WATCHET, (Somerset) an ancient little port on the Severn-Sea, 4 m. E. of Dunster, 126 cm. 153 mm. from London. It was
sadly ravaged twice by the Danes, and the W. side of it wasted away by the sea. It sent members to one Pt. viz. the 30th
year of Edw. I. The late Sir Will. Wyndham built the pier of the harbour, and had the key-duties in pursuance of two acts
of Pt. It has but 7 or 8 small vessels bel. to it, and these trade in coals, or as coasters, to Bristol, where they supply
the glasshouses with the ashes of sea-weed; of which abundance is burnt here for that purpose. Great quantities of
alabaster, which fall down the cliffs here by the wash of the sea, are also sent to that city. The inh. fetch vast heaps
of pebble from the coast, and burn it into lime for dressing their land; but chiefly for building, no cement being more
durable for masonry that is to lie under water, where it grows as hard as marble. Here is a Mt. S. Fair Aug, 25.