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Somerton (St. Michael)

SOMERTON (St. Michael), a market-town and parish, in the union of Langport, hundred of Somerton, W. division of Somerset, 5 miles (N. N. W.) from Ilchester, and 123 (W. S. W.) from London; containing 1981 inhabitants. This was anciently the chief town in the county, and during the Saxon era a castle was erected here, which became a royal residence. The castle was subsequently converted into a state prison, and was the place of custody of many distinguished persons, among whom was John, King of France, removed hither from Hertford Castle by Edward III. Its site was afterwards occupied by a gaol, in the erection of which the materials of the ancient edifice were used, and which now forms part of the premises of the White Hart inn. The town is situated near the river Cary, over which is a stone bridge, and consists of several narrow streets. Glove-making is carried on to a considerable extent in connexion with the Yeovil trade. The market is on Tuesday: fairs take place on the Tuesday in Passion-week, and the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth Tuesdays following, for cattle; and on September 30th and November 8th, for cattle, sheep, hogs, and pedlery. Somerton is governed by a bailiff and constables, annually chosen by the inhabitants. The county magistrates formerly presided at petty-sessions in the town-hall, which stands in the centre of the market-place; they now meet at the Red Lion inn. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's books at £16. 0. 7½., and in the gift of the Earl of Ilchester: the vicarial tithes have been commuted for £259, with a glebe of 40 acres; and those belonging to the Dean and Chapter of Bristol, for £687, with 197 acres of glebe. The church is an ancient structure, having an octagonal embattled tower on the south side; the roof is a very curious specimen of carving in wood. There are places of worship for Independents and Wesleyans; also a free school founded in the 27th of Charles II., by Thomas Glover, who endowed it with an estate producing £10. 10. per annum, in addition to which it has a rent-charge of £5, given by Alice Yates. On the eastern side of the hill above the village of Hurcot, are considerable quantities of fine white alabaster. Roman pavements have been discovered in the immediate vicinity.

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

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