Lustleigh (St. John the Baptist)
LUSTLEIGH (St. John the Baptist), a parish, in the union of Newton-Abbott, hundred of Teignbridge, Crockernwell and S. divisions of Devon, 4 miles (N. W.) from Bovey-Tracey; containing 311 inhabitants. It comprises by admeasurement 2939 acres, of which 654 are common or waste; the surrounding country is celebrated for its rich and varied scenery, and the parish itself has a beautifully romantic appearance, including the singularly fine and picturesque rocky valley called Lustleigh Cleve. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £16. 7. 6., and in the gift of the Rev. Frederick Ensor: the tithes have been commuted for £200, and the glebe contains 36 acres, with a house, lately rebuilt in a costly manner, and in the antique style. The church is one of the most ancient in the county, and has a very curious stone at the entrance, covered with characters which have attracted much attention; the interior contains three stone figures, one of which, in the style of a crusader, is supposed to represent Sir William le Prouz, and the other two, Lord Dynham and his lady. There is an endowed parochial school. In a lane near the church is "Bishop's Stone," a block of granite, five feet high, the remains of an ancient cross.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.