Ilminster
Ilminster is a small market town and parish in the hundred of Abdick and Bulstone, 135 miles W.S.W. from London, 48 S.S.W. from Bristol and Bath, and 12 S.E. from Taunton, which is the nearest railway station; it is well built, many of the houses are large, and several of the shops are handsome and superior, and have the appearance of carrying on an excellent trade. This town enjoys an especial and very ancient privilege, that of granting licenses and proving wills. The market place has lately been much improved; shambles which formerly stood there, and were extremely unsightly, are now removed, and the market-house has been adapted to meet the public convenience with far greater accommodation; the Crown inn has also been newly built, and has now a commanding stone front which adds much to the appearance of that part of town. Ilminster as it stood originally was of greater extent, but owing to severe fires which have from time to time taken place, its dimensions have been considerably curtailed, the parish church, which is styled a quarter minster, and stands about the centre of the town, possesses great claims for admiration, it is a spacious cruciform gothic edifice, its pinnacled and beautiful tower rises in graceful proportion from the intersection, and its peal of bells strike upon the ear with a peculiar richness and melody of sound; the interior of the church can boast of some very ancient monuments. There is a grammar school here, founded by Edward the VI th., possessing great advantages and exhibitions to the universities, and there is also an excellent commercial school; the business of the town principally depends upon the assiduity of its trades-people, formerly the woollen trade flourished here to a very considerable extent, but now it is nearly obselete; there is a branch of Stuckeys bank, and there are chapels for the various Dissenters; the market days are Wednesdays and Saturdays, and an annual fair is held on the last Wednesday in August. The principal inns are large and capable of affording every accomodation, and from them run coaches daily to Taunton, Bridport, Weymouth, &c. Ilminster is situated in a valley surrounded by a rich fertile undulating country, possessing great attraction as regards salubrity and beauty of scenery; at the entrance of the town from the Ilminster and Crewkerne roads; the lodges of Dillington park ( the seat of the lord of the manor ) with its embankment, and the view of the distant hills beyond the town, have a very striking and pleasing effect. In the centre of this place the two main roads, viz. London and Taunton, and Bristol and Exeter, intersect each other. The magistrates hold monthly meetings in the winter season, and the lord of the manor a court annually. The population in 1841, amounted to 3,227.
Post-Office, Silver street, Post Master, William Thomas Hagley. Letters delivered from London and all parts at 7 a.m., and from Axminster, Chard, Lyme, Crewkerne, and Bridport, at 7 p.m. Despatches for Axminster, Chard, Lyme, Crewkerne and Bridport, at 6 30 a.m. For London and all parts at 7 p.m. Box closes at 6 45 p.m. Late letters may be despatched by affixing an extra stamp, till 7 p.m.
Money orders granted and paid from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m.
Gentry, Clergy , &c.
Allen Rev. Chas.,Jeffery, Stocklinch
Allen Rev. John, Church yard
Baker John , Townsend
Bernard Madame Georgina, Silver street
Burnard Mrs. Catherine, East st
Collins Mrs. Mary, West street
Collins Robert, Horton
Collins Samuel, West street
Eastmead John S. West street
Freeborn Rev. John Wm West st
Hine Mrs. Mary, Haselwell
Hull Joseph, West street
Hyde Rev. William, Donyatt
Lee John Lee, Dillington house
Manley Rev. Henry, Packington
Masters John, Cornhill house
Molle Mrs. Agnes, Silver street
Mules Rev. Jno. Hawkes, Vicarage
Ommanney Lieut. John C. East st
Palmer Miss Margaret, West st
Palmer Rev. Henry, Broadway
Paull Mrs. Esther, Silver street
Shorland Misses , West street
Slater Rev. James, Broadway
Speke William, Jordans
Stayner James, East street
Summers Mrs. Ann, Ditton street
Sutton Mrs. Alicia F. & Miss Juliet, Ditton street
Whitfield Rev. Edwd. West street
Woolley Thmas, Court barton
Auctioneers and Appraisers.
Tapscott, William R. and Henry, ( & surveyers) Cornhill
Bakers,
Clarke William Charles, West st
Hickman Edwin, West street
Jacobs Eliza, Silver street
Leigh Robert, Knot oak
Moore William & Son ( & confectioners), West street
Trickey George, Silver street
Wallbridge George, Ditton street
Webb Louisa, East street
Bank.
Stuckeys Banking Co. Market pl. Agent, Stayner James, draw on Robarts, Curtis, & Co. London
Beer Retailers.
Bowring Edward, Ditton street
Harris Simon, Ditton street
Hill James, Ditton street
Spark William, West street
Watts John, Ditton street
Blacksmiths,
Cape Francis, Knot oak
Clarke John, East street
Harris Simon, Ditton street
Booksellers and Stationers.
Moore John ( and printer ), Silver street
Stoodley Elizabeth, East street
Boot and Shoe Makers.
