Molland faces the Napoleonic Wars

MOLLAND FACES THE NAPOLEONIC WARS

In case they should be needed in the future, Molland's instructions as to what to do should Napoleon and his army invade the UK, still hang in the church. Reading them, no one can fail to be deeply impressed by the detail and thoroughness with which they have been drawn up and would no doubt have been carried out. The Vicar or Rector of every village in Devon was under orders to evacuate the inhabitants, to destroy all growing crops and food remaining in the stores so that the French army would find nothing to eat as they marched through the county on their way to London.

Molland is about as far as it is possible to get from the sea on either coast of Devon so time was on their side. The village began to plan which way they should go so routes had to be worked out. They had to choose if they should go up onto Dartmoor or in the opposite direction to Exmoor. This could have been a life or death decision because the objective was to take every single person away from the village - the young, the old, women with babies and small children, the dying, the blind, the infirm etc.. A huge responsibility for all involved because these people had to be fed on the journey, rested, and nursed if necessary.

Mr John Cochram and Mr James Withins were appointed to be Conductors or leaders of the epic journey. And yes, it would have been epic because very few of the villagers would have been outside the village, ever. The instructions below were for the Conductors but would have been read out to the assembled parishioners in church so they knew of the legality of their situation.

(This documents relates to the expected invasion of England during the Napoleonic wars of 1804)

"On receiving orders or in case of an enemy landing in your immediate neighbourhood, without waiting for such orders you are to repair to Molland Town (i.e. the chosen assembly point in the centre of the village) there to take under your charge the wagons and carts appointed for the removal of the sick and infirm, and to conduct them by such route and to such place as you shall receive orders to do, taking care in all cases, to avoid travelling upon the public roads, which are to be left open for the King's use, namely for the conveyance of Ammunition and Provisions for troops, and for their march and to order to this if necessary, you will have proper tools with you for the purpose of making breaches in hedges etc. You are to be very careful of all those placed under you charge, and provide for them in the best manner you shall be able."

IF THE LINE OF MARCH ( TO SOMERTON) IS PRINTED OUT

( The plan was to print details of the Line of March in Exeter's local newspaper - Trewin's Flying Post - then send horsemen around the countryside to deliver a newspaper to each parish)

From Molland Town over Molland Common to Dulverton

From Dulverton, across the roads to Wiveliscombe

From Wiveliscombe to Gore Inn*

(* Now known as The Lethbridge Arms)

From Gore Inn* to Langport

From Langport to Somerton

IF THE LINE OF MARCH IS TO BE DARTMOOR

(The terrain between Molland and the Dartmoor region
is very hilly and there were instructions to avoid main roads)
The route below does its best to avoid the
steepest of the hills but the final destination
is very vague - "Dartmoor" covers a huge area)

From Molland Town to Bishops Nympton

From Bishops Nympton to Mariansleigh

From Mariansleigh to Meshaw

From Meshaw to East Worlington

From East Worlington to Lapford

From Lapford to Zeal Monachorum

From Zeal to Spreyton

From Spreyton to Chagford

From Chagford to Dartmoor