THE Washburn Family

Sir Roger De Washbourne is the first Washburn family member believed to an ancestor of the first Washburns (Washbournes) to immigrate to America. In the book Washburn Family Foundations, upon which this writer relies extensively as a resource for this paper along with other sources, the author, Mabel Thatcher Rosemary Washburn, writes, “Sir Roger De Washbourne was born not later than 1219.” However, other genealogical references place the date of his birth in 1227 and 1237. Based upon her research, the book’s author notes that Sir Washbourne was mentioned in an inquisition, which was a judicial inquiry before a royal council, in the time period of 1239 to 1240 A.D., which would tend to rule out the latter dates of birth listed for Sir Washbourne. Sir Roger’s father was Sampson De Estham. The name of his mother is unknown.

Another inquisition concerning an Englishman by the name of William de Stutevil in 1259 also mentions Sir Washbourne. In 1280 A.D., Sir Washbourne was recorded “as of Washborne, Stanford, and Little Cumberton” according to the author of the book. Stanford is located in the northwest of Worcestershire, close to the northeast border of Herefordshire, and very near Orleton.

During Sir Washbourne’s life, England was under the feudal system and Sir Washbourne held his manor feudally from the Beauchamp family of England. The manor was located in an area that was known as Little Washbourne in the southern part of Worcestershire England, close to the northern border of Gloucestershire. Eventually, perhaps from the beginning, this place included two tiny villages, known as Little Washbourne (in Worcestershire) and Great Washbourne (in Gloucestershire). Great Washbourne was actually smaller than Little Washbourne. As time went on, Sir Washbourne’s family became known for its many Knights and their manor grew to be called Knight’s Washbourne.

Sir Roger De Washbourne’s wife was named Lady Joan De Washbourne. They were recorded to have had one heir, Sir John De Washbourne, although M.R.T. Washburn in her book wrote that it was very probable that Sir Roger and Lady Joan had other sons and daughters. The family of Lady Joan had not been uncovered at the time of the genealogical search by the author of the book. Sir Roger De Washbourne died in 1299; a date that is consistent with all of the genealogical research reviewed.

Today, the tiny Chapel of Saint Mary the Virgin stands in an orchard of a farm along with a small cottage on the farm. They are all that remain visible of Little Washbourne of the Knights.

Sir John De Washbourne was the son of Sir Roger and Lady Joan De Washbourne of Knight’s Manor Washbourne in the area of Little Washbourne, England. He later resided in Stanford, England. The date of his birth was approximate 1259.

This Sir John De Washbourne was recorded under the name of John De Dufford prior to the death of his father, Sir Roger De Washbourne. This Dufford name was connected to the name of lands that he purchased in 1280 while his father was still living. Ada C. Haight in the book The Richard Washburn Family Genealogy (1937), states that Sir John is mentioned in the Lay Subsidy Roll of 1280. Sir John married Lady Isabella Kassey.

In 1312, this Sir John De Washbourne was Knight of the Shire. In the year when Sir John is recorded as holding this high office, King Edward II sat on the throne in England.

In 1316, he confirmed to his son, Sir Roger De Washbourne, and Sir Roger’s wife, Margaret, all his manor of Washbourne.

Ada Haight wrote in his book that Sir John died before Michaelmas in 1320, which some authors call the Feast of Saint Michael. Other genealogical researchers place the date of his death as 1319. He is buried at Saint Laurence Church in Wickhamford.

Sir Roger De Washbourne was born in 1291 in the area of Stanford, England. His parents were Sir John De Washbourne and Lady Isabel De Washbourne. He married his wife, Margaret (maiden name unknown) as early as 1316.

This Sir Roger succeeded his father as Lord of Washbourne and Stanford in the thirteenth year of the reign of King Edward II in 1320. He was recorded as a Knight.

Sir Roger and Lady Margaret had two sons named John. It was often customary in those times to give the same name to two sons; a custom that continued down to the seventeenth century.

