The Hunt Family has been in Dorchester since the reign of Henry VI when the Municipal records show that a John HUNT was elected Bailiff for the year 1425/6⁽¹⁾. All we know about him is that he had already married Edith the widow of William ADAM, and that she had inherited a house in South Street on the death of her 1st husband in 1415. We also know that John was alive throughout 1426 to 1428 when he acted as a witness on many official records enacted during those years, but disappears thereafter. According to "Dorset Incumbents" by G.D. Squibb which was published by the Dorset Natural History Society a Richard HUNT was Rector of All Saints Church in Dorchester in the 1540's but I can find no other reference to him. Municipal Records also refer to a Robert HUNT purchasing for £9 two burgages on the North side of High East Street situated next to the baker John CORBIN in 1549. In 1560 he is listed as one of the 20 Capital Burgesses of Dorchester when it confirmed his owning two burgages lying together on the North side of High East Street. These early references in official documents suggest a family of some social standing within the town.

The Will of Ambrose HUNT (1512-1587)
Husbandman of Fordington Dorset
Dated 6th Nov 1586; Buried 26th Dec 1587; Proved 17th Oct 1588



For ease of reference I have transcribed this will below:-

HUNT - In the name of God Amen: The 6th day of November in the year of our Lord God one thousand five hundred four score and six
I Ambrose HUNT of Fordington being sick in body but of good and perfect remembrance do make this my last Will and testament in manner and form following.

First and principally I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of almighty god my creator saviour and merciful redeemer and my body to be buried within the churchyard in Fordington in Christian burial until the resurrection

Item: I give to the poor of my parish xij^d [12 pence]
Item: I give to M^r RUSSELL for making this my testament xij^d [12 pence]
Item: I give to Elizabeth HUNT my goddaughter vj^d [11 pence]
Item: I give and bequeath to my five daughters Anne, Margaret, Alice, Christian, and Dorothy each of them three bushel of wheat and six bushel of barley all which portions my will is that they be paid within five years next after my decease and in manner and form following my daughter Dorothy to have paid her the three bushel of wheat & six bushel of Barley being her portion the first year to Christian next to Alice next to Anne next and to Margaret her portion of wheat and Barley the last year
Item: I give and bequeath to John HUNT my sonne my horses, corts [carts] and plow [plough] with all their appliances and implements whatsoever, the table board the great brass pot and all the lumber about the house
Item: I give and bequeath to Christian my daughter the great pan.
Item: I give and bequeath to Dorothy the second best brass pot and a heifer in 'Blackmore'
Item: To the three children of William Fflamborde of 'Armitage' to each of them I give a sheep
Item: To Tomas & Marie HUNT my sonne's children I give to each of them a sheep
The rest of my goods both moveable and unmovable I give and bequeath to Elizabeth my wife & John HUNT my son whom I make my sole executor of this my last will and testament These being witnesses Mr TAPP, William WATERS Senior & Richard Russell

Probate: of the will of Ambrose HUNT deceased of Fordington was proved before Mt George Dawks when administration was granted to the executor on the 17th day of October 1588

From this Will it is clear that Ambrose (I) held a smallholding within the parish of Fordington and was reasonably prosperous by standards of the day as he was able to make various bequests to his wife and children. His wealth however, such as it was, is invested in the farm which had to continue to operate so he leaves his horses, carts, farming implements and plow to his surviving son John. Some fields were devoted to the raising of an annual crop of wheat and barley whilst others supported a flock of sheep. A fairly typical smallholding even today. A 'bushel' was a vessel used to measure dry goods such as grain, in this case wheat and barley. A bushel was 8 gallons which is equivalent to 36.4 litres today, so his bequest to each of his daughters in turn represented 328 litres of grain. From the way the will is written it seems likely that this represented a significant part of the smallholding's annual crop and all that could be spared to fulfil his bequests which had to be spread over 5 years. As will be seen below he probably had interests outside the parish as well.

Turning to relationships the will confirms that his wife Elizabeth is still alive in 1586 and that he has a son John and five living daughters (Anne, Margaret, Alice, Christian, and Dorothee). I think at least two of these were already married. He also makes a special bequest to Dorothy of a heifer at 'Blackmore' and to the three children of William Flamborde of 'Armitage'. Armitage is actually a reference to 'The Hermitage' in the forest of Blackmore 10 miles NNW of Dorchester. Unfortunately parish registers for Hermitage only survive from 1712 but Bishops Transcripts survive from at least 1604 (These can be viewed at CLDS - Film 1279500). The marriages have been transcribed on the OPC site from which it is clear that Williams family surname is recorded as 'FLAMBERT'. The closeness of these families can be seen in the later marriage of Ambrose Flambert (possibly one of these children) to Alice HUNT at Hermitage on 15th August 1614. Hermitage came under the control of the Abbey at Cerne Abbas and I note that Ambrose Flambert was listed in the 1642 Protestation Return for the Parish. From Elizabeth HUNT's Will (below) it would appear that it was his daughter Alice who actually married to William Flambert.

