The name, Wolcott, is apparently derived from "Wulfnoth's cote", meaning house of Wulfnoth, Wulfnoth being a Saxon given name. This name was given to a farm and tenement in the parish of Thrushelton. Thrushelton is located on the edge of Dartmoor, between the towns of Okehampton and Lifton. The name is first found on an assize roll for Lifton Hundred dated 1238, where William Corbet and Robert de Wlnethecote are listed as a pledges for William Atwater. The name also appears on a subsidy roll dated 1330 as Wolnethecote, and on an assize roll dated 1364 as Wolthecote. On the subsidy roll of 1332, the name was simply Wollecote. Today, this farm is called Wollacott.

Two major sources for the genealogy presented here are a genealogy of descendants of Ralph Wolcott of Thrushelton found in a collection of documents called the Wollocomb Mss. from Stowford, now at the Devon Record Office, and a genealogy recorded by the English heralds during the Visitation of Devonshire in 1620. Names listed in those two documents will be given below in italics.

(1) John de Wollecote, c.1300-c.1350, is listed on the Lay Subsidy Roll of 1332 as one of the ten residents of the manor of Thrushelton who were freemen with property to be taxed. He paid a tax of 12d, the amount paid by most of the freemen of this manor. By this time, family names were becoming fairly well fixed, so although the "de" only indicates that John held the farm in Thrushelton known as Wollecote, it is also likely that he was the earliest known ancestor of those who later bore the family name of Wolcott. No other Wolcotts are found on this 1332 tax roll that lists all of the tax paying residents of the county of Devon. The next Wolcotts that we have record of were a Ralph and a Richard Wolcott. They were contemporaries and were probably born about 1330. They may have been sons of John, but there is no evidence one way or the other. Ralph held the land called Wollecote, and was the ancestor of most, if not all, Devonshire Wolcotts.

(2?) Richard Wollecote, c.1330-c.1390. According to documents of the Cary family, Richard Wollocote and his wife, Sarah, granted their estate in Westmonaton, in the manor of Mormalherbe, to Thomas Carey, rector of Ashwater, in 1380. It appears that Richard and Sarah had no children to inheirit their land. Possibly Sarah was a Cary and the land was a marriage portion which was returned to the Cary family because of a childless marriage. Moor Malherbe, also known as Moor Vipont, was a manor in Broadwoodwidger parish, Lifton Hundred, near Thrushelton.

(2) Ralph Wollecott, c.1330-c.1400, and his wife, Meliora, are mentioned in several documents in a collection of old legal papers called the Wollocombe Manuscripts from Stowford. There may have been other Wolcotts who died out in the plague years of the 14th century. This disease reached Devon in the winter of 1348-9, and nearly half the population of England were killed by it. Ralph and Meliora seem to have been the ancestors of all later Wolcotts. Four of Ralph's children are named in the Wollocombe documents.

(3) Thomas Wollecote , c.1355-c.1420. Thomas is mentioned in several of the Wollocombe documents as the son and heir of Ralph and Meliora. He resided at Wyke in Sourton. Meliora may have been a member of the Wyke family that lived at Sourton. According to the Wollocombe documents, Thomas was the father of John Wolcott, and grandfather of Joan Wolcott who married John Bidlake.

(4) John Wollecote, c.1385-c.1440. John is mentioned both in the Wollocombe Mss. and in the 1620 Visitation of Devon. The Visitation gives his father as Walter Wolcott, in error. In 1431 John Bidlake signed a conveyance to John Wollecote, son of Thomas Wollecote of Wyke, of lands called Wollecote and Blakeland in the manor of Thrushelton, conveyed to him by Meliora Wolcott, and lands called Wyke and Southedon in the manor of Sourton that had been conveyed to him by the aforesaid John Wolcott. These lands were probably settled on John Bidlake and and Joan Wolcott at the time of their marriage. There are other charters among the Wollocombe papers, dated 1433, and signed by John Wollecote at Wyke where he was apparently living. In these deeds John Wolcott released his claim to the Wolcott lands at Thrushelton and Sourton to John Bidlake. Descendants of his brother, Henry, later challenged this gift of land in court, apparently successfully. The 1433 deed gives John's wife's name as Margery. John may have been the person named in the Calendar of Patent Rolls for 1416-22, p. 76: "John Wolcotes, Robert Carey, Henry Foleford, John Jaysen, and Roger Wyke to inquire about tresspass in Dartmoor.

(5) Joan Wolcott, c.1405-c.1431; m. John Bidlake c.1425. A notation on the 1620 Herald's Visitation of Devon relates: "Joan, daughter and heiress of John Wolcott was married to John Bidlake and by him had issue two sons and two daughters, and conveyed the lands of Wolcote to the use of the said John and Joan and the heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten, and for default of such issue, to the heirs of the same John Bidlake forever; and afterwards the same Joan and all her children died of the plague without issue, whereby Bidlake and his heirs had the lands of Wolecot." After the death of Joan and her children, John Bidlake married Joan Combe and had other children. A document of 1454 in the Wollocombe manuscript collection pardons them for marrying in ignorance of a bar of sanguinuity. John Bidlake must have been born about 1405 and probably married Joan Wolcott about 1425. John Bidelake of Bidelake was Collector of Devon in 1442.

(3) Joan Wolcott, c.1365-. Joan, is identified in the Wollocombe documents as a sister of Henry Wolcott, and wife of Jordan Langston.

(3) Alice Wolcott, c.1365-. Alice is identified in the Wollocombe documents as another sister of Henry Wolcott, and wife of John Cranford.

(3) Henry Wolcott, c.1365-c.1440. Henry is shown in the Wollocombe documents to be son of Ralph Wolcott and brother of Thomas, above . Following the great plague years, many of the great English landowners found it difficult to find people to work their lands, so they often found it easier to just sell it. Often the land was sold to people who were their tenants, as seems to have been the case with Thrushelton. A survey of 1428 shows that in that year Thomas Wrey, John atte Mill, Henry Wolcote, and Thomas Lucas were tenants in chief at Thrushelton of one half a knight's fee, formerly held by Henry de la Pomeroy, with the land divided among them. These men had bought the manor of Thrushelton, and had become freeholders, holding their land directly from the King. Henry's nephew, John, and John Bidlake, probably held their land at Thrushelton as their tenants. Henry is named as residual heir to the Wolcott properties at Thrushelton and Sourton in the deed of 1431. In 1506, Henry Wolcott's descendant, Nicholas Stapilhill, brought suit against John Bidlake's son or grandson, Thomas Bidlake, claiming the Wolcott properties as Henry's heir. A genealogy was attached to this claim showing: "Ralph Wolocott, held lands - Meliora, mother of Henry; Thomas Wolocot who had issue John Wolocott the said donor that died without issue & children & heirs; Henry Wolocott brother of Thomas, who had issue John Wolocott, who had issue John Wolocott, who had issue Ri. Wolocott who had issue Marjorie who had issue Nicholas Staplehill that dd." Nicholas' claim appears to have prevailed because there is a deed conveying the lands in question to him. The Bidlakes seem to have retained the land, however, possibly through a cash settlement.

(4) John Wolcott, c.1385-c.1460. According to the above deed, Henry's eldest son was named John. Twelve miles east of Thrushelton lays the city of Okehampton, and in 1436 we find a John Wolcote established there. It is probable that this was Henry's son. At this time people were begining to leave the country manors and take up trades in the larger towns. Okehampton had grown up next to the castle of the Earls of Devon. The town became a center of trade for the western half of the county of Devon. In 1436, William Denbold, John Rysdon, Jr., John Wolcote, and three others, acting as trustees for the church lands at Okehampton, granted a parcel of land known as "le hammede" to William Furse in exchange for an acre of land which lay within land belonging to St. James Chapel. This indicates that John Wolcott had lived at Okehampton for some time.

(5) John Wolcott, c.1410-. John is shown in the Wollocomb Mss. as son and heir of John, above. It is possible that John did business at Exeter, for J. Wolcok is listed on the Mayor's Court Roll of Exeter in 1436, and J. Wylcot in 1437. There was also a J. Wylcot who was a member of the Exeter Common Council in 1445, and in 1450-53.

(6) Richard or Robert Wolcott, c.1435-. According to the above documents, John's son and heir was apparently named Richard or Robert. The name is written in an abbreviated form and looks like Ri., Rd. or Ro.

(7) Margery Wolcott, c.1455-c.1500; m. John Staplehill. Richard must have had no sons, for the Bidlake-Wolcott deeds say that his daughter, Margery, was his heiress and that in 1506 her son, Nicholas Staplehill, was heir to the Wolcott property at Thrushelton and Sourton. The Staplehills were a prominent Devonshire family. William Staplehill of Devon, and John Staplehill of Wiltshire and Devon, both died in 1436, and their considerable lands, held directly from the King, were taken by the Crown until John's son, John, came of age in 1444. In 1461 and 1463 John Staplehill was given additional lands at Donsford, Fulford, Melhewysh and in other parishes in Devonshire which had been taken from Baldwin Fulford who was attainted for treason. It was apparently this John's son, John, who married Margery Wolcott.

(8) Nicholas Staplehill, c.1480-1517. When the Bidlakes were sued in 1506 over the property deeded to them by John Wolcott, Margery's son, Nicholas Staplehill was the heir to the Wolcott and Wyke properties. Nicholas lived at Exeter in the parish of St. Petrox. The parish records of St. Petrox show that Nicholas Stalplehill, gent., was a churchwarden there for 1515 and 1516, and a bayliff when he died there in 1517. There are no further records of Staplehills in that parish, and Nicholas' heirs are unknown, but John Wolcott, who appears in this parish about this time, may have been his heir.

(5?) Thomas Wolcott, c. 1430-. There is no record of this man, except that he is said to have been the father of Thomasine Wolcott, below.

(6) Thomasine, c.1465-c.1550; m. John Cole. Thomasine Wolcott is mentioned in a pedigree registered by the Cole family in the 1620 Visitation of Devon. Here it is recorded that John Cole of Slade married "Thomasine, daughter of Wallcott of Devon." Someone has added to the original document the name of her father as Thomas Wallcott and the arms for her family as: "Azure, a cross patonce charged with 5 fleur de lis or". A similar coat of arms was recorded as alternate arms for the Devonshire Wolcotts in the 1620 Visitation. Although the name is spelt with an "a", and the arms given are those once used by the Walcott family of Shropshire, there seems little question that this must have been a member of the Devonshire Wolcott family. John Cole of Slade, in the parish of Cornwood, was a large landholder and one of the wealthiest men in Devon. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1514, and was one of the two High Collectors for Devon of the Great Lay Subsidy collected in 1524. John died in 1543, but his widow, Thomasine was still alive in 1547, named in the will of her son, Thomas Cole. To have made such a marriage, Thomasine must have come from a comparatively affluent family. She is placed here as a possible descendant of John Wolcott of Okehampton, but the relationship is uncertain.

(6?) John Wolcott, c. 1440-c.1520. There were later Wolcotts living at Okehampton so Richard/Robert, who had no sons, may have had one or more brothers. In 1486 John Wolcote was a borough feoffee at Okehampton, and in 1486 and 1487 he was a witness to deeds there. In 1500, John Wolcote was a witness at Okehampton. In 1501 and 1512, he was one of several men named as making a grant of land at Okehampton on behalf of the Chapel of St. James.

(7?) Nicholas Wolcott, c.1475-1530. In 1524/5, Nicholas Wolcott of Lympstone was taxed on 10 pounds in goods, making him one of the wealthier Wolcotts. He died before 1543. There is no proof of his parentage, but he seems likely to have been a son of John Wolcote of Okehampton, and perhaps the namesake of Nicholas Staplehill.

(8) John Wolcott, c.1495-c.1550. John Wolcott lived at Littleham, three miles from Lympstone where Nicholas lived. He was taxed on 4L in goods in 1524/5, and was a subcollector of the subsidy for East Budleigh Hundred, a position given to relatively prominent men. John Cole, husband of Thomasine Wolcott, above, was one of the two Collectors of this subsidy, and would have assigned the sub-collectors, so it seems probable that there was a relationship between them. On the Subsidy Roll of 1543-4, John of Littleham paid a tax of 20 pounds, one of the largest amounts paid by any Wolcott, apparently as heir to Nicholas who is no longer on the rolls.

(7?) John Wolcott, c.1480-c.1570. This John was the wealthiest Wolcott on the subsidy roll of 1524-5. It is likely that he belonged to the Okehampton branch of the family, and we have placed him here as a probable brother of Nicholas. John became a citizen of Exeter in 1517, the very same year that Nicholas Staplehill died, and he resided in St. Petrox parish, where Nicholas had lived. It seems likely that he was a cousin of Nicholas Staplehill, and possibly Nicholas' heir.

In 1517, John was admitted as a freeman of that city by payment of a fine "above all such ware as he has charged in the Germyn". The Germyn was a trading ship out of Exeter, so John must have been involved in trade. Okehampton was an important center of the cloth trade, and John's trade seems to have been in wool cloth. A military survey taken at Exeter in 1522, published in the book, Tudor Exeter, shows that John Wollecote was enrolled then as a billman, ready for fighting. It also shows that he then had property worth more than 10L per year, was required to provide a harness for military purposes, and lived in St. Petrox parish. By 1524, according to Izacke's Antiquities, John Woolcott became the Receiver of the City of Exeter. The Receiver was one of the most important men of the city and a member of the Common Council, a self-perpetuating body of 18 men, who ran the city. The Receiver had the responsibility of seeing that taxes were collected. The subsidy roll for 1524 shows that John Wolcott of St. Petrox parish paid a tax of 40s on goods valued at 40L per year, considerable wealth for the time. In 1529, John Wolcote was serving as Constable of the Exeter Staple, responsible for enforcing the trade ordinances of the city. R. Dymond's Early History of Exeter, tells us that John Wolcote was one of the church wardens of St. Petrox church from 1531 to 1536. In 1542, John Wolcot was the City Treasurer of Exeter, responsible for all of the city's funds. John again served as Reciever in 1543, and in 1545 was Sheriff of the city. In 1544, John Wolcott, merchant, was assessed 20s tax on goods valued at 30L, somewhat less than he was taxed on in 1524, but still a substantial amount.

