For further information, see www.newman
AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF
THE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEADwho held the Fifehead Manor
and who built the Newman Chapel
Chris Newman, a descendent of Richard Newman (1584
Edwin Newman of Yeovil (1803
Behind him is the magnificent Newman ‘funerary monument” created by
the famous sculptor Sir Henry Cheere sometime betw
For further information, see www.newman-family-tree.net
AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF
THE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEADwho held the Fifehead Manorial estate between the years 1530 and 1775
and who built the Newman Chapel at Fifehead Church in 1693
Newman, a descendent of Richard Newman (1584 – 1664) and
Edwin Newman of Yeovil (1803 - 1885), on a visit to Fifehead in October 2012.
Behind him is the magnificent Newman ‘funerary monument” created by
the famous sculptor Sir Henry Cheere sometime between 1747 and 1763.
THE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEAD
1775
1664) and
1885), on a visit to Fifehead in October 2012.
Behind him is the magnificent Newman ‘funerary monument” created by
een 1747 and 1763.
2
For further information, see www.newman
THE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEADTHE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEADTHE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEADTHE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEAD
The Fifehead Newmans derive from a
him descended a long line of Newmans (extant to this day), including a Robert Newman who first leased
the Fifehead estate from the Abbey of St Augustine's
the monasteries.
This Robert was succeeded by his son and grandson, both named
Thomas, the latter being Thomas Newman of Fifehead who died in
1649 as recorded (in Latin) on the upper half of the memorial
on the east wall of Fifehead’s Newman Chapel
half of this memorial is dedicated to his son Richard Newman who died
in 1664. Most likely, this memorial predates the
to have been built in 1693, in which case it would have originally been
mounted inside the church.
This Richard Newman married Elizabeth Perry
Christopher Perry of Kern, Somerset
descent. According to one source,
children in court circles, close to their distant cousins Charles I and
Queen Henrietta Marie.
Marriage to Elizabeth may have
purchased the nearby manors of Sparkford and Cadbury in
purchase the Evercreech Park estate
Richard’s only surviving son was another Richard
purchased or gained the rank of colonel
distinguished himself by assisting Charles II
Worcester (1651), for which Richard was captured and
Richard was later rewarded by Charles
through the granting of a royal augmentation
portcullis [as can be seen at centre of shield at
The Newman coat of arms can be seen
the chapel. The Newman arms are
quarters three mullets argent” (meaning
left and lower right quarters). A faint red mark in the centre of the
augmentation. The decorations on the
eroded and barely discernable from ground level, but the right
Newman coat of arms.
Col. Richard Newman also deserves mention for the fact that
year-old lease over the Fifehead estate to fr
release from prison. It is a mystery why
For further information, see www.newman-family-tree.net
THE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEADTHE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEADTHE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEADTHE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEAD
rom a Robert Newman of St. Thomas's Salisbury who died in 1402. From
him descended a long line of Newmans (extant to this day), including a Robert Newman who first leased
Abbey of St Augustine's of Bristol in 1530, shortly before
This Robert was succeeded by his son and grandson, both named
, the latter being Thomas Newman of Fifehead who died in
on the upper half of the memorial plaque
Newman Chapel [photo right]. The lower
half of this memorial is dedicated to his son Richard Newman who died
Most likely, this memorial predates the chapel which appears
to have been built in 1693, in which case it would have originally been
Elizabeth Perry, daughter and heir of
Christopher Perry of Kern, Somerset, who was reputedly of Royal
one source, this marriage established Richard’s
close to their distant cousins Charles I and
may have brought Richard a handsome dowry since around this time
chased the nearby manors of Sparkford and Cadbury in south Somerset. Years later
estate in north Somerset.
son was another Richard Newman (d.1695). This Richard
purchased or gained the rank of colonel in the royalist army during the Civil War and
Charles II to escape capture following the Battle of
Richard was captured and imprisoned by Cromwell.
Charles following his restoration to the throne in 1660
augmentation to his coat of arms, in the form of a
as can be seen at centre of shield at right].
of arms can be seen on the device on the top-left of the memorial on the east wall of
arms are described as “quarterly sable and argent: in the first and fourth
(meaning: black and white quarters with three white stars in the upper
. A faint red mark in the centre of the shield may be a remnant of the
. The decorations on the memorial’s upper centre and upper-right
and barely discernable from ground level, but the right-hand one may have repeat
Col. Richard Newman also deserves mention for the fact that it was he who converted the family’s 120
old lease over the Fifehead estate to freehold, this taking place in 1660 immediately following his
a mystery why no memorial was erected in memory of this most distinguished
who died in 1402. From
him descended a long line of Newmans (extant to this day), including a Robert Newman who first leased
shortly before the dissolution of
around this time he
later he went on to
. This Richard
during the Civil War and
the Battle of
Cromwell.
