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A parish in Witheridge Hundred, the Archdeaconry of Barnstaple, and the Diocese of Exeter."WITHERIDGE, a small, clean, and well-built town, with an open square, or market place, in the centre . . . is pleasantly situated on the south-eastern acclivity of the Little Dart river, 10 miles W. of Tiverton, 9 miles S.E. by S. of South Molton, and 8 miles E. of Chulmleigh. Its parish contains 1399 inhabitants, and 9958 acres of land, on both sides of the river, picturesquely broken into hill and valley, and including many scattered farm-houses, &c. . . . The Agricultural Association of Witheridge and six neighbouring parishes, has a numerous list of members, and holds its meetings and its ploughing matches here. The manor and hundred of Witheridge was anciently held by the Fitzpayne, Poleyne, Marchant, Chichester, and other families. The Hon. Newton Fellowes is now lord of the manor, and owner of a great part of the parish, and the rest belongs to the Rev. W.P. Thomas, and many smaller free-holders. . . . The Church (St. John,) is a large and handsome structure, with a tower, which contains five bells, and was heightened 40 feet a few years ago, when the ancient decayed wooden spire was taken down. . . . The rectory, valued in K.B. at £23. 10s. 5d., and in 1831 at £450, is in the patronage of the Rev. W.P. Thomas, and incumbency of the Rev. J.P. Benson, M.A., for whom a new Vicarage House is about to be erected. . . ." [From White's Devonshire Directory (1850)]
Select map to view parish
boundaries in detail.
The tragic death of Herbert Cruwys of Witheridge, transcribed by Debbie Kennett from the North Devon Journal 1891.
Charge of incendiarism against Emily Beer, transcribed by Debbie Kennett from Trewman's Exeter Flying Post 1892.
Gutch, J.M. Caraboo: a narrative of singular imposition...by Mary Willcocks alias Baker, alias Bakerstendht, alias Caraboo, Princess of Javasu. London: Baldwin, Cradock & Joy (1817) 68p: ports. [Westcountry Studies Library - s920/WIL] (See also a summary account of the Princess Caraboo Hoax, by Bernard Spaughton.)
Leonard, A.J.K and Sproat, Margaret. Caraboo - Princess of Jarva. Devon Life vol. 6 no. 46 (1970) pp.16-17. [1791-1864]
McCabe, Helen. Two For a Lie, Peacock Publishing Ltd (1995) 350 pp. [ISBN: 0952540401] [Historical novel based on the story of Princess Caraboo]
A transcription of the Memorial Inscriptions for the Church of St John the Baptist is held in the Society of Genealogist's Library, in Vol. 8 of Devon Memorial inscriptions (DE/M23).
Transcripts of the 1891 Census and the 1901 Census by David Taylor.
Snetzler, M.F. North Devon Surname Index to the Census. Microfiche: M.F. Snetzler, Barcott, Buckland Brewer, Bideford, Devon EX39 5LN. [Covers 1841, 1861, 1871 and 1881 census records for this parish]
Witheridge - from J. Stabb. Some Old Devon Churches (London: 1908-16).
Lucas, Eric P. Methodism in Witheridge, 1809-1959. Wingate: E.P.Lucas (1959) 38p: ill, ports. [Westcountry Studies Library - 287.1/WIT/LUC]
Transcripts of the Parish Registers going back to 1585 are held in a special collection in the Westcountry Studies Library - for details see Parish Registers in the Devon & Cornwall Record Society's Collection.
The Devon FHS publishes indexes covering (as of June 2004): Marriages 1754-1837, Burials 1813-1837 - for details see their book list.
Entered into the IGI (as of Jan 1993): Parish Church Christenings 1585-1837 and Marriages 1585-1837.
Churchwardens List, transcribed by David Taylor.
