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Colyton

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"COLYTON is a small market town, built chiefly of flint, on the western side of the small river Coly, about 3 miles north of the English Channel, 5 miles S.W. of Axminster, and 22 miles E. by N. of Exeter. Its parish increased its population from 1641 in 1801, to 2451 souls in 1841; and comprises about 8000 acres of fertile land, including the hamlets of Purlbridge, and Colyford, and many scattered houses. It has a paper mill, a tannery, a brewery, a small foundry, and three corn mills, and formerly had a share of the woollen manufacture. . . . Colyford was made a borough by the lord of the manor, before the reign of Edward I., and was the birthplace of Sir Thomas Gates, governor of Virginia, and discoverer of Bermuda, . . . Sir J.G.R. De La Pole, Bart., of Shute House, owns a great part of the parish, and is lord of the manor of Colyton. . . . The Church (St. Andrew,) is a fine ancient structure, in the perpendicular style, 120 feet long, with a tower in the centre, 95 feet high, containing a musical peal of six bells, and a good clock. In the chancel are several handsome monuments to the Pole and other families. . . . There was anciently a free chapel at Colcombe; a chapel of St. Edmund, at Colyford; and a chapel at Whitford; the two former endowed by an Earl of Devon, and the latter by a Marquis of Exeter. . . ." [From White's Devonshire Directory (1850)]

A parish in Colyton Hundred, under the Peculiar jurisdiction of the Dean and Chapter of Exeter. Colyford is a private chapel of ease, built 1889.

This parish has been the subject of extensive research, involving attempted total "reconstitution" of the families recorded in the parish registers and other records.

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Biography

Editors. Joshua Dixon. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 12:8, (1923) pp.356-357. [From T.D.A., vol.18, p.61.] [Merchant, 1810-1885]

Board, Jim. The River Runs By: A Childhood Remembered With This and That. Pub: J.D. Board, Colyvale, Colyton EX24 6PZ (1999). [Index]

Board, Jim. Did I Really Do All That. Pub: J.D. Board, Colyvale, Colyton EX24 6PZ.

Brooking-Rowe, J. (Ed.) Arthur Lionel de la Pole. [Obituary] . vol. XXXVI, (1904), p. 38. [Transcript]

Davies, Will. Colyton Newtons meet King Henry VIII, Devon Family Historian, no. 188, (2023) p.33. [On John Newton's involvement in the granting of a Charter to Colyton a and the establishment of a Chamber of Feoffees, in 1547.]

Evans, George Eyre. In memoriam William Henry Hamilton Rogers, F.S.A. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 8:1, (1914) pp.1-2, plates: port. [Local historian, 1828-1913]

Fletcher, David. Scoundrel in the Family, Devon Family Historian, vol. 174, (2020) pp.29-30. [Lawrence Hill (1835-1905)]

Jones, Andrew T.H. My war-time diary 1942-45: a sapper's worm's eye view, Barnstaple, Aycliffe Press (1992?) 63 p. [Westcountry Studies Library p940.5481/GEN/JON]

Roberts, George, (Ed.). Diary of Walter Yonge Esq., Justice of the Peace and M.P. for Honiton: Written at Colyton and Axminster, Co. Devon, From 1604 to 1628, Camden Society, Printed by J.B. Nichols and Son (1848) 124 pp. [Index]

Rogers, W.H.H. Howberhayne, Colyton: reminiscences of, ancient and modern. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 2:6, (1903) pp.174-176. [Index]

Skinner, A.J.P. Anstis and Colyton. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 4:1, (1906) pp.13-15. [Refers to vol.3, p.238. See also vol.4, p.191. [Index]

Skinner, A.J.P. George Rhodes, Vicar of Colyton, 1782-1798. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 5:1, (1908) pp.11-12. [Refers to Cresswell, B.F., Exeter Churches, D.C.N.Q., (1908), p.39.] [Clergy, 1744-1798]

Skinner, A.J.P. Thomas Brerewode, vicar of Colyton. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 6:5, (1911) pp.129-130, plates: ill(2). [Clergy, 1524-1544] [Transcript]

Skinner, A.J.P. Doctor Ellis Veryard of Colyton. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 10:6, (1919) pp.219-220. [Wills cited. See also vol.10, pp.269-270; T.D.A. vol.24, p.468.] [Physician, 1694-1746]

Usher, H.Y. Lieut.-Colonel John Piper, C.B., 4th foot, 1783-1821. Jour. Soc. for Army Historical Research, vol.37 (1959) pp172-183,2p of plates.

