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Clovelly, and the Randell Family Appendices
by
Brian and David Randell
5 March 1998
- Appendix 1: Randell Families
- Appendix 2: Randell Baptisms, Marriages and Burials at Clovelly
- Appendix 3: Randell/Clovelly Wills
- Appendix 4: Entries in Barnstaple and Bideford Port Books (1661-1721)
- Appendix 5: Entries in Records of Shipments of Coal from Pembrey (1715-1721)
- Appendix 6: Early 19th Century Descriptions of Clovelly
- Notes
Appendix 1: Randell Families
The set of conjectural Randell descendants trees below is an attempt to make sense out of all the known basic genealogical information which relates, or might relate, to the Randells of Clovelly. The information comes mostly from the Clovelly Registers and Bishops Transcripts [Note 17]. However, italicised information relates to Hartland, and comes either from the Hartland Registers or the IGI, and so its inclusion may well not be justifiable.
It will be seen that most of the people have been fitted into one or other of a set of families that each start with a Randell who must have been born about 1650. Most of the assumed links do not seem unduly arbitrary, but the evidence for placing Frances Randell & Emlyn Mumford where they are, rather than in the family of Arthur Randell & Agnes Pollard, is very weak - resting simply on the issue of similarity of sets of forenames.
Michall R. (?-1694) & ? (?-?), m ?
Michael R. (1703-?)
Thomas R. (1706-?) & Sarah Witheridge (?-?), m. 1729
Mary R. (1711-?) & Michael Hele (?-?), m. 1731
Mary Hele (1739-1743)
Ann Hele (1744-?)
Thomazin R. (?-1720)
Anne R. (1682-?) & James Davy (?-?), m. 1711
(perhaps the d. of Francis & Bridgett R.)
Ann Davy (1713-?)
Charles Davy (1718-?)
Richard (1685-?)
Francis R. (?-1696) & Jone ? (?-1669), m. ? (1st marr.)
Francis R. (?-1696) & ? (?-?), m. ? (2nd marr.)
Nicholas (1683-?)
Mary R. (?-?) & John Pollard (?-?), m. 1680
Charles R. (?-?) & Elizabeth Pollard (?-?), m. 1683
Jone R. (1683-?)
Jasper R. (?-?) & Judah Pollard (?-?), m. 1684
Arthur R. (?-1696)
Francis R. (?-1705?) & Bridgett Cole (?-1700), m. 1681
Florence R. (1693-) & William Pollard (?-?), m. 1719
Robert Pollard (1720-1720)
Michael R. (1694-1779) & Agnes Shapley ? (?-1755), m. 1727
Thomasin R. (1731-1734)
Thomasin R. (1735-1742)
Robert R. (1737-1743)
Margaret R. (1742-?)
Elizabeth R. (1746-?) & James Davy (?-?), m. 1767
Nicholas R. (1695-?) & Jone Madge (?-1721), m. 1720 (1st marr.)
Benjamin R. (1721-?) & Susanna Trick (?-1752), m. 1747
Nicholas R. (1752-?)
Nicholas R. (1695-?) & Mary Warmington (?-1762), m.1723 (2nd marr.)
Mary R. (1727-1750)
Thomazin R. (1730-1732)
Thomasin R. (1734-1736)
Jasper R. (?-1718 at Pembrey) & Ann Nicholls (?-?), m.1699
(perhaps the s. of Arthur R. (?-1696))
Ann R. (1705-?)
Jasper R. (1708-1725)
John R. (1708-1709)
Peter R. (1710-?)
Sarah R. (1716-?) & Richard Wade (?-?), m. 1745
(perhaps the s. of Francis & Bridgett R.)
Arthur R. (?-1724) & Agnes Pollard (1687-1727), m. 1706
(perhaps the s. of Francis & Bridgett R. or of Arthur R. (?-1696))
Judith R. (1709-?) & Francis Beer (?-?), m. 1732
Agnes Beer (1742-?)
Susanna Beer (1745-1768)
John R. (1712-?) & Jane Killiowe (?-?), m. 1743 (Tiverton)
Francis R. (1715-?)
Arthur R. (1719-?)
James R. (?-?) & Thomzin Puggley (?-1725), m. 1712
(perhaps the s. of Francis & Bridgett R.)
Francis R. (1716-?) & Emlyn Mumford (?-1747), m. 1739
Thomas R. (1770-?)
Francis R. (1772-1839)
James R. (?-1775)
Francis R. (1744-1746)
James R. (1720-1723)
Elizabeth R. (?-?)
(perhaps the d. of Francis & Bridgett R.)
