Lower Adworthy Farm was also identified in the censuses as just Adworthy or Adworthy Farm  and not to be confused with the cottage by Higher Adworthy now known as Adworthy Farm (probably built between 1841 and 1851). 

A fire at Lower Adworthy Farm in 1903 destroyed the habitable parts of the property and there was no recorded occupation entry in the 1911 or or 1921 census. The 1939 Register did refer to “Lower Adworthy Farm” but as there was no entry for “Adworthy Farm” this is entry is assumed to be for Adworthy Farm (by Higher Adworthy).

The Witheridge Historical Archive includes a memory from Mrs W Thomas who, as a young girl, lived at Lower Adworthy remembers seeing the farmhouse burned down,  the fire as “pixies on the roof”, and the horse drawn fire engine from South Molton – she would have been 12 at the time.

Mrs W Thomas was probably Wilmot Robins (b 1891, parents George and Elizabeth Robins) and she says that her “family were split up for a while, but later moved into Higher Adworthy farmhouse”. The Robins family left the area in 1906 or 1907 and farmed in Cruwys Morchard for 12 years before moving to the parish of Witheridge to farm at Wilson.

FIRE NEAR WITHERIDGE.

At 4 p.m. on Thursday the Southmolton Fire Brigade received a call to Lower Adworthy, near Witheridge. The Brigade turned out smartly, leaving the town within 11 minutes after the rveceipt of the message.

They arrived at the scene of the fire at 5 o’clock. They found two dwelling-houses in flames, the fire having originated, it is supposed, through a beam in the chimney.

Plenty of water was available, though it had to be fetched from a distance. Both houses were destroyed. The outbuildings were saved.

Among those who rendered assistance were P.S. Stone, Witheridge, and the police-constable stationed at Meshaw, who succeeded in saving some of the furniture, etc. 

The buildings were insured, but, unfortunately, the tenant, Mr. Robins, is not, and most of the furniture was lost.

Owing to the indisposition of Captain Kingdon, the Brigade – who were complimented on their smartness – were in charge of Foreman Dayment. They reached home shortly after midnight.