Mallet of Ash, Iddesleigh, North Devon c1520

The Mallets of Ash began with Richard (c. 1499–c. 1548), third son of William Malet (c. 1471–1511) of Enmore who married Jane Aysshe, heiress of her father's estate of Ash. The family lived at Ash in Iddesleigh for 11 generations until the estate was sold in 1881 by Georgina (Bathurst) Mallet, widow of Hugh (1827–1881) who died that same year, having been in the possession of the Mallet family for more than 350 years.

Hugh Mallet the Elder 1788–1865

Hugh as he looked at the time of his marriage to Caroline Coventry. He was a Magistrate in Devon for several decades.

Hugh Mallet the Younger 1827–1881

Hugh Mallet as he appeared at the time of his wedding to Georgina Bathurst. Hugh joined the British Foreign Service and spent the bulk of his career in Central and South America with various postings, but he was also posted to South Africa at some point. He returned home in 1881 in ill health, and died soon afterward of Tuberculosis. It was at this time that the Ash estate was sold, after having been in the hands of the Mallet family since the early 1500's. Hugh and Georgina had a very large family, and due to Hugh's overseas postings they have many descendants in Argentina and South Africa today. Many of the members of the South African family have since relocated to Australia.

Georgina (Bathurst) Mallet 1829–1912

This watercolour of Georgina was probably painted by her husband Hugh. Hugh was an avid painter and produced many watercolours over the course of his lifetime.

Hugh Montague Henry Mallet 1855–1944

Hugh was the eldest son of Hugh Mallet and Georgina Bathurst, and would have inherited the Ash estate had it not been sold in 1881. He followed his father into the Foreign service and became British Consul to the Argentine Provinces of Santa Fé, Córdoba, Corrientes, and Entre Rios. He married Octavia Durango from Cartagena, Colombia (his father Hugh had been posted there). They had a large family and have many descendants in Argentina today. If the Ash estate was still in the hands of the Mallet family, and if the sytem of primogeniture was still in place, one of these Argentines would be the legitimate heir.

St James Church, Iddesleigh

Stained Glass Window erected in 1939 by Sir Claude Coventry Mallet, K.T., C.M.G., and Lady Mallett, C.B.E., in memory of the Mallet family.

A pen and ink drawing of the "Mallet Window" by Tom Brooks.

Mallet Family Vault

Located beneath one of the aisles. At least 11 generations are buried here.

An interesting church pew. The image depicts the Civil Authority on the left and the Ecclesiastical Authority on the right sticking their tongues out at each other.

Ash House, Iddesleigh, North Devon

Ash House as it appeared c. 1850, from a painting thought to have been done by Caroline Mallet born 1828.

Ash House as it appeared in a watercolour in 1879 when it was put up for sale by Hugh Mallet (1827–1881).

Ash House as it appeared in 1999.

Ash House as it appeared in a real estate listing in 2016, after extensive renovations. Asking price in 2016: £6,000,000.

View from Ash in 1879.

View from Ash in 2016.

Author:

Bob Mallett
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

November 30, 2025.