NORTH TAWTON

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)]

"NORTH TAWTON, a parish and small market town in the hundred of North Tawton, county Devon, 7 miles N.E. of Okehampton, its post town, and 7½ W. of Copplestone railway station. It is situated on the river Taw, near the old road from Exeter to Okehampton, and contains the chapelry of Broad Nymet. Many of the inhabitants were formerly employed in the woollen manufacture, but this has declined. There are extensive flour and grist mills, and several maltings. The market, instituted by charter in 1270, was discontinued about 1720, but has recently been revived. The market-house was built in 1849. The river Taw affords excellent fishing. At a short distance from the town is Bathe Pool, a natural hollow usually dry, but which occasionally becomes flooded, even in the driest weather. Water was first conveyed to the town in pipes from Slade farm in 1851. The harriers belonging to J. Skinner, Esq., of Westacott, are kennelled here. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Exeter, value £751. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, is an ancient stone structure with a spired tower containing six bells. There were formerly chapels at Crook-Burnell, Nichols-Nymet, and Bath-Barton. The parochial charities produce about £48 per annum. There is a National school for both sexes. The Independents, Baptists, and Bible Christians have chapels. The Earl of Portsmouth is lord of the manor. Market day is on Thursday. Fairs occur on the third Thursdays in April and December, and on the second Tuesday in October.

"BROAD NYMET, a chapelry in the parish and hundred of North Tawton, county Devon, 1½ mile S.W. of Bow. It is an insignificant place, containing only 50 acres, but was formerly a distinct parish. The living is a sinecure rectory held with that of Bow.