From "Notes on the Parish of Mylor", published by Hugh Pengelly Olivey 1907

Beware, Ongoing work - This is First Draft Only and likely to contain typographic errors

Section 14

Carclew and its Owners.

CARCLEW, the principal residence in this parish, called the Barton of Carclew in old descriptions, and in the estate of which is now included the manor of Restronguet and the manor of Casawse, situated partly in Mylor and partly in St. Gluvias, has a somewhat complicated and intricate history. Tonkin's account of Mylor, given at p. 20, says a good deal about Carclew. It will be necessary here to give only a few extracts. He says: "The Barton of Carclew anciently Crucglew and Crucclew (from Cruc, Crug, a barrow, and Clu, Cluth, a ditch or fence), the enclosures by the barrows, of which there are several in the adjoining commons." "The first owner of this place that I meet with (Herald's Office) is Dangeros or D'Angers, who married Margery the daughter of Bartholomew Seneschall." " He flourished as I guess in the reign of Henry II (1154)." It next came to David Renaudin, who married Margaret, daughter of James Dangers.

Mr. Davies Gilbert, quoting Tonkin and Whitaker under Perran-ar-Worthal, says: "In this Parish did antiently dwell the family of Renaudin by their name of French extraction, but where I cannot positively say, and here dwelt temp. Richard II (1377) David Renaudin, who married Margaret the eldest daughter and co-heir of James Dangers of Carclew. John Renaudin their son dying without issue temp. Henry V (1413) this estate fell to Richard Bonython(1) of Carclew, who had married Isabel the other daughter and co-heir of the said James Dangeros, in which family of Bonython (whose heiress still lays claim to it and as by original deeds it appears very justly) it continued to the reign of Charles 1 (1625) when Peter Beauchamp of Trevince, Esqre., having a lease of it for three lives from John Bonython, Esqre., his posterity have been strangely ousted of the fee ever since. Of late years it has passed through several hands and is now vested in Thomas Hearle of Penryn, Esq.

"The arms of Renaudin as painted in the old glass windows at Carclew were : Sable, a chevron between three swans, Argent."

Carclew was purchased by the first (often called the great) Mr. Wm. Lemon, in 1749, from Mr. James Bonython of Grampound Road, to whom it was bequeathed by his relative, Jane, the daughter of Richard Bonython, Esq., and widow of Samuel Kempe, Esq., who died without issue. Mr. Wm. Lemon died in 176o, when the estate came to his grandson, Mr. Wm. Lemon (afterwards Sir William), who died in 1824, and was succeeded by his son, Sir Charles, who died in 1868, and who bequeathed his property to his nephew, Col. Arthur Tremayne. The latter gentleman died, universally esteemed and regretted, in 19o5, and the present owner is his eldest son, Captain Wm. Tremayne.

Samuel Kempe, Esq., is said to have introduced at Carclew the Scotch fir, (from its fragrant scent called by gardeners the " Balm of Gilead,") and to have planted it largely there. Sir Wm. Lemon afterwards added firs and forest trees, and planted to a great extent. It is recorded of Sir William that on his rounds he filled his pockets with various seeds and scattered them on his way. About the same period a good deal of forest planting was done in Cornwall, and not only Carclew, but also Enys, Tehidy, Trelowarren, Tregothnan and Trelissick are mentioned as having been laid out in woods and more regularly planted. The deer park was established by Sir Wm. Lemon.

The present mansion house, which has been considerably improved by its recent owners, was built originally from designs by William Edwards, a self-educated architect, the son of a small farmer, and at that time much employed in the west of England.

Sir Charles Lemon made further improvements, in the best of taste. The grounds and gardens have been enlarged and beautified and contain many specimens of rare and beautiful plants, amongst which the rhododendrons are conspicuous-the soil and climate appears to favour them. The deer park and plantations cover an area of over a square mile, and contain some splendid specimens of timber. A rare heath, the Erica Ciliaris, which is not known elsewhere as an English plant, is found here, covering several acres.

HISTORY OF THE MANORS.

Adjoining Carclew to the west and partly in St. Gluvias is the manor of Casawse, Cosawis or Gosose, called the Vycoos, i.e. the wood by the river. This was part of the large possessions taken from Henry de Bodrugan by Henry VII (1485), and given by him to Sir Richard Edgcumbe, whose descendant, Lord Mount-Edgcumbe, parted with it to the late Sir Wm. Lemon.
This Sir Henry Bodrugan, who sided with King Richard III at the battle of Bosworth Field, where the king was slain, was attainted of treason against King Henry VII, his whole estate, of which this was part, was seized, and the greater part was settled on Sir Richard Edgcumbe and his heirs for ever.

Polwhele, writing on this subject, says : "That the prosperity of the County was long interrupted by the contests between York and Lancaster can hardly I think be doubted. For Cornwall, though remote from carnage, saw her own territory a scene of desolation. Abandoned almost to her old men, her women and children, she saw all her nobility or able peasantry, flocking to one standard or the other, expiring on the field of battle or on the scaffold or enfeebled by repeated conflicts.

