GENUKI/Devon: Holcombe Rogus, Kelly 1883

Holcombe Rogus, situated on the borders of Somerset, is a parish and village, 21/3 miles north-west-by-north from Burlescombe station on the Bristol and Exeter railway (Great Western), 8½ miles north-east-by-east from Tiverton, and 6 west-south-west from Wellington (Somerset), in the Northern division of the county, Bampton hundred, Wellington union and county court district, rural deanery of East Tiverton, and archdeaconry and diocese of Exeter. The church of All Saints is a building of stone in the Early Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, nave of five bays, aisles, south porch and a western embattled tower containing 5 bells: it contains a handsome reredos and good carved oak screens and there are also numerous mural monuments and massive alter tombs with recumbent male and female effigies, dating from 1613, to the Bluet family, who were seated here for many generations. The register dates from the year 1540. The living is a vicarage, the tithes commuted at £300, net yearly value £217, with residence and 1½ acres of glebe, in the gift of William Carew Rayer esq. J.P and held by the Rev John Pascoe Mayne. Webber's charity, founded in 1823, consists of £1000 New £3 per Cents, interest to be applied in the daily education of 30 poor girls and 20 poor boys in the doctrines of the Church of England. The Rev W.Wills, late vicar, by his will, dated 1875, left £300 in £3 per Cent. Annuities, the interest to be given to the poor on the 28^th December annually. Holcombe Court, the ancient seat of the Bluetts, and now the property and residence of William Carew Rayer esq.J.P who is lord of the manor and chief landowner, is a fine old mansion, in the Tudor style. The soil is clayey; the subsoil, limestone. The chief crops are wheat, barley and oats. The acreage is 3,024; rateable value £4,773; and 7 of water; rateable value, £5,147; the population in 1881 was 734.
Parish Clerk, Thomas Scott.

POST OFFICE - John Tooze, receiver. Letters through Wellington (Somerset) received at 8.55 a.m.: dispatched at 4.25 p.m. Sampford Peverell is the nearest money order office & Burliscombe railway station the nearest telegraph office.

SCHOOLS;-- Church of England School, erected in 1875 for 65 boys: average attendance 50 and supported by W.C.Rayer esq.:
Samuel Fursey, toaster
Webber's Public Elementary Charity School, erected in 1849 for 60 girls & infants; average attendance 53; Miss Sarah Coleman, mistress.

Kelly's Directory of Holcombe Rogus (1883)

Transcribed by

Richard Farmer