A N C I E N T BO RO U G H OF

H E LSTO N .

a a urve . (9? S fiorf fi isfory h S y

By

B . H . N TO' 5c . SPE CE R , 'I

H E LS TON

P RI N TE D A N D P UB LI S H E D B ' J OH N L A N DE R S ON ,

8 W E N D RO N S TR E E T. , Q‘Z C/

P R E FA E C .

—o

H E a nc i ent R E I S , i n our Borough of H els ton , a very rea l d e m a nd for som e book d e a l i ng w i th th e

a s e c t s . I vari ous p of our past hi story As fa r as know , n o book has previ ously b e e n written that t re a t s of d H elston exclusively , and i f th is l i ttle pamphlet succee s

s mn e i n sma l l m easure i n fil l i n g thi s vacancy , i t wi l l have served

i ts purpose .

In n o sense does i t pretend to b e a trea ti se on th e subj ect ;

i t i s rather a k in d of sum mary , sett i ng out a few si mpl e facts b a ou t our town , and som e aspects of i ts l i fe . that shou ld appea l

r l v to al l who have i mb i bed the t u ci vi c Spi ri t . The roots of the

t a a presen t l i e i n the pas , an d n o one i s ble to ppreciate the

si gn i ficance of the tren d o f events i n ou r modern l i fe , un less he I t has som e knowl edge of what has gon e before . has tru ly been stated that i t is by stud y that we b ecome contem porari es of every age and ci t izens of the world . An d so i t has seemed wel l to set

on record som e few facts i n th e h i story of ou r Borough .

I have rece i ve d hel p from many sourc es . I w ish to express

my deep sense of ob li gati on to m y fri end , Alderm an T . C . Reed ,

J P . . , form erly Mayor of Launceston , for m uch help of a genera l

c . I c d e r chara ter a lso desire to thank the Rev . Si r Molesworth l . J . P . St . Aubyn , Bart , , for i nformat ion re at ing to the G ram mar \ C c V . S hool , and the Rev . . M , H . M i lner , and Mr harl es

’

J P . a . . for in format i on concerni ng St M ich el s Church W

I M r . am very great ly i ndebted to Wa lker Tyacke , Town C lerk , for access to the Borough Records , an d to Mr . Wesl ey

hi s I Moyl e for al l help i n connect i on w i th the same . m ust also than k Mr . R . S . H aydon , M . A . , for m uch val uabl e assistance w i th t he translat ions throughout the book . For most of the M is c e l l a ne ou s I Items , a m indebted to my former teacher , Mrs .

B a nfi e l d . , of Ivy Bank School , to Mr John Gi l l , our l leadin g m i n eralogist , an d to M iss Russel l , now of St . Auste l .

’ ' f I P e na l u na s In t i m es of d i ficu lty , too , have consu l ted Ci rcle of Corn wa l l ” and ' The Paroch ial H i story of Corn wa l l ” e a work especi al ly strong on cclesi asti ca l ma tters , k i ndly C n u n a ck . l ent me from the l i brary of th e l ate Mr . Jam es

’ Do i d e s The ki ndness of the pub li shers of g Annua l ,

H o t on £5» ha s Messrs . y Cole , of Plym outh , i n lend ing b locks m ade the i nsert ion of i l lustrat i ons possib le .

There are also m any others to whom I owe most hearty thanks for va luab le suggest ions and cri t ici sm s .

TO' H . S PENCE R .

B a nk H ou s e H el s t on , h 2 t 1 91 2 . D ecember 8 , C ON T E N TS .

A G E P .

TH E C H ARTE RS

PARLIAMENTAR ' RE P R ESEN TATI O N

TH E M UN ICI P AL INSI GN IA

LIST OF MA'O RS

LIST OF RECO R D ER S

LIST OF FR EEME N

LIST O F TOW N C LE R K S

LIST O F C LE R K S OF TH E PEACE

TH E O W C O IL 1 1 2 - 1 T N UNC , 9 3

TH E C O MMISSI ONS OF TH E PEACE

PU B LIC BUI L DIN GS A N D M ON UM EN TS

’ T M I H AEL S C H H S . C URC

TH E H ELSTO N GRAMMAR SC H OOL

TH E T R E V E N E N E X H I B ITI ON

TH E LOE V ALL E '

TH E B OR OU GH LAN D S

TH E EI GH T H OF M A '

M ISCE LLAN E OUS ITEMS

I N DE x

The Ancie nt Bo rough of He ls ton

C A T H E H RT E R S .

H E Anci ent Borough of H elston has been granted no

l ess than si xteen charters fro m t i me to t i m e . In the ' d t i m e of Al fred the Great , the whole hun red of

K e rr e r y was i n chi ef dom i nated from i t , so that I m ake no doubt that th is was a pri v i l eged place before the I n I C . 2 0 . 1 80 N or ma n onquest the Dom esday Ro l l , Wi l l ia m 7 ,

’ H e l n z s t on. ' i t was taxed u nder the nam e Moreover Brooke , ork

. C H erald , tel l s us , temp Jam es I . i n the Catalogue of orn ish Earls , that t he pri vi leges O f th i s town or manor were concerted i nto a charter , an d i ncorporated by R ichard Planta genet , Earl of

C I I C u r - ornwa l l , th i rd son of K i ng H en ry , surnam ed lyon , from

- H e l l e s t on h is l i on l i ke heart , i n the na me of , as appea red from w the cha rter , h ich h e had then i n h i s custody , to the sea l whereof ” was a ffi xed a l i on ram pant .

As far as i s known , however , the oldest Charter now

1 2 00 ex i st in g i s the one granted by Ki n g john i n the year . The w fo l lowi ng i s a copy of thi s charter , abbrevi a t i ons bei ng ri tten out i n fu l l

H i b e rni a e J ohannes Dei Grat i a Rex An gli ae , Dom i nus ,

N o rm a nni a e e t A u i t a n i a e A nd e a v i a e Dux q , Com es g

J u s t i c ia ri i s - C o m i t i b u s e t Ba l l i v i s e t fi d e l i b u s , Vice omn ibus

su i s S a l u t e m . 8

S c i a t i s no s c o nce s s i s s e e t praesent i C arta nostra con fi rmasse quod Burgus noster de H e l l e s t o n si t l i ber Burgus e t quod B u rg e ns e s nostri de eadem vi lla ha b e a nt G i l d a m M e rca t o r i a m e t q u i e ta ne i a m per t o t a m t e r ra m no s t ra m de The o l o ni a P o nta g i o Passagio S ta l l a g i o L e s ta g i o e t S o l l a g i o s a l v i s i n omn ibus l i b e rt a t i b u s

Civ itati s London .

C o nce d i m u s et iam ei s quod non pl a c i t e nt n isi i nfra Burgu m suu m de rebus vel t e nu ri s p e rt i ne nt i b u s ad vi l lam s u am p ra ct e r quam de pl a c i t i s ad c o ro na m mostram

r i n n i l i pe t e t b u s e t p a c i ti s de terri s for ns e c i s .

V o l u m u s eti a m quod ha b ea nt omnes al ias l i b e rta te s e t l i beras consu etud i nes quas ha b u e ru nt B u rge ns e s n ostri de Castell i de L a ns ta v e t on tempore Regis H enrici Patri s

B u r e ns i u m ra e d i c t o ru m n ostri , Ita quod nu l lus g p n i si re s i d ens fu e ri t i n p ra e d i ct a V i l la de H e l l e s t on has ha b e b i t

i e rt a t e s l b .

t e s t i b u s . B ri w e r H i is W . Com i te Saru m , W , Robert i de

P a t e s hu l l Tre s o s Si m . Turnham , Roberti de g , de ,

R a d u l ho F a ru b e r e . p de Stok , Eustachi o de g

VVe l l e ns i S A rchi d i a c o ni u Data per m anu m S . ap d

C ra ne b u r u m g deci m o qu i nto d ie Apri l is , Anno Regn i

nostri secu ndo .

I I I w modern En gli sh , thi s ou ld read as fol l ows

J ohn , by th e grace of God , K in g of England , Lord o f

o f N O f Ireland , Duke orm an dy and Aqu i ta ine , Coun t

Anj ou , to th e Archb ishops , Bi shops , Abbots , Counts ,

a f B rons , J ust icia rs , Sheri ffs , and al l Ba i l i fs , and to h i s

fa ithfu l subj ects , greet i ng , 9

'E KNOW , that we have granted and have confirmed by o u r present Charter that ou r Borough of H e l l e s ton is to

o ur be a free borough , and burgesses of the sam e town Shal l have a me rcha nt ~ g u i l d and qu i ttance through al l our

- - land free from Toll , Bri dge dues , Passenger tax , Stal lage

paym ent for hav in g a stal l i n the market) , Lestage

’ l e z . S o l l a e i . e . ( custom exacted on a ship s ladi n g) , an d g ( tax clai med by the lord of the soi l , by way of ground rent) , savi ng the ri ghts and l ibert i es of the Ci ty of London in al l respects .

We gran t a lso that they Sha ll not have to plead (i n a l a w - court) , except wi th i n thei r borough , about matters or ten ures belongi ng to thei r town , except i n pleas of the

e Cro wn (ti . matters dea lt w i th by th e royal courts) and

- i . e . la w sui ts abou t outsi de lands (probab ly forei gn , outsi de

‘ ’ the town , for al l outsi de the town were forei gners i deas were not yet nat i ona l) .

We w i l l , also , that they shou ld have al l other l iberti es and free custo ms wh i ch the burgesses of our castle of

Launceston had i n the t i m e of Ki ng H en ry our father . So that none of the aforesai d burgesses , unl ess h e shal l be

H e l l e s t o n resident i n the aforesa i d town of , sha l l have these l iberti es .

w i tnes s es z— These are the W i l l i am , E arl of Sal isbury ,

B ri w e r b Tre s o s Wi l li am , Robert de Turnham , Ro ert de g

Tre o os e ? P a te s hu l l R a d u l h 'Is thi s g or Tresco Si m on de , p

F a u c o nb e r . de Stoke , E ustace de g

G i ven by the hand of Si mon , Archdeacon of Wells at Granborough (or Cranbrook) on the fifteenth day of Apr i l ” i n the second year of our rei gn . 1 0

Three days later there was issued an addi t i onal charter , the translat ion of wh ich i s as follows

B n Letters Patent to the u rge s s e s o f H e l l e s t o . o

e t c . John , by the grace of God ,

KNOW 'E that we have granted an d by th is present wri t i n g of ours have confirmed to our b urg esses of ' H e l l e s t o n H e l l e s to n w that the town of , w i th the meado s

- Le shal l be had and held at fee farm by the o ld farm ( . by

the form er amoun t) , an d by an i ncrease of £ 4 sterl in g so long as they serve us wel l and fai th ful l y and pay thei r

farm (Le . payment to the exchequer in com posi ti on for a l l dues) by payi ng by thei r hand to two (o ffi ci als) of our a h exchequer , vi z . , one h l f at E aster and the ot er hal f at

Mi chael mas .

And i t i s to b e noted that the i ncrease sha l l be su c h as

Le ro l . b a b v . i s the farm ( of the same ki nd , p )

Wi tne s s z — P a t e s hu l l i Si m on de , at Dorchester , Apr l

1 8 th .

The Dorchester i s probably not the town i n Dorset , but

near Oxford , and noted for i ts abbey .

These docu men ts bear the respect i ve headi ngs 2 John M 4

2 a nd 2 john M 5. The figure stands for th e second year of

’

i . e . 1 2 00 . J ohn s rei gn , for the year The l etter M stands for

‘ ’ ‘ ’ m em bran e or parchment .

6th By a th i rd charter dated at Launceston on january ,

1 2 0 1 , th e th i rd year of h is rei gn , John gave the people of H elston m l some i l s j ust outsi de the town , and the r igh t of bu i ldi ng

’ ’ C u m ra is w i h the m e a d o w t he m a nu s c ri t i s a l i t t l e u nce rta i n. p t t , p 1 1

‘ ’

zl e . G . others on the town waters , the ober H e a lso gave them

- 1 6 8 th i rty three acres of land for the ann ua l ren t of £ 3 .

Ki ng E d w ard I made H elston one of fou r co i nage towns i n the West . This was done by h i s Charter to the Ti nners of

H e l l s t n u v e o . A s r ival of th is is sti l l to be foun d i n the name of

Ol d the mai n street , Coinage H al l Street . 'The coinage ha l l probab ly stood i n Co inage H al l Street near the spot occupied by the Gramm ar School , see later . Th i s , of course , was more rec e nt j

1 6 In 33 , Ki n g Edward III granted a Charter confirm i ng al l prev ious pr ivi leges , an d gi vi n g the addi t iona l pri vi lege of hol di ng a weekl y market and four annua l fai rs . Each of these fai rs was to last for three days , and they were to be held at th e S festi val of S . Si mon an d Jude ; Pal m Sunday ; the fest ival of

S S . ri c C v and J ul i et ; and the decollati on of S . John the Bapti st .

