FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
JAMES AND ELIZABETH SOUTHAM
JAMES SOUTHAM was christened 10 January 1679 in Wardington, Oxfordshire,
the son of Thomas Southam and Mary Paxton. The parish of Wardington is
very near Cropredy. James is first found in Cropredy records when he and
his wife Elizabeth are found having children in Cropredy
parish, beginning in 1701. His birth is more difficult to unravel. James
and Elizabeth Southam appear in the parish records in 1701, when their
daughter, Mary is christened. They stay in the parish and have eight children.
James is listed as being of Great Bourton in Cropredy parish. In 1703 Thomas
Southam is buried in the Cropredy churchyard, followed by his wife Mary
in 1711.
A will filed by James Southam of Neithrop (William Southam's brother) provides the best clues to James' origin - this James Southam was a prosperous, but childless, yeoman farmer in Banbury. He left his property to his nieces and cousins. The two principle heirs were William Sotham "sonn of my Uncle Rowland Southam", and James Southam "sonn of my Cozen Thomas Southam". The will, written in 1695, mentioned that the heir, James was not yet 21 years old, and as a result, some property was left in trust for him. "Cousin" James Southam left to "James Southam, sonn of my Cozen Thomas Southam" farm land, houses, and property in Neithrop, 3 ewes, lambs and 3 barren sheep, and £100 "of lawfull English money". He left Thomas Southam, James's father, one shilling. "Cousin" James Southam died in 1699. The complete text of the will is included below.
It seems likely that the James Southam mentioned in the will of 1695,
the son of Thomas Southam, was the same James Southam, son of Thomas, who
appears in the Cropredy records in 1701. At the death of his wealthy relative,
James became a young man of property, able to marry and begin a family.
He is found farming land in Great Bourton.
No
record has yet been found for the marriage of James and Elizabeth.
James
appears in the Vicar's Tithe Books in Great Bourton:
Nov 1703 Tithe
James
Southam 1/4 yd land and odd commons
1s - 0d
James Southam
Nov 1705 - May 1707 1/4 ydland 0 - 9
Nov 1707 - May 1712 1 ydland 3 - 0
Nov 1712 - 1716 2 yd lands 6 - 0
Nov 1716 - May 1725 2 1/2 yd lands 7 - 6
Nov 1725 - Nov 1727 3 1/2 yd lands 10 - 6
May 1728 - Nov 1741 4 yd lands 12 - 0
to
William Hunt
James Southam Snr. from Jm. Boucher
May 1740 -1743 1/4 ydland 0 - 9
Nov 1743 - Nov 1750 1/4 + 3d 1 - 0
May 1751 - Nov 1759 1/4 0 - 9
*
Craftsman amount of land
James
Southam of Gt Bourton appears in the Victuallers Record from 1758-1761,
as the owner of a pub (possibly pub now known as the Bell Inn?)
Both
James and his son James appear in the 1753 Assessment:
Bourton Gt & Lt.
Southam James Snr. 2s - 9 1/4 d
Southam
James Junr.
£2 - 16s - 3
In
the parliamentary elections of 1754, both James, senior and James, junior
are recorded as voting for the Tory, or Old Interest candidates, Viscount
Wenman and Sir James Dashwood.
Freeholders’
Names
Abode
Vote
Southam,
James, Senr.
Bourtons
W D
Southam,
James, Junr.
do.
W D
Elizabeth
was buried in Cropredy 20 October 1749. James then married Mary Holloway
8 October 1750 in Cropredy. She died and was buried 1 April 1757 in Cropedy.
James died and was buried 23 January 1763 in Cropredy. James "of Great
Bourton" and Elizabeth had the following children:
1.
Mary,
born 8 August 1701 in Cropredy, christened 30 August 1701 in Cropredy,
buried 21 October 1701 in Cropredy.
2.
Sarah,
born
18 November 1702 in Cropredy, christened 11 December 1702 in Cropredy.
3.
Elizabeth,
born 30 May 1706 in Cropredy, christened 11 December 1706 in Cropredy.
4.
James,
christened 22 April 1709 in Cropredy. He married 1) Hannah How on 20 June
1739 in Cropredy, Oxfordshire, England. James married 2) Ann Giles 12 August
1750 in Banbury, Oxford, England. James died and was buried 26 April 1780
in Cropredy.
