GENUKI: Some Early Spreyton Wills, Devon

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By Sophia Lambert

Until the 20th century, only a wealthy minority of people left wills. Before 1858, probate for most Devon wills was to be obtained from the ecclesiastical courts in Exeter. Copies were kept in Exeter of all wills granted probate, but unfortunately the entire archive of wills was destroyed during the bombing of Exeter during the Second World War. A few early wills nevertheless survive, particularly from the Commonwealth period in the mid 17th century when the ecclesiastical courts were suspended and all wills sent to London for probate. These were subsequently filed with the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC), formerly the main court of probate in Southern England, and are now in the National Archives (and available online). From 1812-1889, copies of wills were also made and kept in London for estate duty purposes; many of these copies (“Inland Revenue Wills”) have survived and the Devon ones are now in the Devon Record Office (DRO). There is also some information about the contents of wills between 1786-1852 recorded in the Death Duty Registers in the National Archives. Finally, copies of some wills have been kept in family archives. The following summaries of Spreyton wills have been drawn from all these sources. The wills are in date order. Those kept for estate duty purposes are annotated with the value of the estate; this is usually the personal estate excluding landholdings.

During most of the 17th and 18th centuries, the two big landowning families in Spreyton were the Battishills and the Canns, and many of the surviving wills are from these families. The Battishills arrived in Spreyton in the early 17th century when Andrew Battishill of South Tawton acquired lands from the Kelly family, the previous big Spreyton landowners. The Battishills lived mainly at Barton and Weeke. The last of the Spreyton Battishills, William Harrington Battishill of Barton, died in about 1912.

The Canns were probably in Spreyton earlier – there was a John Canne paying tax in Spreyton in 1524. The Canns were probably simple yeoman farmers to begin with. But by the end of the 18th century they had accumulated considerable wealth and had split into three branches headed by John Battishill of Fuidge, George Battishill of Falkedon and George Battishill of Bush. Each had substantial landholdings. George Battishill of Falkedon was a bachelor; when he died in 1804 he left his property to his nephew (probably also his godson), George Lambert Gorwyn of Cheriton Bishop. This brought the Lambert Gorwyns into the parish (they subsequently dropped the Gorwyn and became plain Lambert). In the course of the 19th century they became the dominant landowners in Spreyton.

The John Cann of Fuidge who died in 1819 was a man of some enterprise. Apart from turning the old farmhouse at Fuidge into the smartest gentleman’s residence in the parish, he raised a company of volunteers, the Spreyton Volunteers, to fight the French during the Napoleonic Wars, and also founded a bank that had branches in Exeter and Okehampton. Unfortunately, the bank collapsed during the depression that followed the Napoleonic Wars and much of the Cann family fortune was swallowed up by the collapse. They were forced to sell Fuidge in the mid-19th century.

Compiled by Sophia Lambert, 2006-7.

1639 Augustine Haydon or Headon, yeoman
1655 Rouland Furse, yeoman
1657 Agnes Bettishill, widow
1660 Andrew Battishill, yeoman
1677 Thomas Battishill, yeoman of Drewsteignton
1658 William Rogers, yeoman
1746 Thomas Hore Esquire of South Tawton
1775 Mark Cann
1787 Thomas Cobley, yeoman
1795 William Cann of Heywood in Hittisleigh
1804 George Cann of Falkedon, gentleman
1804 Joan Cann, spinster
1806 William Battishill of Week
1807 John Cann of Fuidge, gentleman
1809 John Richard Lambert Gorwyn, gentleman
1819 John Cann of Fuidge, gentleman
1819 William Carthew, yeoman
1832 George Cann of Bush, gentleman
1832 Joseph Peck Lidster, labourer
1834 William Battishill of Barton, gentleman
1837 George Lambert Gorwyn of Falkedon, gentleman
1839 William Brock of Coombe, yeoman
1854 William Croote Cann of North Beer, gentleman
1868 George Cann of Heath, gentleman
1885 George Lambert of Coffins, gentleman

Will of Augustine Haydon or Headon, yeoman of Spreyton

Desires to be buried in Spreyton church;
bequeaths £3 to the poor of Spreyton; £3 to the poor of Drewsteignton; and £3 to the poor of Bow;
to his kinsmen George Martyn and Dennis Mills: the chattel [illegible]
to his god-daughter Grace Furse: the standing bed over the hall; one silver beer bowl; and £10. His wife, however, shall have the use of the bed provided that she promises to leave it in good condition when she dies;
to his god-daughter Ann Pounsford: 50s to be paid to her mother, to go to her when she is 18;
£10 to his sister Elizabeth Shilston; 20s apiece to all her daughters; and £5 to her son Thomas, his god-son;
to all his other god-children: 10 groats each;
to his wife: all the household goods that he [illegible] of her; 7 kyne [cattle] now in her keeping; 20 ewes; 20 younger sheep; 30 bushels of rye and 40 bushels of wheat;
20s to Joane Martyn; and 40s to her sister Alice Martyn;
to his sister Margaret Handco >£3 to John Headon; 40s to William Headon; 20s to the testator’s brother Robert Headon; 40s to Robert’s son Samuel; and 20s to each of their children;
to his three apprentices: 20s apiece. It is his wish that his executor should keep Thomas [?Saye] during his life, and if he refuses to keep him, then he shall pay him £10. It is also his wish that his wife should keep Phillip Handforde during her life, and if he refuses, then she shall give him three of the seven kyne left to her;
20s to his servant John Raddon; and 20s to his servant Alice Lightfoot;
all the rest of his goods to his brother Walter Headon, who is also appointed executor;
appoints Walter Cann of Fackington [Falkedon] and John Pounsford of Ford to be overseers of his will; each to receive 10 groats.
Witnesses: Phillip Raddon and Charles [?Eweleghe]

Source: PCC wills. Proved in London November 1639.

Will of Rouland Furse, feltmaker of Spreyton, proved 1656

Bequeaths 6s to the poor of Spreyton and 6s. to the poor of Drewsteignton, plus £8 to be distributed on his funeral day;
£40 to his son Rouland Furse when he is 21, but if his wife takes the Living for Rouland, then the £40 shall be put towards that. After his wife’s death, Rouland is also to get his greatest crock;
10s to his aunt Philippa Furse; 1 ewe to his cousin Julian Furse; and all his wearing apparel, except his best coat and suit, to his uncle John Furse;
The residue of his estate goes to his wife Elizabeth, who is also appointed executrix.
Witnesses: James Furse; Simon Ballamy; Margaret Ballamy and Wilmote Poudicome.

