B. Sc., M. Sc., Ph. D.

Local Historian of Bovey Tracey.

Honorary Associate Research Fellow University of Exeter

 

I hope you enjoy reading my work. On this site you will find presentations on topics, my published papers, and a list of work in progress.
Do contact me if you would like me to talk to your society. The questions asked at talks are a great help.

Let me know if you would like me to try and find out more about the history of your Bovey Tracey house or family.  

RECENTLY ADDED –

Brimley and Langaller Manor– Langaller, which included Higher and Lower Brimley Chapple and Whistelwell, was a medieval manor. There are some manor records but it is difficult to find who lived where, and  the location of some holdings is no longer known. If you have any records which might help please do contact me. I have listed all the historic holdings and also the names of tenants from the rent records so do let me know if these relate to your family.

 Devon House of Mercy- under  Places. Thanks to information from a descendant Rose Lilwall’s story has been added. Like some other ‘inmates’ Rose’s child was cared for  by her extended family, and she went on to marry and have another child. This supports the picture of the  positive help which the Devon House of Mercy gave.

Civil War- under Topics. Bovey Tracey in the English civil war is described from sources written at the time and later descriptions. Some of the local  memories are based on fact but others are just legends. 

Field Names- under Discoveries. There are hundreds of field names in Bovey Tracey. I have traced their meanings and  picked out a few of the most interesting ones. Do contact me if you would like to know about a particular field or farm. I wonder if Castle Down was the site of an ancient fort; are Spirux fields by ancient bridleways; was Cost is Lost poor quality land or was it a pun? 

Parke and the Hole Family- I am giving a talk on this to Widecombe History Group 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday 6th December 2023, non-members are welcome. 

NATURAL HISTORY

A list of  the wild flowers of some local footpaths season by season. 

Illustrations: Cross at Challabrook Farm to Commemorate the Civil War; Seals on a Local Deed; Signature of John Southcott when Lord of the Manor; The Trough by the Parish Church.

Frances Billinge, updated 29 November   2023