The elder son, John De Washbourne I, married Katherine Thromwin and died around 1319 without children. His widow, Katherine, married Sir John Musard and they had a daughter whom they named Joan Musard. This daughter later married the son of Peter Washborn, John Washborn, each of whom will be described later in this paper.

The younger son, John Washbourne II, evidently made the first recorded change in the family surname and was later recorded as having spelled the surname as Washborn. In later generations, the spelling of the name reverted back to the original spelling.

Sir Roger died in either 1358 or 1360 and is buried at Saint Laurence Church in Wickhamford, England, where his wife, Margaret, is also buried.

There is little recorded information about John Washborn II including a lack of an accurate date of birth and date of death. One genealogical source placed his birth in the year 1315 and the date of his death as 1358. However, this date of birth would have placed his birth date before the recorded marriage date of his parents, which makes this date of birth questionable. He is believed to have been born in Stanford or Little Washbourne and have died in Worcestershire, England. John Washborn’s wife’s name was Isabella.

Peter Washborn, the son of John Washborn II and Isabella Washborn, was believed to have been born in 1329 in Little Washbourne, England.

Peter married Isolde Hanley in 1355. Isolde was stated to be the daughter of John De Hanley, of Hanley William in Worcestershire, but the pedigrees gathered for Heralds’ College state that her father was Thomas Hanley. The Hanley family was an ancient and distinguished family residing in Worcestershire, England.

Peter and Isolde had two sons, John and William. No lineage descending from William has been uncovered by genealogical researchers.

Sir John Washborn resided in Stanford and Wichenford, England, and was Sheriff of the County of Worcester. He served as the Commissioner of Peace for Worcestershire in 1404 and 1405 and was of Knight of the Shire in 1404. None of the genealogical resources reviewed give his date of birth or date of death. However he was recorded as having become a very distinquished man.

His first marriage was to Jane Musard in approximately 1377 or the 29^th year of the reign of King Edward III. John and Jane had one child together, a girl named Isolde after her grandmother. John then married Maragret Le Poher (spelled by M.R.T. Washburn as Le Poor and another spelling found was Poer) about 1400. They had three children together, Norman Washborn, John Washborn, and Elinor Washborn. John Washborn was believed to possibly have been the Priest in charge of the Church of Great Cumberton in 1420. No records have been found relating to Elinor Washborn by researchers.

Margaret Le Poher was the daughter and co-heiress of John Le Poher of Wichenford in Worcestershire. This marriage by John brought the Washborn family the Lordship of the Manor of Wichenford and thus possession of Wichenford Court, which was to serve as the Washbourne family home for the next ten generations.

The Le Poher’s held Wichenford Court in the feudal system. John Le Poher became the manor’s lord in 1362. He had two daughters, who were co-heiresses. They were Margarent Le Poher, the second wife of John Washborn, and Agnes Le Poher, who married James de Habingdon (1560-1647), the famous antiquary and historian, plus the friend and neighbor of the Washbourne family of Wichenford Manor. Wichenford Manor passed to Margaret, hence to the Washbourne family.

The lords of Wichenford Manor bore the Washbourne surname until 1695 when a Washburn heir by the name of William Washbourne, then holding Wichenford leased the manor to George Dowdswell. In 1712, William Washbourne sold Wichenford to Edmund Skinner, who, in about a decade became Sheriff of Worcestershire. In the early 1900’s, the manor was owned by the Britten family. Wichenford Manor still exists in England today and at last report was open to public viewing daily.

John Washborn and his wife, Lady Margaret Le Poher Washborn were buried in a tomb of alabaster in Wichenford Church. On this tomb inside the church are the arms of Washbourne with the arms of Le Poher impaled thereon. Also in Wichenford Church is the tomb of a John Washbourne, who died in September 1615.