Source: PCC wills. Dated 1655 and proved in London 1656.

Will of Agnes Bettishill, widow of Spreyton (died 1657)

Bequeaths 40s to the poor of Spreyton, 20s to the poor of Moretonhamstead and 13s.4d to Spreyton Church;
to Agnes [B----?], her eldest daughter: £5, a cow, her best coat and waistcoat and her best riding suit;
to John Trend, her grandchild: £20 that is now in the hands of his father in law John [B----?], and also her featherbed which she lies upon; her third best brass pan; a crock called Thomas crock; 6 silver spoons; and 4 pewter measures, all to go to him when he is 21.
to Alexander Trend, brother of John: £20; 4 measures of pewter; and 1 of the 2 brass pans, to go to him when he is 21;
to her grandchildren William Battishill 20s and James Battishill 40s; and to her great-grandchildren Andrew and John (sons of James) 40s each;
to her grandchild Andrew Battishill: £8; 6 silver spoons; the chest in the kitchen chamber; the little bedstead in the parlour chamber; the bedstead that she herself lies upon; the cupboard in the hall; the great old coffer in the buttery chamber; the bed in the parlour; the cupboard, chest and tableboards in the parlour; one crock next to the biggest; one of the two brass pans; two [illegible]; and 20 moor ewes, all to go to him when he is 21.
to her grandchildren Thomas and Jonathan Battishill: 20s each; and to her grandchildren John and Andrew Puddicombe £20 each; John also gets the chest in the parlour chamber and Andrew her best brass pan, all to go to them when they are 21;
to her kinsmen Richard Gill: 20s and William Battishill 20s;
to James Rendell the younger and to such of Robert Martin’s children as are unmarried: 1 ewe each; to her servant Susanna Hall: 20s; to all other servants living with her at the time of her death: 10s each; and to her godchildren: 5s each;
the residue of her goods, chattels, bonds and bills to her daughter Joan Puddicombe, who is also appointed her executrix.
Witnesses Roger Speccot and James Rendell.

Source: PCC wills. Dated 1657. Proved in London 1658

Will of Andrew Battishill, yeoman of Spreyton, proved 1658

Bequeaths 10s for the use of Spreyton church and 30s to the poor of Spreyton;
bequeaths his right and title in half of Higher Falkedon to his brother James until James’s sons Andrew and John are of age, after which the remainder of the estate should go to them;
assigns also to Andrew and John the other half of Higher Falkedon, designating his uncles John Rowe and John Puddicombe as trustees to employ the revenue from that half of the property for the best use of the two boys until they come of age, but the revenue to be so used only after 3 May 1659. Before then, the revenue is to go to his mother Mary, provided that she and the other beneficiaries allow Markes [?]Vinicombe to continue occupying the property for 7 years, so long as he pays his rent;
bequeaths £50 to his brother Thomas and £60 to his brother Jonathan, half when they reach 21 and the other half 2 years later;
40s to his kinsman Andrew Puddicombe;
all his wearing apparel to his kinsman William Battishill; 1 ewe and lamb to William’s daughter Elizabeth; and 1 ewe to William’s son William;
10s to Susanna Hall; 1 ewe to Francis Rowe; 5s each to those of his mother’s servants and apprentices with her at the time of her death; and 3s.4d to each of his godchildren;
to his brother William: the tenement of Horracombe during the life of Eleanor Battishill, provided William pays the rent and fulfils the covenants between the two brothers. After Eleanor’s death William gets a half of the freehold of Horracombe, provided that he allows the tenants of any part of it to remain there and gives the testator’s uncle John Puddicombe sufficient time to carry away his goods;
the residue of his goods, bonds and bills also go to William, who is appointed executor. If there are any ambiguities in the will, his uncles Rowe and Puddicombe are to provide an interpretation.
Witnesses Roger Speccot, Johane Pudicombe and John Martin

Source: PCC wills. Proved in London 16.7.1658.

Will of David Rogers, yeoman of Spreyton, proved 1660

Bequeaths 20s to the poor of Drewsteignton and 20s to the Drewsteignton churchwardens for the maintenance of the church. He also desires to be buried in the churchyard at Drewsteignton;
£100 to his son Edward Rogers. But the money is to be paid to Thomas Hore of Spreyton, who must pass it to Edward when the latter comes of age, provided that Edward has come home by then. If he has not, Thomas Hore can keep the money;
£80 each to Mary, Thomas, Wilmote, John and William, children of Thomas Hore deceased. If any of them die before the testator’s decease, his or her share is to be divided between the others;
to Thomas Hore, son of Thomas Hore deceased: his great pan and a coffer now in the custody of the testator’s daughter Jane Hore;
50s to his sister Johan Crosse; 20s to [D---?] Crosse, daughter of Robert Crosse.
3s.4d to his son William Rogers;
appoints his daughter Jane and his grandson Thomas Hore as his executors, and Mr John Hore of Chagford and Mr John Northmore to be overseers of his will. Signed with a mark.
Witness: Agnes Risdon.

Source:PCC wills. Dated 1658 and proved in London in 1660. The various Thomas Hores are confusing, but it seems that his daughter Jane married Thomas Hore and had a son also called Thomas Hore. The elder Thomas Hore was deceased by the time of the will and the younger Thomas, by then an adult, is the Thomas Hore of Spreyton mentioned at the beginning of the will.

