Chulmleigh, Devon

Description
Chulmleigh, a small town and a parish in Devonshire. The town stands on a gentle eminence at the right side of the river Taw, on the Roman road from Exeter, 3 miles NE of Eggesford station on the L. & S.W.R., and 8 S by W of South Molton. It was the scene of a skirmish in 1645 between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians. It has a head post office, of the name of Chulmleigh, North Devon, a parish church, and two dissenting chapels, and is a seat of petty sessions. The church is Later English; consists of nave, chancel, and aisles, with a square massive tower; has an elegant carved oak screen, and a fine stone font; and was restored in 1880 and 1881. Fairs are held on Easter Wednesday and the last Wednesday of July. The parish comprises 8906 acres; population, 1318. Stone Manor belongs to the Earl of Portsmouth, and Elstone Manor to Earl Fortescue. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Exeter; value, £740. A cottage hospital was established in 1871.