The WILLIAMS Family
(Also spelt Williames, Willme, Willyams, Wyllyams, Wyllyames)

of Herringston and Dorchester

Adapted from the entry in 'Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland'
©Transcribed and compiled by Michael Russell FIPD, OPC for Dorchester & Fordington December 2016
Lineage: The Family of WILLIAMS, traditionally of Welsh extraction, were seated at Perry Court in the parish of Sturminster Newton in Dorset about the beginning of Henry VI's reign (c1422) which is about the date that lands around Perry farm were enclosed. The Williams of Herringston still owned land at Bagber (22) and Sturminster Newton in 1617 when they were being bequeathed to the next generation.

1. JOHN [Johannes] WILLIAMS (d.1515) of Dorchester

John WILLIAMS (d.1515) who was probably born in the 1440's, was already a successful Merchant in Dorchester and had settled in the parish around the time of his marriage, and before the birth of his eldest son and heir in 1473. He is recorded in surviving documentation in the Municipal Records of Dorchester(S7) as living in a burgage in St Peters Parish in 1474.(37) Unfortunately this is well before the start of parish registers and I have not been able to discover his wife's name or the names of other children. His name appears however on numerous deeds as a witness between the years 1479 and 1502. He was first elected Bailiff of Dorchester in 1479/80 but re-elected in the years 1483/84; 1489-1490; 1493 and 1502/3. On 6th Feb 1483 John HULL and Joan, his wife, granted the tenement in which they dwelt to John WILLIAMS and Geoffrey SAMWAYS to hold in the King's name. The tenement which was on the north side of High West street, situated between the cemetery of Holy Trinity church in Dorchester and the tenement of John TRENCHARD on the west, was probably held as security against an unpaid debt as it was done at the behest of the Bailiffs of the town and was granted back to John and Joan only 10 days later. Whilst of small moment in itself, it serves to show the level of John Williams involvement in the affairs of the town. He was appointed Sheriff of Dorsetshire in the 23rd year of the reign of King Henry VII - 1507 (1)

By his will written on the 28 Nov 1515,(12) and proved on 19 Dec that year, he ordered his body to be buried in the north part of the church of Saint Peter in Dorchester. He directed his executor to provide an honest priest in the church of Saint Peter for the space of twenty-one years, and to make disposition for the good of his soul. He was succeeded by his son John Williams (1473-1549)
2. JOHN WILLIAMS (1473-1549) Esq of Herringston


Herringston House Winterborne Herringston
© Copyright Nigel Mykura and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

John WILLIAMS (1473-1549) was born at Dorchester in 1473 and appears to have been the first of the family that resided at Herringston, an estate which he purchased in his father's lifetime during the 5th year of the reign of King Henry VIII 1513 (2), from Sir William FILIOL Knt.
    Winterborne Herringston is one of a group of small villages and hamlets that lie along the course of the Winterborne River in South Dorset. Sometimes referred to just as Herringston, it was the ancient seat of the Harang/Hareng or Herring family. The family also held land and manors at Langton Herring and Chaldon Herring in Dorset, hence the addition of Herring to those village names. [Link to more background]
    Herringston House(??) is of two storey's with attics, has stone walls rendered in cement and roofs covered with slates. Walterus Heryng de Winterborne was granted a licence to crenellate his manor house in 1336 and the main structure of the present house is probably of this date though much altered; there are now no features visible that can be ascribed to a date earlier than the 16th century. The house was built round a courtyard of which the north range and the north parts of the east and west ranges were taken down at the beginning of the 19th century. A lease of 1441, quoted in a MS of 1820 (at Herringston), refers to a Gatehouse, and the MS. also states that the north range contained a large semicircular gateway over which was the date 1582. In 1513 the manor was acquired by John Williams, and Coker records that his grandson, Sir John Williams, who succeeded to the estate in 1569, 'by his building and other ornaments much beautified' the house; it is probable that he remodeled or partly rebuilt the house of Walter Heryng, increasing the width of the south range, and the plan has been so hatched, though the extent to which the walls of Walter Heryng's house survive is conjectural. Sir John formed the Great Chamber on the first floor, partly out of the original hall and partly out of a new extension south of the original building; the plaster work of the Chamber can be dated to 1616–1625 by the initials C.P. which accompany the Prince of Wales's feathers, but Sir John died in 1617 and an unfinished pilaster on the south wall suggests that his death put an abrupt end to the embellishment of the Chamber.
John WILLIAMS (1473-1549) was the son of John WILLIAMS (d.1515) of Dorchester and elected Bailiff of Dorchester (as his father had been before him) in 1500/1501. He lived in 1521 in a burgage in High South Street in Dorchester.(16) He married firstly Margery daughter and co-heir of Thomas BAKER of Lyme in Dorset; and secondly to Alice daughter of Alexander CHENEY of the Isle of Sheppy in Kent and relict of Sir Thomas de la LYNDE Knt of Winterborne Clenston in Dorsetshire (by whom there was no issue). From John Williams Will and the Visitation of Dorset in 1623 it is clear that he had two sons and a daughter by his first wife that survived him, namely his son and heir Robert WILLIAMS (1509-1569), another son Henry WILLIAMS (1514-1589) of Tyneham in Dorset who married Isabel the daughter of Thomas COKER of Mapowder at the turn of the century, and Anne WILLIAMS who married [circa 1515 (36)] to a gentleman called Thomas WHITE from Poole.

John's son Henry WILLIAMS (1514-1589) wrote his will on 20th June 1589 (14) and among many other bequests he left 10 shillings to the prisoners in Dorchester gaol. He names 5 of his children including John WILLIAMS of Tyneham whom he names as his son and heir. Isabel survives him proving his will on 13th November 1589. She has use of all their household contents for life and many household items are listed showing their wealth. Isabel is also bequeathed his farm at Helton where she inherits for example 20 kyne, a young bull, eight oxen with their young and many farm implements etc. Henry was buried at Tyneham and is also commemorated in the memorial tablet below. His son and heir John WILLIAMS (1531-1627) married Jane BRUEN (1551-1636) the daughter of Sir John Bruen of Rowner(15) and some of their immediate descendants are listed in the 1623 Visitation of Dorset and also mentioned in the tablet below. John Williams eldest son and heir Brune WILLIAMS descendants are recorded in the 1677 visitation of Dorset which shows that he married Elizabeth the daughter and co-heir of John CHURCHILL of Corton in the parish of Portesham in Dorset.


John WILLIAMS (1531-1627) Esq of Tyneham
© Copyright Chris Downer and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Inscription Reads:-
Here under relieth ye body of Iohn [John] Williams
Esq of Tyneham, Esqire [sic], sonne unto Henry Williams, .
who lieth here interred & died Ao ['Anno' = year] 1589,
et ætatis suæ 76 as also ye body of Iane [Jane] his wife who was
sole daughter of Sir Iohn Brune of Rowner in ye county
of South'ton , Knt Iohn Williams before mentioned died Ao 1627
et ætatis suæ86. Iane his wife died Ao 1636, et ætatis
suæ 85, and left behinde her four sonnes & three daughters,
of which Iames [James] Brune Williams, Esqire, lately deceased
was the eldest, and father unto Iohn Williams Esqire
(now living) who out of a dutiefull respect unto
his predecessors before mentioned erected this
memoriall Anno Domini 1641.

Returning to John WILLIAMS (1473-1549) of Herringston, he also refers in his will to two surviving daughters (See below) both of which are already married ( Jane or Joane PERCY and Anne WHITE). He died in 1549 and was succeeded by his eldest son by his 1st wife - Robert Williams (1509-1569) Esq of Herringston .

Will of John WILLIAMS (1473-1549) Esq of Herringston
Dated 29 May 1548 : Proved 03 Feb 1549 : Ref PROB 11/33

    In the Name of God amen The xxixth [29th] Day of May In the year of our Lord god one thousand six hundred and forty and eight and in the second year of the reign of our most dread sovereign Lord Edward the sixth by the grace of god of England France and Ireland King defender of the faith and in earth of the church of England and also of Ireland the supreme head. I John WILLIAMS of Herringston in the County of Dorset Esquire being whole in mind and perfect remembrance do ordain and make my testament and Last Will in manor and form following.

    First: I commend my soul to almighty god and my body to be buried in the aisle of Saint James Chapel in the parish church of Saint Peter of Dorchester

    Item: I give to the reparation of the parish church of Faringdon(13) xxs [20 shillings] ; To the reparation of the parish church of Stynte fforde [i.e. Stinsford] xxs [20 shillings] ; To the reparation of the parish church of Saint Peter Dorchester xxs [20 shillings] ; To every of the parish churches of the Holy Trinity and Allhallows in Dorchester vjs Viijd [6s 8d] ; To the parish church of Broadwey xxs [20 shillings] ; And to the parish church of Tyneham xs [10 shillings]

    Item: I give to Dame Alice my wife one? hundred pounds and all the goods that she brought with her

    Item: I give to Henry WILLIAMS my son all my sheep being upon my farm at Tyneham - And also all my sheep being upon my farm at Winterborne with all my term of years which be yet to come in the same farm

    Item: I give unto the same Henry a nest of white goblets partially? gilded & pot of silver, & piece of silver called a bowl, & salt of silver with a cover partially? gilt and a dozen of spoons.

    Item: I give unto the same Henry son one hundred pounds

    Item: I give unto my daughter Johane PACYE twenty pounds in money

    Item: I give to my daughter Anne WHITE another[ as well] twenty pounds in money

    Item: I give to William JOLIFFE and Anne his wife forty shillings

    Item: I give to my Richard HOWELL, William HOWELL and John HOWELL every of them xxs [20 shillings]

    Item: I give to my godson John WILLIAMS son of Henry WILLIAMS ten? pounds

    Item: I give to Lucie KEY, Elizabeth TURTYLL [TURTLE] and Johane HOLWAY every of them xs [5 shillings]

    Item: I give to every of my godchildren xxd [twenty pence]

    Item: I give to the reparation of the highway Regeweys {Rigeways?] to land end between Radipole and my ground called Cricketway(18) xls [ten pounds]

    Item: I give to every of my yeomen servants vjs viijd [6s 8d] and to every of my servants husbandry vs [5s]

    Item: I give to every of my women servants vs [5s]

    Item: My will is that my Executors shall find meat drink clothes and lodging unto Rev? Michell BONEHOME my Chaplain during his life and shall give to him yearly vjs viijd [6s 8d] to pray for my soul

    Item: My will is that my son Robert WILLIAMS shall suffer my said son Henry WILLIAMS to have and to enjoy my said farm of Tyneham to the only use of the same Henry during his life And like my wife my will is that the said Henry WILLIAMS shall suffer my said son Robert WILLIAMS to have and enjoy all my farm of Kingston to the only use of the same Robert during his life And that every of my said sons immediately after my decease shall make assurance thereof either of them together by the advice of the Overseers of this my Will hereafter named; Provided always that if the said Henry WILLIAMS refuse to do that then he shall not have the said hundred pounds which I have given him by this my testament And if the said Robert WILLIAMS refuse to do that then he shall give the said Henry WILLIAMS son hundred pounds over and besides all such legacy as I have made unto him by this my testament and over and besides the said hundred pounds which I have given to the said Henry by this testament.

