Descendants of George A Beyre (

Some of the will transcriptions below are the work of David Nash Ford, to whom grateful thanks are expressed.

John is considered to be the John Abeare who died in 1616 for reasons given at the end of the 2^nd Generation. His name does not appear in the Wargrave baptisms list as it began in 1539, and since he died ‘waxen old’ it may be supposed he was born about 1535. He must have been born after 1530 as his father stated that he was under 21 years old in his 1552 will. But he must have been born before 1552 to be named in this will.

The Lay Subsidy for Wargrave (1545/1546) includes a John Abber, taxed on Land. (Ref : pg 269 TSBOW). However, unless John was born much earlier, this would more likely refer to John (gen1) or John A'Bear (Grp1 gen 2) or his son (Grp 1 gen3).

His marriage to Mary Bear is recorded in the marriages list. Mary Bear may be Mary A Beare daughter of Thomas (c1520 – 1562), in which case one might think her surname was deliberately mispelt to make it clear that there was no mistake, but the entry is also reversed, stating John’s surname as Bear. This might support the notion that she was every bit as much an A’Bear, or the notion that neither her nor John belonged to our family. Otherwise, Mary Bear may have been related to the Padworth ‘Bear’ family. See Group 3

If the former assumption is correct, John married his first cousin’s daughter when he was aged about thirty-five and she was aged about eighteen.

John inherited all of his father’s land in 1577, a factor which must have contributed to his prosperity. Between 1552 (when his father’s will was written) and July 1616 when John wrote his will, John’s homestead expanded significantly.

The Lay Subsidy for Wargrave (1596/1597) includes a John Abeare Snr, thought to be this John, and a John Abeare Jnr both taxed on Land. (Ref : pg 269 TSBOW). The two names are listed one after the other, which might suggest they lived together or adjacent to one another at this time.

Again, the Lay Subsidy for Wargrave (1601/1602) includes a John Abeare Snr, thought to be this John, and a John Abeare Jnr (Ref : pg 270 TSBOW). The two names are listed near to each other, which might suggest they lived nearby at this time. Then in 1602/1603 John Abeere Snr only appears. The next record in 1623/1624 shows only his son’s record, verifying John Snr’s death in 1616.

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, the six and twentieth day of July Anno Dni 1616 Annoqr Rni Regis Jacobi Anglis & c decimo quarto et Scociae xlix, I John Abeare the elder of Harehatch in the parish of Wargrave in the County of Berks, yeoman, calling to my remembrance the uncertainty of man's life, and that nothing is more sure than death and the time thereof likewise most uncertain, being waxen old and diseased in body nevertheless of perfect mind and remembrance thanks therefore be given to almighty god, because such small portion of lands and transitory goods the which almighty god of his great mercy hath lent in this world should be given, settled and disposed according to my mind and intent and that my wife and children should one with another after my decease live in friendly and quiet sort. First, I utterly bar and exclude all former wills by me hereto premade. And, I make and ordain this my present testament containing herein my last will in manner and form following. That is to say, first and principally, I bequeath and commend my soul to almighty god my creator and maker and to his son Jesus Christ my Saviour and only redeemer by whose merits death and passion I assuredly trust to have full remission and forgiveness of all my sins, And for this body I commit to the earth from whence it came according to god's most holy ordinance and to be buried in Christian burial in such decent sort and seemly manner as my Loving wife, my Children and other my friends shall think convenient and meet. ITEM, I will, bequeath and devise unto Thomas and Mathewe Abeare, my two sons, All that my messuage or tenement wherein I now dwell with all houses, edifices, buildings, barns, stables, orchards, gardens and two yard lands be it more or less, called or known by the name of Kuckholts with all lands, grounds, commons, feedings, members and appurtenances to the said messuage or tenement and two yard lands belonging or appertaining in Wargrave aforesaid, Excepting such part of my said house and two yard lands with the third part of all members and appurtenance thereto appertaining which of right doth appertain and is due unto Mary, my wife, and her assigns for her thirds or dower during her life in the same, To have and to hold the said messuage or tenement and two yard lands and all other the premises aforesaid , Except before Excepted unto the said Thomas and Mathewe, my said two sons, and their assigner and assigns from the day of the death or departure out of this life of me the said John Abeare during the full term of ten years from thence forth then next ensuing and fully to be complete and ended, yielding and paying their pre-yearly during the said term to John A beare, now of Henley-upon-Thames in the County of Oxon, being my eldest son, and his heirs or assigns ten shillings of lawful money of England at the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel only if it be lawfully demanded. The said Thomas and Mathewe shall or may have and take in and upon the premises competent timber fireboot, ploughboot, cartboot and fenceboot needful to be used, spent or employed in or upon the premises aforesaid or any part thereof (not making spoil or waste). The remainder in fee of all and every the premises aforesaid after the expiration of the said ten years shall wholly remain, revert and come unto John Abeare. my 'said eldest son, his heirs and assigns forever. ITEM, 1 give and bequeath and also my full mind is that my said two sons Thomas and Mathewe and their assigns shall or may have and fell the woods and underwoods growing or being in my grove or Coppice called Pipers grove and the same so fallen to have and take to their own use, benefit and behouse so it befallen and carried away at a seasonable time in the year before the end of the said ten years, Provided that they nor either of them shall not top nor fell any the trees whatsoever any the trees growing in the outer banks about the said Coppice and do fence and enclose the same from spoil of cattle. putting no cattle which may do hurt to the young spring there, And leave sufficient samples and wavers according to the statute. And fell the same not above or within the said ten years. ITEM, I give and bequeath unto my said son John and his heirs and assigns forever, All these my two enclosures or parcels of land called Gailes Irminge and Hamonde Irminge in Wargrave aforesaid which I lately purchased of Sir Henry Nevill, knight, containing by estimation five acres be it more or less. ITEM, I give. bequeath and devise unto Thomas Abeare, my said son, All that my messuage or tenement situate in Harehatch aforesaid called Larges with all barns, stables, edifices, buildings, orchards, gardens and one yard land be it more or less with the members, profits and appurtenances thereto appertaining which I lately purchased to me and my heirs and assigns of one Henry Streatyn, late of Wargrave aforesaid deceased, To have and to hold the said messuage or tenement and one yard lands with their members, profits and appurtenances to the said Thomas Abeare, my said son, his heirs and assigns and to his and their own proper use and behouse forever. ITEM, I will, give, bequeath and devise unto my said son Thomas, All that my pightle or close of land in Wargrave aforesaid lying near the common called the Holte, there containing by estimation one acre be it more or less, And also all those my two acres of meadow grounds in the common mead of Wargrave aforesaid whereof one acre and a half lieth in Lot mead, the other half acre lieth in the great Sterte, And also all those my four acres of Arable land be they more or less, lying in the common fields of Wargrave aforesaid whereof three acres do lie in Momberye Field, the other acre in Purfield; To have and to hold the said pightle of land, two acres of meadow grounds and four acres of Arable land with their and every of their members, profits and appurtenance to them and every of them appertaining to the said Thomas Abeare, my said son, his heirs and assigns and to his and their own proper use and behouse forever. ITEM, I will, give, bequeath and devise unto Mathewe Abeare, my said son, his heirs and assigns, All those my eleven acres of Arable land lying and dispersed in the common fields of Wargrave, Lawrence Waltham and Ruscombe in the said County of Berks, hereafter specified (that is to say) In the East field of Waltham two acres, and in South Kinfield two acres lately purchased of Henry Manfield Esquire, four acres more lieth in Waltham aforesaid in the common field there called Milley, which also I lately purchased of one Bold, sometimes of Waltham aforesaid, The other three acres do lie in the common fields of Ruscombe called Eastfield and Gravill field which I lately also purchased of one Richard Afford the elder of Ruscombe aforesaid, To have and to hold the said elevan acres of Arable land be they more or less with their and every of their members, profits, commodities and appurtenances to them and every of them appertaining, To the said Mathewe Abeare, my said son, his heirs and assigns and to his and their own proper use and behouse forever. NOW concerning the disposing of my movable goods, chattles and implements of household, I will, give and bequeath the same as followeth. FIRST, my wilful mind and intent is, that Mary, my Loving wife, shall have the use and occupation of all my household stuff or so much thereof as at any time she shall have need or occasion to use during her natural life. Also I give her one of my best kine and twenty of my best sheep to choose them at her pleasure and twenty bushels of wheat and two quarters of barley. ITEM, I give and bequeath unto Clement, Ann and Jane Abeare, my three daughters, the full some of one hundred and twenty pounds (that is to say) forty pounds apiece of lawful money of England to be paid them and every of them within two years next after my decease or day of marriage which shall first happen, And if either of my said three daughters fortune to die before her portion shall be due as aforesaid her portion so dying shall remain to the survivors equally divided by my executors hereafter specified, provided that if any of them fortune to marry before 1 die whereby I do pay her so married her said portion or stock myself, them the so married shall challenge no stock of my executors after my death. ITEM, I give unto my daughter Mary Lutman the sum of forty shillings of lawful money of England, upon this condition that her husband shall not have any benefit thereby nor challenge any part thereof. ITEM, I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Lutman, my said daughter's daughter, forty shillings of lawful money of England to be paid her with some benefit and increase thereof when she shall accomplish the full age of xx years or fortune to marry which shall happen first. ITEM, I give unto my said son John Abeare the some of xxs of like lawful money. ITEM, I give and bequeath unto James Payce, my servant, one suit of my best apparel. ITEM. I give unto the poor of Wargrave aforesaid xIs of lawful money to be paid them by my executors with the consent of the Churchwardens to such as have most need within four Years next after my decease (that is to say) xs a Year, on such festival day when the poor shall be most at our parish Church yearly during the said four Years. ITEM, I give to every of my godchildren vid apiece. THE rest of all my goods, chattels and implements of household, after my debts paid, my legacies and funeral expenses discharged, and this my present testament and last will in all things fulfilled, I wholly give and bequeath unto Thomas and Mathewe Abeare, my said two sons, making them my full and sole executors upon this condition that they shall live and friendly agree together not one to wrong the other in taking the benefit or dividing of such goods as 1 leave them other than his right portion to him hereby of eight due, And do join as one in all rents, taxations and other payments according to the portion of lands which they and my said wife do hold. In witness whereof I the said John Abeare have hereunto put my hand and seal.

Published and declared to be the last will of the said John Abeare in the presence of John Lichfield, John Gunnell and Thomas Crockford.

