Notes: Richard Newman (sometimes referred to as Richard Newman of Evercreech and Fifehead) lived only 32 years (predeceasing his father), and was buried at Fifehead Magdalen. A memorial to him is to be found in the chapel adjoining the church there (see notes on Fifehead and History of Dorset p58 which also includes a reference to the west wall of the chancel at Fifehead where there is a black stone with the inscription "Richard Newman of Evercreech Park, com. Somerset, aged 32 years, 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 (or maybe Anna) and Barbara now living."

Tony Newman in his Fifehead.ged file states "Matriculated Wadham College, Oxford, 29 Mar 1667, age 16; student of Middle Temple 1669, see Foster's Inns of Court Register. Will dated 08 Dec 1681, proved 26 Jun 1682, P.C.C 73 Cotle. His coffin removed to below chapel built by his son Richard in 1693".

Raymond Mercier has very kindly sent me a transcription of Richard's Will, which I have appended to this website.

According to Burke's Commoners page 113, this Richard Newman purchased the estate of Thornbury Park on 17th May 1679. However, Thornbury Park does not appear to be mentioned in Richard's will which is dated 1681, so this information may not be correct.

From John Newman May 2002: "Richard Newman of Evercreech Park and Fifehead. b.1651. Sherborne school c.1665.(?) Matriculated at Wadham College Oxford 29/3/1667 . Student of the Middle Temple. Died 1683 aged 32". So there is some disagreement about the date of his death (and therefore the date of his birth).

Note 2: Di Clements quotes from Somerset Wills Fifth Series: "1681 Richard Newman of Evercreech Park. Proved by Richard Newman. To be buried near grandfather Richd N the elder gent. To wife Grace the house in Tufton St Westminster, daughter Barbara- daughter Anne £500. Son Richd N. Father Newman Father Edmunds Sister Lady Anne Christian Honeywood Brothers Charles Harbord N, Francis Hollies N. Sister Frances Wadham's son. John Francis jun. John Francis and Eleanor his wife. Poor of E'creech and Fivehead £5 each. God-daughter- cousin Dorothy Warre £10 when 16." I wonder if Richard's house in Westminster was anywhere near Old Palace Yard where his grandson Sir Samwell seems to have lived.

Note 3: Grace Edmunds was daughter and co-heir of Henry Edmonds of Preston Hall, Northamptonshire. She was of Royal descent from King Edward I of England. This is where the Preston Hall connection came from.

Note 4: Anne Newman: According to Campbell Newman's account, Anne was the eldest child of Richard Newman. However Ken Toll states (email dated 13th June 2004) that Richard married Grace Edmonds in 1675 which defines Sir Richard (b. 1675 or 1676) as their eldest child.

Note 5: Barbara is included in her grandmother Anne Harbord's will which says "(to my) grand-daughter Barbara N £200; if she dies then to her sister Ann then to my grand-daughters Frances and Catherine Scott."

Note 5 - Children: Di Clements reports finding in the church at Evercreech, on a plain blue stone let into the west wall of the Park aisle, the words"

Most likely, young Grace and Henry were children of Richard and Ann. Most likely, Grace died in October 1679 (not 1680 as implied above) and William in February 1680.