In the reign of Elizabeth, a Sir Beavis Bulmer, Knt. became famous by working a vein of silver at Combe-Martin in Devonshire. Sir Beavis, who was contemporary with Sir Bertram Bulmer, was, we assume, a native of the North of England, and a member of this ancient family, though his name is not recorded in the Pedigrees. He died in 1615, at the house of ---- Whitfield, of Randalholme, in Alston Moor, where, as appears from the nature of his Inventory, he was engaged in a Mining Expedition, a frequent source, in that age, of adventurous wealth, or of total ruin. Administration was granted to his son, John Bulmer, Gent.

Jonson alludes to this personage in the following passage:-

Under Sir Bevis Bullion; PENIBOY - That's true,

I had forgot you mine men count no money,

Your streets are paved with't."

Staple of News Act 1, Scene 4.

It is observed in Westmacott's MSS -

"Of the first fynding and working the silver mynes, there are no certain records remayninge. In the reign of Edward I they were wroughte ...... and lately in our age in the time of Queen Elizabeth, there was found a new lode in the land of Rich. Roberts, Gent., first begaun to be wrought by Adrien Gilbert, Esq. and after, by Sir Beavis Bulmer, Knt., by whoes mynerall skill great quantetie of Silver was landed and refined, of which he gave a rich and fayer Cup to the Right Hon. Wm. Earl of Bathe, whereon was engraven, as I remember, this poesie:

"In Martin's Combe long lay I hyd,

Obscured deprest with grosser soyle,

Debased much with mixed load,

Till Bulmer came, whoes skill and toyle

Refined me so pure and Cleene,

As richer no where els is seene.

And adding yet a farder grace,

By fashion he did inable

The worthy for to take a place

To serve at any Prince's table.

Coombe Martin gave the use alone,

Bulmer fining and fashion."

ANNO NOSTRAE SALUTIS, 1593

REGINAE VIRGINUS 35.

"Nobilissimoviro Willielmno Comieti Bartheon, Locumatenenti Devoniae et Oxon."

"He also gave another, with a cover to the Hon. Sir Richard Martin, Knt., Lord Mayor of the Citie of London, to contynue to the said citie for ever. It wayeth 137 oz. fine, better than sterlinge, on which these verses are yet to be seen:-

"When waterworks in Broaken Wharfe

At first erected Weare,

And Bevis Bulmer with his art

The waters 'gan to reare,

Disperced I in earth dyd lie

Since all beginning old,

In place called Comb, where Martin Longe,

Had hid me in his molde,

I did no service on the earth,

But no man set me free,

Till Bulmer by his skill and change,

Did frame me this to be."

"Ricardo Martino militi; iterum majori sive, dice secunda Civitatis London."

There are still in the possession of the Corporation of the City of London, in the Mansion House, three covered Silver Tankards, each one smaller than the other. presented to the Lord Mayor. temp. Queen Elizabeth, bearing an Inscription testifying that they were given by Bevis Bullmer.

A facsimile of the largest one is here represented:-

There is also historical tradition that Sir Bevis presented a silver cup, on which was engraved some poetical lines, to Queen Elizabeth, which her Majesty was graciously pleased to accept.