AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 217 



Roll that the Abbots of Buckfast, and also the Lord of the 

 Manor of Churchstow, formerly had the power of inflicting 

 capital punishment. The church of St. Mary has a lofty 

 tower, and Polwhele says "Four bad bells." The church 

 was restored in 1849. The east window is enriched with 

 stained glass, and the whole interior has now a handsome 

 appearance. The Rev. John Wilcocks lies buried in this 

 cemetery. The following inscription is on his tomb: — 



" In memory of the Rev. John Wilcocks, A.B., vicar of 

 this parish, and during thirty years, master of the endowed 

 grammar school at Kingsbridge, who died on the 27th of 

 August, 1809, aged 66 years. In every station of his life 

 he executed its respective duties with judgment, diligence, 

 and fidelity. To great and various intellectual acquirements, 

 he added universal candour of mind and primitive simplicity 

 of manners, which conciliated the esteem and regard of 

 all who knew him. This humble testimony of her most 

 affectionate remembrance was placed here by his widow." 



[The widow afterwards married Major Bennett, of the 

 Cornwall Militia, who had been one of her late husband's 

 pupils.] 



In the valley below Churchstow is Leigh, once a cell 

 belonging to Buckfast Abbey. The whole place has an 

 aspect of great antiquity : the walls are composed of large 

 and beautifully-chiseled stones of blue schist — in many 

 parts in excellent preservation, but in others crumbling, and 

 clothed with ferns and ivy. The entrance archway is a 

 fine specimen of the less acute gothic order. Although the 

 walls are in many places cracked and shaken, particularly 

 those of the room above the archway, yet care appears to 

 have been taken, by iron stays, and other means, to prevent 



