DARTINGTON

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)]

"DARTINGTON, a parish in the hundred of Stanborough, in the county of Devon, 2 miles N. of Totnes. It is situated on the Bristol and Exeter railway, and the river Dart, and contains Venton, Week, Staple, and Brooking. The manor-house was originally given by William the Conqueror to William de Falaise, and was the principal residence of Richard II.'s half brother, John Duke of Exeter. It is situated on an eminence, and was formerly much larger than at present. In Elizabeth's time it descended to the family of Champernowne, formerly of Modbury. The village, which is small, is situated near the intersection of the roads from Totnes to Plymouth and to Ashburton. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Exeter, value £9.24, in the patronage of H. Champernowne Esq., who is lord of the manor. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient building, and contains a beautiful carved pulpit, temp. Henry I., a screen, and several monuments to the Champernowne and other families. At Brooking is a chapel-of-ease, and a school-house at Shinner's Bridge. The hall is an extensive and fine old building, and has some fine paintings. Longcause, Allerton, Cobberton, Folley, Billamy, Staverton Bridge, Lownard, Puddowin, Droridge, Hood, Belleigh, Cott, and Barton are places here."