All of England

Transcript

of

Ball

Devon & Cornwall Notes and Queries vol. VI, (January 1910 to October 1911), p. 112.

by

J. Y. A. Morshead

Prepared by Michael Steer

Ball, originally Balle, is a surname with multiple origins, depending on location. Ball most likely developed as a nickname, either for a bald person or for a short fat person. The name could have been topographical, for someone who lived near a knoll or rounded hill. The old Norse name Balle might have given rise to the surname; while some have even suggested that Ball was a diminutive of Baldwin. A Ball family in Devon was first recorded with Nicholas Ball at Chudleigh in the mid-15th century. His great grandson Thomas was said to have been 100 on his death in 1620. The line at Mamhead Park included Sir Peter Ball, Attorney General to Queen Henrietta Maria, and his two astronomer sons. Later Balls of this family were merchants to Ireland, Italy and the Levant, the last of their line being Thomas Ball who died in 1749. The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Note 115. BALL (VI., par. 80, p. 92). - In this parish (Salcombe Regis) one-half of the Chelston district was defined in 1541 "as between Ball East" (Ordnance Map, 127) "and Ball West" (154), two rounded hills. Another field is called "Football," because so played on, they say, but it is too steep and remote for that to be likely.

Bulverton, in Sidmouth and Harpford, was in 1300 spelled Bol-vor-ton, which I suggest is the ' ton in front of the Ball, the steep copse forming the south side of Sidmouth Gap. The Blue-ball public house in Sidford was, circa 1650, owned by the Balle family, but their arms are a bomb sable, and I should fancy the Inn's sign was a mere allusion to skittles, a game much played there.             J. Y. A. Morshead. 
 

Modbury

from

A Topographical Dictionary of England

by

 Samuel Lewis (1831)

Transcript copyright Mel Lockie (Sep 2016)

MODBURY, a market-town and parish in the hundred of ERMINGTON, county of DEVON, 35 miles (S. W. by S.) from Exeter, and 208 (W. S. W.) from London, containing 2194 inhabitants. This place, called in Latin records "Motberia," was in the possession of Wado at the time of the Confessor; it subsequently became the property of the Valletorts, Okestons, and Champernownes. In 1334, Richard Champernowne obtained permission to fortify his manorial residence at Modbury. During the contest between Charles and the parliament, this fortress was taken by the garrison at Plymouth; and, in February 1643, Sir N. Stanning, when intrenched here with two thousand soldiers, was defeated by the Devonshire clubmen. The town is situated at the junction of the roads leading to Plymouth, Kingsbridge, and Dartmouth, and occupies the bottom and declivities of a valley: it consists of four streets, which meet at right angles, the point of junction being in the lowest part of the town; the inhabitants are supplied with water from two conduits, which are connected by pipes with a neighbouring spring. A new line of turnpike-road is in progress, from Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, and Salcombe, through this town to Plymouth: the new London mail road from Plymouth to Exeter passes about a mile from Modbury. The manufacture of woollen goods, which was formerly considerable, has decayed; there is still some weaving of long ells for the East India Company, also a tolerable trade in corn and malt. A creek, navigable for barges, extends from the aestuary of the river Erme, which bounds this parish on the west, to within two miles of the town, and thus facilitates the importation of coal, and the export of the produce of the soil. The principal general market is on Thursday, and there is another on Saturday for butchers' meat; also a great cattle market on the second Tuesday in every month, to which the navy contractors and others resort. Of the two fairs once held on St. George's and St. James' days, only the former is retained; it takes place on the 4th of May, unless that day fall later in the week than Thursday, in which case the fair is postponed till the following Tuesday. The town is governed by a portreeve (usually styled mayor), constables, and other subordinate officers, who are annually appointed at one of the courts leet, which are held at Michaelmas and Ladyday, the mayor being returned by a jury of twelve householders. This borough sent two members to parliament in the 34th of Edward I., but was afterwards relieved from making returns, on the plea of poverty.
The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Totness, and diocese of Exeter, rated in the king's books at £19. 11. 0½;., and in the patronage of the Provost and Fellows of Eton College. The church, which is dedicated to St. George, and stands upon an eminence south-westward of the town, is an ancient embattled structure, with modern additions; the tower, which was rebuilt in 1622, is surmounted by a spire: the interior is very neat and spacious, and contains some mutilated monuments of the Champernowne family. There are places of worship for Baptists, the Society of Friends, Independents, and Wesleyan Methodists. A free school was established, in 1730, by subscription: the permanent income is £12 per annum, and twelve poor boys are instructed in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Sunday and infant schools are supported by voluntary contributions. There are some remains of a Benedictine priory, founded here in the reign of Stephen, and dedicated to St. Gregory, as a cell to the abbey of St. Peter sur Dive, in Normandy: its possessions, valued at £70 per annum, were given by Henry VI. to Eton College, afterwards bestowed by Edward IV. upon the abbey of Tavistock, but eventually restored to Eton, to which foundation it still belongs. Sir John Fortescue, a celebrated lawyer, Lord Chief Justice in the reign of Henry VI., was a native of this place; and Sir George Baker, M.D., President of the Royal College of Physicians, and author of some valuable medical works, was born here in 1722.

