Sally Hunt has been researching Hounsells for some years now she is descended from Henry and Mary Hounsell nee Greening who married at Powerstock in 1743) and has acquired details of many Hounsell wills (mostly pre 1850). These are now summarised and are a wonderful addition to the website So far there are 35 wills/admons in this list but hopefully there will be more to come.

Sally has included references where known and has cleared the relevant ones with the Dorset Record Office. Whilst she has tried to be as accurate as possible, any errors are totally hers and researchers should always refer back to the original document. Saly adds that this would not have been possible without a great deal of help from other researchers, in particular Maureen Bowler and Deb Redfearn Palmer.

Will of Andrew HOUNSELL (Captain Lieutenant) (Formerly of Symondsbury, died in Jamaica)

PCC will Prob 11/265 quire 249

Dated: 18.12.?1654 Proved: June 1657

Names/relationships mentioned:

Major General John HEARNE - Andrew’s Commander

Susan HOUNSELL – Sister

Henry COLFOX – Nephew

Robert HOUNSELL – Nephew

Robert HOUNSELL – Brother (and Executor)

John MINSON of Simsbury – Friend and Godfather

Witnesses: Jn DUDLEY, Edw TUCKER, Robert HOUNSELL

Admon – Edmund HOUNSELL Senior of Nettlecombe

DCRO Ref: MIC/R.270

Dated: 4.10.1756

Administrator/Creditor: Edmund HOUNSELL Junior of Long Bredy, Butcher

Other sureties: Benjamin BLANCHARD of Long Bredy, Miller

Joseph WOODFORD of Long Bredy, Labourer

Witnesses: Jno EVERETT, Robt BRIDGE

Will of Giles HOUNSELL of Bridport

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/181 (damaged will)

Proved: 1660

Name/Relationships mentioned:

Ann CHURCHILL – Daughter (wife of Richard)

Mary CHURCHILL – Daughter (wife of Stephen)

Elizabeth CHURCHILL – Granddaughter

Ann CHURCHILL – Grandaughter

Hannah CHURCHILL – Granddaughter

William HOLWELL Junior – Kinsman

John HOLWELL – Kinsman

Richard COMBEN – “my man”

John ALFORD – Brother in law

Witnesses: William HOLWELL, John HOLWELL

Will of Giles HOUNSELL of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis, Ropemaker

Not held DCRO

Dated: 7.2.1683 Proved: 1684

Names/relationships mentioned:

Mary STEVENS (widow) – Sister

John RUSSELL – Grandson

Elizabeth WADE – Daughter

John WADE – Son in law

Anne RUSSELL – Daughter

John RUSSELL – Son in law (and executor)

Crispin HOUNSELL – Son

Edith HOUNSELL – Wife

Witnesses: ?Ric. BILES, Edward ?DEARING, Nath. OSBORNE

Will of John HOUNSELL the Elder of Litton Cheney, Yeoman

DCRO Ref: BC H190 1716

Dated: 27.1.1715 Proved: 26.7.1716

Names/relationships mentioned:

Edmund HOUNSELL of Nettlecombe – Son

John HOUNSELL – Son (and executor)

Nicholas HOUNSELL – Brother

Witnesses: John HODDER, Henry HODDER, Jo. BARGE

Will of John HOUNSELL the Elder of Bridport, Twinespinner

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/213 DA14

Dated: 7.8.1758 Proved: 25.5.1759

Names/relationships mentioned:

John HOUNSELL – Son (and executor)

John HOUNSELL – Grandson (son of John HOUNSELL)

William HOUNSELL – Grandson (son of John HOUNSELL)

Joseph HOUNSELL – Grandson (son of John HOUNSELL)

Hannah HOUNSELL – Granddaughter (daughter of John HOUNSELL)

Phoebe HOUNSELL – Granddaughter (daughter of John HOUNSELL)

Thomas HOUNSELL – Grandson (son of John HOUNSELL)

?Mary HOUNSELL – Granddaughter (daughter of late son William HOUNSELL)

Elizabeth HOUNSELL – Granddaughter (daughter of late son William HOUNSELL)

Mrs Ann ALFORD of Winsham, Somerset

Mrs Ann OLIVER, wife of William OLIVER, of Bridport

Witnesses: John COPPOCK, John ?HALSTON, Rich. HUSSEY

Will of John HOUNSELL of Bridport, Clothier

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/220

Dated: 12.9.1770 Proved: 28.2.1776

Names/Relationships mentioned:

Benjamin HOUNSELL – Son

Elizabeth TAYLOR – Daughter (wife of Thomas TAYLOR) (and executrix)

