Little Torrington Parish Church History, Part 3.
By James Grimwood-Taylor
Research can become addictive… I have now transcribed the whole of Dean Mille’s Little Torrington ‘Parochial Return’ of 1757 from the rather scratched and scruffy microfilm at Exeter’s Record Office. It makes fascinating reading as it is almost certainly the earliest detailed description of our parish (and its church building) that survives. This may be the very first time that this has been published; it is about time after 260 years!
Jeremiah Mille (1714-84) was Dean of Exeter in the 1750s and an antiquarian; he was essentially a gentleman of leisure with a lucrative parish of his own. Amazingly, in 1755/7, he organised for a printed questionnaire (of 100+ questions) to be sent to every Devon parish (500+ in all) to obtain details of natural, historical and local history for a proposed book. He received replies from about half of the county’s parishes, but the book never appeared. Luckily our vicar, Rev. Fisher, did a very careful job in completing and returning our questionnaire and it makes fascinating reading (although many questions were not answered, as not being relevant. [It seems that Dean Milles was particularly interested in cider production…!]
Here is the full text of the Little Torrington 1757 Parochial Return; words in square brackets are my additions, some original spellings have been retained, and any errors of transcription are entirely mine. The printed wording is in regular type and the hand-written answers are in italic type. (I shall save my comments on some of the questions for my next article):-
[The form has a footnote for those who completed the answers:- "As every parish cannot furnish Answers to every Question, it is only requested that the Gentlemen will be so kind as to answer such Questions as they have any Knowledge of, leaving those unanswered of which they are entirely uncertain, and writing NO or NONE to such of them as furnish no other Answer."]
1. What is the true modern name of your Parish? Little Torrington.
2. How do you find it spelt in ancient Records? Little Toriton or Toriton Parva.
3. The supposed etymology of it?
Little to distinguish it from Great Toriton, because bounded on ye north by ye River Torridge.
4. The length and breadth of the Parish according to the points of the Compass?
Ab[ou]t 3 miles from north to south, near the same distance from east to west.
5. By what Parishes bounded?
Gt Torrington in the north, Frithelstock north-west, Langtree west, Marland south-west, Beaford east, St. Giles [in the Wood] north-east.
6. The names of the Towns, Hamlets, Villages and number of houses in it with their respective situations?
Addiport, a hamlet at the extremity of the Parish towards ye north consisting of about 20 houses, about 80 houses in the whole Parish.
7. The number of Baptisms and Burials, communibus annis? In the last 7 years, 66 Baptisms, 67 Burials.
8. Names and situation of the Manors, and of their present and former Lords as high as you can trace them?
The Manor of Little Torrington now belonging to henry Stevens Esqr., Minor, was bought by his grandfather Stevens, being the lands of Harris & Jerry, formerly two distinct Manors, Harris's & Jerry's.
9. What Mansion-houses belonging to them?
Cross, a handsome new brick building, is now the Mansion House belonging to this Manor.
10. Particular Customs, Tenures, and Privileges of them? No particular customs &c.
11. In what Manor or part of the Parish is the Church situated?
Towards the north about a mile from ye extremity of the Parish on that side.
12. At what distance from Exeter and the next Market Town?
30 computed miles from Exeter. Little more than a mile from Gt. Torrington.
13. To what Saint dedicated? The Ascension.
14. The form and size of it [the Church]? 2 aisles; north aisle with the Chancel 66ft by 14ft, south aisle 51ft by 11ft.
15. With what materials built and covered?
Built with stone for the most part, covered with shingle [wooden roof-tiles].
16. And about what time supposed to have been erected? [No comment, as the vicar had no knowledge.]
17. What Monuments or Inscriptions in it earlier than 1600?
At the east end of the south aisle, which belongs to the Coplestone Family, is a tomb with the following inscription:-
"THE EPITAPH OF R.C. ESQVIRE WHO DEPARTED
THE 25 OF OCTO 1586
VNDER THIS STONE THE CORPS IS LAYD
OF RICHARD COPLESTONE ESQVIRE.
