A view of Devonshire in MDCXXX, with a pedigree of most of its gentry online

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VIEW



OP



DEVONSHIRE

IN MDCXXX,



WITH



A PEDIGREE OF MOST OF ITS GENTRY,



BY



THOMAS WESTCOTE, GENT.



EDITED BY



THE REV. GEORGE OLIVER, D. D.,

AND

PITMAN JONES, ESQ.



EXETER:

WILLIAM ROBERTS, 197, HIGH-STREET.

1845.



risAACFOO'f'

[___USRARY_



EXETER ;
PRINTED BY WILLIAM ROBERTS; 197, HIGH-STREET.



TO

BALDWIN FULFORD, OF FULFORD, Esq.:

Sir,

Allow us to introduce to the Public, through your auspices,
the hitherto unpubhshed Works of Westcotk, namely, his " View op
Devonshire" and the "Pedigree of most of its Gentry." The supply
of this desideratum in the History of the County, after two centuries, will
be welcomed by a discerning Public, under the sanction and patronage
of one who inherits, as you do, the merits and virtues of a long Une
of Ancestors — who is justly regarded as the beau ideal of an English
Gentleman ; and who possesses the confidence, esteem, and respect of
all parties. That you may long adorn your sphere of usefulness, and
be hailed as the pride of Devonshire, and the dehght of your worthy
Family and numerous Friends and Admirers, is the hearty wish of us,
who have the honour to be

Yom- obhged Servants,

GEORGE OLIVER.
PITMAN JONES.
WILLIAM ROBERTS.



CONTENTS.



BOOK I.

CHAF. PAGE.

I. Whence Devonshire is said to take name, and the divers opinions thereof. . 19

II. When the Danmonian Province was severed, and the limits thereof 25

III. Of the extent and bounds of Danmonia 29

IV. Of the limits, hundreds, market towns, and parishes in the County of Devon 31

V. Of the temperature of the air, and the nature of the Inhabitants 33

VI. Of the soil, beasts, fowl, fishes, grain, and fruits 35

VII. The constitution, nature, and quality of the Inhabitants 42

VIII, Of the sundry degrees of the Inhabitants, and the distinction of their vocations 44

IX. The second degree is of Yeomanry and Husbandmen 48

X. Of the Merchant, which is the third degree 51

XI. Of the last degree, which is Day-Labourers in Tin-works, and Hirelings in

Husbandry 52

XII. Of the Commodities this Country yields, and of Agriculture and Husbandry 54

XIII. Of the second Commodity, of Clothing and Drapery 59

XIV. Of Mines and Quarries of Stone ; and of the several sorts of either of them 63

XV. Of Mariners, Shipping, and Fishing 67

XVI. The several Governments of this County distinguished : and first of the Ec-

clesiastical 69

XVII. Of the Martial Government, with the chief and other Commanders 71

XVIII. Of the Civil or Politic Government : being the third 73

XIX. Of the Admiralty and Government for Maritime and Sea Causes 75

XX. The Stannary Laws and Government which concern Tinners and Tin Causes 75

XXI. The description of the Forest of Dartmoor where Tin is mined 79

XXII. Of certain Tenants of the Forest called Fenfield-men 84

XXIII. Of the Forest of Exmoor 88

BOOK II.

I. An entrance into the East Division, together with the original and progress

of the River Exe 93

II. Of the Hundred of Bamptou, containing six Parishes 96

III. Of the Hundred of Tiverton, containing five Parishes 98



CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE.

