Origins Pentecost Dodderidge

dodderidge son of richard doddridge, merchant, of barnstaple. elder brother sir john dodderidge (1555–1628), of bremridge, near south molton, devon, justice of king s bench in 1612 , mp barnstaple in 1589 , horsham in 1604, splendid recumbent effigy exists in lady chapel of exeter cathedral.

1617 carved oak chimneypiece formerly in dodderidge house, cross street, barnstaple, decorated 2 strapwork panels inhabited putti , showing @ middle top date 1617 left initials pd (for pentecost dodderidge (d.circa 1650)) , right ed (for elizabeth wescombe wife). in dodderidge room , in barnstaple guildhall other oak panelling dodderidge house.

the dodderidge family took name manor in parish of sandford, near crediton. richard dodderidge son of wool merchant , born in south molton, in town married. wife , 8 children before 1582 moved holland street, barnstaple , served mayor of barnstaple in 1589. john dodderidge, perhaps relation, recorded earlier in 1579 mayor of barnstaple. in 1585 richard bought house in cross street fellow burgess thomas skinner, descended in turn sons sir john , latter s brother pentecost dodderidge (d. circa 1650. large timber-framed house, known dodderidge house demolished in 1900 make way post office, present large sandstone building date 1901 sculpted on parapet. room of ornate carved oak panelling dated 1617 house survives in barnstaple guildhall, known dodderidge room , ornate overmantel displays date 1617 between initials pd , ed , signifying pentecost , wife elizabeth. room used display corporation s silver , mayor s regalia. richard entered shipping business , owned 100-ton prize-ship named prudence, privateer engaged in licensed piracy. recorded having had 80 men on board in 1590, , landed record prize taken off guinea coast, spanish galleons south america, consisting of 4 chests of gold worth £16,000 in addition chains of gold , civet-fur. gold landed @ barnstaple voyage weighed 320 lbs. between june , october 1590 prudence sent barnstaple 2 further prizes of unrecorded value , in january 1592 brought in prize of £10,000. in march 1596 privy council ordered mayor of barnstaple send ship challenge 2 or 3 spanish ships in irish sea , prudence selected task. victualled 5 months, crew of 40, @ cost exceeding £900, borne north devon population. on 8 august 1596 returned barnstaple, loaded pillage taken during attack on cadiz conducted lords essex , howard. richard received @ time letters patent 1 of 6 west country merchants licensed trade river of senegal , gambia in guinea . richard presented corporation of barnstaple great boale covering, wrought in silver , silver-gilt table lamp .