John Woollcombe

John Woollcombe son and heir of John Woollcombe (Page 171}

He was baptised at Yealmpton June 8 1680 and educated at Exeter College, Oxford.

He was a Captain in the Devon militia 1696. He represented Plymouth in the last Parliament of King William and first of Queen Anne.

Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Devon 1702.

High Sheriff for the county of Devon 1712.

He inherited Ashbury estate from his uncle Henry Woollcombe and made Ashbury his home and from that time it remained the family seat. his mother Thomasine Woollcombe lived at Pitton till her death in 1727 and it is now and was for many years a farmhouse.

He married Anne only daughter of Richard Hele Esq. of Fleet Damarell in the county of Devon, who was baptised at Halbeton May 1682. The marriage settlement was dated January 30, 1706.

They had no children and died comparatively young and within a few days of each other, she being buried at Ashbury April 9, 1713 aged 31, and he at Yealmpton April 20, 1713.

In his will dated April 14 and proved May 20 1713, he left the Ashbury estates to his brother William Woollcombe, and Pitton to his brother, the Rev. Philip Woollcombe.

Copy of Commission

Thomas Earl of Stamford, Baron of Gooley and Lord Lieutenant of this County of Devon and City and County of Devon and one of His Majesty's Privy Council

To John Woollcombe Esq. Captain. Greeting.

By virtue of the power and authority given me by His Majesty's Commission of Lieutenancy for the militia of the County of Devon I do hereby, ordain, constitute and appoint you to be Captain of a company of foot soldiers in the said militia in th Regiment whereof Samuel Rolle Esq. is Colonel raised and to be raised for the service of His Majesty and the Preservation of the Kingdom. You are therefore to take into your charge and care the said company as Captain thereof and duly to exercise the inferior officers and soldiers of the same in armes and also to use your best care and endeavor to keep them in good orders and discipline Willing and commanding all inferior officers and soldiers of the said company respectively to obey you as their Captain according to this commission and you yourself to follow all such orders and directions as from time to time you will receive from His Majesty myself my Deputy Lieutenant or any other your superior officers or officers according to the Discipline of war and in all things to govern yourself as with the Duty and Place of a Captain of a company of foot doth of right appertain and belong.

Given under my hand and seal the two and twentieth day of July in the eigth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord William the Third by the Grace of God of England, Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith Anno Dominie 1696.

Stafford