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1822

Ashill - a parish of considerable extent in the hundred of Abdick and Bulstone; containing 69 inhabited houses, and 70 families , whereof 41 are employed in agriculture. Jordans, the residence of Willliam Speke, Esq. is situated to the S.E. of this parish, which place recieved it's name from the small river Jordan, which divides this place from Ilminster. In a field to the north is a medicinal spring, called Skipperman Well, the water of which has a very peculiar property, it ebbs and flows every day, and is very cold, but never freezes; it is used as an antidote in scorbutic eruptions, and is classed among the light chalybeats, which require to be used on the spot. The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, is a neat Gothic structure, consisting of nave and chancel, with a quadrangular embattled tower upwards of fifty feet in height. The living is vicarial, and a peculiar belonging to the prebendary; Rev. S. Smith, incumbant; instituted 1805. Population, 1801 - 316, 1811 - 399, 1821 - 378.

1844

Ashill - a parish in the hundred of Abdick and Bulstone, union of Chard, Somerset; 3 miles North-West from Ilminster. Living, a discharged vicarage, and a peculiar of the prebendary of the cathedral of Wells, who is also patron. It is rated at £6.0s.10d. ,in the parliamentary returns at£130; gross income £98. The parish contains the hamlets of Jordans, Rowlands, Southton, Wimbleton, and Wood. The Chard canal intersects it. Fairs are held on Easter Wednesday, first Wednesday after September 12, for cattle and pediary. Population in 1801, 316; in 1831, 403. Houses 72, Acres 1,860; A.P.£3,855. Poor rates, in 1837, £164.

1861

Ashill is a large parish, distant 8 miles from Taunton railway station, 3 3/4 west from Ilminster, and 7 north-west from Chard, in the Western division of Abdick and Bulstone hundred, Chard union, West Somersetshire ( polling place at Ilminster), Crewkerne deanery, Taunton archdeanory, Bath and Wells bishopric, situated on the Taunton road. The church of St. Mary is an ancient stone building in the Norman, Early English , Decorated and Perpendicular styles of architecture. It has been recently restored. It has a nave, Chancel and tower with 5 bells. The register dates from 1558. The living is a vicarage worth £100 yearly, with residence, in the gift of the prebendary of Ashill, in the cathedral of Wells. The Rev. James Mickleburgh, M.A. is the incumbent. There is an excellent day school for boys and girls, and there is a Sunday school held at the school-room. Fairs are held on the 17th of April and the 11th of September yearly for cattle and pedlery. A chalybeate spring rises in the parish, which has been found serviceable in diseases of the digestive organs and scrofulous complaints. The population in 1851 was 480 and in 1861 it was 470, and the acreage is 1,809. The soil is clayey. William Speke , Esq. of Jordan's-park is lord of the manor. The chief crops are Wheat, oats, peas and beans

.

Mickleburgh Rev. James, M.A. (Vicar)

Speke William, esq. J.P. Jordan's park

Voules Rev. Tom Arthur (Rector of Beer)

Commercial

Bicklay Edward, Farmer

Coleman Thomas, farmer

Crabb Jacob, shopkeeper

Dicks Thomas, blacksmith

Goodland Thomas, Butcher

 

