Modbury, Deanery of Plympton

Chanter 225B, 404-405

1. Population and dissenters: The Families in our Parish are reckoned about 330 of which 24 are Dissenters, all Presbyterians, excepting two Persons Anabaptists: There is a meeting-House, in which one John Cranch teaches, who gives no certain account, whether it be licensed, or not; but it has been applied to that Use upwards of 50 Years.

2. Public or charity schools: Twenty Children are taught, & instructed in the Principles of the Christian Religion, as profest in the Church of England, in a Charity Schole, supported by Voluntary Contributions, & the Interest of one Hundred pounds given by an unknown Gentleman, and Fifty more given by the Revd Mrs Billington & Barter. They usually attend at divine service on Wednesdays & Fridays in a Body.

3. Alms-house, hospital or charitable endowment: We have no Charitable Endowment in our Parish, excepting an Annuity of five pounds per annum payable out of a field, called Washwell, part of the Barton of Orcheton for the repair of the Church; & six shillings & eight-pence, payable to the Poor out of a little Close called Hills-gift; both which are under the Direction of the Parish-Officers; & are duly applied to the uses, for which they were given, as I believe.

4. Residence upon cure: I personally reside upon this Cure in my Vicarage-House about half the year; the rest of the year I reside either at Staverton, of which I am also Vicar; or at Exeter, as Canon of the Cathedral there.

5. Curate: Mr George Snowdon is my Curate & resident; & duly qualified: He does not live in my Vicarage-House, but in the Town, near the Church: I allow Him thirty-pounds per annum, together with the Easter dues, & Surplice Fees, which I make up ten pounds per annum more.

6. Divine service at other churches: Neither I, nor my Curate.

7. Frequency of divine service: Divine Service is performed in our Church twice every Lord's day, with two Sermons; & Prayers read on Wednesdays, Fridays, & all Holy-days.

8. Frequency of communion: Nine times in the year.

9. Number of communicants: We have usually about 200 Communicants at each Season; & Mr Snowdon informs me, that at Easter last He administred, (as He believes) to about 260.

10. Catechising of children: The Children are catechised yearly during the longest days, till all, that are sent by their Parents or Masters, have been examined.

11. Chapels or chapels in ruins: We have no Chapel within our Parish.

    George Baker, Vicar of Modbury, A.M., Inst: Feb. 2. 1714. Presb. Feb. 14. 1713. Ofsp. Exon.

    [The following is bound into the volume following the return for Modbury.]

    [p. 406]
    7th July 1744
    
    Whereas by an assigt. bearing Date herewith made between John King of Modbury in the County of Devon Gent of ye one part and me the hereto Subscribed Geo: Baker & Geo: Rhodes of Modbury in the said County Surgeon of the other part the said Jno King for the consideracion of ye Sum of £40 (said to be paid by us {to ye said John King} did grant bargain sell assign & setover unto ye said George Rhodes all that House formerly a Shippen lately converted into a pound house and Two fields or Closes of land containing in the whole by Estimacion Two acres or there abouts Scituate lying and being in or near a Village called Venn als East Venn in ye parish of Churstow for the remainder of a Term of fourscore & Nineteen years detainable on ye Death of one John Squire and Did also grant bargain Sell assign & setover unto me and the said Geo: Rhodes a Cider press and breaking trough for making Cider together with severall Keers Bucketts Barrells & utensills thereunto belonging Now Be it remembred that notwithstanding any thing therein said to ye contrary the said sum of £40 was not really paid the said Jno King but is included and gos to make up £318 15s and thirty seven pounds and Fifteen Shillings mencioned to be paid me and the said George to and for the said Jno King being the consideracion money mencioned in his Release and Conveyance of his Estate in Churstow called Venn bearing Date herewith {£161 19s 4½d part of the said Two: last mencioned Severall Sums was paid by the said Geo: Rhodes and no more} And that such assigt was only to Strengthen the purchase of the Estate so made to us And that in case either should happen to die before ye other of us no Survivorship is to take place but the Executors Administrators or assigns of him so first dieing shall enjoy a part of the said Estate and goods in proportion to ye Sum of Money so advanced towards ye said purchase. Witness my hand.

    J.K. being indebted to J.H. £318 15s 0d on a morgage of his Estate at Venn, & sued to £5 3s 9d charges, & further indebted to GB on bond £32 15s 3d, agrees with GB & GR to convey ye fee of ye morgaged Estate {to ym} & to assign a Poundhouse &c on which he had one life, to them for £361 13s 9d. In the Conveyance this whole sum of £361 13s 9d is mentioned as ye consid[eration] money for ye Land, J.K. desiring it might be so, to keep up ye value of yt Estate, designed to be sold ye 1st property; & in ye Assignment of ye Least £40 is mentioned as ye consideracion, tho' nothing was really paid: J.K. is now afraid, that this £40 may be demanded of him, whenever ye Estates are sold, & would fence against it. How may this be done without [illegible word] to either Party?

    N. The Purchasers expected ye Assignment of ye Lease, lest ye Land should not make ye money ye advanced merely for ye Service of J.K., Then under great Distress.