Grilstone, Bishop's Nympton

Grilstone in the parish of Bishop's Nympton in north Devon, England, is an historic estate.

The present grade II listed house, situated about 1 1/4 miles south-east of the market town of South Molton, is Georgian, an 1834 extension and remodelling by Rev.

[2] It is best known as the seat of Sir Lewis Pollard (c. 1465 – 1526), Justice of the Common Pleas from 1514 to 1526[3] and a Member of Parliament for Totnes in 1491.

The earliest recorded holder of the estate, in the 13th and 14th centuries, was the de Grilstone family, which as was usual took its name from its seat.

On his death without a son the baronetcy passed to his younger brother Sir Amyas Pollard, 3rd Baronet (1616–1701), of Abbots Bickington, Devon, who died unmarried and without legitimate male heir, when the baronetcy became extinct.

Grilstone, view passing through on the public highway. The main house is on the left.
Grilstone, viewed from the valley bottom. The present house is Georgian, but Hoskins (1959) states that some remains of the old house survive. [ 1 ]
The Passmore family at Grilstone in 1894. The father is Edmund Passmore, his wife Lydia Jutsum, heiress of Grilstone. Bertha Passmore, front row far right, was the mother of John Widgery, 1st Baron Widgery