Will of Thomas Battishill of Drewsteignton, yeoman, dated 18 August 1677

Gives 20s to be distributed among the poor of Drewsteignton, and another 20s for the poor of Spreyton (of which 10s is to be distributed the Sunday after his burial).
Bequeaths the best cow in his possession at his death to his mother Mary Battishill.
Bequeaths his freehold interest in South Beagbeare [Begbeer] in Spreyton (then leased to Shadrack Peend and Richard Arscott) to his son William, provided that the latter pays his brother Andrew £100 when Andrew reaches the age of 22. If William or his heirs do not pay the £100, the property goes to Andrew.
Also bequeaths to William a half share of his leasehold interest in Spreyton Barton, together with a bedstead and table from that house, all to come to him after the death of the testator’s wife Jane.
Bequeaths to his son Andrew a two quarters freehold interest in Lower Falkedon in Spreyton, then rented out to Hugh Moore, one quarter to go to him immediately after the testator’s death and the other after the death of Hugh Moore. If Andrew dies without heirs, the property is to go to the testator’s son James; and if James dies without heirs to his son Thomas and his right heirs.
Bequeaths jointly to his sons Thomas and James the freehold of North Densam in Woollfordworthy (then rented out to Richard Chanter) until James reaches the age of 21. Then, Thomas will gain the whole property if he pays James £200; if not James keeps his half. If either predeceases the other before reaching the age of 21, the other gets the whole estate.
Bequeaths to each of his sons one sheep.
Gives 1s to each of his godchildren; 5s each to John Bickley and James Row; and 3s 4d to each of his other servants and apprentices in his employ at his death.
Bequeaths the rest of his goods and chattels to his wife whom he also appoints his executrix. He makes his cousin John Rowe of Chagford and his brother-in-law William Ponsford the trustees for his minor children.
Witnessed by [illegible] Battishill; John [illegible]; and John Eastabrooke alias Shilston.

Source: Lambert Estate papers, now in the Devon Record office. It is taken from a copy of the will that was made by Samuel Langdon on 8.2.1693. The copying is somewhat sloppy so inaccuracies may have crept in.

Will of Thomas Hore Esquire of South Tawton (died 1746)

bequeaths to his dear wife Agnes £100 and as many of his household goods as she wants to take; as well as 3 cows, 3 horses or mares and 20 sheep of her choice;
to William Pidsley of Colebrooke and William Battishill of Spreyton: £100 to be held in trust for his daughter Agnes, wife of Browze Trist Esquire, to use as she thinks fit without interference from her husband; and an annuity of £50 chargeable on Coarse Peers aka Courtis Beers in South Tawton for 60 years if Browze Trist lives that long, again in trust for Agnes, notwithstanding her couverture. He directed that the £100 should be lent at interest and the interest paid to Agnes;
to Browze Trist: 10 guineas;
to his grand-daughters Agnes Hore Trist, Elizabeth, Susanna, Thomas, Browze and Nicholas Trist (and any further children that Agnes should have): £500 to be shared equally among those surviving to age 21. If Agnes and Browze Trist die before any of their children reach 21, those children are also to have an annuity of £20 each for their education and maintenance;
to his grandson Hore Browze Trist: £50 payable out of the Great Tithes and sheaf of Spreyton for 4 years after he reaches the age of 21;
to his sister-in-law Mrs Jone Mare; Rev. John Nosworthy, vicar of South Tawton; Rev John Freke, vicar of Spreyton; William Pidsley; and William Battishill: 1 guinea in gold each to buy mourning rings to wear in remembrance of him;
to Jane Battishill, eldest daughter of William: £5;
to the poor of South Tawton £10; and to the poor of Spreyton 40s; in both cases to be distributed to those who have no weekly pay. Also for the poor of Spreyton, an annuity of 20s to be charged on West Bigbeer, to be distributed on Christmas Day to the poor without weekly relief;
to Dorothy Woolridge if she be living with him at his death: 4 guineas, and half a guinea in gold to each of his other servants and apprentices with him at his death;
to his daughter Agnes, William Pidsley and William Battishill (who are also appointed his executors): all his lands and inheritances in South Tawton, Spreyton, Bow and Eggesford, in trust for his grandson Hore Browze Trist, with an entail in the male line. The residue of his estate also goes in trust for Hore Browze Trist when he is 24.
Witnesses: John Luxmoore and John Luxmoore junior.

Source: Devon Record Office. Although he lived at East Nymph in South Tawton, he owned substantial property in Spreyton and seems to have regarded it as his parish. There is a memorial to him in Spreyton church. He is presumably a descendant of the Thomas Hores mentioned in the previous will. He was 65 when he died.

Will of Mark Cann of Spreyton, proved 1776

bequeaths to his wife an annuity of £9 for 40 years if she should live that long, to be paid by his son George; and £1.10s a year to be charged on his half of Cote, otherwise knwn as Risdon’s Tenement, in Spreyton. He also bequeaths to her one chest of drawers then in the parlour chamber at Fingle; one chest at North Beer; half of all his brass and pewter goods at North Beer and Bush; and the hackney horse on which he usually rides;
also to his wife: the dwelling house and estate of Bush for 40 years, with the entry and passage adjoining it, including the chambers above; a little meadow adjoining the north-east of the house; one of the hogsties; and all convenient paths and passages to and from the said premises, all on condition that she permits his son Thomas and his wife Joanna to live at West Spittle in North Tawton without let or hindrance;
to his son George: his half share of the freehold of North Beer; the quarter share of North Beer that he holds on a 2,000-year lease granted to him by the Rev. Richard Hole at a yearly rent of £5 (he directs that George should not charge any part of the rent on the testator’s estate of Huddishill); and the remainder of a 99-year lease of the other quarter of North Beer granted by Hore Browse Trist at a rent of £5 a year;
to his son George: all the corn and hay at North Beer and Bush at the time of his death, whether standing or growing in the ground or saved in barns or ricks; all his household goods at Bush and North Beer not otherwise bequeathed; the young horse that George usually rides and is called “George’s horse”; his best saddle and [illegible]; and all his implements and tools of husbandry;
to his daughter Mary Crosse: the bed at Fingle on which she usually lies;
to his son John: £40; and also forgives him any outstanding debts;
to John’s children Mary, John, Elizabeth and Joanna: £5 each when they reach the age of 18; and one guinea in gold to John’s wife Mary;
to his daughter Joan Cann: £40; £5 to his son Thomas; and one guinea in gold to Thomas’s wife Joanna;
to the poor of the parish of Spreyton that have no monthly pay: 20s to be distributed by his executors after his death;
to his son Mark: the rest of his estate, real and personal, and also makes Mark his executor.
Witnesses: Christopher Coplestone, William Allant and Thomas Stone.