IV. The Hundred of Halberton containeth three parishes 105

v. The progress of the River Culrae 112

VI. The original and progress of Greedy River 118

VII. Of Crediton and the Bishops thereof 120

VIII. Of the farther progress of the River Greedy, and the places adjacent 127

IX. Of the progress of the River Greedy to Cowley-Bridge, where it joins with Exe 131

X. Of the Antiquity and divers Names of the Gity of Exeter 135

XI. Of the Situation and Places worthy observation in this City 138

XII. Of the Dukes, Marquises, and Earls of Exeter 142

XIII. Of the Monasteries and Aims-Houses belonging to the City of Exeter 145

XIV. Of Bedford House and the noble Family of the Russells 147

XV. Of the Guildhall, Magistrates, and the several Corporations thereof 149

XVI. Of the Cathedral-Church of St. Peter's. — The antiquity and building thereof 153

XVII. Of the Bishops and other Dignitaries of the Church of Exeter 157

XVIII. The Bishops of Exeter after the Reformation 172

XIX. The Bishops of Exeter since the present Author's time unto this day, Oc-

tober 20th, 1695, by John Prince 176

XX. Of the Inferior Dignitaries of the Church of Exeter 180

XXI. The Monuments and Epitaphs in Saint Peter's Cathedral, Exon 182

XXII. An Epilogue or Conclusion on the View of Exeter 184

XXIII. Of the progress of the River Exe below Exeter 185

BOOK III.

I. Of the Circuit of the River Glyst 191

II. Of Powderham Castle and the Noble Family of Courtenay 200

III. A Catalogue of the Earls and Dukes of Devon before the Conquest 203

IV. Of the Earls of Devon after the Conquest, and First of Redvers 204

V. Of the right noble Family of the Courtenays, Earls of Devon . 208

VI. Of those other noble Families which have since been Earls of Devon .... 217

VII. Of Kenn, and some other places on the west side of the River Exe 218

VIII. Of places on the east side of the River Exe 223

IX. The Passage of the River Otter 224

X. Of Ottery St. Mary, and other places near it 229

XI. Of Colaton-Ralegh and Sir Walter Ralegh 236

XII. Of Budleigh Hundred in the East 240

XIII. Of Golyton Hundred and the Parishes adjacent to that Town 241

XIV. The Progress of the River Axe, and the Hundred of Axminster 245

XV. The Conclusion which should be the epiphonema of this Discovery 248

BOOK IV.

I. An entrance into the view and visit of the North Division 250

II. Of Comb-Martin and the Silver Mines there 252



CONTBNTS.

CHAP. PAGE.

III. Of Berry-Neibert, Bowdon, and Bishop Jewel 256

IV. Of Morthoe Tracy, and Mort-Stone 259

V. Of George-Ham and Pidickwell 263

VI. Of the River Taw, his spring and progress 265

VII, Of Affton and the Family of Stukely 270

VIII. Of Chulmleigh, and the Countess of Devon saving seven little Children

that were carrying to be drowned „, : . . 273

IX, Of Rings-Ash, with the original and course of the River Mole 276

X. Of Holland Botreaux, the Nymets, and other places near by 280

XI. Of the meeting of Mole and Taw, & their passage afterwards to Umberlegh 283

XII. Of Brightlegh and the Family of Giffard 286

XIII. Of Tawton-Bishop, Goodley, Newland, &c 289

XIV. Of Tawstock, and the noble Family of the Bourchiers, Earls of Bath 292

XV. Of the Borough of Barnstaple with the Description of the Town, with the

History of the Lord Audlegh 294

XVI. Of the progress of the River Yeo, of Chalacombe with the strange Burrows

therein, with some other neighbouring Parishes 300

XVII. Of Youlston and Ralegh, and the noble Family of the Chichesters 303

XVIII. Of Marwood and the Family of Westcote, with other Places and Families

in that tract 305

XIX. Of West-Down and the Hundred of Braunton 308

XX. The origin and course of the River Torridge, with Hercules-Promontory. . 311

XXI. Of the progress of the River Torridge, and the most eminent places near its

first original, as Putford, and the Hundred of Shebbear 315

XXII. Of the Hundred of Black-Torrington and places adjoining 317

XXIII. Of the progress of the River Okement, and of Okehampton 321

XXIV. Of Iddesleigh, Winkleigh, and other places in the way to Torrington .... 324

XXV. Of Torrington, and therein of the potent Families of RoUe, Barry, &c 327

XXVI. Of Monkley, and the Family of Hankford 331

XXVII. Of Buckland- Brewer, Parkham, Bideford, & the noble Family of Grenville 335

XXVIII. Of Westleigh, Northam, Kenith Castle, and Abbotsham 341

XXIX. Of the Island of Lundy, lying near this county, in the Severn Sea 343

XXX. The Conclusion of this Northern Journey 345

BOOK V.

