History

Also known as the Capital Messuage or Mansion House of Doddiscombsleigh.

Earliest records name a Saxon called Alsi as being the landowner of Doddiscombsleigh prior to 1066, he was later dispossessed as were virtually all the Saxon landowners.

The first record of Town Barton is in the Domesday Book of 1086 when Doddiscombsleigh was known as Terra Godeboldi under the reign of one Godbold the Bowman. Town Barton was the Capital Barton (Manor House) for Godbold`s Domesday Estates.This makes it one of the very rare instances of a property truly being specifically traceable to where a Doomsday owner dwelt.

The manor of Doddiscombsleigh was also known as Legh- Peverel in church records of the 14th century.the latter name was dropped when it changed hands from the Legh to the Doddescomb family.A Sir Ralph Doddescomb was living in the old mansion house in the reign of Henry 111 (1216-1272).Today, the old mansion is Town Barton lying adjacent to the church.

The Babb family purchased the manor and Mansion House sometime after 1522. Between 1524 and 1527, a John Babbe appears on the Subsidy Roll as by far the biggest landowner in Doddiscombsleigh. In 1620, a William Babb of Doddiscombsleigh tried to get his Coat of Arms recognised. He was turned down. Holding one of the most ancient of Devon properties going back to the Doomsday Book did not help the Babbs in their application. Nevertheless, they continued to use their Coat of Arms!

Sometime in the age of Edward 111 (1327-1377) the last male Doddescomb died, leaving five daughters. The Manor was divided up by marriage and thus, into the hands of five Lords – a figure that dropped to three by the early 1600`s.

In 1775, it was noted that Town Barton was renowned for it`s twenty acres of orchard which produced “remarkably fine cider” no doubt supplying the local hostilleries.

Owners and Occupiers

Alsi the Saxon before 1086
Godebold the Bowman ( Doddiscombsleigh is Capital Barton of his vavassourship) 1086
Ralph de Dodescombe 1259
Johanne de Doddescombe 1285
The heirs of Ralph de Doddescombe 1285
John de Dodyscombe 1309
Cecily, relict of John de Dodescombe 1348
Richard Pollard 1493
Anthony Pollard of Horwood is one of the five Lordes of the Manor 1522
John Babbe is by far the biggest landowner in Doddiscombsleigh 1524-1527
John Hext 1544
John, son of Wyllyam Hext, alias Babbe of Dodescombsleigh yeoman purchases the Manor called Doddescomblieghe from Anthony Pollarde of Horwood. Doddiscombsleigh Mansion House is part of this. July 1586
Wyllyam Hext alias Babb acquires the Manor from his brother, John 1586
Remodelling of ancient Mansion House of Doddiscombsleigh by the Babbs who own and live in it 1580-1600
William Babb, son of John Babb dies aged 90 January 1597
Mr William Babb, Mr John Babb and Mr William Dudney are three of the Lordes of the Manor of Doddiscombsleigh 1602
W.B. 1604 E.B. William and Elizabeth Babb 1604
William Hext alias Babb, the elder son of William Babb, dies aged 84, November 1627
William Babb of Doddiscombleigh and James Rodd of Stoke Cannon divide some lands in Doddiscombsleigh which they hold jointly including part of Preisthaie Meadow adjoining one herb garden now in the possession of William Babb 1643
William Hext alias Babb, son and heir of William, dies aged 79, June 1667
William Babb marries Mary Baker and settles £40 annuity on her issuing from the cappitall Messuage Barton and farme in Doddiscombsleigh now in his possession 1682
William Babb dies and leaves an inheritance to nephew Philip Ducke of Heavitree. 20th April 1683
Mary Babb, widow of William, marries Philip Ducke of Heavitree, after April 1683
John Babb, elder brother of William Babb, dies aged 68, 1697
Richard Ducke, great grandchild of John Babb, inherits the Babb estates including the Mansion House. Mr Rodd holds Barton of Shippen. 1697
Richard Ducke the younger of Doddiscombsleigh , owner and occupier. 1714-1754
Richard Ducke and William Rodd are both Lords of the Manor of Doddiscombsleigh. 1745
Thomas Roach marries Margaret Ducke, daughter of Richard Ducke. 14th September 1752
Thomas Roach owner and occupier of the Mansion House. 1754-1769
James Rodd, of city of Exeter, acquires the Mansion House ( now known as Town Barton) 1769
Edward Smalridge occupier Town Barton. 1775-1796
Samuel Archer occupier Town Barton. 1797-1811
John Wills occupier Town Barton 1812-1815    Phillip Tickell occupier Town Barton 1816-1821    
 James Rodd owner and occupier 1824-1848                                                                             
  Elizabeth Rodd, farmer, owner Town Barton 1857               
  Sir Lawrence Vaughan Palk of Haldon House, M.P. acquires Town Barton 1858/9
  William Soper, farmer, occupier Town Barton 1866
  Henry Pinsent, farmer, occupier Town Barton 1870-1881
  William Bradbridge, farmer, occupier Town Barton 1889
  Moses Woolland, farmer, occupier Town Barton 1893William Henry Stone, farmer, occupier Town Barton 1897
Mrs Mary Grace Stone, farmer, occupier Town Barton 1902-1905
Albert Henry M. Hamlin, farmer, occupier Town Barton 1910-1935
Gilbert Sidney Tully, farmer, occupier Town Barton 1939
Cyril H. Pring occupier Town Barton 1958
H.B..Howe, farmer owner occupier Town Barton 1958 - 1966
Doris and Jennifer Thompson occupier Town Barton 1972
Nick and Lesley Borst-Smith occupier Town Barton 1981-