    Item: I give to Mr Thomas BASKETT Esquire son of, my mares at Tyneham

    Item: My will is that my executors shall find meat drink clothing and lodging to Elizabeth ROWLANDE widow my servant during her life

    The Residue : of all my goods not bequeathed I give and bequeath to the said Robert WILLIAMS my son and heir apparent whom I make sole executor

    Item: I make Sir Thomas TRENCHARD Knight; George DE-LA-LYNDE and Thomas TREHCHARD of Lytchett Matravers Esquires Overseers of this my said testament and last Will unto whom I give for their pains to be taken in that behalf, that is to say to the said Sir Thomas TRENCHARD Etc

    Item: to every of the said George De-La-Lynde and Thomas Trenchard Esquires lxs [60 shillings] This being witnesses Richard TRENCHARD Gent; John CHURCHILL, Reynolde RARSHYN, William JOLIF and others

    PROBATE:
    This written testament of the deceased was proved on the third day in the month of February in the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred and forty nine at London etc when administration was granted to the executor of the deceased - Robert WILLIAMS etc
3. ROBERT WILLIAMS (1509-1569) Esq of Winterborne Herringston


Herringston House Winterborne Herringston
© Copyright DorsetBlogger and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Robert WILLIAMS was born in 1509 the eldest son of John WILLIAMS (1473-1549) by his wife Margery nee BAKER at Herringston House (see above picture, this time viewed from the south). On 27th October 1565 he sold a messuage that he owned in South Street in Dorchester for £40 to John DAVY, a vintner by trade(17) and the following year he sold on behalf of the Corporation a burgage they held in Holy Trinity parish. Robert was appointed Sheriff of Dorsetshire in 1567 (9). He married first to Anne the daughter of Henry TRENCHARD Esq of Steepleton and Lytchett in Dorset by whom he had only one child :-
    (3.1) Jane [Joane] Williams, she married Robert BINGHAM of Bingham's Melcombe Dorsetshire.(S3) He was son and heir of Robert BINGHAM by his wife Alice the daughter of Thomas COKER of Mapowder in Dorset. His pedigree is given in the 1623 Visitation of Dorset pages 27/28
His second wife was Anne, the daughter of the aforementioned Sir Thomas de la LYNDE Knt of Winterborne Clenston. She was also sister and co-heir of Sir George De la LYNDE Knt. This lady was one of the representatives of the family of Herring who were lords of the hamlet of Herringston, as early as the reign of King JOHN (3), and one of whose co-heirs married John de la LYNDE, in the time of King Henry VI (4). Robert WILLIAMS, having written his will in 1566, died in 1569 and I have provided a transcription below. After his death his widow Anne Williams wrote her own Will on 24th Oct 1569 in which she also asks to be buried in the North aisle of the church of St Peters in Dorchester . Her Will was proved on 11th Oct 1572. Robert was succeeded by his only son, who later became Sir John Williams. Their children were:-
    (3.2) Sir John WILLIAMS (1545-1617) of Herringston who married Eleanor second daughter of Henry VUEDALL of More Critchel in Dorset. He was a beneficiary under her fathers will in 1569 and executor and beneficiary under his mothers will in 1572. Follow link for more information.

    (3.3) Mary WILLIAMS who married Robert THORNEHULL [THORNHILL] Esq (d.1573/4) of Thornhill in Dorset. His pedigree is given on pages 91/92 of the Visitation of Dorset taken in 1623(S3). He was the son of William THORNHULL by his first wife the daughter of William CHANCEY Esq. Mary was his second wife as his first wife Joane, the daughter of Sir John TREGUNNELL Knight, had died. Her husband Robert having written his Will (21) on 30th Nov 1573 died in Jan/Feb 1573/4 asking to be buried at Stalbridge. He left 4 daughters and 4 sons and was clearly a wealthy man. Mary {Marie] survived him as she is provided for in the will, she was also a beneficiary under her mothers will in 1572..

    (3.4) Elizabeth WILLIAMS who married Sir Edmund UVEDALE [Vuedall] She was a beneficiary under her mothers will in 1572.

    (3.5) Anne WILLIAMS who married Walter GREY of Bridport (after 1617 and before 1623). She was a beneficiary under her fathers will in 1569 and her mothers in 1572. Her husband's pedigree is given on page 48 of the Visitation of Dorset taken in 1623 (S3)which lists 3 of their children.

    (3.6) Edith WILLIAMS who married John COKER (after 1617) was also a beneficiary under her fathers will in 1569 and her mothers in 1572 who left 250 ewes pasturing at Winterborne Clenstone between her and her sister together with many named household items.
Will of Robert WILLIAMS (1509-1569) Esq of Herringston
Dated 08 Oct 1566: Proved 7th Oct 1569: Ref PROB 11/51

    In the Name of God amen the viijth day of October in the year of or Lord god 1566 in the Eighth year of the reign of or Sovereign Lady Elizabeth by the grace of god of England and Ireland Queen defender of the faith I Robert WILLIAMS of Winterborne Herringston in the County of Dorset Esquire being of good and perfect memory praise be given to god do make this my present testament containing my last will in manner and form following

    First: and chiefly I commend my soul to almighty god my maker and redeemer and my body to be buried in the parish church of Saint Peter in Dorchester

    Item: I give towards the maintenance of the same church vjs viijd [6s.8d]

    Item: I give to the maintenance and reparations of the churches of the Holy Trinity and All Saints in Dorchester aforesaid to every of them iijs iiijd [3s.4d]

    Item: I give to the maintenance and reparations of the parish church of Winterborne Faringdon 13) xs [10 shillings]

    Item: I give to Anne WILLIAMS my wife all my stocks of corn and chattels that is to say key horses sheep being upon my Manor of Winterborne Herringston aforesaid with all my stock of rother beasts going and pasturing in my Manor and farm of Broadmayne and the farm of Kingston Maurward

    Item: Unto my said wife one basin and ewer of silver partially gilt a nest of goblets with a ewer partially gilt one ale cup with a cover gilt one pot of silver partially gilt one salt of silver with onto [it] a cover gilt one dozen of silver spoons six featherbeds xxx [30] pairs of sheets six pair of blankets six bolsters six coverletts six pillows six pillowties and forty pounds of current money

    Item: If Anne my daughter be ruled and ordered by these my overseers in this my last will and testament then I give and bequeath unto her two hundred pounds of current money towards her advancement and preferment in marriage and one cup of silver gilt

    Item: If Edith my daughter be ruled and ordered by these my overseers in this my last will and testament then I give and bequeath unto her two hundred pounds of current money towards her advancement and preferment in marriage and one cup of silver gilt
      Provided: always that if it happen my said daughters or any of them to die before marriage had or before the age of xxjth [21] years Then: I will and my mind and intent is that both the money and plate of her or them or any of them that shall happen to decease or die aforesaid to remain to John WILLIAMS my son and heir at such time as the said John WILLIAMS shall accomplish the age of xxjth [21] years AND if it shall fortune my said son to decease before the said age That then my will is that all the said money and plate of her or them so dying as is aforesaid shall remain and be equally divided to such of my said daughters as shall then be living according to the meaning of this my last will and testament

    Item: Whereas I have before by this my present last will and testament given and bequeathed unto my said two daughters Anne and Edith two hundred pounds a piece towards their advancement in Marriage in manner and form as is aforesaid My mind will and intent is also that my brother Henry WILLIAMS; my Brother-in-Law Thomas WHITE ; my son-in-law Robert THORNEHULL [THORNHILL] and my son-in-law Robert BINGHAM or the survivor or survivors of them whom I do make and ordain by this my present last will OVERSEERS of the same shall receive preserve and take the rent revenues issues and profits arising coming & growing of my Manor Lands and Farm of Broadway alias Cricketway with their appurtenances etc lying and being within the County of Dorset and of the profit of my stock of sheep that now there be pasturing and feeding or that hereafter cattle pasturing and feeding in and upon my said Manor Lands and Farm of Broadway alias Cricketway with their appurtenances

      All the said sum of iiij [4] hundred pounds afore given and bequeathed to my said two daughters in manner and form as were above declared and for the accomplishment and security thereof :-

      I Will and bequeath unto the said Henry WILLIAMS; Thomas WHITE; Robert THORNEHULL [THORNHILL] and Robert BINGHAM my said Manor Lands and farm at Broadway alias Cricketway(18) with the appurtenances in the said County of Dorset with the whole stock of sheep now there going and pasturing upon the said Manor Lands and farm or that hereafter shall go or pasture there To have to hold the said Manor Lands and farm with their appurtenances to the said Henry WILLIAMS; Thomas WHITE; Robert THORNEHULL and Robert BINGHAM their executors or assigns from the day of my death unto the end and term of xij [12] years then next following to be fully complete and ended to the use and intent hereafter following and to no other use:-

      That is to say that my said OVERSEERS or the survivor or survivors of any of them shall pay or cause to be paid of the yearly rent revenues and profits afore expressed coming and arising of in and upon the said Manor Lands & Farm and other the premises the said sum of four hundred pounds unto my said daughters Anne and Edith and to my said son before named in manner and form were before declared

      Provided also that my said OVERSEERS, or the survivor or survivors of any of them, shall yearly until the said whole sum of iiij [4] hundred pounds be delivered and had as is aforesaid once in the year make a just and true accompt unto the Executors hereafter named of all such issues revenues and profits as shall come use and grow upon the said Manor and farm of Broadway alias Cricketway and of the said stock of sheep when they or any of them or the survivor or survivors of any of them shall thereunto reasonably requested by my said executors or the survivor of them And after the payment of the said iiij [4] hundred pounds to the said Anne and Edith or to my said son in manner and form aforesaid or after such time as they or the survivors of them shall or may receive and take of the rents revenues and profits coming and growing of the Manor and other the premises to the use aforesaid the said sum of iiij [4] hundred pounds

      Then I will that the estate of the said Henry WILLIAMS; Thomas WHITE; Robert THORNEHULL [THORNHILL] and Robert BINGHAM of and in the said Manor farm and lands and stock of sheep shall cease and be void. And that the said stock of sheep shall remain then to John WILLIAMS my said son and heir, any grant made before in this my present testament to the contrary in my wife not withstanding


      Kingston Maurward Old Manor House Late 16th Century
      Picture http://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/dorset/vol3/plate-204

        Note:- Kingston Maurward [Marwood] is one of a number of settlements within the parish of Stinsford. The old Manor house is said to date from 1597 and was by then the seat of the GREY Family (until the heiress Lora Grey married George PITT circa 1700 after which PITT built Kingston Maurward House and this became the seat of the PITT family ). From the following bequest it appears that the farm associated with the Manor was leased to the William's Family from as early as 1528. The Kingston Maurward estate descended from Thomas GREY to his nephew Walter GREY Junior who was the son and heir of Walter GREY Senior who had married Anne WILLIAMS, who was Roberts WILLIAMS daughter]

      Moreover: whereas I and my said brother Henry WILLIAMS have by the demise grant and lease of one Walter GREY Esquire an estate joint for term of the lives together with one John WILLIAMS and Margery WILLIAMS his wife deceased father and mother to me said Robert and Henry of and in the farm of Kingston Maurward in the said County of Dorset & by an Indenture of lease bearing date the viiijth [8th] day of February in the xxth year of Henry the Eighth thereof, had & made more plainly it doth and may appear upon the w??? said term I and my said brother Henry every of us do kept iij [3] hundred ewe or sheep or thereabouts My Will mind and intent is that my said stock and part of iij [3] hundred of ewe sheep or thereabouts shall after my decease, if it shall happen me to die before my said brother Henry WILLIAMS, to be sold by my overseers to the intent and use before declared that is to say towards the accomplishment and payment of the said sum of iij [3] hundred pounds and the rest to make an accompt as is before said & to the person aforesaid.