Finally he refers to two of 'his sons' children 'Thomas and Marie'. His executor and son John Hunt referred to in the will does not marry until 1591 (See (1) below), so these are presumably children from an elder child of his that has died. In this respect I would normally expect his eldest son to have been called Ambrose HUNT in accordance with conventions of the day so this would have been Ambrose HUNT II but the line of descent is clearly through his brother John. More about these children under his wife's will. The additional bequests to his daughters Christian and Dorothy may be an indictor that they are spinsters (Christian certainly was), his other daughters Alice and Margaret would have already had a dowry on marriage. One of the witnesses is Mr Tapp and from Elizabeth's will it seems his daughter Margaret married into the Tapp family so this may well be her husband. There is no mention of Anne so she may have died.

Elizabeth HUNT, described as a widow of Fordington, died in 1594 leaving the Will shown below. Parish Registers have not survived for this year so we are denied her actual burial date:-

The Will of Elizabeth HUNT (d.1594)
Widow of Ambrose HUNT of Fordington (d.1587)
Dated 10th Apr 1589^{(2 )}; Proved 19th July 1594

    

For ease of reference I have transcribed this will below:-

HUNT: In the name of God Amen the tenth day of April in the 31st year^{(2 )} of the reign of our sovereign Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God of England, France and Ireland; Queen defender of the faith; I Elizabeth HUNT of ye Parish of Fordington in the County Dorset Widow do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following

First and before all things I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God trusting to be saved by faith, and my body to be buried within the parish churchyard of Fordington aforesaid in Christian burial

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Christian HUNT a peck pan, a little Cadron? of a quart and all my clothes belonging to my bed, linen and woollen

Item: I give and bequeath unto her an acre of wheat and an acre or barley; half to be paid this year and the other half next year and to the said Christian I give a crocke of a gallon, a sheet and my best cercheife .

Item: I give and bequeath to Alice FLAMBORD iiij [4] bushels of Barley a neckerchief and my best apron

Item: I give and bequeath to Thomas HUNT iij [3] bushels of barley

Item: I give and bequeath to Ambrose HUNT ij [2] bushels of wheat and a crocke of half a quart

Item: I give and bequeath to Margaret TAPP a platter

Item: I give and bequeath to Joan HUNT my second best kerchief

Item: I give and bequeath unto the three children of Alice FLAMBORED to each of them a kerchief

The rest of my goods and chattels not given nor bequeathed I do give and bequeath unto John HUNT my son whom I make my executor of this my last Will and Testament these being witnesses William CORNISH and Robert RASKAR RASKER] with others

It seems likely that Elizabeth and her daughter Christian HUNT, who remained a spinster, continued to live on the farm after the death of Ambrose HUNT (I) as both die in Fordington and as can be seen above John is again the main beneficiary and executor of Elizabeth's will. His sister Christian died in 1600 (again parish registers are missing) and he is granted administration for her estate that year jointly with William BARNES a husbandman of Fordington.

Elizabeth's second bequest is to her daughter Alice who is married to William FLAMBORED [FLAMBERT] already alluded to above. There is no mention of her daughters Anne or Dorothy who may have died.

Thomas HUNT is probably the grandson referred to in her husbands will. I think Marie HUNT married William BARNES as I note that 'Marie the wife of William BARNES of Fordington ' was buried at St Georges Church on 11th Jan 1587/8 and William BARNES was joint administrator of Christian HUNT's estate.

Ambrose HUNT could be another grandchild but there is no reference to him in Elizabeth's husband's will and her son John is newly married and had a son called Ambrose (See Joan's will below). We also know that his eldest child was male and baptised in 1592 before his mother died. Although we do not know the sequence of his children's birth it seems likely that he would have named his eldest son Ambrose after his father.

Her daughter Margaret is now referred to as Margaret TAPP. There is evidence showing that several members of the Tapp Family were also husbandmen living in Fordington, with a Henry TAPP for example being Constable of the parish in 1617, so the family was of the same social standing⁽³⁾ . I have not however been able to locate a suitable marriage or burial.

Joan HUNT may be her daughter-in-law, the wife of her son John, but her will was written in 1589 ostensibly before their marriage in 1591. I have looked at the surviving bishops transcripts for that year and they are very badly damaged making it virtually impossible to make out the marriage registration or year. It comes from a transcription completed in 1909 by Phillimore but I have no way of checking whether this is accurate. If not her daughter-in-law it could be another grandchild but if so she would have died young when registers are missing.

