The Holmes Family of Paganhill

(Kite aerial infra-red photo. Kite flyer: Heidi Walker)

under construction

Updated 18 July 2010

If you are visiting this page for the first time, please note that this is a working document, which records notes and rough transcriptions, thoughts and guesses.  As a result, its format and conclusions will develop as more research is conducted and when new information is received. 

If you have information that could help this research, please email me: Rosie Wells

View from Farmhill over Archway School towards the setting sun

This study will focus on the Holmes family of Paganhill and, in particular, the property of William Holmes, namely the blacksmith's shop, the chapel and the cottage that he owned in 1842, as shown on the Stroud tithe map.

Our aims are

1.  to discover the Holmes family origins;

2. to understand the part the Holmes family played in the development of the Paganhill area;

3. to discover the properties owned by the Holmes individuals and families;

4. to establish approximate dates for Blenheim Cottage and Dissenters Cottage;

5. to discover more about the part played by Dissenters Cottage in the life of the local community.

In order to understand the contribution that the Holmes family made to their village of Paganhill, it is necessary to understand the village, its location, its growth and its inhabitants.  Since it is envisaged that the study will take some time to complete, the initial coverage will be somewhat patchy.  It is not intended to rewrite the history of the place, but, rather, to consider the evidence presented in various sources in order to build a more informative  picture of Paganhill and its population.

So far, the sources used consist of wills, tithe maps, censuses, property transactions via indentures, etc, as well as books and websites that give useful guidance for further research.  At present, the account is rather stilted, but, hopefully, once connections are made and more information, particularly in photographic form, is collected and recorded here, the site will become more interesting for a wider group of people.

An account of the HOLMES FAMILY OF PAGANHILL and their relatives in the Stroud area

Photo (ref HAW 9408/30 from Harold Wingham collection) taken September 1960 showing Paganhill area, with the Holmes properties at the bottom of the right-hand side.  Note the garden ground, once partly owned as orchard ground by Thomas Holmes in the eighteenth century.

William Holmes was born 1801 according to the1841 census, but c1794 according to others -1851, 1861, 1871 censuses. He was married to Ann born c1810 (1841 census) but c1793 (1851, 1861, 1871 censuses). He married Ann Knight in Stonehouse in 1824. William was a smith (later recorded as blacksmith) born Paganhill / Stroud and Ann was born in Uffenham/Uffington Devonshire.

In 1841 they were living in their house with their children: Edward bc1835, William bc1831, Francis bc1834, Sarah bc1836 and Thomas bc1840. (Plot 368 Smith's shop and yard and chapel; 369 was a cottage land owned by William, but occupied by John Hopson) Neighbours included William and Eliza Teakley (Teakle? William was a waterman) and Edith and George Barnfield (George a labourer and Edith a clothworker. She appears to be the person who appears on plot 384 near 383 and 386 (Stag and Hounds pub), all 3 on land owned by Samuel Holmes in 1841. She is still there in 1901 when aged 99!) Three households further on lived Edward Holmes bc1785, a millwright and his wife Mary bc1790 and their children: Edward bc1820, Mary bc1825, Henry bc1830. (? plot 388 house workshop and yard in 1841?) Next door lived Sarah Homes bc1790, of independent means, with her servant, and two doors along Hannah Holmes bc1770, also of independent means, and presumably William's mother.

A list of owners of property shown on the 1842 tithe map: William, Samuel and Edward Holmes are in the immediate Paganhill area. Francis and Thomas owned property further north (probably Whiteshill / Callowell). 1891 and 1901 show AS Cooke, builder and wife, 2 daughters and son on the Holmes site in one house plus Baptist Mission Room (shown on a revised sheet as two houses with no further comment).  Immediately afterwards are 1 and 2 Yew Tree Cottages where the Hoggs and the Whites lived. 
 

In 1851, William and Ann were living in their house with Edward, William, Francis and Sarah. She was a 'scholar' and her three brothers were blacksmiths. Neighbours included Cornelius Teakle and Hester, clothmakers; Mary A Barnfield, a laundress bc1810 Stroud with sons Thomas and Francis; the next household Charles Holmes bc1820, house agent, unmarried.

In 1861 census, William and Ann still had Edward and Sarah with them, but the names of neighbours have changed considerably.
1862 William HOLMES  Churchwarden

In Slater's 1868 Directory, William Holmes is shown as a Pakenhill blacksmith, the place name being commonly used in the nineteenth century. Interestingly, there are also: Edward Holmes, Pakenhill engineer and millwright, and Henry Holmes of Grove Mill, Painswick Road, millwright.

 'From 1869, the chapel was used by Baptists' VCH (Glos RO D2052 – when checked it was marked with Stroud and 7/103/4 – but no specific reference was found to the house/chapel as minutes appeared to halt at 1868!)

 The following is a transcript of the full document since it was not certain that the original would photocopy well enough:
'30 March 1869: Indenture made the thirtieth day of March eight hundred and sixty nine in pursuance of an act to facilitate the conveyance of real property Between William Holmes of Paganhill near Stroud in the county of Gloucester Blacksmith in the first part James Harper of Ebley near Stroud aforesaid Teazle Merchant of the second part and John Orchard Clothier William Webb Agent John Ryland Yates William Clissold Machinist Charles Steele baker Henry Charles Steele Miller Frederick Joseph Bird Dyer and Henry Rogers Shoemaker all of Stroud or the vicinity of the third part (and which said parties hereto of the third part are hereinafter described as Trustees) Witnesseth that in consideration of Twelve pounds sterling now paid by the said Trustees to the said William Holmes (the receipt whereof is hereby by him acknowledged) He the said William Holmes as owner of the Building or Chapel hereinafter described Doth grant And in consideration of Fifty Eight pounds sterling now paid by the said Trustees to the said James Harper (the receipt whereof is hereby by him ackowledged) He the said James Harper as Mortgagee of the said Chapel and by direction of the said William Holmes (testified by his execution hereof) Doth grant unto the said trustees their heirs and assigns for ever All that building formerly a dwellinghouse but now and for many years past used as a Chapel or place of worship situate at Paganhill in the parish of Stroud aforesaid behind and adjoining the dwelling-house of the said William Holmes and now in the occupation of the said Trustees and bounded on the North by land of the Devisees of the late Mr Wyatt on the South and east by the premises of the said William Holmes [??????] and on the West by an open space or roadway leading from the Street to the premises hereby granted And also to property belonging to Mr Stone the said William Holmes and Mr Stanton Together with the enjoyment of the wall of the said dwellinghouse [may be incorrect transcription here]
of the said William Holmes adjoining the said Chapel as a party wall in common with the said William Holmes his heirs and assigns And it is hereby directed by the said Trustees that the said Chapel is hereby granted to them Upon trust that the trustees for the time being shall at all time hereafter permit the same to be used occupied and enjoyed as a place of public religious worship for the service of God by members for the time being of the Society of Protestant Dissenters of the denomination called calvinistic baptists in Stroud aforesaid and others attending the worship of God in the said Chapel and(?) as a Sabbath or weekly School room and also permit such person or persons as shall be nominated by the new members for the time being of the said Society at any meeting for that purpose duly assembled to receive and take all such voluntary subscriptions and other sums of money as shall from time to time be paid by any person or persons whomsoever towards the support of the public worship of God in the said Chapel and for defraying expenses and charges attending the same or as shall be contributed for the benefit or support of the minister for the time being officiating therein And permit to officiate in the Chapel as Minister such person of the denomination of Protestant Dissenters called calvinistic baptists as the said members or major part of them men and women at a meeting duly assembled for that purpose shall from time to time elect And on this further trust that the trustees for the time being shall at any time or times when thereunto requested by the said men members present at such meeting or a major part of them by a mortgage of the said Chapel and make any conveyance for that purpose And also when thereunto requested by such men members or the major part of them at a meeting duly assembled for that purpose absolutely make sale of the said Chapel by public Auction or Private contract and convey and secure the same accordingly And upon````` this further trust that the said Trustees for the time being shall invest lay out or dispose of the money received on any such mortgage or sale for the benefit of the said Society or for the improvement enlargement repair or rebuilding of the said Chapel or otherwise ????? the said men members or the major part of them at a meeting to be called shall be totally dissolved and dispersed ? the public worship of God in the said Chapel shall be discontinued for the space of two years together then the said Trustees for the time being shall convey and assure the said Chapel in such manner and for such purpose either religious or civil as two thirds in number of the men members of the said Society who at the time of such dissolution or dispersion shall be and for one year then next preceding shall have been such members shall appoint by any writing under their hands And it is hereby directed that when and as often as or at any time after there shall be only three trustees of the said Chapel the vacancy in the number of trustees shall be supplied by the appointment of so many additional trustees being Protestant Dissenters by profession as will make up the number of ten trustees at the least such appointment to be made by the men members of the said Society or the major part of them at a meeting to be convened for that purpose and with the consent and approbation of the surviving and continuing trustees and that all such conveyances shall be made and executed at the expense of the congregation attending the said Chapel) as shall be necessary or deemed advisable for vesting the said Chapel in the then trustees jointly with such additional trustees And that of every meeting for any of the purposes aforesaid public notice shall be given on the Sunday preceding during the time of divine service and that the Meeting shall not be held earlier than the Wednesday succeeding such Sunday And that no person shall be entitled to vote on any of the matters aforesaid unless such person shall have been a member of the said Society twelve calendar months prior to such meeting And the said William Holmes covenants with the said trustees that he and the said James Harper have the right to convey the said Chapel to the said trustees notwithstanding any act of the said William Holmes And that the said Trustees shall have quiet possession of the said Chapel Free from all incumbrances And that he the said William Holmes will execute such further assurances if the said chapel as may be requisite And will produce the title deeds relating to his said dwelling house and the said Chapel and after Copies to be made of them at the expense of the said Trustees and the said James Harper covenants with the said trustees that he has done no act to incumber the said jointly in witness hereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written'
 

Document contains a sketch of property area 20' x 25' Signed by William Holmes, James Harper, John Orchard, William Webb, JR Yates Edward Winterbotham, EW Ward, William Clissold, Charles Steele, Henry Charles Steele, FJ Bird, Henry Rogers. Went before Commissioner of Oaths Henry Hawkin 13 May 1869, Stroud Document acknowledged by John Orchard 6 September 1869 presented in Chancery; Trust Deed of Paganhill Chapel where the payment of monies to Holmes and Harper is acknowledged.

By 1871 William and Ann Holmes only have Edward with them, as well as a lodger, Walter Flight bc 1858 Stroud, - he's probably their grandson!.

In the Stroud entry of Morris's Gloucestershire Directory of 1876, William Holmes, blacksmith of Pakenhill; Edward Holmes, engineer and millwright of Pakenhill; W Holmes & Co, general carriers, railway forwarding and emigration agents, corn merchants, and agents to the Great Western and Midland Railways, George Street.

By 1881 Edward Holmes is living alone and unmarried, still a blacksmith.
(Lots more to do on censuses)

A Stroud minister, John Burder, led groups of Congregationalists (aka independents) and registered houses to be used for worship at Thrupp and Bowbridge in the first half of the nineteenth century. Also, he is thought to have registered houses at Paganhill (1799 – not seen yet) and a house in 1825 (Hockaday abstracts ccclix – Stroud). In this document, on 25 July, a certificate was applied for from the Bishop of Gloucester's court by John Burden, dissenting minister of Stroud, to register that a house at Paganhill occupied by Samuel Underwood and owned by Mrs Bird in the parish of Stroud was to be used as a place of religious worship by protestant dissenters (GDR 350 p 43 on page).

