BICCOMBE of Bickham, Somerset

Descendants of Richard BICCOMBE

First Generation

1. Richard BICCOMBE ¹ died after 1086 ^² .

• Land &/or Property: ³ Richard who held Biccombe of William de Mohun, at the time of the Domesday survey, may have been the progenitor of the family which derived its surname from that place. Little is, however, known about the history of Biccombe before the year 1201, when Alfred of Biccombe was one of the tenants of the Honour of Dunster. Although Richard's holding, in 1086, had been only a single virgate, his successor was responsible for a whole fee.

• Land &/or Property: ⁴ Richard Holds of William (de Mohun) Bichecome. Two thanes (peers) held it in the time of King Edward (901-925). Then it was assessed to the geld (for taxation) of one virgate (equal to five hides of land or a total of 600 acres). The arable land is sufficient for two ploughs (240 acres). There is in the demense (possession with unrestricted rights) one plough. Three villans (tenants) and six bordars (also tenants, evidentaly of a lower scale) have half a plough. There are three acres of meadow and forty acres of meadow and forty acres of pasture. It was formerly worth six shillings; but now fifteen shillings.

Richard married. The child from this marriage was:

+ 2 M i. Alfred BICCOMBE ⁵ died after 1201 ^⁶ .

Second Generation (Children)

2. Alfred BICCOMBE ⁷ (Richard¹) died after 1201 ^⁶ . Another name for Alfred was Alfred of BICCOMBE.⁸

• NOTE: Alfred Biccombe is not the son of Richard Biccombe, however he is successor of Biccombe in Timberscombe and is shown here as a son only to continue the history of the Bickham family as found in "Historical Notes on Some Somerset Manors . . ."

• Land &/or Property: ³ "Little is, however, known about the history of Biccombe before the year 1201, when Alfred of Biccombe was one of the tenants of the Honour of Dunster. Although Richard's holding, in 1086, had been only a single virgate, his successor was responsible for a whole fee."

Alfred married. The child from this marriage was:

+ 3 M i. Robert BICCOMBE ⁹ died after 1289 ^¹⁰ .

Third Generation (Grandchildren)

3. Robert BICCOMBE ¹² (Alfred², Richard¹) died after 1289 ^¹³ . Another name for Robert was Robert of BICCOMBE.¹⁴

"In 1280 and 1285 alike, Robert of Biccombe was found by inquisition to be the tenant of a fee at Biccombe, held of John de Mohun, deceased. Another list of the period credits him and Geoffrey le Tort with two thirds of a fee there. Both of them were jurors on an inquisition held in 1279, and the second of them figures also as one of the owners of the adjoining manor of Timberscombe. In 1289, Robert of Biccombe was suing Walter of Cloutsham and others for disseising him of an acre of wood and some land at Biccombe, evidently situate in the common fields, four perches measuring three perches in width, and six perches measuring one perch in width. Agnes his wife seems to have been the co-heiress of a small estate at East Luccombe."
From "Historical Notes on Some Somerset Manors Formerly Connected with the Honour of Dunster" by Sir H. C. Maxwell Lyte, K.C.B., printed 1931, page 67, "Biccombe (in Timberscombe)." Research and copies of selected pages compliments of Candis Lee Sanders, January 2003.

"Savage's history says that 'Biccombe was one of the manors which were anciently holden (subject) to the castle of Dunster. At an early period we find a family here that had assumed the local surname. In the fourteenth (year) of Edward I (915) Robert de Bykkombe held one knight's fee (six hides or 720 acres) in Biccombe of John de Mohun, lord of Dunster, which appears to have continued in his family for many generations'. . . "
From The Shreveport [Louisiana] Journal, Friday, Oct. 2, 1970; article entitled "An American Cousin Goes Calling Bickham Farm" by Charles C. Phillips. Passage from 'History of Carhampton, Somerset,' written in 1830 by James Savage . . . Translations in parenthesis, are from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary and from the Oxford Dictionary." Copy of article compliments of Ed Bickham in 2000.

"Mention may, however, be made of a plea brought by Richard Biccombe, the elder, in 1428, that Richard Biccombe, of Crowcombe, the younger, and Robert of Biccombe and Agnes his wife, had disseised him of a messuage, 60 acres of land, 1/2 acre of meadow, and 1 acre of wood, in Timberscombe, to which they replied that the premises should have been described as situate in Biccombe, and not in Timberscombe."
From "Historical Notes on Some Somerset Manors Formerly Connected with the Honour of Dunster" by Sir H. C. Maxwell Lyte, K.C.B., printed 1931, page 67, "Biccombe (in Timberscombe)." Research and copies of selected pages compliments of Candis Lee Sanders, January 2003.

• NOTE: Robert Biccombe may not be the son of Alfred Biccombe, however he is successor of Biccombe in Timberscombe and is shown here as a son only to continue the history of the Bickham family.

• Court: Juror, 1279. ¹⁵ Robert of Biccombe and Geoffrey le Tort were jurors on an inquisition held in 1279. Geoffrey le Tort was one of the owners of the adjoining manor of Timberscombe.

• Land &/or Property: ¹⁶ In 1280, Robert of Biccombe was found by inquisition to be the tenant of a fee at Biccombe, held of John de Mohun, deceased.

