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ILFRACOMBE

From

London and Provincial New Commercial Directory,

London, J. Pigot & Co. (1830)

IS a small sea-port, and the most northerly town in Devonshire, in the hundred of Braunton; 202 miles from London, 48 from Exeter, 18 from Bideford, and 10 from Barnstaple. The town, which consists of one street, about a mile in length, is built on the side of a hill, and commands a fine view of the Welsh coast and the Bristol channel. Its chief consequence is derived from the peculiar situation and safety of its harbour; the inner basin of which is principally formed by the rocks which surround and protect it. Upon one of these rocks, next the sea, is a light-house; and along the side of the same runs an artificial pier, originally built by the Bouchier family, and subsequently repaired and enlarged by Sir Bouchier Wrey, Bart. the present owner of the pier and lord of the manor. Besides the advantages of its harbour, Ilfracombe has lately risen to some celebrity as a watering-place, and has become the residence of several respectable families. For temporary sojourners here are three good inns, and for those who court more secluded accommodation, is a range of well-furnished private lodging-house*. A pebbly shore, in the same direction as the lodging-houses, with some good machines, afford convenient bathing; and a well-selected library is to be found at Mr. Banfield's, bookseller, &c.

The places of worship are, the parish church, and a chapel for the independents. The living of the former is a vicarage, in the gift of the Bishop of Salisbury; the present vicar is the Rev. Robert Dickenson. Camden, the historian, was prebendary of this church in 1580; at that time the benefice might be enjoyed by a layman. A new road, winding through a level and well-wooded valley, has just been completed from hence to Barnstaple; which, it is expected, will conduce to the reciprocal benefit of both towns, and their markets. The weekly market at I1fracombe is on Saturday; an annual great market is held on the 23rd of August, and a fair on the 14th of April. The population of the parish, by the parliamentary census of 1821, was 2,622 persons.

POST OFFICE, Susannah Stanbury, Post Mistress - Letters from all parts arrive at nine in the morning, and are despatched at six in the evening.

GENTRY AND CLERGY.

Alder Captain, R.N. Ilfracombe
Bassett John Davie, Esq. Ilfracombe
Bowen Admiral, Ilfracombe
Bowen Rev. John, St. Vincent
Dickenson Rev. Robert, Vicarage
Dickenson Robt. W. esq. Ilfracombe
Down Capt. Edward (army) Ilfracombe
Font Jesse, M.D. Ilfracombe
Harding Major, Ilfracombe
Hicks John Wm. esq. Ilfracombe
Kendall Peter, esq. Watermouth
Lee Nathnl. Vye, esq. Ilfracombe
McCaul William, esq. Ilfracombe
Meek James, esq. Ilfracombe
Millo Abraham, esq. Ilfracombe
Mills Captain, Ilfracombe
Newton Lieut. Colonel, Ilfracombe
Richards James, esq. Ilfracombe
Riddell Robert, esq., Spreacombe
Shepherd William, esq. Ilfracombe
Steevens Harry, esq. Ilfracombe
Vye Nathaniel. esq. Ilfracombe
Vye Wm. Blackmore, esq. Ilfracombe
Webber General, Buckland
Wren Edward, esq. Ilfracombe

ACADEMIES AND SCHOOLS.

Dally Richard, (boarding and day)
Evans, Sophia
Farrant John, (day)
Hacker Susannah (boarding & day)
NATIONAL SCHOOL, John Thorne, master

BANKERS.

Vye and Harris (draw on Glyn and Co. London)

BLACK AND WHITE SMITHS.

Clibbet George
Facey Richard
Morris David
Robins James
Stanbury James

BOOKSELLERS, PRINTRS, &c.

Banfield John (and library)
Whateley Dorothy

BOOT & SHOE MAKERS.

Dallin William
Dennis William
German John
Harding William
Jones Thomas
Summers George
Toms John
Tucker William

BUTCHERS.

Dart Peter
Davies Hannah
Davies John
Martin John
Scamp George
Scamp William

CABINET MAKERS.

Harris James (and joiner)
Stephens Hugh (and upholsterer)

CARPENTERS & JOINERS.

