Newton Ferrers / Niwetone

There is an entry for this Newton [Ferrers] [variant spelling] in the Domesday survey [https://opendomesday.org/place/SX5448/newton-ferrers/] [accessed 11 August 2019] but it mentions neither cleric nor church in it. A font here is illustrated in The Western Antiquary (issue of April 1887, vol. VI, no. 12, p. 280 and note on p. 308): "A sample of Mr. Harry Hems's skill. It is a lovely font in the Early English style, and was made by Mr. Hems from designs by Mr George Henry Fellowes-Prynne. A.R.I.B.A., a Devonshire architect and Plymouth man […] It is worth recording that this font has been so universally admired that recently, by earnest solicitation, an exact replica has been produced and this offshoot from a Newton Ferrers inspiration was a few months ago reverently placed by Mr. Hems in that grand old Cathedral of the Isles the Church of St Peter in St Peter's Port Guernsey." Noted in Hoskins (1954): "Newton church (Holy Cross) is mainly 15th century, with a 13th century chancel […] The church of the Holy Cross is chiefly in the Perpendicular style. The oak screens and font in veined alabaster were executed by Mr. Harry Hems of Exeter." The entry for this church in Historic England [Listing NGR: SX5502148157] notes: "Parish church. C15 west tower, the remainder has some C13/14 parts although extensively rebuilt in 1885-6 [...] Late C19 furnishings"; no font mentioned. The modern font in use consists of an octafoil basin with mouldings and large quatrefoil panels on the sides; on the underbowl is a band of reticular or zigzag pattern; the base consists of a broad central cylindrical shaft with eight outer colonnettes, the latter linked by trefoil-headed arches, and octagonal lower base. The font stands on a two-step plinth. [NB: as indicated in Hoskins [cf. supra], the church goes back to the 13th century but we have no information an the earlier font(s) of this church]. The George Fellowes Prynne web site [http://www.gfp.sharville.org.uk/more/NewtonFerrers-HolyCross.htm] [accessed 18 February 2009] informs: "The Building News of 22 September 1893 published a report, from which the following is extracted: 'The church was placed in the hands of Mr. George H. Fellowes Prynne in 1885, and after a thorough renovation, which owing to the fearfully dilapidated state of the church almost amounted to a rebuilding, was re-opened on Tuesday February 23rd 1886 […] Font, chancel screen and all carved oak is by Harry Hems of Exeter'". [NB: the illustration of this font in The Western Antiquary [cf. supra] carries the following text on the bottom step of the plinth: "FONT. HOLY CROSS. NEWTON-FERRERS. G. H. FELLOWES. ARCH" [it is not clear whether the text is on the font or just on the drawing]].