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BRIDESTOWE
From White's Devonshire Directory of 1850
transcribed by
Neil Stanton
BRIDESTOWE - a neat and improving village, in a pleasant valley near Dartmoor, six miles S.W. of Okehampton, has in its parish 1128 souls, and 5661 acres of land, including Coombe-Ball, Watergate, Fernworthy, Bidlake, many scattered houses, and a large tract of moorland hills, in which are the lead and copper mines of Wheal-Mary, Wheal-Newton, &c. The manors and their resident owners are, Cobham-Wick and Blatchford, J.G. Newton Esq.; and Leawood, S.C. Hamlyn Esq.; but J.M. Woollcombe Esq., the Rev. J. Woollcombe, and many smaller owners, have estates in this parish. Millaton, a handsome mansion, with tasteful grounds, is the seat of J.G. Newton Esq., and was rebuilt about the close of the 17th century, but was much enlarged and beautified some years ago. In the house is a fine museum of stuffed birds &c., and a richly carved oak bedstead of the Elizabethan age. On the site of the ancient domestic chapel some coins of Louis IX. of France were found some years ago. Leawood, the seat of S.C. Hamlyn Esq., is a fine old mansion, which was long the seat of the Calmady family. Cattle fairs are held in the village on the first Wednesday in June and July 29th. The Church (St. Bridget) is a small antique fabric, with a tower and six bells, and several neat monuments. The chancel was rebuilt some years ago. The entrance gate to the churchyard is a fine Norman arch, supposed to be the remains of the original church. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £32. 17s. 11d., and in 1831 at £513, with the curacy of Sourton annexed to it, is in the patronage of the Bishop of Exeter, and incumbency of the Rev. H. Howell, who built the present large and handsome Rectory House, and has 70A. of glebe, and the manor of Bridestowe Sanctuary. The tithes were commuted in 1846 for £317 5s per annum. A field of 3A has been long vested for the reparation of the church. The Baptists and Bible Christians have small chapels here. The National School, established about 10 years ago, is attended by about 200 children.
Brock Betsy vict., Royal Oak
Brownson John H. Schoolmaster
Churchward Henry, Auctioneer, Land Surveyor &c. Stone
Gill and Rundle, Lime Burners
Gould James, Butcher
Hamlyn Shilston Calmady, Esq. Leawood
Hockin Wm Cooper
Howell Rev Hinds, Rectory
Jackman Ric. vict, Fox and Hounds
Linton James and John, masons
Newcombe Wm., courier &c
Newton John Gubbins Esq. Millaton
Palmer James, Brewer and Maltster
Pike John, Shoemaker
Youlden Samuel, millwright, &c
Younge Rd. J. G. vict., White Hart
BLACKSMITHS Alford Wm. Bowford John Coombe Edward Sercombe Samuel CARPENTERS (* Wheelwrights) *Alford Walter Chebb Robert *Shopland James Weekes John SADDLERS Bevan John Joyce James SHOPKEEPERS Coombe John Peard John Rundle John TAILORS Peard John Southcombe Thomas POST OFFICE at J Bowden's | FARMERS Baily Wm. Baker Thomas Ball Geo. Bidlake Ball Wm Mill Batten Daniel Bickle John Bolt John Brook John Brook Phillip Doidge Arthur Ellis Wm. Friend James Hill Wm Hortop Roger Jackman Robert Kennard John Kennard Thomas Lavis Edward Lock Wm. Martin John Mason John Orchard Richard Palmer John Palmer Wm. Rule George Stanbury Wm. Vodden Wm. Yelland David Yelland Wm. |
Brian Randell, 10 May 2003