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Extract from the Universal British Directory (1793-98)

HARTLAND, DEVONSHIRE.

HARTLAND is 218 miles from London; stands on the promontory called Hartland-Point, which is the extreme north-west part of the county, and runs out a good way into the sea; and had formerly a monastery. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth a bill was preferred in parliament for making a port here. The market is on Saturday, and much frequented by people from Cornwall; and as the fishing-boats of Barnstaple, Biddiford, and the other towns on the coast, lie often under these rocks for shelter from the south-west or south-east winds, the seamen come on shore here, and supply themselves with provisions; nor is the town unconcerned in the herring-fishery on this coast. The fairs here are on Easter-Wednesday and September 25.

Correy's waggon from hence to Biddiford every Tuesday. - A bye post every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, to Biddiford. - Thc following is a list of the principal inhabitants:

GENTLEMAN.

Orchard Paul, Esq. Abbey

CLERGYMAN.

Williams Rev. Mr. Portreeve

TRADERS.

Bond Alexander, Victualler
Brendon, Shopkeeper
Burnand, Grocer
Correy, Common Carrier
Frich, Shopkeeper
Herd, Shopkeeper
Jeffery Nicholas, Victualler, (Anchor)
Rowe Thomas, Vict. (Rose and Crown)
Square, Linen-draper

Clovelly, about three miles north, the seat of James Hamlyn, Esq. This place is noted for fine herrings. It has a pier supported by the ancient family of Carey, to whom most of the place belongs, and which might, with some expense,be made of far more consequence than it is. - From Hartland-point, the land falling away for some miles makes a gulph or bay, which reaching to the headland, or point of Barnstaple-haven, is called from thence Barnstaple bay. See Barnstaple, vol. ii. p. 313.

Brian Randell, 29 Nov 2001