CULMSTOCK, a village, a parish, and a sub-district, in the district of Wellington and county of Devon. The village stands on the river Culme, 4½ miles ENE of Tiverton Junction r. station, and 7 NE of Collumpton; has a post office under Wellington, Somerset; was once a market-town; and still has fairs on 21 May and the Wednesday before Michaelmas day. The parish includes also the hamlets of Northend, Nicholshayne, Prestcott, and Upcott. Acres, 3, 494. Real property, £5, 582. Pop., 1, 102. Houses, 249. The property is much sub-divided. The manor belonged, before the Conquest, to the bishops of the diocese; and belongs still to the dean and chapter of Exeter. Culmstock Beacon, on a lofty hill, is a well-preserved ancient structure. A considerable woollen trade was formerly carried on, but has died away. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Exeter. Value, £250.* Patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Exeter. The church is of the 14th century; consists of nave, chancel, and aisles, with western embattled tower; and contains a small piscina and a fine altar-piece. A yew-tree grows from the wall of the tower, at about 4 feet from the embattlements. A Wesleyan chapel is in Culmstock village; and a Baptist one at Prestcott. Charities, £9. -The sub-district contains five parishes. Acres, 20, 812. Pop., 4, 435. Houses, 935.

(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))