Other buildings were registered including a project for building a new chapel at Pakenhill (the name for the parish often used in the nineteenth century) on the site of the old dilapidated building. ????It was registered in 1894. (D 7089 2/1: Stroud Baptist Meeting House 1824 Church Book.)

1914 Charles Holbrow Stanton of Field Place died and AW Stanton took over.
1920 he let the Old Crown Inn and adjoining orchard to Godsell and Sons Ltd on a yearly tenancy of 40 pounds for pub and 10 pounds for orchard..  This is probably the orchard formerly owned by Thomas Holmes / one of the other relatives. How do the Holmes owned properties connect with Stanton properties, particularly the Old Crown?

3 August 1921 Charity Commission responded to the only surviving trustee of Paganhill Baptist Chapel, Henry Charles Steele, and appointed ten new trustees.

14 March 1932 Arthur William Stanton and Trustees of John Street Baptist Church Stroud (in pencil in margin query Paganhill Baptist Chapel ) Conveyance of piece or parcel of land and property described in a deed of 29 September 1894 between him and Trustees whereby for an annual shillings they were allowed to build a porch and open up west wall for windows overlooking his land. This deed grants them the land 13' 10'' on north, 13' 4'' on south, 17' 9'' west, 20' 6'' east. No building or permanent structure to be erected. He reserves right to first refusal if use changes.

1936: OS map in bundle was in biro and not clear – need to see original map.

1938: AW Stanton Esq, JP, sold to The Stroud Brewery Company, presumably the pub and land/property around for £3250

22 December 1947: Appointment of New Trustees of Chapel at Paganhill and Land: Redman, Biggs, Ayres, Beard, Gardiner, Glassonbury, Hampton, King, Loxton, Merrick, Millard, Watkins, Wicks.

1 July 1948 Abstract of the title of the Stroud Brewery Co Ltd to piece of land situated at Paganhill with The Old Crown Inn, outbuildings, yards etc. Existing use of property is pasture orchard. Significantly 'Together with a right of way at all times and for all purposes in common with the vendor and all persons entitled to the like right over the roadway leading from the said premises to the main road and coloured brown on the said plan.'

24 Jan 1949: Memo of conveyance From The Stroud Brewery Co Ltd to Stroud UDC endorsed on completion. 1 pound for area of 167 sq yards, the south-easterly portion of field number 134 on Ordnance Survey. Wall to be built between entrance to paddock from public area which leads to private road from the end of the chapel's 'garden'.  Map attached.

31 July 1957: Paganhill Baptist Church Stroud, Choice and Appointment of new trustees. Clarke and Watkins had 'ceased to act' and the rest wanted to retire. Chairman of the meeting: Alan George Tedbury. No names continued or offered. (With it are land charges sheets: 9 Jan 1957 refers to land of 12 sq yards on north side of road number 3/207 leading from Kings Stanley to Middleyard being part of plot number 125 on Ordnance Survey map for Gloucestershire sheet no 49-6 1923 edition); 29 Jan 1962: part numbers 651 and 652 on 1936 map; 1932 document between Arthur William Stanton of Field Place, Stroud, Esq re restrictive covenant, and Alfred Earnest Alexander tailor one of trustees re 255 sq feet of land, others later.

17 Nov 1961: Another Land Charges document re part of the Birches Farm parcel 241, 324, 297, 295 OSD map; another 52 sq yd plot called plot 41 (part) on Glos sheet XLI -15 ( forming part of Maypole Terrace (Millfield(?) crossed out underneath).1923) 8 August 1969: Assent re property then known as Blenheim House and a piece of land 10'x20’x7’ (this is the deal with right to adjoining road sold)

22 September 1969 Stanton's sale of 1 and 2 Yew Tree Cottages and gardens and right of way outside Chapel etc for 5,500 pounds. Map attached.

29 September 1970: Planning Application for change of use from disused chapel to storage of pianos 'unacceptable mixing of land use' 'not compatible with adjoining residential use' 'the existing access road from the site to the Class III County road is inadequate to serve further development due to its proximity to the school entrance and its restricted visibility' (?? the chapel of rest aka warehouse on plot 368 would be suitable for storage - has there been confusion with the chapel on plot 369?)

1970 -1 Searches, Land Charges and plans resulted in sketches for this period, showing existing exterior of Chapel and planned changes. Those match what we understand to be Dissenters' Cottage.

4 February 1972: Robert Withey of Woodside House, Farmhill, was Secretary of Pagan Hill Baptist Church and declared that the church had not been used for worship in the three years up to 30 December 1971.

28 February 1972: The freehold property known as Pagan Hill Baptist Church was conveyed by The Baptist Union Corporation Ltd to a private buyer for £850.  The cottage was being called Dissenters Cottage.
Only Blenheim House name found. By 1989 Blenheim Cottage on Land Registry map, presumably as there had been confusion with the other one up the road at Townsend. Interestingly someone from Blenheim House, Randwick emigrated and the house he built in Randwick (Australia?) he called Blenheim House (WWW search data)

25 May 1973: From Richard Holbrow Stanton the buyer also bought the land between the chapel and Yew Tree Cottages. [ie the land that had belonged to Blenheim] Because of the covenant it will not be used for worship in deference to new Baptist chapel in Paganhill.  (Which part of the road?)

10 September 1973: Statutory declaration: John Wyndham Stanton referred to the High Court of Justice Order of 11 January 1967 re settlement of AW Stanton's estate (Lion House Bisley and the Paganhill Estate). He said he was party to an assent dated 8 August 1969 vesting property in Richard Holbrow Stanton and confirmed that the property included property known as Blenheim House Paganhill together with land adjoining on the west side 10'x20x7' was included.

Buildings and places associated with the Holmes family of Park End and Paganhill

At the time of the 1842 Stroud Tithe Apportionment, several members of the Holmes family owned land in the area.

• William Holmes owned and occupied plot 368 on which was 'Smiths shop and yard and chapel' of 6 perch area.  On the adjoining garden plot, 369, also owned by him, was a cottage occupied by John Hopson.

• At the top of Paganhill Lane, on the left, Samuel Holmes owned and occupied a pasture plot, 383,  comprising an orchard and a shed (1 rood, 2 perch), and also the 36 perch plot 386 on which was the Stag and Hounds Public House and yard.  Edith Barnfield occupied a cottage on his 7 perch garden plot 384 and was still there according to the 1901 census (now the Rose Inn car park).

• Edward Holmes owned and occupied the 35 perch plot 388 on the corner of Stratford Road and Paganhill Lane, on which there was a house, workshop and yard.  One part of the property was removed as part of a twentieth century road improvement scheme, but it is presumed that the remaining Paganhill House stands on part of the plot.
   

Access roadway leading from the main road to Blenheim Cottage and Dissenters' Cottage.  According to local accounts, there was a stone gate ('kissing gate') at the entrance.

Warehouse / chapel of rest to the left; centre: modern offices associated with current business; behind: Blenheim Cottage; to the right: the start of Maypole Terrace.

Warehouse / chapel of rest; building associated with the Holmes' blacksmith's business in 1800s.

Yew Tree Cottages on the west side of the access roadway to Blenheim Cottage and Dissenters' Cottage.

Dissenters' Cottage with its patch of covenanted ground.  In the background is a fence that probably marks the former access point to the apple orchard land, some of which was owned by Thomas Holmes in the 1700s.

Basic Holmes family tree

Photos of gravestones still need to be recorded here.

There are some shaky areas as there may be confusion over people of same forename.  This may seem like unnecessary detail, but we need to understand the family connections to follow the possessions, and particularly the houses, in order to discover more.

1st generation Edward, blacksmith of Paganhill, possibly born 1699 Painswick : WILL 2 made 19 Jan 1760, death occurred?, burial at ?, proved 12 June 1762, son of ?Edward Holmes and Jane KING?,  and married to Catherine

2nd gen:

of Edward above:

• Samuel blacksmith of Cainscross, b?1733, WILL 7 made 27 July 1819, codicil 27 August 1822; will proved 30 August 1823;=24/2/1775 Stonehouse Sarah HEAVEN;
• Robert blacksmith of Paganhill, bc1724 -36, son of Edward, brother of Edward the younger,  WILL 3 made 9 Nov 1793, died 12 November,  will proved 24 May 1806 Court of Gloucester, death occurred12 Nov 1793, burial at Randwick 15 November 1793 - flat stone with brass plate in churchyard,   =17/2/1760 Stroud Mary DIMOCK bc1734/5, WILL 4 made 1 Feb 1802, death occurred14 October, burial 20 Oct 1808 Stroud (named on tombstone at Randwick), will proved 25 Feb 1809 in Court of Gloucester;
• Elizabeth b?c1729,=COATES (died young?);
• Hannah b?c1730#,=John TANNER; #memorial to their bural in Stroud: John Tanner of Paganhall, wheelwright, died 26 May 1782 aged about 61, his wife Hannah nee HOLMES died 7 July 1786 aged about 67, implying a birth date of about 1719, and their daughter Hannah TANNER died 4 Dec 1774 aged about 22.
• Edward blacksmith of Stroud b?c1725,  WILL 1 , will made 25 Jan 1753, death occurred?, bur 4/2/1753 Stroud, will proved 15 March 1753 by wife Jane  (Edward died before father Edward of Paganhill)   =28/6/1747 Cranham, Jane MATHEWS

3rd gen:

of Samuel bc1733 d1822-3=24/2/1775 Stonehouse Sarah HEAVEN

• Edward  bap 11/5/1777 Stonehouse
• Samuel bap 13/6/1779 Stonehouse
• Sarah bap 8/4/1781 Stonehouse, widow by 1851 and former Stroud postmistress, 5/11/1805 Stonehouse=William HAMBIDGE of Rodborough
• Catherine bap 10/11/1782 Stonehouse [is she the one that left a will in 1857?]
• Mary bap  25/9/1785 Stonehouse d by 1823

of Robert=17/2/1760 Stroud Mary DIMOCK
Randwick Churchyard:

' In memory of Robert Holmes, of Paganhill, in the Parish of Stroud, Blacksmith, who departed this life the 12th day of November, 1793. Aged 69 years.
Also of Catherine his daughter, wife of Henry Eycott, clothier. She died the 12th day of March, 1793. Aged 27 years, and lies interred at Stonehouse.
Likewise of Susannah, his daughter, who lies here interred. Aged 3 years.'

