122 KINGSBRIDGE 



to Prince, it belonged for twenty generations. In the reign 

 of Richard II., a Yarde having married the heiress of Bussel, 

 their posterity changed their dwelling to Bradley. It then 

 came to the Dyers, in whose family it remained until the 

 male heirs became extinct. In 1765, Samuel Savery, Esq., 

 succeeded to it, with other estates, in right of his great- 

 grandmother, whose maiden name was Dyer, from whom 

 it descended to Miss Burnell.* The name of Yarde still 

 continues in the Buller and other families. 



In the middle of Wide-gates is an islet, or rock, called 

 the Salt-stone, about a hundred feet in length, and more 

 than fifty in breadth. "As it is extra-parochial," says 

 Hawkins, " and perhaps doubtful to whom it belongs, lying 

 nearly equi-distant from the parishes of Charleton, South 

 Pool, and Malborough, it is surprising that no one has 

 taken possession of it, to erect some building thereon for 

 speculative purposes." This remark leads some to think 

 that formerly the Salt- stone must have been considerably 

 more raised above high-water mark than it is at present; 

 others do not suppose this to be the case. 



" The Earl of Devon claims to hold a Court of Admiralty 

 — a royal privilege granted by the Crown to his ancestors, 

 extending from this islet on the east to a place called 

 Shaggy Rock, in the river Aune 3 or Avon, which empties 

 itself into Bigbury Bay on the west, including the sea 

 coast between these limits, as far off as a man on horseback 

 can see an umber barrel; and by a jury of thirteen re- 

 spectable men, settles matters respecting salvage, pays the 

 amount, and preserves the property for the owners till 



* It is now the property, by purchase, of T. W. Weymouth, Esq. 



