Thurtell and Related Families    

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Notes for John THURTELL

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Information received from Peter Murray in 1997 shows that John Thurtell,
the father of the James Thurtell who married Winifred Nunn, was a barber
in Trowse, Norfolk, England in the time before barbers and surgeons split
into separate guilds in 1745. Afterwards he was a prosperous
periwigmaker in Norwich and Trowse Newton, Norfolk, England. His
properties in Norwich passed to the use of his widow and afterwards
jointly to his children, while those in Trowse Newton, where he lived,
passed to his eldest son John. He also held a part freehold and part
copyhold property in Hempnall, Norfolk, which passed to his second son
James. John and Elizabeth Thurtell had at least four children.

The IGI shows a John Thurtle christened February 20, 1705, the son of
John Thurtle and Jane. It is possible that "Jane" is an error for
"Alice," and this entry refers to this John Thurtell. The parish record
itself has not yet been checked.

John Thurtell, son of John Thurtell the blacksmith, was mentioned in his
father's will in 1729. He is also mentioned in the will of his mother
Alice, in 1735, which clearly states he was her son. He figures also in
the Admon of his brother Henry, in 1741, as John Thurtill of Trowse, a
barber, although their relationship is not actually stated. There seems
little doubt that this is the same man as the John Thurtell, wig maker of
Norwich and Trowse Newton, who made his will in 1767 proved in 1769 or
1770, and had children by his wife Elizabeth. In 1729 he was bequeathed
by his father's will a blue cloth wrapping coat, and in 1735 by his
mother's will (Alice) the sum of one shilling.

The will of John Thurtell, of Trowse Newton, Norfolk, periwigmaker (i.e.,
wig maker), in the Norfolk Record Office, is dated September 7, 1767.
The executors appointed in the will were sworn March 20, 1769, and so the
testator had by then probably died. For some reason the will was
examined again on September 4, 1784. This John Thurtell may also have
made an earlier will, later revoked, since the entry in the index of
wills gives the dates 1754-1770. In his will of 1767, bearing his own
signature, John Thurtell disposed of property in Trowse Newton, Hempnall
in Norfolk, and on Boarstreet in the city of Norwich. His wife
Elizabeth, who he apparently married prior to 1731, was designated
executrix by her husband in 1767 and 1769. Her husband bequeathed the
Boarstreet property in Norwich for her use in her lifetime (the provision
being that it would on her death pass in equal shares to their three
children). She was also to receive the residue of his estate after
bequests, as well as interest from the sum of fifty pounds as living
expenses. Considering these provisions, we might guess that the further
examination of her husband's will in 1784 could have occurred when she
was dying, since she seems to have died soon afterwards. Elizabeth
Thurtele was buried 18 Feb 1785 in Trowse Newton (archdeacon's
transcript, which however does not give marital status or age which would
confirm this is her).

The Court Roll of the Manor of Trowse Newton shows that at the Court of
November 10, 1755, John Thurtell "the elder" (address not given) appeared
as an executor of Alice Dobson to quitclaim any right he may have to her
estate. He is not mentioned in the Court Roll of the Manor of Hempnall
with the Members although there are mentions of a Thirkettle family that
would appear not to be closely related. The will of Alice Dobson would
be of interest if it can be found.

It is clear that this John Thurtell is the same person as the John
Thurtle (signed John Thurtill) of Trowse in Norfolk County, barber, who
appears with Ann Thurtle (signed Ann Thirtill), widow, in the
administration bond dated October 8, 1741, following the death of her
husband Henry Thurtle of Norwich St. Julian, blacksmith. John Thurtell
of Trowse was almost certainly the brother of this Henry, and therefore
like him a son of John Thurtell the blacksmith of Norwich St. Julian. A
puzzling baptism is recorded, February 20, 1705, at Norwich St. Julian,
for a John Thurtle son of John Thurtle and Jane (IGI entry). If it is
the same John, then the mother's name in this entry must be an error,
because John Thurtell, son of blacksmith John Thurtell of Norwich St.
Julian and wife Alice (nee Balls), is specifically mentioned as their son
in both their wills, 1729 and 1734 respectively, and from the sequence of
children he would appear to have been born around 1705 or at most a year
or two later.

