Hide
hide
Hide
Transcription by Terry Partridge from Pigot & Co.'s Devonshire (1830)
TOTNES
A MARKET and corporate town and parish, in the hundred of Coleridge, is 196 miles from London, 24 from Exeter, and the like distance from Plymouth; situated in the centre of the 'south hams' of Devon; and so surrounded and protected by high and fertile hills, that it may be said to be seated in a valley. The town consists principally of one good street, nearly three quarters of a mile in length, terminated on the east by the Dart, over which a superb bridge has been lately built; the river dividing Totnes from the suburb Bridge-town. Craft of 60 tons burthen belong to the town; other vessels keep up a constant intercourse for the transportation of heavy goods from London, Liverpool, and Plymouth; and boats continually ply on the river, for the conveyance of goods and passengers from hence to Dartmouth, a distance of ten miles. The principal manufacture is woollen goods generally, and serges; but the main trade of Totnes arises from extensive exports and imports, by which a populous and extensive district is supplied and supported. The importation of culm, for the burning of lime, which abounds in this neighbourhood, is to a considerable extent; whilst upon the river, and its many tributary streams, are numerous grist-mills.
Totnes is a borough by prescription, and a corporate town by several charters; the last charter that was granted, by which it is at present governed, was conferred by Queen Elizabeth, in the last year of her reign. It directs that 14 masters or councillors shall be chosen from the resident burgesses (whose number is indefinite), and that one of such shall be elected mayor; that a recorder and town-clerk shall be likewise appointed; and that 20 of the freemen (commonly called 'the twenty men') shall be chosen to superintend the letting of lands vested in the corporation. The members of parliament are returned by the masters (or councillors) and burgesses, resident and non-resident, indiscriminately; the number of voters is about 60; the mayor is the returning officer; and the present representatives are the Earl of Darlington and Peregrine Courtenany, Esq. The corporate privileges are numerous, and comprise, amonst others, freedom of quayage, wharfage, &c. throughout the kingdom, and exemption from serving on juries beyond the precincts of the borough. A court of quarter sessions is held before the mayor, town-clerk and recorder; and a boro court, for the recovery of debts, on a 'town-plaint,' with power of arrest, is also holden.
The church is an ancient structure, of Gothic architecture. The screen which separates the nave from the body of the church is much admired, as the most perfect specimen of the Gothic that is now to be found: the stone pulpit also engages the attention of the curious; it is formed from a solid block, and elaborately ornamented. The patronage of the living, which is a vicarage, is in the gift of the Lord Chancellor, who presents on the recommendation of the inabitants generally; the present vicar is the Rev. Jos. Cumming, and his curate the Rev. Thomas Cleave: all the tithes are impropriate, and belong to the Duke of Somerset. This is likewise an archdeaconry, extending over one-third of the county, and includes nine deaneries and 153 parishes. There are several places of worship for dissenters, comprising independents, Weslyan methodists, Socinians, &c. Here is an excellent grammar-school, founded in 1554, and endowed in 1658 by Sir John Maynard with an estate worth £70. per ann.: the corporation sends two boys to this establishment, to be educated gratis; the present master is the Rev. Thomas Cleave. There are other establishments, of the best description, for the education of boys for commercial purposes; besides a charity-school for 63 boys and girls, of whom 29 are annually clothed; also an extensive school upon Dr. Bell's system. The 'South Devon library,' established here in 1810, is an excellent and prosperous institution; it is supported by annual subscriptions of a guinea each member.
The general features of the country surrounding this respectable town is meadow, rich pasture and wood; it is intersected by a number of small streams, for which the whole of 'the south hams' is so remarkable; and from its central situation (being midway between Plymouth and Exeter), its proximity to the sea and its communication with the Dart, render it one of the most eligible places for business and residence in the kingdom. Its vicinity also boasts numerous elegant mansions, and beautiful seats; several antique edifices and picturesque ruins; in particular. Totnes castle, adjoining the town, built in the reign of the conqueror William; Berry Pomeroy castle, about two miles and a half distant, erected in the reign of the same monarch; Compton castle, about five miles distant, &c. There is a fine mineral spring at Sharpham, and most of the springs in the neighbourhood are strongly impregnated with iron.
There is a large and general market every Saturday, and one of the finest cattle-markets in the west of England on the first Tuesday in every month. The town is plentifully supplied with every article of food, and the amrkets abound with the choicest fish from the surrounding coast; the annual fairs are, the 12th May and the 28th October. By the census for 1821, the number of inhabitants in the borough and parish of Totnes was 3,128.
POST OFFICE, Lower Main-street, William Hannaford, Post Master.
