Boevey, James

James Boevey born in London in 1622 and trained as a Banker and Solicitor before moving to Exmoor in 1652 through ill health at the age of thirty-two when he purchased Exmoor Forest. It is assumed from the date 1654 carved into an oak beam above the old Kitchen fireplace, that he commenced building Simonsbath House as soon as he took possession of the land. Boevey remained Warden of the Forest for 43 years, the longest period for any person, until his death in 1696. However, Boevey was not a popular man, having introduced high charges for grazing rights, which caused outcry amongst the local farmers. Many banded together to protest outside of his house, the original front door still bears the axe marks of the farmer's attacks. Margaret, Boevey's third wife, became the Warden of the Forest on her husband's death, but after only eight years sold the remainder of the forest lease and house to Robert Siderfin of Luxborough. As Siderfin was only interested in the grazing rights he let Simonsbath House to several tenants, most notably in 1702 to John Dennicombe who allowed the house to fall into disrepair. Despite Siderfin paying for some repairs to be done, and giving Dennicombe a second chance, he still allowed the house to deteriorate and eventually locked himself and his family inside the house to escape arrest, he burnt doors, windows, panelling and floors for firewood. Eventually Dennicombe was arrested and the Sheriff of Somerset evicted the family in 1719.

When Siderfin died in debt in 1720 his wife lost the house to Robert Darch, a nephew of Siderfin, as principal creditor. On his death the forest and house passed his wife Hannah, although during this period the house remained the home of various deputy foresters.
The Wardens between 1767 and 1814 were three members of the Acland family whose contribution to moorland life saw the revival of stag hunting and the protection of the Exmoor deer herds from poachers who had almost exterminated them.

In 1789, Simonsbath House was licensed as an inn and became the focus of many local stories about smuggling, which in light of the proximity of Porlock and Lynmouth, together with its remote location are likely to be true.
Simonsbath House was the only dwelling in the Forest until 1815 and in 1819 the Royal Forest ceased to exist. The main allotments were auctioned, and the highest bid received was from John Knight of Worcestershire for £50.000 for 10,000 acres. He soon purchased other adjoining allotments and became the sole owner of what had been the Royal Forest.

At once he started improving the roads and tracks through the forest and enclosed the property with a 30-mile wall, the remains of which can still be seen today. In 1827 he took up residence in Simonsbath House and began to build a "Handsome Residence" behind the old House. When finished the original Simonsbath House was to be demolished. Lack of funds made this dream impossible. One wing of the proposed residence remains today and makes up part of the Outdoor Centre. John Knight introduced the sheep of Exmoor as they are today. He planned great mining projects for iron ore, and to build many canals and railways tracks. Although John Knight died in 1850, in 1840 due to ill health he had handed the development over to his son, Frederick, who lived in the house with his family.
In 1856 Frederick built a school and the little church of St. Luke and planted all the trees opposite Simonsbath House - the last of these trees blowing down in the gales of 1971. On his death in 1879 the Fortescue family who already owned Castle Hill and land around South Molton purchased the property. They lived at South Molton and the House was only used for holidays and as a hunting lodge. The Fortescues brought some fine panelling into the House. Above the lounge fireplace is a splendid example of their hereditary coat of arms.

They also added one of the first Squash Courts in England in 1929 and this has now been converted to the dormitory accommodation. Between 1940 and 1945, the House was let to Miss Aspinall as a Girls School and latterly to a Mr Maldon as a Boys School. The name of the House was changed to Diana Lodge Hotel in 1946 by Miss Jeaves who occupied the property for four years. It was let between 1950 and 1968 to Major Coleman Cooke, the author. Mr. John Morley purchased the freehold in 1969 and the name reverted to Simonsbath House. It has been run as a Country House Hotel since that time and in 2004 additional work was undertaken to the derelict sections of the House to create Simonsbath Outdoor Centre. There have been many changes to the property during the past 325 years, but fortunately the character of the old building remains to this day.

Margie Hinton, California wrote ... I descend from Elizabeth Boeve a daughter of James (Jacobus) Boeve and William Hinton.

www.simonsbathhouse.co.uk

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