CHAPTER IV.
CHUDLEIGH is a small market town in the southern division of the county of Devon, 182 miles from London, 10 miles from Exeter, and 6 miles from Newton-Abbot, on the great western road to Plymouth.
It is bounded on the N. and N. E. by the parish of Kenne and a detached part of Exminster; on the N. and N. W. by Trusham and Ashton from which parishes it is parted by Bramble brook, till this brook falls into the Teign near a bridge over that river, called Crocombe Bridge; on the S. and S. W. by Hennock, from which it is parted by the Teign; on the S. by Kingsteignton; on the E. by Ideford; and on the N. E. by Ashcombe and Kenton, where Kenton joins Kenne.
The scenery around Chudleigh is much diversified with hill and dale; rock and wood, and presents an infinite variety of fine. views. To the east the lofty range of the Haldon hills extends for a considerable distance, separating the vale of the Exe from that of the Teign, and commanding magnificent views in every direction. Haldon is a range of barren hills, now partially enclosed and planted, the sides sinking into deep valleys, occasionally clothed with woods and recent plantations. On a plain on the summit the County Races are held. The descent from these heights is over ranges of steep hills towards the vale of the Teign, where the banks of the river are clothed with verdant meadows and hanging woods.
The town is pleasantly situated in a fine tract of country on an eminence, surrounded by gardens and orchards, in an open valley flanked by hills of a greater elevation. On a gentle eminence to the east are the noble woods of Ugbrooke, and the picturesque park. A range of limestone rocks runs from the foot of Haldon, and passing near the town terminates in the bold declivity of Chudleigh Rock. The view from this summit has been pronounced to be one of the finest in England. At a distance, to the west, is a splendid boundary of lofty downs towards Dartmoor, with the rocky summits about the village of Hennock, and the peaked top of Hay Tor. Polwhele may well say “For the picturesque views which this parish affords, they are really so romantic as to beggar all description.”
From Mount Pleasant which is approached through the Riding Parks, on the verge of Ugbrooke, there is a complete view of the town and the adjoining, country for a considerable extent; and the road leading to Tower Hill forms an elevated terrace from which the views are remarkably fine. The range of rocks near Kerswell and Waddon abound in romantic and beautiful spots, well worthy of observation.
The scenery in the neighbourhood of Chudleigh can vie with any of the most admired places in Devon, or even England. The wonders of the Peak and the lakes of Westmoreland may have some superlative points of attraction, and all the charms that the genius of poetry can throw around them; but here nothing is wanting to delight the eye or charm the mind of an admirer of rural and picturesque scenery.
The parish formerly abounded in wood, more so, perhaps, than at present, though it is now not deficient in woods and plantations. The north-east side of the parish still retains the name of Chudleigh Woods, and the street leading to it is called Woodway.
The Bishops of Exeter, the early Lords of the Manor, frequently allude to their woods at Chudleigh in their registers in grants to various parties.
In fol. IV. of Bishop Stapledon's Register is his letter dated Stockwell, near London, 4 May, 1308, ordering the delivery of four good trees from our Chudleigh Wood to his friend John de Baurted, Clerk to our Lord the King, in order to be reserved for the purposes of the Cathedral work.
Humboldt includes the south of England with several delightful regions of the earth, such as Brittany, Normandy, Guernsey and Jersey, as distinguished by the mildness of their winters, and the low temperature and clouded skies of their summers, forming a striking contrast to the climate of eastern Europe. These beautiful spring and summer clouds, variously moulded by the sun, fling their deep shadows on the hills around, and, as they glide from hill to hill, delight while they astonish the beholder by their transforming effect, proving how justly it has been observed, “That the clouds themselves are often characteristic and animating features of the prospect.”