Letters from LONDON arrive every night at six, and are despatched every night at six, and are despatched every morning at seven. -- Letters from BATH and BRISTOL arrive every night at half-past nine, and are despatched every night at eight. -- Letters from PLYMOUTH and DEVONPORT arrive every night at eight, and are despatched every night at half-past nine. -- Letters from BRIXHAM and DARTMOUTH arrive every morning at half-past 6, and are despatched every night at half-past 6.
NOBILITY, GENTRY AND CLERGY. Adams Major General Geo. Pownall, Ashprington house Adams Mrs. Bowden house Bastard Captain John, R.N., M.P. Sharpham house Baxter Rev. - , Cornworthy Bennett Captain, Sandwell Bentall Thornton, esq. Lower main st Bentall Wm. Searle, esq. Plains Boardman Lieut. Thomas, R.N. Kingsbridge Inn st Bowden William, esq. Garston Brentford Captain, R.N. Puddavin Brown Richard, esq. Englebourn Bundock Wm. purser, R.N. Brdge twn Carew Sir Henry, bart. Marley house Champernown Mrs Sarah, Dartington house Clarke Mrs. Mary, Upper Main st Cole John, esq. Lower Main st Coles the Misses, Plains Cornish Rev. Wm. Floyer, B.A. Plains Cranch Mrs. Elizb. Lower Main st Cumming Mrs. Elizb. Lower Main st Cumming Mrs. Letitia Luscombe, Windsor, Upper Main st Cumming Rev. Jos. Lower Main st Edwards Rev. John, Blagdon Elford Sir Wm. bart. Washbourn hse Epworth Mrs. Little Hampstone Farwell Christr. esq. Lower Main st Farwell Mrs. George, Upper Main st Farwell Rev. Arthur, Lower Main st Folliett Mrs. Plains Froude Rev. Archdeacon Robert Heron, Dartington parsonage Hill Lieut. Colonel, Woodhouse Lane Mrs. Bridget, Lower Main st Lees Mrs. and the Misses, Plains Lewis Captain, Berry Pomeroy Ley Rev. Jacob, Ashprington Luscombe Alex. P. gent. Upr. Main st Mallock the Misses, Priory Marshall Richard, esq. Upper Main st Martin Rev. the chancellor, Harbertn Martin Rev. Wm. Staverton Maye Wm. Bennett, gnt, Plymouth rd Maypowder J. W. esq Woodhouse frm Mitchell Capt. Kingsbridge Inn st Mitchelmore Mrs. Betty, Bridge town Noake Mrs. Susannah, Plains Perrott Jasper, esq. Dundridge house Petherick Rev. John, Lower Main st Price Captain John, R.N. Cistern st Prideaux Walter, esq. Upper Main st Shore Rev. James, Totnes mill Sumpter Lieut. N. Kingsbridge Inn st Taylor Wm. gent. Upper Main st Toms John, esq. Upper Main st Tucker John, esq. Tuckenhay Vassall Wm. esq. Weston house Wallace Mrs. Mary, Plains Wills Mrs. Sarah, Bridge town Wingatt john, esq. Lower Main st Wise Mrs. Rectory house Worth Wm. gent. Plymouth road ACADEMIES AND SCHOOLS. Not otherwise described are Day Schools. Browe Arthur (Bell's system) North side of Church CHARITY SCHOOL, Cistern st - James Yabbicomb, master Curtis Saml. Periam, Upper Main st FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL, Plains - Rev. Thomas Cleave, A.M. master Jackman Samuel, Shambles Old Martha (boarding) Upper Main st Rowe Wm. Sloman, Upper Main st Rundle John (commercial and mathematical) Church walk West Maria (boarding) Lower Main st ATTORNEYS. Chaster Albert, Chaster place Cornish James, jun. Upper Main st Maye Philip, Pymouth road Michelmore Chas. Upper Main st Parrott Jasper, Upper Main st Prideaux & Farwell, Lower Main st Taunton Wm. Doidge, Upper Main st AUCTIONEERS. Collin Henry, Upper Main st Jacobs Lewis, Lower Main st Teasell Henry, Upper Main st Tippett Robert, Lower Main st BAKERS. Angel John, Upper Main st Bowden Henry, Upper Main st Earle Robert, Upper Main st Gumbrell William, Lower Main st Hannaford Wm. Kingsbridge Inn st Hardin Nicholas, Bridge town Heath Richard, Lower Main st Lane Samuel, Lower Main st Lane William, Upper Main st Pinson William, Upper Main st Reynolds Susannah, Cistern st Tippett Robert, Lower Main st BANKERS. Prideaux & Bentall, Upr Main st - (draw on Williams & Co. London) Wise, Farwell, Baker