Combe (St. Swithin)

COMBE (St. Swithin), a parish, in the union of Hungerford, hundred of Pastrow, Kingsclere and N. divisions of the county of Southampton, 6 miles (E. by S.) from Hungerford; containing, with the hamlet of East Wick, 203 inhabitants. The parish is situated at the head of a valley, stretching towards Hurstbourne-Tarrant, and at the south base of Wallborough Hill, belonging to the chain of the north downs; it comprises by measurement 2074 acres. The living is a discharged vicarage, endowed with a portion of the rectorial tithes, and valued in the king's books at £6. 13. 4.; patrons, the Dean and Canons of Windsor; impropriators, the Provost and Fellows of King's College, Cambridge. The church, which was formerly much larger, was attached to a monastic establishment in the vicinity, the remains whereof have lately been converted into a farmhouse. Round the summit of Wallborough Hill are a fosse and mound, marking the site of a Roman or British encampment.