From Chicklade And Pertwood, A Short Parish History by E.R. Barty, M.A., Chicklade, Old Rectory, first published December 1955:
The Marvyn or Mervyn family were the ancient possessors of the estate from 1539 to 1710. The estate came to them from John Brother, possessor of Pertwood, whose daughter Joan, married William Fletcher. Their daughter, Margaret, married William, nephew of Walter Mervyn of Founteyne. William and Joan Fletcher seem to have owned Pertwood as early as 1460. Benett-Stanford – (W.A.M. no. CLXXXV.).
Various members of the Mervyn family were Members of Parliament. Sir John Mervyn, Kt., represented Wiltshire in Parliament in 1554 and other Members of Parliament were James Mervyn, M.P. for Wiltshire 1672; John Mervyn of Middle Temple, L.L.D., M.P., for the Borough of Hindon 1586 and Sir James Mervyn, Knt., M.P. for the Borough of Hindon 1597.