MRP: Alexander Bence the elder will

Alexander Bence the elder will

PROB 11/311/477 Juxon 52-102 Will of Alexander Bence of London (the elder) 14 July 1663

Editorial history

06/12/11, CSG: Created page & uploaded transcription
08/12/11, CSG: Made substantial revisions to abstract & context, and to notes

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Abstract & context

Alexander Bence the elder

Alexander Bence the elder was involved in the Portuguese/Brazilian, the Spanish, and the East Indian trades. There is also evidence of his involvement in the shortlived Morocco Company, formed in September 1661.

A letter from Richard Cromwell to the King of Portugal, dated 1658/?59, mentions the Three Brothers, owned by Alexander Bence, which had been employed on two voyages for the Brasil Company. Furthermore a minute of a Court Committee of the East India company, dated 1663, records Alexander Bence issuing a Bill of Exchange to Thomas Bird in Lisbon. However, the latter minute could possibly refer to his son, Alexander Bence the younger.

Add details of his involvement in the Spanish trade, and his use of his son as an Alicante based factor

The deployment of the Three Brothers in the mid-1650s by its owners provides a good example of the linkage between commercial activities in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Between 1654 and 1655 [CHECK THIS VOYAGE HAPPENED], and again in 1655 and 1656 the ship was under charter to the English East India Company. The Three Brothers probably sailed a third time to the Cormandel coast, since probate was granted on the will of Bence Parker in June 1659, who described himself in his will as "Mariner and Commander of the Good Ship Three Brothers now on the Coast of Cormandell of Limehouse, Middlesex". But, as mentioned above, the ship had also made two voyages before 1658 in the Southern Atlantic under charter to the Brasil Company.

In its first Indian Ocean deployment it was dispatched by the committees of the United Joint Stock in 1654 for a voyage to the Coromandel Coast and Maccassar [CHECK THIS VOYAGE HAPPENED]. In its second deployment by the Company, it was dispatched in March 1655 to the Cormandel Coast with bullion, to be invested there in cloth to be sent to Maccassar, returning first to Plymouth in mid-1656, and then to London. Before the ship's departure in early 1655 its owners were described as "Mr. [?Alexander] Bence, Captain Piches, Captain Manyard [Maynard], ... Mr. Bowyer." In July 1657, following its return reference was made in the court minutes to "Alderman Richard Hill and the other owners of the Three Brothers. The second return voyage from the Coast, made during the period when the Company's monopoly was been suspended, carried a subatntial amount of private freight for its owners. When again offered again for charter by the English East India Company in November 1657, the Three Brothers was described as a ship of 250 tons.

Add paragraph on Alexander Bence the elder's involvement in Irish plantation

Alexander Bence the elder was well connected with to parliamentarians, serving as an M.P. in the Commons, as did his brother, Squire Bence. Furthermore, in 1646 he was nominated as a commissioner of the navy.

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Suggested links

See Alexander Bence of Aldeburghe will
See John Bence will
See Sir Alexander Bence will (known as Alexander Bence the younger)

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To do

(1) Examine Chancery documents involving Bence

(2) Explore whether Alexander Bence the elder was involved in trade with Guinea and with Caribbean islands, and whether slaving was part of the Brazil Company trading activities

(3) Examine Squire Bence's will (Alexander Bence the elder's brother) to look for evidence of his (and Alexander the elder's) commercial activities

(4) Seek to identify owners of the Society, chartered by the English East India Company, in addition to Alexander Bence

(5) Explore which commercial partners Alexander bence the elder was involved with in his plantation of Ireland

