Crediton, an ancient and populous town, divided into two parts, called the East and West. The weekly market, on Saturday, in Brice’s time, was inferior to few in the kingdom, for meat and yarn.

Crediton was undoubtedly a place of considerable importance in the Saxon times, as no fewer than twelve bishops had their seat here, between the years 924 and 1049, when the see was removed to Exeter. It stands on both sides of the river Creedy, and is divided into two parts, called the East and West. The latter was formerly more extensive than at present, upwards of 450 houses having been destroyed by fire in 1743. In 1769, a second fire consumed many buildings, together with the market-house and shambles, which have been since rebuilt in a very handsome manner. The present church is an elegant structure, in the form of a cross: its tower is 100 feet high, and is situated in the centre of the building, on a semicircular arch, supported by four pillars of uncommon magnitude. The interior is extremely neat; the east and west windows are large, and decorated with rich tracery; and the altar-piece is a most exquisite performance, representing Moses and Aaron sustaining the Decalogue. On one side of the burial- ground formerly stood the Cathedral; but no vestiges of it remain. Connected with the chancel, at the east end, is a Sunday-school, and over the south porch a small library. Here is also a charity-school for forty boys and girls.

The chief manufacture, besides spinning wool, is one for serges, which has been carried on to a considerable extent. Vast quantities of wool and yarn have been sold in the market-place. The market is held on Saturday, and well supplied. Houses 1149, inhabitants 5515.

At Crediton is Creedy-house, the seat of Sir John Davie, Burt. This mansion has two handsome fronts, and is delightfully situated in a large park surrounded by a strong wall. Near this is Fulford-park, the seat of J. H. Tuckfield, Esq.

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CREDITON is a market and union town and parish upon rising ground between two hills, on the west bank of the river Creedy and on the high road from Exeter to Barnstaple, Bideford and South Molton; it is the head of a hundred, petty sessional division and county court district, with a station on the main line of the London and South Western railway, and is 8 miles north-west from Exeter, 20 south-east from South Molton, 18 east-by-north from Okehampton, 12 south-west from Tiverton and 179 from London by road and 201 by railway, in the Northern division of the county, hundred of Crediton, rural deanery of Cadbury and archdeaconry and diocese of Exeter. It is divided into East and West Towns, the church and the railway station being in the former, and the Town hall and the principal shops in the latter: the private houses are more equally distributed over the two districts, but the majority of the inns belong to the West Town. In the 15th century Crediton was a borough town, and its ancient seal, with the date 1469, still exists; in the reign of Edward I. it sent representatives to Parliament.

The town was, under the Act 6 and 7 William IV. c. 25, governed by a board of Improvement Commissioners of 30 members, formed in 1836; but an Urban District Council of 12 members has been constituted, under the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1894 (56 and 57 Vict, c. 73).

Under section 1, sub-section 3 of the Act of 1894, the original parish of Crediton has been divided into two civil parishes, viz.: Crediton Town and Crediton Hamlets.

The town is lighted with gas by a company. Water works were erected by the Crediton Improvement Commissioners, in 1893, at a cost of about £11,000: the town is supplied on the gravitation principle from three reservoirs, a low service one holding 120,000 gallons, a high service reservoir of 60,000 gallons; a third reservoir having a capacity of 40,000 gallons, fixed at the highest point in the district and filled by a windmill erected over the high service reservoir, where there is also a gas engine, used as an auxiliary power. The houses on George hill, and others above the gravitation level, are served from the third reservoir: the supply is obtained from Walson, in the parish of Clannaborough, 7 miles distant.

During the Civil War. the town was alternately occupied by the belligerents on both sides, and in 1644 was visited by Charles I. who reviewed his troops here; in the same year Prince Maurice made the town his head quarters, as did Sir Thomas Fairfax in 1646; in 1743, and again in 1769, it was much injured by fires.

In 1897 Crediton was named the head of a suffragan bishopric, the Right Rev. Robert Trefusis M.A. canon of Exeter, being consecrated as Bishop of Crediton, for the diocese of Exeter.