, in the form of a
on the east wall of
quarterly sable and argent: in the first and fourth
three white stars in the upper
may be a remnant of the royal
devises are badly
hand one may have repeated the
he who converted the family’s 120
eehold, this taking place in 1660 immediately following his
of this most distinguished
For further information, see www.newman
of Newmans following his burial, supposedly
the Newman chapel which houses memorials to both his father and his son
Col. Richard Newman divided his estate
Francis Hollis Newman, and his grandson
Richard Newman of Fifehead who
whose memorial plaque hangs on the west wall of the Newman chapel
[photo right]. Its inscription confirms that the chapel itself was built by Sir
Richard Newman in 1693 when the plaque on the east wall must have been
transferred from somewhere inside the church. Presumably Sir Richard
deliberately left the north wall empty at this time in anticipation of a
memorial to himself being installed there after his death
Francis Hollis Newman inherited the Cadbury a
remained in the family for another hundred years until 1796)
remains extant on several continents
Richard Newman) inherited the Fifehead and Evercreech estates
eldest daughter Frances in 1775 had not
Toll) adopted the Newman surname
Sir Richard Newman married Frances Samwell and was survived by four children
inherited the baronetcy and died
(d.1763) and Elizabeth. Only Elizabeth married but she had no childre
shortly after the death of her husband in 1753
memorialized on the massive plaque mounted on the north wall of the chapel
Sir Samwell and his sisters
living in a town house in Old Palace Yard, Westminster, their lands
(including Fifehead) being leased out on long
Sir Samwell’s death in 1747, the Fifehead estate was administered by
sister Frances
Newmans and Fifehead came to an end.
In her
James Langham
1779
The magnificent funerary
the famous sculptor
of Sir Samwell’s death) and 1763. I
Samwell’s three
their parents and brother, the dates their deaths being
date. In addition to several other official appointments
Middlesex, Sir Henry Cheere was the official "Carver" to Westminster Abbey, an
nine monuments in the Abbey. The sisters, who lived in Westminster, may have known him personally.
For further information, see www.newman-family-tree.net
, supposedly at Fifehead, in 1695 – two years after the constr
the Newman chapel which houses memorials to both his father and his son.
Col. Richard Newman divided his estates between his only surviving son,
and his grandson Sir Richard Newman, son of
Richard Newman of Fifehead who predeceased his father in 1682 and
whose memorial plaque hangs on the west wall of the Newman chapel
Its inscription confirms that the chapel itself was built by Sir
Richard Newman in 1693 when the plaque on the east wall must have been
ransferred from somewhere inside the church. Presumably Sir Richard
deliberately left the north wall empty at this time in anticipation of a
memorial to himself being installed there after his death (in 1721).
Francis Hollis Newman inherited the Cadbury and Sparkford estates (which
remained in the family for another hundred years until 1796), and it is this direct line of Newmans that
on several continents today. Col. Richard’s twenty-year-old grandson
erited the Fifehead and Evercreech estates. His line would have died with his
eldest daughter Frances in 1775 had not the descendents of his sister Anne (who married Ashburnham
adopted the Newman surname.
Newman married Frances Samwell and was survived by four children – a son Samwell, who
inherited the baronetcy and died unmarried in 1747, and three daughters: Frances (d.1775), Barbara
(d.1763) and Elizabeth. Only Elizabeth married but she had no children, she being pronounced insane
shortly after the death of her husband in 1753. Sir Richard, his wife Frances and their four children are
memorialized on the massive plaque mounted on the north wall of the chapel [below left
Sir Samwell and his sisters appear to have spent much of their later lives
living in a town house in Old Palace Yard, Westminster, their lands
(including Fifehead) being leased out on long-term contracts.
Sir Samwell’s death in 1747, the Fifehead estate was administered by
sister Frances until her death in 1775 when the 250 year link between the
Newmans and Fifehead came to an end.
her will, Frances left the manors of Fifehead and Evercreech to
James Langham (MP for Northamptonshire from 1784 to 1790) who
779, sold Fifehead to the brother of a vicar of the parish
The magnificent funerary monument on the north wall
the famous sculptor Sir Henry Cheere sometime between 1747 (the year
of Sir Samwell’s death) and 1763. It must have been
Samwell’s three sisters whose images appear in relief below those of
the dates their deaths being added to the monument’s inscription at a later
In addition to several other official appointments, including deputy lieutenancy
was the official "Carver" to Westminster Abbey, and responsible for
The sisters, who lived in Westminster, may have known him personally.
