Buckland Monachorum Genealogical Records

Buckland Monachorum Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Buckland Monachorum Baptisms (1813-1839)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index. They list parents' names - their occupations, residence and sometimes other details.

Buckland Monachorum Baptism Records (1813-1839)

Transcriptions of registers recording baptisms. Records may include parents' names, date of baptism, date of birth, place of residence and father's occupation.

Devon Baptisms (1444-1915)

A searchable database of 2,225,292 records, linked to original images of baptism registers. The records provide proof of parentage, occupations, residence and other details.

Devon Baptism Index (1813-1839)

Transcriptions of over 360,000 baptisms from most parishes in the county. Records include parents name and abode.

Buckland Monachorum Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Yelverton Marriages (1935-1980)

Details of those who were married at the church between 1935 and 1980. Information given may include parents' names, ages, marital status, abode and more.

Buckland Monachorum Marriages (1754-1995)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. Details may include residence, marital status, parents' names and witnesses.

Plymouth & West Devon Marriage Index (1837-2002)

A name index to around 200,000 marriages recorded by the Church of England and other denominations in Plymouth and its environs.

Devon Marriages (1446-2002)

A searchable database of 1,871,561 records, linked to original images of marriage registers. The records may include fathers' names, age, residence, occupations and more.

Buckland Monachorum Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Buckland Monachorum Burials (1813-1837)

Digital images of burial registers, searchable by a name index. They record the date someone was buried, their age & residence.

Devon Burials (1320-1988)

A searchable database of 1,666,144 records, linked to original images of burial registers. The records may include date of burial and/or death, residence, age and other details.

Devon Burials Index (1813-1837)

Transcriptions of over 225,000 burials from most parishes in the county. Induces the deceased's age.

Devon Social & Institutional Records (1780-1914)

Over 60,000 transcripts of personal entries in various types of records, including vaccination registers, apprenticeship records, occupational records, poor law records, marriage notice books, returns of deaths, infirmary registers, debtor lists, workhouse birth registers, bastardy records and more.

Buckland Monachorum Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Register of Voters for South Devon (1865-1869)

A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Devon Hearth Tax Return (1674)

A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1674 for the county of Devon.

Newspapers Covering Buckland Monachorum

Western Morning News (1894-1950)

A politically independent newspaper, covering the affairs of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It includes family notices.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Daily Telegrams (1869-1870)

A short regional paper covering local occurrences, business news, family notices and more.

Western Times (1827-1950)

A liberal newspaper covering the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. It includes family notices.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette (1827-1950)

Original images of a regional newspaper, searchable via a full text index. Includes news from the Devon area, business notices, obituaries, family announcements and more.

North Devon Journal (1824-1950)

A database allowing full text searches of a newspaper covering regional news, family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more in the Devon area.

Buckland Monachorum Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Devon Wills Index (1163-1999)

An index to 295,609 wills of people who lived in or were connected to Devon. The wills they reference can contain a great deal of genealogical information.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Admon Index (1559-1660)

An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.

Exeter Diocese & Archdeaconry Probate & Admons (1540-1799)

An index to thousands of probates and administrations granted by the Diocese and Archdeaconry of Exeter, covering parts of Devon & Cornwall.

Devon Probate Index (1190-1980)

An index to over 300,000 Devon wills, admons and inventories from 550 sources. Index contains name, abode, occupation, type of document, year of probate, court, notes and document reference.

Buckland Monachorum Immigration & Travel Records

Devonian Migration Choices (1760-1950)

A detailed investigation into motivations for Devonians choosing to stay or migrate from the county, with particular attention to labour, religion and family ties.

Settlement & Removal in Rural Devon (1662-1871)

A lengthy article detailing the practice of moving the needy poor between parishes. Contains examples of settlements, removals and examinations.

Sinking of the John (1855)

The story of a ship heading to Quebec from Plymouth that sank off the coast of Cornwall, killing 194 passengers. Includes information on the crew, passengers and others connected with the event.

