The Descent from 960 AD

All the barons called Henry Pomeroy  9 in succession

Radalphus Pomeroy. Born abt 1030  & died before 1100. Came to England with William Duke of Normandy

Gocelinus Pomeroy. Born abt 1075  married Emma & died after 1135

1st Henry Pomeroy. Born bef 1125. Henry died bef 1167 married Rohese daughter of Sybil dau of Robert Corbet.   Rohesia Fitz Henry was sister of Reginald Earl of Cornwall Sybil Corbet was one of many mistresses of King Henry I  . This king  acknowledged his illegitimate children. and provided marriages and titles for them.

Rohesia took a dowry which included Ridwary or Roseworthy in Gwithian in West Penwith, in the far west of Cornwall.

2nd Henry Pomeroy. Born abt 1146. Henry I died in 1207. married 1st Matilda De Vitrei. dau of Robert de Virtei  , and seems to have had his son Henry by her; 

his 2nd wife was  Rohesia Bardolf . After Henry died Rohesia's 2nd husband was John Russell who paid a bride price of £100 for the privilege. After Russell's death, in 1122, she was given licence to marry whomever she chose. Further research shows that in the 12th century John Russell of Kingston Russell was a household knight of King John,  however his pedigree does not apparently descend to the later 16th century  John Russell, Earl of Bedford, despite the existence of historical writings and pedigrees to the contrary.
These are now considered an invention with linkages invented by someone for the later lord John Russell, who wanted a noble line back to the Conquest in order to justify his acquired position. This other Lord John Russell, who did become Earl of Bedford,  was born ABT 1485, son of James Russell of Berwick, a family of moderate standing - a clever young man he climbed up through society as only the men of that time could. He married Anne Sapcote  dau. of Sir Guy Sapcote of Hunts. He became 1st Earl of Bedford (c.1485-1554/5), & Lord Lieutenant of Devon and with the Dissolution of the Monasteries his portfolio of properties grew  when Henry VIII gave him huge grants of monastic lands across Devon & elsewhere with Canonteign Manor & Tavistock Abbey were amongst them.  

 The 2nd Henry Pomeroy was Constable of Normandy, a household knight of King Henry I (1100-1135) and named as one of the constables in the king's household s in the Constitutio Domus Regis. He was a leader of the king's household troops on several occasions, notably in 1124 at the Battle of Bourgtheroulde, about ten miles southwest of Rouen and Died pre-1165.

1166 Henry gave lands to the Priory of St Nicholas in Exeter. He accounted for £80 6s 8d for the fine for his lands and paid £29 7s 8 for his knights fees in England.

1193 Sir Henry de la Pomeroy in the reign of King Richard, captured and fortified St Michaels Mount on behalf of Prince John He apparently killed himself in 1194 rather than face King Richard's wrath.
His brother Josceline was tried for High Treason and forced to become a monk at Forde Abbey.  When king Richard I died in 1199 Josceline  left Forde abbey & retired  to his lands at Tale in Payhembury which were ancestral lands  held since Domesday.

3rd Henry Pomeroy. Born in 1173.  died in 1216. Visitations & Powley disagree but she seems to have been Alice de Vernon, dau. of William de REVIERS, 5th Earl of Devon & NOT Alice de Vere dau of Robert 3rd Earl of Oxford one of the Magna Carta barons

4th Henry Pomeroy. Born in 1187.  died bef 3 Nov 1220.wife Johanna de Vautort of Tremerton in Saltash, Cornwall

Charter of Goslin de Pomeria, giving, with consent of Emma his wife, and Henry, Roger, Philip, Goslin, and Ralph his sons,—by the hand of Richard bishop of Bayeux —the church of St. Mary du Val (que diciturRectius: de Valle.” Valle) to the canons there serving God, according to the rule of St. Augustine, in cloistered community, with all that follows: 60 acres in the parish of St. Omer, etc. … and half his swine and those of his heirs, when killed (occisionem porcorum) in Normandy, and the tithe of his mares in Normandy and England and 40 shillings sterling (de Esterlins) from the rents (gablo) of Berry-Pomeroy (Bercium) every year on August 1, and the church and tithe of Berry, etc. and in England (sic) the tithe of his swine and of his mills of Berry etc. … and in England a manor called [Canon] Teign (Tigneam), and his chaplainry in England, namely, the tithe of wool, cheese, porkers & lambs at Ottery (Otrevum), and all belonging to his chaplainry (capellarie ) in England etc. … 

(Other gifts in Normandy by William son of Payn and Richard his son, a canon of the abbey, by Roger Capra, with consent of his wife Petronilla and son William, etc.)

