Career John Knight (Exmoor pioneer)

stock-proof hedgebank erected circa 1824 john knight, particularly well-preserved section separating forest of exmoor manor of north molton, west (left)

in august 1818 purchased @ public tender 10,262 1/4 acre former royal forest of exmoor , began became largest single land reclamation project in england. forest of exmoor had been sold king george iii s commissioners of woods, forests , land revenues. had connection area aunt mary knight wife of col. coplestone warre bampfield (d.1791) of hestercombe, somerset, nephew of sir coplestone warwick bampfylde, 3rd baronet (c. 1689–1727), lord of manors of poltimore , north molton, both in devon. col. coplestone warre bampfield great-grandson of sir coplestone bampfylde, 2nd baronet (c. 1633–1692). manor of north molton adjacent east side of forest of exmoor , bampfylde family had valuable ancient grazing rights on forest. knight later increased exmoor estate 20,000 acres purchasing surrounding land, particularly so-called allotments had been granted royal commissioners principal adjoining landholders compensate them loss of ancient rights on royal forest. built stock-proof stone-faced wall or hedgebank around whole estate, 29 miles long, 22 miles of public roads, , commenced great task of reclaiming rough grazing of high moors, on 1,000 ft, arable production, , built 2 farmsteads, honeymead , cornham, east , west respectively of own residence @ simonsbath house, simonsbath, formerly residence on forest, built james boevey (1622–1696) in 1654, had enclosed farmland of 108 acres.