and Bentall, Lower Main st - (draw on Stevenson and Salt, London) BLACKSMITHS. Gillham Samuel, Bridge town Heath Henry, Pickamore st Heath Samuel, Pickamore st Knight Nicholas, Castle lane BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS AND PRINTERS. Daw Thomas, Upper Main st Hannaford John, Lower Main st Hannaford Samuel, Upper Main st Martyn Richard, Lower Main st Taylor John, Upper Main st BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS. Callender Thomas, Lower Main st Callender William, Lower Main st Colman James, Bridge town Farleigh Valentine, Bridge town Gilbert James, Upper Main st Heath Edward, Lower Main st Hernaman Fras. & Wm. Lowr Main st Parnell Samuel, Upper Main st Parnell Samuel, jun. Upper Main st Perrott Richard, Bridge town Putt William, Upper Main st Sharpham Saml. Penny, Upr Main st Shute John, Upper Main st Weeks William, Upper Main st Whiteway Josias, Dartington Whiteway Josias, jun. Upper Main st Woodmason John, Lower Main st BRUSH MAKERS. Anderson William, Bridge town Hardin Thomas (fancy brush and mop) Bridge town BUILDERS & CARPENTERS. Bearne Peter, Lower Main st Collin Henry, Upper Main st Groves Stephen, Plymouth road Hill John, Plymouth road Patey Samuel, Bridge town Ponsford Thomas, Upper Main st Webber James, Upper Main st BUTCHERS. Harris Nicholas, Lower Main st Holberton William, Upper Main st Shute Francis, Kingsbridge Inn st Sparke John, Lower Main st Webber William, Upper Main st CABINET MAKERS. Bennett Thomas, Lower Main st Pulling William, Upper Main st Teasell Henry, Upper Main st Trist Browse, Upper Main st CHYMISTS AND DRUGGISTS. Calley Chistr. Clarke, Upper Main st Rees William, Lower Main st Talbot Hugh, Upper Main st CIDER MERCHANTS. Blackler William, Bridge town Pulling William and Co. True st COAL & CULM MERCHANTS. Fogwill John, jun. Plains Hicks William, Plains Phillips & Searle, Plains CONFECTIONERS. Hannaford Thos. Lower Main st Tippett Robert, Lower Main st COOPERS. Gillard Peter, Upper Main st Sanders John, Upper Main st Venning John, Lower Main st CURRIERS. Andrews Richard, Upper Main st Langmead Richard, Upper Main st EARTHENWARE, &c. DEALRS. Adams Richard, Upper Main st Bawden Isaac, Upper Main st Putt William, Upper main st FIRE, &c. OFFICE AGENTS. ALLIANCE, J. Parrott, Up. Main st ATLAS, Geo Presswell, Up. Main st GLOBE, Jn. Oldreive, Upper Main st GUARDIAN, Jas. Hannaford, Lower Main street NORWICH, Jno. Johns, Kingsbridge Inn st PHOENIX, Wm. Worth, jun. Upper Main st ROYAL EXCHANGE, Geo. Hannaford, Upper Main st SUN, Wm. Calley, Upper main st WEST OF ENGLAND, Chas. Michelmore, Upper main st GROCERS & TEA DEALERS. ( See also Shopkeepers, &c.) Earle Samuel, Upper Main st Fitze George, Lower Main st Gidley Nicholas, Upper Main st Hamlyn Thomas, Upper Main st Hannaford Henry, Lower Main st Hannaford John, Upper Main st Heyward Aaaron, Upper Main st Huxham John, Upper Main st Huxham Samuel, Upper Main st Oldreive Edmd. Browne, Upr Main st Quick Richard, Upper Main st Reeve John, Upper Main st Taylor Charles, Upper Main st HATTERS. Browse Arthur, Upper Main st Nicholls Peter, Upper Main st INNS. Seven Stars, John Goss, Plains Somerset Hotel (& posting house) Henry Collin, Bridge town IRONMONGERS. Angel Thomas, Lower Main st Distin Richard, Upper Main st Gill Robt. Wills, Upper Main st Hannaford James, Lower Main st LAST, PATTEN, &c. MAKERS. Dover Hy. (& boot tree) Lr Main st Hannaford James, Lower Main st LINEN & WOOLLEN DRAPRS Colston Wm. & Peter (& silk mercers & Haberdashers) Up Main st Friend George, Upper Main st | Paige John Browne, Lower Main st Phillips Nancy, Upper Main st Snell William, Upper Main st Webber Wm & Charles (& hosiers and silk mercers) Upper Main st Worth William, jun. (& hosier ans silk mercer) Upper Main st MARINE STORES - DEALRS IN Pengilley