5.
Anne,
christened 17 December 1714 in Cropredy, buried 26 January 1743 in Cropredy.
6.
Kezia,
christened 14 June 1718 in Cropredy, buried 28 September 1718 in Cropredy.
7.
Thomas,
christened 21 November 1724 in Cropredy.
8. John, of Great Bourton, who listed James Southam of Great
Bourton as "my brother James" in his will of 1789. He married Esther Bourton,
and had five children: Hesther (1774), Thomas, John, William (1779), and
Mary.
SOURCE:
Bishop's Transcripts, Cropredy Parish, FHS# 95235; Original parish register,
Cropredy, at CRO; Cropredy parish register on CD; IGI.
The
will of James Southam,
yeoman, of Neithrop, who died 1696. Will filed 1695 in the Perogative Court
of Canterbury. This will mentions his cousin Thomas Southam, and Thomas's
son, James.
In
Submission to the will of God Amen the eight and twentieth day of December
in the seventh year of the Reign of William the third, King of England,
Scotland, France and Ireland, Anno Domini one thousand six hundred ninety
five, I James Southam of Nethrop in the parish of Banbury in the
County of Oxon, yeoman, being in health of God and of sound and perfect
mind and memory, thanks be unto God for the same, do make and ordaine this
my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, First I bequeath
my Soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator, and my body to be decently
buryed. And as for my worldly Estate which it hath pleased God to bestow
upon me, I dispose of the same as followeth, First I give, devise, and
bequeath unto my loving wife Sarah
Southam, All my two messuages
and their Yard Lands with the appurtenances in Nethrop aforesaid, and in
the Libertyes thereof, to have and to hold to her and her Assigns during
her naturall life. And from and after my said wifes decease I give, devise,
and bequeath unto William
Southam, Sonn of my Uncle Rowland
Southam, my said two messuages
and two yard Lands and one half yard Land of my said three Yard Lands being
in the tenure of the said William Southam with the appurtenances
To have and to hold to him and his Assigns for one whole Year from thence
next ensuing. And from and immediately after the end and expiraton of the
said one year next after my said wifes decease, I give, devise, and bequeath
my said two messuages and two yard Lands and one half yard Land with the
appurtenances unto Richard
Southam, eldest sonn of
the said William Southam and to the heirs male of his body lawfully
to be begotten forever. And for want of such issue male of his body, my
will and meaning further is I doe hereby give, devise, and bequeath my
said two messuages and two yard Lands and one half yard Lands with the
appurtenances unto William the second sonn of the said William
Southam and the issue male of his body lawfully to be begotten forever.
And for want of such issue male male of such second sonn, then to the next
heires male of the body of the said William Southam lawfully begotten
or to be begotten forever. And for want of such issue male of the offspring
and Family of the said William Southam, Then to the next heires
male of my name, kindred and Family forever upon conditon nevertheless.
And my will and meaning further is, And I doe hereby make know and declare
that the said William Southam, his Executors, Administrators, or
Assignes shall within six monthes next after my said wifes decease pay
or cause to be paid into the hands of William Hatten
and John
Litle, Trustees for the
Joynture of Mary the wife of the said William Southam or
to the survivors of them, or the Executors of the survivor of them the
full summe of tenn pounds of lawfull money of England to be by them employed
to and for the use and benefit of the said William Southam and Mary
his wife and the issue of their two bodyes according to the purport and
true meaning of one pair of Indentures beareing date the first day of August
Anno Domini one thousand six hundred and eighty nine made or expressed
to be made between me, the said James Southam
of the one part and the said William Hatten
and John Litle
of the other part, for the payment of which said summe of tenn pounds as
aforesaid I charge the issues and profits of my said two messuages and
two yard Lands and one half yard Land with the appurtenances for and during
the said one yeare next of be ensuing after my said wifes decease, And
also upon this further condition. And my further will and meaning is that
the said William Southam
and his Assignes shall or may lawfully peaceably and quietly have hold
and enjoy my said two messuages and two yard Lands and one half Yard Land
with the appurtenances from and after the end and expiraton of the said
one yeare next after my said wifes decease untill such time that the said
Richard
Southam
shall attain the full age of one and twenty yeares finding, allowing and
furnishing the said Richard with all things suitable and necessary
for his maintenance, schooling, and books provided alwayes that this present
Devise shall not way in whole or in part, impair or lessen the marriage
settlement of the said William Southam with Mary
his wife nor be turned away to impair the same anything herein contained
in any wise notwithstanding. Also from and after my said wifes decease
I give, devise, and bequeath All my other half yard Land with the appurtenances
of my said three yard Lands which is now in my owne occupaton unto James
Southam
sonn of my Cozen Thomas
Southam, and to the heires
male of his body lawfully to be begotten forever. And for want of such
issue male, Then to the next issue male of my name, kindred, and Family.