Nicholas R. (1720-1784)
Bernard R. (?-?) & Elizabeth Darke (?-1727), m. 1719
Thomazin R. (?-?) & Lawrence Crocker (?-?), m. 1759
Appendix 2: Randell Baptisms, Marriages and Burials at Clovelly
From the Parish Registers and Bishops Transcripts:
bur | Jone | Randle | w | Francis Randle | 20 Jul | 1669 |
bap | Robert | Randall | s | Michaell Randall | 21 Nov | 1679 |
mar | Mary | Randall | w | John Pollard | 11 Jan | 1679/80 |
bap | Ann | Randall | d | Michill Randall | 25 Oct | 1682 |
bap | Nicholas | Randall | s | Francis Randall | 12 Mar | 1682/3 |
bap | Jone | Randall | d | Charles Randall | 8 Oct | 1683* |
mar | Charles | Randell (Randall) | h | Elizabeth Pollard | 29 May | 1683 |
mar | Jasper | Randell | h | Judah Pollard | 1 Jan | 1683/4 |
bap | Richard | Randell | s | Michall Randell | 19 Jul | 1685 |
bap | Nicholas | Randle | s | Francis Randle | 8 Jul | 1687 |
bur | Nicholas | Randle | s | Francis Randle | ? Nov | 1687 |
bap | --- | Randell | s | --- | 30 Jul | 1689 |
bap | Florense | Randle | d | Francis Randle | 5 Jan | 1692/3 |
bap | --- (Michael) | Randell | s | Francis Randell | 15 Apr | 1694 |
bur | Michell | Randell | 4 Dec | 1694 | ||
bap | Michell (Nicholl) | Randall | s | Francis Randall | 25 Apr | 1695 |
bur | Arthur | Randle | 3 Aug | 1696 | ||
bur | Francis | Randle | 16 Feb | 1696/97 | ||
bur | Judith | Randle | w | Jasper Randle | 4 Dec | 1698 |
bur | Brigett | Randle | w | Francis Randle | 5 May | 1700 |
bap | Arthur | Randle | s | Jasper Randle | 13 Apr | 1703 |
mar | Robert | Randle (Randall) | h | Thomasin Trick | 4 May | 1703 |
bap | Michael | Randle | s | Robert Randle | 5 Dec | 1703 |
bap | Anne | Randle | d | Jasper Randle | 9 May? | 1704/05 |
bur | Fransis | Rendall | 4 Jul | 1705 | ||
mar | Francis | Rendell | h | Elizabeth Madge | 15 Jul | 1705 |
bap | Thomas | Rendell | s | Robert Rendell (Randell) | 18 Aug | 1706 |
mar | Arthur | Randall | h | Agnes Pollard | 29 Dec | 1706 |
bap | John | Randall | s | Jasper Randall | 21 May | 1708 |
bap | Jasper | Randall | s | Jasper Randall | 21 May | 1708 |
bap | Francis | Randall | s | Arthur Randall (Rendle) | 20 Jun | 1708 |
bur | Francis | Randall | s | Arthur Randall | 27 Jun | 1708 |
bur | Judith | Randall | 22 Apr | 1709 | ||
bur | John | Randall | s | Jaspar Randall | 18 Sep | 1709 |
bap | --- (Judith?) | Randall | s? | Archlas (Arthur) Randall | 28 Sep | 1709 |
bap | Peter??? | Randall | s | Jasper Randall | 29 Jun | 1710 |
bap | Agnes | Randall | d | Arthur Randall | 10 Nov | 1710 |
bap | Mary | Randall | d | Robert Randall | ? | 1711 |
mar | Anne | Randall | w | James Davy | 27 Jun | 1711 |
bap | John | Randall | s | Arthur Randall | 4 Sep | 1712 |
bap | Bridgett | Randall | d | James Randall | 19 Jul | 1713 |
bap | Francis | Randall | s | Arthur Randall | 15 Jun | 1715 |
bap | Francis | Randall | s | James Randall | 2 Oct | 1716 |
bap | Sarah | Randall | d | Jasper Randall | 7 Oct | 1716 |
mar | Bernard | Randall | h | Elizabeth Darke | 1 May | 1719 |
bap | Arthur | Randall | s | Arthur Randall | 16 Aug | 1719 |
mar | Florense | Randall (Rendle) | w | William Pollard | 1 Jan | 1719/20 |
bap | Nicholas | Randall | s | Elizabeth Randall (base) | 10 Jan | 1719/20 |
bur | Thomasin | Randall | d | Robert Randall | 13 Mar | 1719/20 |
bap | James | Randall | s | James Randall | 31 Jul | 1720 |
mar | Nicholas | Randall | h | Jone Madge | 3 Dec | 1720 |
bap | Beniamin | Randall | s | Nicholas Randall | 11 Sep | 1721 |
bur | Jone | Randall | w | Nicholas Randall | 15 Sep | 1721 |
mar | Nicholas | Randol | h | Mary Warmington | 26 Dec | 1723 |
bur | Elizabeth | Rendor | w | Francis Rendor (Rendol) | 26 Jan | 1723/4 |
bur | James | Randel | m | James Randel (Randol) | 20 Mar | 1723/4 |
bur | Arthur | Rendol | 10 Nov | 1724 | ||
bur | Thomzin | Rendle | w | James Routle (Rendle) | 12 Feb | 1725 |
bur | Jesper | Rendle | 12 Mar | 1725/6 | ||
mar | Elizabeth | Rendel | w | William Lane | 12 Feb | 1726/7 |
bur | Elizabeth | Rendle | w | Barnerd (Barnard) Rendle | 9? Aug | 1727 |
bap | Mary | Rendle | d | Nicholas Rendle | 18 Jun | 1727 |
