The Parochial History of Cornwall, Volume 1 (of 4)
History
The Parochial History of Cornwall, Volume 1 (of 4)
Cornwall (England : County) -- History; Geology -- England -- Cornwall (County)
In this parish, tempore Charles II. lived Peter Jowle or Joull, _id
est_, Peter the Divell, under clerk or deacon of this church, who was
150 and odd years old when he died, and at the age of 100 years had
new black hairs that sprung forth on his head amongst those that long
before were white with age; and then also new teeth grew up in his
jaws in the places of those that many years before were fallen out of
his head. [The name of Joll is still extant in the village; and the
family have been remarkable for longevity; but we cannot learn that
any tradition exists relating to Peter Joll, nor does his name appear
in the register. _Lysons._] Fuller tells us, that John Sands, of
Horborne in Staffordshire, lived 140 years old, and his wife 120, he
died 1625. Thomas Parr lived 153 years old, and is buried in
Westminster Abbey, tempore Charles II. It is reported of Zamkees, the
Samothracian, that after he had lived 104 years, new young teeth
sprung up in his jaws in the room of those that were fallen out long
before. Henry Brenton, of St. Wenn, weaver, lived 103 years old, and
died tempore George I.
This parish hath in it tin loads and streams.
TONKIN.
It is obvious to any one, that the name of this parish can signify no
other than an Altar or church dedicated to St. Nunne; which St. Nunne,
being in some accounts called Naunita or Nannites, and in others
Novita, is (as Leland tells us) said to have been the daughter of an
Earl of Cornwall, and mother of St. David, the famous Archbishop of
Menevia, from him called St. David’s.
THE EDITOR.
St. Nun is stated to have been the mother of St. David. About a mile
from the cathedral of St. David’s are the remains of a chapel, near a
consecrated pool or well, dedicated to St. Nun, where trifling
oblations are said to be still made. This coincidence of the two pools
is curious, although I do not find that the water at Menevia has the
virtue of curing insanity. The account given by Mr. Carew of the
practice at Altar Nun is as follows:
“The water running from St. Nun’s well fell into a square
and inclosed walled plot, which might be filled at what
depth they listed. Upon this wall was the frantic person set
to stand, his back towards the pool; and from thence, with a
sudden blow in the breast, tumbled headlong into the pond;
where a strong fellow, provided for the nonce, took him, and
tossed him up and down, alongst and athwart the water, till
the patient, by foregoing his strength, had somewhat forgot
his fury. Then was he conveyed to the church and certain
masses sung over him; upon which handling, if his right wits
returned, St. Nun had the thanks; but if there appeared
small amendment, he was bowssened again and again, while
there remained in him any hope of life or recovery.”
The second of March is dedicated to St. Nun, and said formerly to be
observed throughout Wales, as was the third to St. Lily, surnamed
Gwas-Dewy, David’s men.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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