Trencreek is interpreted by Mr. Carew the town of the Burrow, by which
I apprehend he means a dwelling near some creeig, byrig or tumulus;
for that is the import of the word Trencreeig, from whence an old
family of gentlemen, now extinct, were denominated, who gave for their
arms, Argent, a cross patee, surmounted with a chevron Sable. But the
tumulus importing their name must have been erected since the doctrine
of Christianity was brought into this land; for before that time
graves were called beths,[35] veths, or byrigs, from whence our modern
words burrow or bury. The Brigantes mentioned by Tacitus were so
denominated from their lofty tumuli, byrigs, or graves.
All the lands in this parish are either held from or in parts of the
Great Duchy.
The Borough of Grandpont. This is the name given to it by the Normans,
for the ancient Cornish name was Ponsmur, signifying the same thing.
In all likelihood this is the ancient Voluba of the Romans mentioned
by Ptolemy; so called from its situation on the river Val or Fal.
Browne Willis, in his additions to Camden, cites a charter still
extant from John of Eltham, Earl of Cornwall, by which all former
privileges are confirmed to the vill of Grampont, with all the lands
of Coytpale, which signifies Tolewood, and a part of the town is at
this time called Caitfala. This charter is dated at Chippenham Oct.
26, 1332.
North of Grampond lies Trevellick, the town on the mill stream or
water, where is a ruined chapel and a well, dedicated to St. Naunton
or Nonnio, as at Alternum. The estate now belongs to Degary
Polkinhorne, Gent. To the North of this lies Nantellan, which was the
seat of John Vincent, Gent. an eminent attorney.
Trewinnow, that is the dwelling on the marshes, has been long held
under the Duchy by the family of Seccomb.
Pennance, the head of the valley, is held under the tenure of
customary Duchy, and was formerly the seat of Henry Hoddy, Gent.
descended from the Huddys or Hodys, of Nethoway, in Devonshire. He had
a considerable estate in these parts, which he foolishly lavished and
at last sold to Mr. Thomas Lower, younger brother to the famous Doctor
Lower,[36] who did not keep it long, but conveyed his right in it to
Philip Hawkins, Gent. since become the most wealthy attorney which
this county ever produced. He married Mary, the daughter of Richard
Scobell, of Menagwins, Esq. and left the bulk of his estate, computed
at one hundred thousand pounds, to his eldest son John Hawkins, D. D.
Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge, who married Rachel Rashleigh,
of Menabilly, but died sine prole. Doctor Hawkins laid out very large
sums of money on the improvement of Pennance. He died in London July
30, 1736.
Trigantan belongs to the family of Sperrack.
The Church is situated at one end of the parish near the river Val or
Fal, in a fruitful spot of land, but low. It is but a mean structure,
consisting of a nave, a south aile of the same length, and a cross
north aile. Here was formerly but a poor small tower covered with
wood, in which were three bells; but the parishioners took that down
in 1732, and have in this year (1733) finished a handsome square
tower. The Rectory House has also been new built in a neat manner by
the present incumbent Mr. Hughes.