In the Paroch ia l H i story of Corn wal l , i t i s stated that these and other fa i rs are now (I 868) hel d on Jan uary 2 2 nd ; the day before M i d l e nt Sunday ; VVhi t s u n Monday ; J u l y 2 0 ; September

' ’

S . a nd d S J u e . 9 ; and on the fest iva l of Si m on , (Oct

In the thi rd year of h is rei gn , Ki ng R i chard II granted a

h 1 t . Charter dated at Launceston on June 7 , 3 79 In th is Charter the Borou gh an d i ts appurtenances are descri bed i n the fol lowi ng w a y

WE have granted un to them , for us and ou r h ei rs , thei r Vi llage w i th the i r appurtenances ; and w i th th e M i l l wi thou t the Vi l lage ; and w i th the Water O f th e R iver C ob e r runni ng to the same M i l l ; and w i th al l the

Easem ents o f the sam e Water , i f to them i t shal l seem

a nv f expedi ent , w i thou t the hurt of other as i s a oresa i d ; and w i th Three and Th i rty A c res o f Lan d U nm i s e d i n the ’ O o f l ra cO same Vi l lage of our V i l lena ge of do , th e so n , 1 2

H e l l e s t o n T someti me Farmer of , To H ave and o H old at

- Fee Farm , of us and ou r H ei rs , to them and thei r H ei rs , for wh i ch they shal l render to u s and our H ei rs by thei r

Hands the yearly sum of Twelve Pounds of Si lver Money , n at two term s of the year , am ely , S i x Pounds at Easter

and Si x Pounds at the Feast of Sai nt M i chael .

Also We grant to them our Meadow under that Vi llage

H e l l es t o n u s of , To H ave an d To H ol d of and our H eirs , ' to them and thei r H ei rs , for the early Ren t of Si x and

Twenty sh i l l i ngs and ei ght pence , to be rendered to us

an d our H ei rs at t wo term s of the year , namel y , th i rteen n n t sh i l l i gs and fou rpe ce at Easter , and th i r een sh i ll i ngs

and fourpence at the Feast of Sai nt M i chael .

Wherefore We Wi l l and fi rm ly Comm an d that the aforesai d Burgesses and their H ei rs shal l H ave a nd H ol d

the a foresa i d Vi l lage w i th the appurtenances at Fee - Farm

wel l , i n Peace , Freel y , Qu i et ly , an d Whol l y , wi th the sa i d M i l l and al l other Li bert i es and free Custom s used and accustom ed to th ei r Free Borough and to the aforesa i d ” Mi l l belongi n g as i t i s aforesaid .

A m uch b i gger Charter w a s granted to the Burgesses of

2 6 th 1 8 H elston b y Queen E l i zabeth on Jan uary , i n the year 5 4 , an d th i s was th e one appealed to i n al l cases of doubt or d i ffi cu lty . The borough was formal l y i ncorporated under the

H e l l e s t o n nam e , and i ts govern men t was vested i n a mayor , four

- alderm en , recorder , town clerk , an d twen ty fou r freemen . From th i s Charter i t seems that a m arket house , probably the predecessor

1 8 of the present one , was erected j ust before the year 5 4 ,

V H e l l e s to n The Borou gh and i l lage of , w i th on e Market H ouse lately bu i l t there by the inhab i tants o f th e

sam e Vi l lage . I 3

C o l l ns In th is charter , too , Peter y was appoi nted the first and m odern Mayor .

By the Charter of K ing Char les I , dated at Westm i nster on

u 8 1 6 0 Febr ary th , 4 , thi s was a l l confirmed , and n ew powers and pri vi leges , were gran ted to the Mayor an d Com monalty of the Borough Among them was the pri vi lege that the Mayor an d the Recorder for th e t i me bei ng were to be J ust ices of the Peace f w i th i n the Borough duri n g thei r peri od of o fice , as was a lso the

E x - Mayor for one w hol e year after the expi rat i on of h is

M a vo ra l t v . These Just ices , or any two of them , the Mayor ' being one , were to have fu l l power and authori ty w i th i n the sai d Borough to do and execute everyth i n g belong i n g

f a s or relat in g to the o fice of a Justi ce of the Peace , and that i n a mpl e m a nner and form as any other Keepers or Justi ces of the

i n a u v Peace County of the K ingdom o f England .

The largest and last charter was granted by George III

rd 1 fro m Westm inster on Septem ber 3 , 774 , for the sai d Corporat i on i s now i n danger of bei ng d isso lved and is i ncapabl e

of cont i nu in g i tsel f .

Th i s Charter ordai ned that

H e l l e s t o n the sa i d Borou gh of shal l be and rem a i n , for

v e er hereafter , a free Borou gh of i tsel f , a nd that th e

Burgesses of the same Borough , by whatsoever nam e or nam es o f Incorporat ion they have heretofore been i ncor

o ra t e d S p or cal led , hal l and may , for ever hereafter , be on e Body Corporate and Pol i ti c by the nam e of the Mayor and Com mona lt y of the Borough of H e l l e s t o n

And , they shal l be , for ever hereafter , persons ab le a nd

capab le i n law to have , purchase , an d possess Lands , ”

e tc . Tenem ents , 1 4

The Mayor and Com monal ty were a lso to have a comm on

ne w a s sea l , an d were gi ven power to break i t and m ake a one

a often s necessary .

Th is Charter seem s to contai n th e first m ent i on of th e ' ceremony known as beat i ng th e bounds . After setti ng out the boundari es of the Borou gh , the charter proceeds to state , i t shal l and may be lawfu l for the Mayor and Com monalty

of the sai d Borough , and th is successors , to make

perambu lat i ons round th e sam e , for the better know ledge

a s of the Boun ds and L i m i ts thereof, often as they shal l

a s th i nk proper , or to them shal l appea r necessary .

a s The Corporat i on , defined i n th i s Charter , was to consist of a Mayor , five alderm en (of whom the Mayor was to be one ) , a

d m . recor er , and an indefini te nu ber of freemen The first Mayor a ppo m t e d under the pro v isi ons of this charter was Thom as G lynn , ' r w e l b e l ov e d our t usty and Thomas Gl ynn , Esqu i re , on e

the of the i nhab i tants of the sa id Borough , to be first an d

H l l s o n m odern Mayor of the sa i d Borough of e e t . the sai d Thomas Gl ynn Shal l be and cont i nu e Mayor of the sai d Borou gh from henceforth u nti l the Sunday next

before the Feast of Sa i nt M ichael the A rch~ A nge l now next S ensu i n g , and from thence unti l another person hal l be h ffi du ly elected an d sworn i nto t at O ce , i f he , the sa i d

Thomas Glynn , shal l so l on g l ive .

The first Recorder was Franci s , Lord Godolphi n . The Alderm en who were appoi nted were

' w e l b e l o v e d our t rusty and Subj ects , the sa i d Thomas ” M Gl ynn , (previ ousl y m en ti on ed as ayor) , and a lso John

P a s m o re Rogers , Esqui re ; Wi l l iam , Gen tleman ; Joh n

Rowe , Gen tleman and R ichard Johns , Gentleman , bei n g i nhabi tants of the sa i d Borough to be the first and modern 1 5

n H e l l e s t o n i n A lderme of the sai d Borough of , to conti nue ” the same offices duri ng thei r severa l natural l i ves .

Freem en and Burgesses were

w e l b e l o v e d ou r trusty and Subj ects , the sa i d Thomas Glyn n ; John Wi ll iam s ; the sa i d R ichard Johns ; R ichard Johns the E lder ; Thomas W i l ls ; Ma tthew Wi l ls ; Edm ond

P e nha l e John ; R ichard Penhal l , otherw ise ; Wi l l iam Rogers ; the said Wi l l iam P a s m o re ; John May ; James

H o b l n M i l lett ; John v ; the sai d John Rowe ; John P lo mer , Gent lema n ; the sai d John Rogers ; Thomas G lynn the ' oun ger ; W i l li a m H i l l and John H awki ns , Esqui res ;

P a s m o re Thomas Trevethan , Clerk ; Joh n , Cl erk ; Edward H u thna nc e ; Joseph M i chel l ; John Tremayn e ; James R ichards ; John H arris ; Isaac H ead ; John Ki ng ; Ben edi ct

\Vi l l i a m Sku e s Jan e ; Bennet Pascoe ; and , bei ng h i n ab i tants of the sa i d Borough , to be the Burgesses an d

u Freem en o f the sa id Boro gh , to con t i nue i n the sam e

o fi c f es dur i ng thei r respect i ve natura l l i ves , un less they , or

e any or ei ther of them , shal l i n the meant i m be removed fro m those o ffices for m isgovern ment or m i sbehav i our

therein , or for any other reasonab le cause , by the Mayor or

h i s Deputy an d A lderm en of the sa id Borough , or the major part of them (whereo f We w i l l the sai d Mavor or

' h i s Deputy to b e

The Deputy Mayor was to be a ppointed by the Mayor from the Aldermen , and the Deputy Recorder was to be appo inted by the Recorder , and he must be an honest and fit man .

Th is Charter of George I I I a l so c ontai ns th e fol l owin g passages

T S B H e l l e s to n here ha l l also be i n the sa i d orough of ,

e O f if from ti m e to t i m e and at al l t i m s herea fter , two cers 1 6

a s or Sergeants at M ce for the execut i on of al l precept , mandates , j udgm ents , attachments , and al l other processes i n the same Borough to be di rected to them by the Mavor

fi a s S and other Of cers of the sa i d Borough , the case ha l l

a nd happen , or sha l l be necessary , to be Chosen and nom i nated by the Mayor of the sa id Borough for the ti me bei n g .

' The sa i d Mayor and C o mm o na l t v shal l have a

Court of Record wi thi n the sa i d Borough , to be held every

the hi s three weeks before Mayor or Deputy , two of the

hi s Alderm en , and the Recorder of the sa i d Borough , or D eputy , an d upon pla i n t to be levi ed i n the sai d Court f shal l and m ay hold pleas of al l trespasses , o fences , and contempts comm i tted or perpetrated w i th i n the sai d

Borough and of al l debts , accounts , agreem ents ,

of decei ts , detentions charters , wri ti ngs , m un i ments , and

‘ cha t t l e s , and of a l l other contracts whatsoever , ari si ng from whatever causes a nd thi ngs w i th i n the Borough although the sai d trespasses , debts , accounts , agreements , decei ts , detent ions , or other contracts am ount to , or exceed , the su m or val ue of forty sh i l l ings .

The Mayor and Recorder of the sa i d Borough , and h i s

Depu ty , and the A lderm en of the sa i d Borough for the t i me bei n g , for and duri ng the severa l and respect i ve ti mes S a fi they h l l be and cont i nue i n thei r sai d of ces , shal l and may be our J usti ces , and each of them shal l and may be a

Just i ce of us , our hei rs and successors , to keep the peace

o r w i th i n the sai d Borough and the sam e Justi ces , t wo of them , (whereof the Mayor of the sai d Borough or h i s Deputy for th e t i m e bei ng , We w i l l be one) , may and shal l have power and a uthori ty w i thi n th e sai d S l to d o a nd execu te , al l and in gu a r , the matters wh i ch

1 8

i 1 8 By the Mun ici pal Corporat ons Act , 3 5, the governm en t of the Borough was vested i n a Mayor , fou r A lderm en an d t welve Counci llors . The Borou gh Corporat ion i s st i l l composed of these o fficers .

A A A ' P A P R LI M E N T R R E R E S E N T T I O N .

N T H E good ol d t i m es , H elston was an i mportan t

1 2 1 8 2 parl i am entary consti tuency . From 94 to 3 , i t was

represented b V two members i n the H ou se of Comm ons . These m embers were el ected by a m aj ori ty of th e

Freemen of the Borou gh , the Mayor bei n g the retu rn i ng

ffi e t B u r ens i b u s o cer . The wri t was headed thus Maj ori g

l l s t n o m i r H e e o C t a t u C o n u b i a e S a l u te m . Burgi n ostri de i n ,

w a s 1 As has been stated before , a Charter granted i n 774 . w Th i s perm i tted an i ndefin i te nu mber of freem en , hereas h i th erto

- the nu mber had been l i m i ted to twenty four . C learl y th i s

w a s a s i Charter to the d isadvan tage of the o ld freemen , i t depr ved them of the pri v i l ege of el ect i n g th e m embers of parl iam en t , or rather , i t extended th is pr i vi lege to an i ndefin i te number of other

F s i x peopl e . eel i ng ran so h i gh on th is poi nt that of the old freemen determ i ned to resi st the n ew charter ; a n appea l w a s m ade to the H ouse of Com mons , and a com m i ttee of that body upheld the appea l , and stated that the ri gh t of electi n g the

no t w i th m embers remai ned i n the h ands of the ol d freem en , standi n g the n ew Charter . These si x freemen were A lderman

R i chard Johns , R i chard Johns the E lder , Matthew Wi l ls , R Edmon d John , R i chard Penhal l , an d W i ll i am ogers .

Th i s state of th ings cont i nued unt i l the ori gi na l n um ber

w a s of freemen reduced to one , R ichard Penhal l , and th i s one m an actual ly returned both m embers of parl i amen t ' It was gen eral ly recogn i sed that th i s coul d not cont i nue , and so a second a ppea l was m ade to the H ouse of Com mons . Th i s t i m e the 2 0

previ ous deci sion was reversed , an d the power of el ect ion given to the i ndefin i te number of freeman al lowed under the Charter of I 774

hi s Bei ng thu s deprived of power of el ecti on , Penhal l accepted the new charter , and took the necessary oaths on

1 1 1 March 4th , 79 , i n connect i on w i th wh ich the fol low i n g extract appears i n the Borough Records

Of H l l n N Borough e e s t o . Pursuant to d ue ot ice given

u by Thomas G lynn , E sq i re , Mayor of the sa i d Borough to

R e v John Rogers , Esqui re , John H awki ns , Esqu i re , the .