3
two years after the construction of
line of Newmans that
grandson Richard (later Sir
His line would have died with his
married Ashburnham
a son Samwell, who
in 1747, and three daughters: Frances (d.1775), Barbara
pronounced insane
Sir Richard, his wife Frances and their four children are
left].
appear to have spent much of their later lives
living in a town house in Old Palace Yard, Westminster, their lands
term contracts. Following
Sir Samwell’s death in 1747, the Fifehead estate was administered by his
when the 250 year link between the
s of Fifehead and Evercreech to Sir
from 1784 to 1790) who, in
to the brother of a vicar of the parish.
on the north wall was created by
Sir Henry Cheere sometime between 1747 (the year
must have been paid for by Sir
images appear in relief below those of
inscription at a later
lieutenancy for the county of
responsible for at least
The sisters, who lived in Westminster, may have known him personally.
4
For further information, see www.newman
MEMORIAL INSMEMORIAL INSMEMORIAL INSMEMORIAL INS
East Wall (upper half) - Memorial to
In Latin:
Thomas Newmannus SUB VICINO CESPITE R
EX GENEROSA PROSAPIE Newemannorum
Hall, COT?. ESSEX], ORTUS
JUDICIO ANTIQUUS, INGENIO SOLO NOVISSI
PIETATE IN DEUM, CHARETATEM IN PAUPERES
IN ANGLIA MUNICIPALIIURE
SAGAX NON SUBDOLUS
LEX IPSE SITIMET ET PERFECTISSIMA
ULTRA OCTIGINTA ANNOS CORPORE MORATUS
SUPRA OCTOGENARIUM ANIMO MORATUS
ARTHRITIDE ET SENECTUTE, ALTERO MO
OCTOBRIS XXI, M.D.C.IL
PLACIDE ANIMAM EGIT
Note: the reference to Newman Hall in Essex has been
certainly erroneous since Newman Hall in Essex
in 1540. If this was the case, then t
Thomas Newman who was buried in Fifehead 109 years later.
It is also noteworthy that all the letters on the memorial are capitalized except for people’s names. The
reason for this is not known.
For further information, see www.newman-family-tree.net
MEMORIAL INSMEMORIAL INSMEMORIAL INSMEMORIAL INSCRIPTIONSCRIPTIONSCRIPTIONSCRIPTIONS
emorial to Thomas Newman (d. 1649):
The inscription reads:
SUB VICINO CESPITE REQUIESCIT
Newemannorum [De Newman
, ORTUS
INGENIO SOLO NOVISSIMUS
RETATEM IN PAUPERES INSIGNIS
IURE
SAGAX NON SUBDOLUS
PERFECTISSIMA
S CORPORE MORATUS
NIMO MORATUS
UTE, ALTERO MORBO CONFECT
IL
PLACIDE ANIMAM EGIT
This crudely translates as:
Thomas Newman lies at rest below this neighbourhood,
Of the noble the lineage of Newman
Essex]
Combining ancient values with bright new talents
Conspicuous in piety to God and generous to the poor,
Rightly belonging to England,
Shrewd and straightforward,
Principled and self accomplished,
Over the age of eighty years,
Entombed and safe, his illness now ended,
October 21, 1649
Deliver his soul in peace.
the reference to Newman Hall in Essex has been inserted at a later date [see below]
certainly erroneous since Newman Hall in Essex is understood to have been built by a Thomas Newman
If this was the case, then there is no known connection between this Thomas Newman and the
Thomas Newman who was buried in Fifehead 109 years later.
that all the letters on the memorial are capitalized except for people’s names. The
Thomas Newman lies at rest below this neighbourhood,
Of the noble the lineage of Newman [of Newman Hall,
Combining ancient values with bright new talents
in piety to God and generous to the poor,
Rightly belonging to England,
Shrewd and straightforward,
Principled and self accomplished,
Over the age of eighty years,
Entombed and safe, his illness now ended,
October 21, 1649
Deliver his soul in peace.
