In the Borough Records we have accounts of the sales of horses and cattle at an early period, which are interesting as showing the mode in which security was given by the purchasers and the prices paid. The following are extracts from these records:— Barnestaple. The register of horses and mares bought, sold and exchanged in the ffayre there holden on the feast day of the Nativitie of our blessed Virgin Mary, the 8th day of September [O.S.] in the fowerth yeare of our Sov’eigne Lord Charles, by the grace of God of England, France and Ireland King, defender of the faith, &c. [Tolls] For every horse, mare, or colt 8d., viz., for record 4d. and for custome 2d. apiece of the buyer & seller. For every bullock 2d., viz., 1d. a piece of the buyer and seller; for every pigg 1d. a peece; for every calf 1d. a peece. Abraham Hearson, of Tawton, sold unto one William Earle of Biddiford, one black mare, with a hitch in the near ear, Price 33sh, John Dillon knoweth the seller. Henry Puggesley, of Bratton, sold unto Walter Thomas, of South Malton, one little bay nagge, with a square halfpenny under the farther ear, Price 27 sh. The parties know each other. William Blake, of Chiltenhampton sold unto John Ballamey of Stover a bay mare with a halfpenny and a slit in the neare eare. Price 43sh. 4d. Roger Blake of Chittington, knoweth the seller. William Barber, of Instowe sold unto Thomas Axford, of Lifton one bay mare with a spade in the further eare, Price 33sh. 4d. Amos Ford knoweth the seller. Matthewe Brooke of Clovelly sold unto John Pine of Burrington one little sorell nagge, toope cut in the neare eare & a slitt in the farther, price 54sh. 8d. Hugh Dennis Upoostree knoweth the seller. John Bellamy of Stooerd exchanged with John Ruddicliffe of Bishopp Nimpton one pinshutt nagge colour blacke for a little blacke nagge, top cut in the farther eare & a ob, [halfpenny] in the neare. John Bellamey giveth 13sh. 4d. to boote. Arthur Serjante of Kirchbe in Lancaster sold unto Richard Chapple of Ilfarcombe in the County of Devon one greye geldinge snipt in the bottome of both eares. Price £3 2s. 6d. The parties know each other. Thomas England of Bristoll sold unto Richard Lyssett of Newport, one browne baye mare top cutt in the neare eare. Price 10sh. The total number of horses disposed of at this fair was 44, while 6 were exchanged; the prices of two are not given; the remaining 36 average £2 0s. 0½d. each, the highest price paid being £4 5s. for “one bay nagge,” and the lowest 10s. for the bay mare sold by the Bristol dealer. At fairs in other years the business done in horses was as follows:—