" At the commencement of the reign of Henry VII the mansions of the rebel lords and their adherents became the property of the crown, and as they whose services were rewarded with the forfeited estates naturally preferred their own habitation, a newly-acquired lordship was often neglected, its lands left without cultivation and its neighbourhood dispeopled. The demesnes of Bodrugan had not sufficient attraction to draw Edgcumbe from his ancient residence."

The leap of Harry Bodrugan into the sea from a cliff above one hundred feet high, is thus described in Tonkin's MS. in Goran : "A little on one side of what is called Sir Harry Bodrugan's castle is a coarse, moorish piece of ground, which they call ' the woeful moore,' for there they say Sir Henry was defeated by Sir Richard Edgcumbe and Trevanion. And beyond it, on the side of the cliff, is a place they call 'Sir Henry Bodrugan's leap,' from whence he took a desperate leap (after his defeat) upon a small place under, where a boat and ship lay ready to take him in against all accidents. Into which they tell you, when he got safe, he turned about and gave a curse upon Edgcumbe and Trevanion and their posterity ; which the neighbourhood do not scruple to say hath in some part its effect to this day. For so great was the love they bore this Sir Henry for his great hospitality and generous way of living, that his memory is still held in veneration, especially among the elder sort of people."

There are also several references to Bodrugan in relation to the manor of Restronguet, therefore the romantic incidents of his career, his leap over the cliff into the sea, and his escape, require no excuse for being re-written.

In this manor of Casawse there formerly stood an ancient chapel called St. Mary Magdalene's Chapel ; it stood in the woody skirts of Casawse, and was a chantry belonging to Glasney college, and probably founded by one of the Bodrugan(2) (Tonkin's MSS.). In reference to this, Polwhele, quoting from Hal's MSS., says: "In Norden's map of Kerrier, Magdalen Chapel is set down in the neighbourhood of Gluvias. It was situated near the farm of Casawse, between the house and the wood, on a bold spot of ground adjoining to Magdalen ball, commanding a view of the valley towards Perran-ar-Worthal. A field near this spot is called Chapel Close. Some pillars belonging to this chapel were standing about forty years ago, and a farmer of the name of Trevena remembers his moving large flat stones which he conceives formed part of the pavement. The ground is now covered with brambles and bushes, and abounds in shafts ; and no appearance of any stones worked by a tool could be discovered by me; but my guide, Trevena, found in an adjoining hedge some of the stones of a window."

THE MANOR OF RESTRONGUET.

" There is another manor adjoining Carclew, which now also belongs to it, namely, that of Restronguet. Formerly Res-tron-gas (from Res or Ros, a valley; tron, a nose; and gas, deep), the valley with the deep promontory ; or (if gas means wood) the . valley with the woody promontory, which agrees with its situation between two creeks of the sea. And it was until very lately well wooded. 6 Ric. I (1 195), Robert de Cardenan held 71 knights fees in Cornwall, some of which I suppose this manor was composed of; as he was then lord of the manor of Restrongas." (See Carew, f. 44-46.)

Leyland in his Itinerary also mentions this manor in connection with Bodrugan thus : " This chaplle land or point (St. Antonies Point to Dudman) is in the park of Bodrugan, and yn this park was the house of Sir Henry Bodrugan, a man of auncient stok atteynted for taking part with King Richard 3 (148S), agayn Henry the 7 and after flying into Ireland, Syr Richard Eggecomb, father of Sir Pers Eggecombe, had Bodrugan and other parcelles of Bodrugan's landes. And Trevanyon had part of Bodrugan's landes as Restronguet and Newham,(3) both in Falmouth Haven."

The descendants of William Trevanion, Esq., held the manor of Restronguet for more than two centuries. Of this family it was purchased by Robert Cotton Trefusis, Esq., whose son, the i 5th Baron Clinton, sold it to Sir William Lemon, Bart., and it has since descended with the Carclew estate.

There was formerly a religious house on this manor, probably having its own chapel. The cemetery which belonged to it is now part of a field, measuring about half-an-acre, and tithe free. There is a field adjoining this called Crockagodna, which means the chief burying place, or the burial place of the chief.
The following relating to grants of oratories(4) are extracted from the Bishops' Registers at Exeter, (Was the private chapel at Carclew a continuation of the same grants from very ancient times ?).

" Myler. Manor of Bodrugans at Restronguet. 1, 145. See Bodrugan (Oratories). Bodrugan, William, and Joan his wife, in their manor of Restranget (hodie Restronguet) in Myler (18 Feb., 1411-I2), (12th of Hen. IV), I, 145. Also the said William and Joan, and their sons William, Otho, and Thomas, in all their manors and mansions in Cornwall (4 Dec., 1412), I, 172°.

No account of the parish of Mylor can be considered complete without reference to some of its principal inhabitants and those who have attained to great distinction. First and chief among these are the Lemons and Tremaynes.

The first Mr. William Lemon, usually called the Great Mr. Lemon.

Mr. Davies Gilbert in his history gives a long and interesting account of this remarkable man, much of which I purpose quoting.

After speaking of the saint after whom Germoe takes its name, he says: "But on whatever grounds the ancient claims of this parish may rest to a canonized or to a royal patron, the village of Bojil has in modern times bestowed more real honor on the whole district than could be derived from regal missionaries or from legendary saints."

In the parish register of Breage may be seen the following entry: "William Lemon, the son of William Lemon of Germo, was baptized the 15th day of November, 1696."

