| It is most probable that the ancestors of the Loosemore family were part of
the Jutes, Saxons and Angles' invasion of Britain in the 6th Century. From
their base at Dorchester they drove the indigenous Celts westward to Devon and
then northward to the coast of the Atlantic. During the next 200 years several
families occupied the Oakford tithing and a family lived on a small holding
known at Hlose-mor (Pigsty Moor): in modern form - Loosemoor. This family
eventually took the name of the place as their own with various spellings,
Losemore, Lesmere, Losemor, Loysemore etc. Most Loosemore's can add a few more
misspellings to this list. THE FIRST NAME ON RECORD The family name was first mentioned in 1232/3 and again in 1249. Walter Losmer amongst others were claiming possession of land which Robert de Sicca Villa, an established land owner claimed as his own. Walter took part in the kidnap of Robert, and imprisoned him in Oakford. For this offence Walter with four others paid a fine of 1 mark (6s8d)...By 1249, however Walter stood surety for one Roger de Horton, indicating that he had become a 'prosperous freeholder of some local status'. From that first mention until 1333 the names of the following are mentioned:
DAWN OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY From then the record is silent until the 15th century during which period the country was plagued by virulent diseases - the Black Death - which decimated the population. Squabbles between powerful Lords meant that ownership of the Loosemore homeland changed hands and not until 1508 and again in 1512, do we find mention of an holding listed by name as being in 'Losmore' At some time during this period the estate was divided into East and West Losemore, the former being part of the Oakford Manor while West Losemore became part of the Courtenay estates... A record made by William Fortescue, a local receiver to the estates of Edward Courtenay, 8th Earl of Devon Losemore, and of 3s 4d received of William Losemore, tenant there for the year, of the issue of the same tenancy, as above in previous accounts In another place the holding is listed as one messuage and 13 acres in 'Losemore' worth 3s 4d. This modest holding must have made existence precarious and no wonder during that period branches of the family left to establish themselves elsewhere but still within a few miles of the family home; in Tiverton to the South, in Creacombe, Bishopsnympton and Crwys Morchard to the South West and one family moved to Langport (Somerset) to the East. Until the Oakford Parish Registers were started in 1568, we can trace the family remaining only by their tenancy of the holding. William Losemore in 1512; Richard Losemore in 1523 and then William (possibly son), in 1526 and annually until 1553 However, the Lay Subsidy Returns for 1542/3 and 1545/6 include a John Losmore and John Losmore Jnr. both assessed for tax on goods but owning no land. John Lowsemore, senior, is mentioned as appointed by William Southcombe, gentlemen, to act for him in the lease of property. He must have been a man of some integrity and status. The churchwardens' accounts for Morebath Church, just 4 miles from Oakford, mention John Lowsemore, father and son. 1537 John Lowsemore is paid 7d for squaring of ye stoke yn ye court wode, 4p for their meat and drink (original) 9d to Lowsemore again for his wages making the stair of the church house and for planking of the church house and a man to help him make a coffer. 1551 3s for taking away the side altars and the rood loft. 1552 12d for mending the pulpit The Oakford Parish records started in 1568 record only the following burials:
We know that John Loosmore, the younger, farmed the holding in West Losemore until his death - his burial 16th January 1587/8 - when the tenancy passed to his only child, Wilmot, who married Richard Eastment in 1569/70. So the property passed out of the Loosemore name. The places East and West Loosemoor were still mentioned on the O.S. map of 1800 but the present map shows only East Loosemoor existing. |
 East Loosemore farm has now been taken over as part of Oldways |