Transcript

of

Hennock Folk-Lore

by

William Henderson

in

Richard John King (Ed.). Stories and traditions: Third Report of the Committee on Devonshire Folk Lore. 
Trans. Devon. Assoc., 1878, Vol X, pp. 99-100.

Index prepared by Michael Steer

The report provides several fables about a locally-famous 18th century vicar of Hennock, named Harris, who was reputed to be a white wizard. As an example, those who had lost goods went to him, and he recovered them for the true owners. More stories about the legendary cleric are presented at Tim Sandles’ Legendary Dartmoor website:
The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

(As told by Robert Coombes, Oct. 31, 1877). - "Parson Harris, who was parson at Hennock a good bit ago, was a wonderful man. He knew a thing or two more than other people. While he lived there was some one to go to if anything was stolen. One of the parishioners lost a turkey, and he went straight to the parson. The man that stole it had plucked it and put it down to roast; but the spell did its work. The thief could do no other but snatch it up, carry it on the spit to its rightful owner, and give it up to him. Then a man named Joseph Loveys lost his mallard [i.e. his drake], and 'in course' he went and told the parson. “Never mind,” said Parson Harris, only you come to church without fail next Sunday afternoon, and you shall see who took your mallard. So in the course of his sermon Parson Harris said, “I have one more thing to mention - the man who stole Joseph Loveys' mallard has a feather of it sticking to his nose.” Up went the hand of one man to his nose, while all the others were staring about. “That's the thief” said Parson Harris, pointing to him. "Parson Harris's housemaid had a young man, and he deserted her and went off to North Devon. She cried all the week, and on Saturday evening told her master all about it. “There ; don't cry, my girl,” said he,  “the young man will be glad enough to come back to you to-morrow before the day is over.” But he did not come back that day, and good reason too. The young man put his Common Prayer Book in his pocket when he dressed in the morning ready for church, and so the spell did not work. But When he took off his coat and waistcoat at night to go to bed then the spell took effect. He ran out of the house and started for Hennock; and early on Monday morning what should the girl see but her young man at the back-door, panting and out of breath in his shirt-sleeves, after walking all night to come to her." Parson Harris, whose tombstone remains in Hennock churchyard, died about 1776. Contributed by William Henderson, Ashford Court, Ludlow.