Robert Cary (abt. 1457 - 1540)

Born about 1457 in Hinton St George, Somerset, England

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 15 Jun 1540 at about age 83 in Clovelly, Devon, England

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Biography

Robert Cary was born in Somerset, England.

Robert was born in about 1457 at Hinton St George, Somerset, the home of his maternal grandparents.^[1] His parents were William Cary and Elizabeth Paulet Because of his mother's death and his father's absence after the first few years of his infancy, it is probable that this is where Robert also spent much of his time during his childhood. ^[2]

At the time of his father's ignominious death, Robert was about 14 years old. During the reigns of Edward IV and Richard III, the family's fortunes were still laid low as a result of their support for the House of Lancaster. However, with the accession of Henry VII, Robert could well expect that things might be different. In 1485, as a result of Robert Cary's petition for the reversal of the attainder against his father, many of his father's former estates were returned to him by the King. These included, among others, Cockington, Clovelly, Chilston and Cary. After some litigation with his father's widow Alice Fulford, now the wife of John Anthony, and his half brother Thomas Cary, Robert settled down to the quiet life of a country squire. ^[3]

He was described by Pole as a grave learned man in the laws, and justice of the peace in Devon ^[4] and in both 1510 and 1511 was on the sheriff rolls for that county. ^[5]

Robert's first wife was Jane Carew, daughter of Sir Nicholas Carew. They had at least two sons, John and Thomas. ^[6] From the Inquisition Post Mortem taken at Robert's death, we know that eldest son John had been born no later than 1502. ^[7] With his second wife, Agnes Hody, daughter of William Hody, Chief Baron of the Exchequer 1486-1514, he had at least one son William. ^[8] His third wife was Margaret Fulkeram, whom he married in about 1512. They had at least two sons, one named Robert, presumably for his father, and Gregory of whom little is known. ^[9]

Although most of Robert's life was spent organizing his rural affairs, at the age of 61 he made quite a startling decision to make a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Pilgrimages were avowedly undertaken either to the honour of God, for the purpose of prayer or in quest for assistance. While more local pilgrimages to places such as Canterbury were comparatively easy, a foreign pilgrimage across the sea to what is now Spain was a serious, expensive and dangerous undertaking, especially for a man of Robert's age. ^[10] We can only assume that his pilgrimage was successful as he certainly survived it and went on to lead a long life!

Prior to him making his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela he wrote his will, dated 11 April 1518, which mentions: .^[11]

• wife Margery
• son John
• son Robert
• son Gregory
• daughter Jane

On April 12 1535, Robert made a detailed settlement for the distribution of his properties. To his eldest son John, who had married the daughter and heir of Edmund Deviok, he gave the manor of Cary. To second son Thomas he assigned Cockington and Chilston. Third son William received Ladford and other properties near Shebbear. The two younger sons, children of his surviving wife Margaret were granted Clovelly and other properties in that part of the county. ^[12]

He died on 15 June 1540 and was buried at Clovelly in Devon where a memorial brass commemorates him with a knightly image and the verse Pray for the soul of Master Robert Cary, Esq, son and heir of Sir William Cary, knight, which Robert deceased the 15 June in the year of our lord god 1540, on his soul, Jesus have mercy.^[13] (Spelling has been modernised for ease of reading.)

Sources

1. ↑ Nichols, John Gough, 1806-1873 The Herald and Genealogist Vol 6 London, 1871 pg 9Archive.org
2. ↑ Harrison, Fairfax, 1869-1938 The Devon Carys New York : Priv. print., The De Vinne Press 1920 pg. 145 Archive.org
3. ↑ Harrison, Fairfax, 1869-1938 The Devon Carys New York : Priv. print., The De Vinne Press 1920 pg. 145 Archive.org
4. ↑ Pole, Sir William Collections Towards a Description of the County of Devon J. Nichols Devon, 1791 pg 89.Google Books
5. ↑ Harrison, Fairfax, 1869-1938 The Devon Carys New York : Priv. print., The De Vinne Press 1920 pg. 145 Archive.org
6. ↑ Saint-George, Henry, Sir, 1581-1644; Lennard, Samson, d. 1633; Camden, William, 1551-1623; Colby, Frederic Thomas, 1827-1899, ed; College of Arms (Great Britain) London 1872 The visitation of the county of Devon in the year 1620 pg 48 Archive.org
7. ↑ Harrison, Fairfax, 1869-1938 The Devon Carys New York : Priv. print., The De Vinne Press 1920 pg. 166 Archive.org
8. ↑ Harrison, Fairfax, 1869-1938 The Devon Carys New York : Priv. print., The De Vinne Press 1920 pg. 151 Archive.org
9. ↑ Saint-George, Henry, Sir, 1581-1644; Lennard, Samson, d. 1633; Camden, William, 1551-1623; Colby, Frederic Thomas, 1827-1899, ed; College of Arms (Great Britain) London 1872 The visitation of the county of Devon in the year 1620 pg 50 Archive.org
10. ↑ Harrison, Fairfax, 1869-1938 The Devon Carys New York : Priv. print., The De Vinne Press 1920 pg. 152 Archive.org
11. ↑ Nichols, John Gough, 1806-1873 The Herald and Genealogist Vol 6 London, 1871 pg 9 Archive.org
12. ↑ Harrison, Fairfax, 1869-1938 The Devon Carys New York : Priv. print., The De Vinne Press 1920 pg. 166 Archive.org
13. ↑ Nichols, John Gough, 1806-1873 The Herald and Genealogist Vol 6 London, 1871 pg 8 Archive.org

Acknowledgements

Jonathon Dale Walter Myers

Mary Pitcher (created WikiTree profile Carey-1546 for Robert Carey (1460-1540).