John HUNT was the son of Ambrose HUNT (1512-1587) [See (1) above ] by Elizabeth his wife, and the main beneficiary and executor under his fathers will which was written on 6th November 1586. When his father died at the end of 1587 he inherited the family smallholding in Fordington together with his fathers horses, carts and farming implements. His wife Joan's surname is not given on their marriage registration at St Georges Church Fordington on 16th Nov 1591 but it is clear from her will (see below) that she is the sister of Christopher RASKER Husbandman of Fordington. They were both children of William RASKER the elder and all doubt is removed by his will which was written on 5th Jan 1604/5 as he names his 3 sons, one of which is Christopher, and "Joan HUNT Widow my daughter" as beneficiaries. Her brother Christopher RASKER (d.1613) is also a witness to her will in 1609. In the same year that they married John HUNT was a witness to the will of Thomas WINSOR Senior, a husbandman of Fordington. This is another local family they are closely associated with and later bound to by the marriage of their eldest son Ambrose and later the marriage of their grandson William.

Children:-Their first child was baptised at St Georges Church in Fordington on 7th February 1592/3 but the parish register is water damaged and their sons Christian name is illegible (but see comments below). Registers for 1593 have not survived and those for 1594 are almost illegible. Registers for 1595 to 1602 have also not survived. The register for 1603 is mainly legible but they do not appear to have a child baptised that year. The only clear baptism that we have is that for their youngest child Elizabeth (named after his mother) as shown below. In his wife's will Joan concentrates upon providing for her only daughter Elizabeth and three of her four sons (Robert, John, and Thomas) equally inherit the rest of her estate. She makes a separate bequest however of all the ploughing equipment to her son Ambrose who may have already been independent and one of her older children as he is the first to marry. All we actually know about her children's births is that they were between 1592 and 1604 but for the sake of identifying people with similar names I have tentatively allocated them approximate birth dates :-

(1) Ambrose HUNT III (1592/3-1661) From the Survey of Fordington Manor in 1615 , which gives his age then as being 22, it is clear that although the Christian name is illegible in the parish register he was baptised at FStG on 7th Feb 1592/3. He later married Mary WINSOR at St Georges Church in Fordington on 3rd July 1623. Follow this link for more information about his family.

(2) Robert HUNT (c1595-aft 1639) He married Katherine BASCOMBE at FStG on 23rd Jan 1630 Follow this link onto to his marriage for more information about his family.

(3) John HUNT (c1598-1628) He was a beneficiary under his grandfather William RASKER's Will dated 5th Jan 1604/5 and that of his mother in 1609 (See below). He married c1624 to Johane (Unknown). His will dated 20th Feb 1628 makes bequests to his two daughters Joane named after his wife and Bridget - her baptism is recorded at FStG 10th Feb 1627. John died being buried at Fordington on 5th March 1628 leaving his estate to his widow Johane but he usefully also refers to his 3 brothers and sister typically leaving each 12 pence.

(4) Thomas HUNT (c1601-1670) He was a beneficiary under his grandfather William RASKER's Will dated 5th Jan 1604/5 and that of his mother in 1609 (See below). On 14th January 1631/2 Ann WATTS a single woman of Fordington had her bastard son Thomas baptised at FStG and when questioned by the Overseers of the Poor named Thomas HUNT Husbandman of Fordington to be the father. He was brought before the assizes at Bridport in October and ordered to pay 12d per week for the child's maintenance. He appealed however at the Court held in Sherborne and upon investigation it was found that Thomas TIZAR must have been the actual father. With the judgement of Solomon the Court accepted that he was not the father but as both men had carnal knowledge they were ordered to pay 6d each per week. He married Christian Unknown (d.1666) and they had at least a daughter Elizabeth. Thomas died intestate and was buried at FStG on 4th Sep 1670. Administration of his estate was granted to his creditors on 19th Oct 1670.

(5) Elizabeth HUNT (1605- ) She was baptised at FStG on 4th Aug 1605. In the quarter sessions for Sherborne in April 1638 there is a bastardy hearing brought by the bailiffs of Dorchester against a Josiah MINTERNE of Burleston a husbandman in respect of Elizabeth HUNT which may be her. She would have been 33 years old and of the right social class. There is a baptism of a bastard child named 'Holland' at Puddletown on 25th May 1640 which is the nearest that I can locate and also local to Dorchester so where she might have gone to have the baby.

It seems likely that at least his mother and spinster sister Christian also continued to live and work on the farm as they both died in Fordington. John is the main beneficiary under his mother Elizabeth's will in 1594 and is granted administration of his sister Christian's estate when she died in 1600.

