The Mayor's Pew, St Peter's Church, Barnstaple. On the chair back are shown the arms of Barnstaple: Gules a castle of three towers conjoined argent the centre tower larger than the others,[1] between two scrolls inscribed in Latin: Domini Nomen and Firmum Castellum ("The Name of God (is) a Strong Castle")
The Mayor of Barnstaple together with the Corporation long governed the historic Borough of Barnstaple, in North Devon, England. The seat of government was the Barnstaple Guildhall.[2] The mayor served a term of one year and was elected annually on the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin (15 August) by a jury of twelve.[3]
However Barnstaple was a mesne borough[4] and was held by the Mayor and Corporation in chief not from the king but from the feudal baron of Barnstaple, later known as the lord of the "Castle Manor" or "Castle Court". The Corporation tried on several occasions to claim the status of a "free borough" which answered directly to the monarch and to divest itself of this overlordship, but without success. The mayor was not recognised as such by the monarch, but merely as the bailiff of the feudal baron.[4] The powers of the borough were highly restricted, as was determined by an inquisition ad quod damnum during the reign of King Edward III (1327–1377), which from an inspection of evidence found that members of the corporation elected their mayor only by permission of the lord, legal pleas were held in a court at which the lord's steward, not the mayor, presided, that the borough was taxed by the county assessors, and that the lord held the various assizes which the burgesses claimed.[4] Indeed, the purported ancient royal charter supposedly granted by the Anglo-Saxon King Æthelstan (d.939) (King of the Anglo-Saxons from 924 to 927 and King of the English from 927 to 939) and held by the corporation, from which it claimed its borough status, was suspected to be a forgery.[4]
Since 1974 Barnstaple has been a civil parish governed by a town council.[5]
List of mayors
An incomplete list of the mayors of Barnstaple between 1303 and 1793, was compiled by Benjamin Incledon (1730–1796) of Pilton House, Pilton, near Barnstaple in North Devon, an antiquarian and genealogist, and was published in 1830 within Joseph Besly Gribble's work "Memorials of Barnstaple".[6] A list of mayors from 1301 to 2002 was more recently published in Lois Lamplugh's 2002 work Barnstaple: Town on the Taw, which is based on the complete list which hangs in the Mayor's Parlour of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[7]
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (November 2014)
The following were mayors of Barnstaple, Devon, England, ordered by monarch:
Edward II
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1301
1303
Simon de la Barre
First recorded Mayor of Barnstaple, although we know that many came before.[6]
1303
1310
Ralph Wynemore
1310
1314
Simon de la Barre
1314
1316
John Pollard
1316
1318
John Collacott M.P.
1318
1322
John Pollard
1322
1323
Thomas de la Barre M.P.
1323
1324
John Collacott
1324
1326
Bernard de la Bow M.P.
1326
1327
John Collacott M.P.
Edward III
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1327
1330
Geoffrey Dyer
1330
1331
John Collacott
1331
1332
Gemian Dirna
1332
1333
Thomas de la Barre M.P.
In 1332, a writ was issued by Edward III to inquire into an alleged indictment for burglary at the Priory in which the Mayor and twenty six burgesses were involved.[8]
1333
1334
John Pollard
1334
1335
Galfridus de Fremington
1335
1336
Thomas de la Barre
1336
1339
Ralph Smallcombe
1339
1347
Roger Molland M.P.
Molland holds the record for longest consecutive terms served as Barnstaple's Mayor (8 years). Thomas Holman (Mayor for various terms between 1400 and 1415) also served 8 years in total. Only one Mayor has served for longer (Charles F. Dart, 1932-1935, then 1938-1945).[7]
1347
1348
Arnulf Stone
1348
1349
John Collin
1349
1350
Bernard Molland
1350
1351
Robert Dirna
1351
1352
Thomas Widger
1352
1353
John Boughdon
1353
1354
John Squire
1354
1355
Adam Polman
1355
1356
John Pugsley
1356
1357
John Widger
1357
1358
Simon de la Barre
1358
1359
Walter Ford
1359
1360
Simon de la Barre
1360
1361
Simon Bade M.P.
