Ref: Some Notes Concerning the Family of Blakes of Wiltshire, Hampshire & Somerset, compiled by Vivian H. King [about 1926]. A descendancy chart, 33"x71", purchased from the Admiral Blake Museum, Bridgwater, Somerset. This Blake family is believed to be ancestral to at least three Blake families that came to the English Colonies before 1700. William Blake of Pitminster, who went to Dorchester, in the Boston area; Thomas Blake of Bridgwater, who went to Isle of Wight Co., VA; and Joseph Blake of Plainsfield, who went to the Carolinas and became Colonial Governor of South Carolina. The information on Thomas is circumstantial and is based on the will of Adm. Robert Blake. A bequest in his will dated 1656, "Item unto Thomas Blake, son of my cousin William Blake, once commander of the Tresco frigate, deceased, now aboard the Centurion frigate in the service, I give fifty pounds." This information was furnished by an administrator of the Museum. This Thomas Blake disappeared from the English records after this time. Only Thomas Blake of Isle of Wight Co., VA, has been suggested as being the Thomas mentioned in the Admiral's will. In 1678, a Thomas Blake left from Bristol for VA, as an indentured servant. It is most unlikely that a member of the Admiral's family would be listed as an indentured servant. This Thomas must not be confused with our Thomas. This is 14 years after Thomas Blake of Isle of Wight Co., VA, was granted headrights of 240 acres for transporting five persons to VA. The deficiency of 10 acres was corrected in 1670 while granting 150 more acres for transporting three more persons. A Museum staff member has said, that my proposed descendancy of Thomas Blake of Isle of Wight Co., VA, from William Blake of Tuxwell, is reasonable and logical and is the only proposed line from him to this date. It is likely that, because of the lack of documentation, this line of descent to VA will always be no more than circumstantial. Robert E. Blake of Quemberford, Wilts. a juror in an Inq. 22 Jan 1336 son Richard Blaque, alias Blake of Wilts. m. Anne, daughter of William Cole son Henry Blake m. Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of Edward Dorrant son and heir William Blake m. Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Power son and heir Henry Blake m. Margaret, daughter and co-heir of William Bellett son and heir Robert Blake of Quemberford, Calne, Wilts, m. Avice, widow of Roger, son and heir of Jno. Malwyn, of Urchfont, Co. Wilts. Avice d. 29 Oct 13 Edw IV. son Robert Blake, of Calne, Co. Wilts, heir of bro. John son John Blaque bur. Overstowey, 18 Aug 1558 son Humphrey Blake of Overstowey, Som. bur. 28 Dec 1588, m. Anne son John Blake of Plainsfield, b. 1521, bur. 10 Dec 1576 m. Joan William Blake of Plainsfield, bur. 13 June 1642 m. Anne William Blake of Pitminster, bapt. 10 July 1594, d. bef. Jan 1664 Dorchester, MA, m. Agnes Bond Robert Blake, merchant of Bridgwater, Mayor of Bridgwater 1574, d. Oct 1592, m. Margaret, daughter of Wm. Symonds of Taunton William Blake of Tuxwell b. 1561, d. after 1601 William Blake, Capt/Commander of frigate Tresco, which was lost in 1651, off Jersey, Channel Is. Thomas Blake, on the frigate Centurion, 1656 [This Thomas disappeared from English records after this time.] [He is proposed as being the Thomas Blake of Isle of Wight Co., VA] Humphrey Blake of Bridgwater bapt. 26 May 1563, bur. 19 Nov 1625, m. Sarah, dau. of John Williams of Powlett, Som., 12 sons, 1 dau. #1 Sir Robert Blake, Admiral, General of the Sea for Cromwell, M. P. for Bridgwater 1640, bapt. 27 Sep 1598, bur. 4 Aug 1657 #11 Benjamin Blake of Bridgwater bapt. 7 Nov 1614 Joseph Blake of Plainsfield bapt. 26 Apr 1663, d. bef. 7 Oct 1700, Gov. of South Carolina The information about William Blake who was Capt/Commander of the Frigate Tresco and whose son Thomas was on the Frigate Centurion in 1656, came from the will of Sir Robert Blake, 1656. This Sir Robert never married. He was the Admiral and General of the Sea for Oliver Cromwell. Only Thomas Blake of Isle of Wight Co., VA, has been proposed as the Thomas on the Frigate Centurion.
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