Thomas Risdon

, a painful and industrious Antiquary, was born of, and descended from, an ancient and gentile Family of his name living at Winscot in Devonshire, received his Academical education either in Exeter coll. or Broadgates hall about the latter end of the Reign of Q. Elizabeth, but leaving the University without a degree he retired to his Patrimony, where prosecuting his natural Genie to the study of History and Antiquities, especially in those of his own Country, did at length with great labour and travel draw up,

A Survey, or a chronographical discription of Devonshire—’Tis not yet printed, only contained in a folio Manuscript in more than two quire of paper. I have been informed that several copies of it are dispersed among the Gentry of that County, and also that one Westcote a Gent. thereof, many years since deceased, hath written another survey, or at least had a hand in that composed by Tho. Risdon, Clar. 1636. who died in sixteen hundred thirty and six, or in the year after. Besides this Tho. Risdon, I find another of both his names, who was double Reader of the Inner Temple, 20. Elizab. and had long after his death published by a certain person, His reading on the Statute of 8. Hen. 6. cap. 9. of forcible entry. Lond. 1648. qu. With which were then published a certain Reading of Sir Jam. Dyer, as I have told you under the year 1581. and the Reading upon the Stat. of 27. Hen. 8. cap. 10. concerning Jointures, by Sir Joh. Brograve of Greys Inn, sometimes his Majestys Attorney of the Duchy of Lancaster.