    Item: I give to every of my yeomen servants their whole years wage. And to all the residue [remainder] of my Servants, as well men as women, to every of them five shillings each.

    Item: To my Cousin Jone [Johane] PARYE [PACYE] for term her life twenty six shillings and eight pence yearly issuing out of the farm at Bodware?

    Item: To the prisoners of the gaol in Dorchester by the space of five years every year iijs [3 shillings] iiijd [4 pence]

    Item: I give to the poor householders of Dorchester equally to be divided amongst them by the discretion of my Overseers fifty three shillings and four pence

    The Residue: of all my goods as well moveable as unmovable my debts being paid my legacies performed and my funeral expenses discharged I give and bequeath to Anne WILLIAMS my wife and John WILLIAMS my said son whom I ordain and make my executors of this my present testament and last will. Also I give and bequeath unto every of my Overseers before named ten shillings for the hassle and pains which they and every of them shall take in and about the execution and performance of this my said last will and testament which said same shall be levied and taken of the issues revenues and profits of my said Manor Lands and Farm aforesaid And to the intent that it may the better appear unto all men that this is my very true last will and testament I the said Robert WILLIAMS have hereunto subscribed my own name there being witnesses Henry WILLIAMS; Thomas WHITE; Edmund Vuedale Thomas SAMWAYS with others By me

    Robert WILLIAMS

    PROBATE:- of this written testament was approved at London on the 7th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred sixty nine by Anne the relic and John Williams executor named in the testament etc
4. SIR JOHN WILLIAMS (1545 - 1617) Knt of Herringston


Monument to Sir John WILLIAMS (1545-1617) in St Peters Church Dorchester
©Picture by Michael Russell FIPD, OPC for Dorchester

Sir John WILLIAMS (1545 - 1616) Knt was the only son of ROBERT WILLIAMS (1509-1569) Esq of Winterborne Herringston by his second wife Anne, the daughter of Sir Thomas De la LYNDE Knt of Winterborne Clenston and inherited the estate of Herringston on the death of his father in 1569.

He was elected Sheriff of Dorsetshire twice, first in the 24th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and again in the 34th year of her reign (10), and made a Knight of the Shire in the first year of the ensuing reign. He married Eleanor (1545-1625) daughter of Henry UVEDALE Esq of More Critchel Dorset (15 Jul 1568)? (11) His above memorial states that he died on 7 Sep 1617 at the age of 72. Elinor his widow died on 14th April 1625 at the age of 80 years having given birth to seven sons and four daughters only 4 survivors of which have been identified below. In her will which is dated 20th January 1621 (PROB 11/149) she asks to be buried in the aisle in St Peters church in Dorchester near to the place where her husband is buried. She makes a number of bequests :-
    WILL Bequests of Dame Eleanor WILLIAMS (1545-1625) :- £10 to the poor of Dorchester, £3 to the poor of Lynditch, 30s to poor of Ffyfett?, her gandson John Williams of Herringston all her stock of cattle, corn, hay and utencils of husbandry at her farm at Clenston; To John Williams my grandchild's son cup of plate with a cover given to me by his father; To Jane Williams my grandchild her border of gold; £10 each to every child of my grandchild John Williams eldest son excepted. £20 and £10 and a diamond ring to grandchild Elinor Jeffereys and £20 between her children; to grandchild Jane Coker £20 plus bed and its furniture, also her children £40 between them; To son Robert Williams my chain of gold valued £60 + £500 plus £50 divided between his children; To son John Williams bed and other items plus £600 plus £50 between his children; To the children of my son George Williams £30 ; to my daughter-in-law Marie Williams the wife of my son Robert Williams ring of gold with an emerald; To my daughter-in-law Marie the wife of my son George Williams the ring of gold my father gave me; To my brother George Vudalle a cup of plate valued £5; to myt cousin Elizabeth OKEDEN the daughter of my brother George Vudalle a ring of gold valued at 50shillings; To my brother-in-law Christopher PRESTON Esq by book of gold valued £8; to my sister Catherine PRESTONM my gold braceletts with belt suite of apparel etc etc; To my cousin John PRESTON one casting bottle ; to Margaret Preston daughter of m y couson John Preston a porterne of gold; to every servant who has served me for a year, a years wages. Rest not bequeathed to son George WILLIAMS who is made executor; Overseers Sir Nathaniel Napper Knt, brother Christopher Preston Esq. Will proved 9th June 1626
Known children from the marriage:-

    (4.1) William WILLIAMS (1570-1612) of Herringston married Ann PERYAM [PERYUM] of Little Fulford in Devon. Ann was the 4th and youngest daughter of SirWilliam PERYAM (1534-1604) by his 2nd wife Anne nee PARKER and probably born around the year 1574 and married in the 1590's. Much has been written about her father for example; his Parliamerntary career ; or on the Crediton Parish Church website ; with an account in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and a portrait of him in the National Portrait Gallery in London. She was certainly a prestigious match for him and they had three children as shown below that survived him.

    William's father Sir John Williams, in his Will, refers to an indenture dated 20th March 1601 when he and William Williams his son leased a messuage (or tenement ) and land etc at Wyke Regis which they owned. The will also confirms that his son William (his natural heir) was already deceased by the time he wrote his will in 1616, leaving his father as sole owner of the property. When William WILLIAMS died in 1612 he left a will (PROB 11/ 121) in which there is no mention of his wife Ann who presumably pre-deceased him, which may also account for why only 3 children survived him. William left his 2 daughters £500 each to be levied against his lands in Devonport (probably part of his marriage settlement) and if insufficient to cover the £1,000 asks for his father to make good his gift. This is reasonable given that he had jointly owned property at Wyke Regis with his father. Usefully he leaves a bequest of £10 in gold to his mother, Lady Elinor, and a ring of gold bearing the family arms to the value of three pounds to each of his 3 brothers named as Robert, John and George Williams. William died between July 1612 and February 6th 1612/13 making his son John his main beneficiary and asked to be buried in the aisle belonging to the House of Herringston in St Peters Church in Dorchester.

      (4.1.1) Elinor Williams (1600? - 1655?) : She married Rev Nicholas JEFFREYS (Jeffries) MA (d.1646) who was the rector of Wyke Regis by 1584. She was a beneficiary under her mothers will dated in 1621. and said to have died 11th Sep 1655. Her husband Nicholas was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 6th May 1646.

      (4.1.2) Jane WILLIAMS (1598-1656) was born c1598 and later married Sir William COKER (1599-1656) of Mapowder in Dorset (after 1612) in whose pedigree she is shown in the 1677 Visitation of Dorset which also states she died 1st Mar 1656/7 in her 58th year. She was buried at the church of St Peter and St Paul at Mapowder in Dorset on the 14th March 1656/7 and left a Will (PCC 144 Ruthen) which was proved on 28 Apr 1657.

      (4.1.3) JOHN [Johannis] WILLIAMS (?- 1632) of Herringston. In 1616 when his grandfather Sir John Williams died after making a number of substantial land and property grants to his three surviving sons he made John his grandson his residual beneficiary and heir. John married Jane the daughter of Sir George TRENCHARD at Charminster on 25th Oct 1613(S8). According to William Whiteway's diary he was chosen as captain of the Dorset Horse in October 1628 and keeper of the King's game in the Royal Manor of Fordingtoin in 1629. He wrote his will (Prob 11/161) on 22nd Dec 1631 and is said to have died on 8th Feb 1632 with his will being proved on 29th April that year. He made his eldest son his heir with Jane his widow having use of their house and contents at Herringston until his heir married when his estate was split between his heir and his widow.

    (4.2) Robert WILLIAMS (1572-1631) of White Lavington in Bere Regis in Dorset. White Lavington is better known as Shitterton, a small hamlet at the western end of the parish. Robert married Mary ARGINTINE (1587-1630) daughter and heir of John ARGINTINE [ARGINTON or ARGENTON] Esq of White Lavington by whom he had 14 children as shown below. He was a beneficiary under his fathers will in 1617 which shows that his father had already leased Halwell Buckland farm and Kinge meeke? to him. He died at the age of 60 on 5th Sep 1631 and was buried at St. John the Baptist's church in Bere Regis near his wife Mary who pre deceased him passing away on 3rd Oct 1630 in her 44th year. Robert left a will (PROB 11/160) dated 28th Aug 1631 proved 21st Oct 1631 naming all but one of his 14 children and making his son Lewis executor and his Overseers were:- Friend William COKER Esq of Mapowder; brother John Williams Gent of Plumber ; brother George Williams of Glansville Wootton Gent; friend John Rogers of Bere Regis

      Children: [Genealogical Note:- I have attempted approx birth dates and order of children. The 1623 Visitation lists the order in which first all boys and then all girls were born up to 1623 - The last three children being born after 1623. The memorial at Bere Regis to Lewis gives his year of birth as 1604. Robert's will makes legacies to all his children in order of birth - apart from Lewis his heir and eldest born son as he is later appointed executor and bequeathed his farm etc and Edith who is missing and almost certainly died prior to writing his will. Robert's wife Mary was born in 1587 making her only 17 years old when Lewis was born. If Elinor was born before Lewis, Mary would only have been 15 and the age span for birth 26 years which seems unlikely, so I have placed Elinor as being the second child making Mary aged 16 (circa 1603) at marriage and 41 when her 14th child was born. We also know from his will that Mary was still to reach the age of 21 in August 1631, These can only be approximations as Bere Regis Parish Registers have not survived.]

