The Parochial History of Cornwall, Volume 3 (of 4)
History
The Parochial History of Cornwall, Volume 3 (of 4)
Cornwall (England : County) -- History; Geology -- England -- Cornwall (County)
The Manor of Fenton Gymps, which takes its name from its capital
place, Fenton Gymps Veor, or the Great Fenton Gymps; which adjunct,
Gymps, is a contraction of _Thesympes_, not intermitting, [and means]
the well that always flows, as not freezing in winter, or dying
[drying] in the summer. And such a one there is in the town place of
the manor house. [The aim of the etymon is very right here, I believe;
but the manner in which it is directed is wrong. Adjoined to the word
Fenton, and explained by the existing reality, _Gymps_ assuredly means
what Mr. Tonkin says, not intermitting, but always flowing. But how
does _Gymps_ signify this? That it is a contraction of _thesympes_ can
hardly be allowed. The contraction is too violent. _Thesympes_ also
signifies nothing but _immediately_ in Borlase, which can have no
association with the general idea. Whence then shall we derive the
word? We have it without any derivation, and without any contraction,
in Kympez (C.) always. And Dr. Pryce I since find so derives the
word.] This gave name to an ancient race of gentlemen. John de
Fentongemps (Aut. pen. Author.) lived here 21 Edward I. [Edward III.]
1346. John Fentongymps, “D’nus et hæres de Fentongympys,” grants to
John, the son of Ralph de Fentongympys, all his messuages lands, &c.
in Fentongympis, and elsewhere, in the county of Cornwall; dated the
Feast of the Purification, 12 Henry IV. John Fentongemps of the parish
of Pirran in Treth (the sand) grants to John, the son of Thomas
Martin, a lease for term of years of Marghessen-foos (Marasan vose) in
the said parish, dated at Marghessen-foos, in festo Petri et Pauli, 3
Henry VI.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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