Part of the old wall that surrounded the town and two Gateways still remain: the one on the eastern or Exeter road, has a very antient and interesting appearance. The accompanying view which represents this gateway, is taken from the road leading to Callington.
The houses in the town are in general well built, but the streets are very narrow and badly paved. There are two Charity-Schools maintained by voluntary subscriptions, and a Free School founded in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and endowed with an income payable out of the revenues of the Duchy of Cornwall.
The market at this town is well supplied with all kinds of provision, and remarkably cheap. There are also no less than six fairs, held here annually. The town suffers much inconvenience in the summer season, from a scarcity of water.
The number of inhabitants, according to the late returns, amounted to 2163, and in 1811 to 1758, exclusive of the adjoining parishes of St. Thomas and St. Stephen’s.
Trebursy, near this town, a handsome modern residence, erected some distance from the site of the old house, is the property of the Hon. W. Eliot, M.P. late Colonel of the Cornwall Militia.
From Launceston to Callington, the distance is about 12 miles, and the country, as far as the first nine miles extend, is very beautiful and romantic. About three miles from Callington, in the parish of Stoke Clainsand, is Whiteford House, the seat of Sir William Pratt Call, Bart. It is a handsome building, standing in a beautiful and luxuriant valley, which, with the meandering water in front, has a very pleasant aspect. The fish ponds and gardens here are extremely fine, and kept in a high state of cultivation.
Callington is a market and Borough-town, situated in a flat and open part of the county, distant 214 miles from London. The houses are chiefly disposed in one broad street, and being very irregularly built, have rather a poor appearance.
The Church is an antient and spacious fabric, consisting of three aisles, the centre one very lofty, and was built chiefly at the expense of Nicholas de Asheton, one of his Majesty’s Justices of the Court of King’s Bench, who died in the year 1645, and lies buried in the chancel, where there is a handsome brass plate with effigies of himself and lady.
There is also a handsome alabaster tomb, to the memory of Lord Willoughby de Broke, lord of the manor, who died in the year 1502. In the church-yard is a very antient octagonal cross, surrounded with some antient sculpture, but it has been most shamefully defaced.
This town is governed by a Portreve, who is chosen annually, at the court leet of the lord of the manor. The elective franchises of the inhabitants were lately determined by a committee of the House of Commons, but the members are usually returned by the freeholders and resident leaseholders.