      (4.2.1) Lewis Williams (1604-1656) son and heir of White Lavington aged 19 at 1623 visitation. Inherited his fathers ( and grandfathers) farm at Hallwell and the right to tithes and other property in Bere Regis. He married Honour the daughter of Robert GROVE of Ferne in Wiltshire (will proved 1st July 1670 PCC 96 Penn); Lewis pre deceased her his will being proved 17 Nov 1656 - 5 children in 1677 Visitation
      (4.2.2) Elinor Williams (c. 1605 - d. aft 1631) 1st daughter married (after 1623) to Arthur HOWMAN. Elinor was a beneficiary under her fathers will in 1631, left a ring with a rubie stone and her husband a silver bowl worth £3 5s 8d
      (4.2.3) Robert Williams (c1607 - d. after 1631) 2nd son, beneficiary under his fathers will in 1631 left £150
      (4.2.4) John Williams (c. 1608 - d. aft 1631) 3rd son , beneficiary under his fathers will in 1631 left £250
      (4.2.5) Mary Williams (c. first half of 1610 - d. aft 1631) 2nd daughter, beneficiary under her fathers will in 1631 left £250 at marriage or when she reaches the age of 21 years
      (4.2.6) Edithe Williams (c. 1612 - alive 1623 d. bef 1631) 3rd daughter not included in her fathers will
      (4.2.7) Auis [Avis or Avice] Williams (c. 1614 - d. aft 1631) 4th daughter, beneficiary under her fathers will in 1631 left £250 at marriage or when 21
      (4.2.8) Argintine Williams (c. 1616 - d. aft 1631) 4th son, beneficiary under his fathers will in 1631 left £150 under age 21
      (4.2.9) Francis Williams (c. 1618 - d. aft 1631) 5th son , beneficiary under his fathers will in 1631 left £150
      (4.2.10) Anne Williams (c. 1620 - d. aft 1631) 5th daughter, beneficiary under her fathers will in 1631 left £150 at marriage or when 21
      (4.2.11) Rachell Williams (c. 1622 - d. aft 1631) 6th daughter, beneficiary under her fathers will in 1631 left £150 at marriage or when 21
      (4.2.12) Elizabeth Williams (c. 1624 - d. aft 1631) , beneficiary under her fathers will in 1631 left £150 at marriage or when 21
      (4.2.13) Hannah Williams (c. 1626 - d. aft 1631) , beneficiary under her fathers will in 1631 left £150 at marriage or when 21
      (4.2.14) Sarah Williams (c. 1628 - d. aft 1631) , beneficiary under her fathers will in 1631 left £150 at marriage or when 21


    (4.3) John WILLIAMS (1587-1650) of 'Plumber' in the parish of Lydinch in Dorset. He was educated at Oxford at Exeter College where he matriculated at the age of 15 on 18th June 1602. Unfortunately there is no further information so we do not know whether he graduated there. He is a beneficiary under the will of his father written on 8th Nov 1617 and due to inherit the farm at 'Plumber' after the death of his mother who had use of the house and farm for her life. His fathers will also shows that his father had already leased lands in Bagber Sturminster Newton , 'Plumber' , and Lydlinch to him. At the date of his fathers will he already had children to who his father was godfather. He died at Lyndlinch being buried there on 22nd July 1650. He appears to have been married to Honour WILLIAMS of Lydlinch (maiden name unknown) who outlived him being buried at Lydlinch on 28th Oct 1657. She left a Will (PROB 11/274) which was proved at London on 4th March 1657. Honour asks that she is buried at Lydlinch church as near as possible to her deceased husband John Williams. She left her furniture and the fee simple of her property called 'Coat' in the parish of Lyndlinch to her daughter Honour Williams and use of her property Perrie House and all grounds both meadow and pasture belonging and situate at Sturminster Newton until such time as her son John Williams signes over to her daughter the property called Coat at Lyndlinch. She was also left numerous household items but the residue of her estate went to her son John Williams. The Lydlinch parish registers record:-[xxxxxxxxref to edith wife of john williams of perry house buried????xxxxxxxxxref to anne wife of John Williams ye Elder of Plumber buried 5th Jan 1640/1XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX???

      (4.3.1) Anne Williams (1632-1639) bap Lydlinch 19th July 1632 described as the daughter of John Williams the younger and buried there 31st Jan 1639 described as Anne daughter of John Williams of Perry House
      (4.3.2) Honour Williams bap Lydlinch Dorset 9th June 1633
      (4.3.3) Alice Williams (1634-1638) bap Lydlinch 13th Jan 1634/5 and buried there on 17th Aug 1638 described as Alice daughter of John Williams of Perry House.
      (4.3.4) William Williams (1636-1636) bap Lydlinch 17th Jan 1636 and buried there 27th Feb 1636.
      (4.3.5) John Williams I have not located a baptism but elder brother died and John is named as son and heir in his mothers Will in 1657.

        (4.3.5.1) John Williams (???-1667) ye son of John Williams of Perry House buryed March 30th 1667
        (4.3.5.2) George Williams (???-1667) ye son of John Willia,ms of Perry House buried July 15th 1667
        (4.3.5.3) Anne Williams (???-1668) ye daughter of John Williams of Perry House buried Feb 20th 1668
        (4.3.5.4) MaryWilliams (???-1670) ye daughter of John Williams of Perry House buried Feb 21st 1670
        (4.3.5.5) William Williams (1671-1672) ye son of John Williams of Perry House Baptised June 22nd 1671 and buried there August 5th 1672
        (4.3.5.6) Bonham Williams (1673-???) ye sonne of John Williams baptised June 5th 1673

    (4.4) George WILLIAMS BA (1588-1660) of Herringston and Glansville Wootton in Dorset He was educated at Oxford at Exeter College where he matriculated on 18th June 1602 when he was 14 years old. He was awarded a BA degree 23rd Oct 1605 and was a beneficiary under his fathers will in 1617; This showed that certain lands in Hartleigh Mynterne and Wootten Glanville had already been leased to him by his father. He married Mary the daughter of William CARANT of Tomar Somerset c1616? and had 4 children by the time of the 1623 visitation and according to the Oxford Alumni at least another son George :-

      (4.4.1) Elinor Williams born 1617
      (4.4.2) John Williams son and heir born 1618
      (4.4.3) Mary Williams born 1620
      (4.4.4) Anne Williams born 1622 bapt at Lydlinch 29th Dec 1622.
      (4.4.5) Katherine Williams bap Lidlinch 8 July 1624
      (4.4.6) Jane Williams bap Lidlinch 8 July 1624
      (4.4.7) George Williams Born circa 1626?
Will of SIR JOHN WILLIAMS (1545 - 1617) Knt of Herringston
Originally dated 08 Nov 1616: Published 13 Aug 1617: Proved 14 Nov 1617: Ref PROB 11/130

    In the name of God: Amen: I John WILLIAMS of Winterborne Herringston in the County of Dorset Knight being in this present whole of body and of perfect memory (most humble thanks being yielded unto my lord god therefore) well weighing with myself the frailties of mans estate wherein he is required to walk circumspectly and considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the hour thereof I do make my testament containing also my last will in manner and form following

    First: I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my maker and redeemer and my body unto the earth the mother there of to be laid by my ancestors in my aisle within St Peters Church in Dorchester without pomp or vanity in the discretion of my executor and overseers hereafter named shall seem most convenient

    And Whereas: I have demised and let my farm house and demeasne lands of Winterborne Clenston being my wives Joynture unto Richard SPEARE of Anderstone in the same County Yeoman together also with my stock and flock of sheep, grain and other implements of husbandry as by Articles and Covenants Indented bearing date the forth day of September in the tenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord James the Kings Majesty that now is made between me the said John WILLIAMS and the said Richard SPEARE more at large appeareth with sundry bonds wherein the said Richard SPEARE, Edmond DASHWOOD and William DARTE standeth bound unto me the said John WILLIAMS and Dame Elinor my wife for the payment of the rent and performance of covenants contained in the said Articles which bonds bear the date the nineteenth day of January in the tenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord James the Kings Majesty that now is. I do therefore for the better advancement of the said Dame Elinor my loving wife and for her quietness give and bequeath unto the said Dame Elinor my wife All my stock of sheep, corn and grain with all my utensils of husbandry which I have and shall happen to be in or upon my demeasne of Winterborne Clenston at the time of my death with the said Articles of Covenants and obligations touching the same Articles of which said Articles obligations and things in action I do by this my last will and testament make and ordain the said Dame Elinor my wife my executrix only

    And: for the more better advancement of my said loving wife I give unto her my stock of kyne , plough oxen, grain with all my other implements of husbandry which shall be upon my demeasne of 'Plumber' (21) at the time of my death, And as touching such implements of house and household stuff hereafter named which shall likewise remain in my house at 'Plumber' at the time of my death namely the boards and forms in the hall, the boards, cupboard and joint stools in the parlor with the seelings? [ceilings?] in the same parlor All the glass about the house, the furnace and brewing vessels in the Brewhouse My Will and meaning is that the said Dame Ellinor shall have the use of them during her life and so to leave them there in the house at the time of her decease and after her decease the aforesaid household stuff to remain as the implements of the said house unto the use of John WILLIAMS my third son and to his assigns during the lease thereof granted unto him for the term of years and limitations therein contained And my will and meaning is that the right of interest of the said Implements shall be and remain unto my heir and executor hereafter named.

    Item: I give and bequeath unto the said Dame Ellinor my loving wife all her jewels and apparel appertaining to her body with her gown chest, linen chest and other her little caskets and desks which she usually occupies, twelve feather beds, twelve bolsters, five pairs of down pillows with coverledds and blankets belonging to the said beds the curtains and valens for four of the said beds, one tester for one of the said beds, one canopy and the hangings of dorney? for the Chamber over the parlor and dairy, eight pair of fine sheets, eight pair of pillowberes,twenty pair of yeoman sheets, one table cloth, one cupboard cloth, and one towel of damaske, four diaper board cloths, two dozen of diaper napkins, three diaper towels, two diaper cupboard cloths, four holland board cloths, and four holland towels, two square cloths and two cupboard cloths, five and twenty dozen of napkins, thirteen longer table cloths, three short and three square and eight yeoman table cloths, twenty towels, twelve cupboard cloths, All which beds furniture and lining remain and be at this present in my house at 'Plumber' and not usually removed from there.

    Item: I give unto my said wife my greatest ship chest with all the linen within the same chest marked with E: and W: only which said linen has been bought by the said Dame Elinor and so marked with my consent

    Item: I give and bequeath also unto my said wife all the pewter vessels brass and andirons of iron and copper with all my other goods and chattels which now remain in my house at 'Plumber' and is not usually removed from there the implements of the house before rehearsed only excepted further

    Item: I give and bequeath unto my said wife two silver salts whereof one partial guilt with a cover and the other plain with a cover, one little pottage bowl of silver with the cover, one salt of crystal trimmed with silver guilt, one casting bottle of silver guilt, one beare? [beer] cup of silver guilt one dozen of silver spoons and three plain silver bowls with three pursland? bowls trimmed with silver

    Item: I give further unto my said wife my best coach and harness thereunto belonging with my coach geldings one of Dunn mares and one other nag at her choice with all saddles pillows and furniture thereunto

    Item: I give and bequeath unto my said wife all those her sheep wheresoever going and pasturing which are marked with the sign of the globe

    Item: Whereas I have made and granted unto my sons Robert, John and George WILLIAMS certain several leases for several terms of fourscore and nineteen years upon certain limitations therein contained (that is to say of certain lands in Halwell Buckland farm and Kinge meeke? to the said Robert WILLIAMS ; of certain lands in Bagber(22) Sturminster Newton , 'Plumber'(21) , and Lydlinch unto the said John WILLIAMS my son; and certain lands in Hartleigh Mynterne and Wootton Glansville alias Glansvilles Wootton to my son George WILLIAMS. My will intent and meaning is that the said leases and terms shall be enjoyed by my said sons according to my several deeds ; Indentured to them thereof made.