John got himself in trouble during the seige of Exeter in 1549, when Catholic forces surrounded the city. Hooker's History of Exeter records: "And among sundrie some one of theme beinge one of good credyte and countenaunce and of the nomber of the common counsell whose name was John Wolcot a merchaunte was so faire inchaunted herein that upon a certeyne daye he beinge as the course came apointed a capeteyne for the daye and to warde the gates presumynge that partlie by reason of his chardge that daie and partlie for that he was of the common counsell he might doe more thenn in deede aperteygne to him dyd upon his firste communge to the westgate in the mornynge meete with certeyne of his confederates and after conference had with theime wente sodenlie oute of the wicket of the gate and carienge the keyes with him wente unto the rebells and had a longe conference with theyme but it took small effecte for he promysed as it appeared more than he coulde performe whc turned to his great discredyt bothe for that he himselfe verye hardelye escaped theire handes who were bente to have kepte and reteyned hym as also when he came in was both checked and blamed for his doings".

When the subsidy roll of 1557-8 was drawn up, John Wolcote had again less wealth. He was assessed 35s 7d on goods valued at 13L 6s 9d. He was apparently still considered one of the leading merchants of the city, however, for he was one of the 16 original members of the Merchant Adventurers of Exeter, a group chartered by the Crown to engage in foreign trade at about this time. The subsidy roll also shows that John had moved to St. Kerrian parish, possibly due to his declining finances. John apparently turned innkeeper. During the period between 1549 and 1555 church lands were appropriated by the Crown and sold. John purchased such property located in Exeter from Sir John Williams and Mr. Morris. The property appears to have been an inn in St. John Bows parish, formerly owned by the Priory of Totnes. A decree of the city of Exeter dated 1561 required that every "innholder, taverner, and keeper of a victualinge house" maintain lighted lanterns outside from dark until 11PM. It named the individuals, days, and locations required for this. "John Ulcot, alderman, West Quarter, every night", is one of those named. John's grandson, John apparently owned such an inn in 1584.

Hooker's Commonplace Book records: "In 1565 John Wolcot was mayor. This mayor had passed all the offices towardes the mayroltie for about XXII yeres paste and by reason of his age and his small welthe it was not thought nor ment that ever the office of the mayroltie shold have fallen unto his lott. Nevertheless when the matter so fell out and no meanes founde how the same might be avoyded order was taken bothe that his howse shold be prepared and also he to be furnyshed with money for his dyet which lyberally the chamber dyd consyder. He was in tymes past a great merchant and adventured verie mich wherby he had greate welth but yn the ende his losses were so greate that he was verie poore and lyved yn very meane estate. He was a zelose man yn the Romyshe religion and to mich addicted unto papistrie. And in the commocion tyme when the commons of Devon and Cornwall wer yn rebellion and he was within the Citye the tyme of the beseging of the same yet his affection was suche towards theym that upon a daye when he as capteyn of the ward had the chardge of the westgate of this citie he went out at westgate to the rebells without any commyssion and had conferens with them which was not after forgotten but turned hym to dyspleasure."

Each year, two members of the Common Council were selected as candidates for mayor, and the freemen of the city of Exeter would then vote for their choice. The freemen seem to have preferred John, even though John was elderly and poor. It would seem that John's selection as a candidate was done as an honor, and that the council was greatly surprised when he received the majority of the votes. Maurice Levermore, who had been admitted freeman of the city in 1529 as John Wolcott's apprentice, was elected mayor of Exeter in 1564, the year prior to John's election. John was probably responsible for having Maurice appointed to the Common Council, and Maurice may have been instrumental in getting John selected as a candidate for mayor. John married Agnes. In 1553, John Wolcott, his wife, Agnes, and their son, Henry, were plaintiffs in a Chancery suit, recorded as 8 Mary 1480-53-57. They filed suit against Sir Gawen Crowe, steward of the manor of Exminster, regarding a meadow that the Wolcotts held there.

(8) Elizabeth Wolcott, c.1520-. Elizabeth Ulcot married William Tuckfield at St. Petrox 1542.

(8) Alice Wolcott, c. 1525-. Alice Ulcot married John Michael at St. Petrox on 1545.

(8) Henry Wolcott, c.1530-c.1575. In 1557, Henry Wolcote was admitted as a freeman of Exeter, by succession. This was usually done for a son when his father died. It seems to have been done for Henry because his father was a member of the Common Council. Henry, may have lived with his father, for he seems to have moved from St. Petrox parish to St. Kerrian parish when his father did, as shown in the baptismal records of his nine children.

(9) John Wolcott, 1556-. John, son of Henry Wollcote, was baptized at St. Petrox 1556. John Woolcott, merchant, was admitted as a freeman of Exeter in 1584, having served as an apprentice to Alderman Thomas Martin, merchant. Most apprenticeships were for a period of seven years, so he probably began his apprenticeship in 1577. The tax rolls of 1584-5 show that John Wolcot, merchant, paid yearly 12d tax on a tenement in St. John Bows parish, once belonging to the Prior of Totnes and in 1584 in the possession of John Howell, the elder. John Howell's name appears on the subsidy rolls for St. John Bows parish in 1544, 1557, 1577, 1586 and 1593. In 1671, the "heirs of John Wolcott" still held one tenement in St. John Bows, "sometimes belonging to the Prior of Totnes, on the north side of High Street, being an inn, late in the possession of John Howell, rent 12d". This was probaby the inn known as the old "Totnes Tavern", discussed in Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, Volume XII, p.80.

(9) Alice Wolcott, 1558-. Alce, daughter of Henry Wollcote, was baptized at St. Kerrian church 1558.

(9) Thomas Wolcott, 1561-. Thomas, son of Henry Wollcote, was baptized on 1561 at St. Kerrian.

(9) Henry Wolcott, 1562-. Hary, son of Hary Wollcote, was baptized at St. Kerrian 1562.

(9) Mary Wolcott, 1564-. Mary, daughter of Henry Wollcote, was baptized 1564 at St. Kerrian.

(9) Henry Wolcott, 1567-. Hary, son of Hary Wollcote, was baptized 1567 at St. Kerrian.

(9) Agnes Wolcott, 1568-. Agnes, daughter of Henry Wollcote, was baptized at St. Kerrian1568.

(9) Hugh Wolcott, 1570-, son of Hary Wollcote, was baptized at St. Kerrian 1570.

(9) Edward Wolcott, 1573-. Edward, son of Henry Wolcote, was baptized at Exeter St. Paul parish in 1573. He may be the Edward Wollocott who married Mary Courtis at Berry Pomeroy 1612. Edward Woolcott was buried at St. Paul's on 4 1666.

(10?) Edward Wolcott, c. 1600-c.1650; probably son of the above. Edward Wolcot married Grace Wilkins 1625 at Exeter St. Sidwell. The Protestation Return of 1641 lists Edward Woollcot at St. Sidwell. Grace was probably the Grace Wollacott who is listed on the subsidy roll of 1660 residing in Exeter St. Mary Stepps parish.

(11) William Wolcott, 1623-. William, son of Edward Wollcote, was baptized at Exeter St. Mary Major 1623.

(11) William Wolcott, 1630-. William, son of Edward Wolcot, was baptized at St. Sidwell's 1630. William Wolcott is found on the hearth tax rolls for 1671 at St. Sidwell parish.

(12) A daughter of William Woolcot, unnamed, was baptized 1658 at Exeter St. David.

(12) Ann Wolcott. Ann, daughter of William Woolcot, was buried at St. Paul's 1665.

(12) Elizabeth Wolcott, 1669-. Elizabeth, daughter of William Woolcott, was baptized at Exeter St. Paul 1669.

(11) Robert Wolcott, 1633-. Robert, son of Edward Woolcot, was baptized at Exeter St. Sidwell in 1633. Robert Woolcott married Sarah Trueman at St. Sidwell 1648. Robert Wollcott of Exeter St. Paul's parish married Ann Teddar of Exeter St. David at St. David's 1655. Robert, like others in his family, was in the cloth trade for the name of Robert and Edward Wolcot are found as petitioners in the Exeter cloth market in 1660. The Poll tax of 1660 shows at Exeter St. David: Robert Woolcot and wife. Robert Wolcott's name is found on the 1671 Hearth Tax rolls, residing in Exeter St. David parish.

(12) Ann Wolcott, 1655-. Ann, daughter of Robert Wollcot, was baptized at Exeter St. David 1655.

(12) Grace Wolcott, 1664-. Grace, daughter of Robert Woolcot, was baptized at Exeter St. David 1664.

(11) Edward Wolcott, 1636-c.1680. Edward, son of Edward Woolcot, was baptized 1636 at Exeter St. Sidwell. Edward Woulcote was a petitioner at the Exeter Cloth Market in 1660. The Poll tax of 1660 for Exeter St. Paul shows Edward Woolcott, Jr. Edward Wolcott of St. Paul's was listed on the Hearth Tax rolls of 1671.

(12) Elizabeth Wolcott, 1666-. Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Woolcot, was baptized 1666 at Exeter St. Paul.

(12) Elinore Wolcott, 1668-. Elinore, daughter of Edward Woolcott, was baptized at Exeter St. Paul 1668.

(11) Sarah Wolcott, daughter of Edward Woolcot, was baptized at Exeter St. Sidwell 1640, and Sarah Woolcot married Edward Norton there in 1660.

(11) Jane Wolcott, 1644-. Jane, daughter of Edward Woolcott, was baptized at Exeter St. Sidwell 1644.

(8?) John Wolcott, c.1530-. He lived at Exeter and was a contemporary of Henry Wolcott of Exeter, probably his brother.

(9) Humphrey Wolcott, 1558-. Humphrey, son of John Wolcott, was baptized at Exeter St. Thomas church 1558. Humphrey Wolcott married Elizabeth Veysey at Exeter St. Mary Major 1581. In 1585, Humphrey Woolcott, haberdasher, was admitted as a freeman of the city Exeter.

(10) Joan Wolcott, 1582-. Joan, daughter of Humphrey Wolcott, was baptized at Exeter St. Mary Major 1582.

(9) Robert Wolcott, 1561-. Robert and Elizabeth, son and daughter of John Wolcot, were baptized together at Exeter St. David church 1561. They were apparently twins.

(9) Elizabeth Wolcott, 1561-.

(8) William Wolcott, 1568-. William, son of John Woolcot, was baptized at Exeter St. Paul church 1568.

(10?) William Wolcott, c. 1590-. Probably son of the above William Woolcott married Isott Darte at Exeter St. Paul 1619. William Woolcott signed the Protestation Return of 1641 at St. Paul parish. Isaac Woolcott, wife of William Woolcott, was buried at St. Paul 1650. The Poll tax of 1660 shows William Wollcot at Exeter St. Paul.

(11) Grace, daughter of William Wulcot, was baptized at Exeter St. Mary Major 1626. Grace Woollcott married William Binmore at Exeter St. Paul 1650.

In 1564, a survey was taken in Devon by the King's heralds, for the purpose of recording families' right to use coats of arms. This visitation records arms of Wolcote: per pale azure and gules, a cross flory with 5 Cornish choughs proper, on a chief or, a fleur de lis between 2 annulets of the second, for John Wolcote of Exeter and wife Jane, daughter of John Foxley of Blakeslyn, Co. Northampton, parents of Thomas, and Katherine Wolcote.

Beneath the pedigree is recorded the family arms: "Wolcot ? Ar. on a cross flory sa. 5 lis Or, the crest a faulcons hed arashed Ar. gutty Gu. quere. P. pale b.gu. on a cross florie Or 5 martletts Sa. le crest a griffins hed arashed Ar. gutty Gu. in the beck a fower de lis B. bezante. quere." Two different coats of arms are thus recorded. The first one is the early arms of the Walcott family of Shropshire, used before they acquired the arms with chess rooks. The second appears to be a variation of it. Both are followed by the word "quere" indicating that there was some question about them. One copy of the visitation bears the note that John Wolcott of Chudley, eldest son of John Wolcott of Chagford, and his son, John, "did commonly bear the arms of Skerret with his father's crest".

(4) John Wolcott of Chagford, c.1420-c.1505. The 1620 Visitation states that "John of Chagford, who for his good services in yee warres, had an addition given him to his armes, on chief or, with a lis ent.2 annulets." Such an addition to a coat of arms was called an "augmentation of honor" and was a rare distinction, usually given by the King, himself. This implies that John must have already been the acknowleged bearer of a coat of arms. Based on the fact that John was probably born about 1420, and the presence of the fleur de lis on the augmentation, we can assume that this award was made for extraordinary service on the battlefields of France during the Hundred Years' War (1339-1453). The manor of Sourton, where the Wolcott family held the farms of Wyke and Southdown, was held by William Talbot in 1428. The Wolcotts may well have owed military service to the Talbots as a requirement for holding their land. He, or another William Talbot was knighted in 1437. It seems likely that William Talbot served in France and that John Wolcott served there with him and was rewarded with the augmentation of honor. It may have been at this time that the Wolcotts began using the arms of "five martlets on a cross flory" given on the 1620 Visitation of Devon.

With the end of the wars in France, John Wolcott settled at Chagford where John's mother, Alice Skerret, is said to have come from. The stannary town of Chagford was a center for the tin trade. John's eldest son, John Wolcott of Chudleigh, was involved in this enterprise, so perhaps his father was also. He was probably the John Wolcott whose name appears as churchwarden of St. Mary's Chapel at Chagford in 1482. He and/or his son, John, was probably the John Wolcott who was the patron of the church at Ashton from 1498 to 1516 according to Oliver's Ecclesiastical Antiquities. He may also have been the person named in a deed of 1501, where James Chudley, John Kyrton, and John Wolcote of Chagford granted land in the manor of Exborne to William Chudleigh. He may have been the John Wolcotte who, in 1502, serving as Coroner of the King in Devon, held an inquest at Plymouth into the death of Robert Matthew, Jr., fisherman.

(5) John Wolcott of Chudleigh, c.1450-1523. The Visitation pedigree shows John Wolcott of Chagford's eldest son as John Wolcott of Chudley. Chudleigh is a town about ten miles southeast of Chagford. It was this John who, according to the Visitation pedigree "did commonly beare but only the armes of Skerret with his fathers crest". About 1482 he married Margaret Bozom, a twice-widowed heiress with many children. By this marriage he became related to several prominent Devonshire families. Margaret and her sister, Elizabeth, were daughters and co-heiresses of John Bozom of Bozomhele and his wife, Jane Fortesque of Wood. John Bozom's sister, Joan, was the wife of Sir Henry Fortesque, Chief Justice of Common Pleas for Ireland. John Bozom's eldest daughter, Elizabeth, married Sir Baldwin Fulford, and, after his death, Sir William Hadesfield. Margaret Bozom, born about 1450, first married John Herte of Chudleigh and Bovey Tracy, by whom she had a son, John Herte. Next, in 1475, Margaret Bozom married Nicholas Southcott of Winkley in North Tawton, son of Nicholas Southcott and Jane Pury. They had children, Thomas Southcott of Winkley, William Southcott of Chudleigh, Walter Southcott who became a priest, James Southcott who died young, and John Southcott of Indio in Bovey Tracy. Thomas Southcott married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Cole of Slade, the grandaughter of Thomasine Wolcott. John Southcott was the second wealthiest man in Bovey Tracy in 1525, taxed on 40L in goods. Nicholas Southcott died about 1480, and Margaret, a widow with six or more young children, married John Wolcott, by whom she had another son, John Wolcott, and possibly a daughter, Alice.