Source: Devon Record Office. Dated 1775 and proved in May 1776

Will of Thomas Cobley of Spreyton, yeoman (died 1794)

bequeaths to Mary Cobley, daughter of his nephew Thomas Cobley of Puddicombe Park in Spreyton: £200;
to Richard Cobley, son of his nephew Thomas: £50; and to the other children of his nephew Thomas (William, Elizabeth, Ann, Joan and Jane): £20;
to John Veasey, son of his cousin Margaret Veasey; and Ann Salter and Margaret Buseley, sisters of his kinsman Thomas Cobley of Bubear [Bowbeer] in Spreyton: £20 apiece;
to Thomas Cobley of Bubear: 1 guinea. The testator also forgives him his debts;
to Mary Sticks, wife of Henry Sticks of Colebrooke; one guinea;
he directs all the above legacies to be paid with 5% interest if they are not paid within a year of his death; and the legacies to any of his kinsmen or women who are under 21 shall not be paid until they reach that age;
to his nephew Thomas Cobley, son of his brother John: 2s a week for life;
to John Cobley, the son of the above nephew: the freehold of the estate of Puddicombe Park which the testator purchased from Bartholomew Haywood; together with all the testator’s goods, stock and chattels at Puddicombe Park at the time of his death;
to Richard Cobley, another son of the above nephew: all his houses and tenements in the town and village of Spreyton, either freehold or for the remainder of the leases on them;
to Thomas Cobley, another son of the above nephew: the freehold of Bubear and Park and all his other lands in Spreyton or elsewhere in Devon; and also the residue of his personal and testamentary estate. This Thomas is also appointed his executor.
Witnesses W. Hamlyn and John Freke [the then vicar].

Source: Devon Record Office. Will dated 1787.Thomas Cobley the Uncle was 96 when he died in 1794, according to the Spreyton parish register. His nephew Thomas died in the same year.

Will of William Cann of Heywood in Hittisleigh (proved 1801)

Bequeaths Heywood [Howard] in the parish of Hittisleigh, his then place of residence; Westwood, Teignholt Fords and Little Teignholt (otherwise Lower Teignholt) in Drewsteignton; Rougroad in Spreyton; and all his other lands to his brother George Cann;
one shilling each to his brothers Mark and John Cann and 5s to his sister Mary Lambert Gorwyn;
20s to John Gorwyn, the husband of his niece Mary Gorwyn [daughter of his sister who had married John Lambert Gorwyn of Cheriton Bishop];
20s to John Gorwyn, son of the aforesaid John and Mary Gorwyn;
20s each to his niece Elizabeth Lambert Gorwyn; his nephew George Lambert Gorwyn; and to George’s wife Mary;
20s each to his niece Joan Arden and her husband George Arden, and also 20s to each of their children except for Mary Arden, to whom he leaves £40 when she reaches the age of 25;
£200 to his niece Susanna Lambert Gorwyn [who subsequently married George Cann of Bush and whose will is below];
desires his body to be buried in Spreyton Church under Falkedon Pew in a coffin of good English oak with a double cover, and for his body to be conveyed in a bier from Heywood to Falkedon, where his brother George was residing, and for it to be lodged there one night before his burial. Desires the Reverend Freeman Freek to preach his funeral sermon;
the residue of his estate to his brother George Cann, who is also appointed executor.
Witnesses: Joseph Bond, Mary Newton and William Tucker junior.

Source: Lambert family estate papers (now in Devon Record Office). Dated 1795; probate granted in Exeter in 1801. William Cann was the son of John Cann of Fuidge.

Will of George Cann of Faulkendon [Falkedon], gentleman (died in 1804)

Desires to be buried in the vault under his pew in Spreyton Church;
bequeaths £10 to his brother Mark Cann;
£100; his leasehold tenement of Moore Lane in the parish of Bow (otherwise Nymet Tracy), lately occupied by the widow of William Narracott; and the freehold of the Golden Lion (occupied by Margaret Burnett, widow) at Crockernwell in the parish of Cheriton Bishop, to his niece Elizabeth Lambert Gorwyn of Lambert;
£1,000 and the freehold of Heath (occupied by his tenant John Lee) in the parish of Spreyton, together with the Great Tythes of that property, to his niece Susanna Lambert Gorwyn, then living with him;
£100 to his niece Joan Arden;
£5 to Joan Arden’s daughter Frances Arden and £100 apiece to all the other children of Joan Arden living at the time of his death, to go to them on reaching the age of 21.
£100 and an annuity of £20 to his niece Ann Bryant, the annuity to be a charge on his estate of Haywood in Hittisleigh;
£100 each to the children of Ann Bryant living at the time of his death, to go to them on reaching the age of 21;
forgives Isaac Bryant, the wife of Ann, all debts owing at his death;
bequeaths £100 each to William, Ann and Mary Lambert Gorwyn, the children of his deceased nephew William Lambert Gorwyn of Walland in Drewsteignton, to go to them on reaching the age of 21;
five guineas to his apprentice Samuel Powlesland on his reaching the age of 21;
one guinea each to the labourers in his service on the estates belonging to him alone at the time of his death;
to his nephew John Lambert Gorwyn of Lambert in Cheriton Bishop, the property called Venton, otherwise Kingdon’s Tenement, in the parish of Drewsteignton, then in the occupation of his nephew George Lambert Gorwyn as his tenant. He also leaves to John a high and chief rent of 10 shillings a year payable to him for ever out of the farm called Treble in Cheriton Bishop, then belonging to John; and also all such high and chief rents as are payable to the testator out of Lambert, in which John was then living;
his third share (the other two thirds belonging to his brothers John and Mark Cann) in the lime rocks, lime works, quarry and lands called Drewsteignton Kilns and Knowle Grounds, in the parish of Drewsteignton, to be divided equally between:

- his nephew John Lambert Gorwyn, for 60 years or until his death, thereafter to go to his nephew George Lambert Gorwyn or his heirs;

- his nephew in law John Gorwyn of Bradeley in the parish of Crediton for 60 years, to go on his death to George Lambert Gorwyn;

- his nephew George Lambert Gorwyn and his heirs absolutely;

the rest of his freehold, leasehold and copyhold estate with the great tythes of the same which he recently purchased; his mortgages in fee and the lands thereby respectively mortgaged; the high and chief rents which he lately purchased (except what is payable out of Treble and Lambert); and all his goods, monies etc to his nephew George Lambert Gorwyn of Narracott and his heirs. George is also appointed his sole executor.

