OLD schoolbooks with neat copperplate writing, cheque stubs, architect's drawings and other items have been discovered during restoration work at the Cheltenham and Gloucester building in Okehampton.
A trunk discovered in the attic by a builder was found to contain several books with the name Thomas C Westcott inside.
One book is dated June 13, 1855, and contains mathematical problems and their solution.
For example: 'If 112lbs of iron cost 27s 6d what must 1cwt be sold for to gain 15 per cent?'
Another book contains a number of sayings. The earliest, written by Thomas Westcott and dated August 7, 1858, states: 'Truth is never advanced, nor adversary convinced where passion is manifested. The apostolic precept is full of wisdom: speak the truth in love.'
Another book contains the name of Sarah Hucker on the flyleaf.
It also contains a number of mathematical problems: 'A sailor entered on board a man of war the 14th day of May 1780, and was discharged the 11th of December 1783, what came his wages to at 1s 5d per month reckoning, 28 days to a month?'
Former Okehampton town councillor Jeffe Cunliffe said Thomas Westcott used to own shops that ran either side of the alleyway next to the present butcher's shop.
Mr Westcott sold clothes and many other items, according to Mr Cunliffe who recalled the shop was later taken over by Bill Crocker and Mr Palmer.
Mr Cunliffe said: 'Mr Westcott's shop was very old fashioned. It was so old fashioned that a box of bathing costumes found in the cellar had sleeves on the bathing costumes.'