HERE REST HIS BONES, HIS SOVLE IS FLEDDE
TO JOYES OF CHRIST, HIS SWEET DESIER.
WHAT ERTH DOTH HIDE, WHAT HENCE IS GONE,
THE JUDGEMENT DAYE SHALL JOYNE IN ONE."
18. Or of memorable people since that time?
19. What Coats of Arms, carved or painted in the Windows or elsewhere? None.
20. Tower, its height, shape, and situation with respect to the Church? Square, 68 feet high at ye west end of ye Church.
21. The number of Bells in it? Four.
22. The name of the present Patron?
John[??] Walter Esqr. of Stevenstone, Henry Stevens Esqr. of Cross & Mrs. Hatch[?] & her sister, late of Gt. Torrington.
23. Chappels of Ease if any, how situated and endowed? And to what Saint dedicated? None.
24. Names of ruined Chappels, and how situated? None.
25. What Wakes, Parish Feasts, or Annual Processions? An Annual Feast on Ascension Day & the preceding Sunday.
26. Are there any Roman Roads, Walls, Camps, Forts, Pavements, Urns, Stoves, Lamps, Coins or Weapons of War found in your Parish, and where now to be seen? No.
27. Any Obelisks, of rude single stones, or Enclosures made of stones erect, in a circular or any other form? No.
28. Any large single stones placed horizontally on others? No.
29. Any basons cut into the surface of your rocks? No.
30. Any rocking stones or caves made by art? No.
31. Any Danish or Saxon Encampments, Urns, Bracelets, or Weapons, found in Sepulchres? No.
32. Any ancient Crosses standing, with or without inscription? No.
33. Ancient Castles, if any, and by whom built? None.
34. What parts of them now remaining?
35. To whom belonging?
36. Abbeys, and religious Houses, their situation?
37. What parts of them remaining?
38. To what uses now converted?
39. And to whom belonging?
40. Remarkable particulars concerning them?
41. What Colleges, Hospitals, Schools and Alms-houses in the Parish?
42. By whom founded?
43. And for what uses?
44. Their ancient establishment?
45. And present state? At Addiport are some alms-houses called Lazar Houses given, with an Estate [of] about £22 per annum, more than 200 years agoe by Tristram Arscott, Gent., for the benefit of leprous persons. The houses are inhabited by poor people. The profits of the Estate [are] distributed to such poor of this Parish & Gt. Tor[rington] who have no Parish pay. There is a little Chapel, part of the same Charity, where prayers are rad once a month, the salary 40 shillings per annum.
46. Are there any Gentlemen's Seats and remarkable improvements in the Parish?
Cross House, before mentioned, begun by the late Henry Stevens Esqr., & finished by his widow about 7 years ago.
47. Any Bridges, Roads, or other publick works? No.
48. When made or erected?
49. What Fairs or Markets? None.
50. On what days kept?
51. What is chiefly sold in them?
52. What ancient sayings or proverbs are there relating to the Parish? None.
53. The names of remarkable woods, mountains, rocks, parks, commons and warrens, with their particular situations in the Parish? None.
54. The face of the Parish in its several parts?
Towards the north, north-east and north-west hilly; to the south & level.
55. Open or enclosed? For the most part enclosed.
56. Consisting of downs, heath or woodland?
57. The colour and nature of the soil? Dun [coloured], shallow & in general very stony.
58. Is it chiefly chalk, sand, gravel, stone, clay or marl?
59. What proportions of arable land, meadow and pasture?
Very little meadow & pasture land, but [i.e. except] in the north side of the Parish nigh the river.
60. The usual value of each per acre?
61. How manured and improved - by lime sand, or dung, and in what proportions?
By 40 bushels of lime or 300 [bushels?] horse manure[?] of dan.......
62. What grain is chiefly sown, or agrees best with the soil? Wheat, barley & oats.
63. What the greatest produce per acre? 20 bushels of wheat, 30 of barley & 40 of oats are reckoned good crops.
64. What quantity of acres under Orchards?
The Parish is not at all remarkable for Cyder. In a good year the Farmer makes enough for his own use, seldom any for sale.