4. Eleanor Washborn, b. ~1446, d. 1505, married Sir Richard Scrope and Sir John William Wyndham.

7. A daughter, b. ~ 1457, whose first name is unrecorded, but who married John Hughford.

Sir Norman Washborn was the elder son of Sir John and Lady Margaret (Le Poher) Washborn. He was born in Wichenford, Worcestershire, England. His wife was Elizabeth Kniveton, daughter of Henry Kniveton. The Kniveton name was derived from the family’s lordship of Kniveton, a parish in Derbyshire. Sir Norman’s name signals the Norman blood of each of his parent’s, Sir John Washburn and Margaret Le Poher, and demonstrates that the English Washborns held in high honor their Viking ancestors.

In the fifth year of the reign of King Henry VI (in the year beginning September 1, 1426, and ending August 31, 1427 as this King’s reign began on September 1, 1422), Sir Norman Washborn received Knights’ Washbourne from his father, Sir John Washborn, who mentions himself as a Knight and as Lord of Washbourne, which he names his manor of Knights’ Washbourne, in the County of Worcester.

Sir Norman Washborn was Sheriff of Worcestershire in 17 Henry VI, 1438-1439. He died before 19 Edward IV, which began on March 4, 1479, and ended on March 3, 1480. Norman was also vice com of Worcestershire in the reign of Henry VI.

During his lifetime, Sir Norman was involved in litigation with Humphrey Salway, who had claimed Stanford through his mother, the half sister of Norman. The controversy was finally referred to George, Duke of Clarence, “the false, fleeting, perjured Clarence” of Shakespeare, and the brother of King Edward. Norman confirmed his property by deed in the eleventh year of Henry VI.

Sir John Washborn was the eldest son and heir of Sir Norman and Elizabeth (Kniveton) Washborn. He was born no later than 1454 in Wichenford, Worcestershire, England. He was recorded in 1496-1497, 1513-1514, and probably 1514-1515, as one of the Commissioners appointed to raise subsidies.

It was during the lifetime of this ancestor of the American Washburn family that Christopher Columbus made the discovery of the Americas and travel between Europe and the New World began.

Sir John Washborn’s first wife was Joan Mitton, the daughter of William Mitton De Weston and Margaretta (Corbett) Mitton of Weston in Staffordshire. Her father was Sheriff of Staffordshire during the mid-1400’s and Lord of Weston, Staffordshire.

During the reign of Henry IV, one of the Bourbon princes was confined in the Washbourne’s house and was killed by Joan. She was considered to be selfish and ambitious. An interesting yarn is that after Joan’s death, her ghost with a dagger in its hand was seen in the murdered Prince’s chamber at midnight on Saint Mary Magdalene’s Eve. Another folklore is that every year, when the Lammas moon was at its full, Joan was seen riding in a silver boat drawn by four white swans nine times around the moat, carrying a golden harp and singing beautifully.

The second wife of Sir John Washborn was Elizabeth Monington, described as a lady of Herefordshire.

Sir John Washborn made his Will on May 3, 1517. Its provisions demonstrated the fervent loyalty to the Catholic faith of our English ancestors. Sir John bequeathed his soul to Almighty God, “our Blessed Virgin Mary and all the holy company in Heaven.” He ordered that his body should lie in the Chancel of Saint Michael in Wichenford, England. Bequests were additionally made to the “Mother Church of our Blessed Virgin of Worcester,” and to “the High Altar of Saint Michael of Wichenford.” The Will stated that the parishioners of Wichenford were to have his red damask gown, to be made into a Cope to be used in Wichenford Church. A full copy of his Will can be found in the book The Washbourne Family written by Reverend James Davenport, Vicar of Wichenford, first published in 1907. In his Will, Sir John mentioned a daughter whose name was Ann. However, genealogical researchers have not uncovered any additional information on this potential offspring.

Following his death, Sir John Washbourne’s remains were laid in the Church of Saint Michael in Wichenford in a tomb of alabaster on the opposite side of the Chancel from his grandfather. The tomb has long ago disappeared, but it’s inscription described John Washborn as a Knight, the son and heir of Norman Washborn, Knight.

John Washbourne was the second son of Sir John and Lady Joan Mitton Washbourne. He was born in January 1478.