Also I give and bequeath unto Anne, the daughter of my Uncle Rowland
Southam
the summe of tenn pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid one half
thereof within six months and the other half thereof within twelve monthes
next after my decease by my Executrix herein after named. Also I give unto
Katherine
the daughter of my said Uncle Rowland one shilling. Also I give
and bequeath unto Rebecca
the daughter of my said Uncle Rowland the Interest or yearly proceeds
of five pounds of lawfull money of England for and during her naturall
life. And from and after her decease I give and bequeath the said five
pounds unto Rebecca Rogers
her daughter. And my will and meaning is that the said five pounds shall
be paid by my Executrix hereafter named within one yeare next after my
decease unto the said Rebecca Rogers, or to some friend in trust
for her, who shall give sufficient security for the paying to the Interest
thereof yearly unto her said mother during her naturall life, And also
upon this conditon. And my will is that my said wife nor her Assigns shall
not cut downe nor fall any wood or Timber in or upon the Close beside or
appurtenances belonging to my said two messuages and the buildings thereunto
belonging. Also I give and bequeath unto Hannah
the daughter of my brother William Southam
the summe of forty pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid one half
thereof within six monthes and the other half thereof within twelve monthes
next after my decease by my Executrix herein after named. And if the said
Hannah
shall happen to dye before the said Legacy shall become payable as aforesaid,
Then I give and bequeath her said Legacy equally unto her two sisters Dorothy
and Mary.
Also I give and bequeath unto the said Dorothy and Mary the
two elder daughters of my brother William Southam
the summe of fifty pounds apiece of lawfull money of England to be paid
one half thereof within six monthes, and the other half thereof within
twelve monthes next after my decease by my Executrix herein after named.
Also I give and bequeath unto my kinsman William Taylor
of Borton the summe of tenn pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid
and half thereof within six monthes and the other half thereof within twelve
monthes next after my decease. Also I give and bequeath unto Hannah
the daughter of my Uncle Thomas Southam
the summe of tenn pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid one half
thereof within six monthes and the other half thereof within twelve monthes
next after my decease by my Executrix herein after named. Also I give and
bequeath unto my said wife Sarah
and her Assignes my two Tenements in Nethrop aforesaid, wherein John
Charles
and Richard Charles
now dwell, and also my Close in Nethrop aforesaid, which I bought of Charles
Wolselly
Bart. for one half year now and immediately after my decease. And my will
is that my said wife nor her Assignes shall not cut downe, lopp, or fall
any wood or Timber in, upon, or belonging unto my said last mentoned Close
during the said one half year. And from and immediately after the end and
expiraton of the said one half year next after my decease I doe hereby
give, devise, and bequeath unto James
Southam, sonn of my Cozen
Thomas
Southam
and his heires forever All that one of my said two Tenements with the appurtenances
wherein Richard Charles now dwelleth. Also from and after the end
and expiraton of the said one half year next after my decease I doe hereby
give, devise, and bequeath unto my kinsman William Rogers
all that other of my said two Tenements wherein John Charles now
dwelleth with the appurtenances untill such time that the said James
Southam shall attain the age of one and twenty yeares. And from and
after that time I give, devise, and bequeath my said last mentoned Tenement
with the appurtenances and passage thereunto belonging unto the said James
Southam and his heires for ever upon conditon nevertheless. And my
will and meaning is that the said James Southam shall pay unto the
said William Rogers the summe of twenty pounds of lawfull money
of England within the space of one yeare next after that he, the said James
Southam shall attaine the said age of one and twenty yeares. And if
the said James Southam shall chuse rather to acquit the said Tenement
with the appurtenances then to pay the said twenty pounds as aforesaid
or shall refuse or neglect to pay unto the said William Rogers the
said twenty pounds as aforesaid, Then and in such case my will and meaning
is, And I soe hereby give, devise, and bequeath my said Tenement wherein
John
Charles now dwelleth and the Barne with the appurtenances and passage
thereunto belonging together with the passage to and from the Well in my
said last mentoned close along the foot path there and all appurtenances
thereunto belonging unto the said William Rogers and his heires
forever. Also from and after the end and expiraton of the said one half
yeare next after my decease I give and bequeath unto my said cozen William