EXHIBITUM per Thomam Abeare et Matheum Abeare filies naturales et etimos nervou executores in tinto Johannis Abeare Sen definor noiatos in vini per stititi per eos miramti pro vero plene et perfecto Juventario omim et sinecleum bouorum inrim sive creditorum et catallorum perdicti Johannis Abeare Sen defuncti corum venli mico Willmo Marten artim magico surrogas venlis viri Henrici Marten legum decoris dni Acceidni Berks Offlis et me Constitut apud Oxon Quarto die decembris Anno dni Millimo Sexcente suio decimo Septo.

John calls himself “The Elder of Harehatch”, and this suggests he wanted to distinguish himself from another John. Since his son, (then aged forty years) was living in Henley at the time, this other John must have been John (1562 – 1639) who was living in the vicinity and who, around this time, adopted the name “John of the Porch”. Of the two men, John of the Porch was about twenty-seven years the younger.

John’s land was far spread. He names his wife Mary, and all his children Ann (1571 - ?), John (1576 – 1647), Mary (1578 - ?), Thomas (1582 – 1636), Clement ( c 1585 - ?), Matthew (1587 – 1648) and Jane (1592 - ?).

His main concern is for his sons Thomas and Matthew, probably because his son John was already well established in Henley. This son was already married and had three children of his own, so he may well have received benefits from his father some years earlier. Additionally, it seems both Thomas and Matthew were still single and working the land for their father.

Of particular interest is the statement concerning his newly acquired estate “situate in Harehatch aforesaid called Larges with all barns, stables, edifices, buildings, orchards, gardens and one yard land be it more or less with the members, profits and appurtenances thereto appertaining which I lately purchased to me and my heirs and assigns of one Henry Streatyn, late of Wargrave aforesaid deceased”.

It seems from the wording of his will that John bought Larges shortly before 1616, and was not living there when he wrote his will. Clearly he bequeaths this property to his son Thomas, and one may wonder if this property could be Hill House which is known to have been built around this time.

Sadly, the answer to the above question seems to be “No”. The estate known as “Larges” is named in an indenture dated 5^th August 1695 stating clearly that it was bought by Elizabeth Joanes in 1680 (see Elizabeth Joanes G/gen8). Again in a deed dated 27^th June 1730 Elizabeth Simeon of Gibstrode in Wargrave disposes of, amongst other pieces of land, Larges in Hare Hatch (Ref p44 TAFOW). Yet deeds dated 1636, 1665 and 1704 and a bell dated 1681 all name Johns as “of the Hill”. See also “Larges” Article.

“ …all that my messuage or tenement wherein I now dwell with all houses, edifices, buildings, barns, stables, orchards, gardens and two yard lands be it more or less, called or known by the name of Kuckholts with all lands, grounds, commons, feedings, members and appurtenances to the said messuage or tenement and two yard lands belonging or appertaining in Wargrave aforesaid…”

The property “Kuckholts” where John Abeare lived seems to have been in Harehatch, as he names himself “John The Elder of Harehatch”, and the estate called “Larges” which he recently acquired is also in Harehatch, and presumably nearby so that his sons were on hand to continue farming the land.

It therefore seems possible Kuckholts is the old part at the rear of Hill House, but this matter is investigated more thoroughly elsewhere.

Clearly by 1616 John was prospering. An inventory of his belongings at the time of his death states:

An Inventory of all the goods, chattels and implements of household late of John Abeare the elder of Harehatch in the parish of Wargrave in the County of Berks., yeoman, deceased, praised the xxxth day of November Anno Dni 1616 by Ralph Newbury Senior, John Abeare Junior, John Gunnell and John Litchfield as followeth, vizt

In the Hall.

In primis, i folding table and frame and i cupboard...........................................................................................	15s00d

In the Loft over the Hall.

Item, all his wearing apparel.....................................................................................................................................	40s00d
Item, ii joined bedsteads, i feather bed , i flock bed, iii feather pillows, i flock bolster, ii coverlets, ii blankets and ii straw beds..........................................................................................................................................	£3.3s04d
Item, i great joined chest and iii other small chests.............................................................................................	12s08d
Item, i Chair of Rods and i stool................................................................................................................................	2 s08d

In the Other Chamber.

Item, i joined bedstead, i featherbed, i feather bolster, ii pillows. ii coverlets and ii blankets and i straw bed.........................................................................................................................................................................	£3.0s00d
Item, i little cupboard, i joined coffer.......................................................................................................................	12s00d

In the Chamber over the Kitchen.

Item, there sundry shelves, baskets and other lumber.......................................................................................	10s00d
Item, by estimation ii tod and dozen of wool coarse and others.....................................................................	£3.0s00d

In the Chamber next the Same.

Item, there iii hanging shelves and about xl cheeses..........................................................................................	26s08d
Item, the Apples and pears.........................................................................................................................................	10s00d
Item, sundry pots, small shelves and other lumber............................................................................................	5s00d

In the Lower Chamber by the Kitchen.

Item, i low bedstead, i flock bed and bolster, coverlet and blanket and other furniture there................	13s04d
Item, i cheese press, ii wheels. i woollen and linen, ii tubs with shelves and sundry other hemps, old iron and lumber......................................................................................................................................................	10s00d

In the Larder.

Item, ii little old tables with tressles and powdering trough............................................................................	6s08d
Item, i bolting hutch, i kneeding keever and v other small keevers................................................................	8s00d
Item, viii barrels or kilderkins and ii eared tubs and other tubs.....................................................................	15s00d
Item, sundry shelves, bowls, wooden vessels, sieves, pots and small lumber in and about the same room..................................................................................................................................................................................	10s00d
Item, i butter churn and ii bottles of leather...........................................................................................................	2s06d
Item, in the chamber of sheets xi pairs....................................................................................................................	55s00d
Item, ii tablecloths, vi table napkins and i cupboard cloth...............................................................................	6s04d

In the Kitchen.

Item, i old cupboard and iii small chairs...............................................................................................................	4s00d
Item, iiii brass pots, iii posnets..................................................................................................................................	33s04d
Item, ix kettles, great and small.................................................................................................................................	40s00d
Item, iii brazen candlesticks, i skimmer and i brazen ladle.............................................................................	4s00d
Item, xiiii pewter platters, ii saucers, ii salts, i pint pot and little drinking pot, i dozen of spoons and i chamber pot.........................................................................................................................................................	20s00d
Item, iiii buckets, dishes and wooden vessels there............................................................................................	20s00d
Item, ii spits, ii dripping pans, ii andirons, i fire shovel and tongs, iii pot hangers. ii pairs of pot hooks, i frying pan. i gridiron with other such like iron work........................................................................	8s00d
Item. the one half of a musket furnished................................................................................................................	10s00d

In the Barn.

Item, i whole mow and i stack of wheat and rye by estimation xxv quarters..............................................	£33.9s08d
Item, i mow of barley by estimation xx quarters...................................................................................................	£16.0s00d
Item, ii fans, ii ladders, i dozen and viii sacks with sundry prongs, axes, bills, wedges and husbandry tools.............................................................................................................................................................	20s00d
Item, in the lesser barn, i stack of peas and beans, i stack of vetches.............................................................	£5.0s00d
Item, in another barn at Harehatch by estimation, ii quarters of barley. ii quarters of oats and iiii quarters of white peas..................................................................................................................................................	£5.12s00d
Item, in the house there by estimation ii quarters of Apples............................................................................	16s00d
Item, in all by estimation viii loads of hay.............................................................................................................	£8.0s00d

In the Yard.

Item, i long cart and wheels, ii dung cart and wheels and ii old long carts without wheels.................	£4.0s00d
Item. iiii ploughs, i having the irons and all tacklings thereto, ii pairs of harrows, i drag and sundry plough timber ready hewed and i barley cowl......................................................................................	20s00d
Item. ii old troughs and sundry swine troughs and by estimation iiii loads of billets with sundry logs and other wood and timber in the yard.........................................................................................................	20s00d
Item, sundry racks for horse, cattle and sheep in the the Stables and yard.................................................	8s00d
Item, vii kine, i bull and vii young bullocks..........................................................................................................	£27.0s00d
Item. vi horse beasts with their cart harness and other tackling to them.....................................................	£22.0s00d
Item, the swine old and young..................................................................................................................................	£10.0s00d
Item, lii sheep..................................................................................................................................................................	£12.10s00d

In the Fields.

Item, sewn upon the ground by estimation xv acres of wheat and xiiii acres of rye and maslin..........	£29.0s00d
Item, iiii geese, viii ducks. xv hens and cocks.......................................................................................................	15s00d

Sum Totalis....£204 - 13s - 02d

Pipers Grove is bequeathed to his sons, as it was to himself 39 years earlier. It seems to be a somewhat special copse.

One reason why this John seemed to be so successful may be that he had two sons who did not marry early and so continued to manage the farm with him.

It is possible that John worshipped at Waltham St Lawrence, but although this matter is discussed more fully under the heading of his son, John (1576 – 1647) it seems unlikely as his widow Mary was, according to her estate summary, buried in the churchyard of Wargrave.

Mary died intestate in 1637 as the following notice declares. This is followed by her Inventory and final account. (Ref: BRO / pg74 TAFOW)

The ?rendition of the within written obligation is such that whereas the administration of all and singular the goods credits and chattels of Mary Abeare whilst she lived of Wargrave within th’archdeaconary of Berks widow lately deceased intestate by authority of the within named official is ?advised and permitted ?vito ?within bonds John Abeare the natural and lawful son of the said deceased. If therefore the said John Abeare do well and truly administer, that is to say do pay the debts of the said deceased which at the time of her decease be moved so ?favour ?forth all the said goods, credits and chattels with their ?value ? and the same charge and require her and further do make ?account to be made before the within named official or other competent judge for the time being in the court of th’archdeacon of th’archdeaconary of Berks a true and informed account of and value ? said ? before the fifth day of September next ensuing the date of the said obligation and such ? the residue of the said goods credits and chattels of the said deceased as vou ? said account made examined and allowed by the said official or other competent judge for the time being of the said account shall be limited assigned and ?appointed. And guarded of and in case that at any time hereafter there shall appear any true and lawful testament or will made or declared by the said deceased that the ? or ?executor therein named or appointed shall and do exhibit or arrange to be executors the same testament on oath will into the said court of the said th’archdeacon making request to have the same proved and approved in due form of law. Then if the said administrator ? immediately after demand made or admission to him lawfully given shall and do surrender and redeliver into the said court of the said Archdeacon the ? of administration to him the said administration remitted guaranteed or made without any further delay. And lastly do at all times hereafter thoroughly acquit discharge and favour ? and keep indemnified the said within named official his executor administrator deputy or surrogate and assigned and at all times against all and all at the said court all names and at all times against all and all ? manner of ? whatsoever having or pleading to have ? better right title interest claimed or ? in and to that administration ? of the said goods credits and chattels so guaranteeing or remitting the said administrator to ? the said John Abeare. Then the said obligation to be void and of none effect so ? remain and be in full power shown and virtue.

