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Barnstaple

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"BARNSTAPLE, the principal port, market-town, and borough in North Devon . . . is pleasantly seated on the north-east side of the navigable river Taw, where it receives the small river Yeo, and is crossed by a handsome bridge of sixteen arches. . . It is a very ancient borough, and respectable town, and is distant 40 miles N.W. of Exeter, 9 miles N.E. of Bideford, 11 miles W.N.W. of South Molton, and 192 miles W. by S. of London. The parish of Barnstaple comprises about 1096 acres of land, in the broad and fertile vale of the river Taw, which is to be traversed by a railway from Exeter. . . The parish had only 3748 inhabitants in 1801, but in 1821 they had increased to 5079, in 1831 to 6840, and in 1841 to 7902. . . . Barnstaple was a naval port in the reign of Edward III. . . The staple trade of the town, from a very early period till the latter part of the last century, was the manufacture of woolen goods. . . . Since 1822, when bonded warehouses were established here, the port has had an increasing foreign trade [importing] goods from the Baltic, France, Spain, Portugal, North America, etc." [From White's History, Gazetteer and Directory of Devon (1850)]

St Mary Magdalen (1846), Holy Trinity (1847) and St Paul, Sticklepath are modern parishes.

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Archives & Libraries

The North Devon Record Office, the North Devon Athenaeum. and the North Devon Local Studies Library, are the three partners forming the North Devon Local Studies Centre, Barnstaple.

Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon - website.

Blackwell, Alfred E. The North Devon Athenaeum at Barnstaple, Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 93, (1961) pp.174-83.

Garratt, F. Barnstaple archdeaconry clerical library [1804-1904], Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, vol. 3, no. 4, (1904) pp.99-102.

Reed, M. The North Devon Athenaeum. Devon Family Historian 37 (1986) pp.8-9.

Rose, Louise and Margery Rowe. The New North Devon Record Office. Archives 19, 85 (1991) pp.289-296.

Rowe, Margery. The New North Devon Record Office. Devon Family Historian 46 (1988) p.4.

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Bibliography

Campbell, Jamie-Rose. Barnstaple: a selective bibliography with a short history of the town, vol. 20 (1888), pp. 49-68. [Index]

Chanter, J.R. Report on the Harding Collection of Manuscripts, Records and Historical, Ecclesiastical, Heraldic and Antiquarian Documents and Notes. Trans. Devon Assoc. vol. 20 (1888), pp. 49-68. [Index]

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Biography

Court Cases from the North Devon Journal (archived copy) - by David Cawsey (concerning The Cawsey family in 1859 and 1872.

The Reverend Henry Luxmore of Barnstaple - account of a celebrated breach of promise case.

Sir John Doddridge (1555-1628) - Wikipedia entry.

Adams, Maxwell (Ed.). Rev. Richard Turner. [Obituary]. Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 44, (1912). p. 43. [Transcript]

Adams, Maxwell (Ed.). Thomas Wainwright. [Obituary]. Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 48, (1916), pp. 52-53. [Transcript]

Bennet, W.H. Robert Cleaver Chapman of Barnstaple, Glasgow, Pickering & Inglis (1902) 220p, plates: ill. [Westcountry Studies Library: s920/CHA]

Blackwell, Alfred E. John Gay (1685-1732), Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 87, (1955) pp.116-129, plates: ill.

Bowring, Sir John. On Fables and Fabulists connected with John Gay. Trans. Devon Assoc. Vol. V. (1872), 319-329. [Index]

Brooking-Rowe, J. Joseph Harper [Obituary]. Trans. Devon Assoc., 1891, Vol XXXV, (1903), pp. 36-37. [Transcript]

Cawsey, David. The "Minden" Convicts from Devonshire (archived copy), Devon Family Historian, vol. 102, (2002) pp.23-24. [On James Cawsey of Barnstaple, convicted of stealing apples, and transported to Australia in 1851 on the Frigate Minden]

Cawsey, David. A Barnstaple Poisoning, Devon Family Historian, no. 149, (2014) pp.10-12. [Of Charles Edward Brent, aged two]

Chanter, John Roberts. Sketches of the Literary History of Barnstaple: Being the substance of A Series of Papers read at the Literary Institution, Barnstaple. To which is added the Diary of Philip Wyot, Town Clerk of Barnstaple, from 1586 to 1608, Barnstaple, (1866) 129 pp. [Index]

Chanter, John Frederick. The life and times of Martin Blake, B.D. (1593-1673), London, John Lane Bodley Head (1910) xiii, 180 pp. [Westcountry Studies Library: s920/BLA] [Vicar of Barnstaple and prebendary of Exeter Cathedral] [Index]

Chanter, J.F. Edmund Bishop, a great Devonshire scholar [1846-1917], Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, vol. 10, no. 5, (1919) pp.177-182, plates: port. [Bibliographical list appended]

Cummings, H.R. A career of sorts, Pontypool, Hughes & Son (1967) 93 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: D92/CUM] [Journalists: biographies]

Fortescue, Sir Faithful. Account of Sir Arthur Chichester, Lord Belfast, Lord Deputy of Ireland, Printed for private circulation, C. Whitingham (1858), 52 pp. [Index]

Gardiner, H.W. A cursory view of the lives of the Rev. Jonathan Hanmer, A.M. and the Rev. John Hanmer, A.M. and the times in which they lived ..., Barnstaple, J. Avery (1828) 45 p. [Westcountry Studies Library: p929.2/HAN]

Gillard, P.B. A north Devon childhood 1933-1945, Typescript (1997) 65 pp. [Westcountry Studies Library: sx301.34/BAR/GIL]

Grant, Alison. Atlantic adventurer: John Delbridge of Barnstaple, 1564-1639, Instow, Alison Grant (1996) x, 76p: ill, maps, ports. [ISBN: 0952788500] [Westcountry Studies Library: s920/DEL]

Gribble, Dorothy Rose J. Gribble Annals 1: Charles Besly Gribble - transcription of his notebook dated 1816: reflections, favourite quotations ...., Highclere, Plantagenet Productions (1986) ii, 29 pp. [Barnstaple Library: 920 /GRI] [Merchant naval officer]

Gribble, Francis. Seen in passing: a volume of personal reminiscences, London, Benn (1929). [Westcountry Studies Library: 920/GRI]

Harpley, W. Sir Richard William Drake [Obituary]. Trans. Devon Assoc., 1891, Vol XXIII, pp. 105-106. [Transcript]

