John Woolcombe facts for kids
John Woolcombe (born 1680, died 1713) was an important person from a place called Pitton, in the area of Yealmpton, Devon. He was like a representative for the city of Plymouth in the English Parliament from 1702 to 1705. He also held a big job called Sheriff for Devon from 1711 to 1712.
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John Woolcombe's Family Background
John was the oldest son of John Woolcombe, who passed away in 1690. His mother was Thomasine Francis. Her father, Philip Francis, was the Mayor of Plymouth twice, in 1642 and 1651.
John Woolcombe's family used a special design called a coat of arms. This design was the same as an older family also named Woollocombe from North Devon. A coat of arms is like a unique family symbol, often used in the past to show who belonged to which family. Their specific design was Argent, three bars gules, which describes the colors and shapes on the shield.
How John Inherited Ashbury
In 1692, John Woolcombe became the main heir of his uncle, Henry Woolcombe. Henry had married a woman who was the heiress of a place called Ashbury in Devon. Being an heiress meant she was the female person who would inherit property. Because of this marriage, John inherited the Ashbury estate when his uncle passed away.
His Marriage and Later Life
In 1707, John Woolcombe married Anne Hele. She was the daughter of Reverend Richard Hele. Her mother was Judith Cary, whose father, Dr. George Cary, was a very important person. He was the lord of the manor of Clovelly and also the Dean of Exeter, which is a high position in the church.
Sadly, John and Anne did not have any children. They both passed away in April 1713, just a few days apart. John was buried in Yealmpton on April 20th.
After John's death, his youngest brother, Philip Woolcombe, became his heir. Philip was a Rector (a type of church leader) in Zeal Monachorum, Devon. Philip married Elizabeth Blackall, whose father, Offspring Blackall, was the Bishop of Exeter. Philip and Elizabeth had a son named John Woolcombe (who died in 1788). This younger John also became the Sheriff of Devon in 1751, just like his uncle.
Sources
- Eveline Cruickshanks / D. W. Hayton, biography of Woolcombe, John (1680-1713), of Pitton, Yealmpton, Devon, published in History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1690–1715, ed. D. Hayton, E. Cruickshanks, S. Handley, 2002 [1]
- Vivian, Lt.Col. J.L., (Ed.) The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1531, 1564 & 1620, Exeter, 1895, p. 803, pedigree of "Wollocombe of Pitton"[2]