[see below] and is almost
built by a Thomas Newman
n connection between this Thomas Newman and the
that all the letters on the memorial are capitalized except for people’s names. The
For further information, see www.newman
East Wall (lower half) - Memorial to Richard Newman (d. 16
In Latin:
Richardus Newmannus
Thomae PRIMOGENITUS IN EODEM OBDORMIT SEPULCHRE
FILIOS Thomam FLORE JUVENTUTIS FEBRE ABREP
ET Richardum HUIUS MOMENTI POSITO
HUIUS EPIGRAPHES COMPOSITOREM
FILIAS Annam ET Ianani SUPERSTITES GENUIT
OBSERVANTIA IN SUPIORES COMITATE IN INTER
IN SINGULOS IUSTITIAM DILLIGENTER EXERCUIT
VIDUITATEM VERAM QUADRAGINTA QUINQUE ANNO
PATREM TAM VIRTUTE QUA DIUTURNITATE IMITA
AD AMUSSIM OFFICII OBSERVAVIT
IUNII X, AD. M.D.C.L.XIIII
HEMI PLEGIA LABORANS OCTOGENARI EXPIRAVIT
Note: Richard did have a son Thomas who died young, and he had a daughter Ann who was born
c.1617. However there is no evidence that he had a
translates into Jane). Richard did live for 45 years after the death of his first wife (Ann’s mother)
Elizabeth Symonds who died in 1619.
her surviving son Col. Richard Newman,
For further information, see www.newman-family-tree.net
emorial to Richard Newman (d. 1664):
The inscription reads
Richardus Newmannus
M OBDORMIT SEPULCHRE
RE ABREP[TUM]
HUIUS MOMENTI POSITOREM
COMPOSITOREM
SUPERSTITES GENUIT
ES COMITATE IN INTERIORES
DILLIGENTER EXERCUIT
RAGINTA QUINQUE ANNOS TEN
A DIUTURNITATE IMITATUS
OBSERVAVIT
M.D.C.L.XIIII
OCTOGENARI EXPIRAVIT
This crudely translates as:
Richard Newman
Asleep in the same tomb as Thomas
His own son, Thomas, taken in the prime of life by fever,
This Richard is the foundation builder
This inscription composed
Anne and Jane[?], only daughters to
Watched from heaven with kindness below,
Every justice diligently exercised,
Forty five years of widowhood
Father virtuously known so long,
To exact service see
June 10, 1664
After eighty years pains to breath the last.
Richard did have a son Thomas who died young, and he had a daughter Ann who was born
c.1617. However there is no evidence that he had a second daughter (nor any certainty that
Richard did live for 45 years after the death of his first wife (Ann’s mother)
who died in 1619. It is nevertheless odd that his second wife, Elizabeth Perry, and
Col. Richard Newman, are not mentioned in the inscription.
5
Newman
Asleep in the same tomb as Thomas
His own son, Thomas, taken in the prime of life by fever,
is the foundation builder
This inscription composed [by him?]
, only daughters to survive birth
Watched from heaven with kindness below,
Every justice diligently exercised,
of widowhood endured
Father virtuously known so long,
To exact service seen,
After eighty years pains to breath the last.
Richard did have a son Thomas who died young, and he had a daughter Ann who was born
certainty that Ianani
Richard did live for 45 years after the death of his first wife (Ann’s mother)
odd that his second wife, Elizabeth Perry, and
6
For further information, see www.newman
North Wall - Memorial to Sir Ric
Newman (d.1747), and their daughters Frances, Barbara and Elizabeth.
The inscription reads:
Sr RICHARD NEWMAN
Also of Dame
Also of Sr SAMWELL NEWMAN
And of FRANCES
T
Viz,
BARBARA
and
Sr RICHARD
V
The sculpture itself was created by th
sometime between Sir Samwell’s death in 1747 and 1763. It must have been paid for by the three
sisters Frances, Barbara and Elizabeth Kitchen, who lived in Westminster
were added after the memorial was completed
For further information, see www.newman-family-tree.net
Richard Newman (d.1721), his wife Frances, their son Sir Samwell
Newman (d.1747), and their daughters Frances, Barbara and Elizabeth.
In Memory of
RICHARD NEWMAN, Bart., who died Dec
r the 30
th, 1721.
Also of Dame FRANCES his wife, who died Decr 4th
, 1730.
SAMWELL NEWMAN, their Son, who died June 4th
, 1747.
and BARBARA NEWMAN, and ELIZABETH KITCHEN,
Three of their Daughters, who died,
, FRANCES, on 27th
Day of August 1775
BARBARA on 6th Day of January 1763
and ELIZABETH on 26th
Day of May 1774.
RICHARD and his Lady had three other Children,
Viz RICHARD, GRACE and EDMONDS,
All of whom died Young.
The sculpture itself was created by the famous Westminster sculptor Sir Henry Cheere (1703
sometime between Sir Samwell’s death in 1747 and 1763. It must have been paid for by the three
sisters Frances, Barbara and Elizabeth Kitchen, who lived in Westminster, and whose dates
were added after the memorial was completed.
