CRISTOPHER NASH, of South Embankment, Dartmouth, writes:

Everyone who has walked or driven down the South Embankment toward the lower ferry has found in front of them beside the cannon, between them and the ferry slip, a long 3-arched building with an ancient history.

For a short time — a century at most — it was called Sunderland Terrace, and under that name in the 1960s it was nearly demolished before its history was recognised.

We now know that the house as it stood there in 1548 was bequeathed by Alexander Awdyan to his wife, on condition that its future owners give to the church and the poor of Dartmouth a sum of money every year. The bequest has been honoured throughout the centuries since — as present terrace occupants'a deeds show — as Awdyan's Gift.

I'm writing this because five other properties were included when the charity called Awdyan's Gift was founded in 1548 — and a number of readers may find in their deeds that they live there today.

We know that after Awdyan's wife died a William Dinham was to inherit, and that in 1822 the terrace — which at present shelters five homes — was owned by Mr John Hine, one of the leading bankers of his time.

On the other onetime Awdyan lands, the houses were held by Mrs Channel, Mr John Lock, Mrs Mary Bailey, Mr John Gillard, and Reverend William Manley, for 50 years rector of the parish of Stoke Fleming.

And Awdyan left to a Margaretta Daniel a further tenement, salthouse and garden also likely, in some form, to be in the hands of one or more Dartmothians now.

We're on the verge of tracing back some of the stories of many Dartmouth homes and their occupants through some four or five centuries.

If any readers find in the deeds or other papers relating to their property any reference to Awdyan's Gift – or in fact to any of the people I've named – those of us researching the history of Dartmouth would be enormously grateful to learn of it.

Here or via [email protected]">[email protected] readers can make a precious contribution to the town's rich and colourful story.