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Transcription

This transcription has been completed, but requires checking

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN The Thirtieth day of September in the yeare of our Lord god according to the Computacion of the Church of England one Thousand six hundred fiftie and Nyne I Alexander Bence the elder of London esquire being at present sicke and weake in body but of a perfect good and sound disposeing mynd & memory All laud praise and glory be given to the Lord for the same And considereing death is most certaine, but the tyme when most incertaine And to the end & intent to be the better prepared and settled and to take my mynd clearely and wholly off from this world and all things to me relating in the same And that I may be the stronger fortified for and to encounter death whensoever the same to call me thereunto out f this transitory life and vayle of miserie wherein I now live And that with the wise birgins spoken of in the gospell I may continually be provided with oyle in my Lampe Soe that I may prepared to meete the sweete Bridgegroome of my Soule Christ Jesus And that with Mary I choose the better part which shall never be taken from mee And then come Lord Jesus come quickly I doe therefore make declare and publish this my testament in writeing to be my last will and testament in manner and forme following

That is to say and principally I commend my soule to Almighty god my Creator and redeemer hopeing and stedfastly beleeving by and through the most precious death passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ his only sonne and my alone Saviour to have full pardon and forgiveness of all my sinnes and to transgressions And by the attournment that he hath made with the father for me for the same have everlasting life in the kingdome of heaven amongst the elect of his and my body I doe committ to the earth from whence it came in hope and assurance of a Joyfull resurrection at the last day and to be buried in such decent ??sorte and manner as by my executors in this my said will hereafter named shall in theire wisdomes be thought meete and convenient

And as touching my personall Estate And of all and every my goods Chattells plate rings Jewells householdstuffe Implements of householdstuffe movables and Immovables debts and creditts And all and singular other my oersonall estate whatsoever I have or shalbe possessed of, or that doth of right to me belong or shall to XXXX at the tyme of my death appertayne I doe will give and dispose of the same in manner and forme following That is to say

IMPRIMIS I give and bequeath to my deare and truly beloved wife RACHELL BENCE the somme of twenty pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid unto her at the end of six monethes tyme next and ymediately after my death and from thence next ensueing and fully to be compleate and ended

ITEM I give and bequeath to my daughter Anne now wife of Edward Bridgwood of London merchant the somme of tenne pounds of like lawfull money of England to be oaid unto her at the said end of six moneths next and ymediatly after my decease

ITEM I give and bequeath to the said Edward Bridgwood my now sonne in law the somme of forty shillings to buy him a ring with all to be paid unto him at the said end of six moneths next ymediaty after my said decease

ITEM I give and bequeath unto Rachell Bence the younger my grandchild and daughter of John Bence of London merchant sonne
And

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And heire apparent of me the said Alexander Bence thelder the somme of tenne pounds of lawfull money of England to be paid unto my said sonne John Bence for her life at the said end of six moneths next and ymediatly after my said death

ITEM I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Upton one other of my grandchildren the like somme of tenne poundes of like lawfull money of England to be paid unto John Upton of London esquire her father for her use at the said end of six moneths next and ymediatly after my said decease

ITEM I give and bequeath unto the said John Upton my now sonne in lawe the some of fortie shillings of like lawfull money of England to be paid unto him also at the said end of six moneths next and ymediatly after my said decease

ITEM I will and appoint my said executors hereafter named to pay or cause to be paid the said severall and respective legacies aforesaid and all and every of them unto the severall and respective Legatees above named or to or for their use or uses according to the directions of my said will, and at the tyme hereby lymitted and appointed for payment thereof respectively in case the said Legatees shalbe then living or to soe many of the said legatees as shalbe living at the tyme hereby lymitted and appoynted for payment thereif But if the said Rachell Bence my said wife Anne Bridgwood Edward Bridgwood Rachell Bence the younger and the said Elizabeth Upton and John Upton the said legatees above named or all every or any of them shall happen to dye and depart this naturall life before the said tyme lymitted and hereby appoynted for payment of their said severall and respective legacies as is aforesaid respectively that then the said respective Legacie or Legacies of him her them or any of them as shall dye and departe this naturall life shall remayne and be to my said executors and to and for their euse benefitt and behoofe and to and for other use intent or purpose whatsoever any thing in this presents conteyned to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding

