Sir William Fraser, 4th Baronet
Sir William Augustus Fraser, 4th Baronet, of Pilton House, near Barnstaple, Devon, was an English politician, author and collector. He was elected member of parliament for Barnstaple (Devon) in 1852, and again in 1857, and for Ludlow (Shropshire) in 1863 and for Kidderminster (Worcestershire) in 1874.
"The Sanitary". Caricature by Ape published in Vanity Fair in 1875.
Pilton House in the parish of Pilton, near Barnstaple, North Devon, Ex31, is an historic grade II listed Georgian mansion house built in 1746 by Robert Incledon (1676-1758), twice Mayor of Barnstaple, who was from nearby Braunton. It is situated almost in the centre of the ancient town of Pilton, but had formerly extensive grounds covering at least 20 acres, which extended down "Pilton Lawn", now built over, to the River Yeo. It later served as the residence for various Members of Parliament for Barnstaple, for which it was well suited being only a 10-minute walk from the centre of that town, yet in a secluded situation with extensive grounds, and sufficiently large and grand for entertaining borough officials and electors.
Pilton House, near Barnstaple, Devon, built in 1746 by Robert Incledon (1676-1758)
Crenellated mansion house on or near site of Pilton House, detail from an undocumented 18th century (?) oil painting (see below) now in the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, showing a distant view from the west bank of the River Taw, of the adjacent towns of Barnstaple and Pilton
Robert Incledon (1676-1758) builder of Pilton House in 1746. Portrait by Studio of Thomas Hudson (1701–1779), collection of Barnstaple Town Council, displayed in Barnstaple Guildhall
