Milverton, Somerset

Description
Milverton, a small town (formerly a borough) and a parish in Somerset The town stands in the beautiful, deep valley of Taunton Deane, overhung in the W by steep, high, cultivated hills, with a station on the Devon and Somerset branch of the G.W.R. 165 miles from London, 13 1/2 SW of Bridgwater, and 7 W of Taunton. It is an ancient place, consists chiefly of three irregular streets, and has a post, money order, and telegraph office. Acreage of the civil parish, 5117; population, 1562; of the ecclesiastical, 1600. The church of St Michael stands on an eminence overlooking the town, is Later Englisli in style, of the time of Henry VII., and was restored in 1850; it consists of nave, aisles, and chancel, with porch and tower containing a clock and eight bells; and contains old seats with beautifully carved ends. In 1887 a spacious hall, with reading-room, called the Victoria Hall, was built by public subscription at a cost of £1100. A considerable tan trade was formerly carried on, but has entirely ceased. John de Milver, a friar who wrote furiously against Wycliffe, and Dr Thomas Young, who first deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphics, and established the un-dulatory theory of light, were natives. The parish contains also the hamlets of Preston Bowyer, Houndsmoor, and Screed-hay. The surface is diversified, and the higher grounds command extensive views. The Queen is lady of the manor. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Bath and Wells; net value, £300 with residence, traditionally said to have been a country seat of Cardinal Wolsey. Patron, the Archdeacon of Taunton. There are also Congregational and Wesleyan chapels.