Hannah TAYLOR – Granddaughter

Martha TAYLOR – Granddaughter

Elizabeth TAYLOR – Granddaughter

Samuel TAYLOR – Grandson

Joseph TAYLOR – Grandson

Hannah HOUNSELL – Daughter (and executrix)

Mary SYMES – Sister

Hannah GULLY – Sister

Witnesses: John SYMES ?Junior, Sarah SYME, Eliz. SUMPTER

Will of John HOUNSELL of Bridport

Not held DCRO

Proved: 29.2.1792

Names/relationships mentioned:

Ann HOUNSELL – Daughter

Peter BATTICOMBE – “Good friend and relation”

Susannah HOUNSELL – Sister

John HOUNSELL Junior – Son

Elizabeth HOUNELL – Daughter

Jane TUCKER (widow) – Daughter

Mary HOUNSELL – Daughter

Sarah HOUNSELL – Daughter

Andrew HOUNSELL – Brother

Children to be joint executors

Witnesses: Joseph OXENBURY, Henry CORNICK, Betty BURY

Will of John HOUNSELL of Bridport, Twine Manufacturer

Not held DCRO

Dated: 13.5.1802 Proved: 9.12.1803

Names/relationships mentioned:

Phoebe HOUNSELL – Wife

Phoebe HOUNSELL – Daughter

Anne HOUNSELL – Daughter

John HOUNSELL – Son

Joseph HOUNSELL – Grandson

John HOUNSELL – Grandson

William HOUNSELL – Grandson

Mary Ann HOUNSELL – Granddaughter

Thomas HOUNSELL – Grandson

Wife and daughters – Executrixes

Witnesses: Edwd DALLY, Ann ?JEFFORD, James ? Junior

Will of Jonathon HOUNSELL of Puncknowle, Yeoman

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/287

Dated: 14.6.1823 Proved: 14.8.1824

Names/Relationships mentioned:

Marwood Tilman HOUNSELL – Son

Benjamin HOUNSELL – Son

Mary HOUNSELL – Daughter

Martha COX – Daughter (wife of Bernard COX) (and executrix)

Witnesses: ? , Thomas MOORE

Will of Joseph HOUNSELL of Bridport, Twine Manufacturer

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/227

Dated: 30.12.1798 Proved: 15.1.1799

Names/Relationships mentioned:

Reverend Samuel FAWCETT – Good friend

Thomas Collins COLFOX – Good friend

Elizabeth HOUNSELL – wife (and executrix)

Witnesses: Edwd DALLY, N DOWNE

Will of Martha HOUNSELL of Nettlecombe

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/361 1869/143

Dated: 5.8.1858 Proved: June 1869

Names/Relationships mentioned:

Mary Ann BARTLETT – Niece (daughter of late sister Elizabeth BARTLETT)

Harriet BARTLETT – Niece (daughter of late sister Elizabeth BARTLETT)

Fanny COUSINS – Niece (daughter of brother John BROWN)

John BROWN – Nephew (son of brother John BROWN)

Mary Ann READER – Niece (daughter of brother John BROWN)

James BROWN – Nephew (son of brother John BROWN)

Mary BARTLETT – Sister

Ann SNELL – Sister

Elizabeth BARTLETT – Sister

William BROWN – brother

Mary BUTCHER – Sister

Sarah BENDING – Niece (daughter of sister Ann SNELL)

Elizabeth STUDLEY (deceased) – Niece (daughter of sister Edith BOWRING)

John BOWRING – Nephew (son of sister Edith BOWRING)

Henry BROWN (deceased) – Brother

Witnesses: William WAY, Nich. M. LOGGIN

Codicil witnesses: William WAY, Richard GREENING

Will of Mary HOUNSELL of Avon, Sopley, “County of South”, Widow

Not held DCRO

Dated: 11.9.1680 Proved: 14.2.1683

Names/relationships mentioned:

George HOUNSELL – Son }

William HOUNSELL – Son } (joint executors)

Edmund ?..ENKINS of Winkton, Hampshire

Witnesses: John ? , Henry JONES

Will of Mary HOUNSELL of Whitchurch Canonicorum

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/197 DA66

Dated: Proved: 1728

Names/Relationships mentioned:

Thomasina EDWARDS – Sister in law

George HOUNSELL – Brother in law

Mary SMITH – Sister in law

Joane HILL – Kinswoman (daughter of Thomas HILL)

John MATTHEWS – Kinsman

Will of Mary HOUNSELL of Eype, Symondsbury, widow

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/213

Dated: 14.1.1758 Proved: 24.2.1759

Names/relationships mentioned:

Elizabeth DAVIE/DAVIS – Daughter

John DAVIE/DAVIS – Son in law

Henry DAVIS – Grandson

John DAVIS – Grandson

Daniel CASE – Cousin of Kirshay, Netherbury

Jacob PITFIELD of Symondsbury

Grandsons to be executors when they come of age

Witnesses: Gre. SYNDERCOMBE, Rich. HUSSEY

Will of Mary HOUNSELL of Bridport, Spinster

PCC will Prob 11/1542

Dated: 21.7.1794 Proved: 19.3.1813

Names/relationships mentioned:

Sarah HOUNSELL – Sister (and Executrix)

Probate note: Executrix is Sarah PITCHER, formerly HOUNSELL, wife of William Downing PITCHER.

