Harpford

HARPFORD is a parish and scattered village in the picturesque valley of the river Otter, 3½ miles N. W. of Sidmouth, and 10½ miles E. by S. of Exeter. The parish, which includes the hamlets of Bowd (or Bowood), Southerton and. Burrow, each about a mile from the church, is in Honiton union and county court district, Ottery petty sessional division, East Budleigh hundred, Eastern division of the county, Exeter archdeaconry, and Ottery rural deanery. It had 258 inhabitants (131 males, 127 females) in 1871, living in 53 houses, on 1518 acre's of land. Harpford Wood contains about 180 acres, and exhibits some picturesque scenery formed by the hills of Ottery and Sidmouth. The trustees of the late Lord Rolle are lords of the manor and owners of a great part of the parish; and the rest belongs to Messrs. Henry and George Peppin, the Hon. Mark Rolle, and a few smaller owners. The manor was anciently held by the noble family of Dinham, and their old mansion, now a farm-house called Court Place, is traditionally said to have been the county gaol, before its removal to Bicton. The CHURCH (St. Nicholas) is a venerable fabric, consisting of nave, chancel, south aisle, and a tower containing three bells. It has a wagon roof which has some curious carving. The church was appropriated in 1205 to the Abbey of St. Michael de Monte, and afterwards to Syon monastery. The vicarage, valued in K.B. at £18 11s.3d., and in 1831 at £239, with that of Venn-Ottery annexed to it, is in the patronage of the Hon. Mark Rolle, and incumbency of the Rev. Charles Edward Littledale, M.A,, who has a good residence, and 16 acres of glebe. The vicarial tithes were commuted in 1840 for £146 15s., and the great tithes for £130 15s. per annum. The latter are now held by G. N. Maule, Esq. This parish is united with Aylesbeare and Venn-Ottery as a School Board district (see Aylesbeare).

LETTERS by foot post are received at 8.30 a.m., via Ottery St. Mary, which is the nearest Money Order Office. There is a WALL. LETTER BOX in the Church wall, cleared at 5.15 p.m., week days only. Tipton (1 mile distant) is the nearest Railway Station.