Peter Temple

Opening: "I Joseph Temple of the City of Bristoll Mercer being fully sensible of the declineing condition of my body but being (blessed be God) of sound and disposing mind and memory considering with my self the certainty of my death and the uncertainty of the time thereof do therefore make and ordain this my last Will and Testament..." Executors: "my loving Brother Peter Temple of Bishopstrow in the County of Wilts Gent, my loving Brother in law Edward Peirce of the Devizes in the County of Wilts Woollen draper, my loving kinsman Morgan Smith of the City of Bristoll Grocer, and my loving friend William Gough of the said City of Bristoll Woollendraper." Wife: "Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my dear and loving wife Hannah Temple the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid unto her within the space of twelve months next after the time of my decease." THE POSTHUMOUS CHILD: "To the use of such Male Child or Children as my said wife is now enseint or goeth with and the heires of the body of such Male Child or Children lawfully to be begotten for ever. And for want of such heires then to the use of such Female Child or Children as my said wife is now enseint or goeth with, my son William Temple and my daughter Mary Temple..." ("enseint or goeth with" = pregnant.) Property: a messuage or tenement with grounds, orchards, gardens and stables "now in the tenure or occupacon of my Tenant [name not legible] situate in Haytsbury in the said County of Wilts" (Heytesbury), and a messuage in Corn Street, Bristol, tenant Robert Webb. Mourning rings at 20s: "my mother in law Mrs Elizabeth Temple, my mother in law Mrs Mary Liston, my said Brother Peter Temple and Mary his wife, my Brother in law Edward Peirce, my said kinsman Morgan Smith and the said William Gough"; and "my Uncle Robert Liston and Mary his wife, my Aunt Joane Wood, my Brother in law Stephen Walter, my loving Nephew Mr William Phillips and Mary his wife and my kinswoman Elizabeth the wife of the said Morgan Smith." Children: legacies to males at 21, to females at 18 or marriage, whichever first; the wife to have the use of the household goods and plate during the minority; "the guardianship tuition and custody of all my said Children unto my said wife, my said Executors and the survivors of them during the several minorities." Dated: "this one and thirtieth day of March in the Eleventh year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord William the Third... And in the year of our Lord God One thousand six hundred ninety and nine" - signed "Jos: Temple." Witnesses: Sarah Swetnam, Richard Cary, Edward Whitehead, Nich: Cooper. Codicil, the nineteenth day of April 1699, adding Joseph Smith of Bristol, ironmonger, as a fifth executor with five pounds. Codicil witnesses: Jos: Smith, Sarah Swetnam, Edward Whitehead, Richard Cary. Probate act: "Probatum fuit huiusmodi Testamentum apud London una cum Codicillo annexo coram venerabili viro Dno Richardo Raines milite... Curiae Prerogat Cantuar... Decimo sexto die mensis Maij Anno Dni Millesimo Sexcentesimo nonagesimo nono Juramentis Petri Temple, Edwardi Peirce, Morgani Smith, Gulielmi Gough et Josephi Smith Executorum..." - all five executors sworn, 16 May 1699.