• Catherine b21/2/1766 Stroud, d 12/3/1793, bur Stonehouse,=Henry EYCOTT, clothier>Susanna;
• Edward millwright of Paganhill, bap 22/11/1767 Stroud, WILL 5 made 19 Feb 1807, death occurred 26 February, burial 04 March 1807 (named on tombstone in Randwick churchyard), will proved 23-25/5/1807 in Court of Gloucester ;
• Thomas blacksmith of Paganhill, bap 6/11/1763 Stroud, eldest son of Robert=Mary, blacksmith, WILL 6 made 11 Feb 1819, died 22 December 1819, burial at 28 Dec 1819 Randwick churchyard, (will proved 21 June 1820 by surrogate Edward Holmes,) 7/7/1791 Stroud = Hannah GO(U)LDING bc1765-70, d 9January 1844, in the 79th year of her age, commemorated Randwick churchyard with husband, brother-in-law and parents-in -law, with poem
• Elizabeth bap 14/12/1760 Stroud, = MOS(S)LEY>John MOS(S)LEY jnr, Rodborough clothier;
• Sarah bap 4/2/1770 Stroud,=29/6/1794 Stroud Stephen PHILIPS>Elizabeth;
• Mary bap 31/1/1762 Stroud=Henry ELSWORTH of London>Sarah;
• Susannah bap 25/10/1778 Stroud, ?bur 28/5/1782, but Susannah is mentioned in will 1793 - another may have been born;
• Francis bap 8/1/1775 Stroud, clothier/shoesmith of Paganhill, ?buried Rodborough 21/11/1854;16/11/1809 Stonehouse=?Mary HAWKINS; 12/7/1830 Rodborough= Sarah ANTILL
   

of Edward bc1725 d1753=28/6/1747 Cranham, Jane MATHEWS:

• John b20/7/1753 Stroud, d 12/2/1754;
• Elizabeth bap 4/11/1750 Stroud, d 5/2/1752;
• Edward bap 6/3/1752 Stroud;
• Thomas (no sign of birth/baptism; was he born after death of father?)=11/9/1777 Mary HOGG; the millwright of Paganhill d1824, d?intestate   admons 1 31 Jan 1825 to sons Edward and Charles;

4th gen:

of Thomas=Hannah GO(U)LDING:

• Charles born 25/12/1791 Stroud, blacksmith, later house agent of Paganhill; is he the accountant who notifies sarah Knight's birth in 1837?
• Thomas b27/7/1800
• William b 8/3/1793, d 26 December 1876 Pakenhill, cause decrepitude, death reg 27 Dec, reg Dec Q1876 Stroud by son Edward who was present at death (WILL proved by widowed daughter Ann Susannah FLIGHT on 18/10/1877 at Gloucester)=3/6/1824 Stonehouse Ann KNIGHT: mentioned as owner of 2 plots on the Paganhill 1841-2 tithe map William and Ann commemorated in Randwick churchyard
• Samuel b26/11/`1797 Stroud
• Mary bap 1/11/1781 Stroud

of Francis of Rodborough=Mary HAWKINS; =Sarah ANTILL

• Henry b17/10/1810 Rodborough
• Helena b11/10/1812 Rodborough
• Eleanor, 24/7/1834 Rodborough= George BAYLISS

5th gen: This is shaky!!  More work needed from here on.

of Thomas of Paganhill millwright (?posthumous birth 1753?)=11/9/1777 Mary HOGG; d1824, d?intestate   admons 1 31 Jan 1825

• son
• son
• Edward of Stroud, of Paganhill millwright, WILL 8 will made 15 Dec 1843,  codicil 21 July 1847, death occurred 19 July 1848, burial at ?, proved     [?26 October1809 Kings Stanley=Mary WHITARD,  see note on will]
• Charles of Paganhill, blacksmith

of William=Ann KNIGHT

• William Francis, b25/12/1831 Stroud, blacksmith
• Edward b3/8/1833 Stroud, blacksmith, informant and present at father's death in 1876
• Francis b 3/8/ 1833, blacksmith,=4/9/1856 Stroud parish church, Ann ORCHARD b c1836 (according to =cert; illiterate) daughter of Samuel ORCHARD, hawker. = witnessed by Edward Holmes and Ann WEBB (illit)
• Sarah Knight b 29/10/1837 Stroud, birth certificate states 1 October at Pakenhill, reg 5 October by Charles Holmes uncle and occupier of house, accountant, reg December Quarter 1837,
• Thomas William Go(u)lding b10/5/1840 Stroud reg June Quarter 1840 Stroud, d aged 3 years and 8 months at Paganhill on 25 November 1843, death reg 29 November by coroner as 'accidentally burnt', reg Dec Quarter 1843 Stroud
• Ann Susannah bap 15/7/1827 Stroud, innkeeper in Russell Street, d/bur 28/12/1901(in year of death living on Stratford Road 4 doors from Upfield = 1845 Stonehouse reg June quarter 1845 Stroud William FLIGHT b1826 Stroud d 1863 Stroud, son of John FLIGHT b 1806 d 1855=Charlotte 1806, innkeeper in Russell Street, Stroud

6th gen:

of Edward ?1809 Kings Stanley=Mary WHITARD

• George bap 20/1/1811 Stroud
• Edward b?c1810-15 millwright and engineer, Paganhill,=Ann
• Mary Ann bc1825, reg March Quarter 1845 Stroud=Alfred HAYCRAFT
• John bc1830 ?death reg Mar 1879 Stroud
• Henry bc1825-30

I'm not sure about Samuel as there were others, so I will leave things like this for the moment.

Notes for later attention: Jane KEMP, seamstress of Stonehouse, living at Cainscross had natural daughter Sarah HOLMES, baptised 10 June 1821 Randwick, by which time Jane had married Samuel HOLMES, a blacksmith of Randwick, living at Cainscross, whose daughter Mary was also baptised 10 June 1821 Randwick.  By the time their daughter Frances Eleanor was baptised 1 Set 1833 Randwick, he was an innkeeper of Stroud, living at Paganhill.

In 1851 Charles HOLMES was census enumerator of the area: Ruscombe, Bread Street, Lower Bread Street, Townsend, Ockerhill , Humphries End and Randwick.

HOLMES WILLS

This part of the site tells the story of the Holmes family of Paganhill, its homes and its relatives via their wills.  It will be updated as new material becomes available.  Wills contain the basic text without an attempt to produce an exact copy of the style of capital letter usage or punctuation or spelling, although they will give a suggestion of the style, some of which is turgid to say the least!

________________________________________

WILL 1

Edward Holmes the younger of Stroud, blacksmith, will made 25 Jan 1753, death occurred 1753, burial at ?, proved 15 March 1753 by wife Jane nee MATHEWS (died before father Edward HOLMES of Paganhill)

Summary of bequests:

To wife JANE, then to sons Thomas and Edward

• messuage Tenement or dwelling house at Callowell inhabited by Richard SIMS with the garden orchard and appurtenances
•  five other cottages tenements or dwelling houses at Callowell aforesaid and near or adjoining to the said messuage or tenement and also all those
• my three cottages tenements at Whites Hill
• Other property elsewhere

TRUSTEES: brother Robert Holmes of Pakenhill, blacksmith, and Richard SIMS of Stroud baker 

WITNESSES:

William Lloyd
John Tanner (relative? - see next will)
J? Colborne

_______________________________________

In the name of God amen I Edward Holmes the younger of Stroud in the County of Gloucester Blacksmith being of sound and disposing Mind and Memory praised be God do make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say)-

• First I give and devise all that my messuage Tenement or dwelling house situated at a place called Callowell in the parish of Stroud in the county of Gloucester and wherein Richard SIMS doth now dwell with the garden orchard and appurtenances thereunto belonging and also all those my five other cottages tenements or dwelling houses situate and being at Callowell aforesaid and near or adjoining to the said messuage or tenement and also all those my three cottages tenements situate and being in the parish of Stroud aforesaid at a place there called Whites Hill and all other my messuages lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever situate and parish in the parish of Stroud aforesaid or elsewhere in the said county of Gloucester unto Jane my now wife for and during the term of her natural life.  In case she shall so long continue my widow and unmarried and so immediately from and after the death or second marriage of Jane my said wife then

• I give and devise all and singular the same premises and every part thereof unto my sons Thomas Holmes and Edward Holmes their heirs and assigns forever as tenants in common and not as joint tenants and as for and concerning all and singular my goods chattels and personal estate of what nature or kindsoever (after payment of my just debts and funeral expenses) I give and bequeath the same and every part  thereof in manner following (that is to say) one hundred pounds thereof I give and bequeath unto my said wife Jane to and for her own sole use and benefit and the other two third parts thereof

• I give and bequeath unto my brother Robert Holmes of Pakenhill in the parish of Stroud aforesaid blacksmith and Richard SIMS of the parish of Stroud aforesaid baker  and to the survivor of them and the executors and administrators of such survivor in trust be put out at interest for the benefit of my sons Thomas Holmes and Edward Holmes and the principal and interest to be applied and disposed of in placing my said sons out apprentice to such trades as my said sons shall approve of or otherwise in such manner as to my said trustees shall seem meet and convenient .

• And lastly I do hereby make constitute and appoint Jane my said wife sole executrix of this my last will and testament and hereby revoke all former wills In witness whereof I the said Edward Holmes the younger have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the twenty fifth day of January in the yeare of our lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty three.

[signed] Edward Holmes the younger

Witnessed by William Lloyd

John Tanner (relative? - see next will)

J? Colborne

Proved by executrix Jane 5 March 1753

________________________________________

WILL 2

Edward Holmes blacksmith of Pakenhill,  bc1699 Painswick, son of Edward HOLMES=Jane KING?, will made 19 Jan 1760, death occurred?, burial at ?, will proved 12 June 1762 by son Robert HOLMES, (died after son Edward HOLMES the younger)

Summary of bequests:

To son Robert Holmes

• all those tenements or dwelling houses at Pakenhill where he,  John Laurence and Stephen Cambridge live with the gardens and appurtenances
• remaining money

To son Samuel Holmes £60

To daughter Elizabeth COATES widow £20

To my son in law John TANNER one shilling and  my daughter Hannah wife of the said John TANNER £40

grandson Thomas Holmes at 21 £10

grandson Edward Holmes at 21 £10

TRUSTEES: son Robert Holmes

WITNESSES:

Samuel Gibbons
 ?J Colborne

 _______________________________________

In the name of god amen I Edward Holmes of Pakenhill in the parish of Stroud in the county of Gloucester blacksmith being of sound mind memory and understanding praised be god  …. Considering the … of life do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say,

• FIRST I give and bequeath unto my son Robert Holmes all those tenements or dwelling houses situate and being at Pakenhill aforesaid in then said parish of Stroud in the said county of Gloucester and wherein myself John ?Laurence and Stephen Cambridge do now separately dwell and inhabit with the gardens and appurtenances thereunto belonging do hold unto my said son Robert Holmes his executors admons and assigns for and during all such estate term and interest as I shall have therein to come at the time of my decease and

• I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel Holmes the sum of sixty pounds of lawfull money of Great Britain to be paid to him at his …age of twenty one years and all my wearing apparel and also the goods and furniture of the new chamber belonging to the house wherein I now dwell and my new brass pott and

• I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth COATES widow the sum of twenty pounds of lawfull money of Great Britain and

• I give and bequeath unto my son in law John TANNER one shilling and I give and bequeath that my daughter Hannah wife of the said John TANNER in case she shall happen to survive her said husband the sum of forty pounds but if she should happen to dye before her said husband the said John Tanner then my will is and I do hereby order and direct my said son Robert Holmes my executor herein named to pay the said forty pounds unto and amongst the children of my said daughter Hannah that shall live to attain their respective ages of twenty one years share and share alike and if only one child then the whole forty pounds to that child only …payable at his or her respective age of twenty one years as aforesaid

• And I give and bequeath unto my grandson Thomas Holmes at his respective age of twenty one years the sum of ten pounds and

• I give and bequeath unto my grandson Edward Holmes at his respective age of twenty one years the sum of ten pounds

• And as for and concerning all the rest and residue of my ready money and monies also interest and ?rents – mortgages and securities for money and all other my personal estate and effects of whatsoever kind however (my debts funeral expenses and legacies hereby given being thereout only paid and discharged I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said son Robert Holmes to and for his own proper use and benefit And lastly I do hereby make constitute and appoint my said son Robert Holmes full and sole executor of this my last will and testament and hereby revoke all former wills.

In witness whereof I the said Edward Holmes the said testator have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the nineteenth day of January in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty.

