East Worlington

from

Some Old Devon Churches

By J. Stabb

London: Simpkin et al (1908-16)

Page 260

Transcribed and edited by Dr Roger Peters

Full text available at

https://www.wissensdrang.com/dstabb.htm

Prepared by Michael Steer

Between 1908 and 1916, John Stabb, an ecclesiologist and photographer who lived in Torquay, published three volumes of Some Old Devon Churches and one of Devon Church Antiquities. A projected second volume of the latter, regarded by Stabb himself as a complement to the former, did not materialize because of his untimely death on August 2nd 1917, aged 52. Collectively, Stabb's four volumes present descriptions of 261 Devon churches and their antiquities.

WORLINGTON EAST. St. Mary. The church, which was rebuilt in 1879, consists of chancel, nave, south porch with an old Norman doorway, and west tower with six bells. Having been rebuilt the church contains little of interest except the Norman doorway. There is the opening for a piscina in the south wall of the chancel, and on the north wall is a old monument surmounted by a coat of arms and bearing the inscription:- Near this place lyeth ye body of Bridget one of ye daughters of Francis Coleman of Gornhay in Tiverton Esq. wife of John Nott of Friscomb, gentleman who departed this life December the 16th 1668, aged 34. And alsoe of ye said John Nott, one eminent for piety, moderation and charity who departed this life May ye 27th 1704, aged 74, and also of Moses Nott (brother of ye said John Nott) who departed this life January ye 1st 1695, aged 61.

There are in the chancel marble tablets in memory of Jenetta, wife of the Rev. B. Clay, rector of the parish; of the Rev. B. Clay, rector for 55 years; and of Agnes, wife of the Rev. S. Bryan, rector of the parish.

In the nave are inscriptions in memory of the Cobleigh family in Chulmleigh. They left the interest of £200 in Consols Annuities to be distributed by the churchwardens on Easter Monday for ever to the poor men and women of the parish not having monthly pay. In the churchyard there is a slab with incised cross.

The registers date from 1725.