Source: Lambert family estate papers (now in the Devon Record Office). Will dated 1802 and probate granted in 1804 in Exeter. George Cann was the brother of William Cann (see above will). He was killed in August 1804, age 74, when he fell from his horse while riding at Howard in Hittisleigh (recorded in Spreyton parish register). William and George Cann, together with their brother John Cann of Fuidge, were joint owners of the Drewsteignton lime quarries and kilns, which were extremely lucrative as lime was then the main fertiliser apart from animal manure. The beneficiaries of George Cann’s will are mainly children of his sister Mary who married John Lambert Gorwyn of Cheriton Bishop. The residue of his estate that went to George Lambert Gorwyn included substantial property in Spreyton, including Falkedon, Croft and Rugroad. George Lambert Gorwyn moved to Falkedon after his uncle’s death and remained there for the rest of his life. His will is below.

Will of Joan Cann of Spreyton, spinster, dated 1804

Bequeaths to her brother Thomas Cann: £50;

to the children of her late brother John Cann (Mary Lidster, Elizabeth Cobley and Joanna Cann): £50 apiece;
to the children of her brother Thomas Cann (Mark, George, Henry, Thomas, Elizabeth, John, William and Philip): £50 apiece when they reach the age of 21;
to the children of her niece Mary Lidster (Joseph, Mary, John and Elizabeth): two guineas each when they are 21;
to the poor of Spreyton: 50s to be distributed as her executor thinks fit;
the residue of her estate to her brother George Cann, who is also appointed executor;
(by a subsequent codicil) her wearing apparel to go to her nieces Mary Lidster, Elizabeth Cobley and John Cann.
Witnesses: Mary Wills, William Battishill. Witnesses to the codicil dated 1805: William Battishill, Mary Furse, Mary Dicker.

Source: Devon Record Office DD34292.Will proved 1806. Estate £1000.

Will of William Battishill of Week (died 1806)

bequeaths to Mary Battishill, his widow: £20 and an annuity of £30 charged on his freehold estates;
to John Battishill: £1,200 charged on his freehold estates;
to his son William: the quarter of Cramphay and Joints Tenement that the testator held on a 1000-year lease;
to his son John: the remainder of his estate.

Source: Death Duty Registers. Probate granted in 1806. Estate £1,500. There is a memorial to “William Battishill of Barton and Week” in Spreyton church. He was 61 when he died.

Will of John Cann of Fuidge, gentleman (died 1807)

bequeaths to his widow Gertrude: an annuity of £60;
to the poor of Spreyton: £1 a year for 50 years;
to his brother Mark Cann: £200;
to John Cann, the son of the testator’s nephew: £100 when he reaches the age of 21;
to his nephew John Cann: the residue of his estate;
by a codicil, to his nephew’s children (Mary, Elizabeth, Mark, Ponsford and Thomas and the infant with which the nephew’s wife was then pregnant): £100 each when they reach 21.

Source: Death Duty Register. He was 85 at the time of his death. Will proved 1807. Estate £5,000. His nephew John Cann, who inherited the residue of his estate, including Fuidge, died in 1819 and his will is below.

Will of John Richard Lambert Gorwyn, gentleman of Spreyton (died 1809)

Bequeaths £150 to his aunt Elizabeth Lambert Gorwyn;
£200 to his uncle John Lambert Gorwyn;
£50 to Robert Newton and £60 to Elizabeth Pratt;
the residue of his estate to his uncle George Lambert Gorwyn, who is also executor.

Source: Death Duty Registers. Estate £1000. Probate granted on 12.7.1809. He was born in 1791. Although he was living in Spreyton when he died (probably with his uncle George Lambert Gorwyn at Falkedon), he spent most of his short life in Cheriton Bishop or Drewsteignton.

Will of John Cann of Fuidge, gentleman (died 1819)

Bequeaths £3,000 to each of his six sons John, Mark, Ponsford, William, Moor and Abraham when and if they reach the age of 21;
£1,500 to each of his three daughters Mary, Elizabeth and Gertrude when and if they reach the age of 21;
£3,000 or £1,500, depending on whether it is a girl or a boy, to a future child that his wife may bring forth (or the same sums each if there are twins);
directs that £1,000 secured in his marriage settlement for younger children be divided between all his nine children and any others that his wife may bear him;
£1,000 to his mother Gertrude;
the residue of his estate to his affectionate wife Rebecca; he also appoints her executrix.

Witnesses: Mary Pike, Mary Caseley, John Hearding.

Source: PCC Wills. Dated January 1816; Probate granted 17.3.1819. Estate £8,000.

Will of William Carthew, yeoman of Beeraford, Spreyton (died February 1819)

Bequeaths £15 apiece to his three sons John, [?Oliver] and Arthur and his three daughters Mary, Ann and Elizabeth;
all the rest of his personal estate to go to his daughter Susanna Knapman, wife of Joseph Knapman of Spreyton, labourer. She is also appointed executrix.
Signed with a mark. Witnesses: John Cann and John Cann junior.

Source: Inland Revenue Wills, DRO. Will dated November 1818; probate granted 1819. Estate £500. The fact that the testator does not mention any real estate indicates that he was renting his farm.

Will of Susanna Cann, wife of George Cann Esquire of Bush (died 1831)

bequeaths to Frances, wife of Charles Brake of Exeter, wine merchant: £100 to dispose of as she thinks fit without intermeddling by her husband;
to Mary and Ann Bryant, daughters of Isaac Bryant of London, builder, by his wife Ann: £10 apiece;
the residue of her estate to Joan Arden, wife of George Arden of Exeter, mercer and woollen draper. Joan is also appointed executor.
Witnesses: M. Haycraft, daughter of Mr Haycraft at the Castle; Richard M. Hamilton.

Source: Devon Record Office. Will dated 1817; probate granted in 1831. Susanna was one of the nine children of John Lambert Gorwyn of Cheriton Bishop. Joan Arden is her sister and the other legatees her nephews and nieces. Susanna married George Cann of Bush late in life and had no children of her own. She was 76 when she died.