1361
1362
Adam Polman
1362
1363
John Webber
1363
1364
Walter Yeo
1364
1365
Richard Dulverton
1365
1369
William Gibbs
1369
1370
Simon Bade M.P.
1370
1372
Richard Dulverton
1372
1373
William Webber
1373
1374
William Gibbs
1374
1375
Richard Dulverton
1375
1376
Simon Base M.P.
1376
1378
John Neele
Richard II
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1378
1379
Simon Bade
1379
1380
Thomas Lely
1380
1381
Joyce Anthony
1381
1382
Thomas Lely
1382
1384
John Bidwell M.P.
1384
1385
Thomas Lely
1385
1387
Joyce Antony
By Antony's second term (1386) he was listed as an M.P. for the borough.[7]
1387
1388
Simon Bade
1388
1390
John Pitman
1390
1393
Thomas Hurscott
1393
1395
Walter Spencer
By Spencer's second term, he was now listed as an M.P. for the borough.[7]
1395
1397
John Bidwell M.P.
1397
1398
Thomas Hooper M.P.
1398
1399
William Fulke
1399
1400
John Bidwell
1400
1403
Thomas Holman M.P.
Henry IV
Start of term
End of term
Name
1403
1404
Thomas Hurtescott
1404
1405
John Pitman
1405
1407
Thomas Holman
1407
1411
Thomas Hooper
1411
1413
Thomas Holman
1413
1414
Thomas Walsh
Henry V
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1414
1415
Thomas Holman
At the end of Holman's last term, he had served eight years (not consecutively) as Mayor of Barnstaple, which makes him joint second for longest time in office.[7]
1415
1416
William Hertescott
1416
1417
Thomas Hooper
1417
1418
Thomas Walsh
1418
1419
Henry Redwin M.P.
1419
1423
Thomas Hooper
Henry VI
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1423
1424
William Hertescott
1424
1425
Thomas Hooper
1425
1426
John Cokeworth and John More
Could be John Cokeworthy I, a local politician. Presumably John Cokeworth passed away while in office, but this is not known for certain.[7]
1426
1427
John Goldsmith
1427
1428
Thomas Hooper
Served seven years total as Mayor, making him the fourth longest serving Mayor of Barnstaple.[7]
1428
1432
John Goldsmith
1432
1433
William Hertescott
1433
1434
William Bedwin
1434
1435
Richard Bowden
1435
1437
William Hertescott
1437
1438
William Bowden
1438
1439
William Rowe
1439
1441
Richard Bowden
1441
1442
John Mules
1442
1443
Richard Norris
1443
1444
William Bedwin
1444
1445
John Mules
1445
1446
Walter Hay
1446
1447
Richard Rowe
1447
1448
Walter Hayman
1448
1449
William Hertescott
1449
1451
Richard Newcombe
1451
1452
Nichola Bovey
1452
1453
William Upcott
1453
1454
Richard Pickard
1454
1455
John Widger
1455
1456
Walter Gaynock
1456
1457
William Charnier
1457
1358
Walter Gaynock
1458
1459
Richard Newcombe
1459
1460
John Widger
The start of an 18 year stint of only Mayors named John.[6]
1460
1461
John Bowden
1461
1462
John Smith
Edward IV
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1462
1463
John Collins
1463
1464
John Widger
1464
1465
John Collins
1465
1466
John Widger
1466
1467
John Bowden
1467
1468
John Widger
1468
1469
John Pugsley
1469
1470
John Bowden
1470
1471
John Widger
1471
1472
John Squire
1472
1473
John Widger
1473
1474
John Bowden
1474
1475
John Pugsley
1475
1476
John Collins
1476
1477
John Hart
1477
1478
Philip Stigan
And with the swearing in of Philip Stigan comes the end of the 18-year stint of Johns.[6]
1478
1479
John Branton
1479
1480
John Bowden
1480
1481
Thomas White
1481
1482
John Bowden
1482
1483
Richard Crews
1483
1484
Robert Symons
Richard II
Start of term
End of term
Name
1484
1485
John Smith
1485
1486
Walter Nicholls
Henry VII
Start of term
End of term
Name
1486
1487
William Dallington
1487
1488
William Hart
1488
1489
Philip Warington
1489
1490
Robert Symons
1490
1491
John Salisbury
1491
1492
William Dallington
1492
1493
Roger Colmer
1493
1494
Richard Parminter
1494
1495
Robert Symons
1495
1496
Arthur Merryfield
1496
1497
John Salisbury
1497
1498
Roger Colmer
1498
1499
Richard Parminter
1499
1500
William Cosby
1500
1501
John Salisbury
1501
1502
Richard Dobyn
1502
1503
Richard Symons
1503
1504
Philip Warington
1504
1505
Arthur Merryfield
1505
1506
John Upcott
1506
1507
John Smith
1507
1508
William Dolyn
1508
1509
Thomas Story
1509
1510
Robert Colmer
Henry VIII
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1510
1511
John Godsland
1511
1512
Thomas Story
1512
1513
William Dobney
1513
1514
