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Langport-Eastover in Somerset County England History and GeographyLANGPORT-EASTOVER, a market town and parish, having separate jurisdiction, though locally in the hundred of Pitney, county of SOMERSET, 4½ miles (W.S.W.) from Somerton, and 130 (W.S.W.) from London, on the great western road, containing 1004 inhabitants. This place is of great antiquity, and is supposed to have derived its name from the Saxon words long, extended, and port, a town, from the length of its principal street: in the Norman survey it is called Lanporth. It was a royal burgh in the time of William the Conqueror, and contained thirty-four resident burgesses. In the civil war between Charles I. and the parliament, Langport, being considered a commanding station, was well garrisoned, and alternately in the possession of the royal and of the parliamentary forces. In July 1644, the former were compelled to abandon the place, from the result of an engagement here, in which three hundred men were killed, and one thousand four hundred made prisoners. The town is situated on the river Parret, which is navigable for barges, near its junction with the Yeo and the Ile: at the western entrance a very ancient bridge of ten arches crosses the river, and there are nine other bridges, which are repaired from the funds of the corporation. At the eastern approach, on the ancient lines of fortification, is an arch thrown over the road, which supports a building called the 'Hanging Chapel,' formerly devoted to religious uses, and, during Monmouth's rebellion, having been the place of execution, but now occupied as a private residence. The principal part of the town is on an eminence, and commands some pleasing and extensive views; but that part near the river lying low is subject to frequent inundations: since 1800, the general appearance of the whole has been much improved, by the erection of many new houses, and the inhabitants are supplied with excellent water from an adjacent well. A considerable traffic in coal, culm, iron, timber, salt, corn, &c., is carried on with London, Bristol, and various other places; and several boats, of from eight to fourteen tons' burden, are constantly employed between this town and Bridgwater. The market is on Saturday: fairs are held on the Monday before Lent, the second Wednesday in August, the last Monday but one in September, and the last Monday in November, for cattle. The government of the town is vested, by a renewed charter of James I., in the year 1617, in a corporation consisting of twelve chief burgesses, including a portreeve, justice, two bailiffs, assisted by a recorder, town clerk, serjeant at mace, and other officers. The portreeve and bailiffs are eleated from the body corporate, annually on the 1st of November, and the recorder, town clerk, and serjeant at mace, as vacancies occur. The portreeve, justice, and recorder, are justices of the peace: the portreeve is coroner for the borough and clerk of the market, and his predecessor is justice. The corporation are empowered to hold a court of record before the portreeve, recorder, and bailiffs, every Tuesday, for pleas not exceeding the value of 40s. The town-hall, which is a neat edifice, was erected about 1733. This borough sent members to parliament in the reign of Edward I., but the privilege was not subsequently exercised. The living is a discharged vicarage, with that of Huish-Episcopi, in the peculiar jurisdiction and patronage of the Archdeacon of Wells, as Prebendary of Huish cum Brent in the Cathedral Church of Wells. The church, dedicated to All Saints, is an ancient structure in the early style of English architecture; in the eastern window, amongst other representations in ancient stained glass, are those of the twelve Apostles: the church has recently undergone new internal arrangement and decoration. There is a place of worship for Independents. The free grammar school was founded, about the year 1675, by Thomas Gillett, for all boys residing in the town: the present income is £70 per annum, and the average number of scholars about thirty. A National school, for children belonging to the parishes of Langport and Huish, was erected in 1827, and is supported by voluntary contributions. Two poor persons of this parish are eligible to almshouses founded at Somerton, in this county, by Sir Edward Hext, in 1626. An hospital for lepers, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, stood here previously to 1310. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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