Callington

"CALLINGTON, (or Kellington), a parish and market town, in the middle division of the hundred of East, in the county of Cornwall, 11 miles to the S. of Launceston, 9 miles from the Saltash and Liskeard stations on the Cornwall railway, and 213 miles from London. It is situated under Kit Hill, on Hengeston Down, which is 1,067 feet above the sea, and commands a magnificent prospect. Granite, greywacke, and trap are the prevailing rocks, and there are mines of tin, copper, lead, and manganese in the neighbourhood. The town, which consists chiefly of one broad street, is lighted with gas, and of late years has been much improved, containing some good shops and private houses. A few persons are employed in the woollen manufacture, which was once carried on extensively. There is a convenient courthouse, bank, market-place, and an excellent hotel with assembly-room. Petty sessions are held, and polling for the county elections takes place in the town. Callington was formerly a borough, having obtained the elective franchise in the reign of Elizabeth (1585), from which time it continued to send two representatives to parliament until disfranchised under the Reform Act in 1832. A portreeve is still annually appointed at the court-leet of the lord of the manor, Lord Ashburton, who retains in his possession, as a badge of authority, the ancient silver mace, inscribed with the armorial bearings of the Assheton family, and the date 1583. The magistrates hold petty sessions on the first Thursday in every month. There is a literary institution, with reading-room, and lectures are delivered weekly during the season. The living is a rectory united to the mother church of Southill, in the diocese of Exeter. There are glebes in both parishes, and the tithes have been commuted at £750; Lord Ashburton is patron The church, dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin, has been tastefully restored under the direction of J. P. St. Aubyn, Esq., and was reopened for Divine service on May 12th, 1859. It is a large edifice, almost wholly rebuilt by Nicholas de Assheton, one of the justices of the Court of King's Bench, who died in 1465, and was interred here. The church contains monuments to the founder and to Lord Willoughby de Broke, to whom the manor belonged, and who died in 1502. There are in the town Chapels for Wesleyans, Independents, and other Dissenters, and a free school for boys, founded by Lord Clinton. In the churchyard is part of an ancient cross, sculptured with the Crucifixion, St. Mary with the Holy Child in her arms, and monks praying. About 1 mile to the S. of the town is an ancient oratory and baptising well, called Dupath Chapel, of the 15th century. King Arthur is related to have had his palace here, and to have kept his court at Callington under the name of "Killywich." There is a large National school for boys and girls. Markets for corn and provisions are held on Wednesday, and one much frequented by dealers, called Regraters, from Plymouth and Devonport. A large cattle market is held on the first Wednesday in every month, and there are four annual fairs, viz: on the second Thursday in March, first Thursday in May, first Thursday after October 19th, and the second Thursday in November.

"KITS HILL, a granite peak in county Cornwall, in the parish of Callington, near Callington. It is the highest summit of Hengston Downs, and commands a fine view."

"NEWTON-PARK, a seat in the parish of Callington, hundred of Middle East, county Cornwall, 3 miles S.W. of Callington, and 12 S. of Launceston. It anciently belonged to the Coryton family, and now to the Collinses of Truthan."

"NORTHWOOD, a hamlet in the parish of Callington, county Cornwall, 2 miles S.W. of Callington, and 11 S. of Launceston."