Monkleigh, Devon

Description
Monkleigh, a village and a parish in Devonshire. The village stands on high ground above the river Torridge, 3 miles NW by W of Torrington, and 4 1/2 S by E of Bideford station on the L. & S.W.R., belonged to Montacute monastery, and took thence the name of Monkleigh by corruption of Monk Leasne. It has a post office under Torrington; money order and telegraph office, Torrington. Acreage of parish, 2171; population, 429. The manor passed by purchase after the Reformation to the Coffins. Annery House, a fine mansion overlooking the picturesque village of Wear Gifford, belonged formerly to Chief Justice Sir W. Hankford. There is a large earthenware manufactory. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Exeter; value, £150 with residence. The church is ancient, in fair condition, has a S aisle belonging-to the Annery estate and rebuilt in 1829, and contains a screen, two brasses, a monument to Sir W. Hankford, and a tablet to Major A. S. Willet, who served and died in the Crimea. There is a Wesleyan chapel.