Mitchell family Devon
Research Notes
This page contains extracts from manorial rolls relating to the
Mitchells of Colyton with copies of wills and other research notes.
They were compiled by Colin and Olan Style with whom their
copyright lies.
Return to Page 2
TRACING THE MITCHELL FAMILY BEFORE 1490
The surname Mitchell appears to have been derived, rather late from
one of the variations on the Christian name Michael. There are no names
spelled •Mitchell' in the whole of the 1332 subsidy roll for Devon,
which
constituted quite a general list of individuals with assets in the
county.
There were, however, a number of names variously spelled 'Michael,
Michel, Mechel, Mlchele, Mochele, Mich1, Muchele, Muchel*. We can take
it then that 'Mitchell' evolved from one of these and had become a set
surname by 1490 or before. In fact, A Dictionary of British Surnames
states: "The popular pronunciation <of Michael) was from the French
'Michel* which survives as 'Mitchell'." You will see that there are
not, however, any of these
early variant names listed in 1332 within the Colyton hundred. This was
made up of Colyton, Branscombe, Seaton, Beer, Gatecombe, Southleigh,
Farwood,
Farway, Northleigh, Widworthy, Cotleigh, Womberford, Whit ford and
Colyford.
The nearest names to these parishes were William Michel and Thomas
Michel
in the West Budleigh hundred, and Geoffrey Michel in Otterton. It is,
of
course, feasible that one of these Michels moved across sometime in the
14th and 15th centuries and established the yeomen family in Colyton
and
Northleigh. There are 1430 deeds for a 'John Michel1 regarding Cotford
in
next door Sidbury. As an example of the name 'Michel* transforming into
'Mitchell',
it is interesting to see Cotford deeds of 1466 using an intermediate
form
of the name when referring to 'late Lytel John's, alias Mychell*. So,
it
would be an easy jump for the family to settle in the Colyton area.
From the evidence of the 1332 subsidy rolls, it can be accepted that
the Mitchell <Michel> family arrived in the Colyton hundred area
sometime after 1332 and before 1490. A 1350 survey of the possessions
of the Duchy of Lancaster in the Colyton hundred named 'Mitchells or
Roadpit Farm' as one. As you see from the 1902 map, Roadpit is a very
short distance from
Barritshayes and lies on the edge of the parish of Northleigh. This
makes
it a near certainty that the Mitchells of Colyton and the Mitchells of
Northleigh
are related. Further, in 1575 we found a Thomas Mitchell occupying
Mitchell's
tenement in the manor of Netherton in Farway and in 1657 a John Mychell
was
holding Codshayes in Farway. The Mitchells were then gentlemen yeomen
with
widespread holdings in the Colyton hundred. We could deduce that if
there
was a 'Mitchells or Roadpit extant in 1350 then the Mitchell (Michel)
family
must have arrived in the area then and taken up property. The only snag
is
that it is possible that the 1350 survey was summarised in a later
century
and 'Mitchells' added as further description.
THE MITCHELL FAMILY OF COLYTON 16TH CENTURY FAMILY TREE
This is about as much certainty as we are able to get to trace the
family before 1490. This in the absence of 15th century land deeds,
naming Mitchells in connection with properties, that we know the family
held in the 16 kh centuries. Also, of course, parish registers of
births, marriages and burials were only begun circa 1538 on the orders
of Henry VI11, This means, of course, that any birth and marriage
dates before 1538 are conjectural.
We have hunted through the Colyton parish records and ancilliary
records such as deeds, wills, leases, subsidy rolls etc.. This has
thrown up a host of Mitchell names that we have endeavoured
to piece into your faaiily tree. Having
done this, there seems to be something suspect and not quite right in
the 16th century Mitchell family tree. We conjecture that there might
have been a John Mitchell born about 1470 who married an Agnes. This to
explain the Agnes widow given on the 1545 subsidy roll and who is not
Agnes Vye. Other than this, the problem is that the John Mitchell who
made his will and died in 1590 was very, very old considering he was
born c. 1490-1495, Ha also had a child young if the father of John
Mitchell born about 1515. In his will he talks about money for his son
William *att his day of marriage' or 'to buy preferment*. This sounds
like provision for a son setting out
in life and yet William must have been now old, if the brother of the
John
born circa 1515. Perhaps the John born circa 1495 died in another
parish,
and the John of the will of 1587 is the one born in circa 1515,
However,
if this is so why did he not mention his wife Agnes and other children?
How
too does one explain the Johns senior and junior in the earlier subsidy
rolls?
So, it all does not fit convincingly and we suspect that two families
of Mitchell cousins have got mixed into the family tree and the missing
links are to be found in surrounding parish registers. After all, the
family
was established not only in Colyton but, also, in Ottery St. Mary, as
well
as Northleigh and Farway. Unfortunately, the Ottery parish registers,
which might have supplied a vital clue, have only survived from 1601.
It is possible, of course, that there might be something illuminating
in the other Ottery parish records. We are sure, however, that there is
nothing more in the Colyton records to sew up the family tree with
certainty.
MYCHELL OF COLYTON
DATE UNKNOWN
There is a possibility that a Mr Mychell of Rawkerayne married an Agnes
-— . Mr Mychell and Agnes his wife would have been born probably around
the 1470s, but there are no records to confirm this conjecture.
1524 SUBSIDY ROLL
John Michell G 20 John Michell W 1
We do not know if these Johns are father and son or possibly
cousins.
1539
Colyton Parish Registers record that, on 5 October 1539,
John Mychell sonne of John Mychell of Rawkerayne was married unto Agnes
Vye, the daughter of of Harrye Vye of Caddhayne
1541-1545
Colyton Parish Registers record the baptisms of
Mychell John, s. of John Mychel the elder of Rawkerayne (sic,) 26
September 1541
Michell John, s. of John Michell the elder of Rawkerayne (sic), 19
March 1544/5
Mychell, Marye, d. of John Mychell of Rawkerayne (sic), 26 April 1545
It should be noted that there is only one month's gap between the
baptisms of the second and third child.
