68 KINGSBRIDGE 



In 1773, George Prideaux, Esq., solicitor, grandfather 

 of the above, was accidentally killed by the upsetting of 

 his carriage in Aveton Gifford. 



He is spoken of by Hawkins as "a gentleman of great 

 antiquarian research and strong mental abilities, and par- 

 ticularly celebrated for his skill in deciphering and reading 

 ancient writings." He appears to have been the first of 

 the Luson branch of the Prideaux family who settled in 

 Kingsbridge. We have no intention, however, of tracing 

 the pedigree back to old Paganus de Prideaux, who came 

 over from Normandy with William the Conqueror, and who 

 was Lord of the Castle of Prideaux, in Cornwall. 



HUGH CUMING. 



From the AtJienceum of August 19th, 1865, we extract 

 the following: — 



"We have this week to record the death of one of the 

 most distinguished of Natural History travellers, and the 

 possessor of the finest and most extensive conchological 

 collection that has ever been formed. In both these capa- 

 cities the name of Hugh Cuming has long had a world-wide 

 celebrity ; and few men, if any, have contributed so largely 

 to the material extension of the Natural Sciences, which, 

 from his infancy, formed the subject of his eager and 

 almost passionate pursuit. Mr. Cuming was born at 

 [Washbrook, in the parish of] West Alvington, near 

 Kingsbridge, Devon, on the 14th of February, 1791. Even 

 as a child his love of plants and shells displayed itself in 

 a remarkable manner; and under the friendly patronage 

 and encouragement of Col. Montagu, the celebrated author 

 of ' Testacea Britannica/ who resided in the neighbourhood, 

 it was largely fostered and developed. Apprenticed to a 



