Revd. G.D. Melhuish - Notes on the History of Ashwater Parish and Church

The Careys'.

I am going to ask you to turn back now to the story of Ashwater Manor. Some months ago when we left that subject we noted that Sir Peter Carew sold the Manor to The Carys in 1575.

The Carys lived at Cary in St. Giles; there is an ancient stone at the end of the aisle in St. Giles' Church which is in memory of Thomas Cary who died in 1583 and was buried in the Cathedral at Exeter.

These Carys moved to Cockington near Torquay, and they still hold Tor Abbey, which is not far from Torquay station.

A young Cary who had but lately inherited it was killed in the Great War.

You will find some notes about the family if you refer to the list of Rectors and see what was said about Thomas Cary, Rector of Ashwater in 1370. It so happens that the Carys have a very interesting collection of Documents relating to the lands, &c., which belong or have belonged to them, and they have allowed the Devonshire Association to publish a list and short description of them. There are 121 in this list and they give much information, not only about the Carys but also about Carminows, Arscotts, Granvilles, Giffords, and many others, and they have to do with land scattered over wide districts of Devon. Some of them are as early as the reign of Edward I.; 1289, is the first date given, though some undated are probably earlier.

A few of these many documents relate to Ashwater. One for instance, gives the “Inquisitio post mortem “ of Thomas Carminow, from which the various facts about him and his daughters, Margaret and Joan, have been gathered. These inquests were held at the death of an owner of large estates in order to decide what the estates and rights were and who were the inheritors. The whole list is published in the Transactions, of The Devon Association, Vol XXXIII.

Another of the Cary Papers, 19th April, 1396, is a grant by William Carmynow to Will. Beaumond, of lands in the manor of Ayschewater, at Marcombe, Hunescote and Estblakedon, which shows how the original manor was being cut up.

Another is a declaration, 6th February, 1407, that Will: Carmynow holds the manor of Asshewater of John Cornewaill, Knight, Cornewaill holding it under the Castle of Barnstaple.

Another, 17th July, 1427. An exchange of a piece of land in fee of Aysshewater by Thomas Carmynowe for all lands of Walter Wolffe in Aysshewater and divers pieces of land in Stoddondonne with two pieces in Northhey and pasture, &c., in Stoddon Moor.

Another, 26th April, 1475, is a warrant of Attorney by Halnatheus Mauleuerer and Johanna, his wife (younger daughter of Th: Carminow) to deliver manors, advowsons, (no doubt including Ashwater) and other property of Th. Carminow to certain Trustees.

Another is a grant by Johanna Mauleuerer, widow, to J. Saunders of land called Brusche Close in Bradwoode for life. Rent one penny per annum.

Another, 2nd August, 1511. Edward Carewe, Knight, gives warrant of Attorney to J. Moigne, Clerk, and Th. Tynbury (trustees I suppose) to receive possession of manors of Ayschewater, Louyncote, Beworthy, Tamerton, &c.

Another, 30th September, 1598. A lease granted by Sir George Carye, of Cockington, for 90 years, to Sampson Oliver, his wife, Margaret, and their son, John the land being Bryse Park or Bruyshe Parke, about 30 acres, part of the manor of Ashwater in the parish of Broadwood. Rent 13/4 per annum, and best beast by way of heriot or 50/- in lieu thereof.

Another. 27th June. 1614. Court Baron of Aishwater. William Frye, son of George Frye, came to the Court to be enrolled tenant of Sir George Cary, of a tenement called Southaye, except common of pasture in Claw Moor.