TEIGNMOUTH IN 1803

Taken from "A Guide to all the Watering and Sea-Bathing places" published in 1803:

(The population in 1801 was East Teignmouth 484;West Teignmouth ,1,528)

TEIGNMOUTH

"This is divided into two parishes, East and West Teignmouth, separated from each other by a rivulet called the Tame.

West Teignmouth formerly had, by charter, a market on Sundays, which continued to the time of Henry III, when this irreligious practice was forcibly put down by the sheriff's possè. There is still, however, a market every Saturday, for poultry, butcher's meat, fish of various kinds, butter, vegetables and fruit. By an excellent local regulation, the inhabitants are allowed to supply themselves with fish, before anything is sold to the dealers. Salmon , salmon-peal*, sea-trout whiting, mackerel and other kinds of choice fish are caught here in abundance.

There are several good houses here: Teignmouth House, the residence of Mr. Baring; Bitton, the seat of Mr. Praed; and Mrs. Boscawen's cottage have each their appropriate beauties.

The church in West Teignmouth,**standing near the centre of the town, is built in the form of a cross; its roof is curiously supported by the ramifications of a wooden pillar running up the middle. Here are several neat monuments. the whole interior is commodiously fitted up. the church is appendant on the living of Bishop's Teignton.

East Teignmouth is now the grand resort of company, as the best lodgings are situated in this quarter, which may be hired furnished or unfurnished at the option of the renter.

The Public Rooms is a neat brick building, containing tea, coffee, assembly and billiard rooms. A ball is held here every fortnight or three week, sometimes oftener, according to the wishes of the company.

The view from the parapet of the Public Rooms, Teignmouth 1833

Courtesy of Devon County Council

The theatre, built on a spot of ground given by Lord Courtenay, is fully adequate for the purpose for which it is intended. It will, no doubt, improve with the encouragement the manager receives.

the bathing Machines are sufficiently commodious and well attended. The beach, composed of velvet sands, with occasional layers of small pebbles, gradually slopes to the sea, which is generally clear and clean, and sheltered from all except the east winds.

East Teignmouth church **stands near the beach. It is a venerable and attractive pile, and bears marks of Saxon, or at least very early Norman architecture, as may be inferred from the round tower connected with the square one, the narrow windows with semicircular arches, and the corbels, or heads of men and animals, placed as ornamental supports to the parapet. The inside, however, is dark and inconvenient. It is an appendage to the living of Dawlish, as West Teignmouth is to Bishop's Teignton. These two parishes nominate the minister who serves the parishes alternately.

East Teignmouth Church in 1793

Courtesy of Devon County Council

The prosperity of Teignmouth in a great measure depends on its summer visitors. Its chief commerce consists in the exportation of pipe or potter's clay to Staffordshire, Liverpool and other places. It has likewise some trade to Newfoundland. The vessels employed in carrying commodities are built here.

There are two inns, the Globe and Hubbard's Hotel. From the Globe a coach goes and returns the same day, thrice a week, to Exeter. The hotel possesses good accommodations; and from the  billiard room belonging to it, there is a most delightful and extensive view up the river, with all its picturesque and moving scenery.

The "Walk" as it is called by way of eminence, leads from the Public Rooms towards the south, over a low flat between hills, called "The Den", a track of fine sand, interspersed with patches of grass, which in dry weather assume a similar hue. For the accommodation of walkers, seats are placed in the most favourable situations for enjoying views of the sea, the cliffs, the range of the coast and many interesting objects.

Among the scenes which will attract the attention of strangers, seine-drawing*** may be particularised. It is performed by women, in appropriate dresses, and the picture of hope, with the shade of disappointment, which they exhibit as the centre of the net approaches the shore, as they expect a full or empty haul, would furnish an excellent subject for the pencil. The whole shore, indeed, presents an animated and busy scene."

West Teignmouth Church today

* Young salmon

**  Both churches were rebuilt in the 19th century.

*** Seine nets were used in Devon for catching fish such as mackerel or salmon which swam in shoals. The bottom of the net was weighted, the rim having floats attached to keep the outer edge of the net on the surface. Many people are required to drag this type of net out of the water when full. The women of Shaldon and Teignmouth carried on a local fishing trade to support their families while the men were away in Newfoundland during the summer months.