HALS.
St. Thomas is situate in the hundred of East, and hath upon the north St. Stephen’s, east Launceston, south South Pedyrwin, west Egloskerry and Trewinn. For the name, it is derived from the tutelar guardian and patron of this church, St. Thomas the Apostle and Martyr (though as some say St. Thomas à Becket). In the Domesday Book 1087, this parish was taxed under the jurisdiction of Lansen, now Launceston. In the inquisition of the Bishops of Lincoln and Winchester 1294, into the value of Cornish Benefices, Capella Sancti Thomæ in decanatu de Trigmajorshire, was then rated at 30s. In Wolsey’s Inquisition
1521, it is not named, having long before been wholly impropriated to the abbat or prior of St. Stephen’s, who endowed it.
TONKIN.
St. Thomas is bounded to the south by Launceston and South Pederwyn, to the west by Trewinn and Egloskerry, to the north by St. Stephen, to the east by Launceston.
This little parish is something in the form of an obtuse pile, being very narrow and wedged in to the east, where the church stands, in the very extreme part, between Launceston and St. Stephen’s, but stretches itself out in length and breadth to the west.
Part of it, which is called St. Thomas’s Street, is within the borough of Launceston, and comes home to Launceston North Gate, but is divided from Newport and St. Stephen’s by the little river Kensey, which runs by the wall of the churchyard.
THE EDITOR.
Mr. Lysons treats of Launceston, St. Stephen’s, and St. Thomas together. There is very little remarkable about this parish. The church, which is very small, and provided with a tower scarcely more lofty than the roof, stands close by the water; but it occupies the spot where the stately Priory described under Launceston heretofore extended its hospitality to travellers, and bestowed well intended, although mistaken charity, to all the neighbourhood. Nothing more remains of the Priory than the foundation of walls and an arched well of excellent water. The church has some monuments.
This parish measures 1750 statute acres.