P a s m ore J ohn , Clerk , and Joh n Rowe , Esqu i re , A lderm en

of th e sa i d Borough , An Assem b ly an d Counci l was held a t the Gu i ldhal l of the sai d Borough by the sai d Thom as

n h P a s m o re Gly n , Jo n H awk ins , John , an d John Rowe thi s fourteenth day of March i n the year of ou r Lord one d thousan d seven hun red an d n i nety on e , between the hou rs

’ of ten an d t welve o clock i n the forenoon , when R ichard

P e nha l e Penha l l , otherw i se , on e of th e Burgesses and Freem en nam ed i n the Charter granted to thi s Borou gh

by h i s present maj esty , Ki n g George the th ird , and bei n g an i nhab i tant of the sam e borou gh an d the on ly surv ivi n g

Freeman of the o l d Corporat i on , an d having thi s day agreed to an d accepted the sa i d Charter of h is sai d presen t m aj esty , was du ly adm i tted an d sworn a Bu rgess an d Freeman of th i s Borough under the sam e charter before

the sa i d Thom as Gl ynn , Mayor , and the sai d Joh n H awk ins ,

P a s m o re a nd d J oh n , John Rowe , A l erm en , (the sa i d John

Rogers bein g absent) . In w i tness whereof the sai d Mayor an d A l d ermen presen t have hereunto subscribed thei r hands the d a v an d v ear

aforesai d .

Tho . Glynn , Mayor .

J . Rowe , 0 d 1

T hen fol low the usua l oaths .

1 8 2 w a s By the Reform Act of 3 , H elston depri ved of one o f i ts m embers , and by the Redi stri but ion of Seats Act , i t was

1 8 I t depri ved of the other i n 8 5. now forms pa rt of the Truro

o n v H elston c u t d i visi on . The nam es of i ts representat ives are

- I n wel l known th e West of En glan d . Included a mong them are

Tre w o r i e Tre l e a n C u s w n Ge rve s L g , g , y , y , Bodman , ostwi th iel ,

La nl o w e n Bo ke l l Tre m b l i t he k Tre w i nna rd , Antron , y , , H elston , ,

Tre v i s s a N B o d ri a n P e n e rs i ck Kestel l , , an fan , Seneschal , g , g , Tre f d o w B o d ri P n n - e e o s . , gy , p , Pen rose and others Attorney Genera l

. 1 1 6 2 0 Noy , born at St Buryan i n 577 , sa t for H elston from to

1 6 2 7 . Vari ous m embers of the Godolph i n fam i l y were frequently elected i n the si xteenth and seventeenth cen turi es . Th ese i ncluded Sydney Godolph i n , th e poet , second son of Si r Wi l l i am

w ho w a s 1 6 1 0 1 6 Godol ph i n , born i n an d k i l l ed at Chagford i n 43 , and Sidney Godolph i n , fi rst Ear l of Godolph i n , and Baron H el ston , (born i n 1 63 0 ) who ach i eved such fa me i n t he rei gns of Charles I I I I , Jam es , W i l l iam an d Mary , an d Anne . H e has been d escribed as the ' greatest statesman who has ever com e ou t of

. 1 68 1 1 1 6 6 68 . Corn wal l H e represented H elston i n , 79 and It i s i n teresti n g to note tha t som e of the m embers sat as represem t a t i v e s for H elston an d the county town of Launceston at the sa m e t i m e . Early i n th e n i neteenth cen tu ry the par l i am entary represen ta ti on of the Borough was very easi ly and sati sfactori ly

u arran ged , for the Duke of Leeds ndertook to pay the whole of th e town rates for the pri vi lege of Choosin g the two representa t i v e s

1 86 6 A u ni que elect ion took place i n , when the Borou gh had to return one mem ber on ly . The Conservat i ve cand idate was Wi l li am Bal i ol Brett , fi rst V iscount Esher , a fterwards

w a s Ma ster of the Rol ls , wh i l e the L i bera l cand idate nam ed

’ Campbel l . The pol l i ng ceased at four o c lock . When the votes 2 2

w a s a were counted , i t found that both c ndidates had recei ved

x R a s e act ly the sam e num ber , and the Mayor , Thomas ogers ,

R ffi hi s . eturn i ng O cer , gave castin g vote i n favour of Campbel l Brett i m m ediately appealed to the H ouse of Commons o n th e ground that the Mayor ’ s casti ng vote shoul d not count i n the

a s w a s total , i t gi ven after pol l i n g had ceased , whereas a l l votes

’ should have been given before four o clock . In these un i que

n a Ci rcumsta ces , the H ouse of Com m ons l lowed both Campbel l

and Brett to take thei r seats a s m embers .

The first Members of Parl i a ment for our Anci e n t Borough R m n K l h . R o s e a . e l e l l a n were de y and I de y , who were elected i n

1 2 the yea r 94 .

The last Member for H elston before i t w a s di sfranch i sed

w a s r . o . Walter Mol eswo th St Aubyn , br ther of the Rev Si r

C l o w a nce . H ender Molesworth St . Aubyn , Bart . of

2 4

F w a s . . V a s The one next above th i s gi ven by Mr . H i ll ,

i ts : . P . . . i nscri pt ion shows Frederick Vivi an H i l l , J , C C ,

1 868 1 8 1 1 8 2 1 8 1 8 Cou nci l lor to 7 , 7 to 77 ; Alderman 7 7 ; Mayor

1 8 2 1 8 1 8 8 1 882 1 88 1 886 . 7 , 74 to 7 , 4 to It consists of the

Corn ish Arms and Motto , One and A l l .

i s a The top one a represent t i on of the Roya l Arms , an d

8 0 w a s Ske w e s J . P . 1 88 1 1 gi ven by R ichard Martyn , , Mayor , 9 ,

’ 1 89 1 3

The sh i elds bear the m onogra m of the donor on one si de , and hi s name and other part i cu lars on th e other . At presen t m there are forty of these sh i elds , gi ven by , or i n emory of , the fol lowi ng gen tl eme n : (the underm e nt ioned i nscri pti ons be i n g copi ed fro m the chai n )

f 1 8 . Wi l l iam Bol i tho , Junr . , H i gh Sheri f of Corn wal l , 95

m - P - M . W i l l i a B ickford Smi th , for Truro H elston D iv i si o n

1 88 1 8 2 5 to 9 .

R A . r 1 . . H ugh Rogers , Mayo 749 (presented by Capt Rogers , )

Gr l l s 1 8 1 1 82 2 1 82 1 8 2 H umphrey M i l let t y , Mayor 7 , , 7 , 3 .

Gr l l s 1 8 1 1 8 1 8 0 1 8 1 8 G lynn y , Mayor 4 , 44 , 5 , 53 , 54

b s o n . r r l l s . . Ge v e s G presented y hi s , C R y y )

1 8 Matthew Pau l Moyle , Mayor 49 (presen ted by h is dau ghters ,

Constanti a an d Frances) .

1 8 1 8 6 1 866 1 868 Thomas H yne Edwards , Mayor 55, 5 , , .

1 8 1 86 1 1 86 2 Thomas Ph i l l i ps Tyacke , Mayor 57 , , (presented by

hi s a nd sons , Thom as Joseph Sidney Tyacke) .

1 86 1 86 James Clarke , Mayor 3 to May , 4 , (presented by h is

son , Si dney Clarke) .

Tr v n n P e e e J . 1 86 86 . . 1 1 880 Wi l l i am , , Mayor May , 4, Nov , 4 , ,

1 887 to 1 889 . P J . 1 86 Frederi ck Penberthy , . , Mayor 7 (presen ted by h i s si ster ,

Mrs . Lanyon , and her four daughters) . R h M 1 8 1 8 e i c ard Ki rby , ayor 73 , 79 (pr sen ted by h is son ,

R ichard Ki rby) .

88 1 8 6 1 8 m P . 1 2 \Vi l l i a . Dale . J , Mayor 3 ; Counci l lor 7 to 9 ;

2 Al derman 1 89 .

ff a 1 8 2 1 8 A lbert Edward Ratcl i e , M yor 9 , 9 3 Counci l lor May ,

1 2 89 .

J P 1 8 6 1 8 Charl es Courtenay H ocki ng , . . , Mayor 9 , 9 7 ; Counci l lor

1 896 to 1 898 ; Alderm an 1 900 .

1 8 8 1 8 1 8 6 Alexander Pengi l ly , Mayor 9 , 99 ; Counci l lor 9 .

P . 1 0 1 1 1 08 1 8 1 . J . 0 0 George Berin ger , , Mayor 9 , 9 , 9 ; Counci l lor 9

P 1 8 1 880 Charles Lem on Frazer Dan i ell , J. . , A lderman 7 7 to ;

Counci l lor 1 87 0 to 1 873 .

\Vo o l coc k 1 8 1 8 1 8 Ja mes , Al derm an 73 to 79 ; Counci l lo r 54 to h 1 8 e . . 57 (pr sented by h is dau g ter , Mrs George Lanyon )

1 88 1 Thomas Taylor , Counci l lor March .

1 8 2 . Joh n Goldsworthy Reed , Counci l lor May , 9

1 8 2 Charles Freder ick Dal e , Counci l lor 9 .

P . 1 8 1 8 2 . E dward Pownal l Kendal l , J . , Counci l lor 74 to 9 ’ \Vi l l i a m VVo o l c o ck 1 8 2 1 8 b , Counci l lor 5 to 59 (presented y hi s V V o o l o k . . . c c daughter , E P )

1 8 1 880 Wi l l i am Chappel l , Counci l lor 74 to (presen ted by h i s

w i dow) .

1 8 1 8 6 1 860 1 86 W i l l iam Sl eeman , Counci l lor 53 to 5 , to 3

(presented by h i s son and daughters ) .

O d e r 1 88 1 1 8 0 1 8 0 g Eva , Counci l lor to 9 ; Borou gh Su rveyor 9 .

1 8 1 8 2 Joseph Wa lker Tyacke , Counci l lor 77 to 9 Town Clerk

1 89 2 .

8 2 1 . J ohn Jam es , Counci l lor 9

E v a A 1 8 2 John Oates , Counci l lor pri l 9

C 1 88 . J ohn M ichael Martyn , ounci l lor 7

. P . 1 86 1 868 1 86 1 8 2 W i l l iam Pen rose , J , Counci l lor 5 to , 9 to 9 ,

1 893 .

1 8 1 8 Frederi ck H i ll , Town Cl erk 34 to 74 (presen ted by hi s son ,

Gr l l s . H . y H i l l) 2 6

8 . J . P . 1 Ri chard Cotton , , 93

k n a k P C u nna c C o c J . 1 8 . George James ( n ) , . , 93

H o s k en 1 8 0 1 8 2 . Charles , Borough Accountan t , 9 to 9

Tre v ene n Tre n ro u s e 1 8 Ni cholas g , Borou gh Treasu rer , 57 to

1 888 hi s (presented by sons , H enry an d R i chard

Tre n ro u s e g ) .

. C E . Joh n D Wood , , H elston

1 86 1 88 b v hi s John Dal e , Cl erk of the Peace , 9 to 4 (presented

sons , W . and C . F . Dale) .

W e a rne f 1 88 . Walter , Med i cal O ficer of H eal th , 5

The Chai n w a s purchased i n 1 894 at an ori ginal cost of

2 6 0 . i s n o r about £ It conti nua l ly growi g i n size , f i t i s an

unwri tten ru le that each Mayor sha l l gi ve a sh ield of gold ,

sui tab ly engraved on the model of the above . For conven i ence ,

however , these are al lowed to sta nd over u nt i l a certa i n n um ber

are due , and then a l l are added at th e sam e ti me .

o f Th e maces are m ade gold , and are carri ed by m eans of ebony shafts of the ba luster pattern , term i nati ng i n knobs of ' gold . The mace heads , attached by m eans of long enriched h ol low j oi nts or sockets , are adorned w i th scrol l and foliaged

work , an d m edal l i ons contai n in g representat i ons of St . M ichael

encounter i ng the Dragon , w i th a fortified town i n the backgroun d . The heads are fin ished w i th ci rclets and a cresti ng of fieurs - de l i s O and crosses , from wh ich spri n g th e pen arches of the

crowns . (Kel ly) .

1 The maces bear the i nscri pt ion Godolph i n , 7 77 . They

were presented to the Borou gh by the Ear l of Godolph in , who

w a s . 1 06 also Baron H elston In 9 , the Earl of Rosebery , when

i n Corn wal l , showed hi s i nterest i n the maces b y maki n g a

s e speci al vi si t to H elston t o e them . 2 7 T he arm l et is of silver , and seems to have been presen ted 6 1 6 . by Robert Cock , Mavor of the Borough i n 7 It bears the

H . B . 1 6 6 . fol low i n g i nscr ipt i on , 7 , Robert Cock , Mavor

The Corporat i on seal i s a representat ion of the Borough

a s . Arm s , such m ay be seen on the cover of this book The ' - i nscription is Si gi l l um co mm u ni t a t i s v i l le de H e l l e s t o n burgh .

(The Sea l of the Commonalty of the Borough of H elston) .

’ The Constab le s poles bear the nam e R . S . Martyn , 2 8

L I ST O F M A'O R S .

1 8 l n 5 4 Peter C o l y s .

1 6 6 7 Robert Cock .

1 0 7 3 Th om as Cock .

1 1 8 1 2 7 to 7 4 George Rob i nson .

1 2 7 5 Thom as Lukey .

1 749 H u gh Rogers .

I R Thomas Gl ynn . 7 74 J ohn ogers .

1 6 r . John P a s m o e . 7 7 John Rowe

1 8 Thomas Glynn . 7 7 John Rog ers .

H ob l n 1 80 . John y . 7 John Rowe

1 8 2 Thomas Glynn . 7 John Rogers .

John Ro we . John H awk ins .

m r P a s o e . John Rogers . John

Thomas G lynn . John H awk i ns .

a m o r . Joh n P s e . Thomas G lynn

John Rowe . John H awk ins .

P a s m o r Ge rv e s Gr l l s . J ohn e . Ri chard y y

John Rowe . John H awki ns .

m r e rv P a s G e s r l l s . John o e . R ichard y G y w John Rowe . John H a kins (to March , 1 8o 1 ) and John P a s m o re

1 8 0 2 Ri chard Ge rv e ys Gryl l s John Rowe .

