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Extract from an 1857 trades directory for
CLOVELLY, Devon, UK
Directory and Gazetteer of the County of Devon (M. Billings Steam Press Office)
Transcribed by John BISHOP <100041.1516[at]compuserve[dot]com>
Made available with his kind permission
Clovelly is a parish with a small village, 4½ miles E. of Hartland and 11 W.S.W. of Bideford, containing 8502 acres of land, and population in 1851 of 937 souls. The number of voters in 1857 was 14. Polling-district, Bideford.
This village is one of the most romantically situated in the whole county; it is built on the side of a steep rock, to which the houses seem joined like pigeon huts against a wall; from the top of the town to the Quay at the bottom you decend by flights of steps, and the traveller cannot help being struck with amazement at the rapidity with which the horses go up and down. The prospect from the heights is extensive, and embraces numerous interesting objects, among which the views of the Isle of Lundy in the Channel, of Barnstaple Bay and the opposite coast, and of the vessels in the small harbour beneath, are eminently fine. The appearance of the village from the harbour is strikingly picturesque, presenting a singular combination of romantic cottages, rugged precipices, and masses of rock, of the most fantastic shapes, fringed as they are with woods, and now and then interspersed with spots of ground in the highest state of cultivation, all combine to render this one of the most delightful villages we have ever met with.
Clovelly Dykes, an ancient British encampment, is situate on very high ground, commanding the only practicable coast road in this part of the country; it consists of three trenches or dykes, enclosing a quadrilateral area, 360 feet in length and 300 in breadth.
The harbour is an appendage to Bideford. This place is famous for the best herrings taken in the Bristol Channel; mackerel, turbot, sole, plaice, hake, and many other kinds of fish are taken during their seasons.
The manor was formally held by the Giffords, but in the reign of Richard II., was sold to Sir John Cary, whose family constructed the harbour and pier; it is now the property of the Right Hon. Sir J. H. Williams, Bart., who resides at Clovelly Court, a large mansion, which was re-built on the site of a more ancient edifice destroyed by fire, The views in the park are magnificently grand, and will well repay a visit.
The Church (All Saints) is an antiquated structure, with a low tower, adjacent to Clovelly Court. This church was made collegiate in 1387, by Sir Wm. Cary, who settled in it a warden and six chaplains, to whom he gave the avowson and great tithes. The Rev. Mr. Prince erected a gallery in the church, which is let by the year, and the proceeds are applied in schooling poor children. The living is a Rectory, in the patronage of the lord of the manor, and incumbency of the Rev. Mr. Chichester, who has a good residence and about 100 acres of Glebe.
There are Chapels belonging to the Wesleyan Methodists and the Bible Christians. No stated ministers.
Alphabetical List of Clergy, Gentry, Etc.Chichester Rev. Mr., ParsonageElsworthy Mr. Oliver Hockendon, CAptain Hy. Lee Captain Jno. Lee Mr. William Lee Mr. Robert Step Mr. Henry Williams Sir J. H., Bart., Clovelly Court Alphabetical List of Professions Trades, Etc.Almrott Andrew, coast guard officerAshton William, carpenter, Slerra Avery William, farmer, part of Glede Badcock James, boot and shoe maker Bartlett Thomas, farmer, Kennerland Beckalee Samuel, Butcher, Winklebury Beer Jas., jun., grocer, etc. Berryman James, victualler, New Inn Berryman Mrs., boot and shoe maker Bragg Benjamin, farmer and mason, Slerra Brown Matthew, Chief Coast Guard Officer Buckingham Elizabeth, schoolmistress Burman Thomas, fishmonger Burman William, blacksmith Burman Daniel, farmer Burnham Richard, blacksmith, Slerra Burrow Joseph, farmer, Highworthy Barrow Thomas, farmer, Slade | Carter Joseph, farmer, Stitworthy Ching John, farmer, East Dyke Cleverdon William, farmer, Burford Dannell John, schoolmaster Downing D., fishmonger, Dyke's Green Eddy John, farmer, West Dyke Elliott Michael, coast guard officer Grills Nicholas, boot and shoe maker, East Dyke Heard William, draoer and grocer, Winsworthy Hockridge Thomas, farmer, Eastacott and Holwill Hockridge Thomas, farmer, Burnstone and Firnham Howard John, carpenter Jaming Bartlett, farmer, Hugglepit Jennings William, beer retailer, Farmer's Arms, Slerra Jewell Joseph, farmer, Blagdon Jewel William, farmer, Winklebury Nancekivell Robert, carpenter, Slerra Oxenham Walter Hugh, farmer, Stitworthy Parsons Joseph, mason, Slerra Pidler Alexander, boot and shoe maker Pennington William, boot and shoe maker Quance William, coast guard officer Sharsell Richard, boot and shoe maker Stevens George, boot and shoe maker Stevens John, coast guard officer Squire John, farmer, Dyke's Green Stoneman John, carpenter Stroud John, gardener to Sir J. H. Williams, Bart. Thompson Neil, hind, Cort BArton Vine S., victualler and coal merchant, Red Lion, Quay Whitefield, Robert, druggist |
Post office.- Mr. J. Dannell, Sub-Postmaster. Letters from Bideford, which is the nearest Money Order Office.
Carrier.- Bideford, Jewell, Tues., Thur., and Sat.
Brian Randell, 16 May 2004