BLAGDON, a parish in the hundred of WINTERSTOKE,
county of SOMERSET, 65 miles (N. E. by E.)
from Axbridge, containing 1068 inhabitants. The living
is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Wells, and diocese of
Bath and Wells, rated in the king's books at £29.13.9.,
and in the patronage of George Thorne, Esq. The church,
dedicated to St. Andrew, has lately been rebuilt, towards
defraying the expense of which the Incorporated Society
for the enlargement of churches and chapels granted
£500. John Langhorne, D.D., a poet and miscellaneous
writer, and for some time rector of this parish,
lies interred in the churchyard. There is a place of
worship for Methodists. Lapis calaminaris is found in
the vicinity, and teasel, for the use of the clothiers, is
cultivated to a great extent: here is also a paper-mill.
Thomas Baynard, by indenture dated November 8th,
1687, gave land for the instruction of eight poor children:
the endowment now produces £17. 10. per annum,
for which seventeen children are gratuitously
taught to read and write. There are also benefactions
for the use of the poor, and a fund of £13 per annum,
arising from land given by John Leman, for apprenticing
children. At a place called Reg-hill-bury, where are some
ruins, tradition relates that a royal palace once stood.