I. The origin and progress of the River Tawmeer (Tamar) 346

II. Of Tamerton, Collacombe, and the Family of Tremayn 352

III. The origin of the River Lyil of Lydford, his antiquities and present state. . 355

IV. Of Trenchard-Lew, Marystow, Lifton, & other places in our way to Tavistock 361

V. Of the progress of the River Tavy, & of the Borough & Abbey of Tavistock 365

VI, Of the progress of the Tamar to the town of Plymouth by Buckland, Beer,

Tamerton, &c 372



CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE.

VII. Of Plymouth : and therein of Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins. . 376

VIII. Of the progress of the River Plym, & its issue at Plympton, Plymstock, &c. 383

IX, The origin and progress of the River Yealm, his issue and neighbours .... 388

X. The River Arme, (Erme,) and the progress thereof 390

XL Of Kingston, R ingmore, Ugborough, and other places in our way to Kings-
bridge and near those parts 396

XII. Of Stokenham, Black-Awton, and other places near there about 400

XIII. The River Dart's proceeding, and what places he passeth by 403

XIV. The Antiquity and Description of Totnes . 409

XV, Of Ashprington, Brixham, Greenway, (and there of the ancient Family of

Gilbert,) and other places in our way to Dartmouth 419

XVI. The Port-town of Dartmouth, Paignton, Torr, and Cockington ; with the

noble Family of Gary 424

XVII, Of Chagford, Drewsteignton, Gidlegh; with the noble Family of Prouz . . 429
XVIII. Of Cheriton, Dunsford, Bridford, Dunchideock, Ashton, and other places in

our way to Chudleigh 434

XIX. Of Chudleigh, Bovey, Newton, Ogwell, and Haccombe; wherein of the

noble Family of Carew; with some other places and families 437

XX, Of Combinteignhead, the Teigntons, Teignmouth, Dawlish, and Mamhead 441
Author's Apology 446



PEDIGREE.



P.iGE,

Ameredith of Crediton and Slapton . . 596

Arscot of Arscot 489

Arscot of Annery 490

Arscot of Tidwell 490

Arscot of Holsworthy 490

Arscot of Tetcot 491

Arundell of Talvern 476

Arundell of Lanhern 477

Ashford of Ashford 481

Atwill of Kenton and Mamhead .... 612

Babington of Knoll 473

Bampfield of Poltimore 491

Barry of Winscot 556

Basset of Umberlegh 485

Battishill of Westwyke 540

Bear of Hunsham 461

Beaumout of Gittesham 498

Becket 458



PAGE,

Becket in Menwynyk 459

Bennet of Chudleigh 619

Berry of Croscombe 496

Berry of Berry-Nerber 497

Berry of Barley 497

Bishop of Choldash 557

Bluet of Holcombe-Rogus 512

Bodleigh (alias Bodley) of Dunscombe 499

Bonvile of Comb-Ralegh 465

Bourchier, Earl of Bath 460

Bowerman of Hemyock 518

Broughton of Warbrightleigh 632

Brown of Brownlarsh 589

Budokeside of Budokeside 465

BuUon, Earl of Ormond & Wiltshire 482

Burgoin of South-Tawton 476

Burgoin of Bideford 551

Burneby of Burneby . . 494



CONTENTS.



