These extracts from old newspapers were put together from newspaper articles retrieved by Mandy Pemberton from Australia in Sept 2010

Congregational Church

The Evangelical Magazine 1856

A New Congregational Chapel at Beer, Devon

A church of this denomination has existed in this romantic village for many years, and is united with the congregation at Seaton, jointly under the pastoral care of the Rev Richard Pulman.  The old chapel at Beer was incommodious, and though it had been altered and improved in former years was most inconvenient.  The people have long desired a new chapel.  Encouraged by the hearty cooperation and liberal example of their pastor, they contributed to the object, amongst themselves, the sum of £104.9s.  An eligible site was secured, and the foundation stone was laid in August 1855.  During the erection of the building £286.6s was contributed by friends at a distance.  The Chapel Building Society generously promised them £50 on the condition of the debt not exceeding £100 after the opening of the chapel.  The opening services were held on the 10th instant, when, after devotional service, H Addiscott, of Taunton, preached from Isaiah liii.11.  Mr Weaver, of Staplegrove, Taunton, to whom the Beer friends are greatly indebted, secured promises, during the day, from sixteen persons for £90 to be paid in six months.  In the evening the number of people being far greater than could be accommodated in the chapel, it was resolved to hold the meeting in the tent.  There the Rev J Bounsall delivered an address upon "The Nature and Importance of Christian Union";  the Rev Richard Fletcher of Topsham on "The Life of Religion as Contrasted with the Form";  the Rev J.E. Issac of Colyton on "Decision for God", Robert Evans Esq of Colyton on "Individual Responsibility" and the Rev A McMillan was announced to give an address on a "Praying Church".  After a few observations on the services of the day, Mr McMillan suggested the desirableness of making an effort to raise the small sum, which would enable them to declare the chapel free of debt.  In a very short term he was requested by R Evans Esq, who kindly audited the accounts to announce to the meeting that the debt was paid.  Next day the Sunday-school children and their teachers and friends met at Seaton and both schools assembled in their new sanctuary, when very interesting and affectionate addresses were delivered.

Lace Making

Reports from Commissioners 1864 (Examples of cubic fee of space per head at lace schools.  Effects upon health)

219.  At Mrs Driver's, Beer, Devon, a room in which eight persons worked, gave 80 cubic fee for each person.

229.  The Rev C Glascott, vicar of Seaton and Beer, states "The employment is injurious to the bodily health, owing to the confinement in small close rooms with no fire-place or ventilation and the consequent impurity of the air".

The Bristol Mercury - 10 August 1866

Scarlet Fever in Devonshire

Mr James Allen writes:  When at Beer in Devonshire, about 10 days ago since I was chatting with one of the lace makers (nearly all the women in the village make what is generally known as Honiton Lace), and on asking her if trade was good she replied, "No Sir, the fact is nearly every family here has been visited with scarlet fever, and of course the ladies are afraid to buy our lace".  It struck me when reading your leading article on the disease this morning that Dr Klein would have a fine field for investigation in this pretty little Devonshire village if it could only be brought to his knowledge.

Navy Lists:

1853
Coast Guards
Master - Henry Webb, 15 Sept 47, Branscombe, Beer, Devon
Marine - John Henry Davies, 19 Nov 28, Bee,r Axminster, Devon

1858
Naval Chief Officer - Richard Higgins (late EICS) 11 Sept 55, Branscombe, near Beer, Devon

Maritime Directory

1867
Registered owner of the Ship Ann, out of Plymouth - William Hutchings, Beer, Devon
Registered owner of the Ship John and Ann, out of Plymouth - Robert Doig, Beer, Devon
Registered owner of the Ship Malcolm Brown, out of London - Edwin Good, Beer, Devon
Registered owner of the Ship Harmony, out of Exeter - Robert Edwin Miller, Beer, Devonshire

Diary of Walter Yonge [1848]

Gideon Walrond Esq of Bovey House, near Beer, in the parish of Seaton, was a younger branch of the Walronds of Bradfield House in Ullculme.  The late Lord Rolle married the heiress of Walrond of Bovey House, which still exists as a genteel residence.

