Bideford, Deanery of Hartland

Chanter 225B, 826-827

  1. Population and dissenters: The families in Bideford are computed to be 500, of these 150 Dissenters, of the Presbyterian Denomination, yet divided among themselves. The Teacher in the Higher Meeting is Mr. William Sedgeley, in the Lower Mr. Nathaniel Cock, one of the Non: Subscribing Ministers, & supposed follower of the late Mr. Peirce of Exeter.
    There are likewise in this Parish three private Houses licensed according to the Toleration: Act. They are resorted to by some of the Higher Meeting House & some few Church=Methodists; the Teacher or Monthly Expounder is the Revnd. Mr Thomson Vic. of St. Gennis in Cornwall.

  2. Public or charity schools: There is one endowed School in my Parish. The Number of Children taught in it are Three. Care is taken to instruct them in the Principles of the Church of England; The present Master is the Revrd Mr. White, who serveth Abotsham.

  3. Alms-house, hospital or charitable endowment: There is a Work House for the poor, and two Alms:Houses in my Parish. I do not know of any Endowments.

  4. Residence upon cure: I do reside personally upon my Cure, and in my Parsonage House.

  5. Curate: I have no Curate.

  6. Divine service at other churches: I do not perform Divine Service at any Church besides my own.

  7. Frequency of divine service: Divine Service is perform'd in my Church twice every Lords Day with two Sermons, each Wednesday & Fryday throughout the year, and all Saints Days, & State Holy Days.

  8. Frequency of communion: The Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administred on the three great Festivals, and the first Sunday in the Month throughout the Year, in my Church.

  9. Number of communicants: The Communicants may be computed at upwards of 800, of these at the Monthly Sacraments about 160 usually receive. In particular at Easter last past above 200 communicated.

  10. Catechising of children: I did catechize the Children each Wednesday and Fryday during the Season of Lent, & did expound on the Creed. The Parishioners did send their Children & Servants to be instructed.

  11. Chapels or chapels in ruins: I have not any Chapples, or Chapel in ruins within my Parish.

    Bideford R... John Whitfeld, A.M.
    inst. March 26. 1742. Presb. Sept. 20. 1730.
    R. Winton. [Explanation]