Historical PRINGs

Parish Birth, Marriages and Death Registers (BMDs) were introduced in England in 1538 , the 29th year of the reign of Henry VIII. However many Parishes failed to comply and those that did often kept poor quality records.

It was not until Elizabeth 1st became Queen that further laws were enacted, firstly in 1558 requiring the safe keeping of Parish Records and finally in 1597, declaring that Parish Records be kept on parchment rather than paper, and Reports on Records were to sent to the appropriate Bishop (Bishop’s Transcripts) became a regular occurrence.

Subsidy Rolls

Prior to this Medieval Period Researchers must look to other source records. Amongst the earliest records are; ‘Subsidy Rolls’ (or Lay Subsidies).

These are basically various documents used to; ‘tax the common people’ they were enacted by both the; ‘Crown’ and the Ecclesiastical Authorities. They were vital in the collection of taxes.

(Source: The National Archives, Kew London. Many Subsidy Rolls are available both; Lay and Clerical from 1154 to 1700).

Devonshire Subsidy Rolls (1524-1527);

PRINGs that can be found in these are;

John PRYNG, 1523 of Honiton

Henry PRYNG, 1524 of Hemyock

Christopher PRYNG, 1524/25 of Buckerell Thomas PRENG, 1524 of Awliscombe

John PRYNG, 1524 of Awliscombe Robert PRYNG, 1524 of Awliscombe

Henry PRYNG, 1524 of Awliscombe

Clergy

Another source for tracing PRING Ancestors is to see if any were Clergy.

Rev. William PRING, 1661 -1713 Vicar of Branscombe, Devon

Rev. Francis PRINGE, 1589 – 1633 Vicar of Salcombe Regis, Devon

Deacon Francis PRYNGE 1580 Exeter, Devon

Rev. John PRINGE 1598 – 1626, Vicar of Enstone, Oxfordshire

Source: Clergy of the Church of England Database (1540-1835)

Note: See also Sub Page, Clergy and Church Laity

Wills. – Devon Wills Project.

Yet another source is through searching for Wills. In Genuki there are over 170 PRING Wills giving dates, place and other information. Amongst the earliest is a Sir John PRINGE, (d.1524) the Parson of the Devon Village of Feniton.

Source: Genuki, Devon Wills Project & Findmypast (FMP) Devon Wills Index (1163-1999) – (http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/devon-wills-index-1163-1999)

Early PRING BMDs in Kent and Sussex.

Besides Devon and Somerset, PRINGs can be found in; Kent – Robert PRINGE, marriage 1593, Sussex – Edward PRING, burial, 1618, London - George PRINGE, marriage 1618, and Dorset – John PRINGE, marriage 1592.

Earliest PRINGs in Devon.

The earliest PRING that is connected with Awliscombe is; William PRYNGE, whom the Abbot of Dunkeswell, a Richard Pitminster (PYTMYNSTER) granted 20th April 1496, a lease of land (for 11 shillings). The land was situated at Wulford in the Parish of Dunkeswell. (Richard Pitminster, Abbot of Dunkswell, 20th Jan 1492 - 1496.

This same William PRYNGE/(PREYNG) is to be found in a number of documents at the National Archive, Kew, London.

- William PREYNG.... Land Appointment in Marlecombe, Awliscombe called 'Gokkeysplace, dated; 15th July 1468

- William PREYNG.... Land Release a Messuage in Marlecombe, Awliscombe called 'Gokkeysplace, in which he now dwells dated; 29th July 1468.

- William PRYNG.... Revisionary Lease for the Term of 100 years, Awliscombe , which the said John PRYNGE hold for life by the deed dated,

2nd November 21 Edward IV, dated; 20th Aug 1538.

Note; Based on these dates above, a Son of William PREYNG, may be at Marlecombe.

In a 'Court of Chancery' document, (dated; 22 June 1394 - 21 June 1395) there is a dispute involving the Crown in; REX' versus PREYNG', the reign of King Richard II (1377 - 1399). (See, Nat Archives Ref. C44/18/13)

Awliscombe Missing BMD's

Awliscombe BMD records commence from 1559. There are missing records;

Baptisms: 1657 to 1690. Marriages: 1640 to 1690. Burials: 1645 to 1690.

Honiton has Baptisms & Burials from; 1562 and Marriages from: 1598.

Feniton Records show; Baptisms and Marriage from 1549 and Burials from; 1529

Earliest Devon PRINGs ???