Beer in Seaton parish has been for many years a place noted for its fishing luggers, called Beer Boats.  It is not known if such was the case in the reign of James I.

Births

The Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 29 May 1844
Hill
May 19, at Bovey House, in this county, Mrs Hill, of a daughter [wife of Charles Popham Hill of Bovey House]
______________

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 30 March 1848
Scarborough
March 20, at Bovey House, Beer, the lady of John Latoyacnere Scarborough, Esq of a daughter
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The Standard - 24 April 1899
Roper
On the 19th inst at Bovey House, Beer, Devon, the wife of Freeman Roper, of a son

Marriages

Royal Cornwall Gazette - 24 July 1830
Harvey - Loveridge
At Seaton, Mr Charles Harvey, Coast Guard Service, Beer, late of Padstow, to Elizabeth, daughter of Mr Wm Loveridge, of Beer.
______________

The Bristol Mercury - 20 April 1844
Elton - Rice
April 18, at Seaton church, by the Rev T Glascott, rector of Redborough, Frederick, son of John Elton Esq of Weston-Super-Mare to Anne Jane Rice, eldest daughter of the Rev C.J. Glascott, victor of Seaton and Beer, Devon.
______________

The Hull Packet - 7 January 1853
Puttam - Dennison
On the 20th December at the Holy Trinity Church, Mr John Puttam, mariner of Beer, Devon to Ellen, the second daughter of the late Mr William Dennison, Humber-pilot, of this town
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Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 23 November 1854
Harris - Cradock
November 16, at Seaton, by the Rev Henry Fellowes, vicar of Sidbury, Capt Alfred John de Havilland Harris, 1st Madras Fusiliers, son of the late Charles Harris, Esq of Bath and formerly Member of Council Madras to Mary Ann Letitia Cradock, youngest daughter of Rev C.J. Glascott, vicar of Seaton cum Beer, Devon.
______________

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 30 December 1863
Cocks - Routledge
December 22 at Seaton, by the Rev C.J. Glascott, vicar, Mr Edward Woontor Cocks, of Beer, to Miss Routledge, of Heavitree.
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Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 1 January 1857
Congdom - Cocks
December 22, at Seaton, by the Rev C.J. Glascott, Mr Thomas Congdom, Lloyd's Surveyor, Greenock, Scotland to Thirza, youngest daughter of Mr Hugh Cocks, of Beer.

The Standard - 28 May 1857
Miles - Cradock
On the 26th inst at Seaton, Devon, Capt Thomas Milles of the 75th Regt to Georgina Charlotte, second daughter of the Rev Cradock Glascott, Vicar of Seaton and Beer.
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The Hampshire Advertiser - 19 June 1872
Hawkins – Brown
On Tuesday, June 18th at St James' Church, Shirley, Southampton, by the Rev J Haigh, Vicar, Tom Bidney Farrant Hawkins of Liverpool, son of the late Captain J Hawkins, Beer, Devon to Alice, eldest daughter of the late George Brown, Shirley.
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The Standard - 5 January 1877
Batchelor - Lapthorn 
Dec 28, at Beer, by the Rev Robert Henry, assisted by the Rev William Phillips, John Batchelor, of Loughborough Park Road Brixton, to Sarah Ann Lapthorn, adopted daughter of George Taylor, Esq of the Elms, Seaton.
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 Trewman's Exeter Flying Post  - 14 March 1877
Hammett - Harding
March 7 at Seaton Church, Mr W Hammett of Beer, to Miss Sarah Harding of Bovey, Beer.
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 The General Advertiser (Truro) – 14 December 1877
Harris - Kent
At Newlyn East, Dec 7 (by licence) by the Rev T.H. Britton, William, youngest son of Mr W Harris of Beer, Devon to Mary Jane, youngest daughter of Mr R Kent, Scotland Farm, Newlyn East.
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The Standard - 9 July 1880
Graham - Jenkins 
July 7 at Beer, Devon by the Rev R.L. Johnson, curate in charge and brother-in-law of the bride, assisted by the Rev H Vyvyan, vicar, John Graham Esq of Coventry Park, Streatham to Louisa Carter, youngest daughter of the late Rev G Jenkins, rector of Cosgrove, Northants, and formerly rector of Manston, Moreton, Hampstead.
__________

