The following deposition as to the extent of Selwood Forest in the vicinity of Rode was given by Thomas Puckridge and appears to have been taken about A. D. 1620-30, when King Charles I. was preparing the final disafforestation.
1630 – Selwood Forest and County Boundary in the vicinity of Rode
Extract from: an Article in the Wiltshire archaeolical and natural history magazine vol.23 no.67-69 (1886-1887) pp289/290
Article Title: Selwood Forest
Author: Canon J. E. Jackson
“Imprimis. That ye begins at the higher end of Whitemarsh ….
“From thence to a little Oake …. and so as the bounds of Westbury goeth to Rudge Lane and to the stone by the bridge there.
“Then cometh in the bounde of North Bradley wh. beginneth from Rudge Lane end and goeth alonge by the Shire hedge Somerset and Wilts.
“From thence unto a stone called ye Shire-stoue (stone) in Roade Heath, lying neere Greenclose (nos. 481/2/3 on Rode tithe map) hedge, from thence to another shire-stone in the same heath that lyeth flatt North from the aforesaid stone; and then the bounds turn west along as the bank in that Heath goeth unto the top of Road hill unto another shire stone, and so alon West into Road street unto the bound-stone in the East side of Slatts-brook unto Otts meadow, though that meadow unto the shire-stone on the midst of Road bridge; from that bridge northwards on the East of Rode (river Frome) next unto Tellesford bridge, then northwards on the East side of the same Rine unto unto the furthest end of Peter Crooke’s meadow and so eastward unto the top of Vagg’s Hill as the bounds goe between the sd. P. Crooke’s and John Bissy’s, and then goeth Eastward unto a bound oak called Rumsey Oak. And from that oak Northeast unto Swine’s-brooke and from thencedown the broe East unto Acrefield.”
Parish registers show a Thomas Pockerige married c1600 who died in 1629 and his son Thomas baptised in 1611 who married in 1647.
Pockridge John. Will made 14 June 1721. Proved 6 December 1721.
In the Name of God Amen I John Pockridge of Road in the County of Somerset Drug-getmaker being of sound mind and memory do make ordain and appoint this my last Will and Testament in manner and form as followeth. Imprimis.
I give devise and bequeath unto Susanna my loving wife ten pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid in one month. Item.
I give unto my said wife all that part of dwelling house on the east side of the entry of the said house and one half of the garden for by and during the term of her natural life in lieu of dower and the use of all my household goods for her life and full power to dispose it when she shall die except my clock and case and the bedstead in the outward lodging room and what goods we had with Richard Edgell’s children.
Item. I give unto my said wife the interest of one hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid her half yearly by my Executrix hereinafter named that is fifty shillings every half year for and during her natural life or if my Executrix should refuse to pay the said fifty shillings as above directed then and in such case I do give and bequeath unto my said wife the sum of forty pounds more over and above and besides the ten pounds above given.
Item. I give unto my son in law Richard Edgell the sum of five shillings.
Item. I give unto the said Richard Edgell his three sons the sum of sixty pounds to be paid in manner as followeth that is to say twenty pounds part thereof to be paid to Thomas Edgell the oldest in five years and twenty pounds more part thereof to be paid unto Anthony Edgell the second son of the said Richard in seven years twenty pounds more remainder of the said sixty pounds to be paid to William the youngest of the said three in ten years and unto the said three boys to wit Thomas Anthony and William I do give all that household goods that was their father’s and is now in my possession.
Item. I give unto my daughter Ann the wife of Samuel Miller the sum of thirty pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid in two years.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Ann Miller all that part of my dwelling and garden not before disposed of immediately in hand that is to say the comb shop new parlour and the wool loft and half the garden and after my wife’s decease I do give and bequeath unto the said Ann Miller the whole messuage and all the parts thereof in both sides of the entries viz the old dwelling house comb shop new parlour and wool loft over together with the stable garden out-housing and all appurtenances and evidences thereunto belonging. To have and to hold the premises with the appurtenances unto my said daughter Ann Miller and her heirs forever.
Item. All the rest and residue of my personal estate whether goods chattels or cred-its I give devise and bequeath unto my daughter Margaret the wife of Thomas Barns and do nominate and appoint her to be full and whole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament and do hereby revoke and make void all other Will or Wills by me heretofore made and do only ratify and allow this my last Will and Testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the fourteenth day of June Anno Domini 1721 and in the seventh year of the reign of King George over Great Britain etc.
John Pockridge
Signed sealed published and declared by the said John Pockridge as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us whose names are hereunto subscribed.
The mark of William Bull The mark of Thomas Wait William Shell