St. Leonard

Halwell or Holwell is a small village and parish that lies 6 miles south-west of Totnes,  7½ miles north-west of Dartmouth and 6½ north-east of Kingsbridge.  It is made up of many scattered farmhouse dwellings and includes the hamlet of Washbourne which White (1850) tells us was previously part of the parish of Asprington.

Settlement in the area goes back to ancient times and White (1850) mentions that within the parish are the remains of two hill forts on the higher ground, surrounded with trenches, presumably dug out to act as a defence structure for the occupants that once lived there.  Slightly north-east of Halwells main village lies Halwell Camp on the A3122 then south-west of the village, near Stanborough Hundred on the A381, is another fort, shown as Brake Camp on GENUKI's map of the Halwell Parish Boundaries

White (1850) tells us that the Manor was anciently held by the HALGHWIKS family and then later by the VERNEY's and HALE's families, but by 1850 it had been already divided and was "freehold", belonging to a number of different landowners which included J. CORNISH, Esq., S. SAVORY, Esq., Mrs. BASTARD, Hele's Charity, N. MOYSEY, Esq., and several smaller landowners.  Kelly (1893) lists the following as the principal landowners in the parish at that time: William C. NAINBY-LUXMORE, Esq. of Thorganby, Lincolnshire, Admiral William CORNISH-BOWDEN J.P. of Oak Lawn, Newton Abbott and Edward EDMONDS, Esq.

Church and Religion in the Parish

Kelly (1893) gives the following description of the parish church:

"The church of St. Leonard is a building of stone in the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, south porch and an embattlement western tower containing 6 bells, all cast in 1763 from a previous peal of 4, with the exception of the 4th, which dates from 1823: the east window is stained: there are monuments to Major General Symons, d. 1831, and Ann, his widow, d. 1847." (p. 258)

White (1850) tells us that there was an Independent Chapel built in the parish in 1831.

Parish Life

White (1850) tells us that a National School was built in the parish in 1839, although sadly tells us nothing more.  Kelly (1893) tells us that a School Board of 5 members was formed on the 2nd April 1875 for the united district of Halwell and Morleigh, then a mixed Board School was built in the parish in 1878 to cater for 70 children, although the  average attendance was only about 48.  In 1893 Charles H. DUNN was the school-master.  

White (1850) shows us that there were possibly up to three pubs in the parish.  Whether the Globe was actually a proper public house is unclear - it could have just been a shop that was licensed to sell alcohol, but I will list it below along with the other public houses in Halwell, that were listed in both White (1850) and Kelly's (1893) along with there publicans (victuallers).

Sources

JOD's Genealogy Graphics