It appears that his father and mother, whose maiden name was Rodda, were in a situation of life raised above the common level, and that they bestowed on their son the best education easily attainable, who in his turn became eminently distinguished among his companions. If young Lemon ever, therefore, employed himself in executing the inferior labours usually performed by Carclew and its Owners. 193 mining boys, as some have alleged with the view of increasing the wonder of his subsequent progress, and others impelled by less laudable motives, it is clear that they must have been undertaken from a desire of making himself practically acquainted with all the details of perhaps the most delicate operations in metallurgy.

His bodily strength and firmness of mind seem to have been commensurate with his abilities, which displayed themselves most conspicuously in after life. At a very early age Mr. Lemon became one of the managers of a tin-smelting house at Chiandower, near Penzance, and the career which he pursued with so much ability and success was traced for him at this place.

The ancient mining of Cornwall had been confined for a long time to merely collecting diluvial deposits of tin ore, which, from its specific gravity, is always found beneath every other debris, and immediately incumbent on the solid rock or unmoved strata, provincially called " the fast." As the first operation invariably consists in washing away the lighter ingredients by agitating the whole in streams, the name " Stream Work " has been adopted to distinguish these sources of tin from mines which descend on the lodes themselves. Mines invariably grew out of the stream-works, but with a process so very slow as scarcely to be imagined by persons conversant only with the rapid improvements of modern times. Pits were at first sunk in the backs of lodes, till the presence of water impeded the work. Shallow adits or drains were used in favourable situations, and the windlass, with its bucket and rope, must be of great antiquity. To this succeeded the rack and chain pump, but the span beam and cage, moving on a perpendicular axis, by which the labour of horses became applicable to what had previously been done by the human arm, are comparatively modern. A new era had now commenced. The steam engine had been used in at least one mine called the " Great Work " in Breage, when Mr. Lemon came forward, gifted with the ability and energy which enabled him to anticipate by nearly half-a-century everything that could add to the wealth and prosperity of his native county.

Mr. Lemon, first associating himself with Mr. George Blewett of Marazion and Mr. Devan, commenced working a mine at Trowel in Ludgvan, named " Wheal Fortune," where the second steam engine was employed. Capital was necessary, and that came by his marriage. In the Gulval register is, " William Lemon and Isabel Vibert were married on April 22nd, 1724." The Viberts were among what are termed the "good livers" of Gulval parish, and Mrs. Lemon had recently succeeded by will to the property of Mrs. Elizabeth Noles, her godmother, and probably related, who had acquired a fortune by some business at Chiandower.

But fortune, except perhaps for its timely supply of capital, was the least of Mrs. Lemon's recommendations ; uniform report has represented her as entirely worthy of the extraordinary person to whom she was united.

Mr. Lemon is said to have gained from Wheal Fortune ten thousand pounds, and thus enabled to execute more extensive plans, he removed to Truro, and commenced working the great Gwennap mines on a scale never witnessed before, and perhaps never contemplated in Cornwall. Carnon adit was either actually commenced, or at the least was effectually prosecuted by him ; a work unrivalled for extent or for utility in the mines of England. And his exertions increasing as his means enlarged, he soon became the principal merchant and tin-smelter in Cornwall. But the energies of his mind were not limited to these undertakings, great as they were ; he cultivated a taste for literature, and what is extremely unusual, acquired amidst business, and at a middle age, the power of reading the classic authors.

In the year 1742 we find his name on the list of sheriffs. He became one of the magistrates of Truro, and might have represented the borough in Parliament. He obtained from Government a drawback of the duty on coal used in mines, when Sir Robert Walpole, then at the head of public affairs, complimented him on the clear and able manner in which he had made every statement, and a,present of silver-plate was made to him by Frederick Prince of Wales, as Duke of Cornwall, which is still preserved at Carclew.

About the same time he was mainly distinguished as " the great Mr. Lemon," but above all, so favourable was the impression as to his ability, his exertion and general merit, that a progress so rapid and unexampled does not appear to have excited envy, or any of those bad passions which usually alloy the enjoyments of prosperity.

He died on the 25th March, 176o, and was buried in Truro church. He had built by far the largest and most decorated house in the town, and before that lived in a house in Church Lane. He had also (1749) purchased and improved Carclew, which has since become the family seat. He was twice mayor of Truro (1737 and 1750), and was sheriff in 1742.

Mr. Polwhele, in speaking of his character, gives the following anecdote: "And if in proof of his liberal way of thinking and his genorous feeling, I produce a very trivial anecdote, let it be remembered that characters are best illustrated by little familiar occurances. Mr. Lemon was much attached to a Cornish chough. The favourite chough used at all times to obey his call. If in walking on Truro-Green or through the streets, the chough, mixing occasionally with other birds or perched alone on the housetop, would fly to him instantly at his whistle. This bird therefore was regarded at Truro with almost as much veneration as a stork at Athens. It happened however that Mr. Thomas (our present vicewarden) then a schoolboy at Conon's, taking up his gun contrary to the rules of the school, and proceeding to the back quay where he had seen some birds, shot among them and unluckily killed the sacred chough. His situation was indescribable. He was told by the by-standers that he certainly would be hanged. He had incurred the danger of flogging for shooting and of Mr. Lemon's displeasure for shooting his chough. But amidst despair he at once took courage, went to Mr. Lemon's house, was introduced to Mr. Lemon, and trembling and in tears confessed the fact. Mr. Lemon paused a moment, and then said he was sorry for the poor bird, but freely forgave the little delinquent for so much candour in acknowledging his fault, and more than that promised to keep it a profound secret, or if it came to Conon's ears to intercede for him, a transaction apparently trifling but I think it worth recording as it discovered the mind and the heart. A transaction equally creditable to both parties."