Hart Richard, Butcher

Hellier John, farmer and landowner

Hine S.D. woolstapler

Jeffery Isaac, farmer

Mear Robert, post office

Owsley George, Ashill Inn

Palmer Robert, farmer and landowner

Tapp James, farmer

Tazewell Richard, farmer

Trout William, farmer and landowner

Webber Benjamin, farmer and landowner

Webber Joseph, farmer and landowner

Letters through Ilminster, which is also the nearest money order office

1866

Ashill is a parish, 9 miles from Taunton railway station, 3 3/4 west from Ilminster (it's post town), and 7 north-west from Chard, in the western division of Abdick and Bulstone hundred, Chard union and county court district, western division of the county, Crewkerne rural deanery, Taunton archdeaconry, Bath and Wells diocese, situated on the Taunton road. The church of St. Mary is an ancient stone building in the Norman, Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular styles of architecture: it has been partially restored, and has a nave, chancel, and tower with 5 bells. The register dates from 1558. The living is a vicarage, annual value £132, with residence, in the gift of the Prebendary of Ashill, in the cathedral of Wells, and held by the Rev. James Mickleburgh, M.A. of Trinity college, Cambridge. There is an excellent parochial day school for boys and girls, average attendance 30. A chalybeate spring rises in the parish, which has been found serviceable in diseases of the digestive organs and scrofulous complaints. Jordans is the seat and residence of William Speke J.P., who is also Lord of the Manor. The soil is clayey. The chief crops are wheat, oats, peas and beans. The population in 1851 was 480, and in 1861 it was 470, and the acreage is 1,798; the rateable value is £3,182.

POST OFFICE - Robert Mear, receiver. Letters arrive from Ilminster at 8.30 a.m. ; dispatched at 9.00 p.m. The nearest money order office is at Ilminster

Parochial School , Mrs.,Mary Harris, mistress

Collier Mrs.

Mickleburgh Rev. James, M.A. [Vicar]

Speke William, esq. J.P. Jordans

Voules Rev. Tom Arthur, M.A. [surrogate, rector of Beer-Crocombe and of North and South Bradon, and domestic chaplain to Viscount Dillon], Ash hill

COMMERCIAL

Adams Charles, beer retailer, wheelright and blacksmith

 

Adams Robert, dairyman

Bickley Edward, farmer

Coleman Thomas, farmer

Crabb Jacob, shopkeeper and hardware dealer

Dicks Thomas Henry, blacksmith

Gane James, shopkeeper

Goodland Thomas, butcher

Hart Richard, butcher, shopkeeper and farmer

Helliar John, farmer and landowner

 

Hine Samuel Daniel, woolstapler

Mear Charles, mason and shopkeeper

Mear Robert, stone mason and postmaster

Palmer Robert W, farmer and landowner

Shore Susan and Mary Ann (Misses), grocers

Tapp James, farmer

Tazewell Richard, farmer

Vincent Thomas, Ashill Inn, shoemaker

Webber Joseph Hull, farmer and landowner

1872

Ashill is a village and parish in Chard union, containing by the census of 1861, 445, and in 1871, 477 inhabitants, and 1790 acres:in the deanery of Crewkerne, archdeaconry of Taunton, diocese of Bath and Wells, hundred of Abdick and Bulstone, West Somerset; 31/2 miles north-west from Ilminster, 7 north from Chard, and 9 south-east from Taunton. The rectory, in the incumbency of the Rev. James Mickleburgh M.A., is valued at £336 per annum, with residence, and is in the patronage of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. The church is an ancient edifice, dedicated to St. Mary, showing portions of the Norman, Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular styles, consisting of nave, chancel, and tower with 5 bells;it was partially restored a few years since. There is a Parochial School for children of both sexes. Here is a Chalybeate Spring, the medical qualities of which are useful for cutaneous diseases and indigestion.

Jordans is the seat of William Speke, Esq., J.P., who is lord of the manor and principal of the soil, and the father of the late Captain Speke, The African discoverer.

Clergy and Gentry

Collier Mrs. Ann, Town End

Mickleburgh Rev. James M.A., Rector

Palmer Mr. Robert W.

Speke William Esq.,J.P., Jordans

Tapp Mr. Abraham

Voules Rev. Tom Arthur, M.A., Rector of Beer-Crocombe and North and South Bradon, domestic chaplain to Viscount Dillon, and Surrogate for the Diocese

Webber Joseph Hall, Esq. Ashill House

 

Trades and Professions

Adams Charles, wheelwright and beer retailer

Adams Robert, dairyman

Bickley Edward, farmer

Coleman Thomas, farmer

Dicks Thomas Henry, engineer

Goodland Thomas, butcher, Southtown

Helliar Miss Kate, ladies' seminary, Ashton House

Helliar John, yeoman, Axhill Farm

 