Opening: "I William Temple of Bishopstrow in the County of Wilts being (praised bee God) at this time IN PERFECT HEALTH and of good memory and understanding, Revokeing all former and other Wills, doe make and ordaine this to bee my last Will and Testament and doe dispose of my estate as followeth." (NOT a deathbed will - he lived at least another year.) DAUGHTERS: "Imprimis I give unto my Daughter Mary Ivyleafe five pounds. Alsoe I give unto her Two Daughters Mary and Rebeckah Tenne pounds a peece to buy each of them a peece of plate. Item I give unto my Daughter Anne Pearse five pounds; also I give unto her two Daughters Anne and Margaret Tenne pounds a peece to buy each of them a peece of plate." SON JOSEPH: "Item I give unto my sonne Joseph ELEAVEN HUNDRED POUNDS to bee paid him when hee shall accomplish the age of ONE AND TWENTY YEARES. Alsoe I give and bequeath unto him after my decease MY FREE LAND AND COPPYHOLD ESTATE IN HATCHBURY. Alsoe I give and bequeath unto him after my decease my Annuall Rent of Twenty pounds per annum payable out of the parsonage of [Wittcombe?]." WIFE ELIZABETH: "Item I give unto Elizabeth my wife all such Plate and Goods AS WAS HERS BEFORE I MARRIED WITH HER, and alsoe my will is that shee shall have and enjoy dureing her life all such houshold stuffe and goods as shall bee in my farme house att UPTON att the time of my decease, and afterwards shall leave it to him that shall succeed in my ffarme. Alsoe I give unto her Twenty pounds as a token of my love." SERVANT AND POOR: "Item I give unto my servant Betty Oatley five pounds if shee shall bee liveing with mee at the time of my decease. Item I give unto the Poore of the Parish of Bishopstrow five pounds, to bee distributed as the Parson of the Parish and my Executor shall thinke fitt." SON PETER: "Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne Peter MY FFARME AND MANNOR IN BISHOPSTROW withall the appurtenances thereunto belonging. Also I give unto him after the death of Elizabeth my wife my Lease and farme at Upton WHICH I BOUGHT OF SR EDWARD HUNGERFORD. Also all the Rest of my goods and Chattells (except before excepted) I give unto my sonne Peter, whom I doe hereby make and ordaine to bee my sole and whole Executor of this my last Will and Testament." DATE AND WITNESSES: "In witnesse hereof I have hereunto sett my hand & seale this FIRST OF MAY in the yeare of our Lord God One Thousand six hundred eighty and five" - signed "Will: Temple." Witnesses: John Mathew, William Stokes, Elizabeth Oatley, Jn: Gibbs his marke. (Betty Oatley the servant and Elizabeth Oatley the witness are the same woman.) PROBATE: "Probatum fuit huiusmodi Testamentum apud London coram venerabili et Egregio viro Richardo Raines Legum Doctore, Curiae Prerogativae Cantuariensis Magistro Custode sive Commissario legitime constituto, DECIMO NONO DIE MENSIS MAIJ Anno Domini millesimo sexcentesimo octogesimo sexto, Juramento PETRI TEMPLE FILII ET EXECUTORIS..." - 19 May 1686, sworn by Peter Temple, son and executor. Richard Raines is the same judge who proved Joseph of Bristol's will in 1699. TRAP: page 2 of the ordered PDF is the NEXT entry in the register - the will of John Wagstaffe of Glossop, co. Derby. Not this family.

Opening: "I ELIZABETH TEMPLE of the Parish of BISHOPSTROW in the County of Wilts, WIDDOW, being sensible of my declineing Condition, but blessed be God at present of good and perfect mind and memory, doe make and ordaine this to be my last Will and Testament (hereby revoakeing all former Wills by me made)..." HER OWN KIN - the first bequests, and they give her family: "Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my lo: Brother JOHN BENNETT Esq and to my Sister ffrances his wife five pounds each..." · (margin) "Item I give and bequeath to my lo: Bro: WILL: BENNET Esq and to my Sister Catherine his Wife five pounds each and also twenty shillings each to buy them Rings" · "my