CHEW (MAGNA), a parish in the hundred of CHEW, county of SOMERSET, 3 miles (w.) from Pensford, containing, with the tythings of Bishop-Sutton, Knowle, Knighton-Button, North Elm, and Stow, 1884 inhabitants. The liyingis a vicarage, with the-perpetual curacy of Dundry annexed, in the archdeaconry of Bath, and diocese of Bath and Wells, rated in the king's books at £30. 13. 4., and in the patronage of the Rev. T. Lindsey. The church, dedicated to St. Andrew, is a massive and spacious edifice, having a tower at the west end, surmounted by a balustrade, with a turret at one angle. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. This was anciently a borough and market-town j it is sometimes called Bishop's Chew, from being the property of the bishop of the diocese. Here was a considerable manufactory for cloth, but the only trade now carried on is in stockings and edge-tools, and that to a very limited extent. The petty sessions for the division are held here. Endowments in land and money, producing about £ 13 per. annum, are appropriated to teaching and apprenticing poor children of the parish. In an enclosure to the north-east of the church are the remains of a Druidical temple, forming a double circle of huge stones. On an eminence, which commands a fine and extensive view towards the Bristol channel, is Bow- Ditch, a circular Roman camp, with triple intrenchments. A red bole, of an astringent quality, vulgarly termed redding, is found here: it has been used by apothecaries and for marking sheep, in most parts of England, from time immemorial.