MYCHELL FAMILY OF COLYTON
1544/1545 SUBSIDY ROLL
John Mychell sen 10 John Mychell jun 20 Agnes Mychell wid 15 John
Mychell 10
John Mychell senior could be one of the Johns listed in 1525. John
junior might be the John Mychell who married Agnes Vye in
1539,
It is quite possible that we have two Agnes Mychells living at this
date — the younger Agnes (nee Vye), and the older widow, Agnes (nee -—).
As noted earlier, at an unknown date, a Mr Mychell (Christian name
unknown) of Rawkerayne might have married an Agnes -—. In which case,
Agnes's husband would have been dead by 1544/5. He probably died before
1538 because there is no Colyton burial entry between 1538 and 1545 for
anyone likely to have been Agnes's husband.
Agnes Mychell widow might be the mother of John Mychell senior. Agnes
Mychell, widow of Rawkerayne, was buried in Colyton on 12 March 1564/5.
However, this makes her very old to be the mother of John senior. There
might
well have been another Mychell of Rawkerayne who died before 1538 and
whose
burial therefore would not be recorded.
Who the 3rd John Mychell is we do not know. A cousin perhaps?
1546/7-1557/8
Colyton Parish Registers record the baptisms of
Mychell Robert, s. of John Mychell of
Rawkerayne the elder (sic), 20 January 1546/7
Michell Annes, d. of John Michell the younger of Rawkerayne (sic),
4 November 1547
Mychell Thomas, s. of John Mychell of Rawkerayne the yonger (sic),
19 August 1550
Mychell Johan, d. of John Mychell of Rawkerayne, the yonger (sic, 1
July 1554
Mychell William, s. of John Mychell of Rawkerayne (sic), 1 August 1556
Mychell, Elyzabethe, 'sonne' (sic) of John Mychell of Rawkerayne (sic),
3 February 1557/8
1564/5
Agnes Mychell, widow of Rawkerayne, was buried in Colyton on 12 March
1564/5.
1569
Colyton Parish Registers record that, on 26 November 1569,
John Mychell the sonne of John Mychell the younger of Rawkerayne
was wedded unto Emlyn Weeks, late of Gytsom [Gittisham]
1569 MUSTER ROLL
John Mitchell G 7
John Mitchell junior, Harquebusier
John Mitchell G 7 may well be the John who married Agnes Vye in
1539. John junior would then be his son, who married Emlyn
Weeks in 1569.
1581 SUBSIDY ROLL
John Michell L 3 John Michell G 15 John Michell senior G 6 Thomas
Michell L 1
Are we perhaps looking at three generations here? John senior of
Rockerayne, his son John the younger of Rockerayne, and his sons John
(of Cadden then of Barrettshayes) and Thomas (of Cadden)?
1571-1585
John Mychell of Cadden (Cadhayne) is father to Johan (1571), John
(1573),
Marye (1576).
John Mychell of Mynchenholme is father to Elsabethe (1579).
John Mychell of Barrases (Baddershayes, Barrasayes) is father to
Phillyppe (1581),
Beaten (1583), Robart (1585).
MYCHELL FAMILY OF COLYTON 1585
The Colyton Parish Registers record the burial, on 7 November 1585, of
Mychell Marrian, d. of John Mychell thelder of Rockerhayne (sic)
1586
27 July 28 Elizabeth [1586]
John Drake of Colcombe, Esq, to John Mychell of Barrettshayes, yeoman.
Grant of Barrettshayes als Barretshayne, in manor of Tuddhayes als
Mynchynholme, for 2,000 years.
Consideration £40 Yearly Rent 14 pence
The property is now in the tenure use or occupacon of the said John
Mychell or of his assignes. This grant exonerates any previous
agreements or grants which may have been been made by John Drake
deceased, grandfather of said John Drake, or Sir Barnard Drake, knight,
also deceased, father of the said John Drake, by Copy of Court Roll to
Phillipp Mychell, John Mychell and Elizabeth Mychell,
children of the said John Mychell, or
to any of them.
1586
28 July 28 Elizabeth [1586]
John Drake of Colcombe, Esq to John Mychell the elder of Rokerayne,
yeoman. Grant of tenement containing fourscore acres of land, meadow,
pasture called Rokerayne, with all houses etc pertaining, (Except
meadow called Little Mead) in manor of Tuddehayes als Mynchynholme, for
2,000
years.
Consideration £80 Yearly Rent 12 pence.
The property is now in the tenure use or occupacon of the said John
Mychell or of his assignes. This grant exonerates any previous
agreements or grants which may have been been made by John Drake
deceased, grandfather of said John Drake, or Sir Barnard Drake, knight,
also deceased, father of Drake, by Copy of
Court Roll to John Mychell the Elder, John Mychell and Wyllyam Mychell
his sons or to any of them.
1586
28 September 28 Elizabeth
[1586]
John Drake of Colcombe, Esq, to William Mychell of Rokerhayne, yeoman.
Feoffment of Messuages, houses, lands, tenements etc. called Rokerhayne
and Ham Meade in manor of Tudhayes als Mychenholme, in Colyton EXCEPT
all such estate heretofore granted by me [John Drake] to the said John
Mychell the younger of Rokerhayne Wylliam Mychell and John Mychell his
sonnes and to their wyves and to any of them
The property is now in the several tenures use or occupacons of John
Mychell the younger of Rokerhayne and of the foresaid William Mychell.
1587-1590
John Mychell thelder of Rokerhane makes his Will on 8 September 1587.
Leaves Rokerhayne to son William. Leaves 2sh. to son Robert. Residue to
son John who is appointed Executor.
No wife mentioned in Will, nor any other children.
Probate of the Will is granted on 10 December 1590 to John Mychell
his son and Executor.
It is worth noting that son William, heir to Rokerhayne, is, according
to the Will, not married. When William died in 1607, he left an infant
son. Does it seem plausible that if John Mychell thelder was born circa
1495 he would have had a son siring a child in 1605? It
seems
to stretch the ages somewhat.
1587/8-1592
John Mychell of Barrysayes (Barrethayes) is father to Christian
(1587/8), Dorothe (1592).
