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Branscombe Devon

Memorial with a pediment supported by Doric columns in the north transept - the lower half and inscription is missing

 

The shield of arms shows : a chevron between 3 Blackamoors heads (Holcombe) impaling 3 rams passant , a crescent for difference. (Sydenham)

 

From the heraldry, it can be deduced that this is to Ellis Holcombe 1585 & his wife Elizabeth Sydenham

 

Walter de Holcombe was lord of Holcombe Gloc in 1301. Shortly afterwards the family changed their residence to Hole manor Branscombe.

 

Ellis, born c 1516, was the son of Jane & Charles Holcombe

He was the grandson of Roger Holcombe & great great grandson of John Holcombe & Isabel daughter and co-heiress of Hugh Downe of Downe Ralph. By this marriage the Holcombes became possessed of considerable estates, part of the ancient inheritance of Downe. Isabel's great grandfather Sir Ralph Downe m Isabel daughter and co-heiress of Sir William Bruer / Brewer, great great grandson of Reginald Earl of Cornwall the natural son of Henry l (William Bruer was one of the most powerful nobleman of his day and was a favourite of 4 successive monarchs - Henry ll, Richard, John and Henry lll. On King Richard's going to the Holy land, he was, with the bishops of Durham and Ely, and Hugh Bardulph, appointed to the government of the realm. King John granted him many manors, and Henry lll made him sheriff over 12 counties. He founded the abbeys of Tor and Dunkeswell.)

 

Ellis m Elizabeth b1503 daughter of Thomas Sydenham & Alice Stephens heiress to Wynford Eagle ; Elizabeth was the grand daughter of Richard Sydenham 1499 at Chedzoy flic.kr/p/hVrkN5

Children

1. Thomas 1536 - 1579 m 1559 Margaret Trethurffe 1535 - 1576 widow of Edward Courtney with 4 children (parents of Gilbert +++ . Christopher & Josias )

2. Robert bc 1538 - d pre 1585

3. Tristram bc 1539 m 1561 (2nd husband) Grisognan daughter of Edward Stradling 1535 www.findagrave.com/memorial/101359625/edward-stradling and 2nd wife / mistress Felice daughter of John Llwyd Kemeys (Grisognan was the widow of Anthony 1557 son of William Porter and Margaret Gifford)

4. John b 1540 - pre 1585 m 1562 Mary Chidly

5. George b 1542 - pre 1585

6. Walter bc 1545 - pre 1585

1, Jane m 1559 - pre 1585 m W Langford

 

 

Ellis died December 10, 1585 leaving a detailed will in which he named his wife Elizabeth and made bequests to five grandchildren. These are not named as grandchildren in his will but known to be so from other sources.

The majority of his lands and estates were left to his grandson Gilbert who he describes as "my next cozen and heir in blood and son to Thomas Holcombe". (Gilbert === m (2nd husband) Anne daughter of Peter Courtenay and Katherine Reskimer * widow of Thomas Gibbs)

 

Elizabeth was buried 7th April 1610

 

Hole was sold c1600 by Gilbert Holcombe ++ the last of the family to live here, to Ellis Bartlett; www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/1VV5Yo341M The manors of Downe Ralph and Tinge Bruer went by purchase to the Mallocks . Gilbert then moved with his brothers Christopher & Josias to (Mylor) Cornwall

 

www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wm15ZWP_Elias_Holcombe_St_Win...

www.wikitree.com/wiki/Sydenham-54

www.wikitree.com/wiki/Holcombe-605

 

- Church of St Winifred, Branscombe Devon

Picture with thanks - copyright Michael Garlick CCL www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6160128

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Uploaded on January 27, 2023
Taken on April 18, 2019