ASHBURTON & HOLNE

By the early 1700s the woollen cloth trade had all but died out but small amounts tin have been mined even up to comparatively recent times. The dual attributes of wool and tin helped the Stannary towns escape the worst effects of the economic downturn  caused by the hundreds Year War (1337-1453).

In 16th century the little town market of Ashburton frequently sold over £10,000 of yarn and wool in one week.

The excellent Old Ashburton website has more here 

Holne is not far from the source of the Dart;   The manor of Holne and Holne Chase appear to have been part of the barony of Barnstaple, and to have passed with Tawstock successively to the Audleys and to the Bourchiers  (Lord Fitzwarren and Earls of Bath) which later belonged to Sir Bourchier Wrey, Bart., who had a hunting-seat Holne Park, there.

The manor of South Holne was given to the abbey of Buckfastleigh by Reginald de Valletort in the early part of  the thirteenth century.  It appears also that another manor of Holne was given them by Stephen Bauzun.  

The church was appropriated to the abbey of Buckfastleigh: the great tithes in 19th c were vested in the  Rev. Samuel Lane of Totnes with the crown as patron of the vicarage.

It was largely a poor agricultural community - as seen here and also here

 Ingsdon Manor is in Ilsington parish but Bickington village & its church are closer than Ilsington village. The estate lies on the  south side of the ancient route  between   Plymouth to Exeter,  3 miles the north of Ashburton ; 
Holne is about 4 miles way to the west a tiny village  tucked under the lee of the moor in Dartmoor's wooded slopes.

John Ford in Ashburton, man of business and considerable influence  who married the daughter of Hugh Pomeroy, gent, of Ingsdon  was Portreeve in 1509 elected by the bishop of Exeter and he was also accountant for the Churchwardens between 1509 and 1532  his descendent

'Large quantities of shoes, made at Ashburton, Kingsbridge and Dartmouth, are sent to Newfoundland.'
A Topographical Dictionary of England, Samuel Lewis, vol 2, London 1831, p41.  taken from the Old Ashburton site

1712. A rate then made for the Relief of the Poor of the parish aforesaid.
By John Ford and James Hamling Churchwardens, and Thomas Tolchard and Henry Waldron Overseers & to be collected as often as need shall require.

John FORD and Richard POMEROY were Churchwardens in 1713 and Edward Robins and Henry Addiscot were Overseers & to be collected as often as need shall require. 

1712 Richard Pomeroy  gave 3/0 

1716 & 1717 Richard Pomeroye 3/0  

 1718 Richard Pomeroy for [Steart] 2/6 1718

1719 Richard was again listed as a churchwarden

1719 Richard Pomeroy and Richard Wakeham overseers ( of the poor) Richard Pomeroy for Steart 3/0

1720 Richard Pomeroy for Steart 3/0 ( Previously Unsurveyed Dartmoor Historic Farmsteads, Steart (Un-published White, P., 2013,). SDV352501.
Steart a ruined farmstead  &was the home of 'John atte Sturte' in 1333..)

1721/1722& 1723 Richard P gave         3/0s

Thomas Pomeroy and Thomas Stidston Admin in Trust for John Pomeroy gave 3/0

'Hearth Tax' of 1674 includes a POMEROY

1678 following Great Fire of London of 1666 a nation wide subscription was called to rebuild St Pauls Cathedral

NO Pomeroys listed as donating in Holn

 HOLNE 4 miles (W.) from Ashburton with a 19th c population of 410

Holne Court in the village grade II a Farmhouse. Dated 1725 on tablet at rear.

Shuttaford grade II Farmhouse. Circa C16 with C17 parlour wing and porch, and C20 alterations. 

Stoodley - II formerly a farmhouse. Circa late C15 or early C16 with C19 extension at south-west end. Roughcast stone rubble and cob

Dodbrook Farmhouse listed grade - II Farmhouse. Circa C17 extended in C18, remodelled in early C19 and extended in late C19.

Barn, originally Long-House, at Inglette's - Farmhouse. listed grade II*  Circa early C16 with circa late C16 or early C17 alterations and circa C18 roof…
This building is a remarkable survival of a longhouse and illustrates very clearly its interesting original plan and later improvements.

Listed buildings South Hams

Seal of the Court of Common Bench, broken, bad impression. Date: 23 May 1653

Reference: 48/14/116/6 Title: Devon Record Office 

Description: STAVERTON Surrender Date:  15 April 1653

(1) Thomasine Gruite of Staverton, widow Fridiswide Gruite her daughter, spinster

(2) Edward  Gould of Staverton, gent., lord of the manor of Pridhamsleigh

Fourth part of a cottage, herb-garden, and close of land belonging to Gruite,  in the manor of Pridhamsleigh.

 Consideration: £100, to be paid 1 March ensuing.

Held by:  South West Heritage Trust Language:English Context of this record

Edward Glanville was a key witness in the lawsuit of 1712.
Walter Shipheard  of Pitleigh Farm and Warmstalle and cousin to Jane Gruit, was involved( presumed mother of Edward's daughter in law.)                                                                                                 

Pitleigh Farm is close west of Ashburton off the Dolbeare Road with Woodland & Lake nearby
Warmstalle As yet not found (2024) was  owned Walter Gruit.  
Not found but possibly in the neighbourhood of Furseleigh . The Fursleigh Mill stands isolated beside the road, a thriving hotel. Furskeigh Farm which had a weir is now St Boniface House ( Diocese of Plymouth)

In the will of Edward Glanvill of Mary Tavy in 1654 he mentions "Gruite's Rest". 

The following report, kindly sent by Anne Bligh of Old Ashburton This  seems to be the closest we can get to identifying Warmstall Farm is somewher near Queen of the Dart mine which is no more.  Its either vanished into the undergrowth or been renamed

- and the map 

AJP 

Marrian Pomeroy daughter of Joan Pomery widow of Holne Married by banns on  2 Sep 1656 by banns in Ashburton to  William Grinte GRUITE of Ashburton son of Mary Guite widow of Holne

There were several Gruite 's in the area. This is  the 1st child of this marriage

Joane Gruite Birth 17 Jun 1657 daughter of William Gruite of Ashburton