ITEM my mynd and will is that all and every singular the Articles covennants and agreements had made done committed or suffered & executed betweene me and my said loving wife Rachell Bence upon my intermarriage had with her or other wise whatsoever and wherein I am in any wise conveived or which on my parte and behalfe ought to bee observed performed fullfilled and kept Be by my said executors fully wholy and amply observed performed fulfilled and kept to all intents and purposes whatsoever according to the tenor purport and true meaning of the same and of all and every singular the covenants articles and agreements made had done committed suffered and executed betweene me and the said Edward Bridgwood upon his intermarriage had with my said daughter Anne his now wife or otherwise whatsoever and where in I am conceived or which on my parte and behalfe ought to be observed performed fulfilled and kept Be by my said exececutors fully wholy and amply observed performed fulfilled and kept to all intents and purposes whatsoever according to the tenor purporte and true meaning of the same and of all and every the parties thereunto respectively

ITEM for all and singular other my personall estate of what nature quallitie or condicon soever the same bee eyther herein England or in any other parte or place elsewhere whatsoever or wheresoever, which I may or shalbe possessed off, or that of right to and at the tyme of my death doe or shall to mee in any wise belong or appertayne (my last debts and legacies aforesaid, and the said articles covenants and agreements in this my will menconned to be made betweene me and the parties abovesaid or all every or any of them and my funerall rights and expences and all other expences and charges whatsoever incident to the same and to this my will first being paid performed and made good out thereof) I
doe

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doe give and bequeath will and dispose of to the said John Bence and Alexander Bence the younger They being both of them my deare and loving sonnes That is to say To my said Sonne John Bence and his assignes two parts in three that is to saye two third parts of all and every my said personall Estate to be devided after Apprizement made thereof And to my said Sonne Alexander Bence and his assignes one portion there, that is to say one third parte of all and every my said personall estate to be alsoe devided after Apprizement made thereof or withut apprizeing the same as my sxaid sonnes shall thinke fit and agree And for all and singular every my messuages lands tenements houses and hereditaments whatsoever as well freehold and coppyhold mannors Royalties Courts Leets Courts Barron ??peine of ffrankpledge Perquisits of Courts and all the rights members priviledges and ?immunities to the same belonging or in any wise appertayning of me the said Alexander Bence the elder whatsoever scituate and being in Aldbrough Haslewood and ffreestone or all every or any of them in the County of Suffolk together with all and Singualr every other the messuages lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever aswell Freehold as Coppyhold of me the said Alexander Bence thelder scituate and being in every or any other the County or Counties Towne or Townes Citty or Cittie or in any other oarte or place or parts or places whatsoever or wheresoever within the Common Weale of England or Wales or within all every or any the premises of Territories of the same or any of them with their and every of their rights members Privilidges and appurtenances whatsoever to them or any of them in any wise belonging or appertayning I doe hereby give bequeath devise and dispose of the same and all and every of them together withall and every of their and every of their rights members and appurtenances unto my said Sonne John Bence his heires and assignes forever

ITEM for all and singular every my messuage lands tenements houses and hereditaments whatsoever aswell freehold as coppyhold Mannors Royalties Courts Leete Courts Baron HXXXX of ffranckpledge perquisits of Courts and all the Rights members privilidges and immunities whatsoever to the same belonging or in any wise appertayning of me the said Alexander Bence thelder scituate and being within the provnince or continent of Teperarera, within the precincts and Territories of Ireland or all every or any of them, together with all and singular every other the messuages lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever as well freehold as coppyhold of me the said Alexander Bence thelder scituate and being in all every or any other the Countie or Counties Towne or Townes Cittie or Cittyes or in any other part or place whatsoever or wheresoever within the said territories and Common weale of Ireland or within all every or any of them with their and every of theire rights members and appurtenances whatsoever to them or any of theire rights members and appurtenances whatsoever to them or any of them belonging or in any wise appertayning I doe hereby give dispose of bequeath and devise the same and all and every of them together with there and every of their rights members and appurtenances unto my said sonne Alexander Bence his heires and assignes forever Provided nevertheles and upon condiccon that my said Sonnn Alexander Bence shall at the propper costs and charges in the lawe of my said sonne John Bence or his assignes peaceably and quietly yeild up and surrender all the right interest clayme and demand whatsoever of him the said Alexander Bence my said sonne his heires or assignes which he now hath or claymeth or pretendeth to have or clayme or that upon or after the death of me the said Alexander Bence the wlder he the said Alexander Bence the yonger my said sonne his heires or assignes or all every or any of them may might have or claime in and to all every or any of my coppyhold lands mannors or customary lands whatsoever eyther in Aldbrough Haslewood or ??ffrreestone aforesaid
in

