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Blagdon (St. Andrew)

BLAGDON (St. Andrew), a parish, in the union of Axbridge, hundred of Winterstoke, E. division of Somerset, 8 miles (N. E. by E.) from Axbridge; containing 1178 inhabitants. This is said to have been anciently a royal residence; and some ruins at Reg-hillbury are traditionally asserted to be the remains of the palace. The parish comprises an area of about 4000 acres, in good cultivation, and the scenery is pleasingly diversified. The substrata are chiefly limestone, which is burnt for manure, and sandstone of good quality for building; lapis calaminaris is also found. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £29. 13. 9.; net income, £430; patron, James George, Esq. The church, with the exception of the tower, which is of elegant design, has been rebuilt within the last few years, by subscription, aided by a grant of £500 from the Incorporated Society. There is a place of worship for Wesleyans. Thomas Baynard, in 1687, gave land now producing an income of £17. 10., for the instruction of children: John Leman gave land for apprenticing children, which now yields £13 per annum; and there are other bequests for the benefit of the poor. Dr. John Langhorne, the poet and miscellaneous writer, and for some time rector of the parish, is interred in the churchyard; the celebrated Toplady was for two years curate.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.

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