Linkinhorne

 ( Civil Parishes In Cornwall ) 

The parish is largely rural, although west of the B3254 road from Launceston to Liskeard, the parish includes part of Caradon Hill, once an industrialised mining area.

The parish church of Saint Melor is built of granite and dates from the 15th century. The tower is 120 ft high and the features of the church include a medieval altar slab, a 13th-century font and 15th-century wall paintings. The north aisle and lofty tower are said to have been built at the expense of Henry Trecarrel. Cornish Church Guide Truro: Blackford(1925); pp. 144-45 The church is a Grade I listed building. Daniel Gumb (d. 1776), a stonemason, lived in a cottage near the Cheesewring; several gravestones in Linkinhorne churchyard were carved by him.Pevsner, N. (1970) Cornwall; 2nd ed., rev. by Enid Radcliffe. Penguin; p. 109

In medieval times there were chapels at Trefrize and Caradon. The Cornish Church Guide (1925); p. 145 Arthur Langdon (1896) records a Cornish cross and a cross base at North Coombe; and another cross base at Sturt's Corner.Langdon, A. G. (1896) Old Cornish Crosses. Truro: Joseph Pollard; pp. 89 & 423 Andrew Langdon (1996) records the cross at Northcoombe (it was set up on a stone in 1908).Langdon, A. G. (2005) Stone Crosses in East Cornwall; 2nd ed. Federation of Old Cornwall Societies; pp. 45-46

Also in the parish are the Holy Well of St Melor; a 15th-century bridge over the Lynher at Plushabridge; and near Minions the Rillaton Barrow (in which Bronze Age grave goods, including a gold beaker, were discovered in 1837). The Hurlers are a group of three stone circles near Upton Cross.

The manor of Rillaton was the head manor of the Hundred of East and one of the 17 Antiqua maneria of the Duchy of Cornwall.

John Blydh (1854–?) was born in Linkinhorne and emigrated to the US. He beat the famous American wrestler Tom Carkeek in a celebrated match in 1878. Wrestling in the United States, A Cornish champion, Cornishman, 3 October 1878, p6.

James Gerry (1858–?) was also born in Linkinhorne and emigrated to the US. He beat the best men of America including Tom Carkeek. He also had some success in Cornwall, drawing a match with Sam Rundle. The wrestling championship of Cornwall, Cornishman, 21 June 1883, p6.

• The Church of England priest Theophilus Wodenote was vicar of Linkinhorne from 1619 to 1651, when he was sequestered from his benefice on account of his adherence to the Royalist cause. He was restored to his vicarage in 1660, and was buried at Linkinhorne on 1 October 1662.

• Linkinhorne Parish website