bur | Agnes | Rendle | 6? Jul | 1727 | ||
bur | Mary | Rendle | 17 Nov | 1727 | ||
mar | Michael | Rendel | h | Agnes Shaply | 19 Feb | 1727/8 |
mar | Agnes | Rendell | w | William Gay | 3 Nov | 1728 |
bap | Michael | Randle | s | Michaell Randle | 15 Jun | 1729 |
bur | Francis | Randle | 12 May | 1730 | ||
bap | Thomazin | Randle | d | Nicholas Randle | 20 Sep | 1730 |
bap | Thomasin | Rendle | d | Michael Rendle | 16 Jul | 1731 |
mar | Mary | Rendle | w | Michael Hele | 9 Oct | 1731 |
bur | Thomazin | Rendle | d | Nicholas Rendle | 24 Feb | 1732 |
mar | Judith | Rendle | w | Francis Beer | 26 Oct | 1732 |
bap | Thomasin | Rendle | d | Nicholas Rendle | 27 Feb | 1733/4 |
bur | Thomasin | Rendle | f | Michael Rendle | 20 Apr | 1734 |
bap | Thomazin | Rendle | d | Michael Rendle | 2 May | 1735 |
mar | Bridgett | Rendle | w | John Peirce | 24 Jun | 1735 |
bur | Michael | Rendle | s | Michael Rendle | 9 Jan | 1736/7 |
bur | Thomasin | Rendle | d | Nicholas Rendle | 29 Feb | 1736/7 |
bap | Robert | Rendle | s | Michael Rendle | 25 Aug | 1737 |
bur | Jane? | Rendle | 30 Dec | 1737 | ||
mar | Francis | Rendle | h | Emlyn Mumford | 16 Oct | 1739 |
bap | Thomas Mumford | Rendle | s | Francis Rendle | 29 Nov | 1741 |
bur | Thomasin | Rendle | d | Michael Rendle | 21 Jan | 1742 |
bur | Robert | Randle | 23 Jan | 1742 | ||
bap | Margaret | Rendle | d | Michael Rendle | 26 Feb | 1742 |
bap | Francis | Rendle | s | Francis Rendle | 18 Jul | 1744 |
bap | Elizabeth | Rendle | d | Michael Rendle | 13 Jun | 1746 |
bur | Emlyn | Rendle | w | Francis Rendle | 11 Jul | 1746 |
bur | Francis | Rendle | s | Francis Rendle | 2 Oct | 1746 |
mar | Benjamin | Rendle | h | Susanna Trick | 12 Oct | 1747 |
bap | Benjamin | Rendle | s | Benjamin Rendle | 1 Jun | 1750 |
bur | Mary | Rendle | d | Nicholas Rendle | 27 Dec | 1750 |
bur | Susannah | Rendle | 8 Nov | 1752 | ||
bap | Nicholas | Rendle | s | Benjamin Rendle | 28 Dec | 1752 |
bur | Robert | Rendle | 30 Aug | 1753 | ||
bur | Benjamin | Rendle | s | Benjamin Rendle | 14 Apr | 1754 |
bur | Agnes | Rendle | w | Michael Rendle | 24 Aug | 1755 |
mar | Thomazin | Rendle | w | Lawrence Crocker | 10 Feb | 1759 |
bur | Mary | Rendle | 10 Dec | 1762 | ||
mar | Thomas | Rendle | h | Mary Whitfield | 23 Nov | 1767 |
mar | Elizabeth | Rendle | w | James Davy | 26 Nov | 1767 |
bap | Thomas | Rendle | s | Thomas Rendle | 17 Jan | 1770 |
bap | Francis | Rendle | s | Thomas Rendle | 29 Nov | 1772 |
bur | James | Rendle | s | Thomas Rendle | 17 Jan | 1775 |
bur | Michael | Randall | 18 Apr | 1779 | ||
bur | Nicholas | Randall | (pauper) | 12 Jun | 1784 | |
bur | Wilmot | Randle | 24 Jul | 1793 |
From Exeter Marriage Licenses (D&CRS):
mar | John | Randell | h | Jane Killiowe (Tiverton) | 18 Nov | 1743 |
mar | Sarah | Randle | w | Richard Wade | 17 Jul | 1745 |
The item marked with a dagger has not been fitted into the set of conjectural family trees in Appendix 1. Our reading of a name, where it differs significantly from that of Michael Wickes, is given in parentheses. (The item marked by an asterisk was reported by the NDRO, but is not in the Wickes transcript.)
Appendix 3: Randell/Clovelly Wills
(Listed in: Index of Wills and Administrations relating to the County of Devon proved in the court of the Archdeaconry of Barnstaple 1563-1858, and preserved in the Probate Registry Exeter until destroyed by enemy action in 1942. Devonshire Association, 1950.)
Randell, John | 21 Apr 1593 |
Randall, Charles | 1697 |
Randle, Francis | 26 Jul 1705 |
Randall, Judith | 23 Mar 1709 |
Randle, John | 3 May 1745 |
Randle, Benjamin | 17 Jan 1753 |
Randell, Robert | 5 Apr 1754 |
Appendix 4: Entries in Barnstaple and Bideford Port Books (1661-1721)
These entries are extracted from various files in the PRO E/190 Series, to provide what is more in the nature of an index than a transcription. The dates given are variously the date on which the entry has been made in the Port Book, or the date of the vessel's arrival or departure in port. Details of the vessel's cargo are often abbreviated.