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In the said Countie of Suffolk elsewhere in any other the County or Counties Cittie or Citties Towne or Townes or in any other parte or palce or parts or places within the Common Weale of England and Wales or within the p:rcincts and Territories of them or eyther any or every of them And by my said will before devised and given to my said sonne John Bence his heires and assignes in manner and forme as aforesaid whether the said Alexander Bence my Sonne doth or may clayme or intitle himselfe unto the same now or after my death eyther by custome of the Mannor on which the said Coppyhold lands and premisses aforesaid or every of them or any of them are held, or by any other XXXX or wayes whatsoever of in and to the same or of in and to all and every or any parte or parcel thereof with all and singular and every of their rights members and appurtenances whatsoever unto my said sonne John Bence his heires and assignes And that my said sonne Alexander Bence shall suffer and permitt the said John Bence upon reasonable request to him on that behalfe made and at the propper costs and charges in the Lawe of him the said John Bence his heires & assignes or of some or one of them to be admitted and to take up the said coppihold lands and all and every of them and all and singular other the premisses and customary lands hereby devised as is aforesaid to him the said John Bence his heires and assignes forever according to the purporte and true intent and meaning of this my said will without any the XXXX trouble lett molestacon hinderance or interrupcon whatsoever of him the said Alexander Bence my said sonne or any other person or persons clayming by from or under him And that my said Sonne John Bence may peaceably hold and enioy the same to him and his heires and assignes forever according to the ciûstome or customes of the Mannor or Mannors of which the same are held of And under the rents and services for the same to the Lord or Lords of the fee or fees as the same shall grow due and of right accustomed And that my said sonne Alexander Bence his heires and assignes and all and evey of them shall for and dureing the space of seaven yeares next and ymediatly after my death doe suffer and execute or cause to be done suffred and executed all and every such reasonable acte or actes thing or things devize or devizes assuance and assurances in the lawe for the better assureing surety and sure making of all and singular the said coppyhold lands wherein the Tytle of him the said Alexander Bence the younger is or may be converned eyther by the custome of the mannor as ?heire to the same or by any othe rwayes or meanes whatsoever unto him the said John Bence his heires and assignes forever Bee the same by surrender or surrenders Admittance or admittances or by all and every the said wayes aor by and other lawfull wayes or meanes whatsoever as by him the said John Bence his heires and assignes shalbe thought fitt or by his or their councell learned in the Lawe shalbe reasonably devised advised or required And my will & absolute mynde alsoe is that my said sonne Alexander Bence shall doe and performe all and signular every the contents of this ?provisoe and all the matter and things herein conteyned according to the purport and true intent and meaning of the same And if it shall happen, That my said sonne Alexander Bence the younger his heires or assignes or every or any of them shall reduse and deny to performe fulfill observe and keepe all and every the matters and things in the said Provisoe menconned and all and every of them unto him the said John Bence as is aforesaid upon reasonable request to him on that behalfe made by the said John Bence his heires and assignes) and doe not nor shall not surrender and yeild up the said coppyhold lands aforesaid and all and every of the same according to my will and ??desires &
according