The original church, which stood on or near the site of the present building, was from A.D. 909 to A.D. 1050 the cathedral of the bishops of Devonshire, who were also, from 1032, bishops of Cornwall: on the removal of the see to Exeter, by Bishop Leofric, the church was made collegiate, with a precentor as president, a treasurer, dean or perpetual vicar, 18 canons, as many vicars, and choral members: after the Dissolution the church, with some lands, was granted for the sum of £200, by Edward VI. by deed dated 2nd April, 1547, to twelve of the principal inhabitants, viz. nine of Crediton and three of Sandford, incorporated as the Twelve Governors of the church of Crediton, by whose successors the church is still kept in repair out of the great tithes of Crediton, Sandford and Exminster, with which they are endowed for that purpose. The present church of the Holy Cross is a fine cruciform building of stone, 228 feet by 58 feet, the transepts measuring together 85 feet, and consists of choir of five bays, with aisles and clerestory, and an eastern Lady chapel, nave of six bays, with clerestory, aisles, transepts with eastern aisles or chapels, south porch, with parvise, used as a library, and containing a number of chained book's, and a massive embattled central tower containing a clock and 8 bells, all cast in 1774, except the tenor, which is dated 1814: the whole edifice is embattled, and the tower, of two stages, is surmounted by four octagonal embattled turrets, with crocketed spirelets and vanes: the basement of the tower is Transitional Norman and Early English: the building was in progress in 1409 and 1511, but the structure was mainly rebuilt before the middle of the 15th century: the nave has large and lofty windows, and both nave and chancel are of unusual length: the Lady chapel is Early Decorated, and the transepts Perpendicular: in the church is an altar-tomb, with effigy robed and wearing a collar of SS, to William Peryam, ob. October 9, 1604, Justice of the Common Pleas 1581—93, and afterwards Chief Baron of the Exchequer: at the east end of the south side of the choir are two recumbent effigies of a knight in plate armour and a lady; the former wears a bascinet with camail and a hauberk covered by a tunic bearing three chevronels; the female effigy is in a close-fitting dress with mantle, but is much mutilated; these figures are assumed to represent Sir John Sully, a warrior who fought at Cressy (1346) and Poictiers (1356), and in 1385—90, at the age of 105, gave evidence in the famous Scrope and Grosvenor controversy; his wife was one of the co-heirs of FitzRobert, Baron of Torrington: in the north choir aisle is a slab once containing the brass of a bishop, and there are some memorials to the ancient family of Prowz, including a flat stone inscribed to Francis Prowze M.D. of Fordton, ob. 5 October, 1696, his son Francis 1716, and Constance, wife of the latter, 1714; near it is a tablet to Mrs. Honor Prowse, ob. 1 July, 1773; there are also two coffin slabs, bearing crosses: a fine old font remains, and there are three richly worked stone stalls, serving as sedilia, at the back of which, and facing the aisle, is a recess, with a canopy, inclosing a flat table monument: four windows in the Lady chapel and one in the chapel of St. Nicholas are stained: the great west window has been filled with stained glass as a memorial to the Rev. J. R. Nankivell M.A. chaplain 1867—84, at a cost of £300, and in 1896 a stained window was placed at the east end, at a cost of £450; the choir stalls are placed under the central tower: the chancel, raised four steps above the nave, is paved with marble mosaic, and has been furnished with Miserare stalls of English oak, with richly carved tracery and carved poppy heads, at a cost of £450, from designs by Messrs. Tait and Harvey, architects, of Exeter, and executed by Mr. W. Dart: the altar steps are of polished marble and the mosaic paving in the sacrarium is of rich design and highly polished: south-east of the choir is a large building, probably the ancient Chapter House, but now divided into three storeys, containing on the ground floor a convenient vestry and large vestibule; on the next floor are two rooms, one of which is used as a choir vestry; during the refitting of this room at the beginning of 1897 some 20 lbs. in weight of silver coins of the reigns of Elizabeth and Charles II. were found concealed under the floor; and on the upper floor a spacious room, now used for the meetings of the “Corporation of the Governors of the Church,” and containing some curious ancient chests, and pieces of old armour: the church was restored in 1880—81, at a cost of £1,400, and refloored and reseated in 1889, at a cost of £2,500, and has 900 sittings. The register dates from the year 1564, but is much defaced. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £340, with residence and 1 acre of glebe, in the gift of the Twelve Governors of the church of Crediton. and held since 1901 by the Rev. Walter Montgomery Smith-Dorrien M.A. of Magdalen College, Oxford, and B.D. of Durham University. Attached to the church of Holy Cross is a chaplaincy, endowed with £200 and house, and held since 1895 by the Rev. Richard Knight M.A. of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. St. Luke’s chapel, Fosbury, is an edifice of only small dimensions: the living is a perpetual curacy, with a net endowment of £46 per annum, in the gift of Sir J. Shelley bart. and held since 1880 by the Rev. Charles Felton Smith M.A. of Queen’s College, Cambridge, vicar of Crediton 1854—91, and prebendary of Exeter.