Michaell Randell, GRACE for Padstow, w. earthenware, 4 May 1661
Michaell Randell, AGNIS for Bude, w. spanish iron, salt, earthenware, 17 Aug 1661
James Randell, BLESSING from Brystoll, w. cottons, 19 Jul 1662
ffrancis Randell, LAMB for Padstow, w. earthenware, salt, 12 Sep 1662
ffrancis Randle, LAMB for Padstow, w. earthenware, 26 Feb 1670
James Rendell?, BLESSING for Bude, w. salt, earthenware, 22 Jul 1670
ffrancis Randle, LAMB for Padstow, w. earthenware, grinding stones, 4 Feb 1671
Peter Skinner, FORTUNE for Padstow, w. earthenware, etc., 28 Feb 1671
James Randell, BLESSING from Barnstaple for Clovelly, w. salt, 29 Jul 1671
Mich. Randell, ELIZABETH for Bude from Appledore, w. salt, earthenware, oyle, sugar; Bideford; 13 Mar 1673
James Randle, BLESSING for Dartmouth, w. herrings, 15 Jan 1676
Michaell Randle, ELIZABETH for Barnstaple, w. culme, 5 Apr 1676
James Randell, BLESSING for Padstow, w. 20 doz earthenw., 3 Feb 1678
Jasper Randell, WILLIAM & JOHN for Padstow w. earthenware, drinking glasses, and from Bristoll Norway Deals [wood], nails, coke, etc., 8 Mar 1680
Arthur Randle, MAYFLOWER from Neath w. coal, 28 May 1680
James Randle, BLESSING from Neath w. coal, 16 Jun 1680
James Randle, BLESSING from Neath w. coal on 17 May, 31 Aug 1680
James Randle, BLESSING from Neath w. coal on 29 Jul, 31 Aug 1680
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 6 Oct 1680
James Randle, BLESSING for Falmouth, w. salt from Dartmouth, 9 Jun 1681
James Randle, BLESSING from Tenby, w. culme, 14 Jul 1681
James Randle, BLESSING from Padstow, 10 Aug 1681
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey w. coals, 6 Sep 1681
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey w. coals, 24 Sep 1681
Cha. Randle, MAYFLOWER from Swanzey w. coals, 3 Oct 1681
James Randle, BLESSING for Plymouth, w. herring, 14 Jan 1682
Chas. Randle, MAYFLOWER from Swanzea, w. coal, 3 Oct 1682
Jam. Randle, BLESSING from Swanzea, w. coal, 3 Oct 1682
Arthur Randle, MAYFLOWER for Truro, w. earthenware, 23 Jun 1684
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal on 17 Jun, 6 Aug 1684
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal on 2 Jul, 6 Aug 1684
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 24 Sep 1684
James Randle, BLESSING for Bristol, w. barley, oats, 9 Feb 1685
James Randle, BLESSING for Bristol, w. barley, oats, 12 Apr 1685
Arthur Randle, MAYFLOWER from Mitford, w. culme, 27 May 1685
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 1 Jun 1685
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 14 Jun 1685
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. barley, oats, 27 Aug 1686
James Randole, BLESSING from Bristol? w. coal, Jun 30; 1689
James Rayndle, BLESSING from Swanzey w. coal, July 29; 1689
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 28 Jul 1691
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 8 Aug 1691
ffrancis Randle, REL...? from Swanzey, w. coal, 5 Oct 1691
James Randle, BLESSING from Neath, w. coal, 14 Oct 1691
James Randall?, BLESSING from Neath, w. coal, 7 Jul?; 1692
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 5 May 1693
Jasper Randle, ELIZ & JANE from Tenby, w. culm, 5 May 1693
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 26 May 1693
James Randell, BLESSING from Neath, w. coal, 18 Jun 1694
Jasper Randall, ELIZ. & JOANE from Neath, w. coal?, 23 Sep 1694
James Randall, BLESSING from Neath, w. coal, 1 Oct 1694
Jasper Randle, ELIZ. & JOAN from Tenby, w. culm, 9 May 1695
James Randle, RECOVERY from Neath, w. coal, 6 Jun 1695
James Randle, BLESSING from Neath, w. coal, 17 Jun 1695
James Randell, BLESSING for Bristol, w. oats, sheepskins, 21 Jan 1696
James Randle, BLESSING for Bristol, w. oats, 22 Feb 1696
James Randell, BLESSING for Bristol, w. oats, wheat, 21 Apr 1696
James Randle, BLESSING for Bristol w. brandy, etc., 29 Jun 1696
Francis Randell, BLESSING from Neath w. coal, 5 Sep 1696
James Randell, BLESSING from Neath w. coal, 9 Oct 1696
Jam. Randle, BLESSING for Bristol, 18 Apr 1699
Jam. Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 1 Jun 1699
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, 4 Sep 1699
Jasper Randell, ...Z?JOAN, 1699
James Randell, BLESSING, to Bristol, 12 Jan 1700
James Randle, BLESSING, to Bristol, 7 Mar 1700
James Randell, BLESSING from Swansea, 12 Jun 1700
Jasper Rendle, ELIZABETH & JOAN from Neath, 26 Jul 1700
Jasper Randell, ELIZABETH & JOAN from Neath, 3 Sep 1700
James Randell, BLESSING from Neath, 19 Sep 1700
James Randell, BLESSING from Milford, 4 Nov 1700
Jasper Randell, ELIZ. JOAN from Neath, w. coal, 25 Nov 1701
Francis Rendall, BLESSING from Neath, w. coal, 19 Sep 1702
James Randal, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 15 Sep 1704
James Randall, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 21 Nov 1704
James Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 2 Jan 1705/6
Jasper Randle, SPEEDWELL from Padstow, w. hilling stone, 16 Jul 1708
Arth. Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 3 Aug 1708
Arth. Randle, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 2 Sep 1708
Jasper Randle, SPEEDWELL from Swanzey, w. coal, 3 Nov 1708
Arthur Randle, BLESSING for Bristol, w. 168 barls. of red herrings, 10 barls. & 6
small casks white & red herrings. Eng. taken, 8 Jan 1708 /9
James Rundle, BLESSING from Swansea, w. 18 chalders of coales & cocqt., 5 Aug 1709
James Rendall, BLESSING from Swanzy, w. 18 chalders of coales & cocqt., 20 Sep 1709
Arthur Randall, BLESSING, to Bristol, w. 225 barrels red herrings & 3 barrels white
herring. British taken and makeing, 8 Dec 1709
Arthur Randle, BLESSING for Bristol, w. 1300 bush. oats, 18 Apr 1709/10
Arthur Randall, BLESSING from Neath, w. coal & butter, 28 Aug 1710
Arthur Randell, BLESSING from Swanzey, w. coal, 7 Sep 1713
Joseph Randall, JOSEPH for Bristol, w. white herring, 1 Dec 1713
Arthur Randall, JNO. & AGNES from Neath, w. coal, 15 Mar 1715
Arthur Randall, JNO. & AGNES for Ilfracombe, w. herring?, 22 Mar 1715
Arth. Randall, JN. & AGNES from Swansea. w. 10 chalders of coales & cocqt., 12 Sep 1715
Jam. Randle, BLESSING from Neath, w. 22 chalders of coales & cocqt., 20 Sep 1715
Tho. Randle, BLESSING from Milford w. coal, 1719
Arthur Randall, SPEEDWELL from Milford w. culme, 19 Apr 1721
James Randle, BLESSING from Neath w. coal, 4 Sep 1721
Appendix 5: Entries in Records of Shipments of Coal from Pembrey (1715-1721)
In Ashburnham MSS 5, National Library of Wales
JOHN & AGNES (Clovelly, Arthur Randell) 5 Apr 1715
JOHN & AGNES (Clovelly, Arthur Randell) 23 May 1715
JOHN & AGNES (Clovelly, Arthur Randell) 22 Aug 1715
JOHN & AGNES (Clovelly, Arthur Randell) 20 Feb 1715/6
PROSPEROUS ENDEAVOUR (Clovelly, Joseph Randell) 21 Feb 1715/6
PROSPEROUS ENDEAVOUR (Clovelly, Jos. Randell) 21 Apr 1716
PROSPEROUS ENDEAVOUR (Clovelly, Jos. Randell) 3 Jun 1716
??? (Clovelly, Arthur Randell) 2 Jul 1718
ELIZ. (Clovelly, Jasper Randel) 18 Feb 1720/1
Appendix 6: Early 19th Century Descriptions of Clovelly
The earliest published description of Clovelly aimed at potential tourists seems to have been in T.H. Williams' book "Picturesque Excursions in Devonshire and Cornwall":
"Having at a former period visited the principal places below Lynton to the west, and the weather beginning to change, I returned to Barnstaple. Among these places Clovelly and Ilfracombe deserve particular attention. The former is striking from its romantic situation. It is built on the steepest part of the coast, which rises to a considerable height; and each cottage above the line of houses on the quay is embowered with wood, which also crowns the summit of this part of the coast, beautifully varied by its gentle swellings. The pier, which has been lately erected, or improved, is of considerable importance to the small shipping which are employed in the trade of the Channel; its sudden storms and dangerous navigation frequently obliging them to retreat for shelter to it, where while they ride in safety, the agitated sea breaks against the firm wall, and throws, in a most picturesque manner, its white spray over the inclosed shipping. From the end of the pier the best view is seen, unparalleled in the county for its beauty." [Williams 1804]
The earliest physical description of Clovelly we have found in a published general gazetteer is that by Carlisle:
"Clovelly in the hund. of Hartland, Co. of DEVON; a R. valued in the King's Books at £19.11.5½; Patron, J. Hamlyn, Esq.; Church ded. to All Saints; The Resident Population of the Parish, in 1801, was 714. The Money raised by the Parish Rates, in 1803, was £239.10.3 at 4s. 6d. in the Pound. It is 11¼ m. W. b. S. from Bideford - 'William Cary had a licence from the King to make the Parish Church here Collegiate, and therein to establish a Warden and six Chaplains, 11 Richard II' - Tanner's Not. Mon. - 'The Harbours of Clovelly and Hartland, are appended to the Port of Bideford. The former Place is very curious, and deserves observation. It is built on the Side of a steep Rock, to which the Houses have been joined like Pidgeon Huts against a Wall. At the Bottom there is a small Pier. The Place is famous for the best Herrings taken in the Channel' - Watkin's Hist. of Bideford, p. 276." [Carlisle 1808]
Soon afterwards it was described in "Worthies of Devon" [Prince 1810] in the following terms:
"CARY, GEORGE, Doctor of Divinity and Dean of Exeter, was born at Clovelly, in this county, A. D. 1611 and baptised there, on the 18th July that year. A gentile and pleasant summer seat it is, just on the banks of the Severne Sea, over against the Island of 'Londy,' which rideth at anchor about five leagues off. . . .