• Land &/or Property: ³ In 1285, Robert of Biccombe was found by inquisition to be the tenant of a fee at Biccombe, held of John de Mohun, deceased.

• Court: Plantiff, 1289. ³ In 1289, Robert of Biccombe was suing Walter of Cloutsham and others for disseising him of an acre of wood and some land at Biccombe, evidently situate in the common fields, four perches measuring three perches in width, and six perches measuring one perch in width.

Robert married Agnes .¹⁸ ¹⁷The child from this marriage was:

+ 4 M i. Robert BICCOMBE ¹⁹ died between 1329 and 1336 ^²⁰ .

Fourth Generation (Great-Grandchildren)

4. Robert BICCOMBE ¹⁹ (Robert³, Alfred², Richard¹) died between 1329 and 1336 ^²⁰ . Another name for Robert was Robert of BICCOMBE.²¹

• Court: Defendant, 1329. ²² Robert of Biccombe was sued, in 1329, by John of Leddred for breaking his close at Timberscombe. His estate at Biccombe, valued at 20s. a year, is described in one document as a knight's fee, and in another as a third of a fee, consisting of four oxgangs of land.

• NOTE: A "close" is described as "enclosed land around or beside a building, courtyard, farm yard, or the precinct of a cathedral."

• Land &/or Property: 1336. ²⁴ In 1336, John Leddred, the younger appointed Robert vicar of Timberscombe, his attorney to deliver seisin of his land at Biccombe to John of Biccombe, for term of his life.

• NOTE: A "seisin" is "a freehold (held in fee or for life) estate - at one time land could only be held in seisin, because all land was owned by the reigning sovereign."

Robert married. The child from this marriage was:

+ 5 M i. John BICCOMBE ²⁶ died after 1359 ^²⁷ .

Fifth Generation (Great Great-Grandchildren)

5. John BICCOMBE ²⁶ (Robert⁴, Robert³, Alfred², Richard¹) died after 1359 ^²⁷ . Other names for John were John of BICCOMBE, and²⁴ John de BYKCOMB.³⁰

"John of Biccombe married, in 1352 or 1353, Iseult the heiress of Simon of Crowcombe. Various particulars concerning their descendants, to be given in the section relating to Broomfield, need not be given here also. Mention may, however, be made of a plea brought by Richard Biccombe, the elder, in 1428, that Richard Biccombe, of Crowcombe, the younger, and Robert of Biccombe and Agnes his wife, had disseised him of a messuage, 60 acres of land, 1/2 acre of meadow, and 1 acre of wood, in Timberscombe, to which they replied that the premises should have been described as situate in Biccombe, and not in Timberscombe. It is unnecessary here to enumerate other scions of the same family who owned small parcels of land in and neare Biccombe."
From "Historical Notes on Some Somerset Manors Formerly Connected with the Honour of Dunster" by Sir H. C. Maxwell Lyte, K.C.B., printed 1931, page 68, "Biccombe (in Timberscombe)." Research and copies of selected pages compliments of Candis Lee Sanders, January 2003.

"Savage records that in the reign of Edward III (1327-1272) the family 'greatly increased their land possessions, by the marriage of John de Biccombe with Isolda, daughter and heiress of Simon de Crocombe. In the twenty-seventh year of that king's reign (1354) John de Biccombe held his first court for the moiety (half) of the manor of Crocombe which from him was called Crocombe-Biccombe, the prioress of Studley holding the other moiety. He was also lord of the manor of Broomfield, in right of his wife and was succeeded by Richard, his son and heir, and he by another Richard, who, by Margaret his wife, had issue. Hugede Biccombe, who died in the thirty-eighth of Henry VI (1460) seized of (was put in possession of) a moiety of the manor of Crocombe and the manor of Broomfield; sixty acres of land and one acre of meadow in Grerelys-hays; one messuage . . . and other lands.' He left his son, among other lands, one burgage (rented lands) in Dunster."
From The Shreveport [Louisiana] Journal, Friday, Oct. 2, 1970; article entitled "An American Cousin Goes Calling Bickham Farm" by Charles C. Phillips. Passage from 'History of Carhampton, Somerset,' written in 1830 by James Savage . . . Translations in parenthesis, are from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary and from the Oxford Dictionary." Copy of article compliments of Ed Bickham in 2000.

• Land &/or Property: 24 April 1346. ³⁰ John Ledderde the younger, appointed 'Sire Roberd Viker de Tymberscomb' to deliver seisin to John de Bykcomb: his land in Bykcomb.

• NOTE: A "seisin" is "a freehold (held in fee or for life) estate - at one time land could only be held in seisin, because all land was owned by the reigning sovereign."

• Land &/or Property: 1350. ³¹ In 1350, the manor of Broomfield was in the possession of John of Biccombe, lord of the manor of Biccombe, in the parish of Timberscombe. We are not told how he had acquired it.

• Land &/or Property: 26 March 1354. ³² The rector of Enmore and John of Biccombe bound themselves to the Bishop of Bath and Wells in the sum of 40 shillings. On the same day, they bound themselves to him in 100 shillings apiece and furthermore granted to him and his heirs 10 shillings a year out of the rector's lands at Broomfield and Enmore, and the like out of lands at Crowcombe and Timberscombe. On the same day, Iseult the wife of John of Biccombe received episcopal license to spend the next five months in the priory at Canngton.

