Tawstock, Devon

Description
Tawstock, a parish, with Tawstock village and nine hamlets, in Devonshire, on the river Taw, 2 miles S by E of Barnstaple station on the G.W.R. It has a post office under Barnstaple; money order and telegraph office, Barnstaple. Acreage, 6597; population, 1206. The manor belonged to the Tracys, passed to the Audleighs, the Fitzwarrens, the Bourchiers, and the Wreys, and with Tawstock House belongs now to the baronet family of Wrey. Old Tawstock House was garrisoned in 1646 by Fairfax, and is now represented by only an ancient gateway. New Tawstock House was burnt down and rebuilt in 1787. The living is a rectory, with Harracott annexed, in the diocese of Exeter; gross value, £700 with residence. The church is old and cruciform, with a central tower. A chapel of ease is at Harracott. There are chapels for Baptists and Bible Christians.