[signed] Edward Holmes

Witnessed by Samuel Gibbons

                       ?J Colborne

Proved by son and sole executor Robert Holmes 12 June 1762

________________________________________

WILL 3

Robert Holmes of Paganhill, bc1727-36, [son of Edward, brother of Edward the younger], blacksmith, will made 9 Nov 1793, death occurred12 Nov 1793, burial at Randwick 15 November 1793 - flat stone with brass plate in churchyard, will proved 24 May 1806 by Samuel Holmes [Robert =17/2/1760 Mary DIMOCK bc1736 bur 20/10/1808 Stroud]

Summary of bequests:

my well beloved wife, Mary Holmes,

• everything initially
•  leasehold cottages or dwelling houses gardens and appurtenances thereto belonging situated at Paganhill in the several occupations of Thomas Leech, Elizabeth Harmer, John Fletcher

my son Thomas Holmes,

• my messuages and tenements occupied by Richard LEWIS, Elizabeth PARSLEY, Priscilla CREED, and Thomas BASSETT and also an orchard thereunto belonging now /firstly in the occupation of Miles Mitchell gent
• my other messuages and tenements now in the possession of William WILLIAMS and Isaac FRYER all which said premises are situated at Randwick
• all the houses, tenements, orchard and gardens wherein John WILKINS and James BENNETTdo now live at a place called Bread Street
• the houses, tenements and gardens thereuntobelonging wherein Henry TOWNSEND lives and his own present dwelling with the shop and room over wherein he now carries on his business as a blacksmith which said last mentioned premises are situated at Paganhill
• my said son Edward Holmes shall suffer his brother Thomas Holmes to make use of the cyder mill and press as often as need shall require and also to have free liberty at reasonable times to have water upon paying a part toward the repairs of the pump with its appurtenances

Daughters Sarah £33 and Susannah £63 each from 2 sons

my daughter Sarah Holmes £30

daughter Mary now wife of Henry ELSWORTH now residing in London the sum of one pound one shilling

my son Edward Holmes

• all my house and orchard and garden (excepting that part of the said garden allotted out set apart as belonging to the dwelling house occupied by my son Thomas ) with the outhouses and hereditaments and also my cider house mill and press and all other utensils thereto belonging that is used in making cider wherein I now dwell and occupy.
• all those messuages and dwelling houses gardens etc thereto belonging now in the occupation severally of Stephen MILLARD, Richard CAYSH, Nathaniel CHANDLER, and William MAYO, which last mentioned premises are situated at Paganhill in the parish of Stroud in the county aforesaid and lately by me purchased of Mr Thomas WHITE of Stonehouse

my son Francis Holmes

• a piece of wood and woodland known by the name of Bennetts Wood
• all the houses and gardens thereunto belonging containing eleven tenements now in the possession of Elizabeth Holder, David Bennett, Daniel Parsley, Thomas Merrett, Edward Chandler, Richard Merrett, William Cooke, William Pearce, William Vick, Thomas Cratchley and Elizabeth White,
• a cottage at Ruscombe in the possession of William Cowley

TRUSTEES:

my said wife Mary Holmes,

my brother Samuel Holmes of Cainscross blacksmith

my friend John Bolder of Paganhill shearman
WITNESSES:

Stephen Phillips

Richard Cays(h)

Stephen Millard

 _______________________________________

In the name of god amen I Robert Holmes of Paganhill in the parish of Stroud in the county of Gloucester blacksmith being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding for which I am deeply thankfull to almighty god do make publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say,

• I give and bequeath unto my brother Samuel Holmes of Cainscross blacksmith and John Bolder of Paganhill shearman both in the said county, all and singular my houses lands and tenements, my household goods, and all my real and personall estate and effects whatsover in trust that they my said trustees, do and shall as soon as conveniently may be after my decease cause an inventory and accounts to be taken thereof and do and

• shall deliver the same unto my well beloved wife, Mary Holmes, to whom I give and bequeath the same, all the said houses, lands and tenements, all the said household goods my real and personal estate an d effects whatsoever to hold to my said wife Mary Holmes. 

• I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Holmes, all that my messuages and tenements now in the occupation and possession of Richard LEWIS, Elizabeth PARSLEY, Priscilla CREED, and Thomas BASSETT and also an orchard thereunto belonging now /firstly in the occupation of Miles Mitchell gent.  And also my other messuages and tenements now in the possession of William WILLIAMS and Isaac FRYER all which said premises are situated at Randwick in the said county, and also all the houses, tenements, orchard and gardens wherein John WILKINS and James BENNETTdo now live at a place called Bread Street in the parish of Stroud in the said county, and also the houses, tenements and gardens thereuntobelonging wherein Henry TOWNSEND lives and his own present dwelling with the shop and room over wherein he now carries on his business as a blacksmith which said last mentioned premises are situated at Paganhill in the said parish of Stroud in the said county. To hold to him my said son Thomas Holmes his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns subject to the following obligation, that is to say

• On his paying to and for the use of his two sisters Sarah and Susannah that sum of ninety six pounds, that is to say, to my daughter Sarah the sum of thirty three pounds; and to my daughter Susannah the sum of sixty three pounds of good and lawfull money of Great Britain And in default of payment by my said son Thomas Holmes then I will and direct my said trustees to raise the said sum of ninety six pounds (heretobefore given) by sale or otherwise out of the said premises within twelve calendar months after the decease of my said wife Mary Holmes. 

• I also give and bequeath unto my son Edward Holmes all my house and orchard and garden (excepting that part of the said garden allotted out set apart as belonging to the dwelling house occupied by my son Thomas which I will he my said son Thomas Holmes shall hold and enjoy on the conditions above specified being adhered to) with the outhouses and hereditaments thereto belonging and also my cider house mill and press and all other utensils thereto belonging that is used in making cider wherein I now dwell and occupy.  Likewise I give and bequeath unto my said son Edward Holmes all those messuages and dwelling houses gardens etc thereto belonging now in the occupation severally of Stephen MILLARD, Richard CAYSH, Nathaniel CHANDLER, and William MAYO, which last mentioned premises are situated at Paganhill in the parish of Stroud in the county aforesaid and lately by me purchased of Mr Thomas WHITE of Stonehouse.  To hold to him my said son Edward Holmes, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns for ever subject to the following obligation, that is to say, on his paying to and for the use of his two sisters, Sarah and Susannah the sum of sixty three pounds that is to my daughter Sarah Holmes the sum of thirty pounds; and to my daughter Susannah Holmes the sum of thirty pounds of good and lawfull money of Great Britain – And in default of payment by my son Edward Holmes then I will and direct my said trustees to raise the said sum of sixty pounds (theretobefore given) by sale, or otherwise out of the said premises within twelve calendar months after the decease of my said wife Mary Holmes. 

•  I also give and bequeath unto my son Francis Holmes a piece of wood and woodland known by the name of Bennetts Wood and all the houses and gardens thereunto belonging containing eleven tenements now in the possession of Elizabeth Holder, David Bennett, Daniel Parsley, Thomas Merrett, Edward Chandler, Richard Merrett, William Cooke, William Pearce, William Vick, Thomas Cratchley and Elizabeth White, and also a cottage at Ruscombe in the possession of William Cowley to hold to my said son Francis Holmes his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever.

• I also give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife all and singular those leasehold cottages or dwelling houses gardens and appurtenances thereto belonging situated at Paganhill in the parish of Stroud in the county aforesaid and in the several occupations of Thomas Leech, Elizabeth Harmer, John Fletcher, to hold to my said wife Mary Holmes and to whomsoever she may chose [sic] and appoint after her decease.

• -And as for and concerning all the rest and residue of my ready money, and all moneys at interest whether upon mortgage bonds, notes of hand, book debts or any other securities for money, my plate household furniture and wearing apparel, and all other my personal estate and effects of what nature or kind soever I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said wife Mary Holmes then

• after her decease to be equally divided between my three daughters namely Elizabeth, Sarah and Susannah;

• Also I will and bequeath unto my daughter Mary now wife of Henry ELSWORTH now residing in London the sum of one pound one shilling to be paid to her by my said wife Mary Holmes as soon as convenient after my decease.

• And I do hereby order and direct that my said son Edward Holmes shall suffer his brother Thomas Holmes to make use of the cyder mill and press as often as need shall require and also to have free liberty at reasonable times to have water upon paying a part toward the repairs of the pump with its appurtenances

• And I will and direct that my said trustees shall pay my just debts and funeral expenses.

• And lastly I do make, ordain and constitute, and appoint my said brother Samuel Holmes, my friend John Boulder and my said wife Mary Holmes executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and dismantling all former wills by me at any time heretofore by me made and in witness whereof I have to this last will and testament contained in two sheets of paper, set my hand and seal that is to say my hand to the first, and my hand and seal to the second and last sheet thereof the ninth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three.

[signed] Robert Holmes

Witnessed by Stephen Phillips

Richard Cays(h)

Stephen Millard

Proved by Samuel Holmes 24 May 1806

________________________________________

WILL 4

Mary Holmes of Paganhill ,  bc1736, widow of Robert, will made 1 Feb 1802, death occurred?, burial 20 Oct 1808, will proved 25 Feb 1809 by Francis Homes

Summary of bequests:

my granddaughter Sarah Elsworth the daughter of Henry and Mary Elsworth the sum of five pounds

my granddaughter Elizabeth Phillips the daughter of Stephen and Sarah Phillips the sum of ten pounds

my daughter Susanna all my wearing apparel, likewise my two best silver table spoons, six silver tea spoons, my silver cream jug and sugar tongs, Japan’d tea tray, my mahogany tea table, my set of blue and white tea china, and my best mourning ring,

my daughter Susannah all those my three leasehold tenements and their appurtenances at Paganhill aforesaid which are held by lease under the Lord or Lady Coventry and now in the several occupations of John Fletcher, Elizabeth Cratchley and Thomas Leech

my youngest son Francis Holmes

• all those my tenements or dwelling houses with the gardens and land thereto belonging situate at a place called Dundercamp ( Randwick, Dundercamp Population in 1891: 3. Houses in 1891: 1.)and Ockerhill occupied by William White, Mary Bennett, Samuel White, William Pearce, John Bassett, Solomon Cratchley, the widow Bennett, Samuel Cooke, Samuel Chandler, Nathaniel Cooke and Sarah Bennett. 
• my land called the Green at Dundercamp aforesaid now in the tenure of Charles Holder
• my two tenements or dwelling houses (formerly one)  with the garden brewhouse and court thereto belonging  in the parish of Randwick before possessed by Thomas Ridler and others and now of William Williams, Edward Chandler, Samuel Pitt and Thomas Watkins

my eldest son Thomas Holmes

• charge the two last devised tenements and premises with the payment of the sum of one hundred and forty pounds of lawful money

WITNESSES:

Louisa Anne Sophia Saunders
John Saunders
Nathaniel Tilling
All of Stroud.

TRUSTEES: my said son Francis sole executor and residuary legatee

 _______________________________________

This is the last will and testament of me Mary Holmes of Paganhill in the parish of Stroud in the county of Gloucester widow who am of sound disposing mind and understanding praised be god for the same, First I will and direct that all my just debts be paid by my executor hereunder named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease and I direct that my executor shall have the sole management of my funeral and that he shall sustain the expence thereof out of the property which he will take for his own benefit by virtue of this my will. 

• I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Sarah Elsworth the daughter of Henry and Mary Elsworth the sum of five pounds of lawful money of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to be paid to her at her age of twenty one years or day of marriage which shall first happen or to be otherwise applied for her benefit before the happening of either of those events if my executor shall think fit. 

• I give to my granddaughter Elizabeth Phillips the daughter of Stephen and Sarah Phillips the sum of ten pounds of like money to be paid to her at her age of twenty one years or day of marriage which shall first happen or to be otherwise applied for her benefit before the happening of either of those events if my executor shall think fit. 

• I give and bequeath to my daughter Susanna all my wearing apparel, likewise my two best silver table spoons, six silver tea spoons, my silver cream jug and sugar tongs, Japan’d tea tray, my mahogany tea table, my set of blue and white tea china, and my best mourning ring, all which shall be delivered to her immediately after my decease.

