Person Page - 47

     John died . John was born.

     John was born before 3 April 1590 at Thurlaston, Leicestershire, England.¹ There were two children baptised to a John Wikes and Ann during this period and one to John and Anna. It is possible the name Ann was a diminutive of Agnes.
Grace Wikes bap. 22 Dec 162 - John and Ann.
Ann WIkes bap. 21 June 1629 - John and Ann.
Edward Wikes bap. 19 Feb 1636 -John and Anna. John died after 1640.

     Richard died . Richard was born at Sth. Petherwin, Cornwall, England.

     Anne was born say 1690. She married John Blake on 1 September 1713 at Egloshayle, Cornwall, England. Anne died .

     Thomas died . Thomas was born before 27 April 1599 at St Minver, Cornwall, England. He married Florens Philpe on 30 January 1625 at Egloshayle, Cornwall, England.¹ Thomas Kent was living; Thomas Kent, formerly of Dynham, St Minver had occupied a property at Keroe alias Keroll Kres alias Wist Keroe some time before 1685. A new lease to Edwd and Anne Darrell and others was made on 20 June 1685. The term was to begin on the death of Thomas Kent.

     Florens was born say 1600. She married Thomas Kent on 30 January 1625 at Egloshayle, Cornwall, England.¹

     Mathew was born say 1580. He married Johane Polstag on 4 February 1603 at St Minver, Cornwall, England.¹ Mathew Morryse was living on 26 April 1653 at Trebetherick, St Minver, Cornwall, England, M1 M2; Trebetherick was a small village near the coast about halfway between the old church of St Enodock and Pentire Point. It would have been overlooking Stepper Point across the Camel estuary. Mathew died .

     John died . John was born before 5 May 1633 at Thurlaston, Leicestershire, England.

     Frances died . Frances was born before 28 June 1618 at Thurlaston, Leicestershire, England.

     Elizabeth died . Elizabeth was born before 29 October 1620 at Thurlaston, Leicestershire, England.

     Edward was born say 1565. He married Margaritt (?) say 1589. Edward died after 1597.

     Margaritt died . Margaritt was born. She married Edward Wikes say 1589.

     Thomas was born before 24 April 1679 at Padstow, Cornwall, England.¹ The entries made in the parish register when the children were baptised, refer to Thomas Peter and his wife Diana. However a marriage record has not been found. On 18 February 1708/9 the Trustees of the parish of St Kew and the Overseer of the Poor announced the intention to sell or lease part of the Parish land in St Kew called Smythes Land to raise funds for the repair of the church. Thomas Peter gent was one of the Trustees.¹ A Bond and covenant for the sale of Tregaddick in St Mabyn was entered into between John Hamley of Treblethick in St Mabyn and Thomas Peter of Treavarock [Treharrock] in St Kew.² He left a will in 1727; A copy has not been obtained from CRO.³ Thomas died in April 1727 at St Kew, Cornwall, England. The burial of Thomas Peter gent. in the parish churchyard 1727 is noted in the parish register but the actual day is not readable..¹ Thomas's will was probated in 1727.^4,3

     Diana was born. She married Thomas Peter gent of Treharrock, St Kew say 1704. She made a will on 10 November 1731 at St Kew, Cornwall, England.¹ Diana died before 16 February 1731/32 at St Kew, Cornwall, England. She was buried on 16 February 1731/32 at St Kew, Cornwall, England.²