In open view of this island, Clovelly stands famous at this day, for this honorable family here inhabiting near the church, and the herring fishing in the sea adjoining; where, in the season, such abundance of that very good fish is taken that they are often sold at 2s. a meas, which is not a groat a hundred. (Note - A meas or mais is 612 fish, being four times the miraculous draught of fishes.)
And above four hundred horses are loaden off with them in a day, to the value of £1,500 sterling in a season, which continueth about three months in a year (beginning about July or August) to the advantage of the lord, and the profit of the inhabitants all there about. Here is also taken, though not in so great quantity, the best cod in the world, much exceeding that taken on the Banks of New Foundland.
It lieth in open bay, where for the greater convenience and safety of the ships that pass over it, as well as the fishing boats that belong to it, George Cary of this place, Esq. in the last age, at his own charges built a pile or pier, to resist the inrushing of the sea, whose waves are often furious and violent on this coast. The descent to the Key here is steep and precipitate, beaten out of the cliff by winding retches from one side to the other." (Quoted in [Ruthven 1968] .)
This however, might be based closely on the text in the original 1701 edition - which we have yet to examine.
The little-known diary of one Captain Jenkin Jones contains a detailed account of a visit to Clovelly (in 1819 in the course of a journey from Exeter to the North of England):
"Thursday. [May 1st, 1819] Got up at 6 o'clock packed my portmanteau and sent it by the postman to Barnstaple from thence to be forwarded to Ilfracombe. Breakfasted with Walkie, at 10 h. 40' set off with all my necessaries in my packet for Clovelly - a want of wood to make the country about Bideford interesting. Road very dirty indeed. At Alwington about 3½ miles from Bideford saw a sign with a lobster and crab painted on it and the following inscription - "Nigh the sign of the Swan" "Liveth a Fisherman" "He fishes for Gentlemens pleasure" "Every Spring tide" "Prawns and Lobsters provide" "And makes Shoes when he is at leasure," At 1 h. sat down by a very pretty fall of water about 30 feet, with a deep and well-wooded valey beneath me and the Bristol Channel open, and eat my sandwiches and drank a little rum and water, cut a stout black-thorn; heavy rain. Walked through a plantation of Sir James Hamlyn's for about 2 miles, the scenery the most Romantick I ever saw, deep Ravines running to the sea, with almost perpendicular hils of great heighth, hill and dale covered with wood, here and there large patches of blossom, and a fall of water running through every valey. Clovelly has a most romantick appearance, looking like pidgeon houses stuck on the side of a perpendicular hill, embosomed in wood, and the sea washing the foot of the hill, but on entering the village the Traveller who looks for cleanliness and comfort will be cruelly disappointed. It rains too hard for me to know whether there is a better part of the town, walked down to the pier head which affords shelter for a few small fishing vessels and was much vexed to find that it is only in the Herring Season that they have communication with Ilfracombe, and that consequently I must either pay a guinea and a half for a skiff to carry me over, or retrace my steps, I think I shall do the latter. Put up at the New Inn, a pretty little place, not a remove from the worst of the London pot-houses but every thing very clean, fell in with a Parson of the adjoining Parish a Mr. Login of Noseworthy, smoaked our pipes and talked politics together till he took so great a fancy to me that he asked me to dine with him on Saturday, and told me all his family concerns as how he was left an estate deeply morgaged by his father, forced to turn parson at 30, his wife a very talkative good little woman a Yarmouth one, he a famous mechanic could get 5 guineas a week would he work at Birmingham, &c., &c. that he filled his church and did not care a damn for any thing else, whether Unitarianism or Methodism spread - he was just about to speculate with a 100£ in two skiffs for the Herring fishery, and maintained that any man with 500£ for 10 Boats might make 50 per cent. on his money.
