PENRYN is an ancient borough in the hundred of Kirrier, in the county of
Cornwall, pleasantly situated on a hill between two other hills, at the head of a
navigable river, whose entrance is guarded by the strong and impregnable fort of
Pendennis. It is exceedingly well watered, having streams of water running through
it; and is bounded by a stream of water on each side.
This place was first incorporated by James I. and is now governed by a
corporate body, consisting of twelve aldermen, twelve common councilmen, a recorder, a
steward, and other inferior officers. The right of election is in the mayor, portreeve,
aldermen, and inhabitants at large, who pay scot and lot. The number of voters is
about one hundred and forty. Returning-officer the mayor. This is a scot and
lot borough. The number of housekeepers paying to church and poor is about one
hundred and forty. The property is divided between the Earl of Mouth Edgecumbe and
Sir Francis Bassett; but the latter has, at present, the greatest part, and the majority
of the electors are in his interest.
Penryn is an ancient manor, belonging to the see of Exeter; of which it is
now held by the corporation, at a small annual rent. It is a free borough, and held
by the corporation, at a small annual rent. It was a free borough, and had a market
before 30 Edward I. and has sent representatives to parliament every since the first of
Queen Mary. It was made a free borough about the year 1270, by Walter Bronescomb,
then bishop of Exeter. It sends two members to parliament; the present are Sir
Franics Basset, Bart. and Richard Glover, Esq.
Here was once a monastery, which was a cell to Kirton; and her are still
to be seen a tower and part of the garden-walls, the ruins of a collegiate church.
There is no church within the borough, but the inhabitants attend divine
service at the adjacent parish church of Gluvias, the vicar of which has the benefits of
the borough. There are two markets in the week here, viz. Thursdays and Saturdays;
and there are three fairs held here in the year, viz. May 12, July 7, and December 21.
Penryn is distant from Truro nine miles east, Grampound seventeen east,
Marazion twenty west, St. Ives twenty-two west, Mitchel seventeen east, St. Columb's
sixteen east, Penzance twenty-three west, Redruth eight west, and from London two hundred
and sixty-two.
The principal street of Penryn is spacious and airy, and there are many
very good houses. There is a fish-cross, market-house, town-hall, assembly-room, and
an excellent town-clock with chimes, made by Tompion. Upon the streams, before
mentioned, are four grist-mills and a paper-mill; and in the town are three very good
porter and beer breweries. This place is the granary of the south-west of the
county, the warehouses for flour and grain being very numerous, and the supply from the
Isle of Wight and Hants being considerable. An extensive woollen-manufactory was
once set on foot near the old abbey lands of Glasney, but for want of proper management
did not succeed. At present trade is not very considerable here, but is likely to
increase.
The inhabitants of Penryn are a loyal and affectionate people, and have
raised a larger body of volunteers than any other town in Cornwall, for internal defence.
They consist of four companies, and of the following commissioned officers:
Sir Francis Basset, Bart.
Lieutenant-colonel Commandant
George Chapman George, Esq. Major
Captains
Benjamin Hearne, Esq.
Edward Penwarne, Esq.
Richard Harris, Esq.
Lieutenants
Richard Behenner
Christopher Robins
Edward Williams
Richard Spargo
James Edgcome, jun.
Ensigns
John Street
William Pellowe
Thomas Adams
Rev. Robert Dillon, Chaplain Hugh Parker , Acting Adjutant John Street, Surgeon
The non-commissioned officers are, a sergeant-major, twelve sergeants, and
twelve corporals. They have sixteen drums and fifes, two triangles, a long drum, and
a pair of symbols. The privates amount to two hundred. They have a handsome
pair of colours, presented them by their lieutenant-colonel, and are in every respect
completely accoutred and disciplined.
Mr. Rymer gives very remarkable account how Penryn was once saved
by a company of strolling players, viz. That, towards the latter end of the
sixteenth century, the Spaniards were landing to burn the town just as the players were
setting Sampson upon the Philistines, which performance was accompanied with such drumming
and shouting, that the Spaniards thought some ambush was laid for them, and scampered back
to their ships.
There is a very numerous and respectable lodge of free masons held at the
principal inn in this borough, viz. the Lodge of Joy, Peace, and Brotherly Love, at the
house of Brother Pellowes, the sign of the King's Arms. Treasurer, Francis
Mukins, Esq. Secretary, William Crowsey, who is also commissary for French
prisoners at the prisons of Kergilliack and Roscrow. Chaplain, Rev. Robert
Dillon.
The manor of Penryn Forryn has a court of record, and the stewart holds
pleas to any amount, and proceeds by bailable capias in all cases above ten pounds.
Steward
of the Manor of Penryn Forryn
Philip Webber
Constables
William Pellowe
Richard Toy
Ezehiel Gregg
William Edgcombe
Sergeants at Mace
John Edey
Thomas Nurden
John Edey, Crier
Bread-weighers and Ale-conners
John Behenna
James Grey
Stephen Harris
William Turner
James Pellowe, Quay-master Lewis Crowle, Master of the Workhouse
Overseers
William Pellowe
Richard Toy
Way-Wardens
Jonathan Hornblower
Peter Price
William Croggen
Stephen Harris
The London mail comes in every Friday, and goes out the Sunday following.
