Sir Edward Seymour, of Berry Pomeroy, 1st Baronet (c. 1563 – 10 April 1613) was Member of Parliament for Devon, twice High Sheriff of Devon[1] for Devon and an Army Colonel.[2]
Born at Berry Pomeroy Castle of a family greatly influential in the Western counties, he was the son of Sir Edward Seymour, of Berry Pomeroy, and wife Margaret Walsh, and grandson of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, in the senior line. (Because of the alleged adultery of the Duke's first wife Catherine Fillol, the Dukedom had been entailed with preference to his sons by his second marriage.) At age 13 on 19 September 1576 he married Elizabeth Champernowne, of Dartington Hall, Devon, daughter of Sir Arthur Champernowne, of Dartington Hall, Devon, and wife, after being betrothed to her for some ten years.[3] they had 9 children: Mary, Edward (2° Bt of Berry Pomeroy MP), Elizabeth, Bridget, Richard, Amy (Anna), John, William and Walter.[4]
At age 20 he was appointed Deputy Vice Admiral for the County of Devon. In 1586 he was Vice Admiral for Cornwall. In the late 16th century there was concern at the threat of a Spanish invasion and he received a commission as a Colonel in 1595, in charge of 1,600 men,[3] and responsible for an area from Dartmouth to Plymouth.[2] He was appointed High Sheriff of Devon in 1595 and 1605 and returned as Member of Parliament for Devon in 1593 and between 1601 and 1611.[5][6]
He spent a large amount of money extending Berry Pomeroy Castle,[7] particularly with the addition of the north range in about 1600.[2] In 1604 he tried to claim part of the Duke of Somerset's estate, but was opposed by Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford and was unsuccessful.[2]
From around 1611, as a result of the large expenditure on his home, the cost of supporting his eight children and legal expenses, he was apparently short of money.[2][8] Despite this, he was created 1st Baronet Seymour, of Berry Pomeroy, on 29 June 1611, which cost him £1,095.[3]
He died in 1613 and there is a well-preserved but "astonishingly naive" monument to him in Berry Pomeroy Church.[9] He was succeeded by his eldest son Sir Edward Seymour, 2nd Baronet.
| Parliament of England | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William Courtenay George Cary |
Member for Devon 1593 With: Thomas Dennys |
Succeeded by William Strode Amias Bampfield |
| Preceded by William Strode Amias Bampfield |
Member for Devon 1601-1611 With: William Courtenay (1601) Thomas Ridgeway (1604-1606) John Acland (1607-1611) |
Succeeded by John Drake Edward Giles |
| Baronetage of England | ||
| Preceded by New creation |
Baronet of Berry Pomeroy 1611–1613 |
Succeeded by Sir Edward Seymour, 2nd Baronet |