Kingsbridge, a pleasant little town, situated on a branch of the Saltcombe river, and, according to Risdon, deriving its name from the bridge which separates it from Dodbrooke. A Latin free-school was founded here by a Mr. Crispin of Exeter. David Tolley, or Tolbey, called Tavelegus by Leland, was a native of this town. He commenced student at St. Mary’s Hall, Oxford, and became a considerable proficient in the Latin and Greek languages. The Progymnasmata Grammaticae, Graecae, was written by him, for the use of Prince Edward. He was also the author of Themata Homeri, and some other pieces.

KINGSBRIDGE is a small but important market town, with terminal railway station, and is a parish in the extreme south of Devon, and distant about 5 miles north from the sub-port and harbour of Salcombe and from the English Channel; it is the head of a union and county court district, in the Southern division of the county, hundred of Stanborough, petty sessional division of Stanborough and Coleridge, rural deanery of Woodleigh, archdeaconry of Totnes and diocese of Exeter. The town, which is the market centre of a large district, is 20 miles east-south-east from Plymouth, 12 south-south-west from Totnes, 10 south-west from Dartmouth, 20 south-west from Torquay, and 231 ¾ from London.

In 1888 an Act of Parliament for making the railway from South Brent to Kingsbridge and Salcombe, which had been previously obtained by private promoters, was transferred to the Great Western railway, and this line was opened in 1893 as far as Kingsbridge.

By an Order of the County Council, confirmed by Local Government Board Order 29,274, which came into operation March 25, 1893, the parishes of Kingsbridge and Dodbrooke were united into one parish for civil purposes.

The town stands on rising ground at the extremity of a long and irregular creek, broken up on either side by numerous inlets; the passage is navigable for ships of from 200 to 500 tons burthen, and at the foot of the town there is ample quayage for the import and export of merchandise of all descriptions. Shipbuilding is also carried on, and vessels ranging from 200 to 500 tons are built here and at Salcombe, and, until the growth of the steam shipping interest, were employed in the green and dry fruit and Newfoundland fish trades, as well as in traffic with the East and West Indies and the Brazils.

The parish is governed, under the provisions of the “Local Government Act, 1894” (56 and 57 Vict. c. 73), by an Urban District Council of 12 members, which takes the place of a Local Board, formed April 24, 1893, and consists for the most part of a single street, about half a mile in length and 60 feet wide; it is well paved, lighted with gas by a limited company, and plentifully supplied with fresh water from a spring rising at Combe Royal.

The public property of the town, the value of which is considerable, is principally vested in feoffees, and the proceeds are assigned to various purposes by the votes of the ratepayers in vestry assembled; the present annual income amounts to about £500, and on the expiration of existing leases will probably exceed £600.

The church of St. Edmund, King and Martyr, standing near the centre of the town, on the western side, is a cruciform building of stone, erected previous to the year 1310, chiefly in the Early English and Perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, transepts, north and south-west porches and a central tower with spire, containing 8 bells, rehung in 1877: the aisles were added in the 15th century, forming chapels on either side of the chancel: in both aisles are hagioscopes: the chancel retains a piscina and a fine ancient stall seat or miserere: about 1889 the reredos of Caen stone was restored and decorated in gold and colour by the Rev. Jamas Henning, Duncombe lecturer, who also designed the baptistery, which contains the children’s window: the large and ancient font of Polyphant stone is Early English; the walls immediately near it are panelled in oak, ornamented with decorative work of Early English design, and a quotation from the Te Deum, the whole being inclosed by wrought iron screen work, also from designs by the Rev. J. Henning: in the south transept are remains of Early English work: the piscinae of two chapels remain: the 15th century parclose screens separating the chancel from the chapels contain rich tracery: the doors and lower panels have been removed to make choir pews, but some good specimens of scroll pattern panels are still left: of the rood screen, also a work of the 15th century, the only remains consist of ten of the lower panels, incorporated in the pulpit and prayer desk: the south-west porch is of the early part of the 15th century, and has a water stoup constructed out of Early English window tracery: the stained east window was presented by John Miller and Tryphena Toby: there is a memorial window erected in 1873 by Thomas Harris esq. to his parents; and in the baptistery the “Children’s window,” so called from the fact that the cost was chiefly subscribed for and collected by the Sunday school children of St. Edmund s: the window of the north chapel contains the arms of the Earls of Devon, the only fragment of ancient stained glass now remaining: the only old window of the church is in the south chapel, and, as well as the iron work protecting it outside, belongs to the 16th century: in the south porch the old parish stocks are still preserved: the church was restored in 1860, and again in 1884—91 at a cost of £758, and since 1896 the whole church has been re-floored, choir stalls placed under the tower, a chapel formed on the south side of the chancel, and a screen, presented by Mrs. Birks; the south gallery has also been removed, and a new porch built: the old choir vestry has been converted into a library for the clergy of the deanery: the centre of the church has been re-seated in oak, the whole work being carried out under the direction of Mr. Ralph Nevill F.S.A, of London and Mr. T. W. Latham, architect, of Kingsbridge. The earliest register (for baptisms) is dated 1603; the Test date from 1754, and are in good preservation. The living is a vicarage, annexed to that of Churchstow, joint net yearly value £200, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Exeter, and held since 1895 by the Rev. Herbert Alfred Birks M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge. William Duncombe, by will dated 1691, founded a lectureship in connection with the parish church of the present yearly value of £120, with residence; and held since 1898 by the Rev. Henry Chicheley Stevens M.A. of St. Peter’s College, Cambridge.

