Robert Carey (died 1586)


Robert Carey, lord of the manor of Clovelly in North Devon, was Member of Parliament for Barnstaple, Devon, in October 1553 and served as Sheriff of Devon in 1555–56. He served as Recorder of Barnstaple after 1560. Along with several other members of the Devonshire gentry then serving as magistrates he died of gaol fever at the Black Assize of Exeter 1587. His large monument survives in Clovelly Church.

Origins

He was the fourth son of Robert Cary, of Cockington and Clovelly, by his third wife Margaret Fulkeram, daughter and heiress of William Fulkeram of Dartmouth, Devon. He was given the manor of Clovelly by his father. He was the first Cary to be seated exclusively at Clovelly, the manors of Cary and Cockington having been inherited by his half-brothers.

Career

He was a Justice of the Peace for Devon from 1547 until his death. He served as Sheriff of Devon in 1555–56. He was elected a Member of Parliament for Barnstaple in October 1553 and served as Recorder of Barnstaple after 1560.

Marriage and children

He married Margaret Milliton, daughter of John Milliton and widow of John Giffard of Yeo in the parish of Alwington, North Devon, by whom he had six sons and three daughters including George, eldest son and heir, Sheriff of Devon in 1587, who built a harbour wall at Clovelly, which created the only safe anchorage between Appledore and Boscastle.

Death and burial

Along with several other members of the Devonshire gentry then serving as magistrates he died of gaol fever at the Black Assize of Exeter 1586.

Monument at Clovelly

His large monument, with strapwork decoration, survives against the south wall of the chancel of All Saints Church, Clovelly. Along the full length of the cornice is inscribed in gilt capitals: Robertus Carius, Armiger, obiit An Do 1586. On the base of the north side are shown two relief sculpted heraldic escutcheons, showing Cary impaling Chequy argent and sable, a fess vairy argent and gules and Cary impaling Sable, three swords pilewise points in base proper pomels and hilts or. On the base of the west side is a similar escutcheon showing his own arms of Cary ; 3rd: Gules, a fess between three crescents argent ; 4th: A chevron impaling Gules, a chevron or between three millets hauriant argent )