“Thou hast a cloud
For ever in thy sky - a breeze, a shower,
For ever on thy meads; - yet where shall man,
Pursuing Spring around the globe, refresh
His eye with scenes more beautious than adorn
Thy fields of matchless verdure.” * |
The air in this neighbourhood is peculiarly dry and bracing, yet genial - the eastern series of limestone hills contributing greatly to its salubrity. It is also free from fogs and exhalations. The south and south-west winds prevail here during a considerable part of the year, and to them our town is. completely exposed. Although these winds are sometimes rude and boisterous, they are never cold and piercing. On the contrary, the westerly breezes which reach this vale from Dartmoor, softened by the well wooded tract over which they pass, become pure, fresh, and elastic, invigorating the many invalids who are recommended here as a change from the relaxing heats of the southern coast. They have often literally proved gales of health to numbers, who, after a month’s residence in this neighbourhood, have been perfectly restored.
* Carrington's Dartmoor.
In common with other parts of Devon, spring commenced and fruits ripen earlier than elsewhere in England, with the exception of a few favoured localities such as Penzance. The beautiful private gardens of the town have many delicate shrubs which survive the winter without extra care. We are not aware that any registers exist of its annual rainfall and temperature.
The parish of Chudleigh contains 6037 acres of land. Of this Lord Clifford owns considerably more than a third, or about 2200 acres. His lordship possesses the entirety of the vale of the Ugg which includes the two farms called Higher and Lower Dunscombe, and Ugbrooke Park with its plantations - extending from the heights of Haldon to the “Sands” in the parish of Kingsteignton, of which parish he is also the Lord of the Manor. The eastern division of the parish comprises various farms, which were formerly the residences of the most wealthy and influential families of the neighbourhood of whom we shall have to write further on.
Mrs. Parker is the next largest landed proprietor, and owns about 1500 acres. Of this Whiteway, and its surrounding woods and plantations, occupy 1037 acres. The additional farms of Lower Harcombe, Oxencombe, Higher Ranscombe, and Combeshead make up the total acreage.
The following is a list of the principal owners of the other lands: - Higher Harcombe - Sir Lidstone Newman, Bart.; Farley and Catshole - Sir Lawrence Palk, Bart.; Ruggadon - Rev. John Yolland; Northwood - Mr. G. Saunders; Lower Ranscombe - Mr.Wm.Pike; Milestone - Mr. Alfred Pike; Filleigh - Mr. Baillie; Oaklands - Major-General Riddell; Putts Hill - Mr. Knight; Chudleigh Woods - Mr. S. Whiteway; Burroughs Head - Mr. John D. Harry; Greyley - Rev. John Matthews.
The parish extends about four miles from north to south, and between three and four from east to west. It is in the Hundred of Exminster; Archdeaconry of Totnes; Deanery of Kenne; Newton-Abbot Union; Teignbridge Petty Sessional Division; and Chudleigh Polling District.
|
In
|
1801 |
the population was
|
1786. |
|
”
|
1811 |
”
|
”
|
”
|
1832. |
|
”
|
1841 |
”
|
”
|
”
|
2415. |
|
”
|
1851 |
”
|
”
|
”
|
2041. |
|
”
|
1861 |
”
|
”
|
”
|
2108. |
|
”
|
1871 |
”
|
”
|
”
|
2038. |
The town contains at present 407 houses.
Chudleigh consists of a principal street about half a mile in length. In the centre of the town is a vacant space where the Market House formerly stood, now supplied by a granite column. From this several streets branch off; Culver-street and Exeter-street lead to Exeter; Mill Lane to Dawlish and Teignmouth; and Woodway to the north. Though rather irregularly built, there are many respectable houses in the town, and the general appearance is favourable, the streets being well kept and provided with footpaths.
The earliest notice that Dr. Oliver could find of Chudleigh, occurs in the deed of Bishop Bartholomew, already alluded to, between the years 1161 and 1184.
Before the year 1291, or about 1280-90, “Cheddeley” is again mentioned in some pleadings in quo warranto, respecting the property of the Bishop of Exeter.
In the register of Bishop Stapledon, the Fulling Mill of the new town of Chudleigh, “Molendinum fullaticum de novo Burgo de Chuddelegh,” paid 20s. per annum to the Manor, in the year 1308, as previously stated.