John HUNT was buried at FStG on the 8th Dec 1604 ( I have not so far located a will for him) and Elizabeth was therefore their last child. His widow Joan HUNT died in 1609 when registers are again missing but her will is shown below:-

The Will of Joan HUNT nee RASKER (c1566-1609)
Widow of John HUNT of Fordington (d.1604) dated 29th May 1609


    

For ease of reference I have transcribed this will below:-
HUNT Vidua [Widow] - In the name of God Amen: The nine & twentieth of May in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred & nine I Joane HUNT of the pish [parish] of Fordington within the County of Dorset & peculiar of the Sarum Widow being sick in body but of perfect memory praise be to Almighty God do make my last Will & Testament in form following

First I bequeath my soul to Almighty God by whose death & passion I constantly believe to be saved, my body to the earth whereof it was fashioned

Item: I give to Elizabeth HUNT my daughter our featherbed, two feather bolsters, a feather pillow, five sheets, a pair of pillowties, a pair of blankets, two coverletts, two tablecloths with a standing bedstead, four holland partletts, five cherchiefes of locram, two other chercheifes of holland one of lanel the other cherchife of a yarde? four aprons one of holland two of locram, one of canvas, a pair of holland fleeces, a pair of Bustian? a flannel & fustian pastcoole? two smocks of canvas, two red petticoats one better than the other,my wedding gown & a medlygowne, four half square clothes of holland, four square of locram & two whole squares, one coffer, one chest, one crocke & pan of brass & posnet , four platters & two pottingers , two candlesticks one of brass the other of tin, two trendles , a brewing & potting vat, three barrels; two kine colured red, two acres of barley whereof one acre & half lying on the west side of long barrowe way? half an acre at mamburie?

Item: Three yards of barley and one yard of wheat to be parced (parceled) and divided between my three sons vizt: Robert; John & Thomas

Item: Elizabeth my said daughter Ten Pounds of lawful money of England and from my brother Christopher RASKER which comes due to be paid at Christmas next following the date thereof which ten pounds is to be set & bestowed to the best use & benefit of my said daughter until she shall come to the age of twenty & one years or to be married provided always if the said Elizabeth my daughter happens to die before she comes to the years of twenty & one years or to be married that her my will is that this ten pounds aforesaid shall remain to my three sons Vizt Robert, John & Thomas, to be equally divided between them and to the longest liver of them successively

Item: To my daughter Elizabeth I give four Sheep & one lamb

Item: to my son Ambrose HUNT I give all such plough gear with such appurtenances as to the plough belongest whatsoever and all the lumber and wood which lyeth as well within doors as without & my husbands wedding cloak

Item: I give to my son Robert HUNT one coverled? [bedspread] a holland tie [linen pillowcase]

The rest of my goods moveable or unmovable unbequeathed to be equally divided between my three sons Vizt Robert, John and Thomas.

And I do nominate & appoint William RASKER to be my Executor And William COLLINS the younger & Christopher RASKER Overseers to see my will performed to the quieting of my mind & discharge of my conscience. In witness of this presents I have hereunto put my hand the day & year above written. Those being witnesses in person Johannem Kingston OLIVIM, William COLLINS junior his mark Christopher RASKER

Probate:- 1st day of September 1609

(5) Ambrose HUNT III (1592/3-1661) and Mary WINSOR (d. aft 1661)
Husbandman, Churchwarden in 1630, and Constable of Fordington in 1636



Ambrose Hunt's name as Churchwarden on the Bishop's Transcripts
for St Georges Church in Fordington for 1630

Ambrose HUNT was the son of John HUNT (d.1604) and Joan RASKER (d.1609) and baptised at Fordington on 7th Feb 1592/3. He grew up on his fathers smallholding in Fordington where he and his siblings helped run the farm from an early age. He was a beneficiary under his grandfather William RASKER's Will in 1605 when he was left a ewe and a lamb. Ambrose is recorded in the Survey of Fordington Manor in 1615 (when aged 22) as holding a copyhold in Fordington Fields in his own name for a tenement and a plot of 17 acres. On 3rd July 1623, in the 21st year of the reign of James I of England, he was married to Mary WINSOR at St Georges Church in Fordington by the resident vicar Rev. Edward Pele (1582-1643). He lived during an exciting time and would have been well aware of the preaching's of the Rev John WHITE (1574-1648) at Holy Trinity & St Peters Churches in the centre of Dorchester, as Edward Pele was a kindred spirit and joined in supporting their efforts to establish a Godly Community from his own pulpit.

Only four months prior to their marriage the topic of conversation had been the formation of the Dorchester Company to support the establishment of a colony in New England and the Rev Edward Pele was one of the 119 original investors in the Company. It was people of Ambrose's age that they were looking for to emigrate and as a regular attendee at St Georges Church (you were fined for non attendance) he could not have avoided regular contact with Anthony EAMES (1595-1686) as he was churchwarden at St Georges for the years 1622, 1627, and 1631. Ambrose HUNT himself was churchwarden in 1630 as his name is recorded as such on the Bishops Transcripts that were submitted to Blandford for that year (see image above). This was the same year that the Rev John WHITE prepared his own ship the 'Mary & John' which sailed for New England on 20th March. On board were many from Dorchester and the surrounding area and we know that in 1631 John White had a substantial following preaching every week to a congregation of over 2,000 people in Holy Trinity and St Peters churches. Anthony EAMES and his family emigrated in 1633 and from the Dorset Quarter Session records we know that in April 1636 Ambrose HUNT was sworn in as Constable of Fordington Liberty at the Quarter Sessions then held at Sherborne.