Harpley, W. William Frederick Rock [Obituary]. Trans. Dev. Assoc., 1890, Vol XXII, pp. 37-40. [Transcript]

Harpley, W. Richard William Cotton. [Obituary] Trans. Dev. Assoc., vol. XXXII, (1900), pp. 37-38. [Transcript]

Holmes, F. Brother indeed: the life of Robert Cleaver Chapman, "Barnstaple patriarch", Kilmarnock, John Ritchie (1988) 136p, [4]p of pl.: ill. [ISBN: 0946351104] [Westcountry Studies Library: s289.90924/BAR/HOL]

Kearley Wright, W.H., F R Hist Soc. (Ed.). The Fables of John Gay: With Biographical and Critical Introduction and Bibliographical Appendix. London: Frederick Warne & Co. (1889) illus. x, 319 pp. [Index]

Macdougall, Sally. Who was J.C. Smith of the Bulldog Patrol, Devon Family Historian, vol. 182, (2022) p.41.

March, Septimus. Life on the deep: memorials of Charles March, commander R.N., London, Religious Tract Soc. (1875). [Westcountry Studies Library: s920/MAR]

Melville, Lewis. Life and letters of John Gay, 1685-1732, London, Danail O'Connor (1921). [Westcountry Studies Library: s828/GAY]

Nicholls, Jeremy. I Can Tell You All About Henry Symons, Except . . . Devon Family Historian, vol. 120, (2006) pp.30-31. [Married in 1850 at Instow, believed to be from Barnstaple area]

Pengelly, W. Sir John Dodderidge. In: Devonshire gleanings from Manningham’s Diary. Trans. Dev. Assoc., 1875, Vol VII, p. 382. [Transcript]

Roulstone, Colin. Hugh Roulstone - Tanner, Devon Family Historian, vol. 147, (2013) pp.13.

Searle, Muriel V. Barnstaple's immortal beggar. Devon Life vol. 9 no. 68 (1972) pp.32-33; ill. [John Gay, writer of the Beggar's Opera]

Skinner, A.J.P. Thomas Larkham and Benjamin Cox, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, vol. 8, no. 8, (1915) pp.233-235. [Clergy, 1609-1662. See also Trans. Devon. Assoc. vol 24]

Strong, H.W. Charles Willshire: a panegyric, Barnstaple, W. Michael (1889) 24p, port. [North Devon Athenaeum: D92/WIL] [Politician]

Tapley-Soper, H. Thomas Wainwright [1826-1916], Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, vol. 9, no. 3, (1916) pp.68-69. [Curator, North Devon Athenaeum] [Transcript]

Welman, H.A. A Boocke of Memoryall Made by me Henry Dowse, of Barnestaple, marchant, the viii daye of our Souveraygne Lady Elizabeth and Anno D'ni 1561. Miscellanea Genealogia et Heraldica 3rd series 1 (1896) pp.196-200.

Windsor, Stuart. “It’s Not Very Much to Get Drunk On”, Devon Family Historian, vol. 177, (2021) p.22. [Harriet Robins]

A Brief Record of the Conversion and Triumphant Death of Elizabeth Williams, of Barnstaple, a Sunday School Teacher and Tract Distributor, W. Avery, North Devon Journal Office, High Street, Barnstaple (1843) 40 pp.

Catholicity in Barnstaple (North Devon) and the Rev. J.S.Burns MR, The Lamp, vol. 55, no. 365, (1885) pp.402-16: portrait.

Gribble annals 3: Family letters treasured by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Edward Gribble and their daughters, Milly, Kay and Rose. Highclere: Plantagenet Prodns (1992) 158p: ill. [Westcountry Studies Library s929.2/GRI]

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Business & Commerce Records

Christie, Peter and Gahan, Deborah. Barnstaple's Vanished Lace Industry. (1997) [ISBN 1898546215] [Devon FHS Library - 942.35/BAR] [Index]

Grant, Alison. North Devon Pottery: The 17th Century, University of Exeter (1983). [ISBN 0 85989 129 1] (Especially Chapter 2 on Barnstaple.)

Grant, Alison. Pipes and pipemaking in Barnstaple, Devon. In Archaeology of the clay tobacco pipe, Oxford: A.Grant (1985).

Hall, T.M. On Barum tobacco pipes and North Devon clays. Trans Devon. Assoc. vol. 22 (1890) pp. 317-323.) [Index].

Perry, Richard. The Barnstaple clay tobacco pipe factory in the 19th century, North Devon District Council (1989). [ISBN: 0861149416] [Exmouth Library: 688.42]

Terry, Richard. The Barnstaple clay tobacco pipe factory in the nineteenth century, [Barnstaple], [N.D.D.C.R.A.U] [1989] 30p: ill, map, plans. [Westcountry Studies Library: p688.4/BAR/TER]

Strong's Industries Of North Devon (1889), David & Charles reprint 1971. (Especially pages 1-67 and 174-194 on Barnstaple industries: Barnstaple Foundry, Derby Lace Factory, Pilton Glove Factory, Barum Ware Pottery, Raleigh Cabinet Works.)

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Cemeteries

MIs for the parish church (St Peter) are included in the Incledon index, those for Holy Trinity in the NDA North Devon index - see under Cemeteries on the main Devon page.

Barnstaple, cemetery records - Burials, 1856-1858, MSS images, provided by LDS Family Search.

Chanter, J.R. Memorials Descriptive and Historical, of the Church of St Peter, Barnstaple, with its other ecclesiastical antiquities, and an account of the conventual church of St Mary Magdalene, recently discovered. Barnstaple, H.A. Foyster (c1882). [Index]

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Census

An 1803 census of Barnstaple is to be found in the North Devon Record Office (NDRO 3054A/PC1).

Ships in port at the 1881 Census, in Barnstaple, Ilfracombe and Northam, by Bob Sanders.

Residents of Barnstaple Union Workhouse, at the 1881 Census, by Peter Higginbotham

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Church History

Chanter, J.R.. Cluniac Houses in Devon - A Visitation of the Province in 1279. Trans. Devon. Assoc. Vol XX, (1888), pp. 383-390. [St. James at Exeter and St Mary Magdalene at Barnstaple] [Index]

Freeman, Edward V. Peter's pence, Exeter Diocesan Architectural and Archaeological Society (3 ser.) Trans., vol. 2, (1907) pp.132-141. [Barnstable Archdeaconry church dues]

Graham, Rose. The Cluniac Priory of Saint-Martin des Champs, Paris, and its dependent priories in England and Wales. J. of the British Archaeological Assoc. 3rd ser. 11 (1948) pp.35-39.