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Cemeteries

MIs for this parish are included in the Incledon index - see under Cemeteries on the main Devon page.

Matthews, A.W. Ye Old Mortality. vol. 8 (1909) pp. 868-893. [MS, Society of Genealogists]

Pulman, George P.R. The Book of the Axe. Bath: Kingsmead Reprints (1969) pp. 868-893. (Reprint of 3rd edition, 1875.) [Lookups]

Skinner, A.J.P. Memorial inscriptions from the parish church of St. Andrew, Colyton. Manuscript (1904) [Westcountry Studies Library - s929.5/COL/SKI]

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Church History

Colyton - from J. Stabb. Some Old Devon Churches (London: 1908-16).

St Andrews Church web-site.

Benson, J. The Pole Armorials in Colyton Church. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 25,3 (1952) pp. 74-6.

Evans, G.E., Colytonia: a chapter in the history of Devon. Being some account of the Old and George's Meetings, Colyton, from 1662 to 1898. [With plates], pp. xv. 136. F. & E. Gibbons: Liverpool, 1898. [Raymond: Includes notes on ministers, extracts from the registers, folded pedigrees of Kingdon, 19th c., Powell, 17-19th c., monumental inscriptions, etc.] [Index]

Jewers, Arthur J. The Churches of Colyton and Shute, and the Pole Monuments There, Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 33 (1901) pp. 714-741. [Index]

Radford, Mrs G H. The Courtenay monument, in Colyton church. Trans. Devon. Assoc. 39 (1907), illus. pp, 144-155. [Index]

Radford. Lady. Heraldry in relation to the Courtenay tomb in Colyton church. Trans. Devon. Assoc. 53, (1921) pp.216-225.

Skinner, A.J.P. Joseph Chapman's memorial inscription in Colyton church. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 4:6, (1907) pp.198-200. [Will and inventory cited.]

Skinner, A.J.P. Armory on Pole monument in Colyton church. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 9:1, (1916) p.1, plates: ill. [Index] [Transcript]

Skinner, A.J.P. The vicars of Colyton, Shute and Moreton. Manuscript (1935?) 100p. [Westcountry Studies Library - sx283/COL/SKI]

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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): Marriages 1538-1837, Burials 1813-1837 - for details see their Devon Parish List.

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

  • Independent/Congregational Chapel, King Street: Registers for 1815-57 (C) in PRO RG 4/521, 3559
  • Wesleyan Chapel, Colyford: Registers for c1809-37 - see Axminster (PRO RG 4/512)

Entered into the IGI (as of Jan 1993): Parish Church Christenings 1538-1837, and Marriages 1538-1837, Independent Chapel Christenings 1815-1857, Old or St Georges Meeting (Unitarian or Presbyterian) Christenings 1773-1862. Shute and Monckton (q.v.) were chapelries of Colyton. Peskett: "the three were often treated together as a single benefice . . it seems unlikely that distinctions between the registers were maintained exactly; inhabitants of the detached outlying parts of Colyton were nearer to Southleigh church".

Noble, A.H. The Register of the Parish of Colyton. Trans. Devon Assoc. 102 (1970) pp.189-201.

Skinner, A.J.P. Colyton marriages in Exeter cathedral. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 5:4, (1908) pp.119-120. [Refers to vol.5, p.89, par.64. See also vol.5, p.296, par.159.]

Skinner, A.J.P. Two entries in the Colyton parish church burial registers. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 5:6, (1909) pp.213-215. [Relates to crimes committed 1632 and 1711.]

Devon and Cornwall Record Society, The Register of Baptisms, Marriages & Burials of the Parish of Colyton, Devon, 1538-1837. Transcribed and edited by A. J. P. Skinner., 2 vol. pp. viii. 823. Exeter, 1928 [1912-28].

