John Kelsey (say 1660 – ⊥ 1708-11-27) and Mary (say 1665 – ⊥ 1730-12-28), maiden name unknown, were my 8th-great-grandparents, being the parents of Rebecca Durman. Documentation is limited, especially for John. They both lived and died in North Stoneham, England. John was buried the same day as his mother in 1708, so some calamity may have taken both.
No will is found for John, but a will for Mary (below) from 1729 provides many details, naming her two daughters as Rebecca wife of George Durman and Mary wife of William Lambell. In addition, parish records for North Stoneham and marriage licenses from Winchester may be consulted to assemble a picture of this family. However, there are children and relations not recorded, so inference is needed.
1668-05-11 baptized Roger son of Roger and Rebeccah Kelsey 1668-12-06 buried Roger son of Roger Kelsey 1670-10-24 baptized Mary daughter of Roger Kelsey 1685-09-02 baptized Mary daughter of John and Mary Kelsey 1687-11-14 baptized Ann daughter of John and Mary Kelsey 1692-03-30 buried Ann Kelsey 1693-05-07 baptized Ann daughter of John and Mary Kelsey 1693-09-09 buried Ann daughter of John and Mary Kelsey 1706-01-31 married John Davis and Jane Kelsey 1708-04-07 buried Roger Kelsey 1708-11-27 buried Rebekah Kelsey widow and her son John Kelsey 1730-12-28 buried Mary Kelsey widow
These are assembled from allegations of marriage licenses and parish registers in Winchester:
1693-02-22 William West of Bishop’s Waltham bachelor age 37 and Mary of North Stoneham spinster age 20 daughter of Roger Kelsey⟮1⟯Hampshire Allegations for Marriage Licences Granted by the Bishop of Winchester, 1689 to 1837, v. 2, p. 330. Archive.org 1693-12-23 Robert Martin of Hamble-le-Rice widower and Rebecca of North Stoneham spinster age 35 daughter of Roger Kelsey⟮2⟯FreeREG⟮3⟯Hampshire Allegations for Marriage Licences Granted by the Bishop of Winchester, 1689 to 1837, v. 2, p. 16. Archive.org 1713-01-11 William Lambell (also Lamboll) and Mary Kelsey both of North Stoneham⟮4⟯FreeREG⟮5⟯ 1717-02-20 George Durman husbandman bachelor and Rebekah Kelsey spinster, both of North Stoneham⟮6⟯Hampshire Allegations for Marriage Licences Granted by the Bishop of Winchester, 1689 to 1837, v. 1, p. 236. Archive.org
Despite the gaps not showing baptisms or marriages of the principals here, the above paints a fairly clear picture. The will of Mary Kelsey widow does not name her husband, but based on the location and the time and the daughter Mary born at the time roughly expected to marry in 1713, it is fairly certain that she is the Mary in John and Mary who had several children baptized in North Stoneham.
Similarly, the previous generation’s only Kelsey family is Roger and Rebecca Kelsey. In confirmation, the Rebecca widow who died in 1708 would seem to be the same Rebecca, dying a few months after her husband, and she had a son named John, who died before Mary. Mentioning the mother of an adult man in a burial record is unusual, but here they were buried together so it makes sense to note their relationship.
In short, despite missing records, this all ties together convincingly.
John was the son of Roger and Rebecca Kelsey. John and Mary married probably around 1684, and had these known children:
The Jane Kelsey who married John Davis could chronologically belong to this family, but might be a sister to John instead. Jane had at least one child, and neither are mentioned in Mary’s will, although they could have both died by 1728.
Mary’s will was dated 1728-10-12 and proved 1731:
In the Name of God Amen I Mary Kelsey of North Stoneham in the County of Southford(?) widdow being at this time in good health of Body and of Sound Mind Memory and Understanding praised be Almighty God for the same, but calling to mind the uncertainty of this life do make publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following hereby revoking and makeing voyd all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore made.
Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rebecca the wife of George Durman of North Stoneham aforesaid all that my Leasehold Tenement or Cottage Shop and Garden plott with its appurtenances in Stoneham aforesaid in the possession of my son in law William Lambole while I hold by Lease from Richard Fleming Esq. To hold to her(?) my said daughter Rebecca her Executors(?) and Assigns during the remainder of my term and interest therein.
Item I give and bequeath unto the Five children of my said daughter Rebecca, (to witt) Mary Durman, Ann Durman, Charity Durman, John Durman, and Martha Durman and to each and every of them the sum of Five apiece to be paid them at their severall and respective age or ages of Twenty one years or days of marriage which shall first happen, and if any or either of them shall happen to dye before he she or they shall attain the said age or ages of Twenty one years or days of marriage then and in such case the Legacy of him her or them so dying shall go and be payable unto and amongst the Survivor or Survivors of them equally share and share alike.
Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rebecca Durman and to her Husband George Durman the full and Intire sume of Forty pounds to be paid them within one month after my decease.
Item I give and bequeath unto the said George Durman and Rebecca his wife all such Household Goods Furniture and other things as now is and at the time of my decease shall be in their House wherein I now dwell.
Item I Give and Forgive unto them the said George Durman and Rebecca his wife all such sume or sumes of money as now is or at the time of my decease shall be due and owing unto me from them the said George or Rebecca or either of them for Rent or on any account or demand whatsoever, and I do hereby release and discharge the same.
Item I give and bequeath unto the Five children of my daughter Mary Lambole by William Lambole her husband (to witt) William Lambole John Lambole Richard Lambole Mary Lambole and Thomas Lambole and to each and every of them the sume of Five pounds apiece to be payd to them and each and every of them at their severall and respective age or ages of Twenty one years and if any or either of them shall happen to dye before he she or they shall attain the said age then and in such case the Legacy or Legacys of him her or them so dying shall go and be payd unto and amongst the Survivor or Survivors of them equally share and share alike.
Item I give unto my said daughter Mary Lambole the sume of Tenn pounds to be payd within one month after my decease and to her said husband William Lambole all such Household Good Furniture and other goods and things as now are and at the time of my decease shall be in their House or Shopp in Stoneham aforesaid, and to hereby likewise give and forgive unto them the said William Lambole and Mary his wife all such sume or sumes of money as now is and at the time of my decease shall be due and owing unto me from them the said William or Mary Lambole or either of them, for Rent or for or upon any other account or whatsoever, and I do hereby acquitt release and discharge the same accordingly.
Item I give and bequeath unto my said Grand daughter Ann Durman one Feather Bed Bedsted Bolster pillows Ruggs blankett and other furniture thereto belonging meaning(?) the Redd curtain Rodd, and also one sheet.
Item I give and bequeath unto my said Grand daughter Charity Durman my Long Table in the Hall and the long forme(?) thereto belonging and also my Large long Table cloath and halfe a dozen of Napkins, and likewise my less(?) holland sheet, and my Largest Boll(?) Skillett.
Item I give unto my said two daughters Rebecca Durman and Mary Lambole all my weaving apparrell of all sorts and kinds to be equally shared and divided between them.
And lastly all the rest residue and remainder of moneys goods chattells Reall and personall Estate whatsoever and wheresoever not herein before given and bequeathed (my just debts Legacys and funerall expenses being first payd and discharged) I give devise and bequeath unto my said daughter Rebecca Durman whom I do hereby make constitute and appoint whole and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale this Twelfth day of October in the second year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God King of Great Brittain and Anno Domini(?) one thousand seven hundred and Twenty Eight.
The spelling of Lambell is hard to read due to the handwriting. It could be Lambold, Lamboll, or similar; spelling was often variable back then of course.