MANSTON, a parish in the hundred of REDLANE,
Sturminster division of the county of DORSET, 6 miles
(S. W. by S.) from Shaftesbury, containing 140 inhabitants.
The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of
Dorset, and diocese of Bristol, rated in the king's books
at £12. 5., and in the patronage of Lord Viscount
Bolingbroke. The church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, is
very ancient. Thomas Dibben, a divine, orator, and Latin
poet, was born here; he died in the Poultry Compter,
in 1741, having many years previously become insane.