Robert Coker (abt. 1563 - 1625)

Born about 1563 in Mapowder, Dorset, England

Ancestors

Husband of Amy Moldford — married [date unknown] in Molton, Devon, England

Descendants

Died 24 Feb 1625 at about age 62 in Dorset, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Helen Ford [send private message]

Biography

Robert Coker was the son of Thomas Coker and his wife Edith Turberville. ^[1]

He was said to be of 30 years and more of in 40 Elizabeth 1 when he inherited the manor and advowson of Mapowder and Frome Whitfield together with land held by the manor of Litchet Matravers. ^{[2] [3]}

Marriage and Children

Robert married

1) Thomasine, the daughter of William Petre of Peters Hay, Devon

together they had one son

William born c. 1598

2) Amy, the sister and coheir of John Moldford (of Molton or Chulmley, Devon)

together they had 9 children

Robert b 1605

Thomas born 1610

Peter born?

Mary born 1602

Anne born 1603

Amy born and died 1707

Bridget born 1608

Grace died 1613

Elizabeth born 1617^[4]

Death, Burial and Will

Robert wrote his will, on the 15th April,1624. He appears to have already made several provisions for his family mentioning previously signed indentures, the will therefore appears to be concerned solely with clarifying a number of these.

It is clear that he anticipated that his wife Amy would take possession of the Farm house in Mappowder together with Robert (second son). They had previously been granted this property together with the income from various landholdings. She was also given a Coach, £200 for the 'redifying' of the house together with a third of the furnishings goods and chatells in the Mansion house. All her jointure and lands shared with Robert would eventually revert to William, the heir.

Further provision was made for the two young, unmarried daughters.Once again Robert had already made provision for this in the form of a trust (trustees were Sir John Stangways, Sir Thomas Trenchard, Sir John Strode and his son in law Thomas Gerard) whereby lands and manors in Sherborne, Muston and Folke were to be converted into money to provide £800 to Bridget and the residue to Elizabeth. Money was also to be provided from the trust for their maintenance.

Son Robert received, in addition to his part share for life in the Mappowder estate, the 2nd best gelding and his fathers best suit of clothes and his cloak.

Robert's (unamed) grandchildren received a gold remembrance ring

The residue of the estate went to son William who was nominated as exectutor.^[5]

Robert died in February the following year (1624/5) His memorial in Mappowder Church read:

Heere resteth ye body of Robert Coker, esq thoe dyed the 24th February , in ye 63, yeare of his age An'o Do, 1624 ^[6]

Probate was granted to son William on 10th May 1625

Research Note

Possible error in the Hutchins Coker pedigree regarding two children of this marriage. (this may be an original error or an error by his editors , he is an excellent source but not infallible and there are errors in this enormous work)

In the pedigree, Peter is given no dates or further information but Thomas is recorded as marrying (an Elizabeth) and being the father of two children. These children however could be ascribed to another Thomas, born 1619, son of Charles Coker and married to Elizabeth Ridout.(see notes on Thomas b 1610

Moreover, neither Peter nor Thomas were mentioned in the 1623 visitation. They are not mentioned in Robert's will. His married daughters are not mentioned either but this is often the case when a settlement has been made at marriage. It seems odd that a 14 year old son (Thomas) would be ignored by his brother William, who signed the 1623 visitation, and no provision made for his maintenance or inheritance in his father's will.

Sources

1. ↑ St. George, Henry, Lennard, Samson eds. Rylands, J. Paul (John Paul) Colby, Frederic Thomas, The Visitation of Dorset 1623 p 30 Visitation of Dorset 1633 archive books
2. ↑ https://archive.org/details/genealogist1318selb/page/n277/mode/2up?view=theater&q=coker
3. ↑ John Hutchins The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset Third edition, corrected, augmented, and improved by William Shipp and James Whitworth Hodson 1861-73 volume 3 page 723
4. ↑ John Hutchins The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset volume 3 page 723
5. ↑ :Reference: The National Archives: PROB 11/145/584

   Description: Will of Robert Coker of Mappowder, Dorset

   Date: 10 May 1625

   Ancestry Reference: The National Archives; Kew, England; Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 145 Clarke, Quire Numbers 1-63 (1625)

   Helen Ford, transcription freespace page

6. ↑ John Hutchins The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset Third edition, corrected, augmented, and improved by William Shipp and James Whitworth Hodson 1861-73 Vol 3 p 630

• WikiTree profile Coker-385 created through the import of Rankin-Ridgdill Family Tree.ged on Oct 4, 2011 by Elizabeth Rankin. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Elizabeth and others.

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