IS a small sea-port, and the most northerly town in Devonshire,
in the hundred of Braunton; 202 miles from London, 48 from Exeter,
18 from Bideford, and 10 from Barnstaple. The town, which consists
of one street, about a mile in length, is built on the side of a
hill, and commands a fine view of the Welsh coast and the Bristol
channel. Its chief consequence is derived from the peculiar
situation and safety of its harbour; the inner basin of which is
principally formed by the rocks which surround and protect it. Upon
one of these rocks, next the sea, is a light-house; and along the
side of the same runs an artificial pier, originally built by the
Bouchier family, and subsequently repaired and enlarged by Sir
Bouchier Wrey, Bart. the present owner of the pier and lord of the
manor. Besides the advantages of its harbour, Ilfracombe has lately
risen to some celebrity as a watering-place, and has become the
residence of several respectable families. For temporary sojourners
here are three good inns, and for those who court more secluded
accommodation, is a range of well-furnished private lodging-house*.
A pebbly shore, in the same direction as the lodging-houses, with
some good machines, afford convenient bathing; and a well-selected
library is to be found at Mr. Banfield's, bookseller, &c.
The places of worship are, the parish church, and a chapel for
the independents. The living of the former is a vicarage, in the
gift of the Bishop of Salisbury; the present vicar is the Rev.
Robert Dickenson. Camden, the historian, was prebendary of this
church in 1580; at that time the benefice might be enjoyed by a
layman. A new road, winding through a level and well-wooded valley,
has just been completed from hence to Barnstaple; which, it is
expected, will conduce to the reciprocal benefit of both towns, and
their markets. The weekly market at I1fracombe is on Saturday; an
annual great market is held on the 23rd of August, and a fair on
the 14th of April. The population of the parish, by the
parliamentary census of 1821, was 2,622 persons.
POST OFFICE, Susannah Stanbury, Post Mistress -
Letters from all parts arrive at nine in the morning, and are
despatched at six in the evening.
GENTRY AND CLERGY.
Alder Captain, R.N. Ilfracombe
Bassett John Davie, Esq. Ilfracombe
Bowen Admiral, Ilfracombe
Bowen Rev. John, St. Vincent
Dickenson Rev. Robert, Vicarage
Dickenson Robt. W. esq. Ilfracombe
Down Capt. Edward (army) Ilfracombe
Font Jesse, M.D. Ilfracombe
Harding Major, Ilfracombe
Hicks John Wm. esq. Ilfracombe
Kendall Peter, esq. Watermouth
Lee Nathnl. Vye, esq. Ilfracombe
McCaul William, esq. Ilfracombe
Meek James, esq. Ilfracombe
Millo Abraham, esq. Ilfracombe
Mills Captain, Ilfracombe
Newton Lieut. Colonel, Ilfracombe
Richards James, esq. Ilfracombe
Riddell Robert, esq., Spreacombe
Shepherd William, esq. Ilfracombe
Steevens Harry, esq. Ilfracombe
Vye Nathaniel. esq. Ilfracombe
Vye Wm. Blackmore, esq. Ilfracombe
Webber General, Buckland
Wren Edward, esq. Ilfracombe
ACADEMIES AND SCHOOLS.
Dally Richard, (boarding and day)
Evans, Sophia
Farrant John, (day)
Hacker Susannah (boarding & day)
NATIONAL SCHOOL, John Thorne, master
BANKERS.
Vye and Harris (draw on Glyn and Co. London)
BLACK AND WHITE SMITHS.
Clibbet George
Facey Richard
Morris David
Robins James
Stanbury James
BOOKSELLERS, PRINTRS, &c.
Banfield John (and library)
Whateley Dorothy
BOOT & SHOE MAKERS.
Dallin William
Dennis William
German John
Harding William
Jones Thomas
Summers George
Toms John
Tucker William
BUTCHERS.
Dart Peter
Davies Hannah
Davies John
Martin John
Scamp George
Scamp William
CABINET MAKERS.
Harris James (and joiner)
Stephens Hugh (and upholsterer)
CARPENTERS & JOINERS.
