The Descent of the Manor of Stockton. 273 
the executors, John Priaulx, D.D., Richard Hill, Clerk, Rector of 
East Knoyle, Benjamin Gifford, of Boreham, Co. Wilts, and John 
Johnson, of the Close, Sarum: registered C.P.C. “ Bruce,” fo. 12. 
«* Mrs. Frances Mervin,” his wife’s sister, was likewise buried in the 
Cathedral Chureh, December 9th, 1662, in the body of the Church, on 
the north side. By her will, dated at Christ Church, Oxford, December 
1st, 1662, she gave the residue of her estate to her loving brother, 
Edward Mervin, and appointed her beloved brother, Dr. William 
Creed, and her good friend, Mr. John Johnson, Register of the 
Close, in Sarum, executors, desiring them to call in the money in 
the hands of her honored uncle, Edward Topp, of Stockton, Co. 
Wilts, Esq. Administration granted January 18th, 1666-7 to 
Edward Mervin, the brother, both the executors being deceased : 
will registered C.P.C. ‘‘ Carr,” fo. 8. 
John Toppe (V.) sueceeded his father at Stockton. He had 
matriculated, December 11th, 1612, at Hart Hall, Oxford, as “ Wilts 
gen’ fil? xt. 16,” and was admitted B.A., June 22nd, 1615, from 
“Hart Hall, arm’ fil’ n. m.” On July Ist the same year he ob- 
tained licence from congregation to read in the Bodleian (Regist. 
Univ. Oxon, Oxfd. Hist. Soe.). He was “of Lincoln’s Inn, et. 
26” in 1623. He married Elizabeth, daughter and coheiress of Sir 
Thomas Hamon, of Brasted, Co. Kent, Knight, with a portion, as it 
would appear, of £5500, besides lands. Her sister, the other co- 
heiress, married Thomas, son of Hugh Browker (Visitations, Surrey 
and Middlesex). John Toppe’s will, dated December 10th, 1638, was 
proved by Edward Toppe, his brother and executor, March 13th, 
1639-40. He desires to be buried in the churchyard of Stockton, 
and not in the Church: he gives £20 for communion plate: £1000 
for some charitable use in Co. Wilts, or at Oxford University, at 
the discretion of his dear friends, Sir Henry Ludlowe, Kt., Dr. 
Alex. Hide, Thomas Hooper, of Bovington, Esq., his uncle, William 
Lavington, Esq., counsellor-at-law, and Alexander Toppe, his uncle : 
it was to be “to the honor of God and contynuance of the work 
against bribery and corruption fatall mothers and cankers of pious 
devotes in Church and Commonwealth ”: disputes were to be 
regulated by the Bishop of Sarum and Thomas, Lord Coventry, 