Mr. and Mrs. Lemon had but one son and no daughter. Mr. William Lemon, Jr. married Ann, only daughter of Mr. John Williams of Carnarton, near St. Columb, and sister of the late John Oliver Williams, many years colonel of the Cornwall Militia, their mother being Ann, daughter of John Oliver of Falmouth. He died at an early period of life, Oct. 1757, aged 33, and several years before his father. He left two sons and a daughter. The oldest son, William, was created a baronet 3rd May, 1774. The second son, John, became a colonel in the Guards. He served in parliament for Saltash and four times for Truro. He died unmarried in 1814 at Polvellan, a place he had created near Looe. The daughter was married to John Buller of Morval.
Sir William Lemon was born Oct. 1 1th, 1748, and succeeded his grandfather in 176o. He was elected member for Penryn on the decease of Mr. Francis Basset in 1769, and at the general election in 1774 successfully contested the representation of the county, which for ten subsequent elections he unanimously continued to do-universally esteemed and respected during a period of fifty years--up to his decease on December 11th, 18 24. Sir William married Jane, daughter of James Buller of Morval, by Jane, daughter of Allen, first Lord Bathurst, by whom he had eleven children. Sons - William, the eldest, died unmarried ; the second, Charles, who succeeded him. Daughters -Anne, married Sir John Davis ; Maria, married Francis Jodrell, Esq. ; Louisa, married Lieut.-Col. Dyke ; Isabella, married Anthony Buller, Esq., barrister-at-law, who was knighted on his going to India as a judge; Caroline Matilda, married John Hearle Tremayne, Esq. ; Harriet, married Lord de Dunstanville. The rest were unmarried.

After alluding to Sir John St. Aubyn, of whom it is reported to have been said by a leading minister of the day, " every man has his price except the little Cornish baronet," Polwhele writes, " If we look for his parallel we cannot but fix our eyes on one of the present members of Cornwall. Sir William Lemon has passed indeed through Carclew and its Owners. 199 perilous times, such as the antagonist of Sir Robert Walpole never saw, and with a power possess't by few, he has been able not only to reconcile contending parties, but to conciliate to himself their esteem and affection. In him we justly admire the old country gentleman, faithful to his king without servility, attached to the people without democracy. Whilst many, fearful of incurring the suspicion of republicanism, abandoned the cause of liberty, Sir William stood firm in the ranks of independence, and had even the resolution to express his dissent from the minister at that unheard of moment when opposition to administration was considered synonymous to disaffection from government. Such was the conduct resulting from a strong mind, a sagacity in judging the probable issue of things and in penetrating the views of men, and from a conscious feeling of integrity. Open and unaffected however, as he always was, there were none who could mistake his principles ; candid, courteous, and benevolent, there were none who could do otherwise than applaud them. It is to this undissembling spirit, this urbanity of manners and suavity of disposition united with that integrity, we are to ascribe his success in pleasing all, though he flattered no man's prejudices and did homage to no man's opinion."

Sir William's eldest son, William, having died, he was most worthily succeeded by his second son, Sir Charles, who was born Sept. 3rd, 1784,

Sir Charles married " Ann," sister of the Earl of Ilchester, and had several children, all of whom predeceased him. One son, aged about twelve, was accidently drowned at Harrow. He died at Carclew on February 12th, 1868, in the 84th year of his age.

To Sir Charles Lemon the parish of Mylor is indebted for many acts of benevolence, and in particular mention may be made of the National School which he established about 185o in the building formerly used as a workhouse, and which he carried on single-handed for many years, and finally gave the buildings to the parish by deed under trustees as a Church of England school for ever. After his decease it was similarly carried on by his nephew, Col. Arthur Tremayne, until some changes in the educational department made it more desirable that it should be handed over to a committee of management, by whom it was carried on under the terms of the trust deed granted by Sir Charles. Under the Education Act of 19o2 further changes took place in the mode of management. Sir Charles also built and placed a clock and clock tower in the village. He represented the county in parliament for many years.

Sir Charles, dying without living issue, bequeathed his estate to his nephew, Lieut.-Col. Arthur Tremayne, who was the fifth son of his sister Caroline, who had married John Hearle Tremayne, Esq., of Heligan, in St. Ewe.

