Gazetteer

1850 Gazetteer of Dean-Prior England

Dean-Prior parish lies 3 to 5 miles south-southwest of Ashburton, encompassing 552 inhabitants and approximately 4,000 acres, including 1,400 acres of common land. Key locations include Dean Town and Dean Church Town, notable for woolcombers and the Dean Hunt. Historically held by the Prior of Plympton, the manor is now with Sir J. B. Y. Buller. The recently rebuilt St. George’s Church features an incumbent vicar, Rev. R. C. Kitson. The parish supports local welfare through several endowments for the poor.

1850 Gazetteer of Cornworthy England

Cornworthy is a small village located in a wooded valley near the confluence of the Harbourn River and the Dart estuary, four miles from Totnes. The parish, encompassing 554 residents and 2,575 acres, includes hamlets like Allaleigh and East Cornworthy. Once a borough, it features remnants of an ancient priory and a historic church dedicated to St. Peter. The land is predominantly arable, with orchards yielding cider. The ecclesiastical estate and various legacies support local poor and educational needs. Additionally, a Roman encampment is noted nearby.

1850 Gazetteer of Cornwood England

Cornwood, a small village in the Yealm valley near Dartmoor, comprises a parish with a population of 1,080 over 10,680 acres, including substantial woodland and common land. It features scattered houses and several hamlets, with Ivybridge nearby offering more amenities. The village has historic estates, including Delamore and Blackford House, associated with prominent families. St. Michael’s Church, dating back to the 15th century, serves the community, supported by a vicarage and various trusts for the local poor, including a parish school established in 1818.

1850 Gazetteer of Churchstow England

Churchstow is a small village located two miles northwest of Kingsbridge, with a population of 542 and covering 1,877 acres, including the hamlet of Venn. The manor is owned by P. S. Lowe, with historical ties to the Petres. The parish church, St. Mary, features a restored perpendicular tower and four bells, dating back to 1849. The vicarage is under the patronage of the Lord Chancellor, currently held by Rev. Rd. Luney, and has a substantial glebe. Various charities support local repairs and the poor.

1850 Gazetteer of Bickleigh England

Bickleigh is a quaint village in the Plym Vale, six miles northeast of Plymouth, with a population of 469 and covering 2,980 acres. It attracts visitors for its scenic landscapes and fishing opportunities. The manor, once owned by Buckland Abbey, is currently held by Sir Ralph Lopes, who also presides over the parish church, rebuilt in 1839. The community benefits from a fund for the poor and hosts two annual fairs in Jump. The vicarage is currently managed by Rev. J. D. Cork.

1850 Gazetteer of Berry Pomeroy England

Berry Pomeroy is a small village located two miles east of Totnes, encompassing 4525 acres and housing 1,149 residents as of 1841. The village features the historical Berry Pomeroy Castle, built by Ralph de Pomerai, which served as a prominent residence until it was dismantled in the 17th century. The ruins are now set in a picturesque valley. The parish includes Bridgetown, a suburb of Totnes, and is governed by the Duke of Somerset, who also owns the parish church and a nonconformist chapel.

1850 Gazetteer of West Alvington England

West Alvington, a small village near Kingsbridge, encompasses a parish of 4020 acres and a population of 998 residents. Notable manors include those owned by the Dukes of Cleveland and W. R. Ilbert. The Church of All Saints features an ancient tower and memorials of local families. The village has historical significance, with remnants of past customs like a market and fair from the 13th century. The vicarage, currently held by Rev. O. Macdonald, is well-endowed, supporting the local community.

1850 Gazetteer of Aveton Gifford England

Aveton Gifford is a picturesque village in Devon, located in the valley of the River Aven, with a population of 1,057 and a large area of fertile land. Historically, the manor was held by several families, and currently belongs to E. R. P. Bastard, Esq. The village features St. Andrew’s Church, notable for its early English architecture. Though once boasting a market and fairs, these have long ceased. Several charitable provisions exist for the church and local poor, reflecting the community’s historical care for its residents.

1850 Gazetteer of Ashprington England

Ashprington, or Ashpreignton, is a small village located near the confluence of the rivers Harbourn and Dart, with a population of 588 and spanning 2,644 acres. The parish includes the hamlets of Washbourn and Yeatson, as well as part of Tuckenhay, featuring a large paper mill and quarries exporting stone. Richard Durant, Esq. is a significant landowner and has improved the village’s infrastructure. The parish church, St. David, is notable for its architecture and recent renovations. The village also supports a parish school and an Almshouse.

1850 Gazetteer of Buckland-Toutsaints England

Buckland-Toutsaints, a small chapelry within the Loddiswell parish in Coleridge Hundred, is situated two miles northeast of Kingsbridge. It has a population of 56 and encompasses approximately 500 acres of fertile land owned by William John Clark and Edward Torr. The area is historically linked to the Toutsaint family, with its manor eventually sold to the Clark family in 1793. The village features an ancient chapel, St. Peter, rebuilt in 1779, and is now a curacy linked to Loddiswell vicarage.

