John Fardon, Constable of Hailes : oath of allegiance to George I

The first John Fardon’s claim to fame was as Constable of Hailes. There is a document (Gloucestershire Records Office reference Q/A94) containing a record of the events of the Epiphany Court sessions at Gloucester “Ano [sic] 2 Georgii Re[gis] 1715" (ie in the second year of King George, 1715). Part of this concerns oaths of allegiance to King George I, who ascended the throne the previous year, and it lists those swearing allegiance. The oaths were sworn at Gloucester on 10th January, and then at various places in the county. John Fardon, “Constable of Hayles” was recorded (page 494 of the document) as one of those swearing the oath at Beckford on 16th January.

The list of names is headed:

The names of those who took the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy to His Majesty King George, and the Abjuration Oath, pursuant to the Statute made in the first year of the present Majesty’s reign, instituted an Act for the further security of His Majesty’s person and Governt, and the succession of the Crown in the heirs of the late Princess Sophia, being Protestants, and for extinguishing the hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales and his open and secret abettors, at this Epiphany Sessions held at Gloucester the 10th day of January 1715

The Will of John Fardon

In ye name of God Amen. I John Fardon of Hails in ye county Gloucester being aged but of sound and perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testimony in manner and form following:

First I commend my soul into ye hands of Almighty God hoping through ye Merits and Mercy of my Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ to inherit everlasting life. And my body I commit to ye earth to be buried at ye Discretion of my Executors hereafter named in hopes of a joyful Resurrection. And my worldly goods, horses, cattle and money I dispose of in manner following:

Imprimis. I give and bequeath to my son John Fardon ten shillings, and also forgive him what is and shall be due to me for ye Board of him and his maidservant eight years ye third of May next.

Item. I give unto my son James Fardon ten shillings and to my grandson John and my granddaughter Elizabeth Fardon five shillings each.

Item. I give unto my daughter Hannah Burford ten shillings and to my granddaughter Anne and to my grandson Henry and to my granddaughter Mary Burford five shillings each.

And I do constitute and appoint my loving wife Anne Fardon and my son Richard Fardon joint Executors of this my last will and Testament revoking all Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this twenty seventh day of January in ye year of our Lord 1742-3.

Signed, sealed and delivered [signed] John Fardon

in ye presence of

[signed] Joseph Callow,

[signed] Edmund East.

19th May 1743

The mark of Mary South

The above named Richard Fardon one of the Executors was sworn before me [signed] N Weston Surrogate

This will was proved the 19th day of May in the year of our Lord 1743 before the Worshipful Sir Henry Penrice Knight Doctor of Law Vicar General in Spirituals and of the Right Reverend Fathers in God Martin by Divine permission Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Gloucester and of his Episcopal Consistory Official Principal lawfully constituted by Richard Fardon son and one the executors and so forth to whom and so forth having first sworn well & faithfully Adminstor to the said Will and also to exhibit an Inventory and render an account and so forth.