The Diocese of Exeter in 1821

Bishop Carey's replies to queries before Visitation, Vol.II Devon.
Parish of Bideford

Published by Devon & Cornwall Record Society, New Series Vol.4, page 2

Transcribed by David Carter 2022

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Q1) What number of families have you in your Parish?
A) I should imagine about 700

Q2) Have you any Papists or Dissenters? If the latter, what Kind or Denomination? What Teachers of each are there resident in your Parish, or occasion ally visiting it? Are they licensed? What Places have they of public Meeting, licensed, or others?
A) No Papists – Presbyterians and Methodists. There is a resident dissenting Minister; the Methodists are occasionally visited by Teachers, & sometimes preach amongst themselves. I imagine the Presbyterian Minister is licensed. I know nothing of the Methodist. There is a Presbyterian Meeting House & a Methodist Chapel, both I have heard are licensed. No others.

Q3) Do you reside on your Benefice, and in the proper House of Residence? It not, assign the Reason.
A) I reside in my Parsonage House.

Q4) If you do not reside, Have you a Curate resident, And is he licensed? What is his Salary? If you have any Lecturer, What is his name?
A) No Curate. No Lecturer.

Q5) If you have any more Benefices than one, What is it? By whom is it served? Is the Curate thereof resident, And is he licensed? And if Non Resident, what is the reason thereof, and where does he reside? And what is his Stipend?
A) Yes. The Vicarage of Abbotsham. By the Revd N. Mill Rector of Littleham; he is duly licensed. He resides on his own Rectory; his stipend is thirty pounds per Annum.

Q6) Do you perform Divine Service at any Church besides your own? And where?
A) I do not anywhere.

Q7) Is Divine Service performed in your Church twice every Lord's Day, with a Sermon in the Morning? If not, state the Reason. And at what Hours?
A) Twice, with a Sermon Morning & Evening. Eleven in the Morning. Three in the Afternoon.

Q8) What Provision is there for the Instruction of Youth in Religion either by public or private Teaching?
A) There is a Sundays School supported by the charity of Subscribers within the Parish.

Q9) How often and at what Times do you Catechise the Youth of your Parish?
A) During Lent and at other Times.

Q10) How often is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered in your Church? And what Number of Communicants have you?
A) Eight Times during the Year. On Easter Day last I had 170, & on the Sunday following about 90.

Q11) Are there any Benefactions for the Use of the Church, or Poor? Under what Management are they? Are they properly applied? Or have you Reason to Suppose that there obtains any Abuse or Fraud respecting them?
A) None of any Consequence. The poor have few pounds only, and they are properly applied.

Q12) Have you any Alm's-Houses, Hospital, or other Charitable Endowment? Are they duly managed according to the direction of their Founders? Have you any Parochial Library? And are the Books properly taken care of?
A) There is a good Workhouse and other Alms Houses, no Hospital; an endowed Grammar School. No Library. All rightly managed.

Q13) Is your House of Residence in good Repair? Are your Church and Chancel also in good Repair? And is your Church-Yard well kept? And have you all Things decent for Divine Service?
A) I have lately repaired House at a great Expence. Church & Chancel in good Repair. Churchyard well kept. All Things decent.

Q14) Have you a Terrier of the Glebe Lands, Houses, etc., according to the Tenor of the 87th Canon? If not, let one be made, and delivered in at the Visitation, properly signed.
A) There is a Terrier.

Q15) Have you any Chapel within your Parish? Who nominates to it? By whom is if served? And with what is it supported?
A) No Chapel.

Q16) If you have met with any particular Difficulties in the Discharge of your Duty; if you have observed any Defects, or Abuses in the Ecclesiastical Discipline of this Diocese, or have any Advice to give, or Proposals to make, by which the Glory of God, and the Honour and Interest of the Church may be promoted, and the Government of this Diocese be better ordered, I desire you freely to communicate your Thoughts to me; and be assured, that a proper Use shall be made of your Suggestions, in order to the Attainment of the Ends proposed by them. It would be a farther Satisfaction if you would write on this Paper the Dates of your Institution or Collation, and your Letters of Priest's Orders.
A) I have great Pleasure in saying I have a most numerous & attentive Congregation & no Difficulty whatever in my Duty. Instituted November 7, 1812. Letters of Priest Orders May 31, 1803. William Walter, Rector of Bideford.
 

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