In Cornish Trevear means great farm (or settlement), in modern Cornish it is listed as Treveur.1 Over the years it has been spelled several different ways: Trevear (tithe map & apportionment list), Trevare (map 3) , Trevere (1621, via Ed Kerle, Henderson), Treveer (1490 & 1516, Henderson), and as the stone wall sign reads - Treveor.
My profound THANKS goes to Liz and Stu, who live near St. Stephen In Brannel, for providing these pictures.
"Reginold Wowedon [ho-?-ist] Gent Ed III is desented (VII 49) as of 'Tremor' probably Trevear in St Stephens of which his descendant Robert Wowedon was possessed in 1490 [I 8]. The only land he held in the parish that did not come to him in 1451 by part of his cousin Floricia heiress of Tremithian. This desc: is 1526 to Nic: (arminon? see Trewithian supra?) who died seized of Treveor (Stan: Ch: 188) which fell to the name of the Kearlls. He (Reginald Wowedon) is named 1333 as a default in recognitor for the neyhborhood of Ladock (asseze rolls 149.) 'Reginald de Tremor' paid the subs[idy] in 1327". 2
Henderson; "The Medievel family of Trewithian of Trewithian became extinct circa 1450 leaving the Wowedon family of Probus its heirs. Reginald Wowedon was living at Trevear long before this v12? in 1317". 2
In 1450 other lands came to Robert Woweden upon the death of a cousin, Floricia Trewythian Polredan. Floricia was a widow of John Polredan and did not leave any issue. She was the daughter of Thomas de Trewythian and wife Joan, a daughter of William Dymylick. Floricia and Robert's common ancestor was William de Trewythian and wife Constance who married about 1291. Constance was the daughter of Thomas de Penwern and wife Joan. 2
Robert Wowedon married 1424 to Joan, daughter of Reginald Taithour of St Enoder. John Wowedon of Golden became the owner upon the death of his father Robert in 1490. John and Cecilia Wowedon had two children: Joanna who married John Tregian of Golden and Katherine. 2
Katherine Wowedon married Nicholas Carminow of Trenowth. Upon the death of her father John, she received Trewithian, Trevear and Tolcarne as her share. Katherine and Nicholas had two daughters Elizabeth and Philippa. 2
Elizabeth Carminow married Nicholas Kerle. "Kerle of Trenowth owners of Trevore 1621." Elizabeth and Nicholas had one daughter.
Philippa married Hugh Boscawen and after his death married James Trewinnard. "Viscount Falmouth owner of Trewithian & Trearne" 2
At the end of St. Stephens history is a list of individuals compiled by the churchwardens "for repairing the church and other necessaryes and incident charges hereunto belonging from 28 March (Easterday) 1714 to 17 April (Easter) 1715." In brackets was written "[occupiers 1695]." The columns were tenement, owner or occupier and yearly value: "Trevear, Mrs Eliz Yelland widow, GBP 30."
Stu notes, "She is Elizabeth Chapman who married John Yelland 1700/01 at St.Issey. He was buried 9 Sep 1714 a fairly wealthy man."
"The Yelland family, which was prominent amongst the pioneers who co-operated with (William) Cookworthy, originated in South Devon, and first appeared in St Stephen in the early 1600's, and later, when records commenced, were living at Trevear, a house which has been mentioned in two recent books on Cornish buildings. These date it from about 1620 and say 'it is an attractive and well preserved example of an early 17th century house, worth more than a casual glance'.
The name means 'Great Homestead' and it must have been considered an important residence, but no record seems to be available of its history.
The Trethewey family of Treneague may have built it as they had in their ownership Treneague, Meledor, Penhale and Tregargus, as well as Trevear. This family went back a long way into history and had a mansion house at Meledor......Perhaps the Yellands came into possession through marriage with a Trethewey daughter; the name was certainly connected with Trevear for over 100 years." 4
Any further history of Treveor remains unknown until 1838 when the apportionment list was prepared for St Stephens parish, based on this list a tithe map was prepared in 1839.
1 - According to The History of Cornish In the Parish of St Stephen In Brannel, Pol Hodge, The Cornish Language Board, c1998, ISBN 0 907064 88 4
2 - LDS Family History Center, Microfilm Number 0254238, Item 3, Henderson History of Parish St Stephen In Brannel Including Pedigrees, unpaged. These pages contain extracted notations from various old documents. These extracts are known as the 'Henderson Manuscripts' located at the Courtney Library, Royal Institution of Cornwall, Truro. Henderson's volume and page number are referenced in (parentheses). Many of the abbreviations meanings are unknown.
3 - Ordnance Survey Map, Old Series, reprint copyright 1970, ISBN 0 7153 4400 5
4 - An Account of the history of St. Stephen in Brannel, by T.J. Olver, undated, pages 10-11