     Although the parish register records the baptism of some of John's older siblings, a baptism for him has not been found. England was in a great state of upheaval because of the Civil War and often church records were badly kept and have gaps of many years. This was the period in which John grew up and the time when his father was imprisoned. However he is noted in the Nuncupative will made by his mother Elizabeth Peter on 30 November 1677. He married Elizabeth Brock on 2 October 1676 at St Endellion, Cornwall, England.¹ About the time of his marriage to Elizabeth Brock, John appears to have also been given the property of Treator by his father and for the first years of their marriage this was to be their main home. The children of this first marriage were baptised at the parish church of St Petroc in Padstow. He also acquired freehold property in St Breocke in the Arundell manor of Penleese where he was listed as a free tenant in 1678.² The property called Trenyowe which his father Thomas Peter had acquired in 1659 was passed to John about this time. His tenure of Trenyowe as a freehold was noted in the court roll of the manor in 1678.³ He married Elizabeth Bond of St Endellion by licence on 5 April 1728 at St Minver, Cornwall, England. The parish register entry noted - John Peter of St Kew married Elizabeth Bond of Endellion. John was a very advanced age, possibly in his 80's whereas Elizabeth was still in her childbearing years and able to start a second family. She bore him three children in the six years of their marriage.
.^4,5 John died in 1734 at St Kew, Cornwall, England. Upon John's death, administration of his estate was granted to his widow Elizabeth.⁶

     Elizabeth was born say 1656. She married Gen 10 John Peter gent of St Kew on 2 October 1676 at St Endellion, Cornwall, England.¹ Elizabeth died . She was buried in woolen on 14 December 1692 at St Merryn, Cornwall, England.^2,3

     Elizabeth was born say 1705. She married Gen 10 John Peter gent of St Kew on 5 April 1728 at St Minver, Cornwall, England.^1,2 Shortly after the death of her husband John Peter, a sale for 1/3 of Tresungar, late in occupation of Luce Bond, wid., Eliz. P. 's mother. was negotioated by lease and release between Eliz. Peter of Treharrick, St. Kew, wid., sis. of Rich. Bond of Hollwood, decd.,and Chas. Vyvyan of Tresungar.³


Elizabeth died .

     A birth date of 1610 has been given by Vivian. Baptism of a child was not required by law to be celebrated in the established church and because the Peter family were Catholic, a baptism by Catholic rites would have been celebrated in secret..¹ Thomas would have been about nine years old when his father died and when he became of age he inherited his father's property. This would have included the barton of Treator in Padstow and Trenyou in St Merryn.

Check Inqusition as guardian?

1632 he married Elizabeth, only daughter and heiress of Henry Mitchel of Harlyn. Elizabeth had inherited the property of Harlyn near St Merryn which had originally been the seat of Richard de Tregrew, M.P. for Cornwall in 1448. When Richard's grandaughter married a Mitchell, Harlyn had passed to the Mitchell family. Following the marriage of Elizabeth and Thomas Peter, it was added to his land holdings..² Thomas and Elizabeth made Harlyn their principal place of residence and in 1634 Thomas undertook to rebuild the mansion house. The marriage to Elizabeth Mitchell was very advantageous because Elizabeth brought with her the property of Harlyn in St Merryn.. It is recorded that Thomas incurred a debt of £20 to Elizabeth Arundell, daughter of Thomas Arundell, late of St Columb Major and on 25 December 1641, he and Anthony Harris of St Issey, yeoman were required to sign a draft bond for £40 against payment of this debt. There is no seal or signature to this document.³

Because he had been an active royalist in the civil war between Charles I and the parliament, Thomas was for a long time imprisoned by Cromwell. He was finally released on 2 February 1653, through the efforts of the protector's chaplain, Hugh Peters to whom Thomas was related through the Treffry family on his mother's side.⁴ Amongst notes made by Henderson from the Prideaux family records, regarding the deaths of free tenants of Padstow manor and the consequent alienation of lands, is a listiing of the succession to Trenyowe. (Thos Peter 1659 in socap- Does this mean allegiance to the King-socage?) It appears that this may be when Trenyowe was first acquired by the family..⁵ Following a court action on 26 October 1660 a common recovery settled certain land to the use of Thomas Peter. Others involved in the procedure were Katherine Falmanck of Padstow, spinster, Gregory Peter, son of Thomas Peter of St. Merryn, gent., John George of St. Merryn, yeoman and Richard Rounsevall of Padstow, yeoman. Because of his support for the King and imprisonment, his land would have been confiscated.
Common recovery was type pf property conveyance which involved a form of collusive legal action. The recoverer sued the tenant alleging that he had no legal title because he had only come into possession after a fictitious person had turned the recoverer out. The tenant brought a third party to court to defend the issue in his place as a vouchee. The recoverer then asked permission to confer with the vouchee who would not then return to the court. This allowed a judgment in favour of the recoverer. The action was recorded on the manor court rolls and a copy given to the recoverer.⁶