Witnesses: John SYMES, Thomas SYMES, W. SYMES

Will of Matthew HOUNSELL of Eype, Symondsbury

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/212

Dated: 2.8.1756 Proved: 3.2.1757

Names/Relationships:

Mary HOUNSELL – Wife

Elizabeth DAVIS – Daughter

John DAVIS – Son in law

John DAVIS – Grandson

Witnesses: Gre SYNDERCOMBE, John DAVIS, Sarah ?TILLER

Will of Richard HOUNSELL of Bridport, Ropemaker

Not held at DCRO

Dated: 18.5.1633 Proved: 1633

Names/relationships mentioned:

Richard HOUNSELL – Son

Elizabeth HOUNSELL – Daughter

John HOUNSELL – Son

Giles HOUNSELL – Son

Mary HOUNSELL – Daughter

Elizabeth HOUNSELL – Wife (and executrix)

Richard BAGGOT – Friend

Giles HOUNSELL – Brother

Witnesses: Robt WA?D, Giles HOUNSELL

Will of Richard HOUNSELL of Whitchurch (Canonicorum), Husbandman

Not held DCRO

Nuncupative will dated 25.1.1651 Proved: 30.4.1652

Names/relationships mentioned:

John HOUNSELL – Son

Symon HOUNSELL – Son

Alice HOUNSELL – Wife (and executrix)

Witnesses: Richard HOUNSELL, Rebecca HOUNSELL

Will of Robert HOUNSELL of Watton, Symondsbury, Husbandman

PCC will Prob11/265 quire 232

Proved: 1657

Names/relationships mentioned:

Robert HOUNSELL – Son

Andrewe HOUNSELL – Son

Susan HOUNSELL – Daughter

Henry COLFOX – Grandson

John MINSON of Lower Eype }

Matthew HOUNSELL (kinsman)} Joint executors

Witnesses: Richard GOLDING, John GOLDING

Admon – Robert HOUNSELL of Bridport

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/252

Dated: 1670

Administrator/Creditor: Elizabeth HOUNSELL, widow of Robert, also of Bridport

Witness: John GUNDRY

Will of Robert HOUNSELL Senior of Nettlecombe

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/192

Dated: 3.1.1709 Proved: 1710

Names/Relationships mentioned:

Sary HOUNSELL – Wife

Eydith HOUNSELL – Daughter

Robert FFOARD – Grandson

Martha HARDING

Mary ?GOALL/GEALL – Sister

Robert HOUNSELL – Son

Witnesses: Stephen SPELT, the mark of Joane WORING

Admon – Robert HOUNSELL of Symondsbury

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/261

Dated: 10.10.1692

Administrator/Creditor: Susannah HOUNSELL of Symondsbury, widow

Sureties: Joseph MORY, Yeoman

William ?CAPON of Allington, husbandman

Admon – Robert HOUNSELL of Nettlecombe

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/266

Dated: 15.9.1739

Administrator/creditor: Mary HOUNSELL of Nettlecombe, widow

Sureties: Robert WALBRIDGE of Powerstock, sailcloth weaver

Richard GOLDING of Bridport, labourer

Witnesses: Mary HOUNSELL, Robert WALBRIDGE, Richard GOLDING

And? WAY, John WAY

Will of Robert HOUNSELL of Bradpole, Sailcloth Weaver

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/223

Dated: 10.2.1784 Proved: 15.11.1784

Names/relationships mentioned:

Susanna HOUNSELL – Wife (and Executrix)

Robert HOUNSELL – Son

Job HOUNSELL – Son

Witnesses: ?Sarah/Saml HEWLETT, Tho. SYMES, James SYMES

Admon – Sarah HOUNSELL of Bridport

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/264 DA14

Dated: 1712

Administrators/Creditors: Bernard GALE of Poorstock

Samuel JACOB of Bridport

Will of Sarah HOUNSELL of Nettlecombe (in Powerstock), Widow

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/242

Dated: 2.2.1833 Proved: 15.4.1833

Names/Relationships mentioned:

William HOUNSELL, Thomas HOUNSELL, Henry HOUNSELL, John HOUNSELL, Joseph HOUNSELL, Robert HOUNSELL, George HOUNSELL – Sons