• Court: Defendant, 1359. ³³ Five years after 26 March 1354, Iseult and John of Biccombe were sued for disseising the parson of Crowcombe of his common of pasture.

John married Iseult CROWCOMBE ³⁴ between 1352 and 1353.²⁸ ²⁹ Iseult CROWCOMBE died after 1359.³⁵

This marriage marks a turning-point in the history of the Biccombe family, for thenceforth their ancestral home was regarded as secondary to a larger property on the Quantocks. They and their descendants have lived at Crowcombe for the better part of six centuries. ³¹

The child from this marriage was:

+ 6 M i. Robert BICCOMBE ³⁶ died in 1401 ^³⁷ .

Sixth Generation (3rd Great-Grandchildren)

6. Robert BICCOMBE ³⁶ (John⁵, Robert⁴, Robert³, Alfred², Richard¹) died in 1401 ^³⁷ . Another name for Robert was Robert of BICCOMBE.³⁸

"He [Robert of Biccombe] appears to have died in 1401, for in that year John Biccombe was amerced for not having brought Thomas Wooth to do fealty to Lady de Mohun for lands and tenements at Biccombe. Wooth paid 1s. for respite of suit to the court of the Barony of Dunster in 1403, and he did fealty in the following year. In his case, there is no mention of homage, and it is practically certain that he was the husband of the widowed Emma. In one of the lists of the fees of Dunster compiled in the first decade of the fifteenth century, Broomfield is held by her; in the other, Broomfield and Biccombe are alike entered as held by him." ³⁷

• Land &/or Property: 1397. ³⁹ At an inquisition taken after the death of William, Earl of Salisbury, in 1397, it was found that Robert of Biccombe held a fee of him at Broomfield.

• NOTE: A "fee" is "an estate, completely owned by a person, which can be sold or given as an inheritance by that person; an estate held by a lord to be given when service has been performed or homage paid."

Robert married Emma MATHEW ,⁴¹ daughter of Patrick MATHEW and Joan RALEIGH . Another name for Emma is IMAYN.

"There is nothing more to be said about Robert Biccombe except that he married Emma, or Imayn, daughter of Patrick Mathew by Joan his wife, daughter of Sir John Raleigh, of Nettlecombe, and Margaret daughter of Sir Thomas Chandos." ³⁶

Children from this marriage were:

7 M i. Robert BICCOMBE ³⁷ died in 1407 ^³⁷ .

+ 8 M ii. Richard BICCOMBE died before 1456 ^⁴² .

Seventh Generation (4th Great-Grandchildren)

8. Richard BICCOMBE (Robert⁶, John⁵, Robert⁴, Robert³, Alfred², Richard¹) died before 1456 ^⁴² . Other names for Richard were Richard BIKCOMB, and⁴⁴ Richard BYCCOMBE.⁴⁵

"Certain lands and tenements in Biccombe were in the hands of Sir Hugh Luttrell for about two years from Easter 1405, 'by reason of the minority of Robert son and heir of Robert Biccombe.' If this heir was really named 'Robert,' he must have died in 1407, for, in September of that year, Thomas Wooth made a will disposing of the wardship and marriage of Richard Biccombe, and bequeathing to him all the necessary utensils in the testator's inn (hospicium) at Broomfield."
From "Historical Notes on Some Somerset Manors Formerly Connected with the Honour of Dunster" by Sir H. C. Maxwell Lyte, K.C.B., printed 1931, page 290, "Broomfield." Research and copies of selected pages compliments of Candis Lee Sanders, January 2003.

Access to Archives, England
Somerset Archive and Record Service: Sanford family of Nynehead, personal and estate papers [DD\SF/1 - DD\SF/1677] [1180-1900]
FILE - Demise of Robert Warre etc - ref. DD\SF/1578 - date: 1443
[from Scope and Content] Robt. Warre, esq., s. & h. of John Warre, esq., to Edmund, Marquess of Dorset, John Stourton, knt., Giles Daubeney, knt., Theobald Gorges, knt., Wm. Burchers [...] , Wm. Garent, Wm. Wadham, John Bluet, Wm. Fulford, clerk, Walter Portman, Walter Gorges, Ric. Warre, John Wadham, Walter Bluet, Ric. Lutrell, Ric. Bikcomb', Wm. Cloutesham, Thos. Micheldener, John Bishop of Taunton, John Morgan, John Waleys, clerk, Thomas Warwyn & John Danys [...]

• NOTE: Is it possible that Richard Biccombe is not the son of Robert of Biccombe? There does seem to be too much of an age difference between Robert Biccombe who "must have died in 1407" and Richard Byccombe whose "wardship and marriage" were being disposed the same year. Could Richard have been a son of the John Biccombe who was "amerced for not having brought Thomas Wooth to do fealty to Lady de Mohun"? Again, I am including Richard Biccombe here to continue with the details as presented in "Historical Notes on Some Somerset Manors . . ."

• The Will Abstract or the will of Thomas Woth. ⁴⁶ The will was written 14 March 1407 and proved 6 November 1407. To John Iewe, William Iewe, and Robert Woth the custody of the lands and marriage of Richard Byccombe and Robert Morgan, to fulfil my last will and to pay my debts.
To Richard Byccombe all my necessary utensils pertaining to my "hospicium" of Bromfeld, viz., a "bason," a "lafin," a "Potte du Tenne, demy doson du Pewter vesselles vj Pannys ij crockys," a "posnet," a "brondire," a "broche," and other necessaries pertaining to "Brewerne."
To the said Richard a "Baselard harneysed" with silver, and a silver girdle (zonam), and a gown (togam) de "Worstede Furrez one Poleyngrey."

