AT the April meeting of Thorverton History Society Denise Melhuish gave a talk about the Acland’s of Killerton and Holnicote.

The Acland family can trace their roots back to Hugh de Accalen in North Devon in 1155. He may have been of Flemish origin. By the end of the 12th century the family held about 400 acres of land and social rank just below that of knight.

They moved to the more fertile lands of South Devon in the late 16th century and by 1620 John Acland served as a justice of the peace, sheriff, Member of Parliament and he was knighted.

During the civil war they sided with both Cromwell and the Royalist but when the Royalists lost, they were fined.

Their money came from good marriages and a strong male line. After moving from North Devon they acquired estates at Killerton, Pixton, Tetton, Petherton, Holnicote and Trerice.

Sir Hugh Acland married Cicely Wroth and increased the estates. It was said that he died twice – he died at a young age and his servants were asked to watch over him. They had been drinking brandy and gave a little to Sir Hugh who appeared to come back to life but perhaps their own consumption of the brandy was a little too much!

At the height of their wealth Sir Thomas (1723 – 1785) married Elizabeth Dyke (a surname used by later Aclands). He was described as a sporting squire but he continued to build up the family estates.

A politician who enjoyed hunting and horse racing, he could be very generous to his horse trainer when he won. In the mid 1700’s he gave the trainer £5 when his horse won, a sizeable sum of money then.

Elizabeth bought Holnicote, Tetton and Pixton, all with lodges used for hunting. Many friends visited and stayed and on one occasion over 1,000 hunt followers attended and were fed and watered.

Killerton was built over several years and was planned as a grand house in the 1770’s for their son and daughter-in-law to live in.

Major John Acland bought a commission and with his wife Lady Harriet went to America where they lived in tented army accommodation.

John was badly injured and captured by the Americans but Harriet travelled up the River Hudson to ask if she could care for her husband. She nursed him back to health and they returned to the UK where King George wanted to hear about their escapades.

Major John got involved in an argument over adverse comments about Americans and died following a duel – not from the duel but from a fall and striking his head.

His son died three months later so the estate passed to Sir Thomas, a man who liked to party but his spending was limited by the terms of the will.

He married Henrietta Hoare who brought stability to the family. After his death the estates passed to his son Thomas who lived at Killerton and had 10 children. He set up several schools and his own children enjoyed varied careers in the Royal Navy, medicine, the church and farming in New Zealand.

They holidayed at Holnicote and planted many trees there. They also built many houses there, including Selworthy, for their staff.

There is a bears hut at Killerton for a bear that was brought back from Canada but it grew too large and was sent to London Zoo.

Sir Thomas, the 11th baronet, took over and his great loves were politics, painting and farming. He was very keen for farmers sons to be educated and ran workshops on things like butter making and fertilisers.

Sir Francis Acland liked Killerton to be used so many local activities were held there. His 10-year-old daughter was killed by the main entrance to Killerton whilst riding her bicycle and there is a memorial to her outside the gate.

When Sir Richard took over he was a strong socialist and his wife Anne wished to give the estate to the National Trust.

Holnicote ran to 12 square miles and Killerton 10 square miles. There were 250 cottages and many farms with a succession of family tennants.

In 1978 Killerton was opened to the public. For a number of years prior to this the house had been used as a hall of residence for St Luke’s College in Exeter.

There was a time when all the staff had to attend the chapel on the estate but there are no burials there.

Robert Turner