Robert Incledon facts for kids
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Robert Incledon (1676–1758) was an important person from Pilton House, Pilton, near Barnstaple in North Devon, England. He was a lawyer in London and worked as a Clerk of the Peace for Devon. He also served as the Deputy Recorder of Barnstaple and was the Mayor of Barnstaple twice, in 1712 and 1721.
In 1713, when he was mayor, Robert Incledon helped oversee the building of the Mercantile Exchange. This important building is now known as Queen Anne's Walk and is a grade I listed building. You can still see a brass plaque and his family crest on the building, which tell us about his role. He also built his own home, Pilton House, in 1746.
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Family Background
Robert Incledon came from a very old local family called de Incledon. They first appeared in records in 1160. Their family home was in a place called Incledon, Braunton, in North Devon.
Robert was the younger of two sons of Lewis III Incledon (1636-1699) and his second wife, Elizabeth Fane (died 1717). His older brother, Henry Incledon (1671-1736), inherited the family's main estates.
Building the Mercantile Exchange
During his first time as Mayor of Barnstaple (1712–1713), Robert Incledon was in charge of building the Mercantile Exchange. This building is now called Queen Anne's Walk and is a very old and important building on Barnstaple Quay.
A brass plaque on the building has a Latin message that says: "Robert Incledon, Esquire, Mayor of this town, supervised the making. 1713." This shows how important he was in getting this building made. Above the plaque, you can see his family crest and other old decorations.
Family Life
Robert Incledon was married two times.
- His first wife was Mary Lethbridge (died 1709). They did not have any children.
- His second wife was Penelope Sandford. They had several children:
* James Incledon (died 1741), who was their oldest son but passed away before his father and did not marry. * Benjamin Incledon (1730-1796), who became his father's main heir. Benjamin was known as "The Antiquary" because he loved studying old things, especially the history of old families in Devon and the town of Barnstaple. He also served as the Recorder of Barnstaple for many years. * Amy Incledon (1721-1782), their oldest daughter, married Charles Chichester in 1747. * Lucy Incledon (born 1724), their second daughter, married Peregrine Courtenay in 1760.
His Passing
Robert Incledon passed away and was buried on December 9, 1758, in Pilton Church. There are two memorials to him in the church. One is his own monument, and the other is on his first father-in-law's monument, showing his family crest.
His Monument
In Pilton Church, there is a special monument for Robert Incledon. It has a message written in Latin that talks about his life. It says that he was a man who loved old writings and customs. He worked hard studying the laws of his country in London, and few people understood them better than he did. The message also says that he lived a good life and died peacefully at 82 years old, with strong faith.
Below this, another message mentions his second wife, Penelope, who died in 1738, and their son James, who died in 174. It also says that Robert and Penelope had other young children who passed away, but they left behind Amy, Lucy, and Benjamin, who arranged for this monument to be placed.
Above the monument, you can see the family crest of Incledon combined with the family crest of Sandford, showing his marriage to Penelope.
Sources
- Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry, 15th Edition, ed. Pirie-Gordon, H., London, 1937, pp. 2390–1, pedigree of Incledon-Webber of Buckland
- Vivian, Lt.Col. J.L., (Ed.) The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1531, 1564 & 1620, Exeter, 1895, pp. 497–9, pedigree of Incledon of Buckland
