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I make no apology for including this brief family tree of the Naval Hoods of the Nelson era.

There can be few more confusing situations when 3 uncles and their 3 nephews all bore the same names

It is actually the three younger Hoods who are remembered by memorials in Butleigh

1. The Admiral Hood Monument

Perched majestically on Turn Hill ridge above Compton Dunden,  this memorial to

Admiral Samuel Hood (1762-1814)

is a tall column surmounted by carved ship-sterns from the time of Nelson. Built in the 19th century, the monument commemorates the spectacular career of a local boy who left home at fourteen to join the join the Navy and went on to become an Admiral. Originally it was linked to the family home at Butleigh by a mile-long avenue of Cedar trees.

2. The Perriam family vault St Leonard's Church, Butleigh

Alexander Hood (1758-1798) married Miss Perriam of Wooton in Somerset

3. Monument in St Leonard's Church, Butleigh

A monument in the church, with a long inscription by Southey, lauds the three brothers