Will of George Cann of Bush in Spreyton, gentleman (died July 1832)

Bequeaths to Ann, wife of Thomas Like late of Crediton, shopkeeper: an annuity of £5 payable out of the revenues from West Hillerdon in Nymet Tracy (Bow);
to his niece Elizabeth Cobley, wife of Thomas Cobley of Buttisford in Colebrook: an annuity of £10 payable out of the revues from Heath in Spreyton, plus £100.
to Thomas Cobley: £10 as a token of his esteem;
to his niece Johanna Cann, daughter of his brother John Cann: an annuity of £10 payable out of the revenues from Heath, plus £400;
to his nieces Elizabeth Cobley and Johanna Cann for their life: his 3 cottages in Spreyton then occupied by Robert Sampson, Mary Vigier and Thomas Powlesland. After the deaths of the nieces, the cottages are to go to William Croote Cann, son of his deceased nephew John Cann late of North Tawton;
to Joseph Peck Lidster, son of John Lidster late of Duncombe in Crediton: an annuity of £5 payable out of the revenues from Davyland (also known as Davidsland) in Drewsteignton [now in Hittisleigh, following a change in the parish boundaries];
to Elizabeth Cobley and Johanna Cann: 19 guineas in trust for the schooling of the children of James Cade by his late wife Mary, the daughter of the above-mentioned late John Lidster;
to John Lidster, another child of the late John Lidster: an annuity of £5 payable out of his Rectorial or Great Tithes out of the estates of East and West Nethercotts and Brendons in Spreyton, plus £10;
£100 each to Thomas Cobley Lidster, Elizabeth Lidster and Ann Lidster, further children of the late John Lidster;
to his niece Mary Cann, daughter of his brother the late Thomas Cann: £450 plus an annuity of £10 payable out of the properties of Bush and Cott in Spreyton. Mary also receives a life interest in his dwelling house called Risdons and his quarter share in the adjoining stable, both now in the tenancy of George Cann. After Mary’s death, they are to go to the testator’s nephew George Cann, son of his late brother Thomas;
to Elizabeth Stone, wife of Philip Stone and daughter of Thomas Cann: £150 and an annuity of £15 payable out of the revenues from Powlesland in South Tawton;
to William Croote Cann, son of his deceased nephew John Cann: his Manor or reputed Manor, capital messuage, Barton and farm of West Hillerdon in Nymet Tracy (Bow), together with Huddishill and its landtax and Rectorial tythe revenues; and North Beer. His inheritance of the latter is dependant on his paying £400 to the testator’s executor and £150 to Mark Cann, son of the testator’s brother Thomas. William and his heirs are also directed to pay certain quitrents or other yearly rents due out of North Beer, Bush, Cott, Huddishill and other lands in Spreyton, amounting to £9.2s.6d. The testator also releases William Croote Cann from any debts due to him, George Cann, at the time of his death, except for the rent due from North Beer which becomes payable to his executor [this indicates that William was already renting North Beer];
to William Cann, son of his late brother Thomas: an annuity of £50 payable out of Allisdon and Long Down in South Tawton; together with another annuity of £5 payable out of the Great or Rectorial Tithes of East and West Nethercott and Brendons. The testator also releases William from his debts, provided that William gives up any claims for money spent on building works and improvements made by him to the estates of East Nymet or Nymph and Powlesland in South Tawton.
to his nephew Mark Cann his estates called Itton or Itton Law and Lower Taw, with rights of common on Itton Moor, Tawton Common and Taw Green in South Tawton. Mark Cann also receives £250 to be paid by his executor and the £150 due from William Croote Cann out of North Beer; an annuity of £5 payable out of the revenues from Davyland in Drewsteignton; and (by virtue of the power vested in the testator under the will of his brother Thomas Cann) West Spitler in South Tawton. Mark is also released from his debts to the testator;
to his nephew Philip Cann, another son of his brother Thomas: East Nymet or Nymph in South Tawton; and the Great or Rectorial Tithes of East and West Nethercott and Brendons. He also forgives Philip his debts, except for rent due from Powlesland, which is to be paid to his executor and demmed part of his personal estate;
by virtue of the power vested in him under the will of his brother Thomas, he makes his nephews George, Mark and William Croote Cann trustees for the properties of Wood Parks, Higher East Woods, New Tillett and North East Hills or Swannacombe. They are to use the revenues from these properties for the upkeep of his nephew Thomas Cann (son of his brother Thomas) and of his children. When Thomas dies, his daughter Harriet is to be paid an annuity of £3 out of Wood Parks and one of £2 out of Swannacombe; his daughter Julianna Severa Cann an annuity of £3 out of Higher East Woods and £2 out of New Tillett. The properties themselves go to Harriet and Julianna’s brothers Thomas (Wood Parks), William (Higher East Woods), George (New Tillett) and Mark (Swannacombe). The testator also leaves a further £400 in trust for the upkeep of Thomas’s family in case the revenues from the properties are not enough; and the trustees are also authorised to cut and sell timber from the properties if yet more cash is needed;
directs that the annuities given to his nieces may not be mortgaged or used to pay their husbands’ debts;
bequeaths £10 each to Elizabeth Cann, dughter of his late brother Thomas, and Agnes Cann, widow of his nephew John Cann;
10s each to William Dicker, Henry Honeychurch and Richard Northcott, John Discombe the Younger, Richard Padden, John Newton, Henry Carthew and Robert Sampson [probably his employees]; and directs that any of them living in Spreyton at the time of his death should bear his remains to his grave;
directs his excecutor to distribute £2 to the poor of Spreyton;
confirms the conveyance made by him of Discombe in South Tawton to his nephew George Cann, son of Thomas, preparatory to George’s marriage to Elizabeth Ash;
bequeaths also to George the rest of his estate, including (in Spreyton) Bush and its tithe revenues; Risdon’s Cottage and Heath and the taxes and tithes due from them; the cottage occupied by Henry Honey; his quarter share of Cross, Middleton and St Cherries; his half share of Northcott now occupied by Richard Northcott; and his quarter share of the house and meadow now in the hands of John Newton; and (in Drewsteignton) Davyland; and (in South Tawton) Allisdon and Long Down.
Witnesses: William Battishill, John Battishill and Robert Medland.

Source: Inland Revenue Wills, DRO. Will dated April 1831. Estate: £4,000.

Will of Joseph Peck Lidster of North Beer, Spreyton, labourer (died 25 July 1832)

Bequeaths £2 each to his brothers [one name illegible] and Thomas and his sisters Elizabeth Lidster and Ann [B----?];
to Susan, Mark and Joseph Cann, children of his first cousin William Croote Cann of North Beer: £2 to be paid into the hands of his father and divided between them;
to his niece Mary Cann, daughter of his niece Mary Cann: £2;
to his sister Ann: his chest of drawers and three silver tablespoons;
to his brother Thomas: the three silver spoons, two candlesticks and drinking-horn that the testator had of him in pledge;
his wearing apparel to be divided equally between his brothers John and Thomas, share and share alike;
to his aunt [Joanna?] Cann: his watch;
the residue of his estate to his daughter Elizabeth Cobley, wife of Thomas Cobley of Colebrook. She is also appointed executrix.

