Topsham, market town and par., Devon, on river Exe - par. (partly within the parliamentary limits of Exeter), 1740 ac. (170 water), pop. 2867; town, 5¼ miles NW. of Exmouth and 5½ miles SE. of Exeter by rail; P.O., T.O. Market-day, Saturday. Topsham was the only port of Exeter prior to the opening of the ship canal in 1544, and two centuries ago enjoyed a considerable trade with Newfoundland; it still carries on some coasting trade; in the church are memorials to Admiral Sir John Duckworth (1748-1817), who forced the passage of the Dardanelles, and his son Colonel George Duckworth, who fell at Albuera.

(John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887))