B51142-Somaster,-Somester,-anciently-Summaster-and-Sumaister

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Name of the family:

Somaster, Somester, anciently Summaster and Sumaister

Blason:

Ar. a castle triple-towered sa. an orle of fleurs-de-lis of the last.

Crest(s):

A portcullis with chains ar.

Motto:

Quasi eummus magister. The Painsford line bore the castle and fleurs-de-lis or, and a border of the same.

Info about the family:

co. Cornwall, Old Port in Modbury, Nether Ex, Widecombe in Stokenham, and Painsford in Ashprington, co. Devon. The Harl. MSS. contain the pedigree of a very ancient and knightly line of this family, seated at a very remote period in co. Cornwall, the heiress of the elder male stem of which-descended from matches with Kelly, Treviso, Fortescue, Penrose, Bonythorn, Penarth, Mansfield, Pederton, and Mallet-m. Colshul. Old Port was acquired by Richard Somaister, a presumed younger son of the Cornish house, who m. the heiress of De Heanton, granddau. of the Thomas De Heanton whose wife was Alice, senior co-heir of the De la Ports. Robert Somaister, Esq., of Old Port, his son and heir, left two sons, William and Adam. William, the elder, acquiring property at Nether Ex, the senior line was there continued until his grandson, John Somaister, d.s.p., when Nether Ex passed to his only sister Jane, wife of John Lympenny, whose son, John Lympenny, sold it. Adam Somaister, second son of Robert Somaister, Esq., of Old Port, inherited that seat and estate, to which having added Wydecombe, he moved to the latter, where his line continued until his grandson, John Somaister, temp. Henry VII., purchased and removed to Painsford, where the male line was further continued to beyond the period of the Civil War, in which Sir Samuel Somaister, Knt.,of Painsford, and his four sons, took an active part on the royal side, selling Old Port and other estates to meet the expenses of their men in the field. Through the period of their existence severally at Old Port. Widecombe, and Painsford, the Somasters matched with the most principal western houses, including Prideaux, Speke, Dillon, Fortescue, Holbeam, Trevanion, Fowell, Arundel, Strode, &c.; but neither the history of their extinction in the male line, nor what family enjoys their representation, is clearly known. Towards the end of the 17th century, Painsford, which was a very fine mansion, having a splendid marble chapel attached to it, was sold to the family of Kelland

Page in the book:

947

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