Gr l l s 1 8 0 . Thomas y . 4 John Rogers

Tre v ne n 1 8 0 6 r e Ge rv e s G l l s . John . Ri chard y y

. 1 80 8 Gr l l s Peter H i l l Thomas y .

. 1 8 1 0 Tre ve n n John Rogers John e .

Ge r v e s Gr l l s 1 8 1 2 R ichard y y . Peter H i l l .

Tre v e ne n. 1 8 1 John 4 John Borlase .

. 1 8 1 6 e rv r l Isaac H ead R ichard G e ys G yl s .

Gr l l s 1 8 1 8 Trev e ne n H umphrey Mi llet y . John .

. 1 8 2 0 J ohn Borlase Isaac H ead .

h Ge rve s Gr l l s . 1 8 2 2 r l l R ic ard y y H umphrey M i l let G y s . 2 9

Tre v e ne n 1 8 2 John . 4 John Borlase .

1 8 2 6 Ge rv e s Gr l l s Isaac H ead . R ichard y y .

Gr l l s . 1 8 2 8 H umphrey Mi l let y Jam es P lom er .

. 1 8 0 Ge rv e s Gr l l s John Borlase 3 R ichard y y .

. 1 8 2 Gr l l s George Si mon Borlase 3 H um phrey M i l let y .

1 8 James P lom er . 3 4 John Borlase . 6 . 1 8 r George S i mon Borlase 3 Gl ynn G yl l s . 8 . 1 8 r John Si l vester 3 Glynn G yl l s .

1 8 0 John Kendal l . 4 John S i lvester .

1 8 2 r l l s . Glynn G y 4 Joh n Si lvester .

1 8 . r l l s Thomas Rogers 44 Glynn G y .

1 8 6 John Ken dal l . 4 Francis Jam es .

1 8 8 Thomas Rogers . 4 Wi l l iam Penberthy .

1 8 0 r l l s Matthew Pau l Moyle . 5 G lynn G y .

1 8 2 Thomas Rogers . 5 Thomas Rogers .

r 1 8 r l l s . Glynn G yl l s . 54 Glynn G y

1 8 6 Tho mas H yne E dwards . 5 Thomas H yne Edwards . 8 P hi l l i s T a cke 1 8 . Thomas p y . 5 Thomas Rogers

86 0 1 VVe a rne . John Kendal l . Ja mes

m 1 86 2 Tho as Ph i l l i ps Tyacke . Thomas Ph i l l ips Tyacke .

86 Tr v n 1 e e e n . Jam es Clarke (to May , 4 Wi l l i am

Tr v e ne n e .

1 86 6 Thomas Rogers . Thomas H yne Edwards .

1 86 8 w Frederick Penberthy . Thomas H yne Ed ards .

1 8 0 H enry Rogers . 7 H enry Rogers .

1 8 2 H en ry Rogers . 7 Frederick V i vi an H i l l .

1 8 R i chard Ki rby . 74 Frederick V i v ian H i l l . 8 6 . 1 d Frederi ck Vivian H i l l 7 Fre erick V iv ian H i l l . 8 c . 1 8 Freder i k Vi vian H i l l 7 Frederi ck Viv ian H i l l .

. 1 880 \Vi l l i a m Tre v e ne n R i chard Ki rby .

k s 1 88 2 R ichard S e w e Martyn . Frederick Viv ian H i l l .

1 88 Wi l l iam Da le . 4 Frederi ck V ivian H i ll .

1 886 Frederick Vi vi an H i l l . Frederi ck Vivi an H i l l .

- 1 888 e r ne n. Wi l l i a m Tre v e n n. Wi l l ia m T e v e 3 0

Tr n n 1 8 0 Ske w es . W i l l i am eve e . 9 Ri chard Martyn

R Sk w e s 1 8 2 f . i chard e Martyn . 9 Albert Edward Ratcl i fe

f 1 8 H . A lbert E dward Rat cl i fe . 94 Frederick V ivi an i l l

1 8 6 W i l l iam Penrose . 9 Char l es Courtenay H ock

Charl es Courtenay H ock i n g .

1 8 8 i n g . 9 Al exan der Pengi l ly .

1 0 0 A lexander Pengi l l y . 9 George Beri n ger .

1 0 2 George Beri n ger . 9 Alfred Randl e Thomas .

1 0 R . R i chard Gundry Rapson . 9 4 ichard Gundry Rapson

1 0 6 H enry Toy . 9 H enry Toy .

1 0 8 Alfred Ran dle Thomas . 9 George Ber inger .

1 1 0 F C u nna ck . H edley Thom as . 9 ranci s H enry

nna ck 1 1 2 . Francis H enry C u . 9 H enry Toy

L I ST O F R E C O R D E R S .

d r 1 . September 3 , 774 The Earl of Godolph in .

2 th 1 8 . June 9 , 7 5 John Rogers .

th 1 8 2 . H i s D March 5 , 3 Grace the uke of Leeds .

2 th 1 8 . Apri l 4 , 33 Joh n Vi vian .

1 1 8 . January 3 th , 3 7 Thomas Paynter .

th 1 8 May 7 , 57 . E dward Wi l l i am Cox .

The Borough now has no separate Court of Quarter

Sessi on s .

3 2

26th 1 8 3 A r i l 1 . p ,

P a s s i n ha rn Thomas Wi l ls , Wi l l i am H arris , J onathan g ,

P o ha m Tho m a s St a b b a ck , p , Wi l l iam Rob i nson H i l l Joseph Lam b ’ Ge rv e s Gr ll s Tre v e ne n Richard y y , Ju n i or , John , Ch ri stopher

Gr l l s Wa l l i s , Pearce Rogers , H umphrey M i l let y , Matthew Pau l

Moyle , H enry Borlase , John Borlase , George Borlase , Th omas

Od er Jam es , John E l li s , Thomas Gibson , Wi l l iam g , John

S i lvester , John Lanyon , Wi l l i am Bryan .

ll'/ 4 h a 1 t 1 8 13 . y ,

W i ll i am Joh ns , Joseph Roberts , E dward Rogers , O l i ver C D H i l l , harles an i el l , Robert Dan i ell , Roger John , R ichard John

H ead , Peter H am m i l l , Sen ior , Peter Ham m i l l , Jun i or , Ra lph

M i chel l , Jam es James , Franci s James , Ri chard Edm onds , Wi ll iam

Thom as Andrew , H en ry Penberthy, Sam uel Lane , Thomas

o Col l iver , W i l l i am Penberthy , John Kendal l , John C l l iver ,

a P e na l u na E dward Box , Ralph Bartle , Wi l l i am P scoe , Wi ll ia m ,

John Blake , Joh n Mart in , John Dobb , W i l l i am Coulson , John

Paddy , Ri chard Thom as , Jam es J u l i an , Ri chard Bennetts , Joh n

Bennetts , Wi l l i am Sym ons , John Marsha l l , Ri chard Gri tton ,

Charl es Reed , J un ior , J oseph H arry , Jam es H i tchens , John Kerby ,

Samuel Peters , Thomas Pryor , H en ry Eu stace , John Thomas ,

J ohn R uby , John Johns , James Jam es .

D ece mbe 4th 8 6 r 1 1 . ,

Gr l l s Tre n n v e e . H enry y , Wi l l i am

S e tember 15th 1 8 1 7 p ,

John Ti ppett .

u ne 1 2 th 18 78 j , .

Charles Read the E lder , R ichard W i l l i am s , R i chard J ohn ,

Wi l l i am Penberthy , R ichard Andrew . 33

u ne 1 3 th 1 818 j , .

Ol i ver Matth ews , Thomas H arry .

1 u ne 8th 1 81 8 . J ,

Thom as Johns .

J a nua r 3 r d 1 820. y ,

H an n ibal Sandys .

2 J a nu a r 20t h 1 8 0. y ,

Tre v ene n Sku es James , Arundel l Rogers , R i chard , Stephen R Cock in g , Joseph Bi l l i n g , Franci s Pascoe , i chard Edm onds the ' oun ger .

M a ch r 8th 1 820. ,

W i l l iam H oski ns .

M c 4 h 820 a r h 1 t , 1 .

The H on . Jam es Nugent Boyl e Bernardo Tow nshend , com mon ly cal led Lord James Nugen t Boyl e Berna rdo Townshend ,

P a s s i n ha m R e v . H arrington H udson , Au gustus g , Jam es Lan e , ' Joh n Borlase th e oun ger , Wi l l ia m Cade , W i l l ia m H arry , Peter

Best . l 6th 822 A a r ch 1 1 . ,

G r l l s Gr l l s Wi l l i am y , Glynn y , Thomas Mi chel l .

J a nua r 1 9th 1 824 . y ,

Tre v e ne n Gr l l s Thomas John , Thomas y .

ece mbe r 3 r d 1 825 . D ,

S ir R icha rd Rawl i nson Vyvyan , Bart . 34

u ne 14th 1 82 6 J , .

’ D A rc The Ri ght H on . Francis Godo lph i n y Osborne , com mon ly cal led the Marqu i s of Carm arthen .

J u l 3 1s t 1 83 0. y ,

P e ch l l e . Si r Sam uel Joh n Brooke , Bart

1 8 w a s In 35, the ol d Freedo m of the Borough of H elston nd abol i shed , a al l who were subsequentl y adm i tted to th e new

Freedom were merel y H onorary Freem en , and had no longer th e pri vi leges of electi n g th e Members of Parl iam en t , etc . , etc . , formerly enjoyed by Freem en . On l y three Freemen have been

S 1 8 0 b s e t o u t w adm i tted i nce 3 , a l ist e i ng belo

M a 8th 1 907 . y , d Si r W i l l i am Purdi e Treloar , then Lor Mayor of London .

9th 1 N ovember , 907 .

- w B A Si r E dwi n Durn i ng La rence , Bart . . , LL . B . nn k George Jam es C u a c .

L I ST O F TOWN C L E R KS .

l 1 82 6 Gr l s . John Plomer . Gl yn n y

r l 1 8 . Thomas G yl s . 34 Frederi ck H i l l

1 8 . John Borlase . 74 John G i lbert Plom er

1 8 2 . James Plomer . 9 Joseph Wa lker Tyacke

r n Wi l l iam T e v e ne .

3 5

K A L I ST O F C L E R S O F T H E P E C E .

8 1 8 6 . 1 8 3 Arundel l Rogers 4 H enry Mon tague Rogers .

1 869 John Dal e .

TH E W - 1 C C L 19 12 3 . TO N O U N I ,

M a or — J . P . y H enry Toy ,

A l d e r me n

Reti re 1 9 1 3 Ret i re 1 9 1 6 P A J . G . George Beri nger , . Thomas Taylor

J . P . P J . John Jam es , R i chard Gundry Rapson ,

Cou nci l l or s

Ret ire 1 9 1 3

H e ne s . . . J . B . Mart in , T . y , T H R i chards , H H aynes .

Reti re 1 9 1 4

n k R o w rn P . . . C u n a c . . s e a e . . A . R . Thomas , J. , F H , J M , W Hal l

Ret i re 1 9 1 5

To J . P ...... H enry y , , E B Eva , A C Cade , H edley Thomas

— Tow n Cl er k Joseph Walker Tyacke . 3 6

TH E C OM M I S S I ON S O F T H E P E A C E .

H E Borough of H elston has a separate Com m i ssion of h t e Peace . Much i n formati on respect in g the J usti ces enti t led to act i n the Borough i s given i nciden ta l ly i n

th e sect ion devoted to th e charters .

H el ston w a s gi ven a Com m i ssion of the Peace under the

th 1 8 Great Sea l beari ng the date February 9 , 49 . In thi s Gl ynn

Gr l l s w y , John Ken dal l an d Matthe Pau l Moyle were appointed by name to act a s J usti ces of the Peace for the Borough of

H elston .

I s t 1 8 A new Com m i ssion was granted on March , 7 7 , i n fol lowin g form

i V ctori a , by the grace of God , of th e Un i ted Ki n gdo m

of Great Bri ta i n and Ireland , Queen ; Defender of th e

no w a nd Fai th ; To th e Mayor of the Borough of H el ston ,

for the t i me bei ng , an d the persons nam ed i n the Schedu l e

: y o u hereto , Greeti ng Know ye tha t We have assi gned

and every of you , j oi nt ly an d several ly , our Just i ces to keep O ur Peace i n and through the sai d Borough o f H elston and to keep an d cause to be kept al l Ord inances

and Statutes made for the good of Our Peace , an d for the conservat ion of the sam e ; and for th e qu i et ru le and governm ent of Ou r Peopl e i n al l and every the art icles thereof i n the sai d Borough accordi ng to th e Form an d E ffect of the sam e ; and to chasti se and pun ish al l person s

o e nd that aga i nst the form of those Ord inances or Statutes ,

or any one of them i n the aforesa i d Borou gh , as i t ough t to be done accord i ng to th e form of those Ord inances

and Statutes ; an d to cause to com e before you , or an y

3 8

Th e C l erk to the Borou gh Magistrates i s H en ry Montague

Rogers .

H elston i s a lso the centre of the West K i rri e r Petty

Sessi ona l D i vi si on of the Coun ty of Cornwal l , an d th e County

Magistrates act i n g i n an d for thi s D ivision Si t at the Gu i ldhal l .

K i rri e r D The pari shes con ta i ned i n the West iv i si on are Breage ,

Cury , Germoe , Grade, Gun wal loe , Landewednack , Manaccan ,

- - i n R . Mawgan Men eage , Mu l l i on , Ruan Maj or , uan M i nor , St

- i n - Anthony , St . Keverne , St . Marti n Meneage , Si thney an d

Wendron .

