Family who fought cider tax had input into public affairs

The families and faces who have influenced Barnstaple over the years are revealed by researcher Nigel Salsbury in our series looking into the people featured in Guildhall paintings

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THE main chamber of the Guildhall has 41 large portraits around the walls. They portray some of the old worthies of the borough and the majority of the portraits show mayors. One is captioned Henry Drake, Councillor.

The Drakes of Barnstaple were said to be a younger branch of the Drakes of East Devon but this has not been confirmed.

In 1658 Henry Drake I bought a house in Boutport Street, probably a modest one with four taxable hearths. He was then a chandler (i.e. making and selling candles) but later became a merchant associated with imports and exports through the port of Barnstaple. He was elected mayor in 1679.