Otterton (St. Michael)

OTTERTON (St. Michael), a parish, in the union of St. Thomas, hundred of East Budleigh, Woodbury and S. divisions of Devon, 4 miles (S. W. by W.) from Sidmouth; containing 1245 inhabitants. Here was an alien priory of Black monks, founded in the reign of the Conqueror, and subordinate to the abbey of St. Michael in Periculo Maris, in Normandy; at the suppression, in the 1st of Edward IV., its revenue was estimated at £87. 10. 4., and its possessions were given to the monastery of Sion. The parish is situated on the eastern bank of the river Otter, the estuary of which at a short distance communicates with the English Channel; it is bounded by Sidmouth on the east, and on the west by East Budleigh, and comprises about 4353 acres. Redsandstone is taken from the cliffs, for building purposes. Pillow-lace is made by the females. Small fairs are held on April 18th and October 17th. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's books at £22; net income, £312; patrons, the family of Rolle. The vicar has all the tithes, except the sheaf-tithe, which belongs to the Rolle family, who possess nearly the whole of the parish; there is a glebe-house, with about 24 acres of land. The church is ancient, and remarkable for the situation of the tower at the east end. At Hederland was formerly a chapel.