Misterton Saints

The family of Roger Saint first appear in Misterton, Somerset church records around the year 1600, but where they lived before that is uncertain. Perhaps they were Huguenots fleeing the religious wars in France? The fact that Roger Saint (senior) was a carpenter suggests that as a possibility since many of the Huguenots who came to England were artisans.

Roger Saint (b.1601)

Roger Saint (junior) was born in Misterton in 1601; his parents were named Roger and Margeria. His birth record at Misterton reads as follows:

A transcription of this record is as follows:

Anno Domini 1601

Baptizat: 10th day of Mai was christened saint Roger Sainte ye sonne of Roger Sainte.

Roger Saint (b. about 1580)

Roger Saint (senior) was a carpenter who left his tools to his son Roger (junior) as described in his will below:

Will of Roger Saint - carpenter at Misterton

My attempt at a transcript of his will (with some added punctuation) is as follows:

In the name of God Amen. I Roger Saint

of Misterton in the countie of Somersett Carpenter, the elder, being of good

perfect memorie, I doe will and ordaine this my last will and testament. I doe

committing soule to Almightie God my Creator and my bodie to be buried in the

Church yard of Crewkerne. Item: I give to my now wife the ffive pounde att

Misterton which Roger Edgar doe owe me and the bedd which I doe lye in and that

which doe belong to her; Item: I give to my daughter Joane Mason twentie

shillinges. Item: I give to my daughter Margerie FFrench twentie shillinges

one whole year after my decease, if they canne recover it. Item: I give to my

sonne Henry twelve pence; Item: I give to my sonne Roger Saint all my

tooles. Item: I give to William Mason the sonne of Robert Mason twelve

pence, Item: I make my sonne William Saint my full and whole Executor

of all the rest of my goods. Roger Saint. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence

of me, Richard Norris, John FFrench.

This will was proved at Westminster before the judges

for probate of will and granting administratione appointment by an Act of Parliament

entitled an Act for probate of wills and granting administratione this nineteenth

day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred ffiftie three by the

oath of William Saint his naturall and lawfull sonne of the deceased, and sole

Executor named in his said will, to whome administration of all and singular the said

Deceased goods chattels and debts was committed he beinge first sworne by virtue of

a commission issued out in that behalfe well and truely to administer the same.