Decuman, St. (St. Peter)
DECUMAN, ST. (St. Peter), a parish, in the union of Williton, hundred of Williton and Freemanners, W. division of Somerset, 5¼ miles (E. by S.) from Dunster; containing 2241 inhabitants, and comprising the town of Watchett and chapelry of Williton. This parish derives its name from St. Decombes or Decumanus, who, landing from South Wales, and finding a perfect wilderness, fixed upon the spot in order to seclude himself from the world, and who, after his death by violence, was dignified by the natives with the title of saint. The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £10. 10. 5½.; net income, £134; patron, the Prebendary of St. Decuman's in the Cathedral of Wells. The church is a handsome structure, with a tower. At Williton is a separate incumbency. There are places of worship for Wesleyans and Baptists.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.