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

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

NOTES ON MYLOR.

Section 3

Description of Mylor from old authorities.

THE Domesday book, which contains the particulars of a survey ordered by William the Conqueror in theyear 1084, does not contain any direct account of Mylor, but there is a slight reference which may apply to it under " Mabe."

Leland gives a very early description of this district in his Itinerary which was made in the year 1533

" There lyith a little cape or foreland within the haven a mile dim., almost again Mr. Kiligrewe's house, called Penfusis. Betwixt this cape and Mr. Kiligrew's house one great arme of the haven runnith up to Penrine toun-Penrine three good miles from the very entry of Falmouth haven, and two miles from Penfusis. There dwellith an auncient gentleman called Trefusis at this point of Penfusis.

" One Walter (Brounscombe), Bishop of Excestre, made yn a more called Glesnith in the bottom of a park of his at Penrine a Collegiate Church with a provost and xij prebendaries and other ministers. This college is strongly wallid and incastilled having three strong towers and gunnes at the but of the creeke. Good wood about the south and west syde of Penrine. Betwixt the point of land of Trefusis and the point of Restronget wood is Milor creek, and there is St. Milor's church, and beyond the church is a good rode for shippes. Milor creke goith up a mile. Good wood in Restronget. The next creek beyond the point in Stronget wood is caullid Restronget, and going ij miles into the land it brekith into two armes; and St. Feock's church standeth in the land betwixt."

CAREW'S DESCRIPTION.

Carew, in his survey, published in the year I602 speaking of Falmouth and its harbour, says:

" The river Fala falling here into the seas widegaping mouth, hath endowed it with that name"; then comparing the advantages of Plymouth against Falmouth, says: "so Falmouth braggeth that a hundred sayle may anker within his circuite and no one of them see the other's top which Plymouth cannot equall " ; and after describing the castles of Pendennis and St. Mawes, and the residence of Sir John Killigrew at Arwenacke Somewhat above Arenwacke, Trefuses point diuideth the harbour, and yeeldeth a seuerall ankering place on eche side thereof ; the one called Carrack rode the other King's rode. The Promontory is possessed and inhabited by a gentleman of that name, who suitably to his name giueth three Fusils for his coat in this sort : A. a cheuron between three fusils S. He maried the coheire of Gaurigan and M. Wil Godolphin, late younger brother to Sir Frauncis, her other sister."

Of Carclew, he says : " Upon another creeke on the same side Carclew hath (after the Cornish maner) welneere metamorphesed the name of Master Bonithon his owner, into his owne.⁽¹⁾ He married the daughter of Vivian, his father of Killigrew, his grandfather of Erisy, and beareth A. a cheuron between three floures de luce S."

TONKIN'S DESCRIPTION.

Tonkin, who wrote his history about 1'730 (1692-1739), gives a very full description of Mylor. His MS. is said to be a copy of Hals', who wrote a little before, but whose work was never published, and that relating to Mylor is said to be lost, but under "Mabe," however, Hals makes mention of Mylor as follows:

"For the name (Mabe) it is plain Cornish, Mab or Mabe being a son, and in this place either to be construed in reference to Milorus (son of Melianus, king or duke of Cornwall), who lies buried in Milor churchyard, and who was lord of this place or had some jurisdiction over it, as Milor church at this day hath in spirituals over Mabe to which it is considered as annexed.

"At the time of the Norman Conquest the district was taxed under the jurisdiction of Tremiloret, i.e. Milor's town. In the Inquisition of the bishops of Lincoln and Winchester, 1294, into the value of Cornish benefices, Ecclesia de Sancto Milore in decanatu de Kerryer cum Sacillo (that is to say with this Church or Chapel) was rated at £6 13s. 4d. In Wolsey's Inquisition, 1521, Milor la Vabe, or Mabe, is valued at £16 15s. 0d.⁽²⁾ The patronage in the Bishop of Exon, the incumbent --------------. Now Milor-la-Vabe is either Milor's son's place, or a corruption of Milor-ha-Vabe, i.e. Milor and Mabe, or Milor and son."