The County Bench , wh i ch meets i n Petty Sessions on th e

i s th ird Wednesday i n each month , composed of the under

o f m enti oned Justices , th e dat es appo i ntm en t determ i n i n g the order of sen iori ty

. th 1 88 1 . V e l l D o nni tho rne . Jan 4 , The Rev Si r y Vyvyan , Bart

(Chai rman) .

Dec . I s t 1 8 2 P e nd a rv e s K . C . B . 3 , 7 Col on el S ir Arth ur Vi vian ,

rd 1 88 R A Feb . 3 , 5 Capt . John Peverel l Rogers , . .

h 8 1 A t 1 C . Apr i l 7 , 9 R i chard Gundry Rows ,

th 1 8 6 Apri l 7 , 9 Perci va l Dacres Wi ll i am s .

1 0 h B A . Ju ne 3oth , 9 3 H ugh Moleswort St . Aubyn , .

a n I s t 1 0 . J . , 9 7 Edward Pownal l Kenda l l

th 1 0 To . Apri l 9 , 9 7 H enry y

1 8 2 th 0 . Oct . 7 , 9 S idney H endy

l th 1 0 B . C . . Oct g , 9 9 Colone l Courtenay Bouch i er Vyvyan ,

an md 1 1 2 J . 2 . , 9 J ohn Thom as

The Mayor of H elston and the Cha i rman of the H elston Rural Di stri ct Counci l are ex - o ffi c i o Magistrates duri n g thei r year of office . 39

The Clerk to the County Magi strates is Joseph Walker

Tyacke .

1 882 . 1 By the Muni cipal Corporat i ons Act , , s 54 the above - named County Justi ces have j urisdi ct ion i n and for the

a s a s Borough of H elston ful ly they have i n and for the County ,

ha s si nce the Borough not a separate Court of Quarter Sessions . e By courtesy , however , th is pri vi lege is not usuall y exerci s d .

'For further i n formati on on thi s i nterest ing poi nt , see Stone , E d 8 1 1 0 . . . 1 . p . 5 , Ed . 9 7 , or E ncy . Bri t , Vol p 3 3 , Tenth ]

H elston i s also the head of a County Court Di stri ct H i s

- H onour J udge Gent Si tt in g at the Gu i ldha l l b i m onthly . 40

P B L B L D A N D O U I C U I I N GS M N U M E N TS .

N the centre of the town i s a magn i ficen t block of

bu i ldi n gs of gran i te ashlar , the whole bei ng surmounted

Ba ths t one by the Borough Arms , scu lptured i n , and by

a clock . Thi s com pri ses the Gu i ldhal l , Counci l

Chamber , t wo Corn Markets , Fi re Stat ion , etc . Th i s

o 1 8 b l ck was erected i n 39 .

i s The Gu i ldhal l on e of the best in the County , bei n g

a « fi ne com mod ious an d wel l arran ged . It contai ns p icture of ' ” Christ Der i ded by Lane , and pai nti ngs of the Roya l and W R ” Borough Arms . On the form er are the letters . . There is al so a brass tab let erected to com memorate the patri oti c act i on of n i ne men of th e H elston Volunteer Compan y who fought i n

w a r 1 00 - 1 w - th e South A frican i n 9 , and of t enty three other m en of the same Company who vol unteered for the fron t .

i s w a The Market H ouse near the Gui ldhal l . It s

1 8 a s : erected i n 3 7 , i s shown by the i nscri pti on ov er th e gates

1 837 . Comm enced dur i ng the Mayoral ty of Glynn

r l l s . G y F i n i shed duri ng the Mayoral ty of John Si lvester .

. . 8 . W H arris , Arch i tect , Bri stol W Penberthy , T . P E va ,

Bui lders ,

1 6 Th i s Market H ouse took the place of the ol d one , bui lt i n 57 , wh ich stood where the Gu i ldha l l now stands . The east end of the bu i lding i s used as a D ri l l Ha l l for the D Com pany , (A further reference w i l l be found on page

The Churc h and the Gra mmar School and Godolph in H al l

s e e . are m enti oned i n separate sect ions , later

4 1 T W he esl eyan Method ist Church , bu i l t of gran i te an d

i s Pl ym outh l i mestone , a d ist inct asset to th e ma i n street .

1 888 o f o o o Erected i n at a cost £ 5, , i t wi l l seat about a thousan d

a . peopl e . The Epworth H l l adjoins i t

The Un i ted Method ist Church was erected i n C hurch Street i n 1 840 at a cost of I t wi l l seat abou t si x hundred peopl e . There i s a good organ , presen ted by Mr . J . Rogers

t -o f Pascoe , a na i ve H elston ; the power for b low i n g purposes i s h ydrau l i c . There i s a lso a branch of thi s Church i n Meneage

Street .

The Bapti st Church is i n Wendron Street , and the very pecul iar style of arch i tecture adopted by that branch of the

C t . N o hri s ian Church is elaborately di splayed thereon servi ces , however , have been h eld there for several years , and the bu i ld in g i s now used as a showroom i n connecti on w i th Messrs . Jam es and

’ Son s fu rn it u re estab l i shm ent .

’ The Freemason s H al l , standin g i n Almshouse H i l l , was

Da form erl y the Wesleyan Method i st y School , (n o w transferred to

Wendron Street ) , under the d i rect ion of Mr . Wa l land , Master .

A t the bottom of Co inage Ha l l Street there is a magni ficen t

Monum ent , consist i ng of an arch bu i lt of gran i te ashlar , strongl y buttressed , and fin i shed w i th fou r h i gh octagona l pi nnacles . It i s protected b y i ron ra i l ings , and i s i nscri bed

r l l s b To the m emory of H u mphrey M i l let G y . Rai sed y X X X S u bscri pt i on M DCCC IV .

There i s a n o ld gran i te Mal tese cross , in low rel i ef , at the

N o east end of Cross Street , whence the nam e of the street . i n format i on concerni ng i t seems to be ava i labl e .

Th e old Coi n a ge H al l i s referred to i n the secti on on the

1 1 Charters , see page 4 2

Th e Bowl in g Green was form erl y the si te of a Roya l C Cast le , the residence of Regi nald , Earl of ornwal l . Thi s was i n ru i ns previ ous to the t i me of Edward IV , and , needl ess to say , no can trace now be seen .

The old Pri son stood near the Foundry i n Lady Street , as

’ also d i d St . Mary s Conven t . There was a lso an old Bel l

1 6 1 Foundry i n the sam e part of the town i n 7 . Three of i ts bel ls are sti l l i n use , two at Cu ry , and one at St i th i ans . There i s a lso an ol d pri son at the top of Shoot H i l l .

a O . f the old H ospi ta l and Pri ory of St J ohn the B pt ist , wh ich were i n exi stence from 1 4 1 1 u n t i l the d issol uti on of the monasteri es by H enry VI II , l i ttl e is known .

The ol dest house i n the Borough i s that occupi ed by Mr .

’ E a tho rne s James Pascoe , nea r Mr . fru i t shop ; i t was bu i lt i n

1 6 1 1 6 1 n 9 . The date 7 appears on the orth wal l of the passage

’

C u nna ck s . next to Mr . F . H . house i n Men eage Street

44

6 0 I i s D 1 . t anyel l Bedford to the Church of H els ton , 3 said that

R 1 6 6 hi s obert Cock , Mayor i n 7 , gave som e plate engraved w i th crest three cocks .

The cei l i n g of the body of the church i s pan el led i n the

i ts El i zabethan styl e , and from centre hangs a massive ' - chandel ier of twenty four branches , beari n g the words , Th i s branch , together w i th the compleat bui ldi ng of th e church an d

Chancel , i s the sole gi ft and benefact ion of the R i ght H onorab l e

A . D 1 6 . the Earl of Godolph in , bestowed on th i s Borough , . 7 3

On the front of the west gal lery i s the inscript ion

The accom m oda t i on of t hi s Church was i ncreased i n

1 8 8 re - the year 3 by pewi n g throughout , and by erecti ng a 6 north gal lery , etc . , by wh i ch m eans 4 5 add i ti onal si tti ngs were obtai n ed ; and i n consequence of a gran t of £ 2 00 from the Incorporated Soci ety for promot i ng the en large

0 m ent , bu i ld i ng and repai ri n g of Churches an d chapels , 49 Si tt in gs are hereby decl ared to be free and unappropriated

e for ev r , i n addi t ion to 445 appropri ated si tt i n gs formerl y

provi ded .

Si gn ed , G . B . Boraston , V i car .

J . W . J ohns , Cu rate . b W . Pen erthy ,

J . S i lvester ,

. Gr l l s G y , C hurchwardens .

Attached t o the fron t of the south ga l lery are t he

c Godolph i n Arms , carved i n bold reli ef , w i th the m otto Fran

” ha l eal eto ge .

The font i s of m arbl e ; i t stands on a mou lded pi l la r w i th a square basem ent , and the bow l i s i nla i d w i th quatre foi ls of var i egated m arb le . 45

T are he pulpi t i s of Bath stone , and on i t carved figures representi ng the Good Shepherd , St . Gabri el , St . Mi chael , St .

U ri el , St . Raphael . It bears t he fol low i n g i nscri pt ion

To th e Glory of God and i n affect i onate remembrance of Wi l l i am C l i n ton and Susanna Bel i nda Baddeley thi s

pulpi t i s erected by thei r three survi vi ng ch i l dren . Feast

of St . M ichael an d A l l Angels ,

’ There i s a south porch and a pri est s door ; to the i nner door of the porch are attached m onum enta l brasses , represent in g a man , woman , and three ch i ldren , sai d to be porti on s of the

B o u i ns . h g m onum ent The Churc , wh i ch i s bu i lt of nat ive elvan

ha s 1 0 2 w i th gran i te d ressin gs , a tower , 3 feet i nches i n hei ght ,

i s bu i lt of gran i te ashlar ; i t i s of three stages , and fin ished w i th a parapet of quatrefoi l work an d pi nnacles , supported on a corbel tab le .

s i x For som e t i m e the tower con tai ned bel ls , the gi ft of n Lord Godolph i i n 1 767 . Recent ly these bel ls have been recast and two m ore added , the whole peal of ei gh t bei ng dedi cated on

d 1 0 r s . Apri l 3 , 9 5, by the B ishop of St . German The bel ls now bear the i nscri pti on

J . Sydney Tyacke , Vi car .

Charles Wakeham ,

Fred . V . H i l l , Churchwardens .

The diam eter of the tenor bel l i s 3 feet 43 i nches , and that of the fourth i s 2 feet 1 0 i nches .

a The reredos was the gi ft of Mr . J . Rogers P scoe , and i s

6 00 val ued at £ .

An anc ient cross is bu i l t i nto the west wa l l of the ch ief entrance to the churchyard . 46

the 1 2 In year 7 7 , a fierce thunderstorm broke over

t he w a s . H elston , and church tower struck by l i ghtn in g It fel l ,

u . ei ther then or s bsequently , and great ly i nj ured th e church i tself

1 6 In 7 3 , however , the Earl of Godolphi n rebu i lt both Church and

6 w a s re - 1 8 8 t o tower at a cost of £ 000 . The Church seated i n 3

- - seat 955 people , an d provi ded w i th an ol d fash i oned three decker

’ pulp i t an d desk for preacher , reader and clerk . The Mayor s

- w a s . I n 1 88 w a s re Seat ri ght i n front 4 i t seated a gai n , wi th

0 . lower an d w i der seats , to seat 75 people (See also page

There i s a tablet i n the Chu rch givi n g detai l s of what i s ' known as the Penberthy Char i ty . Th e i nscri pt ion i s as fol lows

l To th e m emory o f Mr . H enry Penberthy , ate of th i s

2 nd 1 8 6 Borough , who d i ed the o f November , 7 3 aged 4

R i c hd . e rv e s years , and by h i s Wi l l bequ eathed unto G y

l l s R i h , Gr c d . 00 y , Clerk , and Johns , J un . , Gen t . , £ 5

pri nci pal Stock i n the fou r pr . cent . Ban k Annu i t i es , an d

a m u n other effects o tg . after al l charges pai d to the s u m of

£ 6 0 .

In trust , to apply th e annual i ncomes thereof to the u s e

of the Poor of the Borou gh of H elston , as wel l those who

a a s recei ve p y those who do not , provi ded they be not i n

VVorkhou s e D the , by buy in g ow las and Sheet i n g ,

D R s H ol land , uck , u gs , and other n ece sari es for thei r m Cloth in g , Beddi ng , an d Accom odat i on to be di stri buted

2 th . on the 5 Jany year ly for ever . And on the death o f ei ther or a ny Tr u stee the Wi l l di rects that the Survivor

and the Mayor of th i s Borough shal l , w i thi n one Month

’

after , choose another i n the deceased person s stead ,

re co m m e nd g . to thei r choice ye M i n i ster for the ti m e ” o ffi c i a t . bei ng g i n th i s Church . 47

O ther m onum ents a nd tab lets i n the church i nclude those to the fol l owi ng

1 68 1 . John Rogers . d . 7 , A lderm an of the Borough for 3 years

2 . . 1 H ugh Rogers , h is son , d 773 Al derman for 5 years

1 Thomas Glyn n , d . 77 7 ; the first Mayor nam ed i n the new

charter .

1 . Thom as Glyn n , h i s son , d . 794 ; Al derman of the Borough

Ge rv e s Gr l l s . 1 1 . R ichard y y , d 7 7

Grv l l s (I . 1 8 1 . Thomas , h is son , 3 A lderm an of the Borough

Tre v e nen . 1 8 1 6 rd nha m . C a Rev Thomas , d ; Rector of y , an d

- i - Mawgan n Meneage .

