Kilkhampton

"KILKHAMPTON, a parish in the hundred of Stratton, county Cornwall, 4 miles N.E. of Stratton, its post town, and 20 from Bideford. It is situated on the high road leading from Stratton to Bideford, and is separated from the county of Devon by the river Tamar. It was the seat of the Grenvilles from the Conquest till the 17th century. Upon the site of the ancient mansion, John, Earl of Bath, erected, soon after the Restoration, the mansion of Stowe, which, within little more than half a century, was demolished. The buildings are said to have occupied above 3 acres. The village, which is still considerable, was formerly a market town. The reservoir of the Bude canal, covering 70 acres, is partly within this parish. The impropriate tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £50, and the rectorial for £607. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Exeter, value £487. The church, dedicated to St. James, is an ancient structure, with a pinnacled tower containing five bells. The interior has a carved ceiling and pulpit, and several monuments to the Grenville family, and other families of distinction. The parochial charities produce about £39 per annum. The Rev. James Hervey, while curate of this church, wrote his "Meditations." There is a National school for both sexes; also chapels for the Wesleyans and Bible Christians. Fairs are held on Holy Thursday, and the third following Thursday, and 26th August."