Margaret Symonds

     Margaret was born. Margaret married Robert Blake, son of Humphrey Blake and Agnes (?). Robert & Margaret had children: Ansastatia [ca. 1550][m. 1572 Robert Bocking], William [m. Phebe] & Humphrey [5/16/1563-11/19/1624][m. Sarah Williams d/o John Williams].¹ Margaret's husband, Robert, died on 12 October 1592 in Bridgwater, leaving her a widow. Margaret made her will on 20 April 1599.

I Margaret Blake of Bridgewater in the Countie of Somersett widowe late wief of
Robert Blake deceased …[I give five shillings to] my cosin Bartholomew More of weeke. if he be lyvinge . Item I give to my sonne William Blake a Coverlett of Tapistrye. And one silver spoone. Item I give to my sonne Htunfreys childe Robert Blake A Spur RovalI of gouId. Item I give to my daughter Anstis Buckinge my best cloake. my best hatt and my blewe mantell. Item I give to Emanuell Buckinge Tenne shillinges in gould, Item I give to Anne white Tenne shillinges in gould Item I give to Richard and Roberte Stradlinges sonnes of Richarde Stradlinge. To each of them Tenn shillinges. to be bestowed for them in some needfull garmentes or bookes as my Executors in truth shall think good. Item I give to my Sister Elizabeth Symons Tenne shillinges iu gould, Item I give to my Sister Dorothie Sindercombe Teme shillinges in gould. Item I give to my Cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey one silver spoone and Tenne shillinges in gould. Item I give to master Nicholas Strete the elder one silver spoone. and a spur Royall of gould. Item I give to mistress Marye Streete his wife my martin skynnes and velvet waste. Item I give to master John Michell one silver spoone. Item I give to mistress Dorothie Michell his wife my gould Ring with deathes head. Item I give to Mary Stradlinge the wife of Richard Stradlinge my furred gowne. Item I give to Sara Popham my god daughter my gould Ringe withe Turkeys stone . . Item I give to Jane Stradlinge daughter of Richard Stradlinge. fouretie poundes in money, my Sea Chist without feete beinge empty. And a little Spruce chist withe theis thinges in it viz' a silver sault double guilt with a cover wevenge Sixtene ounces and haulf A vallaunce for a Bed of needle worke conteyninge three panes. A paire of fine hollande sheetes. and a bearmge Flannynge of stamell clothe. More I give her my beste gowne. best petticoate. and greatest panne next to my sonne Humfreys panne. Item I give to Grace Stradlinge Sister of the saide Jane fouretie poundes in money my newe chist of two bushells. beinge emptie my lesser spruce chist also emptie. mly gowne of London brownie. my seconde greatest panne. And two needle worke Cusshions. Item I give all my wearing lynnen to the saide Jane and Grace equally betwene them to be devided. And the lynnen in the little blacke chist or Coffer I give to the saide Jane and Grace. as it is there already devided in the saide chist viz that parte or bundell wherein the Curtynes are. to be for Jane. The other parte or bundell for Grace withe also the chist. Also my will is That if the saide Jane or Grace Stradlinge or either of them shall happen to dye before the tyme. in which they are To Receive their Legacves accordinge to this my will hereafter specified: That then such Legacies of her that shall dye shall whollie Rentaine unto the survivor of the saide Jane and Grace. And if they bothe shall happen to dye before the saide time That then it shall whollie Remaine unto Richard and Roberte Stradlinges brothers of the saide Jane and Grace equallie to be devided. or to the survivor of them .. And I doe by theis presents ordeine and make the saide Jane and Grace Stradlinge to be Excutors of this my last will and Testament. when they both or the survivor of them shall accomplishe the age of Twenty and fyve yeres. or otherwise when they bothe or either of them shall manye with the consent and goode likinge of my beloved frendes master Nicholas Streete Gentleman. William Blake my sonne and my Cosen Richard Blake of Overstowey….²

Margaret departed this life in Bridgwater. She was buried there in the churchyard of St. Mary's on Monday, 10 April 1600.³ Her will was probated on 7 November 1600.