Board: Message Boards > Surnames > Freke URL: http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/surnames.freke/29/mb.ashx Subject: FRAKES,FREKE,FREAKE,FREAK,EVANS-FREKE Author: Bob Frakes Date: 26 May 1998 Classification: Query Surnames:
I have been looking for information on the Freke name in England. I just received this information from someone in County Cork, Ireland: The following is some information on a John Evans I received: Castlefreke (m.) Rosscarbery/Clonakilty OS 143:24-132 1/2 - 36 This 18th century mansion, built in a Castellated style was designed by Sir Richard Morrison, a pupil of Gandin, for the Freke family. He was allowed to indulge his taste for fantasy in the enormous building, which is now a sad and crumbling ruin - seeming to have aged more than its predecessor, Rathbarry, which lies between it and the wide white strand of Owenahincha. The Freke family came originally from Cerne in Hampshire. In the 17th century Captain Arthur Freke acquired Rathbarry (q.v.) which suffered from a burning in 1642 and 1690. The Frekes then lived in a house constructed in the ruins until the completion of Castle Freke. In 1741, Grace, the only daughter of Sir Ralph Freke married John Evans, of Bulgaden Hall in County Limerick. Their second son, also John, assumed the added name of Freke, became Sir John Evans Freke of Castlefreke, and the title passed through his line. The Vaughan family had been given the title Earls of Carberry by Charles II but his family had become extinct, so in time the Frekes acquired this title also, and being the biggest landlords in the area lived in great style. By the first quarter of this century, however, such a large rambling place had become unmanageable as a private home, and the last Lord Carberry, an eccentric at the least decided to abandon the title and the house. He became plain Mr. Carberry and emigrated to Kenya: in his last act he is said to have taken out a revolver and shot out the eye of the portrait of the first Lord Carberry which hung at the head of the stairs. He then closed the door behind him and never visited the place again. He was an excellent shot, and the first Irishman to fly his own plane. He also had several wives, although not, one presumes, at the same time. "Freke family came originally from Cerne in Hampshire" Does anyone in and around Cerne Hampshire have any information on the Freke line? Are there still any Freke still living there? According to Chris Freke of New Zealand, James II offered the a Freke man 12000 acres if he would emmigrate to County Cork Ireland. Does this make sense? Thanks Bob Frakes Oklahoma City, OK USA
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