There was apparently a break in peaceful family relationships after Sir John’s (this John’s father) marriage to Elizabeth Monington, although the trouble may not have been directly caused by the marriage. When Sir John made his will in 1517, he mentioned only three of his six sons in the will. This son, John, along with the fourth son, Francis, and the fifth son, Anthony, were not mentioned in the will. Francis may have died before the date of the will as there is no evidence that he was alive after the death of his father.

John Washbourne moved from his father’s home, Wichenford, by 1538, to Bengeworth, Worchester, England, doubtless because of the break in family relations. Bengeworth lies on the south side of the River Avon, in the southeastern part of the County of Worcester, about eighteen miles from Wichenford, which is in northwestern Worcestershire. It is across the River Avon from Evesham. The Parish of Bengeworth Saint Peter is included in the Borough of Evesham. Located here is the famous Grammar School, where the boys of the Washburn ancestors in England received their education. The Grammar School still exists.

Formerly in a window of the chancel of Saint Peter’s Church in Bengeworth was the coat of arms of the Washbourne family. The coat of arms was mentioned in the book History and Antiquities of the Abbey and Borough of Evesham, (William Tindal, A.M., 1794) as being located in the west window on the south aisle and listed two benefactors of Saint Peter’s Church, “John Washbourne and Richard Cowie.”

John Washbourne was living in Bengeworth by 1538. He farmed and raised livestock in Bengeworth and was rather well off for the times. He made his Will there on December 27, 1546, and was buried on January 8, 1548. In his Will, he bequeathed his soul to Almighty God and directed that his body be buried in the Church Yard of Bengeworth, after Solemn Mass. He appointed his wife Emme to be sole Executrix and named Thomas Shreve of Hampton and his son, William Washbourne, to act as Overseers of the Will. Legatees were his sons, William and John; the two sons of each of the sons; the three children of Robert Martin, his son-in-law; the child of Daniel Hyde, his son-in-law and husband of his daughter, Katherine; and left the remainder of his estate to his wife, Emme.

The maiden-surname of John Washbourne’s wife is not known. He called her “Eme” in his Will. However, in her own Will dated May 1, 1547, she is named “Emme.” Her baptismal name may have been Emma or Amy. She did not live long after her husband and was buried on May 13, 1547 in Bengeworth. They were possibly married on May 6, 1516, in Bengeworth, England.

1546 Will of John Washburne

This is a transcription of the 1546 will of John Washburne, of Bengeworth, Worcestershire, England, the great-grandfather of John Washburn, the immigrant ancestor to Plymouth Colony, and of William Washburn, the immigrant ancestor to Hempstead, Long Island. It was taken from Rev. James Davenport's "The Washbourne Family of Little Washbourne and Wichenford in the County of Worcester," published in London in 1907. Rev. Davenport's transcription is literal, and very carefully done. It shows that John and Emme Washburne had two sons, John and William, and two daughters, Alice, who married William Marten, and Katherine, who married Daniel Hide.

The will is in the Worcester Probate Office in folio #93 for the year 1546. It is very readable for its age if one accepts the tediously long sentences with patience. Roman numerals were used for numbers. Monetary units are in pounds, shillings and pence, i.e. viiiL = 8 pounds; viiis = 8 shillings; viiid = 8 pence.

