Maiden-Newton (St. Mary)

MAIDEN-NEWTON (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of Dorchester, hundred of Tollerford, Dorchester division of Dorset, 8¼ miles (N. W.) from Dorchester; containing 729 inhabitants, and comprising by measurement 2853 acres. The manufacture of twine gives employment to about 70 persons. A market formerly held under charter of Henry III., has been long discontinued; a fair for cattle is still held on the 22nd of November, The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £30. 5., and in the gift of the Wyndham family, and the Earl of Ilchester, alternately: the tithes have been commuted for £496, and the glebe comprises 111 acres. The church is an ancient cruciform structure, in the Norman style, with a large embattled tower rising from the intersection. Near it is the rectoryhouse, a spacious antique building, the windows of which exhibit the arms of Wadham, Wyndham, &c., in stained glass. There are places of worship for Independents. At the southern extremity of the parish is a fine specimen of Roman tessellated pavement.