Monkton

from

A Topographical Dictionary of England

by

 Samuel Lewis (1831)

Transcript copyright Mel Lockie (Sep 2016)

MONKTON, a parish in the hundred of COLYTON, county of Devon, 2 miles (N.E. by N) from Honiton, containing 136 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to the vicarage of Colyton, in the peculiar jurisdiction of the Dean and Chapter of Exeter. The Church is dedicated to St Mary Magdalene.

Salcombe Regis

from

A Topographical Dictionary of England

by

 Samuel Lewis (1831)

Transcript copyright Mel Lockie (Sep 2016)

SALCOMBE (REGIS), a parish in the eastern division of the hundred of BUDLEIGH, county of DEVON, 2 miles (E. N. E.) from Sidmouth, containing 436 inhabitants. The living is a discharged vicarage, in the peculiar jurisdiction and patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Exeter, rated in the king's books at £14. 12. 8., endowed with £1000 royal bounty. The church is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Mary. There was formerly a chapel, dedicated to St. Clement and St. Mary Magdalene. The parish is bounded on the south by the English channel, and was anciently held in royal demesne. Courts leet and baron are occasionally held. Gypsum and chalk for lime are obtained here.

South Pool

from

A Topographical Dictionary of England

by

 Samuel Lewis (1831)

Transcript copyright Mel Lockie (Sep 2016)

POOL (SOUTH), a parish in the hundred of COLERIDGE, county of DEVON, 4¾ miles (S. E.) from Kingsbridge, containing 493 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Exeter, rated in the king's books at £22.16. 5½, and in the patronage of T. H. Hayes, Esq. The church is dedicated to St. Cyriac.

Parracombe

from

A Topographical Dictionary of England

by

 Samuel Lewis (1831)

Transcript copyright Mel Lockie (Sep 2016)

PARACOMBE, a parish in the hundred of SHERWILL, county of DEVON, 11 miles (E. by S.) from Ilfracombe, containing 364 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Barnstaple, and diocese of Exeter, rated in the king's books at £13. 10. 10., and in the patronage of L. St. Albyn, Esq. There are vestiges of an ancient fortification in the neighbourhood.

Pancrasweek

from

A Topographical Dictionary of England

by

 Samuel Lewis (1831)

Transcript copyright Mel Lockie (Sep 2016)

PANCRASSWEEK, a parish in the hundred of BLACK TORRINGTON, county of DEVON, 4 miles (W. N. W.) from Holsworthy, containing 529 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual curacy, with the vicarage of Bradworthy, in the archdeaconry of Totness, and diocese of Exeter, endowed with £400 royal bounty. The church is dedicated to St. Pancras. The river Tamar, and the Bude and Launceston canal, pass through the parish. At Lana is the site of an ancient chapel.

