Robert Palk

Sir Robert Palk, 1st Baronet (December 1717 – 29 April 1798) of Haldon House in the parish of Kenn, in Devon, England, was an officer of the British East India Company who served as Governor of the Madras Presidency. In England he served as MP for Ashburton in 1767 and between 1774 and 1787 and for Wareham, between 1768 and 1774.

Origins Robert Palk was born in December 1717 at Lower Headborough Farm in the parish of Ashburton, Devon, and was baptised on 16 December 1717 at the Old Mission House, Ashburton. His father was Walter Palk, born in 1686, of yeoman farmer stock and his mother was Frances Abraham, the daughter of Robert Abraham. of Ashburton in Devon from 1796 to 1811, Sheriff of Devon (1791-2) and in 1798 a Captain in the Ashburton Volunteer Militia. It was Robert who was to bring the family fame and fortune. According to Robert's own statements, the Palk family was resident at Ambrooke in the late 15th century, which at the time of Robert's birth in 1717 was owned by the Neyle family. His motto was: Deo Ducente ("With God Guiding"). He was made a baronet on 19 June 1782 by King George III, in recognition of his efforts in securing India for Britain. He was then admitted by the Mayor of Exeter as a Freeman of the City of Exeter, a privilege his son and successive heirs retained until 1883.

Landholdings Tor Mohun. Palk had intended to build a mansion at Torwood in his manor of Tor Mohun, which he had purchased from Lord Donegal in about 1759, but where he had been unable to purchase various surrounding fields which interfered with the estate. The Torwood estate was later developed by his successors into half of the resort of Torquay.

Marriage and children Anne Vansittart, Lady Palk (died 1788). Portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds. On 7 February 1761 he married Anne Vansittart (died 1788), "Sacred to the Memory of Anne, The Lady of Sir Bourchier Wrey Baronet, and daughter of Sir Robert Palk Baronet, of Haldon House in this County, who died the 5th day of September 1791, Aged 27 Years, leaving three infant children. Her Heart was pure and her manners unaffected. Her constant study was to know her Duty, and her greatest pleasure to discharge it. An affectionate Wife, a tender Parent, gentle, friendly, and benevolent. Taken from the World in the Prime of Years by a severe and lingering illness, She submitted to the will of Heaven with patient Resignation. Learn from her example that Virtue Is the loveliest ornament of Beauty!" Catherine Palk, died young; Emelia Palk, died young;

Death and burial Palk died at Haldon House on 29 April 1798, ten years after his wife. They were both buried in Dunchideock church.

Name tributes Palk Bay and the stretch of sea between India and Sri Lanka, The Palk Straits, were named after Robert Palk. The Palk Arms public house in the village of Hennock in Devon is named after him. Various places in Torquay are named after his family, including "Palk Street", Tormohun, Torquay.