The Congregational church, High street, erected in 1868, is an edifice in the Gothic style, with 650 sittings: a manse and schools were erected in 1889 at a cost of £800; the Bible Christian chapel, High street, will seat 200 persons; the Unitarian chapel, Park street, has 300 sittings; and the Wesleyan chapel, Union road, 300; the meeting room of the Brethren is in High street, and will seat 150 persons; the Salvation Army hold their meetings here in the Temperance hall.

The Town hall, in the High street, built in 1852—3 by a company, and now held in trust by Gen. the Right Hon. Sir Redvers H. Buller P.C., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., V.C. Sir John Shelley bart. William Tremlett and John Mortimer esqrs. was rebuilt in 1893, and includes rooms for public meetings, libraries and reading-rooms, and the offices of collector of poor rates and taxes; the largest of these rooms is 46 feet long, 32 feet wide and about 23 high.

The Post office, in Market street, erected in 1901, is of red brick, relieved with Bath stone dressings, from designs by Messrs. Marshall and Vickers, architects, of London, and includes a residence for the postmaster.

The Temperance Hall, in the Union road, erected in 1889, will hold 280 persons.

The County Police Station, Market street, was erected in 1847.

The Literary Society, an institution of long standing, has a large and increasing library at the Town Hall.

Crediton appears to have been a place of considerable trade so early as the 13th century, and at one time was a leading town in the woollen manufacture, gaining “great fame for the fineness of its work.”

The business of the town has considerably increased, owing to the development of the boot and shoe industry: there are now over 800 persons so employed, and a large colonial export trade is carried on: the principal firms are Messrs. Gimblett, Son and Co. Limited and Messrs. John Elston and Sons. There are also tanneries, steam sawing and building yards, and two confectionery factories.

Quantities of cider are made and forwarded to the London and other markets.

The Market House, erected in 1836, is spacious and conveniently appointed. The market day is Saturday. A monthly cattle market is held on the third Thursday in every month except April and Auerust. On the Saturday before the last Wednesday in April, the great market is held, which is the largest fair for cattle in the West of England.

The early closing day is on Wednesday, at 4 p.m.

The Crediton District Constitutional Club, in Searle street, is a new building erected in connection, with the Town Hall, and consists of reading, card and billiard rooms, and a bar and skittle alley. There are about 200 members.

There is a Working Men’s Club in Market street, with about 150 members.

A pleasure lair is annually held on the 22nd of August and five following days, if that date should fall on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, but if not, then on the Tuesday succeeding.