nephew THOMAS BENNETT five pounds to be paid when he comes to the age of twenty one yeares" · "my lo: Sister MARY KIRKMAN ten pounds, as alsoe the Bedd, Boulster, Curtains, Vallens, Rugg and Blanketts with four green Chaires now in my Chamber at BISHOPSTROW" · "my lo: Kinswoman ELIZABETH daughter of my Sister Kirkman aforesaid ten pounds" · "my Brother in Law EDWARD CARRANT Esqr twenty shillings to buy him a Ring." OTHER KIN AND FRIENDS: "my lo: Kinsman Tho: LAMBERT of the Citty of New Sarum five pounds" · "my lo: Kinsman BENJAMIN KENDALL and SARAH his wife twenty shillings each and alsoe the furniture belonging to my Hall Chamber in UPTON" · "my lo: Kinsman THOMAS WALLIS twenty shillings" · "my lo: Kinsman [-] PALMER twenty shillings And to my Kinswoman ANNE his wife forty pounds with my two silver Salvers" · "my Coz: MARY SWIFT, BENJ: GIFFORD Esq and DOCTOR WICKMAN twenty shillings each to buy them Rings." ⭐⭐ THE PEIRCE FAMILY: "I give unto my lo: SONNE IN LAW ED: PEIRCE five pounds And alsoe to his SIX CHILDREN ANNE, MARGARET, MARY, EDWARD, JOHN and THOMAS five pounds each, to be paid when they come of age 21 yeares the Sonns / 18 the Daughters." ★★ THE VIRGINIA LINE, NAMED AND LIVING: "Item I give unto my lo: DAUGHTER IN LAW HANNAH TEMPLE five pounds And alsoe to her THREE CHILDREN forty pounds viz To MARY TEMPLE twenty pounds, To WILL: TEMPLE and JOSEPH TEMPLE ten pounds each, to be paid when they come of the age of 21 yeares the Sonns and 18 yeares the Daughters." PETER'S FAMILY: "Item I give unto my daughter in Law MARY TEMPLE five pounds, as alsoe to her SIX CHILDREN viz SAM:, MARY, ANNE, ELIZABETH, PRISCILLA and PETER five pounds each to be paid at the age of 21 yeares the Sonns and 18 yeares the Daughters." SERVANT, POOR, RESIDUE: "my Servant PRUDENCE CARTER five pounds if she be liveing with me as my Servant at the time of my Death" · "unto the poor of the Parish of UPTON five pounds to be distributed as my Executor shall thinke fitt" · "all the rest and residue of my Goods and Chattells unto my lo: SON IN LAW PETER TEMPLE whom I make, appoint and ordaine my whole and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament." DATE: "In Witnesse whereof I have sett my hand and Seale this SEAVENTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand seaven hundred and five" - ⭐ subscribed "THE MARKE of Eliz: Temple": SHE COULD NOT WRITE. Witnesses: MARY CHOE, WILLIAM PRYOR, PRUDENCE CARTER, RICHARD ARCHER his mark. PROBATE: "Probatum fuit huiusmodi Testamentum apud London coram venerabili et Egregio viro Dno RICHARDO RAINES Milite Legum Doctore Curiae Prerogativae Cantuar Magistro Custode sive Commissario legitime constituto TERTIO DIE DECEMBRIS Anno Dni millesimo septingentesimo quinto Juramento PETRI TEMPLE Executoris in dicto Testamento nominati..." - 3 December 1705, sworn by Peter Temple, executor. Richard Raines also proved William Temple in 1686 and Joseph Temple in 1699.

The National Archives, Kew — Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Will Registers, PROB 11/688/108, register BRODREPP (PROB 11/688 = quires 45-94), folios 279-280. Catalogue title "Will of Peter Temple, Gentleman of Bishopstrow, Wiltshire", catalogue date 02 March 1738 (the probate). ORDERED AND READ IN THE ORIGINAL 31 Jul 2026. PDF and page images: ancestry/sources/peter-temple-bishopstrow-1738-will-PROB-11-688-108.pdf OPENING: "I PETER TEMPLE of Bishopstrow in the County of Wilts Gent, revoking all former Wills by me made, doe declare my last Will and Testament to be as follows." MOURNING RINGS AND LEGACIES, verbatim in substance: "first I give and bequeath unto my Son PETER TEMPLE and ANNE his Wife, my son in law JOSEPH DOWDLE and MARY his Wife, my son in law JOHN BENNETT and [wife], my son in law EDWARD MIDDLECOTT and ELIZABETH his wife, my son in law HENRY CLARKE and PRISCILLA his Wife, and unto my son in law JOHN FOREMAN and SUSANNAH his wife, ten