Broadhembury, Devon

Description
Broadhembury, a village and a parish in Devonshire. The village stands in a fertile valley, 5 miles ESE of Collumpton station on the G.W.R., and 6 NW of Honiton, under which it has a post and money order office; telegraph office, Sidmouth Junction (R.S.) It was formerly a market-town. The parish includes also the hamlets of Collaton, Luton, Dulford, and Kerswell. Acreage, 4822; population, 601. The manor belonged anciently to the Tovington family, was given to Dunkeswell Abbey, and passed in the time of Elizabeth to the family of Drewe. A Cluniac abbey stood at Kerswell, and was subordinate to Montacute Priory in Somerset. An ancient entrenchment, called Hembury Fort, crowns a bold spur of high land, commands an extensive prospect, comprises an oval area engirt by three well-preserved lofty ramparts, seems to have been formed by the Britons, but was occupied by the Romans, and is thought by some antiquaries to have been the Roman station Moridunum. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Exeter; net value, £236 with residence. Patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Exeter. The church is a fine ancient edifice, consists of nave, chancel, and south aisle, with pinnacled western tower, and contains a neat oak screen, a Saxon font, and monuments of several families. There is also a Wesleyan chapel.