executors and administrators

Item: I give to my sister Ann LOCK of Challdon in the said County the sum of five pounds

Item: I give to my said wife and George STICKLAND of Dorchester aforesaid Attorney at Law their heirs executors administrators and assigns for and during all my Estate Right and Interest therein all that Booth Erection or Building with the appurtenances on Woodbury Hill in the Parish of Beer Regis in the said County of Dorset

    In Trust: to sell the same and apply the money arising by such sale towards the discharge of the last above mentioned lagacies of two hundred pounds three hundred pounds and five hundred pounds given to my said daughters Mary, Ann and Rebecca

Item: I give to my said son William BRIDLE my watch and all my wearing apparel of every kind

Item: I devise all those my Freehold Lands Tenements and Hereditaments situate and lying and being in the Parish of Challdon in the said County of Dorset with the Appurtenances unto my said son William BRIDLE and his assigns for and during the term of his natural life

    And: from and after the determination of that Estate I devise the said Lands and Premises to the said George STICKLAND and his heirs during the life of my said son William BRIDLE
    In Trust     to preserve the contingent Estates hereinafter limited from being defeated or destroyed and for that purpose to make entries and bring Actions as occasion may require but nevertheless to permit my said son William BRIDLE and his assigns to receive the Rents Issues and profits thereof for his life
    And: after the decease of my said son I devise the said Lands and Premises to the first son of the Body of my said Son William BRIDLE lawfully to be begotten and the heirs of the Body of such first son lawfully issuing
    And: in default of such issue to the second third and fourth and all and every other the son and sons of my said son William BRIDLE lawfully to be begotten severally and successively one after another as they shall respectively be in priority of Birth and Seniority of age and the several and respective heirs of the Body and Bodies of such second third fourth and other sons lawfully issuing the older of such sons and the heirs of his Body being always to be preferred and take before the younger of them and the heirs of his nand their Body and Bodies
    And: for default of such issue I devise the said Lands and Premises to all and every the daughters of my said son William BRIDLE lawfully to be begotten equally to be divided between them if more than one share and share alike to take as tenants and the several heirs of her and their Body and Bodies lawfully issuing
    And: in if all such daughters but one shall die without issue or there shall be but one such daughter then to such only daughter and the heirs of her Body
    And: in default of such issue I devise the said Premises to my said daughter Rebecca BRIDLE her heirs and assigns for ever

Item: I give and devise all those my Copyhold Tenements with all and singular their Rights Members and Appearances called or known by the several names of 'Howes', 'Powells' and 'Rawlins's' Tenements situate within and parcel of the Manor of Fordington in the said County of Dorset to my said son William BRIDLE and his assigns until he shall attain his age of twenty one years

    And: on his attaining such age I devise the said several copyhold Tenements and every part thereof to my said son William BRIDLE his executors Administrators and Assigns absolutely for all my Estate Right Title and Interest therein respectively
    But: if my said son shall die before he attains such age I then give the said tenement called 'Howes' with the appurtenances to Augustus the son of my said daughter Ann COLLIER his Executors Administrators and Assigns. The said Tenement called 'Rawlins's' to my said daughter Rebecca her executors Administrators and Assigns and the said Tenement called 'Powells' to William Henry Farewell KELLAWAY the son of my said daughter Mary KELLAWAY his Executors Administrators and Assigns for and during all such Estates and Interests as shall be existing in the said Copyhold Tenements respectively st the time of my said sons death so dying under age as aforesaid

Item: I give and bequeath unto my said dear wife and George STICKLAND and the survivor of them and the Executors and Administrators of such survivor, all my own proper money, securities for money, book debts, cattle, stock in trade in brewing malting and farming and all the rest residue of my personal estate and effects of every kind and species whatsoever and wheresoever In Trust: as soon as conveniently can be after my decease to call in and receive such money due on securities and book debts and to sell such stock in trade and to convert all such other residue of my personal estate and effects into money and therewith and with my said own proper money after payment there out in the first place all my just debts and funeral expenses to pay satisfy and discharge the last above mentioned legacies of two hundred pounds three hundred pounds and five hundred pounds to my said daughters Mary, Ann and Rebecca

