A collection of walks, discoveries, insights and pictures of exploring Dartmoor National Park
February 6, 2025
Zacharias Pascoe’s small holding
The shaping of Dartmoor over the millennia with its ancient antiquities, industrial archaeology, farming, buildings, water management and ancient tracks has been through the perseverance and perspiration of man. When we look at these historical artefacts, perhaps at times we tend to put in the back of our minds the social history behind them. With this in mind, the author was delighted to learn through James Crowden and Simon Dell the social history of Zacharias Pascoe and his exploits on Dartmoor around 200 years ago and the impact he had.
Dartmoor observers may well of heard of Pascoe’s Cottage, whose ruins lie to the east of Rundlestone Corner, next to the modern day B3357. The building of this cottage and small holding around 1806 was a part of the colourful life of Zacharias Pascoe, a proud perhaps rebellious Cornishman, who certainly left his mark on Dartmoor in the late 18th to mid 19th centuries. Zacharias was born around 1749 in Wendron, Cornwall and after getting married in 1768, moved to Devon in 1772 to work at Dock (Devonport Dockyard). By around 1780 he was working at Vitifer Mine and was part of the Chagford riot involving Tin Miners (many from Cornwall) in 1793. After he built his cottage and small holding, which is believed to have been without permission he was allowed to stay and finally left around 1827 to go and live at Merrivale Cottages. Zacharia died at the Union or Poor house in Tavistock at the top of Bannwell Street in 1843.
This post explores the history of Pascoe’s Cottage / small holding from its building in 1806 through all the tenants over the decades of the 19th Century, its enlargement which is evident from 20th Century pictures, through to its ruinous state in the 21st Century. The story of the Cottage / small holding is ‘glued’ together by (an abridged version) of the story of the life on Zacharias Pascoe.
Bibliography
James Crowden (Great, great, great, great Grandson of Zacharias Pascoe) – Pers. com. and emails
Simon Dell, MBE – Pers. com and emails
Dartmoor Chris – Pers. com and emails
Christopher Gardener-Thorpe – The Book of Princetown
Eric Hemery (1983) – High Dartmoor (page 379 (plate 204) & page 381)
James Crowden (2008) – The Bad Winter
Simon Dell, MBE (2017) – The Dartmoor ‘Conchies’ (page 71)
Simon Probert (2002) – Dartmoor Prison Farm, Devon. An Archaeological Survey and Evaluation
Map (likely to date from late 1840s) showing detail of Zacharias Pascoe’s small holding (labelled 20-24) and two plots of land (labelled 6-7) to the west. This is the most detailed map that the author is aware of.Zacharias Pascoe’s small holding sketch map and land apportionment with plot sizes redrawn from the original (circa late 1840s) map. The author has dated the map as late 1840s as it states ‘Late Z. Pascoe’s’ (he died 1843) and shows Omen Beam Tramway, which wasn’t built until 1844Remains of the Omen Beam Tramway between Rundlestone Corner and Pascoe’s Cottage, south of the B3357Remains of the Omen Beam Tramway, still used by the farming community. This part of the tramway is on private prison land but can be followed to the north (on opposite side of B3357) onto the open moorGranite Steps at the upper end of the ‘triangular wedge’ of land, close to and a little downhill from the Omen Beam TramwayThe Granite Steps are located at SX57901 74989The Granite Steps ‘inside’ (south) of the wall – zoomed inThe West Well – James Crowden (4x Great Grandson of Zacharias) told the author that this well was: “very useful in the 1962/63 bad winter as it still had water there despite the extreme cold and was useful for getting water in old milk churns for sheep etc at the top of the hill”. The location is SX57947 74994Access to the West Well. There are a couple of steps leading down alongside the wallThe inside of the West Well, which is thought to have been for animalsThe western most well has two granite slabs across it, one of which has tare / feather marks (which dates it post 1800). At one end of this slab is an inscription which looks like “18” but might be “IB”. This inscription might be a date as there is a possible faint “2” after the 8 perhaps suggesting 1820s ?If the inscription is “IB” and not “18”, then it most likely relates to