He was born on the 15th May, 1827, and married Lady Frances Margaret Hely Hutchinson, second daughter of John 3rd earl of Donoughmore, who died April 1 1th, 18 66. He married secondly Emma Penelope, daughter of the Rev. T. Phillpotts of Porthgwidden, in 187o. Arthur Tremayne joined the 13th Light Dragoons in 1846, and served with that regiment throughout the Crimean war, afterwards commanding it. He received, in addition to the medal and clasps for Alma, Balaclava (where he charged with the Light Brigade, so immortalized by Tennyson), and Sebastopol, the Legion of Honour, the Order of the Medijeh, and the Turkish Medal. He served the office of high sheriff in 1871, and was M.P. for Truro 1878-8o, besides holding many other public offices. He died at Carclew, Nov. 14, 19o§, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Capt. William Francis Tremayne. That they came from a worthy stock may best be gathered from the following description of their more immediate ancestors, by Mr. Davies Gilbert " Mr. John Tremayne, who married Grace, the youngest daughter of Mr. John Hawkins of St. Austell, had two sons, and a daughter married to Mr. Chas. Hawkins of Desporth. The eldest son, Lewis, died in the prime of life, when the second son, who had taken holy orders, became the heir. The Rev. Henry Hawkins Tremayne married Harriett, the daughter and co-heir of John Hearle of Penryn, and of her mother, heiress of the Paynters of St. Erth. They left an only son, John Hearle Tremayne." Mr. Davies Gilbert adds, " It is impossible to say too much in praise of the late Mr. Henry Hawkins Tremayne. Possessed of good abilities, of a sound understanding, of practical knowledge of business, and of the utmost kindness of heart, he became the father of his neighbourhood, reconciling all disputes, adjusting all differences, and tempering the administration of justice with lenity and forbearance. So high and so extensive was the reputation of Mr. Tremayne throughout the whole county, that his son, buoyant on his father's virtues, and before opportunities were afforded of displaying his own, passed by an unanimous election into the high station of representative for Cornwall ; but experience soon proved that Mr. John Hearle Tremayne wanted no assistance from hereditary claims to make him worthy of that or any other distinction, and the editor takes this opportunity of repeating what he had the honour of addressing to a county meeting, previous to Mr. Tremayne's declaration of not allowing himself to be elected for the sixth time so as to avoid the embroilment of a contest : ` I have had the happiness of witnessing Mr. Tremayne's conduct in parliament for twenty years, and knowing the high estimation in which he is held by all parties, and by all sides of the House of Commons, I venture to assert that Cornwall would fall in public opinion if Mr. Tremayne were not again returned, let his successor be who he may.' "

In reference to Harriett, the daughter of Mr. John Hearle of Penryn,(5) who married Mr. Henry Hawkins Tremayne, Polwhele relates a curious incident : " Hals tells us [in endeavouring to prove that Penryn took its denomination from being a town in a wood(6)] that some trees had not long before existed in the streets, a remnant of an ancient wood." "In passing through the town (said a gentleman in 1805) you may observe that one, an ash, still exists. I remember two others, one a very remarkable and venerable one opposite Mr. Hearle's house ; and there was a superstition that when a limb of it was broken off it was a token of the death of one of that family. The tree was rooted up about six or eight years ago, and it is observable that by the death of Mrs. Tremayne the family is now extinct."

There is some difference of opinion as to the place of origin of the Tremayne family. Hals, under the parish of Mabe, says : "Tremayne in this parish, i.e. the c town of stone,' or the 'stone town,' transnominated the gentle family of Peares or Perys, i.e. Pearee in English, to that of Tremayne, temp. Edward III." Mr. Davies Gilbert, however says: " Mr. Hals is mistaken in tracing the family of Tremaynes, long settled at Heligan in St. Ewe, from the Barton in this parish. That family is unquestionably derived from Tremayne in St. Martins, on the Helford river."

I am favoured by the present owner of Carclew with a full and very interesting pedigree of his family, in which they certainly favour the former opinion. I should have liked to have transcribed the whole fully, but space will not permit. The extracts I purpose making will show the prominent part his ancestors took in the affairs of the nation, and their loyalty and devotion to the crown and country. The account commences by stating, " This family had denomination from their lordship and manor of Tremain or Tremayne, near Helston in Cornwall."

" Sirnames (as Cambden says) were in the reign of Henry III first generally assumed, and were not fully settled till the reign of Edward I. It was about this time that the sirname of the family became fixed."

The first whereof upon record was " Perys," lord of the manor of Tremayne, temp. Edward I and II: John, son of the said Perys Tremayne (by Dame Opre Treskewys), died without issue. He flourished in the reign of Edward III. He represented the county of Cornwall in several parliaments. The said Perys Tremayne, by his second wife, " Onera," daughter of Sir Nathaniel Trewarthen, had issue.

2. Richard married "Mary," daughter of Sir Roger Emmy of Treworthgan. He had two sons, "John" and "Thomas." John had one daughter, married to Tretherde, by which the manor of Tremayne went out of the family, now 300 years. He was sheriff in the time of Henry IV.

3. Thomas, lord of the manor of Carwethnack, married Isabella, daughter of Trenchard of Collacombe, in Edward Ill's reign, by which means the family came into Devon and settled at Collacombe. This brought a large accession of lands. He had issue Nicholas, Thomas, and four others. Isabella, surviving her husband, married Sir John Damerell, and there being n0 children by this marriage, he gave her and her heirs by Tremayne the manors of North Huish, Sidenham Damerel and Whitchurch, etc.

