Universal Business Directory of 1791

PENRYN

PENRYN is an ancient borough in the hundred of Kirrier, in the county of Cornwall, pleasantly situated on a hill between two other hills, at the head of a navigable river, whose entrance is guarded by the strong and impregnable fort of Pendennis.  It is exceedingly well watered, having streams of water running through it; and is bounded by a stream of water on each side.

This place was first incorporated by James I. and is now governed by a corporate body, consisting of twelve aldermen, twelve common councilmen, a recorder, a steward, and other inferior officers. The right of election is in the mayor, portreeve, aldermen, and inhabitants at large, who pay scot and lot.  The number of voters is about one hundred and forty.  Returning-officer the mayor.  This is a scot and lot borough.  The number of housekeepers paying to church and poor is about one hundred and forty.  The property is divided between the Earl of Mouth Edgecumbe and Sir Francis Bassett; but the latter has, at present, the greatest part, and the majority of the electors are in his interest.

Penryn is an ancient manor, belonging to the see of Exeter; of which it is now held by the corporation, at a small annual rent.  It is a free borough, and held by the corporation, at a small annual rent.  It was a free borough, and had a market before 30 Edward I. and has sent representatives to parliament every since the first of Queen Mary.  It was made a free borough about the year 1270, by Walter Bronescomb, then bishop of Exeter.  It sends two members to parliament; the present are Sir Francis Basset, Bart. and Richard Glover, Esq.

Here was once a monastery, which was a cell to Kirton; and her are still to be seen a tower and part of the garden-walls, the ruins of a collegiate church.

There is no church within the borough, but the inhabitants attend divine service at the adjacent parish church of Gluvias, the vicar of which has the benefits of the borough.  There are two markets in the week here, viz. Thursdays and Saturdays; and there are three fairs held here in the year, viz. May 12, July 7, and December 21

Penryn is distant from Truro nine miles east, Grampound seventeen east, Marazion twenty west, St. Ives twenty-two west, Mitchel seventeen east, St. Columb's sixteen east, Penzance twenty-three west, Redruth eight west, and from London two hundred and sixty-two.

The principal street of Penryn is spacious and airy, and there are many very good houses.  There is a fish-cross, market-house, town-hall, assembly-room, and an excellent town-clock with chimes, made by Tompion.  Upon the streams, before mentioned, are four grist-mills and a paper-mill; and in the town are three very good porter and beer breweries.  This place is the granary of the south-west of the county, the warehouses for flour and grain being very numerous, and the supply from the Isle of Wight and Hants being considerable.  An extensive woollen-manufactory was once set on foot near the old abbey lands of Glasney, but for want of proper management did not succeed.  At present trade is not very considerable here, but is likely to increase.

The inhabitants of Penryn are a loyal and affectionate people, and have raised a larger body of volunteers than any other town in Cornwall, for internal defence. They consist of four companies, and of the following commissioned officers:

Sir Francis Basset, Bart. Lieutenant-colonel Commandant George Chapman George, Esq. Major Captains Benjamin Hearne, Esq. Edward Penwarne, Esq. Richard Harris, Esq. Lieutenants Richard Behenner Christopher Robins

Edward Williams Richard Spargo James Edgcome, jun. Ensigns John Street William Pellowe Thomas Adams Rev. Robert Dillon, Chaplain Hugh Parker , Acting Adjutant John Street, Surgeon

The non-commissioned officers are, a sergeant-major, twelve sergeants, and twelve corporals.  They have sixteen drums and fifes, two triangles, a long drum, and a pair of symbols.  The privates amount to two hundred.  They have a handsome pair of colours, presented them by their lieutenant-colonel, and are in every respect completely accoutred and disciplined.

Mr. Rymer gives very remarkable account how Penryn was once saved by a company of strolling players, viz.  That, towards the latter end of the sixteenth century, the Spaniards were landing to burn the town just as the players were setting Sampson upon the Philistines, which performance was accompanied with such drumming and shouting, that the Spaniards thought some ambush was laid for them, and scampered back to their ships.

There is a very numerous and respectable lodge of free masons held at the principal inn in this borough, viz. the Lodge of Joy, Peace, and Brotherly Love, at the house of Brother Pellowes, the sign of the King's Arms. Treasurer, Francis Mukins, Esq. Secretary, William Crowsey, who is also commissary for French prisoners at the prisons of Kergilliack and Roscrow.  Chaplain, Rev. Robert Dillon.

The manor of Penryn Forryn has a court of record, and the stewart holds pleas to any amount, and proceeds by bailable capias in all cases above ten pounds.

Steward of the Manor of Penryn Forryn Philip Webber Constables William Pellowe Richard Toy Ezehiel Gregg William Edgcombe Sergeants at Mace John Edey Thomas Nurden John Edey, Crier Bread-weighers and Ale-conners John Behenna

James Grey Stephen Harris William Turner James Pellowe, Quay-master Lewis Crowle, Master of the Workhouse Overseers William Pellowe Richard Toy Way-Wardens Jonathan Hornblower Peter Price William Croggen Stephen Harris

The London mail comes in every Friday, and goes out the Sunday following.

