BUGKFASTLEIGH, a parish (formerly a market
town) in the hundred of STANBOROUGH, county of DEVON,
2 miles (S.W. by W.) from Ashburton, containing-
2240 inhabitants. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry
of Totness, and diocese of Exeter, rated in
the king's books at £19.1. 0£., and in .the patronage
of the Rev. Matthew Lowndes. The churchy dedicated
to the Holy Trinity, is situated on an eminence northward
from the village, and comprises a nave, chancel,
transepts, and a tower, with chapels on the north and.
south sides. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan.
Methodists. The village owed much of its past importance
to a Cistercian abbey, founded in 1137, by
tin, is an ancient structure, part of which was rebuilt
of which had power, to execute capital offenders;
its revenue, at the time of the dissolution, was estimated
at £466. 11. 2.: the visible remains are few*'
many of the houses in the village having been built-,
with its materials; and a modern mansion,
1479; over the western entrance are sculptured the
arms of several ancient families: the chancel is sepa-'
rated from the north aisle by a richly carved screen,
and contains some interesting monuments. There is a
place of worship for Methodists. A free school is endowed
for a limited number of boys; and an almshouse
for four aged persons was endowed by William Barber,
Esq., with £ 28 per annum.