John Godsland
1514
1515
Thomas Beck
1515
1516
Thomas Ferrye
Probably a misspelling of the later Mayor Thomas Ferry (1519-1520).[7]
1516
1517
Thomas Alec
1517
1518
Robert Colmer
1518
1519
Thomas Alec
1519
1520
Thomas Ferry
1520
1521
Robert Cockram
1521
1522
Paul Smith
1522
1523
John Upcott
1523
1524
John Merryfield
1524
1525
Arthur Merryfield
1525
1526
John Godsland
1526
1527
Philip Colman
1527
1529
Richard Haydon
1529
1530
Thomas Beck
1530
1531
Walter Salisbury
1531
1532
Paul Smith
1532
1533
John Manyng
1533
1534
Richard Gay
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1534
1535
David Philips
1535
1536
John Manyng
1536
1537
Philip Colmer
1537
1538
Baldwin Peard
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1538
1539
Richard Skinner
1539
1540
Walter Salisbury
1540
1541
Henry Drewe
1541
1542
John Manyng
1542
1543
Richard Gay
1543
1544
Thomas Jeffries
1544
1545
John Godsland
1545
1546
John Holland
1546
1547
William Canford
1547
1548
Thomas Davy
Edward VI
Start of term
End of term
Name
1548
1549
Henry Cade
1549
1550
Roger Worth
1550
1551
James Godsland
1551
1552
Richard Skinner
1552
1553
Thomas Davy
1553
1554
John Smith
Mary
Start of term
End of Term
Name
Notes
1554
1555
Robert Apley
1555
1556
Robert Cade
1556
1557
George Stapleton
Stapleton was the first officially chartered Mayor of the Borough.[6]
1557
1558
John Dart
1558
1559
William Salusbury[9]
Misspelled as 'Salisbury' on Barnstaple's official List of Mayors. Salusbury was also M.P. for Barnstaple between 1554 and 1558.[7]
Elizabeth
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1559
1560
John Beaple
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1560
1561
Edward Colscott
1561
1562
John Daymond
1562
1563
Nicholas Whichalse
1563
1564
William Dawkins
1564
1565
Hugh Brazier
1565
1566
Oliver Peard
1566
1567
John Daymond
1567
1568
John Arscott
1568
1569
John Dart
1569
1570
Robert Apley
1570
1571
Robert Cade
1571
1572
Thomas Beaple
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1572
1573
Philip Holland
1573
1574
Hugh Brazier
1574
1575
William Dawkins
1575
1576
John Barrett
1576
1577
William Collibear
1577
1578
Paul Worth
1578
1579
John Harris
1579
1580
John Dodderidge
Was M.P. for Barnstaple between 1646 and 1654.[6] John Dodderidge was the grandfather of Pentecost Dodderidge, the original owner of the Dodderidge Fireplace which now resides in the Dodderidge room in Barnstaple's Guildhall.[7] Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1580
1581
John Welsh
1581
1582
John Daymond
1582
1583
Robert Apley
1583
1584
Richard Apley
1584
1585
William Collibear
1585
1586
William Palmer
1586
1587
George Pyne
1587
1587
Richard Peard
Died while in office, was succeeded by John Harris.[6] Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1587
1588
John Harris
1588
1589
Robert Prowse
1589
1590
Richard Dodderidge
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7] Father of Pentecost Dodderidge, original owner of the Dodderidge Fireplace which now resides in the Dodderidge room in Barnstaple's Guildhall.[10]
1590
1591
Roger Beaple
1591
1592
Roger Cade
1592
1593
Paul Worth
1593
1594
James Beaple
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
Original owner of the Dodderidge Fireplace which now resides in the Dodderidge room in Barnstaple's Guildhall.[10] Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1612
1613
William Palmer
1613
1614
Nicholas Downe
1614
1615
Adam Lugge
1615
1616
John Delbridge
1616
1617
George Baker
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1617
1618
James Balteel
1618
1619
Thomas Westlake
1619
1620
Nicholas Deldridge
1620
1621
John Penrose
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7] A portrait of John Penrose hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[11]
1621
1622
Richard Beaple
1622
1623
John Pearl
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
Misspelled on the List of Mayors in Barnstaple's Guildhall as 'Thomas Hocwood', despite Alexander Horwood's name being spelled correctly six years earlier.[7]
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7] A portrait of Robert Incledon hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[12]
1722
1723