Source: Inland Revenue Wills, Devon Record Office. Will dated 8 July 1832; probate granted January 1833.Estate: £200.

Will of William Battishill, gentleman, of Spreyton Barton (died February 1834)

Bequeaths £2,000 to his son John Battishill, surgeon;
bequeaths the residue of his estate, including all his lands and tithes, to his son William Harrington Battishill, who is also appointed executor;
confirms that his son William was born on 8.2.1803 and his son John on 27.2.1804, as he believes that the Register of Baptisms is erroneous.
Witnesses: William Scott, Simon Martin and James Langmead.

Source: Inland Revenue Wills, DRO. Will dated October 1829; probate granted March 1834. Estate: £2,000.

Will of George Lambert Gorwyn of Falkedon, gentleman (died in 1837)

Desires to be buried in Spreyton churchyard by the side of his late dear wife.
bequeaths an annuity of £52 to his son George Lambert Gorwyn, to be paid out of the revenues from Coffins in the parish of Spreyton;
to his daughter-in-law Mary, wife of George, an annuity of £26, to be paid out of the revenues of Heywood [Howard] in Hittisleigh. Directs that the annuity be paid into ‘the proper hands’ of Mary for her own sole and separate use, independent of her husband so that he may not ‘intermeddle or have anything to do therewith’, and so that his debts cannot be paid out of the annuity. Directs that Mary shall not have the power to sell or mortgage the annuity. Provides that George and Mary may enter Coffins and Heywood respectively to distrain such property as is necessary to cover the payments;
to his housekeeper Elizabeth Langdon: the Public House known as the Golden Lion in Cheriton Bishop, together with its accompanying land, orchard and garden, except for the small orchard called Strap Orchard; Cross Orchard (part of Newton Tenement) adjoining the Golden Lion; and the sum of £210.
to his old servant James Drew, then living at Heywood: his two tenements known as Hittisleigh Mill in Hittisleigh, then in the possession of William Ponsford and another, together with a sum of £55;
Falcadon [Falkedon]; Churchwood; Crofts and Rugwood (or Rugroad); Coffins; and Saint Cherries, all in the parish of Spreyton, together with all his other property and tithes in Spreyton parish, and Westwood and Newtake in Drewsteignton, are bequeathed in trust (the trustees being William Brock of Westwood in Crediton and Robert Medland of Crediton) for his grandson George Lambert Gorwyn, entailed on the lawfully begotten children of his body. He directs that the property should go to the children of his grandson George Lambert Gorwyn in such proportions as George may determine by a deed or in his will; and in the absence of deed or will to the eldest son and his heirs, and in default to the subsequent sons of George, and in default of sons to be divided among the daughters of George. If George died without issue, the property was to go to George’s brother Richard Lambert Gorwyn;
Greystone; Honeyford (or Honeydown); Fursden; Teignholt and Teignholt Ford; and his share of Knowle and its lime kilns, all in Drewsteignton; and also Haward (or Heywood) in Hittisleigh and all other property belonging to him in Drewsteignton and Hittisleigh; and also Tucker’s Tenement, Newton’s Tenement and Strap Orchard (part of the tenement of the Golden Lion Inn) in Cheriton Bishop together with all his other lands in Cheriton Bishop, in trust to his grandson Richard Lambert-Gorwyn, entailed on his heirs in the same way as for George;
provides that the two grandsons on reaching the age of 21 may grant demise or lease their properties and that Richard may work the lime quarry and search for lime elsewhere on his property;
provides that the two grandsons, when they reach the age of 21, may each grant rents or an annuity out of their estate to his wife, to be payable on the death of the relevant grandson, for her life in lieu of her jointure, but for each wife the annual payments are limited to £60;
bequeaths his Manor or reputed Manor of Crediton Parks in the parish of Crediton together with the residue of his property to the two trustees to sell for the best price that can reasonably be gotten, and to use the proceeds of the sale plus the money from the repayment of any debts outstanding to him at his death, first to pay his own debts and funeral expenses, his legacies and the costs of the trust; and then to divide between the two grandsons.
Witnesses: John Cann, John Battishill and John Francis.

Source: papers of George, 1st Viscount Lambert (the testator’s great grandson), now in the DRO (also in PCC wills online). The will, dated 1837, runs to thirteen pages. The sale of Crediton Parks was intended inter alia to provide funds for the education of the two grandsons.

Will of William Brock of Coombe in Spreyton, yeoman (died 1839)

The will begins by referring to his 1797 marriage settlement that took the form of an agreement between (1) William Brock [presumably his father]; (2) himself; (3) William Dunning [probably his father-in-law]; (4) Jane Dunning [his future wife]; and (5) Simon Brock and John Rowe. Under this settlement, Simon Brock and John Rowe were appointed trustees and the farm of Coombe was conveyed to them in trust for the use of the testator, subject to an annuity of £16 being paid out of the revenues of Coombe to John Brock (deceased by the time of the will) and an annuity of £20 being paid after John Brock’s death to John’s widow Joan (also deceased by the time of the will). The settlement also required the trustees to pay an annuity of £20 to the testator’s widow after his death and to allow her to occupy a dwelling-house on the estate, formerly a malt-house, and a garden called Moor Garden, both at the time of the 1797 settlement in the occupation of James [Study?]. Under the settlement the property then devolved onto any children of William and Jane, in such proportions as William chose to determine in his will. The testator noted that he and Jane had four children, William, George, John and Agnes, the latter now the wife of John Howard of Whitestone, yeoman; and that he (the testator) was still occupying Coombe, which consisted of some 150 acres.

bequeaths to his son George: £500, chargeable on Coombe;
to his son John: a year’s tenancy of Coombe at a rent of £50; and also for that year the income from the Great Tithes accruing out of Coombe, that were purchased by the testator many years ago from John Cann Esquire of Fuidge. The property then goes to his son William;
to his wife Jane Brock if she survives him, one bed and one thing of a sort of all his other household goods and furniture, to be chosen by her;
to his daughter Agnes: £5;
to his five grandchildren Agnes, George and William Dicker, children of his son William by William’s wife Mary; and George and William (the latter an infant of four months), children of his son George and his wife [?Faby]: £1 apiece;
to his son John: the residue of his estate, including all his freehold and leasehold estate not bequeathed to others. John is named executor.
Witnesses: William Croote Cann; Henry Churchwood, clerk to Mr Henry Hawkes of Okehampton; and Sarah Dunning Underhill, spinster.

