Rowe was the son of a free holding farmer of Sherford Barton, Brixton, Devon. He was born in 1793, and became a bookseller, vicar and antiquarian.   The Rowe family had lived in Brixton for several generations and Rowe attended Plympton Grammar School.   He disliked agricultural pursuits from an early age; therefore, the family thought of entering him into the church via Oxford University. Instead, he started out as an apprentice to a Kingsbridge bookseller.   Later his father bought him a bookshop in Plymouth where he was joined by his younger brother.  He devoted his free time to study and writing.

The call of the church initially led him to being a churchwarden and then to Jesus College Cambridge, graduating in 1826.  He eventually became vicar of Crediton in 1835 – the first choice out of 70 candidates— where he served until his death in 1853.   He is buried in the graveyard of Crediton Parish Church.

He is known for his book the Perambulation of the Antient and Royal Forest of Dartmoor and the Venville Precints, first published in1848 as a result of fieldwork carried out in 1827-28.  At the time it was ranked as the definitive statement of knowledge about prehistoric Dartmoor on what was the eve of a new phase of exploration and discovery.  All the known ancient monuments on Dartmoor are listed and described and many picturesquely illustrated.  The book is dedicated to Albert Prince of Wales, later Edward VII.

The second edition, (the one held by the Institution), and published in 1856, appeared in a smaller form for the “tourist’.   It was published at half the cost but remained complete and unabridged and contains the full illustrations as they appeared in the larger first edition.  The Institution also holds two copies of the third edition, published in 1896, which was edited by Rowe’s nephew J. Brooks Rowe.   This edition greatly amends Rowe’s earlier publication, so much so they should almost be viewed as different publications.    However, his nephew did acknowledge his uncle’s undertaking, stating “that since the publication of the Perambulation many guides to the wild and wonderous region none have been found so useful, none so full of information as this book.” Fifty years on, the book was still in great demand and becoming very scarce— hence a third edition in 1896.

The original 43-mile boundary of the Antient Forest of Dartmoor lies at the heart of the National Park.   The title of the book is borrowed from that of a survey carried out in 1248 by 12 commissioners under the authority of Henry III, who undertook the boundary walk.    Their aim was to define the boundary to ensure those using the Royal Forest paid the required fees.   In English Law the historical meaning of a perambulation is to establish the boundary of a municipality by walking around it.

Rowe’s introduction gives the extent, boundaries and ownership of the Forest.  He speculates that formerly there existed more wood on Dartmoor than could be seen in 1826/27.  Whilst the ‘tinners’ used wood for fuel it is not likely the granite table-land was ever covered by woodland to any extent.

When Rowe wrote his book in 1848 Pre historic Archeology was an unknown science and Rowe would have been ignorant of it.  According to Rowe the Celtic and early Britons, were responsible for the megalithic monuments on Dartmoor, whereas now they are deemed the work of the Neolithic and early Bronze Age peoples.  It is these views which, in particular, are seriously challenged and amended by his nephew in the third edition.

Rowe set out to not only inform the reader about the numerous objects of interests which abound Dartmoor, but also to stimulate the historic, antiquary and scientific investigation, as well as the genealogist.  Moreover, he wanted the traveller penetrating the high tors and dark crags to be struck by an ever-changing scenery of loneliness and grandeur.   Yet Rowe was already observing that a scenery almost unchanged for millennia was being forever changed through population explosion, quarries, powder mills and fuel for the tin mines.

Despite Rowe’s observations about the changing face of Dartmoor it was still possible to view large areas of moorland “where the eye cannot light upon a single feature that is not pristine, intact and natural without a trace of man’s presence or occupancy”.  I would suggest that nearly 200 years years later, wonderfully, one is still able to find such places on Dartmoor even outside the Army ranges!

The Perambulation itself is an imaginary tour, or excursions as Rowe refers to them, of the whole Moor.     The first part of the book covers the extent and boundaries, the ancient perambulations, natural features, points of interest and early inhabitants.  Not till later does the exploration begin with the journey from Sticklepath to Fingle Bridge.   The perambulation ends with the journey from Plympton to Bellstone.   With extensive inputs by Dr Edward Moore the remainder of the book covers the geology, history including the prisons, historical documents and extensive coverage of the flora and fauna.  Not unexpectedly, with Rowe’s strong connection to the church, there is substantial coverage of the churches on the Moor.

The book is further enhanced with a series of wonderful illustrations by CF Williams.   What is magical for me is it is still possible to visit the Moor and instantly recognise the landscape as it was viewed by Rowe 200 years ago.  The illustrations and modern-day photographs shown here give some indication of this. There are many more illustrations in the book which could similarly be identified other than the Logan Stone on Round Tor, which was blown up by vandals in 1979!

Bowerman’s Nose  P151 – Instantly recognisable if a little more weathered in the photograph. Interestingly referred to by Rowe as a Rock Idol!

The 1856 Edition also concludes with a glowing memoir of Rowe as, unfortunately, he died between the date of the original publication and the publishing of the second edition.   For some reason the memoir is omitted from the third edition!

Samuel Rowe’s depth of knowledge and passion for his subject matter shines through every page, not only informing the reader but also, perhaps, inspiring them to follow in his footsteps. His meticulous research, combined with a familiarity of the terrain allows him to take the reader on an informative adventure through the wonderful landscape that is Dartmoor, that is ever changing but, in many respects, still remains the same! Anyone interested in Dartmoor will be attracted to this book, if by nothing more than the full title!   It was considered by many at the time to be the most important work about Dartmoor, and although not necessarily seen nowadays as the foremost work on the moor it stands up well to its many subsequent challengers. It is still widely available in a facsimile reprint of the much re-edited third edition from 1896.

by Richard Green, a library volunteer and Dartmoor enthusiast.