4. Nicholas Tremayne married Joan, daughter of Sir J. Dodscomb, and left issue.

5. Thomas was on the 12th Henry VI returned among the chief of the county of Devon. He represented Tavistock and South Molton. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Carew, Baron Carew of Hacomb and Anthony. They had issue John and Christopher and Joan, wife of Sir Richard Edgcumbe of Cuttayle, Kt., comptroller of the household of Henry VII from whom the present Lord Edgcumbe is directly descended; another to Kelly of Kelly.

6. John Dominus de Collocombe lived in the reign of Henry VII. He married Jane, daughter of Francis Wane of Bridecombe. They had issue two sons and three daughters. John and Richard Tremayne of Upcott, Devon, and of Tregodeck in S. Petherwyn, direct ancestor of Lewis Tremayne, now of Heligan.

7. John Tremayne of Rake (a barton which still remains in the family). He married Emyn, daughter of John Bere of Huntsham. . Had issue his only son.

8. Thomas, who upon the death of his grandfather became lord of Collacombe. He lived in the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth, and died in 1562. He married Philippa, daughter of Roger Grenville of Stow, by whom he had a numerous and eminent issue -eight sons and as many daughters ; twins twice immediately following. Four at least were very memorable persons. Edmund, second son (being a younger brother), became a servant to Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon and Marquess of Exeter, and a great sufferer for inviolable fidelity to his noble master. For when the Marquess of Exeter and the Lady Elizabeth (afterwards Queen of England) were committed to the Tower in Queen Mary's reign, upon an accusation of being privy to Wyatt's conspiracy, Mr. Edmund Tremayne was set on the rack to extort from him a confession of their guilt, wherein approving their innocency and his own fidelity with invincible resolution, he was, on Lady Elizabeth's advancement to the throne, made one of the clerks of Her Majesty's Privy Council. He had also, in 1574, an honorary salary of 40s, per annum settled upon him by the City of Exeter, for the good offices it had received and expected from him. He served in parliament for Plymouth the 14th of Elizabeth.

Richard, the fourth son, was also a very eminent person, he was the half of John the first twin. The other two sons who were so famous were Nicholas and Andrew (twins). They were so exactly alike in person, sympathy, and affection as can hardly be paralleled in history, so much so that they could not be known the one from the other, even by their most near relatives. They also agreed in their minds and tastes to a most perfect degree. If one was sick and grieved, the other felt the like pain, even though they were apart ; and if one was merry, the other was also so affected, although in different places, which long they could not endure to be, for they ever desired to eat, drink, and sleep and wake together. Yea, so they lived and so they died. In the year 1564. they both served in the wars at Newhaven (Havre de Grace) in France, where one was a captain of a troop of horse, the other a private soldier. Being both brave, they put themselves into posts of great hazard. One of them was slain, and the other instantly stepped into his place and was also slain.

Roger Tremayne, eldest son of the said Thomas, married Anne, daughter of Richard Coffin of Portledge. By her he had three daughters. Philipe married 1573 to Hannibal Vyvyan of Trelowarren, from which match the late Sir Richard Vyvyan is lineally descended. Roger died without male issue.

9. Degory Tremayne, upon the death of his elder brothers, Roger and Edmund, succeeded to the estate. His wife was daughter to Vacy of Tamerton, and relict of Richard Browning. He died 16o1 leaving issue.

10. Arthur Tremayne of Collocombe, who married Mary, daughter of Sir Richard Greinville of Stow. He had issue Edmund, and several other sons and daughters.

11. Edmund, the eldest, married Bridgett, daughter of Sir John Cooper of Dorchester. He died in 1664. This Edmund, in the civil wars of Charles I, had the command of a regiment, and suffered much for his loyalty, viz., plunder, sequestration, and imprisonment, and paid a considerable sum borrowed for the use of Queen Henrietta (wife of Charles I) when she lay in with Lady Henrietta Maria at Exeter in 1644, for which the family had not any compensation. He had five sons, of whom the three eldest died without issue, and Edmund, the fourth, on the death of his father, became owner of Collocombe. He died unmarried, and Arthur, the youngest son, became heir to the family.

12. Colonel Arthur Tremayne then became seized of the paternal estate. He married Bridgett, the daughter of Richard Hatherleigh of Tamerton. He died in 1709. He had three sons, Edmund, who succeeded to the estate, and two others.

13. Edmund married Arabella, daughter of Sir Edward Wise of Sydenham. This match brought a large estate to the family, with the grand old house of Sydenham, which has been the residence of the family ever since. He died 1698. He had issue Arthur, his successor, and others.

14. Arthur Tremayne of Sydenham married Anne, daughter of Sir Halswell Tynte of Halswell, Somerset. He died 1709, during the lifetime of his grandfather, aged 31. He was high sheriff of Devon temp. William III. He left one son, a minor.

15. Arthur Tremayne of Sydenham, upon the death of his great grandfather, became possessed of the family estate with Collocombe, now in ruins, and is the fifteenth in descent from Perys Tremayne, lord of the manor of Tremayne temp. Edward I. He married Dorothy, daughter of Hammond, Rector of Maiden Bradley, Wilts. He represented Launceston in parliament. He served the office of sheriff for Devon 1739. He died 1794, aetat 94, and left one son.