• Land &/or Property: ⁴⁷ In 1408, Richard Biccombe effected a settlement of the manor of Broomfield upon himself and Margaret his wife in tail, with remainder to his own heirs.

• Heraldry. ⁴⁸ The seal appended to some of his deeds showed a shield of arms apparently identical with that of the Crowcombes to whom he had succeeded, a cross between four crows.

• Land &/or Property: ³⁷ In 1409, he did homage and fealty to Sir Hugh Luttrell for Biccombe and Broomfield, and, in the same year, he paid 1s. for respite of suit to the court of the Barony of Dunster. This was in respect of the ancestral estate of Biccombe, and the payment was repeated year after year. There is no occasion here to follow the successive dispositions which Richard Biccombe made of his property in West Somerset.

• Court: Plaintiff, 1428. ⁴⁹ A plea brought by Richard Biccombe, the elder, in 1428, that Richard Biccombe, of Crowcombe, the younger, and Robert of Biccombe and Agnes his wife, had disseised him of a messuage, 60 acres of land, 1/2 acre of meadow, and 1 acre of wood, in Timberscombe, to which they replied that the premises should have been described as situate in Biccombe, and not in Timberscombe. It is unnecessary here to enumerate other scions of the same family who owned small parcels of land in and neare Biccombe.

Richard married Margaret before 1408.⁵⁰The child from this marriage was:

+ 9 M i. Hugh BICCOMBE ⁵¹ died in April 1459 ^⁵² .

Eighth Generation (5th Great-Grandchildren)

9. Hugh BICCOMBE ⁵¹ (Richard⁷, Robert⁶, John⁵, Robert⁴, Robert³, Alfred², Richard¹) died in April 1459 ^⁵² .

"Hugh Biccombe, son and heir of Richard, appears to have been in possession in 1456. He married Elizabeth Gillingham, of the county of Dorset. He died in April 1459, leaving as his heir a son named Robert, a little over eight years of age. During his short tenure of the family estates at Broomfield, Crowcombe, Bishop's Lydeard, Selworthy, Timberscombe, Biccombe, and Dunster, he had conveyed them to feoffees, apparently to the uses of his will. Elizabeth his relict, a 'vowess,' who claimed a life-interest in them under the will, had, however, to take proceedings in Chancery in order to quash an arrangement which the feoffees had made. In this she was apparently successful. Surviving her husband by some forty-six years, she died in May or June 1505. Her will contained a direction that she should be buried beside him in Crowcombe Church." ⁵²

Hugh married Elizabeth GILLINGHAM .⁵² ⁵³ Elizabeth GILLINGHAM died May/June 1505.⁵²

• Vow of Chastity: 1459. ⁵⁴ In 1459, Elizabeth Biccomb of Craucomb, widow of Hugh Biccomb, took a vow of chastity after the death of her husband.

• Will Abstract of Lady Elisabeth Biccomb of Crowcomb, widow. ⁵⁵My body to be buried in holy grave in the church of Crowcombe next the body of Hugh Biccomb my late husband. To the repair of the cathedral church of Wells 12d. To the repair of the high altar of the church of Crowcomb three sheets with one napkin. To the parish church of Stokegomere an image of the Holy Trinity made of stone and one sheet. All my debts being paid I will that Richard Bluett dispose the residue of all my goods for the welfare of my soul and of my friends' souls.
Executor: Richard Bluett
Witnesses: Hugh Roger, clerk, John Oldeman and Thomas Fenner.
Proved June 23rd, 1505.

The child from this marriage was:

+ 10 M i. Robert BICCOMBE ⁵² was born in 1451 ^⁵² and died on 4 April 1523 ^⁵² at age 72.

Ninth Generation (6th Great-Grandchildren)

10. Robert BICCOMBE ⁵² (Hugh⁸, Richard⁷, Robert⁶, John⁵, Robert⁴, Robert³, Alfred², Richard¹) was born in 1451 ^⁵² and died on 4 April 1523 ^⁵² at age 72. Another name for Robert was Robert BYKCOMBE.⁵⁷

"By that time [May or June 1505], Robert Biccombe was about fifty-four years of age. In 1460, James Luttrell had granted, or sold, his wardship and marriage, and the custody of the lands which he held of him, to John Sydenham the younger. A shield in one of the windows of Broomfield church, showing the arms of Biccombe impaling those of Sydenham, suggests that he married a daughter of his guardian. It is more certain that he married Joan, daughter of John Bere, of Huntsham, co. Devon. In 1475, he was entered as tenant of a fee at Biccombe and the like at Broomfield. When the holding of courts of the Barony of Dunster was discontinued, a feodary rent of 1s. 6d. was charged upon Broomfield, in lieu of the old Candlemas rent of 6d. therefrom and the customary fine of 1s. for respite of suit for Biccombe. Although Hugh Luttrell was put into possession of Dunster soon after the accession of Henry VII, it was not until 1499 that Robert Biccombe did homage and fealty to him for Broomfield and Biccombe. He died on the 4th of April 1523."
From "Historical Notes on Some Somerset Manors Formerly Connected with the Honour of Dunster" by Sir H. C. Maxwell Lyte, K.C.B., printed 1931, page 291, "Broomfield." Research and copies of selected pages compliments of Candis Lee Sanders, January 2003.

