Arne

Probate

Transcribed and donated to the Dorset OPC Project by Kim Parker

Until 1858 all wills had to be proved (formally approved) by church and other courts. The Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC), the most important of these courts, dealt with the relatively wealthy individuals living mainly in the south of England and most of Wales (what was originally the ecclesiastical province of Canterbury). Wills of less wealthy individuals whose property lay within the confines of a single parish may have been proved in a number of other ecclesiastical courts, including the Archdeaconry Court of Exeter (pre-1843); the Archdeaconry Court of Dorset; the Consistory Court of the Bishop of Exeter (pre-1843); the Royal Peculiar of Sarum and other peculiars. From 1858 all wills were indexed centrally and this index is widely available at Record Offices, Probate Registries and the LDS Church.

The tables below provide details of wills of Arne residents, but may not be exhaustive. They are arranged according to the Gregorian Calendar, with the Julian year indicated to the left of the forward slash (/) in those years when the Julian Calendar, which ran from March 25th to March 24th, was in use (i.e. prior to 1752, 1751 being the transition year).

NAMEType
& Date
BeneficiariesExecutor/trix (Wills) or
Adminstrator/trix (Admons)
Witnesses (Wills) or
Sureties/Witnesses (Admons)
Reference
BAKER Thomas the Elder
Mariner of Arne
Will
20 Jun 1649
Proved
06 May 1650
poor of the parish of Arne
poor of the parish of Studland
Mary BAKER, his last wife, deceased [honours the legacies she gave on her death bed]
Margaret BAKER, his now wife
William DOLBERIE, father-in-law [Margaret’s father]
Nicholas BROWNE, previous husband of Margaret BAKER née DOLBERIE, deceased [concerning property she had of him]
Roger BAKER, son
Joane, wife of Thomas LOOPE, daughter
Anna TRUE, daughter
Thomas BAKER, son
Edith BAKER, daughter
William BAKER, son
Richard BAKER, son [property lately bought of William GIGGER of Wareham]
Thomas, son of Roger BAKER, grandson
other grandchildren not named
William BAKER, son
Richard BAKER, son

Overseers:
Thomas BAKER of Arne, brother
Thomas BAKER of Slape, late wife Mary’s brother
Thomas BAKER, son

NB: Will proved by Thomas BAKER brother & Thomas BAKER son - Richard & William BAKER may still have been minors
John CHEESEMAN
William SMITH
Prerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/212/132
BAKER Roger
of Arne
Admon
06 AUG 1681
Bond for £100
-John BAKER, son
Anne BAKER, daughter
John BAKER [...] of Arne
Anne BAKER spinster of Arne
Nicholas PAINE farmer of Arne
Thomas PUNCH Joiner of Wareham

signed in the presence of Roger CLAVELL & Rebecca FRY
Dorset Archdeaconry
DA/A/1681 7
BAKER Thomas
of Arne

[NB: tombstone in Arne Chapel of "Mary BAKER, the loving wife of Thomas BAKER junior upward of ?? yrs departed this life 16 Mar 1673/4"]
Admon
30 Oct 1683
Bond for £40
-Mary BAKER alias LAURENCE, daughter
Edward LAURENCE Gent of Evershot
Alice BAKER widow of Arne

in the presence of Henry WILLIS & James BOURNE
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1683 4
BAKER Thomas
Yeoman of Arne
Inventory:
16 Jan 1710/11
Exhibited in Court:
29 Jun 1711
Value: £132.9s.10d.-Thomas BROWNE
Christopher PIKE
Bristol Consistory Court
BC/I/B 10
BAKER John
Yeoman of Slepe, Arne
Will
26 Sep 1730
Proved
23 Feb 1730/1
John BAKER, son
Elizabeth BAKER, daughter
William BAKER, son
Thomas BAKER, son
The widow of his son Christopher BAKER [not named]
William BAKER, sonC. PORTER
George LOOPE
Elizabeth LOOPE
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1730 61
BAKER William
Yeoman of Slep, Arne
Will
27 Dec 1780
Proved
22 Oct 1781
Oath of Admon
27 Oct 1781
Thomas BAKER of Witch [a farm in Corfe Castle parish], nephew
Wiliam BAKER of Middleburgh [parish of Wareham Holy Trinity], nephew
George BAKER of Leason, nephew
Christopher BAKER of Slep, nephew
Sarah DARBY of Child Green, niece
Martha BAKER of Slep, niece
William son of William WEST of Fitzworth [in Corfe Castle], nephew
Joseph BAKER of Slep, nephew
Thomas BAKER, nephew

