Wear Gifford. Transcribed from - Morris and Co.'s Commercial Directory and Gazetteer. 1870 Please notify me of any errors. Contact.   Transcribed by David GALE Checked by Val HENDERSON   Pages 414 - 415   WEAR GIFFORD is a village and parish in Torrington union, containing, by the census of 1861, 494 inhabitants, and 1587 acres; in the deanery of Hartland, archdeaconry of Barnstaple, diocese of Exeter, hundred of Shebbear, North Devonshire; 3 miles north-west from Torrington, and 4 south from Bideford, pleasantly situated on the east bank of the river Torridge, which abounds with fish; and in the summer this village is a favourite resort of boating parties from Bideford, who frequent the strawberry gardens here. The line of railway now in the course of construction from Bideford to Torrington passes within 100 yards of the village. The rectory, in the incumbency of the Rev. Charles William Sillifant, M.A., is valued at £180 per annum, with residence and six acres of glebe land, and is in the patronage of Earl Fortescue. The church is an ancient edifice, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, consisting of nave, chancel, north and south aisles, with tower and five bells. There is a National School for children of both sexes, which was partially endowed by John Lovering in 1671, who also left some charitable bequests for the benefit of the poor of this and other places. This manor was possessed for several centuries by the Gifford family, hence its name. It passed by marriage to the son of the Lord Chancellor, Sir John Fortescue, during the reign of Henry VI., from whom it has descended to Earl Fortescue, who is now lord of the manor, and he and the Hon. Mark Kerr Rolle are the chief landowners. Clergy and Gentry. Cooper John Groves, Esq., Wear cottage Davey Mr. John, Quay cottage Hackett Miss, Hazel cottage Hutchinson Chas. Francis, Esq., Wear hall Jones Henry, Esq. Lovell Capt. Esdale, Southwood cottage Slade Mrs., Sunnyside Trades and Professions. Alford William, farmer, Hallspill Bale Edward, shopkeeper Balsdon John F., farmer, Wear Barton COOPER JOHN GROVES, land agent and surveyor, and agent for London and Westminster Fire and Life Offices, the City of Glasgow Life Office, and secretary to the Northern Burrows Hotel and Villas Company (limited); and at Grenville street, Bideford Channings Thomas, farmer, Little Wear Clark John, carpenter and wheelwright Cole James, boot and shoemaker Davey George, mason Downing Thomas, farmer, Park Fry John, miller and farmer, Wear mills Harris Edwin, farmer, Southcot Barton Kidwell Mrs. Ann, farmer, Venton Lake Thomas, farmer, Huxwell Parkhouse William, farmer Parr John, boot and shoemaker, and sub-postmaster Shapland John, National schoolmaster Short Thomas, tailor, The Quay Short William, parish clerk Tout Edward, farmer, Huxwell Tucker David, blacksmith Wilton Thomas, farmer, Little Wear Wilton William, farmer, Cleave ~ Post Office - John Parr, sub-postmaster. Letters from Great Torrington arrive at 9 a.m.; dispatched at 4.30 p.m. Great Torrington is the nearest money order office. ~ National School - John Shapland, master; Mrs. Shapland, mistress.       TOP MY HOME PAGE RETURN TO 1870 LIST Updated 13/12/01 Please Report any non-working links. Please feel free to use the information on this page for your own personnel research, but please DO NOT use it for commercial purposes or financial gain. Thankyou. © 2001 Transcriber and Checker as named above.