• I give devise and bequeath unto my daughter Susannah all those my three leasehold tenements and their appurtenances at Paganhill aforesaid which are held by lease under the Lord or Lady Coventry and now in the several occupations of John Fletcher, Elizabeth Cratchley and Thomas Leech as tenants thereof to me to hold to my said daughter Susanna heir heirs executors administrators and assigns for and during all such term and interest as shall have therein at my decease. 

• I give and devise to my youngest son Francis Holmes all those my tenements or dwelling houses with the gardens and land thereto belonging situate at a place called Dundercamp ( Randwick, Dundercamp Population in 1891: 3. Houses in 1891: 1.)and Ockerhill in the parish of Randwick and county of Gloucester now in the several occupations of William White, Mary Bennett, Samuel White, William Pearce, John Bassett, Solomon Cratchley, the widow Bennett, Samuel Cooke, Samuel Chandler, Nathaniel Cooke and Sarah Bennett.  And also my land called the Green at Dundercamp aforesaid now in the tenure of Charles Holder and also all those my two tenements or dwelling houses (formerly one)  with the garden brewhouse and court thereto belonging situate in the parish of Randwick aforesaid heretofore in the possession of Thomas Ridler and others and now of William Williams, Edward Chandler, Samuel Pitt and Thomas Watkins as tenants thereof to hold the same unto my said son Francis and his heirs forever charged nevertheless

• and I hereby charge the two last devised tenements and premises with the payment of the sum of one hundred and forty pounds of lawful money of the said United Kingdom which I give unto my eldest son Thomas Holmes for his benefit and I will that the same be paid at the expiration of one year from my death together with lawful interest from that event.

• And I constitute and appoint my said son Francis sole executor and residuary legatee of this my will and whereof I have subscribed and set my hand and seal the first day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and two.

[signed] Mary Holmes + seal

Witnessed by Louisa Anne Sophia Saunders

John Saunders

Nathaniel Tilling

All of Stroud.

Proved by Francis Homes 25 February 1809

________________________________________

WILL 5

Edward Holmes millwright of Paganhill, bap 22/11/1767 Stroud, son of Robert=Mary, will made 19 Feb 1807, death occurred1807, burial 04 March 1807  

proved 25 May 1807 by Samuel Holmes executor. Estate £300

Summary of bequests:

 my eldest brother Thomas Holmes of Paganhill blacksmith

• all that freehold messuage tenement dwelling houses orchard and garden adjoining thereto and now held therewith at Paganhill where Mary Holmes my mother now dwells, together with the cider house, mill and press, and all other the utensils hereunto belonging, and used in making cider together with so much of the outhouse or shed  now used and occupied by John TANNER for a workshop, as will make him a cart shed to go across in a line from the great doors from the edge of the brick wall to hold to my said brother Thomas Holmes

Thomas Holmes to pay to

my sister Sarah Philips £63 + £10

my sister Susannah Holmes £63

my three sister Elizabeth Mossley, £10

Mary Elsworth £10

 my sister Susannah Holmes, spinster,

• all those my two freehold messuages or tenements and premises at Pagan Hill  together with the gardens and appurtenances thereunto belonging and now occupied by John Tanner and John Apperley or their under tenants, together with all that piece of ground now occupied by John Clarke as a garden and adjoining the same premises formerly occupied by Richard Caysh and Stephen Miller (Millard?) and also all that piece of ground measuring eleven foot in depth in the outhouse adjoining to the said John Tanner's messuage or tenement  and now used by him as a work shop, that is to say, from the entrance...out? the door in his garden along the end of the brick wall on the left side thereof to the ?gates - and then right across to the opposite wall (the other part thereof, having been given herein before to my brother Thomas Holmes.)

•  £33 owed by John Wager (+ interest) at or near Peghouse near Stroud for which as a security I now hold the copy of court roll of his copyhold premises in which he now dwells).

•  my six silver tea spoons

 my brother Francis Holmes of Pagan Hill, clothier

• two freehold messuages or tenements and premises at Paganhill  with the gardens behind the same and appurtenances and now held or occupied by John Clarke or his under tenants formerly occupied by Nathaniel Chandler and William Mayo.

to my nephew Charles Holmes

• my best silver watch

my nephew William Holmes.

• other watch

WITNESSES:

Mary Holmes
John Apperly
John ?Raffles
 

TRUSTEES:

my friend Samuel Holmes of Cainscross blacksmith

John Bolder of Ebley shearman

 _______________________________________

In the name of god amen I Edward Holmes of Paganhill in the parish of Stroud in the county of Gloucester millwright being weak in body, but of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding do this nineteenth day of February in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and seven make publish and declare this as and for my last will and testament in manner and form following – that is to say

First, I commit my body to earth for decent interment at the discretion of my executors and trustees herein named and mentioned – and my soul into the hands of almighty god in hope of redemption through the blood and atonement of my saviour Jesus Christ –

• And whereas my father Robert Holmes late of Paganhill aforesaid blacksmith deceased did in and by his last will and testament made and presented on or about the ninth day of November which was in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three and proved in the Ecclesiastical Court of the right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Gloucester on or about the twenty fourth day of May which was in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and six

• Give devise and bequeath all his property both real and personal and therein mentioned to his wife Mary Holmes (my mother) for and during the term of her natural life and from and after her decease then to be divided unto and  among all his several and respective children therein mentioned and to their heirs and assigns forever ?professed being thereinto have will …fully approve

• Now I Edward Holmes the testator of this my last will and in order to prevent any misunderstanding which otherwise might arise between my brothers and sisters  after my decease  do hereby give devise and bequeath all the said property  estate and effects both real and personal so given devised and bequeathed unto me my heirs and assigns after my said mother’s death by the will of my said father Robert Holmes together with all my other property  of which I may die possessed  in manner and form following that is to say-

• First, I give devise and bequeath unto my eldest brother Thomas Holmes of Paganhill aforesaid blacksmith all that freehold messuage tenement dwelling houses orchard and garden adjoining thereto and now held therewith at Paganhill aforesaid, in which the said Mary Holmes my mother now dwells, together with the cider house, mill and press, and all other the utensils hereunto belonging, and used in making cider together with so much of the outhouse or shed  now used and occupied by John TANNER for a workshop, as will make him a cart shed to go across in a line from the great doors from the edge of the brick wall to hold to my said brother Thomas Holmes his heirs and assigns for ever subject nevertheless and to and upon the following express conditions – that is to say-

• That my said brother Thomas Holmes do and shall pay or cause to be paid unto my sister Sarah Philips and unto my sister Susannah Holmes the sum of sixty three pounds...?of lawful money thereout, being the two legacies left to them by my said father Robert Holmes and incumbered upon the said messuage and premises by his said wife

• - And also, that my said brother Thomas Holmes do further pay thereout unto my three sisters viz Elizabeth Mossley, Sarah Philips, and Mary Elsworth or their representatives the sum of ten pounds ...to each for their own use and benefit within six calendar months next after my mother's decease, but in default of his paying the said several and respective legacies within the time aforesaid, then my will is that my executors and trustees  herein after named shall and do stand possessed thereof and shall sell and dispose of such of the said premises as will pay the same.

• -And also I do hereby exonerate and for ever discharge said brother Thomas Holmes of and from all debts and demands whatsoever that I, or my estate, may have against him at the time of my decease.

• I give devise and bequeath unto my sister Susannah Holmes, spinster, all those my two freehold messuages or tenements and premises situate at Pagan Hill aforesaid together with the gardens and appurtenances thereunto belonging and now held therewith  in the several occupations of John Tanner and John Apperley or their under tenants, together with all that piece of ground now occupied by John Clarke as a garden and adjoining the same premises and which were formerly in the tenure or occupation of Richard Caysh and Stephen Miller (Millard?) and also all that piece of ground measuring eleven foot in depth in the outhouse adjoining to the said John Tanner's messuage or tenement  and now used by him as a work shop, that is to say, from the entrance...out? the door in his garden along the end of the brick wall on the left side thereof to the ?gates - and then right across to the opposite wall (the other part thereof, having been given herein before to my brother Thomas Holmes.) to hold unto my said sister Susannah Holmes her heirs and assigns forever.

• Also I give to my said sister Susannah Holmes all such sum and sums of money as now are, or that hereafter may be due and owing unto me by John Wager at or near Peghouse near Stroud ?end in the parish of Painswick at the time of my decease, together with my six silver tea spoons, for her own use and benefit, the said John Wager being now indebted to me in the sum of thirty three pounds of lawful money, besides the interest now owed and owing thereon. (and for which as a security I now hold the copy of court roll of his copyhold premises in which he now dwells.

• I give and devise to my brother Francis Holmes of Pagan Hill, aforesaid, clothier all those two freehold messuages or tenements and premises at Paganhill aforesaid together with the gardens behind the same and appurtenances and now held or occupied by John Clarke or his under tenants and which were formerly in the tenure or occupation of Nathaniel Chandler and William Mayo.  To hold to my said brother Francis Holmes his heirs and assigns forever. And I do hereby exonerate and discharge him of and from all debts and demands whatsoever which I or my executor may have upon him at the time of my decease.

• I give my best silver watch to my nephew Charles Holmes - the other I give to my nephew William Holmes.

• And with respect to the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate and effects whatsover or wheresoever (whether real or personal) of which I may die possessed and not herein already disposed of, after payments of all my final debts, funeral expences and the expences of proving and executing this my last will I give devise and bequeath the same unto and among all my brothers and sisters share and share alike.

• And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my friend Samuel Holmes of Cainscross blacksmith and John Bolder of Ebley shearman executors and trustees of this my last will hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made - provided always that my said executors and trustees and either of them shall and may at all times retain to themselves all their expences attending the due execution of this my last will out of my said estates and shall only be liable for such part or parts thereof as may come to each of their hands respectively, and for their several and separate acts and deeds only, and not the one for the other. -

• In witness whereof I have to this my last will contained on three pieces of paper set my hand to the two first sides thereof and to the third and last side my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

Edward Holmes

witnessed by Mary Holmes

John Apperly

John ?Raffles

Proved 25 July 1807 by Samuel Holmes one of the executors (power removed from the other)

Estate £300

________________________________________

WILL 6

Thomas Holmes blacksmith of Paganhill, bap 6/11/1763 Stroud, eldest son of Robert=Mary, blacksmith, 7/7/1791 Stroud married Hannah GOLDING bc1770, will made 11 Feb 1819, death occurred?, burial at 28 Dec 1819 Randwick, proved 21 June 1820 by surrogate Edward Holmes

Property value: under £100

Summary of bequests:

my well beloved wife Hannah Holmes

• everything for her life

my son Charles Holmes

• all those five messuages or tenements with the gardens and orchard adjoining, now in the occupation of Joseph Bassett and others, situated at Randwick

son Thomas

• £50 to be paid by Charles after Hannah's death

my son William Holmes

• all those messuages, tenements and garden, blacksmith shop and Pinthouse with the rooms over the same, now in the occupation of myself, Hanah Townsend and Samuel Williams, at Paganhill  with all my stock in trade tools etc, paying for the same to my wife Hanah Holmes during life the yearly rent of five pounds
• to him or his tenants right to the use of the brewhouse in the back court and water from the pump, he paying a proportion with his brother Samuel Holmes for repair
• the apple tree situated at the end of the garden now in the occupation of the said Samuel Williams, and that the boundaries of his ground shall include the path which separates the gardens now in the occupation of myself and the said Samuel Williams running along the back court
• £100 from his brother Samuel Holmes as hereafter mentioned. 

