DULVERTON, a market-town and parish in the hundred
of WILLITON-AND-FREEMANNERS, county of SOMERSET,
13 miles (W.) from Wiveliscombe, and 163
{W.byS,) from London, containing 1127 inhabitants.
This place probably derives its name from being situated
in a deep valley, and upon a ford on the river Barle,
which rises in Exmoor Forest, and/after flowing through
the town under a stone bridge of five arches, falls into
the river Ex, near Brushford, Dulverton, probably from
the remoteness of its situation from any of the great
public thoroughfares, is but little connected with events
of historical importance, of which the only circumstance
upon record, is the execution in the market-place of
several individuals who were concerned in the rebellion
of 1745. The town consists principally of two streets,
the houses are in general well built, and the inhabitants
amply supplied with water. There is a great number of
forest deer in the vicinity, which are preserved in the
adjoining woods. A silk-manufactory has recently been
established, in which several children are employed.
The market (originally granted by Philip and Mary
to twelve trustees, who were to apply the profits to
the improvement of the town, and to the benefit of
the poor not receiving parochial aid;) is on Friday,
and is well supplied with corn and the produce of the
dairy: the fairs are, July 10th and November ,8th.
Courts leet and baron are held annually, at the former
of which, two constables, two tythingmen, two aletasters,
two surveyors of weights and measures, and
other officers, are chosen and sworn into office before
the steward of the manor. The living is a vicarage, in
the archdeaconry of Taunton, and diocese of Bath and
Wells, rated in the king's books at £21. 10. 10., and
in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Wells
The church, dedicated to All Saints, is a neat edifice in
the ancient style of English architecture, with a square
embattled tower. A charity school was founded in
1736, by Mrs. Elizabeth Dyke, of Pixton, who endowed
it for thirty poor children of the parish, with a tenement
producing £13 per annum; the endowment was
subsequently increased with a legacy of £150 bequeathed
by Humphrey Sydenham, Esq. in 1764; with £40 left
by Mrs. Penelope Sydenham; and, in 1769, with a legacy
of £100 by the Rev. Lawrence Jackson; producing in
the whole about £30 per annum, by means of which,
and partly by subscription, the school is now conducted
upon the National system. About a mile and a half westnorth-
west of the town is Bury castle, an ancient encampment.
In the neighbourhood is a mineral spring,
the water of which is impregnated with iron, but it is
not now used medicinally: there is also a spring, called
Holy well, to which, on Holy Thursday, it is still the
custom to carry persons afflicted with disease.