    And Whereas I have delivered up the possession of these and other necessary implements of husbandry - that is to say two hundred and four sheep, six barns, twenty kine, one bull and six oxen, four and twenty bushels of wheat and eight and forty bushels of barley, one rivett hull?, three yokes with hoes and chains, one drag, one pair of scythes as well in regard of my fatherly affection towards him as in respect he was one of the executors unto John MARSH Clerk parson of Monkton and in full satisfaction of all goods and chattels appertaining to him the said Robert WILLIAMS by reason of the testament of the said John MARSH I give and bequeath unto the said Robert WILLIAMS all the aforesaid stock of sheep, oxen and grain and other necessary implements of husbandry which I had and were going and being upon the said farm at the time of the delivery of the same

    And Whereas also I have demised and let to farm, my farm house and demeasne lands of farming unto Richard MYLLES [MILLS] of Beaminster in the same County Yeoman as by articles of covenants indented bearing date the eight and twentieth day of September in the twelfth year(23) of the reign of our sovereign Lord James the King Majesty, that now as made between me the said John WILLIAMS and the said Richard MILLS more at large appeareth with sundry bonds wherein the said Richard Mylls [Mills] of Beaminster stands bound unto me the said John WILLIAMS for payment of the rent and performance of covenants contained in the said Articles which bonds bear the date the said eight and twentieth day of September in the said twelfth year of his Majesty's Reign

    And Whereas likewise Thomas HAVILAND of Wilksworth in the County of Dorset Gent stands bound unto me the said John WILLIAMS in the sum of £500 upon certain uses and agreements therein contained which bond bears the date the six and twentieth day of June in the eighth year of the Kings Majestic Reign that now is, I give and bequeath unto the said Robert WILLIAMS my son the said Articles and covenants and obligations made for the performance thereof as also the said bond of £500 of which said Articles obligations bond and things in action

    I Do by this my Last Will and Testament make and ordain the said Robert WILLIAMS my executor only

    And Whereas also I have demised and to farm let my two parts of the demeasne of Hartleigh unto John FFLAMBERT of Myntern and George PAYNE of Hermitage in the County of Dorset Husbandmen with a stock of twenty pounds as by Articles of covenants Indented made between us bearing date the five and twenty day of March in the ninth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord James the King Majesty that now is more at large appeareth with sundry bonds wherein the said John FFLAMBERY, George PAYNE , John FFLAMBERT the younger and Roger STICKLAND stand bound unto me the said John WILLIAMS as well for payment of the rent as the repayment of the said twenty pounds with the said Articles of Covenants and obligations made for the performance thereof which said Articles obligations and things in action I do by this my last will and testament ordain and make the said George WILLIAMS mine executor only

    Item: I give and bequeath unto all my grandchildren (that is to say) the children of my sons Robert WILLIAMS and John WILLIAMS unto every of them £10

    Item: I give and bequeath unto my cousin Mary CARENT in token of my love I bear unto her to buy her a nest of bowls twenty pounds.

    And Whereas : Nicholas HIDE of Diggeswell in the County of Hertford Esquire by his indenture of lease bearing date the sixth day of November in the three and fortieth year (24)of the reign of our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth late Queen of England for the consideration therein expressed did demise grant and to farm let unto me by the name of John WILLIAMS of Herringston in the County of Dorset Gent and Thomas WHITE of Weeke [Wyke] Regis in the same County Yeoman one messuage or tenement with the appurtenances situate and lying within the parish of Weeke [Wyke] Regis within the County of Dorset aforesaid and all houses gardens orchards lands meadows pastures and hereditaments to the same messuage or tenement belonging or appertaining or to or with the same heretofore let used occupied or enjoyed to have and to hold the afore demised premises and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances (Except as in the same indenture is excepted ) unto the said John WILLIAMS, William WELLBORNE and Thomas WHITE for and during the term of fourscore and nineteen years then next ensuing fully to be completed and ended. If Samuel JEFFRIS; John JEFFRIS and William JEFFRIS the sons of Nicholas JEFFRIS of weeke [Wyke] Regis aforesaid Clarke or any of them shall so long happen to live under the yearly rent of thirty shillings of lawful money of England payable at the four most usual feasts or terms in the year as in and by the said Indenture more at large it doth and may appear which said grant was so made unto us in trust to and for the use of the said Nicholas JEFFRIS his executors or assigns.

    And Whereas : the said William WELLBORNE and Thomas WHITE by their deed pole bearing date the twentieth day of March in the forty fourth year of the reign of our said late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth for the considerations in the said deed expressed did give grants bargains sell remit set over unto me the said John WILLIAMS and to William WILLIAMS my son our executors administrators and assigns the said messuage or tenement with the appurtenances in the afore recited Indenture or lease mentioned and all their estate right title interest property and term of years then to come and not expired mentioned in the said recited Indenture of lease of and in and to the same together with the same recited Indenture or lease thereof made and granted as aforesaid to have and to hold the said messuage or tenement with the appurtenances in the said recited Indenture of lease demised unto us the said John WILLIAMS and William WILLIAMS our executors administrators or assigns for and during the residue of the said term of fourscore and nineteen years then to come and unexpired mentioned in the said recited Indenture of lease for and under the said yearly rent and other the covenants in the said recited Indenture or lease reserved and unexpired

    And Whereas : since the said William WILLIAMS is deceased whereby the whole title and interest in and to the said messuage or tenement with the appurtenances and in and to the said Indenture of lease is by reason of my surviving wholly settled and invested in and upon me my executors administrators and assigns to and for the use of the said Nicholas JEFFRIS as aforesaid and in performance therefore of the trust in me reposed as aforesaid the right title and interest in and to the said messuage or tenement with the appurtenances and in and to the said recited Indenture of lease which I my executors administrators and assigns may anyway claim or demand I do wholly give and bequeath unto my executor hereafter named his executors administrators and assigns upon trust and confidence notwithstanding that my said executor his executors administrators and assigns for and during the the residue of the said tern of fourscore and nineteen years in the said recited Indenture of lease mentioned as aforesaid shall stand ceased and possessed of the said messuage or tenement and premises with their and every of their appurtenances to and for the only use and behoof of the said Nicholas JEFFRIS during his life and to and for such other uses as the said Nicholas JEFFRIS in and by his last will and testament in writing shall expressly limit appoint and declare and to no other use intent or purpose whatsoever

    And Whereas : as the right of Indenture of the next presentation unto the churches and personages of Wootton Glanvill alias Glanvills Wootton and Winterborne Clenston do belong unto me my heirs and assigns

    And Whereas : Winterborne Clenston is assigned and conveyed unto my wife jointure And Glanvill Wootton unto my grandson John WILLIAMS and unto Jane his wife in jointure my request unto my said wife and grandchildren is that which of the said beneficiaries shall first happen to fall to be given by reason of

    [END OF PAGE THREE]

    the deaths of the now incumbants they will be pleased at my request to present my godson John BARNARD unto that parsonage or benefice which of them shall first fall to come into hand

    And: for the more better furnishing of the said John BARNARD to procure his justification and Induction I give and bequeath unto the said John BARNARD six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence

    Item: I give and bequeath unto my servant Richard TALBOT six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence And unto the rest of my men & all and household servants which have served me in house by the space of five years last past I give to every of them five pounds And unto the residue of my household servants which have served me by the space of one year now last past I give to every of them twenty shillingsbesides their wages

    Item: I give unto the poor of the town of Dorchester for their relief to be distributed by the churchwardens and overseers of the poor yearly for the space of five years forty shillings a year And do give and bequeath unto the poor of the parish of Fordington , Monckton, Came, Upway, Broadway, Bincombe and Bockhampton and to every of the said paroishes to be distributed as aforesaid twenty shillings

    Item: I give and bequeath unto John WILLIAMS my grandson all my lands tenements and hereditaments within the Isle of Portland and County of Dorset to have and to hold to him and the heirs male of his body begotten the remainder thereof my son Robert WILLIAMS and the heirs males of his body the remainder to my son John WILLIAMS and the heirs male of his body the remainder to my son George WILLIAMS and the heirs males of his body the remainder to my right heirs for ever

    The Residue: of all my goods and chattles unbequested, my debts and funerals being paid and performed I give and bequest unto my grandson John WILLIAMS whom I make my sole executor of this my last will and testament And I make my Overseers of this my present testament my trusty and good friends Sir Edmond DURDALE Knight, John STRODE of Chantmarle and John WILLIAMS of Tyneham Esquires heartily praying them and every of them to be aiding unto my said executor with their good council advice and direction and to take upon them the execution of this my last trust and confidence in them repossed in all things concerning this my present testament and last will And for a thankful remembrance of this their good friendship to be used herein I give unto every of them one ring of gold to the value of five pounds each

    In Witness: whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the eighth day of of November in the years of the reign of our Sovereigne Lord James by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland Kings defender of the faith & that is to say of England France and Ireland the fourteenth and of Scotland the fiftieth Anno Domini 1616

    John WILLIAMS - John GAY - Richard TALBOT

    This Presents: were again published and declared by the above named Sir John WILLIAMS to be his last will testament the thirteenth day of August Anno Domini 1617 in the presence of these witnesses whose names are subscribed and in further testimony hereof Every of the said witnesses have to every leaf of this present will (being in number four) subscribed their names

    Richard JEFFRIS : John BARNARD : Robert HIGHMORE : Stephen WARDE : Richard TALBOT script:

    PROBATE: (approx translation) This written testament was proved at London before the venerable Dr John BENNET Doctor at law of the Perogative Court of Canterbury on the 14th day in the month of November in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and seventeen when administration of all singular the goods, chattels and credits of the deceased was granted to John WILLIAMS Executor named in the testament of the deceased -- not sure of the rest --- refers to Elinor Williams the relict, Robert Williams and GHeorge Williams natural sons of the deceased
5. LEWIS [LEWES] WILLIAMS (1604- 1656 ) Esq of Shitterton, White Lavington in the parish of Bere Regis, Dorset

Lewis WILLIAMS was born in 1604 and recorded in the 1677 Visitation of Dorset as being the son and heir of Robert WILLIAMS (1572-1631) of White Lavington by his wife Mary ARGINTINE (1587-1630). Lewis married Honor GROVE (1587-1670) daughter of Robert GROVE Esq of Ferne in the county of Wiltshire (maybe at Berwick St John in Wiltshire on 3rd Jan 1632? ) and they had at least 6 children as shown below. He died in 1656 leaving a will (27) in which he simply left his body to 'christian burial' and left his farm Corfehill to his eldest son Robert in consideration of which Robert has to raise £1,000 to pay to his sister Mary using the farm to raise the cash. Other income is divided between his 3 younger sons and his daughter. His wife Honor WILLIAMS was made executrix and to have the use of his house and contents at Shitterton for life together with the tythes of Roke and Norden Farms and after her death these to be left to his younger children. He appoints Honour's brother Thomas GROVE of Berrycourt in Wiltshire and William GROVE of Morden in Dorset to be his trustees. Honor died in 1670 leaving a Will (28) asking to be buried with her husband [probably at Bere Regis] and confirming that since her husbands death she has purchased an estate at Morden of Sir Walter Erle for three lives.
    (5.1) Robert WILLIAMS of Winterborne Herringston (1636-1697 ) Who on the extinction of the elder male line by the death of John Williams of Herringston became representative of the family. He married on 23rd Dec 1658 in Melcombe Regis to Margery the only daughter of John BROWNE (1610c-1671) Esq of Frampton, by whom he left at his decease in 1697 his surviving son and heir shown below. Robert WILLIAMS was buried at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 30th Nov 1697.

      (5.1.1) John WILLIAMS (1659-1722) born on the 28th October 1659 at Frampton and baptised at the parish church of St Mary's on 3rd October 1659(29)- See Section 6 below.

    Robert's wife Margery WILLIAMS died in her home parish of Frampton on 24th April 1661 and was buried at the Parish Church of St Mary's Frampton on 1st May 1661 (29). Robert's second marriage was to Elizabeth the daughter of Thomas BOREMAN Esq of Brooke in the Isle of Wight. They had at least two surviving children :-

      (5.1.2) Robert Williams (1660-1661) born in 1660 he was baptised at at the parish church of St Mary's in Frampton on 31st Jan 1660 and was buried there on the blast day of May 1661
      (5.1.3) Robert Williams (1664-1692) born at Frampton (35) The visitation of 1677 has been updated to show that he died in Ireland in 1692 with administration of his estate granted on 7th July 1692 (P.C.C.) but I have not been able to locate this record
      (5.1.4) George Williams. Nothing known.

