Otterton, a long village on the eastern bank of the river Otter, within a mile of the sea and  11 miles SE by E of Exeter, has in its parish 1245 souls and 3500 acres of land, extending southward to the mouth of the Otter and including the small hamlets of Northernmost Town, Pitson, Passford and Pinn.  Many of the female residents are employed in making Honiton lace. Two fairs are held here on the Wednesday in Easter week and the Wednesday after October 10.

King John founded here a Priory of four monks subject to St. Michaels' Abbey in Normandy, and endowed it with the manors of Otterton, Sidmouth and East Budleigh. These monks were to perform divine service, and to distribute 16s worth of bread weekly among the poor. As an alien priory it was dissolved by Henry III and given to Sion Abbey.  At the dissolution, its yearly revenues were valued at £87 10s and granted to Richard Duke whose family was seated here till 1741. The Trustees of the late Lord Rolle are now lords of the manor of Otterton, owners of most of the parish, improprietors of the great tithes and patrons of the viarage valued in the King's Book at £22 and in 1831 at £314.

The Venerable J.M. Stevens MA is the Vicar and has a good residence. The Vicar is entitled to the tithes of beans and fish, all small tithes and the lands called The Sanctuary.

The church of St Michael is an ancient cruciform structure with a tower and five bells.The transept was rebuilt by the late Lord Rolle about ten years ago. In ancient times, there was a chapel here called Hederland. The national and Infant Schools are cbiefly supported by Lady Rolle and £25 per annum left by the late Lord Rolle. The poor have £5 per annum for the monthly distribution of bread from the Trustees of the late Lord Rolle and a yearly rent charge of 10s left by a Mr. Channon out of a field at Crediton. A house and garden to be occupied by paupers was purchased with £20- left by Anthony Isaak in 1639.

RESIDENTS

William Grosse, Schoolmaster

Henry Hallett, carpenter

John Palmer, victualler, the King's Arms

Sarah Sanders, Schoolmistress

John Stephens, draper, (and at Sidmouth)

Venerable John Moore Stevens, MA, Archdeacon of Exeter and Vicar of Otterton

Thomas Tidbury, saddler

John Uglow, corn miller

BAKERS

James Bridle

Henry Roberts

BEERHOUSES

William Baston

Michael Pile

BLACKSMITHS

William Gosling

Richard Northcottt

William Patch

BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS

John Hine

John Miller

Thomas Patch

John Pile

Michael Pile

BUTCHERS

Robert Drake

Captain Harding

FARMERS

James Bridle

Robert Bridle

William Bridle

Thomas Carter

Robert Chown

Robert Drake

William Drake

Joel Dyer

Charles Harding

Abraham Halse

Henry Halse

Richard Harding

William Harding

Edward Hayman

Joel Hayman

Thomas Pile

Samuel Pile

William Pile

Richard Robins

John Rutter

Jacob Skinner

Isaac Skinner