Exminster, Devon

Description
Exminster, a village and a parish in Devonshire. The village stands on a pleasant spot adjacent to the river Exe, and has a station on the G.W.R., 191 miles from London, and 3 1/2 SSE of Exeter. It has a post and money order office under Exeter; telegraph office, Exeter. The parish includes the village, and is in the district of St Thomas. Acreage, 4796 of land and 316 of foreshore and water; population of the civil parish, 2337; of the ecclesiastical, 2357. The manor belonged to the Courtenays, Earls of Devon, and had formerly a very large manor-house, in which Archbishop Courtenay was born. The lords of the manor now are the Earl of Devon and Lord Haldon. The principal residences are Peamore and Matford. The Devon county lunatic asylum stands here on a plot of 50 acres, occupies an elevated position on a declivity 140 feet above the surrounding level, was opened in 1845, and considerably enlarged in 1877. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Exeter; net value, £200 with residence. Patrons, the Governors of Crediton Church Corporation Trust. The church is ancient, consists of nave, chancel, and S aisle, with western tower, and contains an ancient carved oak screen and several handsome monuments. There are a Wesleyan chapel, a meeting-house for the Brethren, an endowed school, and a pleasure fair is held on 27 May.