Index to Marriages in Colyton Parish registers, Colyton PH Society (2005). [DFHS Library 929.2/MAR-Co]

Burials Register, Colyton Parish, 1538-1837, Colyton Parish History Society. [Devon FHS CD]

The Deanery of Honiton: CD-ROM CD041, Exeter, Devon FHS (2013). [Axminster Bapt: 1813-1840, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1813-1837; Axmouth Bapt: 1813-1840, Mar: 1603-1837, Bur: 1813-1837; Chardstock Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1813-1837; Colyton Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1538-1837, Bur: 1813-1837; Combpyne Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1757-1836, Bur: 1796-1847; Cotleigh Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1813-1837; Dalwood Bapt: 1813-1840, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1813-1837; Farway Bapt: 1813-1840, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1800-1837; Gittisham Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1754-1838, Bur: 1800-1837; Hawkchurch Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1813-1838; Honiton Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1813-1837; Honiton Ind, Bur: 1774-1837; Kilmington Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1813-1837; Membury Bapt: 1813-1840, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1813-1837; Monkton Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1814-1842; Musbury Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1813-1837; Northleigh Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1756-1836, Bur: 1813-1837; Offwell Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1800-1837; Seaton & Beer Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1754-1839, Bur: 1813-1837; Shute Bapt: 1813-1840, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1813-1837; Southleigh Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1756-1837, Bur: 1800-1837; Stockland Bapt: 1813-1840, Mar: 1640-1837, Bur: 1813-1837; Thorncombe Bapt: 1813-1837, Mar: 1754-1837, Bur: 1813-1841; Uplyme Bapt: 1813-1839, Mar: 1754-1838, Bur: 1813-1837; Wambrook Bapt: 1813-1904, Mar: 1754-1836; Widworthy Bapt: 1813-1840, Mar: 1754-1954, Bur: 1790-1837.]

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Court Records

Register of Freeholders - Colyton, Crediton & East Budleigh c1816, Exeter, Devon Family History Society, (Booklet & PDF D127). [Foreword]

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Description & Travel

Colyton and District Business Association's Colyton web-site - general information, links, etc.

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

Bird, Sheila. Seaton, Axmouth, Colyton, Colyford, Beer and Branscombe companion (2nd rev. ed.), Lyme Regis, Bird of Freedom (1988) 56p: ill, map. [ISBN 0951223623] [Westcountry Studies Library pB/SEA/1986/BIR]

The Rural District Axminster Beer & Colyton. Official Guide. (1969/70). [DFHS LOC 159]

You can see pictures of Colyton which are provided by:

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Directories

Transcription of Colyton entry in White's Devonshire Directory of 1850, provided by Sheila Jones.

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Emigration & Immigration

Davey, F.A., Watts, S.G. Westward Look: Devon Pioneers and Pilgrims in the New World. Town & Country Press Ltd., 42 Rectory Lane, Bracknell, Berks. (1970) 56p. ["Sir Thomas Gates - Governer of Virginia" [of Colyford] - pp.36-37]

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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

Family History Service Point at Colyton Heritage Centre has a large collection of books and microfiche, and an email query service.

Cole, Charles F. Fry of Yarty. Fry of Buckerell. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 6:3, (1910) pp.93-94. [From Colyton, Membury and Awliscombe PRs. See vol.6, pp.109, 221.]

Cox, A. Cox of Farway and Colyton, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 20, 1938-9, pp. 172-3. See also pp. 31-2 & 77. [Raymond: Includes 17-19th c. pedigree.]

Fortescue-Foulkes, R. The Marwoods of Honiton and Colyton, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 32, 1971, pp. 48-51, 71-73, & 110-13.

Geare, Ralph Holwell. Holwellls of Membury, Colyton, Axmouth. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 26 (1954-55) pp.52-53.

Hyde, Kenneth Peter. The genealogical history of the families of Hyde of Milborne Port of the Co. Somerset; Hyde of Nether Compton of the Co. Dorset; Hyde of Broadmayne, Upwey, Dorchester & Martinstown, all in the Co. of Dorset; Cross of Axmouth of the Co. of Devon; Dampier of Axmouth Co., Devon, and Wambrook in the County of Dorset; Jefford of Axmouth, Uplyme & Musbury, all in the County of Devon; Seward of Colyton, Musbury & Axmouth, all in the County of Devon; Sampson of Colyford & Axmouth Co., Devon; Love of Hawkchurch & Axmouth Co., Devon; Bush of Radstock County, Somerset; Pratten of Radstock County, Somerset. [East Northport? N.Y.] (1972) 85 l. geneal. tables. [LC CALL NO.: CS439.H951972]

Jewers, Arthur J. The churches of Colyton and Shute and the Pole monument there. Trans.Dev.Assoc (1901) 29p.

Moriarty, G. Andrews. Genealogical research in England: Leachland. New England Hist. & Gen. Reg. 81, 1977, pp. 320-23 & 486-87; 82, 1928, pp. 63-65. [Raymond: Of Taunton & Colyton, etc. 16-17th c., includes wills and parish register extracts, lay subsidies, Chancery proceedings, etc.]

