Nicholas Hooper (1654–1731)


Sir Nicholas II Hooper of Fullabrook, Braunton and Raleigh, Pilton in Devon, was a lawyer who served as Tory Member of Parliament for Barnstaple 1695-1715.

Origins

He was the son of Nicholas I Hooper of Fullabrook, Braunton, Devon, 5 1/2 miles north-west of Barnstaple, by his wife Melior Pyne , 4th daughter of Edward Pyne of East Down, Devon. A certain Richard Hooper was Mayor of Barnstaple in 1660 and 1674.

Education

He was educated at Barnstaple Grammar School and in 1671 entered Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

Career

He entered the Inner Temple in 1671 and was called to the bar in 1678 and appointed Bencher in 1700 and later Serjeant-at-Law. He was appointed Queen’s Serjeant 1702–14 and King’s Serjeant 1714, which office he held until his death. He was knighted 7 June 1713. In 1687 he was appointed to the locally honourable position of Deputy-Recorder, and by 1710/13 Recorder of Barnstaple.

Marriage and children

In 1686 he married Elizabeth Stokes, daughter of Thomas Stokes of Otterton, Devon, by whom he had 2 sons, who both died childless, and 1 daughter:
On the tower of the parish church of St. Calixtus, West Down,, is a tablet which records its demolition in 1711 and its rebuilding in 1712, toward the cost of which "Sir Nicholas Hooper knt. of Fullabrook" donated £21. He also presented the clock and its bells.

Death and burial

He died on 13 May 1731, a few months after his wife, and was buried at Barnstaple, with "his magnificent funeral attracting some caustic comment".

Monuments

His arms Gyronny of eight or and ermine, over all a castle triple-towered sable are one of about 12 sculpted in stone on the parapet of Queen Anne's Walk in Barnstaple, which building was completed in 1713, representing several of the principal local dignitaries. These arms are also shown on a series of small enamelled brasses formerly displayed under the portico of the building but now on display on the staircase of Barnstaple Guildhall, his arms are shown in enamel, with tinctures, with the name "Hooper" inscribed on the frame.
These gyronny arms, with variant tinctures, were also borne by possibly related families including: