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THE COURT OF ARCHES

Transcribed by Brian Randell

This was a church court of appeal and the archives, which are still held at the Lambeth Palace Library, are quite extensive. The following quotation is from the Library's web site:

"The Court of Arches, the court of appeal of the Archbishop of Canterbury, dates back to the 13th century, but with the exception of a dozen volumes, the extensive archive dates from the Restoration. In its heyday the court exercised an extensive jurisdiction over marriage, probate and testamentary disputes, defamation, church property (rates, tithes, fabric of churches), and morals of the clergy and laity. The archive is very extensive. It includes over 2000 process books, transcripts of proceedings in the lower court sent up on appeal, and exhibits, including mediaeval title deeds (Fineshade cartulary), court books, probate accounts, churchwardens' accounts, rate books etc."

Regarding probate cases heard at the court, though it is reasonable to assume that a copy of the relevant will was available at the time of each court case, it is not at all clear whether the case documents that do survive include that will copy. An enquiry to the Lambeth Palace Library, giving the names of the contestants in a case and the case number (both shown in our reference column), should enable the librarian there to determine whether such a copy has survived.

A published volume lists all the cases heard in the court: Index of cases in the records of the Court of Arches at Lambeth Palace Library, 1660-1930, J. Houston, ed. (British Record Society, Index Library, Vol. 85).

Records on Devon people in this volume were originally extracted by Jean Harris: see Devon Names - Court of Arches. To fit the present index, the format of Jean Harris's list has been altered, the name of the testator (rather than the contestants in the court case) being selected for indexing, and detailed references have been omitted. Very seldom is the name given in this volume of the probate court in which the original will was proved, but it is certainly possible that in many instances Court of Arches papers may be the only surviving evidence of wills that were destroyed in Exeter in the Blitz.

Type of Document: "W" - Will, "A" - Administration, "I" - Inventory, "O" - Other
Form of Document: "or" - Original, "co" - Copy, "ab" - Abstract or Extract, "tr" - Transcript, "le" - List Entry

(The code "le" is used when the source from which the index item was transcribed neither contains nor leads to any further
information about the item. The code "ab" is used both for detailed abstracts including all essential information in a
will, and for brief extracts. The county/country name column uses the appropriate (three-letter) Chapman Code.)

List of Probate Courts and their assigned codes

Surname First Name(s) Place County/
Country		 Occupation/
Status		 Year Type Form Prob. Court Source Reference Note
Andrewes Gideon Kenton DEV   1713 O or EXE ARCH 149 - Andrewes v Andrewes & Lux  
Appling William Branscombe DEV   1788 O or   ARCH 194 - Appling v Hore & Carslake  
Ashford Bartholomew Alphington DEV   1792 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 249 - Ashford v Ashford  
Atkins William Hartland DEV   1754 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 7857 - Rowe v Blighe  
Bayly Richard Winkleigh DEV   1684 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 640 - Bayly v Hele  
Bennett Ruth Calstock DEV   1733 W or   ARCH 8936 - Syndercombe v Comb [parish actually in Cornwall]
Berrie Thomas Berrynarbor DEV   1710 W or BARN ARCH 3049 - Edwards & Lewes v Stockard  
Blackaller Thomas Churston Ferrers DEV   1681 O or   ARCH 916 - Blackaller v Blackaller  
Brewer John Tiverton DEV   1671 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 676 - Beare v Ivy & Beare  
Brooking Thomas Paignton DEV   1774 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 6275 - Millman v Calley  
Browne Thomas Stokeinteignhead DEV   1699 W or EXE ARCH 851 - Bickford & Cock v Browne  
Buckley James Churstow [Churchstow or Christow?] DEV farmer 1744 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 5918 - Lyde v Date  
Butland John Paignton [DEV]   1732 O or EPRE[?] ARCH 1540 - Butland v Maddick  
Butson Agnes Exeter [DEV]   1669 O or   ARCH 1565 - Butson v Sparke  
Churchward John Totnes DEV   1790 W or TOT ARCH 1864 - Churchward v Churchward  
Clap Hester Salcombe [Salcombe Regis] DEV   1691 W or   ARCH 1867 - Clap v Clap  
Cliffe Thomas Curriton [Coryton?] DEV   1671 O or   ARCH 2006 - Cliffe v Cliffe  
Coles Robert Willand DEV   1672 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 2110 - Coles v Coles  
Coles Sarah Huish DEV   1720 W or   ARCH 3513 - Friend v Ley  
Collibear Honora Barnstaple DEV   1681 O or   ARCH 1902 - Clerke v Dennis, etc.  
Cooke Elizabeth Alphington DEV   1667 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 1644 - Carew v Keed  
Cooke James Barnstaple DEV   1663 W or   ARCH 6217 - Medford v Horwood  
Cooke Michael Bicton DEV   1763 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 2214 - Cooke v Farr  
Corey Nicholas Worlington [Werrington?] DEV   1704 I or CORN ARCH 2286 - Corey v Corey  
Cornelius Alex Dalwood DOR   1696 O or   ARCH 7517 - Randle v Stevens  
Courtenay Elizabeth Walreddon, Whitechurch [Whitchurch] DEV   1730 O or TOT ARCH 5236 - Jope v Courtenay  
Davy John Medland [Cheriton Bishop] DEV   1663 O or   ARCH 2632 - Davy v Freagle & Delve  
Dounton Joan Exeter [DEV]   1734 W or EXE ARCH 8360 - Skinner v Sommers & Webber  
Durant Thomas Plymouth DEV   1684 O or   ARCH 6905 - Parker v Durant  
Eaton John Bradninch DEV   1783 O or   ARCH 3159 - Evans v Eaton  
Folland John Bovey Tracey DEV   1818 I or EPRE[?] ARCH 7610 - Rendell & Hearn v Winsor & Bennett  
Follet Jeffery   [DEV]   1736 W or BARN ARCH 4685 - Hole v Dolman & Wellington  
Fowell John (Sir) Fowlescombe [Ugborough] DEV baronet 1682 O or   ARCH 6785 - Osborne etc v Reynell etc  
Fry Thomas Cullompton DEV   1788 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 3527 - Fry v Melhuish  
Fugars William Poughill DEV   1718 W or   ARCH 3533 - Fugars v Fugars  
Hammond John Winkleigh DEV   1683 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 4120 - Hammond v Letheren  
Harker William Exeter [DEV]   1830 O or   ARCH 8016 - Samson v Harker  
Harris Arthur Norton DEV   1666 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 4226 - Harris v Fortescue  
Harris Robert Crediton DEV   1771 W or   ARCH 4234 - Harris v Harris  
Heifer Thomas Harpford DEV   1686 I or   ARCH 931 - Blackmore v Burrough  
Hidge William Harberton DEV   1695 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 9476 - Voysey v Coles  
Hingston John Exeter [DEV]   1683 W or   ARCH 6709 - Nosworthy v Gould  
Hoale Mercy Upton Pyne DEV   1678 O or   ARCH 260 - Askin v Lacey  
Hodge Hugh Silverton DEV   1682 O or   ARCH 9407 - Upham v Upham  
Holwell John Woodbury DEV   1753 O or EPRE[?] ARCH 3076 - Elliott v Holwell  
Honey Mary Plympton St Mary DEV   1836 O or   ARCH 4732 - Honey v Honey  
Hooper Jonathan Bideford DEV   1708 W or BARN ARCH 8463 - Smith v Hooper  
Hunt John Chagford DEV   1753 O or   ARCH 4911 - Hunt v Sarell  
Hurrell William Malborough DEV   1681 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 3411 - Ford v Stevins  
Hurrell William Marlborough [Malborough] DEV   1681 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 4921 - Hurrell v Ford  
Jerman Philip Willand DEV   1674 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 5084 - Jerman v Jerman  
Jordan Hugh East Ogwell DEV   1712 W or   ARCH 5584 - Ley v Jordan  
Lanyon John Plymouth DEV   1678 O or   ARCH 232 - Arthur v Lanyon  
Lanyon John Plymouth DEV   1678 O or   ARCH 3813 - Goodyeare v Lanyon  
Lanyon John Plymouth DEV   1678 O or   ARCH 7877 - Roysterne v Lanyon  
Lare Mary Ottery St Mary DEV   1706 W or   ARCH 276 - Atkins v Hayman  
Lewis John Newton Bushell [Highweek] DEV   1688 W or TOT ARCH 5668 - Lewis & Moulton  
Lewis John Newton Bushell [Highweek] DEV   1690 W or   ARCH 6464 - Moulton v Lewis  
Luggar Elizabeth Exeter [DEV]   1815 W or   ARCH 9277 - Tripe v Tripe  
Maddaford Arthur Tavistock DEV   1760 W or TOT ARCH 5957 - Maddaford v Smerdon  
