Charles Bonython, of Bonython, in this parish, was a serjeant-at-law,
and steward of Westminster, which city he also represented in
parliament. He married Mary, the daughter of ―――― Livesay, Esq. of
Livesay, in Lincolnshire. His father, John Bonython, married Ann, a
daughter of Hugh Trevanion, of Trelegon, Esq. His grandfather, Thomas
Bonython, married Frances, the daughter of Sir John Parker, of London.
From this place also were descended the Bonythons of Carclew, in
Milor.
This Charles Bonython, however, in a fit of madness shot himself in
his own house in London, leaving two sons, Richard and John, and a
daughter, married to Thomas Pearse, of Helatin. Richard Bonython, the
eldest son, a very ingenious gentleman, was called to the Bar; but
being tainted likewise with his father’s distemper, first sold
portions of his estate in parcels, and at last this barton, which had
been so long in his family, to Humphry Carpenter, jun.; and then, to
complete the tragedy, for he was never easy in his mind after this
sale, first of all he set fire to his chambers in Lincoln’s-inn, burnt
all his papers, bonds, &c. and then stabbed himself with his sword,
but not effectually; but he then threw himself out of the window, and
died on the spot.
John Bonython, the second son, was bred in King’s college, Cambridge,
and is now an eminent physician in Bristol.
Roskymer Bonython, of this place, was Sheriff of Cornwall in the 17th
James I. A.D. 1619.
Bochym. In 1703 this barton belonged to Renatus Bellot, Esq. who then
represented the borough of Michell in parliament. He married the
inheritrix of Spoure of Trebartha. He died of a fever in 1709, leaving
an only son of the same name, who died soon after his father, when the
estate was sold for the payment of debts to George Robinson, Esq. who
has made it his seat.
In this parish is the manor of Skewys, supposed to be so called from
skeu, a shadow. It was formerly the seat of a family of the same name,
of which John Skewys was sheriff of the county in the 12th year of
Henry VIII.