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Sir Richard Edgcumbe, of Mount Edgcumbe, Maker[1]
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1564 - 1639 (75 years)-
Name Richard Edgcumbe [1] Title Sir Suffix of Mount Edgcumbe, Maker Birth 1564 [1] Gender Male Married 1602 (38 years) Peter’s attempts to establish himself as a mining speculator, including investment in the Mines Royal Company, worsened the family’s financial position, and by 1602 they were more than £4,400 in debt. To resolve this crisis, Edgcumbe married Anne Carey, no beauty but ‘a very good housewife, and very wary in her expenses’, according to her sister-in-law. Anne brought with her a £2,000 dowry, subsequently increased by £500 in lieu of a legacy. At the same time Peter’s estates were put into trust for six years with the object of clearing the remaining debts, though Edgcumbe was provided with the use of Cotehele.25 Knighted at James I’s coronation, he entered local office in 1605, and came into his patrimony two years later. Name 1607 (43 years) [1] suc. fa. 1607 Married 1609 (45 years) The early death of the economical Anne opened the way for a second marriage in 1609, this time into a London merchant family, but the financial situation remained a cause for concern. Legal battles with creditors continued into the next decade Residence 1610 (46 years) although he must have been resident in Cornwall while serving as under-sheriff to Prince Henry in 1610-11, Edgcumbe also spent long periods staying with relatives in the London area, apparently to save money Legal,Law,Arrest 1636 (72 years) In 1636 the descent of the major Edgcumbe estates was fixed by his son Piers’s marriage settlement, while his younger son Richard was provided for two years later.[42 ] Consequently, when Edgcumbe drew up his will on 29 Sept. 1638, there was little left to be decided except bequests to servants and the local poor, and the distribution of a few personal effects. Will 29 Sep 1638 (74 years) In 1636 the descent of the major Edgcumbe estates was fixed by his son Piers’s marriage settlement, while his younger son Richard was provided for two years later.[42 ] Consequently, when Edgcumbe drew up his will on 29 Sept. 1638, there was little left to be decided except bequests to servants and the local poor, and the distribution of a few personal effects. Death 22 Mar 1639 [1] Death 23 Mar 1639 (75 years) [1] d. 22 or 23 Mar. 1639 Burial Maker [Parish Circuit Or Chapel], Maker, Cornwall 
Occupation 1586 (22 years) - [Office] MP Liskeard, Liskeard, Cornwall - LISKEARD 15861589 (25 years) - [Office] MP; for Totnes, Totnes, Devon - TOTNES 15891593 (29 years) - [Office] MP Bossiney, Bossiney, Cornwall - BOSSINEY 16281593 (29 years) - [Office] MP Grampound, Grampound, Cornwall - GRAMPOUND 15931605 (41 years) - [Office] Commissioner of Sewers, Cornwall - Commr. sewers, Cornw. 1605, Devon 16341610-1611 (47 years) - [Office] Under Sheriff of Cornwall - under-sheriff, Cornw. 1610-11,[9]1613 (49 years) - In 1613 he even contemplated leasing out many of his estates and settling permanently in the capital, where his father-in-law held out hopes of securing him an annuity. However, nothing came of this scheme, and it is clear from subsequent events that any hope of a career outside the West Country was soon afterwards abandoned.[26] 1614 (50 years) - [Office] MP Bodmin, Bodmin, Cornwall - BODMIN 1614; In 1614 Edgcumbe was again returned to Parliament, after an absence of 21 years. His motive for standing has not been determined, but he may have been seeking to boost his profile in Cornwall. His means of obtaining a seat at Bodmin is likewise uncertain, though his brother-in-law Edmund Prideaux’s ownership of the rectory may have influenced the electors.