Because of the advent of the Civil War 1642-1651 and the loss of records through the restoration (parish registers are missing from 1640-1663) I cannot be sure of his brides ancestry but she may have been a daughter or other close relation of Thomas WINSOR Senior, another husbandman of Fordington who died in 1591 and whose Will was witnessed by Ambrose's father. Ambrose is also recorded in the subsequent Survey of Fordington Manor in 1650. This shows that he had a new copyhold grant dated 30th Dec 1617 for the tenement and the plot is now described as 1 acre and 1 rood of meadow and 16 acres of arable land in Fordington Fields.

Ambrose died during this period but thankfully left a will (1st page shown below) which is dated 4th Dec 1661 and although this was not proved until 3rd Oct 1662 an inventory of all his goods was taken on 14th December 1661 so he must have been on his death bed when the will was written. His will leaves everything to his widow Mary nee WINSOR but usefully leaves 1 shilling to each of his four adult children and 1 shilling to a kinsman John HUNT. This was common practice in the 17th Century to make it clear that these close relations had been considered but were not entitled to make any direct claim on the estate left to his wife. In the case of children this was usually because they would have already had their share of his estate when they married or left home. From the number of rooms in the house and quantity and diversity of goods it is clear that Ambrose has gained in wealth since his fathers day and I am surprised that he is not referred to as a Yeoman rather than a Husbandman. Children:-

(5.1) Ambrose HUNT IV (1624-1680/1) baptised in St Georges Church Fordington on 23rd May 1624 . He married Eleanor CHUBB at FStG on 22nd Sep 1679

(5.2) William HUNT (1628-1683) Bap FStG 21 Dec 1628. He married an Ann UNKNOWN (d.1686) in the mid to late 1650's when parish registers are missing. He was left 1 shilling in his fathers will dated 4th Dec 1661. From his sister-in-law Eleanor's will written in 1703 it is clear that they had a son William and Parish Registers start again in 1664 and show that they also had at least 3 more children:-

(5.2.1) William HUNT (c1662-1715) married (1) Elizabeth WINSOR at FStG on 14th June 1687 but she died being buried there on 21st Oct 1688. He remarried (2) to Elizabeth EYRES on 26th Dec 1689 whom I think died in 1690 when burial records are missing as he marries for a third time to (3) Edith FLOWER (1660-1742) at FStG on 18th July 1693. There were no children from the first 2 marriages - see the marriage to Edith for children. He was buried at FStG on 28th June 1715 leaving Edith a widow and she died at the age of 82 being buried at FStG on 5th May 1742.
(5.2.2) Johanna HUNT (1664-aft 1683) bap at FStG on 11th March 1664/5 who in 1686 became Administratrix of her mothers estate
(5.2.3) Elizabeth HUNT (1666-1669) Bap FStG 8th Nov 1666 and buried there 7th April 1669
(5.2.4) Samuel HUNT (1675-1676/7?) bap 27th Mar 1675. I can find no trace of Samuel after his baptism and I think he may have died in infancy, possibly during 1676 or 1677 when the parish burial registers are missing.

Their father William HUNT died intestate being buried at FStG on 16th Dec 1683 with administration of his estate being granted to his widow Anna on 2nd July 1684. Ann also died intestate in 1686 (See LA and Inventory)

(5.3) Tomasine [Thomizine] HUNT (1630-1688) She was baptised at FStG on 14th Nov 1630. She is left £10 in the Will of Tamsine WINSOR nee WHITE (c1565-1655) written in 1649 together with the bed she was lying on with all it's furniture, her 2nd best pot, her best kettle, best gown, best petticoat, and best table cloth and 6 napkins as well as her Ambry provided she married with her parents blessing. She appears to have married Robert MIDLEN [MIDDLETON] (d.1680/1) during the period when records are missing following the Civil War [1640-1663].Tamsen MIDLEN [MIDDLETON] was however left 1 shilling under her fathers Will dated 4th Dec 1661 . I like to think that this because she received her inheritance in the form of a dowry when she married rather than against her parents wishes. As soon as parish records recommence in 1664 two baptisms of children born to a Robert and Thomizine Middleton are recorded at FStG [i.e. Thomas Middleton bap on 11th June 1665 and Elizabeth bap 15th Aug 1669]. When her brother Ambrose HUNT IV died in 1680/1 his widow Eleanor under the terms of her administration of his estate had to draw up a list of debts and among these was £8 owed to her husband Robert, and £2 to Thomaizine. Eleanor deposited the inventory and list of debts into the Court Registry on 6th June 1681 when she named her as 'Thomizine Hunt Middleton'. Her husband Robert died and was buried at FStG on 12th March 1680/1 followed by her brother Ambrose only nine days later. They had at least an elder son Robert MIDLEN prior to 1664 as he died in 1684 and a letter of administration survives granted to his mother. Thomizine herself was buried at FStG on 1st Jan 1688.

