*TAVISTOCK, (Devon) near the Tamar, 27 m. S. W. of Exeter, 166 cm. 201 mm. from London, is a very ancient Bor. by
prescription, never incorporated, but governed by a portreeve, chosen on Michaelmas-day by 24 freeholders, at the court of
the Ld. of the manor, now the D. of Bedford, to whom this T. gives the title of Marquis. 'Tis one of the stannary Ts. and
is large and well-built, with a handsome Ch. covered with slate, has 2 almsh. and plenty of fish from the Tave, on which
it stands. In 961, K. Edgar's son built a stately abbey here, (whose abbots were Barons of Pt.) where books were printed
in the old Saxon language, (particularly a Saxon grammar in the late civil wars) and a sc. erected for teaching it. The
site of this abbey was given at the Diss. by Henry VIII. together with the T. and burgage, to John Russel, afterwards Earl
of Bedford, the D's. ancestor. Among other remains of the abbey still to be seen, are part of the abutments of the arch of
the guild-bridge over the Tave. Here is a chalybeate mineral water. Its Mt. is on S. and Fairs April 25, Aug. 29, Sept.
29, Nov. 30, and it once had a Fair Jan. 6. St. Mark's-day is a great Fair for sheep, and St. Andrew's for cattle and
horses. It has enjoyed the privilege of sending members to Pt. so long as the R. of Edward I. and they are returned by the
portreeve.