John Militon Explained

John Militon (died 1549;[1] alias Job Militon) of Pengersick Castle in the parish of Breage in Cornwall, was Governor of Saint Michael's Mount, Cornwall, in 1547.[2]

Career

The Militon family, which originated in Devon,[3] inherited (or otherwise acquired) Pengersick, and enlarged the building.[4] Sabine Baring-Gould (1899) wrote as follows:[5]

"Near Germoe, but nearer the sea is a very fine remnant of a castle, Pengersick. It was erected in the time of Henry VIII by a man named Millaton, probably of Millaton in Bridestow, Devon. He had committed murder and to escape justice he fled his native country and hid himself in the dip of land facing the sea at Pengersick, where he constructed at tower amply protected with means of defence. The basement is furnished with loops for firing upon anyone approaching, and above the door is a shoot for melted lead. The entire building is beautifully constructed. Here Millaton remained in concealment until he died, never leaving his tower for more than a brief stroll. The land had not been purchased in his own name, but in that of his son Job (sic). Job was made governor of Saint Michael's Mount and his son, William, was made sheriff of Cornwall in 1565 and married Honor Godolphin, daughter of Sir William Godolphin".

During the reign of Henry VIII, John's father had purchased The manor of Pengersick.[2] On 4 February 1534 John Militon and his son William obtained a grant from the Abbess of Syon Monastery (dissolved in 1539) of a 30-year farm of Saint Michael's Mount, on condition of maintaining an arch-priest and two other priests. The Militons are mentioned frequently in this connection in the "Minister's Accounts of Cornwall".[6]

John Militon was made governor of St. Michael's Mount in the year 1547, in the room of Sir Humphrey Arundell (c. 1513 – 1550), who was later executed for his part in the Prayer Book Rebellion of 1549.

Marriage and children

Militon married and had a son and heir,[2] William (died 1 June 1571), who became Sheriff of Cornwall in 1565, and married Honor Godolphin, a daughter of Sir William Godolphin of Godolphin, Cornwall. Of William and his wife, Sabine Baring-Gould relates as follows:[7]

According to local legend, William Millaton lived a cat and dog live with his wife Honor. They hated each other with a deadly hate and at length each severally resolved that this incompatible union must end. William Millaton said to his wife, "Honor, we have lived in wretchedness too long. Let us resolve in a reconciliation, forget the past, and begin a new life." "Most certainly do I agree," said she. "And," continued William, "as a pledge of our reunion, let us have a feast tonight." So a banquet was spread in Pengersick Castle for them twain and none others. And when they had well eaten, William said, "Let us drink to our reunion." "I will drink if you will drink," said she. Then he drained his glass, and after that, she drained hers. With a bitter laugh she said, "William,you have but three minutes to live. Your cup was poisoned." "And you," he retorted, "have but five, for yours was poisoned also." "It is well," said Honor; "I am content. I shall have two minutes in which to triumph over your dead carcass, and spurn it with my foot."

William had a son and heir apparent also named William, who died at sea without children shortly before his father's death, when William's six daughters therefore became his co-heiresses. They married into the families of Erisey, Lanyon, Trefusis, Arundel, Bonython, and Abbot of Hartland Abbey.

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Date of death per: Fletcher, Chapter 10
  2. Lysons, Magna Britannia, Vol.3, Cornwall
  3. Lysons, Vol.3, Cornwall, 1814: "Militon of Pengersick, a Devonshire family extinct after a short continuance in Cornwall"
  4. Web site: Pengersick Castle, Praa Sands, Cornwall - Castles Uncovered. Castlesuncovered.com. 26 July 2018.
  5. Sabine Baring-Gould, "Book of the West", Vol.2, Cornwall, 1899, p 289
  6. Book: Fletcher, J. R.. Short History Of St. Michael's Mount Cornwall. 16 April 2013. Read Books Ltd. 9781447498544. 26 July 2018. Google Books.
  7. Sabine Baring-Gould, "Book of the West", Vol.2, Cornwall, 1899, p 289
  8. Web site: "Devon. Delivered into court 3 Nov by Richard Calmady, gent. Inquisition taken at Exeter Castle, 4 Oct 13 Eliz [1571], before Robert Carye, esq., John Eveleigh, esq., after the death of William Myllyton, esq., oath of William Harris, John Wray, John Crocker, John Dynham, esquires, John Cruse, John Norrye, John Heale of Heale, John Elford, William Battishill, Roger Tolsloe, gentlemen, Peter Ebbiswourthie, John Newcombe, sen., William Nobell, John Quicke, Hugh Wikes, and Simon Hole: Who say that William Myllyton was seised of the advowson of the vicarage of St Hilary, co. Cornwall, held of the Queen's manor of Est Grenewich, in socage, by fealty: - 2 messuages of lands (1) in Rosagan and Treuals, roseagen and trerules) Cornwall, held of the Queen's manor of Helston in Keryer, Kerrier in the duchy of Cornwall, by fealty 3s 4d rent, in socage; worth by the year, clear, 10s.: 7 messuages in Treglistan Wartha, Treglistan Woolas, Treglistan Meadowe, Bondower, Nansevall Leytre, Cornwall, held of the manor of Luddisvan, by fealty, in socage; worth £2: - one messuage in Carverie, Cornwall, held of John Stawell, esq.,the manor of Lamskeye, by 1d rent, worth, 20s. John Myllyton, father of said William was seised of the manor of Pengirsicke, Cornwall. Also the said John held the manors of Mewe, Walkehampton Knolle, Devon. The said John made his will, dated at Pengersicke, 27 Nov 3 Edw VI [1549], and bequeathed to his son William Mylliton esq., and Honor his wife, all his goods lands, and made them his executors. He died at Pengarsicke 1 Nov (3) 4 Edw VI [1550] (3). Honor yet holds the premises. Pengarsicke, held of Joan Antron, widow:- Trewoervas Veor,John Stawell, esq.,:- Rynsye (Rinsey) now held of Martin Trewynnard, esq., Drenycke of the lords of the manor of Luddisvan:- Mulvera, Chyenryves,; Enys Wartha, Enys Woolas, held of St Abyn esq., worth 26s 8d.:- Marshasyowe Trenthno of the same:- St Just held of the Earl Routlande, of his manor of Alwarton. John Myllyton also held 2/3 and 1/3 of 2 messuages, in Trebowlans and 2/3 and 1/3 of 1 messuage, in Burlowena or St Hilary:- Trebolans held of Francis Godolphyn, esq., of the manor of Godolphen; worth 12s. Burlowena or St Hillarie held of John Trevylian, esq., of his manor of Peran Uthno, by fealty & rent of a red rose, in socage; worth, 10s:- also 2/3 of 2 messuages, in Boswene Tredawa, Cornwall, held of John Levelis, esq., of his manor of Castellhornecke; worth 16 shillings /2." "Next heirs were the sisters of William Milliton the son. Avis Eresye, widow, aged 34; Elizabeth wife of Thomas Trevuwith, aged 32 (b about 1539) married three times. Grace wife of Nicholas Tregodicke aged 31; Anne wife of William Abbot, esq., of Hartland Abbey,aged 26; Eleanor wife of John Bonython, aged 24; Philippa wife of John Lanyon, aged 23; Mary wife of William Penhelacke, aged 22."]. Geni.com. 26 July 2018.

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