AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 129 



unto Walter Hele, of Gnawton; from, hym it descended 

 unto Samson Hele, the now lorde thereof."* 



" Scobhull and Chevilston lieth in the parish of South 

 Pole, anciently Scobbahull, and belonginge unto y* name, 

 w ch I finde to have contynewed their possession their from 

 Kinge Henry III. tyme unto Kinge Henry V. tyme. * * * 

 This land came wholly unto Speccot, and is linealhy 

 descended unto Sir John Speccot." f 



The rectory house of Portlemouth stands near the 

 entrance of this creek; it is a pleasant looking dwelling, 

 surrounded by trees, and overlooking the water. 



Parts of the building are very ancient. An archway, 

 without a key-stone, the Rev. T. B. Wells says, is of the 

 time of Henry VII. or VIII. On the premises there is 

 a granary, which once formed a part of the old Kings- 

 bridge Barracks. At the time they were taken down, 

 this portion was purchased by Mr. Wells' father, and 

 re-erected in his yard. A few years ago a swarm of 

 bees took possession of part of the wood-work, and since 

 then two other swarms have migrated there also ; endea- 

 vours have been made to eject them, but unsuccessfully, 

 and the three separate families are still occupying this 

 "Timber House." 



The following account of a son of the rector of Portle- 

 mouth, is copied from the " Illustrated London News " 

 of December 27th, 1873. 



" Lieutenant Lewis Fortescue Wells, R.N., late of H.M.S. 

 Barracouta, died at sea, on board the Biafra, on the 26th 

 ult. This gallant young officer, whose demise occurred 



* Sir William Pole. 



f Sir William Pole. 

 K 