(5.4) Joan HUNT (c1632-? ) a beneficiary under his will she was born in either 1632 or 1634 when parish registers have not survived. Likewise her marriage would have been before parish registers recommence in 1664. Her married name is given as 'WHILT' or 'WHITT' which is unlikely to be a correct spelling. It may have been 'WHITE' as I note a number of Joan WHITE's lived in Dorset for example a Joan WHITE died at nearby Puddletown in 1670.

The Will of Ambrose HUNT III (c1592-1661)
Husbandman of Fordington Dorset
Dated 4th Dec 1661; Proved 3rd Oct 1662


1st page of his will - Full transcription below:-

In the name of God Amen the fourth day of December 1661 in the thirteenth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King Charles the second by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland defender of the faith I Ambrose HUNT of Fordington in the County of Dorset being of present memory thanks be to God therefore do make this my Last Will & Testament in manner and form following

First of all I commit my soul into the hands of the eternal god my maker and unto Jesus Christ my only saviour and redeemer by whose death and passion I hope to be saved and my body to be buried in the parish Churchyard of Fordington

Impremis first of all I give unto John HUNT one shilling

Item: I give to my son Ambrose one shilling [Note:- Ambrose HUNT (1624-1681) ]

Item: I give unto Jone WHILT [WHITE?] my daughter one shilling

Item: I give my son William HUNT one shilling [Note:- William HUNT (1628-1683) ]

Item: I give to my daughter Tamsen MIDLEN one shilling [Note:- Should be Tamasine MIDDLETON nee HUNT (1630-1688)]

Item: I make my wife Mary HUNT full and whole executor [i.e. executrix] of all my goods together that god hath blessed me withal of this my last Will and Testament

In Witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal the day and year above mentioned. The mark of Ambrose HUNT of Fordington

Witness the mark of John WINSOR and signature of Robert GRIFFEN

Probate: of the written testament of Ambrose HUNT of Fordington 3rd day of October 1662

Inventory of the goods and chattels of Ambrose HUNT III of Fordington
the 14 day of December 1661 praised by Thomas TAP and Mathias RASKER.

[Note:- The spelling used in this inventory and the use of archaic terms makes it difficult to transcribe and interpret so I have provided links to my Glossary where possible]
In the Hallway: praised
one tableboard; and a little tableboard and 6 joined stools with 2 little stools ----14s 1d:

More in the Hall:
one cubboard; 11 pewter dishes at £1.1s.0d;

Item: 5 candlesticks; 1 bowl; 2 salts ----2s.3d;
one small furnace pan; 3 small brass pans; 2 large crockes; a posnet; one skillet ----£1.9s.4d
5 chargers ---- £0.5s.2d;
2 Crokes; one tosten eyen [toasting iron]; one still; half a dozen of spoons; a frying pan; andiron rack; one pair of tongs; 8 dishes; a piece of angers (andiers?);
a pair of basins and lantern ; one pestle and mortar; one kettle --8s. 4d
One Trenchard Cady [A trencher was a plate so this would be a plate rack]; a chopping sox? one skimmer; one basin ladle; one flesh poke ----2s. 2d
3 cushions; one slrilfor? with other old lumber ---1s. 4d

In the Buttery:-
one long trendell; one tableboard; one trendell; one Conell? one plump? a tong and fork with great bowl; and one ??? with other lumber ----13s. 4d

Item: In the backside
[i.e. out the back of the house] 2 milk cows; a heifer; 2 pigs ----£5. 10s. 0d

Item: In the Barn:
20 bushel and half of barley and 3 peck of Wheat ---£3. 0s. 0d
For old wood in the backside --- £0. 10s. 0d
One Reeke Stanell?; one winsheet; 2 sacks one peck; 3 flax one harrow one grist bag with other lumber ----10s. 6d
[Note:- The Inventory is signed on this page by the representative of the court and dated 3rd day Oct 1662]

In the Little Chamber by the Buttery:
one bedstead; one screen

Item: In the Chamber over the Hall:
one standing bedstead; 2 truckle bedsteads; one feather bed; a flock bed; a dust bed; 3 fellies? [feather] bolsters; 5 pillows --- £1. 15s. 2d
4 coverlids; 4 pair pf sheets, 2 pair of blankets ---£1.16s.6d
2 board clothes; 2 pillowties; 3 sheets m---- £0. 11s. 0d
one chest; 3 coffers; one little tableboard; one boy; a close stool; one chair and one warming pan ----£0.13s. 4d
10ft of flayed wool ---- £0. 6s. 4d

Item: For his wearing apparel and his books ---£3. 1s. 0d
with other old lumber

Item: In the Shop:
one ffeatt [i.e.vat] and feathers on cheese rack? with other old lumber ----£0. 3s. 4d

Item: in the Buttery:
one barrel of beer; one trendell; one salt; one skilfe? one tray; one half peck atuning dish; one chopping block ----£0. 7s. 6d

