England &
Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index |
The ParishThe parish of Barnstaple lies in North Devon, indeed it forms a small part of Devon's northern coast albeit within the sheltered confines of the Taw Estuary. Barnstaple is North Devon's largest town and is situated about 40 miles northwest of the city of Exeter. Barnstaple is located where the A39 road, running northeastwards from Cornwall through Bideford meets the A361 running westwards from Tiverton. Barnstaple's origins lie in the 10th century when it became large enough to have its own mint. Nearby Pilton, however, was the major place at that time on the Taw. Barnstaple grew to become a significant port and the market centre for North Devon, its charter was granted by Henry II. The town became fortified in Norman times with castle and walls defining the centre. During the 16th and 17th centuries Barnstaple's port grew very significantly and trade grew especially with the Americas, such was Barnstaple's importance that it was able to supply Drake with 5 ships in the defence against the Spanish Armada. Barnstaple's fortunes as a port waned, however, as access became increasingly difficult as the Taw estuary silted up and today its is insignificant to the town. Barnstaple developed a wide range of industries based upon its regional importance to maintain its economy. The town grew up at the first crossing point of the Taw and this rover drains the parish westwards into the nearby Bristol Channel. Barnstaple is sited at sea level although more modern developments are some 20 metres higher, the land hereabouts being gently undulating. Despite Barnstaple's importance its parish was small even by Devon standards, it covered just under 1,100 acres but would have supported a population of almost 8,000 parishioners. In Domesday times Barnstaple was a small place shared by the King with Bishop Geoffrey of Coutance, Baldwin the Sheriff & Robert of Aumale, it is not detailed as to its assets but its tax revenue of one tenth of a geld unit does not reflect its status as a burgh at that time. |
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Register No | Covering Dates | Deposited With | Register Style | Quality Standard | Comments |
1 | 13th April 1754 - 19th January 1767 | North Devon Record Office - Reference - 3054A/PR/1/11 | Standard preprinted and self-numbered combined Banns & Marriage register with 4 entries per page | Grade 2 Register - not a perfect read but with a low likelihood of misreads | None |
2 | 28th January 1767 - 8th February 1781 | North Devon Record Office - Reference - 3054A/PR/1/12 | Standard preprinted and self-numbered Marriage register with 4 entries per page | Grade 2 Register - not a perfect read but with a low likelihood of misreads | None |
3 | 8th February 1781 - 10th June 1798 | North Devon Record Office - Reference - 3054A/PR/1/13 | Standard preprinted and self-numbered Marriage register with 4 entries per page | Grade 2 Register - not a perfect read but with a low likelihood of misreads | None |
4 | 19th July 1798 - 27th December 1812 | North Devon Record Office - Reference - 3054A/PR/1/14 | Standard preprinted and self-numbered Marriage register with 4 entries per page | Grade 1 Register - Few issues noted and a low likelihood of misreads | None |
5 | 5th January 1813 - 23rd April 1833 | North Devon Record Office - Reference - 3054A/PR/1/15 | Standard Rose style preprinted and prenumbered Marriage register | Grade 2 Register - not a perfect read but with a low likelihood of misreads | None |
6 | 24th April 1833 - 25th June 1837 | North Devon Record Office - Reference - 3054A/PR/1/16 | Standard Rose style preprinted and prenumbered Marriage register | Grade 2 Register - not a perfect read but with a low likelihood of misreads | None |
Pilton
St Mary
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Pilton St
Mary
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Shirwell
St Peter
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Pilton St Mary
Tawstock St Peter |
Goodleigh St
Gregory
Landkey St Paul |
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Tawstock
St Peter
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Bishops Tawton St John the Baptist |
1755 1760 1765 1770 1775 1780 1785 1790 1795 1800 1805 1810 1815 1820 1825 1830 1835
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