Testibus istis: Goslino de Pomeria cum filiis suis, Henrico, Rogerio, Philippo, Goslino; et Willelmo filio Pagani, cum filiis suis; et Hugone de Rosello, et Christino de Olleyo; Willelmo filio Ricardi; Waltero de Petra ficta; Willelmo de Rosello; Willelmo de Braio; Goslino de Braio; Roberto Buzone; Roberto de Curcell[is].

Gift by Goslin de Pomeria to St. Mary of the fee of Robert son of Maheld of Tot [14 acres of land]. Gift of William, son of Payn, by consent of his son Richard and permission of his wife, etc. …

Anno Dominice incarnationis 112 … confirmata est hec carta a Goslino de Pomeria, Emmaque uxore sua etc. … annuente Ricardo de Tornebuto in cujus feodo ecclesia fundata est. 

 1167.  Charter of Henry bishop of Bayeux, notifying that Henry de Pomeria the younger has confirmed in his presence all the gifts of Goslin de Pomeria and Henry his son to St. Mary du Val, in advowsons and other possessions both in Normandy and England. And moreover, so far as lies in his power, he has granted, before him, to St. Mary du Val and the canons there all his right of advowson and presentation, both in Normandy and England, which grant the bishop confirms so far as he is concerned.

His testibus: magistro Ranville (sic) cancellario; domino Nicholao priore de Plessecio; Henrico de Somagvillo (sic); Hugone de Herouvilla; Willelmo Bubarel, et pluribus aliis. Hec autem donatio facta est anno ab incarnatione Domini MoCoLXVIIo, sicut charta eis testatur.

Testibus istis: Goslino de Pomeria cum filiis suis, Henrico, Rogerio, Philippo, Goslino; et Willelmo filio Pagani, cum filiis suis; et Hugone de Rosello, et Christino de Olleyo; Willelmo filio Ricardi; Waltero de Petra ficta; Willelmo de Rosello; Willelmo de Braio; Goslino de Braio; Roberto Buzone; Roberto de Curcell[is].

Joscelinus son of Ranulphus married Emma and had 5 sons

The family were still deeply connected to their Norman roots and obligations

date 1125

Charter of Goslin de Pomeria, giving, with consent of Emma his wife, and Henry, Roger, Philip, Goslin, and Ralph his sons,—by the hand of Richard bishop of Bayeux —the church of St. Mary du Val (que dicitur Rectius: de Valle.” Valle) to the canons there serving God, according to the rule of St. Augustine, in cloistered community, with all that follows: 60 acres in the parish of St. Omer, etc. … and half his swine and those of his heirs, when killed (occisionem porcorum) in Normandy, and the tithe of his mares in Normandy and England and 40 shillings sterling (de Esterlins) from the rents (gablo) of Berry-Pomeroy (Bercium) every year on August 1, and the church and tithe of Berry, etc. and in England (sic) the tithe of his swine and of his mills of Berry etc. … and in England a manor called [Canon] Teign (Tigneam), and his chaplainry in England, namely, the tithe of wool, and cheese, and porkers, and lambs at Ottery (Otrevum), and all belonging to his chaplainry (capellarie (trans.: “capellane.) ) in England

(Other gifts in Normandy by William son of Payn and Richard his son, a canon of the abbey, by Roger Capra, with consent of his wife Petronilla and son William, etc.)

Testibus istis: Goslino de Pomeria cum filiis suis, Henrico, Rogerio, Philippo, Goslino; et Willelmo filio Pagani, cum filiis suis; et Hugone de Rosello, et Christino de Olleyo; Willelmo filio Ricardi; Waltero de Petra ficta; Willelmo de Rosello; Willelmo de Braio; Goslino de Braio; Roberto Buzone; Roberto de Curcell[is].

Gift by Goslin de Pomeria to St. Mary of the fee of Robert son of Maheld of Tot [14 acres of land]. Gift of William, son of Payn, by consent of his son Richard and permission of his wife, etc. …

Anno Dominice incarnationis MCXXV ( 1125) confirmata est hec carta a Goslino de Pomeria, Emmaque uxore sua etc. … annuente Ricardo de Tornebuto in cujus feodo ecclesia fundata est.

