Taken from Cox's "DEVONSHIRE" published in 1738:

(The original spelling has been retained)

"Chimleigh is a small market town, the market on Thursday. It is famous for the seven Prebends, said to have been founded here by the lady of the manor, for seven children which she had taken from the father, who was carrying them in a basket to drown them, because he had too many, and educated them; and for a free school founded by the Earl of Bedford; both of which are long since destroyed. From hence the road runs to Burrington."