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according to the trrue meaning of the same Then my will and mynd is that the said lands in this my will given and bequeathed to my said sonne Alexander Bence the yonger scituate in Ireland or in any part or place belonging to the same or in the precincts of territory thereof as aforesaid shall remayne abd bee And I doe hereby give bequeath devise and dispose of the same and all and every of them with their and every of their appurtenances unto my said sonne John Bence his heires and assignes forever Any thing in this my said will to the contrary therof conteyned in any wise notwithstanding And for ?then my will and mynde is That if my said sonne Alexander Bence the yonger his heires or assignes doe suffer ?observe performe keepe and execute all and every the matters and things in the provisoe avovesaid contayned and w:th on his and their or any of their parts and behalfs ought to be observed performed kept and executed and shal and willa ccording to the true intent and meaning of the same surrender and yeild up the said coppyhold lands aforesaid and all and evey of them to my said sonne John Bence hisheires and assignes That then and upon his surrendering and yeilding up the same my said sonne John Bence his heires andassignes shall doe suffer and execute or cause to be done suffered and executed all and every such lawfull Acte or Acts thing or things devize or devizes conveyance or conveyances assurance or assurances in the lawe for the better assureing suretie and sure making of all and singular my said lands in Ireland afofresaid with their and every of their appurtenances, and fo the true and absolute warranting or warrantie of the same and all and evey of them against him the said John Bence his heires and assignes and all persons clayming or pretending to clayme by from or under him them or any of them Be the same by deed or deeds Feoffment or Feoffments fyne or fynes with double or single Vouchee or Vouchees release confirmacon or otherwise or by all every or any of the said wayes or by any other lawfull wayes or meanes whatsoever as my said sonne Alexander Bencde his heires ans assignes shall thinke fitt or as by his or their councell learned in the law shalbe reasonably devised asvised or required And the same conveyances and assurances and all and every of them to bee soe had made executed suffered and done at the propper costs and charges in the lawe of him the said Alexander Bence ms said sonne his heires and assignes to the end that my sad sonne Alexander Bence may peaceably hold and enioye the same without any the lett suite molestaccon Eviction trouble or incumbrance whatsoever of my said sonne John Bence as heire at lawe to my said lands in Ireland and by this my will and under the Provisoe abovesaid soe given and bequeathed to my said sonne Alexander Bence as is aforesaid And my will and mynd is that the contents of the said Provisoe being by my said sonne Alexander Bence performed according to the tenor and true meaning of the same, that my said sonne John doe performe and transferre all his right and tytle to my said lands in Ireland according to the true intent and meaning of this my said will, And if my said sonne John Bence shall refuse and denye soe to doe Then my will and mynd is that my said sonne Alexander Bence shall have and enioy my said coppyhold and customary lands to which he is in any wise Intituled eyther by the custome of the mannor or otheriwse to him and his heyres and assignes forever any matter clause or thing whatsoever in this my will contayned to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding And I doe hereby intreate and enioyne my said sonnes John Bene and Alexander Bence that they will observe and performe fulfill and keepe all and singular every the matters things clauses Provisoes and other things here in this my said will contayned all and every of them according to the true intent and meaning of the same (not in the least questioning their filial and dutifull respects towards
mee

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mee touching the same And I doe hereby my said will constitute ordayne make & appoint my said sonnes John Bence and Alexander Bence my full and sole executors of this my said last will and testament And I doe hereby renounce revoke desanull and make voyd all former or other wills guifts codicills & legacies by me heretofore made or given whatsoever And this my said will to stand and abide in full forme and vertue and to be accepted reputed and taken for and as my last willm and soe to be construed to all intents and purposes Whatsoever

IN WITNES whereof I the said Alexander Bence have hereinto set my hand and seale to this my said last will and testament being written and contayned in three sheets of large paper (commonly called paper Royall) and affixed together at the Topp thereof with partchment and my seale put there upon and my name written at the lower end of each sheete with the hand of me the said Alexander Bence thelder the day and yeare above written

ALEX: BENCE:

By the said Alexander Bence thelder signed sealed published declared and delivered for his last will and testament in the presence of Thomas ?Sheirelesse Thomas ??Deerabs

PROBATUM xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

There is also latin text in the bottom LH margin, dated 1663, which I have not transcribed