In the name of God Amen the xxvii day of December the yere of o'r lord mcccccxlvi, & in the xxxviii yere of the Rayne of o'r Souaygne lord Henry the viii by the grace of God Kynge of Englande fraunce & Ireland Defendor of the faythe and in erthe of the churche of England & also of Irelande the sup'me head. I John Wassheburne husbandman dwellynge in the pishe of
bengeworthe w'in the dioces of Worcester beynge sike in body nevrthelesse of good & perfecte mynde & memorie thanks be to God therfore do ordeyne & make this my testament & last will in forme & mannr folowing--first I bequethe my soule unto Almyghty God, & my body to be buryed w'in the eccliasticall sepulture of my pishe church of bengeworthe aforenamed & soche temporall goods as my lord god hathe lente me & to be orderyd & disposed as herafter folowethe to the true execucon wherof I do constitute & make Emme my wiffe my sole Executrixe & Thoms Shreve of Hampton & Willm Wassheburne my sone supvisors or ovrsears to the same. Itm I will my body be honestly brought unto the sepulture wth solempne dirige & masse for my
soule & all christen soules. Itm I bequethe unto my pishe churche of bengworthe aforesayde ii strike of whete & ii strike of barley. Itm I bequethe unto Willm my sone my bigger sestarne a carte brydle & a mattocke. Itm I bequethe unto John my sone my lesser sestarne, an ewtinge fatte, a carte bridle & a mattocke. Itm I bequethe unto the ii children of Willm my sone & to the ii children of John my sone evy one of them iis. Itm I bequethe unto the iii children of Robte Marten my sone in lawe & to the one childe of Danyell Hide myne other sone in lawe evy one of them like wisse iis. The Residue of my goods in this testament not bequethed I give & bequethe unto Emme my wiffe and Executrix above named wth all my howses lands & grownds therto belonging lyinge wthin the towe & filde of bengeworthe aforesayd she to have the sayd howses lands & grownds duryng her naturall liffe & aftr her decesse I will John my sone shall inherite &
have unto him & his eyre male for evr all my foresayd howses lands & grownds & he or his eyres to pay unto Willm my sone so longe as the sayde Willm shall lyve out of the sayd grownde yerely vis viiid & the sayde Willm my sone shall pay for the same yerely to Alice Marten my daughter duryng theyer ii lyves to gether ii strike of whete to be delived one strike at Christmas & another at Aster and John my sone shall pay unto Katherine Hide my other daughter yerly duryng her naturall life too strike of whete to be delived in like manr & in case that eyther of my sons aforenamed happen to die my ii daughters Aloise & Katheryn being alive then will I that the
longer lyvr of my sayd ii sones shall pay unto my ii daughters the hole some of whete aforenamed or iff bothe my sones decesse then they to have the forsayde whete durynge theyer lifes out of my grounde aforenamed and yf it happen that John my sone have no eyer male then I will that after his decesse Willm my sone & his eyre male yf he have any shall inherite the sayde howses lands & grownds for evr & in case that neyther of my sones John nor Willm have eny eyer male then will I that the eldest daughter of John my sone shall inherite the sayd howses lands and grownds afore specified to pay out of the same to the eldest daughter of Willm my sone duryng her naturall liffe yerly halfe the rent of the same wch is viis vid and then the forsayde howses lands & grownds to remayne to the eyer gen'all for evr. This is my full testament & last will written the day & yere above specified. These beyng witnesse Thoms Shreve Thoms Marten Willm Clente & Thoms Trewelove wt other.
Pbat' cora dco Comiss die anno et loco pdict' qu' iurat etc. & exhibuit
Inventariu ad summa xxviiL viiis viiid.

1547 Will of Emme Washborne

This is a complete transcription of the 1547 will of Emme Washborne, widow of John Washborne, of Bengeworth, Worcestershire, England, taken from Rev. James Davenport's "The Washbourne Family of Little Washbourne and Wichenford in the County of Worcester," published in London in 1907. As with the will of her husband, John Washborne, many of the numbers are expressed in Roman Numerals, i.e. iis = 2 shillings, xvid = 16 pence, etc.

The will is located in the Probate Registry at Worcester, England, folio #26 for the year 1547:

