Shebbear, Devon

Description
Shebbear, a village and a parish in Devonshire. The village stands near the river Torridge, 12 1/2 miles S by W of Bideford station on the L. & S.W.R. It has a post and money order office under Highampton; telegraph office at Dunsland Cross railway station. Acreage of parish, 5758; population, 845. There is a parish council consisting of ten members. The manor was anciently called Shepesbear, and belonged early to the Barons of Okehampton; it passed to the Nevilles, the Rolles, and Lord Clinton, and belongs now to the Kingdon family. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Exeter; net value, £145 with residence. Patron, the Lord Chancellor. The church is chiefly Later English, and has been restored. There are Wesleyan, Bible Christian, and Baptist chapels. The Bible Christian Connexional College, situated near the village, is a spacious building of stone and brick, and has accommodation for 120 scholars. The governor's house adjoins the college, and the playgrounds are 5 acres in extent. There are several charities.