BAMPTON, a market-town and parish in the hundred
of BAMPTON, county of OXFORD, 16 miles (W.
by S.) from Oxford, and 70 (W. N.W.) from London,
comprising the chapelry of Shifford, and the hamlets
of Aston with Cote, Chimney, and part of that of
Bright-Hampton, and containing 2304 inhabitants.
This place, called by the Saxons Bemtune, was a town
of some importance during the Octarchy, and, in the
reign of Edward the Confessor, was annexed to the
diocese of Exeter, by Leofric, chaplain to that monarch,
and first bishop of the see. The town is situated near
the river Isis, on which there are some convenient
wharfs: the houses are neatly built, and the inhabit-
ants are plentifully supplied with water, which springs
through a gravelly soil; there are a subscription library
and a news-room. The trade formerly consisted
in supplying the counties of Bucks, Dorset, and Wilts
with leather prepared by the fellmongers at Witney:
the manufacture of leather was subsequently established
here, but it has greatly declined. The market has recently
fallen into disuse: a fair is held on the 26th and
27th of August, the former day being for the sale of
horses. Constables and other officers are appointed
at the court leet of the joint proprietors of the manor.
The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese
of Oxford, in three portions, each rated in the king's
books at £10. 0. 10., and in the patronage of the Dean
and Chapter of Exeter. The church, dedicated to St.
Mary, is a spacious ancient structure, containing some
interesting monuments. The free school was founded,
in 1635, by Mr. Robert Vesey, of Chimney, in this parish,
who endowed it with £200, which, with subsequent
benefactions, was laid out in the purchase of eight
acres of land, now let for £30 per ann.: in 1784, £400
stock was given to instruct ten additional scholars. The
school is under the inspection of the vicars, portionists
of Bampton, who appoint he master: the premises
comprise a school-room, house, and garden. A National
school is partly supported by an endowment, and partly
by subscription; the present income is about £45 per
annum. There are slight remains of an ancient castle,
supposed to have been erected in the reign of John.
Phillips, the author of the Splendid Shilling, a poem on
Cider, &c., was born here, in 1676.