my son Samuel Holmes

• all that my messuage or tenement and garden brewhouse, cyder house (containing milk and pails) stable and orchard adjoining as long as pays William and Thomas legacy
• I will that my son Samuel Holmes or his tenants shall have a right of road through the Pinthouse to the backyard etc.  

son Thomas Holmes

•  £50 to be paid by brother Samuel Holmes
• all that piece of land or garden now occupied by Charles Offley Esq situated and adjoining land of the said C. Offley at Paganhill provided Thomas pays £100 debt owed to Offley (otherwise money to be raised by land sale after Hannah's death)
• £50 to be paid him by Thomas's brother Charles Holmes,

WITNESSES:

Francis Holmes

Richard ?Blanch

John Harmer
TRUSTEES:

nephew John MOSLEY jnr of Rodborough, clothier,

friend Samuel Holmes of Cainscross, blacksmith,

wife Hannah

 _______________________________________

In the name of god, amen, I Thomas Holmes of Paganhill in the parish of Stroud, in the county of Gloucester, blacksmith, being of sound and disposing mind, and memory, for which I am deeply thankfull to almighty god, do make, publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say,

• I give and bequeath unto my nephew John MOSLEY jnr of Rodborough, clothier, and Samuel Holmes of Cainscross, blacksmith, both in the said county all and singular my houses, lands and tenements, my household goods and all my real and personal estate and effects whatsoever.  In trust, that they my said trustees do and shall as soon as conveniently my be after my decease cause an inventory and account to be taken thereof, and do and
• shall deliver the same unto my well beloved wife Hannah Holmes to whom I give and bequeath the same all the said houses lands and tenements, all the said household goods, my real and personal estate and effects whatsoever.  To hold to my said wife Hanah Holmes for and during the term of her  natural life in case she remains my widow, (except as hereafter mentioned), from and immediately after the decease of my said wife Hanah Holmes
• I give and bequeath unto my son Charles Holmes all those five messuages or tenements with the gardens and orchard adjoining, now in the occupation of Joseph Bassett and others, situated at Randwick in the said parish of Stroud and in the said county.  To hold to him my said son Charles Holmes his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever subject to the following obligation that is to say
• on his paying to and for the use of his brother Thomas the sum of fifty pounds of good and lawfull money of Great Britain, and in default of payment by my said son Charles Holmes then I will and direct my said trustees to raise the said sum of fifty pounds (heretofore given) by sale or otherwise out of the said premises within twelve calendar months after the decease of my said wife Hanah Holmes. 
• I also give and bequeath to my son William Holmes all those messuages, tenements and garden, blacksmith shop and Pinthouse with the rooms over the same, now in the occupation of myself, Hanah Townsend and Samuel Williams, situated at Paganhill in the said parish of Stroud, in the said county, together with all my stock in trade tools etc, paying for the same to my wife Hanah Holmes during her natural life the yearly rent of five pounds of good and lawfull money of Great Britain and also paying all debts which the trade may be indebted in at my decease to hold to him my said son William Holmes his heirs, executors administrators and assigns forever,
• also I will that my son William Holmes or his tenants shall have a right to the use of the brewhouse in the back court and water from the pump, he paying a proportion with his brother Samuel Holmes for repairing the same, and I will that my son William Holmes shall have the apple tree situated at the end of the garden now in the occupation of the said Samuel Williams, and that the boundaries of his ground shall include the path which separates the gardens now in the occupation of myself and the said Samuel Williams running along the back court and
• I further will that my son William Holmes shall have one hundred pounds of good and lawfull money of Great Britain paid to him, from his brother Samuel Holmes as hereafter mentioned. 
• I also give and bequeath to my son Samuel Holmes all that my messuage or tenement and garden brewhouse, cyder house (containing milk and pails) stable and orchard adjoining situated at Paganhill in the parish of Stroud in the said county, to hold to him my said son Samuel Holmes his Heirs, Executors, Administrators and assigns forever, subject to the following obligation that is to say
• on his paying to and for the use of his brother William Holmes the sum of one hundred pounds, and to his brother Thomas Holmes the sum of fifty pounds of good and lawfull money of great Britain and in default of payment by my said son Samuel Holmes This I will and direct my said trustees to raise the said sum of one hundred and fifty pounds by sale or otherwise out of the said premises within twelve calendar months after the decease of my said wife Hanah Holmes and
• I will that my son Samuel Holmes or his tenants shall have a right of road through the Pinthouse to the backyard etc.  
• I also give and bequeath to my son Thomas Holmes all that piece of land or garden now in the occupation of Charles Offley Esq situated and adjoining land of the said C. Offley at Paganhill in the said parish of Stroud in the said county, to hold to him my said son Thomas Holmes his heirs executors administrators and assigns forever, subject to the following obligation, that is to say,
• on his paying to the said Chas Offley a debt I owe Him of one hundred pounds, and in default of payment by my said son Thomas Holmes then I will and direct my said trustees to raise the said sum one one hundred pounds by sale or otherwise out of the said land within twelve calendar months after the decease of my said wife Hanah Holmes
• also I give to my said son Thomas Holmes the sum of fifty pounds to be paid him by my said son Charles Holmes, and fifty pounds to be paid him by my said son Samuel Holmes as beforementioned.
• And as for and concerning all the rest and residue of my ready money, book debts, or any other monies, my plate, household furniture, waring apparel and all other my personal estate and effects of what nature or kindsoever I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my said wife Hanah Holmes, then after her decease to be equally divided between my four sons,
• and I will and direct that my said trustees shall pay my just debts, (except those which relate to my trade) and funeral expences out and from rents and profits of the said estate,
• and lastly I do make ordain constitute and appoint my said nephew John Mosley jnr my friend Samuel Holmes and my said wife Hanah Holmes executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and disannulling all former wills by me at any time heretofore by me made.

And in witness whereof I have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the eleventh day of February one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.

Thomas Holmes

Witnesses:

Francis Holmes

Richard ?Blanch

John Harmer

Probate 21 June 1820 to surrogate Edward Holmes

Property value; under £100

________________________________________

Thomas Holmes [son of Edward bc1725 d1753=28/6/1747 Cranham, Jane MATHEWS]: =11/9/1777 Mary HOGG; the millwright of Paganhill d1824, d?intestate   admons 1 31 Jan 1825 to sons Edward and Charles;

________________________________________

WILL 7

Samuel Holmes blacksmith of Cainscross, 24/12/1775 Stonehouse=Sarah HEAVEN

will made 27 July 1819, codicil 27 August 1822; will proved 30 August 1823 by Frances Holmes and Thomas BREWER joint executors

Under £450

This is such a long tedious will.  It's puzzling as he's the uncle of Thomas b1763 (who leaves the brewhouse to son Samuel in 1819), yet this Samuel is leaving it to his children... definitely more than one brewhouse!!

Bequests:

To wife Sarah during her life

•  my four freehold messuages tenements or dwelling houses brewhouse blacksmith's shop warehouse court yard gardens and appurtenances situate at Cainscross in the parish of Stonehouse aforesaid and now in the several occupations of myself, my daughters Catherine and Mary Holmes, James SARGEANT and Elizabeth WOOD,

to son Edward Holmes

• after Sarah's death, all those three of my said messuages tenements or dwellinghouses situate at Cainscross in the parish of Stonehouse aforesaid which are now in the several occupations of my said daughters Catherine and Mary Holmes  James SARGEANT and Elizabeth WOOD, with the court or yard in front thereof, and the upper part of the brewhouse as now divided and used by tenants of the said three dwelling houses, together with the whole of the room over the said brewhouse and also all that plot or parcel of garden ground lying at the back of the said three dwellinghouses and extending down to the lower corner of the said brewhouse and crossing from the said plot of garden ground to the opposite side adjoining the land of Mr COPNER as marked out and divided by mere stones placed there (except and reserving nevertheless to the owners and occupiers for the time being of the messuage where he lives. See next bequest

son Samuel Holmes

• all that my said messuage tenement or dwelling house situate at Cainscross in the parish of Stonehouse aforesaid now in my own occupation with the blacksmith's shop warehouse and appurtenances thereto belonging together with the lower part of the said brewhouse and also the residue of the said garden, as marked out and divided from the other part thereof given to my said son Edward as aforesaid, and also free ingress egress and regress right of way and passage to and for the said Samuel Holmes his heirs and assigns, owners and occupiers for the time being of the last mentioned dwellinghouses and premises, and his and their friends families servants customers and others at all times, into through and over the said court in front of the said dwellinghouses given and devised to my son Edward as aforesaid, and also a right to fetch and take water from the pump or well in the said court, the said Samuel Holmes his heirs and assigns paying one half of the expence of keeping the said pump and well in repair

daughter Catherine Holmes

• £50

daughter Mary Holmes

• £50

daughter Sarah HAMBIDGE

WITNESSES:

Peter MATHEWS

Mary MATHEWS

R. WYATT

TRUSTEES:

my nephew Francis Holmes of Fir Tree Place,Rodborough, gentleman

Thomas BREWER of Leonard Stanley blacksmith

CODICIL:

Because of daughter Mary's death, her share goes to Catherine

 _______________________________________

This is the last will and testament of me Samuel Holmes of Cainscross in the parish of Stonehouse in the county of Gloucester blacksmith in the manner following (that is to say)