An Inventory of the goods and chattels of Mary Abeare late of Wargrave in the county of Berks widow deceased rated and appraised the fifth day of April in the thirteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King Charles by Thomas Newberry and Francis ?Gunnell as followeth :

The true account of John Abeare the natural and lawful son and administrator of all and singular the goods credits and chattels of Mary Abeare whilst she lived of Wargrave within Tharchdeacon of Berks widow deceased, given and exhibited before the Right ? Charles Tooker ? of Lane and official to Tharchdeacon of Tharchdeaconary of Berks the fourth day of October 1637 as followeth viz :

of the said Archdeacon amounting in the whole to the sum of ………. £34 - 11 - 4d

Item – for a sermon on the day of the funeral of the said deceased……. £0 - 10 - 0d

Item – for the coffin, knell and digging the grave of the said deceased ….. £0 - 11 - 4d

Item – paid two women for watching with her ? time of her ?…….. £0 - 03 - 6d

Item – paid to John Knight of Wargrave for curing a ?coalt……… £0 - 03 - 0d

John Tyler the son of Jane Tyler another grandchild to the deceased… £2 - 00 - 0d

Mary bequeathed money to her son Matthew, her daughters Mary Lutman, wife of John Lutman, Clemens Bonnington wife of John Bonnington and Anne Wittle the relict (widow) of John Wittle. Money was also left to Anne Abeare her granddaughter and John Tyler her grandson. (Her other son, Thomas, died the previous year.)

George named two children only in his will of 1552. This will was unchanged before his death in 1577, and so it would seem that no other children were born between these years. However, Henry A’Bear appears in the burials list, named as “son of George”, and since no other George is known about, he is included here. There may have been other earlier children who did not survive.

Henry is listed as an adult under the Wargrave baptisms in 1562, so he must have been born before 1541. His name appears in the burials list of 1563 as Henry “son of George”, so is included here, placed after his brother John, as John was traditionally the first-named son. It is of course possible another George was living at the time.

Celice is named in her father’s will of 1551 in which it states she had not then reached the age of ten years. She is not listed in the baptism or burial records.

Ann’s baptism is recorded in 1571. She is named in her father’s and mother’s wills, so she lived until after 1637. She married John Wittle, his name being stated on her mother’s papers, and this marriage must have occurred after 1616 as she is declared unmarried in her father’s will of that year. In 1637 Ann was declared a widow, so John died before this year.

John is named as eldest son in his father’s will of 1616, and is listed in the Wargrave baptisms list.

The Lay Subsidy for Wargrave (1596/1597) includes a John Abeare Jnr, thought to be this John, and a John Abeare Snr both taxed on Land. (Ref : pg 269 TSBOW). The two names are listed one after the other, which might suggest they lived together or adjacent to one another at this time.

John seems to have married Anne ? in about 1599 (though this is not recorded in the marriage list), and they had three children, John (c 1600 - ?), Margery (c 1602 - ?) and Mary (c 1604 - ?), none of whom are in the baptism list, although John was apparently born in Wargrave (ref : DNF - from marriage record?).

According to his father’s will, until at least 1616 John was established in Henley. He may have moved there around the time of his marriage. However, the Lay Subsidy for Wargrave (1601/1602) includes a John Abeare Jnr, thought to be this John, and a John Abeare Snr. Here John Jnr is taxed on Goods. (Ref : pg 270 TSBOW). The two names are not listed one after the other, but nearby.

The Lay Subsidy for Wargrave (1602/1603) names John aBeare Jnr and John Abeere Snr well-separated in the list, and in 1604/1605 there is a “John Abeere the younger”, and a John Abeare the elder listed, both taxed on Land. Since also John’s father and John of the Porch (T / gen4) were alive at this time, it is difficult to establish to whom these references relate.

John’s father died in 1616, and it seems that he returned from Henley to live in Wargrave some time after this, most certainly before his 1632 deed (below).

“In 1618 John A’Bear, already living at the Hill, gave a tenor bell to the church of Waltham St Lawrence of which he was Churchwarden. This bell was later used in the schoolhouse and was not one of those destroyed when Wargrave Church was burnt down in 1914”.

Amongst those who helped to draw up the inventory of John’s father’s belongings was Ralph Newbury Senior. Ralph Newbury was publisher to Queen Elizabeth I, and when he died (before 1633 which is the year of the earliest deed concerning the ‘Bell Charity’) he bequeathed to the parish his cottage at Waltham St Lawrence which, before long, became the Bell Inn adjacent to the church. The name of this inn may have been a commemoration of the donation of this tenor bell to the church two years after John’s father died in 1618.

If Pope’s statement is literally true, it seems rather unlikely to have been this John who donated it, since he had been living in Henley until at least 1616. Churchwardens would surely have to be well-established worshippers at that church. (Also, it seems likely he was a churchwarden at St Mary’s in 1634 – see later - and then in 1647 he requested in his will that he be buried in the churchyard of St Mary’s. (He may, of course, have changed churches during his lifetime).

If on the other hand the John A’Bear who donated the bell was not living at the Hill, and Pope’s reference is wrong, it is more likely to have been his cousin John (1562 – 1639), so the matter is also discussed under this person’s heading. See also the Bells Article.

Anne’s death is recorded in the burials list in 1621, so they may well have moved back to Wargrave by then. Certainly the Lay Subsidy for Wargrave (1623/1624) includes a John Abeare , which may be this John, taxed on Land. (Ref : pg 270 TSBOW). Also appearing in the list, but not adjacent, is his brother Thomas Abeare. This repeats in 1625. John appears again in 1628/1629 with John Abeare Junr (his son), and in later entries of 1640/1641 and 1641/1642, although these more likely refer to his son.

In about 1612 what is now the rear part (and oldest part) of Hill House was built, but a few years before this what is now the Coachouse was built. So unless these dates are too early, any connection with this would seem to be incorrect. (See The Hill Article)

Henry Thackham (gent) of Henley upon Thames and John Fforde of Wargrave transfer land at the death of Henry Thackham (senior) to John Abeare the elder of the hill near? Hare Hatch (yeoman) – for the sum of £68.

- 3 acres of arable land called hare hatch close, in Old Field*, adjoining hare hatch lane. Thomas Millet’s and Thomas Ford’s land and Sheplands to the west. Richard ?Pirkett?’s land and Keene field to the east. John Ford to the south. Widow Martin to the north. Signed by William Ffloyde (senior), John Gunnell, Thomas A’Bear and Abraham Ffloyde.

This deed is also listed by Anthony Hickson, in which he describes the reference to John Abeare as John Abeare of Holden on the Hill Near Harehatch. This was a transcript which is clearly incorrect, “of Holden on” and “the elder of” being somewhat similar to the eye when handwritten.

This indenture made the thirtieth day of November Anno Domini 1632 and in the eighth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith ?hereto? between Henry Thackham of Henley upon Thames in the county of Oxon gent and John Ford of Wargrave in the county of Berks yeoman of the one part, and John Abeare the elder on the hill, near harehatch in the parish of Wargrave aforesaid ? of the other part witnesseth that the said Henry Thackham and John Ford for and in consideration of the sum of three scores and eight pounds of good and lawful money of England unto the said Henry Thackham in hand paid by the said John Abeare at or before the ensealing and delivery of their ?.The receipt whereof the said Henry Thackham doth hereby acknowledge and thereof and of every part and press? Thereof doth exonerate acquit release and discharge the said John Abeare his heirs executors and administrators and assignees and entry of them forever by their ?. And also for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings paid to the said John Ford and for divers other good causes and considerations them thereunto moving have aliened granted bargained sold ensconced and confirmed and in and by their ? do alien grant bargain sell ensconce and confirm unto the said John Abeare and his heirs all that close of arable land containing by estimation three acres be it more or less called hare hatch close lying and adjoining unto a lane in Wargrave aforesaid called harehatch lane and bounding on a close there of Thomas Millet on the west. And all those three acres of arable land be they more or less lying and being in several parts of a certain field in Wargrave aforesaid called Oldfield, whereas one acre lyeth between the land of Richard Pirkett on the east and the land of Thomas Ford on the west and abutteth on harehatch lane on the north and the other two acres lie together between the land of Widow Martin on the north and the land of John Ford on the south and abuts on a field called Sheplands on the west and Keenefield on the east. All ? now in the service or occupation of Henry Thackham deceased father of the said Henry party to their consent …

The signatories of this deed are John Gunnell and Thomas Abeare. John Gunnell was his future son-in-law (or maybe his future son-in-law’s father, who witnessed the inventory of this John Abear’s father in 1616), and Thomas was this John Abear’s brother. In this deed of 1632 he named himself “the Elder” because he had a son John aged 32 years living in the locality at this time.

Thus in 1632 this John Abeare is acquiring more land in or near Harehatch, and he calls himself “the Elder on the hill, near Harehatch”. (See The Hill Article)

John married again in 1633 at Wargrave (unlisted). His new wife, Margery Newbery, was probably his father’s friend’s daughter (or niece). They seem to have had no family, but Margery may well have been too old by then to bear children. Margery was formerly married in 1615 to Christopher Brush at Wargrave. She may have been an aunt of Thomas Newbery, the first publisher of children’s books in this country, and also related to Ralph Newbery, the London publisher who bequeathed the Bell Inn at Waltham St Lawrence.

In 1634 an account of Tithes and Offerings from old documents in the Parish Chest (Ref: pg 64 - 66 TAFOW) is signed by John A’Bear and Francis Barnard (Churchwardens), and Francis Webb and Richard Douglas (Sidesmen). The vicar’s name was Anthony White who was indeed the vicar of St Mary’s, Wargrave from 1614 until 1636. (The Patron at the time was Sir Henry Neville, from whom his father purchased land). From this information it seems likely this John was a churchwarden, (though it could have been his son).

[This will is now lost. The details below have been put together from notes still existent in the Snell Collection at the Society of Genealogists].