 

 

Hine Samuel Daniel, farmer, manufacturer and woolstapler, Thickthorne

Mear Charles, grocer and draper

Pain John, farmer, Ashill Farm

Tapp James, farmer, Parsonage Farm

Tazewell Richard Lockyer, farmer, Southtown

Vincent Thomas, "Ashill" inn, and bootmaker

Post Office - Mrs. Anna Mear, sub-postmistress. Letters from Ilminster at 8 .A.m. ; dispatched at 5 p.m.. Ilminster is also the nearest money order office

Parochial School - Miss Mary Harris, mistress

1889

Ashill is a parish , situated on the road from Ilminster to Taunton, 8 miles south-east from Taunton and 3 3/4 north-west from Ilminster station, on the Chard branch of the Great Western Railway, in the Bridgwater division of the county, western division of Abdick and Bulstone hundred, Ilminster petty sessional division, Chard union and county court district, Ilminster district of the rural deanery of Crewkerne, archdeaconry of Taunton and diocese of Bath and Wells. The church of St. Mary is an ancient building of stone, in the Norman, Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel, nave, north porch and an embattled western tower containing 6 bells: it was partially restored in 1882 and has 160 sittings. The register dates from 1558. The living is a rectory, average tithe rent-charge £272, net yearly value £242, including 22 acres of glebe with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and held since 1884 by the Rev. Charles Haughton M.A. of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. A chalybeate spring rises in the parish, which has been found serviceable in diseases of the digestive organs and scrofulous complaints. Jordans is the seat of William Speke esq. J.P. who is lord of the manor; the trustees of the late Earl of Egremont and Mrs. J.H. Webber are the chief landowners. The soil is stonerush and clay; subsoil is clay and gravel. The chief crops are wheat, oats, peas and beans. The acreage is 1799; rateable value is £4,670; the population in 1881 was 468.

Parish Clerk, John Mear

Post Office, Charles Mear, receiver. Letters arrive from Ilminster at 8 a.m.; dispatched at 9 p.m.. The nearest money order office is at Hatch Beauchamp & telegraph office at Hatch Beauchamp railway station; postal orders are issued here, but not paid.

A School Board of 5 members was formed October 6, 1875; C. Mear, clerk to the board; Richard Serle attendance officer

Board School (mixed), erected in 1842, for 180 children; average attendance, 73; Miss Evelyn Webb, mistress.

PRIVATE RESIDENTS

Hine Miss, Thickthorn

Houghton Rev. Charles M.A. Rectory

Jefferey Mrs.

Newman William Arthur, Ashill House

Palmer Francis, Woodcourt House

Speke William J.P., Jordans

Vallance Henry, Thickthorne

r

 

 

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL

Bickley Edward, shopkeeper

Churchill Richard, farmer, Southtown

Davis Albert John, beer retailer and blacksmith

Dicks Thomas Henry, machinist

Granger Thomas Taylor, Tailor

Helliar John, Farmer

Howard William, farmer, Southtown

Keitch Emily (Mrs.), farmer

Matravers Philip, farmer, Cagebush Farm

 

 

 

