DOWN, (EAST) a small village, in a picturesque valley, 6½ miles
N.N.E. of Barnstaple, has in its parish 473 souls, and 3643 acres
of land, rising in bold hills on the north, and including the
hamlets of Churchill, Brockham, and Shortacombe. The
manor belonged to the ancient family of Downe, till the reign of
Edward III., when it passed to an ancestor of the Coffin family.
The late Rev. Chas. Pine Coffin, who died in January, 1850, was
lord of the manor and rector of the parish, and his relict resides
at the Manor House. C.J.S.P. Coffin, Esq., is lord of the
manor of East Down, and Sir J.P.B. Chichester, Bart., is lord of
the manor of Churchill, formerly held by the St. Aubin and Ley
families. Mr. James Harris, John and Rd. Richards, and several
smaller owners have estates in the parish. The Church (St.
John,) is an ancient structure, in the perpendicular style, with a
tower and four bells. It has undergone many repairs, and the
windows are modern insertions. The rectory, valued in K.B.
at £18. 13s. 9d.. and in 1831 at £383, is in the
patronage of C. Chichester, Esq., and has a handsome new residence,
and 87A. of glebe. The tithes were commuted in 1843, for £385
per annum. Here is a Wesleyan Chapel. The poor have the dividends
of £l65. 0s. 8d. three per cent. consols, purchased with
£100 left by Edw. Pine, in 1802. They have also the
interest of £6, left by G. Horwood and W. Lancey.
Burgess Wm. blacksmith
Coffin Mrs C.P. & C.J.S.P., Esq., Manor House
Delve Edw. and Hassell J. carpentrs
Harris Jas. Esq. & Mrs E.W. Viveham
Mayne Jas. shopkeeper, &c
FARMERS. (* at Churchill.)
Barrow John || Chugg Wm.
Chugg Walter, Mills || Crang Wm.
Davis James, Lower Viveham
Garnish Anthony, Shortacombe
Jones Geo. Harper, Oakwell
Lerwell Wm. || Passmore Richard
Richards Jas. || Rowe Wm.
Richards John & Richard, Northcote
*Smithy Chas. || *Smith Thomas
*Tamlyn Jas. || *Tamlyn Wm.
Brian Randell, 26 Aug 1999
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East Down 
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