• First I will and direct that my just debts and funeral and testamentary expences be paid and discharged -
• I give and devise all those my four freehold messuages tenements or dwelling houses brewhouse blacksmith's shop warehouse court yard gardens and appurtenances situate at Cainscross in the parish of Stonehouse aforesaid and now in the several occupations of myself, my daughters Catherine and Mary Holmes, James SARGEANT and Elizabeth WOOD, with all and singular their rights members and appurtenances unto my wife Sarah Holmes and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life, she keeping the same premises in good and tenantable repair; and from and
• immediately after the decease of my said wife I give and devise to my son Edward Holmes his heirs and assigns all those three of my said messuages tenements or dwellinghouses situate at Cainscross in the parish of Stonehouse aforesaid which are now in the several occupations of my said daughters Catherine and Mary Holmes  James SARGEANT and Elizabeth WOOD, with the court or yard in front thereof, and the upper part of the brewhouse as now divided and used by tenants of the said three dwelling houses, together with the whole of the room over the said brewhouse and also all that plot or parcel of garden ground lying at the back of the said three dwellinghouses and extending down to the lower corner of the said brewhouse and crossing from the said plot of garden ground to the opposite side adjoining the land of Mr COPNER as marked out and divided by mere stones placed there (except and reserving nevertheless to the owners and occupiers for the time being of the messuage tenement or dwelling house and premises now in my own occupation and hereinafter given and devised to my son Samuel Holmes, free ingress egress and regress right of way and passage at all times for themselves and their friends families servants customers and others into through and over the said court or yard in front of the said dwellinghouse to and from the said dwellinghouses and premises hereinafter given and devised to my said son Samuel as aforesaid and also a right to fetch and take water from the pump and well in the said court, the said Samuel Holmes his heirs and assigns paying one half of the expence of keeping the said pump and well in repair
• To hold the same unto the said Edward Holmes his heirs and assigns for ever charged and chargeable nevertheless and I do hereby charge the said premises with the payment of the several sums of fifty pounds a piece to my said daughter Catherine Holmes and Mary Holmes, and the sum of fifty pounds to my trustees and executors hereinafter named to be by them held and applied upon the trusts and to aid for the intents and purposes hereinafter expressed and declared of and concerning the same which said three several sums of fifty pounds each I hereby will and direct shall be paid by my said son Edward Holmes within twelve calendar months next after he shall come into possession or receipt of the rents and profits of the said premises
• I give and devise to my son Samuel Holmes his heirs and assigns  all that my said messuage tenement or dwelling house situate at Cainscross in the parish of Stonehouse aforesaid now in my own occupation with the blacksmith's shop warehouse and appurtenances thereto belonging together with the lower part of the said brewhouse and also the residue of the said garden, as marked out and divided from the other part thereof given to my said son Edward as aforesaid, and also free ingress egress and regress right of way and passage to and for the said Samuel Holmes his heirs and assigns, owners and occupiers for the time being of the last mentioned dwellinghouses and premises, and his and their friends families servants customers and others at all times, into through and over the said court in front of the said dwellinghouses given and devised to my son Edward as aforesaid, and also a right to fetch and take water from the pump or well in the said court, the said Samuel Holmes his heirs and assigns paying one half of the expence of keeping the said pump and well in repair
• To hold the same unto my said son Samuel Holmes his heirs and assigns for ever charged and chargeable nevertheless and I do hereby charge the said last mentioned premises with the payment of the further sum of fifty pounds a piece to my said daughters Catherine Holmes and Mary Holmes and also with the payment of the like further sum of fifty pounds to my said trustees and executors to be by them held and applied upon the trusts and to and for the interests and purposes hereinafter expressed an d declared of and concerning the same and which said three last mentioned sums of fifty pounds each I hereby will and direct shall be paid by my said son Samuel Holmes within twelve calendar months next after he shall come into possession or receipt of the rents and profits of the said premises and as to for and concerning my household goods and furniture stock and implements in trade and all other my personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever (after paying all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expences)
• I hereby give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my nephew Francis Holmes of Fir Tree Place in the parish of Rodborough in the county of Gloucester gentleman and Thomas BREWER of Leonard Stanley in the same county blacksmith their executors administrators and assigns
• Upon trust in the first place to cause an inventory and valuation thereof to be had and taken and to be signed by my said wife and then upon trust to permit and suffer my said wife to hold and enjoy the same for and during the term of her natural life and to continue to carry on my business with the capital or stock which may be therein at my decease if she shall think proper so to do for her better support and maintenance But in case my said wife shall decline carrying on my said business Then upon trust that my said trustees or the survivor of them or the executors administrators or assigns of such survivor do and shall sell and dispose of the said stock and implements in trade either by public auction or private contract for the best prices than be reasonably gotten for the same and do and shall lay out and invest the net monies to arise from such sale or sales at interest on government or real securities in their own name or names (and from time to time to alter and change such securities as they may think proper) and upon further trust so pay and apply the interest dividends and annual proceeds thereof to and for the sue of my said wife for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease upon trust to divide the said capital trust monies goods chattels and personal estate into three equal parts or shares and to pay assigns or deliver one third part or share thereof to my daughter Catherine Holmes her executors, administrators or assigns, and one other third part, or share thereof unto my daughter Mary Holmes her executors administrators or assigns, and to hold and retain the remaining third part or share thereof upon the trusts and to and for the interests and purposes hereinafter expressed and declare of and concerning the same
• provided nevertheless and I do hereby will and declare that before my stock and implements shall be sold or disposed of to any other person or persons my said son Samuel Holmes shall have the option of purchasing the same at a fair valuation by two competent persons one to be chosen by him and the other by my said trustees on the said Samuel Holmes giving notice in writing to my said trustees of his wish or intention so to do and as to for and concerning the said two several sums of fifty pounds and fifty pounds charged on the said premises so given and devised to my said two sons respectively and directed to be paid by them to my said trustees and executors and also as to for and concerning the remaining one third part or share of the residue of my personal estate directed to be held and retained by my said trustees and executors as aforesaid, I hereby will and direct that my said trustees and executors as aforesaid, I hereby will and direct that my said trustees and executors and the sum of them and the executors administrators and assigns of such survivor shall stand possessed of the same upon the trusts and to and for the interests and purposes next hereinafter expressed and declared (that is to say)
• Upon trust that they the said trustee(s) or the survivor of them or the executors administrators or assigns of such survivor do and shall on receipt of the said several sums of fifty pounds and fifty pounds and the remaining third part of the residue of my personal estate as aforesaid respectively, lay out and invest the same in their own name or names in good ..? or real securities at interest and do and shall pay the dividends interests and annual proceeds thereof unto my daughter Sarah HAMBIDGE, or otherwise well and sufficiently authorise and empower her to receive the same during her life, for her sole separate and peculiar use and benefit and so as the same or any part thereof shall not be subject or in any manner liable to the debts control engagement ...? intermeddling of her present or any future husband
• and my will is and I do hereby expressly direct and declare that the receipt and receipts of my said daughter Sarah HAMBIDGE under her hand shall notwithstanding her couverture be good and sufficient discharge to my said trustees or trustee for the time being for so much of the said interest discharge...annual produce as in such receipt or receipts shall be acknowledged or expressed to have been received and from and immediately after the decease of my said daughter Sarah HAMBIDGE upon further trust that my said trustees and executors or the sum of them or the executors administrators or assigns of such survivor do and shall pay assign or transfer the said two sums of fifty pounds and fifty pounds and the remaining third part of the residue of my personal estate as aforesaid, or the stocks funds and securities in which the same shall be invested, to such person or persons and in such shares and proportions manner and form as the said Sarah HAMBIDGE (notwithstanding her couverture) by any deed or deeds instrument or instruments in writing to be by her signed sealed and delivered or by her last will and testament in writing to be by her signed and published in the presence of and attested by two or more credible witnesses, shall from time to time direct or appoint and for want of such direction or appointment, and as to much of such part thereof whereof now such direction or appointment shall be made
• Upon trust to pay also or transfer the same to the executors or administrators of the said Sarah HAMBIDGE and I do hereby appoint the said Francis Holmes and Thomas BREWER executors in trust of this my last will and testament provided always and my will is that my said trustees and executors, administrators or assigns of either of them, shall not be charged or chargeable with more of the trust monies or property than they respectively shall actually receive, and that one of them shall not be answerable or accountable for the other of them, or for the acts receipts neglects or defaults of the other of them but each one for his own acts receipts neglects or defaults only nor shall they or either of them be answerable or accountable for any banker broker or other person with whom any of the trust monies may be deposited for safe custody or otherwise in the execution of the said trusts, nor for the insufficiency or deficiency of any stocks funds or securities in or upon which any of the said trust monies shall be invested in pursuance of and in conformity to this my will or for any other misfortune loss or damage which may happen in the execution of the aforesaid trust or otherwise in relation thereto, unless the same shall happen by or through their own wilful defaults respectively; and also that my said trustees and executors shall and may by and out of the monies which shall come to their respective hands by virtue of the trusts aforesaid, retain and reimburse himself and themselves all costs charges and expences which they may or any of them may respectively sustain or expend or be put into or about the execution of the trusts aforesaid or in any manner relating thereto and lastly I do hereby revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and declare this only to be my last will and testament. 
• In witness whereof I the said Samuel Holmes the testator have to this my last will and testament contained in this and the four preceding sheets of paper set my hand and seal to this last sheet this twenty seventh day of July in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen

[signed] S Holmes

witnessed by Peter MATHEWS

Mary MATHEWS

R. WYATT

This is the codicil to the last will and testament of me Samuel Holmes of Cainscross in the parish of Stonehouse in the county of Gloucester blacksmith which bears date the twenty seventh day of July one thousand eight hundred and nineteen -

• whereas since the date and execution of my said will my daughter Mary Holmes hath departed this life now I do hereby give and bequeath to my daughter Catherine Holmes (over and above the provision I have made for her by my said will) the two legacies or sums of fifty pounds and fifty pounds charged on the premises therein described to or for the benefit of my said daughter Mary Holmes and also the one third part or share of the said Mary Holmes of and in the monies arising from the sale of my personal estate after the decease of my said wife and I do hereby direct the said legacy and she to be paid to the said Catherine Holmes her executors administrators or assigns at the same time and in the same manner as my said daughter Mary would have been entitled to receive the same in case she had .....?survived?
•  I do hereby charge the premises given and devised to my sons Edward and Samuel respectively with the said ....? sums of fifty pounds and fifty pounds accordingly and I do hereby in all other respects ratify and confirm  my said will and direct this to be taken as part thereof.  In writing whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty seventh day of August one thousand eight hundred and twenty two.

[signed] Sl Holmes

witnessed by R. WYATT

Catherine WYATT

Hannah GABB

proved 30 August 1823 by Frances Holmes and Thomas BREWER joint executors

Under £450

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WILL 8

Edward Holmes millwright of Paganhill,  son of ? the latter seems too late as records suggest that Edward =1809 to Mary WHITARD so unlikely that it's Thomas millwright of Paganhill, b 27 July 1800; perhaps descendant of Samuel bc1733

will made 15 Dec 1843,  codicil 21 July 1847, death occurred 19 July 1848, burial at ?, proved

Will and codicil proved by Samuel Holmes of Nailsworth and Samuel Phipps of Cainscross gentlemen who said Edward died about 19 July 1848, goods chattels and credits under £1,500

Summary of bequests (note that the codicil says debts of children should be taken into consideration and if they disagree others will get their share...):

my sons

George Holmes  (codicil says he owes dad £170!)

Edward Holmes (codicil says he owes dad £120!)

John Holmes

Henry Holmes

daughter Mary Ann Holmes (in codicil she is married to HAYCRAFT and owes father £30)

• five equal shares

WITNESSES to will :

Frances Holmes of Rodborough

Alfred HAYCRAFT of Cainscross

WITNESSES to Codicil:

MOSLEY jnr of Cainscross

John ?HARRISON – clerk to Mr Phipps – solicitor of Cainscross

TRUSTEES:

Samuel Holmes of Nailsworth  gentleman

Samuel PHIPPS of Cainscross  gentleman

 _______________________________________

In the name of god amen I Edward Holmes of Paganhill in the parish of Stroud in the county of Gloucester millwright to make and publish my last will and testament in manner following

First it is my will and desire that all my just debts and funeral and testamentary (stet) expenses be paid and discharged by my executors hereinafter named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.