Robert, Bridge town Salter Thomas, Bridge town MERCHANTS. Holditch Samuel, Peter's quay Shore Ths. (& miller) TOTNES MILLS MILLINERS & DRESS MAKRS. George Sarah & Ellen, Lower Main st Hannaford Ann, Lower Main st Luscombe Sarah, Upper Main st Mitchell Mary, Bridge town PAINTERS, &c. Croydon William, Lower Main st Harris Robert, Lower Main st Mudge Samuel, Lower Main st Oldrey William, Upper Main st Ryder Robert, Upper Main st Scott Wm. Kingsbridge Inn st Toope William, Upper Main st PORTER MERCHANTS. Bundock Wm. Thos. Upper Main st Cross Richard, Plains PROFESSORS & TEACHERS. Compton Henry (music) Plains Old John (dancing) Upper Main st ROPE AND TWINE MAKERS. Mills Nicholas, Bridge town Prout Walter, Upper Main st Prout William, Bridge town Screech William, Bridge town SADDLERS. Chaster Walter, Kingsbridge Inn st Cridland Henry, Upper Main st Gardner Alan, Rutherfold Melhuish Alexander, Lower Main st Tucker Robert, Upper Main st SAIL CLOTH MANUFACTURERS. Tucker R. & Son (and shoe thread) Totnes SHIP OWNERS. Holditch Samuel, Peter's quay Phillips and Searle, Plains SHOPKEEPERS & DEALERS IN SUNDRIES. Ash Charles, Lower Main st Barter Nicholas, Bridge town Beare George, Upper Main st Braddon William, Upper Main st Diggins George, Upper Main st Ford Robert, Lower Main st Gardner Alan, Rutherfold Gortley James, Upper Main st Harris Martin, Upper Main st Harris Mary, Lower Main st Holman Benjamin, Bridge town Kinsman Susannah, Upper Main st McGuire Margaret, Lower Main st Miller Sarah, Bridge town Mitchell William, Lower Main st Napman Wm. Kingsbridge Inn st Searle Elizabeth, Bridge town Shepherd Eleanor, Kingsbridge Inn st Smith Jeremiah, Lower Main st Worth John, Bridge town STONE MASONS. Ash William, Lower Main st Jackson William, Upper main st STRAW HAT MAKERS, Abel Mary, Lower Main st Blackler Maria, Bridge town Holberton Mary, Upper Main st Welch Sarah, Lower Main st SURGEONS Derry John, Lower Main st Kellock William, Upper Main st Matthews John, M.D., Lower Main st Tompson Gilbert N. Lower Main st Wills William, Lower Main st TAILORS. Adams Richard, Upper Main st Bartlett Henry, Kingsbridge Inn st Bishop John, Lower Main st Blake Thomas, Bridge town Cloke John, Upper Main st Lane Samuel, Lower Main st Mitchell James, Bridge town Reynolds George, Upper Main st Welch Richard, Lower Main st Welch Thomas, Lower Main st Worth Robert, Upper Main st TALLOW CHANDLERS. Huxham John, Upper Main st Sumpter James, Lower Main st TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES. Bay Horse, Richard Denbow, Cistern st Bell, William Shinner, Bridge town Bull, James Willis, sen. Upper Main st Castle Inn, James Sawyer, Upper Main st Commercial Inn, John Luscombe, Lower Main street Dartmouth Inn, Samuel Gillham, Pickamore street Devonport Inn, Jas. Pack, Upper Main st Exeter Inn, John Turpin, Bridge town King's Arms, Wm. Leach, Shambles Kingsbridge Inn, Sarah Taylor, Kingsbridge Inn st Lion, George Denner, Upper Main st London Inn, Rbt. Whiteway, Lower Main st Lord Nelson, Wm. Fogwill, Lower Main st New Inn, Wm. Holman, Bridge town Oxford Arms, Jane Stammers, Lwr Main st Plymouth Inn, John Bowden, Uppr Main st Shambles Gate, Wm. Bovey, Shambles Town Arms, John Evans, Lower Main st TEA DEALERS. Browse Arthur, Upper Main st Cambell William, Lower Main st Harrison Jane, Lower Main st TIMBER MERCHANTS AND WHARFINGERS. Fogwill John, jun. Plains Phillips and Searle, Plains TIN-PLATE WORKERS. Elliott John Savery, Upper Main st Mitchell James, Bridge town WATCH AND CLOCK MAKERS. Carter John, Lower Main st Evens Nicholas, Upper Main st Jacobs Lewis, Lower Main st WHEELWRIGHTS. Hawkins John, Pickamore st Turpin John, Bridge town WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS. Baker Henry (and brewer) Plains Bundock Wm. Thos. Upper Main st Sawyer