65. Is it remarkable for its good ness?
66. Is it of the rough or sweet sort?
67. And what is the usual value of it per hogshead, at the Pound's mouth?
68. What quantity of woodland is there in the parish?
Near 100 acres of oak & coppice. A pretty large quantity of oak timber on an Estate called Woodlands belonging to Joseph Coplestone Esqr.
69. Does it consist chiefly of Timber Trees or Coppice?
70. What sorts of trees are most common, and seem to thrive best? Oak & Ash.
71. What shrubs, plants and vegetables are peculiar to, or grow most commonly in the Parish?
Some whortle berries, wild strawberries in great plenty, eglantine, St. John's wort & other common medicinal plants.
72. What rare or uncommon plants? None.
73. What are their supposed virtues, and in what manner used?
74. What mineral or medicinal Springs are there in the Parish? None.
75. What are their qualities, virtue, weight and analysis?
76. For what disorders used and in what method?
77. Are there any well attested cures wrought by them?
78. Are there any Periodical Springs? No.
79. Any Springs that ebb and flow? No.
80. Or that bury themselves underground? No.
81. Any that petrify or incrust other bodies with stony particles? No.
82. Of what depth are the Wells in the different parts of the Parish? Most of our Springs are very near the surface.
83. What strata have been observed in digging them, and in what order do those strata lye?
84. What rivers or rivulets rise in or run through the Parish? None of any note.
85. Their course, breadth and depth, the nature of their bed and banks?
86. Are they liable to inundations and in what season?
87. What cascades or weirs on them?
88. With what fish do they abound?
89. How, and at what seasons caught, and in what quantities?
90. Are there any large pools of lakes in the Parish? No.
91. What sorts and colours of Marble, Moorstone, Limestone, Freestone, Building-stone, coal, slate, pipe clay, brick clay, ochre, marl, or chalk are found in the Parish? Coarse building stone only. This in great plenty all the Parish over.
92. And in what manner are they used?
93. Are there any impressions of land or sea animals, or shells found in your stone quarries? No.
94. Are there any transparent pebbles or other stones remarkable for their figure? No.
95. What sorts of cattle are bred chiefly in the Parish? Horned cattle of common size &c.
96. At what Fairs or Markets are they sold? For the most part at Gt. Torrington and Hatherleigh.
97. Are they remarkable for their size, shape, colour or breed?
98. Are there any birds, land or water insects, remarkably common or singular in their kind?
Last year & this great damage has been done in this & many neighbouring Parishes by a worm eating away the roots of the corn & grass. In ploughing & fellowing[?] they were found in prodigious numbers just under the surface. The late long drought has in a great measure destroyed them. The remaining ones are now getting[?] wings & are, beyond doubt, of that kind of Beetle which is here called an Oakment[??].
99. have they any particular good or bad qualities?
100. Are they prejudicial to the fruits of the earth and in what Seasons?
101. Is your Air sharp and dry, or mild and foggy? Sharp & dry.
102. Is it reputed wholesome, or unwholesome? Reputed wholesome.
103. Are there any remarkable particulars relating to the make, complexion, strength, health, age, diet and temper of the Inhabitants? No.
104. Remarkable instances of long-lived persons, or of extraordinary preternatural births?
Some years ago William Slade died aged 107, and when 100 he cut & bound 100 furze fagots in a day. His wife lived to 103. Their son, John, now lives & is pretty healthy at 85.
105. Have you any Trade or Manufacture in the Parish?
Husbandry is the chief Employment of the Parish. Some of our women spin wool for different masters.
106. How is it carried on and in what manner disposed of?
107. Are there any remarkable facts of History relating to the Parish? No.
108. Any natural Caves in limestone or other quarries? No.
109. Have you any silver, lead, tin, copper or iron ore? No.
110. How wide is the vein.
111. Does it run north & south, or east and west?
112. What is the annual profit made of it?
113. Are your Mines subject to Damps?
114. How long have they been worked?
115. Have you any bitumen, naphtha, alum, calamine, blacklead, bismuth, mercury or antimony found in your Parish? None.
Augt. 1757, answered by the Revd. Mr. Fisher, vicar, Little Torrington.”