Access to Archives, England
Somerset Archive and Record Service: Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society Collection [DD\SAS\C/795/BA - DD\SAS\C/795/PD] [ 1150-1951]
Somerset documents
Parish docts.
Timberscombe mainly
File - Timberscombe Letters of attorney - ref. DD\SAS\C/795/PD/99/11 - date 1453
[from Scope and Content] Will. Cloutesham to Henr. Franke and Robt. Biccombe: all mess., etc. at le Wylle and in par. ot T. called Wylle and le Wyllelondys. 24 May 31 Hen VI. 1453

File - Timberscombe Letters of attorney - ref. DD\SAS\C/795/PD/99/12 - date 1453
[from Scope and Content] Of John Sydenham, esq., appointing Thos. Strotyinger to receive for him and wife Joan from Hen. Franke and Robt. Byccombe to Will. Cloutesham and wife Margt.: Le Wylle and Le Wyllelondys: with remainder to John Syndenham esq. and wife Joan. 25 May 31 Hen VI. 1453

20 May 1513
John Poundsefforde of Crowcomb, county Somerset to Giles Hille esquire, William Capron Clerk and Henry Cornysche, their heirs and assigns: grant, for 12 pounds, of a tenement and premises in Bykenaller called Bykewyll, with common of pasture on the hill of Cantoke, which Henry Wawyle lord of Bykenaller formerly granted to William the Chaplain; power of attorney to Richard Byckeham Baldwin Malet Gentleman, John Slocum, John Saffyn and John Whytte. 20 May 5 Henry VII
Wells Cathedral Library: RCHMxii ii 698
Title: Wells Dean and Chapter Charter 739
Research by Judy Lynn Slocum.

Somerset Archive and Record Service: Crowcombe Court Manuscripts [1295-1903]
Box 5: Crowcombe deeds
File - Crowcombe Deeds - ref. DD\TB\5/1 - date: n.d. (13th cent.)-1578
[from Scope and Content] Loose deeds of Crowcombe, many of which were sorted in the 18th c. by Thos. Carew into numbered groups, arranged chronologically by reigns. No. 1 consists of 3 deeds involving Hugh de Ra(d) legh(e).
[from Scope and Content] No. 9 includes grant by Robt. Biccombe to 20 named trustees of his moiety of a house 40' long and 26 1/2' wide opposite the churchyard and abutting on the pound [pond?] belonging to the prioress of Stoodleigh in trust to permit the churchwardens to dispose of it to the greatest use of the parish church, conditional upon the building or re-building of a house there within 2 years, 1515, and inquisition post mortem of Robt. Biccombe, 1523. Unlabelled deeds incl. one of manors of Crowcombe and Broomfield, 1446, and the church burgages, 1578.
No. 10 includes settlements before and after marr. of Thos. Carew of Coventry and Eliz. one of the daus. of Hugh Byckombe relating to the division of the latter family's estates (Crowcombe and Broomfield, etc.) and also to Carew estates (manor of Camerton, moiety of manor Alhampton in Ditcheat and estates in Devon), 1556.

Somerset Archive and Record Service; Somerset Record Office
Trevelyan Papers, Box 62, Accession No. S/849
62/1/4 1) John Trevelyan, kt.; John Trevelyan, esq. and John Brusy quer.
2) Rob. Bykcombe, Rich. Bykcombe & Elizabeth dau. of Rob. def.
Fine on 2 messuages and 4 carucates of land in Nettlecombe and Rowdon and the advowson of Nettlecombe.
Nov. 1515

62/1/5/ 1) Rob. Bykcombe, Rich. his son and Eliz. his dau.
2) John Trevelyan, kt. and John Brusy
Quticlaim of rights in the manors of Nettlecombe, rowdon, Woodadvent and Old Knowle and the advowson of Nettlecombe with appurtenances in Nettlecombe, Rowdown, Woodadvent, Old Knowle, Chiddesley, Colton, Wodehouse, Yerde, Slocombe, Cobrygge, Tymberscombe (except tenement called Byckombe which Althred Byckombe now holds, tenement called Burgh which John White holds and tenement which Walter Slocombe holds, Westharwode, Gylesworth, Overholt, Venneford, Tortys Lynche, Lygh, Menne, Rodhuyeshe, Luccombe, and Dunster (except a burgage which Thos. Jenor holds).
22 Sep. 1515

• Heraldry: ⁵⁸ In 1460, James Luttrell had granted, or sold, his wardship and marriage, and the custody of the lands which he held of him, to John Sydenham the younger. A shield in one of the windows of Broomfield church, showing the arms of Biccombe impaling those of Sydenham, suggests that he married a daughter of his guardian.

• Will Abstract: Joan Sydenham, 13 March 1498. ⁵⁹ There beyng present at makyng of this my last wille John Sydenham of Brympton, Thomas Tylly, Reginald Hody, esquyers, Robert Byccomb, gentilman, sir John Evan, preest, Nicholas Cutter, William Beruyle, Robert Bernevyle and many other. The will was proved 28 June 1499.