H, A.E. Puritan Divines. Devon & Cornwall Notes and Queries vol. VI, (January 1910 to October 1911), p.168. [Transcript]

Reed, Harbottle (sec.). Second Report of the Committee on Church Plate. Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. XXXIX, (1907), illus. pp. 110-130. [Index]

Wainwright, T. Silenced Barnstaple Ministers. Devon Notes and Queries 2 (1902-3) pp.151-152. [Index]

Eds. Restoration of Ancient Chasuble to Barnstaple Church. Devon & Cornwall Notes and Queries vol. VI, (January 1910 to October 1911), illus. p.105. [Transcript]

Barnstaple Methodist Church. Centenary brochure, 1876-1976, Barnstaple, [The Church?] [1976?]]12 pp. [Westcountry Studies Library: p287.1/BAR/BAR]

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Church Records

Parish Registers going back to 1538 are held in the Devon Record Office.

Transcripts of the Parish Registers going back to 1538 are held in a special collection in the Westcountry Studies Library.

The Devon FHS publishes indexes covering (as of June 2004): Baptisms 1813-1839, Marriages 1754-1837, Burials 1813-1837 - for details see their Devon Parish List.

Bideford Methodist Circuit baptisms (1819 -1870) transcribed by David Carter. (Contains entries from the following parishes: Abbotsham, Allington, Alverdiscott, Alwington, Appledore, Arlington, Barnstaple, Bideford, Buckland Brewer, Bucks Mills, Burrington, Chulmleigh, Clovelly, Fremington, Frithelstock, Great Torrington, Hatherleigh, Huntshaw, Ilfracombe, Instow, Landcross, Little Torrington, Littleham, Loxhore, Marystowe, Monkleigh, Newton Tracey, Northam, Parkham, South Molton, St Giles in the Wood, Wear Giffard, Westleigh, Woolfardisworthy.)

Other churches and chapels (with pre-1840 records):

  • Ebenezer (Baptist) Chapel, Vicarage Lane: Registers for 1821-37 (C) in PRO RG 4/953
  • Congregational Chapel, Cross Street: Registers for 1701-68 (ZC), 1777-837 in PRO RG 4/68, 513, 952, 2026 (Later records at NDRO)
  • Wesleyan Circuit: Registers for 1807-37 (ZC) in PRO RG 4/952, 1837-1880 (C) at NDRO; 1811-37 (C) also with Bideford, Brixham, Tiverton records (PRO RG 4/955, 842, 342)
  • Barnstaple Poor Law Union Workhouse: Registers for 1837-1913 (Z), 1914-48 (D) at NDRO

Entered into the IGI (as of Jan 1993): Parish Church Chr & Mar 1538-1812, Cross St Independent Chapel Chr 1701-1837, Ebenezer Vicarage Lane Baptist Chapel Chr 1819-1837, Wesleyan Chapel Chr 1807-1837

Chanter, J.F. Vestiges of an Early Guild of St Nicholas at Barnstaple. Trans. Devon Assoc. 11 (1879) pp191-212. [Index] [Includes list of 14th century names]

Chanter, J.F. The Parish Clerks of Barnstaple, Trans. Devon Assoc. 36 (1904) pp.390-414. [Index]

Chanter, J. Frederick. Records of archdeaconry of Barnstaple, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, vol. 3, no. 4, (1904) pp.127-128.

Christie, P. Of Chirch-Reves, and of Testamentes: The Church, sex and slander in Elizabethan North Devon, Devon Family History Society (1994) 138 pp. (Transcription of "a volume containing numerous depositions (sworn statements of witnesses presented at the [Barnstaple] Archdeaconry Court), written largely in English and covering the period 1570 to 1590".)

Cotton, R.W. Wainwright MSS. In Fourth Report of the Committee on Devonshire Records. Trans. Devon. Assoc. 1892, Vol XXIV, pp. 68-69. [Transcript]

Harper, Joseph. The Barnstaple Parish Register [1539-1837]. Trans. Devon. Assoc. vol. 27 (1895) pp.362- 373. [Index]

Wainwright, Thos. (ed.). Barnstaple Parish Register of Baptisms Marriages and Burials 1538 A.D. to 1812 A.D. Exeter: James G.Commin (1903) [8], 234, [2], 182p. [Scanned copy]

Westover, L. and Snow, D.R. Index to the Barnstaple parish register of baptisms, marriages, and burials 1538-1812, Utah, Brigham Young Univ. (1990). [North Devon Athenaeum: D929.3/BAR]

Cross Street Congregational Church baptisms & communicants, 1701 -1836, Manuscript 58 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: D929/BAR]

St. Mary Magdalene's, Barnstaple. The register of baptisms, 1846-1974, Typescript (1978) 208 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: D929.3/BAR]

St. Mary Magdalene's, Barnstaple. The register of burials, 1846-1963, Typescript (1984) 75 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: D929.3/BAR]

St. Mary Magdalene's, Barnstaple. The register of marriages, 1846-1977, Typescript (1978) 64 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: D929.3/BAR]

St Peter's, Barnstaple. The register of baptisms, 1813-1979, Typescript (19--) 100 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: D929.3/BAR]

St Peter's, Barnstaple. The register of burials, 1813-1962, Typescript (19--) 134 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: D929.3/BAR]

St Peter's, Barnstaple. The register of marriages, 1813-1957, Typescript (19--) 49 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: D929.3/BAR]

Deanery of Barnstaple - Baptisms 1813-1839, Marriages 1754-1837 and Burials 1813-1837 - CD-ROM, Exeter, Devon FHS (2005). [Index of Atherington: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1800-1837), Barnstaple: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1837), Bishops Tawton: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1837), Chittlehampton: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1837), Filleigh: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1837), Fremington: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1837), High Bickington: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1837), Horwood: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1654-1837), Burials (1675-1837), Huntshaw: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1837), Instow: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1837), Landkey: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1837), Newton Tracey: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1570-1837), Burials (1725-1837), Pilton: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1837), Swimbridge: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1837), Tawstock: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1837), Westleigh: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1839), Yarnscombe: Baptisms (1813-1839), Marriages (1754-1837), Burials (1813-1838)

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Correctional Institutions

Bhanji, Sadru. Barnstaple’s Victorian Underclass. Prisoners’ Photographs 1867-77, Mint Press (2024) 148 pp. [ISBN 9781903356807]

Davy, A.J. Barnstaple prison, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, vol. 2, no. 3, (1902) pp.91.