This is apparently the John Wolcott who was enrolled as a freeman of Exeter in 1481. His principal residence, however, must have been at Chudleigh until his eldest stepson, John Herte, came of age about 1490. John Herte would have then taken over his inheritance, which must have been considerable, for in 1525 "John Hart" is the wealthiest individual in Chudleigh, taxed on 50L in goods. His stepfather, although he maintained a house at Chudleigh, seems to have moved to Exeter about 1511, the year in which he was admitted as a freeman of the city, and was then described as a "gentleman". John, was a candidate in 1512 to represent Exeter in Parliament, but was defeated. He may have also been the John Wolcote who was appointed a Justice of the Peace for Devon in 1514. He was probably the John Woolcott listed in Izacke's Antiquities as bayliff of the city of Exeter in 1516, for the John Wolcott who was later to be mayor was not admitted as a citizen of Exeter until the following year. His name appears on the military survey of Exeter in 1522 residing in the parish of St. Mary Major.

The family's involvement in the tin mining trade of western Devonshire is shown in the records of the Stannary Courts that controlled this trade. In 1520 John Wolcot of Chudleigh is listed as one of the Jurates of the Stannary Court of Chagford, and in that year both he and his stepson, John Herte, paid taxes at the same court. Chagford was one of the four towns where tin miners could bring their metal for assay and stamping. Records for stamping duties paid in 1523, show that John Wolcott, presumably John of Chudleigh, John Wolcott of Pulbrooke, Peter Wolcott, John Herte, and John Southcott all paid tinning taxes at Chagford, and a John Wolcott, possibly John of Chudleigh again, paid the tax at Tavistock.

John was involved in a number of Chancery proceedings regarding land disputes. The first of these occured about 1490, when Joan Teyngcomb, daughter and heiress of John Teygncomb of Teygncomb, brought suit against John Wolcote and others to obtain possession of houses and land at Chagford. Apparently the problem was not resolved, for again in 1505, Joan and her husband, John Wyll, and Joan's sister, Marjorie and her husband, Harry Barar, daughters of John Teyngcomb of Teyngcomb, brought suit against John Wolcote, John Wyll of Hill, and Michael Lackey, feoffees to uses in houses and land at Chagford. "Feoffees to uses" are trustees managing lands for another person or organization, such as a church. John was involved in another Chancery proceeding in 1495, when John Throwston, grandson of Thomas Throwston, took John Wolcote of Chudley and John Wyll, feoffees to use, again, in a house and land at Chagford, to court in a dispute over these lands. Richard Whyte took John Wolcott to Chancery court for detaining deeds to lands at Throwleigh about 1505, and Richard Forde appealed to the Chancery Court around 1520 to make John Wolcote give him the deeds to a house and lands at Chagford that John had wrongly detained. John became the plaitiff in another Chancery hearing which was held about 1510, when John Wolcote of Chudleigh took Richard Wykys, clerk, Robert Wythebroke, chaplain, and others to court for wrongful detention of deeds to a house and land at Stinial (Stenehalle) in Chagford.

John died at Exeter in 1523, by which time he had accumulated substantial property, either through inheiritance from his father, marriage to Margaret Bozom, or from the tin trade. An inquest taken at Ashburton at the time of his death, states that John Wulcote, Senior, died at Exeter in 1523, and that John Wulcote, his son and heir, was age 42 years and more. John died seized of five houses and 140 acres of land at Chagford, 20 acres of pasture in Southteign Manor at Chagford, three houses and 130 acres of land at Moreton Hampstead, 20 acres of land at Little Bovey, 4 acres of land at Newton Bushel in Highweek, a cottage with one acre of land at Chudleigh, 170 acres of land at Ashbury, 120 acres of land at Hollocomb Purramore in Winkley, a house with 120 acres of land at Exbourne, a house with 160 acres of land at Throughleigh, and a house with 100 acres of land at Hawkdown in Dowland.

(6) Alice, daughter of John Wolcot of Chudley married John Charles, son of William Charles of Morton and his wife, Elizabeth Chaldon.

(6) John Wolcott of Chudley, 1481-1548. In the military survey of 1522, John is listed residing in the parish of St. Mary Major, as is his father, and is described as "not ready for war", which might mean that he had some physical disability. He inheirited his father's property in 1524, and on the Subsidy Roll of 1524-5 he is shown as residing in Holy Trinity parish. His descendants continued to reside in Holy Trinity parish for several generations. The Subsidy Roll of 1544 lists him at Holy Trinity, and refers to him as "gent.".

The earliest Visitation of Devon, dated 1565, shows John, his wife, and children as the only Wolcotts listed. It says that John Wolcote of Exeter married Jane, daughter of John Foxley of Blakesley, Northampton, and by her had children, Thomas and Catherine. In 1523, pardons were granted to John Wolcote of Exeter, and Joan, his wife, for having stolen 55L belonging to his father, John Wolcote, Sr. This is found in State Papers, Domestic, 15 Henry 8, p1, m16. This must have been discovered right after the death of John's father. This was not John's only embarrassment. According to Chancery Proceedings 565/42-3, for the period 1515-1529, John Ripley of Exeter, tailor, was refused bond by the Mayor and Bayliff of Exeter on an action of tresspass demanded by John Wolcott against Ripley and his wife, Joan, for hanging "a ram's horne in a rynge of the outer doore of the said John Wolcott to the defame & hurte of his name and honeste", damages being laid at 1000L. John Wolcott agreed to abide the arbitration of Roger Cholmeley and Robert Chidleigh of London, gentlemen, whose award was fulfilled by Joan Ripley "in the parish church called Saint Marie the More within the said city personally knelying on both her kneyes bifore the sete where oon Johanne wife of the said John Wolcote most usually did sitte and asking the said Johanne Wolcote forgeveness". The ram's horn would have suggested cuckoldry.

In 1541, according to J.C.Tingey's Calendar, fol. 37, John Woolcote, gent., sold to William Saxssen a house in Chudleigh in which William dwelt. This sale seems to end the family's connections with the village of Chudleigh. The deed for this sale mentions Thomas Woolcote, son and heir of John, who probably had to agree to the sale because the property was entailed. This was the only property named in the inquest taken at the death of John's father that did not descend to Thomas. An Inquisition Post Mortem was taken in 1549, shows that John left the lands inherited from his father, except the above house at Chudleyand also the following properties which he had acquired: 2 tenements and 6 acres of meadow in Alphington; 1 tenement and 60 acres of pasture in Dawlish; 2 tenements, 6 acres of meadow and 100 acres of pasture at Doddiscombleigh; 40s annual rent from land at Cheriton; 1 messuage in Holsworthy; 13s 4d annual rent from land and tenements in Werrington; 13s 4d annual rent from land and tenements in Hatherleigh; 6s 8d annual rent from land and tenements in High Bickington; 1 messuage, 6 acres of meadow and 70 acres of pasture in Nymet Roland; 2 acres of meadow in Bow and 1 tenement, 10 acres of meadow and 50 acres of pasture in Witheridge. John had neary doubled the property that his father had left him. The Inquisition Post Mortem taken at his death says that he died 2 Edw 6, and that his son, Thomas Wolcote, was 34 years of age and more at the time of his father's death.

(7) Catherine, c.1520-. John's daughter, Catherine, married John Wood at Holy Trinity Church, Exeter in 1546. The 1620 Visitation shows that John Wood, son of Edmund Wood of Orchard in Lewtrenchard, and his wife, Jane Franklyn of Tudlake, married Catherine, daughter of John Wolcott of Exeter and had five children, Thomas, William, Elizabeth, Alice and Phillipa. John Wood died in 1586.

(7) Thomas Wolcott of Southcott, 1516-1555. Thomas was born about 1516, according to the Inquisition Post Mortem taken at the time of his father's death. He married Jane Wrey about 1548. She was the daughter of Walter Wrey of North Russell and Bridget, daughter of Robert Shilstone. Thomas Wolcott held several positions of responsibilty. In 1550, Hugh Scafford acknowleged a deed before Thomas Wolcote, Justice of the Peace, and in 1551 a case regarding John Sampford was handled by Thomas Wolcote, Justice of the Peace. In 1553, Thomas Wolcott was listed on the Calendar of Patent Rolls as a member of the Subsidy Commission. The name of Thomas Wolcote, gent., is also found on a list of the people who paid annuities to Simon Rede, the last abbot of Tor Abbey. Thomas died in 1555. At the time of his death he held most of the property that his father and grandfather had held. According to an Inquisition Post Mortem taken at the time of his death, Thomas held: 10 messuages, 40 acres of meadow, and 200 acres of pasture at Chagford; 1 messuage, 10 acres of meadow and 100 acres at Fen and Kenworthy in Chagford; 2 tenements and 6 acres of meadow in Newton Bushel; ½ of a messuage, 4 acres of meadow and 40 acres of pasture at Ashbury; ½ of a messuage, 6 acres of meadow and 60 acres of pasture at Winkleigh Keynes; 2 messuages, 20 acres of land, and 100 acres of pasture at Exbourne; 2 messuages, 20 acres of meadow, and 80 acres of pasture at Dowland; 2 tenements and 6 acres of meadow in Alphington; 2 tenements with 20 acres of pasture in Dawlish; 2 tenements, 6 acres of meadow, and 100 acres of pasture at Doddiscomb; 1 messuage in Holsworthy; 13s 4d annual rent from land and tenements at Werrington; 13s 4d annual rent from land and tenements in Hatherleigh; 6s 8d annual rent from land and tenements in High Bickington; 1 messuage, 6 acres of meadow and 70 acres of pasture at Nymet Rowland; 2 acres of meadow at Bow; and 1 tenement, 10 acres of meadow, and 50 acres of pasture at Witheridge. The properties that his father had left him at Moreton Hampstead, Throwleigh and Cheriton had been disposed of, but Thomas had acquired an additional tenement with 4 acres of meadow and 40 acres of pasture at Shapleigh Hilling in Chagford; 10s annual rent from land and tenements at Barchworthy in Chagford; 42s 6d annual rent from land and tenements at Hurston in Chagford; and 2s 4d annual rent from land at Willhead in Chagford. The inquest makes no mention of land held at Exeter, a free city apparently excluded from the Crown's purview. A document dated 1576, however, sets forth the boundaries of lands which funded Exeter charities. One of these pieces of land, located in St. Sidwell parish, is described as being bounded on one side by Thomas Woolcote's land, probably a description that had been written in Thomas' lifetime. Following Thomas' death, his widow married Robert Fry, 4th son of William Fry of Yerty. They apparently lived in the Wolcott house in Holy Trinity parish, for Robert Fry paid a tax on land valued at 10L per year in Holy Trinity in 1557. The second half of the subsidy was collected later that year, and this time Robert paid a tax on land valued at 3L per year, and his name is followed by that of his stepson, Peter Wolcott, who had come of age.

(8) Peter Wolcott, 1540-c.1605. This may be the Peter Wulcote mentioned in the South Tawton Court Rolls of 1572. In 1577 Peter paid a tax on land in Holy Trinity parish valued at 5L per year. In 1581, Peter Wollcott, gent., of Holy Trinity parish, was also taxed on land valued at 5L per year. The tax rolls for Exeter for 1584 state that Peter Wolcot paid a tax of 22d on the barbigan within the walls, between the Southgate and the tenement next to the watergate built by Geoffrey Thomas in Holy Trinity parish. This was later crossed out and the inscription added, "The heirs of Wolcott hold the barbigan on the West of Southgate at 16d tax". A barbigan is a defensive tower built into a gate or bridge, and apparently the Wolcott's Exeter residence was built into this tower. This same tax roll states that Peter Wolcot and Edward Wolcot held land in St Mary More parish in Exeter. Also in 1584, Peter Wolcot was one of a number of prominent citizens of Exeter who signed a document entitled "The Exeter Bond of Association for the Protection of Queen Elizabeth". This indicates that Peter was of the Protestant faith. On the Subsidy Roll of 1586, Peter Woolcott paid a tax on land in Holy Trinity valued at 4L per year, and in 1593, Mr. Peter Wollcote was taxed on land with the same value in the same parish. Then, in 1602, Peter Wolcott, gent., paid a tax of 5s 4d on land in Holy Trinity valued at 4L per annum and Edward Wolcott, gent., paid the tax on land in the same parish valued at 2L. Peter married Alice Mitchell, daughter of John Mitchell of Truro, Cornwall, and his wife, Jane, daughter of John Killigrew. The Visitation of Devonshire of 1620 gives only the name of his son, John, but he had a number of other children.

(9) Dorothy, b. c.1575 at Exeter; m. Thomas Drew 1604 at Wolborow and Newton Abbot. Thomas Drew of Exeter registered his family pedigree in 1620, recorded in the Visitation of Devon. In it he stated that he had married Dorothy, daughter of Peter Wolcott of Exeter, and by her had children, Henry age 5, Thomas, George and Susan. Thomas Drew was the son of John Drew of St. Leonards, and Susan, daughter and co-heiress of John Gaverick or Gavercock of Ford, who were married at Wolborough and Newton Abbott in 1573. Their son, Thomas Drew, Jr., is thought to have been the Thomas Drew that immigrated to Virginia and was at Charles City in 1650. His will mentioned his daughter, Dorothy, and brother, George. Dorothy married Capt. Hubert Farrell in Virginia. The same parish records show that just a month earlier in 1604, Elizabeth Drew, apparently Thomas Drew's sister, had married a Simon Wolcott. Elizabeth was the widow of William Strode, whom she had married at Wolborough and Newton Abbot 1601. Simon must have been related to Dorothy, possibly the son of her uncle, Edward.

(9) Florence, 1581-. Florence, daughter of Peter Wolcote was baptized at Exeter Holy Trinity in 1581. The wedding of Florence to William Saunder was recorded at Alphington in 1607.

(9) Margaret, 1582-. Margaret, daughter of Peter Wolcote, was baptized at Holy Trinity in 1582.

(9) Katherine, 1585-. Katherine, daughter of Peter Wollkott, was baptized at Holy Trinity in 1585.

(9) Mary, 1589-. Mary, daughter of Peter Wolcot was baptized at Holy Trinity in 1589. Mary was married to John Coplestone in 1611.