Lewis Gregory
1723
1724
James Kimpland
1724
1725
Zachary Chappell
1725
1726
Edward Fairchild
1726
1727
John Gaydon
A portrait of John Gaydon hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[13]
1727
1728
John Marshall
George II
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1728
1729
Richard Newell
A portrait of Richard Newell hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[14]
1729
1730
John Baker
A portrait of John Baker hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[15]
1730
1731
George Score
A portrait of George Score hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[16]
1731
1732
Samuel Berry
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7] A portrait of Samuel Berry hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[17]
1732
1733
Benjamin Baller
1733
1734
Thomas Harris
A portrait of Thomas Harris hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[18]
1734
1735
Charles Velby
A portrait of Charles Velby hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall, incorrectly listed as 'Charles Velly'.[19]
1735
1736
Richard Knight
A portrait of Richard Knight hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[20]
1736
1737
Paul Tucker
A portrait of Paul Tucker hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[21]
1737
1738
Alexander Webber
A portrait of Alexander Webber hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[22]
1738
1739
Henry Beavis
A portrait of Henry Beavis hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[23]
1739
1740
George Wickey
A portrait of George Wickey hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[24]
1740
1741
John Fraine
A portrait of John Fraine hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[25]
1741
1742
Matthew Roch
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1742
1743
Roger Chappell
A portrait of Roger Chappell hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall, incorrectly listed as 'Roger Chapple'.[26]
1743
1744
John Baker
A portrait of John Baker hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[27]
1744
1745
Charles Wright
A portrait of Charles Wright hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[28]
1745
1746
Robert King
A portrait of Robert King hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[29]
1746
1747
Marshall Swayne
A portrait of Marshall Swayne hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[30]
1747
1748
Mark Slee
A portrait of Mark Slee hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[31]
1748
1749
Charles Marshall
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7] A portrait of Charles Marshall hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[32]
1749
1750
Charles Velby
A portrait of Charles Velby hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall, incorrectly listed as 'Charles Velly'.[19]
1750
1751
Richard Knight
A portrait of Richard Knight hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[20]
1751
1752
Henry Beavis
A portrait of Henry Beavis hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[23]
1752
1753
John Fraine
A portrait of John Fraine hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[33]
1753
1754
Matthew Roch
A portrait of Matthew Roch hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[34]
1754
1755
Benjamin Grant
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1755
1756
Richard Thorne
1756
1757
Daniell Marriott
1757
1758
Henry Drake
A portrait of Henry Drake hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[35]
1758
1759
Paul Tucker
A portrait of Paul Tucker hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[36]
1759
1760
Thomas Earl
1760
1761
Mounier Roch
Son of Matthew Roch, Mayor of 1753.[7]
George III
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1761
1761
Charles Venn
Died in office, succeeded by Richard Knight.[6]
1761
1762
Richard Knight
A portrait of Richard Knight hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[37]
1762
1763
Roger Chappell
A portrait of Roger Chappell hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall, incorrectly listed as 'Roger Chapple'.[26]
1763
1764
Charles Marshall