swore Oath of Admon before George Ryves HAWKER
Mary BURGES
John CARD
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1781 4
BEER John
Butcher or Arne
Renunciation of Admon:
25 Dec 1756
Admon:
27 Dec 1756
Bond for £200
John BEER died intestate and indebted to the sum of £46.10s.0d. for goods sold and delivered Robert GREGORY, Yeoman of Galton [parish of Owermoigne] and Sarah his wife, late Sarah BEER widow, the mother of the deceased, renounced Admon in favour of William CHISMAN, his principal creditor Witnesses to renunciation:
Joseph GOODWIN
William FILLITER

Admon Bondsmen:
William CHEESMAN, Yeoman of Arne [signed CHISMAN]
Richard TALBOT junior, Yeoman of Arne
John RUSSEL, Labourer of Arne

in the presence of:
Joan FRY
John SYMONDS
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1756 1
BRINTON John
Yeoman of Arne
Will
25 Oct 1712
Proved
04 FEB 1717/18
Sarah BRINTON, wife
John BRINTON, son
John WARVILLE, brother-in-law
Jane WARVILLE, sister
John WARVILLE, nephew
Rachel WARVILLE, niece
John KEYSAR, brother-in-law
Sarah BRINTON, wife

sworn before Thomas RILEY surrogate
Henry KAINES
Sarah SOUTH
Richard KAINES
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1717 3
BROWNING(E) John
Yeoman of Arne
Will
19 Jan 1638/9
Proved
19 Nov 1641
Church of Arne [for repairs]
poor of Arne
Church of Wareham Holy Trinity [for repairs]
poor of Wareham Holy Trinity
Church of Lytchett Minster [for repairs]
poor of Lytchett Minster
Church of Bere Regis [for repairs]
poor of Bere Regis
John FRANCKLIN the Elder
Mary, daughter of Thomas FRANCKLIN
Mathew FRANCKLIN ’her sister’ [of Mary above]
Margerie, daughter of John GREENE
John, son of John BROWNINGE of Newton
John, son of Christopher BROWNINGE
John FOOTE of Fivven Ockfoard
Henry TAYLER of Arne, his servant
Elinor, wife of Henry TAYLER
John CHISMAN of Wareham, kinsman
William LANCKNY of Arne
John FRANCKLIN the younger
godchildren not named
John FRANCKLIN the younger

Overseers:
Thomas PITT of Blandford Forum
Thomas YARD, Minister of Barwicke
John CHISMAN
Henrie TAYLOR
Edward CHISMAN
Prerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/187/376
CHISMAN William
Gentleman of Arne
Will
23 Oct 1767
Codicil
03 Feb 1769/70
Proved
13 Jul 1770
Margaret FALL, sister
7 children of Margaret FALL
Daughters of late sister Mary HARDING:
1. Elizabeth, wife of Richard HAM
2. Hannah, wife of William REEKS
3. Garthrew, wife of Charles HOLLOWAY
4. Mary, wife of John VYE
5. Margaret (deceased), wife of John LUSH
James HARDING, nephew
Martha EGGERTON, sister-in-law
Mary CHISMAN, wife
Elizabeth, daughter of Josiah MOTT & Elizabeth his wife, a daughter of Margaret FALL
William, son of William & Hannah REEKS, grand-nephew
William Chisman, son of Josiah & Elizabeth MOTT, grand-nephew
William BEER, kinsman
Jonadab CHISMAN, Ironmonger of Wareham, kinsman
William FILLETER, Gentleman of Wareham, friend
John, son of Jonadab CHISMAN
Executors/ Trustees:
Jonadab CHISMAN
William FILLETER

