In 1870-72, John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Northlew like this:
LEW (NORTH), a village and a parish in Okehampton district, Devon. The village stands on an eminence near a head-stream of the river Torridge, 7 miles NW of Okehampton r. station; is a large place, with an ancient cross in its centre; commands an extensive view; and has a post office under Exbourne, North Devon, and a cattle fair on the third Wednesday of April. ...
The parish contains also the hamlet of Wheaton, and comprises 7,247 acres. Real property, £3,611. Pop. in 1851, 1,047; in 1861,930. Houses, 195. The decrease was caused by emigration, consequent on agricultural depression. About 2,000 acres are open moor. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Exeter. Value, £342.* Patron, the Crown. The church is ancient; was recently in a very dilapidated state; consists of nave, aisles, and chancel, with a tower; and contains seats all of carved oak and ancient. There are two Bible Christian chapels and a national school. N. Carpenter, the mathematician, was a native.
Northlew through time
Northlew is now part of West Devon district. Click here for graphs and data of how West Devon has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Northlew itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Northlew in West Devon | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/4219
Date accessed: 07th November 2024
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