Thomas acted as an Attorney in the preparation of a conveyance on 26 March 1666.⁷ Gen 9 Thomas Peter of Harlyn and Treator died before 21 November 1675.^2,8 He was buried on 21 November 1675 at St Merryn, Cornwall, England.⁸ Because Thomas did not leave a will, administration of his estate was granted to his widow Elizabeth Mitchell on 10 January 1676 at Exeter, Devon, England.²

     Elizabeth was born. She married Gen 9 Thomas Peter of Harlyn and Treator in 1632. Elizabeth had inherited the property of Harlyn near St Merryn which had originally been the seat of Richard de Tregrew, MP for Cornwall in 1448. When Richard's grandaughter married a Mitchell, Harlyn had passed to the Mitchell family. Following her marriage to Thomas Peter, Harlyn was added to his land holdings.¹ Elizabeth made a nuncupative will which says, among other things,"To my son John Peter". A nuncupative will referred to testamentary intentions expressed by the deceased's word of mouth 'before credible witnesses', who later made sworn statements before the probate court. There had to be three witnesses who had heard the deceased's wishes spoken in his own house and during his last illness. It was required that these were written down within six days, and not proved until fourteen days after the death..² Elizabeth died on 30 November 1677 following the making of a nuncupative will.² On 15 January 1678 a declaration was made by Gregory Peter, John Peter and Jane Peter that they made no objection to the nuncupative will and desired probate to be granted to their brother Thomas.² Elizabeth's will was probated at the Principal Registry on 22 February 1678 at Exeter, Devon, England.

     Henry was born say 1580. Henry also made his home in Cornwall, being elected one of the parliamentary representatives for the borough of Fowey in the first parliament of James I in 1603.² He married Deborah Trefry daughter of John Treffy esq. of Place on 9 January 1609 in the parish church at Fowey, Cornwall, England. Deborah was one of thirteen children born to John Trefry and his wife Emilyn and the thirteenth generation recorded in the Trefry line. The Treffrey family had held an influential place in the life of Cornwall for several centuries, a John Treffry having been knighted by the Black Prince at Crecy.
The seat of the Treffey family was at Place, immediately behind the church at Fowey. The story is told of the spirited defence of the family mansion at Place against an attacking Breton fleet in 1457 by an Elizabeth Treffry in the absence of her husband. She is reputed to have poured molten lead over the would-be intruders. When he returned to Fowey, her husband Thomas Treffry added further fortification to Place.
Deborah's 2nd great uncle William Trefry was appointed Controller of the tin coinage of the Stanneries of Cornwall and Devon, and was also Keeper of the Stannary Gaol at Lostwithiel. As a supporter of Henry V11, William was made Gentleman Usher of the King's Chamber and Surveyor of Customs in the City of London. In 1500 he was Sheriff of Cornwall. A note from A. L. Rouse describes him as a kind, generous and conscientous man. Having no children of his own, he provided for his nephews, with bequests also for the poor of Fowey, and his servants.^3,1,4 Henry had inherited the Cornish properties of his father but it seems likely that he and Deborah spent time in Fowey where Henry was a merchant. On 1 April 1619 Henry Peter was noted as the previous occupier of a house, quay and garden on the east of the street in Fowey to be leased by Jn Treffry to Jn. Jones of Fowey, surgeon.⁵
On 21 July 1619 Henry Peter of Foye [Fowey], merchant and Debora his wife bought the Moiety of 7 closes, part of the Barton of Trewardreath [Tywardreath] from Samuell Pendarves gent. of Roskrowe in St Gluvias. A close was a peice of land enclosed within hedges, fences or walls.⁶
Henry died in 1619 leaving Deborah a widow with a young son to care for.^1,2

