Devereux family

One of the earliest recorded families in the area. John Devereux of Winterbourne Steepleton married Joan, the sister of Sir Thomas Fichet and had a son also named John born c.1356. He is noted as having the water mill amongst his properties in the village (see The Water Mill).

When his father died in May 1382, the son John was 26 years old and already a knight. He inherited his father's land in Winterbourne Steepleton but through a succession of law suits relating to lands in other counties he struggled financially. Things had improved by 1400 and by 1412 his annual income consisted of 26 marks from his Dorset lands and another 40 marks from land in Somerset and Gloucestershire.

Sir John Devereux attended parliamentary elections head in Dorchester in 1407 having been a commr in March 1404 to make proclamation of the King's right of presentation to a benefice.

Just prior to 1412, he had settled his manor in Winterbourne, worth about 10 marks annually, on his son and heir Richard and the latter's wife Clemency.

Sir John died on 25th September 1419 with his will having been and dated 15th July of that year. Probate was granted on 21st October and he had directed to be buried at Winterbourne giving a donation of 12 little bells to the church. His wife and son had predeceased him but his two daughters (both named Joan ?) were still living.

Source of the above notes : History of Parliament on line vol 1386-1421.

Link :https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1386-1421/member/devereux-sir-john-1356-1419

Also see the Mortimer family (Derereux was tenant)