Prowse Reunion 2025 - My Journey - Part I

With a pang of sadness I boarded the train at Exeter bound for Hereford, where I will explore my Mattey roots for a few days before continuing on to Essex, then back to Canada (more parts to come).

I landed in England only eight days prior, though it seems already much longer than that. Upon arrival I made my way, after navigating the poorly signed bus stations at Heathrow, to the lovely and calm home of Vee and Bill Sweeney. Vee is the niece of the late notable Prowse historian Susan Prowse-Tako, and a fellow organizer of the 2025 Prowse reunion. Vee's aunt, Ann Cash (Susan's sister), who is nearly 90, arrived a little later, we had a lovely chat, light dinner and then it was bedtime for this weary traveller.

The next morning we readied our luggage and Prowse memorabilia for the drive to Totnes, Devon and awaited the arrival of Alexandra (Alex) Tako, Susan's daughter, who was flying 11 hours from Las Vegas to be a part of the Reunion. Alex arrived mid-afternoon, surprisingly fresh-as-a-daisy, and off we all went to find our rental flat and settle in for the next few days. The flat, Lorna House, was lovely and well-appointed, though I must say the mattresses left something to be desired. Soon, much to Bill's glee, we were off to dinner at a pub and carvery just outside of Totne called the 'Pig & Whistle' for a nice meal. Question for any fellow Canadians who are as long in the tooth as I: Do you remember the TV show by the same name many, many years ago and were you as tortured by it, as I was?

Friday morning, as promised, I cooked the eggs for breakfast in the special way that I do and then we went about our business. Soon enough, it was time for the Memorial Service organized by Mark at St. John the Evangelist church just across the River Dart in Bridgetown. Words and prayers commemorated Prowses that have passed before us, most notably Susan Prowse-Tako.

Afterwards, most folks informally congregated in the lounge at the Royal Seven Stars, whereupon the chin-wagging began in earnest. Soon enough we retired in two groups to the restaurant for a meal and more connection.

Saturday morning it was breakfast and then out the door and just up the street to Totnes Civic Hall to get set-up for the main reunion program that day. My primary job was to make sure that the public address and video systems were up and running - thankfully it all went smoothly. Malcolm welcomed everyone officially to the reunion then launched into a fascinating presentation on some of the history of the Prowses of the South Hams, including how Prowses came to be on both sides of the English Civil War. A short while later, I made a presentation on the intertwining of Canadian history and the Prowses. Later in the day, Mia Bennett made a presentation about DNA and its role in genealogy. Of course, the main attraction of the day was shoulder-rubbing with one's fellow Prowses and looking through the various and sundry Prowse artifacts that some folks brought along. Saturday concluded with a formal sit down dinner in the ballroom at the Royal Seven Stars. Malcolm and Vee said their thank-yous and everyone was given a moment or two to talk about their line.

Sunday the weather was sullen and damp but our spirits weren't as those of us who booked it, headed off by coach to see a few Prowse historical spots. We drove by Moore farm, took an ad-hoc detour through Diptford - the ancestral town of fellow Canadians and reunion attendees Valerie and her father Dave, then on to the parish Church at South Brent, where we were met by Peter Taylor and Robert Savery who toured us about the church and related information about it. Inside the church are five monuments to Prowses:

1) John Prowse of Moor, who died 14 Aug 1696, buried in the South Transept floor beneath the window;

2) A wooden memorial to Robert Prowse, who died 19 Sep 1717, age 78, and was added to the tomb of his father John Prowse of Moore. The memorial originally hung in the South Transept but was moved to the West wall at some point;

3) Christiane Prowse, wife of Robert of North Harburn/ford, who died 21 Mar 1683, and was buried in the floor of the South Transept;

4) Richard Prowse of Stippadon, fourth son of Robert and Christiane, buried 1 Jun 1715 with his mother, and;

5) Mary Prowse, wife of ?Robert Prowse of Moore. This stone is barely legible and we found that a filing cabinet was sitting on a good part of it.

The visit concluded with a spot of tea in the church hall.

From there we went on to Modbury, scene of two famous battles between the Royalists, mainly from Cornwall, and the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War. Malcolm pointed out Galpin 'Galloping' street and told us about 'Runaway Lane', routes by which the Royalists fled when they were routed by the Parliamentarians (only to suffer the same fate in return at Lostwithiel in Cornwall, later on). We went to the parish church in Modbury and were met and toured about by the town crier David Scott and the Secretary of the Modbury History Society, Rosemary Parker.

It was then time to return to Totnes and say our goodbyes.

Stay tuned for Part II, as Malcolm Prowse, Robert Prowse, and I visit several other South Hams villages, churches, and graveyards in search of our ancestors.