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, the xxiii day of December Anno Dni 1647, I John Abeere the elder of the parish of Wargrave in the County of Berks, yeoman, being sick in body but of sound and perfect memory thanks be unto Almighty God do make this my present will and last testament in manner and form following. First and principally 1 bequeath my soul unto Almighty God my maker, creator and redeemer, and my body to the Earth from whence it came, to be decently buried in ye churchyard of St. Mary in Wargrave aforesaid. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law John Gunnell ..... Item, I give and bequeath unto my son John Abeere all those my messuages of land wherein I now dwell within the parish of Wargrave which I had by inheritance from my father. Item, I give and bequeath unto my grandchild John the son of John Abeere all my land in Wargrave which I bought of Henry Nuberry. Item, I also give and bequeath unto my grandchild John Abeere the younger my house in Wargrave now in the occupation of the assigns of my son John Abeere. Item, I also give and bequeath unto my son-in-law the said John Gunnell all my lands in Henley Town and Navell End in the County of Oxon, except The Rose and Crown in which Toby Lancaster now liveth. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary, wife of the said John Gunnell, the house in which William Bird now liveth. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Margery, wife of Robert Allen, all those my messuages of land in Henley and Navell in which George Messenger lately lived. Item, I give and bequeath unto Widow Lovejoy the sum of £ s d of lawful money of England. Item, I give and bequeath unto Widow Yates the sum of £ s d of lawful money of England. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Margery's eldest daughter Mary the sum of £ s d of lawful money of England, to be delivered unto her at ye full age of xxi years. Item, I give and bequeath unto my said son John Abeere's three children John, Joane and Mary the sum of £ s d apiece of lawful money of England, to be delivered unto them at ye respective full ages of xxi years. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son John Abeere's youngest son Francis the sum of £ s d of lawful money of England, to be delivered unto him at ye full age of xxi years. Item, I give and bequeath unto the two children of my said daughter Mary Gunnell, viz: John and Sara Gunnell, the sum of £ s d apiece of lawful money of England, to be delivered unto them at the respective ages of xxi years. Item, I give and bequeath unto my two servants, viz: William Watts and Sara Hill, the sum of £ s d apiece of lawful money of England. And I ordain and appoint my said son-in-law John Gunnell to be my sole executor of this my present will and last testament, performing my legacies and paying my debts. And I do ordain and constitute my neighbours and friends Francis Barnard and John Wright to be mine overseers and I give them £ s d apiece towards their payment.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by ye said John Abeere the elder to be his present will and last testament in the presence of us, the mark (X) of John Abeere, Richard Wright, the mark (X) of Francis Abeere, the mark (X) of Thomas Gold.

John was 71 years old and ill when he wrote his will, and he died shortly after writing it, though his burial is not listed. (There is a Joan 1647, which may be an error).

He now names himself “The Elder of the Parish of Wargrave” which he was, since his cousin John of the Porch died in 1639. He does not state “on The Hill” as he did in 1632 because (as he admits) he is no longer living there, having passed this name or property over to his son and his family. In fact, he seems to have passed on the property by 1636, as he named himself “John Abeare the elder” at this time when he undertook his brother Thomas’s inventory, and his son then named himself “John Abear of the Hill”.

John names his son John and daughters Margery and Mary with their married names.

His younger brother Thomas had died eleven years earlier. Thomas’s Harehatch inheritance should have been passed on to his son Thomas, but son Thomas was only eight years old at the time of his father’s death. John’s other brother Matthew, who shared this substantial inheritance, died months later and does not seem to have married.

John’s will only mentions Wargrave land he inherited from his father, and land he had bought himself. He seems to have done well for himself, with various properties to his name. He retained his Henley lands until his death, but bequeathed them to his daughters’ families. His Wargrave lands and property were passed down to his son John and family. He makes no mention of his wife Margery who may therefore have already died.

Mary is listed in the Wargrave baptisms list and named by her father in his will of 1616 with her married name.

She married John Lutman in 1604 in Wargrave (this is listed) and, according to her father’s will, had a daughter named Elizabeth Lutman. Mary Lutman is named in her mother’s will and so lived beyond 1637.

Thomas is listed in the baptism list and named in his father’s will of 1616 as a joint inheritor with his brother Matthew.

The International Genealogical Index records a Thomas Abeare marrying Anna Paine on 6^th April 1620 at St Mary, Sandwich, Kent. It is uncertain whether or not this record refers to this Thomas. If it does, he must have married again as, according to his will of 1637, Thomas married Joan(e) (not listed) (c 1625?) and named his son Thomas and daughter Ann(e) both of whom appear in the baptisms list. (Ref: BRO / pg74 TAFOW). [The IGI also lists a marriage on 29 Jan 1624 of a Mrs Ann Abear to John Harberte at St Peter’s, Sandwich, Kent, so these references may well refer to another Thomas].

In about 1621 (Brian Russell in TSBOW states 1612) what is now the rear part (and oldest part) of Hill House was built, but before this what became the old Coachouse was built.

There is no Lay Subsidy record for Thomas in 1604/1605. This seems to agree with the fact that he inherited land in 1616.

The Lay Subsidy for Wargrave (1623/1624) includes a Thomas Abeare taxed on Goods. (Ref : pg 270 TSBOW). Also appearing in the list, but not adjacent, is his brother John Abeare. This repeats in 1625, however Thomas’s name does not appear in the 1628/1629 list.

Papers relating to Thomas’s death in 1637 comprise an order for his widow Joan(e) to submit an inventory of Thomas’s belongings (due to his dying intestate), the inventory itself and a summarised account of payments out of his estate. (Ref : TAFOW pg 74 / BRO)

The ?rendition of the within written obligation is such that whereas the administration of all and singular the goods credits and chattels of Thomas Abeare whilst he lived of Wargrave within th’archdeaconary of Berks Yeoman lately deceased intestate by authority of the within named official is ?advised and permitted ?vito ?within bonds Joan Abeare the relict of the said deceased. If therefore the said Joane Abeare do well and truly administer, that is to say do pay the debts of the said deceased which at the time of the said deceased be moved so ?favour ?forth all the said goods, credits and chattels with their ?value ? and the same charge and require her and further do make ?account to be made before the within named official or other competent judge for the time being in the court of th’archdeacon of th’archdeaconary of Berks a true and informed account of and value ? said ? before the fifth day of September next ensuing the date of the said obligation and such ? the residue of the said goods credits and chattels of the said deceased as vou ? said account made examined and allowed by the said official or other competent judge for the time being of the said account shall be limited assigned and ?appointed. And guarded of and in case that at any time hereafter there shall appear any true and lawful testament or will made or declared by the said deceased that the ? or ?executor therein named or appointed shall and do exhibit or arrange to be executors the same testament on oath will into the said court of the said th’archdeacon making request to have the same proved and approved in due form of law. Then if the said administrator ? immediately after demand made or admission to him lawfully given shall and do surrender and redeliver into the said court of the said Archdeacon the ? of administration to him the said administration remitted guaranteed or made without any further delay. And lastly do at all times hereafter thoroughly acquit discharge and favour ? and keep indemnified the said within named official his executor administrator deputy or surrogate and assigned and at all times against all and all at the said court all names and at all times against all and all ? manner of ? whatsoever having or pleading to have ? better right title interest claimed or ? in and to that administration ? of the said goods credits and chattels so guaranteeing or remitting the said administrator to ? the said Joan Abeare. Then the said obligation to be void and of none effect so ? remain and be in full power shown and virtue.

An Inventory of the goods and chattels of Thomas Abeare late of Wargrave in the county of Berks Yeoman deceased dated and appraised the 22^nd of November Anno Domini 1636, by John Abear the Elder, Thomas Newberry ? ? and John Abear of the Hill, as followeth :

In the hall

In primis one table and frame, six hooks one joined cupboard…............... £2 - 01 - 4d

In the kitchen

Item – two wooden platters, six dishes, two ladles, one pair of .................…. £0 - 03 - 4d

In the chamber

one ?connected, two blankets, three pairs of sheets….........….. £ 1 - 06 - 8d

Item - apples , a fryingpan, a woollen wheel? and other lumber…..............….. £ 0 - 08 - 0d

Item – three hogs, four ?sheets, eight ?horses, one ?cock……...... £ 3 - 13 - 4d

The true and perfect ?account of Joan Abeare ? of all singular the goods and chattels of Thomas Abeare late of Wargrave in the county of Berks, deceased, made and exhibited before the sight ? Charles ?Triter Partner of Law and Official to the ? of Berks on the 4^th day of October Anno Domini 1637.

With all and singular the goods and chattels of the said deceased at the same ? app raised and valued specified and contained in an Inventory thereof made and exhibited and remaining in the registry of the said ? amounting in the total to the sum of …….

The inventory was undertaken on Joan’s behalf by John Abeare the elder, Thomas Newberry and John Abeare of the Hill. This confirms that The Hill was established before 1637 and tells us that it was not occupied by Thomas’s family but by John, the son of John the elder.

Thomas was bequeathed the property called Larges by his father in 1616 “with all barns, stables, edifices, buildings, orchards, gardens and one yard land be it more or less with the members, profits and appurtenances thereto appertaining…” and so the inventory of his goods and chattels possibly relate to this estate.

Thomas’s belongings were valued at £38 – 10 – 8d. His death is listed amongst the burials on 3^rd Nov 1636 when he was aged about 54 years. His young son Thomas (only eight years old) and daughter Ann (aged ten years) are both named as beneficiaries, Thomas receiving three(?) pounds and Ann thirteen pounds six shillings and eightpence. Presumably his brothers John and Matthew must have helped his widow maintain their lands until young Thomas was old enough to cope.

Also named in the 1636 summary is Joan Martin, to whom Thomas owed money at the time of his death. Joan (or Jean?) Martin is the possible name of Thomas’s nephew’s wife, but she married John Abeere in 1632, so would have changed her surname by this time. Perhaps this Joan Martin was his mother-in-law.

His wife Joan(e)’s death is taken to be in 1644 when the burial of a “Joan” is recorded. (There are two other Joans buried a little later.)

Clement is listed in the baptisms list and is named as unmarried in her father’s will of 1616. She is named in her mother’s will of 1637 as Clement Bonnington and so lived beyond this year.

Clement’s marriage to John Bonnington in 1620 is recorded in the marriages list.

Matthew is listed in the baptisms list, and is named by his father in his will. Matthew came into a significant inheritance from his father, just as his brother Thomas did, in 1616. There is no record of him marrying, and his death is recorded in the burials list 30^th Jan 1648, after both his brothers John and Thomas were deceased. Presumably his lands and property went to one of his brother’s sons. There is no known will.

Jane is listed in the baptisms list and is named as unmarried in her father’s will of 1616.