North Devon Exodus (1818-1868)

An overview of emigration from north Devon to the Americas, with particulars of some who made the journey.

Prisoners in Devon Quarter Sessions (1655-1837)

A calendar of prisoners brought before the quarter sessions, with details of their crime and punishment. Contains entries for individuals who were transported.

Buckland Monachorum Military Records

Devon Militia and Volunteer Lists (1799-1825)

Various military lists published in the Exeter Flying Post, particularly lists of deserters, which may list age and physical description.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Devon WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War One monuments in Devon, with some service details.

Devon WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Devon, with some service details.

Swansea-Devonian War Memorial (1914-1945)

Names from a presumably predominately Devonian war memorial in the former Bible Christian church at Swansea.

Register of Voters for South Devon (1865-1869)

A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.

Plymouth & West Devon Rate Books (1598-1933)

An index of around 300,000 names in local tax records. The index is connected to digital images of the rate books, which record, land owner and occupier, description of property, address and details of the tax.

Devon & Exeter Oath Rolls (1723)

Transcriptions of documents listing those who swore loyalty to King George I after the Jacobite Atterbury Plot.

Indictable Offenses in Devon Quarter Sessions (1745-1782)

A calendar of cases to be heard before the quarter session that are indictable by nature,.

Cursers & Badgers in Devon Quarter Sessions (1729-1745)

Two calendars, one of those licensed to carry out trade and the other those brought before the session for cursing.

Buckland Monachorum Taxation Records

Plymouth & West Devon Rate Books (1598-1933)

An index of around 300,000 names in local tax records. The index is connected to digital images of the rate books, which record, land owner and occupier, description of property, address and details of the tax.

Devon Tithe Apportionments (1839-1851)

Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Devon Hearth Tax Return (1674)

A transcription of the Lady Day hearth tax for 1674 for the county of Devon.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Buckland Monachorum Land & Property Records

Register of Voters for South Devon (1865-1869)

A list of those eligible to vote, including their address and qualification to vote.

Devon Tithe Maps & Apportionments (1839-1850)

Maps delineating fields in Devon, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.

Plymouth & West Devon Rate Books (1598-1933)

An index of around 300,000 names in local tax records. The index is connected to digital images of the rate books, which record, land owner and occupier, description of property, address and details of the tax.

Devon Tithe Apportionments (1839-1851)

Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.

Devon Militia Assessments (1715)

A list of Devon property-owners who were required to contribute towards sustaining the militia.

Buckland Monachorum Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1923)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1919)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1914)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1910)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1902)

A directory of residents and businesses; with a description of each settlement, containing details on its history, public institutions, churches, postal services, governance and more.

Buckland Monachorum Cemeteries

Devonshire Lost Memorials (1601-1981)

A collection of now lost memorials from around Dartmoor.

Devon Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Devon's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Devon Headstones (1780-2000)

Memorials of a select number of headstones in Devon.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Buckland Monachorum Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Buckland Monachorum Histories & Books

Devonian Migration Choices (1760-1950)

A detailed investigation into motivations for Devonians choosing to stay or migrate from the county, with particular attention to labour, religion and family ties.

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Magna Britannia: Devonshire (1066-1822)

A general and parochial history of the county, with sections for each parish.

The History of Devon (44-Present)

Numerous articles covering the history of the country, its principle settlements, notable persons, castles and more.

Devon in 1850 (1850)

A detailed overview of Devon in 1850, extracted from a directory of that year.

Buckland Monachorum School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Buckland Monachorum Occupation & Business Records

Women in Cornwall & Devon Mines (1770-1920)

Background information on women employed by the mining industry in Devon & Cornwall. Includes a database of over 25,000 women and oral histories.

Devon Gamekeeper Lists (1847-1859)

Lists of gamekeepers from the North Devon Journal.

Devon Gamekeeper Lists (1834-1860)

Lists of gamekeepers from the The Western Times.

Devon Gamekeeper Lists (1800-1859)

A series of newspaper articles listing gamekeepers in Devon.