Powell, Brenda. Message on a Postcard, Devon Family Historian, vol. 143, (2012) pp.9-10. [Family of Lily Harris, b. 1880]

Pratt, Chris. Search for a Missing Bride, Devon Family Historian, vol. 172, (2019) p.8. [of Francis Pratt of Horriford Farm, c.1725]

Skinner, A.J.P. "Yonge" coffin plates in Colyton church. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 5:4, (1908) pp.129-132, plates: ill(2), port. [See vol.5, p.177, par.106 for correction to p.132.]

Skinner, A.J. Marwood and the Blackaller Families. Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset 11, 1909, pp. 321-25. [Raymond: Of Colyton; includes monumental inscriptions of Bridgett Marwood, 1622, and will of Thomas Blackaller, 1659.]

Skinner, A.J.P. Yonge of Colyton. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 6:4, (1910) pp.127. [From Axmouth, Pitminster and Colyton registers.]

Skinner, A.J.P. Kirkham of Feniton, Westofer of Yardbury, Colyton, and Drake of Yardbury. [Suppl. to Vivian's Visitns. Also 8, p.30, 9, p.89]. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 7:8, (1913) pp.257-267, plates: port; ill. [Kirkham Family] [Transcript]

S[kinner], A.J. Captain John Stoke, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 10, 1919, pp. 167-68. [Stoke family of Colyton.]

Strawbridge, Nigel and Strawbridge, Ann. Prothesa - An Unusual Name?, Devon Family Historian, no. 100, (Nov 2001) pp.32-34. {Strobridge family]

Strawbridge, Ann & Nigel. The Disappearing Daughters, Devon Family Historian, vol. 114, (2005) pp.7-9. [The family of John Strobridge of Colyton, d. 1515]

Turner, D. An East Devon family, 1570-1646, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 29 (5), 1963, pp. 147-9. [Deane of Colyton.]

Warburton-Cox, A.F. Enquiry into the origin of the family of Coxe alias Coke(s) of the Hundred of Colyton, Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 22 (7), 1943, pp. 175-7. [16th c.]

Wright, Phil. Colyton’s Own Forest Gump, Devon Family Historian, vol. 178, (2021) pp.11-16. [Sellers]

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History

Addie, John (ed). Colyton Parish Through the Centuries. Colyton Parish History Society (2001) 38p.

Anstis, John. [Collections relating to Colyton]. Manuscript. [1850?] 121p. [Westcountry Studies Library - sB/COL 7/0001/ANS]

Barber, Chips. Colyton & Colyford. Obelisk Publications (2004) 32 p. [ISBN-13:978-1903585436]

Barber, Chips and Barber, Sally. Around & about Seaton and Beer - featuring Colyton, Colyford and Branscombe. Pinhoe, Obelisk (1993). ISBN: 0946651779

Burnham, E.J. A Guide to Seaton and District: Including Axmouth, Colyford, Colyton, Beer and Branscombe. (1912) [Westcountry Studies Library, Devon & Exeter Inst., Plymouth Central Library]

Collier, Mary. Colyton and its past. Devon Life vol. 10 no. 80 (1973) pp.30-31.

Cresswell, B.F. Colyton the church and people in past times. Honiton: Dimond & Co (1930) 16p.

Elliott, Geoff. Colyton at War. Colyton Parish History Society. [DVDs]

Gosling, Ted. Colyton and Seaton in old photographs. Stroud: Sutton (1994) 160 pp. ill., ports.

Gosling, Ted and Marshall, Geoff. Seaton, Axmouth & Colyford Through Time, Amberley Publishing (2010) 96 pp. [ISBN-13: 978-1445601274] [Then and now photographs]

Haynes, Colin. The Most Rebellious Town in Devon. Coly Publications, Colyton, EX24 6PG (2003) pp. 147. [ISBN 0-9546432-0-8].

Pulman, George P.R. The Book of the Axe. Bath: Kingsmead Reprints (1969) pp. 783-835. (Reprint of 3rd edition, 1875.) [Lookups]

Reichel, Rev. Oswald. The Hundreds of Colyton and Clyston in Early Times. The Devonshire Association. Extra Volume. Torquay (1934) 53pp.

White, Reginald G.C. The History of the Feoffees of Colyton 1546-1946. Lyme Regis: Lyme Regis Print (1951) 49p, plate: ill. [Westcountry Studies Library - B/COL 7/0001/WHI]

Wilson, Walter George. The church and parish of Colyton, S.E. Devon: a short guide. [New ed.]. Gloucester, British Publishing (1971) 3-19 pp. illus. ISBN: 0714005991. [Exeter Univ. Lib.]