Jane is not named along with all her sisters as a beneficiary in her mother’s inventory account of 1637, so may have died before then. However, Jane and Thomas had a son named John who was remembered in this will.

John’s name does not appear in the baptism records, but was apparently born in Wargrave (DNF record). He is named in his father’s will and we do know he was married in 1632 to Jane/Joan Martin at Wargrave as their marriage is recorded in the list - it states Joan not Jane. In the baptisms list three are recorded as Joan (1633 - ?) “daughter of John”, John (1634 – 1685) “son of John” and Mary (1637 - ?) “daughter of John and Jane”. Francis (1645 - ?) was baptised at Waltham St Lawrence, son of John and Jane. The fact that the eldest child was named Joan might support her mother’s name as Joan. All four children are named in John’s father’s will of 1647 (and stated to be under 21 years old in that year, which is the case).

By 1647 John and Jane/Joan were living in their father’s house (according to their father’s will). In fact, by 1637 it seems they were living there, as his uncle Thomas’s inventory was undertaken by “John Abeare the elder (his father), Thomas Newberry and John Abeare of the Hill”. Doubtless he was farming the acres of land in Harehatch and the surrounding area. The Lay Subsidy for Wargrave (1628/1629) includes a John Abeare Jnr, thought to be this John, and a John Abeare (his father?) both taxed on Land. (Ref : pg 271 TSBOW). The two names are listed well apart, which might suggest they lived apart at this time. John Abeare appears in the lists for 1640/1641 and 1641/1642, taken to be this John.

According to TAFOW, in 1665 a document described by Pope and now missing states: (Ref : p38 TAFOW)

John A’Beare of the parish of Wargrave, yeoman of the Hill of the one part and John A’Beare junior of the other part conveys North and South Kindfield, Pawfield, Oldfield etc at Harehatch and property at Mumberry Hill (School Hill) to the other parties of the deed – Edward Simeon of Wargrave (apparently a son-in-law).

Assuming this to be correct, the year tells us this conveyance could only have concerned this John and his son, then aged about 31 years. However, Pope states the year of this deed to be 1702 in Queen Anne’s reign, so it is restated under John (c1654 – 1711).

It seems Jane’s parents died in 1658, since the will of William Martin (yeoman of Wargrave) names Mary and Joan Abeare as daughters of John Abeare, and one month later the will of Frances Martin of Wargrave (widow) also mentions Mary and Joan Abeare. (Ref : TAFOW pg 76 / Snell)

Jo Abear – 3 hearths, Thomas Abeare – 2 hearths, Francis Abeare – 3 hearths

It is more likely, but not certain, that this record refers to John’s son, John (1634 – 1685), so the matter is discussed under his heading.

John’s death does not seem to be recorded, but must have been soon after 1665 as he was already becoming elderly.

Margery’s baptism is not recorded in the Wargrave baptism list, nor her marriage, so perhaps she was born at Henley.

Margery is named by her father in his will of 1647 as Margery wife of Robert Allen, and by that time they had a family of at least two daughters, the elder being named Mary Allen, then still aged less than 21 years. Margery and Robert inherited Margery’s father’s land in Henley and Navell.

Mary’s baptism is not recorded in the Wargrave baptism list, so perhaps she was born in Henley. However her marriage in 1636 is listed.

Mary is named in her father’s will of 1647, as is her husband John Gunnell, and by this time they have two children John and Sara both aged under 21. Mary inherits a house, and John inherits lands in Henley Town and Navell End. John was appointed sole executor of Mary’s father’s will.

Anne’s baptism is listed in the Wargrave baptism list, and “Ann” is named in her father’s will of 1637 and grandmother Mary’s will of 1637. Her father died whilst she was still a child, and her mother’s death seems to have occurred when she was just eighteen.

If she never married, Ann(e) may have been buried in 1679, but this “Ann” may have been the wife of Thomas Abeere (1628 - ?) or Anne born 1623.

Thomas’s baptism is listed, and Thomas is named in his father’s final account of 1636 at which time he was just a boy. Presumably his father’s lands were farmed for ten years by his uncles, until Thomas came of age.

Jo Abear – 3 hearths, Thomas Abeare – 2 hearths, Francis Abeare – 3 hearths

It is likely, but not certain, that this record refers to this Thomas.(Ref: pg63 TAFOW)

Thomas’s marriage is recorded in 1665 at Wargrave to Ann Hestor or Mary Hastor, and to Thomas and Ann are attributed a son Thomas born in about 1665, though his baptism is not listed.

There is also an indenture made on the seventh day of November in the sixteenth year of our soveraigne Lord Charles the Second (1676) between Thomas A’Beare of Wargrave yeoman and Richard Blyth of Sonning gent. The former in consideration of £250 conveys Long Withall Coppinscraft, Old Orchard Kindfield and The Holt. The land was bounded by the property of Ralph Newberry gentleman and Thomas Kent and the lease of one peppercorn expires in 2176. The parties contracted that the purchase money should be paid without deduction of taxes or imposition or Royal aide Subsidy. In 1680 Thomas Blyth of Englefield yeoman conveyed this property to John Sadler of Shinfield yeoman.

The same indenture is listed in TAFOW on pg 38 but is worded slightly differently, stating the 28^th year of Charles II (presumably an error), and naming additional properties – these are:

Long Withall, Barnes, stables and offices, and Northerend Close, Middle Close, Coppinscroft and the Old Orchard, Kindfield and the Holt.

Pope also quotes both a deed and an indenture regarding Thomas which exactly support his line of descendancy:

One of their many well preserved deeds is itself a good first start for a pedigree as it recites that it is between Thomas A’Beare of Harehatch Wargrave yeoman, sonne and heire of his father Thomas A’Beare (1582 – 1636) late of Harehatch yeoman deceased who was one of the sons of John A’Beare late of Harehatch yeoman deceased (c1535 - 1616) and John A’Bear now of Harehatch yeoman (c1600 - >1665), eldest son of his father John A’Bear (1576 – 1647/8) late of Harehatch yeoman deceased (and) who was sonne and heire of the said John A’Beare’s son deceased (1576 – 1647/8) and eldest brother of the said Thomas A’Beare deceased (1582 – 1636) of the one part and Richard Blyth of Sonning gent of the other part.

Although this deed is not dated by Pope, amongst Anthony Hickson’s records is the same deed, dated 5^th May 1679.

Thomas Blyth of Englefields, Berks (yeoman), brother and only heir of Richard Blyth (gent) ?sells/pays? Elizabeth ?Bonds? for 5 shillings, land at Harehatch – Northerend Close – 4 acres, another croft of 2 acres, the Old Orchard – 1 acre and Coppins Croft Orchard – half acre. The land was bounded by property of Ralph Newberry, gentleman, and Thomas Kent.

Thomas Blyth declares himself to be satisfied with land ?bought? at Harehatch from Elizabeth ?Bonds? for £313.

It seems from the above that Richard Blyth may have died between 1679 and 1680, though there is confusion as to how the land then changed hands.It seems from the above that Richard Blyth may have died between 1679 and 1680, though there is confusion as to how the land then changed hands. There is however no doubt that Elizabeth Jones bought the land off Thomas Blyth in 1680, as this is stated in an indenture dated 5^th August 1795 together with the reason for this purchase, namely as security for £200 inheritance payable to her daughter upon her coming of age. See Elizabeth Joanes (c1652 - >1695)

There is no burial record for Thomas, but from the above information he must have died after 1679. Ann’s death could tie up with a burial also in 1679 (if her name was Ann and not Mary). (Other candidates for this burial are Ann(e) born 1626 and Anne born 1623).

Joan’s baptism is listed in the Wargrave records. She is named in her grandfather’s will in 1647 and twice in wills of 1658 by, as it seems, her maternal grandparents, William and Frances Martin. (Ref: pg 76 TAFOW)

John’s baptism is recorded in the Wargrave records. He is named by his grandfather in his will of 1647, when he inherited all his grandfather’s Wargrave land which he had bought off Henry Nuberry, and his house, already occupied by his family.

John married Jane Coates in 1653 at Shiplake, just across the river from Wargrave.

Jo Abear – 3 hearths, Thomas Abeare – 2 hearths, Francis Abeare – 3 hearths

It is likely that this record refers to this John (or just possibly his father). John inherited his grandfather’s house in 1647, and by 1663 had a wife and four children. Their need for a sizeable property was greater than John’s mother and father. (Ref: pg63 TAFOW)

According to TAFOW, in 1665 a document described by Pope and now missing states:

Assuming this year to be correct, this conveyance could only have concerned this John and his father. But it does not seem that Edward Simeon could have been his son-in-law as his only daughter Jane died as a child. Pope quotes the year of this deed as 1702, so it is reconsidered under the next generation. The Stanley A’Bear tree places Edward as husband to Elizabeth A’Bear (1680 - ?), and they are tentatively placed two generations later.

In 1681 a church bell was donated to the church of Waltham St Lawrence – a sanctus bell which is probably of 15th century date, without maker's mark or name. It is inscribed :

The bell must surely have been donated by this John; the spelling of the surname also matches this branch. It does not seem from the inscription that John was necessarily a Churchwarden at the church, nor even a regular worshipper, although his brother Francis was baptised at this church in 1646. In fact, seven years later in 1688 (after John’s death) another larger tenor bell was hung at St Mary’s Church with an inscription suggesting that John’s son John (c 1654 – 1711) was then a Churchwarden at St Mary’s, aged about 34 years. This might suggest a tradition of family attendance at St Mary’s Church.

How John came by this sanctus bell is not known, but between 1668 and 1670 St Mary’s hung five new bells, and perhaps John later passed it on to Waltham St Lawrence as it was surplus to requirements.

John’s burial is recorded in 1685 when he is listed as “John of the Hill”. He lived to just 51 years.

In the Berkshire Record Office is John’s will, proved in 1686, with an inventory.(Ref: BRO / pg63 TAFOW)

In the name of God Amen. I John Abeere the Elder of the Parish of Wargrave in the county of Berks Yeoman being not well in body but of sound and perfect memory, all praise be given to Almighty God for the same, and calling to mind the uncertain estate of this transitory life, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First and principally I commend my soul to Almighty God who gave it to me, trusting assuredly through the mercy and merits of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ foremostly to be saved, and my body to this earth from whence it was taken to be decently buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter named. And as for my temporal effects which it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me far above my defects, I give devise and bequeath the same in manner and form following. Item – I give devise and bequeath unto my loving son John Abeere one shilling. And ?all for all other my estate and substance whatsoever which I should die possessed of. I give devise and bequeath the same (my debts and legacies being paid and funeral expenses disbursed) unto my loving sons Francis Abeere and William Abeere equally to be divided between them, and I ?appoint and ordain the said Francis Abeere and William Abeere Joint Executors of this my last will and testament. And I do hereby make void and null all wills by me formerly made. And in witness that this writing is and ?remaineth my last will and testament I the said John Abeere the Elder have hereunto set my hand and seal the nineteenth day of September in the six and thirtieth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord Charles the Second by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King defender of the faith ? ? 1684.

