Somerset - Langport

HUNT & CO.’S 1850 DIRECTORY & TOPOGRAPHY OF THE TOWN OF LANGPORT & CURRY RIVEL.

“ In all places, where there are objects worthy of detail or observation, there should be a short printed Directory, for the use of the stranger.” Dr.Johnson.

Langport Eastover, is a parish and market town, in the hundred of Pitney, 132 miles W.S.W. from London, 5 S. from Somerton, 36 S.W. from Bath, 12 S.E. from Bridgewater, 13 E.N.E. from Taunton, which two last named places are the nearest railway stations. The town is situated on the river Parret, near its junction with the Yeo, over which, and in connection with the town, there is a handsome stone bridge; the navigation within these few years has been considerably increased. The principal street of the town is narrow, but there are some exceedingly well-built and handsome houses, and the whole is well paved and lighted with gas. The church is an extremely fine ancient gothic edifice, and a window of stained glass over the altar is considered rare, and of great beauty, owing to the confined situation only part of the building is seen, near here is also the parish church of Huish Episcopi, a very handsome and beautiful structure, whose lofty and elaborately sculptured tower is one of the most elegant specimens of gothic architecture in the county; the living is a vicarage, in the gift of the Archdeacon of Wells, and is annexed to that of Huish; the two parishes are separated by an arched building, which was formerly a place of worship, and at one time a place of execution, called the hanging chapel, but at present it is converted to a far different use, being a museum, in the possession of a gentleman of the town; the government is a corporate body, granted by charter in the time of James the 1st, consisting out of 12 burgesses, a portrieve, a justice and 2 bailiffs; the portrieve is coroner for the borough, and there are also a recorder, town clerk, and serjeant at mace. The county court is held at the town hall, and there is a branch of Stuckey’s Banking company which is the chief branch office of the county. Langport is a pleasant, agreeable, and cheerful town, and a great deal of business is transacted here; the market day is Saturday, and fairs are held on the Monday previous to Lent, the second Wednesday in August, second Monday in September, and last Monday in November, when a superior stock of cattle may be found. In 1841 the parish of Langport contained 1,172 inhabitants.

About two and a half miles from Langport is the extremely pleasant village of Curry Rivel, near which place are some excellent quarries of lime stone, and many of the houses are built of that material. The celebrated Earl of Chatham, who had a residence in the locality, caused a monument to be erected in memory of his friend who left him the estate; not far from here, rumour asserts, is the spot where Alfred the Great took refuge in the Goatherd’s hut; the surrounding country of Langport and Curry Rivel is varied, and at places command extensive and charming prospects, the great respectability of the inhabitants of both places, and the immediate neighbourhood greatly enhance their importance in every respect.

Post-Office, Cheapside, Post-Master, Henry Coggan. Letters are delivered at 7 a.m. and at 7 p.m. Despatches for London, &c. at 6 43 p.m. For the north at 10 15 a.m. and for Sherborne, Yeovil, Ilchester, and Somerton, at 6 a.m. Box closes at 5 50 p.m.; but late letters may be forwarded by affixing an extra stamp until within 5 minutes of the despatch. Money orders are paid and granted from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and on Saturdays till 8 p.m.

Post Office, Curry Rivel, at George Coate’s. Letters are delivered from London and all parts at 7 a.m., and despatched at 7 p.m.; box closes at 6 30 p.m.

