Misehead, population of the parish 1542, is on the shore of the Bristol Channel, about 23 miles N.W. by W. from Taunton. The town was incorporated by Queen Elizabeth, and returned two members to parliament, until disfranchised by the Reform Act The town consists of three parts : the upper town; the lower town, which is the principal part: and the Quay-town along the shore. The church, which is in the upper town, is large and handsome, with an embattled tower, 90 feet high, at the west end ; it contains an alabaster statue of Queen Anne. The Baptista have a chapel At Quay-town is a quay, breed with masonry and with a parapet towards the sea : also a custom-house. Tho hening-fishery is carried on along the coast. Tho market is on Wednesday, and there is a yearly fair. 3Iinehead is resorted to by invalids on account of the mildness of the climate.
South Petherion, population of the town 2165, is about 16 miles E.S.E. from Taunton. Wigborough, in the parish of South Pether ton, is supposed to have been the site of a Roman town. Tho Anglo Saxon kings had • residence at South Petherton. In Domesday Book the town is called Sudperet. The church is cruciform, with a lofty but plain octangular tower at the Intersection. There are chapels for Independents and Wesleyan Methodists. Markets are held on Thurs day and Saturday ; a fair is held on July 6th.
Somerton, population of the parish 2140, about 17 miles E. by N. from Taunton, was a fortified town in the Saxon times. The Weat Saxon kings had a palace here. The town is called Summertone in Domesday Book. It stande on a hill on the left bank of the river Cary, over which is a atone bridge. The houses are built of blue lies from quarries In the neighbourhood. The church, which is ancient, hes an octangular embattled tower on the south side. There are a chapel for Independents, an Endowed Free school, and a range of almshouses. The market is on Tuesday, and there are seven fairs in the year. Alabaster and lies are quarried near the town.
1Vatcliett, population of the hamlet about 950, is on the shore of the Bristol Channel, about 19 miles N.W. from Taunton. It was twice taken by the Danes, and the last time entirely ruined, in their war with Ethelred IL The parish church of St. Decuman's is in the village of that name, about a mile S. from Watehett, and is a large and handsome edifice. In Watchett are chapels for Baptists and Wesleyan Methodists. There is here a small harbour, formed by a pier, and some coasting trade is carried on ; coals are imported from Wales, end lime and alabaster are exported. A market is held on Saturday, and a fair on November 17th.
Wireliseombe, population of the parish 2861, is about 12 miles W. by N. from Taunton. On a hill a mile east of the town is a Boman camp. The town is in a valley or combe, inclosed by hills on all sides except the south-east. The church consists of a nave and aide aisles, with a western tower and spire. There are Independent and Wesleyan Methodist chapels, National and Infant schools, an infirmary, and the ruins of an old residence of the bishops of Wells. The woollen manufacture is carried on. The markets are on Tuesday and Saturday ; the former is a considerable corn-market, and the market on the last Tuesday in February is also a great cattle-market There are two yearly fairs.
The following are a few of the principal villages, with the population of each parish in 1851 : Long Ashton, population 1921, including 322 inmates of Bedminster Union workhouse, about 3 miles S.W. from Bristol, has several iron works and collieries. The parish church is a neat edifice in the per pendicular style. There are National schools partly endowed. In the parish are two remarkable camps, on the hills overlooking the river Avon, opposite Clifton. Baekwell, population 1074, about 7 miles S.W. by W. from Bristol, is situated just under Broadfield Down. There are here the parish church and National schools. Several oollieries in the parish afford employment Banwell, population 1S78, about 15 miles S.W. from Bristol, is pleasantly situated under the northern slope of the Mendip Hills. The parish church is a fine building with windows of stained glass. The Wesleyan Methodists have a chapel, and there is a Free school. Fairs are held in January and July for cattle and sheep, and for cheese. Two remarkable caverns have been discovered here, one filled with alluvium, in which were embedded various fossil bones, the other covered with beautiful stalactites. During the existence of the West Saxon kingdom there was an abbey at Banwell, of which the abbacy was given by Alfred to his friend Asser. There are remains of an episcopal palace of the bishops of Bath and Wells, now a private residence. Bath