Margerye "Marjori" Bench - born circa 1525 - of Lillington

By admin , 16 August, 2024

I have placed Margerye (also spelled Marjory, Marjori) as a daughter of Thomas Bench (the elder), since her husband Richard Nicoll(s) and Marjori were named in the 1565 will of her father, Thomas Bench (the elder).  For this info, see the will of Thomas Bench (the elder), which can be found under his Forum topic area.

Lillington parish records list Richard Nicoll(s) and Margerye Bench as married on 3 November 1546.  I have placed her birth year as an estimate of circa 1525, based on when she was married. 

Richard Nicoll(s) died in 1573, and Margerye Bench re-married to a Robert Creese on 27 January 1574 in Lillington. She was listed as a widow on the marriage record.

 

 

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William Bench - born circa 1528 - of Lillington - His 1560 will

By admin , 16 August, 2024

William Bench left a will in that was dated 12 March 1560, and probated 14 October 1560. I have not been able to make out much with it.  I do not believe he had any children yet, but may have been married, as I see the word wife in the records, but cannot make out much more.    I have placed his birth year before his "proposed" brother Phillip Bench, since this William Bench died before Phillip.

This is only a "proposed" child of Thomas Bench (The Elder).  No firm proof yet, and if the probate record can be decyphered, it might help. William Bench is placed as a proposed son of Thomas Bench (the elder) for a few reasons. He would have been an older person, because normally a will is written by someone well established in the community, with property to disperse.  Another William died in 1565, which appears to be Phillip Bench's son, and likely named in honor of his brother.

This is also likely why there is no mention of him in the will of his "proposed" father, Thomas Bench (the elder), in 1565. 

He should not be confused with the William Bench that was buried 1 July 1565 in Lillington, Warwickshire, England.  I believe this may have been yet another son of Phillip Bench.

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Phillip Bench - born circa 1535 and wife Joane

By admin , 15 August, 2024

Phillip Bench and wife Joane are mentioned as the parents of Thomas Bench (the younger) in his 11 June 1565 Lillington, Warwickshire, England parish baptism record.  Of interest is that a William Bench, a likely son of Phillip Bench and Joane was buried the same year, less then a month after Thomas Bench was baptised.  

We also know from the will of his grand-father, which was written on 19 March 1565, that this Thomas Bench (the younger) was already born, since he was noted as a son of Phillip.  So we can say for certain that Thomas Bench (the younger) was born before 19 March 1565 (and we also know that he lived in Lillington).

Attached is the Baptism record of son Thomas Bench which links Phillip Bench and Joane as his parents.

See the will of Thomas Bench (the elder), which links Phillip Bench as a son. 

 

 

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Thomas Bench - the elder 1565 Probate-Will

By admin , 15 August, 2024

The Will of Thomas Bench is very hard to interpret, so any help with the attached .pdf file is welcome.  

The will is found in the Registered wills and original wills, administrations and inventories, 1494-1860, and, act books, 1532-1638 for the Diocese of Lichfield Episcopal Consistory Court.  This will was specifically found in Staffordshire, Dioceses of Lichfield and Coventry wills and probate records of 1565.  

The will of Thomas Bench was probated on 19 March 1565, but was torn on top, and the month the will was written is unknown, only the day (16th) and year (1565).   At the beginning Thomas Bench bequeaths his soul to allmighty god, his maker, and it appears that he desires to be buried in the churchyard parish in Lillington.

He then bequeaths to Pholop (Phillip) his son, and Thomas Bench (Phillips son) each something?   Whatever he was bequeathing to both of them, the writing/letters appears the same.  

He then bequeaths to John Bench his (?-perhaps brother - about 5/6 letters) something which appears to be 5/6 letters and to give wife something (looks like 4 letter) corne and bushel of corn after (may be the day of a feast?).

There are other names mentioned, Richard Nicols/wife Marjorie,  Elizabeth (daughter?), Anis Robbins, daughter of Nico or Mich Robbins, Thomas Browne (his god son), Elizabeth Blacke.  

He mentions his son Phillip again, and also his wife Elizabeth.  There may be much more to decypher, but it will take someone with more knowledge of reading old English wills to interpret some of this writing.

 

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