MALLOCK OF COCKINGTON

This is a typical collection of estate (with some family) records and includes title deeds and leases relating to manors and properties in Cockington, Marldon, Broadclyst and Smalridge in Devon, and Fiddington in Somerset, 1417-1848, Cockington manor court rolls, 1434-1625, 1706-1822 (incomplete), and bailiff's accounts, 1435-1609, estate surveys, rentals and tithe papers etc., 15-19th centuries, and estate, legal and family correspondence and papers, 16-19th centuries. Of particular note is a book containing copies of wills proved and associated inventories exhibited in Cockington manor court, c1540-1623. This is an important survival from one of the few secular manorial testamentary jurisdictions and the contents provide invaluable insight on the population and social structure of a small community where the main occupations centred on fishing and agriculture. The general loss of probate material in Devon gives the existence of this record added significance. The collection also includes interesting letter and commonplace books and notes, 1640-1643, of Thomas Gorges, Deputy Governor of the Province of Maine, which provide evidence of the private, public and religious affairs of this part of New England at a formative time in its history.

The Mallock family had its origins in East Devon and the family fortunes were laid by Roger Mallock (died 1651) who purchased the manors of Broadclyst, Smalridge (Axminster, Devon) and Fiddington (Somerset) in the 1640s. He obviously attained considerable wealth and influence in Exeter, being elected a member of the Corporation in 1625, city Sheriff in 1631 and Mayor in 1637. It was his son, Roger, who purchased Cockington, near Torquay, from the Royalist, Sir Henry Cary in 1654. During the 17-19th centuries, the Mallock family produced Members of Parliament, Justices of the Peace, clergymen and attorneys. The Mallock family owned the estate until 1933 when it was bought by Torquay Borough.