Bury (alias Berry) of Berry-Nerber 495

Bury (alias Berry) of Coleton 496

Butler, Earl of Ormond and Wiltshire 483

Callard of Callard 582

Calwodeley of Calwodeley 514

Gary of Castle-Cary 507

Gary of Hunsdon 509

Gary of Gockington 510

Gary of Clovelly 510

Garew of East Anthony 528

Carwithen of Carwithen, &c 552

Challons 614

Charles of Moreton and Tavistock . . 541

Cheyney of Pinhoe 518

Ghichester, Viscount Carrickfergus . . 608

Ghichester of Ralegh 604

Ghichester of Arlington 607

Ghichester of Hall 608

Ghichester of Widworthy 609

Ghudleigh of Ashton 462

Globerry of Bradston 555

Glotworthy of Clotworthy, &c 480

Glotworthy of Clotworthy 563

Cole of Slade, &c 519

Colins of Baron's-Down 562

Colleton of Exeter 619

Cooke of Thome 555

Copleston of Copleston & Warlegh . . 503

Copleston of Bow 505

Copleston of Bicton and Eggesford . . 505
Copleston of Otterham and Woodland 506

Copleston of Bowdon 506

Copleston of Wyke 506

Cottle of Sampford-Peverell, &c 475

Gourteuay, Earl of Devon 570

Gourtenay of Powderham 573

Gourtenay of MoUand 574

Gourtenay of Wotton and Ladock . . 575

Gourtenay of Upcott 576

Gourtenay of Ugbrook 576

Crocker of Lynham 550

Gruwys of Cruwys-Morchard 516

b



PiGG.

Culme of Chamston 515

Davils of Balston, &c 611

Davy of Sandford 598

De Aubernon of Daubernon 517

Dennis of Holcombe-Burnell & Bicton 615

Dennis of Orlegh 616

Dennis of CoUiscomb 617

Dennis of Malcot 617

Desmond, Earl of 477

Dillon of Ghimwell 549

Dinham 494

Donne of Donne-Ralph 515

Dowrish of Dowrish in Sandford .... 618
Dowrish of Heath-Barton, Whitestone 618

Drake of Ash 467

Drew of Sharpham, &c 582

Drew of Drews Cliff, &c 583

Duke of Poer-Hayes, &c 559

Edgcombe of Stonehouse, &c 494

Edmonds of Salisbury and Plymouth 524

Ellacot of Exeter 479

Esse (or Ash) of Thuborough 633

Esse (or Ash) of Glist Fomison .... 633

Eston of Eston 565

Evelegh of West Evelegh, &c 563

Farringdon of Farringdon 464

Farringdon of Farringdon 609

Fitz of Fitz-Ford 466

Floyer of Floyers-Hayes 556

Forde of Chagford, &c 527

Ford of Fordmoor 528

Fortescue of Filleigh, &c 498

Fortescue of Wimpston 625

Fortescue of Buckland-Filleigh .... 625

Fortescue of Fallopit 626

Fountain of Bawcombe 548

Fowel of Fowelscombe 521

Franceis of Combe-Flory .... 462

Frankcheyney of Glist-Gerard 517

Fry,of Exeter and Pawlet 502

Fulford of Fulford 612

Fursland of Bickington 598



,-i\' f%.



14






3v6



CONTENTS.



PAGE.

Gale of Dartmouth and Crediton .... 567

Gay of Goldsworthy 564

Geare of Heavitree 565

Giffard of Brightlegh 627

Giffard of Weare 628

Giffard of Tiverton 628

Gilbert of Compton 566

Giles of Bowden and Dean Prior. . . . 530
Godwine of Clistwill and Godwins . . 540
Gove (alias Gough) of Woodbury . . 547