Devon Runaway Apprentices (1800-1889)

Transcripts of newspaper articles listing the particulars of apprentices who absconded from their master.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Buckland Monachorum

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Buckland Monachorum Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

The Visitations of Devon: 1531, 1564 & 1620 (1000-1620)

Three works compiled from 16th and 17th century sources that record Devon families who had the right to bear a coat of arms.

Devonshire Ignobles (1620)

A list of men found by William Camden to have unsubstantiated claims to coats of arms.

Devon Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Devon's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Buckland Monachorum Church Records

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Devon Parish Registers (1754-1839)

Prior to civil registration in 1837, the parish registers of Devon are the most common place to turn for details on births, marriages and deaths.

Episcopal Visitation Returns (1744-1779)

A series of questionnaires detailing the ecclesiastical predicament of around 250 parishes in Devon.

St Paul's Rebuilding Returns from Devon (1678)

A transcript of documents recording those who contributed to the rebuilding of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

The Westcountry Preachers (1815-1907)

A history of the Bible Christians, a denomination of Methodists, in Devon and Cornwall.

Biographical Directories Covering Buckland Monachorum

Devonshire Characters and Strange Events (1550-1904)

A series of folk tales and detailed biographies of Devonshire men and women.

The Worthies of Devon (1066-1700)

Biographies of notable Devonians from the Norman period up to the end of the 17th century.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Buckland Monachorum Maps

Devon Tithe Maps & Apportionments (1839-1850)

Maps delineating fields in Devon, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.

East Devon Tithe Maps (1840)

Maps delineating fields, forests and other land plots in east Devon. Apportionments not included.

Devon Tithe Apportionments (1839-1851)

Transcriptions of documents listing land, their owner or occupier acreage and name or description.

Maps of Devon (1563-1922)

A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Buckland Monachorum Reference Works

Devon Surnames (1086-1967)

A series of articles on Devon surnames, including a dictionary of Devon surname definitions.

Locating Devon Wills (1400-Present)

A guide to locating Devon wills in light of losses incurred during World War II.

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Historical Description

Buckland Monachorum, whose handsome church, and the monuments it contains, are worthy the traveller’s notice, particularly that erected to the memory of Lord Heathfield, the gallant defender of Gibraltar, executed by J. Bacon, R. A. 1795, bearing the following inscription:

Sacred to the Memory of George Augustus Elliot, Baron Heathfield, of Gibraltar,

Knight of the Bath, General of His Majesty’s Forces, and Governor of Gibraltar.

He was the seventh son of Sir Gilbert Elliot, Bart,

of Stobs, in the county of Roxburgh, in Scotland.

The University of Leyden enriched his mind with

Science, and formed his taste for Literature

and the Polite Arts.

The bias of his Genius soon inclined him to the

Profession of Arms, in which he rose by regular

Gradation to the highest Eminence, and

At length closed a brilliant Career

With immortal Glory.

Germany beheld him in the War of Seven Years,

Discharging all the Duties of a

Gallant Officer.

The British Cavalry owed to him a System of

Discipline that made him

The Pride of their Country.

The Havannah, the Metropolis of the Island of Cuba, Saw him among the Officers who levelled her boasted Fortifications, and conquered by their Valour. Gibraltar was reserved to crown him with unfading Laurels:

Though closely pressed during a Siege that lasted three years without intermission,

He remained invincible.

The spectacle which he there exhibited to the eyes of

France and Spain, and to the Amphitheatre of

Princes, who beheld the glorious Scene,

will be an eternal Memorial of

British Courage, and British Humanity.

General Elliot derived no Hereditary Honours from

his Ancestors;

His Titles were earned by Services to his Country.

He married Ann Polexen Drake, daughter of Sir Francis Drake, Bart.

Who lies interred near this spot:

And by her left a Daughter, who was married to

John Trayton Fuller, Esq.

And an only Son, now Lord Heathfield,

Who has erected this Monument to the Virtue which

he admired.

History will tell the rest.

