Devon Noks and Qmries, 185 X43. Tomb in Branscombb Churchyard* — We axe in- debted to Col. Hunter, of Salcombe Regis, for the photograph from which this illustration is taken. The inscription tells its own story. We know nothing of the persons com- memorated. Eds. 143. — Prisoners of War at Ashburton.— (II., p. 129, par. 98.) — Mr. G. M. Doe has afforded us a very interesting bit of history in connection with this subject. We can hardly credit the fact that so little reliable information, or even traditional legend, remains in the small inland market towns where so many officers were held prisoners of war on their parole so recently as 181 5. It certainly speaks well for their conduct, for had any tragedy been connected with their stay^ tradition would have preserved its memory and details. For several years prior to 18 15 a number of educated foreigners formed a part of the society of our towns. At one time they were lively Frenchmen, at others sober Danes or spendthrift Americans. They lodged and boarded in the houses of our tradesmen, they taught the young people modem languages^ music and dancing, they walked our streets and roads and took a general interest in passing events; yet to-day hardly a trace can be discovered of their presence beyond a few neglected milestones in our country roads, and here and there a g^ave in our parish churchyard. This is particularly the case at Ashburton. I have searched, but can find no trace of the American Lodge of Masons mentioned by Mr. Doe or any record of the names on the petition, the whole is entirely new to old residents and comes to us from across the Atlantic. In 1892, 1 accidentally met a Boston gentleman in Ashburton Post Office, enquiring of the Postmaster about the town records, as he wished .nformation concerning the American prisoners here early in the century but be could get none; in fact, he gave me more information about the arrangements under which they lived at Ashburton than I have gained elsewhere. It turned out that my informant's grandfather, a naval surgeon, had been made prisoner when the American ship Polly was captured by the British ; he was sent to Dartmoor prisons for a short time, when he was liberated on parole and allowed to reside at Ashburton until discharged on 24th September^