(9) John Wolcote, 1591-. John, son of Peter Wollcot, was baptized at Holy Trinity in 1591. John married Dorothy Bampfield about 1615. She was the daughter of Giles Bampfield, a member of one of the leading families in the county. Giles was the eldest son of Richard Bampfield of Poltimore (1526-1594), Sheriff of Devonshire in 1594, and his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Sydenham. He is listed as Giles Bampfield, gent., light horseman, on a muster roll of 1569. Giles died prior to 1594 on a voyage to Ireland. Giles' younger brother, Sir Amyas Bampfield, was his father's heir and "30 years of age and more" when his father died in 1594, and was Sheriff of Devon in 1603, the year in which he was knighted. The Wolcotts may have alienated their land holdings in order to arrange this marriage, for this seems to be the last time that this branch of the family had wealth. Dorothy died 1617, apparently childless. A memorial tablet in the church at Huxam reads, "The remains of Dorothy Wolcott wife of John Wolcott gent. The lady was the daughter of Giles Bampfield esq. and paid the debt of nature on 5 Nov 1617". John then married Joan Headland at Alphington in 1619. Either John or his son signed the 1641 Protestation Return at Alphington

(10) John, 1620-. John Wolcott was baptized at Alphington in 1620.

(11) William, 1654-. William was baptized at Alphington in 1654. He would have been the eldest male in the male line, and eligible to use the coat-of-arms of John Wolcott of Chagford.

(11) Damaris, 1657-. Damaris was baptized at Alphington in 1657.

(10) Michael, 1621-. Michael Wolcott was baptized at Alphington in 1621.

(10) Agnes, 1624-. Agnes Wolcot was baptized at Alphington in 1624.

(10) Joan Wolcott, 1626-. Joan Woolcott was baptized at Alphington in 1626.

(10) Agnes Wolcott, 1629-. Agnes Wolcot was baptized at Alphington in 1629.

(10) Thomasine Wolcott, 1632-. Thomasine Woolcot was baptized at Alphington in 1632.

(9) Thomas Wolcott, 1594-. Thomas, son of Peter Woulcot, was baptized at Exeter Holy Trinity in 1594.

(9?) William Wolcott, 1597-1646. Burke, in his Landed Gentry, gives a genealogy of the Wolcott family of Sidbury. The pedigree is registered at the College of Arms, Vol. XV, folio 239. Burke says that this family was descended from Peter Wolcott, son of John Wolcott of Chudley, who had a son, William, who settled at Sidbury. If William was, indeed, a son of a Peter Wolcott, it is more likely that he was Peter, the grandson of John Wolcott of Chudleigh. Records of Exeter College, Oxford University, say that William Wolcot of Devon, pleb., graduated in 1615, age 18; born, therefore, in 1597. William Woolcott married Laurell Street, daughter of John Street of Dartmouth at St. Martins Church, Exeter, on in 1618. He was a churchwarden at Sidbury in 1623. In 1646, probate of William's will was granted was granted to his widow, Laurell, with William named as his father's son and heir.

(10) Peter Wolcott, 1619-. Peter, son of William Wolcot, was baptized at Dartmouth St. Savior's in 1619

(10) Hannah Wolcott, 1621-. Hannah, daughter of William Wolkot, was baptized at Dartmouth St. Savior's in 1621.

(10) Peter Wolcott, 1624-. Peter, son of William Wolcot, was baptized at St. Savior's in 1624. Peter must have died young for his brother, William, was their father's heir.

(10) William Wolcott, c.1625-. William was his father's heir in 1646. Chancery proceedings say that William Woolcott of Sidford, gent., and William, his son, had held the premises known as "ye Gardonio" in Sidford, and that Sir John Pole, bart., had claimed a right of way through the Wolcott's garden to his dwelling house. The Wolcotts said that they had held the land for 60 years and more, and had paid the fines and heriots to the old lord of the manor, and that there were witnesses to this, but they were old and unable to travel to the assize. Sir John Pole claimed that the Wolcotts had not held the land for 60 years, and if they had, they shouldn't have for the land was common land belonging to the manor of Stone. He had instructed his steward to find out if John Lide had driven his cattle across the land, and when Lide had admitted that this was so, Sir John began driving his horses and carriages over it, until the Wolcotts stopped up the road.

(11) Rev. Maximillian Wolcott, c. 1645-1720. Maximilliam Woolcott of Sidbury was a student at Exeter College, Oxford, in 1661. Maximillian received his BA degree from Oxford in 1665, and was rector at Cotleigh from 1689 to 1720 and rector at Feniton from 1690 to 1720. He married Susanna Churchill, daughter of Rev. Charles Churchill, his predecessor at Feniton in 1675. Maximillian died at Feniton in 1720, and was succeeded as rector of Cotleigh by his cousin's son, Maximillian Woolcott. This information is given in J.R. Coxhead's Honiton and the Vale of Ottery.

(10) John Wolcott, 1630-. John, son of William Woolcot, baptized at Sidbury in 1630. John Wollkott, gent., son of Mrs. Larrell Woolkot of Sidbury, widow, married Mrs. Mary Bennet of Rosemont Ford at Aylesbury in 1654. Mary, wife of John Wollcott, was buried at Aylesbury in the same year. The parish records for Colyton show that John Wolcott of Sidbury, gent., married Margaret, daughter of Thomas and Mary Holmes of Colyton in 1657. Margaret was baptized at Colyton in 1631, and was buried there in 1665.

(11) Thomas Wolcott, 1659-. Thomas, son of John Wolcott, was baptized at Colyton in 1659.

(11) John Wolcott, 1660-; m. Jane Moxam, or Mocomb, of Seaton, in 1684. John, son of John Wolcott, was baptized at Colyton in 1660. John's grandfather, Thomas Holmes, died on 1670. In his will, Thomas Holmes of Colyton, merchant, left 10 shillings to his son-in-law, John Wolcott, to buy a ring "and in full satisfaction of my daughters portion", and "one close of freelande called Gatcombe which I give to my dear grandson John Wollcott". John was churchwarden at Sidbury in 1716 and 1720.

(12) William Wolcott, 1685-.

(12) Jinny Wolcott, 1686-.

(12) Joan Wolcott, 1687-.

(12) John Wolcott, 1688-, of Boswell. John, married Deborah Huyshe of Sand 1714, she b. 1685, d. 1748, through whom their descendants claim scholarships at Oxford and Cambridge established by Richard Huyshe in 1615.

(12) Maximilliam Wolcott, born in 1689. Maximilliam graduated from Oxford in 1708 and succeeded his father's uncle, Maximillian Wolcott, as rector at Cotleigh. The will of Maximillian Wolcott of Cotleigh, clerk, leaves his property to his wife, and mentions his daughter, Polly, wife of James Mitchell, his nephew Maximillian Wolcott of Sidbury, and his brother, James.

(11) Peter Wolcott, 1662-. Peter, son of John Wolcott, was baptized at Colyton in 1662.

(11) Margaret Wolcott, 1665-1665. Margaret, daughter of John Wolcott, was baptized and buried at Colyton in 1665.

(8) Edward, c.1545-. The 1584 Exeter tax roll states that Peter Wolcot and Edward Wolcot held land in St Mary More parish in Exeter. Then, in 1602, Peter Wolcott, gent., paid a tax of 5s4d on land in Holy Trinity valued at 4L per annum and Edward Wolcott, gent., paid the tax on land in the same parish valued at 2L. Edward was apparently Peter's younger brother.

(9?) Simon, c.1580-. In 1604 Simon Wolcott married Elizabeth Drew, the sister of Thomas Drew who married Peter Wolcott's daughter, Dorothy, a month later of the same year. Simon was probably not Peter's son, for John born in 1594 was Peter's heir, so Simon may have been the son of Peter's brother, Edward. The will of Hercules Pyne of Axmouth, gent., dated 1610, printed in Devonshire Wills, leaves bequests to his sisters-in-law, Alice Young, Ellen (Helen) Snow and Elizabeth Woollcott, to his brother-in-law John Young, and to his cousin, Walter Young. Hercules was married to Margery, daughter of John Young of Axminster, MP for Plymouth. None of his brothers married an Elizabeth, and his wife had no sister, Elizabeth. Elizabeth must have been the widow of Margery's eldest brother, Walter Young, who married Elizabeth Drew.

(10) John Wolcott, 1605-1605. John, son of Simon Wolcott, baptized 1605 at Exeter Holy Trinity and buried the same year.

(10) George Wolcott, 1606-. George, son of Simon Wolcot, baptized 1606 at Exeter Holy Trinity.

(10) John Wolcott, 1607-. John, son of Simon Wolcot, baptized 1607 at Exeter Holy Trinity.

(10) Hester Wolcott, 1609-. Hester, daughter of Simon Wolcott, baptized 1609 at Exeter St Mary Major.

(10) Grace Wolcott, 1613-. Grace, daughter of Simon Wolcott, baptized 1613 at Exeter Holy Trinity.

(8?) William, c. 1550-c.1600. One other Wolcott, William, lived in Holy Trinity parish at Exeter and was a contemporary of Peter and Edward. He may have been their younger brother. William Walcot married Anstis Smith, probably his second wife, in 1587 at Exeter Holy Trinity. Anstice Wolcott married John Pallens in 1602. William must have died about 1600.

(9) Ellen, 1577-. Ellen, daughter of William Woolcot, was baptized 1577 at Exeter Holy Trinity and died young.

(9) Agnes, 1579-. Agnes, daughter of William Woollcott, was baptized 1579 at Exeter Holy Trinity.

(5) Richard Wolecot 2 filius, b. c.1425, second son of John of Chagford, is named in the Visitation of 1620.

(6) John Wolcote de Lisleigh, b. c.1445. Described in the 1620 Visitation as "John of Listleigh, married "Maude relicta Wi. Wescote of Wescote in North Tawton", according to the Visitation document. Maude was the widow of William Westcote of Westcote in North Tawton, a village 8 miles northeast of Okehampton. A Chancery proceeding concerning John and Maude Wolcott was addressed to the Lord Chancellor Archbishop of York. This can only refer to George Neville who became Chancellor in 1460 and was made Archbishop of York in 1464, so the document must have been written shortly after 1464. In the Chancery Proceeding, John Woolcote and Maude, his wife, late the wife of William Westcote, state that William Westcote died enfeeoffed of two messuages, 100 acres of heath land, 12 acres of meadow, 4 acres of wood, and twenty acres of furse and heath at Withecomb and Westcote, and that William Westcote had enfeeoffed the land to Thomas Throwston and Simon Whyddon of Chagford as an estate for the said William and Maude and the heirs of their bodies, and that Thomas and Simon had refused to give the land to John and Maude Woolcote when they requested it. Thomas and Simon replied that the 100 acres was arrable land, not heath land, and that William Westcote's intent, expressed in his last will, was that his wife, Maude, should receive the proceeds of the land until the time that Joan, daughter and heiress of William Westcote, should come of age, at which time the land was to be given to Joan and her heirs. They had allowed Maude the proceeds of the land, but would not give the land to her and her husband, John Wolcott. This may be the Joan Tregore, widow, who in 1510 took Walter Wray to Chancery court. She claimed that her father, John Wolcote had held a house and land at Manaton, a parish 3 miles west of Lustleigh. When he died, Joan claimed these lands as his daughter and heiress, but Walter had refused to hand over the deed to these lands to her. Walter Wrey was apparently the father of Jane Wrey, who married Thomas, grandson of John Wolcott of Chudleigh. This Joan Tregore may be John's step-daughter, Joan Westcote.

(7) Richard Wolecote filius et haeres Johis, c.1470-c.1495. Julian Wolcott who died at Staverton in 1524 may have been his wife. A Gregory Wolcott was at Lustleigh in 1524 and took over the property of Julian at Staverton in 1525.

(8) Peter Wolcote of Lisley purchased Buterstowe in Hemiock, c.1490-c.1540. An entry in the records of Wreyland Manor for 1501 says that Peter Wolcote was with Thomas Wolcote, out of the King's assize. Wreyland manor was mostly within the parish of Bovey Tracy, but the inhabitants of the manor were often registered in the neighboring parish of Lustleigh. The King's assize was a legal hearing for such matters as criminal cases and land ownerships disputes. This Peter is the only known Peter living in 1501, and he was definately a minor, so it appears that the assize may have been hearing an inheiritance dispute in which Peter was involved, and that Peter was then living with Thomas Wolcott. It seems likely that Peter's father, Richard Wolcott, died in that year and that Thomas was acting as his guardian. Unfortunately the Wreyland Manor records end in 1501. The Visitation of 1620 states that Peter Wolcot of Lustleigh purchased Buterstowe in Hemiock, or Hennock, a village 2 miles north of Bovey Tracy. In 1524 Peter was listed on the subsidy rolls as living at Lustleigh.

(9) John Wolcott of Buttorstowe, c.1525-c.1585; m. Joan. On the military muster roll of 1569, John Wolcott is listed as a presenter at Hennock, one who made a deposition on behalf of the parish. John deposed that everyone presented in the parish came under the jurisdiction of the tinners court of Chagford, indicating that he may have been involved in the tin trade. In 1573, John Wolcot of Henycke, yeoman, purchased land at Bovey Tracy from Edward Collyns, merchant, of Great Totnes. Richard Wolcot, possibly John's uncle, is mentioned in this deed. The tax rolls of 1581 show John Wolcott, Sr. of Hennock assessed on 10L of goods, and John Wolcott, Jr. assessed on 5L of goods.

(10) John, 1548-. John, son of John Wulcote was baptized 1548 at Hennock. He apparently died young.

(10) Richarda, 1550-. Richarda, daughter of John Wulcote was baptized 1550 at Hennock. Richarda Wolcott married Richard Laye at Hennock in 1572. Parish records at Bovey Tracy show that a Richarda Laye married William Bound in 1583, probably Richarda Wolcott's second marriage. In 1603 there was a dispute over the will of Joan Woolcott of Salcombe Regis, a village 2 miles southeast of Sidmouth, between her daughter Richarda Sweete and John Wolcott. This must have been Richarda's third marriage. Her nephew, Hugh Wolcott, married Agnes Sweet about 1597.

(10) John Wolecote of Boterstow, 1553-c.1612. John, son of John Wolcott, was baptized at Hennock in 1553. John, Jr. is listed on the Hennock tax rolls of 1581. Hooker's list of the "Principal Gentry of Queen Elizabeth's Time", states, "Hennock; in this parish dwelleth Wolcott of Buttor", the only Wolcotts named on this list. John probably married Joan, for Joan Wolcott, widow, in named in a suit brought by John's grandchildren Peter Wolcott and his sister Joan some time between 1612 and 1633. In this suit Joan was awarded the house in Hennock in which Joan Wolcott, widow, then resided. John inheirited Buttor from his father. In 1602, Anne Blackslade, servant of John Wolcott, was buried at Hennock. John died about 1612, after apparently having dissipated much of his wealth.