The charities of Crediton are very numerous, and several hundred pounds, arising from the Borough lands, together with moneys left at various times by benevolent individuals and invested in the funds, are annually given away, principally at Christmas. The Governors of the church also allow £13 per year each to four almsmen; but the charity of the greatest magnitude is that known as Hayward's Charity,” the funds of which, after having lain dormant for several centuries in the Court of Chancery, were again made available by the action of the late Mr. E. T. Ward, who obtained the approval of the court to a scheme for the appropriation of the accumulated fund, amounting to more than £20,000, the interest of which is principally spent in educating poor children; eight aged almspeople are also provided for. Benjamin W. Cleave, of Newcombes, bequeathed in 1889 a sum of £10,000 invested in railway stock, the interest to be paid to 12 old men, 4 women, and 4 widows with families, the men to receive £14 13s. 4d. the women £9 3s. 4d. and the widows £13 15s. yearly.

Buller Park, the main entrance to which is at the Northern end of Searle street, was purchased and laid out as a public park, to perpetuate the memory of the late James Wentworth Buller esq. D.C.L, and M.P. for North Devon, and a resident in Crediton, who died December 15, 1865: it comprises about 4 acres, on the north side of the town, in a commanding, but pleasant and sheltered position, sloping to the south, from which a distant view may be obtained of the peaks of Dartmoor.

St. Laurence’s Green, at the west end of the town, was in 1897 laid out as a pleasure ground by public subscription, in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria, and is now held by the Urban District Council as lessees from the lord of the manor. In the early part of the last century bull baiting took place here, and the stone to which, on those Occasions, the bull was fastened, still remains in the centre of the green, near to which are the remains of an ancient chapel, in the Lancet style, said to have been dedicated to St. Laurence; and there was also a similar one at Yeo, a mile and a half distant.

The principal seats in Crediton are:-Downes, the residence of Gen. the Rt. Hon. Sir Redvers Henry Buller P.C., V.C., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., D.L., J.P. and Newcombes, of Benjamin Hansford Hill esq. J.P Gen. the Rt. Hon. Sir R. H. Buller P.C. who is Iord of the manor, holds an annual court leet for the East Town, for the election of a portreeve, constable and other officers; Sir John Shelley bart. of Shobrooke Park, Lieut-Col. Sir John Davie Ferguson-Davie bart. of Creedy Park, Benjamin Cornish Cleave esq. Elias Tremlett esq. of Prierton Manor, and William Pope esq. are the chief landowners.

The area of Crediton Town and Urban District is 2,552 acres; rateable value, £11,072; the population in 1891 was 4,207, including 5 officers and 80 inmates in the workhouse, and in 1901 was 3,974.

The area of Crediton Hamlets is 8,757 acres of land and 40 of water; rateable value, £13,250; the population in 1891 was 1,614.

By Local Government Board Order 16,408, Brittle Downs and Cottages have been transferred to Crediton from Colebrook, March 24, 1884.

Hookway is 1 mile south-east.

Knowle is 3 miles north-west. Here is a small chapel of ease, seating 60 persons.

Petty Sessions held at the Police station, Market street, on fixed days about once a month on Wednesdays, at 11 a.m.. The following places are included in the petty sessional division;-Bow, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Clannaborough, Colebrook, Copplestona, Crediton, Down St. Mary, Kennerleigh, Morchard Bishop, Newton St. Cyres, Poughill, Puddington, Sandford, Sherwood, Shobrooke, Stockleigh English, Stockleigh Pomeroy, Upton Helions, Washford Pyne, Woolfardisworthy, Zeal Monachorum.

YEOMANRY CAVALRY

Royal 1st Devon (A Squadron), Capt. A. D. Acland, officer in command; Capt. M. R. A. Wyatt-Edgell, second in command.

VOLUNTEERS

1st Volunteer Battalion (Exeter & South Devon) Devonshire Regiment (G Co.); head quarters, Bowden hill.

CREDITON UNION

Board day, every fortnight on Saturday.

