William Dyke 1646 of London and Dordrecht, Holland

William Dyke is the brother of Thomas Dyke (Will 1641), Martin Dyke (Will 1657) and Mary Beale (Will 1679). He is living in Dordrecht and wants to prevent his brother-in-law Valentine Beale obtaining any of the bequests he makes to Mary. Summary Will Date: 18 December 1645Executors: Doctor Robert Pagett Minister of the English Church in DordrechtDoctor …

Abraham Dolins 1706 of Hackney, Middlesex and London

Abraham Dolins is the son of Abraham Dolins (Will 1663) and leaves most of his substantial estate to his son Daniel. He also wishes to give small sums to his daughters without it getting into the hands of their husbands. Unsurprisingly, the Will is challenged by the daughters and sons-in-law. Summary Will Date:15 December 1704Executors:Wife …

William Eyre 1646 of Lincoln’s Inn, London

William Eyre is the brother of Giles Eyre (Will 1655), Thomas Eyre (Will 1633) and Elizabeth Tooker (Will 1628). He leaves most of his estate, including his law books, to his Great-nephew Samuel Eyre, hoping that he will become a lawyer. Samuel did indeed take up the Law becoming a Judge of the Court of …

Katherine Webb 1607, widow of William Webb

Katherine Webb was the daughter of George Tourney, a Salisbury mercer, and her husband was William Webb (Will 1585). When George Tourney died in 1538 her mother Joane married his business partner Robert Eyre. Her step-brother Thomas Eyre had a large family and Katherine mentions many of them in her Will. Katherine enjoyed fine clothes and in 1563 was named in an Inquisition on Wives Gowns in Salisbury. There were conventions restricting certain fabrics to the upper classes and the wives of the well-to-do were ignoring them. Her concern with status also shows in her bequest to the church, which is subject to the church obeying her executors and her seat in the church being reserved for her descendents. The Will also shows worries about her daughter Rebecca's second husband Barnaby Lewis. It seems that family are holding money for Rebecca and her children in case he misuses her and to prevent him getting hold of it.

William Eyre 1696 of Southwark, Surrey

William Eyre makes provision for his two youngest children who are not yet of age and makes a homely reference to the boxes of papers in his study and his books. He also makes a bequest to his sister (Frances Eyre/Wilson/Wood Will 1714) specifying that her husband is "not to intermeddle", an important stipulation in those times as a married woman's property would otherwise pass to her husband.

Robert Snelgar 1593 Gentleman of Redlynch, Wiltshire

Robert Snelgar is father of Ambrose Snelgar (Will 1633). He is probably the son or stepson of Margaret Snelgar (Will 1560) and brother of Edmond (Will 1614) and Randall (Will 1598). He tries to prevent money for his daughter Honor getting into the hands of her husband. Summary Will date:26 June 1593Executor:Sons Ambrose and Francis Snelgar, Simon …

Robert Rogers 1601 of London, Leatherseller

Robert Rogers left a substantial amount of money for charitable purposes including almshouses, basic necessities for the poor, and for young people to further their studies or start up in trade. Also money for his cousin Cicely Paris and her children which he tries to ensure will go to them and not to her husband, an 'unthrifte'. Robert was the son of Robert Rogers (Will 1555) and Elizabeth Webb (Will 1602). He was 7 years old when his father died and according to his father's will he was to be brought up by his uncle John Rogers and sent overseas or to University to complete his education. Robert mentions Christopher Eyre his nephew and apprentice who also became successful in trade and was inspired by his uncle to leave large sums for similar charitable works.