Colebrooke, Devon
| Colebrooke | |
  Colebrooke Colebrooke shown within Devon | |
| Population | 411 (2001 UK Census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SS770000 |
| District | Mid Devon |
| Shire county | Devon |
| Region | South West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
Colebrooke is a village in Devon, England about 8 km west of Crediton. The main point of interest is the church and the connection to Henry Kingsley's novel Recollections of Geoffrey Hamlyn. Also Uncle Tom Cobley, of the folk song, signed his will at Pascoe House,[citation needed]but is buried 4 miles west at Spreyton. The champion Devon wrestler, Abraham Cann was born and buried here.[1] He won the all comers wrestling crown in London.
Colebrooke is also the site SS7700 of a Roman fort or marching camp, the site of which is just outside the village to the East. Disputed - see below.
Colebrooke lent its name to Colebrook, Connecticut, United States.[2]
References
There is no mention of a Roman fort at Colebrooke in the NMR, no aerial photographs in the archives and no evidence on the ground. This mention of a fort appears to refer to a square field that used to sit astride a straight run of hedgerows that was mistakenly identified as the course of the Roman road to Exeter in the 1980,s (see 'Devon's Past an Aerial View' by Frances Griffith ISBN 0 86114-833-9). Two of this field's hedgerows have since been removed. The actual course of the road is further North and remains of the agger can be seen in a field some 300m South of Rag Lane and just to the East of Five Acre Copse. This is also clearly visible from aerial views accessible online. The road in fact follows the same line all the way from North Tawton to this point where the route becomes less obvious. A rather straight lane along the ridge of hills to the East of the railway line is suggestive of its line.
- ↑
"Cann, Abraham". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. - ↑ Origin of Connecticut town names, State of Connecticut website
External links
Media related to Colebrooke, Devon at Wikimedia Commons
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