Item: in the Wellhouse:
one Cheese skimmer; one well bucket and chain; 3 pails; 2 trendles ---£0. 5s. 6d

Ambrose HUNT IV was the son of Ambrose HUNT III (c1592-1661) and Mary WINSOR and baptised in St Georges Church Fordington on 23rd May 1624. Like his father before him raised on the family smallholding in Fordington. Most facts about his life have been lost because of the Civil War and Restoration and the absence of parish registers for the entire period 1640-1663. Because of this I have had to work backwards from his death in 1680. We know that he died intestate as his widow and relict Eleanor HUNT was obliged to make a full account of his goods and chattels and register this with the court in accordance with the terms of a letter of administration for his estate that was granted to her. I have copied the first two pages of this extensive record below. Ambrose was actually buried at St Georges Church in Fordington on 21st March 1680/1 and the inventory attached to the letter of administration is dated the day before that so he probably died just a few days earlier. It is interesting to note that the Inventory refers to him as a 'yeoman' a social standing above that of his father who was referred to as a 'husbandman'.

"The True Account of Ellenora HUNT Widow the relict and Administratrix of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of Ambrose HUNT late of Fordington in the County of Dorset and peculiar and prebend jurisdiction of the Reverend Dr Thomas WYATT prebendary of Fordington aforesaid, deceased intestate made and published to and before Mr John THORNBOROUGH Clerk Surrogate of the said Dr WYATT the first day of November 1682


The CHARGE: IMPREMIS: (i.e. in the first place) this accomptant charges herself with the sum of £43 and ten shillings of lawful money being the total sum and true value of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased, which are comprised in an Inventory thereof already exhibited into the Registry of this Court unto which relation being had more ----larly? it do---? and may appear.

Whereas this Accomptant craveth an allowance of these several guineas of money following by her paid since the said deceased death:-

The DISCHARGE:-
Impremis: paid by this accomptant for all manner of charges in and about the funeral of the said deceased ----£4. 0s. 0d

Item: Paid to Robert MIDDLETON a debt due to him from the said deceased ----£8. 0s.0d [Note:- His brother-in-law]

Item: Paid to William HUNT a debt due to him from the said deceased ----£8. 0s .0d [Note:- His brother]

Item: Paid to Ann HUNT a debt due to her from the said deceased ----£2.0s .0d [Note:- his sister-in-law his brother William's wife]

Item: Paid to Thomizine HUNT MIDDLETON a debt due to her from the said deceased ----£2. 0s .0d [Note:- Thomizine is his sister and the wife of Robert MIDDLETON. They appear to have married during the period when records are missing following the Civil War [1640-1663] as two baptisms of children born to Robert and Thomizine Middleton are recorded at FStG [i.e. for Thomas on 11th June 1665 and Elizabeth 15th Aug 1669] . Robert MIDDLETON was buried at FStG 12th March 1680 just nine days before Ambrose so it may have been something infectious such as smallpox. They clearly had another son Robert named after his father as he died in 1684 and a letter of administration for his estate was granted to his mother Thomazine ]

Item: Paid to Mr Robert SEAGER a debt due to him from the said deceased ----£1. 4s .0d

Item: Paid several other small debts due from the said deceased ----£1. 0s .0d

Item: paid for the fees of Administration of the said deceased goods, for a Bond wherein she with her sureties stand bound for the true administering of the said goods for the appraised fees and for other necessary charges in and about the same expended ----£0. 16s. 0d

Item: paid for drawing and engrossing this accompt for a quietus est [established?] to be affixed to a copy hereof under the seal of this court, for the appraised fees and for other necessary charges in and about the same expended ----£1. 6s. 8d

Total Expended £28. 07s. 6d

See there remains in the Accomptant's hands of the goods of the said deceased unadministered the sum of £15. 3s. 6d

LETTER of ADMINISTRATION:

Obligation: Know all men that by these presents Elianoram [Eleanor] HUNT of Fordington in the county of Dorset Widow and Henry GREENING of the same place Yeoman are bound to the venerable Thomas WYATT ----etc ----dated ---- 6th day of June 168[1] ---

The Condition: of this obligation is such that the above bound Ellinor HUNT the relict and Administratrix of all and singular the goods chattels & credits of Ambrose HUNT late of Fordington in the County of Dorset deceased intestate do make or cause to be made a true inventory of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased

INVENTORY:
A true and perfect inventory of all the goods chattels and estate of Ambrose HUNT of Fordington in the County of Dorset Yeoman deceased taken and appraised by us whose names hereunto subscribed the four and twentieth day of March Domini 1680/1.
In the Chambers:

Impremis: two beds ----£3. 0s. 0d
Item: Joint stools and other lumber ----£0. 10s. 0d
Item: Bedsteads, boxes, coffers, and other furniture ----£2. 0s. 0d
Item: For the lower Rooms Pewter and brass ----£2. 0s. 0d
Item: In the Buttery Barrels and other lumber ----£0. 10s. 0d

