A manuscript relating to the County of Devon (England) written by Sir John Northcote, Baronet has been recorded. According to the writer Fuller, who footnotes “Baronet Northcott” in his text “Worthies”[i] this manuscript was finished in 1648. Fuller references several stories and details in his chapter, as follows:

  • Great quantities of Herrings at “Limmouth” and the natural “wonder” of a pit “near a house called Bath” in North Tawton that miraculously filled with water. Also, a “Hanging Stone” in Combe Martin named after a thief who accidentally hanged himself on it[ii]
  • Gilbert Foliot of Tamerton Foliot, the Bishop of Gloucester[iii]
  • John Stanbery, who Northcote proposed was of Churchill, Bratton Fleming[iv]
  • John Cutclif (aka Johannes Rupe- Scissanus)[v]
  • The theologian Richard Hooker, who Northcott proposed was of Heavitree in Exeter[vi]
  • John de Beigny, Lord of Ege-Lifford[vii]
Richard Hooker 1553-1600 in the grounds of Exeter Cathedral, Exeter, Devon, England

It seems coincidental that many of the places mentioned are close to places, or family of the Northcotes. Bratton Fleming is near East Down, alleged ancestral home of his family[viii]. Richard Cutclyf, probably related to John, became the Lord of a place called Northcote[ix]. Therefore it seems likely that the manuscript was put together whilst Northcote was gathering his own family history.

The manuscript was allegedly held in the possession of Sir John’s ancestor, the physician, Sir Henry Northcote, but then passed to a “Mr Heskett” of “Aldiscot near Torrington”. It was presumably never recovered[x].

[i] The History of the Worthies of England, Vol I, Thomas Fuller. London: J.G.W.L & W.G.. 1662. Found at: https://archive.org/details/historyofworthie00fulluoft/page/320/mode/2up/search/northcott accessed 22/05/2020

[ii] p396 relating to Herrings on p395, under a section on Natural Commodoties p398 continues a section on The Wonders which starts just before on p399. Limmouth could be Linmouth?

[iii] Under section on Prelates on p403. Fuller notes that another writer stated that he was the Bishop of Exeter: “Bale saith Exeter”, however this appears to be wrong

[iv]on p406: Boase records that John Stanbery the vicar of Barnstaple was not the same person as the Bishop of Norwich, who was born in Stanbery in Morwinstowe, Cornwall, as they died in different years- so Northcote was wrong about him being born in Churchill.

[v]On p422 section under writers

[vi]p423 section under Since the Reformation

[vii]p426 section under Lord Mayors, Gentry. John could be John D’Aubigny? And Ege-Lifford could be Ave[eton] Gifford or Eggesford in Chulmleigh

[viii] Many Northcotes of Devon supposedly take their name from the parish in East Down, although it has been suggested that their actual home was in West Down.

[ix] In 1479, Northcote in Colston, Cruwys Morchard was held by Richard Cutclyf

[x] October 19th 1786. Letter: The Rev. Samuel Badcock at South Molton to Sir Robert Palk, Bart., Bruton Street. Found at: Devon Heritage Centre, Catalogue, ref: Z6/462

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