BY CODICIL:
Legacy of Elizabeth, wife of Richard HAM, passed to Hannah HAM her daughter due to the death of said Elizabeth
George, son of William FILLETER and Mary CAKE, his servant maid, also given legacies

sworn before John COMBE surrogate
Witnesses to Will:
Thomas PHIPPARD
W. CRIBB

Witnesses to Codicil:
Robert GOODWIN
Lewis COCKRAM
Thomas COCKRAM
Bristol Consistory Court
BC/W/C 51
COCKRAM Thomas
Gentleman of Arne
Will
14 Sep 1757
Proved
06 Mar 1760
Anne COCKRAM, wife
Lewis COCKRAM, son
Thomas COCKRAM, son
Anne COCKRAM, daughter
Mary COCKRAM, daughter
Sarah COCKRAM, daughter - legacy conditional upon her NOT marrying William LUMBER
Thomas COCKRAM, son

sworn before John COOTH surrogate
Robert HANN
Robert DOWDALL junior
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1760 2
COCKRAM Anne
Widow of Arne
Will
09 Oct 1763
Proved
03 Dec 1764
Lewis COCKRAM, son
Thomas COCKRAM, son
Anne COCKRAM, daughter
Mary COCKRAM, daughter
Sarah COCKRAM, daughter
Anne COCKRAM, daughter
Mary COCKRAM, daughter
Sarah COCKRAM, daughter

sworn before John HUTCHINS, Rector of Wareham, surrogate of the Archdeacon of Dorset
Robert HANN
Elizabeth KITCAT
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1764 3
COCKRAM Thomas
Yeoman of Arne
Admon
30 Dec 1786
Bond for £200
-Lewis COCKRAM, brotherLewis COCKRAM, Husbandman of Arne
Richard TAYLOR, Gentleman of Corfe Castle
John Burleigh NINEHAM, Gentleman of Wareham

in the presence of George FILLITER
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1787 1
DOWDON Aaron
’he lived at Arne but died on board HMS Dunkirk man of war’
Will
24 Oct 1702
Proved
23 Aug 1703
Elizabeth AGGERTON [EGGERDON] George AGGERTON [EGGERDON] of Poole, father of Elizabeth

sworn before Thomas SUTTON surrogate
John JHINKINSON
George ANDREW
Richard HORSLEY
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1703 4
EGGERDON George
of Arne
Will
09 Jun 1725
Admon
05 Aug 1725
Bond for £1000
Hannah EGGERDON, wife
Elizabeth EGGERDON, daughter
wife of William CHISMAN of Wareham, daughter [i.e. Mary]
Martha EGGERDON, daughter
Trustees:
John FISHER of Arne
William CHISMAN of Wareham

no Executor appointed, hence the Admon
Witnesses to Will:
William SOMNER
John BRINTON

Bondsmen:
John FISHER, Yeoman of Arne
William CHISMAN, Wheelwright of Wareham
Christopher WHITMAEL of Blandford

in the presence of W. FITZHERBERT & Thomas RILEY surrogate
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1725 3
FISHER John
of Arne within the Parish of Wareham Holy Trinity
Admon
29 Jun 1733
Bond for £500
-Alice MERCER, sister Alice MERCER, Widow of Lytchett Minster
John BREWER, Yeoman of Lytchett Minster
Robert KEYNES [signed KAINES], Gentleman of Wareham

in the presence of:
Sam ELLIOTT
Elizabeth KINGSTON
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1733 4
FRANCKLIN Christopher
Husbandman of Arne

wished to be buried as near to his father as possible in the churchyard of Lytchett Minster
Will
28 Apr 1649
Proved
06 May 1650
Church of Lytchett Minster [for repairs]
poor of Lytchett Minster
Mary FRANCKLIN, wife
William LANCKNEY of Arne
John FURMAGE, servant
Richard FRANCKLIN, kinsman
John TRENCHFIELD, godson
Margaret FLOOKS, maid servant
Thomas FRANCKLIN, son
Thomas FRANCKLIN, son

Overseers:
Thomas BAKER of Slepp, father-in-law
James FRANCKLIN of Lytchett, cousin

Will proved by Thomas BAKER since Thomas FRANCKLIN was a minor
Bartholomew KEYSER
William BARNES
Edward VYE
Prerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/212/137
HENNING William
Husbandman of Slep
Will
11 May 1658
Proved
10 Aug 1658
William HENNING, son
William, son of William HENNING, grandson
John, son of William HENNING, grandson
Nicholas HENNING, son
Anne, dau of Nicholas HENNING, granddaughter
Nicholas, son of Nicholas HENNING, grandson
Elianor HENNING, daughter
Executrix:
Elianor HENNING, daughter

