Bickleigh & Sheepstorr, Deanery of Tamerton

Chanter 225B, 451-452

1. Population and dissenters: In my parish of Bickleigh, there are twenty nine families. in that of Shittistor, als Sheepstor, are sixteen families. of these, there is not one Dissenter, of any sort, or Denomination, in either of the parishes. no Meeting-house, or Meeting-teaching.

2. Public or charity schools: There is no publick or charity School in either of these parishes but the children are taught and instructed to read or write by their Parents or neighbours, and are duly sent to Church for instruction.

3. Alms-house, hospital or charitable endowment: In the parish of Bickleigh here is no Almshouse or Hospital. but here is a Benefaction of fifty pounds given by the Lady Modiford; the use or Interest whereof to be distributed to the Poor every Lords day in penny loaves; which is duely applyed.
   In the parish of Sheepstor there are two Alms houses kept for the use of the poor, and a Tenement given for the use of the poor scite out at Rent at three pounds and ten shillings per annum and duly applyed.

4. Residence upon cure: I do reside personally upon my Cure, and in my Parsonage house at Bickleigh.

5. Curate: I have no Curate.

6. Divine service at other churches: I perform Divine Service at Sheepstor (which is a daughter church to Bickleigh, & five miles distant from it) every third Lords day.

7. Frequency of divine service: Every Lords day I have Divine Service with a Sermon both in the morning and evening. also Morning Service, with a Sermon, is performed in my Church of Bickleigh, on the thirtieth of January, the nine & twentieth day of May, on Good-Friday, the eleventh of June, and the fifth day of November.

8. Frequency of communion: The holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper is administred at Bickleigh once every Month. at Sheepstor four times in the year, viz at Christmas, at Easter, at Whitsunday, and at Michaelmas.

9. Number of communicants: At Bickleigh the Communicants usually are somewhat under twenty, at Easter under thirty. and thereabouts at Sheepstor.

10. Catechising of children: I catechise the Children after Divine Service during the most part of the Summer. my Parishioners send their Children and Servants to be instructed by me.

11. Chapels or chapels in ruins: In the parish of Sheeptor there is a Chapel, five miles distant from Bickleigh, which I serve (as I said before) every third Sunday. it is in good order, and decently kept.

    Bickleigh Vic. John Herring, A.B. Inst. May. 19. 1695 Presb. the same day by Jonathan Exon. [Explanation]