The plague reconsidered, a new look at its origins and effects in 16th & 17th century England. Matlock: Local Population Studies (1977) 145p: ill, map.

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Land & Property

Elliot, John. Devon homes - Great House, Colyton. Devon Life vol. 10 no. 87 (1973) pp.16-17; ill.

Westcott, Margaret. Surveying the Estates of Henry Courtenay, Earl of Devon, Marquis of Exeter and Traitor, 1543-4. In Devon Documents (ed. T. Gray). Tiverton: Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries, Special Issue (1996) [ISBN 0925836203] pp.199-203. [Okehampton, Chulmleigh, Tiverton, Broadclyst, Colyton, Exminster]

Extract from Parliamentary Report, 1820. Hundred of Colyton, Devon: Parish Lands. Colyton: J.B. Kettle (1857). [Raymond: Includes list of tenants of Colyton parish lands.]

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Maps

Map of the area from OldeMaps (circa 1950).

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

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SY246940 (Lat/Lon: 50.740694, -3.06994), Colyton which are provided by:

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Names, Personal

Listing of subscribers to the relief of Turkish captives (1670) , from the Churchwardens Account Book. 

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Occupations

Skinner, A.J.P. Silk culture in Devon. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 5:8, (1909) pp.264. [Refers to vol.5, p.145, par.86. Names of weavers from parish reg.]

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Poor Houses, Poor Law

Hoare, Norman F. The community of Colyton and its poor 1800-1850. Typescript (1972) vii,113p: ill,maps. [Westcountry Studies Library - sx362.5/COL/HOA]

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Population

Clapp, Brian. The place of Colyton in English population history. Devon Historian 24, (1982) pp.4-8: table.

Sharpe, Pamela. Literally spinsters: a new interpretation of local economy and demography in Colyton in the seventeenth & eighteenth centuries. Economic Hist.Rev.; 44:1 (1991) pp46-65.

Sharpe, Pamela. Population and Society in an East Devon Parish: Reproducing Colyton 1540-1840, University of Exeter Press (2002) 400 pp. [ISBN 0-85989-655-2]

Wall, R. "Reconstitution and census: Colytonians in parish register and enumerator's books", in Population and Marketing (ed. W. Minchinton), Exeter Papers in economic history, Univ. of Exeter, 1976.

Wrigley, E.A. "Mortality in pre-industrial England: the example of Colyton, Devon, over three centuries", Daedalus: J. of Amer. Acad. of Arts and Sciences, Spring 1968, pp.82-109.

Wrigley, E.A. "Family Limitation in pre-industrial England", Econ. Hist. Rev. 2nd ser. vol. 19, no. 1, 1966, pp.82-109.

The plague reconsidered, a new look at its origins and effects in 16th & 17th century England. Matlock: Local Population Studies (1977) 145p: ill, map

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Probate Records

Will of Nancy Ayshford (1856), transcribed by Christine Stables.

Will of Symon Vye (1650), transcribed by Ros Dunning.

Will of Robert Baker (1855) - transcript provided by Roger Jones (PDF).

Skinner, A.J. Doctor Ellis Veryard of Colyton. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 10 (1918-19) pp.219-220, 269-270. [Raymond: Includes wills of Ellis, 1743, and of his sister Grace, 1771.]

Smith, Samuel Anderson. Extracts from Wills, proved P. C. C., relating to pshs. of Shute and Colyton, Co. Devon. pp. 39. George Pulman & Sons: London, [1901.] 8o. BL 9906.b.24.(7.) [Listing]

Whitley, H. Michell. An inventory of the goods of John Strowbridge of Hobrayne, 1576. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 2:5, (1903) pp.133-136.

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Schools

Colyton Grammar School (founded 1546) web-site.

Evans, George Eyre. Colyton: the old parsonage. Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 5:8, (1909) pp.288-292. [Classical academy established in parsonage, 1782-late C19.]

Gosling, Gerald. Colyton Grammar School. [Colyton]: Old Colytonians Association (1878). [Raymond: Includes lists of original feoffees, headmasters, 1601-1795, 20th c. staff, head-boys and girls, etc.]

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Societies

Colyton Parish History Society web-site.

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Taxation

Colyton Hundred - Subsidy Tax 1524, transcribed by Christopher Wicker.