Early Life
Robert Palk was born in December 1717 at Lower Headborough Farm on the outskirts of Ashburton, on the road towards Buckland in the Moor, and baptised on 16 December 1717 at the Old Mission House, Ashburton. His father Walter Palk, born in 1686, was of yeoman farmer stock and his mother, Frances, was the daughter of Robert Abraham. Walter Palk supplemented his income by acting as a carrier of serge, from the cloth mills just down the road, over Haldon Hill to Exeter. Walter had three children, Walter, Robert and Grace. It was Robert who was to bring the family fame and fortune.
Doubts have arisen in some journals as to the exact birthplace of Robert Palk because although there were Palks recorded as living at Ambrooke in the late 15th century, in 1717 the Neyle family apparently owned Ambrooke. Robert Palk mentioned Ambrooke in reference to his line of descent, and some historians have assumed that was where he was born.
Educated at Ashburton Grammar School, he was sponsored by his godfather (who was also his maternal uncle) Robert Abraham, to attend Wadham College, Oxford, graduating in 1739.
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