It is amazing to think that Cross House was a new build when this questionnaire was completed, but good to know that the parish has always been noted for its long-lived inhabitants! Perhaps our current vicar would like to fill out an updated version of the answers to these questions?!
Jeremiah Mille (1714-84) was Dean of Exeter in the 1750s and an antiquarian; he was essentially a gentleman of leisure with a lucrative parish of his own. Amazingly, in 1755/7, he organised for a printed questionnaire (of 100+ questions) to be sent to every Devon parish (500+ in all) to obtain details of natural, historical and local history for a proposed book. He received replies from about half of the county’s parishes, but the book never appeared. Luckily our vicar, Rev. Fisher, did a very careful job in completing and returning our questionnaire and it makes fascinating reading (although many questions were not answered, as not being relevant. [It seems that Dean Milles was particularly interested in cider production…!]
Here is the full text of the Little Torrington 1757 Parochial Return; words in square brackets are my additions, some original spellings have been retained, and any errors of transcription are entirely mine. The printed wording is in regular type and the hand-written answers are in italic type. (I shall save my comments on some of the questions for my next article):-
[The form has a footnote for those who completed the answers:- "As every parish cannot furnish Answers to every Question, it is only requested that the Gentlemen will be so kind as to answer such Questions as they have any Knowledge of, leaving those unanswered of which they are entirely uncertain, and writing NO or NONE to such of them as furnish no other Answer."]
1. What is the true modern name of your Parish? Little Torrington.
2. How do you find it spelt in ancient Records? Little Toriton or Toriton Parva.
3. The supposed etymology of it?
Little to distinguish it from Great Toriton, because bounded on ye north by ye River Torridge.
4. The length and breadth of the Parish according to the points of the Compass?
Ab[ou]t 3 miles from north to south, near the same distance from east to west.
5. By what Parishes bounded?
Gt Torrington in the north, Frithelstock north-west, Langtree west, Marland south-west, Beaford east, St. Giles [in the Wood] north-east.
6. The names of the Towns, Hamlets, Villages and number of houses in it with their respective situations?
Addiport, a hamlet at the extremity of the Parish towards ye north consisting of about 20 houses, about 80 houses in the whole Parish.
7. The number of Baptisms and Burials, communibus annis? In the last 7 years, 66 Baptisms, 67 Burials.
8. Names and situation of the Manors, and of their present and former Lords as high as you can trace them?
The Manor of Little Torrington now belonging to henry Stevens Esqr., Minor, was bought by his grandfather Stevens, being the lands of Harris & Jerry, formerly two distinct Manors, Harris's & Jerry's.
9. What Mansion-houses belonging to them?
Cross, a handsome new brick building, is now the Mansion House belonging to this Manor.
10. Particular Customs, Tenures, and Privileges of them? No particular customs &c.
11. In what Manor or part of the Parish is the Church situated?
Towards the north about a mile from ye extremity of the Parish on that side.
12. At what distance from Exeter and the next Market Town?
30 computed miles from Exeter. Little more than a mile from Gt. Torrington.
13. To what Saint dedicated? The Ascension.
14. The form and size of it [the Church]? 2 aisles; north aisle with the Chancel 66ft by 14ft, south aisle 51ft by 11ft.
15. With what materials built and covered?
Built with stone for the most part, covered with shingle [wooden roof-tiles].
16. And about what time supposed to have been erected? [No comment, as the vicar had no knowledge.]
17. What Monuments or Inscriptions in it earlier than 1600?
At the east end of the south aisle, which belongs to the Coplestone Family, is a tomb with the following inscription:-
"THE EPITAPH OF R.C. ESQVIRE WHO DEPARTED
THE 25 OF OCTO 1586
VNDER THIS STONE THE CORPS IS LAYD
OF RICHARD COPLESTONE ESQVIRE.
HERE REST HIS BONES, HIS SOVLE IS FLEDDE
TO JOYES OF CHRIST, HIS SWEET DESIER.
WHAT ERTH DOTH HIDE, WHAT HENCE IS GONE,
THE JUDGEMENT DAYE SHALL JOYNE IN ONE."
