Simon Leach

Sir Simon Leach (1567–1638) of the parish of All Hallows, Goldsmith Street, Exeter and of Cadeleigh, Devon, was Sheriff of Devon in 1624. His surviving monument in St Bartholomew's Church, Cadeleigh is the largest of its type in any Devon parish church. Origins He was a son of Simon Leach (died 1579) of Crediton in Devon, a blacksmith, by his wife Elizabeth Rowe, daughter of John Rowe of Crediton. The arms of Leach of Cadeleigh (Ermine, on a chief indented gules three ducal coronets or) are those of the ancient Leche family of Carden, near Chester, which estate held by the family until the late 20th century had been acquired during the reign of King Henry IV (1399–1413) by John Leche (descended from the family of Leche of Chatsworth in Derbyshire) on his marriage to Lucy Cawarden, heiress of Carden. Career He served as Sheriff of Devon in 1624 He was knighted by King Charles I at Ford on 26 September 1625. Landholdings Cadeleigh, which manor he purchased in about 1600 from Sir John Horton, and where he made his seat at Cadeleigh Court. Spencer Combe, near Crediton, which he purchased from Bevil Prideaux.