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7] A portrait of Charles Marshall hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[32]
1764
1765
John Baker
A portrait of John Baker hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall.[27]
1765
1766
Edward Houndle
1766
1767
Nicholas Shepperd
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1767
1768
Richard Thorne
1768
1769
Daniel Mariott
1769
1769
Richard Honychurch
Richard Honychurch died on the day he was sworn in. Given this day (9th November 1769) is often cited as the day Barnstaple had three Mayors, it can be assumed that S. Moule was sworn in to succeed Honychurch on the same day.[38]
1769
1770
S Moule
1770
1771
Samuel Chappell
1771
1772
John Robins
1772
1773
Henry Colley
1773
1774
Nicholas Shepperd Jnr
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1774
1775
George Greek
1775
1776
Francis Tucker
1776
1777
James Reed
1777
1778
Charles Marshell
1778
1779
Mounier Rock
1779
1780
Stewkley Stephens
1780
1781
John Moule
1781
1782
Roger Chappell
A portrait of Roger Chappell hangs in the Main Chamber of Barnstaple's Guildhall, incorrectly listed as 'Roger Chapple'.[26]
1782
1783
Edward Houndle
1783
1784
John Law
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1784
1785
William Cottle
1785
1785
Samuel Chappell
Assumed that Samuel Chappell died in office, but not confirmed. M Rock succeeded as Mayor.[6]
1785
1786
Mournier Rock
1786
1787
John Tucker
1787
1788
Nicholas Glass
1788
1789
John Robert
1789
1790
John May
1790
1791
William Dean
1791
1792
George Greek
1792
1793
William Law
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1793
1793
John Servante
John Servante left the town and was succeeded by George Greet (probably Greek).[6][7]
1793
1794
George Greet
Probably George Greek, Mayor in 1791.[6][7]
1794
1795
Henry Gardiner Tippetts
1795
1796
Charles Marshall
1796
1797
John Moule
1797
1798
Richard Rowe Metherall
1798
1799
William Slocombe
1799
1800
John Gaydon
1800
1801
Nicholas Sheppard
1801
1802
Thomas Copner
1802
1803
William Servante
1803
1804
John Law
1804
1805
Nicholas Glass
1805
1805
Henry Bellow
Died in office, succeeded by John Moule.[6]
1805
1806
John Moule
1806
1807
John Pyke
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1807
1808
John Roberts
1808
1809
Philip Bremridge
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1809
1810
Samuel Bremridge
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1810
1811
John May
1811
1812
William Law
1812
1813
Richard Rowe Metherell
1813
1814
William Slocombe
1814
1815
William Chapple Pewle
1815
1816
John May Jnr
1816
1817
Edward Richard Roberts
1817
1818
Samuel Bremridge
1818
1819
William Law Jnr
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1819
1820
John Law
1820
1821
Thomas Copner
George IV
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1821
1822
T. Pyke
1822
1823
Charles Roberts
1823
1824
John Cooke
1824
1825
John Marshall
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1825
1826
Samuel Bremridge
1826
1827
Henry Nicholls, Clerke
1827
1828
Nicholas Glass
1828
1829
Robert Budd
1829
1830
Richard Bremridge
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1830
1831
Edward Richard Roberts
William IV
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1831
1832
William Law
1832
1833
Richard Grace
1833
1834
John Law
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1834
1835
John Marshell
1835
1836
John Law
1836
1837
Stephen Bencraft
A portrait of Stephen Bencraft is on display in Barnstaple's Guildhall.[39]
1837
1838
James Marsh
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
Victoria
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1838
1839
William Avery
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1839
1840
John Knill Cotton
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1840
1841
Samuel Linnington
1841
1842
Gilbert Knill Cotton
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1842
1843
John Sherrard Clay
1843
1844
William Latham
1844
1845
Robert Budd
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1845
1847
William Avery
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1847
1848
Henry Ivie Gribble
1848
1849
John Sherrard Clay
1849
1850