1 8 . J ohn P lom er , d . 7 7

1 8 1 8 R . N . Peter H i l l , d . ; Com mander

. 1 82 1 J ohn Rogers , of Antron Lodge , S i thn ey , d ; Captai n of ’ H is Majesty s Packet , the Portland .

Tre v e ne n . 1 82 J ohn , d 5 A lderman of the Borough , and

County Magistrate .

l l s . 1 8 Gr . H umphrey M i l let y , d 34 A lderman of the Borough

ha m d 8 P a s s i n . 1 Jonathan g , 3 5 H i gh Sher i ff for Meri onethsh i re , h t . . . Colonel of the s Cornwal l M i l i t ia , D L for Cornwa l l

P a s m o re . 1 8 Col . Wm . , d 3 7 ; Com mander o f Bri ti sh

troops i n Persi a . 8 . 1 w . George Si m on Borlase , d 3 7 D . L . for Corn al l

. 1 8 d Rev . Thos . W i l ls , d 3 7 Vicar of Wen ron and H el ston for

53 years .

1 8 ' John Borlase , d . 43 Magi strate A lderm an of the Borough ;

Ma g istrate and Depu ty Lieutenant for Cornwa l l . 8 1 6 . H enry Borlase , d . 4

R . N . 1 8 Jam es Penberth y , , d . 44 ; Purser and Pa ymaster of k M . B . S a l a r . H . e

1 8 6 John S i lvester , d . 4 ; Magistrate and Alderman of the

Borou gh .

P a s m o re . 1 8 . John , d 45

1 0 1 Bernard Cha rl es Kendal l , d . 9 . 48

Th e tablet to the late V i car i s thus i nscribed

To the Glory of God and i n lovi n g mem ory of th e

s o n Rev . Joseph Sydney Tyacke , of Thomas Ph i l l i ps and

h 1 8 N a ns l o e . . 2 t Catherin e Tyacke , of Born Jan 5 , 3 5, di ed

th 1 0 at Florence , Apri l 7 , 9 5 Canon of Tru ro Cathedral ,

and Vi car of th i s pari sh for 36 years . Th is brass i s erected

I s t . by h is on l y brother , Thomas Tyacke , Co lon el Batt

2 2 nd the Ch esh i re Regi ment .

. The present Vi car i s the Rev . W . M . H . M i l ner , M . A , of

’

O . . . Queen s Col lege , xford , who i s assi sted by Mr R S H aydon , P n . M . A . , as Lay Reader . Messrs . E . P . Ke da l l , J . , and Charles

P . . Wakeham , J. , are th e Churchwardens

The fol lowi n g i s an extract from the pari sh regi ster

1 795. A very great scarc i ty of grai n preva i led th i s yea r C over England , and i ndeed al l E urope . 3 597 orn ish

1 2 000 . Bushels of Barley : 7 Barrels of Fl ou r , and 3 lb of

B iscu i t were i mported by Subscri pti on , i nto Gweek , and sol d i n thi s Town for th e U se of th e Inhabi tan ts (7 those

8: . of the Pari shes of Wendron , Crowan , Breage Germoe

ff a s Two Gu i neas were o ered m e ( Mayor of H elston , ex o ffi c i o Manager of the Busi ness) by Inhab i tants of the Par i sh o f Perran Uthno e for two Wi nchester Bushels o f

Barl ey .

Ge rve s Gr l l s e R ichard y y , Cu rat

It w i l l be remembered that Edward VI s e t forth a n i nj unct ion that a l l i mages i n churches should be destroyed a s art icles of superst i t i on . Pursuan t to th i s i nj uncti on a Maste r w B od ye was appoi nted Com m i ssi oner for Corn wal l . As he a s i nspect ing the Church a t H el s to n a nd demol i sh i ng s ome of the 49

K l t o r rema i n i n g i mages , he was stabbed b y on e y , a pri est of

St . Keverne . It i s also sai d that th i s stabbi n g took place near the presen t s i te of the New Inn . A popu lar ri si ng fol l owed ,

u and , w i th H u mphrey Ar nde l as thei r leader , th e Corn ishm en drew up seven art i cl es , demand ing the restorati on of certa i n

Observances . These thi ngs were refused i n wr i t i ng by the

Ki n g , whereupon the i nsurgents marched to E xeter , where they were dispersed by Lord Russel l . 50

L TH E H E LSTO N G RA M MA R S C H O O .

1 8 1 P e na l u na N the year 9 , Wi l l ia m , a pri n ter i n H elston , ' pub l ished a book enti tled The C ircle of Cornwal l . In ' i s th i s he ment i ons , when speak ing of H elston , there a

grammar school that ha s long been estab l i shed . Th is school first started i n a sma l l way i n a house that stood

’ ’ on the site where M iss Wi l l iams i ronm onger s shop now stands ,

1 6 1 0 A s and was rebu i lt i n . ti me went on the school grew i n

i mportance and presently i ts fam e spread far an d w i de , and th e

m o l d n u ber of pupi ls i ncreased . Th e house soon proved to b e

i n 1 8 too sma ll , and 34 , wi th the sancti on of the Corporat i on , who appear to have had some vo i ce i n the govern ment of the school , ne w bu i ldi ngs were erected i n Wendron Street , at the cost of

1 000 a s a s about £ , to wh ich the school was transferred soon possib le . These bu i l d in gs are now used as the pub l i c Readi n g

Room an d Bi l l iard Room , etc . The Godolph i n Ha l l and other

1 rooms were erected i n 888 at a cost of £ 2 000 .

The fol lowing i nscri pt i on appears engraved in stone i n the Read i ng Room

HAS AED E S I N V S V M P y E R O R V M G RA E C I S E T L A Tt N I s L I TTE R I S C A E TE R I S QV E D I S C I P L I N I S AD V I TAM P I A M EL E GANT EM E T J V C V N DA M P E R TI N E N TI B V S E R y D I E N DOR y M D E S TI N A TA S QV V M P R O D I S C I P y L OR y M N y M E Ro V E Ty s A E D I F I C I V M I N IN F E R I OR E O P P I D I P A R 'I‘ E J A M D V D V M P OS I Ty M N I M I S A N GV S TV M y I D E R E TV R M y N I C I P I I P R A E S I D E S P EN E S QV OS P A TR OC I N I V M E ST ET C O N S E R VA TI O SC H OLAE C V M P L V R I M I S E J V S D E M E T A L V M N I S E T F A V TOR I B V S P E C V N I I S

C ON L A TI S E X S TR V E N DA S C V R A V E R V N T A N N o S A L V TI S

H V M A N A E M o c xxx w . , c c

52

clergyman of the Church of E ngland , an d the appoi nt ment

lay w ith the Corporat ion .

The school was form er ly endowed w i th the s u m of

1 6 8 £ 3 by the Godolph i n fam i ly . Later , however , th i s su m was pa i d by the Corporat i on , and i n exchan ge the school wou ld educate , free of charge , a person appoi n ted by the Counci l . There seem s to be n o record of the n umber of term s dur in g wh ich

u s ch a person m i ght be a pupi l at the school , b ut i t i s Cl ear that not more than one such appoi nted person was i n the schoo l at

a s . any on e t i m e , al though , as soon he l eft , another took h i s place

The first H ead master of wh i ch the w riter ca n fin d any

s o n . menti on i s the Rev . Derwen t Coler idge , of the Poet H e was succeeded for a short t i m e by the Rev . Mr . Lempri ere , and he by

- B . A . the Rev . C . A . J ohns , . , the wel l known Botan ist The next H eadmaster was the Rev . H en ry Fowl er , M . A . then came the Rev . Mr . Boger , who was a fter wards H eadmaster o f

’ St . Saviour s Gram mar School , South wa rk , and then had a l i vi n g i n Kent and was an honorary canon of Rochester . H e was

J e s s o . . R e v . succeeded at H elston by the Au gustus pp , M A , a fter

J e s s o 1 8 wards Archdeacon pp , who i n 59 was appoi nted H ead f ’ o o V I s . m aster Ki ng Edward Gram mar School , N rwich After h i m came the Rev . E . H . Woodward , M . A . , an d then others unt i l

s o the school dw i ndl ed to noth in g . Mr . Je s pp i s the author of the

- wel l known work ent i tled The Com i ng of the Fri ars . The

w a s H o s k n . last H ead master Mr . James e

The Rev . Derwen t Co leri dge nu mbered amongst h is pup i ls

Charles Ki n gsley and h i s brother H erbert . A lthough n ot a good cricketer , Charles was a splendi d ath lete . H e wou l d often take a run from the Gram mar School to the wal l d ivid i n g Pen rose

Terrace an d the grounds of the new County School , and then l eap ri gh t across the road i nto the field beyond The road at 53

th i s poi nt was about seventeen feet w i de , and a fai lure to land i n the fiel d mean t a b roken l im b . K i ngsley , however , seem s to have b een successful i n h i s j u mp on every occasion .

In the H elston Churchyard there i s a stone bear in g the letters wh ich stan d for H erbert Ki ngsley . In connect ion w i th th i s i s a story wh ich the wr i ter has never seen i n pri nt . I t i s sa i d that dur i ng the t i me the Ki ngsleys were i n H elston , som e spoons were m issed from the school . Suspicion fel l on

‘ ’ h w a s e . f H erbert , and sent to Coventry Thi s so a fected th e

’ boy s m i nd that i n a fortn i ght he pi ned away and di ed . The stone referred to above marks the place where h e was b uri ed .

In 1 857 there was publ ish ed the first number of the

’ H elston Gra m mar School Magazi ne . Th is ran through ei gh t

u 1 8 . n u mbers on ly , the last bei ng p bl ish ed at Mi dsum m er , 59

1 60 Th e l ist of subscribers con tain s no less than nam es , exclud in g pupi ls at the school . A mon g them are nam es wel l known throu ghout the county

E . . s St Aubyn , St . Aubyn Molesworth , q ,

' ’ Theol o i ca l ol l e e e l s W l . g C g ,

St . Aub y n , Walter Mol esworth , Esq . ,

’ chu hr i s t r ch ol l e e Ox or d . C C g , f

’ F e nd r e P a P enz nce . . a Bol i tho , R . , Esq . , ,

‘ ’

. P r i d ea u x P l a ce P a d s tow . Brune , C . G . Pr ideaux , Esq , ,

’

C hel s ea . S t . M a r k s l l e e . o Coleridge , The Rev Derwent , C g , (2

’

T e ot hna n. . r Fal mouth , The Ri ght H on Lord Viscoun t , g

’

Tr el i s s i ck T u . . . r r o G i lbert , The H on Mrs , , ‘ h l ’ . . P s n S M a r a t o . Gurney , , Esq , . C

’ e l t H s on. H i l l , M iss ,

P e nr s e 2 . J . . o Rogers , J , Esq , , (

’ l e e M a l b ou h C ol . . r or Tyacke , The Rev Joseph Si dney , g g

‘ ’

T e l e . R . r ow a r r n Vyvyan , Sir Ri chard . , Bart , and many oth ers . 54

T z w a s anntIa l he Maga in e pub l ished quarterly , the u subscripti on bei ng five sh i l l ings . Runn i ng thro gh th e wh ol e of

‘ i s the ei ght n umbers a seria l arti cl e enti tled , The Natu ral

’ i s H i story of Boys . The nam e of the wri ter not stated . There

‘ are also a great many other art i cl es , i ncl udi n g one on the O ld

’ Bo ch m Seats of Corn wal l , y H ouse by th e H eadmaster . The

i s U most i nterest i ng of al l , however , the paragraph n der the

‘ ’ headi n g School Intel l i gence , at the end of each nu mber . The

‘ ’ fol low i ng paragraph appears over the i n i tials A . T .

- H ow we ended our ha l f year .

1 On Monday, December 3 th , a displ ay of

ma f fireworks took p lace , whi ch I y safely a firm to h ave

been the m ost bri l l i ant ever seen i n H elston . They were d obtai ne by the boys of the H elston Gram mar School ,

a ided by l i bera l subscri pt ions from the town . The

w a s even i ng du l l , a constan t dri zzle fal l in g duri ng the

b u t o ff whole t i m e ; on the whole i t passed very we l l .

M o r t ra m The fireworks were of a superi or descr ipti on , from

and Son , and afforded genera l sati sfaction ; som e few

speci mens were reserved for the next even ing , wh ich

appeared to m uch greater advantage , on account of the clearness of the n i ght th e whol e affai r w a s w ound up by

a l arge bonfire .

T 1 8 here i s som e accoun t of the Schoo l Meeti ng in 58 . The

exam inat ions were held i n the week beginn i ng Wednesday ,

1 . . . September 5th The exam i ners were the Rev F H . Scr ivener , of Tr i ni ty Col lege , Cambr idge (Classi cs and Mathemat ics) and

. Mr . J . A . Crowther (French) The subj ects of the exam i nation are set ou t below

s Euripid es : H ippolytu .

e s e s O a c O a s D mo th ne lynthi r tion ,

Luc i a n : Dre a m . 55

H ra E . ce . S a t . . o , p ii ; i 1 O : a s . i v . vid F ti ,

S a J u . llus t : Be ll . g

a s a : . a x a c s C e r De Bell G ll . (E tr t ) H s c : M a c a nd Al i tory of Gree e Philip of edon e xa nd e r .

H i s tory of Rom e : The Puni c W a rs .

A c a a a nd s a s — N A n ient Geogr phy It ly the I l nd orth fri ca .

The Topogra phy of Rom e .

J The s S . M a t a nd a o f s S . e Go pel of t t , p rt the Go pel of t ohn , in Gr ek .

The s es s N u e s a nd 1 S a e . Book of Gen i , mb r , mu l

- — A s C u c o f E a i . La nd E c . a s rti le of the h r h ngl nd , xx tin ngli h ; S f with cript u re Proo s .