An Inventory of all the goods and chattels of John Abeer late of Wargrave in the county of Berks deceased taken and appraised by William Dearing and John Barnard this twelth day of April in the year of our Lord 1686 as followeth :

He names his three sons as beneficiaries, John A’Beere (c 1654 – 1711), William A’Beere (1655 – 1729) and Francis A’Beere (c 1657 - ?).

It is believed they had a daughter Jane (1660 – ?1668) who would not have been named if she had died before the will was written. [There is a baptism record for Jane in 1660, stated as “daughter of John”]. He does not mention his wife, so perhaps she died before 1684. From the date of the inventory it does seem probable that John died in 1686. However the burial record does state 14^th January 1685.

Clearly John’s effects amounted to very little at the time of his death, and his legacy of one shilling to his eldest son John (then aged thirty and with at least four living children) implies he had already passed on much of his estate to him. He declares himself “John the Elder” which, together with the apparently small house described in his inventory, supports the notion that he was no longer living at The Hill.

Though John was the elder in his branch in 1684, he was not apparently the eldest John living in Wargrave at that time. John (1631 - ?1702) was born three years earlier than him, suggesting there may be a misplacement on the tree here.

William Dearing is also named as a signatory of the will and inventory of Jane Abeare (of the other branch) in 1678.

Mary’s baptism is listed in the Wargrave records, named “daughter of John and Jane”. She is named in her grandfather’s will in 1647 and twice in wills of 1658 by, so it seems, her maternal grandparents, William and Frances Martin. (Ref: pg 76 TAFOW)

Francis ABeare was baptised at Waltham St Lawrence church on 22 Jun 1646, “the son of Jane and John”. (Ref: pg 61 TAFOW) Why is unclear. [The IGI listings spell his surname Abeare but other information agrees]. Francis is named as a beneficiary in his grandfather’s will of 1647, and named as the youngest son and presumably inherited money according to the terms of the will when he came of age in 1667. In the will he is separated out and treated differently from his brother and sisters. Ten years elapsed between sister Mary’s birth and Francis’s birth, but they were both named children of John and Jane.

The Stanley A’Bear tree indicates his marriage to Jane ? in 1670 and a son Francis born to them in 1671 who married Ann ? in 1692. There are no Wargrave records to support this information. There is, however, a reference which may relate to Ann living in London in 1721, but this data has been added under Francis A’Beere (c1657 - ?).

Thomas A’Bear and his marriage to Mary ? in 1699 is copied over from Stanley A’Bear’s tree, source unknown.

John is named in his father’s will of 1685, however there is no record of his baptism at Wargrave.

John married Rebecca ? in about 1672 (unlisted) and they had six children, namely Rebecca (c 1672 - ?), Mary (1676 - ?), John (1677 – 1743), twins Francis and Richard (1680 – 1680) and Jane (1681 – 1735).

Bargain and sale conveying Pitt Inninges from John Gunnell of Sonning, yeoman, to John Lee of Shottesbrooke, yeoman, for £114 (John A’Beare a witness – his mark).

It seems likely this man was the John Abeare named as Churchwarden on a tenor bell hung at St Mary’s Church in 1688. [Alternatively it was John Abeare (1631 - ?1702)]. See “The Bells”.

A document dated 1702 concerns the administration of the property of John A’Beare in which are mentioned Edward Simeon, George Kent of Shiplake and Joseph Woodward. (Ref: BRO / pg 64 TAFOW). George Kent married Jane A’Bear (1668 - ?) a somewhat distantly related cousin to John.

There is a deed executed in the first year of the reigne of our soveraigne Lady Anne (1702) in which John A’Bear of the parish of Wargrave yeoman of The Hill of the one part and John A’Bear junior of the other part and Edward Simeon of Wargrave schoolmaster (his son-in-law), in which John A’Bear conveys north and south Kindfield, Pawfield and Oldfield at Harehatch, and property at Mumberry Hill (school Hill) to the other parties of the deed. Simeon acquired various other property including Gibstroud, Cockpole, Penny and Worley Frams so that, when in 1728 his will was proved by John A’Bear, he had advanced from Edward Simeon schoolmaster to Edward Simeon gentleman. Gibstroud Farm was originally part of Stroud’s Farm at Park Place, the property of the Strouds, the Ffordes, and at some time, the A’Bear family.

It seems that by 1704 this John Abeare had already sold off land to Edward Simeon:

August 1704 – Edward Simeon pays a fine to the Lord of the Manor for 7 acre of land in Northern Field, Clout piece – 2 acre, Pitt piece and Ruscombe Field, formerly belonging to John Abear.

August 1704 – Edward Simeon pays a fine to the Lord of the Manor for Hedingtone Plot, formerly belonging to John Abear.

[Edward Simeon from Caversham appears in about 1690 when he married Elizabeth Joanes of Waltham St Lawrence. John’s father died in 1685].

Amongst the papers in possession of John Burton A’Bear the following deed was apparently seen:

1704. Oct 7th Two of the parties are John Abeare Father & Son both described as of the Hill. A Deed entered into on the marriage of the son to Martha Underwood

H. White purchased “this day of G. Webb and Ann his wife” a cottage in Wargrave – witnessed by J. Abeare, G. Webb, Ed Simeon, A. Webb.

In John’s will, written in 1709, he names himself John Abeere, yeoman of Wargrave. (Ref: BRO / pg64 TAFOW)

In the name of God Amen. I John Abeere the Elder of the Parish of Wargrave in the county of Berks Yeoman being weak in body but of perfect and sound memory (thanks be given to God for the same) do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) trusting principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping through the merit death and passion of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to have full and free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins and to inherit everlasting life; and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executrix herein aforenamed. And as ?touching the disposition of all such temporal estate as it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me, I give and dispose thereof as followeth:

In primus : I will that my debts and funeral charges shall be paid and discharged, of which debts my will and pleasure is that ten pounds which I owe to Walter Kent be paid out of one acre and a half of meadow ground lying in Wargrave Mead ?Marsh to the Bell. Item – I give and bequeath to my loving wife Rebeka Abeare all that my close and orchard lying in Wargrave called Ouselease Close and Orchard as also my dwelling house in Wargrave aforesaid which now I live in and inhabit with outhouses, gardens and all other appurtenances thereunto belonging, also one cottage and garden adjoining to the aforesaid premises now in the tenure and occupation of the Widow Moody, also my house called or known by the name of Lilly’s on the other side of the way over against Ouselease Orchard with the malthouse, outhouses, barns, stables, garden, orchards and all other appurtenances thereunto belonging, also one half acre of land lying in Purfield near Purfield Oak for and during the term of her natural life, and which I do give her (to hinder any disputes that may arise thereabout) over and above and besides ?thirds of my free estate which she hath a right to after my decease by course and order of land) during the said term of her natural life. Item – I give and bequeath to my son John Abeare the sum of twenty shillings. Item – I give unto my daughter Rebeka Graves of the parish of Warfield all that close and orchard called or known by the name of Ouselease Close and Orchard, next and immediately after the decease of my aforesaid wife and to her heirs forever; also the half acre of arable land near Warfield Oak after my ? decease to her and her heirs forever. Item – I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Silver of the parish of Henley upon Thames in the county of Oxon after the decease of my aforesaid wife my house in Wargrave called Lilly’s aforesaid with my malthouse, outhouses, barns, stables, orchards and gardens with other appertunences on that side of the way thereunto belonging and to her heirs forever, provided nevertheless, and it is my will, that the said Jane Silver or William Silver her husband do pay unto my grandson Daniel Graves the sum of five pounds at the end of one year after my wife’s decease which payment of which sum of five pounds I do hereby charge the said house and appurtenances. Item – I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Bankham all them two messuages and tenements with all appurtenances named aforesaid in which I now inhabit and which is in the possession of the Widow Moody after the decease of my aforesaid wife, also all that my close lying on the north side of a lane commonly called Harehatch Lane and next adjoining to a close of Henry Frinsham Clerk on the east, also three acres of arable land in Oldfield, to her and her heirs forever, which close and arable land tis my will notwithstand my son John Abeare do hold and possess without wont or molestation from her or any other farming? under her during the life of my wife aforesaid.Item – I give and bequeath to the poor of the parish of Wargrave the sum of ten shillings.

All the rest and residue of my personal estates goods and chattels wharsoever I do give and bequeath unto my loving wife Rebekah Abeare, full and sole executrix of this my last will and testament. And I do hereby revoke and disannul all former wills by me made in witness whereof I now? hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of May in the eight year of our sovereign lady Anne by the grace of God, Queen of Great Brittain and Defender of the Faith. Anno Domini 1709.

A true and perfect Inventory of the goods and chattels of John Abeare of the parish of Wargrave in county of Berks lately deceased as it was taken by William Silver of Henley upon Thames of county of Oxon, Henry White of Wargrave afforded 11^th day of June in the tenth year of our sovereign Lady Anne of Great Brittain and Queen, Defender of the Faith or Anno Domini 1711.

Item – in the wash house, two kettles, one pot and other chamber........... £1 - 00 - 0d

His beneficiaries are Rebeka his wife, John A’Beare his son, Rebeka Graves of Warfield and Jane Silver of Henley his daughters. He also names William Silver his son-in-law, Daniel Graves his grandson, Mary Bankham his other daughter, Widow Moody and Henry Frinsham. Henry Frinsham was the vicar at St Mary’s for 46 years from 1689 – 1735.

Pope states (pg 113) that Ouseleys or Ouselease was a property owned by John in 1690 and which he left by will in 1709 to his daughter Jane and her husband William Silver. However, the text makes it clear that his daughter Rebeka inherited Ouselease Close and Orchard, and Jane and her husband inherited his house called Lilly’s adjoining Ouselease orchard. Perhaps it was this neighbouring property that in time came to be known as Ouselease.

Either this John Abeare (shortly before his death) or his son sold and let out land to Edward Simeon:

4 October 1710 – Release of lands in Wargrave to Edward Simeon from John Abeare. Only the sleeve of this document seen.

23 October 1710 – John A beare (yeoman) ?lets out? land to Edward Simeon (yeoman) of Wargrave – for 5 shillings and a rent of one peppercorn per year to be paid on the feast of St Michael.