Easton, population 1795, is en the right bank of the river Avon, about 3 miles N.E. from Bath. The parish church, a fine gothic structure, has at its west end a handsome embattled tower, 100 feet high ; there are National and Infant schools. A affords some employment. Bathwick, population 5162, is a suburb of the city of Bath, with which it has communication by Pulteney-bridge over the Avon. The Kennet and Avon Canal and the Great Western railway run through the parish. Many Roman antiquities have been found here. Beeking ton, population 1173, is about 3 miles N.N.E. from Frome. The woollen manufactures of Promo give employment to a considerable number of the inhabitants. The Baptists have a chapel here. Burn ham, population 1701, on the Bristol Channel, near the mouth of the river Ferret, 9 miles N. from Bridgewater, has a church whose lofty tower is useful as a sea-mark, and a lighthouse. The altar-piece of the church, sculptured in white marble, was designed by Inigo Jones. Camerton, population 1543, is about 7 miles S,1V. by S. from Bath ; many of the inhabitants find employment at the coal-pits of the Mendip coal-field. The Somerset Coal Canal passes through the parish. There are two Endowed schools. Chew Magna, population 2141, about 6 miles S. from Bristol, is chiefly dependent upon the coal-mines in the Mendip coal-field. In ancient times Chew Magna was a borough, and possessed a good woollen manufacture. There are National schools. Old Clem, population 1550, about 16 miles N.W. from Taunton, possesses extensive remains of an ancient Cister cian monastery. An old cross with four steps, the pedestal nod pillar almost entire, stands in the churchyard of the parish church, There is here a National school supported chiefly by the vicar. The hamlet of Blue Anchor in this parish is resorted to as a bathing-place. acralon, poptilation 1905, on the shore of the Bristol Channel, 12 miles W. by S. from Bristol, is visited for bathing in the summer. The shore here is rocky, and the cliffs rise to a considerable height. The parish church is situated on a lofty rock. There are hero a chapel for Independents, and National and Infant schools. East Coker, population 1340, about 3 miles S.S.W. from Yeovil, has a fine cruci form church, a village school, an Infant school, and a row of alms houses for 12 persons. The remains of a Roman villa were discovered here in the middle of the last century. Gengresbury, population 1258,
on the left bank of the Yeo River, about 11 miles S.W. from Bristol, had anciently a market, which has been disused. A fair for cattle and horses is held on September 14th. There are National schools. Curry Rive, population 1637, about 2 miles S.W. from Langport, has quarries of lies. Two fairs are held annually. In this parish, on a commanding eminence, is Barton Pynsent, the seat of the great Earl of Chatham, to whom a monument was erected in the park by his widow. There is a village schooL Huntspill, population 1594, near the month of the Ferret, 7 miles N. by W. from Bridgewater, was formerly a market-town. There are a National school and a village schooL Kilmeradon, population 2196, about 9 miles S.S.W. from Bath, derives its chief support from the coal-mines in the vicinity. Besides the parish church there are a chapel for Wesleyan Methodists, an Endowed and an Infant school. Lyncombe and Wideornbe form one parish, population 9974, properly a suburb of the city of Bath, from which it separated by the Avon : the part nearest the river may be considered as the manufacturing part of Bath. Farther off are many detached villas and rows of good private houses. There are here National and Infant schools. The valley of Lyncombe is very beautiful. Martock, population 3154, about 7 miles W.N.W. from Yeovil, formerly a market-town, has a church with a tower 90 feet high, and a handsome altarpiece. In the market-place are the former market-house with an assembly-room over it, and a fluted column supporting a dial. Many of the inhabitants are employed in glove making and the weaving of sacking and girth-web. Malls, population 1186, about 3 miles W.N.W. from From°, has numerous collieries and an extensive iron-work in the neighbourhood. Two fairs are held annually. There are National and Infant schools. Remains of two ancient encampments are in the parish. Merriot, population 1439, about 2 miles N. from Crewkerne, has a parish church, a chapel for Dissenters, and National schools. Glove-making and the weaving of sail-cloth and sacking are carried on. Midsonser-Norton, population 3799, sbont 9 miles S.W. from Bath, possesses a new church, a chapel for Wesleyan Methodists, and National and Infant schools. An annual fair is held on April 25th. Nonfat-ate, population 