1590-1590/1
Colyton Parish Registers record the burials of
Michell John thelder of Rowkrayne (sic), 10 August 1590 Michell John of
Rokrayne (sic), 13 March 1590/1
MYCHELL FAMILY OF COLYTON 1596
John Mychell of Barreshayes is [Church] Warden for John Mychell of
Rockrayne.
1598
REGISTER OF APPRENTICES COLYTON
This register begins with a list of names and their apprentices, all
the indentures being dated 30 August 1598.
Among them we find the following Michells:
John Michell of Bareshaine
took ffrancys Holmes, aged 8
John Michell of Rokerhaine
took Jane ffarbes, aged 9
John Michell of
Watche-combe took Marga rett Gry, aged 14
Agnes Michell took [no further details given]
William Michell took Elnor Meritt, aged 16
1599
Colyton Parish Registers record the burial of
Michell John, of Rockerhaine (sic), 26 June 1599
1600
Colyton Parish Registers record the burial of
Michell Agnes, widow of Rockerhaine, 18 April 1600
1620
Colyton Parish Registers record the burial of
Michell John, of Barrettshaies, 2 June 1620
MYCHELL FAMILY OF COLYTON 1668
William Michill thelder of Rokerhayne, yeoman makes his Will (q.v.). He
appoints one Phillip Michill as an Overseer. Phillip is a cousin. So
it does rather look as if the Mychells of Rockerhayne and the Mychells
of
Barrettshayes were related.
MYCHELL OF COLYTON REVISION
Please refer to Further Comment on the Mychell Family and the new
research.
DATE UNKNOWN
There is evidence that a John Mychell married an Agnes — . Mr Mychell
and Agnes his wife would probably have been born in the late 1400s.
John Mychell and Agnes held property in the Manor of Shute.
1524 SUBSIDY ROLL
John Michell G 20 John Michell W 1
We are still not certain who these are -— father and son, or brothers?
We recall that, at this same date, there were John Mychell G17, John
Michell G4 and John Michell jun G2 all in Northleigh parish.
1525 MANOR SURVEY OF SHUTE
This is most interesting because it shows John Mychell, Agnes his wife,
John their third son and John their fourth son holding two closes of
barton land called Hurst in the manor of Shute for their lives.
We do not know how many of their sons John and Agnes called John
Mychell. But it does help to account for some of the puzzles we find in
Colyton — although we have too many gaps to explain them convincingly.
1539
Colyton Parish Registers record that, on 5 October 1539,
John Mychell sonne of John Mychell of Rawkerayne was married unto Agnes
Vye, the daughter of of Harrye Vye of Caddhayne
Further research seems to indicate this John Mychell who married Agnes
Vye was
John Mychell the Younger of Rokerhayne.
1541-1545
Colyton Parish Registers record the baptisms of
Mychell John, s. of John Mychel the elder of Rawkerayne (sic,) 26
September 1541
Michell John, s. of John Michell the elder of Rawkerayne (sic), 19
March 1544/5
Mychell, Marye, d. of John Mychell of Rawkerayne (sic), 26 April 1545
[Is this perhaps John Mychell the younger?]
It should be noted that there is only one month's gap between the
baptisms of the second and third child.
1544/1545 SUBSIDY ROLL
John Mychell sen 10 John Mychell jun 20 Agnes Mychell wid 15 John
Mychell 10
One of these must be John Mychell the Elder. Another is John Mychell
the Younger. Who the third is we still do not know. A
brother or cousin?
We definitely have two Agnes Mychells living at this date — the younger
Agnes (n§e Vye), and the older widow, Agnes (n§e —).
As noted earlier, at an unknown date, a John Mychell married an Agnes.
In which case, Agnes's husband would have been dead by 1544/5. He
probably died before 1538 because there is no Colyton burial entry
between 1538 and 1545 for anyone likely to have been Agnes's husband.
Agnes Mychell, widow of Rawkerayne, was buried in Colyton on 12 March
1564/5.
1546/7-1557/8
Colyton Parish Registers record the baptisms of
Mychell Robert, s. of John Mychell of
Rawkerayne the elder (sic), 20 January 1546/7
Michell Annes, d. of John Michell the younger of Rawkerayne (sic), 4
November 1547
Mychell Thomas, s. of John Mychell of Rawkerayne the yonger (sic), 19
August 1550
Mychell Johan, d. of John Mychell of Rawkerayne, the yonger (sic, 1
July 1554
Mychell William, s. of John Mychell of Rawkerayne (sic), 1 August 1556
[Is this perhaps John Mychell the younger?]
Mychell, Elyzabethe, 'sonne1 (sic) of John Mychell of Rawkerayne (sic),
3 February 1557/8 [Is this perhaps John Mychell the younger?]
1564/5
Agnes Mychell, widow of Rawkerayne, was buried in Colyton
on 12 March 1564/5.
1569
Colyton Parish Registers record that, on 26 November 1569,
John Mychell the sonne of John Mychell the younger of Rawkerayne
was wedded unto Emlyn Weeks, late of Gytsom [Gittisham]
1569 MUSTER ROLL
John Mitchell G 7
John Mitchell junior, Harquebusier
John Mitchell G 7 may well be the John who married Agnes Vye in
1539. John junior would then be his son, who married Emlyn Weeks
in 1569.
1581 SUBSIDY ROLL
John Michell L 3 John Michell G 15 John Michell senior G 6 Thomas
Michell L 1
It*
These are probably John the Elder of Rockerayne; John the Younger
of Rockerayne, and his sons John (of Cadden then of Barrettshayes) and
Thomas (of Cadden).
1571-1585
John Mychell of Cadden (Cadhayne) is father to Johan (1571), John
(1573),
Marye(1576).
John Mychell of Mynchenholme is father to Elsabethe (1579).
John Mychell of Barrases (Baddershayes, Barrasayes) is father to
Phillyppe (1581),
Beaten (1583), Robart (1585).
1585
The Colyton Parish Registers record the burial, on 7 November 1585,
of Mychell Marrian, d. of John Mychell thelder of Rockerhayne (sic)
1586
27 July 28 Elizabeth [1586]
John Drake of Colcombe, Esq, to John Mychell of
Barrettshayes, yeoman.