At the time of his death, John’s son John had already married, had three children and remarried, so doubtless son John had already acquired Hill House, explaining his legacy of only twenty shillings.

John’s will was signed in his own hand, suggesting he had some kind of formal education.

William’s baptism is recorded, and he is named as a beneficiary in his father’s will of 1685. He married Elizabeth ? in about 1676 for which there is no Wargrave record, but their daughter Jane was baptised at Wargrave in 1679 “daughter of William”..

There is a deed in The Snell Collection (Ref : TAFOW pg77) dated 6 May 1728 which names W. Aber as a witness. The details are unclear, though it has an Alton, Hampshire connection. This deed may be irrelevant to our family.

Stanley A’Bear’s tree places William (1636 – 1729) in generation 6 above, a brother to John (1634 – 1685), indicating his marriage to Frances Martin. There is no Wargrave baptism or marriage record for a William that corresponds.

Coincidentally, the name of the mother of Jane/Joan Martin (c1605 - ?) who married John (c1600- >1665) was also Frances Martin.

It seems unlikely that William should be placed according to Stanley A’Bear’s tree as he is not named as a beneficiary amongst the children of John (c1600 - >1665) in the will of John (1576 – 1647/8) when all the other young grandchildren are named somewhat comprehensively.

Both William’s share the same year of death, so they are assumed to be one and the same person.

Stanley A’Bear also shows their daughter Jane born 1660 and marrying George Kent, but this Jane has already been placed as daughter of John (1631 - >1678) and born in 1668.

Francis is named as a beneficiary in his father’s will of 1685, however there is no record of his baptism at Wargrave.

In the Snell Collection the will of a J Coggin, citizen of London, (made out some time between 1673 and 1693) mentions Francis Delabeare of Wargrave (Ref: pg 78 TAFOW). his may well refer to Francis (1609 – 1677) and is reiterated under his heading.

It is possible Francis left a widow Ann, as the following will is to be found in the Snell Collection: (Ref: pg 78 TAFOW)

9 June 1721 Ann Dellabere, St Jas. Clerkenwell, (M) widow – Jo & E. Gale, cousins of my (n) ?niece? A. Gale wife of Jo Gale – W. Delabere son of W. Delabere – cousin John Dellabere of Harehatch, Berks. This d Rb – Fs. Dellabere – Gr Drake – 10 poor widow of St. Jas. Clerkenwell 3/- to buy them shoes – E. Williams, widow – sister E. Marham, widow; sister E. Warham – J. Grant of (L) ?London?, soap boyler – cousin A. Gale daughter of n. A. Gale & wife & Jo Gale.

The year of this will together with the references restrict the places where Ann can be placed on the tree. The reference “Fs. Dellabere” could be taken to mean Francis. It seems from the above she married into the family and was widowed, knew a William son of William (although there is no record of William (1655 – 1729) having a son William), and names John as a cousin, this person presumably being John (1677 – 1743) as her brother-in-law John had died in 1711.

Perhaps Francis worked in London, married Ann there, and died leaving her a widow by 1721. In this case, adopting the old surname perhaps helped Francis establish himself in London. Alternatively, Ann may have moved to London after becoming widowed and found the surname influential.

[The Stanley A’Bear tree indicates that this will relates to Ann the widow of Francis (1671 – c1720) son of Francis Abeere (1646 - ?1677)].

Jane appears in the baptism list for December 1660. She is not named in her father’s will of 1685, and this may be because she died before then. The Wargrave burials list names a Joan A’Bear in 1668, but nobody named Jane at all.

[Jane was shown as a daughter to William (1636 – 1729) in the Stanley A’Bear tree.]

Rebecca is not listed under the Wargrave baptisms, but is referred to in her father’s will of 1709. She married William Graves in 1686 (not listed) and had settled in Warfield by 1709 by which time they had a son Daniel Graves, also named in her father’s will.

Mary is listed in the Wargrave baptisms list, and it is assumed it is her that is named as Mary Bankham in her father’s will of 1709.

The Stanley A’Bear tree includes Elizabeth A’Bear who married Edward Simeon a local schoolmaster.

There is no baptism record for Elizabeth, and she is not named in her father’s will of 1709. However, the family deed box contains numerous papers concerning Elizabeth and Edward Simeon.

Furthermore, according to TAFOW, in 1665 a document described by Pope and now missing states:

There is a deed executed in the first year of the reigne of our soveraigne Lady Anne (1702) in which John A’Bear of the parish of Wargrave yeoman of The Hill of the one part and John A’Bear junior of the other part and Edward Simeon of Wargrave schoolmaster (his son-in-law), in which John A’Bear conveys north and south Kindfield, Pawfield and Oldfield at Harehatch, and property at Mumberry Hill (school Hill) to the other parties of the deed. Simeon acquired various other property including Gibstroud, Cockpole, Penny and Worley Farms so that, when in 1728 his will was proved by John A’Bear, he had advanced from Edward Simeon schoolmaster to Edward Simeon gentleman. Gibstroud Farm was originally part of Stroud’s Farm at Park Place, the property of the Strouds, the Ffordes, and at some time, the A’Bear family.

According to Stanley A’Bear, Edward and Elizabeth married in 1705, actually dating this deed before Edward had become his son-in-law.

It seems fairly certain now that there was no marriage between Edward Simeon and an Elizabeth Abeare, for it is now known that Edward Simeon married Elizabeth Joanes of Waltham St Lawrence in 1690. There is an IGI record of a marriage between an Edward Simeon and an Elizabeth Joanes on 7^th August 1690 at Basildon, West Berkshire. Basildon is about 20 miles west of Wargrave, not far from Reading. [Additionally, there is a record of the baptism of a Henry Simeon on 5^th November 1688 at Bucklebury, West Berkshire, not far from Basildon. The deeds below of 1723 and 1730 suggest Henry and Edward were related, and Henry was living in (or near) Reading].

The following deed dated 5^th August 1695 gives us further information about Elizabeth Joanes and her mother, also named Elizabeth Joanes:

This Indenture made the fifth day of August in the seventh year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord William the Third by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and in the year of our Lord God 1695 between Francis Knight of the parish of St Lawrence in Reading in the County of Berks maulster and James Roberts of the said parish of St Lawrence haberdasher and Elizabeth the now wife of Richard Harber ald King of Reading aforesaid gent and late the widow and relict of Edward Jones late of Reading aforesaid goldsmith deceased the former husband of the said Elizabeth of the first part, Edward Simeon of Caversham in the county of Oxon gent and eldest son and heir of Edward Simeon heretofore of Stepney also Stebenheath in the county of Middlesex citizen and ironmonger of London his late father deceased and Elizabeth his now wife daughter of the aforesaid Elizabeth her mother by the aforesaid Edward Jones her former husband deceased of the second part and Edward Jones of London goldsmith eldest son and heir apparent of the said Elizabeth the mother by the said Edward Jones deceased the former husband of the said Elizabeth the mother of the third part. Whereas the said Edward Jones the father by his last will in writing dated the eleventh day of October 1678 gave to the said Elizabeth his daughter two hundred pounds to be paid her at her age of one and twenty years and as the will made the said Elizabeth the mother sole Executrix, and whereas the said Elizabeth the mother proved the said will in the prerogative court and in her widowhood in the year 1680 purchased to her and her heirs of Thomas Blythe with the inheritance in fee simple of the messuage or tenement and hereditants herein after mentioned for the price of three hundred and fifteen pounds, and whereas the said Elizabeth the mother at or about the time of the said purchase by deed poll under here and seal declared that two hundred pounds of the said purchase money of three hundred and fifteen pounds which was by the said will given to the said Elizabeth the daughter was parcel of the said sum of three hundred and fifteen pounds, and that the said Elizabeth the mother did purchase chiefly to secure the payment of the said two hundred pounds to the said Elizabeth the daughter and covenanted by the said deed poll with John Sadler a kinsman of the said Elizabeth the daughter since deceased that the purchased premises should stand charged with the payment of the said two hundred pounds. And whereas by Indenture Tripartite? dated the sixth day of March in the second year of the reign of the late King James the Second over England (etc?) and in the year of our Lord God 1685 made between the said Elizabeth the mother by her then name and title of Elizabeth Jones of the said parish of St Lawrence in Reading aforesaid widow of the first part, the said Richard Harber ald King of the second part and Edward Jones then of the parish of St Olives in Southwark in the county of Surrey bevercutter and the said Francis Knight and James Roberts of the third part and by Indenture of Lease dated the day next before the recited? Indenture Tripartite? the said Elizabeth the mother by and with the comfort and approbation of the said Richard Harberald King testified by his being party unto and signing and sealing of the said recited? Indenture Tripartite? conveyed to the said Edward Jones bevercutter and the said Francis Knight and James Roberts and their heirs and assigns (inter alia) all that messuage or tenement situate in Harehatch in the parish of Wargrave in the said county of Berks called or known by the name of Larges or by whatsoever other name the said was or had been called or known, together with all barns, stables, edifices, buildings, orchards, gardens and bacesides?, and all the several closes and parcels of land with the appurturs to the said messuage or tenement called Larges belonging or appertaining or reputed to be a part or parcel thereof or therewithal used occupied or ? as appurtenant thereunto and called Netherend Close containing four acres more or less, Middle Close containing five acres more or less, Coppin Croft Close containing two acres more or less, the Orchard Piddle containing one acre more or less, and also four acres of arable land more or less lying dispersedly in the common fields called Kindfield, and all that close or piddle of land counting one acre more or less lying in Wargrave aforesaid near the common called the Holt, and all these two acres of meadow grounds lying in the common Mead in Wargrave aforesaid, one acre and an half thereof lying in Lottmead there marked with the whole Stirte and the other half acre thereof lying in Great Stirt there adjoining to the land then or late of George Webb on the north part and to the land of Mr? Watkins on the south part of the premises in Wargrave were by the said Elizabeth Jones the mother in her widowhood purchased of Thomas Blyth yeoman and all commons, common of pasture, ways, waters, easements, woods, underwoods, timber, ? , profits, commodities, advantages and hereditants to the ? belonging or in anywise appertaining or therewithal letted?, used, occupied or ? as or for or reputed to be part or parcel thereof appurtenant thereunto and thereveron and revercous? remaineder and remainders together with all the rents, revenues, ? and profits of the premises. And every part and parcel thereof and all estate right title wise? trust interest both in law and equity property claim and demand whatsoever of the aforesaid Elizabeth Jones the mother in and unto the premises to have and to hold the said with the ? unto the said Edward Jones beaver cutter Francis Knight and James Roberts their heirs and assigns forever. Nevertheless in trust and to the ? intents and purposes that until the intended marriage betwixt the said Elizabeth Jones the mother and the said Richard Harber ald King hereunto take effect and be solomnised, they the said Trustees the said Edward Jones beavercutter Francis Knight and James Roberts and their heirs and assigns thereunto stand and be seized of all the hereditants so conveyed to the only ? of the said Elizabeth Jones the mother and her heirs and assigns. And from and immediately after the solemnisation? Of the said intended marriage betwixt the said Elizabeth Jones the mother and the said Richard Harber ald King then a touching the said messuage or tenement and all the premises with appurtenances purchased by the said Elizabeth Jones the mother of the said Thomas Blyth, that they the said trustees and their heirs and assigns thereunto stand and be seized thereof and should take receare? and ? all the ? and other rents ? and profits thereof. And pay the same unto xxxxxxxxxxxxx the said Elizabeth Jones the mother her own hand and to her own separate ? or to such person or persons as she should from time to time appoint by note or notes in writing under her hand whither coverted or sole? and notwithstanding her coverture by two half yearly payments in every year at the feast days of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Michael the Archangel until the said Elizabeth the daughter should attain unto and accomplish her full age of one and twenty years if the said Elizabeth the mother and the said Elizabeth the daughter should both of them so long live (other than what should thereon be abated for taxes and public payments and for the reasonable charges, expenses for getting in and receiving of the rents, issues and ? of the said premises purchased of the said Thomas Blyth as aforesaid. And from and after sure time as the said Elizabeth the daughter should have attained …..

