Courtesy of Simon Dell. Photo: Sticklepath memorial.
Sticklepath: Simon Dell on an old and a new Meeting
‘Arguably one of the most important Quaker sites in Devon.’
While studying the history of Friends in Devon, I have come across some beautifully-written old texts about various sites. This one relates to the Sticklepath burial ground to the north of Dartmoor. It was written by Francis Dymons in 1899, and in summary (and my editing) says:
‘The long straggling village of Sticklepath is… about eighteen miles west from Exeter and four miles east from Okehampton. The old, and now much deserted, mail-coach road into Cornwall passes through it. At Sticklepath and in the surrounding district there were formerly large numbers of Friends. A note at the foot of one of the pages of the book containing the Minutes of the Quarterly Meeting held in the 6th month (August), 1676, mentions North-Tawton as one of the eight Monthly Meetings into which the County of Devon was then divided. Sticklepath was, it was believed, within the compass of that Monthly Meeting. In the village of Sticklepath is an ancient burial ground which once belonged to Friends. It is no longer theirs. A stranger’s care has rescued it from the desolation which has overtaken so many of our graveyards. The earliest interment that has been entered in our Quarterly Meeting Register is that of Benjamin Bellamy on 16th of 11th month [this is January], 1713. There appears to have been at one time about 200 Friends in this village. They had a burial ground by a beautiful bend in the River Taw behind the Foundry. This was closed for many years after they had left the place. Ultimately Thomas Pearce, a resident at Sticklepath, who appears to have been a man of standing and influence, purchased the burial ground from Friends and settled it on Trustees to be used for a Cemetery. A memorial stone was placed on the ground by Thomas Pearce. It has for headline the text, “Whose names are on the Book of Life.” It then proceeds, “In this consecrated ground are interred the bodies of the pious Quakers, late resident in this Village, who in the year 1743 and after, welcomed and entertained the Wesleys… as they journeyed to preach the Gospel,” and then finishes with the text: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers.” The ground is nicely planted and carefully kept in order. It is furnished with an arbour for the accommodation of those who may wish to prolong their meditations amongst the tombs.’
After an absence of well over 200 years, Devon Area Meeting has now re-established a Quaker Meeting at Sticklepath – arguably one of the most important Quaker sites in Devon – using St Mary’s Church. Those ramblers enjoying a stroll along the Archangel Way are especially welcome to enjoy some contemplative quietness on their pilgrimage.
