The Last Will & Testament of Walter Batten, 1631

Walter Batten (abt 1580 - February 1631/32)

The ‘Batten’ surname was widespread across North Wiltshire in the 1600s-1800s, including in both Draycot Cerne and Sutton Benger. In addition, one family recorded in Sutton Benger as ‘Battin’ is undoubtedly related (or simply mis-spelled in the records). The families generally appear to have been labourers, or smallholders at best, and only two of them left a Last Will & Testament (LW&T). Isaac Batten in Sutton Benger in the 1780s is recorded in the Parish Register as a ‘pauper’. The ‘outlier’ among the records is the marriage in Sutton Benger in 1654 of ‘Walter Batten, son of Millesome [sic] Batten of Allington’, who married ‘Ruth Ferris, daughter of John Ferris the elder’. He is recorded in the Chippenham register as a husbandman, while the Sutton Benger register notes that Ruth was the daughter of ‘John Ferris senior’.

Walter Batten of Draycot Cerne

This Walter Batten appears in the early Draycot Cerne parish registers as a Churchwarden; however, the surviving records are very sparse. The only other reference to him is the baptism record on 19 March 1608/09 of ‘William Batten, son of Walter’.

This is a ‘nuncupative will’; the word ‘nuncupative’ refers to a will or testament declared orally as opposed to in writing; a relative or other witness declares to the court that they heard the deceased make his will before he died.

Walter’s Widow

The LW&T, although brief, is significant for what it tells us about Walter’s house, and about the role of women in society. Walter’s house would have been leased from the Lord of the Manor; the LW&T tells us that the lease was transferred to John, his son.

John was possibly the second son, probably still living with Walter and Alice, his wife (widow). William, possibly the eldest son, signs the LW&T as ‘senior’, suggesting that he has a son called William. He inherits the close of land (also leased), presumably because he already has a house. Alice has no entitlements under law, but Walter provides for her in the will by stipulating not only that the sons are to give her an annual allowance of 40 shillings per year, but also that she is to have the use of one bedroom in the house.

The house seems to have been a ‘one-up, one down’. That is, the ground floor was basically a large hall; it would have had the main (or only) fireplace, which doubled as the kitchen area, as well as the only table and chairs / benches for dining. One end of the hall was probably curtained off to create a bedroom (chamber), which is the room allocated to Alice in the will. The upstairs had a second room, which would have been the chamber previously occupied by Walter and Alice, and which was now John’s. There is one other small room in the house, which appears to have been basically just a storeroom or ‘buttery’.

The will also stipulates that Alice should have ‘the necessary access’ to the fireplace in the hall, for cooking and warmth. Although it does not appear here, other wills with similar provisions for widows also stipulate free access to the well, in addition to access to the only (outside) toilet.

LW&T of Walter Batten of Draycot Cerne; 23 December 1631

In the Name of God, Amen, the three and twentieth daye of December, Anno Domini 1631. Walter Batten of Draycott Cerne in the Countye of Wiltes, being sice [= sick] in bodye, but of good and perfect memorie (God’s name be praysed therefore) did make his last Will and Testament nuncupative in manner and forme following, that is to say.

First he comitted his Soule into the hands of God his maker and redeemer, and his bodye to the earth from whence itt came.

Alsoe he gave and bequeathed unto William Batten his sonne all that his close of pasture or meadow ground called the home close, contayninge by estimation one Acre, be itt more or less, with the appurtenances.

Alsoe he gave and bequeathed unto Alice Batten, his wife, all that roome in his house called the Lower Chamber within the hall, the necessarie use of the said hall and of the fire place.

And fortye shillinges a yeare in money dureinge her life, to be yearelye payed her, by John Batten and the said William Batten his two sons, by equall portions.

And alsoe all his household stuffe likewise dureinge her life.

And after her decease the said household stuffe to be and remaine unto the the said John Batten and William Batten his sonnes, equally to be devided betweene them.

Nowe concerning all the rest of his house, or [ houseing ?] the garden and orchard thereunto belonging, with their appurtenances dureinge the full terme of his lease by which he did hold the same, together with the said lease, he gave, assigned and bequeathed unto the said John Batten his sonne, whome he did make his whole and sole Executor of this his last Will and Testament, and William Batten his brother to be his Overseere of the same.

[signed]		John Rande 	}

[signed] William Batten } Wittnesses
[senior ?] }

Inventory of Walter Batten; 1 March 1631/32

An Inventorie of all the goods and chattels that Walter Batten’s of Draycott Cerne in the Countye of Wiltes att the houre of his death, taken and praysed the first daye of March, Anno Domini 1631, by Richard Godwyne, Henrie Meade, Ralph Pullyne and others, as followeth, vizt.

Imprimis. In the hall. One Table board [with ?] binches [= benches] and frames; one chaire and certain other goods:
£02 19s 00d
Item. In the chamber within the hall. In some implements of household stuffe:
£00 10s 00d
Item. In the chamber over the hall. 2 beds, with their appurtenances and other goods:
£03 10s 00d
Item. In an other roome. In brasse and pewter and a few other things:
£01 11s 00d
Item. One cowe.
£02 06s 00d
Item. All his weareinge apparel; [= apparel, ie his clothes]
£02 00s 00d
Summa tot [Total]
£12 16s 00d

For More Information

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