(11) Hugh Wolcott, 1576-c.1640. Hugh, son of John Wolcote, was baptized 1576 at Hennock. Hugh Wolcott, married Agnes Sweet about 1597. Agnes was the daughter of John Sweet of Traine, in Modbury, and his wife, Margaret Perriam. Margaret Perriam was from an influential family. Her father was mayor of Exeter in 1563 and 1572, and her brothers were Sir William Perriam (1534-1604), Lord Chief Justice of England, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchecquer, and MP for Plymouth in 1563, and Sir John Perriam. Hugh Wolcott was churchwarden at Hennock in 1602, and moved to Bovey Tracy about 1604. Hugh's wife, Agnes, was buried at Bovey Tracy in 1635.

Debts incurred by John Wolcott and his son, Hugh, form the basis of several legal disputes brought by Hugh's son, Peter, against George Cruse, who had been the executor of the will of Hugh's father-in-law, John Sweet, who died in 1613. In 1626, John's grandson, Peter Wolcott, stated that in 1598 Hugh, son of John Wolcott, gent., of Buttor, West Pyehill, Hemiocke, Ilsington, Bovey Tracy and elsewhere in Devon, married Agnes, daughter of John Sweete, gent., of Modbury. In exchange for a large sum of money, John Wolcott had entailed his estates upon Hugh and Agnes, and their heirs. In a few years, John had spent the money, and decided to break the entail and sell some of the estate. George Cruse, a friend and sometimes man of business of John Sweete, bought the land at Bovey Tracy for a large sum of money in 1612. John Sweete died in 1613 , leaving a large estate. He left two sons, John, a Jesuit in Italy, and Adrian, and two daughters, Alice, wife of John Neele, with six children, and Agnes wife of Hugh Wolcott, with sons Peter and Bartholomew, and daughters, Joan and two others, one now dead. John Sweete left 50L to each child and grandchild. The bulk of the estate had been entailed upon Adrian upon his marriage in 1612 to Judith, daughter of John Mayne of Ermington. In a statement made in 1626, Peter Wolcott of Exeter, goldsmith, stated that when his grandfather, John Wolcott, wanted to sell the entailed estates, John's son, Hugh, told his father-in-law, John Sweete, who commissioned George Cruse to purchase them with money provided by John Sweete and his brother-in-law, John Perriam. The lands were to be purchased for the benefit of John Sweete, for life, and afterwards for the benefit of his grandson, Peter, son and heir of Hugh Wolcott. The 550L bonds were taken from Adrian were for the benefit of Adrian's brother, John, if he ever returned to the allegiance of the Crown, and if not, it was to go to Hugh's children. These arrangements were the reason that Hugh had agreed to the sale of the land. Peter claimed that George Cruse had never paid back the money he had been given to purchase the land, and had kept the land, as well as the 500L bonds that had been given by Adrian. Hugh Wolcott had recently put in a bill of complaint, but was forced to desist for lack of money, and had fled the country for debt. When Peter was 21 years old, he had gone to George about the land. George had said that he had paid 400L for the land, and Peter could buy it from him for 418L, in installments. Peter had paid 150L, but got into difficulties and wanted to sell part of the land. George refused to allow this, and wanted to cancel the agreement. George Cruse replied that the land was leased in 1598 to provide a jointure for Agnes, and that she had given him the deed when he bought the land in 1612. He had paid for it with money that he had borrowed and repaid by 1624. By the deed of sale to Peter Wolcott, Peter was to have had the profits from the land of 18L per year as long as he kept up the payments, but was not to get the land until it was paid for. In 1632 Peter Wolcott stated that John Sweete had given a note to William Bastard, saying that the bonds entrusted to John Langbeare were to remain in his hands until they were needed to supply the want of any child or grandchild of John Sweete. John Sweete's will left the residue of his estate "to be divided and distributed among my children and grandchildren by my executors". The personal estate should have been worth 2000L and the landed estate 300L, but George Cruse, executor of the estate, had concealed some of it. Peter charged that George and Adrian had combined to cheat the other heirs out of their share of John Sweete's estate. George Cruse replied that Peter had produced the same complaint before, and last time obtained a judgement that George must divide the 100L bond that Adrian had redeemed, among the children and grandchildren of John Sweete. The other 400L was being held in trust for John Sweete, should he ever return, and was never intended for Peter. Adrian stated that the statute of 1606 made it unlawful for Catholics to inheirit and that he claimed the 400L as next of kin of his brother, John. Bartholomew and Joan Wolcott, Peter's sister and brother, also made statements. George Cruse brought suit against Peter Wolcott in 1633. He stated that in 1611, John Wolcott held two messuages in Bovey Tracy, occupied by Richard Newcomb, and Margaret Elliot, widow. George bought them from John and his heir, Hugh Wolcott, in 1612. Later Peter Wolcott and his sister, Joan, claimed them, and after much litigation, Peter got Richard Newcomb to take a lease for three lives, his and his sons, for 99 years if they lived that long, and inserted his own name as grantor. Peter registered the deed in the manorial court for 25L. When the suit went to arbitration, it was ruled that George must give Peter the tenement in Bovey Tracy called Farwells, and Joan the tenement in Hennock where Joan Wolcott, widow, lived, and pay Peter 60L. In return Peter was to withdraw all claim to the rest. George states that Peter, Joan and Richard Newcomb now claim that George gave Newcomb's tenement to Peter, and they are letting it decay.

(12) Margery Wolcott, 1598-. Margery, was baptized at Hennock in 1598, and married Henry Pregg at Bovey Tracy in 1629. Henry Pregg, or Prigg, was a woolen draper of London. The Preggs had children, Elizabeth, Mary, Joshua and Margery. Elizabeth was the principal heiress of her uncle, Peter Wolcott. Peter refused to pay a dowry demanded by his brother-in-law, Henry Prigg. Peter stated that his sister, Margery, was never worth the 100L that Henry was claiming, and that he had never promised such a dowry with his sister. He said she had 25L from her grandfather and no other jointure. Peter added that he was dragged into Prigg's house at Exeter at 11PM by a Sergeant of the Mace, and forced to sign a bond for 200L, which Prigg claimed he had promised with his sister. He had given her 20L in money, and hose worth 5L, as well as her legacy of 25L from her grandfather, but the Priggs still wanted the bond paid.

(12) Peter Wolcott, 1600-1655. Peter, son of Hugh Woolcott, was baptized at Hennock in 1600. William Hore and his wife and Bartholomew Gale and his wife loaned money to Peter in 1626 to buy lands at Bovey Tracy. Both of these couples were Peter's aunts and uncles. In 1641 Peter Wolcott signed the Protestation Return at Bovey Tracy. Peter's will, dated and proved 1655, requests he be buried in the churchyard at Bovey Tracy; leaves 10 shillings to the poor of Bovey Tracy; gives to Bartholomew Wollcot, his brother, his house and appurtenances and for default of issue the said land to go to Elizabeth Prigg the eldest daughter of Henry Prigge of Exeter, woolen draper; to the said Bartholomew Wollcot four pounds yearly to be paid out of the rents of his lands; to Bartholomew Wollcot or Agnes Wollcott his daughter the sum of 10 pounds which is in full satisfaction of all debts; to Joan Geale my kinswoman 10 pounds; to the foresaid Elizabeth Prigge all his lands in Bovitracy Henniocke Ilsington and Ogwell except the house bequeathed to Bartholomew Wollcott, and if Elizabeth have no issue, it was to go to her sister, Mary Prigge, and then to her brother, Joshua Prigge, then to Margery and then to the heirs of the said Peter Wollcot; to Mary Curtis of Bovitracy one silver spoon and 10 shillings; and the remainder to Elizabeth Prigg with Henry Prigg as overseer.

(12) Phillipa, daughter of Hugh Wolcot, was baptized 1603 at Hennock, and was buried at Bovey Tracy 1616.

(12) Joan Wolcott, 1605-. Joan, daughter of Hugh Wolcott, was baptized at Bovey Tracy 1605.

(12) Bartholomew Wolcott, 1608-. Bartholomew, son of Hugh Wolcott was baptized at Bovey Tracy 1608, and married Joan Prowse at Bovey Tracy 1636. A Bartholomew Woolcott signed the Protestation Return of 1641 at East Portsmouth, a village south of Kingsbridge. Bartholomew, and Agnes, his daughter, are both mentioned in the will of Bartholomew's brother, Peter, in 1655, where he was bequeathed the house in Bovy Tracy in which Bartholomew then lived, and 4L a year for life.

(13) Agnes, 1637-. Agnes, daughter of Bartholomew Wollcott, was baptized at Bovey Tracy 1637, and married Nicholas Sarell at Bovey Tracy 1655.

(11) Susan, 1578-. Susan, daughter of John Wolcot, baptized 1578 at Hennock.

(11) Julian, 1583-. Julian, daughter of John Wolcott, baptized 1583 at Hennock.

(11) Martha, 1586-. Martha, daughter of John Wolcott, baptized 1586 at Hennock. Martha married Bartholomew Geale at Hennock 1604. Bartholomew Gale of Knighton, yeoman, was buried at Hennock in 164_, age 74.

(12) Joan Gale. Joan was living with her cousin, Peter Wolcott, son of Hugh, in 1655.

(11) Joan, 1590-1590. Joan, daughter of John Wolcott, baptized 1590 at Hennock, and probably died in infancy.

(11) Joan, 1591-. Joan, daughter of John, baptized 1591 at Hennock. Joan Wollacott married William Hoare at Hennock 1616.

(11) Elizabeth, 1595-. Elizabeth, daughter of John Wolcott, baptized1595 at Hennock.

(11) Martin, 1602-. Martin, son of John Walcot, Jr., baptized 1602 at Hennock, and died in infancy.

(10) Allison, 1555-. Alson Wolcot was baptized at Hennock 1555. This was probably the Alce Wolcott who married Arthur Cruse at Hennock in 1580. Arthur was the second son of John Cruse of Morchard, a member of a prominent county family.

(10) Stephen, 1558-. Stephen Wolcote was baptized at Hennock 1558.

(11) Charity, 1582-. Charity, daughter of Stephen Wulcott, baptized1582 at Ilsington.

(10) Richard, 1559-. Richard Wolcott was baptized in 1559 at Hennock.

(11?) John, c.1590-. John was most likely a nephew of John Wolcott of Buttor, possibly Richard's son. John married Joan Alforde at Hennock 1619. Then a John Wollacott married Alice Jorden at Hennock 1621, probably the same John with his second wife. John Woolcott of Hennock signed the Protestation Return of 1641.

(12?) Hugh, c. 1620-. Hugh married Mary.

(13) John, 1650-. John, son of Hugh and Mary Woollcott, baptized 1650 at Hennock. The will of Zachary Connant of Hennock, dated 1657, leaves a bequest to John Woolcott, possibly Hugh's son.

(13) William, 1652-. William, son of Hugh and Mary Woollcott, baptized 1652 at Hennock.

(13) Honor, 1654-1654. Honor, daughter of Hugh and Mary Woollcott, baptized 1654 at Hennock and buried the same year.

(13) Mary, 1656-. Mary, daughter of Hugh and Mary Woollcott, baptized in 1656 at Hennock.

(13) Thomasine, 1658-. Thomasine, daughter of Hugh and Mary Woollcott, baptized 1658 at Hennock.

(13) Ann, 1661-. Ann, daughter of Hugh and Mary Woollcott, baptized 1661 at Hennock.

(13) Hugh, 1665-. Hugh, son of Hugh and Mary Woollcott, baptized 1665.

(12) John, 1622-. John, son of John and Alice Wolcott Wolcott, was baptized at Hennock 1622.

(12) Nicholas, 1624-. Nicholas, son of John and Alice Wolcott, was baptized 1624 at Hennock.

(12) George, 1627-. George, son of John and Alice Wolcott, was baptized 1627 at Hennock.

(12) Josiah, 1630-. Josiah, son of John and Alice Wolcott, was baptized 1630 at Hennock.

(12) Grace, 1635-. Grace, daughter of John and Alice Woolcott, was baptized 1635 at Hennock.

(10) Avis, 1565-. Avys Wolcote was baptized 1565 at Hennock.

(9?) Giles, c.1530-1585. A Giles Wolcot of "Hemicock" left a will dated 1585, recorded in Perrogative Court of Canterbury wills, folio 157. It is now missing and its' contents unknown. He might have been John's brother.

(9) Peter, c.1530-1615. The Visitation of 1620 states that Peter Wolcott of Lustleigh was the father of both John Wolcott of Hennock, and of John Wolcott of Mowston als. Moreston in Haberton, his second son. This must be in error, for the first Wolcott known to be at Halberton was named Peter. The land called Morston, or Morston Barton had been owned by the Sydenham and Windham families, and must have been obtained from them by purchase or by marriage. In 1565, Peter Woulcote of Halberton, yeoman, purchased a moiety of a tenement in Halberton called Lake, in the tenure of Phillip Berye, from John Prouse of Combe Martin, esq. Peter Wolcotte is listed on the 1569 Halberton muster rolls as providing 1 corslet, 1 pike, 1 bow, 1 sheaf of arrows, and 1 steel cap, an as serving as a billman. Peter Wolcott served as churchwarden at Halberton in 1584, and in 1591 he paid for his wife's grave. Halberton parish records inventory a gift of Peter Wolcott in 1612, and record that Alexander Ulcott paid for burying his father in the church in 1615. This Alexander seems to have been Peter's son, and was probably Alexander Wolcott of Kingsbridge.

(10) Hugh, 1566-1643. Hugh Wolcott of Halberton appears to have been Peter's eldest son, born in 1566. In 1583, Hugh Woolcott, age 17, graduated from Exeter College, Oxford University. University records state that his father was a gentleman. A coat of arms, designated "Wolcott of Oxford",was probably used by him. In 1598, a license to marry was granted to Hugh Woolcott of Halberton, gent., and Jocust Hyscombe of Exeter, widow. Hugh Wolcott served as a churchwarden at Halberton in 1602. In 1620, Hugh Woolcott of Halberton attempted to register his family pedigree at the Herald's Visitation. The records state that he was disclaimed at Tiverton, that is he was not allowed to register a coat of arms, even though his relative, John Wolcott of High Bickington, was allowed to register a pedigree that included Hugh's grandfather. Even though he was not allowed to register arms with the heralds, he still seems to have been regarded as a gentleman at Halberton. Joice, wife of Hugh Wolcott, was buried at Halberton in 1628, and Hugh paid for her grave in the church. Hugh Woolcott, gent., was buried at Halberton in 1643. The name of Hugh Wolcott, gent., of Moreston, Halberton, is recorded in the Protestation Returns of 1641, as is the name of Abraham Wolcott, who may have been his son.