Gentry, Clergy, &c. Alford Rev. Samuel, Heal House Alford Thomas, Curry Rivel Bagehot Thos.W. Herd’s hill Bond Miss Sarah, Cheapside Bown William, Curry Rivel Burt Mrs. Harriet, North street Coles William B. Stonely Combe Rd. Thos. Earn’s hill Dinham Mrs. Peel, Bottom Farrant John, Curry Rivel Fry Charles, Curry Rivel Fry William, Portfield Grueber Rev. Chas. S. Hambridge Henslowe Rev. Edward Pering, Vicarage, Huish Hillard John, Curry Rivel Hyde Mrs. Aller Lambert Rev. Richd. W. Swell Louch John, Stanchester Luer George N. Langport hill Michell Octavius, North street Paul Thomas, Cheapside Paul William, Cheapside Prankerd Mrs. Langport hill Quekett Edward, Cheapside Richardson Henry, Langford Roberts Rev. H. Curry Rivel Sewers Mrs. Senr. Curry Rivel Shaw Rev. William, Pitney Sparks Samuel, Huish Stuckey Mrs. Julia, Hill house Tilley Lieut. Jas. R.N. Fivehead Uttermare Mrs. North street Uttermare Thos. Bamfield, North street Uttermare William, Curry Rivel Viney Thomas, Langport hill Warren Miss Sarah, Langport hill Webb Wm. Henry, Curry Rivel Wheller Richard, Curry Rivel Wolff Rev. Joseph, d.d. Vicarage, Isle Brewen Wolff Lady Georgiana Mary, Isle Brewen Young Rev. William, Aller Architect and Surveyor. Davis Maurice ( & builder) Bow st Auctioneers ans Appraisers. Knight Jas. Towill, Langport hill Palmer John F. Curry Rivel Bakers. Baulch John, Bow street Cable Geo. John, Bow street Collard Elias, Curry Rivel Denham William, Bow street Ellis John, Langport hill Hartland Wm. Bow street Hooper James, Langport hill Long Dorothy, Curry Rivel Paul George, North street Vickery John, Langport hill Weaver Geo. jun. Curry Rivel Bank. Stuckey’s Banking Co. Cheapside, Manager, Paul Thos. draw on Robarts, Curtis, & Co. Lombard street, London Basket Makers. Hussey James, Curry Rivel Richards Joseph, Huish Beer Retailers. Barrett Hannah, Curry Rivel Dean Samuel, Bow street Denham William, Bow street Loveridge Heman, Curry Rivel Lye George, Bow street Masters Elizabeth, Huish Wallis Vincent, Curry Rivel Weaver Solomon, Curry Rivel West Robert, Bow street Blacksmiths. Baker Wm. Curry Rivel Betty William, Bow street Billing Joseph, Curry Rivel Dean Samuel, Bow street Field James, Bow street Stacey John, Curry Rivel Walter Thomas, Bow street West Orlando, Watley Booksellers, Bookbinders, Stationers, and Printers. Barnard Mary, Langport hill Bennett Ann, North street Blake George, Bow street Boot & Shoe Makers. Burton Francis, Bow street Butt Leonard, Bow street Buttle William, Curry Rivel Churchill Benjamin, Up street Edwards Sarah, Bow street Furber James, Bow street Gillingham Thomas, Bow street Muncton Anthony, Curry Rivel Ostler John, North street Podger Robert, North street Stacey Charles, Curry Rivel Weaver Robert, Curry Rivel Wheller Thomas, Langport hill Butchers. Barnard John, Bow street Cattle Hester, Bow street Cattle James, Bow street Churchill Sampson, Bow street Coggan George, Curry Rivel Hopkins Thomas, Curry Rivel Podger George, Bow street Roberts George, Bow street Smith William, Curry Rivel Carpenters. Baker William, Curry Rivel Brake Dennis, Curry Rivel Davis Maurice, Bow street Gillett Benjamin, Bow street Gillett Maurice, Bow street Hart Albion, Bow street Hartnell Henry, Curry Rivel Lye George, Bow street Podger John, Curry Rivel Richards Robert, Curry Rivel StaceyJohn, Curry Rivel Talbot Robert, Curry Rivel Walter Thos. jun. Bow street Worthy George, Curry Rivel Worthy James, Curry Rivel Worthy Walter, Curry Rivel

Chemists and Druggists. Barnard Mary, Langport hill Bennett Ann, North street Coate George, Curry Rivel China and Glass Dealers. Cable George and Son, Bow street Underdown Samuel, North street Coach Builder. Isaac James, Langport hill Curriers. Crease George, Bow street Parsons Thomas, Langport hill Fire & Life Assurance Agents. Agricultural (cattle), Barnard Mary, Langport hill Atlas, (F.& L.) Braodmead Nicholas, Huish Clerical, Medical, and General, (Life) Barnard Mary, Langport hill County (Hail), Barnard Mary, Langport hill Crown (Life), Murly George B. Bow street Farmers and Genaral (Fire, Life, & Hail), Stuckey and Meade Cheapside Globe (F. & L.), Warren James F.H. Langport hill Imperial (Fire), Millard James, Langport hill Law (Life), Warren James F.H. Langport hill Medical and Invalid (Life), Parsons James, Cheapside Norwich Union (F. & L.), Broadmead Nicholas, Huish Phoenix (Fire), Murly George B. Bow street Sun (F. & L.) Underdown Samuel, North street West of England (F. & L.), Quekett Edwd. Stuckey’s Bank, Cheapside Grocers and Tea Dealers. Marked thus * are also Drapers. *Brown Joseph C. Curry Rivel Cattle Martha, North street *Coate George, Curry Rivel Dean Samuel, Bow street Ham James, Curry Rivel Hartland William, Bow street *Hills Robert, Bow street *Knight Jas. Langport hill *Lock Elizabeth, Curry Rivel Loveridge Mary, Curry Rivel *Stuckey Samuel & Meade Francis, ( & cheesefactors) Cheapside Weaver Geo. jun. Curry Rivel Inns and Public Houses. Angel, Bow street, Robbins Edgar Bell Inn, Curry Rivel, Palmer John Fussell Black Swan, North street, Sweeting Richard Dolphin Commercial Inn, Bow street, Mead Isaac Langport Arms, ( Commercial & posting house) Cheapside, Blake James New Inn, Westover, Gore Mary White Lion, North street, Lock Walter Ironfounder. Dyke Richard, Watley Ironmongers, Braziers, &c. Major William, Bow street Underdown Saml, ( and cutler), North street Linen and Woollen Drapers. See Grocers and Tea Dealers. Maltsters. Blake James, & Jas. Dyer, Westover Young Thomas, Curry Rivel Millers. Cable James, Bow street Lang Joseph, Hambridge Mills Milliners and Dressmakers. Davis Jane, Huish Hart Mary, Bow street Howe Jane, Bow street Preece Harriet, Beard’s Buildings Painters, Plumbers, &c. Davis James, Bow street Jeffery Thomas, Bow street Lanthall James, Bow street Lugg William and John, North street Major William, Bow street Taylor Thomas, Bow street Williams Daniel, Curry Rivel Saddle and Harness Makers. Bishop Chas. Curry Rivel Hewett Henry, Curry Rivel Lock James, Bow street Lucas George, Langport hill Vile Timothy, Cheapside Schools. Infant; Mistress, North Anne Matthews Mary G. Bow street National, Huish; Master, Bell John; Mistress, Davis Caroline E. Sewers Charlotte, Curry Rivel Sewers Samuel Henry, Curry Rivel Underdown Sarah Ann, North st Solicitors. Blake Richd. Henry, Cheapside Broadmead Nicholas, Huish Louch John, North street Murly Geo. Bullock, Bow street Parsons James, Cheapside Warren James F.H. Langport hill

