Combe Martin in the Anglican Episcopal Visitation Returns of 1744

Last modified on October 20, 2024, at 18:00 BST (UTC+1) | Created on August 15, 2024 |

 

Popular links: Community Centre | St Peter ad Vincula Church | Combe Martin Museum | Footer Menu  | Site Index 

Introduction

In 1744, the Anglican Church conducted an Episcopal Visitation to the village of Combe Martin, in the Shirwell Deanery. This parochial inspection provides valuable insights into the village's history and social dynamics.

During the 1744 episcopal inspection, Combe Martin's rector, George Gregory, reported to the Bishop of Exeter, Nicholas Clagett.

These visitation records offer a glimpse into how education, religion, and community were interconnected in 18th-century England. They give us a detailed look at the structure and daily life of Anglican parishes during that time.

Episcopal visitations were regular inspections carried out by bishops or their representatives. Their purpose was to oversee the administration and moral conduct of parishes within the diocese.

If the bishop did not physically visit, the parish rector would often submit a written report as part of the visitation process. This Parochial or Parish Report allowed the rector to inform the bishop about the state of the parish.

The 1744 visitation records show that the Rev Gregory, had served as a presbyter (minister) since 1727, when he was first instituted.

These visitation records provide valuable historical insights. They illustrate the Anglican Church's influential role in local communities and its efforts to maintain standards across different regions.

Our source material is Friends of Devon Archives (FODA), 2024. Today, Combe Martin is one of three parishes in the Combe to Combe Benefice.

Combe Martin's Population and Education

The Visitation tells us that in 1744, Combe Martin was home to approximately 100 families, with no non-conformist worshippers reported. In the 18th century, schools providing free education were closely associated with the Church. 

Clergy members often served on the governing bodies of such schools, overseeing their management and ensuring they adhered to religious and moral teachings.

In the 18th century, religious dissenters were English Protestants who refused to conform to the doctrines, discipline, and worship practices of the Church of England as mandated by the 1662 Act of Uniformity.

Gregory's report states that Combe Martin parish had a Free School in 1744, endowed with lands valued at £20 annually at the time. This means the school was supported financially by income from property. 

The details are supported in other contemporary primary sources which also confirm that Combe Martin's Free School existed thanks to a local squire. 

Lewis confirms in his topographical dictionary (1831-1845) that the Combe Martin charity school for teaching forty children reading, writing, and arithmetic, was endowed in 1733 with a house and land, the gift of George Ley, Esq.

Gregory reported that the house and land produced up to £25 per annum. We know from Devon topographer Samuel Lewis that the school premises were rebuilt in the early 19th century. 

However, in 1744 Combe Martin's Free School was accused of being ineffective due to the "incompetence and immorality" of its schoolmaster.

The rector had raised this issue with the higher authorities, hoping for redress.

The Allegations Against the Free School

It sounds like there were significant concerns about the quality of education, and the conduct of the Free School master. 

The rector also wrote: "The Schoolmaster of the Free School has no Licence, & I believe through his immorality & Incapacity could never obtain a Testimonial for that purpose" (FODA, Episcopal Visitation Returns for 1744).

And, significantly: "the Revenue of [the Free School] is notoriously abused & misapplyed" [sic]. We have no evidence as to the veracity of the claims nor of any resolution.

Free Schools or Charity Schools

The concept dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, where they were often charity schools funded by endowments or donations to provide free education to poor children.

Schools, when they existed, were typically founded by wealthy local benefactors, or by individuals who viewed it as a way to earn a living, with little other motivation (UK Parliament, 2024).

Combe Martin Charitable Institutions in 1744

Combe Martin parish maintained a workhouse for the poor, funded by the parish itself. Besides the Free School, which allegedly suffered from mismanagement, there were no other charitable endowments in the village.

Combe Martin's Religious Life in 1744

George Gregory resided in Combe Martin parish, and conducted services without the assistance of a curate. Divine services were held on all holy days and twice every Sunday, with a sermon in the morning.

Communion was observed four times a year; at Christmas, Easter, Whitsuntide, and Michaelmas or "Michael's Mass". The parish had about 150 communicants, with over 30 participating in the Easter communion.

Catechising and No Chapels in 1744

The Visitation noted that children were catechised on Sunday afternoons during the summer. There were no chapels within Combe Martin parish or attached to it.

Catechising involves teaching individuals, especially children, the principles of the Christian faith through a structured method of questions and answers.

This approach often utilises a catechism, which is a concise summary of religious doctrine presented in a question-and-answer format to convey the core beliefs of the faith.

Conclusion

The 1744 Episcopal Visitation Returns for Combe Martin provide a detailed snapshot of the parish’s life and structure in the 18th century.

The records highlight the significant role of the Church in overseeing education, with the Free School established by George Ley being a notable and early example.

Despite the school’s noble intentions, issues of incompetence and immorality among its staff were raised, reflecting the challenges of maintaining educational standards at the time.

The visitation also underscores the importance of religious practices in the community, with regular services, catechism, and communion playing central roles in parish life.

The rector, George Gregory, was diligent in his duties, ensuring that the spiritual and moral fabric of the parish was upheld.

Overall, these records offer valuable insights into the historical and social dynamics of Combe Martin, illustrating the intertwined nature of education, religion, and community in 18th-century England.

References:

Gregory, G. (1744) ‘Episcopal Visitation Returns, 1744: Combe Martin, Deanery of Sherwill’, in Chanter 225B, 727-7281. Available at: https://www.foda.org.uk/visitations/1744/Chanter225B/Combe%20Martin.htm (Accessed: 15 August 2024).

Lewis, Samuel: A Topographical Dictionary of England (1831-1845).

List of the bishops of Exeter | CCEd (theclergydatabase.org.uk).

UK Parliament: Schooling before the 19th Century.