(11) Abraham, c. 1600. Abraham Woolcott married Mary Stone at Halberton 1638. His name appears on the Protestation Return of 1641.

(12) A son of Abraham Woolcot was baptized 1642 at Halberton, unamed, and apparently died young. This seems to be the last record of Wolcotts in this parish.

(10) Alexander, c. 1570-1653; m. Jane. The Alexander Ulcott who paid for Peter's burial in 1615 in the church at Halberton was probably Alexander Wolcott of Kingsbridge. Alexander was involved in a number of legal proceedings. In Chancery Proceedings C96/49 dated 1620, Richard Collins of Aveton Giffard, complained that Alexander Wolcott and George Lappe of Kingsbridge had loaned him money and were charging him too much interest. Alexander Woolcot, merchant, John Lapp, and John Kendall, all of Kingsbridge, according to an entry in the Burnett-Morris Index, were co-feeofees of all the land belonging to the town and parish of Kingsbridge, in 1626. In 1629, a case was heard in Chancery of Alexander Wolcott and John Lapp v. Mary Modiford, widow. Here it was stated that Alexander Wolcott and John Lapp of Kingsbridge, merchants, became sureities for a bond of George Lapp, Sr., of Salcomb, and George, his son, for 300L, to secure 160L that George had borrowed. The Lapps had defaulted, and Alexander and John had had to pay the bond. To recover their losses, they were persuaded to act as guarantors for the purchase of a house in Salcom from John Modiford of Exeter, but George once more defaulted. Alexander and John said that Mary Modiford, widow, was conspiring with George, and refused to give them the bond so that they could sue George. Mary said that she refused to do that until George paid her what he owed her.

In another Chancery proceeding, Lord Petre v. Alexander Wolcott and others, P58/45, dated 1637, Alexander was the spokesperson for the town of Kingsbridge in a dispute over the ownership of land at Kingsbridge and a grist mill built upon it, called Farthing Mead. The townspeople claimed that the mill had been built on town property. John Wolcott was also named in this case as one of the townspeople who supported this claim. Alexander Woolcott signed the Protestation Return of 1641 at South Milton, a village 3 miles southeast of Kingsbridge.

Alexander Wolcott the elder of Kingsbridge, in his will dated and proved 1635 gives "to the poore people of the town of Kingsbridge aforesaid ffortie shillings of lawfull money of England to be distributed by the Collector for the poore for the time beinge at my death to such poore people as they with my Executor shall thinke to have most need Item I give to Samuell Wolcott my grandchild ffortie shillings of lawfull money of England to be paid within one year after my decease Item I give and bequeathe to both my grandchildrn John Wolcott and Thomas Wolcott ffortie shillings likewise a peece of lawful money of England to be paid them within one yeare next after my decease. Item I give unto my Cosen Dorothie Newman twentie shillings of lawfull money of England to make her a gould ringe for a remembrance of me. Item I give to Agnes my maid servant five shillings Item I give unto Daniell Hodge at the end of his apprenticeshippe ffive shillings Item my will is that my wife Jane shall have the use and occupation of all my goods and chattells moveable and unmoveable whatsoever dureing her naturall life but not to lett sell or dispose all or anie parte of the said goods or chattells to anie person or persons whatsoever without the consent and assent of my Executor and Overseers hereafter named ffurther ny will and meameinge is that my said wife shall leave all my said goods and chattells to my Executor at the time of her death save onlie the value of twentie pounds in goods and all her Rings Jewells and apparell which she shall or may dispose or give to anie person or persons whatsoever and in lew of the use and occupation of the said goods and chattells my will and meaneinge and desire is that my said wife shall mainteyne my sonne John Wolcott his wife and children and one maid servant sufficient meate drinke and lodgeinge in the house wherein I now dwell dureing her life if they please to remayne and dwell with her they behaveinge themselves as dutifull children towards her Or else my will is my said wife shall put them out of her howse and be freed from mainteyneing them as above said Item I doe give will and devise unto my said sonne John Wolcott his heirs and Assignes forever all my Lands and Tenements situate lyeing and beinge within the Burrough and parish of Dodbrooke in the Countie of Devon to have and to hould all the said Lands and Tenements unto my said sonne John Wolcott his heirs and assignes for ever more The rest of all my said Goods and Chattells not before given or bequeathed I give and bequeathe unto my said sonne John Wolcott whome I make my Executor.... Jane, wife of Alexander Wolcott, Sr., was buried at Kingsbridge 1636.

(11) Alexander Wolcott c. 1600-1636; married Elizabeth Pearse 1633. Alexander Wolcott, Jr., was buried at Kingsbridge 1636. In 1636, following the death of her husband, Elizabeth brought suit against her father-in-law, recorded in Chancery proceedings W48/53, W124/13 and W116/3. Elizabeth claimed that when she married Alexander Wolcott, Jr., in 1633, an agreement was made with her father, John Pearse of Exeter, merchant, who was to pay to Alexander Wolcott, Sr., 300L in money, for which Alexander was to settle on the young couple his shop, warehouse, rooms and cellars, and all his mercery, silk goods, grocery, haberdashery and drapery. He and his wife, Jane, were to provide meat, drink, and lodging for the couple and their children, a man servant and a maid servant, and fodder for one horse. If the young couple, or Elizabeth, if a widow and unmarried, chose to move from the house of Alexander, the elder, he was to pay them an annuity of 30L in quarterly installments. The 300L was paid and the marriage agreement signed in 1634. Elizabeth stated that before she had been married a quarter of a year, Alexander, Sr., and his wife, Jane, moved out and left the young couple to fend for themselves. She said that Alexander, Sr., had forced them to buy household goods from him at inflated prices, and to buy stock in the store for 720L, when it was only worth 600L. Alexander, Jr., borrowed 300L from John Pearse for this purpose, and paid the rest in installments. She stated that Alexander, Sr., had never paid them the 30L annuity, meddled in the business, and sold their stock and kept the money. Alexander, Jr., died intestate and Elizabeth, his executrix, was willing to pay his debts, but due to a conspiracy between Alexander Wolcott, Sr., Tristram Mitchell, Elias Trouete, Henry Goulde, William Blackaller, John Pinhey and John Pearse, all of Exeter, and Davit Woodroffe. Francis West, Matthew Sharocke, Francis Pratt and Henry Towley, all of London, she is being dunned for debts of more that 1000L. The stock in the store is valued at 410L and her personal goods at 70L, so she has offered her creditors a composition for the debts by which they would get a portion of their demands, but they refuse to accept this. Also Alexander, Sr., owns a bakehouse and land called Cattispath in Kingsbridge which should have come to the young couple under the marriage agreement, but from which he continues to take the profits of 20L per annum. Elizabeth requests this money, plus the arears of the 30L, and requests that the creditors make a realistic account of Alexander. Jr.'s, debts. The creditors presented their accounts, most of 20 to 30L and long in arrears. John Pearse confirmed his daughter's story but still requested the 31L due him. Alexander Wolcott, Sr., stated that the property was to go to his son, Alexander, after the decease of Alexander, Sr., and Jane, his wife, and was worth 1000L. The bakehouse had been intended for his son, John, but Alexander, Jr., had asked that it be included in his portion, in return for which Alexander Jr. would pay John 100L at the time of his father and mother's death. This property was to remain his parent's until their death. He said that he and his wife, Jane, had wished to live peaceably with the young couple, but had been forced to depart by the dissolute, disobedient and violent course that Elizabeth led Alexander, Jr., into. He beat the father's servants and threatened his father or anyone else who came into the kitchen to "thrust him through the cheeks" with a pronged staff he had, and refused to eat at the same table with his parents. In the interest of peace, Alexander and Jane moved out. The 30L was not due unless Alexander, Jr., and Elizabeth moved from the shop premises, which Elizabeth had just done in 1636. Alexander and Elizabeth had kept a large portion of his father's household stuff, and had certainly never bought any of it. The shop goods were meant to have gone to Alexander, Jr., at a fair valuation and Alexander, Jr., had agreed that they were worth 50L more than the 720L they had valued them at. The 300L from John Pearce had gone toward the purchase of the goods, but the 420L balance had never been paid. Alexander said he had tried to assist his son with the store and had sold 200L of goods and had given it all to his son. Elizabeth was not admitting the full value of the goods currently in stock in order to avoid payment of her debts. Matthew Sharrocke of London, vintner, made a statement in 1637, confirming that he had heard that the stock had been grossly undervalued for probate. In Chancery Proceedings of 1638 Elizabeth Wolcott, widow, brought suit against John Wolcott and Elizabeth, his wife, claiming the household goods due her under her marriage settlement. She stated that Alexander, Jr., had been forced by his father to take out a bond of 420L, which he had repaid by installments. She claimed that Alexander, Sr., had given most of his household goods to his second son, John. John was named executor of his father's estate, valued at about 1000L, and was holding the household goods, worth 300L or more, and demanding full payment of the 420L bond. John Wolcott responded saying that his father had never taken anything that wasn't his. All his household goods were worth no more than 60L. His father was a very poor man with a mean estate, scarcely enough to pay his debts. He had been impoverished and his credit ruined by the bad behavior and poor business sense of his eldest son, Alexander, Jr., to the ruin of John's own prospects. Their father's death had been hastened by all this worry. John said that he would give his sister-in-law her household goods when she paid what she owed him. In 1639, in Chancery Proceeding W98/11, the household items were divided between John and Elizabeth, with John receiving the larger portion.

(12) Samuel Wolcott, 1635-. Samuel, son of Alexander, Jr. and Elizabeth Wolcott, was baptized at Kingsbridge 1635.

(11) John Wolcott, c.1605-, m. Elizabeth Hooper, daughter of Crispin and Elizabeth Hooper of West Alvington 1632. By the marriage, land at Dodbrooke, part of her mother's jointure, came to John.

(12) John Wolcott, c.1633-1699. The will of his uncle, Crispin Hooper, Jr., includes bequests: "To my eldest sister, Elizabeth Wolcott of Kingsbridge Devon an annuity of 25L. To John Woolcot son of my said sister 50L and 100L to be divided among his children" (D&CN&Q XXIV,I&V).

(13) William Wolcott was heir and executor of his great- uncle, William Hooper, whose will includes bequests "to my sister Elizabeth an annuity of 6L. To William Woolcot son of John Woolcot of Dadbrooke Devon all my lands in Dadbrooke".

(13) Dr. Alexander Wolcott, d. 1751 Dodbrook, Devon; surgeon at Fowey 1712-27, then moved to Lansolot, Cornwall; m. Mary Ryder 1732 Marlborough, Devon.

(14) Amy Wolcott; m. Robert Stephens 1764 Fowey, Cornwall.

(14) Dr. John Wolcot, b. 1738 Dodbrooke, Devon, d. 1819 London; the famous satirist known as "Peter Pindar".

(13) Crispin Wolcott; signed oath of allegience at Stoke Damerel 1715.

(13) Mary Wolcott.

(13) Grace Wolcorr.

(12) Thomas Wolcott, named in the will of Alexander Wolcott, Sr.

(12) Jane Wolcott, 1636-. Jane, daughter of John and Elizabeth Wolcott, was baptized 1636 at Kingsbridge.

(12) Dorothy Wolcott, 1638-. Dorothy, daughter of John and Elizabeth Wolcott, was baptized 1638 at Kingsbridge.

(8?) Richard Wolcott of Staverton, c. 1500-c.1560?, probably a brother of Peter of Lustleigh. In 1524 and 1525, the names of several Wolcotts appear on the Lay Subsidy Roll for Staverton: Richard Wolcote, taxed on goods valued at 2 1/3L per year; Julian Wolcote, taxed on goods valued at 2L per year in 1524, but whose name is replaced by the name of Gregory Wolcote in 1525, with goods also valued at 2L per year. Gregory was at Lustleigh in 1524 and was probably related to Peter Wolcott of Lustleigh. At this time Julian was a woman's name. It seems likely that Julian was the widowed mother of Richard and Gregory.

(8?) Thomas Wolcott, c. 1530-. Two Wolcotts appear at Staverton on the Muster Roll of 1569. Both Thomas Wolcot and Ellice Wolcaut are listed to serve as harquibusiers. An Alice Wolcott is listed at Staverton on the Subsidy Roll of 1588, paying a tax of 7 shillings. This may have been Thomas' widow, or possibly a misreading of Ellice.

(8?) Ellice Wolcott, c. 1530-.

(8) Gregory Wolcott, c.1495-c.1560. The Wolcotts of Bridford, a village 6 miles north of Lustleigh, seem to be descended from Gregory Wolcott, who may have been another younger brother of Peter. Peter and Gregory were living at Lustleigh in 1524, according to the Lay Subsidy roll of that year, and the following year, 1525, Gregory's name is listed at Staverton, where it replaced the name of Julian who was listed there in 1524. Presumably Julian had died and Gregory took over her property. It seems likely that she had been his mother. Gregory's name next appears in the Bridford parish records. Gregory Wollacote paid a tax on 15L on the 1543-5 Subsidy Roll.

(9?) John Wolcott, c.1530-1614. John Wolcott of Bridford was probably Gregory's eldest son, baptized before the parish registers begin in 1537, although Gregory also had another younger son with the name of John. There may have even been two Gregories, father and son, for otherwise Gregory's youngest child would have been born when he was 62 years old. John Wolcott of Bridford is listed on the military muster roll of 1569 as a pikeman, and in 1581 John Woulcot of Bridford was assessed taxes on 3L of goods. He is probably the John Woolcot, Sr. of Bridford whose will was proved at the Exeter Principal Probate Registry in 1614.

(10) Joan, daughter of John Woulcot, baptized 1554 at Bridford.

(10) Richard, son of John Woulcot, baptized 1556 at Bridford.

(10) Syslie, daughter of John Woulcot, baptized 1561 at Bridford.

(10) Susan, daughter of John Woulcot, baptized 1565 at Bridford. She married Richard Venscombe on 1589 at Bridford.

(10) Joan, daughter of John Woulcot, baptized 1567 at Bridford. She married Edward Grosse 1592 at Bridford.

(10) John, son of John Woulcot, baptized 1570 at Bridford. This is probably the John Woulcot who married Joan on 1600 at Bridford. John Wolcott of Bridford's will was proved at Exeter in 1638.

(11) Joan, daughter of John Woulcot, baptized 1602 at Bridford.