    And: if any surplus shall be remaining I give and bequeath such surplus unto my two daughters Mary and Ann equally share and share alike
    But: if the above fund by me allotted shall not be sufficient to pay and satisfy all the said legacies charged thereon I then do direct that such deficiency shall be abated and reduced out of the said legacy of five hundred pounds to my said daughter Rebecca
    And: I do will and direct that the receipt or receipts of my said wife and the said George STICKLAND in any sale or sales for the purposes of this my will shall be good and sufficient discharge to any purchaser or purchasers for the consideration money specified in such receipt and that such purchaser and purchasers shall not be answerable for the misapplication or non application of such purchase money and that my said Trustees and Executors may out of all or any part of the money that shall come to their hands retain and deduct all costs charges and expenses incurred or sustained in the execution of the trusts of this my will and that one of them shall not be answerable for the acts deeds or receipts of the other or with any more of the trust money than what shall come to their respective hands wither with any money that shall be lost ??? the failure or deficiency of any security there accruing to the best of their judgement and discretion

And Lastly: I do appoint my said dear wife and the said George STICKLAND Executrix and Executor of this my Will hereby revoking all former Wills by me made

In Witness: whereof I have to this my will contained in three sheets of paper set my hand to each and every of the said sheets and my seal to the last sheet the day and year first above written

Wm BRIDLE

Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses

Jn Templeman; Thoo Gould Read and James Bonnett

This Will was proved at London the fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one before the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissy of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oaths of Rebecca BRIDLE Widow the Relict of the deceased and George STICKLAND the Executors named in the said will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased they having been first sworn by Commission duly to administer

©Transcribed by Ros Dunning for Dorchester OPC - 07 Feb 2016

Will of Rebecca BRINDLE Widow of Dorchester (1725-1794)

Will Dated 14th November 1794: Proved 31st March 1796- PROB 11/ 1272


This is the last Will and Testament of me Rebecca BRIDLE of Dorchester in the County of Dorset Widow made and published this fourteenth day of November in the year of Our Lord Christ One Thousand seven hundred and ninety four and is as follows:-

Ffirst: I give and bequeath unto my Nephew William STICKLAND and to my Nieces Mary STICKLAND and Sarah STICKLAND son and daughters of George STICKLAND of Dorchester aforesaid Gentleman each the sum of ffity pounds to be paid them respectively within six months next after my decease their respective Executors and Administrators

Also I give: and bequeath unto George STICKLAND the younger son of the above named George STICKLAND the sum of Twenty Guineas to paid him within the time aforesaid his Executors and Administrators

And Lastly: All the Rest and Residue of my Personal Estate of what nature or kind soever and wheresover, after payment of just debts and ffuneral expenses, I give and bequeath the same unto my Niece Rebecca MILLS wife of the Reverend Philipps MILLS of Walworth in the County of Surrey for her own and separate use and benefit notwithstanding Coverture and whom I appoint sole Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other Wills by me heretofore made

In Witness: whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written

Rebecca BRIDLE

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator and and for her Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at her request subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto in her presence and in the presence of each other
Matthew BAKER G STICKLAND

PROBATE: This Will was Proved at London the thirty First Day of March in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Six before the Right Honourable Sir William Esquire Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper of the Commissionary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Rebecca MILLS (wife of the Reverend Phillips MILLS) the Niece of the deceased and the Sole Executrix named in the said Will of the deceased to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased having been first sworn by Commission duly to administer

Genealogical Notes:-

(1) William BRIDLE a Maltster of St Peters Parish in Dorchester married Rebecca GUNDRY of All Saints Parish in Dorchester at his parish church of St Peters on 29th July 1764. Follow link to their marriage for more information.