Awliscombe, Feniton and Uffculme almost ‘tie’ for the earliest PRING BMD record. In Awliscombe, a Francis PRINGE son of John, was baptized 19th Jun 1561, whilst a Johane PRINGE was buried, 20 Mar 1559. A marriage of John PRINGE to Johane Carpenter dates; 29 Nov 1559. In Feniton the Explorer / Adventurer Martin PRINGE dates from1580, whilst in Uffculme an Agnes PRINGE married in 1540.

Sources:

1/. The Annals of Ivedon and the Chronicles of the PRINGs of Devon and Somerset by Rev. Daniel James PRING.

2/. Findmypast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk/).

- or -

Awliscombe ?

Feniton ?

- or -

Uffculme ?

Feniton

For Feniton, the earliest BMD record is for; Sir John PRING was buried; 8th April 1559. Sir John PRINGE was Rector (1524-1559) of St Andrews and is buried by the Church Door. The tomb of John PRINGE of Curscombe bur. 12 July 1620 is by the south door and is inscribed; ‘Prepare for Death’. There are over 50 BMD records for PRINGE at Feniton. Amongst these is the baptism (23 Apr 1580) for Martin PRINGE, the famous Seafarer and Merchant Adventurer , who discovered much of the Northern Virginia and Maine coasts in the vessels Speedwell and Discoverer in 1603. It is believed that the Feniton PRINGs came from Awliscombe, but this has not been proved.

Sources:

1/. The Feniton History Group,

2/. Findmypast (http://www.findmypast.co.uk/).

Awliscombe

For Awliscombe the earliest BMD record is for; John PRYNG (Will 1591) and marriage (29 Nov 1559 Awliscombe ) to Johanne CARPENTER. This John PRING (PRYNG, variation) is the Ancestor of the Ivedon PRINGs of Aswliscombe

The PRINGS of Ivedon Penn, Awliscombe.

Property that formed the Estates of Ivedon Penn can be identified in the Will of John PRING of Awliscombe (d.1677) and in turn in the Will of his son John PRING (d.1686) who had married Alice Spiller at Membury in 1648. There are several earlier generations of PRINGs of this line to a John PRING 1540abt.

Following the line of descent it was Francis PRING (d. 1710/12 Awliscombe) who had inherited the properties that left the Ivdeon Penn Estates to his 3 sons; Francis PRING (1664bfr.) , Daniel PRING (1666-1730) who married (1690) Mary Chard of Tracy and the Rev. William PRING (1669-1724) Vicar of Branscombe.

The two elder brothers Francis and Daniel PRING saw an opportunity to purchase of the mortgaged properties of the ‘Ancient Manor of Ivedon’ that was held by Baldwin Mallet. This purchase occurred in 1698, the 8th year of his marriage to Mary Chard of Tracy.

Manor of Ivedon.

We are told by the writings of Sir William Pole (the renowned Devon Antiquary) and Dr. James Hurley PRING that the Ancient Manor of Ivedon was granted to William de Ivedon by the Duke of Normandy, after the ‘Conquest’. William de Ivedon, had no male issue, so the Manor was divided equally to his 3 x daughters, in 1200c. The daughters married;

1/. Robert de Stanton who inherited the portion that later, came by descent to Baldwin MALET that was purchased by Francis & Daniel PRING

2/. Richard de Membiry inherited the portion that passed by descent into the de la POLE family, and then to purchase by the PRING family 1500c.

3/. Sir William de Tracy inherited and titled his portion Tracy which became Tracyhayes this passed by descent to the Charde family 1400c. It was at Tracy (Tracyhayes) that Abbot Thomas Chard of Forde Abbey was born, as was Mary Chard who married Daniel PRING. As Dr. Hurley PRING tells us in his book;

….. In 1690, Daniel Pring of Ivedon married Mary Chard of Tracy, and the descendants of this marriage are now the only remaining

representatives of this family of Chard ; whilst it may be remarked as an interesting fact, that the family of de Ivedon, from whom

this Mary Chard was in a direct line descended, may be regarded as having been thus, in her person, reinstated in the possession

of their original estate, which, as we have already seen, they held at the Conquest. ….. (page 41., The last Abbot of Ford Abbey)

Uffculme

For Uffculme, the earliest BMD record is for; Agnes PRINGE who married (26 Nov 1540) Humfry CROSSE. The next oldest is a Wm (William) PRING who married (18th May 1552) Jone COLE.

For burials, a Richode PRINGE, buried; 15 June 1564, who was the wife of Thomas PRINGE, who was buried; 2nd April 1566.