Matravers Walter, beer retailer, Windmill Hill

Mear Charles, shopkeeper, Post Office and clerk to school board

Palmer Francis, yeoman, Woodcourt House

Serle Richard, school attendance officer

Shire Andrew Sidney, farmer, Ashtons

Slade Tom, Ashill Inn

Tapp James, farmer, Southtown

Trump Aaron, shopkeeper

Viall James, farmer, Parsonage Farm

Warfield James, farmer, Southtown

 
1897
   

ASHILL is a parish on the road from Ilminster to Taunton, 3 3/4 miles north-west from Ilminster station on the Chard branch of the Great Western Railway, and 8 miles south-east from Taunton, in the Bridgwater division of the county, western division of Abdick and Bulstone hundred, Ilminster petty sessional division, Chard union and county court district, rural deanery of Ilminster, archdeaconry of Taunton and diocese of Bath and Wells. The church of St. Mary's is an ancient building of stone in the Norman, Early English, Decorated and perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel, nave, north porch and an embattled western tower containing 6 bells:it was partially restored in 1882 at a cost of £650, and has 185 sittings. The register dates from the year 1558. The living is a rectory, commuted net yearly value £230, including 22 acres of glebe, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and held since 1884 by the Rev. Charles Haughton M.A. of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. In the parish is a chalybeate spring, which has been found serviceable in diseases of the digestive organs and scrofulous complaints. Jordans is the seat of William Speke esq. D.L. J.P., lord of the manor. William Wyndham esq. of Dinton House, Salisbury, and the trustees of late Joseph Webber esq. are the chief landowners. The soil is stonerush and clay; subsoil is clay and gravel. The chief crops are wheat, oats, peas and beans. The acreage is 2,635; rateable value £4,400; the population in 1891 was 552 in the civil and 414 in the ecclesiastical parish.

STEWLEY, a hamlet 1 1/2 miles north, formerly a part of Isle Abbots, and Rapps, 1 mile east, taken partly from Broadway and partly from Ilton, were, March 25 1885, under the provisions of the "Divided Parishes Act," incorporated with this parish by Local Government Board Orders 16,420 and 17,648 respectively, and by Order 17,647, another part of Broadway was amalgamated with this parish.

Parish Clerk, John Mear

Post Office, Mrs. Anna Mear, sub-postmistress. Letters arrive from Ilminster at 8.25 a.m.& 6.50 p.m.; dispatched at 6.45 p.m. week days only. Postal orders are issued here but not paid. The nearest money order office is at Hatch Beauchamp & telegraph office at Hatch Beauchamp railway station, 3 miles distant.

A School Board of 5 members was formed October 6, 1875; Miss Kate Mear, clerk to the Board; John Mear attendance officer.

Board School (mixed), erected in 1842, for 180 children; average attendance 70; Miss Alice Pilke, mistress

Carrier to Taunton, Andrew Baker, sat..

Houghton Rev. Charles M.A. Rectory

Jeffery Mrs.

