Benjamin Donn's map of Devon 1765

An important map covering Devonshire in its entirety. A ÂŁ100 award was offered for a large scale, one inch to the mile map of any English county. Benjamin Donn stepped up to the mark. He reckoned it cost him nearly ÂŁ2,000

Benjamin Donn's map of 1765

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This map was reproduced from copies at Devon Rural Archive, Shilstone

Tor Bay Interesting Facts:

Questions for the Reader:

1. Roman soldiers are known to have visited Torquay at some point in 43AD, leaving offerings at Kents Cavern.

1. At Berry Head it says 'Ruins of Danish Castle' - possibly poetic license as they generally didn't build castles as we know them was it actually Norman?

2. When the construction began on the Belgrave Hotel in 1840, workmen discovered evidence of a large road between 15 and 20 feet wide which required gunpowder to break it up. It was mentioned in medieval sources and was possibly Roman.

3. Torre ('tor') means hill or craggy peak. It was a Saxon hamlet.

Torre Abbey was founded in 1196 as a Premonstratensian Monastery by William Briwere, a powerful baron. The monastery owned much of the land and was the richest monastery of its order in England. The monks are credited with building the first quay, hence Torquay.

2. Does anyone know the derivation of the name Brixham?

3. Who was St Petrock and how did he gain his sainthood (see St Petrock by Dartmouth on map)?

4. Torre Abbey was bought by Sir George Cary in 1662 and it remained in the family until 1929. They also owned Cockington village.

5. When George Waymouth had explored the coastline of Maine, he caused a sensation after returning to Plymouth with a group of Native Americans.

6. Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey gained its name after the failed Spanish Armada of 1588, it was used to house 397 Spanish prisoners of war.

7. Torquay owes much to Napoleon, who appeared in the bay after his capture. The Napoleonic Wars meant the rich weren't able to visit continental Europe, so much investment was ploughed into the area. See our www.devonshiremagazine.co.uk/ napoleons-farewell-to-devon/

Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey, where 397 Spanish prisoners of war were housed in 1588 from the failed Armada

E XPLANATION Market and Borough Towns in Capitals as Tiverton Annexed to a Town denotes it a Borough which retains its Privilege of sending Representativesl to Parliament.

Villages.

Churches; but in the Plan of a Town where the Elevation cannot be conveniently shewn, thus Seats or Noted Houses.

Farms or Cottages.

Copper or Tin mines.

Roman or Danish Forts or Encampments.

Parks.

Torre Abbey - a treat to visit, with a great museum, interesting grounds, an art gallery and a charming tea room

Turnpike Roads or intended to be made such.

Inclosed Roads.

Open Roads over Commons or Downs.

Distance (example Exeter to Topsham, 3 Miles, 3 Furlongs & 20 Poles)

Devon Rural Archive, Shilstone The archive and document access is available as follows: Open to the public on these days: Mon, Tue & Thur 11am - 3pm Admission is free, there is no requirement to book www.devonruralarchive.com

Drake's Golden Hind (replica) moored at Brixham

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