FRIDAY, [MAY 7TH, 1819]. Breakfasted in co. with Mr. Login, at 8 walked over Sir James Hamlyn's Grounds, without an exception the most Romantic of any I ever saw, a Forest to the Beach, the ground carpeted with violets, primroses, Blue Bells and Daises, found myself suddenly on the brink of a precipice, the dwarf oak growing up its side; a beautiful view of Barnstaple Bay, formed by Hartland point to the westwd. and Baggy (were the Weazel, 18 gun Brig was lost and all hands perished), to the Eastwd. near 10 miles deep without a Harbour for a ship to run for in the event of being embayed with a NW. or N.N.E. gale. Bideford Bar being dangerous excepting in the high Spring tides, they are about to build a light house on Lundy, very necessary as West India men often make it the first land from the West Indies; the whole village of Clovelly built up a steep woody hill, but that part near the river which they call Key built on the side of a precipice, you descend by steps made of the large round black stones of which the Pier and beach is formed, the Pier is about 25 feet high and affords good shelter for about 15 vessels of from 40 to a 100 tons. The sounding outside the Pier about 7 fms. clayey bottom. Sir James's house a large mansion but not very elegantly built. His daughters good women, one keeps a school for the poor children of the Parish. Sir James keeps a Welch Harper of the name of William Williams who plays during dinner. I met the old man who. is blind, and he took me for one of the labourers who kept a shop in the Village, and addressed me as follows, "is that Davey" "pring hur another loaf tomorrow, and hur will clear all scores," I undeceived him, but consoled the old boy by letting him know it was one of the race of Shenkin he talked to, on which he put his hand on my head, and wished "Cots pest plessing on hur" and to "kiss Cardiganshire ground." Payed my bill which was very moderate, and put on my loaded jacket, set off at 2 o'clock for Bideford in preference to paying a guinea and a half for a skiff to Linton." [Jones 1910] [Note 18]
The next published account of Clovelly's attractions seems to have been Banfield's book A Guide to Ilfracombe, Lynton and Clovelly :
"In rendering assistance to the visitors at Clovelly, it would be difficult to point out every object worthy of attention. At each turn some fresh beauty presents itself, and in every direction both nature and art are happily combined to produce the happiest effects. The wilderness is a delightful walk, in which is a rustic seat called the cave, commanding one of the best views of Gallantry Bower, (which is 387 feet in altitude,) and the surrounding scenery. At the termination of the grounds is Mouth-mill, where the rocks are extremely fine, receiving a beautiful addition from the woods which rise majestically around. If the sea is smooth the coast is best seen from that direction, where the curious contortions of the strata, to the west of the village, afford an interesting spectacle. The Black Church rock, as well as the whole line of coast, clothed as it is with oak and other trees, nearly to the waters edge, has a most striking and pleasing effect.
The present house is comparatively new, the old one having been destroyed by fire, about forty years hence.
The little town of Clovelly is romantic and singular in its construction, being built on the steep side of a rock, by which the street is almost a succession of steps. The view from the pier is excessively fine, and every object adds to the interest of the scene. The pier was erected by George Cary, Esq., whose family were in possession of this manor from the time of Richard the second, having purchased it from the Giffards, the ancient inheritors of it.
It now belongs to Sir J.H. Williams, Bart., whose predecessor considerably improved the harbour.
This place was formerly much celebrated for its extensive herring fishery, which of late years has much decreased.
Above the town, to the south, are the remains of an encampment, called Clovelly-dikes. These works are of a square form, but when constructed, or by what people, is unknown." [Banfield 1842]
In fact the year Banfield published his book the North Devon Journal (on 25 Aug 1842) stated that "this exceedingly romantic and pretty watering place has been crowded with visitors during the season", including the Bishop of Lichfield and his family, who it reported stayed at the New Inn, and had dinner with Sir James H. Williams.
Then, eight years later what we assume was a popular tourist guide, to Devon and Cornwall as a whole, gave a very full description of Clovelly:
"Clovelly Inn: (New Inn): It is difficult to describe this remarkable village, further than by saying that it is the most romantic in Devonshire, and, probably, in the Kingdom. It is hung, as it were, in a woody nook, to which a paved path slants in zigzags from the gate of the Hobby. But soon this little road has to break into steps, and in this form it descends through the village to the pier, some 500 ft. below. A brawling stream accompanies the stair-flight, and is crossed in one or two places by bridges. The view is superb, - the Welsh coast about Milford Haven; Lundy Island, generally more distinct, but sometimes entangled in clouds; and the vast plain of the sea, streaked, if it be calm, with white watery lanes. Midway in the village is a terrace of about a dozen square yards, comanding the coast E. and W. In the former direction, the glen of Buck's Mill forms a pretty break in the range of woods and cliffs. Here the traveller should rest a day at the little inn, which will entertain him with great hospitality. If it happens to be the autumn, he may regale at breakfast upon herrings which have been captured overnight; for Clovelly is famed for its fishery, and every evening about sunset the boats may be observed leaving the shore for herrings or mackerel. The night is selected for this kind of fishing, as success mainly depends upon the shoals coming blindly on the net, when they get entangled by the gills. Moonlight and a phosphorescent sea are, therefore, unfavourable. In thick weather, a Clovelly boat has captured as many as 9000 herrings at a haul; and they are commonly taken here in such numbers as to be sold by the maise, which consists of 612 fish, and is valued from 18s. to 25s.
Bideford Bay, which is well seen from Clovelly, is included between the points of Morte and Hartland . . . Clovelly answers to Brixham as the station of the trawlers, and supplies the markets of Bideford and Barnstaple, and even of Bristol and Wales. Pilchards are occasionally taken by the drift-net, but the shore is too rough for their wholesale capture by the sein. They rarely, however, come in shoals so far up the Channel. In the reign of Queen Anne, French privateers made so many prizes on this part of the coast, that they are said to have called it Golden Bay.
Travellers who like to build castles by moonlight can frame the most beautiful and airy erections at Clovelly. For this purpose, they should seat themselves on the little terrace of the inn, when the village is hushed in repose, the owl hooting in the wood. "the single broad path of glory" on the sea, and the restless tide just heard among the rocks.