Grant of Barrettshayes
als
Barretshayne, in
manor of Tuddhayes als Mynchynholme, for 2,000 years.
Consideration £40 Yearly Rent 14 pence
The property is now in the tenure use or
occupacon of the said John
Mychell or of his assignes. This grant exonerates any previous
agreements
or grants which may have been been made by John Drake deceased,
grandfather
of said John Drake, or Sir Barnard Drake, knight, also deceased, father
of the said John Drake, EXCEPT those granted by Copy of Court Roll to
Phillipp Mychell, John Mychell and Elizabeth Mychell, children of the
said John Mychell,
or to any of them.
1586
28 July Elizabeth [1586]
John Drake of Colcombe, Esq to John Mychell the
elder of Rokerayne,
yeoman. Grant of tenement containing fourscore acres of
land, meadow, pasture called Rokerayne, with all
houses etc pertaining, (Except meadow called Little Mead) in manor of
Tuddehayes als Mynchynholme, for 2,000 years. Consideration
£80 Yearly Rent 12 pence
The property is now in the tenure use or
occupacon of the said John
Mychell or of his assignes. This grant exonerates any previous
agreements
or grants which may have been been made by John Drake deceased,
grandfather
of said John Drake, or Sir Barnard Drake, knight, also deceased, father
of the said John Drake, EXCEPT those granted by Copy of Court Roll to
John
Mychell the Elder, John Mychell and Wyllyam Mychell his sons or to any
of them.
1586
28 September Elizabeth [1586]
John Drake of Colcombe, Esq, to William Mychell
of Rokerhayne, yeoman. Feoffment of Messuages, houses, lands, tenements
etc. called Rokerhayne and Ham Meade in
manor of Tudhayes als Mychenholme, in Colyton EXCEPT all such estate
heretofore granted by me [John Drake] to the said John Mychell the
younger of Rokerhayne Wylliam Mychell and John Mychell his sonnes and
to their wyves and to any of them.
The property is now in the several tenures use
or occupacons of John Mychell the younger of Rokerhayne and of the
foresaid William Mychell.
1587-1590
John Mychell thelder of Rokerhane makes his Will
on 8 September 1587. Leaves Rokerhayne to son William. Leaves 2sh. to
son Robert. Residue to
son John who is appointed Executor.
No wife mentioned in Will, nor any other
children.
Probate of the Will is granted on 10 December
1590 to John Mychell his son and Executor.
It is worth noting that son William, heir to
Rokerhayne, is, according to the Will, not married. When William died
in 1607, he left an infant son. Does it seem plausible that if John
Mychell thelder was born circa 1495
he would have had a son siring a child in 1605? It seems to
stretch the ages somewhat.
1587/8-1592
John Mychell of Barrysayes (Barrethayes) is father to Christian
(1587/8), Dorothe (1592).
1590-1590/1
Colyton Parish Registers record the burials of
Michell John thelder of Rowkrayne (sic), 10 August 1590 Michell John of
Rokrayne (sic), 13 March 1590/1
1596
John Mychell of Barreshayes is [Church] Warden for John Mychell of
Rockrayne.
1598
REGISTER OF APPRENTICES COLYTON
This register begins with a list of names and their apprentices, all
the indentures being dated 30 August 1598. Among them we
find the following Michells:
John
John
John
Agnes
William
Michell of
Michell
of
Michell of
Michell took
Michell took
Bareshaine
Rokerhaine
Watchcombe
[no
further
Elnor Meritt,
took ffrancys
took
Jane
took
details given]
aged 16
Holmes,
ffarbes, aged
Margarett
aged 8
9
Gry, aged 14
1599
Colyton Parish Registers record the burial of
Michell John, of Rockerhaine (sic), 26 June 1599
1600
Colyton Parish Registers record the burial of
Michell Agnes, widow of Rockerhaine, 18 April 1600
1620
Colyton Parish Registers record the burial of
Michell John, of Barrettshaies, 2 June 1620
1626
Colyton Parish Registers record the burial of
Michell, Anastace, widow, of Rokerhayne, 11 December 1626
We do not know whose widow Anastace ( Anstys, Anstice) was. She must
have been married to one of the Michell yeomen of Rokerhayne Tenement,
who
were tenants by Copy of Court Roll. After her husband's death, she
continued
to hold Rokerhayne Tenement for her widowhood.
FURTHER COMMENT ON THE MYCHELL FAMILY
We have taken a look at some of the surrounding parishes to see if we
can find any missing links re your family tree in the 16th century.
There are quite a few East Devon parishes which are listed as not yet
being on the IGI. Among those near Ottery St Mary or Colyton are:
Parish Registers in Devon Record Office
East Budleigh 1555-1954
Bicton 1557-1926
Colaton Raleigh 1673-1982
Gittisham 1559-1952
Southleigh 1754-1978
Awliscombe 1559-1979
Coombe Raleigh 1653-1914
Luppitt 1711-1992
Monkton 1737-1978
Stockland 1640-1976
Dalwood 1568-1978
Shute 1561-1978
Northleigh is on the IGI from 1700-1812, but the Parish Registers only
survive from 1697. As you know, Ottery St Mary is also on the IGI, but
the Parish Registers don't go back before 1601.
We looked at the Parish Registers of Dalwood and Shute, as well as
Colyton and Ottery St Mary. Hunting for a Robert also took us to
Honiton. There are so many Mitchells in Gittisham that we didn't have
the time to complete as much as we would have liked; and we didn't have
time to look at Awliscombe.
As well as Parish Registers, we investigated surviving manorial records
for Northleigh, Southleigh and Shute. These early manor surveys are
helpful for genealogy, but, unlike the later surveys, do not give the
tenants'
ages. The nature of these surveys means that they do not show the whole
family, only the Lives on the leases. There are time gaps between
surveys,
and sometimes the details of the leases are not fully updated, making
these records very difficult to work from.
Notwithstanding these problems, of great interest is that, in 1525,
John Mychell, Agnes his wife, John their 3rd son and John their 4th son
were holding two closes of Barton Land called Hurst in Shute for term
of
their lives. (See The Mychell Family and the Manor of Shute.)
