Cross House, early 20th century.
A summary of the occupiers of Cross House, Fore Street, Bishopsteignton, taken from the official parish records, 16th, 17th, 18th early 19th Century.
W.D. Cleland, Bishopsteignton Village and Lanes, published 1933.
‘Cross House is situated at the top of Shute Hill and the entrance gates are at the angle of Fore St, where at one time, in the road, stood an old Saxon Cross which occupied its appointed place for centuries. It was, however, displaced by presumably an anti-symbolist, and the granite base was turned into the utilitarian form of a pig’s trough, which lay on the river foreshore for years. In 1927 it was rescued from it’s undignified place by Mr Duder and set in a more honoured place in front of Cross House, on the lawn. The exterior of Cross House is picturesque. It has a latticed veranda on three sides wherefrom lovely views of the river and district are seen. The compact grounds with lawn, tennis court and garden, have the charm of the old world order.’ (p.36)
1524 The Devon Subsidy Rolls names John Babbe at Crosse, with income from a small agricultural holding.
1581 The Burial Register records the burial of Thomasyne Babbe, wife of John Babbe at Crosse.
1640 The Baptism Register records the baptism of Elizabeth daughter of Richard Padden at Crosse and Charity his wife.
1658 An Indenture of Sale of land in Bishopsteignton to Sir Roger Hill includes land in occupation of Richard Paddon of Cross. In another Indenture re land at Combe, one tenant there is Richard Paddon of Crosse.
1674 The Hearth Tax Assessment shows Jon Paddon had two hearths.
1680 Jno. Paddon of Crosse was a churchwarden.
1706 Richard Paddon of Cross was churchwarden.
1712 A Portion of Cross demesne was acquired for a Charity School and in 1726 a herb garden adjacent thereto was bought by the generosity of Christopher Coleman.
1713 The Marriage Register records the marriage between Richard son of Richard Bawdon and Susannah Paddon of Cross.
1717 The Burial Register records the burial of John Paddon of Cross aged 82.
1736 The record of Sir John Lear’s debts on his death shows Richard Paddon was tenant at Cross Tenement and at Rydons.
1779 By will dated this year, Thomas Pidsey of West Teignmouth leaves a messuage called Cross in Bishopsteignton to his daughter Jane Pidsley and in case she dies without issue to his daughter Joanna, wife of Thomas Comyns of Wood esq.
1785 The Land Tax Assessment shows Mr Thomas Pidsley as owner of Cross and John Geeves as tenant.
1787 The Land Tax Assessment shows Mrs Jane Pidsley relict of Thomas Pidsley to have inherited Cross with Thomas Rowell as tenant.
1793 The Land Tax Assessment shows Samuel Carnell as tenant.
1798 The Land Tax Assessment shows that John Comyns has acquired Cross and his tenant is Sam Carnell.
1800-1810 The house was possibly improved under the direction of John Nash, architect who was engaged in designing and building Luscombe House, Dawlish for Hore Banker. Repton laid out Luscombe gardens.
1828 The Land Tax Assessment shows John Comyns as owner and Elizabeth Heller as tenant.
1836 The Tithe Map shows Thomas Boone as owner and Arthur Holdsworth as occupier. Cross was now fit to let to gentry.
1838 The Baptism Register records the baptism of a child of Arthur Baslord and Anne Mervyn Holdsworth , though no residence is noted.
1841 The Census records occupant as Arthur Holdsworth 32 Ann Holdsworth 30, 3 young children. He was classed as Independent.
1851 The Census records the occupant as Fanny B Hamlyn. The Baptismal Register records in 1841 the baptism of a child of Calmady Pollexfen and Fanny Bedford Hamlyn. No residence is given.
1856 The Post Office Directory records that Thomas Groves occupies Cross as does Billings’ on 1857.
A summary of the occupiers of Cross House, Fore Street, Bishopsteignton, taken from the official parish records, 19th, 20th Century.
W.D. Cleland, Bishopsteignton Village and Lanes, published 1933.
‘Christopher Harris, a keen sportsman, and a clever occasional writer on sport, resided at Cross House, and during his ownership, it was a veritable gallery of art treasures. Among them were many oil paintings of bygone celebrities by masters of the art. On the death of Christopher A. Harris in 1887, his three daughters continued to reside at Cross House until their deaths at an advanced age. All were buried in the family vault at Lifdon. Their nephew, the last in the male line of this ancient and prominent Devon family, Arthur Mohun Walpole Mohun Harris died on January 14th, 1906, and is buried in Bishopsteignton Churchyard.’ (p.36)
1866 Kelly’s Directory shows the occupant as Charles Arthur Harris. In 1870 he is shown as J.P. and still the occupant in 1873 and 1883.
1887 Cleland says that Christopher Arthur Harris died at Cross House.
1889 Kelly’s Directory says the occupants are The Misses Harris.
1890 White’s Directory says the occupant is Miss Harris.
1897 Kelly’s Directory says the occupant are the Misses Mohun Harris.
1902 and 1914 and 1919, Kelly’s Directory says the Misses Mohun-Harris were occupants. Cleland says the last of these sisters died in 1920.
A summary of the occupiers of Cross House, Fore Street, Bishopsteignton, taken from the official parish records, later 20th Century.
W.D. Cleland, Bishopsteignton Village and Lanes, published 1933.
‘On the death of the last Miss Harris in 1920, Mrs. McCausland became owner and after a short residence removed to Teignmouth in 1923, when Mr. Duder bought Cross House from her. ‘ (p.36)
1920 Cleland says Mrs McCausland was occupant.
1921 The Baptism Register records the baptism of a child of Cecil Frank and Julia M McCausland.
1923 Cleland says Mr A W Duder was the occupant and owner. At around this time an out building of the estate was converted into an extra classroom for the village primary school, now the Community Centre.
1926 Kelly’s Directory says Arthur Duder was the occupant and that he was still there in 1935 and 1939.
1950 About this time Mr and Mrs Radmore bought Cross House after they left Cockhaven Manor Hotel.
During the 1990s Cross House was converted into flats.
Cross House during Conversion
Cross House during conversion
Cross House now Flats