Hartland is said to have been founded before the Conquest, for secular priests, by Githa, the wife of Earl Godwin; but in the time of King Henry the Second, Geoffrey de Dinam, by the authority of that King, and of Bartholomew Bishop of Exeter, and by the assistance of Richard Archdeacon of Poictiers, changed the establishment of Seculars into an abbey of Austin Canons.
The patronage of this abbey remained in the family of the founder, Geoffrey de Dinam, till the general dissolution; and the abbats were accordingly named alternately by Fitzwarren, by Touche, by Carew, and by Arundell, in consequence of their having married the four daughters and coheiresses of the founder.
Mr. Lysons gives a very ample detail of the descent of property in this parish.
The barton of Lancells was leased by King Henry VIII. to John Chamond, and became the seat of that family. The freehold has been for a considerable time in the family of Orchard. It is now the seat by lease of Mr. Joseph Hawkey, in right of his wife, widow of the Rev. Cadwallader Jones.
The manor of Norton Rolle has the bailiffry of the hundred of Stratton annexed as an appendage.
This manor has passed from the Rolls to Trefusis.
The manor of Yellow Leigh is the property and the residence of Mrs. Mary Harris.
The manor of Thorlibear belonged to the Arundells of Trerice, and has passed by inheritance to Acland.
The manor of Mitchell Morton, extending into several other parishes, belonged to a family of Smith, and became divided among coheiresses.
Two thirds, having passed through different hands by purchase, became the property of Wrey J’Ans, Esq. and have descended to his daughters. The remaining third, with the barton and the advowson of the living, having been for many years in the family of Orchard, now belong to the Reverend F. H. Morrison, heir of the late Mr. Paul Orchard.