Ashrase, Deanery of South Molton

Chanter 225B, 629-630

1. Population and dissenters: The Number of Families in our Parish are about 70: Whereof We enjoy ye Happiness of not having any one Dissenter of any Denomination whatsoever.

2. Public or charity schools: We have no Publick or Charity School: But all ye Poor-Children of our Parish are taught to read, & are instructed in ye Principles of ye Xtian Religion, according to ye Doctrine of ye Church of England, by a Private Charity, & are brought duely to Church as the Canon requires.

3. Alms-house, hospital or charitable endowment: There is not in our Parish any Alms-house, Hospital, or other Charitable Endowment; left for ye Repair of our Church, or other pious use: Excepting only about 72 pounds & 10s given for ever to ye use of ye Poor; which We preserve by a Mutual Consent that 7 of ye most Substantial Persons in our Parish shall take about £10 Each.

4. Residence upon cure: The Rector does not always, personally, reside upon his Cure; nor in ye Parsonage House: But sometimes upon a Seat contiguous to his Glebe, & sometimes on another Seat where he has lately erected his Chapel: The Reason of his Non-Residence (constantly) is because he sometimes serves his Chapel.

5. Curate: There is a residing Curate at Rose Ash, whose Name is John Southcomb (Priest) He is duely qualified according to Canon, He lives in ye Parsonage House; and is allow’d upwards of £30 per annum.

6. Divine service at other churches: Neither ye Rector nor ye Curate performs Divine Service in any Church besides, excepting only in ye Chapel before-mention’d; otherwise than, as ye Incumbent or ye large Cure of South Molton is become very aged & infirm, The Rector frequently assists him without any other View than Purity of Intention only to do Service to God & his Church; & to assist an aged Brother.

7. Frequency of divine service: D[ivi]ne Service is perform’d in our Church twice every Lord’s-Day, with a Sermon in ye Morning: As also on all other Festivals & Fasts appointed by ye Church of England.

8. Frequency of communion: The Holy Sacrament is administred in our Church 8 times in a year: Sc. Twice at Xtmas, Twice at Easter, Twice at Whitsuntide, & Twice at Michaelmas.

9. Number of communicants: We have about 180 Communicants in our Parish: of which about 160 usually receive; None refusing: We had within 3 (over or under) of 160 at Easter last: The Incumbent always observing, from ye Consecrated Bread, ye exact Number.

10. Catechising of children: Our Children are catechiz’d twice over during ye Summer Season, every Year: Our Parishioners are very accurate in sending their Children & Servants, They being all call’d on by Name.

11. Chapels or chapels in ruins: We have No Chapels within our Parish: We have a bare Tradition only of there having been a Chapel about 3 miles from ye Church; But whose Ruines have been scarcely known within ye Memory of Man.

    Rose Ash R. – Lewis Southcomb of Queen’s, Cambr.
    inst. July 22. 1736. Presb. June 17. 1709.
    Gulielm. Norvic. [Explanation]