Grenville of Stow, Cornwall 630

Grenville of Penheale 631

Hakewell of Exeter 545

Haadcock of Comb-Martin 560

Harris of Hayne 531

Harris of Lanrest 532

Harris of Radford 532

Hatch of Aller 603

Haydon of Lympstone, &c 579

Hele of South-Hele 533

Hele of Wisdom 533

Hele of Wembury 533

Hele of Holbeton 534

Hele of Exeter and Fleet 535

Hele of Newton-Ferrers 535

Hele of Brixton 535

Henscot of Henscot 589

Herle of West-Herle 514

Hext of Kingston 503

Hill of Shilston 503

Hillersdon of Hillersdon, &c 529

Holbeam of Holbeam 502

Holcomb of Holcomb 531

Hone of Ottery St. Mary 538

Honychurch of Tavistock, &c 591

Hoper of Blackmore 525

Huckmore of Bokeyt 501

Huddisfield of Shillingford 500

Huish of Denniford 488

Huishof Sand 488

Hull of Larkbear 517

Hurst of Exeter and Oxton . 487



PiGE.

Jewell of Bowden 536

Kelly of Kelly 540

Kenisham of Brixton 566

Kendal of Treworgy, &c 598

Kildare, Earl of . . . , 477

Kirkham 458

Kirkham of Blackdon, &c 523

KnoUes of Little-Hempston 474

Langford of Langford 462

Larder of Pynes 624

Le Hart of Yarnacombe 603

Levermore of Exeter 597

Lippincot of Lippincot, &c 554

Loveis of Ogberd in Tamerton 629

Lowman of Uplowman, &c 580

Lumen, or De Lumine, of Uplowman 579

Lutton of Cofford 478

Lynne of Exeter 457

Mallock of Axmouth 548

Marshall of Teigngrace 502

Marshall of Exeter, &c 502

Martin of Comb-Martin 594

Marwood of Westcot 604

Mathew of Dodbrook, &c 599

Melhuish of Witheridge 623

Mohun of Hall in Cornwall 610

Molford of Chulmleigh, &c 603

Montague, Lord Chief Justice 633

More of Moorhays 624

Munck of Potheridge 468

Newcombe of Great- Worthy 531

Newcourt of Pickwel 478

Noble of Exeter and Belston 561

Norris of Chulmleigh 541

Norris of Winkleigh 626

Northcote of Uton, &c 599

Parker, (alias Jorden) of Northmolton 538

Parker of Exeter 564

Passemere of Passemere-Hayes .... 525

Paulet of Sampford-Peverel 488

Pawlet of Rode, Hinton, &c 474

Perriam of Exeter, &c 584



CONTENTS.