The Morning Post - 1 August 1887
Stokes - Hawks 
On the 28th Ult at St Michael's Beer, Devonshire, by the Rev A.C. LeGeyt, Reginald Sewell, youngest son of the late Henry Graham Stokes of Lee, Kent to Elizabeth Clrak, eldest daughter of Stephen Hawks, late of Tynemouth, Northumberland.
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 Trewman's Exeter Flying Post  - 6 January 1890
Clarke - Sparks 
Dec 27, at the Congregational Chapel, Beer, Walter GW Clarke to Emily Sparks, both of Beer

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 22 October 1892
Pike - Bartlett 
October 1, at Grace Church, Greenville, Jersey City, NY, USA, Alfred James Pike (late of Exeter) to Esther Melanie Bartlett of Beer, Devon

Deaths

London Evening Post - 3 October 1734
Rolle
Last Monday died, at Bicton on Devonshire, in the 47th year of her age, Mrs Rolle, relict of John Rolle, Esq; late of Stevenstone and Member of Parliament for the said county.  She was the daughter of Sir William Walters, late of Sarsden in the County of Oxford . .  . .  (she has left 4 sons and 4 daughters)

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 7 December 1826 [Thursday]
Mutter
On Thursday last, at Beer, near Seaton, after a long illness, aged 59, Mr George Mutter, a respectable farmer of that place, universally esteemed by all who knew him

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 18 January 1838
Cutcliffe
January 12, the Rev Robert Cutcliffe, for many years Incumbent of Seaton and Beer, in this county, aged 77.

The Bristol Mercury - 29 September 1855
Whitmore
Lately, at Pensford, aged 86 years, Mrs M. Whitmore, late of Beer, Devon

Hampshire Telegraph - 18 October 1856
Davies
On the 15th instant at Liverpool, of fover, deservedly esteemed and deeply lamented by his sorrowing family, John Gaspar Davies, youngest son of J.H. Davies, Esq, Royal Marines, of Beer, Devon.

The Liverpool Mercury - 14 July 1871
Forsyth
July 10, at St George's Hill, Everton, aged 56, Mr John Codrington Forsyth, fourth son of the late Major Charles Henry Codrington Forsyth, her Majesty's 84th Regiment, of Cellina Bower, Beer, Devon

 Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 27 October 1875
Sanders
October 20, at Rock House, Beer, Alma Sanders, the wife of Mr H. Hammett, aged 68 [58?]

The Morning Post - 19 July 1884
Scott
On the 14th inst, suddenly at Seaton vicarage, Devon, the Rev Charles Scott, MA vicar of Seaton and Beer, formerly vicar of Chertsey, aged fifty-nine.

Daily News - 30 October 1886
Mounsteven
October 26 at Gordon-place Campdenhill, W, Julia Elizabeth Mounsteven, daughter of the late J.B. Mounsteven, Exonridge Estate, Beer Devon

Daily News - 1 October 1890

Orley
28th Sept at "The Pines" Beer, near Seaton, Devon, Joseph Orley, aged 25 years

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 3 June 1893
Codrington
May 28, at Clayhanger,Chard, Emily, widow of the late Richard Chute Codrington, of Barley Hill, Chard and fourth daughter of the late Charles Hamilton, of Bovey House, Devon.

The Morning Post - 21 December 1893
Daly
On the 19th inst at Winscott, Beer, Devon, Sarah Anne Daly, widow of the late Lieutenant Colonel Daly, of the 4th Light Dragoons.

The Morning Post - 27 June 1896
Macallum
On the 23rd inst suddenly at Beer Devon, Hamilton Macallum, second son of the late John Macallum, of Kames, N.B. aged fifty-five.  Interment at Kilbride Church, Kames.

The Standard - 30 November 1897
Goodwin
On the 28th inst at Sunnyside, Beer, Devon, Isabella, the beloved wife of Thomas Goodwin, aged 56 years.

