Bow Village Census 1781

In 1780 and 1781 there was a proposal to build a gallery at the West end of Bow Church, close to the tower. This was because some inhabitants thought that the church did not have enough room for all the worshippers. The Dissenters' Meeting House had fallen into disrepair and some of them had joined the Parish Church Congregation.

A census of all the villagers was made to determine whether extra space was needed. The village was divided in opinion over this. The Bishop of Exeter took statements from interested parties. In the end the gallery was erected, only to be removed in the late nineteenth century.

The census has been transcribed and the transcript is available on line here