Pery of Water in Membury 545

Petre of Tor-lkian 546

Pointingdon of Penny cott 547

Pointingdon of Meryfield 547

. Pollard of King's-Nymet 493

Pollard of Way and Horwood 552

Pollard of Knowston-Beauple 553

Preston of Up-Ottery, &c 588

Prestwood of Exeter, North-Huish, &c. 545

Prideaux, Sir Edmund, of Farvvay . . 472
Prideaux of Orchardton & Thuborough 470

Prideaux of Orchardton 471

Prideaux of Soldon 472

Prideaux of Nutwell 486

Prouse of Exeter 597

Prouz of Gidley and Chagford 568

Prye of Horwell in Colebrook 611

Putt of Gittisham , 629

Pyne of East-Down, &c 544

Ralegh of Fardel 535

Reynell of Trumpington, &c 576

Reynell of Malston 578

Reynell, Sir Richard 578

Reynell of Greedy- Widger 578

Risdon of Bableigh 507

Roberts of Comb-Martin 609

Rolle of Stevenstone 593

Roskimer of Haylford, Cornwall .... 632

Rouse (alias Le Rouse) of Modbury 580

Sainthill of Sainthill, &c 537

Samuel of Restormel 533

Samuel of Cornwall 623

Sapcotts 551

Saverey of Totnes 562

Seward of Slokeinteignhead 559

Seymour of Berry-Pomeroy 479

Shapcott of Exeter 602

ShillingfordofShillingford 468

Skinner of Cowley 599

Slader of North-Tawton, &c 524

Slanning of Ley 563

Somaster 551



Somaster of Painsford 551

Somaster of Widecombe 500

Southcote of Mohun's-Ottery 537

Staplehill of Bremble in Ashton .... 624

Staveley of East-Buckland, &c 562

St. Leger of Annery 483

Stowford of Stowford 592

Strode of Ermington and Newnham 542

Strechlegh of Strechlegh 514

Stukeley of Kenn and Faringdon .... 579

Stukeley of Affeton 585

Sture of Marridge 512

Thorn of Thorn in Holsworthy 525

Todenham of Church-Taunton 478

Tothill of Exeter and Peamore 520

Trelawriey of Pool in Menhenniot . . 561

Tremayne of CoUacomb 587

Trevillian of Nettlecombe 558

Tucker (alias Tooker) of Exeter 526

Upton of Puslinch and Trelaske .... 519
Vowel (alias Hooker) of Exeter .... 526

Wadham of Edge 634

Waller of Sidbury and Hampshire . . 623

Walrond 484

Waltham of Brenton, &c 583

Warr of Hestercombe 491

Westcote (alias Lyttleton or Luttle-

ton) of Frankley 621

Westcote of Westcote and Raddon . . 622

Whitlock of Frithelstock 583

Whyddon of Chagford, &c 581

Wichalse of Chudleigh 627

Williams of Stowford 521

Willoughby of Knoll-Adrian, Wiltshire 619

Willoughby, Lord Brook 620

Willoughby of Payhembury 620

Wise of South-Sydenham 553

Wivellof Crediton 611

WoUacomb of Comb 539

Wood(alias de Bosco)of North-Tawton 589

Wood of Lewtrenchard . 590

Wood (alias Atwood) of Hareston , . 591



CONTENTS.

PAGE. ^^''^^

Worth of Exeter, &c 561 Yeo of Heanton-Sachville 592

Worthal of Cotley 629 Yeo of Huish 593

Wrey of Wrey. &c 567 Yeo of Hatherleigh 593

Wykes of North-Wyke 557 Yerworth of Ipplepen 524

Wykes of Bindon 558 Young of Axminster, &c 600

Yard of Bradley, &c 601 Zoiich, Lord John 475



MEMOIR



OP



THOMAS WESTCOTE.



A Devonshire Family of some repute, bearing the name of Westcote,
was established at an early period at Westcote, in the Parish of Marwood,
near Barnstaple. One of its members of the name of Thomas, in the former
part of the fifteenth century, married Ehzabeth, daughter and heiress of
Sir Thomas Lyttelton, of Fraukley, in the county of Worcester, knight :
the fruit of this union was that celebrated Lawyer and Chief Justice of the
King's Bench, Sir Thomas Lyttelton,* Knight of the Bath, who died on the
23rd of August, 1481. From the silence of Sir WHham Pole we are dis-
posed to think that the subject of this memoir was not descended (though
he himself entertained such a belief,) from the Family in the Parish of
Marwood. Perhaps his came originally from the parish of Bishop's-Taw-
ton, in Devonshire; at least we read in the Register of Edmund Stafford,
Bishop of Exeter, vol. i. foho 149, that this noble Prelate, in considera-
tion of the faithful services rendered by Richard Westcote, of the manor of
Bishop's-Tawton, manumitted and discharged him and his offspring on the
23rd of April, 1412, "a Jugo et onere nativitatis, \nllenagii et servitutis cum
tot^ sequel^ suii." About a century later Thomas Westcote, the Grandfa-
ther of our Historian, and Heraldist, held an Estate in West-Raddon, in the
Parish of Shobrook, Devon, of Sir John Talbot, of Grafton, in the county of
Worcester, knight, and Margaret (Troutbeck), his wife. This Estate was
subsequently purchased by the Westcotes of the Talbots ; but certainly later
than October, 1589, as the Talbot Rental of that year sufficiently proves.

Thomas Westcote, the author of "The View of Devonshire," and of

* A f 5 ^^sstcote ; Argent, a chevron between three escallops, sable.

t Lyttelton ; Argent, a bend cotized sable, within a bordure, bezanty, gules.