a person. Research so far has shown that tenants of the property include Zacharias Pascoe, Roger Phillips (& Leaman), Richard Phillips (at the tithe), Jon Rook and a Frank Turner, none of whom have the correct initials for the inscription. It might of course have been the stone mason’s initials. Might this slab have been placed here by Zacharias? He was known to have been in trouble around 1806 for illegal quarrying and encroachment on ‘North Esworthy Tor’ and Walkhampton Common. Close up of the inscription. Note that there looks like faint markings to the right of the “8” or the “B”.Outside walling of Pascoe’s Cottage with some render still evident, which of course would have been from a later date that when Zacharias first built itRuins of Pascoe’s Cottage. It is believed that Zacharias built his cottage around 1806, the year the prison construction was started. This may relate to his illegal quarrying? What is for certain is he was allowed to stay, perhaps because he had skills needed in the area at the time?This timeline covers the lifetime of Zacharias Pascoe (1749 to 1843) and includes some details of tenants of his cottage / small holding after he vacated it.This is the detail of the Tinners’ fracas which took place in Chagford, the aftermath of which, on 12th November 1793, Zacharias Pascoe got involved in. Note: The Morning Chronicle dated 22nd November 1793, records four miners involved in the fracas not three. Zacharias would be living near Rundlestone, 13 years after these events, then aged 58. The text above is a direct extract from a fabulous paper from Dr Tom Greeves, which can be download from here: https://www.academia.edu/37144042/The_World_of_the_Dartmoor_Tinner_An_Historical_Context_12th_to_20th_Century Rendered wall of Pascoe’s Cottage, which might date from when the property was extended in 1861. This picture was taken on Private Land with full knowledge of the local farmerThese sales particulars make interesting reading. Lot 2 is believed to have been Pascoe’s Cottage and small holding. Using this information (kindly supplied by Dartmoor Chris), plus information supplied by James Crowden, it is assumed that Zacharias Pascoe lived in his cottage until around 1827 (when aged around 78), then Roger Phillips and (?) Leaman moved in for 3 years before moving out in 1830. It is assumed that Richard Phillips moved in around 1830 (from Rendle Farm – Lot 1) and remained there at least until the tithe of 1839.This timeline runs from late 1840s (after Zacharias death) through to 2002, detailing key moments in the history of the cottage and small holdingThe East Well, next to the cottage. Of note is Simon Probert (ref: Dartmoor Prison Farm, Devon. An Archaeological Survey and Evaluation -2002) describing this as: “A small dripping* well enclosed by a drystone wall with a granite slab roof is attached to the north side of the structure”. *Note: possibly mis-typed and should be ‘dipping’?The back of the East Well looking towards Pascoe’s Cottage beyond the wall. It is located at SX58079 74995Poem about Pascoe’s Well from ‘The Bad Winter’ (page 33) by James CrowdenThe interior of the East ‘dipping’ Well. Interestingly, in Mike Brown’s Field Guide – Volume 29 – Princetown to Two Bridges (page 8) he records: “….it has also been suggested that this may have been built as a platform for prison guards keeping watch on inmates working in the fields”.Gatepost next to the east wellZacharias Pascoe’s cottage is shown on the 1823 Tor Royal Map, which perhaps supports the belief that he was still living there until around 1827The Tithe Map of the area. North of the turnpike road (built in 1792) was a large farm and to the south a number of inclosures (sic). Note only two plots (25 and 26) are annotated to Pascoe’s small holding. The later (late 1840s) map recorded five plots (numbered 20-24). Hugh Hill was the occupier of Rendle Stone Farm and also the land owner (lessee) of Pascoe’s Cottage and small holding in 1839The Tithe Apportionment indicates that Zacharias Pascoe’s small holding was occupied by a Richard Phillips. At this time Zacharias was living at Merrivale. The small holding recorded on Tithe was known as ‘Tenement adjoining Rundlestone’ measuring a total of 2 Acres, 1 Rood and 0 Perches comprising Course Field, Dwelling House and Gardens. This measurement is 1 Rood and 30 Perches less than that recorded on a map from a number of years later (circa late 1840s) shown earlier in this post. The difference may well be a due to an area called ‘Plot’ which measured 1 Rood and 34 Perches and which was shown on the later (late 1840s) map. This area was possibly an error and was omitted off the Tithe?