Manly Robert Tiverton DEV   1707 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 5978 - Manly v Manly  
Mardon Michael Bishops Teignton [Bishopsteignton] DEV   1736 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 9713 - Waye v Ewens  
Martin John Plymouth DEV   1686 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 6057 - Martin v Pine and Ude  
Martin Joseph Upton Pyne DEV   1764 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 8117 - Scott v Roberts  
Mathew John Rockbeare DEV   1679 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 8878 - Summers etc v Gibbon  
Mayne John Exeter [DEV]   1699 W or ACS ARCH 6147 - Mayne v Ceely  
Michelmore John Harberton DEV   1661 O or   ARCH 3134 - Emett v Michelmore  
Milles Jeremiah [Exeter] [DEV]   1784 O or   ARCH 1429 - Buller v Milles late D[ean] of Exeter
Morgan John West Appledore [Northam] DEV   1838 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 6403 - Morgan v Morgan  
Moses Mary Exeter [DEV]   1740 O or EPRE[?] ARCH 901 - Bishop & Barter  
Moxham John Topsham DEV   1732 W or PCDC ARCH 6472 - Moxham v Starr  
Mudge William Torquay [Tormohan] DEV   1842 O or TOT ARCH 9919 - Whiteway v Field  
Nicholls Robert Tamerton Folliott [Tamerton Foliot] DEV   1853 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 6082 - Mason v Reynolds  
Parre Peter Exeter [DEV]   1668 W or   ARCH 6769 - Opy v Parre  
Phillips George Exeter [DEV]   1748 O or   ARCH 7175 - Phillips v Stevens  
Pooke George Kentisbeare DEV   1740 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 7287 - Pooke v Pooke  
Pope Ambrose Cruwys Morchard DEV   1671 W or   ARCH 9820 - Western v Pope  
Pulleyn Paul St Mary, Plympton [Plympton St Mary] DEV   1701 O or   ARCH 6565 - Nelfield v Henning  
Richards Jane Rewe DEV   1666 O or EPRE[?] ARCH 3700 - Gill v Richards  
Rook Nicholas Dartington DEV   1731 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 33 - Adams v Sawle r[ector]
Roope Nicholas Dartmouth DEV   1663 W or   ARCH 7824 - Roope v Roope  
Row Mary Broadwoodwidger DEV   1821 A or EPRE[?] ARCH 6689 - Northey v Cock  
Saffin Penelope Exeter [DEV]   1745 O or   ARCH 8536 - Society For Propagation Of The Gospel v Atkin  
Saunders Bernard West Buckland, Devon DEV   1679 W or   ARCH 8039 - Saunders v Salter and How [parish actually in Somerset]
Savery William [Cornwood?] [DEV]   1725 O or   ARCH 4621 - Hoard v Savery  
Savery William Slade [Cornwood] DEV   1726 O or   ARCH 9259 - Treneman v Savery  
Searell Jacob Staverton DEV   1762 O or EPRE[?] ARCH 8141 - Searell v Bradridge  
Searle John Kings Teignton [Kingsteignton] DEV   1667 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 1399 - Briant v Searle  
Searle Philip Whimple DEV   1683 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 8146 - Searle v Long late r[ector]
Sellon John Exeter [DEV]   1786 O or   ARCH 2738 - Desaunes v Decus  
Sellon John Exeter [DEV]   1786 O or   ARCH 3641 - Gentot v Decus  
Sheppard James Ottery St Mary DEV   1770 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 6509 - Mundy v Sheppard  
Simmonds Judith Plymouth DEV   1663 O or   ARCH 4307 - Harwar v Downman  
Sleech John [Honiton?] [DEV]   1791 W or   ARCH 5073 - Jennings v Brereton & Rhodes late r[ector]
Southcombe Thomas Crediton DEV   1762 I or EPRE[?] ARCH 8556 - Southcombe v Stretchley  
Sowton Jonathan Stockland DOR   1703 O or PCC ARCH 312 - Austin v Sowton  
Sparke Henry Dartmouth DEV   1787 O or   ARCH 4939 - Hutchings v Sparke  
Sparke Henry Dartmouth DEV   1787 W or   ARCH 8566 - Sparke v Sparke & Sparke  
Streete William South Pool DEV   1667 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 6066 - Marwood v Streete  
Streete William South Pool DEV   1668 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 8820 - Streete v Streete  
Strelley George Plymouth DEV   1677 O or   ARCH 8826 - Strelley v Strelley  
Strode William   DEV   1670 O or   ARCH 1837 - Chidley v Barkham & Allen [testator probably of Devon or Somerset]
Strode William       1671 W or   ARCH 6094 - Master v Barkham & Allen [testator probably of Devon or Somerset]
Strong Charles Pinhoe DEV   1747 W or   ARCH 8839 - Strong v Strong & Hart  
Suckler Walter Lydford DEV   1669 W or   ARCH 9305 - Tuckyr & Pearse v Smith & Rowell  
Thorne Henry Bishops Nympton DEV   1679 W or   ARCH 9124 - Thorne v Thorne  
Tompkins Thomas [Exeter] [DEV]   1676 W or   ARCH 2273 - Coppleston v Tompkins late Chancellor of Exeter Cathedral
Townsend Jasper Huntshaw DEV   1742 W or BARN ARCH 3742 - Glub v Cradock & Langdon  
Tyrrell William Pinhoe DEV   1671 O or EPRE[?] ARCH 9384 - Tyrrell v Aysh  
Vinicombe Giles Crediton DEV   1669 O or EPRE[?] ARCH 32 - Adams v Vinicombe  
Warham Nicholas Shute DEV   1702 W or   ARCH 9617 - Warham v Warham  
Weare Margaret Holbeton DEV   1663 I or   ARCH 3089 - Ellis v Land  
Webber Charles Topsham DEV farmer 1772 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 2442 - Cross v Webber  
Wellington Peter Bideford DEV   1736 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 9771 - Wellington v Doleman  
Winicombe Giles Crediton DEV   1670 W or   ARCH 10162 - Winicombe v Adams  
Wood John East Anstey DEV   1736 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 10234 - Wood v Wood late r[ector]
Wreyford Bridget Ipplepen DEV   1711 W or EPRE[?] ARCH 8411 - Smerdon v Whiteway  
Yeabsley Agnes Doddiscombsleigh DEV   1707 W or EXE ARCH 609 - Battin v Edmonds  

Last updated: 16 Apr 2011 - Brian Randell

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