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A little south of the high road, about 7 miles east of Tavistock, is the wildly secluded hamlet of Tor Royal, or Prince Town, and the extensive but now ruinous and deserted Dartmoor Prison of War, which was erected in 1808-9, for the residence of prisoners of war, of whom it had often from 5000 to 10,000 guarded by from 300 to 500 soldiers. During the latter part of the last century, the late Mr. Gullet, and the late Mr. Bray, of Tavistock, made great improvements in this part of Dartmoor, bringing some portions into cultivation and planting others. The late Sir Francis Buller purchased Prince Hall estate of Mr. Gullet, greatly improved it, and made it his occasional residence. But the greatest improver of Dartmoor was the late Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, Bart., who was seated at Tor Royal, and was for some time Lord Warden of the Stannaries and M.P. for Plymouth. It was through his suggestion that government erected the war prison here, for the accommodation of the numerous French and American prisoners who had till then crowded the prison ships of Plymouth.
This prison consisted of five rectangular buildings, each 800 foot long and 50 broad, with two stories for the hammocks of more than 1500 prisoners; and a large loft above for exercise in inclement weather. There were two other spacious buildings, one used as the hospital, and the other as the quarters of the petty officers. Adjoining the prison was the Governor's House, and other buildings necessary for the civil establishment; and at the distance of a quarter of a mile were Barracks for about 500 soldiers. The space between the walls of the prison formed a military road round the whole. On this the guard paraded. The sentinels were posted on platforms commanding a complete view of the prison; and some idea of its extent may be formed from the circumstance of the watch-word being a quarter of an hour in passing round. The lofty walls which surrounded all the buildings formed a circle nearly a mile in circumference, enclosing an area of nearly 30 acres.
The great iron gate on the western side is arched over with immense blocks of granite, on which is engraved the appropriate inscription, "Parcere Subjectis." Opposite this is a large reservoir, from which the prison was supplied with excellent water, obtained by a diversion of part of the river Walkham. Connected with the prison was a neat Chapel, built by the prisoners, and opened in 1813. It is still used as a chapel of ease for Dartmoor Quarter of Lidford Parish, in which Prince Town is situated, at the distance of ten miles S.E. of the mother church. During the war there were two large inns near the prison, and they still remain, - one of them being the Duchy Hotel, which was honoured by a visit from Prince Albert during his visit to Plymouth in 1846. A considerable number of tradesmen, necessary to supply the wants of so large a population, settled in the vicinity, besides the proprietors of the public bake-houses, slaughter-houses, and brewery; and a market was held in the prison every weekday to which produce was brought from Tavistock, Moreton, Chagford. Many of the prisoners had prize money to receive from their own country, and others obtained money by the manufacture of various ornamental or useful articles, which they sold to the market people. Some of the prisoners also kept stores, and were trusted with stocks to the amount of from £20 to £30. In reference to these stores, the French are said to have been "very honest," but the Americans "great rogues." No. 4 prison was assigned entirely to blacks, on account of the dislike with which they were regarded by the other American prisoners.