‘Coarse Field’ just inside the gate from the roadArea called ‘Plot’ looking west. Beyond the wall is an area called ‘Coarse Field’This area was called ‘Plot’ on the late 1840’s plan‘Plot’ – looking towards Pascoe’s CottageGateway between ‘Plot’ and the ‘Gardens’Near the gate is a small square construction – was this a w.c ? It is located at SX58092 74975Poem about Pascoe’s Cottage from ‘The Bad Winter’ (page 34) by James CrowdenRendered cottage wall looking west. Of note is Simon Probert (ref: Dartmoor Prison Farm, Devon – An Archaeological Survey and Evaluation -2002) describes this as: “an L-shaped section of mortared walling 1.2m high with traces of rendering on the east facing side”The rendered cottage wall is the largest part of the ruin which can be seen todayBrick found amongst the ruinsDrain pipe in the side of the ruin. The property had lead gutteringAir vent in the side of Pascoe’s CottageThe air vent is below the ground level of the adjacent land. The ground level beyond, one assumes has been raised or filled in over the yearsSheep being herded outside Pascoe’s Cottage along the B3357. The author, James and Simon had a long conversation with the farmer about the history and modern farming and management of the areaThe sheep are being herded into Battam’s Field – ref: Prison Farm Map which followsAnnotated Prison Farm map showing the location of Pascoe’s Cottage. The names of the fields make for interesting reading. For example Conchie’s Field which is a throwback to when the Conscientious Objectors were set to work on ‘hand’ tilling the land here around 1917-8. Holming Beam field leads out onto open moor and ‘Holming Beam’ with an old farm and mine. (Holming Beam is incorrectly marked on modern OS Maps at end of Long Plantation)The garden areaThe garden areaOS map from 1873, showing a much extended Pascoe’s Cottage (from that shown on the Tithe Map). The extension took place circa 1861. It was recorded that by 22nd July that year, rebuilding of the cottage was in progress, with the roof being raised by one foot, lead gutters installed and slate being used instead of thatch. Note the wood to the south east of Pascoe’s Cottage, which is still there into the 21st Century. In 2002, Simon Probert (Reference : Dartmoor Prison Farm, Devon. An Archaeological Survey and Evaluation) records the dwelling was largely a ruin and had been known as Parson’s Cottage – This is the only mention the author is aware of the dwelling being called ‘Parson’s Cottage’. The reason for this is unknown. This annotated map also shows the locations of two Wells, some Wall Steps, a blocked Gateway and a Square Structure in the wall covered in this postBlocked in gateway a few metres to the east of the Zacharias Pascoe small holding, which would have lead onto Prison Land. The wall behind is the boundary of the Pascoe small holdingFrom the blocked in gateway, the Prison can be seen. This location is SX58130 75002To the west of the cottage, near a gate is a ‘kink’ in the wall, which looking at a late 19th century map, suggests it was part of a ‘square structure’. It might have been a linhay for storage of hay or maybe for overwintering sheep. Any ideas welcome.The road side of the ‘Square Structure’During World War II, the Navy were stationed in Nissan Huts in the fields adjacent to and what were part of Pascoe’s small holding (to the south of the Rundlestone – Two Bridges Road (B3357)). The United States Army were stationed on the north of the road for two weeks at a time for gunnery practice. The aerial photograph was taken by the RAF in 1947.Picture taken in the 1960s from Eric Hemery’s ‘High Dartmoor’, showing Hill Farmer George Cole and Pascoe’s Cottage still extant with three chimneys. Hemery describes that Pascoe’s Cottage was “now vanished” in 1983, so the author surmises that it was demolished in the 1970sIt is fitting that this post is concluded referring to Zacharias Pascoe. The above is a poem about him from ‘The Bad Winter’ (page 24) by James Crowden, which neatly sums up this colourful character of the moor.