The Standard - 1 November 1900
Farrant
Elizabeth Roberts, at Elm Cottage, Beer, Devon, wife of Capt Thomas Bidney Farrant.

Bankruptcies

The Bath Chronicle - 14 February 1788
Bankrupt - Henry Simmonds, of Beer, Devon, Merchant

Appointments

The Bath Chronicle - 11 October 1787
The Rev John Burgess Karslake, to the vicarage of Seaton, with the chapelry of Beer, Devon

The Pall Mall Gazette - 30 April 1867
Vacancies - The rectory of Seaton with Beer, near Axminster, has become vacant by the death of Rev C.J. Glascott MA;  it is worth £206 a year and is in the gift of the heirs of Lord Rolle.

Properties

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 23 January 1806
Beer ,Devon
To be let, either together or in parcels, and entered on immediately, all that tenement and farm, late in the possession of Mr Richard Loyde, deceased;  containing about 50 acres of arable and pasture land, and from lady-day next, the Lime-Kilns and Culm-plat, near the beach, now rented by Mr John Cawley; the Dwelling House and free stone quarry rented by Hananiah Searle, lately deceased; also the free-stone quarry rented by the late Mr Robins, also the salt house near the beach.
For which a survey will be held at the Dolphin Inn, in Beer aforesaid, on Friday the 31st day of this instant January at four o'clock in the afternoon.
For viewing the premises, apply to Mr Christopher Bartlett at Bovey-House;  and for further particulars, to Mr Palmer, solicitor, Cadhay-house, near Ottery, St Mary.  Dated Jan 14th 1806.

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 3 August 1815
To Let - for the term of 14 years, from Christmas next, all that Farm called "Gibbs", consisting of a good farm house and offices, 148 acres more or less of good orchard arable, and pasture land, situate on the sea coast in the parish of Seaton and Beer, 9 miles from Honiton, on which is a lime quarry.
For viewing, apply to Mr John Tout, at Bovey House;  the tenders to be sent to Lord Rolle, at Bicton before 14th August next.

The Standard - 8 October 1895
Devon - To be let, on South Coast, one mile from Seaton Station, Beacon Cliff, Beer, Devon.  Detached Family Residence, substantially built of stone and brick, hollow walls and every modern improvement;  standing in its own grounds, overlooking sea and cliffs, at an elevation of 150 feet above high water; excellent bathing and boating facilities within five minutes walk;  contains good entrance hall, three reception rooms, lavatory, w.c., kitchens, and usual offices on ground floor, spacious cellars in basement; on first floor, five bed-rooms, dressing room, bath room, housemaid's closet (hot and cold water), and wc, two bed-rooms in attic.  Apply to Miss Trott, The Pines, Beer, Devon

War

The Star (London) - 27 February 1798
We, the officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of the Beer and Seaton Articllery Companies, being truly sensible that the present crisis requires the countenance and exertion of every true Briton, to oppose the threatened attempts of a most restless, inveterate and irreconcilable enemy, do unamimously agree to subscribe one week's pay for the preservation of our much envied and glorious Constitution, and the security of the Country.  By the desire of the companies.  Rolle, Major Commandant.
Beer, Devon, Feb 10 1798

Crime

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 25 October 1838
Trial of Prisoners -  Hugh Brown (24) and Elizabeth May (25) were found guilty of stealing £2 14s  in silver from the person of James Tizzard at Beer and Seaton  and sentenced the former to be transported 15 years and the later 10 years;  Brown was only discharged from the gaol on the 10th of October, having undergone 6 months imprisonment, his third offence.