This new town no doubt had reference to some new buildings, recently erected, as the town must have been in existence before that period.
Anciently written : - Chuddelegh, Chydlegh, Chydleygh, Chydleigh, Chudlighe, Chidley.
Although attempted, it is most difficult to give our readers any idea of what Chudleigh was before the Great Fire. The principal part of the old town was comprised in the space reaching from the Independent Chapel to the Church. The Market House, with a fine old cross, occupied the centre of the town. On the eastern side of Fore-street, though the houses were of various sizes, the town sustained a tolerably uniform appearance, but it was altogether the opposite on the west. There all was irregular and unique. The ridge of the hill, on which that part of the town stands, was then an obstacle in the way of making the street what it is at present; and, further, there were several wealthy landowners and others connected with agriculture who had their farms behind, and courtlages, buildings, and dwelling houses open to the street. These houses were from time to time-enlarged and brought forward according to the wealth and taste of the proprietors. One built a suite of apartments with a 'handsome oriel window, which had a full view of the town; another a parlour and chamber over; shops were pushed forward; and the quaint old houses with rustic porches, gable ends, and projecting windows presented a picturesque appearance. One of the old houses is still left in Mill Lane.
In 1818 were published “Six Views of Chudleigh, Devonshire, engraved by George Hollis, from drawings by Henry Le Cort. Made previously to the Fire, 1807.” They are beautifully done, and are in the possession of C. Langley, Esq., and others.
The Plymouth Inn, one of the oldest inns in the town, escaped the fire, and remains,- with a few alterations and repairs, as it was formerly. Adjoining it, and opposite the Church, was a building of considerable antiquity, probably belonging to the Palace as a Monastery. It had small lattice windows, stone-arched doorways, and was altogether an imposing structure. Belonging to it was a spacious room, which was, doubtless, the Chapel. Whatever it might have been, from the year 1675 it was granted to the parish to be used as a common workhouse. This building was taken down in 1818, and rebuilt at a considerable expense to the parish. After the new Poor Law Act was passed, the workhouse here being a spacious building, the Newton Board of Guardians. availed themselves of its accommodation until their own was completed.
A dreadful fire, known as the Great Fire, and which forms quite an epoch in the history of the town, occurred on Friday, May 22, 1807. It broke out, accidentally, at noon, in a baker's house, in Culver-street. At first no apprehensions were entertained of its spreading; but as there had been a long continuance of fine weather, everything very dry, and a brisk east wind springing up, the burning flakes were conveyed to different parts of the town. The flames soon spread to Mill Lane, then across to Exeter-street in which stood the King's Arms Inn - one of the important posting-houses of the town, much in request at that time from the travelling consequent on the war. The stables and back premises of this inn, as throughout the town generally, were thatched, and in many instances on fire before the dwelling houses. The terrified inhabitants, while endeavouring to save their goods, found themselves hemmed in by the flames, and had only just time to escape with their lives, leaving much valued treasure behind.
The flames extended with fearful rapidity, and three streets were on fire at the same time. The Market House served at first for a depository for furniture &c., but it was quickly abandoned, and destroyed with its contents. At 2 o'clock a barrel of gunpowder, which had been forgotten in a storeroom, blew up, shaking the town to its centre, and scattering books and papers more than a mile distant, at the same time giving a fresh impetus to the flames while it added to the general alarm. The only fire-engine was soon burnt. To the affrighted inhabitants the place seemed doomed to utter destruction, while they were unable to form any organised plan for its suppression.
As the fire in the centre of the town, where the flames had raged in terriffic grandeur, abated, it was thought advisable to pull down a few houses to intercept the fire, and save, if possible, the extremities of the town. Assistance being obtained from the neighbourhood, this was accordingly done, and the fire subdued about 4 p. m.
