This volume contains all the surviving early-Stuart surveys of mariners and shipping for Devon and Cornwall. It includes a hitherto unknown one from South Devon discovered in the Pepys Library. Parish by parish along the coast the seafaring population is delineated. 6000 names in all giving a new source for family, social or maritime historians.
Dr Todd Gray has devoted his working career to the study of Devon's history. His passion for his adopted county is self-evident through his publications and in his lectures. He has written more widely on Devon's past than any other Devon historian and is at the heart of Devon's historical community. Dr Gray has taken the lead in promoting the study of Devon's history and has most recently led efforts in developing dialogue between the key stakeholders in Devon's archives and local councils. He has regular appearances in local and national media.
Dr Gray was born in New England and first came to England as a school boy in the 1970s. He returned to complete his undergraduate studies at the University of London. He subsequently enrolled as a post-graduate student at the University of Exeter and in 1989 was awarded his Doctorate in History. He remains an Honorary Research Fellow of the University and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
He set up his own publishing business and has now successfully published 48 titles mainly written by him, and some, by other writers. Four were awarded `Devon Book of the Year' by the Devon History Society. Each is about local history and they cover a wide range of aspects relating to the South West and particularly Devon and Exeter. All stages of a book's publication are organised and arranged in Devon using other local businesses. One can truly say they are "made in Devon".
Dr Gray's other achievements, among many, are that he wrote a weekly column for the local newspaper, the Express and Echo (History Matters') and has written questions for Mastermind. He is Chairman of the Friends of Devon's Archives, the current President of the Devon Family History Society and a past Chairman of the Devonshire Association. He is a committee member of the Devon History Society, Devon & Cornwall Record Society and Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries. Dr Gray is also a member of the Devon Buildings Group.
Todd Gray is actively involved in supporting many local history groups and charities. He undertakes numerous public and private talks each year and has lectured in more than 100 villages and towns in Devon as well as in such far-flung places as Mongolia and Uzbekistan.
Most of his time is spent researching, writing, and with his publishing business, however, he also enjoys gardening and visiting local churches and buildings of interest. Dr Gray has recently learned that he has ancestors who originated from Barnstaple in the 1620s before emigrating to New England.