pounds each for a Mourning. Item I give unto my BROTHER BARTHOLOMEW TEMPLE five pounds. Item I give and bequeath to my COUSINS WILLIAM TEMPLE and JOSEPH TEMPLE twenty shillings each for Rings. Item I give to my DAUGHTER IN LAW MARY TEMPLE my Chariot, my pair of Coach horses and Harness. Item I give to my SISTER IN LAW MRS ELIZABETH PEIRCE OF BROUGHTON IN THE COUNTY OF DEVON five pounds. Item I give unto my Cousin Mr NATHANIEL HE[S-] and ANNE his Wife, Mrs MARGARETT PEIRCE, Mr THOMAS PEIRCE and MARY his Wife, Mr JOHN BUTLER and MARY his wife, Mrs ELIZABETH GOUGH and Mrs ELIZABETH PEIRCE Widow twenty shillings each for Rings. Item I give five pounds to be distributed at the discretion of my said son Peter Temple amongst the poor persons of Bishopstrow aforesaid not having releife of the said Parish. Item I give to the REVEREND MR SAMUEL BATES forty shillings to preach my funerall Sermon. Item I give unto my servant RICHARD ARCHILD forty shillings if liveing with me at the time of my decease..." ⭐⭐ RELIGION, in his own words: "...I request my eldest Grandson PETER TEMPLE, to whom I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my Goods Chattells and personall Estate and whom I make SOLE EXECUTOR of this my last Will and Testament, to pay to the Minister for the time being of the MEETING HOUSE IN WARMINSTER WHEREUNTO I BELONG the yearly sum of seven pounds and ten shillings." A MEETING HOUSE is a Nonconformist congregation — this is the first evidence of the family's religion anywhere in this tree. THE 1722 SETTLEMENTS: "...by two deeds or Marriage Settlements both dated THE TWENTIETH DAY OF JUNE ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO made on the MARRIAGE OF MY LATE SON with MRS MARY LANGLEY HIS NOW WIDOW..." — trustees "THOMAS BENNETT ESQ and WILLIAM SEAMAN GENT who is since dead"; £800 charged on the estates for the grandsons, administered by "my said son Peter Temple and my said kinsman JOHN LANGLEY". DATED: "In Witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and Seale the ELEVENTH DAY OF JUNE in the year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and THIRTY ONE. — PETER TEMPLE." Witnesses: "Li: SEAMAN, Wm KING, WILLIAM LANGLEY." PROBATE: "On the SECOND DAY OF MARCH in the year of Our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and THIRTY SEVEN issued forth a Commission to MARY TEMPLE WIDOW THE MOTHER AND CURATRIX lawfully assigned to PETER TEMPLE A MINOR the eldest Grandson and sole Executor named in the last Will and Testament of Peter Temple late of Bishopstrow in the County of Wilts deceased, to administer the Goods Chattells and Credits of the said deceased... for the use and benefit of the said Minor UNTILL HE SHALL ATTAIN THE AGE OF SEVENTEEN YEARS." ⭐ SO HIS DEATH IS BRACKETED: alive and signing 11 Jun 1731, dead by 2 Mar 1737/8. WSHC's catalogue of the family papers says "Peter Temple (died 1736) (P.C.C)" and VCH Wilts. viii fn 27 cites "W.R.O. 132, Inv. of Peter Temple, 1736" — neither read by us, so 1736 is noted but the DATE FIELD carries only what this document proves. ⛔ AN INTERNAL CONFLICT, RECORDED NOT RESOLVED: the will calls grandson Peter "one of the Children of my said Son PETER Temple" (read at 4.5x; the word is unambiguously Peter), yet the probate makes MARY TEMPLE WIDOW his MOTHER, while son Peter's wife is named ANNE in the will — and the 1722 settlement is on "my LATE Son" and Mary Langley, which WSHC catalogues as SAMUEL's and which VCH makes the father of the brothers Peter and William. The will and its own probate cannot both be read plainly. DO NOT merge Samuel and Peter; do not 'fix' the parentage. ⭐ THREE ALLIED SURNAMES ACROSS FOUR GENERATIONS: SEAMAN (John Temple's wife d.1637, his overseers, and here a trustee and a witness), BENNETT (Elizabeth Temple's brothers in 1705, and here a trustee AND a son-in-law), PEIRCE (attested in three earlier wills; here a sister-in-law and four more).