This is an amazing article bringing to life one very small piece of Dartmoor’s past, and the life story of Zacharias Pascoe.
Thank you Steve for another fantastic page to your wonderful website.
We used to pass by the cottage which was lived in at the time in the 1960s without realising that it was my ancestor’s cottage. Only through the researches of Tom Greeves did I realise its importance. about fifteen years ago
The 1960s .. those were the days particularly when prisoners had escaped in thick mist and there were police road blocks at Rundlestone . Zacharias was quite a character. His wife had a French name- Jane Libat, and there may have been a connection between Helston and Bayonne to do with tin and fish. In 1772 Zacharias was left £5 in a will from John Rogers one time mayor of Helston who had a great interest in tin workings. As a young man Zacharias seems to have worked for him. I suspect he was a very useful man and knew all about constructing leats and water courses as well as gunpowder and mining underground.
My suspicion is that he was allowed to stay because he was given the job of maintaining the prison leat that fed the prison. An important responsibility with so many French and then American prisoners banged up in there.
Wendron where he came from in Cornwall was a very large Parish and very reliant on tin streaming. To live to such an old age 95-96 was quite an achievement in those days. I wonder what his secret was ? Local cider, fresh air or both?
His daughter Jane Pascoe married Dennis Crowden a rather wild Irish quarter gunner from HMS Triton in Stoke Damerel in Jan 1800. Dennis had just come into a shed load of prize money from the capture of two Spanish frigate off Finisterre. Silver and gold bullion + cochineal and quinine… No doubt Zacharias had a good time at the wedding..
Dartmoor Chris February 6, 2025
This is an amazing article bringing to life one very small piece of Dartmoor’s past, and the life story of Zacharias Pascoe.
Thank you Steve for another fantastic page to your wonderful website.
SteveGriggDartmoor February 6, 2025 — Post author
Thank you Chris, I appreciated your help with some information
Kind regards,
Steve
James Crowden February 6, 2025
We used to pass by the cottage which was lived in at the time in the 1960s without realising that it was my ancestor’s cottage. Only through the researches of Tom Greeves did I realise its importance. about fifteen years ago
The 1960s .. those were the days particularly when prisoners had escaped in thick mist and there were police road blocks at Rundlestone . Zacharias was quite a character. His wife had a French name- Jane Libat, and there may have been a connection between Helston and Bayonne to do with tin and fish. In 1772 Zacharias was left £5 in a will from John Rogers one time mayor of Helston who had a great interest in tin workings. As a young man Zacharias seems to have worked for him. I suspect he was a very useful man and knew all about constructing leats and water courses as well as gunpowder and mining underground.
My suspicion is that he was allowed to stay because he was given the job of maintaining the prison leat that fed the prison. An important responsibility with so many French and then American prisoners banged up in there.
Wendron where he came from in Cornwall was a very large Parish and very reliant on tin streaming. To live to such an old age 95-96 was quite an achievement in those days. I wonder what his secret was ? Local cider, fresh air or both?
His daughter Jane Pascoe married Dennis Crowden a rather wild Irish quarter gunner from HMS Triton in Stoke Damerel in Jan 1800. Dennis had just come into a shed load of prize money from the capture of two Spanish frigate off Finisterre. Silver and gold bullion + cochineal and quinine… No doubt Zacharias had a good time at the wedding..
SteveGriggDartmoor February 7, 2025 — Post author
Dear James,
Many thanks for this additional information
With regards,
Steve