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The WILL OF JOHN THURTELL OF TROWSE NEWTON, PERIWIGGMAKER
1754-70 Norwich Consistory Court, Norfolk [Will Register Copy].
Note: This John Thurtell (m. Elizabeth) is the father of John Thurtell
(who m. Hannah) and James Thurtell (now identified as our James Thurtell
who m. Winifred Nunn).
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124. This is the Last Will and Testament of me John Thurtell of Trowse
Newton in the County of Norfolk Periwiggmaker. First I give and Devise
to Elizabeth my Wife All these my Messuages Lands Tenements and
Hereditaments whatsoever situate lying and being in Boarstreet in the
City of Norwich To Hold to her the said Elizabeth for and during the Term
of her natural Life she keeping the same in good and Tenantable Repair
and committing no Waste thereupon And from and immediately after her
Decease I give and Devise the said Messuages, Lands Tenements
Hereditaments & Premisses unto John, James, and Sarah my Children to be
equally divided between them & their Heirs as Tenants in Common and not
as Joint Tenants. Item I give and devise to the said James my Son All
and every my Messuages, Lands Tenements & Hereditaments whatsoever
situate lying and being in Hempnall in the County of Norfolk aforesaid To
Hold to him the said James my son and his Heirs forever Upon Condition
nevertheless that the said James my Son & his Heirs do and shall well &
truly pay or cause to be paid unto my said Son John or his Assignes for
and during the Term of his natural Life one Moiety or half part of the
Rents Assises[?] and Profits of the said mentioned Premises (after
deducting all out goings and for the Repair of the said Premises) The
same to be paid to the said John my Son or his Assigns by half Yearly
payments, and I do hereby Authorize Inpower and Devise my Executrix and
Executors herein afornamed and the survivor and survivors of them to
Raise and take out of my personal Estate as soon as conveniently can be
after my Decease the Sum of Fifty Pounds and just place and continue the
same out of Interest for the Purposes hereinafter mentioned (upon such
security as they shall think proper) And the Interest arising therefrom I
will and Desire my said Wife to Receive and take to her own proper Use
before and during her Natural Life And from and after her Decease It is
my Will & Desire that the Survivor and Survivors of my said Executors
shall expend and Pay out the Interest arising from the said Fifty Pounds
in the Maintenance & bringing up of my Grandson John Bayner until he
shall Arrive at his Age of Twenty one and when the said John Bayner shall
attain his said Age of Twenty one years I Give and bequeath to him the
said Sum of Fifty Pounds. Item all the rest residue[?] and remainder of
my personal Estate of what nature or hindsoever[?] I give and bequeath to
the said Elizabeth my Wife (She paying all my just Debts Funeral Expenses
of the probate and execution of this my Will. Lastly I nominate
constitute and appoint the said Elizabeth my Wife Executrix and my said
Sons John and James Executors of this my Will hereby revoking and making
void all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made In
Witness whereof I the said John Thurtell have to this my last Will and
Testament contained in Two Sheets of Paper to the first Sheet thereof set
my Hand and to the last my Hand and Seal this seventh day of September In
the Year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and sixty seven.
John Thurtell

Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said John Thurtell as and for
his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and
at his request have subscribed our Names as Witnesses H.Machot, Samuel
Pochoy[?], Wm.Foster Junr. Septr 4th 1784 Exd by me Wm [?signature
illegible] Not.Publ.

March 20th 1769
Mr John Thurtell & Mr James Thurtell his two Executors within named
(Power being reserved for the Executrix to be Sworn &c) were then Sworn
in due form of Law before me
Frs.Frank LLB.
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END OF DOCUMENT


FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS OF JOHN THURTELL, PERIWIG MAKER, 1767:

John Thurtell, of Trowse Newton, Norfolk, was a periwig maker (i.e., wig
maker).
His will is dated 1767, and proved? 1769, prior will apparently 1754
since index entry gives dates 1754-1770.
He disposed of property in Trowse Newton (co.Norfolk), Hempnall
(co.Norfolk), and on Boarstreet in the City of Norwich.
Wife: Elizabeth, mentioned 1767, 1769, and designated executrix, was
bequeathed the use of the Boarstreet property in Norwich while she lived
(after which it would pass in equal shares to his three children), the
residue of the estate after bequests, and interest from the sum of fifty
pounds as living expenses.
Children (not stated if Elizabeth was their mother):
John Thurtell, mentioned 1767, 1769, was left a share of the Norwich
property (but was perhaps already in possession of the property in Trowse
Newton since disposal of it is not stated in the will); he was also to
obtain compensation for the property in Hempnall willed to James.
James Thurtell, mentioned 1767, 1769, was left a share of the
Norwich property, and was left all of the Hempnall property subject to
compensation to brother John).
Sarah, mentioned 1767 was left a share of the Norwich property.
Grandchildren:
John Bayner, was underage in 1767 (and was apparently to be in the
care of the grandmother Elizabeth), but it is not stated if he was son of
Sarah or some other daughter not named; Provision was made for his upkeep
until reaching the age of 21 years.

Notes:
- Trowse Newton is just outside of Norwich to the south, and Hempnall
is just a few miles farther south from Norwich. Lakenham, where our
ancestors James & Winifred Thurtell farmed under Southwell, landlord, is
immediately adjacent to Trowse Newton. The records of Trowse Newton,
Lakenham and Hempnall have not yet been fully searched to prove a
connection between our James Thurtell, cooper & farmer, and John Thurtell
(the elder), periwig maker. Nevertheless, the James Thurtell mentioned
in the above will can be none other than our ancestor James Thurtell who
married Winifred Nunn and died in 1801. This is evidenced by the will
proved 1801 for James Thurtell showing that he possessed property in
Hempnall apparently corresponding to that conveyed in the above will of
John Thurtell to his brother James.
- Hempnall Norfolk, where this John had property, had a Thirkettle
family that left two wills:
Mary Thirkettle (wife of William), will dated 1784.
William Thirkettle, will date 1785-9.
But neither of these mention a James, and their family and property
in Hemphall appear to be different from that in the above will.
- The connection between the John Thurtell of the above will and our
earliest previously established ancestor James Thurtell, is also
discussed in the notes to the will of the younger John Thurtell, peruch
maker, 1772.

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