Richard Beaple

[3] In August 1598 Beaple was elected a Common Councilman in place of Roger Cade, who was "put out for that he dwell'd out of this Towne above one year",[4] and was subsequently Mayor of Barnstaple three times, in 1607, 1621 and 1635.

Barnstaple was one of the "privileged ports" of the Spanish Company, The royal charter of 1605 which re-established the Spanish Company names several hundred founding members from named English ports, the twelve Barnstaple members being: William Gay, John Salisbury, John Darracott, John Mewles, George Gay, Richard Dodderidge, James Beaple, Nicholas Downe, James Downe, Robert Dodderidge, Richard Beaple and Pentecost Dodderidge, "merchants of Barnstaple".

Richard Dodderidge and James Beaple were named as amongst the "first and present assistants and chief councillors of the fellowship".

In 1636 Beaple was appointed one of the executors of the will of Katherine Westlake, with instructions to put into effect her charitable bequest.

[14] On one side of his monument in St Peter's Church is a small depiction of these almshouses with a group of four poor inmates.