MELBURY-SAMPFORD, a parish in the hundred
of TOLLERFORD, Dorchester division of the county of
DORSET, 7 miles (N. E. by E.) from Beaminster, containing
78 inhabitants. The living is a discharged
rectory, united in 1750 to that of Melbury-Osmond, in
the archdeaconry of Dorset, and diocese of Bristol, rated
in the king's books at £5. 6. 5., endowed with £200
private benefaction, and £200 royal bounty. The
church is an ancient structure, and contains several
monuments to the Strangeways family.