     Deborah was born before 30 April 1570 at Fowey, Cornwall, England.¹ She married Gen 8 Henry Peter M.P. of Fowey on 9 January 1609 in the parish church at Fowey, Cornwall, England. Deborah was one of thirteen children born to John Trefry and his wife Emilyn and the thirteenth generation recorded in the Trefry line. The Treffrey family had held an influential place in the life of Cornwall for several centuries, a John Treffry having been knighted by the Black Prince at Crecy.
The seat of the Treffey family was at Place, immediately behind the church at Fowey. The story is told of the spirited defence of the family mansion at Place against an attacking Breton fleet in 1457 by an Elizabeth Treffry in the absence of her husband. She is reputed to have poured molten lead over the would-be intruders. When he returned to Fowey, her husband Thomas Treffry added further fortification to Place.
Deborah's 2nd great uncle William Trefry was appointed Controller of the tin coinage of the Stanneries of Cornwall and Devon, and was also Keeper of the Stannary Gaol at Lostwithiel. As a supporter of Henry V11, William was made Gentleman Usher of the King's Chamber and Surveyor of Customs in the City of London. In 1500 he was Sheriff of Cornwall. A note from A. L. Rouse describes him as a kind, generous and conscientous man. Having no children of his own, he provided for his nephews, with bequests also for the poor of Fowey, and his servants..^1,2,3 Deborah died .

     A baptism has not been found but Robert may well have been baptised in the Roman catholic faith because both the Arundell and Ptere families were well known Roman Catholic families. Gen 7 Robert Peter M.P. was educated and trained to be a soldier. Whilst still young he began military service, serving in the Army under Edward Poynings and then in the Low Countries.² Robert also served his country several times in parliament, first being chosen to represent Fowey in the thirteenth year of reign of Elizabeth (1570).^3,1 He married Thomasin Kestall. Thomasin came from a very old Cornish family, her father John Kestell of Kestell having descended from William Kestell reputed as living in Cornwall in the 13th century.¹ Robert and his wife Thomasine had a number of children of which two are documented. Robert died .

     Thomasin was born. She married Gen 7 Robert Peter M.P. Thomasin came from a very old Cornish family, her father John Kestell of Kestell having descended from William Kestell reputed as living in Cornwall in the 13th century.¹ Thomasin died .

     Gen 6 Thomas Peter of Trenarne and Okehampton was born. He married Thomasin Godolphin. Thomasin Godolphin, alias Agnes was the daughter of Thomas Godolphin and grandaughter of Sir William Godolphin Kt. The Godolphins were a very old and influential family in Cornwall and her father was the eighteenth generation recorded as descended from John Godolphin and Margeria, daughter of Roger Trevanger.^1,2 Thomas was reported to be the first of the Peter family to settle in Cornwall having inherited Trenarran, Treator, Trelowza, Trenyah and other lands in Cornwall which had been acquired by the marriage of his grandfather William Peter to Jane Arundell. The choice of residence may also have been due to the influence of a Cornish bride. Thomas and Thomasin were reputed to have lived first in Trenearn and to have moved later to Treator.³

     She married Gen 6 Thomas Peter of Trenarne and Okehampton. Thomasin alias Agnes was the daughter of Thomas Godolphin and a grandaughter of Sir William Godolphin Kt. The Godolphins were a very old and influential family in Cornwall and her father was the eighteenth generation recorded as descended from John Godolphin and Margeria, daughter of Roger Trevanger.^1,2 Thomasin was born. Thomasin died on 9 September 1608. She was buried after 9 September 1608 at Okehampton, Devon, England. A memorial tablet formerly in the south aisle of Okehampton church records her burial. "Here under Lyeth Thomasin Godolphin, wyfe of Thomas Peter, gent., who died the 9th of Septemeber, 1608.".³