In the name of God amen the I day of may the yere of our lord 1547 & in the firste yere of the raygne of our souaygn lord Edward the vi by the grace of god Kyng of England france & Ireland defender of the faythe & of the churche of England & also of Ireland on erthe the sup'me hed--I Emme Wasborn dwellynge in the pishe of Bengeworthe wthin the dioc of Worceter
beyinge sike in body nevtheles of pfecte mynde & good memorie thanked by god do ordeyne & make this my testament & last will in forme & manr as herafter folowethe--first I bequethe my soule unto Almyghty god, the glorius virgin saynte mary & to the company of all blessed angells & saynts in hevyn, & my body to be buryed wthin the churcheyard of Bengworthe -- Itm
I give & bequethe to Danyell Hide my best cowe ii couple of shippe a quarter of whete & another of barley a flaxen shete & ii hurden shets -- Itm I bequethe to Katherine Hide my daughter a redd curtell my best gowne my best cappe my fetherbedde my best kamiccs [footnote by Davenport says "That is, Cambrics. The Flemish name of Cambray is Kameryk."] a bolster a potte a lande of whete at the weathis a baknhogge a coffer that I bought of Thoms Swerdebrake and iii stiks of whight clothe -- Itm I bequethe to John M'ten ii coples of shepe & a newe pewter dishe -- Itm I bequethe to William Marten ii cowpulls of shippe & a platter. Itm I bequethe to Margarete M'ten
ii couples of shepe my best hooke of silvr & a platter -- Itm I bequethe to Willm Wasborn my sone a browne cowe to his wiffe my best kertell & ii kercheffes -- To Katherine his daughter my best panne a platter & one couple of shepe -- To Agnes his daughter a panne & caudern a plater my best beads my second peyer of hoks & one couple of shepe. -- I bequethe to the churche of Bengeworth ii striks of barley -- Itm I bequethe to the yonge mens lyght ii striks of barley -- Itm I bequethe to Willm Blaklowe a hurden shete -- Itm I bequeth to Emme Ruttr a hurden shete -- Itm I bequethe to Agnes Ordeweye a hurden shete -- Itm I bequethe to Johane Davis a hurden shete -- Itm I bequethe to Emme Gowgzht a hurden shete -- I gyve & will that the xvid that is receaved for a certayne hade in the filde ev'y yere shalbe bestowed for my husbands soule & myne wthin the churche of bengeworthe ev'y yere onse to have dirge & masse for oursoules and all christen soules -- The residue of all my other goods and catall above not bequethed I give and put in the disposicon of John Wasborne my sone whom I do ordeyne & make my executore and he to dispose them for the welthe of my soule & all Christen soules as he thinkethe best to be done -- To this witnessithe Rich. felps the elder Richard felps the yongr, Robte Ordewey,Willm Payge my curate & gostly father wth other. -- Dated the yere monethe & day above wryghtyn--
Pbatu etc. cora dco Comissio etc. apud Euishm xv die mens' Junii anno dm 1547 qui iurat etc. Exhibuit Inventarm etc. ad suma xviiL xviis xd.
The inventory was valued at 17 Pounds, 17 shillings, 10 pence, and probate took place on 15 June 1547. From St. Peter's Parish records of Bengeworth, the burial of Emme Washburn was on 13 May 1547.

2^nd Spouse: Jane (Jone) Whitehead, b. ~1540, d. April 23, 1597, married May 8, 1561

John Washburn was the elder son of John and Emme Washburn and was born about 1518 in Bengeworth, Worcester, England. He married twice during his life. John first married Joan (Jone) Bushell on April 21, 1542, in St. Peter’s Parish in Bengeworth and with her was born five children. Joan Bushell was buried on April 4, 1557.

After the death of his first wife, John married Jane Whitehead on May 8, 1561. She was the daughter of John Shepey of Bengeworth and widow of William Whitehead, who died testate in 1559 in Bengeworth. John Washbourne and Jane had four children together. Jane died in Bengeworth and was buried on April 23, 1597.

John was the executor of his mother’s will in 1547. He was buried on October 13, 1593, in Bengeworth, Wickenford Parrish, Worchestershire, England.

This John Washbourne was born on August 1, 1566, at Bengeworth, Wickenford Parrish, Worchestershire, England. He was the first child born of John Washbourne and Joan Bushell.

He married Martha Timbrell Stevens on July 6, 1596, in Bengeworth, Wickenford Parrish, Worchestershire, England. Martha died in 1626 in Bengeworth.