The union comprises the following parishes, viz.-Bow or Nymet Tracey, Brushford, Chawleigh, Cheriton Bishop, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Clannaborough, Colebrook, Coleridge, Crediton, Down St. Mary, Eggesford, Hittisleigb, Kennerleigh, Lapford, Morchard Bishop, Newton St. Cyres with Sherwood, Nymet Rowland, Poughill, Puddington, Sandford, Shobrooke, Stockleigh English, Stockleigh Pomeroy, Thelbridge, Upton Helions, Washford Pyne, Wembworthy, Woolfardisworthy & Zeal Monachorum. The population in 1891 was 18,120 & in 1901 was 15,553; area, 94,445; rateable value in 1901, £102,709.

The Workhouse, erected in 1837, is si large edifice of brick, with three wings, & is available for 280 inmates; there is also a detached pavilion for infectious cases, containing 50 beds.

PLACES OF WORSHIP, with times of services

Holy Cross Church, East Town, Rev. Walter Montgomery Smith Dorrien B.D. vicar; Rev. Richard Knight M.A. chaplain; 8 & 10.30 a.m.. & 3 & 6.30 p.m.; daily service, 5.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Hookway (in connection with Holy Cross church), Thur. 7.30 p.m.

Knowle Chapel of Ease, 3 p.m.

Yeoford Chapel of the Holy Trinity, 3 & 6.30 p.m. alternate Sundays; served by the Rev. Thomas Russell M.A. of Barnstaple, as assistant curate.

St. Luke’s Chapel, Posbury; 10.30 a.m.. & 3 p.m.; served as assistant curate by the Rev. Thomas Russell M.A. of Barnstaple.

Bible Christian, High street; 11 a.m.. & 6.30 p.m.; Tue. 7.30 p.m.

Congregational, High street, Rev. James Tucker; 10.45 a.m.. & 6.30 p.m.; Mon. 7.30 p.m.

Plymouth Brethren, High street; 10.30 a.m.. & 6 p.m.

Unitarian, Park street, Rev. Henry Bollard; 11 a.m.. & 6.30 p.m.

Wesleyan Methodist, Union road; 11 a.m.. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

SCHOOLS

Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, St. Lawrence’s green, erected in 1859, is a large & fine building in the Elizabethan style, from designs by Mr. Hayward, architect, of Exeter, & consists of a central block containing the school rooms, with masters houses at the wings: it was first founded by a Royal Charter of Edward VI. A.D. 1547, as the “Kynge's newe Grammer Schole at Oredyton”; & secondly, by a Royal Charter of Elizabeth, A.D. 1560, who confirmed King Edward’s letters patent and added thereto; & it was thenceforth called “Queen Elizabeth’s Free Grammar Schole at Credyton.” The school was, until recently, under the jurisdiction of the Governors of Crediton church, but was reconstituted in 1880, & has an annual endowment of £830: a laboratory has been added at a cost of £300.

The school has six scholarships, of the annual value of £10, which are competed for as vacancies occur, preference being given to residents in Crediton, Sandford & Exminster; there is also an exhibition of £60 yearly, tenable for 3 ½ years, at the Universities or elsewhere. In 1893 the governors of the school decided to accept the proposals of the County Council with regard to Technical Education, and a grant of £180 was accordingly made to the school for this purpose. The governing body consists of 14 members.

Dunn’s Endowed School, High street, established in 1794, for the education of 11 boys of this parish, who are elected by the governors of Crediton church: in 1886 the school was reorganised and removed to premises in Union terrace.

A School Board of 7 members was formed August 20, 1874; James Wellington, 2 Market street, clerk to the board; James Stone, The Green, attendance officer.

Board, Landscore (infants), erected in 1880, at a cost of £700, for 125 children; average attendance, 85.

Board, Hookway (mixed & infants), erected in 1889, at a cost of £1,000, for 120 children; average attendance, 100.

Board, Shirley corner (mixed & infants), erected in 1892 & enlarged in 1897, for 170 children; average attendance, 120.

Board, Yeoford (mixed & infants), erected in 1878, at a cost of £2,125, for 122 children; average attendance, 66.

Hayward Charity (boys, girls & infants), erected in 1858, average attendance, 230 boys, 200 girls & 200 infants.