(2). William BRIDLE's earlier life is far from clear but I know he married twice. The following baptisms were recorded at St Peters Church in Dorchester from which it is evident that his first wife's name was Mary. The six children are nicely spaced and as would be expected the first two children are named after their parents so William's marriage to Mary should be circa 1751. I have not however so far been able to locate a suitable marriage to a Mary around this date anywhere in Dorset. The last of their children was baptised in Dorchester in August 1762 and they then moved to live in West Knighton in Dorset by the beginning of the following year. Not a good move as their son William died in April 1763 quickly followed by his wife Mary who was buried there on 13th September 1763. His daughter Virtue aslo died being buried at West Knighton on 4th March 1764. I think William however probably returned to live in Dorechester almost immediately after the death of his first wife and son and that when Virue died she was returned to West Knighton for burial with her mother and sibling as William's second marriage to Rebecca GUNDRY took place at St Peters Church on 29 July 1764. Children from his first marriage:-

    (1) Mary Bridle (1753-aft 1810) bap St Peters Church on 2nd Jan 1753. She married by licence when she would have been 27 years old to Henry KELLAWAY at Melcombe Regis on 30th March 1780. As such she is the first and eldest daughter Mary Kellaway referred to in William's will. They raised a family in Melcombe Regis and the eldest child, a boy named William Henry Farewell Kellaway (1781-1839) was reportedly born in January 1781 and is also a residual beneficiary named in William's will dated later in April that year. Unfortunately he was not baptised until much later with his two younger sisters Mary & Ann on 27th Dec 1785. He died in Yeovil in Somerset in 1839. A third sister Eliza was baptised on 13th Feb 1788. These children are referred to in Henry Kellaway their fathers Will which was proved by his widow Mary Kellaway on 19th Jan 1810.

    (2) William Bridle (1755-Bef 1761) bap St P 15th April 1755. No trace of burial presumably died pre 1761 when another child baptised as William

    (3) Ann Bridle (1757-1818) bap St P 7th Sep 1757. She married on 2nd Feb 1780 at Melcombe Regis by licence when she would have been 23 years old to John COLLIER of Wyke Regis . As such she is the second daughter Ann Collier referred to in William's will above in which her husband receives a separate Annuity. John and Ann also raised a family in Melcombe Regis their eldest child Augustus being baptised 13th Dec 1780 so Ann was 6 months pregnant when her father passed away. Her son Augustus is also mentioned in her fathers Will as a residuary beneficiary. Ann Collier died at Melcombe Regis being buried on 2nd May 1818 when her age was given as 57 but her actual age was 60. Children:-

      (1) Augustus Collier Bap Melcombe Regis 13th Dec 1780
      (2) Maria Colier (1782-1782) Bap M/Regis 20 Mar 1782 and buried at Wyke Regis 16th May 1782
      (2) Laura Collier Bap M/Regis 19 Sep 1783
      (3) Thomas Collier (1784-1874) Bap M/Regis 21 Jan Bap 1787
      (4) Sarah Collier Bap M/Regis 15 Mar 1790

    (4) Elizabeth Bridle (1759-1764) bap St P 15th July 1759 and died at the age of 5 being buried at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 8th March 1764

    (5) William Bridle (1761- 1763) bap St P 9th Aug 1761 - Buried at West Knighton in Dorset 13th April 1763

    (6) Virtue Thrasher Bridle (1762-1764) bap St P 18th Aug 1762 and buried at West Knighton in Dorset on 4th March 1764

(3) Rebecca GUNDRY was baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 6th April 1725 the 4th child of William GUNDRY. Her younger sister Eleanor (1727-1815) married George STICKLAND the Attorney appointed Executor of William BRIDLE's will.

(c) The Revd Phillips MILLS was a congregationalist Minister of the Independent Church in Durngate in Dorchester from 1783 to 1793. He married Rebecca STICKLAND the eldest daughter of George STICKLAND at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 30th Mar 1789. They left Dorchester when he was appointed as the first Minister of Lock's Field Independent Church in Walworth Surrey where he was buried in 1796. Link to more information about him.

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