Jas. (dealer) Upper Main st Miscellaneous. Bentall William and Thornton and Co. woollen manufacturers, Plains Bond Matthew, violin maker, Rutherfold Brimicombe Wm. plumber, Upper Main st Bunker Dorothy, haberdasher, Upr. Main st Burton Samuel, farrier, Plymouth road Busby John, wire worker, Upper Main st Chaster John, conveyancer, Waterloo pl Cload Thomas, perfumer, Upper Main st Cole Geo. Harnaman, surveyor of taxes, Mount dart CORN MARKET, Lower Main st - Robert Wills Gill, inspector Cross Richard, accountant, Plains Gilbert Jas. & Son. iron fndrs. Bridge town Godfrey Wm. nurseryman, Upper Main st Hakewill Thos. & Jos, fullers, Totnes mill Hallett Wm. wood turner, Bridge town Hannaford Geo. maltster, Upper Main st Hayward George, tanner, Bridge town Heath Henry, fruiterer, Upper Main st Heath Saml. whitesmith, Upper Main st Holman Avis, hardwareman, Lowr Main st Lampen Rbt. basket mkr. Lower Main st Oldrey Edw. plasterer & hellier, Church st Prout Walter, hair and hemp sacking manufacturer, Upper Main st Pulling George, woolstapler, Behind the walls Pulman Abel Brown, fishing rod, &c. maker, Lower Main st Sanders Samuel, coach builder, Lower Main st Sloggett William, dyer, Upper Main st STAMP OFFICE, Lower Main street - William Hannaford, distributer Symons Jas. umbrella mkr. Upper Main st WORKHOUSE, Rutherfold - Sarh. George, matron COACHES. To LONDON, the Defiance, from the Somerset Hotel, every day at twelve - and the Subscription, every afternoon at five; both go through Newton Abbott, Chudleigh, Exeter, Yarcombe, Ilminster, Wincanton, Mere, Amesbury, Andover, Overton, Basingstoke, Bagshot and Staines - and the Celerity and Pilot, from the Seven Stars, every forenoon at half-past eleven; both go through Newton Abbott, Chudleigh, Exeter, Axminster, Bridport, Dorchester, Blandford, Salisbury, &c. To BATH & BRISTOL, the Royal Mail, from the Seven Stars, every night at 8. To PLYMOUTH & DEVONPORT, the Royal Mail, every night at half-past nine; snd the Celerity and Pilot, from the Seven Stars, every day at ½ past 12; the Defiance, from the Somerset Hotel, every afternoon at half-past 4 - and the Subscription, every afternoon at one. CARRIERS. To ASHBURTON, William Edgcumbe, from the Town Arms daily. To BRIXHAM, James Shears, from the Exeter and Devonport Inns, every Fri. To BUCKFASTLEIGH, George Elliott, from the Town Arms & Commercial Inn, every Monday, Wednes. & Satur. To EXETER, Henry Tapper, from Plymouth road, - Foales and Robert Smale, from Lower Main st, every Mon. & Thurs. - Wm. Foales, from the Bull, every Tuesday and Thursday. To KINGSBRIDGE, Henry Tapper, from the Plymouth road, every Wednesday and Saturday - William Foales, from the Bull and Commercial Inns, and William Lidstone, from the Town Arms, every Mon. Wednes. & Satur. To MODBURY, Richard Lavers, from the Commercial Inn, every Wed. & Sat. To NEWTON ABBOTT, William Quint, from behind the Walls, daily To PLYMOUTH, John Arscott & James Quint, from Upper Main st - and John Scott, from the Town Arms, every Monday & Wednesday - John Tozer & James Shears, from the Exeter and Devonport Inns, every Wednesday. To SALCOMBE, William Lidstone, from the Town Arms, every Mon. Wed. & Sat. To TORQUAY, John Tozer, from the Commercial and Devonport Inns - and John Perriman, from the Commercial Inn, every Saturday. CONVEYANCE BY WATER. To DARTMOUTH, Boats to meet the Coaches every day; for further information apply at the Town Arms and Somerset Hotel: - fare for passengers one shilling per head. COASTING VESSELS. The Commerce, George Thomas, master: the Charles, R. Lamble, master: the Brothers, J. Gurst, master: the Albion, J. D. Bowden: the Lark, W. H. Cllings, master: the Fame, H. Langworthy, master: the George, Thomas Pullman: the Lord Nelson, John Brien: and the Pyramus, - Carey, master. |