Chiswell Thomas
Hearson John (and builder)
Knight Thomas (and builder)
Norman William

COOPERS.

Langdon William
Tucker William
Warman John

DRAPERS AND GROCERS.

Andrews Elizabeth
Challacombe Elizabeth
Clark David
Coats George
Davison Hannah
Edwards John
Evans Joseph
Fry Ann
Gaydon Edward
Greenslade Eliza (and library)
Higher William
Lathaby Elizabeth
Wade Anna
Williams Elizabeth
Wills Charles

FIRE, &c. OFFICE AGENTS.

ALLIANCE, George Coats
ROYAL EXCHANGE, Edwd. Gaydon
WEST OF ENGLAND, Thomas Coats

GLASS AND EARTHENWARE DEALERS.

Conier Jane
Jones Ann

INNS AND HOTELS.

Britannia, John Martin
Clarence Hotel, James Camp
Packet Hotel, Amos Fry

IRONMONGERS.

Fleming Susan
Hearson Edward (and saddler)
Sloley William
Widgery John

LODGING HOUSES.

Camp James
Challacombe Geo.
Chorley John
Coats George
Cornish James
Dallin William
Davis John
Dennis Charles
Edwards John
Fosse Maria
German Richard
Lovering Thomas
Paddon William
Scamp Peter
Stephens Hugh
Thorne Walter
Walters Mary
Williams George

MALTSTERS.

Fosse William
Fry John
Scamp William
- George
-ye William

MERCHANTS.

Huxtable & Genge (& shipbuilders)

MILLINERS, DRESS & STRAW HAT MAKERS.

Burgess Elizabeth
Chiswell Mary
Morris Elizabeth and Mary Ann
Parminter Sarah
Scamp Elizabeth and Mary
Smith Ann
Smith Sarah
Williams Susan

PAINTERS AND GLAZIERS.

Clarke David
Miller William
Rice Edward and Roger

SURGEONS.

Jones John
Moon Robert Henry
Stabb Thomas
Vye Nathaniel

TAILORS AND DRAPERS.

Croscombe John
Jones James

TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES.

Barnstaple Inn, Betty Lawrence
Commercial, John Hearson
Crown, Robert Harding
Duke of Cumberland, Walter German
Ebrington Arms, Thomas Tuckfield
Exeter, Susanah Hearson
George & Dragon, Susannah Cole
Golden Lion, James Hodge
King of Prussia, Nicholas Barns
King's Arms, Thomas Cornish
Lamb, Thomas Parker
Market Inn, Elizabeth Harding
Moon, Johanna Edwards
New Inn, James Sutton
Red Cow, Elizabeth Harker
Ring of Bells, John Knill
Rising Sun, John Harding
Rodney, William Stephens
Star, James Scamp
Wellington Arms, John Davey
White Hart, Henry Eastway
White Swan, Thomas Hancock

WATCH & CLOCK MAKERS.

Organ William (and silversmith)
Webber Henry

WHEELWRIGHTS.

Parkins James
Redmore William

Miscellaneous.

Carpenter Isaac, hatter
Dallin Tobias, sail maker
Dennis Charles, spirit merchant
Greenslade Thomas, tallow chandler
Herring Grace, baker
Stephens William, block maker
Wade Thomas, boat builder

CUSTOM HOUSE.

Collector, Mr. Robert Holland
Comptroller & Landing Surveyor, Mr. John Williams

COACHES.

To BARNSTAPLE, the Royal Mail, from the Britannia, every evening at a quarter before six.

CARRIERS.

To BARNSTAPLE, John Pugsley, from the Quay, every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday - and John Dadd and John Baker. from their houses, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

CONVEYANCE BY WATER.

To BRISTOL, a Steam Packet (during the summer) every Tuesday.

To SWANSEA, a Steam Packet (during the summer) every Saturday - and a Sailing Packet, every Mon. & Thurs.

BRISTOL TRADERS.

The Beresford, John Eastaway, and the Jane, David Pile.

Transcribed - Brian Randell, 17 Jul 1999