[27]5 Feb 1616 (52 years) - Totnes, Devon - In early 1616 a rumour of a new Parliament reached Cornwall, and Edgcumbe wrote to Totnes on 5 Feb., requesting one of the borough’s seats for himself or his nominee, should an election be called.[29]May 1616 (52 years) - Bodrugan lands, Cornwall - Two months later, he secured Crown confirmation of his family’s grant of the Bodrugan lands, which had presumably been brought into question. He had now committed himself to life on his country estates, and in 1617 he was appointed a j.p. in both Devon and Cornwall.1617 (53 years) - commr. encroachments, Plymouth, Devon 1617,[12] 1617 (53 years) - [Office] JP Justice of the Peace for Cornwall, Cornwall - in 1617 he was appointed a J.P. in both Devon and Cornwall1607-1618 (54 years) - Member of the Mines Royal Company 1564- - Member, Mines Royal Co. 1607-18, 1628-d.,20 1620 (56 years) - [Office] member of New Eng. Co. - New Eng. Co. 1620.[21]; Edgcumbe’s financial position was also stabilizing, and in 1620 he invested in the New England Company, probably encouraged by one of its leading members, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, who as governor of Plymouth Fort had recently worked with him on various local issues1623 (59 years) - [Office] Lieutenancy of Devon and Cornwall (Deputy Lieutenant), Lieutenancy of Devon and Cornwall - By 1623 Edgcumbe had attained the lofty rank of Cornish deputy lieutenant, and could be accounted one of the leading men in the county.301624 (60 years) - [Office] Commissioner Piracy, Cornwall - commr. piracy, Devon 1615, 1624, 1630, Cornw. 1624,[10]1624 (60 years) - [Office] MP Grampound, Grampound, Cornwall - GRAMPOUND 1624; In the following year Edgcumbe again entered Parliament, this time resuming his former place at Grampound, but was named to only one legislative committee, concerned with a long-running dispute over control of the West Country fish-processing industry (4 May).31 Although he has been identified as a firm supporter of the Court during this session, such claims should be treated with caution, since they derive from his subsequent involvement with the duke of Buckingham’s client John Mohun, his partner at Grampound. If anything, the Edgcumbes and the Mohuns in 1624 were electoral rivals. In 1625 Edgcumbe again stood for Grampound, and on 7 May, writing as a successful candidate, pledged to cover his own parliamentary expenses. However, his name was shortly afterwards deleted from the election indenture and replaced with that of Mohun’s relative Sir Samuel Rolle. How this came about cannot be established, but Edgcumbe is unlikely to have withdrawn voluntarily.321625 (61 years) - [Office] Commissioner Billeting, Cornwall - commr. billeting, Devon and Cornw. 1625,[15]7 May 1625 (61 years) - [Office] MP Grampound, Grampound, Cornwall - In 1625 Edgcumbe again stood for Grampound, and on 7 May, writing as a successful candidate, pledged to cover his own parliamentary expenses. However, his name was shortly afterwards deleted from the election indenture and replaced with that of Mohun’s relative Sir Samuel Rolle. How this came about cannot be established, but Edgcumbe is unlikely to have withdrawn voluntarily.321625-1626 (62 years) - Privy Seal Loan, Forced loan, Cornwall - Privy Seal loan, Cornw. 1625-6,[16]1622, 1624, 1626 (62 years) - subsidy, Cornw. 1622, 1624, 1626,[13] 1626-1627 (63 years) - Forced loan, Cornwall - Forced Loan 1626-7,[17 ]1627 (63 years) - martial law, Devon and Cornw. 