Thomas Achym, of Trenake

Please note: He had two wives named Ursula Fulford.

(1) Ursula Fulford, his first cousin, daughter of Francis Fulford & Elizabeth Samways

(2) Ursula Fulford, daughter of Thomas Fulford & Ann

This second Ursula is a niece of Achym's first wife Ursula, and she presumably could call him "uncle."

The will of Thomas Achym, dated 26 December 1664 and proved 15 July 1669, names the following beneficiaries:

To the poor of Pelynt, Bodmin, Talland, and St. Giles in the Heath (in Devon)

Trustees: Francis Fulford of Fulford, esq.; Francis Pollard of Heath, Devon; and Phillip Drake of Dunscombe in the parish of Saltrum [Dunstone in Salcombe?]

Properties in Exeter; messuage, farm called Hall in Pelynt; East Hoye and West Hoye

Ursula Achym, my wife, farm animals, her nagg, £50 [emphasis added]

Mary Achym the elder, my daughter, a ring worth 20s

Mary Achym the younger, my fourth daughter, £200 at age 21, £15 yearly until age 21

Ann Achym, my fifth daughter, £100 at age 21, £10 yearly until age 21

Elizabeth Achym, my sixth daughter, £100 at age 21, £8 yearly until age 21

Margaret Achym, my youngest daughter, £100 at age 21, £8 yearly until age 21

Mary Sprye, my sister's daughter by Jeremy Sprye, £50 at age 21, and £5 yearly (as above)

Jonathan Achym, my son, his executors shall hold my tenement of Trenake in Pelynt according to one Deed of Lease to the use of Jonathan, dated 16 Jan. 1652/3. I appoint my trustees the full and whole executors during the minority of Jonathan Achim; and he to be my sole executor at age 21, and to have all the properties in Exeter

Francis Achym, my son: if Jonathan dies before 21 years without issue male, then Francis to be my sole executor at age 21, and Francis to have all the properties in Exeter

Thomas Achym, my son and heir apparent: if Francis dies in his minority without heirs, then Thomas to be my executor and he to have my said estate granted to him.

Source: Hill, Ronald Ames. The tumultuous Achym/Fulford relationship: with abstracts of Chancery Court proceedings, and transcripts of Chancery decrees and orders. (Star, Idaho: Chaghill Publications, c2003).

Trenake Farmhouse, Pelynt

Manor house. Now farmhouse divided into 2 dwellings. Circa early to mid C17 with possibly mid C17 rear wing at higher end. Possibly late C17 or early C18 rear wing at lower end, extensively remodelled in early C19 and in 1960s. House remodelled in circa early C19 with further rear wing and outshut added in circa mid C19. Early to mid C17 range possibly built by Thomas Achym. Stone rubble, slate-hung above ground floor on front elevation. Partly slate-hung in gable end of rear wing. Asbestos slate roof to front slope and scantle slate roof to rear. Main range with hipped ends and double gable of 2 projecting wings to rear of lower end and gabled end to projecting wing to rear of inner room at higher end. Catslide roof over service rooms to rear of main range between 2 gabled rear projections. Brick chimney shaft to fireplace at lower end. Hall heated by rear lateral stone rubble chimney stack incorporated in later outshut. Inner room unheated. Side lateral projecting stone rubble chimney stack of earlier rear wing at higher end. Projecting stone rubble chimney stack to gable end of circa C17 rear wing projecting from lower end. Brick chimney stack to rear of circa mid C19 wing to rear of through passage.

Early C17 range comprising 3 room and wide through passage plan. Lower end heated by end chimney stack, hall heated by rear lateral stack and inner room unheated. Wing to rear of unheated inner room reputed to be the remains of an earlier house however, later remodelling reveals little evidence of this. Heated by lateral chimney stack. Rear wing added at lower end to form overall 'U' shape courtyard plan. In circa early C19 outshut containing service rooms added to rear of hall, incorporating rear lateral chimney stack. In circa mid C19 projecting wing added to rear of through passage. Through passage possibly widened then and C19 stair inserted.

2 storeys, regular 4-window front to C17 range. Ground floor with circa early C20 2- light and 3-light cross windows with glazing bars. C19 Gabled stone rubble porch to right of centre with slate roof and shouldered arched opening. Plank door within with chamfered lintel with run-out stops. 3-light window to right. First floor with four 16-pane sashes with horns.

Interior Widened through passage to form stair hall with C19 stair to rear. C20 chimney pieces in lower end and hall. C19 brick arch to fireplace in gabled end of rear wing at lower end. Large clay-lined cloam oven with door. Complete C17 roof structure with 8 clean trusses to main range. Principals morticed at apex with curved feet resting on wallplate. Cambered chamfered collars with dovetailed notched lapped joint. Some original purlins, slightly trenched. At higher end, nails on underside of collars with some trenched holes possibly for barrel vaulted ceiling. Earlier gabled rear wing at higher end with steeply pitched principals dying into the top courses of the wall well below ceiling level. Comprising 2 trusses with principals morticed at apex. Collars cambered, partly halved and lapped, nailed rather than pegged into principals. Possibly slightly smoke-blackened. However, the trusses have been cut about and may have been reused. Rear wing at lower end with steeply pitched principals dying into side of wall. However, many of the rafters have been replaced and access for full inspection was impossible. Owners state that this wing comprised a kitchen of 1 storey and that the first floor was inserted in the 1960s to accommodate the bathroom above.

The Achym family acquired Trenake, which they called a manor, in circa late C16. In circa 1625 Thomas Achym moved from Hall to Trenake which could possibly correspond with the erection of the early C17 range. However, shortly after, Thomas Achym was forced by financial pressures to sell Trenake to the Trelawners who allowed the Achyms to live on there as tenants.

Grigson, G Freedom of the Parish 1954 rp 1982.

Source: britishlistedbuildings.co.uk

Sources

1. Probate record, Thomas Achym of Pelynt, 26 Dec. 1664, proved 15 July 1669, Principal Registry of the Bishop of Exeter, PRBE 49/12/1/1, Devon CRO, Exeter.
2. Chancery Proceeding, Six Clerks Series, Whittington Div., C10/513/103, 12 Jan. 1694/5, TNA, Kew. Bill John Nicholls v. Thomas and Francis Achim, Thomas Hill and Ursula his wife, Mary Penkevell, and Francis Fulford. Nicholls claims that about the year 1660, Benjamin Penkevell of Tregeare in Cornwall (St. Kew), since deceased, married Mary the daughter of Thomas Achym of Pelynt. Also mentions Thomas Achim of Pelint brother of Mary Penkevel and Francis Achim another brother of Mary Penkevell.