John Morris Fisher
1850
1851
John William Tatham
1851
1853
William Avery
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1853
1854
Robert Budd
1854
1854
William Dyer
'Mr. Dyer died seven weeks after his election - being the only Mayor of Barnstaple since 1785 who has died during his year of office. On the 27th of December, 1854, Mr. John Harris was elected to the Mayoralty."[6]
1854
1855
John Harris
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1855
1856
Cadwallader Edward Palmer
1856
1857
Frederick Maunder
1857
1858
John Bignell
1858
1859
Richard Bremridge
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1859
1860
John Roberts Chanter
1860
1861
Cadwalladar Edward Palmer
1861
1862
John Norrington
1862
1863
Michael Cooke
1863
1864
Thomas William Matthew Wilks Guppy
1864
1865
Thomas Lambe Willshire
1865
1866
John May Miller
1866
1867
Richard Farleigh
1867
1868
Henry Gribble
1868
1869
Thomas William Matthew Wilks Guppy
1869
1871
William Thorne
1871
1872
Charles Crassweller
1872
1874
Thomas May
1874
1875
Joseph Harper
1875
1876
William Avery
1876
1878
Charles Sweet Willshire
1878
1881
William Avery
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1881
1882
Joseph Harper
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1882
1883
Richard Ashton
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1883
1884
Henry T. Besley
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1884
1885
Lionel T. Bencraft
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1885
1887
Alexander Lauder
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1887
1888
Arthur F Seldon
1888
1889
Richard Ashton
1889
1891
Richard Lake
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1891
1892
William Penhale
1892
1893
James Brady
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1893
1894
Colonel H Hibbert
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1894
1895
Samuel Berry
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1895
1897
William A. Roberts
1897
1899
Charles E. R. Chanter
1899
1900
Joseph G. Hamling
1900
1902
George W. F. Brown
Edward VII
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1902
1906
Henry Barrett
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1906
1907
George T. Andrew
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1907
1908
A. J. Reavell
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1908
1910
Frederick Hunt
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
George V
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1910
1911
John Thomas White
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1911
1912
John R. Harper
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1912
1919
Frank W. Jewell
Belongs to a family that is represented on the Mayors Chain of 1911.[7]
1919
1920
Charles Pearce
1920
1921
Harry Ashton
1921
1922
Walter Lewis Croot
1922
1923
Frank L. Thomas
1923
1924
Frederick Elliott
1924
1925
Gerald B. Oerton
1925
1926
J. C. Dixey
1926
1927
Frederick Chanter
1927
1928
John Own Jones
1928
1929
George F. A. Whitlock
1929
1931
John T. Dunn
1931
1932
Bruce W. Oliver
1932
1935
Charles F. Dart
1935
1936
Arthur J. Manaton
Edward VIII
Start of term
End of term
Name
1936
1938
Wilfred Slatter
George VI
Start of term
End of term
Name
Notes
1938
1945
Charles F. Dart
Charles F. Dart holds the record for longest time (cumulatively) served as Mayor of Barnstaple.[7]
1945
1946
Romeo Berry
1946
1947
Maurice E. P. Killard-Leavey
1947
1949
William Henry Wilkey
1949
1952
F. James B. Sanders
Elizabeth II
Start of term
End of term
Name
Consort
Notes
1952
1953
John Bryon Cruse
1953
1954
Charles F. Dart
1954
1956
Albert W. Clarke
1956
1957
Robert E. King
1957
1959
Frank H. S. McDavid
1959
1960
Walter J. Thomas
1960
1961
R. Michael Huxtable
1961
1963
Stanley W. Woolaway
1963
1965
Arthur S. Williams
1965
1967
William Henry Wilkey
1967
1968
James H. Rayner
1968
1970
Reg. G. Chugg
1970
1972
Guy Casey
1972
1973
Keith N. Abraham
1973
1974
Douglas G. Potter
1974
1976
Charles Dibble
Mrs Dibble
1976
1977
Elizabeth M. Fern
Mrs D Pengelly
Elizabeth M. Fern was Barnstaple's first female Mayor.[40]
^"Barnstaple Town Council". Archived from the original on 25 January 2001.
