Henry Whitaker was baptised on November 2, 1642 at Bratton, Wiltshire, England the seventh of eight children of John Whitaker and second wife Margaret Aldridge. There were also three children from his first marriage to Dionise Aldridge, believed to be Margaret’s sister. About 1664 Henry married Ann Blatch of Bratton, daughter of Phillip Blatch and Maude Liddiard, a union which was to produce ten children.
In his will, which was not dated but proved at Westbury on August 17, 1685 he left his eldest son John the leaseholds of the properties called Axfords and Horsecates, his second son Henry the leashold called Horsecates, third son Thomas the leasehold called Redlands and to his youngest son Philip, who was only three years old at the time of his fathers death, the leasehold on 40 acres of arable land in Bratton field. Another son, also called Philip had died young. To his two eldest daughters Ann and Margaret he left £200 each and the two youngest Judeth[sic] and Diness[sic], £100 each in money. In all cases the legacies to be paid when the children reached the age of 21.
The remainder of his estate he leaves to his wife, whom he appoints as executor. He also appoints John Blatch and James Blatch his brothers-in-law, John Aldridge his cousin and William Whitaker his brother, to be oversears, giving them 5 shillings each for their trouble.
© Brian Tompkins 2007
Brian Tompkins said,
August 16, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Henry Whitaker was my 8th great-grandfather
Gavin French said,
March 29, 2008 at 6:43 am
Brian , Pleased that history lives on , Ive been trying to locate my ancestry of this particular line . Im trying to fit in a Ralph Aldridge of Trowbridge Wiltshire and a Stephen Whitaker ?.
Gavin
Richard Whitaker said,
April 1, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Hello Brian and other interested folk… I have reason to believe that Henry Whitaker married Anne Blatch of Bratton, in Bratton in 1668.
Sheila Bell said,
July 31, 2011 at 11:46 am
Have you read “William Whitaker – His Book 1776-1840″ edited by Jean Morrison? The Whitakers of Bratton were generally the most educated and literate members of the community and helped their neighbours draw up wills and inventories and gave them other other legal assistance. Some Whitakers were also keen musicians as shown by the will of the son-in-law of Philip Blatch, Henry Whitaker, (1685). His wife Anne Blatch was the daughter of Philip Blatch, my 7th great grandfather.