The family of Lethbridge had been settled in Devonshire, at Westaway and Winkleigh Court, for many generations, as is testified by the ancient monuments in the curious old church of St. Mary Arches, Exeter, and Pilter church, near Barnstaple. One of the family, Thomas Lethbridge, Esq., married Sarah, the daughter of John Periam, of Milverton, Esq., descended from Sir William Periam, Knight, of the Middle Temple, appointed Lord Chief Baron of the exchequer by Queen Elizabeth; and had issue - 1st Christopher Lethbridge, of Westaway House, Esq., who had a daughter and sole heiress, Elizabeth, married to the Honorable Hugh Somerville, father of John Lord Somerville; and 2d. John Lethbridge, of Westaway and Winkley Court, in the County of Devon, Esq., who married Grace Carder, of Westdown, in the same county, and had issue one son, Sir John Lethbridge, created a Baronet, 15th June 1804, who dying 15 December, 1815, was succeded by the present Baronet, Sir Thomas, who has represented the County of Somerset in several Parliaments, since the year 1806.