The town presented for some time a mass of burning ruins; and the coaches, unable to pass, were obliged to make a circuitous route. The fire reached from the place of its commencement on the eastern side of Culver-street to within three or four houses of the large house now occupied by Mrs. Yarde, and on the west side to where Mr. Taverner resides. It extended on both sides of Mill Lane as far as the house now in the occupation of Mr. Henry Rabbich. In Exeter-street, then the thoroughfare, the flames were stayed by an intervening orchard, adjoining the tanyard. On the west side of Exeter-street it ended at a house which has since been converted into Rose and Ivy Cottages. In Woodway the fire did little damage except in destroying the interior of the Presbyterian Chapel. From the centre of the town on the east it reached the house now occupied by Mr. Cleave, saddler. The old Church house, used as a school, escaped. On the west side of Fore-street the last house consumed was on the site of the residence of W. B. Scott, Esq., owing to the adjoining house having been pulled down.
The town contained about 300 houses, of which about 180 were destroyed. The damage was estimated at £60,000.
Time would fail to relate all the incidents connected with this tragic event; of all the hairbreadth escapes of those, who with what they considered valuable rushed hither and thither through the flames - many even having their clothes burnt on their, backs; of sleeping infants in cradles, and the aged almost as helpless, who were removed from one supposed place of safety to another; of anxious housewives, loaded with china and glass, which, in their excitement, were hastily thrown down and smashed, while much that was really valuable and substantial was left a prey to the devouring element.
The mortal remains of an old and highly respected inhabitant, Mr. John Searle, who had died suddenly at some little distance, had the day previous to the fire been brought back to his late home near the centre of the town. On the cry of fire the coffin and its contents were removed into the street, where they were in great danger of being burnt by the smouldering goods heaped upon and around them. The position of his father's remains was told the son, who was engaged with his burning house in Mill Lane, part of which was then arched over with flames. With truly filial affection, and to the imminent danger of his life, he rushed through the narrow burning street, in order that he might remove the remains of one whom be had dearly loved to some place of safety. He arrived not a moment too soon, for the pall that covered the coffin was found to be on fire, but this was speedily put out; and with the assistance of a few friends the remains were hurried to the churchyard where they were hastily interred by the vicar, two mourners being all that could be spared from the appalling conflagration to attend the dead to its final resting place.
It was truly a providential circumstance that, amidst all the confusion of this awful scene, not a single human life was lost. Had the fire happened in the night it is dreadful to think what must have been the consequence.
One valuable horse and a pig, which could not be extricated, perished. A small shop brought forward considerably beyond the other houses on the west side of Fore-street, occupied by Nat. Brimley, barber, and Mr. Strowbridge, watch and clockmaker, although surrounded by flames and not far from the explosion of the gunpowder, escaped. After the fire the watches were found hanging in the window as they were left, none the worse from what had taken place.
The Church served as a refuge, and some families were located in tents in the Play Park, while the more fortunate found accommodation in the houses of their relatives and friends.
It is pleasing to turn from so much misery to the unbounded benevolence manifested on this melancholy occasion. The sympathy of the gentry of surrounding parishes was greatly excited, and clothing and food were poured into the town in abundance. The Masonic fraternity of Teignmouth sent cartloads of bread and beer. The bell of the town-crier almost daily announced the arrival of these generous supplies, which were distributed in the Play Park. Boxes were fixed at each end of the town to receive the contributions of the many hundreds who came on the following Sunday from all parts. Subscription lists were opened far and near, and the liberality of'the public throughout the country was unbounded.
A committee was formed of which the grandfather of the present Lord Clifford was the chairman, and a statement being put forth, the sum of £21,000 was subscribed, which with the insurance covered the loss sustained. Besides this there was much private charity m money, clothing, Bibles, and prayer-books which had no public record. The committee had no easy task in the distribution of such an immense sum, and their difficulties were greatly increased by strife and disunion among themselves. There was also much trouble in checking the avarice of many who swelled their losses to an amount altogether beyond the bounds of probability.
One of the most able and indefatigable of the committee thus addresses the chairman in the preface to the report of the various sums awarded: - “In adjusting claims so multifarious and complicated, it cannot but be supposed but that some impositions may have been practised with success.”