Robert married Joan BERE ,⁶¹ daughter of John BERE .⁶⁰

Children from this marriage were:

+ 11 M i. Richard BICCOMBE ⁶² ⁶³ was born in 1474 ^⁶³ and died in November 1523 ^⁶³ at age 49.

12 F ii. Elizabeth BICCOMBE .⁶²

Somerset Archive and Record Service; Somerset Record Office
Trevelyan Papers, Box 62, Accession No. S/849
62/1/4 1) John Trevelyan, kt.; John Trevelyan, esq. and John Brusy quer.
2) Rob. Bykcombe, Rich. Bykcombe & Elizabeth dau. of Rob. def.
Fine on 2 messuages and 4 carucates of land in Nettlecombe and Rowdon and the advowson of Nettlecombe.
Nov. 1515

62/1/5/ 1) Rob. Bykcombe, Rich. his son and Eliz. his dau.
2) John Trevelyan, kt. and John Brusy
Quticlaim of rights in the manors of Nettlecombe, rowdon, Woodadvent and Old Knowle and the advowson of Nettlecombe with appurtenances in Nettlecombe, Rowdown, Woodadvent, Old Knowle, Chiddesley, Colton, Wodehouse, Yerde, Slocombe, Cobrygge, Tymberscombe (except tenement called Byckombe which Althred Byckombe now holds, tenement called Burgh which John White holds and tenement which Walter Slocombe holds, Westharwode, Gylesworth, Overholt, Venneford, Tortys Lynche, Lygh, Menne, Rodhuyeshe, Luccombe, and Dunster (except a burgage which Thos. Jenor holds). 22 Sep. 1515

Tenth Generation (7th Great-Grandchildren)

11. Richard BICCOMBE ⁶² ⁶³ (Robert⁹, Hugh⁸, Richard⁷, Robert⁶, John⁵, Robert⁴, Robert³, Alfred², Richard¹) was born in 1474 ^⁶³ and died in November 1523 ^⁶³ at age 49.

"Richard Biccombe was forty-nine years of age at the time of the death of his father, Robert, and he survived him only seven months. At least twenty years before this, he had married Joan daughter of ______ Beaumont, of High Hampton, co. Devon. The carver of one of the bench-ends in Crowcombe church has represented her arms as three bars between twelve bells, in groups of three, whereas they were vair three bars gules. There is no occasion here to set out particulars of the arrangements which Richard Biccombe made for the benefit of his wife and his children." ⁶³

Richard married Joan BEAUMONT in 1503.⁶⁵

Children from this marriage were:

+ 13 M i. Hugh BICCOMBE ⁶⁶ was born about 1504 ^⁶⁶ and died on 15 April 1568 ^⁶⁶ about age 64.

14 M ii. Robert BICCOMBE .⁶⁸

Eleventh Generation (8th Great-Grandchildren)

13. Hugh BICCOMBE ⁶⁶ (Richard¹⁰, Robert⁹, Hugh⁸, Richard⁷, Robert⁶, John⁵, Robert⁴, Robert³, Alfred², Richard¹) was born about 1504 ^⁶⁶ and died on 15 April 1568 ^⁶⁶ about age 64. Another name for Hugh was Hugh BYCCOMBE.⁶⁹

"Hugh Biccombe, son and heir of Richard, was about nineteen years of age at the time of the death of his father. In April 1524, his mother bought his wardship and marriage and the wardship of lands in Broomfield, Timberscombe, and elsewhere, from Andrew Lutrell, for 20l. with a proviso that in case he should die under age, she should have the wardship and marriage of his brother, Robert, and so from heir to heir. Hugh Biccombe married Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Tilly, of Cannington, a lady whose portrait still hangs at Crowcombe. Having no male issue, he, in April 1554, effected a general settlement of his property in West Somerset. By this it was arranged that, subject to the life-interests of himself and his wife, Crowcombe should go to their elder daughter, Elizabeth, and the heirs of her body, and that Broomfield and other smaller estates should go to their younger daughter, Maud, the wife of Hugh Smyth, and the heirs of their bodies, with cross remainders. Elizabeth Biccombe married Thomas Carew, in January 1557, and, about a year later, a fine was levied to give effect to the partition. Her mother, Elizabeth, died in October 1560, at Crowcombe, and, two months afterwards, Hugh Biccombe married a second wife, Catherine Wilshaw. By her he had issue a son and a daughter. At an inquisition taken after his death, which occurred on the 15th of April 1568, it was found that his son, John, aged two years, was his heir."
From "Historical Notes on Some Somerset Manors Formerly Connected with the Honour of Dunster" by Sir H. C. Maxwell Lyte, K.C.B., printed 1931, page 292, "Broomfield." Research and copies of selected pages compliments of Candis Lee Sanders, January 2003.

The marriage settlement had already been made on 21st December 1553, between John Smythe and Hugh Byccombe of Crowcombe in Somerset. Hugh was to marry Maud Byccombe 'yf the same Mawde will thereunto assent and agree' before the feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary next coming. Ashton Merriettes, Long Ashton parsonage, lands in Somerset and a house in Corn Street were to be a jointure for Maud. The rest of the Long Ashton estate was settled on Hugh and John also covenanted to purchase lands worth L30 a year, which, with the fifteen houses in Bristol would become Hugh's property when his father and mother died. These lands were later entailed and, as Hugh died in 1581, leaving only a daughter, Matthew [his brother] succeeded to the property.
From page 27 of "The Ledger of John Smythe 1538-1550" from the transcript made by John Angus, BA and edited by Jean Vanes, BA; published 1974 in London. Research and copies of selected pages compliments of Candis Lee Sanders, January 2003.