Transcript of the marriage register of Witheridge 1646-1837. Photocopy of manuscript [1910] 40p. [Westcountry Studies Library - sx929.3/WIT/1646]
The Miscellaneous Series of IHGS Parish Registers, The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies, 79-82 Northgate, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1BA.: CD-ROM (n.d.). [The Devon section of contains: Marriages: Berrynarber 1540-1783, Bridgerule 1702-1753, Chardstock 1597-1837, Challacombe 1599-1621 and 1673-1837, Farringdon 1620-1788, Lynton 1591-1837, Pinhoe 1687-1837, Plymouth 1653-1674, Plymstock 1591-1812, Rewe 1686-1836, Witheridge 1646-1837.] [Also LDS Film 90711]
Grimley, Roger. Wheels Around Witheridge, Bigbury, The Author (1998) 48 pp. ill. [Barnstaple Local Studies Library 388.322/WIT/GRI]
Usmar, John. Witheridge Village Trail and Local Walks, Witheridge, John Usmar (1997) 48 pp. ill. [Barnstaple Local Studies Library 3796.51/WIT3/USM]
The transcription of the section for this parish from the National Gazetteer (1868), provided by Colin Hinson.
The Online Parish Clerk scheme's representative for this parish is David C. Taylor, who invites queries and lookup requests.
Averay, Wendy. Averay/Avery, Devon Family Historian, vol. 136, (Nov 2010) p.32.
Davies, John. A Wistful Journey from Berkshire, Devon Family Historian, vol. 133, (2010) pp.27-28. [Family of George Knapp (b. 1834, Witheridge).]
Spaughton, Bernard. Burgess from Witheridge [c.1730]. (1992) [Devon FHS Library p929.2/BUR]
Wilkin, W.H. Tanner of Witheridge, Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries 21, 1940-41, pp. 260-67. See also 22, 1942-46, p. 37. [16-19th c.]
David Tatlor's Witheridge Historical Archive - "Witheridge in Words and Pictures" - is a very extensive site devoted to the history of the village and parish of Witheridge.
Mrs and Mrs Tout (phone and fax 01884 860207) have a large photographic history of Witheridge, together with much written material. Mr John Usmar has written extensively about the history of the parish.
Castlehow, Rev. J.A.S. Witheridge Local History Notes, Typescript (1966) 57 pp. [North Devon Record Office 16129 add/2 PZ1]
Tout, P. & F. and Usmar, J. The Book of Witheridge: A parish through the centuries, Halsgrove (3003) 160 pp. [ISBN 1841142530]
Usmar, John. Witheridge Union Society (1829-1924), Typescript (1988) 31 pp. [North Devon Record Office B41addZ]
Usmar, John. Witheridge Carnival (1930-1953), Typescript (1988) 17 pp. [North Devon Record Office B41 Z/Z1]
Usmar, John. Witheridge and the Turnpike Roads, Typescript (1988) 26 pp. [North Devon Record Office B41 Z/Z1]
Usmar, John. Drayford in days gone past. Witheridge: John Usmar (1995) 39p: ill, maps. [Westcountry Studies Library - px301.34/WIT/USM]
Usmar, John, and Peter and Freda Tout. Old Witheridge: bygone days in a Devon village. Exeter: Devon Books,1988, 96 pp. ill., facsims., 1 map, ports. ISBN: 0861148215 (pbk).
Usmar, John, and Peter and Freda Tout. Witheridge Memories (1999) 111p., ill. [Exeter WCSL, Barnstaple Local Studies Library 307/WIT3/WIT] [Memories of 35 Witheridge people]
Usmar, J. Witheridge AFC 1920-2000: A Celebration of Eighty Years of Football in Witheridge, Witheridge, John Usmar (2000) 30 pp. [Barnstaple 796.334/WIT]
Witheridge Land Tax 1780 - 1832, transcribed by David Taylor.
Witheridge contributors to a 1678 brief for the rebuilding of St Paul's Cathedral.
Transcription of the Witheridge section of Kelly's Directory for 1902.Ryall, David. Lest We Forget, War memorials around South Molton. South Molton Archive, 68pp. [ISBN 0 951236 1 4] [Provides an indexed list of names]
Will of Susannah Ditchett (1754), transcribed by Renee Jackaman.
Usmar, John. The Two Schools in Witheridge and How They Became One, Typescript (1988) 76 pp. [North Devon Record Office B41 Z/Z1]
South Molton and District Archive Local History Society web-site (archived copy) - provides details of archive holdings for the twenty-eight parishes in what used to be the South Molton Rural District, lists of publications, etc.
Find help, report problems, and contribute information.Last updated: 12 Nov 2010 - Brian Randell
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