He died July 6th, 1790, aged 72 years.

At the top is a medallion of the venerable and illustrious Lord Heathfield, as the brave defender of Gibraltar. Below is a figure of Britannia holding the model of the gate of a fortress, inscribed plus ultra; and a boy with a key and a palm branch, holding a shield. On the monument are four bas-reliefs, representing, first a piece of ordnance with a lighted match: second, a furnace for heating red-hot shot, cannons, calverins, &c.: third, Lord Heathfield directing military operations: fourth, floating batteries on fire, and drowning sailors rescued from the waves.

Near this monument is a small mural tablet, with the figure of Truth leaning over an urn; under which is the following memorial:

"In a vault beneath are interred the remains of Sir Francis Henry Drake, Bart, of Buckland-abbey, in the county of Devon. He died on the 9th of February 1794, aged seventy years. His descent was illustrious, being lineally descended from the great naval warrior of the 16th century. His natural and acquired endowments were such, that had the strength of his constitution been equal to the powers of his mind, he might justly have aspired to the first offices of the state. He was clerk-comptroller of the board of green cloth, in the reigns of their Majesties George the Second and George the Third; and for more than twenty years immediately preceding his death, was master of the king’s household, the duties of which stations he discharged with fidelity to the king, and honour to himself. In testimony of the respect due nephew the Right Hon. Francis Augustus Lord Heathfield, Baron of Gibraltar, caused this monument to be erected."

A little to the south of Buckland Monachorum is Buckland-abbey.

Buckland-abbey is now the seat of Sir T. T. Fuller Elliot Drake. The original of this foundation, as a Cistercian monastery, was in 1278, by Amelia, wife of Baldwin de Rivers, Earl of Devon. Many of the ancient features of a monastic edifice are still visible; but the alterations necessarily made to convert it into an agreeable modern edifice, have nearly obliterated its original features.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