On a perusal of the report we find that 409 persons were compensated. The compensations ranged from a few shillings to many hundreds of pounds. The two highest were to Mr. W. Wright, malster, £ 1194 : 3 : 1, and Mr. Richard Rose, innkeeper, £ 1207 : 12 : 4.
Mr. Rose was one among the few who made a good use of the money. He built a spacious hotel, which for some time after the Fire was called the King's Arms, but now the Clifford Arms. This house was well suited to the great amount of travelling through the town at that time.
The old Market House vas valued in £400, and a full compensation was awarded by the committee for the erection of another, which was built on the site of the King's Arms, where the Town Hall now stands. It was wretchedly planned and badly built. After a few years it fell into disuse and was pulled down.
An act of parliament was obtained, June 1, 1808, entitled: - “An Act for the better and more easy rebuilding of the Town of Chudleigh in the County of Devon, and for determining the differences touching houses and buildings burnt down or demolished by the late dreadful Fire there, and for preventing future damage by Fire.”
The town was soon rebuilt, and in 1811 there were 370 houses in the parish. Though greater regularity might have been observed, the town was much improved in appearance, especially by the removal of the Market House from its centre.
The Fire was for years an endless theme of conversation, and is even now, to some extent, a date for past events. “Before the Fire” and “after the Fire” have become household words. If ever a town should be grateful for great sympathy promptly manifested in unbounded acts of liberality in the hour of need, it is Chudleigh; and, although there is no record of its gratitude to be found inscribed on marble or brass, the recollection can never be effaced from its private annals.
From the occasional residence of the bishops at the Palace the town was indebted for a supply of running water, obtained from a distance; and a few particulars concerning this interesting fact will next claim attention.
Chudleigh by its natural position was deprived of this important essential to cleanliness and comfort. It is true it had brooks, but they flowed in the valleys, and were only available by steep ascents and descents. We have no record as to the period when this great boon was obtained, or any reliable particulars of its accomplishment. Tradition ascribes it to Bishop Lacy as having effected it for the accommodation of the Palace, at the same time giving the inhabitants of the town a participation in its advantages.
The source of the spring was found under Haldon in a dingle now belonging to Mrs. Parker. Before diverted by a weir, the spring flowed towards Bramble brook. The new channel marked out for it was ably and judiciously executed. It flows nearly parallel with the new Exeter road as far as Heathfield Cottage; but here being on an eminence, which was intersected by a deep valley in the direct line to the town, it was necessary to pursue a circuitous and retrograde course until brought by a considerable deviation to a level, in order to return the current towards Chudleigh. The stream was then made to flow on to a pleasant path-field, situated at the summit of Exeter-street, from whence it was distributed through the town.
The work, considering the early period of its accomplishment and the means then available, was one of considerable skill, ingenuity, and labour; for, although the source on Haldon is only about three miles off, the distance is more than doubled by the stream's winding course, as it is carried through more than twenty fields, and crosses in its way as many as five different roads. While the Palace itself has decayed, and the name of the benefactor who originated and completed this important undertaking is somewhat doubtful, the stream, drawing, on nature's exhaustless treasury, has for nearly five centuries pursued its quiet way, refreshing man and beast with one of the essentials of natural life.
For nearly two centuries the stream poured a part of its treasures, on its way to the Palace, into a large stone trough at the bottom of Culver-street. In the Parish Account Book are several entries relating to the repairs of its course: -
1601-2-3, “Ite pd for Reding of the towne leate from the hedd weare unto the newe Shout att the wester ende of the towne twice this two yeares there wages & meat & drinke, 14s. 8d.”
“Ite pd for making of the newe Shoute at the wester ende of the towne for Breaking of stones & carring of the same for carring of water to make morter for carring of sande for lyme for Free Stones wch we had at the place for workmens wages & there dyett as appeareth by our Bookes in pticular, £4 : 13 : 4.”
In 1867 this watercourse was materially improved by making a reservoir with a filtering-bed, and laying pipes, by which means every street has now a constant supply of water. It is under the control of the Sanitary Authority.