Unfortunately, there is no further explanation. How many sons did John
Mychell and Agnes have? How many were called John? Quite clearly,
John the
3rd son and John the 4th son were both living in 1525. This, no doubt,
accounts for so many Johns Mychell of Rokerhayne living at the same
time in Colyton during the 1500s.
As you know, there are Mychells in many parishes of East Devon, such as
Colyton, Northleigh, Shute, Gittisham, Ottery St Mary, Honiton,
Axminster, and Kilmington, as well as in Dalwood and Stockland, which
were once part of Dorset. One wonders how many were descendants of the
1525 John Mychell and Agnes his wife!
We believe that you may well be a descendant of the 1525 John Mychell
and Agnes his wife. One can make a guess at the link, but with these
very early records being so patchy, it can only be a guess.
Among the Shute manorial records, we traced one John Mychell senior's
holding of a Heriotable toft containing one tenement late John Bonfelde
.... (See the Mychell Family and the Manor of Shute). These details,
plus
existing family data, plus the 1653 Will of John Michell of
Tritchmarsh,
have a significant bearing on your own family. . It appears that Robart
Mychell, son of John Mychell of Barrasayes, baptised 21 November 1585,
was
still living in 1653, when his brother, John Michell of Tritchmarsh,
made
his Will.
You have traced your own Mitchell Family back to a Robert Mitchell of
Ottery St Mary.
The Ottery St Mary Parish Registers record the burial of a 'Robert
Michell senior' on 2 February 1640/1. Which means, of couse, that this
'Robert Michell senior' could not be Robert Mychell of Barrasayes
baptised in 1585 and
still living in 1653.
A Robert Mitchell died in Gittisham circa 1660. Might he be the Robert
of Barrasayes baptised in 1585?
In his Will of 1653, John Michell of Tritchmarsh also stated that for
the love and affection I hold for my nephew (sic) and kinswoman,
Grace Stofford, now of wife of Thomas Stofford of [blank] and her four
children — Thomas, John, Grace and Elizabeth —
Given that your Robert of Ottery St Mary had a daughter called Grace,
perhaps it might be worthwhile to establish who Grace Stofford was
prior to her marriage.
We wonder if your line perhaps goes back to Robert Mychell, the son
of John Mychell thelder of Rokerhayne — the same Robert who was cut off
with two shillings in his father's Will of 1587.
In Kilmington, on 29 April 1581, Robart Mychill of Colyton married Ales
Cullye of Ottery St Mary. Perhaps their grandson is your Robert
Mitchell of Ottery St Mary? Unfortunately, we have no
way of proving this.
Another little conjecture. A Robert Mychell was baptised in Honiton
on 11 March 1575. There was no Robert Mychell burial recorded in
Honiton
up to 1670. Perhaps this Robert married and went to live in Ottery St
Mary and is your ancestor. Again, we have no proof either
way.
In his Will of 1668, William Michell thelder of Rokerhayne (the
Tenement with 80 acres) refers to 'Sara Michill Phillipp Michills
daughter', and later calls Phillipp Michill his' Cossen'. William also
leaves a legacy to
'Robert Michell's children of Cottleigh'. Identifying who
these
were might be helpful.
We did not find a burial for your Robert Mitchell's wife/widow in
Ottery St Mary. Of interest is the burial, in Gittisham, of Winifred,
wife of Robert Michell, on 17 March 1632.
Looking at your existing Mitchell Family Tree, we have a couple of
queries.
Re Thomas Mitchell who married Rebeccah Tolman on 19 July 1747. You
have given her birth as 1696. If this is correct, it means she was
having
children from the age of 41 to 51. This is not impossible, but it might
be worthwhile to check surrounding non-IGI parishes for another
marriage
of a Thomas and Rebecca.
Re the John Michell who married Hannah Richards. One of their children
was called Loveday, baptised 1740. An interesting and
different name.
In Gittisham on 12 November 1694, John Michell and Alice Tiller, both
of Ottery St Mary were married. John and Alice had children called John
(died in infancy), James (died 1699), Love (died 1703), William (died
infancy?), William, Robert and Loveday. Robert married and also called
one of his daughters Loveday in 1744. (See the research notes.)
We can't help wondering if there was any relationship between your
family and the John Michell who married Alice Tiller. There seem to be
baptisms missing for John and Alice e.g. we have the burials of James
(1699) and Love (1703), but no baptisms for either child. Might John
and Alice have had
another son called John who lived? Might he have been the John who
married Hannah?
Again re John Michell and Hannah Richards. Another of their daughters
was called Honour (bapt. 1728). This is another fresh and interesting
name. Was there any close family tie between William Michel, shoemaker
( whose daughter Honnour was bapt. in Honiton New Meeting House
(Non-Conformist) in 1701) and John Michell, Comber and Thomasin his wife
(whose sons John and Thomas were also bapt. in Honiton New Meeting
House in 1702/3 and 1705 respectively)?
Finally, this may mean nothing, but the last Robert on your family tree
was baptised in 1675. There's a Robert in every generation before him,
but none after.
Returning to the sixteenth century, we have relooked at the three
property grants of 1586. In your phone message, you requested that we
plot out the acreages and how the land was apportioned in each of these
leases. This proved time-consuming, but helpful in that it shows
without doubt that William, son of John Mychell the Elder was NOT the
same person as the William Mychell who was enfeoffed of Rokerhayne and
Ham Meade.
In your letter you ask whether John Mychell of Barrettshayes, John
Mychell the Elder and John Mychell the Younger are the same person.
Evidence points to these being three separate people.
You also asked about Anstys Mychell of Rokerhayne,
widow. J2.
We recall that on 28 Jul/28 Elizabeth, John Mychell the elder of
Rokerayne, yeoman, was granted the 2/060 year Lease of Rokerhayne
Tenement with 80 acres. The Lease specifies that all demises
grauntes and estates had made or created to the said John
Mychell thelder John Mychell and William Mychell sonnes of the said
John Mychell or to any of them by copy of Court Roll of the aforesaid
Manor are to remain in being, even after the grant of the 1586 Lease.