Barber Thomas, Silver street
Batten John, Court Barton
Dinham Eli, Silver street
Eastment Edwd. Silver street
Every Richard, East street
Gould Samuel, East street
Harwood Joseph, Langport street
Hockaday Charles, Ditton street
Hockaday Henry, Strawberry bank
Meacham George, West street
Savidge William, Court Barton
Stowell John, Langport road
Stowell Thomas, Silver street
Taylor William, Ditton street
Towells Charles, Frog lane
Warry William, East street
Webb Eli, West street
Webb Samuel, East street
Wheller John, Ditton street
Wootten Peter, East street
Wootten Samuel, West street
Brewers.
Lumbard George ( & maltster ), East street
Tapscott Wm. Robert, Cornhill
Brick & Tile Maker.
Lang Giles ( & potter ), Chard road
Butchers.
Blackmore John, Horton
Bowring Edward, Ditton street
Brown Hugh, Winterhay
Bryant John, Broadway
Murren William, Love lane
Phelps George, Langport street
Carpenters,
Champ James, West street
Cotterill John, West street
Hazelwood Henry, New road
Legge Hugh, Strawberry bank
Munden Charles ( & Builder ), Love lane
Patch William; ( & builder ) West st
Taylor John, Silver street
Way John, West street
Wilkins Thomas, Knot oak
Chemist and Druggists,
Hagley Wm. Thos. Silver street
Mullett Charles, West street
Williams George, Silver street
Clothes Salesmen,
Morris Henry, Strawberry bank
Kirby Thomas, Court Barton
Coach Builders.
Cooper Thomas, Ditton street
Hull John, Town End
Corn Dealers.
Lang Thomas ( & coal merchant ), Silver street
Minson & Taylor, Strawberry bank
Curriers.
Banger William, Haselwell
Dyer Joseph, West street
Fire & Life Assurance Agents
Alliance ( F & L.) Lang Thos. Silver street
Atlas ( F & L.) Langworthy Vincent T. Haselwell
County ( F.) and Provident ( L ), Patch William, West street
Farmers ( Fire, Life, & Hail ), Stephens Simeon, Market place
Globe ( F. & L.), Brown Chas. J. East street
Minerva (L.), Moore Charles, Silver street
National Loan ( F.& L.), Morris Henry, Strawberry bank
Norwich Union, ( F.& L.), Lawrence John H. Bay cottage
Royal Exchange, (F.& L.), Palmer Samuel, Market place
Star, (F.& L.), Taylor John H. East street
Sun, (F.& L.), Paull Thomas, Town end
West of England (F.& L.), Lang and Coombs, Silver street
Grocers & Tea Dealers,
Lang & Coombs, Silver street
Stephens Simeon H. Market place & Ditton street
Stoodley Elizabeth, East street
Grocery & Sundries Dealers in
Banfield Charles, Silver street
Berryman John, Stawberry bank
Brown George, West street
Burrow Thomas, Strawberry bank
Clarke Wm. Chas. West street
Eames Hester, West street
Holbrook John, Silver street
Morris Henry, Strawberry bank
Shutler Samuel, East street
Stuckey Mary, West street
Wallbridge George, Ditton street
Hair Dressers.
Luxton John, Silver street
White James, Silver street
Hatters.
Kerby Sarah, East street
Wills Eli, Silver street
Inns and Hotels.
Crown, ( commercial & posting house ), East street, Lumbard George
George, ( & posting house ), Langport street, Loaring John
Grapes, ( commercial ), Cornhill, Tapscott William Robert
White Horse ( & commercial ), Town end, Read John
Inns and Public Houses,
Angel & Crown, West street, Dawney Charles
Bell, Strawberry bank, Tapscott John
Dolphin, ( & posting house ), Silver street, Kerby John E.
Lamb, Horton, Cossins William
Nelsons Arms, East street, Legg Samuel
Swan, Ditton street, Kerby Elizabeth
Ironmongers, Braziers, &c.
Lang & Coombs ( and copper workers ), Silver street
Perry Thomas, West street
Perry William, East street
Stephens Simeon, Market place
Linen Drapers.
Cooper Henry, Cornhill
Dean Charles, North street
Eames Hester, West street
Morris Henry, Strawberry bank
Palmer Samuel, Market place and Silver street
Milliners and Dress Makers,
Beer Martha, Ditton street
Goodrich Harriet, West street
Hucklebridge Phoebe, Langport st
James Martha, East street
Keates Elizabeth, Silver street
Norris Harriet, Silver street
Patten Mary, Ditton street
Phillips Eliza Ann, Silver street
Slade Laura, Market place
Painters, Plumbers, & Glaziers
Dunn James, East street
Goodrich Thomas, Silver street
Spark William, West street
Towells Charles, Court Barton
Saddle & Harness Makers.
