“Leaving Beer, the party came on to Seaton and motored by way of Axmouth to Musbury. Here, the rector met the visitors and conducted them to the parish church, where the Chancellor inspected the parish register and looked at the interesting monuments erected to the memory of the Drake family, of a branch of which Sir Francis Drake, the great naval hero was a member.
What was undoubtedly the most attractive place visited by Mr Churchill was Ashe House near Musbury. It once belonged to the Drakes, but to the chancellor additional interest was attached to it from the fact that it was the birth place of the great Duke of Marlborough. Elizabeth Drake, daughter of Sir John Drake, who resided at Ashe in 1650 married Sir Winston Churchill of Mintern Dorset. Sir Winston who espoused the cause of Charles I in order to escape persecution went during the commonwealth to reside with his father-in-law at Ashe and it was here that his lady gave birth to the child John who afterwards become the famous soldier.
The Chancellor and his companions were received at Ashe House by Mr & Mrs J A Peat with whom they took tea. Later Mr & Mrs Churchill motored to Axminster, where they entrained for London.”

So, there we have it. Proof at last that Winston Churchill visited our village. Perhaps one day we’ll discover some mention of Musbury in Churchill’s writings…

MDM – 21st May 2024