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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