Dinham Eli, Silver street
Eames Edwin, Ditton street
Gould Robert, West street
Taylor John Henry, East street
Schools.
Marked thus * take Boarders.
*Baker Emily & Sarah, Town end
*Brown Ann W. East street
Commercial ( Free ), Court Barton; master, Hewings William
*Grammar, Church yard; master, Allen Rev. John; assistant master, Freeborn Rev. John W.
Hewings William, (commercial ), Court Barton
Lake Sarah, West street
*Lawrence John Hy. Bay cottage
Solicitors.
Baker John, jun. North street
Brown Charles Joshua, East street
Langworthy Vincent Trevanion, Haselwell
Rutter John, West street
Woodforde George Augnstus, Chantry
Stone Masons.
Armstrong John, West street
Barber William, Silver street
Holbrook John, Silver street
Legg Samuel, East street
Taylor Anasias, Silver street
Straw Hat Makers.
Banfield Charlotte, West street
Perry Mary, East street
Warry Elizabeth, Silver street
Surgeons.
Adney Arthur, West street
Burt Giles Richard, West street
Masters John, jun. Cornhill house
Mules Chas. Hawkes Marwood, Silver street
Tailors.
Batten Henry, Strawberry bank
Burrow Thomas, Strawberry bank
Clarke John, Court Barton
Colmer William, West street
Cross William, West street
Eames Samuel, Silver street
Hurt John James, Silver street
Palmer Samuel, Market place & Silver street
Phelps William, East street
Sheppard Henry, West street
Walker Francis, West street
Walker Francis, Silver street
Wheeler Joseph, East street
Turners and Patten Makers,
Coombe Alfred, Langport street
Coombe Robert, Court Barton
Veterinary Surgeon,
Ansten James, West street
Watch and Clock Makers,
Hansford John, West street
Turner John, West street
Wheelwrights.
Hazelwood Henry, New road
Willey John, Ditton street
Wine and Spirit Merchants.
Lang Thomas, Silver street
Lumbard George, East street
Tapscott Wiliam Robt. & Henry, Cornhill
Miscellaneous.
Basket Maker, Bartlett Joseph, Strawberry bank
Chimney Sweeper, Cox Robert, Ditton street
China & Glass Warehouse, Gould Samuel, East street
Clothier, Hine Samuel D. Rush mills
Confectioner, Patten Jas. East st
Dyer, Ottrey Jane, Ditton street
Fancy Repository, and Boot and Shoe Warehouse, Rowles Elizabeth, East street
Flax & Tow Spinner, Hutchings Saml. West street & Chard road
Newsvender ( & Postman ) &c., Murly Samuel, Silver street
Nursery & Seedsman, Webb Wm. West street
Law and Public Officers,
Baker John, jun. assistant clerk to the magistrates of the Ilmunster division, and to the commissioners of land, assessed, property, and income taxes, and clerk to the trustees of the Ilminster turnpijk roads, and registrar of the peculiar court of Ilminster, North st
Langworthy Vincent Trevanion, inclosure commissioner for England and Wales, Haselwell
Mules Chas.H.M. Medical inspector of factories in the Ilminster division, and registrar of birth, deaths, and marriages, Silver st.
public offices, &c.
Engine House, Strawberry hill, keys at Joseph Hawkins and S. Barbers
Gas Works, Chard road, propietor, Thomas Lang, Silver street
Inland Revenue Office, the George Inn, Langport street, officer, John Johnson
Market House, Market place
Stamp Office, Silver street, sub-distributors, Giles and Coombs.
coaches & omnibuses,
Bridport, Royal Mail, daily, from the Dolphin Inn, Silver street, at 3 15 p.m
Lyme, Retaliator Mail, daily, from the George Hotel, at 3 15 p.m.
Taunton, Retaliator Mail, at 11 15 a.m. to meet the Express train;
Prince Albert Coach at 2 p.m.( both daily ), from the George Hotel; and the Royal Dorset Mail, daily, from the Dolphin Inn, at 10 30, a.m.; Accommodation Omnibus, from the Grapes, Cornhill, every Mon. Thurs. and Sat. at 8 a.m.
Weymouth, Prince Albert, daily, from the George Hotel, at 3 15 p.m.
Yeovil, .; Accommodation Omnibus, from the Grapes Inn, every Fri. at 8 30, a.m.
waggons, vans, & c.
Axminster, Chard, Exeter, Yeovil, Taunton, Dorchester, &c.
Fords waggon, from the Crown, Tues Thurs. & Sat. at 2 p.m.
Crewkerne, Bridport, &c. Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 2 p.m
Exeter, Frenchs Waggon, from the same Inn, Tues. 10 a.m.
Wells, Bristol, and Bath, Edwards Van, from the Dolphin,
Tues. Thurs. and Sat. at 5 30 a.m., returning to Chard, Axminster, and Lyme, at 8 p.m. Crockers Van, from the same Inn daily, to all parts of the kingdom.