Gray, Todd. The Victorian Underclass of Barnstaple, Devon Family Historian, no. 188, (2023) p.34. [Lists the names of over a hundred people arrested in Barnstaple between 1867 and 1877, whose photographs are to be featured in an exhibition in early 2024 at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon - see Bhanji (2024).]

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Court Records

Transcriptions of the depositions in the 1877 trial of William Hussell for murder, by Peter Heal and Jon Frayne.

Transcription and translation of Carder v Chichester (Barnstaple Quarter Sessions 26 May 1679) by Desmond Painter.

 

Doe, G. Witchcraft. In Ninth Report of the Committee on Devonshire Folk-Lore Trans. Devon Assoc., vol. XVIII, (1886), pp. 104-105. [Transcript]

 

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Description & Travel

Barnstaple Town Centre Management general web-site (archived copy).

Section on Barnstaple  from Samuel Lewis: A Topographical Dictionary of England (1831), provided by Mel Lockie.

Cresswell, Beatrix F. Barnstaple and the beauties of North Devon: a handbook for visitors and residents [4th ed.], London, Homeland Association (1915) xxvii, 64p, pl: ill, map. [Westcountry Studies Library: sB/BAR/1915/CRE]

Cresswell, Beatrix F. Barnstaple: the gateway of North Devon (Homeland Handy Guide No.33), London, Homeland Association (1926) viii, 24, 24, xvp:ill, map. [North Devon Athenaeum: DP910BAR/CRE]

Elliott, F.C. Around Barnstaple: Footpath Guides no. 52 [SoG Library DE/L 172]

Gardiner, William Francis. Mate's illustrated Barnstaple, official guide to the Barnstaple Corporation, Bournemouth, W. Mate & Sons (1904) 104 pp. [Westcountry Studies Library: pB/BAR/1904/GAR]

Lauder, Rosemary Anne. Market Towns Of North Devon, Badger Books 1983, ISBN 0 946 290 04 0 (Especially pages 8-20 on Barnstaple.)

Lauder, Rosemary Anne. A tale of two rivers, Bideford, Badger Books (1986) 96p: ill, maps. [Westcountry Studies Library sB/TAW 1/1986/LAU]

Lindsay, Alexander McLowman. Rambles around Barnstaple, with an appendix, Barnstaple, T. Hearson (1865) 48 p. [North Devon Athenaeum: D910BAR/LIN]

Pearson, Cyril Arthur. Pearson's Gossipy Guide to Ilfracombe, Clovelly, Lynton, and Lynmouth, Combmartin, Barnstaple, Westward Ho!, Bideford and the North Devon coast, London, C.A. Pearson & Co. Ltd (c1901) 159 pp. [BM 10358.cc.59]

Pictorial and descriptive guide to Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Bideford, Clovelly, and North-West Devon (9th ed rev.), London, Ward, Lock & Co. Ltd. (1919). [Westcountry Studies Library: sB/BAR/1919/PIC]

Pictorial and descriptive guide to Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, Bideford, Woolacombe, and North-West Devon (10th ed rev.), London, Ward, Lock & Co. Ltd. (1920), xxiii, 40, 24, 40 pp. [Index to Part 1: Pages iii to clxxxvi] [Index to Part 2: Pages 1 to 81]

Barnstaple: the oldest Borough in the kingdom, The gateway to glorious North Devon, (1922) 100 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: D910BAR/BAR]

Official guide and souvenir to Barnstaple 1927, Gloucester, British Publ. Co. (1927). [Westcountry Studies Library: sB/BAR/1927/OFF]

You can see pictures of Barnstaple which are provided by:

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Directories

Transcription of the description and name listing for Barnstaple, with the village of Pilton and neighbourhoods, from Pigot's London and Provincial New Commercial Directory of 1830.

Transcript of the entry in Pigot's Devonshire Directory of 1844.

Transcription of complete description and name listing for Barnstaple, together with Pilton Parish and part of Bishop's Tawton, from White's Devonshire Directory of 1850.

Transcription provided by Val Henderson of the entry (description and names) in Morris and Co's Commercial Directory and Gazetteer of Devonshire 1870.

Transcription, by Jonathan Frayne of the Private Residents and the Commercial sections of Kelly's Directory of Barnstaple and Neighbourhood (1893).

Transcription, by Jonathan Frayne of the Private Residents and the Commercial sections of Kelly's Directory of Barnstaple and Neighbourhood (1941).

Shepperd's almanac and directory, 1910, Barnstaple, W.J. Shepperd (1910) 76 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: D380/SHE]

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Gazetteers

The transcription of the section for this parish from the National Gazetteer (1868), provided by Colin Hinson.

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Genealogy

The Drakes of Barnstaple (archived copy) -"a family that had an important association with this North Devon township for at least two centuries"

Our Cawseys – An Unruly Nineteenth Century Barnstaple family - by David Cawsey

Alexander, J.J. Early barons of Torrington and Barnstaple. Trans. Devon. Assoc. 73, 1941, pp. 153-79. [Raymond: De Toriton family, 13th c.; De Braose and De Tracy families, 11-13th c.]

Barnard, Sylvia M. Depraved in Devon: crime, policing, punishment and a nineteenth century family, Words@Woodmere, 2 North Park Road, Leeds, LS8 1JD (2003). [ISBN 0-9539781-1-7] [James Heal, and family]

Berry, Oscar de la Tour. De la Tour Family. Devon & Cornwall Notes and Queries vol. IX, (January 1916 to January 1917), p. 203. [Transcript]

Blackburn, June. Thomas Holloway, Devon Family Historian, no. 151, (2014) p.38.

Cawsey, David. British Newspaper Archive (archived copy), Devon Family Historian, vol. 142, (2012) pp.10-12. [Results of searching for articles related to Ellen Cawsey and her family.]

Dennys, Nicholas. Nicholas Dennys, M.P. for Barnstaple, 1660-1678, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 23 1947-9, pp. 116-8 & 145-51. [16-17th c.]