Overseers:
Thomas BAKER of Slep
George LOOPE of Slep
Thomas BAKER
George LOOPE
Prerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/280/168
HENNING Richard
of Slepe
Oath of Admon
19 Apr 1671
Admon Bond
19 Apr 1671
Bond for £100
-Margaret HENNING, relict of the deceased

sworn before Francis GIBSON
Margaret HENNING, widow of Slepe in the parish of Arne
Richard HENNING junior, farmer of East Holme

in the presence of:
Francis GIBSON clerk
Edward VYE
Latham HARDINGE
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1671 86 + 88
HENING Margaret
Widow of Arne
Admon
19 Jun 1675
Bond for £100
-Nicholas HENING, son
Thomas HENING, son
Nicholas HENING, farmer of East Holme
Thomas HENING, farmer of East Holme
Richard HENING, farmer of East Holme

in the presence of:
Richard FITZHERBERT
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1675 2
HENNING Agnes
Widow of Arne
Admon
16 Aug 1690
Bond for £120
-William HENNING, sonWilliam HENNING, Seaman of Arne
William HARRIS, Yeoman of Spetisbury

in the presence of:
F. HORLOCK
George CLARK
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1690 3
HENNING William
of Arne
Admon
22 Apr 1721
Bond for £200
-Jane WHIFFEN, daughter
Mary HATCHETT, daughter
George WHIFFEN, Mariner of Arne [& husband of Jane]
William HATCHET, Yeoman of Arne [& husband of Mary, signed HATCHARD]
George AGGERTON, Farmer of Arne [signed EGGERDON]
George HARCOURT, Farmer of Hamworthy

in the presence of:
R. ERLE

BC/Com/H 108
JACOB John Senior
of Arne
Will
26 Dec 1776
Proved
08 Mar 1798
Mary JACOB, present wife
John JACOB, son
Elizabeth JACOB, daughter
Sarah JACOB, daughter
William JACOB, son
Martha JACOB, daughter
Executors in trust:
Albert EDWARD, clerk of Dorchester, friend
John JACOB of Wood St., London, son
No witnesses

Ebenezer LEATHLEY, Gentleman of Newgate St, Christ Church, London & Robert FISHER, Gentleman of the same place swore that the Will was in the handwriting of the deceased
Prerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/1202/77
LANKNEY Roger
Mariner of Arne
Will
01 Aug 1653
Proved
29 Mar 1654
Honor HENNINGE, sister
Agnes HENNINGE, sister
William, son of William & Honor HENNINGE, ’cousin’ [nephew]
Nuncupative Will

Admon granted to:
Honor, wife of William HENNING, sister
Agnes, wife of Nicholas HENNING, sister
Thomas ROLLS
Bezaliell GARMY [male]
Prerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/235/153
LOUPE George
Gentleman of Sleape
Will
02 Aug 1654
Proved
[...] [...] 1654
[day and month left blank, but previous Will proved on 01 Dec 1654]
George LOUPE, only & beloved son
Alice BAKER, only & beloved daughter
Katherine LOUPE, dearly beloved wife
Andrew LOUPE, gentleman deceased [relative who gave him a legacy of property at Briantspuddle]
Thomas BAKER, son-in-law
Allice EGERTON, sister
Mary HARDING, kinswoman
John WILLIAMS, servant
Mary CLENCH, servant
poor of Wareham
poor of "Earne & Sleape"
poor of [blank]
Katherine LOUPE, wife