^ abcdefghijklmnGribble, Joseph Besly, Memorials of Barnstaple: Being an Attempt to Supply the Want of A History of that Ancient Borough, Barnstaple, 1830, pp. 197–205, 219–25 [3] (Gribble established the “Barnstaple Iron Foundry” in 1822 (p.546))
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajakalamanaoapaqarasatauavawaxayazbabbbcbdbebfbgbhbibjbkblbmbnbobpbqbrbsbtbubvbwbxbybzcacbccLamplugh, Lois, Barnstaple: Town on the Taw, South Molton, 2002, p.153-160, List of Mayors
^""MAYOR OF BARNSTAPLE IN THE MIDDLE AGES"". The North Devon Journal-Herald. 26 October 1944. p. 4.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^"SALUSBURY, William (By 1519-59), of Barnstaple, Devon. | History of Parliament Online".
^ ab"A Brief History, The Guildhall Barnstaple - Barnstaple Town Council".
^"John Penrose (d. 1624), Cornelius Johnson (1593-1661) (style of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Robert Incledon, Deputy Recorder and Mayor of Barnstaple (1712), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall. ArtUK".
^"John Gaydon (1685-1732), Mayor of Barnstaple (1726), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Richard Newell, Mayor of Barnstaple (1728), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"John Baker, Mayor of Barnstaple (1715 & 1729), Thomas Hudson (1709-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"George Score, Mayor of Barnstaple (1730), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Samuel Berry, Mayor of Barnstaple (1731), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Thomas Harris, Mayor of Barnstaple (1733), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^ ab"Charles Velly, Mayor of Barnstaple (1734 & 1749), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall. ArtUK".
^ ab"Richard Knight, Mayor of Barnstaple (1735, 1750 & 1761), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Paul Tucker, Mayor of Barnstaple (1736), Thomas Hudson (1701-1799) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Alexander Webber, Mayor of Barnstaple (1737), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^ ab"Henry Beavis, Mayor of Barnstaple (1738 & 1751), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"George Wickey, Mayor of Barnstaple (1739), Thomas Hudson (1709-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"John Fraine, Mayor of Barnstaple (1740 & 1752), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^ abc"Roger Chapple (d.1783), Mayor of Barnstaple (1742, 1762 & 1781), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^ ab"John Baker, Mayor of Barnstaple (1715 & 1729), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Charles Wright, Mayor of Barnstaple (1714), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Robert King, Mayor of Barnstaple (1745), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Marshall Swayne, Mayor of Barnstaple (1746), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Mark Slee, Mayor of Barnstaple (1747), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^ ab"Charles Marshall, Mayor of Barnstaple (1748), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"John Fraine, Mayor of Barnstaple (1740 & 1752), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Matthew Rock, Mayor of Barnstaple (1741 & 1753), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Henry Drake (1745-1806), Town Clerk of Barnstaple, Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Paul Tucker, Mayor of Barnstaple (1736), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^"Richard Knight, Mayor of Barnstaple (1735, 1750 & 1751), Thomas Hudson (1701-1779) (studio of), Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".
^The "Chiel" (11 November 1886). "Mayor-Choosing". North Devon Journal. p. 8.
^"Stephen Bencraft, British (English) School, Barnstaple Guildhall, ArtUK".