The following is a list of the principal inhabitants:

CORPORATION Sir Francis Basset, Bart. Recorder John Thomas, Gent. William Williams, Gent. William Jackson, Esq. Edward Coode, Esq. Benjamin Pender, Esq. Rev. William Baker John Stona, Gent. Joseph Dillon, Esq. Rev. Robert Dillon Edward Penwarne, Gent. John Penware, Gent. John Davies, Steward of the Manor of Penryn GENTRY Crowgey William, Esq. Dillon Robert, Esq. George Chapman George, Esq. Harris Richard, Gent. Hearne Benjamin, Esq. Hodge Edward, Esq. Humphry James, Esq. James Robert, Gent. Mukins Francis, Esq. Richards Robert, Esq. Richards Philip, Esq. Roberts William, Esq. Robins Christopher, Esq. Scott Sir Charles Spargo Richard, Gent. CLERGY Bererley Rev. Thomas Collins Rev. John Dillon Rev. Henry PHYSIC. Street Samuel, Surgeon Symons John, Surgeon LAW Johns Stephen James, Attorney TRADERS, &c. Adams Thomas , Brewer Adams John, Brandy-merchant Anderson Andrew, Gardener Behenna Robert, Brewer

Behenna Richard, Maltster Behenna John, Carpenter Behenna Robert, Shopkeeper Bolitho Thomas, Tanner Bunster Matthew, Shopkeeper Cock Elizabeth, Post-mistress Cornish Ann, Shopkeeper Croggon Thomas, Shopkeeper Crowle James, Flour-merchant Dillon Henry, Roper Dixon John, Shopkeeper Edgcombe John, Tanner Edgcombe James, Tanner Edgcombe William, Carpenter Gregg Ezekiel, Mason Grey Thomas, Mason Grey James, Shopkeeper Hearne Benjamin, Tallow-chandler Hollings Nicholas, Shopkeeper Hornblower Jonathan, Brazier Jordan John, Stamp-distributor Leverton James, Stationer Leverton Mary, Tallow-chandler Lugg Jenefer, Flour-merchant Nicholas Richard, Currier Olive Thomas, Silversmith Pellowe Thomas, Carpenter Pellowe James, Ironmonger Polack Frances, Shopkeeper Price Peter, Flour-merchant Reed Thomas, Roper Scott, Williams, and Co. Soap-manufacturers Stona John, Shopkeeper Trathan William, Shopkeeper Treeve John, Brewer Treloar Thomas, Maltster Treloar John, Mason Trewran Thomas, Brazier Toy Thomas, Shopkeeper Tucker William, Bookbinder and Paper-factor Turner Thomas, Silversmith Wescott Samuel, Shopkeeper Williams William and Co. Brewers Williams William, Tallow-chandler CUSTOM-HOUSE Richard Behenna, Collector James Edgcombe, sen. Tide-surveyor Richard Corfield, Supervisor of Excise J. Treloar, Salt. Officer William Harris, Comptroller

Gentlemen's seats in the neighbourhood of Penryn: 

Enys	the seat of John Enys, Esq.	one mile distant
Tresusis	Lord Clinton	two miles
Carclew	Sir William Lemon, Bart.	three miles
Tretheage	Mrs. Tincombe	four miles
Trevales	Thomas Reed, Esq.	three miles
Trelill	John Rawe, Esq.	nine miles
Penrose	John Rogers, Esq.	eleven miles
Godolphon	Duke of Leeds	fourteen miles
Penwarne	Sir Michael Nowell, Knt.	three miles
Rosemerrin	Peter Bown, Esq.	three miles
Penjerrick	Geo. Fox	three miles
Meurin	Richard Pidseley, Esq.	five miles
Boswarthack	Thomas Moore, Esq.	four miles
Tywardreath	Thomas Trewren, Esq.	six miles
Lenarth	Thomas Nicholas, Esq.	six miles
Halvose	John Hawkins, Esq.	eight miles
Trelowarrne	Sir Carew Vivian, Bart.	ten miles
Pengriepe	Joseph Beauchamp, Esq.	four miles
Trevince	Miss Beauchamp	five miles
Bochim	Sir Henry Trelawney, Bart.	fourteen miles
Clowance	Sir John St. Aubyn, Bart.	fourteen miles
Tehidy Park	Sir Francis Basset, Bart.	twelve miles
Pendawes	John Stackhouse	twelve miles
Rosewarne	William Harris, Esq.	twelve miles
Lower Rosewarne	Matthew Vivian, Esq.	twelve miles
Killiow	Robert Lovel Gwatkin, Esq.	seven miles
Place	Admiral Spry	fifteen miles

Within the hundred of Kirrier, besides the borough of Penryn, are, the borough of Helstone ten miles west, the town of Falmouth about two miles south, and the village of Flushing, within the parish of Mylor, about two miles east.

The parishes within the hundred of Kirrier are as follows:  

Gluvias and Budock		Rev. William John Temple, Vicar
Perranarworthal	four miles	Rev. James Buckingham, Vicar
Stythians	six miles	Rev. James Buckingham, Vicar
Falmouth	two miles	Rev. ---- Wilbraham, Rector
Constenton	six miles	Rev. Edmund Gilbert, Vicar
St. Keverne	ten miles	Rev. James Pascoe, Vicar
Helstone	ten miles	Rev. Richard G. Grylls, Vicar
Ruan Major	fourteen miles	Rev. S. Sandys, Rector
Ruan Minor	fifteen miles	Rev. William Robinson, Rector
Mawgan	thirteen	Rev. --- Trevillian, Rector
St. Martin	thirteen miles	Rev. --- Trevillian, Rector
Mabo	two	Rev. Richard Mills, Vicar
Mylor	three miles	Rev. Richard Mills, Vicar
Gwennap	six miles	Rev. A. Radford, Vicar
Wendron	six miles	a Vicarage
Mawnan	five miles	Rev. William Peter, Rector
Manackan	eight miles	Rev. Richard Polwhele, Vicar
St. Anthony in Meneage	eight miles	Rev. William H. Reyne, Vicar
Mullion	seventeen miles	a Vicarage
Sithney	twelve miles	Rev. Morgan Cove, Vicar
Breage	fourteen miles	Rev. Edward Marshal, Vicar

Curty, Gunwallo, Grade, and Germo, chapels to Breage