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Town Directory of 1798
The following is a transcript of the earliest existing town directory for Chudleigh, published in 1798. Certain spellings have been modernised where appropriate.
CHUDLEIGH is a small market town, 183 miles from London, 9 from Exeter, 10 from Ashburton, 10 from Moreton Hampstead, 4 from Bovey Tracey, and 6 from Teignmouth, with good turnpike-roads to each. It has a neat church; the present incumbent is the Rev Gilbert Burrington. There is also a meeting-house for Dissenters. The principal trade is the woollen-manufactory. The market-day is on Saturday. It has three fairs annually, viz. Easter-Tuesday, June 21, and October 2.
The post-office opens at six o'clock in the morning, and shuts at nine in the evening. Two stage-coaches pass through this town from Exeter about nine o'clock every morning on their way to Plymouth, and return about three. A stage waggon from London passes through here every Wednesday afternoon on its way to Plymouth, and returns every Saturday afternoon. The principal inns are the Clifford's Arms and the King's Arms.
The principal inhabitants are as follows:
CLERGY
Garrett Rev. John, Master of the Boarding-School
Matthew Rev. Charles
Jones Rev. John, Dissenting Minister
PHYSIC
Mitchell Robert, Surgeon
Yarde Hugh, Surgeon
LAW
Hellyer Christopher, Attorney
Matthew Philip, Attorney
TRADERS, &c
Adams William, Glazier
Beard John, Woolcomber
Bidgood William, Merchant
Bond William, Boarding School-master
Bonfill Ann, Shopkeeper
Carlile John, Tallow-chandler
Collins Joseph, Farmer
Collins Thomas, Woolcomber
Cornish John, Butcher
Dascombe William, Shoemaker
Edwards Richard, Baker
Edwards William, Blacksmith
Fournier Henry, Boarding School-master
Flaw Nicholas, Woolcomber
Garrett John, Post-master
Harris Thomas, Tailor
Hayne John, Farmer
Lapthorne Henry, Woolcomber
Lear James, Woolcomber
Lear William, Butcher
Martin John, Mason and Victualler
Martin Philip, Tailor
Mitchell John, Joiner
Moore John, Tailor
Moxey Francis, Shopkeeper
Orchard Joel, Farmer
Orchard Joel, Shopkeeper
Otten Francis, Heel-maker
Peddar William, Victualler
Pike Joseph, Merchant
Pridham William, Butcher
Prouse George, Tailor
Pulling John, Serge-maker
Pulling Thomas, Tanner
Pulling William, Serge-maker
Rendle John, Woolcomber
Rolestone George, Hat-maker
Rolestone William, Farmer
Saunders John, Millwright
Searl George, Clock and watch-maker
Searl John, Joiner
Shambler Samuel, Shoemaker
Shape Edward, Woolcomber
Tapper John, Baker
Tripe Henry, Tallow-chandler
Tuckett John, Victualler
Weeks Thomas, Joiner
Westcott james, Woolcomber
Weston Ann, Shopkeeper
Weston John, Victualler
Williams John, Whitesmith
Wills Thomas, Woolcomber
Wright Andrew, Woolcomber
Wright John, Blacksmith
WrightThomas, Joiner
The gentlemen's seats in the neighbourhood are: Ugbrooke, the seat of Lord Clifford, who is lord of the manor, one mile from Chudleigh; Whiteway, the seat of Montague Parker, Esq. three miles; Haldon House, the seat of Sir Robert Palk, six miles; and Mamhead, the seat of the Earl of Lisburne, five miles.
The surrounding villages are: Trusham, two miles distant; Ideford, two; Knighton, two; Hennock, three; Ashton, four; and Christow, five.