Leases granted by Copy of Court Roll were usually for 99 years for
three Lives successively. For example, John Mychell the Elder would
have paid a sum of money (called a 'Fine') for a 99 year lease of
Rokerhayne Tenement for the successive Lives of the persons he named.
If a Life died before coming into the property, another could be added
— for a further sum of money.
Supposing that, prior to 1586, John Mychell the Elder took a 99 year
lease for the lives of himself, John Mychell and William Mychell his
son. This would mean that, after the death of John Mychell the Elder,
the tenure would fall to John Mychell his son, who is the second life.
After he died, the tenure would go to his brother William, the third
life.
Very often, according to the customs of the manor, the tenant's widow
continued to hold premises for her widowhood. This meant that the next
Life on the Court Roll had to wait for the termination of the widow's
estate
before being able to take up the tenure. This probably was the case
here,
which would explain Anstys Michell, widow of Rokerhaine.
In his Will of 1607, William Mychell of Wachcome, yeoman (son of John
Mychell the Elder and inheritor of the 2,000 year lease of Rokerhayne
Tenement) clearly states that he holds Rokerhayne Tenement by a lease
being a Chattle determinable for yeares after the death of
one Anstys Mychell dwelling now in and upon the same.
Unfortunately, we do not have details of any lease or leases granted by
Copy of Court Roll. Perhaps Anstys was the widow of John Mychell the
son
of John Mychell the elder? But this is just a guess.
Anastace Michell, widow of
Rokerhayne, was buried
in Colyton on 11 December 1626.
We have made an abstract of the rest of the 1668 Will of William
Michill the Elder of Rokerhayne. We have also taken a photocopy of the
1653 Will of John Michell of Tritchmarsh. As there was some doubt
whether the whole Will was photocopiable, we made a handwritten
abstract in the Record Office.
We have drawn some little trees for the Mychells of Colyton, but we
remain baffled as to the exact relationship between John the Elder and
John the Younger. Even with the Shute Manor findings, there is an awful
lot we simply don't know.
THE WILL OF JOHN MYCHELL THE ELDER
OF ROKERHAYNE, COLYTON
HUSBANDMAN
MADE 1587 PROVED 1590/1
Probate of the Will of John Mychell senior late of Rokerhayne in the
parish of Coyton in the County of Devon was granted 10 December 1590 to
John Mychell his son and Executor. The form of the Will is as
follows:
In the name of God Amen the eight day of September in the yeare of our
Lord God A thousand five hundred Eightie and seven And in the nine and
twentieth yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth I
John Mychell thelder of Rokerhayne within the parish of Colyton in the
County of Devon husbandman being of whole mind and in good and fair
remembrance laud and praise be given unto Almightie god Do make and
ordaine this my last will
and testament in manner and forme following
ffirst I give and bequeath my soule unto almighty God my maker Savier
and redeemer and my body to be buried in Christian buriall
Item I give to the poor people of the parish of [blank]2 [blank]
shillings to be distributed unto them by my Executor
Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne Robert Mychell two shillings
Item my will is that my [blank] illiam3 Mychell shall have the use and
occupation of my tenement [blank] thappurtenances called Rokerhayne
within the parish of Colyton in the said County of Devon To have and to
hold the use and occupation of the said tenement with thappurtenances
to my said sonne William and to the heirs males of his body lawfully
begotten for and during all my terme of yeares of and in the same4
1 Devon Record Office, 281M/T248. 10 December 1590.
Probate, certified
and copy made 24 November 1669. (281M/T296 and T432 are
copies of the
same.)
2 There are several blank spaces in this will.
Presumably the original was
illegible or damaged when this copy was made in 1669.
3 'Iliam' is not on this copy but is included on both
the other two copies.
4 i.e. for the remainder of the two thousand year
term granted by John
Drake of Colcombe to John Mychell the elder of Rokerayne on 28 July
28 Elizabeth
1
The Will of John Mychell the Elder of Rokeryhayne,
Husbandman 2
made 1587, proved 1590
Item I give unto my said sonne William Two Coffers and three okes and
one Cutt of another oake which okes be allready felled and cutt downe
Item more I give and bequeath unto my said sonne William all such
Vessell timber as was hewen upp by my said sonne William and by one
John Vicary
Item I give unto my said sonne William ffortie shillings of lawfull
money of England to be paid unto him imediately after my decease
Item more I give and bequeath unto my said [blank] William Mychell
threescore pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid unto him att
his day of marriage or att such time as he shall buye some living for
his preferment
Item my will is that if my said sonne William shall happen to dye
before he be married or shall buy some living for his preferment That
then my said legacye of threescore pounds shall remaine unto my sonne
John Mychell
The residue of all my goods Chatties and debts my legacyes paid and
my funerall charges borne I give and bequeath unto my said sonne John
Mychell whome I make my Executor of this my last will and testament
In withness whereof I the said John Mychell thelder to this my will
and testament have sett my seale These being Wittnes John Bucknoll of
Wambrook John Byrd of Colyton Towne and Walter Weston
The marke of John Bucknoll John Byrd Walter Weston Certified as being a
true copy of the Will, 24 November 1669
[1586]. See 281M/T247.
The Will of John Mychell the Elder of Rokeryhayne, Husbandman
made 1587, proved 1590
COMMENT
John Mychell thelder of Rawkrayne was buried in Colyton on 10 August
1590.
Interestingly, only three children were named in his Will — Robert,
who was cut off with two shillings (what he do to so offend his
father?);
William, who inherited Rokerhayne; and John, who was left the residue
of
the estate and was appointed Executor.
Why did John Mychell thelder leave Rokerhayne to his younger son
William rather than to son John?
We surmise that son John had already had property settled on him, no
doubt when he married. Moreover, the residue of his father's estate may
have been quite considerable.
Exeter Probate Office was hit during the World War II bombing raids,
and very few original Devonshire wills survive. We are most fortunate
that, in 1669, three copies were made of the 1587 Will of John Mychell
thelder of Rokerhayne, husbandman and that these are still
extant. Why were these copies made?