    (5.2) Thomas WILLIAMS beneficiary under his mothers will in 1670 when she left him £100 wef Dec 1670 and a further £100 and her farm at Morden to be his and his heirs from 24th June 1674. There is a charity at Bere Regis, founded in the year 1719, by Thomas Williams esq. of Shitterton, for the clothing and teaching of six boys and the National School for boys on Barrow Hill, was also founded in 1719 by Thomas Williams esq.-

    (5.3) Lewis WILLIAMS (bur 1680) (S9) beneficiary under his mothers will in 1670 when she left him all the ready money due to her on bonds when she dies and the tythes due on Norden Farm until 24th June 1674. Will suggests he was unmarried in 1670.

    (5.4) John Peacock? WILLIAMS referred to in his mothers will in 1670 as her youngest son and left £600 plus all her land at Langdon and Basildon in Essex. Recorded in the 1677 Visitation as simply John Williams. - died 1685?

    (5.5) Mary WILLIAMS (b.1641-1728) she married to Thomas BROWNE of Frampton on 21 Dec 1658 at Melcombe Regis; marriage settlement 24th Sep 1658. Thomas was the second son of John Browne of Frampton (1610c - 1671) and Mary gave birth to a son John Browne on 31st Aug 1662 who was baptsied at Frampton the following month but died and was buried at Frampton on 29th Sep 1668. They also had a daughter Elizabeth who was born on 16th Jan 1664 and bap 8th Feb.

    (5.6) Ann WILLIAMS married ? ANDREWS She was a beneficiary under her mothers will in 1670; left £300 and £50 to her daughter Ann when 21
6. JOHN WILLIAMS (1659 -1722 ) Esq of Winterborne Herringston


Herringston House viewed from the walled garden
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Born on the 28th October 1659 at Frampton and baptised at the parish church of St Mary's on 3rd October 1659(29). He was the eldest son of Robert WILLIAMS (1636-1697) by his first wife Margery nee Browne. This Gentleman, a Major in the King's Service married in 1678 to Margaret the daughter and heiress of Thomas FULFORD, son and heir of Thomas FULFORD of Thorn St Margaret in Somerset, who was third son of Thomas FULFORD Esq of Great Fulford Devon by Ursula BAMPFIELD his wife and had surviving issue:-
    (6.1) John WILLIAMS (1680-1703) : born in 1680 he married Jane the daughter and 4th child of Humphrey SYDENHAM Esq of Combe in Somerset at Brushford in the same County on 31st January 1697(30) . They had two sons. The first was John Williams (1698-1699) who was born on the 2nd November 1698, baptised on the 11th of the same month and buried on the 21st Nov 1699. Their second son and heir was Sydenham WILLIAMS (1701 -1757 ) who succeeded his grandfather and is covered in the next section below.

    (6.2) Robert WILLIAMS (b. 1694): of Charminster in Dorset, ancestor of the Williams of Moor Park in Hertfordshire and Bridehead in Dorset. born 1694, married firstly Frances daughter of the Rev Henry HOOTON Vicar of Piddlehinton, but had no issue. He married secondly to Anne SHAW of Manchester and had

      6.2.1 John Williams of Avery Hatch who married Anne daughter of William GUY, of Wellclose Square Middlesex and died in 1774 leaving issue

      6.2.2 Thomas Williams of Warfield Lodge Berkshire who married Sarah daughter of -- Topsell Esq of Bracknell and died in 1774 leaving a son Robert, father of the present Thomas Williams Esq of Rushden Hall

      6.2.3 George Williams of Bath who married Mary daughter of --- Beer Esq of Lyme Dorset and had issue

      6.2.4 Robert WILLIAMS MA (1729-1814) Esq of Moor Park Hertfordshire and Bridehead Dorset. Educated at Pembroke College Oxford where he matriculated on 3rd March 1749/50 aged 20 years. Awarded a BA degree 1753 and MA 1756. His biography below was written by Lawrence Taylor and is available on the History of Parliament website

      "Williams came of a cadet branch of the Dorset family long settled at Herringstone. He and his brothers sought their fortunes in London. At 14 he was apprenticed to a cabinet maker of Covent Garden. After fitting out the cabins of East India Company ships he became a shipbuilder, and at his death owned 14 East Indiamen. He entered the commercial aristocracy as a partner in the bank of Vere, Williams, Son, Wilkinson and Drury. In 1790 he became senior partner. The bank was styled Williams, Son, Moffat and Burgess from 1810. He purchased Bridehead in 1799, and the magnificent Moor Park in 1801 from the widow of Thomas Bates Rous†. In 1795 he and his son Robert signed the London declaration of loyalty to Pitt. In 1797 he subscribed £20,000 and his bank £80,000 to the loyalty loan. He invested in East India Company stock and by 1806 was entitled to four votes for the directorate, to which he was eventually elected at his third attempt.

      Williams, whose son Robert entered Parliament in 1802, contested Dorchester on the independent interest in 1806. He was defeated then, but came in unopposed in 1807. He supported administration, but not as actively as his son, like whom he voted against parliamentary reform, 21 May 1810. He was listed as ‘against the Opposition’ at that time. No speech of his is known. In 1812 he retired in favour of his son Robert. He died 17 Jan. 1814, worth over half a million".

      He also served as High Sheriff for Dorset 1804-5 and married on 27th Oct 1764 to Jane daughter of Francis CHASSEREAU. He died 17th Jan 1814 leaving issue----------------more------------------------some Dorchester -------------- grandfather of Robert Williams born 1811 son of his son Robert vWilliams of St George's Bloomsbury, armiger.

      6.2.5 Stephen Williams of Russell Place St Pancras an East India Director who married Charlotte daughter of Sir Handley Doyley Bart of Shottisham Norfolk and died in 1805 leaving issue

      6.2.6 Margaret Williams married Samuel Pedding of Charminster

      6.2.7 Elizabeth Williams of Fordington who married Harry POUNCY who was the schoolmaster of Trinity School in Dorchester at West Knighton on 25th June 1750, Children:-

        (6.2.7.1) Elizabeth Williams Pouncy bap StP Church Dorchester 05 Feb 1752
        (6.2,7.2) Ann Pouncy bap StP Church Dorchester 19 July 1752 and buried there on 7th Dec 1764
        (6.2.7.3) John Williams Pouncy bap StP Church Dorchester 24th Oct 1753 [may have been buried at St Marys Finchley Ldn 17 Apr 1841 aged 87]
        (6.2.7.4) Susannah Williams bap StP Church Dorchester 27 May 1755 and buried St Peters 6th Nov 1756
        (6.2.7.5) Robert Pouncy bap StP Church Dorchester 28 Jun 1756

      6.2.8 Honor Williams who married Francis Chassereau Esq of St Marylebone

    (6.3) Elizabeth Williams married firstly on 18th October 1725 at  St Michael and all Angels church in Steeple in Dorset to George YEATE Esq of Dorchester and secondly on 14th February 1739 to Roger CLAVELL Esq of Steeple in the Isle of Purbeck.

    (6.4) Anne Williams who married firstly in 1718 to John TUCKER Esq of Nash in Somerset and secondly to the Rev John JACOB Vicar of Fordington on 10th Sep 1734 on 10th Sep 1734 at Saint Stephens Church Exeter Devon

    (6.5) Margaret Williams: Born in 1688 she married in 1715 to John BOND Esq of Tyneham in the Isle of Purbeck MP and died in 1775

    (6.6) Susan Williams: She married in 1728 to the Rev Henry FISHER Vicar of Bere Regis in Dorset

    (6.7) Honor Williams : She married in 1730 to Stephen WILLIAMS Esq of Plymouth
Major Williams died in 1722 and was succeeded by his grandson:-
7. SYDENHAM WILLIAMS (1701 -1757 ) Esq of Winterborne Herringston


All Saints Church Dulverton Somerset
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SYDENHAM WILLIAMS (1701-1757) was born at Dulverton in Somerset on the 7th April 1701 and baptised at the parish church of All Saints on 24th of the same month (31) the son of John WILLIAMS (1680-1703) and Jane nee Sydenham. His father having died when he was 2 years old it fell to his mother Jane to secure his future. On 1st September 1719 she signed indentures and apprenticed him to Richard Shobrooke (d.1741) of Tiverton a Gentleman in Devon(40). He married Agnes FORWARD (1701-1783) , the daughter of Nicholas FORWARD, M.D. of Exeter on 9th Nov 1724 at Saint Peter's Cathedral in Exeter(38). Sydenham WILLIAMS was Govenor of Portland Castle and Sheriff of Dorset 1739-1741 (8) He died in 1757 being buried at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 17th May 1757 and was succeeded by his eldest son (Thomas). There is also a memorial brass in the Williams chapel in St Peters in Dorchester which states:-
    "In a vault underneath are the remains of Sydenham WILLIAMS of Herringstone , esqr: He was twice High Sheriff of this county. Govr; of Portland Castle, and an upright magistrate. He married Agnes, the daughter of Nicholas FORWARD, M.D. of Exeter by whom he left two sons and four daughters. He died the 13th of May 1757, aged 56. Also of Thomas WILLIAMS of Herringstone, esqr; the eldest son . He married Jane, daughter of Sir Edwd: WILMOT, bart by whom he left issue. He died April 11th 1775, in his 48th year. Also of Agnes WILLIAMS widow of the said Sydenham Williams who died Augt: 18th 1783, aged 83. Also of their daughter, Margaret WILLIAMS who died Octr: 8th 1826, in her 94th year. This tablet is dedicated to their memories by the Revd J.WILLIAMS Vicar of Merston, in the county of Somt: and Prebendary of Wells A.D.1830".
Agnes WILLIAMS of Herringston his widow died on 18th August 1783 and was buried at the age of 83 at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 1st September 1783. She also left a will dated 19th April 1774 which was proved at London on 22nd January 1784.
    (7.1) Ellery WILLIAMS (1726-aft 1783) said to have been born on 22nd Sep 1726, she married to St Barbe SYDENHAM Esq of Combe in Somerset, and left an only child Catherine Sydenham. Ellery and her husband were both left a guinea by her mother when she died in 1783 to buy each of them a mourning ring in remembrance of her.

    (7.2) Thomas WILLIAMS (1727-1775) : said to have been born 15th Oct 1727 - he married on 11 June 1763 to Jane WILMOT (1735-1783) the daughter of Sir Edwin WILMOT (1693-1786) Bart by his wife Sarah Marsh MEAD (1702-1785) he left three children/sons? as shown in section 8 below. he died April 11th 1775 in his 48th year and was buried at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 17 Apr 1775

    (7.3) John WILLIAMS (1728-1817) of Frampton he was educated at Wadham College Oxford where he matriculated 18th March 1748/9 aged 16. At the age of 21, after entering into a marriage bond for £200 on 5th June 1756, he married by licence to Merriel HORNER (1735-1813) of Yeovil the second daughter of John HORNER Esq of Mells Park Crewkerne in Somerset on 7th June 1756 and had the following children. Merriel was left a guinea in her mother-in-laws will in 1783 to purchase a mourning ring in her memory and John £200 and one of his fathers pictures. Their son, also called John WILLIAMS, and therefore Agnes grandson was left £100. John Williams died at Maiden Newton and was buried there on 21st April 1817 when his age was given as being 88 years old.

