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Dulverton in Somerset County England History and GeographyDULVERTON, a market town and parish in the hundred of WILLITON and FFREEMANNERS, county of SOMERSET, 13 miles (W.) from Wiveliscombe, and 163 (W. by S.) from London, containing 1127 inhabitants. This place probably derives its name from being situated in a deep valley, and upon a ford on the river Barle, which rises in Exmoor Forest, and, after flowing through the town under a stone bridge of five arches, falls into the river Ex, near Brushford. Dulverton, probably from the remoteness of its situation from any of the great public thoroughfares, is but little connected with events of historical importance, of which the only circumstance upon record is the execution in the market-place of several individuals who were concerned in the rebellion of 1745. The town consists principally of two streets, the houses are in general well built, and the inhabitants amply supplied with water. There is a great number of forest deer in the vicinity, which are preserved in the adjoining woods. A silk-manufactory has recently been established, in which several children are employed. The market (originally granted by Philip and Mary to twelve trustees, who were to apply the profits to the improvement of the town, and to the benefit of the poor not receiving parochial aid,) is on Friday, and is well supplied with corn and the produce of the dairy: the fairs are, July 10th and November 8th. Courts leet and baron are held annually, at the former of which, two constables, two tythingmen, two aletasters, two surveyors of weights and measures, and other officers, are chosen and sworn into office before the steward of the manor. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Taunton, and diocese of Bath and Wells, rated in the king's books at £21. 10. 10., and in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Wells The church, dedicated to All Saints, is a neat edifice in the ancient style of English architecture, with a square embattled tower. A charity school was founded in 1736, by Mrs. Elizabeth Dyke, of Pixton, who endowed it for thirty poor children of the parish, with a tenement producing £12 per annum; the endowment was subsequently increased with a legacy of £150 bequeathed by Humphrey Sydenham, Esq. in 1764; with £40 left by Mrs. Penelope Sydenham; and, in 1769, with a legacy of £100 by the Rev. Lawrence Jackson; producing in the whole about £30 per annum, by means of which, and partly by subscription, the school is now conducted upon the National system. About a mile and a half westnorth-west of the town is Bury castle, an ancient encampment. In the neighbourhood is a mineral spring, the water of which is impregnated with iron, but it is not now used medicinally: there is also a spring, called Holy well, to which, on Holy Thursday, it is still the custom to carry persons afflicted with disease. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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