WATCHETT, a sea-port and market-town, in the parish of ST-DECUMAN, hundred of WILLITON-and-FREEMANNERS, county of SOMERSET, 5 miles (E.) from Dunster, and 154 (W. by S.) from London. The population is returned with the parish. This place, anciently called Weced-poort, suffered severely from the Danes in 886: it is agreeably situated in a pleasant valley, on a creek of the Bristol channel, and consists chiefly of four paved streets. It was once a place of extensive trade, and noted for its herring fishery: vessels are now employed in the coasting trade, and in the importation of coal from Newport and Swansea. There is a small manufacture of woollen cloth and paper. A pier, originally erected by the Wyndham family, was repaired by Sir William Wyndham previously to 1740. The cliffs in the vicinity abound with alabaster and limestone. The market is on Saturday; and a fair is held on the 17th of November. Manorial courts are held annually. There are places of worship for Baptists and Wesleyan Methodists. Two packets ply between this place and Bristol every fortnight.