Sealed and delivered (being written on stamped parchment according to the late act of Parliament for that purpose in the presence of :

NB A Beavercutter is believed to be a person who cuts the linings of hats. A Maulster is believed to be a malster who is a brewer or seller of malt.

We can deduce that Elizabeth Joanes the daughter was younger than twenty-one years in 1695 and had already married Edward Simeon, who came from Caversham, thereby supporting a marriage year of 1690, when she could only have been about fifteen years old.

The above indenture and listings and the deeds that follow help us to piece together a possible family tree for the Joanes and Simeon families around this time. It remains possible that Elizabeth the mother was related to our family, but no connection has yet been established.

Edward was not the first Schoolmaster in Wargrave. Henry Piggott (Parish Clerk) was the first recorded Schoolmaster. He was born in 1658 and died in 1701, so perhaps Edward took over his post. And why John A’Beare should want to sell off so much well-established land and property to Edward in 1702 is unclear. Perhaps Edward wanted to expand the school, or John simply saw the opportunity to re-establish his farm at Harehatch and sold up the old family home at Mumbery Hill.

Pope states that Edward Simeon applied for admission to Reddington plot in 1704, and that in 1727 and again in 1760 his son in law Robert Sayer again pleaded for admission, while in 1770 Jane Rockhall, Simeon’s granddaughter, applied to the court in the same cause.

Edward Simeon is named in various documents found in the family deed box and dated around 1704 and Elizabeth is named as a widow in 1728 (Ref: pg 39 - 44 TAFOW)

August 1704 – Edward Simeon pays a fine to the Lord of the Manor for Hedingtone Plot, formerly belonging to John Abear.

August 1704 – Edward Simeon pays a fine to the Lord of the Manor for 7 acre of land in Northern Field, Clout piece – 2 acre, Pitt piece and Ruscombe Field, formerly belonging to John Abear.

August 1704 – Edward Simeon pays a fine to the Lord of the Manor for arable land in Northern and Southern Fields, formerly belonging to Michael Cutler.

25 November 1704 – H. White purchased “this day of G. Webb and Ann his wife” a cottage in Wargrave – witnessed by J. Abeare, G. Webb, Ed Simeon, A. Webb. (Ref : TAFOW pg76)

1708 – Edward Simeon pays a fine to the Lord of the Manor for Pate Piece – 7 acres.

4 October 1710 – Release of lands in Wargrave to Edward Simeon from John Abeare. Only the sleeve of this document seen.

23 October 1710 – John A beare (yeoman) ?lets out? land to Edward Simeon (yeoman) of Wargrave – for 5 shillings and a rent of one peppercorn per year to be paid on the feast of St Michael.

1713 – Edward and Eliza Simeon pay a fine to the Lord of the Manor for ?Claggs?

August 1713 – North Keene and South Keene and Heddington Plot ?possessed by? Maria Jane and Eliza Simeon, at Harehatch.

October 1719 – Edward Simeon pays a fine to the Lord of the Manor for 4 acres of arable land, formerly belonging to Jacob Piggott.

13 May 1723 – Agreement between William Billingshurst of Sonning, John Piggott of Hurst, Edward Simeon of Wargrave and Henry Simeon of Reading concerning lands at Harehatch and Bunbury field.

December 1727 – Elizabeth Simeon pays a fine to the Lord of the Manor for land formerly belonging to Edward Simeon. (4 acres of arable land).

1728 – In his will of 1728 Simeon described himself as a gentleman. (Described by Pope but now missing).

21 August 1728 Regarding land inherited by E. Rockall from E. Simeon (widow). R. Allen and J. Abeare in occupation of a messuage of land on Bowsey Hill. (Ref: pg77 TAFOW)

April 1729 – Fana Button and Willie Button receive land from Elizabeth Simeon from the Lord of the Manor.

27 June 1730 – Elizabeth Simeon of Gibstrode in Wargrave disposes of the Holt ( to Henry Simeon, Francis Blandy and Mary Sayer ), Larges in Hare Hatch, Middle Close – 5 acres, Nether End Close – 4 acres, Old Orchard piddle – 1 acre ?Poppin? Croft Close – 2 acres, Poppin Croft Orchard - ½ acre, Kindfield – 4 acres – in the common field.

It certainly seems as though Elizabeth and Edward had a family for, apart from Pope’s reference to Edward’s son in law: and the parish listings, the following deeds exist :

4 April 1749 – John Button, Alice Simeon, Elizabeth and Alice Burkmestors, Sarah, Jacob and Alice Simeon pay a fine for land previously belonging to Elizabeth Simeon.

10 November 1749 – Mortgage of £150 arranged between Amy Sutton Simeon and Mary Sayer.

Mary Sayer’s name appears in the 1730 and 1749 deeds above, and also in papers described by Anthony Hickson, [who descends from Mary A’Bear (1746 – 1781)]. Here he itemises the will of Elizabeth Simeon (dated 20^th August 1728) in which she is described as a widow of Gibstrode and bequeaths to her daughter Mary Sayor her farm called Gibstrode. He adds that Mary Sayor probably married Caleb Abeare, but this is not thought to be correct. It seems likely that Mary married Robert Sayor, for the following deed is recorded in the deed box, ref TAFOW pg 48:

14 November 1760 - Robert and Mary Soyor are granted one acre of land in Harehatch – Heddington Plot – formerly belonging to Joseph Butler.

It is possible Robert Sayor died around 1778, for the following deeds share the same date and declare Robert the former owner ref TAFOW pg 50:

5 October 1778 – Jane Rockall spinster admitted tenant to 10? Acres of land 7½ acres in Northkinfield (including Butt Piece - 3½ acres, Clout Piece 2½ acres, Pitt Piece – 2 acres) and 1½ acres in Southkenfield. The remainder – near Ruscombe Field.

5 October 1778 – Jane Rockall pays a fine of 4 pence for 2 acres in Northkenfield and 1 acre of arable land in Southkenfield.

5 October 1778 – Jane Rockall pays a fine of 1 shilling and a rent of 6 pence for Heddington Plot – 1 acre – with a barn adjoining, in Harehatch.

5 October 1778 - Jane Rockall pays a fine of 1 shilling and 6 pence for ?Claggs, Laggs?, formerly belonging to Robert Sayer.

The above four deeds concern Jane Rockall. Jane is considered to be the daughter of Elizabeth Simeon and William Rockall as shown in the Simeon Tree. There are IGI records for Jane Rockall’s birth (7 Oct 1723) and her brother Simeon Rockall’s birth (8 Feb 1718) and their father is named as William (Wm). The 1728 deed above names E. Rockall since Elizabeth married before this year.

Elizabeth must have lived beyond 1730, the last recorded reference above, and probably died just before 1749 when fines were paid.

Twinned with Richard, but lived two months. Recorded in both the baptisms and burials lists.

Twinned with Francis, but was buried eleven days after his birth. Recorded in both the baptisms and burials lists.

Recorded under the baptisms list in 1681. Jane is named as Jane Silver in her father’s will. She married William Silver in 1703 and this is recorded in the marriages list with William’s occupation – a wheelwright of Henley-upon-Thames.

Pope states (pg 113) that Jane and William inherited Ouseleys or Ouselease upon her father’s death in 1711, and in their family it remained for more than two hundred years. [Miss Elizabeth Silver, the last of this branch, left the house to her nephew William Silver Darter, an Alderman of Reading].

The will of Jn. White (widow) (1726) mentions J. Abare of Wargrave. (Ref : TAFOW pg 77). Jn. White was probably the widow of Henry White who helped write Jane’s father’s inventory in 1711. The spelling of the surname matches that of Jane’s epitaph below, so it may refer to her (or her brother John).

Jane died at Henley in 1735. However there is a record of her tombstone which seems to be in the St Mary’s Church graveyard at Wargrave (Ref: pg 68 TAFOW) but which has now been lost, stating:

Jane Abare wife of William Silver of Henley and daughter of John Abare of this parish – died Oct 29^th 1735.

Jane and William seem to have had a family, for the following deeds concerning Elizabeth and Thomas Silver were recorded from the family deed box, ref TAFOW pgs 47, 48:

Elizabeth Silver pays a fine to the Lord of the Manor for the tenure of Nathaniel Coles and William Innings, formerly belonging to John Laxton.

Elizabeth Silver pays a fine for a garden and four acres, formerly belonging to John Laxton.

Elizabeth Silver pays a fine for Deane Croft, formerly belonging to John Laxton.

The Lord of the Manor grants Dean Croft to John Matthews, formerly belonging to Elizabeth Silver.

Henry Micklam is granted a cottage and garden and 4 acres of land called Towers, formerly belonging to Thomas and Elizabeth Silver.

Included only because of a reference to a W. Delabere son of W. Delabere in the will of Ann Dellabere. See Francis A’Beere (c1657 - ?c1720).