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Notes

East Indies trade

"[February 12, 1655] A letter from Messrs. Curtis and Chambers is read, in which they report that the Three Brothers doth spring a leake 36 inches in 24 houres ' and the mariners refuse to go to sea in her until this defect is remedied ; they therefore desire the Company's order how to secure their treasure. Mr. Bence, Captain Piches, Captain Manyard, and a gentleman on behalf of Mr. Bowyer, owners of the said ship, being present declare they have received like information, Captain Parker reporting the refusal of the men to hoist the sails at command until the leak is stopped. The owners desire leave to put her into Portsmouth or Dover for repair; they are told that the Company will make no new agreement but expects them to stand to their charterparty and bill of lading. Sambrooke is directed how to answer the letter from Mr. Curtis."

"[February 1, 1658] Captain Read having bought the Smyrna Merchant and knowing that she was formerly hired by Alderman Temms, he inquires upon what terms, and being told, he is satisfied and promises to fulfil his bargain. Alexander Bence, one of the owners of the Society, lets that ship to the Company to freight to Surat.

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Portuguese/Brazilian trade

Richard, Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince, John, King of Portugal.

Most Serene and Potent Prince, our
Friend and Confederate ;

ALthough there are many things which we are bound to impart by writing to a King our Friend, and in strict Confederacy with our Republick, yet there is nothing which we ever did more willingly, than what we do at this present, by these our Letters to congratulate this last Victory, so glorious to the Kingdom of Portugal, obtain'd against our common Enemy the Spaniard. By which, how great an Advantage will accrue not only to your own, but to the Peace and Repose of all Europe, and that perhaps for many Years, there is no body but understands. But there is one thing more, wherein we must acknowledg your Majesty's Juftice, the most certain pledg of Victory ; That Satisfaction has been given by the Commissioners appointed at London, according to the 24th Article of the League, to our Merchants, whose Vessels were hir'd by the Brasile Company. Only there is one among 'em still remaining, Alexander Bence of London Merchant, whose Ship called the Three Brothers, John Wilks Master, being hir'd and laden, and having performed two Voyages for the said Company, yet still they refuse to pay him his Wages according to their Covenants ; when the rest that only perform'd single Voyages are already paid. Which why it should be done, we cannot understand, unless those People think, in their Judgment, that Person more worthy of his Hire, who did 'em only single Service, than he who earn'd his Wages twice. We therefore earnestly request your Majesty, that Satisfaction may be given for his Service truly perform'd, to this same single Alexander, to whom a double Stipend is due ; and that by virtue of your Royal Authority you would prefix the Brasile Company as short a day as may be, for the payment of his just due, and repairing his losses ; seeing that their Delays have been the occasion that the Loss suftain'd by the Merchant has very near exceeded the Money it self which is owing for his Wages. So God continue your Majefty's prosperous Successes againft the common Enemy.

From our Court at Weftminster,
Feb. 23. 1658."

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"That the Portuguese government had good reason to complain of Garland's behaviour, can be seen from the following reference to this affair in a letter from Thomas Maynard, at Lisbon dated 4 November 1661. He explains that the ship Alexander of London, Nicholas Garland, master (who died on the voyage) was freighted by Messrs Parker and Bence of London ..."

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"[October 2, 1663] The Deputy having procured a letter of credit from Alexander Bence to Thomas Bird at Lisbon, to be taken to Madeira for supply of wines to the American, the same being for the Company's use, order is given for the Deputy to be indemnified."

Spanish trade

Add an example or two

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The Morocco Company

"Sept. 11. (1661) 170. Grant to the Duke of York, Lord Willoughby of Parham, Col. Wm. Legg, and Tho. Culling, Alexander Bence, Robert Starre, John Lewis, and Philip Payne, of London, merchants, of all regions, countries, and territories from Cape Blanco, situate in 20° N. lat., on the continent of Africa, unto 2 leagues to the northwards of Sallee, lying in 34° N. lat., on the north part of Africa, bordering on the Atlantic Sea, and of the free trade thereof for 31 years, rendering two gold ducats when his Majesty shall arrive in said dominions ; incorporating them by the name of the Morocco Company, and giving them license yearly to deduct 1,500l. out of the customs for all merchandise exported thence and brought into his Majesty's dominions towards erecting and maintaining fortifications. [Dom., Chas. II., Docquets.]"

