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SPREYTON

From White's Devonshire Directory of 1850

SPREYTON is a village with several neat Houses, on a lofty eminence, about 8 miles E. by N. of Okehampton, and 17 miles W. by N. of Exeter. Its parish contains 3600 acres of land, and 404 inhabitants. The manor was held, for a long period, by the Talbots, whose heiress carried it in marriage to the Kelly family in the reign of Henry VI. It was sold to various freeholders during the last century, and now belongs to Messrs. W.H. Battishull, W.C. Cann, G.L. Gowin, Jno. Norris, Geo. Cann, the Rev. G. Hole, the Rev. R. Holland, and a few smaller owners. Fuidge House, the seat of J. Norris, Esq., is a neat cemented structure, and is pleasantly situated, as also is Barton, the seat of W. H. Battishull, Esq. The Church (St. Michael,) is a plain structure, with a handsome tower, containing five bells, and commanding extensive views in which 30 parish churches are seen. The font is of granite, with some rude figures carved upon it. The screen was removed about 70 years ago, except a few fragments in the clerk's seat. The chancel is of later date than the nave and aisles, and has upon its roof a long Latin inscription, recording that it was rebuilt by Richd. Talbot, in 1451. The church is approached by an avenue of fine trees, and near the entrance is a venerable oak, the decaying trunk of which measures 40 feet in girth at the bottom. The benefice is a discharged vicarage, valued in K.B. at £10. 5s. 8d., and in 1831 at £135. The Rev. Richd. Holland, M.A., is patron and incumbent, and has held the living since 1802. He has a good residence, and 82A. of glebe. The small tithes were commuted in 1844 for £117. 10s. per annum, but the great tithes belong to the land owners, and were formerly appropriated to Tavistock Abbey. The poor parishioners have £3 a year, as the rent of a fourth part of Bush tenement, purchased with £45, given by unknown donors. They have also two annuities of 20s. each, left by Thos. Hoare and John Cann, but that left by the latter ceases in 1857.

Battishull Wm. Harrington, Esq. Barton
Battishull John, gent. Wick
Battishull John, surgeon
Cann Wm. C. gent. Northbeer
Dalve Henry, stone mason
Gowin Geo. Lambert, Esq.
Harvey John, carpenter
Holland Rev Richd., M.A. Vicarage
Honeychurch Wm. shopr. & carrier
Lavis Edward, schoolmaster
Martin Wm. butcher and vict. White Hart
Middlewick Joshua, shoemkr
Newton John, wheelgt. & My. shopr
Norris John, Esq. Fuidge House
Northcott Richd. sexton, &c.

BLACKSMITHS.
Hill Samuel
Vigers Wm.

FARMERS.
Cole John
Cole Wm.
Jackman Thos.
Martin Simon
Norris John, jun
Powlesland Saml.
Powlesland Wm.
Shopland Jas.
Vanstone John
Weeks John

TAILORS.
Honeychurch Ts.
Vigers Saml.

Brian Randell, 3 Jul 1998