Castle-Cary (All Saints)
CASTLE-CARY (All Saints), a market-town and parish, in the union of Wincanton, hundred of Catsash, E. division of Somerset, 11 miles (E. N. E.) from Somerton, and 113 (W. S. W.) from London; containing, with the hamlets of Clanville, Cockhill, and Dimmer, 1942 inhabitants, of whom 50 are in Clanville, and 116 in Cockhill and Dimmer. Castle-Cary probably derived its name from an ancient castle originally belonging to a lord of the name of Carey, which was defended against King Stephen by its owner, Lord Lovell, one of whose descendants having embraced the cause of the deposed monarch, Richard II., it became forfeited to the crown. The site is still called the Camp, and weapons of iron have been found in it occasionally: the only remains are some slight traces of the intrenchments. Charles II., after the battle of Worcester, took refuge in the manor-house. The town is pleasantly situated, and consists of two parts, extending together nearly a mile: the houses are neatly built, and amply supplied with water; the air is salubrious, and the environs abound with pleasing scenery. The market, which is on every alternate Tuesday, is well attended, and supplied with sheep and cattle of all kinds, from October till the spring fairs, which are on the Tuesday before Palm-Sunday, May 1st, and Whit-Tuesday; a fair is also held on the first Tuesday after the 19th of September, for cattle, broad-cloth, and other merchandise. The parish comprises by admeasurement 2572 acres. The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £11. 16. 3.; patron, the Bishop of Bath and Wells; impropriator, Sir H. R. Hoare, Bart. The great tithes have been commuted for £301. 10., and the vicarial for £378; the impropriate glebe consists of 65 acres, and the vicarial of 10 acres. The church is a handsome structure, occupying an elevated situation; the archdeacon holds his visitations in it. There are places of worship for Independents and Wesleyans.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.