BROADWAY, a parish in the hundred of ABDICK
and BULSTONE, county of SOMERSET, 2 miles (W. by N)
from Ilminster, containing, with the tything of Caplaud
(part only of which is in this parish),, 396 inhabitants.
The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry
of Taunton, and diocese of Bath and Wells
endowed with £ 1000 private benefaction, £800 royal
bounty, and £1500 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage
of the Rev. William Palmer, D.D. The church
is cruciform, and in the cemetery are the remains of a
cross. The name was given as being descriptive of 'the
situation of the few scattered huts which were constructed,
at an early period, along each side of a broad
path leading through what was then the forest of Roche,
or'Neroche, so denominated from a Roman encampment,
called Roche, or Rachiche, Castle, on the edge of
Blaekdbwn hill." The manufacture of serge, narrow
cloth, drugget, duroy, &c., formerly prevailed to some
extent, but has fallen into decay. An almshouse is en-,
dowed with about £21 per annum, for the support of
seven poof men, who are appointed by the minister
and parochial officers. .