Richard Acland (1679–1729) facts for kids
Richard Acland (born 1679, died 1729) was an important person in North Devon, England. He was the owner of a large estate called the Manor of Fremington, which was near the town of Barnstaple. Richard Acland also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Barnstaple from 1708 to 1713. An MP is a person chosen by voters to represent them in the country's parliament, where laws are made.
After he married a rich woman in 1700, Richard Acland built a very big and fancy house called Fremington House. You can still see his family symbol, called a "coat of arms," on a building in Barnstaple called Queen Anne's Walk. This building was finished in 1713. Richard Acland was one of about twelve people from the town's council, known as the Corporation of Barnstaple, who helped pay for it.
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Who Was Richard Acland?
Richard Acland was a key figure in his local area. He was known for owning the Manor of Fremington. A manor was a large piece of land with a main house, and the "lord of the manor" was its owner. Richard Acland also had a role in national politics as an MP. This meant he helped make decisions for the country.
His Family and Early Life
Richard Acland was the son of another Richard Acland, who was a merchant in Barnstaple. A merchant is someone who buys and sells goods. His father bought the Fremington estate in 1683. Richard also had an uncle named Arthur Acland, who was also an MP for Barnstaple a few years earlier, from 1679 to 1680.
Building Grand Homes
In 1700, Richard Acland married Susanna Lovering. She was one of two daughters of a very wealthy merchant named John Lovering. Because Susanna was an "heiress," it meant she inherited a lot of money and property. With this wealth, Richard Acland built Fremington House. This grand house was built in a style popular during the time of Queen Anne.
He also helped fund Queen Anne's Walk in Barnstaple. This was a public building or walkway. His family's coat of arms is still visible there today. It shows his connection to the town's leaders who supported the project.
His Marriage and Children
Richard Acland and Susanna Lovering had children together. One of their sons was named John Acland. He was listed as a "freeholder" in Fremington in 1733. A freeholder was someone who owned land outright. They also had a daughter named Susanna Acland. She later inherited the Fremington estate. In 1748, Susanna married William Barbor. His father was a well-known doctor.
