|
Modbury. Transcribed from - Pigot & Co.'s Directory of Devonshire 1830-31. Please notify me of any errors. Contact. A market town in the parish of its name, in the hundred of Ermington, is 206 miles from London, 33 from Exeter, and 12 from Plymouth; situated in a hilly but highly productive district; interspersed with rich pastures and good grain land. The river Erme bounds the western part of the parish, and is navigable about two miles from its mouth, where it falls into the channel at the part called Bigbury bay. The manufacture of woollen goods was formerly of consequence to the place, but is now dwindled down to a little serge making; and the trade of the town generally is trifling when divested of the advantage it derives from its markets and fair. It is recorded that Modbury, in the thirty-fourth year of Edward I. sent two members to parliament; and it appears to have been exempted from this privilage upon a petition, alleging the poverty of the inhabitants, which denied them the ability to pay their representatives. Modbury is governed by a portrieve, or, as he is usually called, mayor, and two constables, which are elected at the court leet and baron held at Michaelmas and Lady-day; the mayor being returned by a jury of twelve householders. George Henry Legassicke Crespin, Esq. is lord of the manor and borough. The places of worship here are, the parish church, and a meeting-house each belonging to the presbyterians, methodists, and quakers. The church is dedicated to St. George, and is a spacious and handsome structure, with a spire of more modern construction than the body, about 134 feet in height. The living is a vicarage in the gift of Eton college; the present incumbent is the Rev. William Stackhouse. The neighbourhood of Modbury is of a very genteel character, and within the circuit of a few miles may be noticed some elegant seats and tasteful residences. The weekly market is on Thursday; a cattle market is held on the second Tuesday in each month, and an annual fair on the fourth of May. The population of the entire parish, in 1821, was 2,194 inhabitants. POST OFFICE, Church-street, Richard Hosking, Post master.-- Letters from Ugborough arrive every morning at five, and are despatched to that town every evening at six, in time to meet the mail.
|