Extracted from The Gentleman's Magazine of 1830: "Notices of Tavistock"
(The date of the Muster Roll referred to below is not known but it would seem to be in the early years of the English Civil War)
"There remains in the parish chest of Tavistock, the muster roll of Sir Nicholas Slanning, who was remarkable for his zeal in the royal cause during the civil war, and who, having joined the forces of the West under Sir Bevil Grenville, was present at the battle of Lansdowne, near Bath, and perished in the same year, 1643, at the assault of Bristol. Slannings muster roll is thus entitled:
Stannary of Tavistock
A perfect Muster Roll, containing the several Hundreds, parishes and hamlets, together with the officers and soldiers within the same.
Officers:
Sir Nicholas Slanning - Lieutenant Colonel:
Joseph Drake Esq. Captain-Lieutenant:
John Jacobs, gent. Ensign"
Names of 4 sergeants and 8 corporals follow.
Hundred of Roborough
Walkhampton - 12 names
Whitchurch - 13 names
Tamerton Foliot- 3 names
Sampford Spiney - 6 names
Wilsworthy Hamlet: - 3 names
Buckland Monachorum - 29 names
Peter Tavy - 7 names
West Tavistock - 8 names
Hundred of Tavistock
Tavistock Town - 24 names
Hundred of Lifton
Lifton and Virginstowe - 3 names
Sourton - 6 names
Mary Tavy - 9 names
Lidford - 3 names
Lew Trenchard - 1 name
Broadwood Widger - 2 names
Lamerton - 4 names
Bridestow - 10 names
Okehampoton - 2 names
Coryton - 3 names
Bratton Clovelly - 6 names
Hundred of Black Torrington
North Lew - 2 names
The list is signed as follows:
"Seen and confirmed by us under our hands and seals - Nicholas Slanning, Edward Yarde and Joseph Drake."
The total of this force is 156, of which about two-thirds are specified as armed with muskets, and the remainder with pikes.
At the back of the Roll are the following notes of interest to the military antiquary:
"Horse defensive arms are a back, breast and pot, pistol proof; offensive, a sword and a case of pistols, their barrel not under 14 inches in length: horse furniture - a great saddle or pad with burrs and straps to affix the holster."
"Foot men's arms: Musket (barrel not under three feet - the gauge of the bore for 12 bullets (new) but the old way 14 to the pound; a collar of bandoliers with a sword."
"Pykeman's Arms: A pyke (or pike) of ash not under 16 foot, head and foot included, with back, breast and head piece and sword; half a pound of powder, 3 yards of match and half a pound of bullets."
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