"Under a settlement made by Hugh Biccombe, in 1554, his whole estate at Timberscombe passed, on his death, in 1568, to his younger daughter, Maud, the wife of Hugh Smyth, of Long Ashton, and it was by them sold to John Worth, of Timberscombe, gentleman."
From "Historical Notes on Some Somerset Manors Formerly Connected with the Honour of Dunster" by Sir H. C. Maxwell Lyte, K.C.B., printed 1931, page 68, "Biccombe (in Timberscombe)." Research and copies of selected pages compliments of Candis Lee Sanders, January 2003.

Access to Archives, England
Somerset Archive and Record Service: Farrer and Company (1503-1925)
Timberscombe, Selworthy, etc. deeds, etc. - Ref DD\FR/1 - date 1564-1599
Messuages and land at Bickham and elsewhere in the parish of Timberscombe, and at Westerlynch in Selworthy: lease from Hugh Bickham of Crowcombe to John Worth of Timberscombe, gent., 1564, and conveyances from Hugh Smyth of Long Ashton, esq., to John Worth, 1570, and from John Worth to Robt. Hill of Heligan (co. Cornwall), esq., 1572

Access to Archives, England
Somerset Archive and Record Service: Deeds, etc. of Kemeys-Tynte and Wharton, Halswell House, Goathurst 1294-1931]
File - Broomfield etc. deeds - ref. DD\S\WH/19 - date: 1549-1660
[from Scope and Content] Moiety of the Manor of Broomfield conveyed to Hugh Halswell by Wm. Towills of Ilminster in 1660 with schedule of estates. Copy deed of division of the manor involving Towills and Andrew Crosse of Broomfield et al., 1653, with related deeds of tenements within the manor, 1653-1655. Deeds of 1549 and 1556 involving Hugh Bickombe and Eliz. his wife, Hugh Smith et al. also relates to the Manor of Crowcombe and tenement at Toulhaies in Bishops Lydeard. Deed of 1611 also relates to Manors of Durleigh, Mark, Portishead and Bishops Lydeard and involve Wm. Morgan, grandson of Hugh Smith of Long Ashton, dec'd.

Hugh married Elizabeth TILLY ,⁶⁶ daughter of Thomas TILLY, of Cannington , in First Marriage.⁷⁰ Elizabeth TILLY died in October 1560 in Crowcombe.⁶⁶

Children from this marriage were:

+ 15 F i. Elizabeth BICCOMBE .⁶⁸

+ 16 F ii. Maud BICCOMBE .⁶⁸

Hugh next married Catherine WILSHAW in December 1560.⁶⁶

Children from this marriage were:

17 M i. John BICCOMBE ⁶⁶ was born about 1566 ^⁶⁶ and died before 26 May 1627 ^⁷³ before age 62. Another name for John was John BICKOMBE.⁷⁴

Elizabeth, died in October 1560, at Crowcombe, and, two months afterwards, Hugh Biccombe married a second wife, Catherine Wilshaw. By her he had issue a son and a daughter. At an inquisition taken after his death, which occurred on the 15th of April 1568, it was found that his son, John, aged two years, was his heir. This boy had, however, been practically disinherited by the settlement on his half-sisters mentioned above. He was living at Dodington in 1571, and he may probably be identified with John Biccombe, of Axbridge, gentleman, who, in 1629, bequeathed money to the poor of Crowcombe and Dodington." ⁷⁵

+ 18 F ii. Joane BICCOMBE .⁶⁸ ⁷³

Twelfth Generation (9th Great-Grandchildren)

15. Elizabeth BICCOMBE ⁶⁸ (Hugh¹¹, Richard¹⁰, Robert⁹, Hugh⁸, Richard⁷, Robert⁶, John⁵, Robert⁴, Robert³, Alfred², Richard¹).

Elizabeth married Thomas CAREW about 1556.⁷¹ Thomas was born in 1527 and died in 1604 at age 77.

The child from this marriage was:

19 M i. John CAREW died before 1637 ^⁷⁶ .

Access to Archives, England
Somerset Archive and Record Service: Crowcombe Court Manuscripts [1295-1903]
Box 2: Carew family papers
File - Carew family - ref. DD\TB/2/5 - date 1637
[from Scope and Content] Agreement, etc. relating to arrangements for payment of debts, legacies, etc. of Sir John Carew, decd., and associated mortgage of manor, cap. messuage and demense lands of Crowcombe.

File - Carew family deeds - ref. DD\TB/2/7 - date 1630-1778
[from Scope and Content] Deeds, etc., found loose and not necessarily to be connected, incl. copy inquisition post mortem Sir John Carew, 1641, print of Carew Estate Act, c. 1760, settlement by Sir John Carew of Somerset (Crowcombe) and Devon estates, 1630, recovery Devon estates, 1749, revocation of uses in 1764 settlement re. to same estates, and copy deed of manors of Clatworthy and Crowcombe, 1705.

