HATHERLEIGH, a market-town and parish in the
hundred of BLACK-TORRINGTON, county of DEVON, 29
miles (W. N. W.) from Exeter, and 200 (W. by S.) from
London, containing 1499 inhabitants. The manor originally
belonged to the abbey of Tavistock; one of the
abbots bestowed upon the inhabitants the common of
Hatherleigh, which is said to comprise an extent of four
hundred and sixty acres, and on which are many good
springs. Hatherleigh is situated on a branch of the river
Torridge, near its confluence with the Oke, and is chiefly
remarkable for the peculiar redness of the soil. The
town is small, irregularly built, and of very mean appearance,
being chiefly composed of low cottages formed
of red loam and thatch. The lands in the environs are
very fertile; and about a mile to the north of the town
is a handsome and substantial bridge over the river
Torridge. The woollen manufacture is carried on to a
very limited extent, but the inhabitants are chiefly employed
in agriculture. The market days are Tuesday and
Saturday: the fairs are, May 21st, June 22nd, September
7th, and November 9th; and a large cattle market
is held on the Friday nearest to the 21st of Marc1
The town is governed by a portreeve annually elected at
the court leet of the lord of the manor, at which time
constables are also chosen. The living is a vicarage,
in the archdeaconry of Totness, and diocese of Exeter,
rated in the king's books at £20. The Trustees o
James Ireland, Esq. were patrons in 1791. The church,
dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is an ancient structure,
with a tower surmounted by a neat spire. There is a
place of worship for Independents. A day and Sunday
school is supported by subscription. Several houses
near the church, and some un-endowed almshouses, are
given rent-free for the use of the poor, for whom
also there are some small charitable bequests. Jasper
Mayne, equally noted as a preacher and as a dramatic
writer, was born here in 1604, and died in 1672.