The pier should be visited by daylight, as it commands a fine view of the coast. It was erected by George Cary, Esq., whose family had possession of the manor as early as the reign of Rich. II. It now belongs to Sir James Williams, Bart., of Clovelly Court, who is not only lord of the manor, but the proprietor of all the land in the parish, except a few acres." [Murray 1850]
From these various accounts it seems clear that Charles Kingsley and Charles Dickens did not "discover" Clovelly, nor did they create its tourist trade, though their writings may well have greatly stimulated it.
Notes
1. Here, except in direct quotations , we use the spelling "Randell" that seems to have been used in our family consistently as far back as the mid-18th century, as far as can be determined from signatures. However in documents relating to the Randells of Clovelly one also finds such spellings as: Randall, Randle, Randol, Rendall, Rendell, Rendle and Rendol.
2. The results of our attempted linking of these entries, plus such other scraps of genealogical information as we have been able to find, to form a small set of descendants listings are shown in Appendix 1 - the entries themselves are listed in Appendix 2. There was, incidentally, an equally numerous Randell family in the neighbouring (and much better documented) parish of Hartland. This family, however, can similarly be traced back to the late 16th century. The present-day descendants of this family use the spelling "Rendall" - a spelling which seems to have been standard in their family for a century and a half, if not longer. There is evidence of extensive links between Clovelly and Hartland, but it would seem that if these two families have a common root it must date back to at least the mid-16th century, before any extant records.
3. We have made extensive efforts to try to locate other branches of the Clovelly Randell family, including contacting numerous other people researching the Randell name, and checking a large number of 1851 Devon Census districts (via the name indexes which have been published by the Devon FHS) to try to find any Randells who listed Clovelly as their birth place. To date these efforts have all proved fruitless.
4. The burial in 1724 of Thomazin Rendle, wife of James Rendle, mentioned by Clement.
5. This rather overstates the case, since: "There is, however, documentation that establishes commercial fishing in Clovelly much earler than the date of the Spanish Armada (1588). Clovelly is mentioned in a 14th century maritime history as 'capable of producing a ship or two,' referring to the construction and manning of a naval vessel, but 'being of no commercial importance.' Again the 'Valor Ecclesiasticus' (1535) records the fishing tithes for this area (an important source of ecclesiastical income). The tabulation shows that Clovelly was required to make an annual payment of £1. 6s. 8d." [Hoskins 1954]
6. This incident is described in [Goaman 1968] , who quotes [Watkins 1883] as commenting a century later: "The belief of withcraft remained very general in the town and neighbourhood, and there was always some poor devil, either on account of an unlucky visage, sour temper, or wretched poverty, set up as the object of terror and universal hatred, till about twenty years since."
7. It was soon after this trade started with Wales, incidentally, that William Cary M.P. of Clovelly married Mary Mansell of Briton Ferry, Glamorgan,
presumably not long after the death of his first wife in 1686 [Powell 1870-75] . 8. The only (presumably complete) listings of Clovelly fishermen we have located are dated 1823 and (it would appear) 1825, attached to a copy of the Articles of the Mariners Union Society of Clovelly "for assisting each other in sickness and for the burial of each other and for other purposes hereinafter mentioned - the Society's commencement was the 17th day of November 1792, and is now kept at the New Inn" (North Devon Record Office 1142B/B1). However we have found a small number of Clovelly mariners listed (in PRO ADM7/381-3) as fishermen who received protection from being pressed into service with the Navy (during the period 1755/78) - but most of the Clovelly mariners listed, including a Thos. Rendle, Master of the VENUS, are described as being in the Irish, Coal & Coasting Trade.
9. A Thomas Mumford was buried in Kidwelly on 17 March 1779. There are no earlier Mumford entries in the Kidwelly parish Registers, and a Thomas Mumford is listed as Master of the ELIZABETH which loaded coal at Pembrey for Clovelly in 1720, so the chances are that this burial entry concerns one of the Clovelly Mumfords, possibly the father or brother of Emlyn Mumford.
10. Dartmouth Port Book (comunicated by R. Craig, 9 Jul. 1993).
11. Communicated by Robin Craig.
12. Reg. of Protection from being pressed (PRO ADM7/382 f74).
13. The spelling now used by their descendants.
14. Communicated by Robin Craig.
15. Just one earlier picture of Clovelly has been located, a 1771 watercolour sketch by Luttrell Wynne, now in the Cornwall Record Office.
16. Quite when and why Francis Randell moved to Carmarthenshire is unknown, though there were evident close links between North Devon and South and West Wales. There was moreover a direct link between Clovelly and Carmarthenshire - James Hamnett who, on being bequeathed Clovelly by his great uncle Zachary Hamlyn in 1759 when he changed his name to Hamlyn, married Arabella Williams of Carmarthen and later became Lord Lieutenant of, and several times an MP for, Carmarthenshire.
17. Only the early Clovelly Parish Registers and Bishops' Transcripts have been transcribed [Wickes 1992]
18. Transcription of National Library of Wales' MS 785A, pp.16-21, reproduced by permission.
Brian Randell, 26 Apr 2005