There have been Yeos in the north Cornwall parish of Stratton since before the sixteenth century – perhaps for many years before, as they were by then well established, played an important part in the administration of the town, and had accumulated significant wealth and property. They have links to Yeos in Woolfardisworthy, Hartland, Exeter and London.
A Robert Yeo and his brother William Yeo are mentioned in the churchwardens’ accounts for 1548 [notes 1, 2].
Robert’s brother Nicholas Yeo is mentioned in the churchwardens’ accounts for other years in the mid 16th century [note 3]. Nicholas and his wife Elizabeth Monk had eight sons, of whom:
– John Yeo lived at East Bridge, Stratton and was one of the ‘eight men’ mentioned below
– Walter Yeo was a wealthy merchant, who lived until 1621; the extensive inventory drawn up by Walter’s executors included cloth, livestock and spices; his family is set out below
– Andrew Yeo moved to Hartland and was buried there in 1624
– Richard Yeo leased part of the ancient manor of Stratton Sanctuary
– Humphrey Yeo worked in Exeter as a weaver and was granted Freedom of the City in 1603.
An Agnes Yeo is mentioned in the accounts referred to in the previous paragraph, and might have been a sister of Robert and Nicholas.
Robert’s brother John Yeo held land in Stratton, at least some of which formed part of the manor of Treburtell at nearby Tresmeer, though a muster roll from 1569 records him in Stratton. John had a son John, who became known as ‘Great John Yeo of Stratton’ and was one of the ‘eight men of Stratton’ who were signatories to an agreement dated 1593 [note 4]. There is also evidence suggesting that Great John lived at Treyo in the neighbouring parish of Launcells.
Walter Yeo of Stratton and his wife Prudence Babb had at least eight children, including:
– Nicholas Yeo, who became a merchant, trading in various goods including salt
– John Yeo, who married Thomasine Call at Bridgerule in 1596; he held land at Burwood in Stratton, at Lana in the nearby Devon parish of Pyworthy, and elsewhere
– Roger Yeo, another merchant, moved to Exeter where he was buried in 1619; his son William Yeo moved to London and lived at Wansdown House in Fulham [note 5].
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Notes
1. Robert travelled with others to Helston to assist in quashing riots there, and was recompensed with a payment of 2s.8d.; William was paid 5s. for ‘expences att the vysytations’ (see The Visitations of Devon and Cornwall).
2. The accounts have been transcribed in Joanna Mattingly (ed.), Stratton Churchwardens’ Accounts, 1512–1578 (Devon and Cornwall Record Society, New Series, Vol. 60), Boydell & Brewer, Woodbridge, Suffolk 2018. They mention a ‘Mistress Yeo’, who might have been William’s wife. Nicholas is referred to in several documents as Nicholas Yeo ‘of East Bridge’ or ‘of Bridge’, presumably an indication of where he lived in relation to the bridge over the River Strat – the river was navigable at the time, and could be used to transport goods and materials to this prosperous market town. Other references in the accounts include: a payment of 2d. in 1563 ‘for the stand against the corner of William Yeo’s shop outside the church stile’ and a payment of 3d. in 1573 ‘for a funeral knell for for William Yeo of Hobbacocks’.
3. Nicholas lived at East Bridge, Stratton but moved to Bradworthy as he and his wife Alice Prouse were buried there in 1596 and 1611 respectively.
4. The agreement relates to the maintenance of parish assets. The eight were trustees of the parish assets and carried out a range of duties including the distribution of poor relief; new trustees were appointed as existing trustees died or relinquished their posts.
5. See The Yeo Family, researched by Yve McLaughlin.