BUCKLAND MONACHORUM is a parish and village, bounded on the west by the river Tavy, 1 ½ miles south-west from Horrabridge station and 2 ½ north-west from Yelverton junction, in this parish, on the Tavistock and Launceston branch of the Great Western railway, and 4 ½ south from Tavistock, in the Western division of the county, Roborough hundred, Midland Roborough petty sessional division, Tavistock union and county court district, and in the rural deanery of Tavistock, archdeaconry of Totnes and diocese of Exeter. The church of St. Andrew is an edifice of stone in the Third-Pointed or Perpendicular style, and consists of chancel, with aisles, nave of five bays, north and south transepts, south porch and a fine western tower with four crocketed pinnacles and containing a clock and 6 bells: in the church is a fine monument by the elder Bacon to George Augustus (Eliott), 1st baron Heathfield, the famous defender of Gibraltar during the period 1779—83, against the combined forces of Franca and Spain; his lordship married Anne Pollexfen (Drake), daughter of Sir Francis Henry Drake bart. and died at Kalkofen, near Aix-la-Chapelle, 6th July, 1790, and was buried here in the Drake vault; there are also inscribed stones to the Crymes family, including William Crymes, 1641: the south side of the chancel is vaulted with granite, and the nave has a fine open roof: there are good carved oak bench ends in the nave and aisles and richly carved modern oak stalls in the chancel: the screen across the tower arch is composed of fragments of an ancient rood screen: a modern stained window in the north transept represents four of the chief missionaries of the British Church, S. Patrick, S. Columba, S. Boniface and Bishop Patteson, with panels below the figures illustrating their lives and deaths: the east window retains some ancient glass, illustrating events in the life of St. Andrew, and on the south side of the chancel is a memorial window to the late Sir Thomas Trayton Fuller Elliott Drake bart. d. 6th June, 1870: in 1886 the remains of an old piscina were found in the south transept wall, which also shows traces of ancient colouring: the porch has an oak roof, and above the entrance is a curiously canopied niche, once containing a figure of St. Andrew: here are also the remains of a stone shaft once supporting a stoup: a Norman font, dug out of the foundations of this church in 1857, is now in the church of St. Paul, Yelverton: there are 300 sittings. The register of burials dates from 1538; marriages, 1540; baptisms, 1552. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £255, including 49 acres of glebe, with residence, in the gift of and held since 1855 by the Rev. Richard James Hayne M.A. of Exeter College, Oxford, prebendary of Exeter and chaplain to the Bishop of Exeter. In the vicarage grounds are remains of the ancient vicarage house, believed to have been the residence of John Toker, last abbot of Buckland. Milton, a hamlet 1 ½ miles from Buckland, is remarkable for its scenery, at once singular and romantic. The church of the Holy Spirit, a building of stone, erected in 1878 at a cost of £1,200, consists of chancel, nave, west porch and a bell turret, and has 120 sittings. The temporary church of St. Paul, Yelverton, was erected in 1895, and has 180 sittings. The ancient font of Buckland parish is preserved in this church. There are Wesleyan and Baptist chapels here, and one for Bible Christians called “Rock chapel,” at Yelverton. A cemetery of one and a half acres was formed in 1882 at a cost of £400, and is now under the control of the parish council. The ancient stone cross, which formerly stood in the centre of the village, was restored in 1897, in commemoration of the Jubilee of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria, and now stands in the churchyard. At Yelverton is a Public Hall for entertainments &c. There are charities producing £31 yearly, given by Matthew Elford esq. by will, 5th March, 1723; Catherine Ilbert, by will dated 17th August, 1759; John Burrows, lieut. R.N. by will dated 22nd June, 1818, and others; these charities are chiefly distributed in bread and money. A fair, formerly held here on Trinity Monday, is now obsolete. Here is the Bertha Consols Limited copper and mundic mine; the Devon Poldice and the Franco Consols copper and tin mines, none of which are now worked. Roborough Down, upon which there are two barrows, is in this parish. An ancient inscribed stone, formerly standing in the village, is now in the vicarage garden at Tavistock. The abbey of SS. Mary and Benedict was founded here on the eastern bank of the Tavy in 1278 by Amicia, widow of Baldwin da Redvers, 7th Earl of Devon, for monks of the Cistercian order and colonized from Quarr Abbey, Isle of Wight; the abbey was surrendered by John Toker, or Tucker, the last abbot, the revenues at the Dissolution being valued at £241 17s. 9d. there being then 12 monks, besides the abbot. The site of the abbey church and monastic buildings was granted 26th May, 1541, to Sir Richard Greynfeld, or Grenville, kt. of Bideford, for a sum of £233 3s. 4d. Sir Richard Grenville in 1575 converted the abbey church into a mansion, belonging to the Drake family, and now called “Buckland Abbey,” which incorporates the piers and arches once supporting the central tower of the church: the house, surrounded by pleasant grounds, once the abbey orchard, contains some interesting relics of Sir Francis Drake, including a drum, and his portrait by Jansens, dated 1594; a noble bam, 180 feet in length, with a profusion of buttresses, also remains, and adjoining the stables is a low tower of the Perpendicular period. The abbey is now the residence of Lady Drake. Bickham, a mansion here, is now occupied by Mrs. Phillips. The Right Hon. Sir Massey Lopes bart. P.C. of Maristow, is lord of the manor, Sir F. G. A. Fuller-Elliott-Drake bart. of Nutwell Court, and the Duke of Bedford are chief landowners. The soil is various; subsoil, clay. The land is principally pasture. The area is 6,685 acres of land, 30 of water and 8 of tidal water; rateable value, £11,663; the population of the parish of Buckland in 1891 was 1,414, inclusive of the ecclesiastical parish of St. John, Horrabridge.

Schools

Endowed (boys’), endowed with £12 10s. yearly, conveyed by Lady Elizabeth Modyford to trustees, by indenture dated 2nd March, 1702: it was repaired & re-endowed in 1850 by the Right Hon. Sir Massey Lopes P.C. & will hold 76 children; average attendance, 42.