IV, MEMOIR OF THOMAS WESTCOTE.

" The Pedigrees of most of our Devonshire Families,"* now for the first
time submitted to the public, was the third son of Philip Westcote, of
West-Raddon, who married Katharine, daughter of George Waltham, of
Brenton, in the Parish of Exminster, Devon, gentleman. Their marriage
was celebrated on the 17th of October, 1557 : as we learn from the Re-
gister of Shobrook, which also records the baptism of our Author on
the 17th of June, 1567. Speaking of Shobrook, he says, "Here my
poor'"se!IF was first'nursed.'' Of liis early life we can glean but slender
materials. In liis Apologetical Epistle to the Reader, he says, "Alas !
Sir, you know, how httle I busie myself with, and among so many
offices the Country yields, I could procure none, nor any friend that
would sohcit for me." To the objection started, "that in his youth
he was a soldier, a traveller, and a courtier, and had now a long time
retired to a private country hfe, and in his old and latter age little qualified
for undertaking a work of such magnitude, which required not only
labour, but painful travels and expenses ;" he rephes, that " having by
ordinary reading, observation, search, and discourse, collected long since
some few particulars of the antiquities and other notes and observings of
this County, it was my chance (as often I did ) to come in presence of an
honourable personage ( Edward, Earl of Bath,) whose eminent virtues assure
me he is now with God : — it pleased him in discourse of the state of this
Country to propose certain questions to those that were present : to some
of them, when I had given a more satisfying answer than he on the sudden
expected, he perceived I had a great desire that some one would undertake
the Description of tliis Shire, as Mr. Carew had done for Cornwall, He
thereon took opportunity to be the primum mobile of this Discourse; and at the
next fit convenience did poweifully persuade, and he cheerfully animated and
seriously required me to undertake tliis work, (as he was pleased to term it
office;) and not to sufifer the ancient renown of the generosity of this Province
to be any longer neglected and buried in obhvion, which had bred so many
famous men in all professions." At first Mr. Westcote, pleading his inabiUty

♦ A Manuscript on Heraldry, belonging to the Dean and Chapter of Exeter, had been
described to the Editors as having been written by Mr. Westcote, but on collation it was
found to have been more ancient; beginning with 1573, and finished about the period of
the Heralds' last visitation in 1620; neither was it confined to Devonshire. From page
9, we may infer that it was compiled by Richard St. George, esq., Norroy king of arms.



MEMOIR OF THOMAS WESTCOTE. V.

and unfitness, declined the undertaking; but his Lordship would admit no
excuse; and "his continued persuasions encouraged mv faintness for a brief
private discourse," but which the author never intended for pubhcation.

Mr. Risdon, " his worthy friend," testified, in page 95, of his " Survey
of Devon," "that Mr. Westcote was endowed with many good parts, and
was a lover of antiquity;" and several passages of the work prove that he
was acquainted with the best society in the county.

Every reader wall give Mr. Westcote credit for his laborious zeal to pre-
serve the remembrance of past times; and though in these days of deeper
research and more refined criticism, he may smile at the author's credulitv
and far fetched observations, yet he will be disposed to make every allowance
for the age, and will be entertained with the quaintness, candour, and good »

humour of his guide. What is inserted between brackets in the text has f

been added by the Rev. John Prince, Author of the " Worthies of Devon." I

As to his " Pedigrees of most of our Devonshire Families" it is evident,
that he is chargeable with some egregious mistakes and errors, to which ,
Mr. Prince has added many more. We have done what we coiild to revise I
and correct several; but regret that we are unable to present this Work to i
the reader with more satisfaction to ourselves.

In all probability Mr. Westcote resided at West Raddon, with his elder
brother, Robert, who died a bachelor, and was buried on the 6th of March, /

1636, old style,* but whom Mr. Prince, in his " Worthies of Devon," page j