MELBURY-ABBAS, a parish in that part of the
hundred of SIXPENNY-HANDLEY which is in the Shaston
(West) division of the county of DORSET, 2rj miles
(S. E.) from Shaftesbury, containing 345 inhabitants. The
living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Dorset, and diocese
of Bristol, rated in the king's books at £9. 18. 11.
Thomas Grove and W. Goodden, Esqrs. were patrons
in 1794. Walter Blandford, D.D., Bishop of Oxford, and
afterwards of Worcester, was a native of this place.