Roger, the Father of William Chievre and Ralf Pomeroy.-                                                 

The main purpose of this note is to reveal the discovery, or rediscovery, of the common ancestor in Normandy of two families whose origins have previously been traced back only to the founders in England. Also included are some general observations of interest concerning the history of both families…

Following the Invasion and Conquest of England by William the Conqueror the lands of the English were granted to the Companions of the Conqueror. In A.D. 1068 the rich lands of south-western England fell to the Normans. Among the Companions of the Conqueror who shared in the spoils were two brothers who had come in with the Conquest. They were granted lands in Devon and were founders of two extant families. Their names are recorded on the bronze tablet of the ancient church at Dives, Normandy, which bears the names of some of the known Companions of the Conqueror who embarked from Dives. They were Guillaume (William) Chievre or La Chevre and Raoul (Ralf or Ralph) de la Pommeraie.

William received the Honour of Bradninch and his brother Ralph the Honour of Berry Pommeraie, both in Devonshire. William’s descendants were known variously as Chevre, Chever, Chevyr, Chevyrs, Chevers Chivers and Cheevers etc. The form Chevers. is derived from the original Norman .Chievre. through a variation of the original, viz .Cheever. . The .s. comes from the apostrophes of Chever’s son., i.e son of Chever.

Ralph.s descendants were known variously as de La Pommeraie, de Pomerio, de la Pomerai, Pomaria, and Pomeroy etc. The form Pomeroy is derived from the original .Pommeraie. and is probably a straight Anglicisation of the name.

…The English descendants of Ralph are known today as Pomeroy and include the peerage Pomeroys, the Viscounts Harberton.

… Ralph’s surname was derived from .la Pommeraie., i.e., -the Orchard- at the family.s place of residence at la Pommeraye, 14 kilometres west of Falaise, Calvados, Normandy. The designation .de la Pommerair was probably applied to Ralph for the purpose of identification only. From a geographical significance it became a surname and later part of the compound place name Berry Pomeroy. (The Crests and Arms of some branches of the Pomeroy family show a rampant lion holding between the paws an apple. The connection between the apple and the Orchard is obvious.

Both brothers are recorded in Domesday Book as tenants-in-chief of the Crown. Domesday Book having been written in Latin William’s surname is recorded as “Capra” and Ralph is recorded as ”Pomaria”. He is also recorded in addition to his direct holdings from the Crown as a sub-tenant of his brother William.

…With no similarity in the names of William’s and Ralph’s descendants and no similarity in their arms and crests, it would appear that there was no connection between the two families; yet despite the difference in surnames etc. the descendants of William Capra or Chievre and Ralph Pomaria or Pomeroy are members of the SAME family.

… Nothing was known of the pre-Conquest ancestry of the family.

In the Victoria County History of Devonshire William Chievre  is listed as William Capra with the note that he is recorded as Chievre in the Exchequer Book. An interesting footnote to the article relating to William stated that he was the brother of Ralf de Pomeroy.

Mention is also made of their sister Beatrix (Beatrice) who was one of his sub-tenants. In supplement V11 of the Devonshire Association Transactions she is described as William’s sister and like her brother she is surnamed Capra.

My great satisfaction in identifying a brother (Ralf) and a sister (Beatrice) of my family’s first recorded ancestor in England prompted me to endeavour to trace my family back beyond William.

The Cheevers family had not been traced beyond William Chievre but it seemed possible that the records of the Pomeroy branch of the family might provide additional information regarding the family’s ancestry. William and Ralf being brothers, the ancestry of one brother would naturally apply to the other.

Unfortunately the peerage works I consulted did not trace the Pomeroy family back beyond “Ralph de la Pomeria”, founder of the Devon and Cornwall branches of the Pomeroy family and ancestors of the Viscounts Harberton.

In the History and Genealogy of the Pomeroy Family, Vols.1 & 11 published in 1912 and Part 111 in 1922, the author Colonel Albert A. Pomeroy traces the family back to Radulphus De La Pommeraie., the ancestor of the Pomeroy’s in England.