Source: Inland Revenue Wills, DRO. Will dated February 1838; probate granted November 1839. Estate £600.

Will of Elizabeth Yolland, spinster, late of Crediton but now of Spreyton (died 1855)

Bequeaths to her nephews John Yolland and Bartholomew StephenYolland, sons of her late brother John: the five several sums of £100 due to her from five mortgages made to her by the Commissioners for [?Improvement] of the Town of Crediton; and also the four further several sums of £100 due to her by four other mortgages made to her by the Commissioners of Improvement for the City of Exeter; together with all the interest due, to be divided equally between her said nephews. If any of the mortgages are paid off in the testator’s lifetime, then an equivalent amount is to go to the nephews from the residue of her estate;
to her niece Susanna Battishill: all her books, plate and trinkets or personal ornaments;
to her nephew William John Battishill: her gold watch and chain and seals and other appendages normally worn with it;
to her cousin Elizabeth Yolland now residing with her as a companion: £50 so long as she is still with the testator at the time of the latter’s death; and also all the testator’s clothes and wearing apparel;
the residue of her personal estate and effects to her sister Alicia, wife of John Battishill, surgeon of Spreyton; together with all her lands, tenements, houses and real estate. Alicia is also appointed executrix.
Witnesses: William Battishill, yeoman of Spreyton; and William Newton, carpenter.

Source: PCC wills (probably because she owned substantial real estate). Proved in 1855. She was living at the Battishill property of Bush in Spreyton at the time of her death.

Will of George Cann of Heath, gentleman (died 1868)

bequeaths to his wife Elizabeth: an annuity of £30 chargeable on the revenues of Heath;
£100 to each of the children of his brothers Mark, Thomas and William Cann and of his sister Elizabeth Stone;
£5 each to all the household servants, daily workmen and labourers who have worked for him for at least 12 months and are still with him at the time of his death;
to his son George: his properties of Allisdown and Langdown in South Tawton; Heath and certain cottages in Spreyton; Davyland in Drewsteignton and all his other real estate. George is also appointed his executor.

Witnesses: John Marsh Burd, solicitor in Okehampton; and William Yeo, Burd’s clerk.

Source: Devon Record Office. Will dated 1863; probate granted in April 1868. Estate £5,000.

Will of William Croote Cann of North Beer, yeoman (died February 1854)

Bequeaths to his sister Anne Like: an annnuity of £3 charged on North Beer, for her own use separate from that of her husband;
Confirms his marriage settlement with his dear wife Elizabeth and bequeaths to her for her life, so long as she does not remarry, the use of a dwelling-house in Spreyton village then occupied by his aunt Joanna Cann, and also his half-share of the garden behind the house, recently occupied by John Harvey. After Elizabeth’s death or remarriage, the house and garden are to go to his son George. Elizabeth also gets £20 and such furniture as she needs to furnish a dwelling;
notes that he has already provided for his two daughters Susan and Agnes on their marriages and bequeaths the £10 each;
bequeaths £500 (charged on West Hillerdon) to his third daughter Elizabeth when she is 21. If she dies without heirs before then, the money is to be shared as follows: £50 each to Susan and Agnes; £100 to his son George: and £350 to his son Mark;
bequeaths North Beer in trust to his friends William Harrington Battishill, gentleman, and William Packer of Bow, gentleman. Under the trust, they are to raise £600 on the security of the property and pay it to his son Mark Cann, to be deemed part of his personal estate. North Beer is then to be held in trust for his son George. However, if George dies without heirs before reaching the age of 21, the property goes to Mark, and the trustees are to pay Mark’s three sisters £150 apiece;
bequeaths to his son George the two dwelling houses and gardens near the village of Spreyton now in the occupation of George Ingerston and David [L---?]; West Hillerdon in Bow; Huddishill in Spreyton; and the fields called Broom Close, East Broom Close and West Broom Close and all his other properties in Bow; and also all his money, farm equipment etc.;
Mark Cann is appointed executor and William Battishill and William Packer are appointed trustees of Elizabeth and George if they are still in their minorities when he dies. If Mark is desirous of occupying and farming North Beer during the minority of George, the trustees are to allow him to do so for a rent of £40; Mark must also pay all the chief rents and taxes on the property.
Witnesses: John Battishill junior and William Newton.
By a codicil dated the same day as the will, the testator reduces the £600 to be paid to mark to £100 and also confirms his wife’s right to the annuity of £10 given to her by the will of her father Thomas Heathman. The codicil is witnessed by John Heathman and Robert Medland.

Source: Inland Revenue Wills, DRO. Will dated February 1850; probate granted in April 1854. Estate £2,000.

Will of George Lambert of Spreyton, gentleman (died April 1885)

Bequeaths an annuity of £100 to his wife Grace Lambert (payable out of the estate bequeathed to his son George), together with all the farm stock, household goods and furniture in his residence at the time of his death;
to his daughter Mary: £15,000 due to him from the local Board of Health of Torquay, to be transferred to her at the age of 25, with the interest being used as necessary in the meantime for her upkeep;
in exercise of the power and authority given him in the will of his grandfather, bequeaths to his son George all his farms and hereditaments in Spreyton and Drewsteignton, together with the High Rents of which he is tenant for life.
bequeaths the property of Court in Cullompton and the residue of his estate to son George on reaching the age of 25;
appoints his wife Grace executrix and guardian of his children, George to become Mary’s trustee if Grace dies before Mary reaches the age of 25.

Source: Papers of George, 1st Viscount Lambert (his son). Will dated January 1885; probate granted in Exeter 1885, gross value £17,172.17s. He owned and lived at Coffins and was the grandson of the George Lambert Gorwyn who died in 1837. He also owned Rugroad, Falkedon and Croft in Spreyton and property in Hittisleigh.

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Some Early Spreyton Wills

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By Sophia Lambert