Stonemasons. Atyeo William, Bow street Champion Walter, Curry Rivel Denham George, Newtown Pope Thomas, Curry Rivel Robbins George, Bow street Robbins Henry, Bow street Robbins Richd. Langport hill Tout George, Bow street Webb George, Curry Rivel Wheller James, Langport hill Worthy Simeon, Curry Rivel Straw Hat Makers. Davis Jane & Lucy, North street Honeyball Jane, Bow street Surgeons. Hurman Henry P. Curry Rivel Larcombe John, North street Munckton Wm. Webber, Curry Rivel Prankerd John, Cheapside Tailors. Edmonds Geo. Curry Rivel Lock Walter, North street Meade Walter (& Draper), Bow st Paul Charles, North street Payn George, Curry Rivel Payn Henry Andrew, Cheapside Payn John, Beard’s buildings Payn John, Curry Rivel Pittard James, Curry Rivel Wheelwrights. Richards Robert, Curry Rivel Stacey John, Curry Rivel Talbot Robert, Curry Rivel Walters Thomas, Bow street Walters Thos. jun. Bow street Wine and Spirit Merchants. Blake James, Cheapside Draper Elizabeth, Bow street Miscellaneous. Boat Builder, Heard Charles, Bow street Chimney Sweeper, Russell Wm. North street Confectioner, Hart Mary, North street Cooper, White Charles, North street Farrier, Whitemore Thomas, Bow street Genaral Merchants, Wharfingers, & Carriers, Stuckey & Bagehots, Bow street Glover & Fellmonger, Lewis Samuel, Huish Hair Dresser, Pomeroy William, Bow street Seedsman, Young Thomas, Curry Rivel Tallow Chandler, Coate Thomas, North street Tanner, Broadmead James, Huish Tinman & Brazier, Willis George, North street Watch & Clock Maker, Couzens John, Bow street Law and Public Officers. Broadmead Nicholas, clerk to the Parrett navigation company, Huish Caines Richard P. coroner for the western division of Somerset, North street Hurman Henry P. registrar of birth, and deaths, Curry Rivel Munckton William Webber, deputy coroner for the western division of Somerset, Curry Rivel Murly George Bullock, solicitor to the Langport and Mid Somerset benefit building society, and to the Langport guardian association, Bow street Prankerd John, registrar of births, deaths, & marriages, Cheapside Warren James F.H. clerk to the mayor & corporation of Langport, to the board of guardians, & to the trustees of Langport, Somerton, & Castle Cary turnpike roads, Langport hill public buildings, offices, &c. County Court, Town hall, judge, John Monson Carrow; clerk, Edward Lovell; assistant clerk, James F.H.Warren; high bailiff, Edward Charles Coles; assistant bailiff, Thomas Denman Engine House, Langport hill, keys at William Betty’s Gas Company, Watley Inland Revenu Office, Langport Arms, Cheapside; officer, George Edwards Stamp Office, Cheapside, sub-distributor, Francis Meade Town Hall, Cheapside, keeper, Thomas Denham Union, Langport, medical officer, John Prankerd; surgeon, John Larcombe, North street; master, Thomas Dickenson; mistress, Mrs. Dickenson coaches, omnibuses, and vans Bridgewater, Hawkin’s Omnibus, from the White Lion, Mon. & Thurs. at 8 30 a.m.; Hunt’s Omnibus, Mon. Tues. Thurs. & Sat. at 9 a.m. Bristol, Edward’s Van, from the Black Swan, daily, 8 30 a.m. Chard, Edward’s Van, from the same Inn, Tues. Thurs. & Sat. 8 30 a.m. Taunton, Fairy Mail Coach, from the Langport Arms, 10 30 a.m.; Mitchell’s Omnibus, from the White Lion, at 8 30 a.m. Yeovil, Martock, & Sherborne, Fairy Mail Coach, from the same inn, 3 30 p.m.

The Grange, Langport

Midelney Locks, Langport