FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
JAMES SOUTHAM AND
ELIZABETH WYATT
Baptism record for James Southam in Wardington:
"James ye son of Thomas Sowtham & Mary his wife was baptized January ye 10th"
Marriage record for James Southam and Elizabeth Wyatt:
"James Southam of Barton Parva and Eliz. Wyatt of Chacomb were married the 31st of October"
James is first found in Cropredy records when he and his wife Elizabeth were found having children in Cropredy parish, beginning in 1701. James and Elizabeth Southam appeared in the Cropredy parish records in 1701, when their daughter, Mary is christened. They stayed in the parish and had eight children. James was listed as being of Great Bourton in Cropredy parish.
The first appearance of the Southams in the Cropredy parish register was in 1701, when
Mary Southam, the daughter of James and Elizabeth Southam was christened.
In 1703 Thomas Southam was 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.
James Southam's signature on Richard Gill's inventory, 1711
James appeared 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
appeared 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 were 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.
Burial record of Elizabeth Southam in Cropredy:
"Elizabeth the wife of James Southam Senr of Great Bourton was buried June 17th 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.
Burial record for James Southam in Cropredy: "James Southam of Great Bourton was buried Jan: 23d 1763"
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.
Baptism record for James Southam in Cropredy:
"James, the son of James Southam of Great Borton and of
Elizabeth his wife was baptized on the twenty second day of
Aprill: 1709:"
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;
www.ancestry.co.uk.
The
will of James Southam, yeoman, of Neithrop,
who died 1696. Will filed 1695 in the Prerogative 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.