Chiswell Thomas
Hearson John (and builder)
Knight Thomas (and builder)
Norman William
COOPERS.
Langdon William
Tucker William
Warman John
DRAPERS AND GROCERS.
Andrews Elizabeth
Challacombe Elizabeth
Clark David
Coats George
Davison Hannah
Edwards John
Evans Joseph
Fry Ann
Gaydon Edward
Greenslade Eliza (and library)
Higher William
Lathaby Elizabeth
Wade Anna
Williams Elizabeth
Wills Charles
FIRE, &c. OFFICE AGENTS.
ALLIANCE, George Coats
ROYAL EXCHANGE, Edwd. Gaydon
WEST OF ENGLAND, Thomas Coats
GLASS AND EARTHENWARE DEALERS.
Conier Jane
Jones Ann
INNS AND HOTELS.
Britannia, John Martin
Clarence Hotel, James Camp
Packet Hotel, Amos Fry
IRONMONGERS.
Fleming Susan
Hearson Edward (and saddler)
Sloley William
Widgery John
LODGING HOUSES.
Camp James
Challacombe Geo.
Chorley John
Coats George
Cornish James
Dallin William
Davis John
Dennis Charles
Edwards John
Fosse Maria
German Richard
Lovering Thomas
Paddon William
Scamp Peter
Stephens Hugh
Thorne Walter
Walters Mary
Williams George
MALTSTERS.
Fosse William
Fry John
Scamp William
- George
-ye William
MERCHANTS.
Huxtable & Genge (& shipbuilders)
MILLINERS, DRESS & STRAW HAT MAKERS.
Burgess Elizabeth
Chiswell Mary
Morris Elizabeth and Mary Ann
Parminter Sarah
Scamp Elizabeth and Mary
Smith Ann
Smith Sarah
Williams Susan
PAINTERS AND GLAZIERS.
Clarke David
Miller William
Rice Edward and Roger
SURGEONS.
Jones John
Moon Robert Henry
Stabb Thomas
Vye Nathaniel
TAILORS AND DRAPERS.
Croscombe John
Jones James
TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES.
Barnstaple Inn, Betty Lawrence
Commercial, John Hearson
Crown, Robert Harding
Duke of Cumberland, Walter German
Ebrington Arms, Thomas Tuckfield
Exeter, Susanah Hearson
George & Dragon, Susannah Cole
Golden Lion, James Hodge
King of Prussia, Nicholas Barns
King's Arms, Thomas Cornish
Lamb, Thomas Parker
Market Inn, Elizabeth Harding
Moon, Johanna Edwards
New Inn, James Sutton
Red Cow, Elizabeth Harker
Ring of Bells, John Knill
Rising Sun, John Harding
Rodney, William Stephens
Star, James Scamp
Wellington Arms, John Davey
White Hart, Henry Eastway
White Swan, Thomas Hancock
Collector, Mr. Robert Holland Comptroller & Landing Surveyor, Mr. John Williams
COACHES.
To BARNSTAPLE, the Royal Mail, from the Britannia, every
evening at a quarter before six.
CARRIERS.
To BARNSTAPLE, John Pugsley, from the Quay, every Tuesday, Thursday
& Saturday - and John Dadd and John Baker. from their houses,
every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
CONVEYANCE BY WATER.
To BRISTOL, a Steam Packet (during the summer) every
Tuesday.
To SWANSEA, a Steam Packet (during the summer) every
Saturday - and a Sailing Packet, every Mon. & Thurs.
BRISTOL TRADERS.
The Beresford, John Eastaway, and the Jane, David Pile.
Transcribed - Brian Randell, 17 Jul 1999
Note: The information provided by GENUKI must not be
used for commercial purposes, and all specific restrictions
concerning usage, copyright notices, etc., that are to be found on
individual information pages within GENUKI must be strictly adhered
to. Violation of these rules could gravely harm the cooperation
that GENUKI is obtaining from many information providers, and hence
threaten its whole future.
Ilfracombe 
Contents & Search