• I give devise and bequeath unto my friends Samuel Holmes of Nailsworth in the said  county of Gloucester gentleman and Samuel PHIPPS of Cainscross in the same county gentleman all my messuages tenements or dwelling houses lands hereditaments and premises situate in the parish of Stroud in the county aforesaid or elsewhere in the kingdom of Great Britain with the and every of their rights members and appurtenances and also all my ready money and securities for money book debts stock in trade of every description household furniture and utensils of household and all and singular other my personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever which I shall or may be possessed of or entitled unto at the time of my decease to hold the same and every part thereof unto them the said Samuel Holmes and Samuel PHIPPS their heirs executors administrators and assigns according to the nature and quality thereof respectively upon the trusts nevertheless and for the several ends intents and purposes hereinafter expressed and declared (that is to say)

• As to all my said messuages tenements or dwelling houses lands hereditaments and premises upon trust that my said trustees or the survivor of them and the heirs or assigns of such survivor do and shall with all convenient speed after my decease sell and dispose of all and singular my said real estate and premises with their and every of their rights members and appurtenances and the fee simple and inheritance thereof either together or in lots and either by public auction or private contract as in their or his discretion shall deem most advantageous to any person or persons who shall or may be willing to become the purchaser or purchasers thereof an d for then most money and best price or prices that can be reasonably had or gotten for the same and as to the monies arising from such sale or sales as aforesaid when as the same shall be received

• I do direct shall sink into and become part of my personal estate and be disposed of as hereinafter declared of and concerning the same and for the better and more effectually enabling my said trustees or trustee as aforesaid to carry such sale or sales into complete execution

• I hereby declare that the receipt or receipts of my said trustees or trustee for the time being as aforesaid shall be to all intents and purposes whatsoever a good and sufficient discharge and discharges to any purchaser or purchasers of my said estate or any part thereof  for so much money as in such receipt or receipts shall be expressed or acknowledged to have been received and that such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obliged to see to the further application of such monies nor be answerable or accountable for the misapplication thereof or any part thereof and as to my said stock in trade household furniture and utensils of household plate linen china and all and singular my personal estate and effects upon trust that my said trustees or trustee for the time being as aforesaid so and shall as soon as conveniently may be after my decease sell and dispose of the same and every part thereof and do and shall call in and convert into money and compel payment (if necessary) of all such sum and sums of money as may be due to me upon special or simple contract at the time of my decease and as to for and concerning the monies that may arise therefrom together with my ready monies and the money arising from the sale of my said real estate as aforesaid upon further trust  that my said trustees or trustee for the time being as aforesaid do and

• shall pay divide and apply the same monies unto and among my sons and daughter George Holmes Edward Holmes Mary Ann Holmes John Holmes and Henry Holmes in five equal shares and proportions share and share alike and I do declare my will and desire that if either of my said children shall depart this life before his or her share of the said trust monies shall become payable or be paid leaving issue of his or her body lawfully begotten then and in such case such issue shall be entitled to the same benefit under this my will as his her or their parent would have been entitled  to in case of their living to receive the same

• provided always and it is my will and desire and I do hereby order and direct my said trustees or trustee for the time being as aforesaid to ascertain and fix previous to the distribution or division of any part of my estate all such sum or sums of money as I shall have lent and advanced to either of my said children on any security or by way of book debt to the intent that the same debts may be accounted for by them respectively with all interest and arrears thereof as debts due to me and consequently part of my personal estate and as deductions from the sums to which they respectively would otherwise become entitled under this my will

• Provided also and I do hereby declare and direct that my said trustees and the survivor of them and the heirs executors administrators and assigns of such survivor shall be charged and chargeable for such part of the said trust and monies only as they or either of them shall respectively actually receive by virtue of the trusts hereby in them reposed nor shall they or other person in whose hands the same or any part thereof shall or may be deposited for safe custody or otherwise in the execution of the said trusts nor for any loss which shall or may happen to said trust monies by the deficiency of any security or in any other manner howsoever except the same shall happen by or through their or either of their own wilful default and that one of them notwithstanding they or either of them shall join in any receipt or receipts for the sake of conformity only but each of them

•  For the acts deeds defaults receipts and disbursements of himself only

• And also that it shall and may be lawful for them my said trustees or trustee for the time being as aforesaid by and out of the monies which shall come to their respective hands by virtue of the trusts aforesaid to retain and reimburse himself and themselves respectively and also to allow to his cotrustee and cotrustees all costs charges damages and expences (stet) which they or he or either of them may suffer sustain expend disburse  be at or be put unto in or about the execution of the trusts of this my will or in relation thereunto and I hereby make nominate constitute and appoint the said Samuel Holmes and Samuel Phipps joint executors in trust of this my will and I do hereby revoke all other wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this present writing contained in four sheets of paper to be my last will and testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three

[signed] Edward Holmes

Witnessed by Frances Holmes of Rodborough

Alfred HAYCRAFT of Cainscross

Will and codicil proved by Samuel Holmes of Nailsworth and Samuel Phipps of Cainscross gentlemen who said Edward died about 19 July 1848, goods chattels and credits under £1,500

Codicil

• This is a codicil to the last will and testament of me Edward Holmes of Paganhill in the parish of Stroud in the county of Gloucester millwright which will bears date the fifteenth day of December in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three whereas in order to avoid all disputes and obligation to my family after my decease

• I have lately ascertained and fixed the sums of money due to me from my sons George and Edward Holmes and my daughter Mary Ann now the wife of Alfred HAYCRAFT which I have lent and advanced to each of them for their benefit (that is to say) the sum of one hundred and seventy pounds in which my said son George stands indebted to me the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds due to me from my said son Edward and the sum of thirty pounds due to me from my said daughter Mary Ann HAYCRAFT.

• Now it is my will and desire and I do hereby order that the trustees in my said will named and appointed and the survivor of them and the executors administrators and assigns of such survivor so and shall in ascertaining the amount of my personal estate take into account the sums above named so due to me from my said two sons and daughter as debts due to my estate and also do and shall deduct the same respective sums out of their respective share or shares of my estate and effects to which they may respectively become entitled under my said will together with the interest thereonafter the rate of four pounds per centrum  per annum such interest on the said respective debts to be begin and be calculated from the day of the date of this codicil or for such length of time as the law will permit up to the time of the payment or satisfaction thereof

• And I so hereby further declare that in case any or either of my children shall directly or indirectly dispute the validity of my said will or this codicil or any … clause or thing therein or herein contained such child or children so disputing the same shall go in augmentation of the shares or interests of the other children who shall not dispute the same and in all other respects I ratify and confirm my said will in witness whereof the said Edward Holmes have to this my codicil contained in two sheets of paper set my hand this twenty first day of July in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven

[signed] Edw Holmes

witnessed by …MOSLEY jnr of Cainscross

John ?Harrison – clerk to Mr Phipps – solicitor of Cainscross

It's clear that the clerk wrote this will

________________________________________

WILL 9

William Holmes blackmith of Paganhill,  son of

will made 29 August 1876, death occurred 26 December 1876, burial at ?

Will proved by Ann Susannah FLIGHT, widowed daughter, at gGoucester on 18 October 1877

Summary of bequests :

my wife

everything during her lifetime

Edward Holmes, son, receives all after her death

Eldest son of Edward receives all after Edward's death if Edward marries

If Edward doesn't leave a son, everything to be sold and divided up equally between any children of William's that are still living

WITNESSES to will :

Henry E HALL accountant of Stroud

WITNESSES to Codicil:

EE FLIGHT of Stroud (?possibly granddaughter)

EXECUTRIX::

Ann Susannah FLIGHT of Stroud

Estate valued at under £100

 _______________________________________

This is the last will and testament of me William Holmes of Paganhill near Stroud blacksmith.  I give and bequeath unto my wife Ann HOLMES all my real and personal estate of every description for and during the term of her natural life and from and after her decease I give devise and bequeath the same unto my son Edward Holmes now residing with me for and during the term of his natural life and after his decease in the event of my said son Edward HOLMES marrying and having by his marriage any male issue him surviving then I give and bequeath the same unto the oldest son of the said Edward HOLMES his heirs and assigns but if my said son Edward HOLMES should not marry then I direct that the same shall be sold either by public auction or private contract for the best price and can be obtained for the same and the proceeds divided share and share alike between all my children who shall be living at his decease.  And I appoint my daughter Ann Susannah FLIGHT of Stroud aforesaid, executrix of this my will and declare this to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I the said William Holmes have to this my last will set my hand this twenty ninth day of August one thousand eight hundred and seventy six.

[signed] William Holmes

Witnessed by Henry E. HALL, accountant, Stroud

E.E. FLIGHT, Stroud

Croomes solicitors of Cainscross certified this to be a correct copy

________________________________________

More wills that have been collected and examined to be recorded here when time allows

Property Transactions

Indentures etc still need to be recorded formally

Main Sources Consulted

to be updated

1. MONUMENT NO. 115037
County: Gloucestershire
District: STROUD
Parish: CHALFORD
Monument Number: ( SO 80 SE 26 )
MEDIEVAL CHAPEL 1086 - 1086
MEDIEVAL CARVED STONE 1300 - 1540
MEDIEVAL CHAPEL 1300 - 1540
MEDIEVAL WELL 1300 - 1540

Probable site of a Saxon and Medieval chapel at `Paganhill'. A Baptistry Well, C13th/C14th carved stone and wood have been found amid a mound which apparently has an apsidal end. The chapel is mentioned in Domesday, in the C14th and C16th. it is uncertain whether this is the Chapel of St James mentioned in a Chancery Suit of 1553 at Paganhill.

2. Annotated Record Map Corr 6" (Rev R Jowett Burton)
3. Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society
1925 (Mary A Rudd)
4. Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society
1929 (Mary A Rudd)
5. Domesday Survey of Glos 1889 173 (C S Taylor)
6. 1842 tithe map
7. Victoria County History
8. Deeds for Cottages at Pagan Hill, Stroud
An incomplete sequence of 5 deeds from an original 8 covering the period 1799-1836, for 'All that messuage tenement or dwelling house.....heretofore in the occupation of William Budding.....now in the occupation of James Bennett as tenant.....and also all those four cottages or tenements (formerly used as two cottages or tenements) heretofore in the several occupations of James Mayer and William Saunders but now of Joseph Sadler, William Harrison and Joseph Whiley.....and also all those two other cottages or tenements sometime since erected.....now in the occupation of William March and [blank] Chandler.... This parchment group (ref 28/54)
9. Deeds to Farm Hill House Estate, Pagan Hill, Stroud
An incomplete sequence of 9 deeds from an original 14, covering the period 1777-1834, for 'All that capital messuage or mansion house commonly called or known by the name of Farm Hill House with the cottages, stables, coach house and other buildings....'. Along with the house came several plots of land including the 6 acre Hill Ground; the 4 acre Horsepool Orchard; the 8 acre Almonds Croft; the 30 acre Rose Orchard; the 2 acre Farm Orchard, etc etc. The earlier of the deeds seem to relate only to a house and land formerly know as Seamores, but latterly had become known as The Rose, and this indicates a piecemeal accumulation of lands that were destined to become the Farm Hill House estate. All but 1 of this group of parchments deeds is 18th century. The group (ref 28/56)
10. Abstract of Title to Property at Pagan Hill, Stroud
This undated but 1820s abstract gives details of property deeds going back to 1707 when William Toms took out a lease of 'All that messuage or tenement called Beards Tenement.....situate and being in Pakenhill....And also all that close of meadow called the Watery Lane Mead....[apparently this 2 acre plot of land went up Rimestone Hill]. In 1731 the property was the subject of a settlement made on the marriage of the owner (Edward Field - William Toms had only leased it) to Ann Plummer. By 1735 the property had become known as Fields Place and on the death of Edward Field devolved to the Phelps family. The property was to remain in that family until this abstract was drawn up in preparation for its sale to Thomas Ellary by John de la Field Phelps. Manuscript on 7 folio paper sheets. (ref 28/52)
11. To be consulted again
Gloucestershire Notes and Queries. Volume 1. Edited by the Rev. Beaver H. Blacker, M.A., and published in 1881.

Gloucestershire Notes and Queries. Volume VI. 1894-5. Edited by W.P.W. Phillimore, M.A., B.C.L. Published 1896.

Notes and Recollections of Stroud. By Paul Hawkins Fisher. Originally published in 1891. Republished by Alan Sutton 1975. ISBN 0 904387 06 2

Nonconformist Chapels and Meeting-Houses, Gloucestershire. Royal Commission on Historical Monuments of England. 1986.ISBN 0 11 300008 1

The Stroudwater Canal. by Michael Handford. Published in 1979 by Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0 904387 30 5.

Towns and Villages of England: Stroud, by Philip Walmsley. Published in 1994 by Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0 7509 0589 1

Parish Records. Gloucestershire Records Office.

May 14, 1804 report re inquest by Coroner Trigg re JAMES WORSTALL and JOHN HALLIDAY, c8/9yrs, spectators at erection of new Maypole at Paganhill: stay rope broke, pole fell, boys killed on the spot.  Verdict: Accidental Death.  "The pole being found a deodand by the Jury, we hope will prove the means of discontinuing the practice of erecting such useless monuments of public amusement in future." See http://www.genebug.net/glsinquests.htm

Regel, Valerie: Church of the Holy Spirit Paganhill: 100 years young,1999