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1822 Pigot's Directory
GLASTONBURY. GLASTONBURY, is situated in the hundred of Glaston Twelve Hides, almost in the centre of the county of Somerset, on a spot once called Ynyswytryn or the Glass Island ; and since known by the several names of Glasconia or Glastingensis, and in Latin, Avolonia. The circumstance of Glaston being identified with the hundred of Twelve Hides, denotes its antiquity, mention being made in the Domesday book of the divisions by hides or carucates, but the quantity of land called by these names being arbitrary, history has left us without the means of ascertaining whether the limits of the present hundred corresponds with the ancient boundary. The town was built in the reign of King Ina, A. D. 708, and endowed with great privileges. About the year 873, it suffered mueh from the Danes, but was re-edified by Edmund, the ninth Saxon king, many vestiges of the favorite architecture of that day are now extant. In 1184, the abbey and town were consumed by fire and again rebuilt by King Henry III; but on the 11th of Sept. 1276, it was attain destroyed by an earthquake, which precipitated the church of St. Michael from the Torr-hill. The town now comprehends two parishes, St. John, and St. Benedict, and its delineation represents a cross; each parish has a church containing several ancient monuments, and the town and envitons abound in religious reliques. The most conspicuous is the Torr, or tower of St. Michael, standing on a very high hill, to the south east. On this bleak and desolate spot, the saints Phaganus and Diruvianus dedicated a small oratory to the honour of the archangel whose name it bears. After the destruction of the church by the earthquake it was re-erected; of which the tower only now remains, lifting its head to the clouds, an object of admiration to travellers, and an ornament to the surrounding country. At the west end of it is a carved figure of St. Michael, holding in his hand a pair of scales, in one of which is the bible, which preponderates against the influence of his Satanic majesty, who together with a little imp, are represented to occupy the other scale. Glastonbury contains several places of worship, for protestant dissenters, one of which, on the south side of High-street, deserves notice for its elegance of architectural design. About a mile to the north history informs us, was a stately edifice, the residence of King Edgar, being a tithing within the parish of St. John the Baptist, called Edgarley, deriving the name from its royal inhabitant, and Ley, (from the Saxon leaz) an open field or pasture; the situation of Edgarley justifies this etymology of its name, and the foundation of a very large building has been taken up; and upon its site a romantic cottage erected. An act of Parliament was obtained in the fifty-first year of the reign of his late majesty to improve the town, and we are happy in being able to add, that considerable alterations and improvements bave been made in this ancient and interesting place. It was incorporated by Queen Ann, ana has a recorder, eight aldermen, and sixteen common council-men, the present recorder is William Dickenson, esq. M. P. The manor which originally belonged to the abbey, was dismembered in the year 1787, and the manor-house now in ruins, together with a small orchard, is the only remaining property of the manor of Glaston Twelve Hides. The population of both parishes, according to the census of 1821 is 2650. Fairs, Michelmas, Easter and 19th of September, for cattle, &c. Post Office, High-street, James Rood, Post Master.—Mail to London at half-past one in the afternoon, to Exeter and the West at half past twelve at noon. Academies, (boarding). Baker Richard, Chilkwell-street
Attornies. Hill Wm. High-street
Auctioneers. Lawrence Josh. High-street
Bakers. Cox Richard, High-street
Bankers. Brown and Reeves Boot and Shoe Makers. Bennett John, High-street
Brick Makers. Bolton John, New-road
Carpenters and Joiners. Adams Hugh, High-street
Coopers. Edwards James, Northload-street
Fell Mongers. Jacob J. (and glover, &c) High-st.
Fire and Life Office Agents. Norwich, Reeves J. Fry, High-st.
Inns and Hotels. George, Benjamin Booth, High-st.
Linen Drapers and Grocers. Clare. Samuel, High-street
Plumbers, Glaziers & Painters. Collins Thomas, Benedict-street
Surgeons. Bond John and Son, High-street
Tailors. Bennett William, High-street
Taverns & Public Houses. Anchor, John Phillips, Chilkwell
Miscellaneous. Coombs George, saddler, High-st.
CARRIERS. LONDON, T. and G. Dallimore's Van from the Crown Inn,Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
COACHES. LONDON, the Royal Mail from the George Inn, every afternoon at half past one
WEYMOUTH, a Light Post Coach, from the George, every Tuesday, Thursday; and Saturday mornings at eleven |