The Baptist chapel, Fore street, founded in 1640, was rebuilt in 1798, enlarged in 1852, and restored in 1899, and will seat 350 persons.

The Congregational chapel, Fore street, was founded in 1662; the new chapel, erected in 1858, was renovated throughout in 1891 at a cost of over £300, and has sittings for 500 persons.

The Wesleyan chapel, Fore street, was erected in 1814 and enlarged and improved in 1870, and has sittings for 400 persons.

The Brethren’s chapel, Fore street, was erected in 1853, and is a, building of stone with a colonnade before the principal entrance; the chapel stands back from the street, from which it is separated by a lawn: there are 300 sittings.

The meeting house belonging to the Society of Friends, in Fore street, is built of local stone, and will seat 250 persons, but this sect is now extinct in the town.

A Burial Board of 9 members was established here in December, 1865. The cemetery, consisting of one acre and containing 2 mortuary chapels, was formed in 1874, and is situated at Highhouse Point, 1 mile south from Kingsbridge, on the Charleton road, in the parish of Dodbrooke.

The Town Hall, built in 1850 by a joint-stock company, at a cost of about £1,500, will hold 600 persons: the clock was erected in 1875. It is now the property of the feoffees, and is used for the benefit of the town. A reading room, police station and other institutions are comprised in this building, and the county court and petty sessions are also held in it.

Here is an ironfoundry, a brewery, a large roller flour mill and implement works.

The Shambles, belonging to the lord of the manor, and used by local butchers, are in Fore street, under the east end of the church, and were first erected about 1586; five of the granite pillars which support the building were in their present position at that date, and three others were added later; the rooms above are used as offices by the owner.

A market for the sale of general produce is held every Saturday. A large cattle and pleasure fair is held on the Thursday after the 19th July in every year, and extends to the end of the week.

The head quarters of the E Company 5th Volunteer (Hay Tor) Battalion Devonshire Regiment are in Fore street; number of men about 80. There is a spacious armoury belonging to this company, and a reading and recreation room, and about 2 miles south of the town an excellent range, 1,000 yards in extent.

The Devon and Cornwall Banking Co. Limited, Lloyds Bank Limited and the Wilts and Dorset Banking Co. Limited and the Naval Bank have branches here: there is also a branch of the Devon and Exeter Savings Bank, and an old-established penny bank vested in trustees.

St. Edmund’s Hall, near the top of Duncombe street, formerly called the Oddfellows’ Hall, a fine building of stone and brick, erected at a cost of £1,000, will seat 300 persons: the hall is used for the Church Sunday school and parochial and other meetings; the two ante-rooms are used by the St. Edmund’s Institute, founded in 1884. In 1896 the basement was fitted out as a gymnasium and bagatelle room, and is used on Sunday as an infant school.

The Fire Brigade station, in Fore street, is a building of stone, erected by the feoffees, and affords room for two fire engines: the upper storey contains a large room, used for parochial and school board meetings.

The Masonic Lodge of Freemasons, “Duncombe No. 1,486,” was consecrated on the 16th April, 1874: the lodge meetings are held monthly at the Masonic Temple in Duncombe street, on the Monday nearest the full moon.

A lodge of Mark Master Masons was established in 1891. The meetings are held in the Masonic Temple on the first Tuesday in each quarter.

The Kingsbridge and South Hams Constitutional Club, established in June, 1887, occupies premises near the Quay, formerly known as Quay house. The building includes spacious reading, billiard, smoking and writing rooms, and was opened on the 6th January, 1888; it is manager by a committee of 9 members, with two hon. secretaries and treasurer.

The Girls’ Friendly Society and Mothers’ Union has a branch here, formed in 1885: meetings are held fortnightly for members who are in service and others, for work and recreation: it is under the management of ladies residing in the town and district.

The principal hotels are the King’s Arms, established for nearly a century; the Albion and the Anchor, from which coaches run three times a day to the seaside hotel at Torcross, on Start Bay.

Two local newspapers-“The Kingsbridge Gazette,” and “The Kingsbridge Journal,” are published weekly.

The Cottage Hospital, in Duncombe street, was opened April 2nd, 1898, and contains 5 beds and a cot.

The early closing day is on Thursday.

There are several charitable societies supported by voluntary contributions. The Acland charity of about £2 12s. yearly value is distributed to the poor in bread at the church porch. The Comworthy charity of £1 is distributed annually to 20 poor persons. The grave of Mrs. Tryphena Toby, and the east window in St. Edmund's church, are kept in repair by money, amounting to £13 yearly, left by her, any surplus being given to the poor.

The manor of Kingsbridge is the property of John S. Hurrell esq. A manorial court is held every two years, at which a portreeve is appointed.

