MONKTON (WEST), a parish forming a detached
portion of the hundred of WHITLEY, county of SOMERSET,
3 miles (N,E. by N.) from Taunton, containing
1004 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the arch
deaconry of Taunton, and diocese of Bath and Wells
rated in the king's books at £26, and in the patronage
of the Rev. J. F. Maddison. The church, dedicated to
St. Augustine, has lately received an addition of sixty
two sittings, of which fifty are free, the Incorporated
Society for the enlargement of churches and chapels
having granted £34 towards defraying the expense
There are places of worship for Baptists and Wesleyaii
Methodists. The navigable river Tone, and the Taunton
and Bridg-water canal, run through the parish. Nearly
adjoining the town of Taunton is the Spital almshouse,
founded, in 1270, by Thomas Lambret, destroyed hy fire
in the reign of Henry VIII., and rebuilt soon afterwards
by an abbot of Glastonbury; it is endowed with several
parcels of land, producing an annual income of about
£44. 10., and at present affords an asylum to eleven
poor widows. John Claymond gave £ 15 per annum to
establish an exhibition at Brasenose College, Oxford
for boys from this school.