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See also Where theres a will there's a clue Geoffrey Skull, excerpts
from will 1616
A full transcription of this
and early wills for other Brinkworth Parish names transcribed by Clive
Henly may be seen at:
Thomas Vines, Weaver of Tockenham 1639 . The lack of originality in naming of children is well shown here, there being two other uses of "Thomas" in his grandchildren and Agnes is mentioned twice as daughter and grand daughter. For this reason it is possible that this family were closely related to Thomas Vynes and wife Agnes Skull of nearby Grittenham who were mentioned in the will of Geoffrey Skull 1616. Thomas
Vines the Elder of Dauntsey 1671 .
Thomas died intestate in April 1671 and his wife Ellinore was given power
to administer the estate. This is an inventory which was signed by
Robert Vines, probably of Grittenham who may have been his brother.
Robert
Vines of Grittenham 1674 .
This
is a very important will for information on the family. It is quite difficult
to decipher, but it indicates that the Grittenham family held also a lease
at Tockenham Wick so it strengthens the idea that families at both places
are closely related. As Thomas Vines will of 1697 also mentions Tockenham
the connections are extended to the Dauntsey and Somerford families.
William Vines, Broadweaver of Purton 1677. It appears from this will that William was basically a small farmer with leases on the common. There doesn't appear to be any weaving equipment assetts unless they are the more valuable items at the bottom of the inventory which are difficult to read. He has three sons but names only William. He appears to have another house occupied by William Greene. Ellinor Vines, Widow of Dauntsey 1680 . Ellinors 3 children, John, Thomas and Joane are named, the will is witnessed by Elizabeth and Daniell Vines and the inventory is signed by Daniell Vines. John Vines of Dauntsey 1687. This tells us nothing about Johns family beyond the fact that he had a sister Joane, so it is apparent that Ellinor was his mother. No wife or children are mentioned and there was apparently little of personal or property value to comment on. His signature is real enough, not an illiterates mark. Daniel
Vines of Dauntsey 1689. This will is easily legible,
written with a fine quill and the usual flourishes of fine penmanship of
the time. It has an inventory showing the assets of a farmer and is revealing
of rural life three hundred years ago. It has been suggested that he was
advanced in age as his brother Thomas's will showed him (Thomas) to have
grandchildren; Jane may have been his second wife and the two sons John
and Daniel were very small children.
Thomas Vines of Marriage Park, Little Somerford 1697 . Thomas is a brother of the above Daniel Vines of Dauntsey. He names his wife as Margarett and sons as Robert, Daniell married with 3 children, and Thomas. He also made a bequest to his son-in-law Giles Minchin(?) Margarett was left "one small lease hold estate in Tockenham" which may be an indication that Thomas was a descendant (perhaps grandson) of Thomas the Weaver whose will of 1639 is mentioned above. Charles Vines of Brinkworth 1720 . Perhaps Charles was the uncle of Benjamin, and brother to John Vines 1667-1713 of Grittenham. Charles died 2nd September 1719. Benjamin Vines of Grittenham named his 2nd son Charles, born 6 March 1722. Christian Vines of Grittenham 1725. Christian was the widow of John who died in 1713. Robert Vines of Great Somerford 1737. This is a short unsigned will obviously not written with the help of a legal professional. It was perhaps taken down as he was dying. His son Thomas, a minor, was nominated as executor. His wife Elizabeth was sworn to administer the estate the following year. His father "Robard Vines" and "unkol" Thomas are mentioned, possibly the sons of the above Thomas Vines of Marriage Park. Robert Vines of Great Somerford 1751 . Benjamin Vines of Grittenham 1763. Elizabeth Vines of Grittenham 1767. Benjamin Vines of Smithcot 1772. Edward Vines of Grittenham 1785. Edward was 5th child of Benjamin Vines of Grittenham. He was born in 1725 and married Ann Henly in 1756. He may have lived for part of his life in Reading and the effect of good education on his sons was reflected in their success at business. Charles Vines of Grittenham 1793. Charles was 3rd child of Benjamin Vines of Grittenham and took over the farm at Grittenham when his father died. He was born in 1722 and married Mary Baker at Wootton Bassett 1757. He and Mary joined the Moravian Church in November 1769 and the house was used as a chapel for the next 20 years. The first children were baptised at Brinkworth but after 1769 the other children were baptised at the East Tytherton Moravian Church. Charles died in February 1797. Benjamin Vines of Grittenham 1797. Benjamin1769, son of Edward1725, married Elizabeth Worcester in the Moravian church East Tytherton 28th May 1795. Joseph
Vines of Caversham 1804. This was the second youngest
of the family of Edward1725, born about 1779. He was about 25 years old
and described in the will as "yeoman", ie a farmer. He mentions his brothers
David and Edward and his brother John's widow. He made provision for the
unborn child of Harriet Blake, his servant.
