A Pierce ancestor was supposedly born in Cloakham House in 1790. I cannot tell from Googling if Cloakham House is one house (dwelling unit) or is the name of an estate on which there are several houses. I have seen it described as a "foef" and am not sure what that means. Can anyone help?

Cloakham House was the main manor house - a single dwelling and Cloakham Lodge would have been a separate dwelling on the estate.
I think your 'foef' should read 'fief' and refers traditionally to a piece of land held under the feudal system.