1042, about 4 miles W.N.W. from Yeovil, has extensive quarries. Some of the inhabitants are employed in glove-making. There is a chapel for Baptista. An annual fair is held on May 13th. Here was formerly a priory, richly endowed. Nailsea, population 2543, about 8 miles W. by S. from Bristol, gives name to the adjacent coal-field, the pita of which employ a considerable number of men; there are also stone quarries and important glass-works. There are National and Infant schools. Poulton, population 2104, about 8 miles S.W. from Bath, has a parilla church, chapels for Wesleyan Methodists and Baptists, and National and Iufant schools. Many of the inhabitants are engaged In the neighbouring collieries. North Petherlon, population 3845, about 3 miles S. from Bridgewater, one of the largest villages in the county, was formerly a market-town, and still retains two fairs, which are held in May and November. Pill, or Crockern-Pill, popu lation of the hamlet about 1600, is a pilot station on the Avon, about 6 miles below Bristol. There are hero an Episcopal chapel, chapels for Independents and Baptista, and the Pill Benevolent schools. Several Roman antiquities have been found here. Porlock, population 854, is in the hill district which occupies the western extremity of the county, 6 miles W. from ilinehead. The church is an ancient gothic edifice, with a tower at the west end. Surmounting the tower are the remains of a spire, which was partly destroyed in a storm in the 17th century. The Danes were repulsed in an attack on this place iu 918 ; but it was burned, and the neighbourhood plundered, by Harold, In the revolt of his family against Edward the Confessor in 1052. l'orlock Quay is 2 miles N.W. from the village, on the shore ; a small harbour is here formed by means of a pier. A very few small sloops and some fishing-boats belong to the place. The ancient market-cross is still standing. There are three yearly fairs for cattle and sheep. Portialtted, or Porleskead, population 1034, about 11 miles W. by N. from Bristol, is frequented in summer for bathing. The parish church is a substantial building, with a tower surmounted with pinnacles. There are hero a chapel for Independents, and National and Infant schools. liachlock, or Radetoke, population 1792, is situated in the Mendip coal-field, about 8 miles S.S.W. from Bath. Beside. the pariah church there is a chapel for Wesleyan Methodists. Stogumber, population 1456, about 11 miles S.S.W.from Taunton, was formerly a market-town : it has still two yearly fairs. The pariah church is an ancient edifice of large size and handsome appearance; over the month Male is an embattled tower, 72 feet high. There are a chapel for Baptista and a parish schooL Brewing is carried on. Tinsabury, population 1639, about 7 miles S.W. from Bath, has a parish church, a chapel for Wesleysu Methodists, and National schools. The Andover Canal affords facilities for transmitting the produce of the neighbouring collieries. Tsciverton, or Ticerton, population 2958, abbot 2 miles W. from Bath, is the seat of a considerable cloth manu facture. Over the Avon is an iron bridge of 120 feet span between the centres of the supporting piers, and 230 feet length in all. Besides the parish church there are chapels for Wesleyan Methodists and Baptists. Wedmore, population 3905, about 5 miles S. by E. from Ambridge, stands on a gentle elevation; • it was at one time the occa sional residence of the West-Saxon kings. The parish church is a handsome cruciform edifice, with a tower 100 feet high rising from the intersection. The Wesleyau Methodists and Baptists have places of worship, and there are a National school partly endowed, and a Wesleyan school. Weston population 3063, about 2 miles W.N.W. from Bath, has a parish Church, a chapel for Wesleyan Methodists, Sand National and Infant schools. iVeston-super-Mare, population 2103 in 1341, and 4031 in 1351, on the shore of the Bristol Channel, about 22 miles S.W. from Bristol, is a watering-place much frequented, especially by the inhabitants of Bristol ; it has commodious inns, lodging-houses, aud baths. The Bristol and Exeter railway has a short branch to Weston. The church, a neat occupies a oommanding site on the slope of a hill. The Independents have a chapel, and there are National and Infant schools. Some of the inhabitants are engaged in the sprat and herring fishery. The town is lighted With gas. Wringtors, population 1620, about 11 miles S.W. from Bristol, on the bank of the river Yeo, was formerly a market town and had a yearly fair. Barley Wood, the residence of the late Hannah More, is in this parish. The Independents have a chapel, and there are National schools. Wriogton was the birthplace of Locke.