National (girls & infants), erected in 1859 at a cost of £400, & enlarged in 1897: it was endowed by Francis Charles Hastings, late Duke of Bedford, with the interest on £40, £2 10s. per Cent. Consols, & will hold 108 children; average attendance, 74.

National (infants), Milton, opened in 1893, for 40 children; average attendance, 23.

Kelly's Directory of Devon (1902)

Most Common Surnames in Buckland Monachorum

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Roborough Hundred
1Dawe231:563.35%141
2Rowe221:591.12%16
3Willcock191:6825.00%1,427
4James161:811.26%46
4Palmer161:811.04%31
6Beer151:870.87%24
6Blowey151:8739.47%2,338
8Foot141:936.09%511
8Westlake141:931.81%116
8Crossman141:937.00%593
8Spry141:933.80%302
8Toop141:9325.93%1,795
13Pike131:1001.20%68
13Symons131:1001.17%63
13Spear131:1004.21%367
13Elford131:1006.88%636
17Jeffery121:1081.24%85
17Chapple121:1081.90%162
17Smale121:1081.26%87
17Bundock121:10870.59%3,822
21Ford111:1180.67%28
21Cole111:1180.52%13
21Drake111:1181.82%170
21Moses111:1187.28%788
21Greep111:11812.50%1,262
21Curno111:11837.93%2,729
27Ward101:1301.00%81
27Cook101:1300.98%76
27Bennett101:1300.61%26
27Carpenter101:1302.28%254
27McArthur101:13043.48%3,174
27Clooke101:13090.91%5,026
33Brown91:1440.41%12
33Mitchell91:1440.59%33
33Fox91:1441.88%228
33Gill91:1440.88%75
33Bacon91:14425.00%2,423
33Monk91:1447.76%997
33Bulley91:1443.04%386
33Vigars91:14414.06%1,617
33Dockett91:14423.08%2,300
42Roberts81:1620.55%36
42Warren81:1620.57%38
42Gilbert81:1621.20%148
42Sampson81:1621.58%212
42Tinney81:16222.86%2,460
42Collacott81:1626.15%905
42Staplin81:162100.00%6,268
49Walker71:1862.07%332
49Wood71:1860.47%35
49Clark71:1860.71%83
49Richards71:1860.31%11
49Harding71:1860.66%70
49Bright71:1861.41%218
49Crocker71:1860.63%64
49Jarman71:1864.07%700
49Luscombe71:1860.63%62
49Budge71:1866.03%997
49Bastow71:1869.72%1,497
49Endacott71:1861.97%317
49Halfyard71:18616.67%2,174
49Rolstone71:18618.42%2,338
49Danning71:18677.78%5,765
64Smith61:2170.18%4
64Davies61:2171.69%319
64Phillips61:2170.34%23
64Reed61:2170.50%53
64May61:2170.44%39
64Welsh61:2175.22%1,006
64Lake61:2170.61%84
64Down61:2170.52%58
64Granger61:2177.50%1,375
64Spiller61:2171.92%359
64Hawke61:2172.96%587
64Vivian61:2173.37%679
64Willcocks61:2170.93%157
64Dodge61:2178.45%1,509
64Foote61:21710.17%1,708
64Mortimore61:2171.08%189
64Cockram61:2171.25%228
64Buller61:21718.75%2,606
64Chown61:2172.17%420
64Mudge61:2171.49%273
64Job61:2176.45%1,205
64Cornall61:2176.67%1,243
64Lillicrap61:2172.69%530
64Witheridge61:2174.38%861
64Metters61:2175.08%981
64Barons61:21711.76%1,878
64Hearton61:217100.00%7,664
91Elliott51:2600.42%54
91Bateman51:26010.20%1,932
91Hutchings51:2600.41%51
91Ham51:2601.51%336
91Newcombe51:2600.76%154
91Algar51:2605.68%1,262
91Scoble51:2601.70%390