H E : A c s s L s X I V t he e nd i s tory of urop e from the c e ion of oui . to o f t he Seven 'ea rs W a r (1 643 to

a h a t he ea H i s tory of Engl nd from t e D e th of C h a rl e s I . to D th

of Georg e II .

Phy s i c a l G e ogra phy of the E a rth .

a E e a nd As a s c a e c C a Geogr phy of urop i , with pe i l refer n e to hi n a nd Indi a .

’ M o l i é re s M édec in m a lgre l u i a nd p a s s a g e s from pros e a uthors

a t s ight .

C ompos ition i n L a tin a nd Greek (pros e a nd vers e) .

s C ompos ition i n Fre n c h (pro e) .

E c : s i . . . . a nd v i . u lid Book , ii , iii , iv ,

A a : u a a c E a s c s e . lgebr to Q dr ti q u tion , in lu iv

Arithmeti c . The Fi rst Pri ze for the Classi ca l and Genera l Exa m i nat i on (the

’ Penrose Meda l , gi ven by J . J . Rogers , Esq . , and H ooker s Works ,

w W e a rne gi ven by th e Rev . R . C . Po les) was awarded to Vi vi an .

’ The F i rst Pri ze for Mathemati cs (the Johns Medal , given by

C . F . Johns , Esq . ) was won b y Clarke .

C lose to the si te of the o ld Gram mar School th ere now

a st nds a new County School , under the H eadmastershi p of

M r . R . S . H aydon , M . A . 56

T H E TREV E N E N E X H I B I T I ON .

H E Scholarsh ip known as the Tre v ene n Exh ib i t ion w as

’ Tr n n founded under the w i l l o f the late Miss Em i ly e v e e . The bequest w a s made ori ginal ly to th e H elston

Gram mar School for the benefit of i ts sch olars , an d wa s i n the fol low i ng form

I give and bequeath u nto th e Trustees of the H elston

u 80 Gram mar School , estab li shed i n H elston pwards of

s u m n years , the of five hu dred pounds , free of l egacy duty , to be funded or oth erwi se i nvested by them for the benefit of the sai d Gram mar School , for the pu rpose of foun di ng a Scholarshi p to be hel d i n e i ther of the

U n iversi t i es of Oxford or Cambri dge , the yearl y i nterest of the sa i d five h un dred pounds to be enj oyed dur in g three years successi vely by som e one of the Pupi ls wh o ha s been educated at the sa i d Gram mar Schoo l on condi t ion of hi s bei ng resi dent at on e of the sa i d Un iversi t i es durin g m the t i e that h e sha l l recei ve i t , h e havi ng b een du l y Chosen by the H ead Master of the Schoo l for th e ti m e bei ng a s the Scholar w ho i s best deservi n g of i t by h i s profici ency i n Classica l atta in ments , an d havi ng a cert ificate from the sa i d H ead Master a s to hi s Rel i gious

s hi s Pr in ci ple , an d m oral con duct , the preference bei n g

e s o n given , other th ings b in g equal , to the of a C lergym an of the Chu rch of England .

I b e q u e a th th is s u m for the benefit of the sa i d School i n th e town where I have so lon g resi ded , i n the earnest hope tha t i t m ay be the co m m encem en t of si m i lar gi fts or

o bequests for thi s purp se , ei ther by addi n g to th i s sum at ” once , or by fou nding other Schol arsh ips . 57

The only E xh i b i t i oner under these regulat i ons of wh ich the

ca n . . wr i ter find an y m ent ion i s C G Stew art , who , i n or abou t

1 8 8 the year 5 , proceeded from the Gram mar Schoo l to Tri n i ty

Col lege , Cambr i dge .

It w i l l be noti ced i n the sect i on deal i n g w i th the Gram mar School that the Borough Counci l had som e voi ce i n the School governm ent . When th i s School ceased to ex i st , the prob lem of

w a the di sposal of th is money at once arose . The matter s referred to the Ch ari ty Com m i ssi on , between th e Town Counci l m an d who correspondence ensu ed respect i ng a new schem e , whi ch was formerly approved by the Queen i n Counci l on h 8t 1 8 0 . a s February , 9 The mai n poi nts are fol low

1 i s . . The Town Counci l of H elston the govern ing body

2 non - . Rel i gi ous opi n i ons , or atten dance or attendance

at any part i cu lar for m of rel i gious worshi p , do n ot i n any way aff ect the qua l ificat ion of any person for bei n g

t he one of Governi ng Body .

Tr v n n 3 . The e e e E xhi b i t i on i s tenab l e for three years at a ny Un i versi ty or other place of advanced educati on i n

the Un i ted K i ngdom approved by the Govern ors .

O 4 . The Exh i bi ti on i s pen on ly to boys whose parents ,

guardi ans , or near relat i ves w i th i n fixed degrees , reside i n the Borou gh of H elston or i n any of th e fol l owi ng

i z v . pari shes , . , St Anthon y i n Menea ge , Brea ge w i th

C a rnm e ne l l i s Germoe , , Constan ti ne , Crowan , Cury

w i th Gunwal loe , Godolph in , Grade w i th Ruan M i nor ,

H elston w i th Al l Sai nts , St . Kevern e w i th St . Peter ,

Landewednack , Manaccan , Mawgan w i th St . Mart i n

i n Meneage , Mawnan w i th St . M ichael , Mul l i on ,

P e nco s . y , Porth leven (St Bartholom ew) , Ruan Major ,

S i thney , Wendron . 58

i s The Exh ib i ti on awarded to the boy who , i n the

ha s opi n ion of the Exam in ers , m ost d isti ngui shed h i mself at the Oxford or Cambri dge Sen i or Local

E xam inat ion . In case of equal m eri t between cand i

i s s on dates , preference given to the of a clergyman of

the Church of England .

The Governors give s i x ca lendar m onths not ice before i any exam i nat i on s held .

i s If, at any t i me , n o candi date quali fied to rece ive

i s the E xh ib i ti on , i t not awarded .

The Tre v ene n Exh ib i t i on er must not be gu i lty of ser ious m m i sconduct or i dleness , nor must he cease to ai ntai n

a reasonab le standard of profici ency . If these

condi t ions be n ot compl i ed wi th , the Governors may

hi s depri ve the Exhi bi t i on er of Exh i b it ion .

For many years no candi date w a s qua li fied to recei ve the

u m w a s emol ents of the Exh i bi ti on , an d the ann ual i nterest added

ha s 00 1 6 1 1 2 to the capi ta l , wh i ch i ncreased from £ 5 to £ 3 , a s u m now held by the O ffi cia l Trustees of Char i tab le Trusts i n

i 2 the . s . trust for Governors I t i nvested i n 3 per cent Consols ,

and the balance of th e i ncome , after necessary expenses have

i s been pa i d , awarded to the Exh i bi t ion er .

The names of the students who have held the Exhi bi t i on Si nce the l on g peri od duri ng wh i ch n o award was made are a s w fol lo , the dates referri ng to the year i n wh i ch the Exh ib i t i oner l first recei ved the emo um en ts .

1 903 H enry Blackwel l .

1 06 9 Raymon d Leakey .

1 0 9 9 H enry Spencer Toy .

1 1 2 9 Malcol m Vyvyan .

6 0

fl the the s ea . In thi s case the water rises and oods a porti on of

road leadi ng from H elston to Porthleven . It som et i mes even

i ntrudes into the houses i n th e lower part of the town . When

these Circu mstances ari se , the Mayor of H elston , by an anci ent

custom , appl i es to the Lord of the Manor of Penrose , who owns

» i i cu t the lake , for perm ss on to the bar , sendi n g w i th hi s

app li cati on a leather purse conta i n i ng three hal fpence . When thi s perm i ssion has been obta i ned a nu mber of m en are sent to

cu t . T a passage through the sand h i s passage at first i s sm al l ,

a s s o but th e water passes the passage w i dens , un t i l two b i g Th S volumes of fresh and salt water meet . e pectacl e of thei r

i i s col l i s on m agn ificent , the water bei n g thrown u p to a great

ha s c u t . hei ght . The Bar not now been for several years

’

Ki ng E dward I . granted certa in lands i n or n ear H elston

1 2 2 d to Wi l l i am de Trevi l le i n 7 on cond i t i on that he shou l , at hi s fi s hi n - own expense , bri ng a boat and g hook an d n et for th e

’

a s a s . Ki ng s use on the Loe , often h e shou l d v i si t the Borough

6 1

B A T H E O R O U G H L N DS .

H A T part of the Borough known as th e H elston Downs , D the Black owns , and the Wh i te Downs , was forma l ly

set out and a l lotted by H ann i bal Sandys , of Great Queen

1 8 1 8 . Street , Westm i nster , i n th e year H e was appoi nted sol e Comm issi oner for th i s purpose b y an enclosure ac t ' A 8 . ct of 5 George III , enti tled An for i nclosi ng certai n Waste

H e l l es t on Lands i n the Borou gh of , and the severa l pari shes of

- i n - Wendron , Mawgan Meneage , and Si thney , i n the Coun ty of

Cornwal l .

After givi ng due not ice i n the Roya l Cornwa l l Gazette and the West Bri ton , and on th e doors of the Churches i n the three pari shes a lready nam ed , he hel d a seri es of m eet i ngs i n the ' I n N 1 8 1 8 Gu i ldha l l , on vari ous days October an d ovember , , for

A c t the purpose of carryi n g such i nto Execut ion . H is award ' states that at the first of these m eet i ngs , I proceeded to take the necessary Oath , to qua l i fy m yself as such Com m issioner ,

’ Tre v ene n before John , Esqu ire , one of H is Maj esty s J ust i ces of the Peace for the sai d County of Cornwa l l . The Com m i ssi oner

then appoi nted Joseph Pr iske to survey the land , an d to draw maps and plans for h is use .

The prel i m i nari es completed , the Com m issi oner proceeded

the m to hear Clai s of a l l the vari ous cla i man ts , and made h i s fina l award as fol lows

1 . To the Churchwardens an d Overseers of th e Poor for

th e Borough , an d thei r successors for th e t i m e bei ng , ' as Trustees for th e Poor that resi de and are legal l y settled i n the sai d Borough of H e l l e s t on : A L L that port ion of th e sai d common cal led the Black Downs 6 2

D an d the Wh i te owns , lyi ng south of the road leadi n g from P e nco os e Water to Me l l a ngo o s e M i l ls

contai n i ng Th irty Acres and E leven Perches , for th e purpose of supplyi ng H eath and Furze for the con s u mpti on of the Poor of the sa id Borough An d I hereby order an d di rect that thi s a l l o ttm ent shal l be

di tched , fenced , an d enclosed w i th a proper H edge , so

a s f e fectual ly to prevent Catt l e trespassing thereon , an d for the protecti on of the growth of the sa i d Fuel ; and

proper and conven i ent entrance Gates erected thereon , ” o n as near a s may be to the sai d Borough of H e l l e s t .

h a s H eath and furze avin g ceased to be used fuel , thi s al lotm ent w a s brought i nto culti vat i on m any years

ago . The Churchwarden s at the t i m e of the award

r w ere Thomas Jam es and Ri cha d Bennetts , and th e

O v erseers were Sam uel Penhal l and Wi l l i am Woolcock .

To Phi l ip Vyvyan Rob i nson , tenant for l i fe under th e ' : A L L w i l l of the late Rev . Wi l l i am Rob i nson that

Wastrel l yi ng to th e north east of, and i mm ed i ately

the outsi de , H edge , or Fence , of part of the said Bartons

N a ns l o e of , an d between the sai d H edge and th e H i ghway l ead ing from the Borough of H e l l e s t o n

H e l l e s t on towards and over Downs , an d t he Wastrel comm enci ng w i th such part of the sai d Bartons as

P a s m o re adj oi ns the Lands of the late John , C lerk , on the north west , and extend in g from the north west

’ no w corn er of the Lane ca l led Jenny Rowe s Lane , as marked out a nd con tai ned by admeasurem ent Three Quarters of an Acre and Twenty E i ght Perches o f

Ground .

‘

t o . R The land al l otted P V . obi nson under th i s sect i on of the award i s th e grove of trees between t he 63

N a ns l o e Cem etery and Gate , and a narrow stri p thence outsi de the hedge of N a ns l o e fiel d to m eet th e l i ne of

the western hedge of the Green Downs . The plot

between thi s last nam ed stri p an d the ma i n road was ,

after l i t i gati on , sold abou t twen ty years ago to the n owner of N a s l o e .

To the Mayor and Co mmonalty of th e Borou gh of H elston A L L the resi due or remai n i ng part or parts

H e l l e s t on of the sa id Com mons cal led Downs , the

D c Black Downs , and the Whi te owns onta i n in g

w o Two H undred and Seventy T Acres and On e Perch .

Also to the Mayor and Com mona lty of the Borough of H e l l e s t on A L L that Co mm on and Waste Lands

cal led Castle H i l l and the Lower Green .

There was a lso awarded , ' A certa i n Pub l ic Carr iage Road over th e sai d

a Com mon b le Lands , from a certa i n place cal led the

i H e l l e s to n Wh i te H i l l , adjo i n ng the Town of , to a D ’ certa i n anci ent Gate , cal led otson s Gate , i n the pari sh of Mawgan - i n - Meneage ; wi th vari ous branches of Road leadi ng therefrom to the several par i shes o f Cury and Gu nw a l l o ; an d Cross Roads i n an d over the

a s b sai d Com monabl e Lands , the sam e have een lai d out ;

And proper Foot Paths as the same are now used

an d enj oyed .

2 8th 1 8 1 8 . The award was formal ly si gned on November , T H E E I G H T H O F M A'.

