Milton Damerel
| Milton Damerel | |
| Devon | |
|---|---|
 A cottage at Milton Dameral | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SS383106 |
| Location: | 50°52’23"N, 4°17’54"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 450 |
| Post town: | Holsworthy |
| Postcode: | EX22 |
| Dialling code: | 01409 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Torridge |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Torridge and West Devon |
Milton Damerel is a village in north-western Devon, by the River Waldon. The wider parish contains many tiny hamlets including Whitebeare, Strawberry Bank, East Wonford and West Wonford, and has a population of about 450.
The village is to be found about five miles from Holsworthy, or thirteen miles from Bideford. The A388 is the main road through the parish.
Parish church
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History
Milton Damerel's settlement dates back to Saxon times. Pre-Norman settlements included:
- Gidcott (Latinized to Giddescotta), 'Gidda's cott' ('cott' being a semi-independent estate)
- Middleton (Mideltona), which became 'Milton'.
- Wonford (Wonforda), now West Wonford, possibly from the Old English wægn ford meaning waggon ford.
Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, William the Conqueror granted West Wonford, with twenty-eight other manors in Devon, to Ruald Adobed, but it later escheated to the Crown. Later he granted Milton, Gidcott and thirteen other manors in Devon to Robert d'Aumale (Latinised as de Albemarle), whose lands are listed in 17 entries in the Domesday Book of 1086.[1] In the Book of Fees "John de Albemarle" is listed as holding Middelton, part of the feudal barony of Plympton, from Isabella de Forz, widow of William de Forz, 4th Earl of Albemarle and suo jure Countess of Devon,[2] whose heir was the Courtenay family.
The manor of Milton Damerel remained held by the Damerel family from the honour of Plympton until the time of King Edward II (1307-1327), when Hugh Courtenay (1303-1377), later 2nd Earl of Devon, of Tiverton Castle, "procured"[3] possession of it from Ralph Damerel. Courtenay retained the manor house and lordship of the manor, but granted the demesne lands of it to Sir Richard Stapledon (d.1326) of Annery, Monkleigh. In 1538 the Courtenays lost the manor of Milton Damerel and their other possessions following the attainder and execution of Henry Courtenay, 1st Marquess of Exeter (c.1498-1538).[4]
In the 1870s, Richard Baker, tenant of the main farm, built a large house next to the church; in 1896 he got permission from Arthur Stanhope, 6th Earl Stanhope to enclose the village green.
Parish church
The parish church, Holy Trinity, is a Grade II* listed building. It dates back, in parts, to the 13th century.
The tower was destroyed by lighting in 1879 and for 20 years the church was in ruins but was re-opened in 1904 and the tower partly re-erected in 1892 and rebuiltin 1910 - 11.
About the village
A parish hall is used for community events. It has a skittle alley attached, with skittle league matches taking place there during the winter months. The hall and skittle alley are both available for private hire.
A mobile library visits the parish every two weeks. There is a permanent library in Holsworthy.
The 'Woodford Bridge Country Club' on the A388 is a former coaching inn, with a thatched roof. It is believed to be the 'Woodford Hall' where the diatomist Frederick Mills lived in the 1930s.[5]
Pictures
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Chapel at Milton Damerel -
Milton Damerel's church -
Cottages at Milton Damerel
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Milton Damerel) |
References
- ↑ Thorn, Caroline & Frank, (eds.) Domesday Book, (Morris, John, gen.ed.) Vol. 9, Devon, Parts 1 & 2, Phillimore Press, Chichester, 1985, part 2, Chapter 28
- ↑ Thorn, Caroline & Frank, (eds.) Domesday Book, (Morris, John, gen.ed.) Vol. 9, Devon, Parts 1 & 2, Phillimore Press, Chichester, 1985, part 2 (notes), 28,1 "Milton Damerell"
- ↑ Pole, Sir William (d.1635), pp.364-5
- ↑ Pole, p.365
- ↑ David Walker: 'Notes on aspects of the life and work of Frederick William Mills (1868-1949), diatomist' http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artmay12/dw-fwmills.html