16. Arthur Tremayne. He died unmarried in 1808, aetat 73, and left his property to Rev. Henry Hawkins Tremayne of Heligan.

7. Richard Tremayne of Upcott and of South Petherwyn, second son of John of Collocombe, and seventh in descent from Perys, lived in the reigns of Henry VII, VIII, and Edward VI, and died in'the time of Philip and Mary. He married Jone, daughter of Edmund Devylocke, had issue five sons and five daughters. He made his will in favour of Sampson, his fifth son (and youngest) and appointed him his sole executor. Here follows a long statement relating to the other sons, most of whom died without issue, and the family estate devolved to

8. Sampson, the fifth son, who is the direct ancestor to the present family at Heligan, of which he was the purchaser. He married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Downing of Tredowne, Devon. He died 1593, leaving issue two sons and three daughters.

9. William, married a daughter of John Pye of Lanreath. After the death of his father he began to build at Heligan, A.D. 1597, and was the first of the family who resided there, about Michaelmas, 1604. He died 1614. Had issue seven sons and seven daughters. Oliver, third son, only survived his father one year. The fifth son, John, succeeded to the estate.

10. John, married Jane, daughter of Lewis Dart of Pentewan. He died 1665. He shared with his son in his misfortunes during the civil wars, as will be hereafter seen. Besides what has been there said, he was in May, 1646, imprisoned in Penryn by Sir Thomas Fairfax by way of reprisal for that his son the colonel had sallied out of Pendennis and taken some men belonging to the parliamentary forces. Jane, his wife, was buried in the night. They had issue three sons and seven daughters. Lewis and Philip (the latter a captain in his brother's regiment). He married secondly Anne, sister to A. Tanner of Carvinicke.

11. Lewis Tremayne, eldest son of the said John, was Lieut.-Governor of St. Mawes Castle and colonel of a foot regiment. Upon the breaking out of the civil war he removed with his regiment to Pendennis Castle, as being a place of greater strength, where he served at the time it was besieged both by land and sea, A.D. 1646, which garrison, after a most obstinate resistance for want of provisions, was forced to surrender, though upon honourable terms, August 16, 1646. The next day he had a " let pass " to go unto St. Ewe with his servants, arms and horses, and goods, which was signed by Col. Richard Fortescue, commander-in-chief under Sir Thomas Fairfax of all the parliamentary forces, and William Batten, vice-admiral and commander-in-chief of the whole fleet. This sufficiently confutes that extraordinary tradition given by Polwhele, and others, of his swimming over from a blockhouse to Trefusis and thus escaping under the enemies' fire. Soon after his return home he was persecuted by the committee, which forced him to fly to France, and was taken at sea by a Jersey boat and carried into Normandy, where he continued eight or nine months. After his return from thence he was imprisoned, and at length forced to fly into Devon with his family, where he lived at Tamerton in exile near six years. In all this time he never deserted the interest and service of His Majesty King Charles I, but was ready on all occasions, and took many journeys, as to Newmarket, to His Majesty, also in Cornwall and Devon, and to London, to those employed by the king, to his great expense and risk of his life. He had his house at Kestle plundered by Essex's soldiers of about £150, also by Fortescue's soldiers of near £130. He at his own cost bought and provided arms and ammunition to keep ready for the royal cause when occasion should offer. He received many dangerous wounds, was decimated and paid many large sums, the particulars of which would be too tedious to mention here, during Oliver's usurpation. He endured many other persecutions, having to enter into heavy recognisances for good behaviour towards the commonwealth, summoned to Truro in 1665 to give a schedule of his estates, etc. After the restoration a certificate was signed by the first persons of the county testifying to his loyalty and devotion, viz. Bathe, Wrey, Godolphin, Vyvyan, Courtenay, Arundel, Smith, and Roscarocke. He was appointed by order of King Charles II Lieut.Governor of St. Mawes, by Sir Wm. Godolphin, Deputy Vice-Admiral of the south parts of Cornwall, and in 1662, during his residence in London, his Deputy-General throughout all the south coasts of the county, beside many other honourable appointments. He married 1647 Mary, daughter of John Carew of Penwarne. In 1677 he much augmented the house at Heligan. He died 1685, aged sixty-five. He had issue John, Lewis, Charles (the progenitor of this family), and four other sons and two daughters.

John, the eldest, became a member of the Middle Temple, and was knighted in 1689. He represented Tregony, 1693-4. In his time and at his cost the now mansion house of Heligan was built. He died in 1694 without issue. Lewis, the second son, died at sea, also without issue.

12. Charles, the third son, succeeded. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Jago of Truthen. He took his M.A. degree at Cambridge, 1675. He had the livings of St. Austell and St. Blazey by gift of the crown. He was also rector of Lansallos, 1685. He had issue seven sons and two daughters, and was succeeded by 13. Lewis, the eldest. He married Mary, daughter of John Clotworthy. He died 1733, aged forty-five. He had issue John, his successor, and Charles.

14. John, married Grace, youngest daughter of Henry Hawkins of St. Austell. He was high sheriff in 1746. He died in 1756. He was succeeded by his son, Lewis.

15. Lewis Tremayne, who is the fifteenth in descent from Terys, born 1739, and died unmarried in 1766, aged twenty-seven.