Southam
and his Assigns my said last mentoned Close with the appurtenances for
and during my said wifes naturall life, Upon conditon that he, the said
William
Southam or his Assignes shall pay yearely in consideraton thereof the
summe of six pounds of lawfull English money a yeare unto the said James
Southam
during the naturall life of my said wife. And from and immediately after
my said wifes decease I doe hereby give devise and bequeath my said last
mentoned Close with the appurtenances together with the assignment, Lease,
and terms of yeares that attends the Fee Simple thereof unto the said James
Southam and his heires forever. And my will and meaning is that the
said William Southam
nor his Assignes shall not cut downe any Trees or Lopp above three trees
in a yeare in, upon, or belonging unto my said last mentioned Close untill
such time that the said James Southam shall be in possession of
the same. Also I give and bequeath unto the said William Southam
and his Assignes all my Estate, and right of, in, and to, one messuage
and a Close thereto belonging with the appurtenances in Nethrop aforesaid
now in the tenure and possession of him, the said William Southam
from and after my decease, for and during the naturall life of my said
wife. And my will is that all my goods which are now standing and being
in and about the said last mentoned messuage shall there remaine and be
as standes. And from and after my said wifes decease I doe hereby give
devise and bequeath unto the said James Southam, his Executors,
and Administrators, and Assignes, All my estate, right, title, interest,
and terms of yeares which shall be then to come and unexpired of in and
to the said last mentoned messuage and Close with the appurtenances there
unto belonging. Also I give and bequeath unto the said William Southam
two Eables now standing and being in my hall house, one bedstead in my
chamber over the parlour, my Mash Vatt, my great Furnace in my kitchen,
my cistern, horse trough, and hog troughs, and hogg tubbs, my hovelling,
my Karts and mangers in the Stable, and implements about my Chaffe house,
my Mault Mill, Salting trough, boulting which, my Spit, karts, and all
my garners which stand over my kitchens, and my Buttery, and all my goods
that are in my messuage wherein John Litle
now dwelleth, and one great chair, and two Stooles covered with Green,
and two plaine Coffers, and a Box being in my Chamber over the hall, All
with my said goods I order and will shall remaine and continue as Standes
and that my said wife shall have the use of them dureing her naturall life.
Also I give and I bequeath unto Katherine,
the daughter of my Cozen Rebecca
Rice, the summe of tenn
pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid one half thereof within Six
monthes and the other half thereof within twelve monthes next after my
decease. Aslo I give and bequeath unto Rebecca
Rogers, the daughter of
my said cozen Rebecca Rice the summe of five pounds of lawfull English
money to be paid one half thereof within six monthes and the other half
thereof within twelve monthes next after my decease by my Executrix herein
after named. Also I give and bequeath unto my Cozen Thomas Southam
one shilling. Also I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth,
the daughter of Thomas
Lambert, the elder, late
of Grimsbury deceased the summe of five pounds of lawfull English money
to be paid unto her within one yeare next after my decease if she shall
so long live by my Executrix herein after named. Also I give and bequeath
unto my maid servant Sarah Drake the summe of five pounds of lawfull
money of England to be paid one half within six monthes and the other half
thereof within twelve monthes next after my decease. Also I give and bequeath
unto Alice Pinfold
of Banbury five shillings. And to Richard Pettipher
of Nethrop aforesaid and his wife and his sonn and his two daughters one
shilling apeice. And to my Cozen Thomas Yowick,
the elder, of Nethrop aforesaid one shilling. Also I doehereby
give and bequeath unto my said wife Sarah
the Interest or proceeds of two hundred pounds which I have laid downe
upon a mortgage of severall Closes or parcell of inclosed grounds in Bewdsert
alias Befsert in the County of Warwick now in the possession of Samuell
Claridge, Tanner, his Assignee or Assignes for one half year next after
my decease. And from and after the said one half yeare next after my decease
I give and bequeath the Interest and proceed of the said two hundred pounds
equally to be devided between by said wife and the said James
Southam, sonn of my Cozen Thomas
for one half yeare more from thence to be ensuing. And from and after the
end and expiraton of one whole yeare next after my decease I doe hereby
give, devise, and bequeath all my estate, right, title, interest, and terms
of yeares which shall be then to come and unexpired of in and to the said
last mentoned Closes of inclosed ground with the appurtenances unto the
said James Southam his Executors, Administrators, and Assignes.