Tonkin further says, under Mylor:

"Mylor lyes in the Hundred of Kerrier, and has to the West Gluvyas, to the North St. Piran Arworthal, with Carnan and Restronguet Creeks, to the East and South Mylor Pool and Falmouth Harbour. The saint that gives name to this parish is Meliorus, the son of Melianus, D. of Cornwall, who, being secretly made a Christian, was so maliced by Renaldus his Pagan Brotherin-law, that he first cut off his right hand, then his left leg, and at last his head, about A.D. 411, whose body being buried in this church, by the miracles reported to be done at his tomb, procur'd the reputation of a Saint to his memory. In An. 1291, this church cum Sinar was valued at vil. xiiis. iiijd., being about that time appropriated to the College of Glassney. This Church is a Vicaridge valued in the King's books £ 16 15s. 0d. The Patronage in the Bishop of Exeter. The Incumbent Mr. Francis St. Barb.⁽³⁾ The Impropriation of the sheaf in Robert Trefusis, Esq.

" I shall, according to my proposed method, begin my account of this Parish with the most Westerly Estate in it.

" The Barton of Carclew, which I find antiently written Crueglew and Crueclew-Crug or Cruc is the same with Crig, a Barrow-and Clu I judge to be an abbreviation of Cluth, a Ditch, Hedge, or Fence, an enclosure, so as to signify the Inclosures by the Barrows, of which there are severall in the joyning Commons. This Crueclu, for the easier pronunciation, has been soften'd to Carclew, as it is now written.

" The first owner of this Place which I can meet with (Herald's Office) is Dangeros (or D'Aungers), who married Margery the Daur of Barthol Seneschall (whose arms were the same as Seriseaux, argt a saltire sable betw. 12 cherries slipped proper). He flourished, as I guess, in the Reign of Hen. 11 (1154). Robt de Cardinam, by a Deed without a Date, w^h as well as I can read it runs in these words, 'Sciant enucti, etc., etc.' (vide MS.) (Robt de Cardinan to Ric. Dangeros Cruegleu and Penguer) which Robert de Cardinan I take it to be the same with him who the 6 Ric. I held 71 Knights' fees in this County, whereof the Manor of Restronguet must be one ; for Carclew was held for many years after of that manor. In which family of D'angeros or D'Angers (who by their matches seem to have been Gentlemen of considerable note) it continued till the beginning of the reign of Hen. IV (1399), when James D'Aungers of this Place by Isabell his wife the Daur of Sir Robert Cardinan, Kt., had only two Daurs and Heirs, Margaret married to David Renaudin of Arworthal, and Isabell to Richard Bonithon, 2d son of Simon Bonithon, of Bonithon. This Barton fell to the sd David Rinaudin's share, for to Him (12 Hen. IV, 1411) Will^m Bodrugan, Ld of the Manor of Restrongas, Grants and to his Heirs for ever, All his Mess, Lands and Tenemts in Villa de Nansconabo, etc. The sd W- Bodrugan grants to John Renaudin of Arworthall (son of the sd David) and his H^rs for ever, All his Mess, Lands and Tenmts in Villis de Crugelew Dangerus, Polfenton, Penguer wartha, Penguer wollas, and Chybate cum ptinent, Paying 6s Kt suit to Court at Restrongas, etc. hiis testibus Symone Killigrew, Rico Carnsyow, Thoma Durand, Johe Penhai and aliis. Dat apud Crugellew Dangerus die Mercurii post fest nat. Dne Anno Regni Regis Henrici quint post conquest Angliae quarto. 1417, which John Renaudin dying soon after without issue This Barton with the whole estate of Dangers (then valued at 500lb. per ann.) came to Richard Bonython and Isabell his wife. Henry Bodrugan, Esgr and James Bonython (son and H. of the sd Rich. and Isabell) Grant to James Kelway Captno All their lands, etc., in Nansconabo juxta Careclew Dangers, Paying to the s' Henry Bodrugan his H's etc. one Pair of white Gloves (Note.-A white glove was Bodrugan's crest) at Mmas yrly for all Serv, etc., dat apud Brodrugan io die Julii io Edw. IV, 1470. W°" sd Lands the sd James Kelway C..jerk reconveys to the sd Ja. Bonython 10 Aug., '12 Edw. IV. Henry Bodrugan, Esq., releaseth to the sd Jam. Bonython and his H" for ever, All Rents, claim, etc., in Nansconabo juxta Carclew Dangers, then in the s' Ja. Bonython's peaceable possession, etc., dat apud Bodrigan 28 Septem., 12 Edw. IV, 1472. From which deeds I gather that neither Cardinan or Bodrugan had any right in Carclew, or rather its app' Nansconabo in particular, in right of their manor of Restronguet but as Lords Paramount for which they claim'd suit of Court, Rent, etc., which the s' Henry Bodrigan releas'd to the sd James Bonython by the last recited Deed, ever since which Carclew has been discharged, and so continueth to this day from any dependence on Restronguet, for which reason I have not treated of it in that mannor, of which more under.

