Stoke-Abbas (St. Mary)

STOKE-ABBAS (St. Mary), a parish, in the union and hundred of Beaminster, Bridport division of Dorset, 2 miles (W. by S.) from Beaminster; containing 808 inhabitants. The parish comprises 2303a. 2r. 5p. Here is a stone-quarry, for building purposes, and for burning into lime. From 15 to 20 persons are engaged in a twine manufactory; and a sailcloth, twine, and shoe-thread factory employs 60 or 70 hands. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £9. 15., and in the gift of New College, Oxford: the rectorial tithes have been commuted for £420, and some impropriate tithes for £15. 11.; there is a glebe-house, and the glebe contains 60 acres. The church is a small ancient building with a tower. The Rev. W. Crowe, late public orator of the university of Oxford, was for some time rector.