The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent - 3 May 1867 [exerpt of the transcript only]
Breach of Promise by Methodist Preacher
The case of Joynson v Pinch was heard in the Bail Court on Wednesday.  Mr Brindley was counsel for the plaintiff and Mr Bere for the defendant.  It was an action bought by the plaintiff to recover damages for breach of promise of marriage.  The defendant pleaded the he did not promise and that the plaintiff had agreed to put an end to the promise.
It appeared that the plaintiff was a dressmaker at Newcastle and was a member of the Wesleyan society.  The defendant was a minister of the Methodist Free Church . . .  the defendant was removed to Chard . . .  [whilst there] he had been introduced to a single lady about her own age.  She kept a small shop and entertained the preacher.  She attended meeting three times a week and was a mother in Israel.  (The defendant had transferred his affections from the plaintiff to this person whom he afterwards married) . . . He had asked permission of the conference to marry, but had been refused.  After some time the defendant tendered his resignation to the conference and he then married the lady who kept the shop, and had his name placed over the door.
The plaintiff's health was much broken down in consequence of the defendant's conduct and she had never been able to attend to business since, and she now sought compensation at the hands of a jury.
From the evidence it appeared that the defendant visited the plaintiff three times a day.  He was very fond of sitting in an armchair and he asked the plaintiff's sister if when he and her sister were married she would give him that armchair.  The defendant gave the plaintiff an engaged ring and his photograph (both produced amid great laughter).  Defendant's age was about 30 and the plaintiff was a little older . .  .
The defendant was married in April 1865 at Beer, in Devon to Elizabeth Dunster Newton.  He name was over the door as a grocer and tea dealer.  The defendant had said that he had a house and field in Cornwall.
. . . the conduct of the defendant had been very bad, for he had made an excuse for breaking off the engagement which should have induced him not to marry another person . . . The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff - damages £125.

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - 14 March 1883
A case of great importance to employers and public companies has come before Mr Sergeant Petersdorff in the County Court at Axminster in which the learned judge has just forwarded his decision.  The action was bought by Eliza Searle, widow of Beer, Devon and John Searle, Minna Searle and Louisa Searle, infants, against Beer Freestone and Lime Company Limited to recover the sum of £310, alleged damages sustained in consequence of the death of William John Searle, husband of the firstname plaintiff and father of the others, who was killed in August last at the defendant's quarries at Beer, as was alleged by a defect in the state and condition of the defendant's work, and through want of proper care and precaution in the management thereof . . . . it appears that Searle was working at a stone in the quarry, when it fell upon him and he died from the injuries received . . .  the judgment is in favour of the company, but the Judge makes no order as to costs, on the ground that the plaintiffs had reasonable ground for their action.

Miscellaneous

The Ipswich Journal - 15 November 1823
Four young men of Beer, Devon (no names given), who were crossing the Channel on Thursday se'nnight perished in the storm.

 
Trewman's Exeter Flying Post 25 January 1838
Suicides - On the 9th inst, a young woman named Susan Lodring, residing at Bovey Farm, in the parish of Beer and Seaton, was found lying dead in the apple-chamber, with a cotton shawl drawn tightly in a knot round her neck.  Under her shoulder was a prayer book opened to the 69th psalm.  No cause could be assigned for the rash act, except the disappointment in a young man who was paying his addresses to her, not visiting her, as she had expected, on the preceding Sunday.  At the inquest before R.H. Aberdein, Esq, Coroner, a verdict of felo de se was returned, and the corpse was privately interred at Seaton at 10 o'clock at night.

The Standard - 6 January 1842
Lord and Lady Rolle whose benevolence it often gives us pleasure to notice, ordered nine fat oxen to be distributed amongst the poor families of Bicton, Otterton, Budleigh, Colyton, Littleham, Exmouth, Woodbury and Beer, Devon, during the past week

The Western Mail - 15 August 1878
The Bishop of Exeter has just consecrated the church of Beer, Devon, which has been erected at a cost of nearly £8,000 by the Hon Mark Rolle, Lord of the Manor.

Birmingham Daily Post - 17 July 1882
At Bridport two bodies have been thrown ashore, which have been identified as those of a naval pensioner and a young fisherman who were drowned off Beer, in Devonshire, early in June, by the capsizing of a fishing smack.

Leicester Chronicle - 13 March 1897
Professor Hubert Herkomer opened at Beer, East Devon, on Saturday, a memorial to the late Hamilton McCallum, the artist, who resided in the village for many years.  The memorial takes the form of a Portland stone erection, around which are seats for the public.