"As for the Pedigree of the Bonythons and particular acct of them, see my Fol. Bks Vol. 2, p. . I shall only add here that the last of them, Rich' Bonython, Esgr, a very worthy Gentleman, died July 31, 1697,⁽⁴⁾ in the 45' year of his age, leaving by Honora his wife, Daur of Sir Tho. Heale of Fleet, Bart, and relict of Sir Gregory Stockmore, Kt, one only Daur and Heir, Jane, married the year following to Sam. Kempe, eldest son and Heir to James Kempe of Penryn, Esq., which sd Samuel Kempe dyed without issue Octob. 2o, 1728, leaving the s' Barton and some small part of the Antient Lands (for he had sold off the rest in his lifetime) to his s' Widow, who now resideth here. A Lady who for her many virtues, Beauty and other accomplishments, deserveth a much better fortune in every respect than she had the good luck to meet with. The said Mr. Kempe built a noble house here, which he did not live to finish, and had laid such a plan for Avenues, Gardens, etc., as when brought to perfection would have made it one of the pleasantest seats in the County.

" There has been much Tin on this Barton, and perhaps would still turn to good account if a deep Adit were brought in to unwater the bottoms. As also a pretty good load of Antimony, not wrought at present, or, I believe, not worth the while.

"The arms of Dangers, as painted in the old glass windows at Carclew, were Sable, a Chevron Betw. 3 Flowers de Luce, Argt. The arms of Bonithon, Arg' a Chev. Betw. 3 Flow. de Luce Sable. But they likewise gave, as painted in the Old Hall there, Sable, a Chev. Betw. 3 Pelicans feeding their young ones in their nests, Argt.

THE MANOR OF RESTRONGET.

"This manor joins Carclew. It was formerly written Restrongas and I take the sense of the word to be Res, Ros, or Rose, a valley ; trong, a nose, used in the same sense as we use ness from the French for land jutting into the sea ; and gas or guys, deep ; so as to signify altogether, the valley with the deep promontory or point of land. William de Bodrigan was lord of the manor in the 1 2 th of Henry IV (1411) and that family possessed it 'till the beginning of the reign of Henry VII (1509) when on the attainder of Bodrigan it was given to William Trevanion in which family it still continues,⁽⁵⁾ John Trevanion of Carhays Esq. being the present lord thereof. In the village of Restronget have lived in lease for several generations a younger branch of the Leys of Ponacumb.

" There is a passing boat kept here, it being the post road, and by much the nearest cut from Falmouth to Truro and the East called Restronget Passage.

" A part of the Bishop's manor of Penryn extends into this Parish.

MANOR OF TREFUSIS AND TREGOSE.

" Trefusis saith the Editor of Camden in the additional part, p. 22, signifies a walled town or fortified place. This hath been the seat of an eminent family of the same name ever since the Conquest if not before.

" The present possessor thereof is Robert Trefusis Esq. a young gentleman of great hopes who is yet unmarried. These gentlemen led away by a false notion (with many others) of being of French extraction, have given, in allusion to the supposed meaning of their name in the language of that country, for their Arms, Argent a chevron between three fusees, or wharrow spindles, sable.

" The house is extremely pleasant by its situation and would be much more so were it built a little higher up. To the south of the house is a fine grove and a walk, at the end of which is a pleasure house, built by this gentleman's father, from whence there is a very beautiful prospect.