91Spearman51:2609.62%1,843
91Shopland51:2604.63%1,058
91Northmore51:2602.96%717
91Chowen51:26014.71%2,503
91Seecombe51:26050.00%5,368
103White41:3250.15%7
103Andrews41:3250.30%42
103Fowler41:3250.83%227
103Bryant41:3250.96%263
103Grimshaw41:32516.00%3,006
103Broad41:3252.45%737
103Woodman41:3252.16%652
103Goss41:3250.80%214
103Canning41:32533.33%4,730
103Penney41:3255.88%1,565
103Glanville41:3251.50%436
103Peter41:32512.90%2,647
103Hamlyn41:3250.90%250
103Pethick41:3253.08%905
103Marner41:325100.00%9,849
103Gloyn41:3252.29%691
103Voaden41:3253.57%1,026
103Kingford41:32557.14%6,891
121Williams31:4330.08%2
121Edwards31:4330.20%32
121Stewart31:4331.90%758
121Pearce31:4330.23%43
121Ball31:4330.31%86
121Perry31:4330.37%111
121Gibbs31:4330.71%260
121Hancock31:4330.36%104
121Manning31:4330.40%122
121Snell31:4330.24%48
121Bassett31:4331.00%377
121Spooner31:4338.82%2,503
121Wicks31:4339.68%2,647
121Hearn31:4330.56%202
121Quick31:4330.39%117
121Blanchard31:4335.17%1,730
121Harry31:4331.69%679
121Camp31:4332.13%832
121Wooldridge31:4333.57%1,316
121Osmond31:4331.65%666
121Beavis31:4332.16%843
121Sleeman31:4331.11%426
121Parkhouse31:4330.65%240
121Sloman31:4331.32%519
121Bidgood31:4331.35%530
121Hawkings31:4331.57%628
121Mugford31:4331.11%426
121Langman31:4333.19%1,195
121Halse31:4331.70%685
121Northcote31:4332.22%874
121Oldridge31:4333.30%1,234
121Glanvill31:4337.32%2,214
121Helson31:4335.26%1,743
121Triscott31:4334.29%1,524
121Collom31:43318.75%3,944
121Banker31:43360.00%8,667
121Nottell31:433100.00%11,450
158Taylor21:6500.08%9
158Carter21:6500.18%60
158Knight21:6500.18%59
158Berry21:6500.21%91
158Bird21:6500.44%247
158Willis21:6500.33%171
158Walters21:6500.34%182
158Norman21:6500.25%112
158Nash21:6504.44%2,070
158Hicks21:6500.36%189
158Giles21:6500.54%298
158Gould21:6500.27%123
158Pollard21:6500.59%327
158Dennis21:6500.36%194
158O'Brien21:6502.38%1,316
158Waddington21:65033.33%7,664
158Sargent21:6501.11%674
158Thorn21:6500.50%279
158Jackman21:6500.53%293
158Maddock21:6500.71%414
158Langdon21:6500.46%255
158Hosking21:6500.66%375
158Veale21:6500.54%305
158Spurr21:6503.57%1,758
158Dorey21:65022.22%5,765
158Watters21:65028.57%6,891
158Lethbridge21:6500.41%226
158Milroy21:65033.33%7,664
158Hayne21:6502.47%1,358
158Venner21:6502.06%1,163
158Weymouth21:6501.18%717
158Lakeman21:6501.18%717
158Blackall21:65025.00%6,268
158Laskey21:6501.28%769
158Fuge21:6501.65%962
158Shillabeer21:6501.35%802
158Dominy21:65018.18%5,026
158Hortop21:6501.69%981
158Quest21:65010.00%3,438
158Nottle21:65040.00%8,667
158Morecombe21:65011.11%3,695
158Cheeseworth21:6507.69%2,930
158Mils21:65066.67%11,450
158Tippitts21:650100.00%13,160
158Burnaford21:65066.67%11,450
158Dundridge21:650100.00%13,160
158Puttifen21:65025.00%6,268
158Duggua21:65028.57%6,891