(10) Terphine and Annes, daughters of John Woulcot. baptized 1573 at Bridford.

(10) Pascow, daughter of John Woulcot, baptized 1574 at Bridford and married to Arthur Cruse 1609 at Bridford.

(10) Jane, daughter of John Woulcot, baptized 1576 at Bridford.

(9) Joan, daughter of Gregorie Woulcot, baptized 1538 at Bridford.

(9) Edward Woulcot, son of Gregorie Woulcot, baptized 1541 at Bridford.

(10) Robert, son of Edward Woulcot, baptized 1564 at Bridford, and died young.

(10) Jane, daughter of Edward Woulcot, baptized 1565 at Bridford.

(10) Margery, daughter of Edward Woulcott, baptized 1572 at Bridford.

(10) Joan, daughter of Edward Woulcot, baptized 1575 at Bridford.

(10) Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Woulcot, baptized 1577 at Bridford.

(10) George, son of Edward Woulcot, baptized 1581 at Bridford.

(10) John, son of Edward Woulcot, baptized 1584 at Bridford.

(10) Joan, daughter of Edward Woulcot, baptized 1586 at Bridford.

(10) Marie, daughter of Edward Woulcot, baptized 1594 at Bridford.

(9) Stephen Woulcot, son of Gregorie Woulcot, baptized 1543 at Bridford.

(9) Ann, daughter of Gregorie Woulcot, baptized 1545 at Bridford.

(9) Peter, son of Gregorie Woulcot, baptized 1548 at Bridford.

(9) Marie, daughter of Gregorie Woulcot, baptized 1551 at Bridford.

(9) John, son of Gregorie Woulcot, baptized 1554.

(9) Michael and Margery Woulcot, son and daughter of Gregorie Woulcot, baptized 1559 at Bridford.

(9) Peter, son of Gregorie Woulcot, baptized 1562 at Bridford.

(10?) James, c. 1585-1628. A James Wolcott who lived at Bridford must be part of this family, but there is no record of his baptism. He was probably a son of one of Gregory's younger sons, Steven, Peter, Michael or John. James Woulcot married Jane Watts at Bridford 1607. The will of James Woolcot of Bridford was proved in 1628.

(11) Nicholas, 1611-c.1660. Nicholas, son of James Woulcot, was baptized 1611 at Bridford. Nicholas Woolicot, married Elizabeth Holman at Bridford in 1637.

(12) Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth Woolcot, baptized 1638 at Bridford.

(12) Martha, daughter of Elizabeth and Nicholas Wolcot, baptized 1640 at Bridford.

(12) Nicholas, son of Nicholas Wolcot, baptized 1642 at Bridford.

(12) Jane, daughter of Nicholas Wollacot, baptized 1644 at Bridford.

(12) James, son of Nicholas Woolcote, baptized 1649 at Bridford.

(12) Alice, daughter of Nicholas Wollcot, baptized 1653 at Bridford.

(11) William, c. 1600-. There was also a William Wolcott at Bridford whose relation to this branch of the family is unknown, but he was probably a grandson of one of Gregory's younger sons. William Wolcott is the only Wolcott at Bridford who signed the Protestation Return of 1641. William Woollicott married Joan Dod at Bridford in 1636.

(12) Henry, son of William and Joane Wollicot, baptized 1637 at Bridford.

(12) Marie, daughter of William and Jone Wollcot, baptized 1639 at Bridford.

(12) William, son of William Wolcot, baptized 2 1642 at Bridford.

(12) Thomas, son of William Woolecot, baptized in 1644 at Bridford.

(12) Joan, daughter of William Woolcott. baptized 1646 at Bridford.

(12) John, son of William Woolcote, baptized 1647 at Bridford.

(12) Simon, son of William Woolcot, baptized 1649 at Bridford.

(12) Elias, son of William Woolcott, baptized 1651 at Bridford.

(12) Susan, daughter of William Wollcot, baptized 1653 at Bridford.

(10) George, c.1570-1628. A George Wolcott also had a family at Bridford. He seems too young to have been the son of Edward Wolcott baptized in 1581, so must have been the child of one of Gregory's younger sons. Bridford parish registers show that George Woulcot married Tamsin Mounsden there in 1595, and that George Woulcot also married Tamsin Will in 1595, but this may be the same couple. George Woulcotalso married Margaret Murche. The will of George Woolcot of Bridford was proved at Exeter in 1628. Margaret Woulscot, probably George's widow, married Ambrose Wills at Bridford 1628.

(11) Margaret., Margaret, daughter of George Woulcot was baptized 1605 at Bridford.

Other unidentified Wolcotts listed in the Bridford parish records are: Humphrey Woulcot who had a daughter, Joan, baptized 1646 at Bridford. Jane Woulcot who married John Moore 1612 at Bridford. Jane who married Robert Skinner 1624 at Bridford. Jone Woulcot who had a son, Valentine, baptized 1606 at Bridford. Jone Woulcot who had a son, William, baptized 1613 at Bridford. Jone Woulcot who married Henry Luce on 1620 at Bridford and Nicholas Murch 1621 at Bridford. Mary Woulcot who had a son, William, baptized 1618 and another son, William, baptized 1622, as well as daughter, Wilmot, baptized 1630, all at Bridford. Melony Wolcot who married John Valence 1641 at Bridford.

(8) John, c.1500-. John Wolcott, who is listed on the Subsidy Roll of 1525 at Ilsington may also have been another brother of Peter, for his son was baptized at Hennock where Peter lived. Ilsington is a village 3 miles southwest of Bovey Tracy and about 5 miles from Hennock.

(9) William, 1543-. William, son of John Wulcote, was baptized 1543 at Hennock, where Peter Wolcott of Lustleigh had recently purchased the property called Buttor. William Wulcot married Joan Weger at Ilsington1565. Joan must have died, for in 1577, William married Elizabeth Cose at Ilsington. William then married Joan Prowse in 1588 at Ilsington. William appears to have had three wives and eleven children.

(10) Alice, daughter of William Wollcote was baptized at Ilsington 1565.

(10) John, son of William Wulcot was baptized 1569 at Ilsington.

(10) Margaret, daughter of William Wulcot was baptized 1571 at Ilsington.

(10) Anne, daughter of William Wulcote, baptized 1578 at Ilsington.

(10) Joan, daughter of William Wulcot, baptized 1579 at Ilsington. Joan married Francis Gunston 1608 at Ilsington.

(10) Agnes, daughter of William Wulcot, baptized at Ilsington. Agnes married John Castle 1608 at Ilsington.

(10) Richard, son of William Wulcot, baptized 1584 at Ilsington. Richard, married Mary Weger 1607, and Joan Archer 1608. Richard Woollcot, and John Woolcott, probably Richard's nephew, signed the Protestation Return at Ilsington in 1641.

(11) Alexander, son of Richard Wolcott baptized 1610 at Ilsington.

(11) Joan, daughter of Richard Wolcott, baptized 1613 at Ilsington.

(11) John son of Richard Woolcott, baptized 1616 at Ilsington.

(11) Agnes, daughter of Richard Wolcott, baptized 1620 at Ilsington.

(11) Edward, son of Richard Wollcote, baptized 1620 at Ilsington.

(11) Rawlyn, daughter of Richard Wolcott, baptized 1630 at Ilsington. Rawline Woolcot married George Goose in 1656.

(10) Henry, son of William Wulcot, baptized 1586 at Ilsington. Henry married Hannah Wethicomb 1623 at Ilsington. Henry then married Jecholiah Foster on 2 1627 at Ilsington.

(11) John, son of Henry Wolcott. baptized 1624 at Ilsington.

(11) Wilmot, daughter of Henry Wolcott, baptized 1629 at Ilsington. Wilmot died in infancy.

(10) Mote, daughter of William Woolcot, baptized 1592 at Ilsington.

(10) Beaton, daughter of William Wulcot, baptized 1594 at Ilsington and died the same year.

(10) Jane, daughter of William Wulcot, baptized 1595. William had a total of 11 children.

(6) Thomas Wolcott, c.1455-c.1520. The Wreyland Manor records show that in 1501 Peter Wolcott, presumably the Peter of Lustleigh listed in the 1620 Visitation, was "with Thomas Wolcott out of the king's assize", that is, not registered in frankpledge. Thomas appears to have been his guardian after the death of Peter's father, Richard Wolcott, and must have been a close relative. Thomas was probably a younger son of Richard Wolcott of Lustleigh. Wrey Manor, later called Wreyland Manor, was located mostly in the parish of Bovey Tracy, but was directly across the Wrey River from the village of Lustleigh. In 1497, John, Lord Dynham, was lord of Wrey Manor, which then consisted of 200 acres divided into nine "messuages", or farms, which were all leased to tenants. Thomas Wolcotts' name is found in the surviving records of this manor that cover the last quarter of the fifteenth century. In the Wreyland manorial accounts we find a record of a Thomas Wollecote taking up tenancy in land there in 1480. At the manor court held in 1480, the tithingman presented that "Henry Wreyford who held of the lord of the manor according to the custom of the manor a tenement and a close of land has died since the last court whereby two cows worth thirteen shillings and four pence have fallen to the lord of the manor as a heriot, and the tenement is sufficiently in repair. And hereupon came Thomas Wollecote and prayed that he should be admitted to be a tenant of the manor for the tenement and close aforesaid by virtue of his copy of Court Roll which he produces, the date of which is Monday the seventeenth day of January in the nineteenth year of the reign of King Edward the Dourth, and so he was admitted as a tenant and did his fealty to the lord of the manor." Thomas may have been related to Henry Wreyford whose property he took over. One of the Wreyfords registered their family pedigree in the Visitation of 1620, beginning with John Wreyford of Hennock and his sons, Roger of Hennock b.1465, Peter b. 1468, and John b. 1470. It is of interest that the family crest of the Wreyford family was "a griffin's head erased", similar to the crest used by the Wolcott family, and that the name, Peter, is first found in the Wolcott family in Peter of Lustleigh, born about 1490. Thomas' land is believed to be the farm referred to as Forder Wreyford or Lower Wreyford, and was located next to the ford over the river. Part of this land was later called "Milland" because it was located on the Wrey River, adjascent to Lustleigh mill. Thomas Wolcott's name appears quite often in the manorial accounts. At the court held in 1481, the tithingman presented that "Thomas Wolcote has made a brew of ale and thereby broken the assize; therefore he is at mercy; three pence." At the next assize, heldin 1481, the tithingman presented that "Thomas Wolcote has made an assault on Peter Wilmede with a pole against the peace; therefore is he in mercy; three pence. And that the same Thomas has made an assault on the same Peter with a pole against the peace; therefore he is at mercy; three pence. And that the same Thomas has made an assault on the same peter with a plank against the peace; therefore he is at mercy; three pence. Altogether, nine pence. Let him be distrained. He has tendered the money." Peter Wilmede held the tenement called Wreyford, located next to Thomas' home at Forder Wreyford. He died in 1482, hopefully not as a result of Thomas' beatings. At the manor court held in 1482, Thomas was again cited for making ale and was fined three pence. Nevertheless, he was appointed reeve for the following year. Thomas Ollesbrome took over the tenement called Wreyford in 1483. At the court held 1484, the tithingman presented that "Thomas Wolcote has made an assault on John Walling with a stone against the peace; therefore he is mercy; three pence." Thomas turns up again in the court held in 1489. The tithingman presented that "Thomas Wolcote, Thomas Ollesbrome, and Thomas Merdon have permitted the Rive Wrey to be choked up with gravel and timber to the anusance of the country; therefore they are in mercy, one penny each. They have repaired it." "Also he presents that Thomas Wolcote has made an assault on Joan Merdon with a switch against the peace; therefore he is in mercy; three pence. And let him be distrained." At the courts held in 1489, 1490, 1492, 1493, 1494, 1495, and 1496, Thomas Wolcote again paid three pence each for brewing ale. At the May 1493 court he was sworn in as reeve and tithingman for the coming year. At the court held in 1495, "the tithingman comes there and presents that John Boudon has made an assault on Thomas Wollecote with a hanger against the peace and has drawn blood. Therefore he is in mercy; nine pence. He has tendered the money. And that Thomas Wollecote has made an assault on John Boudon with a staff against the peace and has drawn blood. Therefore he is in mercy; nine pence. He has tendered the money." At the same court, "Thomas Wolcote complains of Thomas Ollesbrome in a plea of trespass in two complaints…that he did not accept twenty bushels of apples at Northmyllehill as is imputed to him. William Gold is his pledge for three mark. Issue: that he did kill his pig at Wreyford as is imputed to him. William Gold is his pledge for three mark." Apparently some sort of a deal was worked out, for at the next court held in 1496, John Ollesbrome claimed that he did accept twenty bushels of apples at Northmyllehille and did not kill Thomas Wollecote's pig, and that Thomas' complaint was false. At the same court, John Wollecote, Thomas' son, requested and was given the reversion of Ollesbrome's tenement "when they shall have fallen in through the aforesaid Thomas' death or surrender." The following court held in 1496, held that "Thomas Wollecote is in mercy for his false complaint against Thomas Ollesbrome in a plea of trespass whereon there was an issue," and Thomas Ollmesbrome surrendered his tenement to the lord of the manor and it was granted to John Wolcott. John Ollesbrome moved out of the manor, and Thomas Wolcott had his son, John, as a neighbor instead. After this, other than a few more fines for brewing without a license, Thomas seems to have kept the peace. An entry for 1501 says that Peter Wolcote was with Thomas Wolcote, out of the King's assize. This sounds as if Thomas was then serving as foster father for Peter Wolcott of Lustleigh. Unfortunately the Wreyland Manor records end at this point.