Edmund HOUNSELL, Jonathon HOUNSELL – Sons (deceased)

Edmund HOUNSELL – Grandson (son of Edmund and Mary HOUNSELL)

Sarah HOUNSELL – Granddaughter (daughter of Edmund and Mary HOUNSELL)

Henry HOUNSELL – Grandson (son of Jonathon and Elizabeth HOUNSELL)

Elizabeth HOUNSELL – Granddaughter (daughter of Jonathon and Elizabeth HOUNSELL)

Mary HOUNSELL – Granddaughter (daughter of George and Elizabeth HOUNSELL)

Elizabeth HOUNSELL – Granddaughter (daughter of Henry and Ann HOUNSELL)

Martha HOUNSELL – Wife of son Robert HOUNSELL

Richard Walbridge SCORE – Trustee

Executors – All surviving sons

Witnesses – Richard WEBBER, Mary SCORE, Lydia GREENING

Will of Simon HOUNSIL of Marshwood, Yeoman

Not held DCRO

Dated: 3.6.1685

Names/relationships mentioned:

Joan HOUNSIL – Daughter

Francis HOUNSIL – Wife (and executrix)

William HUNT – Good friend and vicar of Whitchurch Canonicorum

Witnesses: William HUNT, John BROOKS

Admon – Susannah (Susan) HOUNSELL of Symondsbury

Not held DCRO

Dated: 1693

Administrator/creditor:

Joseph MORY of Symondsbury, father of Susannah HOUNSELL widow, during minority of her children: Elizabeth, Robert, Anne and Andrew HOUNSELL

Sureties: Samuel GUNDRY of Bridport, Maltser

William HOUNSELL of Bridport, Mercer

Witnesses: ?Onesiphonis TOUP, W HORLOCK ?Junior, Samuel GUNDRY, Will HOUNSELL, Joseph MORY

Will of Thomas HOUNSELL of Bridport, Baker

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/189

Dated: 13.1.1698 Proved: 1699

Anne HOUNSELL – Wife

Sarah - Daughter

Anne – Daughter (and executrix)

Elizabeth – Daughter

Mary – Daughter

Suzanna – Daughter

John HANSFORD – Grandson

Mary HOWE – Granddaughter

Hannah HOWE – Granddaughter

Samuel HOWE – Son in law

Henry FFOWKES – Son in law

Witnesses: John SYMES, Stephen RODNY als KINGSBURY, Sarah ?MALLETT

Will of William HOUNSELL the Elder of Bridport, Fuller

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/189

Dated: 15.8.1695 Proved: 8.5.1700

Names/relationships mentioned:

William HOUNSELL – Son

Robert HOUNSELL – Son

Roger HOUNSELL – Son

Alice HOUNSELL – Daughter (and Executrix)

Witnesses: John SYMES, Elizabeth SHORT

Will of William HOUNSHILL of Cranborne, Gentleman

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/194

Dated: 19.4.1716 Proved: 24.11.1716

Names/Relationships mentioned:

Ursula HOUNSELL – Wife

Martin HOUNSELL – Son (and executor)

Ursula FFORD – Daughter

George HOUNSELL – Grandson

Martin DANIELE – Godson

Barbara HOUNSELL – Daughter

Witnesses: John KIPPON, Elizabeth KEEPING, Mark WITT

Will of William HOUNSELL of Bridport, Mercer

DCRO Ref: MIC/R/195

Dated: 6.2.1718 Proved: 6.10.1719

Names/relationships mentioned:

William HOUNSELL – Son

Kathrin HOUNSELL – Wife (and executrix)

Kathrin HOUNSELL – Daughter

Mary HOUNSELL – Daughter

Witnesses: James DAVIE, Nathaniel BUNSON

Will of William HOUNSELL of Bridport, Twinespinner

Not held DCRO

Dated: 1.5.1752 Proved: July 1752

Names/relationships mentioned:

John GUNDRY – Brother in law

Joseph GUNDRY – Brother in law

Elizabeth HOUNSELL – Wife (and executrix

Mary HOUNSELL – Daughter

Dorothy HOUNSELL – Late wife

Elizabeth HOUNSELL – Daughter

William HOUNSELL – Nephew

John HOUNSELL – Brother

John CRABB – Colleague at work

William LEE – Colleague at work

Witnesses: John MILLER, Joseph ?

Will of William HOUNSELL of Bridport, Merchant

PCC will Prob 11/1821

Proved: 18.9.1833

Names/relationships mentioned:

Thomas Collins HOUNSELL – Brother

Mary HOUNSELL – Sister in law (wife of above)

Revd Henry ?TUNSELL – Brother in law

Late sister’s children (not named)

Witnesses: Edwin NICHOLETTS, Thomas ?MORE, Sam BALSTON