18. Or of memorable people since that time?
19. What Coats of Arms, carved or painted in the Windows or elsewhere? None.
20. Tower, its height, shape, and situation with respect to the Church? Square, 68 feet high at ye west end of ye Church.
21. The number of Bells in it? Four.
22. The name of the present Patron?
John[??] Walter Esqr. of Stevenstone, Henry Stevens Esqr. of Cross & Mrs. Hatch[?] & her sister, late of Gt. Torrington.
23. Chappels of Ease if any, how situated and endowed? And to what Saint dedicated? None.
24. Names of ruined Chappels, and how situated? None.
25. What Wakes, Parish Feasts, or Annual Processions? An Annual Feast on Ascension Day & the preceding Sunday.
26. Are there any Roman Roads, Walls, Camps, Forts, Pavements, Urns, Stoves, Lamps, Coins or Weapons of War found in your Parish, and where now to be seen? No.
27. Any Obelisks, of rude single stones, or Enclosures made of stones erect, in a circular or any other form? No.
28. Any large single stones placed horizontally on others? No.
29. Any basons cut into the surface of your rocks? No.
30. Any rocking stones or caves made by art? No.
31. Any Danish or Saxon Encampments, Urns, Bracelets, or Weapons, found in Sepulchres? No.
32. Any ancient Crosses standing, with or without inscription? No.
33. Ancient Castles, if any, and by whom built? None.
34. What parts of them now remaining?
35. To whom belonging?
36. Abbeys, and religious Houses, their situation?
37. What parts of them remaining?
38. To what uses now converted?
39. And to whom belonging?
40. Remarkable particulars concerning them?
41. What Colleges, Hospitals, Schools and Alms-houses in the Parish?
42. By whom founded?
43. And for what uses?
44. Their ancient establishment?
45. And present state? At Addiport are some alms-houses called Lazar Houses given, with an Estate [of] about £22 per annum, more than 200 years agoe by Tristram Arscott, Gent., for the benefit of leprous persons. The houses are inhabited by poor people. The profits of the Estate [are] distributed to such poor of this Parish & Gt. Tor[rington] who have no Parish pay. There is a little Chapel, part of the same Charity, where prayers are rad once a month, the salary 40 shillings per annum.
46. Are there any Gentlemen's Seats and remarkable improvements in the Parish?
Cross House, before mentioned, begun by the late Henry Stevens Esqr., & finished by his widow about 7 years ago.
47. Any Bridges, Roads, or other publick works? No.
48. When made or erected?
49. What Fairs or Markets? None.
50. On what days kept?
51. What is chiefly sold in them?
52. What ancient sayings or proverbs are there relating to the Parish? None.
53. The names of remarkable woods, mountains, rocks, parks, commons and warrens, with their particular situations in the Parish? None.
54. The face of the Parish in its several parts?
Towards the north, north-east and north-west hilly; to the south & level.
55. Open or enclosed? For the most part enclosed.
56. Consisting of downs, heath or woodland?
57. The colour and nature of the soil? Dun [coloured], shallow & in general very stony.
58. Is it chiefly chalk, sand, gravel, stone, clay or marl?
59. What proportions of arable land, meadow and pasture?
Very little meadow & pasture land, but [i.e. except] in the north side of the Parish nigh the river.
60. The usual value of each per acre?
61. How manured and improved - by lime sand, or dung, and in what proportions?
By 40 bushels of lime or 300 [bushels?] horse manure[?] of dan.......
62. What grain is chiefly sown, or agrees best with the soil? Wheat, barley & oats.
63. What the greatest produce per acre? 20 bushels of wheat, 30 of barley & 40 of oats are reckoned good crops.
64. What quantity of acres under Orchards?
The Parish is not at all remarkable for Cyder. In a good year the Farmer makes enough for his own use, seldom any for sale.
65. Is it remarkable for its good ness?
66. Is it of the rough or sweet sort?
67. And what is the usual value of it per hogshead, at the Pound's mouth?
68. What quantity of woodland is there in the parish?
Near 100 acres of oak & coppice. A pretty large quantity of oak timber on an Estate called Woodlands belonging to Joseph Coplestone Esqr.