John thelder's son William (who became known as William Mychell of
Wachcombe, yeoman) died in 1607, leaving Rokerhayne in turn to his son
William, who was then a minor. This William duly came into the
property, but when he died in 1668, he left Rokerhayne to his daughter
Susanna Michell, in spite of
the fact that he had male heirs. Needless to say, his eldest son, also
called William Michell, claimed title to Rokerhayne by virtue of the
entailment in the 1587 Will of his great-grandfather, John Mychell the
Elder of Rokerhayne. The Case for Counsel's Opinion discussed the Title
to Rokerhayne. Hence the need of copies of the Will which, as we have
seen, stipulated that John Mychell thelder's son William was
To have and to hold the use and occupation of the said tenement
[Rokerhayne] with thappurtenances to my said sonne William and to the
heirs males of his body lawfully begotten for and during all my terme
of yeares of and in
the same
Similarly, two copies each were made of the 1607 Will of Willam Mychell
of Wachcombe, yeoman — in which, incidentally, the entailment of
Rokerhayne referred only to 'children lawfully begotten' and did not
specify male heirs — and of the 1668 Will of William Michill the Elder
of Rokerhayne, yeoman.
A transcript of the Will of Willam Mychell of Wachcombe, yeoman, made
1607 is included herewith, as is a partial transcript of the 1668 Will
of William Michill the Elder of Rokerhayne, yeoman.
THE WILL OF WILLIAM MYCHELL OF WACHCOME, COLYTON
YEOMAN
MADE 1607
PROVED 1607
Probate of the Will of William Mychell of Wachcombe in the parish of
Colyton in the County of Devon was granted to Stephen Bird his Executor
on 25 September 1607. The form of the Will is as follows:
In the name of God Amen the five and twentieth day of May in the fifth
yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord James by the Grace of God of
England ffrance and Ireland King defender of the faith etc and of
Scotland the fortieth etc 1607 I William Mychell of Wachcombe in
Colyton within the County of Devon yeoman being sicke of body but of
perfect remembrance (Praysed be God do make and ordaine this my
testament and last will in manner and forme
following
ffirst I bequeath my soule unto Almighty God and my body to be buried
in the Churchyard of Colyton aforesaid
Item I give unto the poore of the parish of Colyton xijd of lawful
money of England
Item my will is that my tenement which is in Colyton aforesaid called
Rokerhayne which I hold by a lease being a Chattle determinable for
yeares after the death of one Anstys Mychell dwelling now in and upon
the same
together with the rent now yearely due unto me my heirs Executors
administrators
and assigns together with all my goods moveable and unmoveable shall
rest
lyable and due for the speedy satisfaction and payment of my debts
untyll
the same be all fully satsified and paid, And after my debts be fully
paid
I give and wholely bequeath the foresaid lease and tenement aforesaid
called
Rokerhayne unto my sonne William Mychell for and during his naturall
life
and to his children lawfully begotten and after the death of my sonne
William
and he dying without issue I do give and bequeath the same Lease and
Tenement
unto my daughter Joane Mychell during her naturall life And if they
both
shall happen to dye without issue then the same shall remaine and be
unto
the next of my blood
Item my will is and I do binde my sonne William Mychell and his
assignes to secure and pay unto my wife Joane during her widowhood out
of the foresaid tenement after that my debts shall be paid, yearely by
even portions, quarterly, the summe of a leaven poundsof lawfull money
of England And also my will is my sonne William shall also pay unto my
daughter Joane the somme of forty pounds of like good and lawfull money
of England after that my debts be
also paid in this forme five pounds a yeare untill the same be fully
paid2
Item my will is also that if my wife Johan do hereafter marry, my sonne
William shall secure her out of my foresaid tenement five pounds of
like good and lawfull money of England during her naturall life And the
foresaid summe of eleaven pounds to surcease And if my sonne William
dye and the
same tenement do remaine and be unto my daughter Joane I do binde her
also
and her heirs to satisfie and pay the aforesaid portions due to be paid
Item my will is also that my Executor shall have the education and
bringing upp of my two children and they or he being Executor shall in
competent manner satisfie themselves out of their portions issuing and
growing unto them out of the foresaid tenement
Item I doe order and make Stephen Byrd of Colyton yeoman to be my
Executor of this my last will to see the same duly and faithfully
executed and performed
In Wittness hereof I have caused this my testament to be putt into
writing the day and yeare abovesaid etc (Signed William Mychell)
Signed by Robert Baseley
John Mychell his marke
John Downe Cleric Signed by Walter Bowden
Certified as being a true copy of the Will, 24 November 1669
1 Devon Record Office, 281M/T249. 25 November 1607. Probate, certified
and copy made 24 November 1669. (281M/T434 is a copy of the
same.)
2 Devon Record Office 281M/T252 recites that William was 'then an
infant under the age of one Twenty yeares' at this date of 1607. In
fact, it seems little William was not even two years old, having been
baptised on 23 February 1605/6.
