PORTISHAM, a parish in the hundred of UGGSCOMBE,
Dorchester division of the county of DORSET,
7 miles (S. W. by W.) from Dorchester, containing 600
inhabitants. The living is a vicarage, in the archdea-
conry of Dorset, and diocese of Bristol, rated in the
king's books at £8. 14. 2., endowed with £1000 parliamentary
grant. Joseph Hardy, Esq. was patron ia
1814. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, is a large
a'ncieut structure, having a lofty embattled tower
crowned with pinnacles. Charles Masterman, in 1771;
left £ 100 for teaching poor children. In this parish is,
the largest cromkch in the county; it consists of a flat
stone, ten feet by six, resting horizontally on nine upf
right ones, and stands on a tumulus, having on the
north-west an avenue leading to it: there is a small
barrow to the eastward of this ancient monument.