Coleridge (St. Mary)

COLERIDGE (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of Crediton, hundred of North Tawton, South Molton and N. divisions of Devon, 10 miles (W. N. W.) from Crediton; containing 677 inhabitants. The parish is situated on the river Taw, abounding with excellent trout, and comprises 3181 acres, of which 604 are common or waste. About forty persons are employed in the weaving of serge by hand-loom. Facility of communication is afforded by a road through the centre of the parish, connecting Bideford with Exeter. A fair is held on the first Monday after the 19th of September, when a few cattle and sheep are exposed for sale. The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £7. 8. 9.; net income, £142; patron, the Bishop of Exeter; impropriator, the Hon. N. Fellowes: the rectorial tithes have been commuted for £200; the glebe comprises 16 acres. The church is a handsome early English structure, with the exception of the chancel and the east end of the north aisle, which are of the later English style, and were erected by John Evans, supposed to have been lord of the manor, and whose monument, with a recumbent figure, is placed in the latter; the east window is embellished with stained glass, in which is a full-length portrait of Edward VI., with the sceptre and a Bible. There is a place of worship for Baptists. On Trinity Green was an ancient chapel, now converted into a dwelling-house; and there are some remains of a Roman encampment, near the Taw.