THE curiosity of retired schoolteacher and former town councillor Gillian Lower has raised some intriguing information about civic life in Okehampton some 200 years ago.

Gillian noticed that behind the north side of Fore Street for the first time in decades a considerable amount of ivy had been removed from the high wall at the rear of Martin's butchers' shop to reveal an old archway — complete with two granite posts surmounted by a plinth and imposing sphere. The plinth is inscribed 'G Lacey' with the date of 1817.

Gillian, who has great interest in old Okehampton, asked local historians Hilary and Mike Wreford if they could throw any light on this mystery person.

The historians already knew that George Lacey was a prominent Okehampton worthy who had many interests and played an important part in the 19th century business, church and civic life of the town.

Drawing upon their personal archives they found his extensive premises extended from Fore Street down towards the river.

The versatile Mr Lacey was a wine and spirits merchant, druggist, grocer, seedman and manure agent and had an agency for the West of England Fire and Life Insurance office.

He was involved in many areas of the life of the parish church, serving it in several capacities, including that of churchwarden from 1825 to 1842.

Mike Wreford said that at the time the town and borough council consisted of eight principal burgesses and eight assistants with the mayor being elected annually from the principal.

'Once elected a burgess, you could serve for life — not very democratic!' said Mike.

'George Lacey had been an assistant burgess and was chosen to be a principal in 1817 — the same date as that on the plinth above the archway and perhaps he did this to celebrate his promotion?

'Mr Lacey went on to be elected mayor six times in 1938, 1842, 1845, 1952, 1853 and 1856. The mayor in those days had tremendous power, being in charge of just about everything in the town — roads, pavements, rivers, bridges, slaughter houses, rates, wells and cesspits and what planning there was.'

George Lacey would, as mayor, have automatically been a Justice of the Peace and responsible for appointing the two sergeants at mace and three constables.

In addition, he would have been administrator for the gaol, which was located on the bank of the West Ockment river.

During George Lacey's time as a principal burgess, the local justices were involved in the case of 'The Okehampton Poisoner' which made national headlines with the Times doing a feature. Mary Woodman poisoned her husband Charles in quite dreadful circumstances and suffered 'agonies that would soften the heart of a savage'!

The Okehampton Sessions of the Peace could try all offences not touching life or limb so, therefore, this murder charge was too serious and she was referred to Exeter Assizes for trial.

She was indicted for murder on March 23, 1819 and she was hanged at Exeter Prison the following Monday with her body given to the surgeons to be dissected and anatomised.

On a more pleasurable note, George Lacey along with the mayor, Hannibal Curnow Millett, and other burgesses drafted the congratulatory message to Queen Adelaide, consort to William the Fourth, on his accession to the throne.

Mike concluded: 'George Lacey served Okehampton well during his lifetime and it can only be hoped that the archway along with the inscription will be a permanent memorial and reminder to this Okehampton worthy.'