15b. Henry Hawkins Tremayne succeeded his brother. Was born 1741. Took his B.A. degree 1763. Was ordained at Exeter 1766. Married in 1767 'Harriet, youngest daughter of John Hearle of Penryn. He made large additions to the estate and also to the house at Heligan. In 1 808 he succeeded by the will of Arthur Tremayne of Sydenham to his estate in the county of Devon. The said Arthur Tremayne was the representative of the elder branch of the family now extinct. Henry Hawkins Tremayne died in 1829, aged eighty-seven. He left issue one son (see p. 201).

16. John Hearle Tremayne. Born 1780. Took his B.A. degree 1801. He was elected member for Cornwall t 806, which he represented twenty years without opposition in five successive parliaments. He served as high sheriff in 1833. He married Caroline Matilda, youngest daughter of Sir Wm. Lemon. Had issue six sons and three daughters. He was succeeded by his fourth son.

17. John Tremayne. Born in 1 82 S. Married The Honble. Mary Charlotte Martha, eldest daughter of the second Baron Vivian, by whom he had two sons, Perys Edmund, born 1866, died 1867, And Jobn Claude Lewis, born 1869, and three daughters. He was high sheriff in i859, and M.P. for Cornwall (East) 1874-1 880, and for S. Devon 1 884-885. He died in 1901.

18. John Claude Lewis, the present head of the family. Born 1869. Married Eleanor, daughter of Jonathan Rashleigh of Menabilly. He was subsequently divorced, having no issue.

CARCLEW.

17. Here occurs the succession to the Carclew estate. Arthur Tremayne, fifth son of John Hearle Tremayne, was born in 1827. Married 1858 Lady Frances Margaret Hely Hutchinson, second daughter of John, third Earl of Donoughmore, by whom he had four sons and one daughter. He married secondly Emma Penelope, daughter of Rev. T. Phillpotts of Porthgwidden, by whom he had one son and a daughter. (See notice of him, p. 200).

There are some valuable pictures at Carclew, amongst which are the following:

Two boys at dinner, by Murillo. View in Italy, by Murillo.
Angels singing. Copy of Raphael, by Amiconi. Portrait (formerly said to be of Pontius Pilate), A Jewish Rabbi. Copy from Rembrandt. Landscape with water falling over rocky precipice, by Wheatly.
A view in Italy, by Stalbent. Landscape and cattle, by Pynaker.
Portrait of William Lemon, Esq., grandfather of Sir William.
Portraits of Sir William and his Lady, by Romney. Copy of Velasquez, by Gainsborough. Landscape, by Wynants.
Man and child, by Wilkie.
Water and buildings (? Venice), by Calcott. Colonel Lemon, brother of Sir William. Engraving of Sir Charles Lemon, by Richmond. Sir William and his sister, Lady de Dunstanville, as children.
Another of Sir William, as a boy.
Portrait of Colonel Tremayne, by Opie (not the great Opie).
An Interior, by Teniers.
Procession passing under an arch, by Watteau. Punchestown Race Course. Horses and numerous portraits, by Angelo Hayes. Inscribed "Corinthian Cup, 1854, won by Honble. T. Healy Hutchinson. Ch. G. Torrent."
There is also a fine collection of old china, and a grand piano given to Lady Lemon by Queen Caroline.


(1) The Bonythons took their name from Bonython in Cury.

(2) " The first provost of Glasney College was William de Bodrugan, to whom the bishop assigned a stall in the choir and a seat in the chapter; and, since, as it is written, it is not lawful to muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn, and to him who sows spiritual things the temporal are but a just tribute, the bishop annexed to
the said provostship the church of St. Probus. Difficulties arose over the appropriation of Probus, and as a substitute, by a document dated 23rd Feb., 1288, St. Mylor was given. "-Thurstan Peter's Glasney College.

(3) In relation to the manor of Newham, Gilbert says, p. 318. "This manor formed part of the Bodrugan property, and after the despoiling of Sir Henry Bodrugan by King Henry VII, it was given to Trevanion, of whom it was purchased by the late Mr. Ralph Allen Daniell, sometime member for West Looe, by whom a handsome house was built by the side of the river, about half a mile below Truro."

(4) An oratory was usually a small domestic chapel attached to a manor house, especially when the house was away from the
parish church. They were for the use of the family or household, the rights of the parish priest being carefully preserved.

(5) Mr. Hearle had three daughters and co-heiresses. One married Mr. Rodd of Trebartha, and another Capt. Wallis, R.N., discoverer of Otaheite.

(6) This does not, however, seem to be the generally received meaning of the name, although Leland in his Itinerary (temp. Hen. VII) speaks of its fine wood, as he does, too, of that on the banks of the river Vale or Fal, which was in his days "encompassed about with the loftiest woods, oaks, and timber trees that this kingdom afforded, and was therefore called by the Britons Cassi-tir or Cassi-ter, that is to say 'Wood Land.'" The name of " Great Wood" in Mylor is still retained, also "Restronguet Wood." Polwhele gives the meaning as " the hill head promintory or beak of land, for as Pen is a head in Cornish, so Rin or Ryn is a nose, nook or promintory " ; and there are lofty lands called " Rins " above the town.


Back to Olivey's History of Mylor index

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