Dodderidge, Sidney E. Pedigree of Dudderigge alias Dodderidge, of Dotheridge, South Molton, and Barnstaple, Co. Devon, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, vol. 3, no. 5, (1905) pp.166-169. [Index]

Donaldson, Eleanor. Jeremiah Donoghue, Barnstaple, Devon Family Historian, vol. 173, (2020) pp.42-43.

Downe, H. A booke of memoryall made by me Henry Downe of Barnestaple, merchant, the viii daye of June . . . 1561, Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica 3rd series 1, 1896, pp. 196-200. [Downe and Hanmer families.]

Folland, Charles French. Family matters: a typed copy of memoirs. Typescript [1994] [1], 45 leaves. [Westcountry Studies Library - px929.2/FOL] [Emigrants to Australia. 1814-1910]

Fontaine, James. A history of the family of the Fontaines. Manuscript [photocopy] (1825) 313 leaves. [Westcountry Studies Library - sf929.2/FON]

Fontaine, James. The memoirs of a Huguenot family: transcribed from the original journals of James Fontaine. Bungay: Morrow (1986) 248p: ill. [ISBN 0948903007]

Gardiner, H.W. A cursory view of the lives of the Rev. Jonathan Hanmer, A.M. and the Rev. John Hanmer, A.M. and the times in which they lived .. Barnstaple: J.Avery (1828) [2], 45p. [Westcountry Studies Library - p929.2/HAN]

Gribble, Michael de G. Canon Courtenay's Coachman Joseph Gribble and his family, Australia, Peacock Publishers (2011) 82 pp. [ISBN 978-1-921601-41-5] [DFHS Library B/GRI]

Harper, Margery. Dr. Richard Harper of Barnstaple: a short account of his life and work, based on his journals, by his wife, Privately printed (1983) viii, 71p, plates. [North Devon Athenaeum: D92/HAR]

Marshall, James C. Rashleigh of Devon, Devon Notes and Queries Volume IV, Part VI, April 1907, pp. 201-215. ["most probably descended from John Bray, alias Raysshelegh, or Rashleigh, of Barnstaple, temp. Rich. II"] [Transcript]

Meyers, Karl. John Williams: A Cry for Help, Devon Family Historian, vol. 168, (2018) p.42.

Murray, O.A.R. Christmas Family. Devon & Cornwall Notes and Queries vol. VI, (January 1910 to October 1911), pp. 210-212. [Transcript]

Pedder, J.M. The Miller family in the 19th. century and the Derby lace factory, Barnstaple, Typescript (198-) 18 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: DMSS/746/PED]

R., H. Barbor of Barnstaple, Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset 4, 18945, 376-8. See also 5, 1897-8, pp. 31.

Snetzler, Marjorie F. The elopment, Devon Family Historian 76, 1995, pp. 3-8. [Raymond: Rafarel family of Exeter, Barnstaple, etc., includes pedigree, 19th c.]

Vicary, Ian S. Vickery Photographers of Barnstaple, Devon Family Historian, no. 153, (2015) pp.20-21.

Williams, Francis. Ancestors . . . and Ancestors, Devon Family Historian, vol. 180, no. (2021) pp.8-9.[(Mainly) on Rendell]

Gribble Annals 3: family letters. Highclere: Plantagenet Productions, 1992, c.1870-1940.

Gribble Annals 4: Kinships: Gribbles of Barnstaple from church records and the researches of H E Gribble. Newbury: Plantagenet Prods. (1994) 86p: tables. [19th c., includes pedigree.] [Westcountry Studies Library - s929.2/GRI]

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History

Account of the history of the town, from Barnstaple Town Council web-site.

History of Barnstaple Castle (archived copy) - David Nash Ford

Adams, Oscar Fay. Our English Parent Towns: Barnstaple. New England Historical and Genealogical Register vol. 57 (1903) pp. 59-61 [With extensive notes on Barnstaple's records by Walter Kendall Watkins.]

Allfrey, Toni, and Gaydon, Tina. Barnstaple and all that. Barnstaple: Fair Oak, 1984, 43 pp. ill., maps, 1 plan ; 21 cm. ISBN: 0947842004 (pbk).

Barnard, Sylvia M. Depraved in Devon, Words @ Woodmere, 2 North Park Road, leeds. [ISBN 0 9539781 17]

Barnstaple Town Council. The borough of a thousand years, 930-1930. Barnstaple: North Devon Jrnl (1930) 58p, plates: ill. [Westcountry Studies Library - sB/BAR/0001/BOR] [Index]

Barrow, Pat. Knights of Raleigh Manor, Pilton, Barnstaple, Bideford, Lazarus Press (Edward Gaskell Publishers) (2002) 264 pp. [ISBN: 1898546401]

Bartlett, Tom. Postcard Views of North Devon, Volume II - Barnstaple & Around, Bideford, Badger Books (1988) 88p. [ISBN 0 946290 17 2]

Bartlett, Tom. Postcard Views of North Devon, Volume IV - Barnstaple & Around II, Berrynarbor, Tower Books (1999). [ISBN 1 900027 02 X]

Baxter, Julia & Jonathan. Barnstaple yesterday: over 160 photographs of Barnstaple from the 1860s onwards. Bristol: H.J. Chard (1980) 1 vol: chiefly ill. [IBN 0950733008] [Lookups]

Blackwell, A.E. The North Devon Athenaeum at Barnstaple. Trans. Devon. Assoc. 93 (1961) pp.174- 183.

Boggis, R.J.E.A History of the Parish and Church of St Mary Magdalene, Barnstaple, Canterbury, 1913, 204 pp. [Index]

Bone, Michael. Barnstaple's Industrial Archaeology, University of Exeter 1973, [ISBN 0 9501778 3 0]

Brown, G.A., Prideaux, J.D.C. and Radcliffe, H.G. The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, (1980) 134 p.

Chanter, J F. Charles, Prince of Wales, at Barnstaple [1645], and his hostess [Grace Beaple]. Trans. Devon. Assoc. vol. 49 (1917) pp. 389-396. [Index]

Chanter, J R. An Exchequer Tally: A Barnstaple Record of 1622. Trans. Devon. Assoc. vol. 12 (1880), pp. 476-482. [Index]

Chanter, John Roberts. Sketches of some striking incidents in the history of Barnstaple. Barnstaple: E.J.Arnold (1865) 51p, [2]: map. [Westcountry Studies Library] [Index]

Chanter, John Roberts. Sketches of the Literary History of Barnstaple: Being the substance of A Series of Papers read at the Literary Institution, Barnstaple. To which is added the Diary of Philip Wyot, Town Clerk of Barnstaple, from 1586 to 1608, Barnstaple, (1866) 129 pp. [Index]

Cotton, R.W. Barnstaple and the Northern part of Devonshire during the great Civil War, Chilworth and London, Unwin Bros., 1889.