"Adjoining to Trefusis is Nankersy, that is the winding valley, from ceirsie, to twist or wind about. This place by a lease from the Trefusises has been for two or three generations the seat of a younger branch of the Littletons of Lanhidrock ; the late owner William Littleton, Gent. died a bachelor in the year 1734, and by his decease the estate is fallen into the lord's hands. The arms of Littleton are Argent, a chevron between three escallops Sable. On this Nankersy hath been lately built by the Dutchmen a considerable town, called by them Flushing, after a town of the same name in Zealand, by which name it is now generally known. And had these Dutchmen had the continuing of the town they would have made it in some measure to resemble its namesake, by digging a canal to discharge all sorts of merchandise through the middle of it, there being a large marsh adjoining that seemed by nature to have been placed for that purpose, but as it is, though there are some good houses there, the whole is without any order, contrivance or regularity. The late Samuel Trefusis Esq. was at no small expense in levelling the place, the building quays etc. for loading or unloading the vessels, and could he have settled the packet boats here for which it lies far better than Falmouth, the water being deeper, and they all lying before it, Flushing would soon have been a place of great resort, but having failed in that, the town is now falling to decay and many of the houses of which it consists are uninhabited.

THE MANOR OF MYLOR⁽⁶⁾

"A small lordship which takes its name from the Parish and in which the church is situated so that probably the churchyard and glebe were taken out of it by the gift of some former proprietor, although the fact is now forgotten. The present lord of this manor is Martin Lister Killigrew Esq. an adopted heir to Sir Peter Killigrew. The Church is situated at the South East of the Parish near that branch of the Falmouth haven called Mylor Pool. It is but a small building, consisting of a nave, one aisle of the same length, with a handsome north cross aisle belonging to Carclew ; and a little distance from the West is a low square campanile covered with slate, in which are three bells."

(1) This refers to the custom of taking the surname from the estate.

(2) In a later valuation of benefices by John Ecton, published in 1728, it is given as Milour and Lavapper, is valued in the king's books £16 15s. od., as a living remaining in charge, and yearly tenths £1 13s. 6d.

(3) Francis St. Barb was vicar from 1701 to 1740.

(4) See monument in Mylor Church, and extract from Will, Appendix B.

(5) The name of Trevanion like so many more appears to have disappeared from Cornwall, the representatives in the male line having died out. In the list of Cornish gentlemen given by Norden in the reign of James I, he enumerates five families of this name. In the churchyard of Ramsbury, Wiltshire, is a granite monument inscribed to the memory of Susannah Trevanion, widow of J. J. B. Trevanion, of Caerhayes, no doubt a descendant of the above John. The lady in question was a sister of Baroness Burdett Coutts, who erected the monument in conjunction with Hugh Charles Trevanion, her step grandson. The extinct Cornish families form a numerous list; Norden enumerates many in his time, besides the above; there were twelve seats of the Arundels, and names the following as being extinct: the Carminnows, Granvilles, Mohuns, Champernons, Bodrugans, Killigrews, Bevills, Godolphins, Tregains, Tonkins, Scawans, Roscorrocks, Roskymers, Preads, Robartes, Eriseys, Bonithons, Arweniks and others.
Commenting on the decay of so many Cornish families, Dr. Borlase beautifully says: -The most lasting families have only their seasons more or less of a certain constitutional strength. They have their spring and summer sunshine glare, their wane, decline and death; they flourish and shine perhaps for ages; at last they sicken, their light grows pale, and at a crisis, when the offsets are withered and the whole stock is blasted, the whole tribe disappears, and leaves the world as they have done Cornwall. There are limits ordained for everything under the sun; man will not abide in
honour. Of all human vanities family pride is one of the weakest. Reader go thy way; secure thy name in the book of life where the page fades not nor the title alters nor expires ; leave the rest to heralds and the parish register,''

(6) In the notice of Glasney College it will be seen that by an Ordinance dated 9th May, x353, in addition to ordaining a perpetual vicar the bishop with the consent of the provost assigned to the vicar of Mylor for the time being a messuage adjoining the cemetary
of the church with land measuring at least ten acres. This corresponds to the present glebe before the gift of Richard Bonithon. This manor was held by the Killigrews under the St. Aubyn's as a
parcel of the manor of Kymyel. It afterwards became the property of Lord Wodehouse, whose representative, John Wodehouse, first earl of Kimberley, sold it to J. S. Enys, Esq., of Enys, who became
the owner about the year 1850. He has since exchanged it (with the exception of a piece of wood) with Lord Clinton, for a portion of land near his own estate of Enys.

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