69. Does it consist chiefly of Timber Trees or Coppice?
70. What sorts of trees are most common, and seem to thrive best? Oak & Ash.
71. What shrubs, plants and vegetables are peculiar to, or grow most commonly in the Parish?
Some whortle berries, wild strawberries in great plenty, eglantine, St. John's wort & other common medicinal plants.
72. What rare or uncommon plants? None.
73. What are their supposed virtues, and in what manner used?
74. What mineral or medicinal Springs are there in the Parish? None.
75. What are their qualities, virtue, weight and analysis?
76. For what disorders used and in what method?
77. Are there any well attested cures wrought by them?
78. Are there any Periodical Springs? No.
79. Any Springs that ebb and flow? No.
80. Or that bury themselves underground? No.
81. Any that petrify or incrust other bodies with stony particles? No.
82. Of what depth are the Wells in the different parts of the Parish? Most of our Springs are very near the surface.
83. What strata have been observed in digging them, and in what order do those strata lye?
84. What rivers or rivulets rise in or run through the Parish? None of any note.
85. Their course, breadth and depth, the nature of their bed and banks?
86. Are they liable to inundations and in what season?
87. What cascades or weirs on them?
88. With what fish do they abound?
89. How, and at what seasons caught, and in what quantities?
90. Are there any large pools of lakes in the Parish? No.
91. What sorts and colours of Marble, Moorstone, Limestone, Freestone, Building-stone, coal, slate, pipe clay, brick clay, ochre, marl, or chalk are found in the Parish? Coarse building stone only. This in great plenty all the Parish over.
92. And in what manner are they used?
93. Are there any impressions of land or sea animals, or shells found in your stone quarries? No.
94. Are there any transparent pebbles or other stones remarkable for their figure? No.
95. What sorts of cattle are bred chiefly in the Parish? Horned cattle of common size &c.
96. At what Fairs or Markets are they sold? For the most part at Gt. Torrington and Hatherleigh.
97. Are they remarkable for their size, shape, colour or breed?
98. Are there any birds, land or water insects, remarkably common or singular in their kind?
Last year & this great damage has been done in this & many neighbouring Parishes by a worm eating away the roots of the corn & grass. In ploughing & fellowing[?] they were found in prodigious numbers just under the surface. The late long drought has in a great measure destroyed them. The remaining ones are now getting[?] wings & are, beyond doubt, of that kind of Beetle which is here called an Oakment[??].
99. have they any particular good or bad qualities?
100. Are they prejudicial to the fruits of the earth and in what Seasons?
101. Is your Air sharp and dry, or mild and foggy? Sharp & dry.
102. Is it reputed wholesome, or unwholesome? Reputed wholesome.
103. Are there any remarkable particulars relating to the make, complexion, strength, health, age, diet and temper of the Inhabitants? No.
104. Remarkable instances of long-lived persons, or of extraordinary preternatural births?
Some years ago William Slade died aged 107, and when 100 he cut & bound 100 furze fagots in a day. His wife lived to 103. Their son, John, now lives & is pretty healthy at 85.
105. Have you any Trade or Manufacture in the Parish?
Husbandry is the chief Employment of the Parish. Some of our women spin wool for different masters.
106. How is it carried on and in what manner disposed of?
107. Are there any remarkable facts of History relating to the Parish? No.
108. Any natural Caves in limestone or other quarries? No.
109. Have you any silver, lead, tin, copper or iron ore? No.
110. How wide is the vein.
111. Does it run north & south, or east and west?
112. What is the annual profit made of it?
113. Are your Mines subject to Damps?
114. How long have they been worked?
115. Have you any bitumen, naphtha, alum, calamine, blacklead, bismuth, mercury or antimony found in your Parish? None.
Augt. 1757, answered by the Revd. Mr. Fisher, vicar, Little Torrington.”
It is amazing to think that Cross House was a new build when this questionnaire was completed, but good to know that the parish has always been noted for its long-lived inhabitants! Perhaps our current vicar would like to fill out an updated version of the answers to these questions?!