Aveton Gifford
Aveton Gifford parish, which includes the small hamlets of Ashford, Lixton, Waterhead and Harraton, in Kingsbridge union, and county court district, Ermington and Plympton petty sessional division, Kingsbridge polling district of South Devon, Ermington hundred, Totnes achdeaconry, and Wooleigh rural deanery. It had 839 inhabitants (425 males, 414 females) in 1871, living in 191 houses, on 3192 acres, including 130 acres of water. The village is pleasantly situated in the picturesque valley of the river Avon, 31/2 miles N.W. of Kingsbridge, and S.E. of Modbury. The river, which is crossed by a good bridge, is navigable for barges, and has a salmon fishery. The manor was anciently held by the Giffords or Giffards, and afterwards passed to the Dynkam, Prous, Mules, Damarell and Berry families. It now belongs to Baldwin John P. Bastard, Esq., who holds a court-leet here every two years; but there is a small manor called Heathfield, belonging to the trustees of P. Hyne, Esq.
Transcribed from History, Gazetteer and Directory of Devon, by William White, 2nd edition, 1878-9