Cotton, Richard W. Commercial history of Barnstaple [1434-1866], Ms. (1899) 42 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: D900BAR/COT]

Edwards, Henry J. Notes on the musical history of Barnstaple, Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 49, (1917) pp.283-295. [Index]

Gardiner, W.F. Barnstaple, 1837-1897, Barnstaple, Ralph Allan (1897) [6], 250p, plates: ill. [Westcountry Studies Library: B/BAR/1837/GAR]

Gribble, Joseph Besly. Barnstaple: Being an attempt to supply the want of a history to that ancient town. Barnstaple: North Devon Journal Office (1830) Map, illus. 197 pp. [Preface] [Index]

Gribble, Joseph Besly. Memorials of Barnstaple. Bideford: Lazarus Publishing (1994) xxx, 454, 16p: ill, map. (Reprint of ed. originally publ in 2 vol., 1830) [Full Text of 1830 edition]

Harper, Sydney. History of Barnstaple for boys and girls: past and present. Barnstaple: Sydney Harper (1911) 160p: ill, map. [Westcountry Studies Library - B/BAR/0001/HAR]

Haslett, SK and Bryant, EA, The AD 1607 coastal flood in the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary: Historical records from Devon and Cornwall (UK), Archaeology in the Severn Estuary, 15, 2004, 81-89. ["Damage included houses 'overthrown and sunk' at Appledore and a number destroyed at Barnstaple where there are three named fatalities."] [Full text] [TV Documentary]

Lamplugh, Lois. Barnstaple, town on the Taw. Chichester, Sussex: Phillimore, 1983, xv, 174 pp., [16] pp. of plates: ill., maps. ISBN: 0850334888.

Layley, Charles G. A history of the parishes of Bishops Tawton and Newport, Barnstaple. Newport: Newport & Bishops Tawton PC (1985) 32p: ill.

Newcombe, Richard. Sad Case of Drowning at Barnstaple, Devon Family Historian, vol. 137, (2011) pp.9-10. [George Edward Hancock, d. 1896]

North Devon Civic Society. Brief notes on the history and a guide to the borough of Barnstaple. [Barnstaple]: [The Society] [1981] 16p: ill, map. [Westcountry Studies Library - pB/BAR/0001/NOR]

Oliver, Bruce W. The Castle of Barnstaple, Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 60, (1928) pp.217-223.

Oliver, W. Bruce. Barnstaple Borough, Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 62, (1930) pp.269-273.

Oliver, Bruce W. The long bridge of Barnstaple, Trans. Devon. Assoc., vols. 70 (1938) pp.193-197, 78, (1946) pp.177-191.

Oliver, Bruce W. The Three Tuns, Barnstaple, Trans. Devon. Assoc., v. 80 (1948) pp.147-158: ill. [Very detailed account of the history of the inn, 1415-1948.]

Pickard, Denis. A short history of Newport or Bishop's Newport (Newport Episcopi), [Newport], D. Pickard (1995) 28 pp. [Westcountry Studies Library: pB/BAR/0001/PIC]

Rogers, W.H. Barnstaple turnpike trust, Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 74, (1942) pp.139-167.

Richards, William. A short account of the past and present history of Newport, its borough, church and parish, Barnstaple, S. Harper (1920) 23 pp. [Westcountry Studies Library: sB/BAR/0001/RIC]

[Skilton, Sally]. Uncle Len and the Barnstaple Cinemas, Devon Family Historian, vol. 163, (2017) pp.22-23.

Slinn, Judy A. Pills and pharmaceuticals: A.H. Cox & Co. Limited 1839-1989, Barnstaple, Arthur H. Cox (1989) 78p: ill. [Westcountry Studies Library: s615.106/BAR/SLI]

Smith, Margaret. The effects of plague in Barnstaple in the middle of the 17th century, Typescript (1999) 12 pp. [Barnstaple Library: 614.4/BAR/SMI]

Stone, Avril. The Book of Barnstaple (Vol. 1): Memories of a Coastal Market Town, Tiverton, Halsgrove Press (2002) 160 pp. [ISBN: 1841141461] [Index]

Stone, Avril. The Book of Barnstaple (Vol. 2) From Coronation to Millennium, Tiverton, Halsgrove Press (2003) 144 p. [ISBN: 1841142239] [Index]

Wainwright, Thomas. Barnstaple, a Mint town in Anglo-Saxon and early Norman times, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, vol. 2, no. 2, (1902) pp.60-61.

Wood, Maureen. Us be Goin' to Barnstaple Fair: A glimpse into the history of Barnstaple Great Fair, Bideford, Lazarus Press (Edward Gaskell Publishers) (2001) 96 pp. [ISBN: 1-898546-50-9]

Wyatt, Adam. The lost chronicle of Barnstaple 1586-1611 (ed. Todd Gray), Devonshire Association (1998) xiv, 118p: ill, maps. [ISBN: 0852140630] [Westcountry Studies Library: sB/BAR/1586/WYA] [Full text]

Barnstaple yesterday: over 160 photographs of Barnstaple from the 1860's onwards. Bristol: H.J. Chard, 1980, [91] pp. chiefly ill., map ; 25 cm. ISBN: 0950733008

Memoranda relating to Barnstaple and North Devon. Manuscript (1853-) 1 vol. [Westcountry Studies Library - sB/BAR/1853/MEM]

Barnstaple Rugby Football Club, 1877-1977, [Barnstaple], The Club (1977) [48]p, plates. [North Devon Athenaeum: DP796BAR/BAR]

Fire, Ice, Wind and Water, Devon Family Historian, vol. 64, (1992) p.24. [Remarks about bad weather and fires at Barnstaple, transcribed from the Baptisms Register (1598-1612)]

Francis Frith's Around Barnstaple, Tiverton, Halsgrove Press (1999) 90 pp. [ISBN 1859370845] [Lookups]

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Land & Property

Rent Roll of the Corporation of Barnstaple 1652/3, transcribed by Jonathan Frayne.