H E H elston Grammar Schoo l Magazi ne , pub l i shed at

1 8 8 - Easter , 5 , contai ns the fol low in g foot not e

We cannot al low our present number to go to press wi thou t e xpre s s m g the p leasure w i th wh ich w e

look forward to the approach i ng F lora Day . We

— w e hope i t m ay be equal nay , super i or to an y one that

have had for a lon g t i me . We never cou l d understan d ' ' why s o m any of the good o l d cu stom s of the good old t i mes h ave been swept away but we do hope an d — trust that th is , one of the most i nteresti n g left i n

- England , may be kept up for many , many a long year .

fi o Th is hope i s n ot con ned to the b ys a t the school , a lthough they certai n ly had good reason to long for Flora Day , for at n i n e o ’ clock i n th e m orn i ng the revel lers woul d appear i n

c o front of the Gram mar S ho l and deman d a hol iday for them . There i s n o r ecord to Sh o w that th i s deman d was ever refused 1

o e the F or s m e y ars past , festiva l has gradual l y been d 1 0 n ecayi ng , al thou gh i n 9 7 the town was more than a l i ve wh e

o L a n Sir Wi l l i am Treloar , then L rd Mayor o f on don , pa i d

. o fficial v i si t , and j oi ned i n the dance

F lora Da y ha s been a great day fo r Hel s ton fo r so lon g a peri od that we have no record of the year i n w h i ch the first w a s held . In the early m orn i ng , a n u mber o f the i nhab i tants ,

w t o accompani ed by a band of m usic , wou ld go i nto the oods

b s a nd n ff e ne ra l l s .i n i n gather ough gree stu s g. y, g g as they wen t

6 5

OB OO D a nd L J I . R I H e N ittl ohn ,

a re e a 0 They both gon to the f ir , A w e e nd will to the m rry green wood .

To s e a ca n e wh t th e y do there 0 . A c a s O nd for to h e ,

To t h c n C has e e bu k a d doe .

H a l - a n - to w With , 0 Jolly rumble .

A nd e a s s a s a n d a 0 we wer up oon y y , A nd e c s e for to f t h the ummer hom ,

The s a nd t h M a 0 umm e r e y . t he s u e i s a c e 0 For mm r om , A e i s a 0 nd wint r go .

2 a re s e S a a s . Where tho p ni rd , a a e s o a a as 0 Th t m k gre t bo t , s a e a t the e s e e a e They h ll gr y goo f th r , A w e e a t t he a s O nd will ro t ,

I n e e a 0 v ry l nd ,

Th a a w e e l nd th t ere go .

H - a n- t o w e tc With al ,

A nd w e tc . we re up , e

s t S \ o r . O t Georg e .

S w a s a l‘ t 0 t . t . G eorg e he n

O f a l l s C s o the King in hri tend m . i s 0 King Georgy the ri g ht . I n e a O very l nd ,

The l a nd th a t ere w e go .

- - H a l a n t o w e t c . With ,

. s s A M a M s s 4 God ble unt ry o e . W ith a l l her powe r a nd might 0 ; And s end u s pea ce in merry Engl a nd

Both d a y a nd night O .

N eedl ess to say , th i s day was kept as a general hol iday , and i f anyone was found at work , he was instantly seized and taken h to th e Lower Green , where he was sentenced to j um p the Co er 6 6

at som e w ide place . (H ow Ki ngsley wou ld have revel l ed i n th i s '

w a s O see page There , however , th e pti on of a fine .

At m i dday the Furry Dance took place , houses bei n g thrown O pen for the dancers . There i s m uch d iscussion as to the

— ~ ori gi n of the word furry Some s a y i t i s deri ved from the o l d

‘ ’ ‘ ’ Corn ish word fer , a fai r or j ub i lee , and from the word foray , a ‘ ’ é r d r d w s u s e d o e x e s s t he nce . sudden excursion . The w o d fa a t p a A

i s discussi on of these poi nts , however , beyond th e scope of thi s book . 6 7

C L LA M I S E N E O U S I T E M S .

n H e l l e s t on H E nam e H elsto , form erly , i s der ived from

’ ‘ ’ h el las , a marsh , and the term i nati on ton , the ori gi n of

‘ ’ ‘ ’ the word town , m ore especi al ly a wa l led town , or ‘ fortress H elston therefore m eans the fortress on the

marsh .

It wi l l be noti ced throughou t the book , and more especi al ly i n the sect i on on the Charters , that the in hab i tants of H elston are ' ” i s referred to as The Mayor an d Com monalty . Th i s ti tle i general l y regarded as con ferri n g an honourab le status . It s

S a . hared wi th Launceston , P lymouth , and few b i g ci t ies The lega l descri pti ons of al l Engl i sh Boroughs are gi ven i n the Schedu le A

1 8 6 . of the Mun i cipal Corporati ons Act , 3 5, W i l l iam IV , 5 an d The fol lowi n g l i st i s a bri ef selecti on :

Launceston Mayor an d Comm onal ty .

H el ston Mayor and Com m onal ty .

. Penzance Mayor , Aldermen an d Co m monal ty

. Truro Mayor , A ldermen and Capi ta l Burgesses

Fal mou th Mayor , A ldermen and Burgesses .

Li skeard Mayor an d Burgesses .

St . Ives Mayor and Burgesses .

Bodm i n Mayor an d Burgesses .

Plymouth Mayor and Comm ona lty .

Exeter Mayor , Bai l i ffs and Co mm onal ty .

3 3 3 3

The recent Town Plann i ng Acts were ant i ci pated i n

1 0 H elston man y years ago . A statute of H en ry VII I i n 54 for

r - e d i c i o The e fi a t n of Townes Westward , com manded that the 68

no w owners of certa i n houses i n H elston , wh i ch are fal len down ,

t m e re m a v ne h - i decayed , an d at th i s y u re e d fi e d to the great pe ri l e

d a u n e r thi nha b i ta u nt i s h s u i s an d g of al l , and other the inges b je ct ” passi ng by the sam e , shou ld rebu i ld the same or forfei t thei r ri ghts ' One wonders i f the people of the sixteenth century compla i ned of such radical legi sl a ti on

3 3

H elston was on e of the five Corn i sh towns wh i ch responded to the appeal of Charles I . for Sh i p Money . The sum s pa id from — w e re z 0 2 1 8 Cornwal l Launceston , £ 3 ; Padstow , £ 5 Penryn , £ ;

1 1 0 . H elston , £ 7 ; Penzance , £

3 3

Am on g i nci dents connected w i th H el ston i n the earl y forti es w a s the ri si ng of the m i ners agai nst the Oppressi ve Corn

Laws . A year or two of bad h arvests had sent the pr i ce of gra i n

fl w a s s o up enormousl y, and our poor that dough wou ld run out ' of the oven i n a l i qu i d state Wages were lower , and cond i t ions general l y poorer than i n the present day , and scores of fam i l i es

re a t w ork were starvi n g . H und reds of m en i n Wheal Vor an d G M ines dropped tools and marched i nto H elston carryi ng a smal l loaf t i ed to a pole . They were m et at the entrance of the town by the Mayor , who read the R iot Act . The stri kers , however , sacked no shops , and d id no dam age , al though the i nhabi tants had expected the worst , busi ness m en had pu t up thei r shu tters , and gen eral terror had prevai led . But when i t was seen that the

s o stri kers conducted themselves i n orderly a m anner , the tradesm en gave them thei r goods w i th great l i beral i ty , and so rel ieved a seri ous si tuation .

The old adage Water is a good servan t , but a poor

E v e master , was wel l i l lustrated one Chr istmas i n the fifth decade of last century . Rain had fall en heav i ly for severa l days , th e 69

t ri vers were a l l swol len , and torren s rushed down th e h i l ls wi th

great vi olence . An old wo man nam ed N ancy Trezi se was seated N ’ i n her ki tchen at the bottom of ett l e s H i l l , when a sudden rush l o f water f un g open her back door , and washed her away i nto her

- coal house , when she was drowned before she cou l d be rescu ed .

The Borou gh Records con ta in the fol lowi ng extract , dated

2 th 1 80 September 4 , 7 Wi l l i am Sk u e s an d R ichard Thom as w ere appoi nted and sworn B rea d w e i ghe rs and E xam i ners of Wei ghts and Measures wi th i n the sai d Borou gh for the year

ensu in g . In the presence of

. John Plom er , Town C lerk

3

th 1 8 The fol lowing extract i s dated October 4 , 7 5 Sam uel Pearce a nd Sam uel Peters were sworn i nto the O ffi ce of Sealers an d Searchers of Leather w i th i n the

sa id Borough thi s fourth day of October , one thousand

seven hundred and ei ghty five . Before m e

J . Rogers , Mayor .

3 3

H el ston has been celebrated for the longevi ty of i ts

inhab i tan ts . For i nstance , Dr . Moyle d i ed at 93 , Tom Treloar

1 0 at 9 33, Ann Gi l l at 99 , Peter Mart in , a sexton , at 4 , and man y oth ers at si m i lar ages . 3 3 3 3

’ There i s an old Crusaders Cross at St . Johns , near Mr .

’ Reed s works . 3 3 3 It i s sai d that H el ston was the first town i n the k in gdo m

to be l i t w i th gas . Other towns were m aki n g preparat i ons at 7 0 he t same t i me , but as H elston was the smal lest town i ts

. 1 80 preparati ons were completed first The date given is 3 .

3 3

Many and famous are the sons of H elston . Som e of them a re m enti oned i n oth er connect ions i n vari ous parts of the book . Others i ncl ude

NR ' TR E N G R OU S E H E , i nventor of the Rocket Apparatus , over wh i ch he Spent a great dea l of t im e and money that

i s have n ever been acknowledged . It sa id that at fi rst th i s

w a s s o i nven ti on l i tt le un derstood , that , i n the case of a

forei gn vessel , the mem bers of th e crew woul d becom e f alarm ed , and make no e fort to save themselves , sayi n g i t w a s a s wel l to di e by drown in g as by bei n g shot

I H O S I I S N C LA W LL AM , i nventor and patentee of various

a engi neeri ng an d agricu ltural appl i nces , the last bein g

the i mproved Rock Dri l l .

S E VA Go d re v THOMA , bu i lder of y Li ghthou se , Boscawen

o . Br i dge , Trur , and th e H elston Monum ent

H N JO WOOD , who bui lt a l i ghthouse n ear Bah ia , i n

Brazi l , after three others had fai led . N JOH R EED , bu i lder of the Corporat i on H al l , Mel bou rne ,

Austral ia .

S U N N A C K d JAME C . botan i st iscoverer of the speci mens

Tr i ol i u m h br i d u m Oenother a bi e nni s Gna ha l i u m s l va f y , , p y

t i eu m P ol ona t u m m ul t i or u m L em na t r i s ul ca P ol o on , yg fl , , yp g k m ons el i ens i s P he o t er i s D r o t er i s . . C u nna c p , g p y p Mr had

many fine speci mens , to see wh ich Si r John Lubbock (Lord

. C u nna ck Avebury) and Grant Al len cal led . Mr i s a lso D f ’ ' ment ioned by name i n Grant u f s volum e , Notes on an

Indian Jou rney .

” ' the H uman Body , The Bei ng and Attributes of the Dei ty , an d many others . H e was buri ed i n the H el ston Churchyard .

3 3

O ’ ne of the scenes i n Ki ngsl ey s work , H ereward the 'l ” ake , i s lai d at Gweek . It wi l l be remembered that Ki ngsley was a pupi l at the H elston Gram mar School .

3 3

The Wo o l co mb i ng busi ness of Denn i s Reed was succes sfu l ly

0 carri ed on at St . Johns , unt i l 5 years ago , under the di rect ion of

Joshua Stephens as foreman , unti l the i ntroduct i on of powerfu l mach i nery at Bradford and other b i g centres of i ndustry m ade i t i mpract i cable . Steel combs , each abou t one foot long , passin g

m a . through the wool several t i es , gave i t a soft si lky ppearance 73

I N D EX .

A e th ea H e s a lfr d e Gr t 7 l ton , B ron M ea ning of B a r C the a s , uttin g P ri h of a t he s H e V Be ting Bound nry III , King Bell Foundry e J Bowling Gr en ohn , King

' a M a s 2 La u ce s I o 1 1 1 C , , , 7 , h i n , yor 3 n ton 9 C a es L L h rl , King oe Pool

C c a s 1 hur h , B pti t 4 M a ce S a s a t , erge nt St . 43 M a c s The U M e s 1 1 , nited thodi t 4 , 7 e Borough M a s a e M a a s Wes ley a n Methodi s t 4 1 gi tr t , yor C o b e r R Recorder a s , iver

E - M a a s C oin a ge H a l l 1 1 x vor M a s r a es A a s C oron a tion La ke 59 gi t t , ldermen C ounty C ourt 39 Borough

c h o L C S o ” 55 ounty M a rket H o us e Domes d a y Roll Wee kly

s The M s The Down , ill , Borough

H a M The Drill ll onument ,

E a dw rd I . King Penberthy C h a rity

III , IV , R c C e ord , ourt of

V I R c a , i h rd I , King E z a u e , li beth Q en II , R M a s obe , yor a s A a F ir , nnu l Roc ket App a ra tu s Flora D a y ' Freem a s on s H a ll

1 George III , King 3 Godolphin H a ll 50 Tre v e ne n Exhibiti on Gra mm a r S c hool

a 8 0 6 1 - c Guildh ll 3 , 39 , 4 , Wool ombing T H E L I B ' r R AR Q) ? 0 U N I VE R SI T' OF C A L I F OR N I A

S a nt a B arb ara

T H I S B OOK I S D U E ON TH E L A ST D A TE

STA M P E D B E L OW .

S e r ie s 9 4 8 2