Thomas PRINGEs Will dated; 1567 (UFWI), Uffculme Wills and Inventories, these Wills escaped the destruction of the Wills held in the Exeter Probate Office during WW2. For Thomas's Will the Probate Court is (PCDC) Peculiar Court of the Dean & Chapter of Exeter.

Pring

Chard

The Family Tree at Ivedon Penn

Daniel PRING and Mary (nee Chard) had 12 children, the eldest son Daniel PRING (1696-1762) inherited. Daniel was known as ‘the Lawyer’. He enhanced the Estate considerably, and practiced law in both Exeter and London. Having married twice he died without issue, and his younger brother John PRING (1709-1792) became sole Executor and his heirs, Exors, Admors and Assigns.

The 3 x sons of John PRING (1709-1792) became the beneficiaries; the eldest; Daniel PRING (1745-1791) inherited Ivedon Penn, and remained at Awliscombe. Whilst brother John PRING (1750-1840) took his portion and moved to Crediton, establishing the ‘Crediton PRINGs’ with several descendants becoming prominent Lawyers. The youngest brother . William PRING (1753-1821) took his portion, moved to Taunton, Somerset, establishing the Taunton PRINGs with descendants becoming Doctors and Vicars. So once again the ancient manor of de Ivedon was divided .

Ivedon Penn next passed by descent to John PRING (1782-1820) who distinguished himself in the Peninsular War as a Captain of the 27th Inniskilling Regiment of Foot, of the Army of the Duke of Wellington. Captain PRING was severely wounded in the Siege of Badajoz in 1811. He was invalided home to Ivedon Penn. He never fully recovered and died without issue in 1820. Ivedon Penn now passed to the next brother Daniel PRING (1786-1846) who was a Naval Officer of the Royal Navy. In the War of 1812 (conflict between the United States and Gt. Britain) on the Lakes in Canada the newly promoted Commander PRING distinguished himself Commanding firstly HMS Royal GEORGE then, HMS WOLFE. In the ensuing Actions Commander PRING and his Officers were commended for ‘Great Zeal and Bravery’.

By 1820 when Daniel PRING inherited Ivedon Penn from his late brother John, his was a Royal Naval Post Captain. Commodore Daniel PRING in his flagship the 76 gun HMS IMAUM, was Flag Officer Jamaica, he contracted yellow fever and died 29 Nov. 1846. Daniel PRING also died without issue.

By now much, of the Estates of Ivedon had been dispersed the remaining great Tithes of Awliscombe were bequeathed for Charitable use.

Awliscombe Parish Church, St. Michael and All Angels has a number of Memorials and Tombs of the PRINGs of Ivedon Penn. Also to be found at St Michael and All Angels Memorials to the CHARDE family of Tracy, and the Coats of Arms of CHARDE. The north aisle of the Church is known as the ‘Tracy Ailse’ where a Tombstone of CHARDE forms part of the pavement.

Source:

1. National Archives: Ref: DD\SOG/804 mortgage by Baldwin MALET (1691)

2. National Archives: Ref: 5333M PRING family of Ivedon …. Deeds and papers. (1698)

3. Collections towards a description of the County of Devon by Sir William Pole of Colcombe & Shute KNT. (1561-1635).1630abt. London: MDCC XCL

4. The Last Abbot of Ford Abbey, by Dr. James Hurley PRING, Pub. 1864 London.

5. The Worthies of Devon by John Prince, Pub. 1810, London.

6. The Annals of Ivedon and the Chronicles of the Prings of Devon and Somerset, by Rev. Daniel James Pring M.A. Prependary of Wells, Vicar of North Curry and Rural Dean of Taunton, North Curry 1926.

7. Devon Lay Subsidy Rolls (1524-1527) Ed. T.L. Sloate, Pub., T.L. Sloate, Almondsbury, Bristol, 1979

8. Monasticon Dioecesis Exoniensis, A Collection of Records and Instruments in the Counties of Cornwall and Devon by George Oliver D.D,, Pub., Longman, London, 1846 (p.394)

9. National Archives, Kew, London - References: (ECA/ED/AWL/30 & Alternative Ref: ED/AWL/30) - (ECA/ED/AWL/32 & Alternative Ref: ED/AWL/32) -

- (ECA/ED/AWL/63 & Alternative Ref: ED/AWL/63), Ref: C44/18/13

10. South West Heritage Trust - Ref: ECA/ED/AWL/321A & Alternative Ref: ED/AWL/31.