Ottery St Mary

from

A Topographical Dictionary of England

by

 Samuel Lewis (1831)

Transcript copyright Mel Lockie (Sep 2016)

OTTERY (ST. MARY), a parish, market town, and hundred, in the county of DEVON, 12 miles (E. by N.) from Exeter, and 156 (W. S. W.) from London, containing 3522 inhabitants. The town is agreeably situated on the eastern bank of the river Otter, from which it receives its name, the adjunct having originated either from the foundation of a collegiate church, in honour of the Virgin Mary, by John Grandisson, Bishop of Exeter, in 1337; or, from the manor having been given by Edward the Confessor to the church of St. Mary at Rouen, in Normandy. During the civil war between Charles I. and the parliament, this town was alternately occupied by both parties; and in 1645, a detachment of the parliamentary army being quartered here, under Sir Thomas Fairfax, on the refusal of the inhabitants to furnish the contributions required by that commander, his troops are reported to have defaced the church, and destroyed two organs in it.

The town is situated a little to the south of the high road from Honiton to Exeter: it is irregularly built on very uneven ground, and, exclusively of a few respectable houses in the higher part of it near the church, it is composed chiefly of cottages. There is a good supply of water from wells and springs, and the surrounding country is pleasant and fertile. The manufacture of serge, which once flourished here, has been superseded by extensive silk-works the machinery belonging to which is very ingeniously constructed, and is put in motion by a water-wheel of large dimensions. Handkerchiefs and ribands are among the chief articles now made, and the factory furnishes employment to between three and four hundred persons. Here are also a tan-yard and a ropewalk, and some lace is made in the town. The market is on Thursday; and fairs are held on the Tuesday before Palm-Sunday, Whit-Tuesday, and August 15th, for cattle, and at the last a considerable quantity of cheese also is sold: there is a great market on the Thursday before the second Friday in every month. Courts leet and baron are held annually for the manor, at which two constables are appointed for the parish, and two for the town, and there is likewise a constable for the hundred, whose office is permanent.

The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Exeter, rated in the king's books at £20, endowed with £1400 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage of the Crown. After the suppression of the college founded by Bishop Grandisson, the church, the cemetery, the school-house, and other collegiate buildings and premises, were granted in trust to four inhabitants of the town, who were incorporated as "Governors of the Church of St. Mary Ottery," who collect the small tithes, and have the exclusive possession of the choir of the church; they also nominate a chaplain, sexton, and church-keeper. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, a large and curious edifice, has been called "a cathedral in miniature," being constructed, like that of Exeter, with towers in the transepts, besides which it comprises a nave, choir, aisles, and Lady chapel. The principal part of the body of the church, exhibits the early English style of architecture, having been erected about 1260. The groined roof of the whole of the interior is of a later date than the structure itself, and the north aisle of the nave, which is in the latest style, has a very rich ceiling, with pendant ornaments. The Lady chapel has, at the east end, some fine tabernacled niches, of a more modern date than the chapel itself. In the nave is a plain altar-tomb, with a recumbent statue of an armed knight, under a monumental arch, embellished with fine mouldings and pendant tracery, having an ogee canopy, with crockets and a handsome finial: the pulpit is decorated with carved wood-work.

There are places of worship for Independents and Unitarians.

A free grammar school was founded by Henry VIII., and endowed with £10 per annum from the church corporation trust, and with various subsequent benefactions, amounting in the whole to about £60 per annum, but no boys have been instructed on this foundation for many years; two or three tree scholars only receive classical education, in consideration of a donation of land, in 1666, by Mr. Edward Saiter, who also assigned from the proceeds an exhibition of £6 per annum to any one of the colleges or halls of Oxford, for four years, for a scholar from this school; and in default of which, the sum thus appropriated was to be divided between two children of the school for their maintenance and education. A charity school is supported by subscription, also a Sunday school.

Two sets of almshouses have been founded here; and there are considerable benefactions for distribution among the poor, and for other purposes.

Races are held occasionally at Caddy Lawn, about half a mile from the town.

In the neighbourhood is a spring, called "Hawkins Well," said to be efficacious as a remedy for diseases of the eye.

West Ogwell

from

A Topographical Dictionary of England

by

 Samuel Lewis (1831)

Transcript copyright Mel Lockie (Sep 2016)

OGWELL (WEST), a parish forming, with the parish of East Ogwell, a distinct portion of the hundred of WONFORD, county of DEVON, 2 miles (W. S. W.) from Newton-Abbots, containing 42 inhabitants. The living is a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Exeter, rated in the king's books at £7. 2.11., and in the patronage of P.J.Taylor, Esq. The church contains three ancient stone stalls.