Transcript

of

Fursdon Family

Devon & Cornwall Notes and Queries vol. VI, (January 1910 to October 1911), p. 188.

by

Charlotte S. Fursdon

Prepared by Michael Steer

The Fursdon family has lived at Fursdon House near Exeter in an unbroken line dating back over 750 years, which must surely make Fursdon one of the oldest continuously inhabited family houses in Britain. The estate dates to Walter de Fursdon, who first took the land at Cadbury during the reign of King Henry III (1216-1272). He was a Freeman of the City of Exeter. There were Fursdons here when Chaucer wrote the Canterbury Tales; when Drake defeated the Spanish Armada and when Columbus discovered America. The name "Fursdon" is probably taken from the surrounding countryside - Furzey Down - meaning gorse covered hill. The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Note 176. FURSDON FAMILY. - Can any of the readers of D. & C.N.& Q. help me to find a connection by pedigree between Robert, son of William de Falaise, who married Agnes, daughter of Roger de Grandmesnil, and Joanna de Molyns, who became the wife of Walter de Fursdon in 1280? Walter de Fursdon died in 1311. At Fursdon there is a deed, dated October, Anno 4 Edward II., of a release and quit claim from Joanna, widow of Walter de Fursdon, to her son, Robert de Fursdon, in the lands and tenements which Robert de Molyns, her father, had of the gift and feoffment of Joanna de Brigwere, to wit, the manor of Cruk (Crewkerne).                 Charlotte S. Fursdon.