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Possible primary sources

TNA

C 5/416/62 Jaggard v. Bence: Sussex, &c. 1656

C 6/184/13 Short title: Benzee v Bence. Plaintiffs: John Baptista Benzee and John Bueno Guipponi. Defendants: Sir Alexander Bence kt, John Penrice, Richard Adams, Robert Shaw, Alexander Milborne, Dame Jane Mico and others. Subject: money matters. Document type: bill, answer. 1669
C 6/187/19 Short title: Benzee v Bence. Plaintiffs: John Baptista Benzee and John Bueno. Defendants: Sir Alexander Bence kt, John Penrice, Richard Adams and Robert Shawe. Subject: money matters. Document type: answer only. 1669
C 6/599/63 Short title: Corsellis v Bence. First plaintiff: Corsellis. Defendants: Bence. Document type: bill only. [1649-1714]

C 10/2/55 Walter Garfoot and Elizabeth his wife, and Francis Comyn and Mary his wife v Thomas Jaggard and Elizabeth his wife, Alexander Bence and Bence Johnson: personal estate of Bence Johnson, deceased, of Limehouse, Middx. Bill, answer and schedule 1649
C 10/5/55 Walter Garfoot and Elizabeth his wife, and Francis Comyn and Mary his wife v Bence Johnson and Elizabeth Jaggard: Aldeburgh, etc, Suffolk. Two answers 1650

C 22/589/3 Bence v. Micklethwaite. Between 1558 and 1714
C 22/1050/26 Bence v. Nicklethwaite Between 1558 and 1714

• See PROB 11/385 Lloyd 136-181 Will of Nathaniel Micklethwaite, Merchant of Saint Katherine Coleman Street, City of London 06 December 1686

E 115/50/30 Certificate of residence showing Alexander Bence to be liable for taxation in Middlesex, and not in (county unknown), the previous area of tax liability. (Any information not given in this certificate comes from its old pouch, no 2569.) 1642
E 214/380 Parties: Governor, Wardens, Assistants and Fellows of the Society of Coal Merchants trading to Newcastle, Sunderland, Blyth, Nook and Berwick, and Thomas Horth, Squyer Bence, Edmund Morgan and others (named) Charles I Place or Subject: Surrender of Letters Patent of 2 July 14 Charles I, incorporating the Society and licencing them to purchase coal; and of deed of the same date whereby the Society covenanted to supply coal to the cities of London and Westminster and their suburbs at a fixed price. 5 May 1641

PROB 11/121 Capell 1-65 Will of Alexander Bence, Merchant of Aldeburgh, Suffolk 25 February 1613
PROB 11/207 Fairfax 1-57 Will of Squire Bence of Aldborough, Suffolk 23 February 1649
PROB 11/311 Juxon 52-102 Will of Alexander Bence of London 14 July 1663
PROB 11/310 Juxon 1-51 Will of Edmund Bridgwood, English Merchant of Lisbon, Kingdom of Portugal 15 January 1663 [?Related to Edward Bridgwood of London merchant, Alexander Bence's son-in-law]
PROB 11/385 Lloyd 136-181 Will of Rachell Bence, Widow of London 08 December 1686
PROB 11/381 Cann 108-165 Will of William Upton, Factor of London 08 October 1685
PROB 11/398 Dyke 1-44 Will of John Upton of City of London 24 January 1690

SP 94/43 Alex. Bence to the Council of State. 1652 Jan. 6 & 1652 Feb. 26 & 1652 Mar. 7

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Possible secondary sources

Keeler, Mary Frear (?ed.), The Long Parliament, 1640-1641: a biographical study of its members (XXXX, 1954)

- Profiles one or more members of the Bence family. Need to look at a physical copy