The following is a list of the principal inhabitants:
CORPORATION
Sir Francis Basset, Bart. Recorder John Thomas, Gent.
William Williams, Gent.
William Jackson, Esq.
Edward Coode, Esq.
Benjamin Pender, Esq.
Rev. William Baker
John Stona, Gent.
Joseph Dillon, Esq.
Rev. Robert Dillon
Edward Penwarne, Gent.
John Penware, Gent.
John Davies, Steward of the Manor of Penryn
GENTRY
Crowgey William, Esq.
Dillon Robert, Esq.
George Chapman George, Esq.
Harris Richard, Gent.
Hearne Benjamin, Esq.
Hodge Edward, Esq.
Humphry James, Esq.
James Robert, Gent.
Mukins Francis, Esq.
Richards Robert, Esq.
Richards Philip, Esq.
Roberts William, Esq.
Robins Christopher, Esq.
Scott Sir Charles
Spargo Richard, Gent.
CLERGY
Bererley Rev. Thomas
Collins Rev. John
Dillon Rev. Henry
PHYSIC.
Street Samuel, Surgeon Symons John, Surgeon
LAW
Johns Stephen James, Attorney
TRADERS, &c.
Adams Thomas , Brewer Adams John, Brandy-merchant Anderson Andrew, Gardener Behenna Robert, Brewer
Richard Behenna, Collector James Edgcombe, sen. Tide-surveyor Richard Corfield, Supervisor of Excise
J. Treloar, Salt. Officer William Harris, Comptroller
Gentlemen's seats in the neighbourhood of Penryn:
Enys
the seat of John Enys, Esq.
one mile distant
Tresusis
Lord Clinton
two miles
Carclew
Sir William Lemon, Bart.
three miles
Tretheage
Mrs. Tincombe
four miles
Trevales
Thomas Reed, Esq.
three miles
Trelill
John Rawe, Esq.
nine miles
Penrose
John Rogers, Esq.
eleven miles
Godolphon
Duke of Leeds
fourteen miles
Penwarne
Sir Michael Nowell, Knt.
three miles
Rosemerrin
Peter Bown, Esq.
three miles
Penjerrick
Geo. Fox
three miles
Meurin
Richard Pidseley, Esq.
five miles
Boswarthack
Thomas Moore, Esq.
four miles
Tywardreath
Thomas Trewren, Esq.
six miles
Lenarth
Thomas Nicholas, Esq.
six miles
Halvose
John Hawkins, Esq.
eight miles
Trelowarrne
Sir Carew Vivian, Bart.
ten miles
Pengriepe
Joseph Beauchamp, Esq.
four miles
Trevince
Miss Beauchamp
five miles
Bochim
Sir Henry Trelawney, Bart.
fourteen miles
Clowance
Sir John St. Aubyn, Bart.
fourteen miles
Tehidy Park
Sir Francis Basset, Bart.
twelve miles
Pendawes
John Stackhouse
twelve miles
Rosewarne
William Harris, Esq.
twelve miles
Lower Rosewarne
Matthew Vivian, Esq.
twelve miles
Killiow
Robert Lovel Gwatkin, Esq.
seven miles
Place
Admiral Spry
fifteen miles
Within the hundred of Kirrier, besides the borough of Penryn, are, the
borough of Helstone ten miles west, the town of Falmouth about two miles south, and the
village of Flushing, within the parish of Mylor, about two miles east.
The parishes within the hundred of Kirrier are as follows:
Gluvias and Budock
Rev. William John Temple, Vicar
Perranarworthal
four miles
Rev. James Buckingham, Vicar
Stythians
six miles
Rev. James Buckingham, Vicar
Falmouth
two miles
Rev. ---- Wilbraham, Rector
Constenton
six miles
Rev. Edmund Gilbert, Vicar
St. Keverne
ten miles
Rev. James Pascoe, Vicar
Helstone
ten miles
Rev. Richard G. Grylls, Vicar
Ruan Major
fourteen miles
Rev. S. Sandys, Rector
Ruan Minor
fifteen miles
Rev. William Robinson, Rector
Mawgan
thirteen
Rev. --- Trevillian, Rector
St. Martin
thirteen miles
Rev. --- Trevillian, Rector
Mabo
two
Rev. Richard Mills, Vicar
Mylor
three miles
Rev. Richard Mills, Vicar
Gwennap
six miles
Rev. A. Radford, Vicar
Wendron
six miles
a Vicarage
Mawnan
five miles
Rev. William Peter, Rector
Manackan
eight miles
Rev. Richard Polwhele, Vicar
St. Anthony in Meneage
eight miles
Rev. William H. Reyne, Vicar
Mullion
seventeen miles
a Vicarage
Sithney
twelve miles
Rev. Morgan Cove, Vicar
Breage
fourteen miles
Rev. Edward Marshal, Vicar
Curty, Gunwallo, Grade, and Germo, chapels to Breage