Copy of the Will of William Mitchell the Elder made
1688
THE WILL OF WILLIAM MICHILL THE ELDER OF
ROKERHAYNE, COLYTON
YEOMAN
MADE 1668
PROVED 16681
In the name of God Amen I William Michill thelder of Rokerhayne within
the parish of Colliton in the County of Devon yeoman : Beinge growen
aged and somethinge weake of body : Butt of good and perfect memory and
remembrance thankes be given unto God : Doe make and ordyane this
present writinge to be and Contayne my last wll and testament in manner
and forme followinge Revokinge hereby all other wills and testaments by
me heretofore made whatsoever
And ffirst I give and Comend my soule into the hands of Almighty God
ffaythfully beleveinge to be saved through the only merrets and
mediation of my allone savior and Redemer Jesus Christ And my body to
Christian buriall
And as concerning my Worldly Goods Chatles lands and temporall estate
which God hath given me I doe give and bequeath will and divise as
followeth
I give to my first wifes children whose names are hereafter
particularly mentioned and expressed as followeth vizt:
Item I give unto Ann Michill my daughter the sume of Twenty pounds of
lawfull English money to be payd unto her within ffourteene yeares next
after my decease
Item I give to Johan Michill my daughter The sume of ffifteen pounds to
be payd unto her within Sixteene yeares next after my decease2
Item I give to my daughter Elizabeth Michill The sume of One hundred
pounds of lawfull English money to be payd unto her within ffoure
yeares next after my decease3
Item I give to my sayd daughter Elizabeth fforty pounds more to be payd
unto her within Seven yeares next after my decease
Item I give to my daughter Katheme Michill ffifteene pounds to be payd
unto her within Sixteene yeares next after my decease
Item I give to my sone John Michill Twenty pounds to be payd unto him
within Eighteene yeares next after my decease
Item I give to William Michill my sone The sume of ffoure pounds to
be payd unto him within Seven yeares next after my decease
Item I give to my second wives Children hereafter particularly named
I give to my sone Robert Michill the sume of ffifteene pounds to be
payd unto hym when he shall accomplish ffive and twenty yeares of age4
Item I give to George Michill my sone Twenty pounds to be payd unto
hym when he shall attayne ffive and twenty yeares of age5
I give to Edward Michill my sone Thirty pounds to be payd unto hym when
he shall attayne ffive and twenty yeares of age6
Item my will is That if any or other of the ffirst or second wives
Children doe happen to dy before his her or theire portion or portions
doe become due and payable as aforesaid : That then his her or theire
portion or portions soe dyinge shall be equally divyded unto and
amongst those that shall be then liveinge: viz The portions that I have
given to my ffirst wives Children shall be equally divyded amongst my
ffirst wives Children If any of them happen to dy And the portions
given to my second wives Children to be equally divyded amongst my
second wives Children : If any of them happen to dy:
Item I give to the poore of the parish of Colliton the sume of ffive
shillings: Item I give to Willmote Turner John Turners daughter ffower
pounds
to be
viz:payd to the sayd John Turner ymmediately after my decease for the
use and beniffitt of his sayd daughter
Item I give to Sara Michill Phillipp Michills daughter ffoure pounds to
be payd to the sayd Phillipp Michill ymmediately after my decease for
the use and beneffitt of his sayd daughter7
Item, my will is, That my sayd Executrix hereafter named shall bestowe
about fforty shillings or three pounds to buyld a small Cottage house
uppon the Lower Willands nere the Bars, ffor such of my Children as
have
most neede. If my Overseers in their discretion thinke it to be
Convenient
...
Item, out of my estate and tenement called Rokerhayne, the sum of
£150 to be paid between and divided among my children at any time
hereafter as my Overseers shall think most fitting. They or the
survivor of them shall appoint the same in writing under their hands
and seals
Item My Will is that Rokerhayne shall always remain liable for the
payment of all such legacies, portions and sums of money as mentioned
in this my last Will and Testament and ffor the payment of all my
debts.
And also for the paying of my Overseers named of and from all costs
charges
and damages and for all expenses labor and travell whatsoever
Item If any contentions arise between my sons and daughters re the
portions or legacies, my Overseers to have full power to order and
determine
the same; such order and determination to be given in writing under
their
hands and seals, and shall be a fynal end to them
Item to John Vickary Bernard Vickary's ffather 5 shillings
1 Devon Record Office, 281M/T251. 17 June 1668.
Probate. (281M/T459
is a copy of the same.)
2 Devon Record Office, 281M/T298.
Rokerhayne deed of 17 May 1690
describes Johane Michell as being of Tiverton, Spinster.
3 Devon Record Office, T281M/ 279. Rokerhayne deed of
3 May 1676
describes Elizabeth Michell as the wife of Gideon Hall of Buckerell.
4 Devon Record Office, 281M/T289.
Rokerhayne deed of 29 April 1686
describes Robert Michell as being of Boston, New England, Mariner.
5 Devon Record Office, 281M/T287. Rokerhayne deed
of 24 April 1684
describes George Michell as being being of Gittisham, Blacksmith.
6 Devon Record Office, 281M/T291. Rokerhayne deed
of 13 August 1686
describes Edward Michell as being of Withecombe Rawleigh.
This Will is fairly lengthy, and, as it is stitched, only the first
page may be photocopied. (There is another copy, but that is also
stitched.) We have transcribed this first page only as 1668 is rather
later than the period 1490 to 1590 in which you are primarily
interested. We have, however, made an abstract of the remainder of the
Will of William Michill thelder of Rokerhayne, which is as follows:
Item I give to Robert Michell's children of Cottleigh 10 shillings Item
I give to Robert Parsons 12 pence
Item I appoint Susanna Michill my daughter whole and sole Executrix.
For the paying and discharging of all my legacies, and paying and
discharging my Overseers, I do give unto her
All my Tenement called Rokerhayne with all and singular thappurtenances
for and during the residue of a certain term of 2,000 years granted in
an Indenture of Lease dated 28 July 28 Elizabeth [1586] with the same
Indenture of lease and all other writings and deeds whatsoever
concerning the aforesaid Tenement (Except all such estates that Mr John
Marwood hath in some part or parcell of the said Tenement yet
unexpired. Except also one Close or
parcell of the said Tenement called Mancraft granted by me to William
Michill
my Son for a term of years since granted by him to Henry Quirke the
elder.
My Will is that said Henry Quirke his executors Administrators and
Assigns
shall peaceably and quietlly hold said Close called Mancroft with
thappurtenances for all the residue of years granted him by my Son
William Michill
Item I give my Executrix all my other goods and Chatties whatsoever
provided always that my said Executrix at her own costs and charges do
keep and maintain my second wive's children and place them out to
Masters
as my Overseers in their discretion shall think fitting and convenient
I doe desire my Cossen Phillipp Michill and John Turner my good friends
and neighbours to be Overseers of this my Last Will and Testament, to
aid help and assist my said Executrix in the performance of the same.
And I
do give them freely 10 shillings apiece.
This Will is dated 10 April 20 Charles II 1668.
Signed by William Michill senior.
Witnesses: William Hums, Robert Bragg, John Turner, Phillip Michill
Probate was granted to Susanna Michell his daughter and Executrix on 17
June 1668.
F
urther
Research January 2005 by Colin and Olan Style (copyright remains with
them)