as reported in Treleaven’s Diary
- 1799 Tue. Oct. 29th. Lord Courtenay’s Court held at the White Hart, where Constables and the other officers were sworn in for the Manor and Borough of Moretonhampstead and others appointed to be sworn in at the next Court [this was an annual occurrence, at least to 1815].
- 1799 Fri. Mar. 15th. About noon marched into this Town from Chudleigh and South Bovey the Light Companies of the East and North Devon Militia, and to remain here till further orders, they were billeted as follows : White Hart 34 ; Punch Bowl 25 ; White Horse 24 ; Bell 22 ; Black Horse 18; Red Lion 17 ; Dolphin 18; Ring of Bells 17 – total 175 [this gives a rating of the inns in order of space – though not necessarily comfort!].
- 1799 Tue. Mar. 26th. About ? past 4 P.M. Judge Buller and Judge Grose arrived at the White Hart in this town.
- 1799 Wed. Mar. 27th. This morning Judge Buller and Judge Grose set off for Exeter in their way to Taunton.
- 1799 Sun. Mar. 31st. Sharp Freezing. About Noon Thomas Tyrwhitt Esqr. arrived at the White Hart Inn, in this town, he came from Tor Royal, Dined, and sat off for Exeter. On the Door of his Carriage was the figure of Hercules holding his Club as if going to strike, and the following motto over it: ‘Me Slante Verebunt’.
- 1799 Thur. Nov. 28th. Fair Day. Remarkable fine weather for Winters Fair……. In the Evening a Ball at the White Hart.
- 1800 Thurs July 17th Fair Day. ….In the evening a Ball at the White Hart as usual
- 1802 Mon. Sep 13th. Lord Boringdon passed thro Moreton, he dined at the White Hart.
- 1803 Wed. Apr. 27th. Died aged 70 after a long and painful illness, Mrs Jane Alway, of the White Hart Inn, in this Town.
- 1803 Sun. May 1st. This morning about 9 O’clock the Remains of Mrs Alway was interred in the Church Yard. The Corpse was carried on the shoulders of 8 men with black Gloves and the Pall which covered the same was supported by 8 men with Hat Bands and Gloves. A number of Gloves were given on the occasion and the Funeral was numerously attended.
- 1804 Fri. Sep. 21st. This day a meeting was held at the White Hart by the Clerks of the Commissioners of Assesed Taxes of Teign Bridge Hundred to regulate and explain the Property Tax, for the Parishes of Moreton, Lustleigh, North Bovey & Manaton. A great number attended, many of which seemed dissatisfied at the decision of the Clerks, and but few perfectly satisfied.
- 1806 Tue. Mar. 4th. Lord Courtenay visited Moreton, accompanied with one of his sisters and several other Ladies and Gentlemen. His Lordship having a desire to see the Moreton Volunteers they paraded for that purpose, he was highly pleased with their soldier like appearance and was surprised to see them go through the light manoeuvres with such dexterity, they being on the twenty days establishment only. He dined at the London Inn, and gave a public ball and supper at the White Hart, where the table was served up in a stile superior to any thing his lordship ever saw in thc Country.
- 1809 Wed. Oct. 25th. This being the day on which his Majesty enters the 50th year of his Reign, was observed here with every demonstration of joy – The morning was ushered in with the Ringing of Bells. The Volunteers paraded & marched to Church …….. In the evening there was a Ball, and supper at the White Hart which was attended by all the Ladies and Gentlemen of this Town and Neighbourhood and the day concluded with every mark of loyalty.
- 1814 Tue. Nov. 1st. Lord Courtenay’s Court for this Manor and Borough, held at the House (late the White Hart Inn, the present occupier Mr B.Hewer, not having taken out a Licence this year) were the usual business was transacted.
- 1815 Wed. Mar. 1st. This evening a quarrel happened at the sign of the Ring of Bells, in this town between Matthew Frost, Baker, and John Commin, Baker when the former struck the latter and likewise kicked him violently on the left cheek. John Commin fetched a summons for Frost, and they are to appear before the Rev George Gregory, at the White Hart Inn, in this town on Tuesday next.
- Tue. Mar. 7th. This afternoon John Commin was seized with an apoplectic fit, while he was at the White Hart Inn, settling with Matthew Frost respecting their quarrel, and died in a few hours.
- 1815 Mon. June 5th. About 2 o’Clock this afternoon as Edward Mortimore, of North Bovey, Mason, his son and two men, were working on a scaffold 18 feet high, in the Court of the White Hart Inn, in this town, one of the supporters broke, by which means Mortimore and his son were precipitated to the ground, the Father was taken up apparently dead, his scull was fractured and otherwise much bruised. He languished till Friday morning, when he died, leaving a widow and four children to lament his loss. The son received very little hurt, and the other two men preserved themselves from falling by catching hold of the scaffold poles.
- 1815 Mon. Nov. 6th. This evening the boys collected a quantity of Wood, and made a large Bonfire, to commemorate the Gunpowder plot. There was also a large Ball in the Garret at the White Hart, which I understand ended in a battle Royal.
- 1829 Wed. Dec. 16th. Died aged 55 Mr Samuel Cann Senr. of the White Hart Inn.
(click here for more about the diary)