This John was one of the twelve Capital Burgesses mentioned in the Charter of Incorporation granted by King James I to Evesham and Bengeworth in the third year of his reign (1605) constituting them a Borough and granting the town two representatives in the English Parliament. On May 25, 1608 and October 2, 1610, John Washbourne signed the Corporation Minutes. He resigned the Council on August 30, 1614, probably because of his health, and his resignation is recorded in the Corporation Minutes on that date.

John died testate in 1624 and was buried on August 4, 1624 in Bengeworth at 57 years of age. He was the father of the first Washburn family members in America.

1624 Will and Inventory of
John Washborne

The 1624 Will and Inventory of John Washborne, of Bengeworth, Worcestershire, England, transcribed from LDS Microfilm #0098025, "Wills of the Consistory Court of Worcester, Diocese of Worcester, 1624," and compared with the transcription of the same in Rev. James Davenport's "The Washbourne Family of Little Washbourne and Wichenford," London, 1907, pp. 42-44.

This microfilm is dark and hard to read, and in addition the right hand side of Washborne's will and bottom of his inventory appear to have been water-damaged. The transcription by Rev. James Davenport is excellent and thorough, word for word, with the will.

WILL

"In the name of god amen the iiiith day of august ano dm. 1624 and in the xxiith yeare of the rayne of or sovaryne Lord James by the grace of god King of England Fraunce & Ireland, Defender of the faith & of Scotland the Lviiith. I John Washborne of Bengeworth in the Borrough of Evesham in the countie of worcester being verie weake & sicke in bodie but of good & pfect memory thanks be to God doe ordaine this my last will & testamt in manner & forme following. First I bequeath my Soule into the hands of Almightie God nothing doubting but that through his infinite mercies in Christ Jesus he will receave it. Item I give unto my Sonne in law Isaacke Averell Thirty pounds of good & lawful money of England to be paid unto him in mannr & form following videlt that is to say Fifteene pounds wthin one yeare next after my decease & the other fifteen pounds wthin three yeares nxt after my decease. Item I give unto my Daughter Joane Wasborne fiftie pounds of good & lawfull money of England to be paid unto her the one Halfe at her Day of marriadge & the othr wthin the space of fouer years next ensueing after her Day of marriage, Provided that she marry wth the consent assent & good lyking of her mother & my Brother in Law John Timbrell. Item I give unto my Sone Wyllim Wasborne forty pounds the one halfe to be paid wthin six monthes after my decease & the other xxtie pounds wthin six yeares next after my decease. Item I give unto my loving wife all my houshoulde stuffe to be at her Disposinge. The residue of my Lands Cattells & Chattells moveable & unmoveable I give & bequeath unto my Sonne John Washborne whom I make Executor of this my last will & testamt & whom I ordaine & appoint to pay all the aforesaid bequeathes in mannr & forme aforesaid.
Memorandum that before the signing hereof the above said John Washborne did give & bequeath unto Jane the Daughter of Isaacke Averell one Heyfer of a yeare old to be Delivered her when she comes to the age of five yeares.

In witness of all wch the said John Washborne being blinde & not able to sett to his hand hath authorised his Brother John Tymbrell for him & in his stead to subscribe to these prsents wth his name or marke the Day & yeare first above written.
Read published & signed wth this word (lands) interlined in the seaventeenth line before the ensealing & signing hereof before John Washborne
     John Balaw
     John Tymbrell
     Joseph Phelpes
                                   Probat wigorn 26 february
                                   1624 p Johnn Washborne
                                   filius et executorem jurat"

INVENTORY

"An Inventorie of all the goods & chattells of John Washborne of Bengworth late deceased made the xith day of Decembr anno Domi 1624”

