My family have roots in stone masonry dating back to the 1600s. Scattered around North Devon are buildings and structures built by the Pearce family.  Just down the road from our base here in Braunton, in the parish of Georgeham, stands a bridge built in 1868 adjoining the Post Office and Foote Farm by Richard Pearce my great great great grandfather.  Born in Georgeham he became a master mason and worked on repairing and maintaining the church in 1870.  

Two of his sons, Joseph and William set up a building partnership and developed the majority of the Newport area in Barnstaple, including Orchard Road, Victoria Street and Portland Street. William later moved to Bishops Tawton where he built several houses in the village. Another son, Richard, set up in Wales as a builder and built at least two Methodist Chapels and several roads of terraced houses.   

I love looking into the history of masons in my family and knowing I’m continuing the tradition. I want to create work that future generations will  be proud of.   

Robin Williamson