MORTHOE, a village and a parish in Barnstaple district, Devon. The village stands on the coast of Morte bay, near Morte Point, 4½ miles WSW of Ilfracombe r. station; is picturesquely situated; and has a post office under Ilfracombe. The parish contains also the hamlets of Eastacott, Horsborough, and Shesborough. Acres, 4,621; of which 375 are. water. Real property, £2,960. Pop., 347. Houses, 73. The property is divided among a few. The Woollacombe sands extend about 2 miles, and form a pleasant promenade. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Exeter. Value, £128. Patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Exeter. The church is old, with a tower; was repaired in 1859; and contains an ornate tomb of Sir William de Tracy, who lived here in retirement after participating in the murder of Thomas à Becket. There are a Wesleyan chapel and a national school.

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