Mary Vines of Tytherton 1810. Mary was the widow of Charles Vines of Grittenham who predeceased her by 18 years. Two of her daughters married Hughes brothers and lived in the Bremhill area. She was a relatively wealthy widow. Her son Jacob continued with the Vines Farm lease at Grittenham. Ann Vines of Malmesbury 1816. Ann was Ann Henly, widow of Edward1725 who died in 1785. It appears from the will that her son James was at this time physically handicapped and in need of long term support. It also mentions her grandson Samuel Vines, the son of Benjamin1769 who married Elizabeth Worcester in 1795 and died in 1797. The will was witnessed by two relatives of Elizabeth Worcester. Jacob Vines of Castle Combe 1816. Jacob was the eldest son of Edward1725 and Ann Henly (see next above) and was born in 1756 at Grittenham. He was married twice. He lived at Castle Combe, reputedly one of the prettiest villages in England. He had very large leasehold and freehold estates in north west Wilts and in Somerset and Gloucestershire. His will, although readable, is long and difficult to follow because of the complex legal language so only short sections are transcribed. A graphic is included to show the inter-relationship of this family with the Henly, Bryant and Evenis families. Elizabeth Vines of Malmesbury 1826. Elizabeth Worcester was married for only a short time to Benjamin1769, son of Edward1725 and Ann Henly, before being widowed. She did not remarry. Her estate was inherited by her only son Samuel; her daughter Elizabeth born soon after Benjamins death is not mentioned but thought to have married William Wood and had a son Samuel. David
Vines of Reading 1828. David was the 3rd son of
Edward Vines of Grittenham.
Miriam Vines of Tytherton 1828. Miriam was the spinster daughter of Charles1722 and Mary Baker of Vines Farm Grittenham, born 1771, one of 12 children. After her father died she moved with her mother Mary and physically handicapped sister Sarah to a house they owned at Tytherton. Her sisters Mary and Martha married brothers John and Thomas Hughes, farmers at Tytherton Kellaways and Bremhill. Benjamin Vines of Bristol 1829. Benjamin, born 1792, was the fifth son of James1758 and Margaret Vines, daughter of Charles1722 and Mary Baker. He was a tallow chandler and soap maker of Bristol. Benjamin married Cecilia Dunn at Clifton, Bristol in 1814. All his children were baptised at the Moravian Church in Upper Maudlin St Bristol. See also Cecilia. He died 1847. Joseph
Vines of Foxham 1829. This will was signed 19th
May 1829 with 2 codicils signed 10th December 1829 and 13th January 1830.
Joseph died soon after and the will was proved on 20th April 1830. The
first codicil changed the bequest of farming stock and equipment from William
the eldest child to Ann the second youngest who remained a spinster and
operated the farm. It is thought that William may have been unwilling to
return to the farm at Foxham from the Highworth area where apparently he
had settled. Ann became responsible for the estate and the bequests to
grandchildren on their under-age marriage with her approval.
Mary Vines of Seagry 1834. Mary was living with Mrs Hitchcock at Etchilhampton near Devizes, Wilts. when she made her will. It is very short and probate was granted not long after, so either she went down quickly (the thirties were a time of many epidemics) or she was being cared for at the end of a long terminal illness. David Vines jnr of Reading 1838. The son of David and Martha Patty Vines. He was a partner in business and cousin to Uriah Bryant Vines of Newbury. Uriah Bryant Vines of Newbury 1838. Uriah Vines son of Jacob1756 and Sarah Bryant was an auctioneer at Newbury, and in business partnership with his cousin David of Reading. He was born 1790 and died, unmarried?, in 1842. Edward Vines of Reading 1840. Edward, born 1767 to Edward1725 and Ann Henly, was a solicitor in Reading. This will contains many family names. He married Mary Hillier a member of a prominent Reading family. Jacob Vines of Reading 1844 This is Jacob the son of James and Margaret Vines of Potterne a solicitor at Reading. It is very brief and left everything to his brother Benjamin, tallow chandler and soap maker of Bristol. Joshua Vines of Reading 1845 . Joshua was a senior son of Charles1722 and Mary Baker, born 1761. He made small bequests to his brother John and to his elderly physically handicapped sister Sarah, then living at Box,Wilts?; also to his cousin, (once removed,) Ann daughter of James and Margaret Vines of Potterne, who then lived at the Moravian Sisters Home at East Tytherton. The main part of his estate he left to his children. Ann Vines of Stockham Marsh 1847. Ann was the daughter of Joesph Vines 1752-1830. Her siblings were William c1773-1850, Elizabeth Pegler 1775-1852, Joseph 1777- 1825, Mary Lessiter (aka Lester) born 1783. Ann took over the Stockham Marsh farm at Foxham when her father died. Cecilia
Vines of Bristol and Hertford 1848 Cecilia was
the widow of Benjamin Vines, tallow chandler of
William of Watchfield 1850 William was the eldest son of Joseph Vines of Stockham Marsh Farm Foxham whose will of 1829 is shown above. William owned West Mill at Watchfield. See Notes at end of this will. Richard of Watchfield 1856 Richard and his sister Mary Matilda inherited and operated West Mill after their father William died in 1850. Three of Richard's brothers migrated. See notes at end of this will. Edward Vines of Maidenhead 1857. Edward was Professor of Music, son of Jacob1756 and Sarah Bryant. William Vines of Highworth 1865 The will of William1810, the son of William and Ruth of West Mill. He married Mary Mathurine perhaps in Mauritius. He and his brother Jacob were abroad at time of his fathers 1850 will and Jacob was known to have lived in Mauritius and married there. William is not known to have had children. Caleb
Vines 1866 of Islington, London
Mary
Matherine Vines 1878 of Highworth This is the
widow of William of Highworth whose 1865 will is shown above. She
married William apparently in Mauritius in the late 1840s. There is no
evidence of children.
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