Overseers:
Anthony LAWES, brother
Latham HARDING, cousin
Anthony LAWES
Thomas LOUPE
Allice BAKER
Mary CLENCHE
Prerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/237/322
LOOPE Katherine
Widow of Slepe, Arne
Will
02 Jan 1667/8
Proved
28 Apr 1668
poor of Wareham Lady St. Mary
Church of Wareham Lady St. Mary [for repairs]
poor of Arne
Katherine BAKER, granddaughter
Thomas BAKER, grandson
Mary BAKER, granddaughter
unborn child of Alice BAKER yet in her womb
Alice BAKER, daughter
Thomas BAKER Clothyer, son-in-law
John LOOPE of Henbury, cousin [owed her money]
George LOOPE, son
George LOOPE, grandson
Amy / Anne LOOPE, granddaughter
Executors in Trust:
Thomas EGARDON, kinsman
Latham HARDINGE, kinsman
Christopher WHITE of Wareham, friend
Edward VYE
Thomas BAKER
Latham HARDINGE
Prerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/326/611
SAMPSOME Thomas
Bachelor intestate of Slape in ye parish of Arne
Admon
07 Nov 1795
Bond for £600
-Richard SAMPSOME, brother Richard SAMPSOME [signed SAMPSON], of West Stafford
John WELLMAN, Yeoman of Poxwell
Richard WILLIAMS, Yeoman of West Knighton

in the presence of:
John Cale MANFIELD
Joseph JOHNS
Dorset Archdeaconry
DA/A/1795 1
STENT William
Farmer of Arne
Will
28 Mar 1696
Proved
23 May 1696
Hanna STENT, wife
Sarra STENT, daughter
Mary STENT, daughter
Elizabeth STENT, daughter
William STENT, son
John STENT, brother
John STENT, brother

sworn before George FROME
John SERELL
William BARTLETT
Ann GILLIAM
Bristol Consistory Court
BC/W/S 135
TALBOT Richard
Yeoman of Arne
Will
03 Aug 1793
Proved
20 Oct 1797
Effects under £100
James TALBOT, son
Robert TALBOT, son
Mary TALBOT, daughter
Sarah TALBOT, daughter
Richard TALBOT, son
Richard TALBOT, son

sworn before George BONFIELD
William STICKLAND
John CARD
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1797 4
TITO Avice
’Sing... [single woman?] of Arne’

This Admon is eaten away down the right-hand side
Admon
15 Feb 1669/70
Amount of Bond no longer visible
- Jane GARE alias TITO
Thomas GARE
Jane GARE alias TITO
Thomas GARE, Drower of Poole
Laurence CRIBB, Farmer of Owermoigne

sworn before Richard FITZHERBERT
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/A/1669 2
VYE Edward
Gentleman of Arne

[died 27 Jan 1682/3 age 78 as per his tombstone by the altar in Arne Chapel, next to that of his son John]
Will
30 Nov 1681
Proved
12 May 1683
John VYE, son - ’lately buried’ [in Arne Chapel on 12 Oct 1676 age 22]
Thomas BAKER, father-in-law
Mary VYE, wife
Anne BAKER, daughter
Margaret VYE, daughter
Mary VYE, daughter
Elizabeth VYE, daughter
Widow BAKER [relation not mentioned]
Thomas BAKER, grandson
KNOWLES, blacksmith of Corfe Castle, lessee
wife of Matthew MOSS of Corfe Castle, life on lease
Thomas FRANCKLING, son-in-law
Thomas BAKER, son-in-law
Elinor CHAFFYE, daughter-in-law
poor of Arne
Executors in trust:
William COLLINS, kinsman
Giles COLLINS, kinsman [brother of William]
Thomas FRANCKLING
John FISHER
John ?JONES
Prerogative Court of Canterbury
PROB 11/373/79
VYE Mary
Widow of Arne
Will
20 Jun 1689
Proved
08 Jan 1691/2
Thomas BAKER, grandson
Anthony BAKER, predecessor on copyhold [relation not stated]
Giles COLLINS of Fitzworth [Corfe Castle], successor on copyhold [relation not stated]
Mary BAKER, granddaughter
Thomas FRANKLYN, grandson
Mary FRANKLYN, granddaughter
Edward STOURTON, grandson
Edward BROWNE, grandson
Elizabeth STOURTON widow, daughter
Margaret, wife of John BROWNE the younger of Kingston Corfe Castle, daughter


Joint Executrixes:
Elizabeth STOURTON, daughter
Margaret BROWNE, daughter

sworn before Richard RODERICK

Trustees in respect of the copyhold for Thomas BAKER:
William COLLINS, Gent of East Linch [Corfe Castle]
George LOOPE

Overseers of the Will:
William COLLINS
Giles COLLINS
Frances STOURTON
Nathaniell SPEARE
Joseph WISEMAN
Dorset Archdeaconry
AD/W/1691 3

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