(7) John, c.1476-1554. The names of other Wolcotts begin to appear toward the end of the Wreyland Manor records. In 1488 John Wolcote was assigned with John Merdon as a pledge. This refers to the system of frankpledge, where adult males were assigned to a group who were held responsible for each other's good behavior. Men were usually assigned to such a group when they were about twelve or thirteen years old, so John was probably born about 1476. This was the right age to have been a son of Thomas. John took over the tenement called Wreyford, located next to his father's tenement, in 1496. He would have then been 20years old. Wreyland Manor records for 1501 show that both John Wolcott and Thomas Wolcott were fined for making ale, indicating that John was then considered an independent adult and not Thomas' dependant, so this was probably the John who was in frankpledge in 1488. Unfortunately, he records of Wreyland Manor terminate in 1502. This is apparently the same John, described as "of Pullobrook" that paid a tinning tax at Ashburton in 1523. Asburton is one of the four stannary towns where such tax was paid, so he was apparently involved in the tin trade in that area. Pullobrook is farm in the parish of Bovey Tracy, a few miles from Wreyland. Pullobrook is mentioned in Domesday. The name is derived from its location on Yarrow Brook and the Anglo-Saxon "Pul" meaning a steep hill. The farm is now owned by Henry Bond, a sheep and cattle grower. The house and several neighboring houses were renovated in 1896, but in 2002 still had no inside electricity. In 1524 John Wolcott of Bovey Tracy was listed on the Lay Subsidy Roll paying a tax on 18L in goods. He was then the third wealthiest Wolcott in Devonshire, so he must have prospered in the tin business. John also paid a tax on 12L in the lay subsidy of 1543-5, again indicating that he was fairly wealthy. A John Wolcot held land in Newton Abbot, a village 7 miles south of Chudleigh. The land bordered property that John Gavercock sold to John Wyle in 1547. John Wolcott of Chudleigh did not hold land here when he died in 1549, so the land may have belonged to John Wolcott of Pullobrook. John of Pullbrook married Margery. Parish records show that Margery Ulcot was buried at Pullobrooke, Bovey Tracy 1549 and John Wolcott of Pullobrooke was buried 1554.

(8) Richard of Shute, c.1510-1552. There were two Richard Wolcotts who lived in the parish of Bovey Tracy. One lived at the farm called "Shute", immediately adjacent to Pullobrook, and is therefore probably the son of John of Pullbrook. Shute means "water source". Bovey Tracy parish registers show that Richard Wolcott married Margaret, whose last name is not given, on the first week of All Saints, 1538. When John Herte granted a tenement to John Southcott of Bovey Tracy in 1537, Richard Wulcote and John Bucke served as attorneys for the transaction, according to Tingey's Calendar, folio 14. Richard Wolcott paid a tax on 3L on the Lay Subsidy Roll of 1543-5. Folio 252 of that calendar shows that Richard Wolcote of Shute, Bovey Tracy, yeoman, purchased land from John Herte's son, Robert, in 1552. Richard Ulcot of Showt was buried at Bovey Tracyin 1552. Apparently Richard's widow, married William Quicke 1553 at Bovey Tracy.

(9) Welthian, daughter of Richard and Margaret Wolcott, was baptized 1539 at Bovey Tracy, and buried 1540.

(9) John, son of Richard and Margaret Wolcott, was baptized 1541 at Bovey Tracy. He is probably the John Wolcott who was buried at Bovey Tracy 1591. John Wolcot married Joan, daughter of Andrew Underhay 1565 at Bovey Tracy. Joan Wolcott, widow, was buried at Bovey Tracy 1609. For 1567, Tingey's Exeter Castle Mss., folio 252 records: "John Woolcot, husbandman of Bovey Tracy, bargain and sale to Gregory (or Henry) Ley of Bovey Tracy, merchant, lands there which John Mannvile (or Mannynge) holds; boundents, heirs of Clysthanger, heirs of Edward Collyns, and the way towards Liseleghe." This may have been the John Wolcott who was at Ashburton in 1579 of whom the parish records show that in that year the church wardens of Ashburton parish paid John Wolcott 3s 8d for making beams for the Lemmynford bridge. There are no Wolcotts listed on the muster rolls for Ashburton in 1569. In 1599, John Woolcott's name is found on the subsidy rolls at Ashburton, paying a tax of 16d. In 1596, one of the two Wolcotts who paid the Bovey Tracy Church Rate Tax was Joan Wolcott, who paid a tax of 10d for a tenement at Pludde, a hamlet in Bovey Tracy. This Joan was probably John's widow

(10) Peter, son of John and Joan Wolcot, baptized 1565 at Bovey Tracy. Peter Wulcott married Wilmott Weger at Ilsington, a village three miles south of Bovey Tracy 1593. Peter Wullcott also married Ann Jewell at Ilsington 1611, probably Peter's second marriage.

(11) Thomas, 1594-. Thomas, son of Peter Wulcot, was baptized at Ilsington in 1594. This may be the Thomas Wollcotte who married Ellen Bowden at Ashburton 1630.

(12) Gregory, son of Thomas Woolcott, was baptized 1631 at Ashburton, and married Joan Hodge there in 1656.

(13) Henry, 1661-1661. Henry, son of Gregory Wolcott, baptized 1661 at Ashburton.

(13) Henry, 1662-. Henry, son of Gregory Woolcott, baptized 1662 at Ashburton.

(13) Dorothy, daughter of Gregory Woolcott, baptized 1663 at Ashburton.

(12) Henry, son of Thomas Wolcott, was baptized at Ashburton 1634.

(12) Thomas, son of Thomas Wolcott, was baptized 1636 at Ashburton.

(12) Mary, daughter of Thomas Woolcott, was baptized 1638 at Ashburton.

(12) Joan, daughter of Thomas Wolcott, was baptized 1641 at Ashburton.

(10) John, 1567-1630. John, son of John and Joane Wolcott, was baptized 1567 at Bovey Tracy. John Wolcott was buried at Bovey Tracy in 1630. This may have been the John who married Margaret Furse at Bovey Tracy in 1600. In 1596, one of the two Wolcotts who paid the Bovey Tracy Church Rate Tax was John Woolcott, who paid 20d for a tenement in Elsford, a hamlet in Bovey Tracy parish. It is difficult to distinguish this John from his second cousin, John Wolcott, son of John and Joan, born at Bovey Tracy in 1569. In 1596, John Bearde held Shute.

(11) Agnes, daughter of John Woolcott, baptized 1601 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) Cicely, daughter of John Woolcott, baptized 1603 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) Thomas, son of John Wolcott, baptized 1605 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) Grace, daughter of John Wolcott, baptized 1608 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) John, son of John Wolcott, baptized 1612 and buried 1613 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) William, son of John Wolcott, baptized 1614 and buried 1614 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) Margaret, daughter of John Wolcot, baptized 1615 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) John, son of John Wolcott, baptized 1618 and buried 1629 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) Katherine, daughter of John Wolcott, baptized 1622 at Bovey Tracy

(11) Jonas, son of John Wolcott, baptized 1626 at Bovey Tracy.

(10) Ambrose, son of John and Joan Wolcote, baptized 1570 at Bovey Tracy. Ambrose Wolcot married Thomasine Lee at Bovey Tracy 1598. Ambrose died in 1608 for a daughter of Tamsin Wolcott, widow, was baptized at Bovey Tracy in 1608. Thomasine Wolcott, probably Ambrose's widow, married Thomas Tailor in 1611.

(11) William, son of Ambrose Wolcott, baptized 1599 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) Thomas, son of Ambrose Wolcott, baptized 1602 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) Henry, son of Ambrose Wolcott, baptized 1604 and buried 1604 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) Andrew, son of Ambrose Wolcott, baptized 1605 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) David, 1606-c.1650. David, son of Ambrose Wolcott, was baptized 1606 at Bovey Tracy. David Wolcott married Elizabeth Tavernor there in 1627. In 1633, David Wolcot married Wilmot Austin at Bovey Tracy. Wilmot, wife of David Wolcot, was buried 1633. David Wolcot married once more, this time to Joan Smyth. David Wolcott of Bovey Tracy signed the Protestation Return of 1641.

(12) Elizabeth, daughter of David Wolcott, was baptized 1628 and buried 1628 at Bovey Tracy.

(12) Edward, son of David Wolcott, was baptized 1629 at Bovey Tracy.

(12) Alice, daughter of David Wollcott, was baptized 1637 at Bovey Tracy.

(12) David, son of David Wollcot, was baptized 1639 at Bovey Tracy.

(12) Lawrence, son of David Wollcot, was baptized 1641 and buried 1643 at Bovey Tracy.

(12) William, son of David Wollcott, was baptized 1644 at Bovey Tracy.

(12) John, son of David Wollcott, was baptized 1647 at Bovey Tracy.

(12) Mathias, son of David Wollcot, was baptized 1651 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) Tamsin, daughter of Tamsin Wolcott, widow, was baptized at Bovey Tracy on 1608.

(10) A child of John and Joan Wolcot was baptized 1572 at Bovey Tracy

(10) George, son of John and Joan Wolcot, was baptized 1574 at Bovey Tracy.

(10?) Hugh, 1577-. Hugh, son of John Ulcote, was baptized 1577 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) Joan, 1603-. Joan, daughter of Hugh Woolcott, was baptized 1603 at Ashburton.

(11) Phillip, son of Hugh Wolcot, was baptized on 1606 at Asburton. Phillip Woolcott married Wilmot Peake in 1633 at Ashburton.

(12) Phillip, son of Phillip Woolcott, was baptized in 1639 at Ashburton.

(12) Richard, 1645-. Richard, son of Phillip Woolcott, was baptized 1645 at Ashburton

(12) John, 1649-. John, son of Phillip Woolcot, was baptized 1649 at Ashburton. In 1599, John Woolcott's name is found on the subsidy rolls at Ashburton, paying a tax of 16d.

(10?) Robert, son of John Wolcott, was baptized 1580 at Bovey Tracy.

(10?) William, son of John Wolcot, was baptized 1583 at Bovey Tracy.

(9) Joan, 1542-1569. Joan, daughter of Richard Wolcote of Shute and Margaret, was baptized 1542 at Bovey Tracy and buried there 1569.

(9) Richard, 1546-. Richard, son of Richard and Margaret Ulcot, was baptized 1546 at Bovey Tracy. This may be the Richard Wolcott, carpenter, who was buried at Bovey Tracy 1570, and brother of the John Wolcot who built the bridge at Ashburton in 1579.

(9) William, 1549-1551. William, son of Richard Ulcot of Shut and Margaret, was baptized 1549 at Bovey Tracy and buried there in 1551.

(8?) Margery, c.1520-. Margery Wolcott married John Rowland at Bovey Tracy 1543.

(7) William, c.1480-1550?. An entry in the Wreyland Manor accounts for 1500, says that William Wolcott was assigned with John Merdon, Sr., as pledge. William would have been born some time before 1486, and was probably the son of Thomas of Wreyland. An entry for 1501 again says that William Wolcote was with John Merdon, Sr., as pledge.

This is probably the William Wolcott was involved in a Chancery hearing about 1520. In this dispute, John Dawe, son and heir of John Dawe of Newton Abbot complained that his father had held half a tenement in Moreton Sampford which he had enfeeoffed to John Paynter and John Webber and their heirs, after which both John Dawe and John Webber died. John Dawe, the son, then claimed the land as his inheritance and John Paynter released all of his interest in these lands to him. William Wolcott and John at Wylle, however, entered upon the land claiming title to it, a claim which John Dawe, the younger, disputed. It apears that William Wolcott and John Atwell claimed the land as heirs of John Webber, so they may have been his son-in-laws.

If this is the same William Wolcott mentioned in the records of Wreyland Manor in 1500, he should have been listed in the subsidy rolls of 1524-5. The only William mention in these rolls was William Wolcott living at Bovey Tracy in 1524 but not listed there in 1525, and William Wolcott of Tolland who is on the subsidy rolls in 1525. It is possible that William moved to Tolland following the loss of his claim to the property at Moreton Sampford. William Wulcote was taxed on 2L on the Lay Subsidy Roll of 1543-5. For information about William Wolcott of Tolland, see the web page on the Somerset Wolcotts.

The death of this or another William Wolcott was recorded at Bovey Tracy as: "1550 - William Ulcot de Crowd Subito obit in via Newton", that is, he died on the road to Newton. There is a Crowde in the parish of Harberton, 15 miles south of Bovey Tracy. Newton was probably Newton Abbot, the town 7 miles southeast of Bovey Tracy where the John Dawe lived who brought suit against William Wolcott in 1520.

(8) Richard, c. 1505-. William also seems to have the father of one of the two Richard Wolcotts who lived Bovey Tracy, probably the one who married Thomasina. Richard Wolcote of South Tawton is listed on the 1525 Subsidy Roll, paying a tax on 1L in wages. Richard Wolcot, "maritq", of Spreyton, a village 3 miles northeast of South Tawton, was buried 1558 at Bovey Tracy. This was probably this Richard because his youngest son was born in 1559. "Maritus" is Latin for husband, and "marinus" for mariner, but neither seems to make sense. Thomasina Wolcott was buried at Bovey Tracy 1572.

(9) John, c. 1530-1569. The Bovey Tracy parish records begin in 1539, before a John Wolcott, who seems to have been Richard's eldest son, was born. John married Agnes and had a number of children who were baptized at Bovey Tracy. In 1569, John Wolcott, "the caryer", was buried at Bovey Tracy. A carrier was a person who made regular trips to larger cities to make purchases or deliveries for the villagers. Agnes Wolcote, probably John's widow, married Jordan Langdon at Bovey Tracy 1571.

(10) Grace, daughter of John and Agnes Wolcott, was baptized 1555 at Bovey Tracy and buried 1556.

(10) Michael, 1558-1628. Michael, son of John and Agnes Wolcott, was baptized 1558 at Bovey Tracy. Michael Wollcott was buried there 1628. Michael Wolcott married Agnes Heyman at Plymouth in 1604. Agnes, wife of Michael Wolcott, was buried at Bovey Tracy 1625.

(11) Judith, 1605-. Judith, daughter of Michill Wolcote, was baptized at Plympton St. Mary 1605.

(12) Margaret, 1631-2. Margaret, illegitimate daughter of Judith Wolcot, was baptized at Bovey Tracy 1631, and buried there 1632.

(10) Joan, daughter of John Wolcot, was baptized at Bovey Tracy 1562, and was probably a daughter of John and Agnes.

(10) Andrew, 1566-1613-17. Andrew, son of John and Agnes Wolcott was baptized 1566 at Bovey Tracy. Andrew Wolcott married Joan Boben at Bovey Tracy 1594. Andrew Woulcote buried at Bovey Tracy 1613. Andrew Wolcot was buried at Bovey Tracy 1617. Joan Wollcott, widow, probably Andrew's wife, was buried there 1645.

(11) Pascall or Pascoe, 1595-1600. Pascoe, daughter of Andrew Wolcot was baptized 1595 at Bovey Tracy. Pascall, daughter of Andrew Wolcott was buried there on 1600.

(11) William, son of Andrew Wolcott, was baptized 1599 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) John, son of Andrew Wolcott, was buried 1603 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) Andrew, son of Andrew Wolcott, possibly John's twin, was buried 1603 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) Tamsin, daughter of Andrew Wolcott, was baptized 1604 at Bovey Tracy.

(11) Emanuel, son of Andrew Wolcott, was baptized on 1606 at Bovey Tracy. Emanuel signed the Protestation Return of 1641 at Bovey Tracy as "Manuel" Wolcott. He marrie