Impris his wearing appell ---------------------------- 3
Item in the lower iner chambr one cubbord one pesse
& one bed wth his furniture Barrells bed healings
linnin & other implements ---------------------------- 22
Item in the Hall one table board wth his frame,
formes & benches wth one cubbord & one little table
wth one joyne chayer wth pewter & bras shelves
cheeses & other implements --------------------------- 4 10s
Item in the Kitchin & in the loft above one
table board bras potts kettles pailes one
cheesering towe beds & other implements -------------- 2   3s
Item in the loft above the Hall fowr bedds
wheat barley & poulse coffers boards &
cheeses & other implements --------------------------- 15 10s
Item the horses geares carts plowes &
harrowes ------------------------------------------- 9&30
Item the Hay & talletts and Hay ---------------------- 8 10s
Item Timbr & wood & ladders & rackes ----------------- 6
Item the wheate Barly & poulse ----------------------- 82
Item the kine ---------------------------------------- 20
Item the sheep --------------------------------------- 10
Item the swine --------------------------------------- 2
Item the Heams Cartropes pig-troughes &
Horsetroughe -----------------------------------------    10s
                    Suma totalis is ccxv iiis
Prisors
Joseph Phelps
John Tymbrell

Tho. ordway

26 february 1624"
(additional writing in this area that is dark and unreadable.)

Remember that the calendar in use in England at this time changed years on March 25th, so February 1624 came after December 1624.

1625 Will of

Martha Washborne

This is a full transcription of the 1625 will of Martha (Timbrell) (Stevens) Washborne, widow of John Washborne, of Bengeworth, England, the parents of the Washburn immigrant ancestors John Washburn, of Bridgewater, MA, and William Washburn, of Hempstead, NY.

From the Bishop's Transcripts of Bengeworth, was the burial entry for "the weddow Wasbon" on 29 Sept.? 1625.

Since Martha's husband John Washborne already gave his house and land to his eldest son, John Washburn, in his 1624 will, his widow Martha had only her personal belongings to give. Her inventory was valued at 24 Pounds, 13 shillings, 8 pence, and consisted of her bed, sheets, linens, cushions, a table, cupboard, chair, pewter, candlesticks, platters, brass pots, copperware, etc.

The transcription printed in Rev. James Davenport's "The Washbourne Family of Little Washbourne and Wichenford," 1907, has been used as a guide for the Will, since several parts of the will on the microfilm are unreadable, particularly in the beginning and along the left margin.

The microfilm is LDS #0098030, "Wills of the Consistory Court of Worcester, Diocese of Worcester, England, 1626," film #3 for that year, folio #210:

WILL

"In the name of God Amen the nine and tentie daye of Septtember 1625 and in the furst yeare of the Raine of our Souvange lord Charles by the grace of God Kinge of England, France and Ireland Defender of the Fayth & of Scotland the lviiiith? I marthae wasburne of Bengworthe widdow in the burroghe of Evesham in the contie of Worster beinge verie weake & sicke in body but of a good & perfett memory thankes be to God I doe ordaine this my laste will & testament in manner & forme followinge ffirst I bequiathe my soule in to the hand of Al mighty God no thinge doutinge but that through His infanit mercies in Christ Jesus he will receiuve it. Itm I give unto my dautter Jone Washborne all the nue clouth and the best of all my houshus stufe and the rest of stoufe to be at my brouther John Tembrel dispousing."
witnes   ales watsone and
   ales orwaye
   annes hale

The will was proved on 9 May 1626. The appraisers of her personal estate were John Timbrell, Richard Moore and Richarde Haye.

From the simplicity of the will, one would imagine that Martha was breathing her last few breaths as she dictated her simple wishes to the three witnesses. She evidently died and was buried the same day, assuming that "tentie" means twenty.

According to the Bishop's Transcripts of Bengeworth, in March, 1626, Jone Washeburne married John Shortazel. This was almost certainly the daughter of John and Martha Washborne, of Bengeworth. Unfortunately, neither Isaack Averell nor his wife were mentioned in Martha's will, which could possibly mean that Isaack had married one of John Washborne's two daughters by his first marriage; either Radegonno Washborne, bpt. on 21 Feb. 1578/9 in Bengeworth, or Mary Washborne, bpt. on 12 Dec. 1584 in Bengeworth. Jone Washborne, the youngest daughter, was bpt. on 11 Feb. 1604 in Bengeworth.