1627,[18] 1628-22 Mar 1628 (64 years) - Member of the Mines Royal Company 1564- - Member, Mines Royal Co. 1607-18, 1628-d.,20 1629 (65 years) - swans, W. Country 1629.[19] 1630 (66 years) - [Event] summoned before the Privy Council of the United Kingdom - in 1630 he was summoned before the Privy Council to explain his conduct during a dispute with Sir Reginald Mohun about Cornish musters. While Edgcumbe’s excuses were accepted by the councillors, the underlying tensions were clear, and those present at the hearing were admonished to ‘suppress all factions and divisions’ in their county.[39 ]1630 (66 years) - Member of the Mines Royal Company 1564- - The somewhat troublesome family share in the Mines Royal Company, which for a time he had made over to his brother, was in 1630 entrusted to the management of a London lawyer, Christopher Earle*.1623-1637 (73 years) - [Office] Lieutenancy of Devon and Cornwall (Deputy Lieutenant), Lieutenancy of Devon and Cornwall - dep. lt. c.1623-at least 1637,[14]1637 (73 years) - Maine, New England, United States - In 1637 he purchased from Gorges over 10,000 acres in Maine, New England, but there was no subsequent attempt to develop this estate, and in general Edgcumbe by this stage was more concerned to settle his existing property.[41]1637 (73 years) - [Office] JP Justice of the Peace for Cornwall, Cornwall - j.p. 1617-at least 1637, Devon 1617-26, 1629-at least 1637,[11]Association Samuel Rolle, Esq., of Heanton, Devon (Relationship: May 1625; Sir Richard Edgcumbe Grampound MP - deleted from election indentu) Person ID I13283 AHP Last Modified 24 May 2025
Father Peter or Piers Edgcumbe, of Mount Edgcumbe, b. Abt 1520 d. 1607 (Age 87 years) Mother Margaret, da. of Sir Andrew Lutterell of Dunster Castle, Som Lutterell/EDGCUMBE, b. Abt 1540 Marriage Abt 1560 Age at Marriage He : ~ 40 years - She : ~ 20 years. Family ID F3789 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family 1 Anne, da. of Sir George Carey of Cockington, Devon Carey/EDGCUMBE d. Abt 1608 Marriage 21 Jun 1602 Age at Marriage He : ~ 38 years and 6 months - She : ??. Family ID F3786 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 24 May 2025
Family 2 Mary da. of Sir Thomas Coteel of London, merchant Coteel/EDGCUMBE, b. Abt 1590 d. 13 Jul 1620 (Age 30 years) Marriage 1609 Age at Marriage He : ~ 45 years - She : ~ 19 years. Children 1. Piers Edgcumbe, of Mount Edgcumbe, Cornw.; later of Cotehele, Calstock, Corn, b. Abt 1610 d. 6 Jan 1667 (Age 57 years) [Father: Birth] [Mother: Birth] Family ID F3787 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 24 May 2025
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Event Map 
Occupation - BODMIN 1614; In 1614 Edgcumbe was again returned to Parliament, after an absence of 21 years. His motive for standing has not been determined, but he may have been seeking to boost his profile in Cornwall. His means of obtaining a seat at Bodmin is likewise uncertain, though his brother-in-law Edmund Prideaux’s ownership of the rectory may have influenced the electors.[27] - 1614 (50 years) - [Office] MP Bodmin, Bodmin, Cornwall 
Occupation - In early 1616 a rumour of a new Parliament reached Cornwall, and Edgcumbe wrote to Totnes on 5 Feb., requesting one of the borough’s seats for himself or his nominee, should an election be called.[29] - 5 Feb 1616 (52 years) - Totnes, Devon 
Occupation - in 1617 he was appointed a J.P. in both Devon and Cornwall - 1617 (53 years) - [Office] JP Justice of the Peace for Cornwall, Cornwall 
Occupation - By 1623 Edgcumbe had attained the lofty rank of Cornish deputy lieutenant, and could be accounted one of the leading men in the county.30 - 1623 (59 years) - [Office] Lieutenancy of Devon and Cornwall (Deputy Lieutenant), Lieutenancy of Devon and Cornwall 
