Ward and Chowen
Ward and Chowen Chartered Surveyors, Estate Agents and Auctioneers have operated in the Tavistock area for over 180 years, placing them uniquely as a constant in the ebbs and flows of the area’s history.
Ward and Chowen Archive
The Ward and Chowen archive is a substantial trove of information, documenting the landownership history of not only Tavistock and the immediate vicinity, but even further afield areas such as Cornwall. The earliest documents date from the 1600s and take us right through to more modern times.
The information contained is wide ranging, from leases to rents, and sales bills to the regular notetaking of the firm.
Background
Neil Woolcock initially approached the Tavistock Local History Society to involve its members in the exciting task of indexing, digitizing and eventually uploading the older portion of these significant documents. Neil was keen that this vast amount of information would be available to local residents for their historic research.
Project
Tavistock Local History Society started their indexing and digitization in September 2014. Scanning and indexing this huge wealth of documentation has been a significant and consuming project. Meeting regularly, the small team have made steady headway in digitizing this information for generations to come.
Generous Support and Donations
Our scanner was obtained from a generous grant fund from the Town and Parishes (TAP) fund as nominated by Gulworthy Parish Council.
We have also been the grateful recipient of other grants from Tavistock Lions, Tavistock Young Farmers, Dartmoor Trust, Elmhirst Trust. There have also been kind donations from the general public at our stalls and other promotional activities.
Tavistock Town Council kindly allocated premises for our work, and it is hoped in the not too distant future we will have a location where we can deal with public inquiries directly.
Of course, we remain very grateful to Neil Woolcock for giving us the opportunity and privilege of being able to work on such a fantastic and important project.
Current Progress
The Tavistock Local History Society continues to work on the project, and all members are welcome to visit us on appointment. However, at this stage, we are currently unable to handle any research requests or inquiries.
Parishes
Below are a list of parishes and areas included within the scope of the archives. It is not a complete and exhaustive list.
Adber in Somerset
Aldershot
Alternun
Ashbury
Ashwater
Aveton Giffard
Beaworthy
Bere Ferrers
Bere Alston
Bickham
Boltus Fleming
Bradstone
Bratton Clovelly
Brentor
Bridestow
Boyton
Broadclyst
Broadwoodwiger
Buckland Monachorum
Callington
Calstock
Chillaton
Churstow
Dartmoor
Devonport
Duchy Lands at Stoke Climsland
Dunterton
Efford
Egg Buckland
Egloskerry
Filleigh
Grenofen
Gunnislake
Harrowbarrow
Hatherleigh
Highhampton
Horrabridge
Kelly
Lamerton
Landulph
Launceston
Lewannick
Lewdown
Lewtrenchard
Lezant
Lifton
Little Hampton
Lydford
Maker
Tinhay
Mary Tavy
Meavy
Menheniot
Milton Abbot
Milton Buckland
Minhinitt
Mount Tavy
Mutley
Mulbury
North Lew
North Petherwin
North Hill
Pelynt
Pennycross
Peter Tavy
Plymouth
Plympton St Mary
Plymstock
Plynt
Princetown
Pulham
Quither
Rame
Saltash
Sampford Spiney
Sheepstor
Shebbear
Sheviock
Sourton
South Brentor
South Hill
Sydenham Dameral
St Budeaux
St Germans
St Giles
St Juliot
St Stephens
Stoke Climsland
Stoke Damerall
Stowford
Talland
Tamerton Foliot
Tavistock
Trevaddick
Tregonnay Estate
Thrusleton
Turnpike Roads/houses
Walkhampton
Week St Mary
Werrington
Whimple Estate
Whitchurch
Yelverton
Yealmpton
