In 1870-72, John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Merton like this:
MERTON, a village and a parish in Torrington district, Devon. The village stands on the river Meer, an affluent of the Torridge, 5 miles NNW of Hatherleigh, and 14 SW of Eggesford r. station; is a pleasant place, with picturesque environs; and has a post office under Beaford, North Devon. The parish contains also the hamlets of Potheridge and Smithacott. ...
Acres, 3,738. Real property, £3,647. Pop., 820. Houses, 150. The manor of Merton belonged to a family of its own name from the time of Henry II. till that of Edward III. The manor of Potheridge belongs to the Hon. Mark Rolle. Potheridge House was long-the seat of the Le Moignes; became the birthplace and the property of General Monk; was rebuilt by him after he became Duke of Albemarle; was taken down in the last century; and is now represented chiefly by its stables. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Exeter. Value, £388.* Patron, Lord Clinton. The church is a splendid edifice, with a tower; and was, not long ago, restored and beautified. There is a national school.
Merton through time
Merton is now part of Torridge district. Click here for graphs and data of how Torridge has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Merton itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Merton, in Torridge and Devon | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/5274
Date accessed: 03rd May 2024
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