    (7.2.1) Revd. John Williams (1757-1842) On on 22nd Nov 1785 on the death of the previous incumbant Rev John Rutherford, he was appointed Rector of Marston [Merton] Magna(32) in Somerset. He entered into a marriage settlement before he married Elizabeth daughter of John FRIEND Esq of Weymouth by licence at Melcombe Regis on 3rd December 1785. (5) He was appointed Prebendary of Buckland on 5th Feb 1798(39) He was the main beneficioary under the will of his sister Margaret WILLIAMS Spinster of Dorchester in 1826. He wrote a very extensive will on 1st Feb 1842 which was proved at London on 21st June that year. (PROB 11/1964) This confirms that Elizabeth pre-deceased him and most of his children are beneficiaries.

    (7.2.2) Sydenham Williams (1758-1801) He married Mary daughter of the Rev Robert NORRIS Rector of Brushford in Somerset by licence at Dulverton (also in Somerset) on 23rd day of January 1783. An Attorney by profession they lived in the hamlet of Houndstreet in the parish of Sherborne where Sydenham was listed as being eligible to serve in the Militia of the town on 15th Nov 1798. and died 1801 having had 2 sons(6) His widow died in 1832.

    (7.2.3) Revd. Thomas Williams MA (1764-1852) Born at Frampton he was educated at Merton College Oxford where he matriculated 4th Dec 1781 aged 17(S12). He was awarded a BA degree in 1786 and an MA in 1792. He joined the church being ordained a deacon at St Augustine's church in London on 24th Feb 1788 and served his curacy at Sydling St Nicholas from the 4th September that year S10. He was ordained as a priest at St James's Palace Chapel on 20th Dec 1789 until appointed Rector of Brympton on 23rd Sep 1796. He was instituted as Vicar of Cloford on 25th Sep 1801, Rector of Cameley 26th July 1810, Rector of Whatley on 16th March 1812, and Prebendary of Wells on 8th August 1812. He married Susan daughter of Captain B Benchine RN and sister Mary second wife of William fourth Duke of Roxburghe and was a beneficiary under the will of his aunt Margaret Williams (1732-1826). He died 28th July 1852.

    (7.2.4) Robert Williams (1766- 1813) Born in 1766 at Frampton he was baptised at Frampton in Dorset on 2nd Nov 1766. He married his cousin Jane the daughter of Hamilton BLAIR Esq at Bath Abbey on 29th January 1791(33) when he is described as being from the parish of Maiden Newton and his bride from the Chapel of St James in Bath. They lived after marriage at Cerne Lodge, Cerne Abbas in Dorset where they raised two children (7). He died at Maiden Newton at the age of 47 and was buried there on 29th December 1813. His widow Jane and their son Hamilton John Williams were a beneficiaries under the will of her husband's aunt Margaret Williams (1732-1826)

    (7.4) Agnes WILLIAMS (1730-1806) she married John SABINE (1718- 1802) Esq of Muckleford in his parish of Bradford Peverell by licence on 22nd Nov 1763. John was left a guinea in his mother-in-laws will in 1783 to purchase a mourning ring in her memory and Agnes his wife and her daughter was left £100. John SABINE died at Dorchester but his body was returned to Bradford Peverell for burial which took place on 18th March 1802. He left an extensive will (PROB 11/1373) dated 3rd Feb 1798 which was proved in London on 10th Apr 1802 with many bequests to their children. Agnes described as a widow from Dorchester was buried at Bradford Peverell on 28th Nov 1806 and also left a Will PROB 11/ 1455

    (7.5) Margaret WILLIAMS (1732-1826) remained a spinster and died died October 8th 1826, in her 94th year. She was the main beneficiary under her mothers will in 1783. She was buried at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 13th October 1826. She left a will dated 22 Apr 1823 and proved on 15 Dec 1826 with many bequests to her immediate surviving family.

    (7.6) Jane WILLIAMS (1736-1805) married by licence to (Major) Hamilton BLAIR Esq (1702-1782) of Blair in Ayr at Winterborne Came in Dorset on 22nd Oct 1756. Hamilton was left a guinea in his mother-in-law's will in 1783 to purchase a mourning ring in her memory, and Jane his wife and her daughter £10 in the same will. Jane was buried at Clifton Gloucestershire on 16th Dec 1805(41). A picture of Hamilton Blair and some of his descendants are shown on family trees on ancestry.com.
8. THOMAS WILLIAMS (1727-1775) Esq of Herringston

Thomas WILLIAMS (1727-1775) said to have been born 15th Oct 1727 - was the eldest son and heir of Sydenham WILLIAMS (1701-1757) by his wife Agnes nee FORWARD (1701-1783). He married Jane the daughter of Sir Edward WILMOT Bart of Chaddesden Derbyshire circa 1763. Thomas WILLIAMS of Herringston died on April 11th 1775 having written his will on 3rd March 1773. (42) He was privately interred on 17th in accordance with his wishes (expressed in his will) as 'amongst his ancestors in the family vault at St Peters Church in Dorchester'. He left a long will with bequests to his wife for her life and his 3 named children which was proved on 12th May 1775. This included a copyhold messuage in Fordington bequeathed to his son Edward.
    Children:
    (8.1) Sarah Agnes WILLIAMS (1765-???) was baptised at Winterborne Came in Dorset on 8th March 1765, she married J LATHAM [LEATHAM] Esq of London

    (8.2) Edward WILLIAMS (1766-1854) baptised at Winterborne Came on 28th February 1766 - See Section 9 below

    (8.3) Jane WILLIAMS (1768-???) bap at Winterborne Came on 8th July 1768. She married by licence however back at Winterborne Came on 29th Sep 1790 to John Adair HAWKINS (1757-1842) Esq of the parish of St James Westminster. Her brother Edward was one of the witnesses. John Adair was the son of Dr John and Grace HAWKINS and was baptised at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 19th Mar 1757. He wrote his extensive will (43) on 18th June 1831 adding a Codicil on16th July 1833. He died in the 3rd quarter of 1842 at Hartley Wintrey in Hampshire. His wife was executrix of his will and he was clearly wealthy leaving bequests to his sons etc - this included a freehold stable in Pease lane in Dorchester and a field called School Close in St Peters Parish. Children:-

      (8.3.1) Jane HAWKINS born 27 Aug 1791born 27th Aug 1791; bap St James Church Westminster Ldn 28th Sep 1791
      (8.3.2) John Adfair HAWKINS (1793-1829) born 13th May 1793; bap 3rd Jan 1797 St James Church Westminster Ldn
      (8.3.3) Grace Agnes HAWKINS (1795-?) born 2nd June 1795; bap 3rd Jan 1797 St James Church Westminster Ldn
      (8.3.4) Francis Bisset HAWKINS (1796-1894) born 18th Dec 1796; bap 3rd Jan 1797 St James Church Westminster Ldn
      (8.3.5) William Bentinck HAWKINS (1802-1894) born 18th Aug 1802; bap 30th Aug 1802 St James Church Westminster Ldn
9. EDWARD WILLIAMS (1766-1854) Esq of Herringston

Edward WILLIAMS was the 2nd child from the marriage of Thomas WILLIAMS (1727-1775) and Jane WILMOT and was baptised at Winterborne Came on 28 Feb 1765 and married on 19th March 1796 at Swainswick, Somerset to Anne FLYN (1770-1845) only daughter and heir of James FLINN Esq of Swainswick in Somerset, and had issue as shown below. He received £100 on the death of his aunt Margaret Williams (1732-1826) Spinster of Dorchester. At his death on 5th January 1854 he was living at St Mary-le-Bow Middlesex in London, but his body was returned to Dorchester for burial in the family vault at St Peters Church where he was interred on 12th January 1854 when he was described as being 87 years old. His will was proved on 23rd March 1854 in which he named as executrix two of his daughters, Jane and Jemima.
    (9.1) Ann WILLIAMS born circa 1797

    (9.2) James Wilmot WILLIAMS (1798-1845) was baptised at Winterborne Monkton in Dorset on 5th December 1798 . Winterborne Monkton is the parish is next to Winterborne Herringston where the Williams Family have held the Manor house since 1513.

    Brass Plate to James Wilmot WILLIAMS
    In St Peters Church Dorchester

    James Wilmot WILLIAMS (1798-1845) married by licence at St George Hanover Square in Westminster London on 17 July 1824 to Elizabeth Anne MAGENIS (1796-1882) second daughter of Richard MAGENIS Esq of Warrington, County Down, in Ireland, sometime MP for Enniskillen (by his wife the Lady Elizabeth COLE second daughter of William, first Earl of Enniskillen) and died 4th May 1845 Marylebone district of London having had issue as detailed below. Edward died on 30th July 1913 leaving an estate of £118,293. His widow Elizabeth died on 18th April 1882 at Herringston leaving an estate of £15,516. (S13)

      (9.2.1) EDWARD WILMOT WILLIAMS (1826-1913)(25). The eldest son he was born at Rostrevor, County Down, Ireland in 1826 and bap 14 Aug 1828 at Southampton Hampshire(26). He was educated at Trinity College Dublin (BA 1846) and became a Justice of the Peace. He became Lord of the Manor of Herringston on the death of his father in 1854 and was formerly in the East India Co's Bengal Cavalry. Edward married on 6th Feb 1862 in the Chapel Royal in parish of Hampton Middlesex to Sophia O'Grady (1830-1912) daughter of Standish, 2nd Viscount Guillamore leaving issue shown below. He died at the age of 86 on 30th July 1913 being buried at Dorchester and leaving an estate of £118,293(S13).

        (9.2.1.1) Meriel Gertrude Wilmot Williams (1863-1933) Born on 7th March she was baptised on 6th April 1863 at St Peters Church in Dorchester; she married on 8th Aug 1885 to Cecil Digby Howard Featherstone Esq (1857-1935) of Bracklyn, co Westmeath, Ireland. She died 20th Aug 1933.

        (9.2.1.2) Berkeley Cole Wilmot Williams (1865-1938) Born on 4th May 1865 at Herringston he became a Captain in the Army later inheriting the Manor of Herringston when his father died in 1913. He married Winifred Mary Hubbard and they had four children the eldest two being (a) Edward Alexander Wilmot Williams (1910-1994) of Herringston who became a Lieutenant in the Army and died 9th Nov 1994 leaving an estate of £2,719,416 (S13) (b) Raymond Berkeley Wilmot Williams (1911-1936) of Herringston who died on 20th June 1936 at Ghorpuri Barracks Poona India leaving a modest estate of £244. Berkeley their father died on 10th January 1938 at 31 Queens Gate Kensington, London leaving an estate of £101,580.

        (9.2.1.3) Ashley Paget Wilmot Williams (1867-1912) Born on 7th Jan 1867 he was baptised at Winterborne Came in Dorset on 3rd Feb the same year and as a teenager received a classical education at Marlborough College in Wiltshire. By 1891 he was a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, and by 1902 was in the 21st Lancers. He was also a Captain of the North Somerset Yeomanry and was unmarried in 1911 living with his parents at Herringston. He died on 30th Oct 1912 at Maiden Newton in Dorset and buried at Winterborne Monton on 1st November..