Access to Archives, England
Somerset Archive and Record Service: Sanford family of Nynehead, personal and estate papers [DD\SF/1 - DD\SF/1677] 1180-1900]
File - Assignment by way of Security - ref. DD\SF/922 - date: 1654
John Strong the younger, dyer, to John Carew, s. & heir apparent of Thos. C. 2 messuages & tenements with the appurtenances namely, home dwelling house & orchard (1/2a.); close called Long Meadow (4a.); 1 close called green pailewelles (2a.); 1 close called stockie meadow (2a.) 2 close called furse croftes (4a.); 1 close called the little paileweiles (1 1/2a.); 1 close called the great pailewelles (3a.); house called Whittes with orchard & meadow (1/2a. in all), & the appurtenances in Crowcombe towne, Crowcombe P., parcel of the M. of Crowcombe Carew or Crowcombe Bickham (17 1/2a. in all) (timber & game rights reserved) as leased in reversion same date, by Thos Carew to John Strong from determination of estate of John Strong the elder.

16. Maud BICCOMBE ⁶⁸ (Hugh¹¹, Richard¹⁰, Robert⁹, Hugh⁸, Richard⁷, Robert⁶, John⁵, Robert⁴, Robert³, Alfred², Richard¹). Another name for Maud is Maud BYCCOMBE.⁷²

"Under a settlement made by Hugh Biccombe, in 1554, his whole estate at Timberscombe passed, on his death, in 1568, to his younger daughter, Maud, the wife of Hugh Smyth, of Long Ashton, and it was by them sold to John Worth, of Timberscombe, gentleman."
From "Historical Notes on Some Somerset Manors Formerly Connected with the Honour of Dunster" by Sir H. C. Maxwell Lyte, K.C.B., printed 1931, page 68, "Biccombe (in Timberscombe)." Research and copies of selected pages compliments of Candis Lee Sanders, January 2003.

Maud married Hugh SMYTHE ⁷² about 21 December 1553.⁶⁸ ⁷² Hugh was born in 1530 ⁷⁷ and died in March 1580-1581 at age 50.⁷² ⁷⁸

"The marriage settlement had already been made on 21st December 1553, between John Smythe and Hugh Byccombe of Crowcombe in Somerset. Hugh was to marry Maud Byccombe 'yf the same Mawde will thereunto assent and agree' before the feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary next coming. Ashton Merriettes, Long Ashton parsonage, lands in Somerset and a house in Corn Street were to be a jointure for Maud. The rest of the Long Ashton estate was settled on Hugh and John also covenanted to purchase lands worth L30 a year, which, with the fifteen houses in Bristol would become Hugh's property when his father and mother died. These lands were later entailed and, as Hugh died in 1581, leaving only a daughter, Matthew [his brother] succeeded to the property." ⁷⁹

Recorded events in their marriage were:

• Children: One Daughter At Hugh Smyth's Death.

The child from this marriage was:

+ 20 F i. Elizabeth SMYTHE .⁷⁸

18. Joane BICCOMBE ⁶⁸ ⁷³ (Hugh¹¹, Richard¹⁰, Robert⁹, Hugh⁸, Richard⁷, Robert⁶, John⁵, Robert⁴, Robert³, Alfred², Richard¹).

Will of John Bickombe, Gentleman of Axbridge, Somerset
Written 18 October 1629, Proved 26 May 1627, PROB 11/151
". . . I give and bequeath unto everie one of my sisters Smithes her children two peeces of gould of 22s a peece to make them and everie one of them a ringe of gould a peece . . . all the rest of my goodes . . . unto my brother in lawe John Smithes of Wirington esquire and his wife Joane my sister whome I doe make and ordain executors . . ."

Joane married John SMITHES .⁷³

The child from this marriage was:

21 M i. John SMITHES .⁷³

Thirteenth Generation (10th Great-Grandchildren)

20. Elizabeth SMYTHE ⁷⁸ (Maud BICCOMBE¹², Hugh¹¹, Richard¹⁰, Robert⁹, Hugh⁸, Richard⁷, Robert⁶, John⁵, Robert⁴, Robert³, Alfred², Richard¹).

Elizabeth married Edward MORGAN ⁷⁸ about 1574.⁷⁸

The child from this marriage was:

22 M i. William MORGAN .⁸⁰

Access to Archives, England
Somerset Archive and Record Service: Deeds, etc. of Kemeys-Tynte and Wharton, Halswell House, Goathurst [1294-1931]
File - Broomfield etc. deeds - ref. DD\S\WH/19 - date: 1549-1660
[from Scope and Content] Moiety of the Manor of Broomfield conveyed to Hugh Halswell by Wm. Towills of Ilminster in 1660 with schedule of estates. Copy deed of division of the manor involving Towills and Andrew Crosse of Broomfield et al., 1653, with related deeds of tenements within the manor, 1653-1655. Deeds of 1549 and 1556 involving Hugh Bickombe and Eliz. his wife, Hugh Smith et al. also relates to the Manor of Crowcombe and tenement at Toulhaies in Bishops Lydeard. Deed of 1611 also relates to Manors of Durleigh, Mark, Portishead and Bishops Lydeard and involve Wm. Morgan, grandson of Hugh Smith of Long Ashton, dec'd.