Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Incledon, Benjamin
INCLEDON, BENJAMIN (1730–1796), genealogist, baptised at Pilton, near Barnstaple, Devonshire, 6 June 1730, was the second son, but the successor to the estate, of Robert Incledon, of Pilton House, by his second wife, Penelope, daughter of John Sanford of Ninehead, Somerset. The father was buried at Pilton on 9 Dec. 1758, aged 83, and the mother on 30 April 1738. Their son was educated at Blundell's school, Tiverton, and in 1765 was elected as a feoffee of that foundation. He was also a trustee of Comyn or Chilcott's free English school at Tiverton. With an ample patrimony, he interested himself all his life in the ancient families of Devonshire. Richard Polwhele refers to his skill in compiling pedigrees (Traditions and Recollections, i. 260), and the 'Stemmata Fortescuana,' which he drew up in 1795, form the basis of the genealogies in Lord Clermont's 'History of the Family of Fortescue.' For some unknown reason he refused to submit his pedigrees to the inspection of Polwhele, who thereupon addressed to him an angry letter, which is printed in the 'Gentleman's Magazine' for April 1791, p. 308, and in his 'Traditions,' i. 258-9. Incledon printed at Exeter, in 1792, at his own expense, for the use of the governing body, a volume entitled 'Donations of Peter Blundell and other Benefactors to the Free Grammar School at Tiverton,' which was reprinted by the trustees, with notes and additions, in 1804 and 1826. His account of St. Margaret Hospital at Pilton appeared in the 'Archæologia,' xii. 211-14. His manuscript collections on the Fortescues are deposited with Lord Fortescue at Castle Hill, near South Molton, Devonshire: the rest of his papers seem to have been dispersed. From 1758 until his death he was recorder of Barnstaple, and took great delight in its municipal records. In Gribble's 'Memorials of Barnstaple' are copies of his lists of its mayors and members (pp. 197-205, 219-25). Incledon died at Barnstaple, after a long illness, on 7 Aug. 1796. He married at Tiverton in 1757 Margaret, second daughter and co-heiress of John Newton of that town. She died at the Castle, Barnstaple, on 8 Sept. 1803.
[Visitations of Devonshire, ed. Vivian, pp. 498-9; Davidson's Devon. Bibliography, p. 55; Chanter's Lit. Hist. of Barnstaple, p. 66; information from Mr. Webber-Incledon of Dunster.]