England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Exford St Mary Magdalene

The Parish

The parish of Exford lies in the extreme west of Somerset forming part of the border with neighbouring Devon, albeit with an extensive area of extra-parochial Exmoor in between. Exford is located roughly 9 miles southwest of the coastal resort of Minehead and sits deep within Exmoor. Exford is a small village lying, as its name, suggests at the crossing of the infant Rive Exe which rises on Exmoor, here the lonely B3224 road, which crosses the moor from east to west, descends to make its crossing over an ancient three-arched bridge. Most properties within Exford are situated around the crossing or along the valley floor. This is an upland parish with much of the acreage under rough grazing or open moorland, farming was precarious and dominated by pasture of cattle in the valley & at lower levels around, at higher levels just sheep on the poorer ground; the agricultural income was supplemented by some extractive businesses exploiting mainly the local stone for building. Today Exford mainly earns its income from tourism, its picturesque setting deep with the river valley making it an attractive start point for hiking on the moors of Exmoor. The Exe drains the parish southeastwards and then south to reach the English Channel through the port and ancient city of Exeter. Exford is sited at around 250 metres above the sea with its church some 40 metres higher, land rises to reach Exmoor's highest point at Dunkery Beacon at 519 metres just over 3 miles to the northeast. Like most upland parishes Exford was extensive, covering almost 5,700 acres it would have supported a population of close to 500 parishioners. In Domesday times Exford was shared between Roger de Courselles & William de Mohun yet held just 5 households making it amongst the smallest places mentioned in that book, offering just barely a pair of ploughs but did possess some meadows, pastures and woodland.

The Church

St Mary Magdalene's church sits almost a half mile east of the main portion of the village on the northern side of the B3224 as it levels out from the climb out of the Exe valley. A church existed here from the 12th century but that building was replaced in the 16th century. Of that Tudor church only the western tower and southern aisle remain today, all else was rebuilt of 1867 which reconstructed both nave & chancel as well as adding the porch. Thus most of the building which now stands would be unrecognisable to those married during the period of this transcript. Church Hill climbs steadily up the 40 metre climb out of Exford and as it levels a cottage and church will be found on the northern side, there's sufficient space to park outside the gates. Once within the gates the churchyard is open, uncluttered and with no obstacles to photography.