Goods without doors [i.e. outside the house]:
Item: Threescore and four sheep and a field ----£10. 0s. 0d
Item: five horse beats and a hay [i.e. hay wagon] ----£8. 0s.0d
Item: for four cow beasts ----£4. 0s. 0d
Item: for Plough tackly [i.e. plough and tackle] ----£1. 0s. 0d
Item: Corn in the barn ----£2. 0s. 0d
Item: Corn in the ground ----£3. 0s.0d
Item: His wearing apparel ----£2.0s. 0d
Item: His two pigs ----£1. 0s. 0d
Sum Total ----£43. 10s. 0d [The marks of Henry GREENING and John BUN : Exhibited into the Registry --etc--by Eleanor HUNT signed 6th June 1681

These documents enabled me to also locate Ambrose marriage to Eleanor CHUBB of Fordington at Owermoigne on 22nd Sep 1679. I cannot however trace any children from this marriage. Ambrose was then aged 55 so this was probably his 2nd marriage, the first being during the period when records are missing. This may also have been Eleanor's second marriage or if she was of a similar age to Ambrose she would have been too old to bear children.

MEMORANDUM: The office of Parish Clerk being vacant Ambrose HUNT the son of the late Clerk was chosen parish Clerk by me Latimer CROSSE Vicar and notice thereof was given to the parishioners in the time of Divine Service on Sunday the Eleventh Day of October 1713 according to the 91 Canon Signed latimer CROSSE Vicar.

We know that Ambrose HUNT III was the first of that name to become churchwarden of St Georges Church in 1630 and that he died in 1661. This entry suggests that his son Ambrose HUNT IV who died in 1680/1 may also have had a son named Ambrose that died in 1713 who was at that date like his grandfather churchwarden of St Georges. This gives us Ambrose HUNT V (See section below) and as his son in turn took over as Churchwarden when he died in 1713 we have Ambrose HUNT VI as well.

(10) Ambrose HUNT V (c1650 - 1713) and Mary (d.1714)
Churchwarden of St Georges Church in Fordington Dorset



Ambrose Hunt's name as Churchwarden on the Bishop's Transcripts
for St Georges Church in Fordington for 1672

(10. 1) Henry HUNT (1675-1744) bap FStG 6th June 1675. He married Elizabeth TEWKBERY from St Peters parish at FStG 29 May 1712. Buried FStG 28 Mar 1744.
(10. 2) Ambrose HUNT VI Junior (1681-1754) Churchwarden FStG bap 28th Aug 1681. He married Margaret ROGERS (1674-1751) at FStG 12th June 1707.
(10. 3) Mary HUNT (1683- ) bap FStG 9th Mar 1683 she lived at Whitcombe and married to Robert WAY at All Saints church on 5th May 1715.
(10. 4) John HUNT (1686-1755) bap FStG 27th Feb 1686 married Frances HARBIN at FStG on 20th Aug 1720.

(11)- Grace HUNT (c1660-1689) of Fordington married Mark AMES [EAMES] at Owermoigne on 18th Oct 1685 - grandaughter to (6) sister of (15/18)

(12)- William HUNT (1662-1715) married Elizabeth WINDSOR (d.1688) at St Georges Church in Fordington on 14th June 1687 - grandson of (5)

(13)- Christian HUNT ( -1733) married William HUTTON Senior (d.1699) at St Georges Church in Fordington on 28th June 1688 - parentage unknown during missing period (1640-1663)

(14)- William HUNT (1662-1715) widower married Elizabeth EYRES (d.1690) at St Georges Church in Fordington on 26th Dec 1689 - 2nd marriage of grandson of (5)

(15)- Sebastian HUNT (1664-1723) married Dorothy [Should be Deborah] HARBIN (1659-1706) at St Georges Church in Fordington on 7th July 1692 - grandson of (6)

(16)- William HUNT (1662 -1715 ) married Edith FLOWER (1660-1742) at St Georges Church in Fordington on 18th July 1693 - 3rd marriage of grandson of (5)

(17)- Abraham HUNT (d.1727) married Margaret WHITE (d.1731) at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 15th Sep 1698 - parentage unknown

(18)-Sebastian HUNT (1664 -1722) married Mary ARNOLD (d.1747) both of All Saints Dorchester at Bradford Peverell on 21 Jan 1706/7 - 2nd Marriage - grandson of (6)

(19.1) Ambrose HUNT VII (1708- ) Bap FStG 2nd May 1708 married Mary SPARKS( ? -1741) at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 28th July 1729. Mary died and was buried at FStG on 8th May 1741. Ambrose re-married to Elizabeth BARTLETT at FStG on 1st Jan 1742
(19.2) Mary HUNT (1710- ) Bap FStG 29th Sep 1710
(19.3) John HUNT (1712- ) Bap FStG 5th Sep 1712