The History of Trereife
Trereife House has been the home of the Le Grice family since 1798. The site has been identified by the name from as early as 1201. The name originates from the Cornish for a farmstead in the original ownership or working of the original settler of the homested of Eruf.
Architecturally, this is one of the most interesting houses in Cornwall, being a fine and typical example of the houses in the beginning of the 18th Century. The House is listed Grade II with the stables and adjoining walled gardens.
There is a fascinating history of the Nicholls and Le Grice families. Charles Valetine Le Grice was the son of the Reverend Charles Le Grice, Lecturer at St James, Bury St. Edmonds, being born 14th February 1773, descended from a Le Grys (a follower of William the Conqueror) who subsequently acquired lands particularly in East Anglia. Sir Robert Le Grys, an earlier member of the family, preceded Charles Valentine Le Grice in Cornwall to become the Governor of St. Mawes Castle in 1633.
The Reverend Charles Valentine le Grice was affectionately known to his family as ‘CV’ . He was an urbane, witty intellectual who thrived in the company of his school friends, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Charles Lamb and Leigh Hunt. He was somewhat of a literary person writing prolifically on all manner of subjects. He ran the estate efficiently and played an active part in local affairs, as magistrate and curate. He maintained a very strong friendship with Coleridge and contact continued throughout their lives. Reverend Le Grice was an early friend of Sir Humphrey Davy, meeting him first on Battery Rocks on the seafront of Penzance and then speaking with Sir Isaac Newton. In 1806 he was appointed perpetual curate of St Mary’s Church for his time as a model clergyman enjoying good and lively sermon, good company and a hearty wit and very fond of the use of the pun.
As with many country estates, Trereife suffered trumultuous times in the twentieth century as the rise of modern industry and the more attractive employment opportunities offered in towns slowly eroded its important status. Most recently the task of breathing life back into the house and gardens has fallen to the present owner Tim Le Grice and his family. The house has always been at the centre of the community and the present family hope to keep it that way.