| Harberton | |
|---|---|
 St Andrew's Church, Harberton | |
  Harberton Location withinDevon | |
| Population | 1,285 |
| OS grid reference | SX777585 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | TOTNES |
| Postcode district | TQ9 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| 50°24′49″N3°43′18″W / 50.4136°N 3.7217°W /50.4136; -3.7217 | |
Harberton is a village,civil parish and former manor 3 miles south west ofTotnes, in theSouth Hams District ofDevon, England. The parish includes the village of Harbertonford situated on the mainA381 road. In the 2001 census the parish had a population of 1,285.[1] The village is a major part of theelectoral ward of Avon and Harbourne. At the2011 census the ward population was 2,217.[2]
The village takes its name from theRiver Harbourne, which flows through the parish.
The Parish Church of St Andrew is a fine building of the 14th to 15th centuries with a handsome tower. The late medievalrood screen is a notable example with richly carved cornice and vaulting. The font is a very fine piece of Norman work and the pulpit is 15th century.[3]
Harberton is home to theHarberton Croquet and Social Club, which was founded in 2002 and hosts the popular Summer Cup.[4] This is the only club in the country that plays byHarberton Croquet Rules, rather than the more commonly played variations ofcroquet rules.
Harberton was the home of Mary Ann Varder (1842–1922), who marriedThomas Bridges on 7 August 1869 and moved with him in 1871 toTierra del Fuego, the southern tip ofArgentina, overlooking theBeagle Channel. There they established anestancia in 1886, which they namedHarberton after Mary's birthplace.[5]
According toRisdon (d.1640), Harberton was the residence ofAlric the Saxon.[6]
Harberton was one of twelvefeudal baronies in Devonshire said to have existed according toPole (d.1635).[7] It was not however recognised as such in the 1960 work by Sanders,English Baronies.[8]
Harberton is not mentioned in theDomesday Book of 1086, as it was then a constituent estate of the manor ofChillington, which is listed.
According toRisdon (d.1640),Roger le Bigod (d. 1107), was seized of lands in Harberton.[9]
The feudal barony of Harberton was granted to the de Vautort family,feudal barons of Trematon, Cornwall. Surviving sources (i.e. Pole, Risdon and Sanders)[18] confuse between themselves the names Roger, Reginald and Ralph de Vautort, leading to disparate and irreconcilable accounts of the true descent of the family. All accounts however agree that it was held for several generations by this family, which died out in the male line in the 13th century.
John Huxham, the surgeon and doctor, was born here in 1672.