1850 Gazetteer of Charleton England

Charleton is a small village located two miles south-southeast of Kingsbridge, with a population of 703 and an area of 2,379 acres. It includes the hamlets of Goveton, Lidestone, and part of Frogmore. The manor is primarily held by Lord Ashburton, while Frogmore’s ownership is contested. The parish features St. Mary’s Church, an ancient building recently renovated. The rectory, overseen by Rev. Thos. Twysden, has a glebe of over 30 acres and the tithes are commuted for £557 annually. An old cottage serves the parish’s poor.

1850 Gazetteer of Chivelstone England

Chivelstone is a small village located nearly six miles south-southeast of Kingsbridge, comprising a parish with 591 residents and 2,696 acres of land extending to the sea cliffs between Start and Prawle Points. The parish includes the fishing village of Prawle and hamlets Ford and South Allington. The village’s ecclesiastical structure, St. Sylvester’s Church, features an ancient design and a single usable bell. The living is a perpetual curacy linked with Stokenham, with a notable Bible Christian Chapel and an Independent Chapel at Ford.

1850 Gazetteer of East Portlemouth England

East Portlemouth is a picturesque village located five miles south of Kingsbridge, situated on a hill overlooking Salcombe Haven. The parish comprises 429 inhabitants and spans 1,973 acres, including Rickham and Holset hamlets. The village features an ancient church dedicated to St. Onolaus and has historical significance due to a possible entrenchment related to Salcombe Castle. The Duke of Cleveland is the lord of the manor, while the local rectory is held by Rev. T. B. Wells. Notable sites include a coast guard station and a Wesleyan chapel.

1850 Gazetteer of Ermington England

Ermington, a small village in Devon, sits on the west bank of the Erme River, surrounded by hills and located 10 miles east of Plymouth. It supports a population of 1,607 across 4,952 acres, including parts of Ivybridge. Historically significant, a meteoric stone fell here in 1623. The parish contains the ancient church of St. Peter, notable for its architecture and rich history. The vicarage and various lands contribute to local education and support for the poor. The manor has changed hands through several noble families.

1850 Gazetteer of Buckfastleigh England

Buckfastleigh is a significant manufacturing village divided into Higher and Lower Towns, located along the western side of the river Dart valley, approximately 2½ miles from Ashburton. Its economy is supported by around 300 woolcombers and several mills, employing about 400 workers. The parish, spanning over 4,379 acres, has seen population growth, with notable agricultural activities, including cider production. Historically, it hosted a weekly market and continues to hold cattle and wool fairs. The landscape includes hills, quarries, and picturesque views.

1850 Gazetteer of Buckfast Abbey England

Buckfast Abbey, founded in 1137 by Ethelwerd for Cistercian monks, was notably endowed, with a yearly income of £466. The abbey’s ruins, largely dismantled around 1806, still feature a prominent square tower and a Norman arch. The parish includes various estates and was historically held by the Earl of Macclesfield. The Church of Holy Trinity, restored since 1844, boasts a new spire and memorial windows. Several chapels and schools cater to the community, alongside provisions for the poor through various legacies.

1850 Gazetteer of Dartington England

Dartington parish, situated northeast of Totnes, encompasses 603 residents and 3,284 acres of land within the scenic Dart valley. It is home to hamlets such as Wick and Venton. Historically a baronial seat, it has ties to notable families and is primarily owned by Henry Champernowne, Esq., who resides at the historic Dartington House. The parish features St. Mary’s Church, a structure dating back to Richard II’s era, and has provisions for the poor, including cottages and lands for charity. It is also served by Totnes Railway station.

1850 Gazetteer of Dartmouth England

Dartmouth is an ancient market town and sea-port located on the estuary of the Dart, opposite Kingswear. It has approximately 5,000 residents and features narrow streets with historical architecture, including Elizabethan houses. The town has a significant maritime history, serving as a naval base and trade center, notably during the reign of Edward III. Key improvements over the years include a floating bridge and gas lighting. The borough includes various parishes, notable churches, and charitable foundations, reflecting its longstanding community and governance traditions.

1850 Gazetteer of Diptford England

Diptford is a small village located in the vale of the river Avon, approximately 5½ miles W.S.W. of Totnes, with a population of 755. The parish spans 4144 acres, featuring various farms and estates owned by notable families. The manor has changed hands through several lineages, with the current lord being Rev. W.C. Johnson. The ancient Church of St. Mary, with a tower and modern windows, serves as a focal point, alongside the rector’s residence and parish lands for communal support.

1850 Gazetteer of Bigbury England

Bigbury is a small village located 1½ miles from Bigbury Bay in Devon, with a population of 652 and approximately 2,902 acres of land. The village features scattered houses and includes St. Ann’s Chapel. Historically, its manor was owned by several notable families and is currently held by the Duke of Cleveland and the Countess Dowager of Sandwich. The parish’s church, St. Lawrence, is a notable ancient building with a spire and five bells. The rectory is valued at £688, with tithes commuted in 1843 for £500 annually.