The Woollen Trade was carried on in the town from an early period on an extensive scale, and gave employment to many of the inhabitants. All the middle and labouring classes, as well as many of the wealthy farmers belonging to the neighbouring parishes, were in one way or another connected with it. No public or private record exists as to the particular kind of flannel or serge manufactured; but it was well known to merchants carrying on the trade in Devon that its ancient fabrics were of a peculiar and excellent kind, and bore the name of “Chudleighs,” not only at the time, but long after they had ceased to be made at the place where they had originated, and had been brought to such perfection.
Moore, in his History of Devon, has ably described the origin, rise, and decline of the woollen trade. He says: - “The manufacture of woollen cloth in Devon, as well as in England generally, appears to have been derived from Flanders and the Low Countries. No mention is made of fulling mills in Domesday; but from their being noticed in the records of Edward I., who granted charters to foreign merchants and manufacturers for the purpose of settling in the kingdom, it is evident that cloth was made at Exeter and Chudleigh.” Here we see Chudleigh is mentioned in connexion with Exeter as manufacturing cloths at this early period; and it is quite certain that a fulling mill existed in the town in 1308.
Exeter became the greatest wool-market in the kingdom. It is stated that about the middle of the 17th century £50,000 or £60,000 worth of woollen goods had been sold there in a week.
Westcote, who died about the year 1640, clearly describes the state of the trade in his days, and after tracing its progress, adds: - “First the gentleman farmer, or husbandman, sends his wool to the market, which is bought either by the comber or spinner; and they the next week bring it thither again in yam which the weaver buys, and, on the market following, brings it thither again in cloth; where it is sold either to the clothier, who sends it to London, or to the merchant, who, after it hath passed the fuller's mill and sometimes the dyer's vat, transports it. The large quantities whereof cannot be well guessed at, but best known to the custom book whereunto it yields no small commodity, and this is continued all the year throughout.”
The great increase of the woollen manufacture in the 17th century, Moore observes, “was occasioned by the revival, or extention, of the sale of English cloth in Italy, Turkey, and the Levant.” Morrison, who was in Turkey in 1596, speaks of “kerseys and tin” as our chief articles of commerce in that market.
The East India trade was at one time immense. From 1795 to 1805, the average amount purchased by the Company was about three hundred thousand pieces annually, each piece containing twenty-six yards, called long ells. In this and the Turkey trade, Chudleigh was chiefly concerned.
There are still a few of the aged inhabitants of the parish who recollect when processions of woolcombers, clothed in woollen caps and gowns, paraded the town on particular days, the eldest of the fraternity being equipped as “Bishop Blaize” - the patron saint of the trade - with a mitre on his head. Not a loom is now to be met with in the town, where they could once be seen through the old fashioned lattice windows of almost every poor dwelling; while its attendant, the spinning wheel, went round and round at the respective cottage doors.
The woollen trade is all but lost to Devon with scarcely any hope of revival.* No county in England can boast of a better supply of water power, but though less expensive it cannot compete with the steam-engine in its various appliances and advantages; consequently nearly all the successful and extensive manufactories are carried on on, or near, the great coal-fields.
* The only works with which we are acquainted are those of Messrs. Berry at Ashburton, and. Mr. Hamlyn at Buckfastleigh. Owing to the introduction of improved machinery and a liberal outlay of capital, these works are in a very encouraging state, employing together about a thousand hands.
Mr. John Pulling was the last original stapler and clothier in the town. There is a tombstone to his memory in the churchyard which states as follows: -
In memory of John Pulling, serge-maker of this Parish, who died Jan. 5th, 1785. Aged 67 years.
The woolcombers, spinners, weavers, and all in his employ cherished for him the greatest affection; and his integrity and benevolence were ever mentioned by all who knew or had dealings with him in terms of the greatest respect.
Though the name and family are lost to the parish, except as records of the past, yet the descendants of the worthy stapler, to the third and fourth generation, have been distinguished as men of industry and ability. Admiral Pulling, the grandson of the serge-maker, was well known to many in the town. James Pulling, D. D., his son, master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, was educated at Chudleigh Grammar School. He became llth wrangler in 1837, and Vice Chancellor in 1852. The Rev. W. Pulling we shall have occasion to mention in connexion with the Grammar School.