(d.1721), his wife Frances, their son Sir Samwell
,
e famous Westminster sculptor Sir Henry Cheere (1703 – 1781)
sometime between Sir Samwell’s death in 1747 and 1763. It must have been paid for by the three
dates of death
For further information, see www.newman
West Wall - Memorial to Richard Newman (d. 1682):
The inscription reads
"RICHARD NEWMAN OF E
LIES IN THE VAULT UN
AND REMOVED FROM THE
LEAVEING ONE SONNE R
Tombstone in Fifehead graveyard for Thomas
Just inside the gate of the churchyard is a large tombstone
THE
WHILST
HERE
... RE
ONE SWALLOW
The stone is now damaged and some of its words are lost and some are almost illegible
above being taken from John Hutchin's 1870 “History of Dorset”
This Thomas Newman is believed to have been the son of the Thomas Newman (and brother of the
Richard Newman) whose combined memorial plaque hangs on the east wall of the Newman chapel.
For further information, see www.newman-family-tree.net
emorial to Richard Newman (d. 1682):
"RICHARD NEWMAN OF EVERCREECH PARK, COM. SOMERSET, AGED 32 YE
LIES IN THE VAULT UNDERNEATH IN THE (SECOND?) LEADEN COFFIN NORTH,
AND REMOVED FROM THE CHANCELL IN OCTOBER M.D.CXCIII [1693]
LEAVEING ONE SONNE RICHARD, ANNE AND BARBARA NOW LIVING."
raveyard for Thomas Newman (d. 1668)
Just inside the gate of the churchyard is a large tombstone that was once inscribed with the words:
HE CORPS OF THOS. NEWMAN GENT
IS HERE INTERRD APRIL V 1668
WHILST TOWER REMAINE OR SPRING MY YEW
HERE I SHALL LIE AS GREEN YOUNG NEW
NEWS TO US GOOD TIMES SHALL BRING
SWALLOW DOTH NOW MAKE THE SPRING."
ow damaged and some of its words are lost and some are almost illegible
John Hutchin's 1870 “History of Dorset”.
is believed to have been the son of the Thomas Newman (and brother of the
whose combined memorial plaque hangs on the east wall of the Newman chapel.
7
SOMERSET, AGED 32 YEARS,
NORTH,
[1693];
BARA NOW LIVING."
inscribed with the words:
ow damaged and some of its words are lost and some are almost illegible, the words
is believed to have been the son of the Thomas Newman (and brother of the
whose combined memorial plaque hangs on the east wall of the Newman chapel.
8
For further information, see www.newman-family-tree.net
LINEAGE LINEAGE LINEAGE LINEAGE OF THE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEADOF THE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEADOF THE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEADOF THE NEWMANS OF FIFEHEAD
(outline only)
Robert N of St. Thomas's, Salisbury - c.1370 – 1402
Robert N of Salisbury - c.1402 – 1457
John N of Salisbury - c.1445 - 1529 (or 1519)
Robert N of Sturminster Newton - c.1472 – 1528
Robert N of Stour Provost and St Augustin's Abbey - c.1494 – 1558
Robert N of Fifehead Magdalen - c.1516 – 1556
first Newman to lease Fifehead estate c.1530
Richard Newman of Charlton Musgrove Thomas N of Fifehead Magdalen and Stoney Stoke
. c.1538 - 1573 1540 – 1574
Thomas N of Fifehead - c.1560 – 1649
Memorial plaque on east wall of chapel
Richard Newman of Cork Thomas N d.1668 Richard N of Fifehead - 1584 – 1664
c.1612 - >1685 buried in Fifehead churchyard Memorial plaque on east wall
Newmans of Ireland Col Richard N of Fifehead - 1620 – 1695
supposedly buried at Fifehead but with no known memorial
Richard N of Evercreech Park - 1650 – 1682 Francis Holles N of Cadbury 1671 – 1714
Memorial plaque on west wall of chapel
Sir Richard N of Fifehead and Evercreech Anne N m. Ashburnham Toll
1676 – 1721 Memorial on north wall
Newman Tolls of
Sir Samwell N c1700 – 1747 Thornbury Park (Gloucestershire)
and three sisters, all died without issue and descendents Charles N of Sherborne
Memorial on north wall 1694 – 1734
Francis N of North Cadbury 1717 - 1796 Rev. Henry N 1726 – 1798
Catherine m. James Rogers Francis N 1759 – 1818 Rev. Edwin Sandys N
emigrated to USA 1762- 1836
Francis Newman-Rogers 1791 - 1851 Edwin N of Yeovil 1803-1885
Various Newman-Rogers Many descendents in USA Many descendents in UK
descendents Australia, NZ, Canada and China