Bailey, Sean. Spotlight on Barnstaple. Devon Life vol. 1 no. 7, (1965) pp.11-16; ill.

Campbell, Fiona. Barnstaple, the regional centre. Devon Life vol. 5 no. 33, (1968) pp.36-39; ill.

George, Eric A. Barnstaple - North Devon's friendly resort. Devon Life vol. 9 no. 68 (1972) pp.26-31; ill.

S., J.W. Grant of lands etc. in Winkleigh to the churches of Winkleigh and Barnstaple. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 10:8, (1919) pp.308-311.

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Manors

Alexander, J.J. Early barons of Torrington and Barnstaple, Trans. Devon. Assoc. (1941) [Westcountry Studies Library: p929.7/GRE/ALE U] [Lords of the manor]

Layley, Charles. G. The Lords of Barnstaple and Tawstock. Tawstock: Tawstock PCC (1983) 32p: ill. [Westcountry Studies Library - p333.322/BAR/LAY]

Reichel, Oswald J. Barnstaple and its three sub-manors part of the inland hundred of Braunton, Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 49, (1917) pp.376-388. [Index]

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Maps

Map of the area from OldeMaps (circa 1950).

OS 1:500 1885 Town Plan of Barnstaple, provided by the National Library of Scotland. (The plan consists of 25 sheets - to examine an individual sheet select the appropriate extent in the little grid covering Barnstaple and click on "Zoom to selected map extent.)"

Gray, Todd. Barnstaple, 1640-1670: Richard Newcourt's Map. Mint Press (2022) 200p. [ISBN-13 ‏: ‎ 978-1903356777]

 

View a map of the boundaries of this town/parish.

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SS558332 (Lat/Lon: 51.07995, -4.059971), Barnstaple which are provided by:

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Merchant Marine

Petition by Merchants of Bideford and Barnstaple 1706 requesting Navy support in their Newfoundland fisheries.

Petition by Merchants of Bideford and Barnstaple 1707 requesting fortification at Ferriland, for the Newfoundland fisheries.

Barnestaple Mariners, a detailed listing of records naming early Newfoundland traders from Barnstaple, by Thomas Cole.

Petition by Merchants of Bideford and Barnstaple 1726 related to Newfoundland fisheries and the activities of Governor Samuel Gledhill of Placentia.

Barnstaple and Bideford's Dispute over the Status of Appledore (1722), transcribed by David Carter.

Port Books for 1570, 1575-1576, 1577-78, 1578-79, 1579-80, 1580, 1581-82, 1582-83, 1584, 1588-89, 1590-91, 1595-1596, 1606, 1611, 1616, 1617, 1628, 1640, 1647, 1661, 1672, 1680 , 1705 and 1745, provided by David Carter.

Cotton, R W. An Expedition Against Pirates. Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 18 (1886). pp. 184-196. [Index]

Dunstan, G.J.O. The seaborne trade of Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe 1660-1700, Thesis, Cambridge University (1972) 61p: ill, maps. [Westcountry Studies Library: sx380.1/DEV/DUN]

Grant, Alison. Some Barnstaple sailing ships of the mid-nineteenth century, Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 103, (1971)

Jenkins, Rhys. Piracy from a Barnstaple ship in 1584, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, vol. 12, no. 7, (1923) pp.326-327.

Lomax, J. The shipping of old Barnstaple [1330-1880], Devon Life, vol. 2, no. 19, (1966) pp.30-31; ill.

Nix, M. A Maritime History of the Ports of Bideford and Barnstaple. Ph.D. Thesis, Univesity of Leicester (1991), 527p. [WCSL 387/BID/NIX]

Rogers, Inkerman. The pressgang in North Devon during the Commonwealth, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, vol. 13, no. 3, (1924) pp.121-126.

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Military History

Rowe, John. The trained band of Barnstaple, 1569-1715, Typescript (1987) 5 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: DMSS/355/BAR]

Rowe, John. The cavalry barracks at Barnstaple, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, vol. 36, no. 4, (1988) pp.121-127.

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Names, Personal

Names from an 1822-23 edition of Pigot's Directory.

A 17th century Barnstaple Muster Roll, from Jomathan Frayne.

The 1641 Protestation Return for Barnstaple, provided by Debbie Kennett and Jonathan Frayne.

Transcription of an Address to the King, printed in the London Gazette in 1775, naming 150 signatories, by Lindsey Withers.

Recorder of Barnstaple - a Wikipedia article providing biographical information about some of the thirty-one recorders (1510-1791) given in a framed list in the Barnstaple mayor's Parlour. (A photograph of this list is included.)  

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1832. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1833. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1834. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1835. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1836. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1837. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1838. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1839. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1840. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1841. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1842. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1843. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1844. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1845. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1846. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1847. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1848. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1849. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1853. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1855. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1882-1883. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1883-1884. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Freemen Of Barnstaple - 1884-1885. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Capital & Common Burgesses Of Barnstaple - Undated. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Burgesses Of Barnstaple - 1774. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Barnstaple Burgesses Capital & Common - 1780. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Burgesses Of Barnstaple - 1790. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Burgesses Of Barnstaple - 1816. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Capital & Common Burgesses Of Barnstaple - 1820 - 1824. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Capital & Common Burgesses Of Barnstaple - 1826. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Burgesses Of Barnstaple - 1830. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

Capital & Common Burgesses Of Barnstaple - 03 May 1831. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

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Newspapers

Index to the Barnstaple entries in the The London Gazette (1685-1850), and listing of Barnstaple newspapers, by Jonathan Frayne.

North Devon Journal Heritage album, Barnstaple, North Devon J. (1999) 64 pp. [Barnstaple Library: 070 /BN/NOR] [175 years of reporting local events]

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Occupations

History of Brannam's pottery and its owners, by James Brannan (archived copy).

Public Houses in Barnstaple 1837-1897, by Jonathan Frayne.