And my will is that the said Samuell Claridge shall or may hold
the money which I have laid downe upon the said mortgage for long as he
shall have ocassion to hold the same, paying the same Interest according
as he and I at first agreed. And if the said two hundred pounds shall be
paid in within the said one yeare next aftermy
decease, Then and in such case I doe hereby give, devise, and bequeath
the said two hundred pounds unnto the said James Southam. Also I
give and bequeath unto the said James Southam, three Ewes and Lambs
and three barren sheep, if I shall be possessed of soe many sheep at the
time of my decease, Upon conditon and nevertheless. And my will and meaning
further is that John Litle
of Nethrop aforesaid Schoolmaster and his Assignes shall and may peaceably
and quietly have hold and enjoy my messuage with the appurtenances wherein
he now dwelleth and all priviledges thereunto which he now useth and enjoyeth
Rent Free and clear from all charge of Rent for the same for two whole
yeares next after my decease if he shall please to live there himself.
And if my said wife Sarah
shall afterwise dispose, or shall deny or refuse the same unto the said
John
Litle aforesaid, Then my will and meaning is, And I doe hereby give
and bequeath unto the said John Litle the summe of four pounds of
lawfull money of England to be paid one half therof within one yeare and
the other half therof within two yeares next after my decease by my Executrix
herein after named. Also I give and bequeath unto Phillip
Colemans wife of Banbury,
my kinswoman, five shillings provided nevertheless. And my will and meaning
is that all my said Legatees to whom I have hereby give and moneyes to
be paid by my Executrix shall be content toreceive
and shall take in pay of their respective Legatyes aforsaid such money
as now is current. And if any of my said Legatees shall refuse to take
such current money in payment of such Legacy or Legacyes as aforesaid,
Then my will is that such person or persons so refussingas
aforesaid shall forfeit his, her, or their said respecive Legacy or Legacyes
to my Executrix herein after named upon conditon aforsaid. And my will
and meaning is that for what moveable goods I have hereby given unto the
said William Southam
standing and being in my messuage wherein I now dwell he, the said William
Southam, at and after the decease of my said wife shall leave the life
vallue of his household goods in the messuage wherein he now dwelleth unto
and for the use and benefit of the said James Southam,
his Executores, Administrators, and Assignes, All the rest and residue
of my goods, chattels, and cattell, jewells, gold, and silver, bills, bonds,
and money oweing and due unto me, my Debts, Legacyes and Funerall expenses
being discharged and paid, I give and bequeath unto my said wife Sarah
whom I make and appoint sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament,
And I doe hereby revoke, disanull, and make voyd all other and former Wills
by me at any time heretofore made. In witness whereof to this my last Will
and Testament I have sett my hand and seale the day and yeare first above
written. James Southam
Signed,
sealed, published, and delivered being written on sixpenny Stampt parchment
Timothy Gibbard John Webstar The mark of Richard Charles
Notes:
Boulting
Which - a bin into which
flour or meal was sifted.
Cistern
- a large vessel used in brewing.
Close
- a farmyard, an enclosed yard for cattle, or an enclosed yard of a house.
Furnace
- a brewing vat or boiler.
Garner
- a store for grain.
Hovelling
- outbuildings or styes.
Messuages
- dwellings with their adjacent buildings and the lands appropriated to
the use of the household.
Mesh
Vat - a vat used in brewing
for the infusion of malt and boiling water.
Spit
- a thin iron bar which stood in front of the open fire and was revolved;
it was used for roasting.
Yard
Land - a bundle of strips
of arable land scattered in different furlongs in the open fields. The
acreage varied much. In the Banbury area it averaged 22 customary acres.
If you have any additional information about
this family, please contact me at alice@boydhouse.com.