Brief mention of Ralph’s brother William is found in Vol.1 and Part 111 where he is designated as “Capra”, “Chevre” and “Chievre”. Another Brother “Hughe”, and their sister “Beatrice” are also mentioned.

Most interesting of all is the tantalizingly brief mention of the father of William and Ralph - Roger- who is described by Colonel Pomeroy as being recorded, with his son William Capra, as a benefactor to the Abbey of St.Mary Du Val, Normandy.

The Colonel refers in a note to page 536 of the “Calendar of Documents, France” as the Documentary source of this statement. At least three times in his work Colonel Pomeroy refers to Roger, as not having a surname, but consultation of the Calendar of Documents preserved in France illustrative of the history of Great Britain and Ireland., page 536, Vol.1, A.D. 918-1206, reveals two glaring omissions by Colonel Pomeroy.

Although the “Calendar of Documents, France” does not record Roger’s gift to the Abbey in full, but merely mentions it in parenthesis, I discovered that Roger did indeed have a surname and I also learned the name of his wife; two very important details in the history of both families which were either overlooked or ignored by Colonel Pomeroy.

In the Latin records of Normandy Roger the ancestor of the Chevers and Pomeroy families, is described as “Capra” and his son William and daughter Beatrice are both described in English (Norman) Latin records as “Capra.” From the fact that the Chievre surname was used by Roger and his son William and daughter Beatrice, it may be concluded that the English Pomeroys would have borne the same surname had not Ralph and his descendants been known as of “the Orchard.”

From the History and Genealogy of the Pomeroy Family we learn that Beatrice was sub-tenant of her brothers William and Ralph. Following the Conquest she was Abbess of the Benedictine Abbey of St. Michael’s Mount, Cornwall.

This association with St. Michael’s Mount by the Chievre branch of the family was followed about a century later by an interesting association with the Mount by the Pomeroy branch of the family. One of Beatrice’s Pomeroy kinsmen, one Henry de Pomeroy, was a staunch supporter of Prince John against his brother King Richard I. Henry Pomeroy was forced to flee to St. Michael’s Mount where he held out until capture was inevitable. St.Michael’s Mount then became the scene of a most unusual suicide. Rather than face capture and death at the hands of the executioner and subsequent confiscation of his estates Henry called in his surgeon and had himself bled to death

Both the Irish Cheevers and the English Pomeroy branches of the families attained Peerage honours. In Ireland Edward Cheevers the Head of the family, was raised to the Peerage as Viscount Mount Leinster and Baron of Bannow, 23 August 1689,by James II. Lord Mount Leinster served as A.D.C. to his Majesty at the Battle of the Boyne and accompanied the King into exile to France where his Lordship died in 1709.

In England Arthur Pomeroy was elevated to the Peerage as Baron Harberton, 10 October 1783, and was advanced to a Viscouncy, 5 July, 1791. The Viscounts Harberton descend from the Pomeroys of Ingesdon (now Ilsington), Devon. Both family surnames, Chevers and Pomeroy, have survived down through the centuries as place names. In Devon the name Pomeroy has Been perpetuated by the village and castle of Berry Pomeroy.

In Ireland the name Cheevers has been perpetuated by the Townland of Cheeverstown, Co.Dublin and Cheeverstown Castle. The Down survey map of the Barony of Uppercross, 1655, the Census of Ireland, 1659 and the Book of Survey and Distribution (date about 1660) all give the old form of .Ballycheevers..

Some branches of both families can claim royal descent. The Pomeroy royal descent is somewhat circumstantial, according to one source Goslin, son of Ralph Pomeroy, married a natural daughter of King Henry 1 named Rohais. Still Another source states that Goslin.s wife Emma .appears. to have been one of the natural daughters of Henry 1.

The Chevers royal descent is traced from the marriage of Sir Walter Chevers, of Ballyhealy, Co.Wexford, and Lady Eleanor St. Lawrence, daughter of Nicholas St. Lawrence, 16th Baron of Howth, and a direct descendant of King Edward III.

Lady Eleanor possessed a double descent from King Edward I by virtue of her descent from John of Gaunt, son of Edward III and great-grandson of Edward I, and by descent from Edmund, Earl of Kent, son of Edward I.

Descent can be traced by the two families not only from two Companions of the Conqueror, but by virtue of their royal descent from the Conqueror himself.

R. Thomas Cheevers.

BHOL British History on Line