        (9.2.1.4) Hulda Gwladys Wilmot Williams (1872-1937) Born at Herringston, Dorset in 1872 she was a spinster in 1911 still living with her parents at Herringston. She died 12th Dec 1937 at Moffat House Warmwell in Dorset leaving an estate of £21,254

      (9.2.2) Florence Elizabeth Wilmot Williams (1827-1887) married on 5 Jun 1855 to Saint Leger Richard GLYN Esq (1826-1870) at Drogheda Ireland. Her husband had been baptised at St George Hanover Square in London on 15th June 1827 the son of George Carr GLYN Esq by his wife Marianne when they were resident at Stratton Street. He died at Bramble Hil, Southampton at the age of 44 on 16th April 1870 leaving an estate of under £6,000 to his widow and relict Florence.

      (9.2.3) Gertrude Mary Wilmot Williams (1830-1909) married in 1855 to Alexander James Hardy Elliott Esq Major 5th Dragoon Guards at Drogheda Ireland.

      (9.2.4) Albert Henry Williams KCVO (1832-1919) born 8th Feb 1832 he became a Major General in the Royal Horse Artillery and proved his mothers will in 1882.

      (9.2.5) Ashley George Codlington Williams (1834-1903) born 24th Nov 1834, he died on 21st March 1903 leaving an estate of £38,498

      (9.2.6) Ellery [Ellerie] Bessie Wilmot Williams (1836-1874) a spinster of Winterborne Herringston she died 14th May 1874 her will being proved by her elder brother Albert. She left an estate of just under £16,000

    (9.3) Jane WILLIAMS baptised at Winterborne Monkton Dorset 17th Oct 1800, unmarried aged 51 in 1851 Census living with parents at Dorset House Tunbridge Wells

    (9.4) Jemima WILLIAMS baptised at Winterborne Monkton Dorset 17th Oct 1803, unmarried aged 47 in 1851 Census living with parents Dorset House Tunbridge Wells

Genealogical Notes:-

(1) The 23rd year of the reign of Henry the VII ran from 22nd August 1507 to 21 Aug 1508 ; 1507 High Sheriff of Somerset & Dorset (combined at this date ) Source Dunning, Robert (1983). A History of Somerset. Chichester: Phillimore & Co. pp. 109–117
(2) The 5th year of the reign of Henry VIII ran from 22 April 1513 to 21 Apr 1514
(3) The reign of King John ran from 27 May 1199 to 27 Oct 1216
(4) The reign of King Henry VI ran from 1st Sep 1422 to 3 Mar 1470
(5) The Parish Marriage Registers for Melcombe Regis entry 167 John Williams Clerk, bachelor otp & Elizabeth Friuend spinster of the same were married by lkicence seventh Dec 1785 by me Revd Hamilton Cuff both signed wit NS Cuff and R Steward: Their children were (1) John Friend Williams in Holy Orders Vicar of Buckland Denholm b.1787; d.s.p.1816 (2) Elizabeth Layton Williams married the Rev Richard A Burney Rector of Rhympton Somerset (3) Jane Williams married John Lane Esq of the Grange Layton (4) Frances Williams married to the Rev Robert Albion Cox Vicar of Hinton St George Somerset (6) Agnes Williams married William Read Bell Esq Gillingham Dorset (7) Merriel Horner Williams married Edward James Smith Esq Judge of Morabadad Bengal
(6) Their children were (1) John Norris Williams, a midshipman died 1802 (2) Thomas Williams a Captain in the H.E.I.C.S., who married Mary Anne daughter of William Benford Esq of South Moulton. Sydenham's will PCC PROB 11/1362 dated 10th Jan 1801 proved 8th Aug 1801
(7) Their children were (1) Hamilton John Williams (1796-1879) in Holy Orders Vicar of Buckland Denholm Somerset married Margaret daughter of Thomas Taunton Esq of Wrackleford Dorset and had issue (2) Jane Merriel Williams (1799-1852) married Robert Alexander Chermside MD (1787-1860) of 10th Royal Hussars,
(8) Sheriff of Dorset 13 and 14 George II. The 13th year of the reign of George II started on 11th June 1739 and the 14th year of his reign ended on 10th June 1741
(9) Prior to 1567 the Sheriff of Somerset was also the Sheriff of Dorset. The 1st Sheriff for Dorset in 1567 is said to have been Richard Coker with Robert Williams taking office in 1568 but I have not located a source.
(10) The 24th year of the reign of Elizabeth I started on 17th Nov 1581 and emded on the 16th Nov 1582; The 34th year of her reign was therefore 17th Nov 1591 to 16th Nov 1592.
(11) A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland" refers to him only having four sons, this is incorrect as his children are referred to on his monument in St Peters Church as seven sons and four daughters and this is contempory evidence unlike the dictionary which dates to 1855. John Hutchins also records 7 sons and four daughters in his account of Dorchester.
(12) PROB 11/18 available to view on ancestry.com for members under Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills 1384-1858 . Link to Wills Index file This is written in latin and I would like a translation as it is beyond my rudamentary latin capabilities. The comments I have made come from a partial transcription made by John Hutchins.
(13) Winterborne Faringdon, the latter part of the name derived from the name of former landholders, also known at one time as Saint Germain's due to the dedication of the church that once stood here. It also occurs in old records as Winterborne Germain. It was once a parish, but became depopulated and the church was in ruins by 1648. It became united to the rectory of Winterborne Came in 1751. It lies just west of Winterborne Herringston and between that and Winterborne Came, a mile to the east. Link to pictures of remains of church.
(14) Will of Henry Williams Esq of Isle of Purbec (to be buried in the parish church of West Tyneham) PROB 11/74. He refers to a where their son Henry used to lie in the house, perhaps suggesting that he had died. Apart from his heir, John Williams, he also refers to sons Thomas, Braven and George and a grandson.
(15) Rowner is part of Gosport which used to be in the county of Southampton now Hampshire
(16) See Charters 586 and 587 in the Municipal Records of Dorchester. These refer to the transfer of burgages owned by Joan, the widow of Robert Aden, to her son John Aden but usefully locate properties owned by John Williams and William Filliol
(17) See Charter 661 in the Municipal Records of Dorchester
(18) Cricketway is a tithing within the parish of Broadway see page 71 of the 'Civil Divisions of Dorset published in 1833' which can be accessed via this site.
(19) The 20th year in the reign of Henry VIII ran from 22nd April 1528 to 21st April 1529
(20) PCC Wills Robert Thornhull PROB 11/ 56
(21) 'Plumber' was a settlement lying within the parish of Lyndinch and consisted of a single farm which was named in the Domesday Book.
(22) 'Bagber' is a hamlet in the county of Dorset, situated about 2 miles (3.2 km) west and northwest of Sturminster Newton. It consists of Bagber, Lower Bagber and Bagber Common, which all lie within Sturminster Newton civil parish. The poet William Barnes was born at 'Bagber' and educated in nearby Sturminster Newton. 'Perry Court' was a tything within the parish of Sturminster Newton.
(23) The 12th year in the Reign of King James I ran from 24th March 1613 to 23rd March 1614
(24) The 44th year of the reign of Elizabeth the I ran from 17th Nov 1601 to 16th Nov 1602
(25) The County Families of The United Kingdom see also 1911 Census etc
(26) CLDS Film 1596362 item 4 page 69
(27) Will PCC Lewes Williams PROB 11/259 dated 20th Nov 1655 proved 17th Nov 1656 and Honour Williams PCC PROB 11/274 proved 4th March 1657
(28) Will PCC PROB 11/333 Honor WILLIAMS of Shitterton and Wite Lavington in the parish of Bere Regis in the county of Dorset Widow and relict of Lewis WILLIAMS Esq
(29) CLDS Film 002427493 Parish Baptisms Frampton St Mary's for the year 1659 " John the sonne of Mr Robert and Margery Williams was born the 28th of September and was baptised the 3rd day of October" : Also: Burials 1661 Mrs Margery WILLIAMS the wife of Mr Robert WILLIAMS Gent departed this life the 24th of April and was interred the first of May" also available to view on ancestery.com for members
(30). Combined Parish Registers for Brushford in Somerset for the year 1697 "John WILLIAMS Gent: & Jane SYDENHAM spinster were married ye 31st January". See also Burke's Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies of England Ireland and Scotland under the entry for SYDENHAM of Combe Family.
(31). CLDS Film 1526604 Item 42 "Sydenham son of John WILLIAMS Gent born in April was baptised 24th April 1701 at Dulverton in Somerset - also image on ancestry.com
(32). Church records show that the parish was called Merston Magnas als Broad Marston but iun modern times terned Marston Magna
(33). Marriage Registers of Bath Abbey Entry 204 Robert WILLIAMS of the parish of Maiden Newton in the County of Dorset bachelor and Jane BLAIR of the parish of St James in the City of Bath spinster were married by licence it being the mother to the Chapel of St James this twenty ninth day of Jasnuary in the year 1791 by me James Phillpott Rector both signatures witnesses John Fowell and Susanna Lodge
(34). Will of Thomas WILLIAMS of Shitterton PROB 11/630 dated 8th Feb 1715 with 2 codicils dated 16th March 1726 and 3rd July 1728 probate granted 7th May 1729
(35). Robert WILLIAMS (2nd child of that name as the first died) was born at Frampton in 1664 when the parish baptism registers do not appear to have survived. Luckily we know from the Visitation of Dorset in 1677 that his father recorded his age as being 13 when submitting the pedigree making him born in 1664
(36) British History On-Line for Sturminster Newton
(37). Charter 511 of the Muncipal Records of Dorchester dated 4th April 1474 when John Williams is living in a burgage in St Peters Parish owned by Sir John Pasco
(38). CLDS Film 476912, 917198 Sydenham WILLIAMS male married 9th Nov 1724 to Agnes Forward at Saint Peters Cathedral Exeter
(39). Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae Buckland and Dynham Vice Payre Obit 9th April 1842 aged 85
(40). UK Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures 1710-1811 available to vioew on ancestry.com for members
(41). CLDS Film 1749584 Ref 255
(42). PROB 11/1008
(43). PROB 11/ 1966

Sources:
S1. Sir Bernard Burke's "A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland" Published London, England: Hurst and Blackett, 1855. and available to view on Ancestry.com for members. Also A genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain Volume 1 by John Burke pages 614/5 Published 1834
S2. Links to www.weymouth-dorset.co.uk/herringston.html
S3. The Visitation of Dorset taken in th year 1623,( http://www.archive.org/stream/visitationofcound00stge#page/n7/mode/2up ) with an index and link to the pedigrees from the front page of this site
S4. http://williams-herringston.50webs.com/Williams%20of%20Herringston.htm
S5. Many pictures under creative commons licence come from the Geograph website - I have provided a link in each case.
S6. British History On-Line Winterborne Herringston (Walter Herring licence to crenellate Cal. Pat. Rolls 1334–1338, 319)
S7. Municipal Records of Dorchester by Charles Herbert Mayo - published 1908
S8. The Parish Register for Charminster for the year 1613 has the following entry "The xxvjth [26th] of October were married Mr John WILLIAMES Esquire and Mrs Jane TRENCHARD daughter of the Right worshipful George TRENCHARD"
S9. The Visitation of Dorset taken in 1677 pages 77/78
S10. Clergy of the Church of England CCEd database.
S11. The Parish Registers of Lydlinch in Dorset
S12. Oxford University Alumni 1715-1886 Volume IV
S13. National Probate Calendar

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