The area of the parish of Kingsbridge and Dodbrooke is 831 acres of land, 16 of tidal water and 78 of foreshore; rateable value, £11,685; population in 1891 was 2,888, and in 1901 was 3,075, including 72 inmates and 7 officers in the Workhouse.

Petty Sessions are held at the Town hall, Kingsbridge, on the first Monday in each month at 11.30 a.m.. & at the Guildhall, Totnes, on the second Monday in each month at 11 a.m.. The places included in the petty sessional division are:-Ashprington, Berry Pomeroy, Blackawton, Buckfastleigh, Buckland Tout Saints, Charleton, Chivelstone, Churchstow, Cornworthy, Dartington, Dean Prior, Diptford, Dittisham, East Allington, East Portlemouth, Harberton, Halwell, Kingsbridge & Dodbrooke, Loddiswell, Malborough, Morley, North Huish, Battery, Salcombe, Sherford, Slapton, South Brent, South Huish, South Milton, South Pool, Stoke Fleming, Stokenham, Thurlestone, West Alvington, Woodleigh.

VOLUNTEERS

5th Volunteer Battalion (The Hay Tor) Devonshire Regiment (E Company); head quarters, Fore street.

KINGSBRIDGE UNION

Board day, alternate Saturdays, at 11 a.m.. at the workhouse, Kingsbridge.

Kingsbridge Union comprises the following 26 parishes:-Aveton Gifford, Bigbury, Blackawtcn, Buckland Tout Saints, Charleton, Chivelstone, Churchstow, East Allington, East Portlemouth, Kingsbridge & Dodbrooke, Kingston, Loddiswell, Malborough, Modbury, Ringmore, Salcombe, Sherford, Slapton, South Huish, South Milton, South Pool, Stokefleming, Stokenham, Thurlestone, West Alvington & Woodleigh. The population in 1891 was 17,715, and in 1901 was 16,163; area 73,023 acres; rateable value in 1901, £99,534.

Workhouse, Kingsbridge, erected in 1837 at a cost of £6,000, is a structure of brick & stone, & will hold 350 inmates; average number of inmates, 90.

PLACES OF WORSHIP, with Times of Services

St. Edmund’s Church, Fore street, Rev. Herbert Alfred Birks M.A. vicar; Rev. Henry Chicheley Stevens M.A. Duncombe lecturer; 8.15 & 11 a.m..; 3.30 & 6.30 p.m.; week days, daily at 12.30 p.m.; on Wed. 7.30 p.m.; holy communion, saints’ days & holy days, 8.15 a.m.

Church of St. Thomas a Becket, Dodbrooke, Rev. Thomas Curling Lewis F.R.H.S. rector; 8 & 11 a.m.. & 3.30 & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m. Fri. 5.30 p.m. & daily at noon.

Friends’ Meeting House, Fore street.

Baptist, Fore street, Rev. William Thomas Adey; 10.45 a.m.. & 6 p.m.; Wed. winter, 7.30 p.m.; summer, 7.45 p.m.

Bible Christian, Market place, Dodbrooke, Rev. James Hopper; 10.45 a.m.. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Congregational, Fore street, Rev. Rhys Harris; 11 a.m.. & 6 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Plymouth Brethren, Fore street; 10.45 a.m.. & 6.15 p.m.; Mon. & Wed. 8 p.m.

Wesleyan Methodist, Fore street (Kingsbridge & Salcombe circuit); Rev. Alfred John Silcox & Rev. W. Routley Bailey; 10.45 a.m.. & 6 p.m.; Tue. 7.30 p.m.; prayer meeting, Fri. 7.30 p.m.

Salvation Army, Fore street; 7 & 11 a.m.. & 3 & 6.30 p.m.; week days, 8 p.m.

SCHOOLS

The Grammar school. Fore street, which possesses endowments under the wills of Thomas Crispin, dated 1670, & William Duncombe, dated 1691, is now managed under a scheme of the Endowed Schools Commissioners, framed in 1877, by which 12 governors are appointed for 6 years in rotation three by the trustees of Duncombe’s Charity, three by the trustees of Crispin’s Charity, three by the magistrates of the Stanborough & Coleridge division & three by the ratepayers of Kingsbridge: attached to the schools are several exhibitions awarded by the governors in the form of remission of fees; one half of these are open to competition by boys who have been educated for three years at public elementary schools within two miles of this school: the endowments yield an income of about £300 yearly: it is now also a school of science under the Board of Education, & receives a grant from the Devon County Council for the maintenance of technical instruction & chemical & physical laboratories, a lecture hall & a work shop, have recently been erected; Rev. William Watson M.A. late exhibitioner of Wadham College, Oxford, headmaster.

A School Board of 7 members was formed August 9, 1887, for the united district of Kingsbridge & Dodbrooke; John S. Hurreill, chairman; William Beer, Fore street, clerk to the board.

Kingsbridge & Dodbrooke United District Board, Church street (formerly the British schools) (girls & infants), built in 1843, for 260 children; average attendance, 110 girls & 147 infants.

Boys’, Waterloo road (formerly the National school), built in 1845, for 200 boys; average attendance, 130.