Crediton, a Peculiar of the Bishop

Chanter 225C, 1174-1175

  1. Population and dissenters: I have about twelve Hundred Families in my Parish of these about two Hundred are Dissenters. They are Presbyterian: There is a Licenced Meeting-House in my Parish. Mr: Micaija Towgood teaches in the Said Meeting-House.

  2. Public or charity schools: There is a Publick English School endowed, and Charity School maintain'd in my Parish. In ye Publick English School about Eighty Children are taught, and forty in ye Charity School. Due care is taken to instruct them in ye Principles of ye Christian Religion according to ye Doctrine of ye Church of England, and are brought duly to Church, as ye Canon requires.

  3. Alms-house, hospital or charitable endowment:There are Alms-houses, and other Charitable Endowments in my Parish. There are no Lands or Tenements left for the Repair of my Church, but for other pious uses there are. The Corporation have ye Direction of Such Benefactions. I do not know, nor have heard of any Abuses or Frauds committed in the Management of them.

  4. Residence upon cure: I do reside Personally upon my Cure, and in my Vicarage House.

  5. Curate: I have a residing assisting Minister, His name is the Revd. Mr: John Walker. He is duly qualified according to the Canons. He does not live in my Vicarage House. The Corporation pay him Eighty Pounds per Annum.

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

  7. Frequency of divine service: I have two Sermons every Sunday, Prayers and a Lecture every Wednesday, and Prayers every Friday, and every Holy Day.

  8. Frequency of communion: I have a Monthly Sacrament, besides, three at Easter two at Whitsuntide, and two at Christmas.

  9. Number of communicants: I have about Eight Hundred Communicants in my Parish. About three Hundred of them usually receive. Five or Six Hundred Communicated at Easter last past.

  10. Catechising of children: The Children are Catechized in ye Church between Trinity Sunday, and ye Michaelmas following, every Sunday in ye Afternoon immediately after the Second Lesson. My Parishioners do Send their Children and Servants who have not learn'd their Catechism to be instructed by me.

  11. Chapels or chapels in ruins: I have a Chapel within my Parish. The name of it is St: Swithen in ye Hamlet of Sandford, about a Mile and half from ye Parish Church, Serv'd by the Revd Mr: William Barter. I have three Chapels in Ruins, in which no Divine Service is perform'd.

    March 19th: 1744/5.
    John Stacy Vicar of Crediton
    These particulars the Bishop has already, and therefore they are Crossed. [Explanation]