274 The Descent of the Manor of Stockton. 
Keeper of the Great Seal, “whom I have long and carefully ob- 
served to be an Oracle of Light and goodness, and by that mediation 
onely (having noe way merited) doe humbly entreat his Lordship’s 
favor.” Testator’s poor kindred were to be first regarded, then men 
of Wiltshire, particularly of Stockton and Codford St. Mary. How 
the design was carried into effect will be seen in Wilts Arch. Mag., 
vol. xii. There are very numerous bequests to friends and relatives : 
certain lands were to go with the entailed property to his brother, 
John, and the residue to his brother, Edward. Richard Smith 
records his death in his “ obituary ” (Camden Soe.), March 13th, 
1639-40. “ M* Topp, who married M* Elizabeth, daughter of Sir 
Thomas Hamond, died. He gave a legacie to my brother Walter.” 
The inquisition on his death was taken 18th August, 16 Charles, at 
Salisbury, whereby it was found that he had died March 13th last 
past before the date of the inquisition, that Elizabeth, his wife, 
survived him, and that John Toppe was his brother and next heir, 
aged, at the time of the death of the deceased, thirty-eight years 
and more. His real estate consisted of the following particulars :— 
I, Lands of which he was seized for life with remainder to the 
heirs male of his body, with remainder to the heirs male of his 
father, with remainder to his own right heirs; (1) the Manor of 
Stockton, in Stockton and East Codford, with view of frankpledge 
and free warren, a capital messuage and eleven virgates of meadow 
and pasture in Stockton, called Giffords Farlowes and Ludlowes. 
(2) Two and a half perches of land in Stockton, on the road from 
Stockton to East Codford, lately bought of John Hooper. (8) 
Cottage garden and orehard in Stockton. (4) Messuage, cottage 
garden, orchard, and half acre of land in Stockton, called Kellawayes 
Tenement, lately bought of Henry Kellawayes, Esq., Robert Kella- 
wayes, and Sir Edward Warder. (5) Four acres in west fields of 
Stockton, called Irish Mens Landes, bought of Thomas Mompesson, 
gent, (6) Six shillings quit rent issuing from capital messuage and 
seven virgates of land, meadow and pasture, of Christopher Potticary, 
gent., in Stockton, called Eyres Landes. (7) Four shillings and. 
five pence half-penny quit rent from messuage and land of the said 
Christopher Potticary, in Stockton, called Pipers. (8) Two 