Mr. John Polling’s sons continued to carry on the trade, though greatly curtailed, and at last relinquished it altogether. Messrs. Bailey and Leare, at a later period, converted Oil Park flour mills into a woollen factory, and spun worsted for the weavers. They were succeeded by a Mr. Bampford, who belonged to a highly respectable firm in Somersetshire. The trade, although carried on by him somewhat extensively, proved far from lucrative; and, at his decease, a Mr. Pearce, of Exeter, next rented the mills for about ten years, when the trade was finally abandoned, in the year 1830.
Chudleigh is noticed by Westcote as a “great thoroughfare in the highway from Plymouth to Exeter.” A Roman road, it is conjectured with every appearance of probability, passed over Haldon, nearly in the line of the present turnpike road to Teignbridge, where the remains of a bridge, supposed to be Roman, were discovered when the present bridge was repaired some years since. The road then passed through Newton to Totnes. A late Bishop of Cloyne (Dr. Bennett) supposes that a British road passed over Haldon nearly in the same line, and bore off from the present turnpike road at Sandy Gate, and passing by Kingsteignton crossed the Teign below Newton, by a ford still called Hacknield Way (Hackney).
The old turnpike road from the town to Chudleigh Bridge ran through Pottery Lane or Old Way. That has long been abandoned for the new road running parallel to it. The road east of the town was carried over the steep ascent of Heathfield Lakes. There cannot be a better specimen of what the Devonshire roads formerly were than the one over this hill, which rises in full view at the top of Exeter-street. To do it justice, imagination must picture the “long coaches,” heavily laden, whirling down this hill, drawn by four or sometimes six horses, crossing Bottle Bridge, and then, by what the coachman called a sharp “pinch,” entering Chudleigh. The journey from Exeter to Plymouth by these coaches occupied a long day. The Royal Mail was swifter, and received the letter bags by night as well as by day.
The new road through Culver-street, by which the ascent to Haldon was facilitated, was not made until 1822, and about the same time the hilly road to Newton by Lewell was avoided by a new line along the Teign by Bellamarsh. The new road to Exeter obtained for Culver-street a free and direct route northwards; but, above all, it opened up the most level, interesting, and picturesque portion of the parish, which, before this road was cut, was occupied by tillage and pasture fields, and not accessible to the town except by the Harcombe and Waddon lanes, whereas now it is highly cultivated, and diversified with plantations, villas, gardens, and shrubberies.
There was formerly a great deal of travelling through the town by this principal road, but since the formation of the South Devon Railway the coaches are discontinued, and there is now but little travelling.
A great acquisition and accommodation to the parishioners was recently granted by the present Lord Clifford in the surrender of a private carriage road, made by his grandfather (the 6th Lord) in 1822, in lieu of the steep and slippery highway called Smoothaway Hill, leading from Tower Hill to the Eastern Lodge of Ugbrooke Park.
The various parish roads have lately been much improved, and the access to the town in all directions is now rendered comparatively easy,
Chudleigh Bridge, over the Teign, a mile south of the town is mentioned thus by Polwhele: - “ ‘Chiddeley-bridge,’ as Leland calls it, is a county-bridge over the Teign. It consists of two large arches and one very small one to drain off the water.” When the new turnpike road was made, this bridge was inconveniently placed at the end of the old road, and approached by a sharp turn; it was likewise narrow, and the walls were low. It was taken down in 1822 - the foundations are still visible - and the present bridge was built a short way below, consisting of a handsome single arch, and straight approach. It is a county bridge.
In the Parish Account Book we find: - 1578, “Paide for mendinge of Chudlegh Bridge, 2s. 8d.”
Heightly Bridge and Bridgeland Bridge, small bridges having one arch each, are county bridges. Kate Brook Bridge and Bottle Bridge, small bridges near the town, are repaired by the Parish.
|