Benson, Caroline. What can we learn of the occupation structure of Barnstaple in the last decade of the 18th century ..., Barnstaple, C. Benson [1996] 34 pp. [Barnstaple Library: 929.3331/BAR/BEN]

Brannam, Peter. A Family business: the story of a pottery, Barnstaple, Peter Brannam (1982) [6], 137p: ill. [Westcountry Studies Library: 738.3/BAR/BRA]

Chanter, J.F. The Barnstaple goldsmiths' guild, with some notes on the early history of the town, Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 49, (1917) pp. 163-189. [Index]

Charbonnier, T. Notes on North Devon pottery of the 17th, 18th and 19th cent. Trans. Devon. Assoc. 38 (1906) [Index]

Grant, Allison. Stopping up the Market Place: Crock Street and Barnstaple's Potters in the Seventeenth Century. In Devon Documents (ed. T. Gray). Tiverton: Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, Special Issue (1996) [ISBN 0925836203] pp.86-88.

Harper, Sydney. The history of the drama in Barnstaple, Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 49, (1917) pp.416-428. [Index]

Kent, Timothy Arthur. Barnstaple silver and its makers, London, J.H. Bourdon-Smith Ltd (1995) 34p: ill pp. [ISBN: 0952042517] [Westcountry Studies Library: s739.23/BAR/KEN]

Snetzler, Marjorie F. Mass walkout by doctors, Devon Historian, vol. 34, (1987) pp.7-12: ill. [North Devon Infirmary Industrial dispute, 1831-1832]

Thomas, S.E. The Barnstaple pewterers [1343-1820], Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 103, (1971)

Barnstaple Borough Apprentice Register 1767-1811. [Devon]: Devon Family History Society (2013). [Foreword]

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Politics & Government

Listing of the Mayors of Barnstaple 1303-1929, compiledby Jonathan Frayne.

Drake, Daphne. Barnstaple Members of Parliament. Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 71 (1939) pp. 249-265, vol. 72 (1941) 251-264, vol. 73 (1941) pp. 181-193, vol. 74 (1942) pp. 169-172.

Roberts, John. Reflections on Elizabethan Barnstaple: politics and society, Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 104, (1972)

Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the existence of corrupt practices in the Borough of Barnstaple, London, HMSO (1854) xxii, 516 pp. [Westcountry Studies Library: sx324.27/BAR/REP]

Members of Parliament for Barnstaple, 1295-1884 compiled from the writs and returns in the PRO, Typescript (1939) 46 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: D900BAR/MEM]

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Poor Houses, Poor Law

Barnstaple Poor Law Union, from the Workhouse website.

Akers, Rosemary. The story of the Barnstaple Bridewell and Dornat's Mineral Water Factory, North Devon Community Publs. (1991) 13p: ill. [ISBN: 0951883909] [Westcountry Studies Library: p362.5/BAR/AKE]

Barrett, Rachel J.A. What effect did the new Poor Law of 1834 ... in Barnstaple, Manuscript (1989) [67]p: ill, plan pp. [Barnstaple Library: 362.58/BAR/BAR]

Newton, Robert. The Barnstaple election of July, 1852, Devon Historian, vol. 21, (1980) pp.2-6.

Pile, Kay. A study of ... Barnstaple Union Workhouse from 1837 to 1856, Manuscript (1989) [67]p: map, plan pp. [Barnstaple Library: 362.58/BAR/PIL]

Barnstaple's historic almshouses, Barnstaple, West Country Publ. [1955?] 8p: ill. [Westcountry Studies Library: p362.615/BAR/BAR]

The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, vol. 112, (2004) pp.32-34. [On Newton Abbot and Barnstaple Workhouses]

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Probate Records

Wills of Elizabeth Burgacott [Burzacott?] (1810) and Richard Symons (1810), transcribed by Janet Few.

Wills of Andrew Carder (1719) and Mary Carder (1726), transcribed by Desmond Painter.

Summary of will of Roger Worthe (1565), provided by Edna Marlow.

Admon for Walter Hearder (1626/7), provided by Ian Hearder.

Wills of Robert Rowley (1710), Margaret Harvey (1742), John Light (1769), Sarah Beavis (1772), John Wickey (1833) and Jemima Roberts (1834), transcribed by Ros Dunning.

The wills of John Fraine (1767), John Fraine (1785) and Joseph Fraine (1801), transcribed by Jonathan Frayne.

The will of John Hewish (1851), transcribed by Pam Simons.

The inventory of Joseph Fraine (1692) transcribed by Jonathan Frayne.

Lega-Weekes, Ethel. A Barnstaple merchant's inventory in the fifteenth century, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, vol. 3, no. 3, (1904) pp.86-89. [John Hawkin]

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Public Records

Chanter, J.R. and T. Wainwright. Reprint of the Barnstaple Records (2 vols.) A.E. Barnes, Barnstaple (1900). [Lookups ] [Index to vol 1] [Index to vol. 2]

Harper, Joseph. Barnstaple registers (chiefly medical), Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 31, (1899) pp.298-304.

Hopper, A.E. Copy of a grant of freedom [to James Berry] of the borough and parish of Barnstaple, in the county of Devon, 1787, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, vol. 10, no. 2, (1918) pp.63-64.

Jeaffreson, John Cordy. Manuscripts Belonging to the Corporation of the Borough of Barnstaple. In Historical Records Commission, 9th Report (1883) pp.203-216.

Rogers, W.H. Barnstaple Turnpike Trust. Trans. Devon Assoc. 74 (1943) pp.139-147. [Raymond: Includes lists of officers and trustees, early 19th c.]

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Schools

Johnston, Charles. St Anne's Chapel - The Grammar School, Barnstaple. Trans. Devon Assoc. vol. 2 (1888), (1867-1868), pp. 114-123. [Index]

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Social Life & Customs

Chanter, J.R. Rush Rings. In Sixth Report of the Committee on Scientific Memoranda. Trans. Devon Assoc., 1881, Vol XIII, pp. 69-71. [Transcript]

Youings, Joyce. Tudor Barnstaple: new life for an ancient borough, Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 121, (1989) pp. 1-14.[Social conditions 1540-1600]

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Societies

Barnstaple Freemasons - history  of the Lodge of Good Intention.

H, J . Barnstaple Mechanics’ Institute, Devon Notes & Queries, vol. I, (January 1900 to January 1901), p. 200. [Transcript]

Lang, Chris. Pixies in Barnstaple, Devon Family Historian, vol. 164, (2017) pp.24-29. [Based mainly on an article, in the North Devon Journal March 22 1906, about the Barumites in London Society.]

Pook, T. A History of the [Freemasons] Lodge from its foundation, 1783 to 1933, Barnstaple, N. Devon Herald (1933) 33 pp. [North Devon Athenaeum: D900BAR/POO]]