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Shepton-Mallet in Somerset County England History and GeographySHEPTON-MALLET, a market town and parish in the hundred of WHITESTONE, county of SOMERSET, 14 miles (N.E.) from Somerton, and 125 (W. by S.) from London, containing 5021 inhabitants. The origin of this town is not comparatively of very remote antiquity, the charter for its market having been granted by Edward II., in the 11th year of his reign. The manor, at the time of the Norman survey, was subordinate to that of Pilton, which had been granted by King Ina to the abbot of Glaston; and its pastures, from the sheep fed on which it is supposed to derive its name, are noticed in that work; the additional and distinguishing appellation having been received from the Barons Mallet, lords of Shepton in the reigns of Henry I. and II. The consequences of the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion were severely felt in this part; thirteen persons of the town, having been convicted at the 'bloody western assizes,' suffered here for their participation in it. The town is situated chiefly on the southern bank of a deep valley, and consists of a number of streets and lanes, the principal of which, crossing the valley from north to south, is spacious and well built, paved, and lighted with oil, but the others are mostly narrow and irregular: the recent erection of a bridge, and the opening of a new road, have materially improved the town. It is well supplied with water, and a stream runs through the bottom of the valley, turning several mills in its course. The manufacture of woollen goods, silk, lace, stockings, sail-cloth, and hair-seating, is carried on to a considerable extent, and affords employment to a great number of persons. The parish comprises a portion of the Mendip range of hills, prior to the enclosure of which lead-ore was obtained in it. The market days are Tuesday and Friday, the latter a very large one for all kinds of agricultural produce. The market cross, erected by Walter and Agnes Buckland, in 1500, is a fine old structure: it originally consisted of five arches, but it has lately undergone a thorough renovation (funds having been left to keep it in repair by the founders), and a sixth arch has been added in the centre: elevated above two rows of steps is an hexagonal pillar, supporting a flat roof, surmounted by a pyramidal spire, and ornamented with niches. The fairs are on Easter-Monday, 18th of June, and 8th of August. The management of the local affairs is vested in a high constable and subordinate officers, who are chosen at a court leet held annually in October, by the householders generally; and a court for the recovery of debts under £2 has been held here from time immemorial. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Wells, and diocese of Bath and Wells, rated in the king's books at £33. 12. 1., and in the alternate patronage of the King, as Duke of Cornwall, and the Rev. Provis Wickham. The church, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, is a venerable cruciform pile of building, to which are attached two small chapels; the roof of the nave is curiously wrought, and the pulpit and font, which are of stone, are much admired: it contains some ancient monuments. There are places of worship for Baptists, Independents, Wesleyan Methodists, and Roman Catholics. The nuns of the order of the Visitation have a convent here, which is the only one of that order in the kingdom; its inmates are about thirty in number. The free school, founded by Sir George Strode and others, in 1689, is endowed with property at present producing about £75 per annum, principally arising from the rectorial tithes of the parish of Meare, subject to the master's keeping the school-house, and the chancel of the parish church of Meare, in repair, and paying a crown-rent of £10. 18. per annum to the Earl of Radnor, for the rectory of Meare: the present master has had no scholar on the foundation. Four poor boys are educated, and an apprentice fee of £7 given with each, by means of a charity founded by Mr. John Curtis, in 1730, now producing about £20 per annum; and sixteen poor girls are clothed and educated from the produce of a bequest made by Mrs. Mary Gapper, in 1783, now amounting to £27 per, annum. Almshouses for four poor men were founded and endowed, in 1699, by Mr. Edward Strode, with property now yielding about £360 per annum, of which amount about £80 per annum is appropriated to the repairs of the almshouses, and allowances to the inmates, and about £200 to the purchase of bread for weekly distribution among the poor of the parish, for whose benefit there are several other smaller benefactions. The county bridewell, or house of correction, is in this town: it has been materially enlarged of late years, and is capable of receiving from two to three hundred prisoners; it comprises fourteen wards, fifteen day-rooms, and thirty-one cells, besides workshops and tread-mills: the building was erected by prison labour, the stone being quarried within the walls. The Roman Fosse-way to Ilchester passes through the parish to the eastward of the town. Shepton-Mallet was the birthplace of Hugh Inge, Chancellor of Ireland, who died in 1528; of Walter Charlton, an eminent physician, author of a work on Stonehenge, and other productions; and of Simon Browne, a celebrated dissenting minister. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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