     Books suggest that John was born 1515, but it seems likely his birth may have been earlier.¹ He married his cousin Alice Wilmot Peter.¹ Because his older brothers died without leaving heirs, John inherited the estates of both his father and his mother. As a merchant it is likely that he also held property in Exeter. He and Alice had a number of children and in his later years he retired to his seat at Bowhay, near Exeter, which he enlarged and beautified at a considerable expense.² John was elected Mayor of Exeter three times - in the years 1557-56,1562-53,1575-76. He was also one of the representatives for Exeter in parliament in the first of Philip and Mary (1554).^3,1 He made a will on 8 December 1579 at Exeter, Devon, England, leaving a number of small bequests, including to the parish of St Marie (Steps?), to the poor people of that parish and the parishes of Ippellpen, Charllton and Teignemouth. He also gave to the poor and the prisoners of the Queen's Jayle in Devon and to several servants. His sister's daughter Jayne was given five pounds and Susan Hurste, daughter of his sonne in law Mr William Hurst was given a dowry of one hundred pounds. This was to be kept by her mother Mary should Susan die before being married. His eldest son John having predeceased his father leaving no issue, the residue of the estate was left to his second son Otto who was also named as executor. It was the descendants of Otto who were to become the Lords of Bathurst. The youngest son Thomas was not mentioned in the will because he had already been given the land in Cornwall.^4,5 He lived to be a great grandfather and died on 3 October 1581 at Bowhay, Exeter, Devon, England.⁴ John's will was probated on 5 November 1581 at London, England.⁶

     Alice was born. She married Gen 5 John Peter of Bowhay Merchant .¹ Alice Wilmot Peter left a will; Alice left a small bequest to her son Thomas. This is noted in a letter from Karen Gale dated 14 March 1992. Alice died .

     William was born in 1448 at Tor Newton, Devon, England.¹ The report of the Inqusition Post Mortem which was held in 1472, established that William was the grandson and heir of John Peter of Tor Newton.The Inquisition also recorded his age as 24 years. Following the submission to the court, William was seized of Tor Newton. He was also granted possession of Bakebeare and other lands in Devon and Dorset, indicating that his uncle Nicholas Peter had died without issue.² William and Joan had several children. The eldest son John was to be the progenitor of the Lords Petre of Ingatestone Hall, Essex, with estates in Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Gloucestershire.
Within two generations some of the descendants of the second son, William Peter of Bakebeare were to become established in Cornwall whilst another branch established the lineage of the Earls of Bathurst.³ William died .

     John was born at Tor Newton, Devon, England. As the eldest son, John succeeded to his father's lands in Devon.^1,2 John died before 1472. In that year, a regional official called an Escheator took possession of John's lands in Tor Newton on behalf of the Crown, pending a report to the court. A law passed in 1235 by Henry III had established a system to prove the rightful heirs to any deceased tenant-in-chief who had held hereditory land (in fee). A local jury of free men was to be summoned to participate in the Inquistion Post Mortem and required to establish details of the extent and value of lands owned, the date of deceased owner's death and the identity and age of the heir. The Excheator then sent the report to the Royal Court of Chancery with a copy to the Exchequer. The IPM of 1472 appears to be the first event for this family with an actual recorded date available. . .^3,1,4

     The Peter family were living in the West Country during the reign of Richard II (1377-1399) and Henry IV (1399-1412). The earliest recorded member of the family to be found was John Peter who was resident at his seat of Tor Newton, in the parish of Tor Brian in Devon. A year of birth has not been established for John Peter, but he was noted as deceased during an Inquistion Post Mortem held in 1472.

The parish of Tor Bryan is near Ashburton and about halfway between Plymouth and Exeter. Although the present manor house on the property is registered as having historical significance, it would have been built at a later date.

Research for this family-

Burke's Peerage and Landed Gentry
Burke's Landed Gentry, 1847-49 vol 2.^1,2 He married Alice (?) of Bagbere. Gen 1 John Peter (1) of Tor Newton DEV died say 1450; His death was noted in an Inquisition Post Mortem in 1472.