Bickleigh (St. Mary)

BICKLEIGH (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of Tiverton, hundred of Hayridge, Cullompton and N. divisions of Devon, 4 miles (S. by W.) from Tiverton; containing 362 inhabitants. The parish comprises by measurement 2469 acres, and is situated on the road from Exeter to Bristol and Bath, and on the river Exe, near its confluence with the Dart, over the former of which is a good bridge near the point of junction: stone is quarried for building and road-making. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £18. 4. 9½.; net income, £420; patron, Sir W. P. Carew, Bart.; there are a glebe of 50 acres, and a house in good repair. The church contains some handsome monuments of the Carew family, who resided at Bickleigh Court, an ancient mansion, now destroyed. Bampfylde Moore Carew, "king of the beggars," was born in the parsonage-house, his father being the rector, and was buried here.