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Facts and Events
George Walby's origins have yet to be established.[3] George's first confirmed sighting is on 15th December 1646, in the lull between the first and second English Civil Wars, when he was married at Benington in Hertfordshire to a Martha Smith. After their marriage they settled in neighbouring Aston, where they had six children baptised between 1648 and 1661 - the first whilst Charles I was still (nominally) king, the second and third during the Commonwealth period following the execution of Charles I, the fourth and fifth during the Protectorate when Oliver Cromwell was running the country, and the sixth child after the restoration of Charles II. It was a turbulent time in the country, but life went on.
George wrote his will on 9th August 1661. He described himself as a butcher of Aston. He left his house to his widow Martha for her lifetime, after which it was to pass to their eldest son George, who would have to make a series of payments: £10 to his brother William and £5 to each of his sisters. In his will George said he was "weak and sick in body", and he clearly died shortly after writing it; he was buried at Aston eight days later. Martha was left looking after the six children, who ranged in age from thirteen down to just seven months. Martha survived George by over thirty years.
References
- ↑ Church of England. Aston Parish registers, 1558-1980. (Hertford: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies).
1661
George Walbey Buried August the 17: 1661
- Hertfordshire, England. Huntingdon (Hitchin) Archdeaconry Wills. (Hertford: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies)
140HW39.
In the Name of God Amen the ninth daie of August in the yeare of our Lord God 1661 And in the thirteenth yeare of the Reigne of our Sovaringe Lord Charles by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland defender of the faith &c I George Walbey of Aston in the Countie of Hertford Butcher being weake and sicke in Body But perfect in mind and many praises be God for the Same doe make and ordaine this my last will and Testament in manner and forme following that is to say I Committ and Comend my Soule unto the hands of Almighty God hopeing assuredly by the merits of Jesus Christ my most mercifull Redemer to have life Everlasting and my Body to the Earth from whence it was taken to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executor hereafter Named and as touching Such worldly Goods as it hath pleased to bestow upon me I despose of them as followeth Item I Give and bequeath unto Martha my loveing Wife my house and the ground with the appertenances thereunto belonging which I Now live in dureing the terme of her Naturall life and after her decease I Give it unto my Sonne George and his heirs upon this Condition payeing unto the Rest of my Children these Somes following that is to say unto his Brother Willyam tenn pounds within one year after he shall enter upon the said house and unto his Syster Jane five pounds within two yeares after he shall enter upon the said house and to my daughter Sarah five pounds within three yeares after that he shall enter upon the Same and unto my daughter Mary five pounds within foure yeares after he shall enter upon the Same and unto my daughter Rose five pounds within five yeares after he shall enter upon the said house and if my Sonne George shall Neglect or Refuse to paye these Said Summes then my will and meaning is that my said Children or any one of them that is behinde and unpaid shall enter upon the said house with the appertenacnes untill Such time as they be Satisfied and paid All the Residue of my Goods and Chattles unbequeathed I Give unto Martha my wife whom I make my Sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament
To see my debts paid paid and my funerall Expenses descharged In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seale the daie and yeare first above written before the Sealing I give unto my Sonne George my main[?]
Sealed and published to be the last will and Testament in the presence of
John Burnapp
Robert Kent
Elizabeth Kent
George Lowin
George Walby
[probate in Latin: at Bennington 9 Sep 1661, estate valued at £34.3s.5d]
- Photocopy of pedigree of Walby family, butchers of Aston, in Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies, Hertford
DE/X57/Z3.
Undated - appears to be mid 20th century.
A mid-twentieth century genealogy held at Hertfordshire Archives maintains that he was "Descended from the marriage in 1582 of George Walby of Watton, butcher, to Lucy Hill" but does not say how this has been established. There was a couple named George Walby and Lucy Hill who did marry in 1582 at St Paul's Walden before settling in Watton at Stone, but their connection to this George has yet to be confirmed. There was a George Walby baptised at Walkern in 1613 son of William and a George son of George Walby baptised at Codicote in 1610, either or neither of whom may be this George.
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