Occupation - Forced Loan 1626-7,[17 ] - 1626-1627 (63 years) - Forced loan, Cornwall Occupation - dep. lt. c.1623-at least 1637,[14] - 1623-1637 (73 years) - [Office] Lieutenancy of Devon and Cornwall (Deputy Lieutenant), Lieutenancy of Devon and Cornwall 
Occupation - In 1637 he purchased from Gorges over 10,000 acres in Maine, New England, but there was no subsequent attempt to develop this estate, and in general Edgcumbe by this stage was more concerned to settle his existing property.[41] - 1637 (73 years) - Maine, New England, United States Occupation - j.p. 1617-at least 1637, Devon 1617-26, 1629-at least 1637,[11] - 1637 (73 years) - [Office] JP Justice of the Peace for Cornwall, Cornwall 
Burial - - Maker [Parish Circuit Or Chapel], Maker, Cornwall = Link to Google Earth Pin Legend 
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Histories 
EDGCUMBE, Sir Richard (c.1564-1639), of Mount Edgcumbe, Maker, Cornw. | 1564-1639
Sir Richard Edgcumbe, of Mount Edgcumbe, MakerLease, share in Mines Royal (letters patent 10 Oct 1564 Thomas Thurland,Daniel Hochstetter work mines; division into 24 parts, Thomas Smith having 3 parts; bargain and sale 12 Jul 1585) | 9 Jan 1617-1618
Lease, share in Mines Royal Parties: 1) Sir Richard Edgcumbe of Mount Edgcumbe, Maker 2) Piers Edgcumbe, gentleman, brother of party 1. Lease of 24th part in the Mines Royal.Recites letters patent of 'the late Queene Elizabeth of famous memory', 10 October 1564 to Thomas Thurland and Daniel Hochstetter to work mines; division of the grant into…
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Sources - [S34] The History of Parliament, The History of Parliament, (The History of Parliament http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/).
EDGCUMBE, Sir Richard (c.1564-1639), of Mount Edgcumbe, Maker, Cornw.
Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629, ed. Andrew Thrush and John P. Ferris, 2010
Available from Cambridge University Press
Biography Detail
Constituency
Family & Education
Offices Held
Biography
End Notes
Related Resources
1604-1629 Members
1604-1629 Constituencies
1604-1629 Parliaments
1604-1629 Surveys
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Biography
Constituency
Dates
LISKEARD
1586
TOTNES
1589
GRAMPOUND
1593
BODMIN
1614
GRAMPOUND
1624
BOSSINEY
1628
Family and Education
b. c.1564,1 1st s. of Peter or Piers Edgcumbe† of Mount Edgcumbe and Margaret, da. of Sir Andrew Lutterell of Dunster Castle, Som.2 educ. M. Temple 1585.3 m. (1) settlement 21 June 1602 (with £2,000), Anne, da. of Sir George Carey† of Cockington, Devon, s.p.; (2) 1609, Mary (d. 13 July 1620), da. of Sir Thomas Coteel of London, merchant, 3s. (1 d.v.p.).4 kntd. 23 July 1603;5 suc. fa. 1607.6 d. 22 or 23 Mar. 1639.7 sig. Ry[chard] Edgcumbe.
Offices Held
Commr. sewers, Cornw. 1605, Devon 1634,8 under-sheriff, Cornw. 1610-11,9 commr. piracy, Devon 1615, 1624, 1630, Cornw. 1624,10 j.p. 1617-at least 1637, Devon 1617-26, 1629-at least 1637,11 commr. encroachments, Plymouth, Devon 1617,12 subsidy, Cornw. 1622, 1624, 1626,13 dep. lt. c.1623-at least 1637,14 commr. billeting, Devon and Cornw. 1625,15 Privy Seal loan, Cornw. 1625-6,16 Forced Loan 1626-7,17 martial law, Devon and Cornw. 1627,18 swans, W. Country 1629.19
Member, Mines Royal Co. 1607-18, 1628-d.,20 New Eng. Co. 1620.21
https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1604-1629/member/edgcumbe-sir-richard-1564-1639
- [S34] The History of Parliament, The History of Parliament, (The History of Parliament http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/).