Netherton, Farway
Netherton in the parish of Farway in Devon is an historic estate situated about 3 1/2 miles south-east of Honiton. The present mansion house known as Netherton Hall was built in 1607 in the Jacobean style, restored and rebuilt 1836-44, and is a Grade II listed building. Descent Canonsleigh Abbey The estate of Netherton was a possession of Canonsleigh Abbey, Devon. Drake Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries it was sold by the crown to Sir Bernard Drake (c. 1537 – 1586) of Ash, Musbury, in Devon, who granted the grange to Mr Loman. Prideaux The Prideaux family is believed to be of Norman origin and to have first settled in England at some time after the Norman Conquest of 1066 at Prideaux Castle, near Fowey, in Cornwall. It abandoned that seat and moved to Devon, where it spread out in various branches, most notably at Orcharton, Modbury; Adeston, Holbeton; Thuborough, Sutcombe; Solden, Holsworthy; Netherton, Farway; Ashburton; Nutwell, Woodbury and Ford Abbey, Thorncombe. Another branch built Prideaux Place in Cornwall in 1592, where it survives today. It was one of the most widespread and successful of all the gentry families of Devon, and as remarked upon by Swete (died 1821), exceptionally most of the expansion was performed by younger sons, who by the custom of primogeniture were expected to make their own fortunes. Sir Edmund Prideaux, 1st Baronet (died 1628) Sir Edmund Prideaux, 1st Baronet (died 1628), who purchased Netherton. He was a Councellor at Law and double reader of the Inner Temple and was created a baronet on 17 July 1622. He was the second son of Roger Prideaux (died 1582) of Soldon in the parish of Holsworthy, Devon, by his wife Phillippa Yorke (died 1597), daughter of Richard (or Roger) Yorke, Serjeant-at-Law, and widow of Richard Parker. Sir Edmund Prideaux with his newly married third wife Mary Reynell (died 1631) built a new mansion on the site in 1607, which date is inscribed atop the full-height porch, much of which survives in the present building. He was buried in St Michael's Church, Farway, where survives his monument showing his semi-recumbent effigy dressed in lawyer's robes, with effigy of his son below. He married three times: Firstly to Bridget Chichester, the seventh daughter of Sir John Chichester (1519–1569) of Raleigh in the parish of Pilton, North Devon. By his first wife he had one son Timothy Prideaux (born 1590, baptised at Holsworthy), who predeceased his father, and three daughters. Secondly to Catherine Edgcumbe, daughter of Piers Edgcumbe of Mount Edgcumbe in Cornwall, by whom he had children: Sir Peter Prideaux, 2nd Baronet (1596–1682), of Netherton, eldest son and heir. Sir Edmund Prideaux, 1st Baronet of Ford Abbey (died 1659) of Forde Abbey, second son, made a baronet by the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell on 31 May 1658. Mary Prideaux (1598–1612), died aged 14, buried at St Dunstan in the West, City of London. Thirdly in 1606 to Mary Reynell (died 1631), daughter of Richard Reynell (died 1585) of East