MERTON

From White's Devonshire Directory of 1850

MERTON, a neat village near Lord Clinton's park, 7 miles N. by W. of Hatherleigh, has in its parish 763 souls, and 3738 acres of land, including the hamlets of Smithacott and Little Potheridge, and many scattered houses. Lord Clinton is lord of the manor of Merton, and owner of a great part of the parish. The Trustees of the late Lord Rolle hold the manor of Potheridge, where the Monks were long seated, and where the mansion was rebuilt by Gen. Monk, (Duke of Abemarle,) about 1670, but was mostly pulled down after the death of the Duchess in 1734, though the magnificent stables are still standing. Archdeacon Stevens, and a few smaller owners, have estates in the parish. The Church (All Saints,) is a handsome structure, which was restored and beautified about four years ago. One of the windows is richly emblazoned with stained glass, and a new organ has been erected. The rectory, valued in K.B. at £29. 15s. 7 ½d., and in 1831 at £424, is in the patronage of Lord Clinton, and incumbency of the Rev. J. C. Kempe, B.A., who has 65A. of glebe, and a handsome residence. The tithes were commuted in 1843 for £365 per annum. A neat National School was built by Lord Clinton, about four years ago. The rector has 20s. and the poor 5s. per annum, left by Thomas Langdon, in 1727.

Burnett Alex. steward to Ld. Clinton
Down Wm. wheelwright & smith
Gordon John, shopkeeper
Kempe Rev. Jas. Cory, B.A. Rectory
Lewis Geo. shopr. & vict. Malt Scoop
Mills John, schoolmaster
Smith Thomas, cooper, &c.
Stanbury Wm. miller, Westmoor

BLACKSMITHS.

Folland Michael
Luxton Samuel
Reed Wm.

BOOT & SHOE MKS.

Elliott Samuel
Smith John

FARMERS.

Anstey Thos.
Ashton Joseph
Ashton Thomas
Chummings Jno.
Collihole Wm.
Coplestone Sml.
Ford John
Ford Robert
Goldsworthy G.
Gordon James
Gordon John
Leverton Geo.
Lewis George
Luxton John
Neno Charles
Pope Wm.
Routcliffe Andw.
Snell Wm.

MALTSTERS.

Ashton Samuel
Snell Thomas
Ward Burtw.

POST OFFICE at Jeremiah Smith's. Letters desp. 1½ afternoon

Brian Randell, 26 Aug 1999