Palmer Francis, Woodcourt

Phillips Walter Joseph, Ashill House

Speke William D.L. J.P., Jordans

COMMERCIAL

Adams Robert, farmer, Rapps

Baker Andrew, carrier

Bickley Edward, farmer

Bragg John Thomas, farmer

Brinson Tom, farmer, Forest farm

Chick Thomas, blacksmith

Churchill Tom, farmer, Southtown

Dicks Thomas Henry, machinist

Giles John, yeoman, Stewley

Giles Silas, farmer, Stewley farm

Granger Thomas Taylor, tailor

Grigg William, farmer, Folly farm

Helliar John, farmer

Howard William, farmer & landowner, Southtown

Keitch Fred, farmer, Rapps

Kinglake John, farmer, Stewley

Knight Alfred, beer retailer, Windmill Hill

Lillycrap William, blacksmith, Stewley

Matravers Philip, farmer, Cagebush farm

Matravers Walter, farmer, Windmill hill

Matthews George, miller (water), Rowland's mill

Mear Anna (Mrs.), shopkeeper & post office

Mear Benjamin, farmer, Stewley

Palmer Francis, yeoman, Woodcourt

Shire Andrew Sidney, farmer, Ashtons

Slade Elizabeth (Mrs.), Ashill inn

Snell Simeon, farmer, Rapps

Trump Aaron, farmer

Vile James, farmer, Parsonage farm

Warfield James, farmer, Southtown

Wright Henry, farmer, Windmill hill

Wright Robert, farmer, Windmill hill

Yard Andrew, farmer

1906

ASHILL is a parish on the road from Ilminster to Taunton, 3 3/4 miles north-west from Ilminster station on the Chard branch of the Great Western Railway, and 8 miles south-east from Taunton, in the Bridgwater division of the county, western division of Abdick and Bulstone hundred, Ilminster petty sessional division, Chard union and county court district, rural deanery of Ilminster, archdeaconry of Taunton and diocese of Bath and Wells. The church of St. Mary's is an ancient building of stone in the Norman, Early English, Decorated and perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel, nave, north porch and an embattled western tower containing 5 bells: it was partially restored in 1882 at a cost of £650, and has 185 sittings. The register dates from the year 1558. The living is a rectory, net yearly value £226, including 22 acres of glebe, in the gift of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and held since 1884 by the Rev. Charles Houghton M.A. of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. In the parish is a chalybeate spring, which has been found serviceable in diseases of the digestive organs and scrofulous complaints. Jordans is the seat of Walter Hanning Speke J.P. lord of the manor and chief landowner. William Wyndham esq. of Dinton House, Salisbury, and the trustees of the late Joseph Webber esq. are also landowners, The soil is stonerush and clay; subsoil is clay and gravel. The chief crops are wheat, oats, peas and beans. The acreage is 2,635; rateable value £3,800; the population in 1901 was 490 in the civil and 325 in the ecclesiastical parish.

STEWLEY, a hamlet 1 1/2 miles north, formerly a part of Isle Abbots, and Rapps 1 mile east, taken partly from Broadway and partly from Ilton, were, March 25, 1885, under the provisions of the "Divided Parishes Act" . incorporated with this parish by Local Government Board Orders 16,420 and 17,648 respectively, and by order 17,647, another part of Broadway was amalgamated with this parish.

Parish Clerk Edwin Daniel Mear

Post Office Mrs. Anna Mear, sub postmistress. Letters arrive from Ilminster at 7.55 a.m. and 5.45 p.m.; dispatched at 7.10 p.m. weekdays only. The nearest money order and telegraph office is at Hatch Beauchamp 2 1/2 miles distant

Wall Letter Box , Thickthorn, cleared at 7.15 p.m. weekdays only

Public Elementary School (mixed), erected in 1842 for 90 children; average attendance, 70; Miss Alice Pile, Mistress.

Carrier to Taunton Andrew Baker, sat.

PRIVATE RESIDENTS

Dicks Thomas Henry

Houghton Rev. Charles M.A. Rectory

Lambert Charles, Thickthorn

Marshall Malcolm Chas. Ashill House

Palmer Francis, Wood Court

Shortis Miss, Stewley Lodge

Speke Walter Hanning J.P. Jordans

Speke William D.L. Jordans

Wyley James Henry, The Firs

COMMERCIAL

Adams Robert, farmer, White House farm

Baker Andrew, carrier

Baker John, farmer, Windmill Hill

Bickley Edward, farmer

Bicknell Edward, farmer, Rapps

Bragg Walter& James, farmers

Brinson Tom, farmer, Cage Bush

Brown Fred, shoeing and general smith Catherine Wheel

Dolling Jas., farmer and miller (water), Rowlands Mills

Durman Charles, beer retailer Windmill Hill

Filer Enoch, farmer, Windmill Hill

Grigg William, farmer, Folly farm

Hancock William, farmer, Ashton

Helliar John, farmer

Howard William, farmer and landowner, Southtown

Irwin E.F. farmer, Stewley

Kinglake John, farmer, Stewley

Lambert Charles, farmer, Southtown

Lillycrap William and Son, blacksmiths, Stewley

Long Walter, dairyman

Matravers George, farmer, Hastings

 

Matravers, Philip, farmer, Wood farm

Mear Alfred, farmer, Stewley farm

Mear Anna (Mrs.), shopkeeper& post off

Mear Herbert, dairyman, Forest farm

Oborne Annie (Miss) , shopkeeper, Rapps

Palmer Francis, yeoman, Wood Court

Slade Elizabeth (Mrs.), Ashill Inn

Stone George, farmer, Southtown

Trump Aaron, farmer& boot ma., Hastings

Turner Eliza (Mrs.), farmer, Rapps

Vile James, farmer & assistant overseer, income tax collector & clerk to Parish Council, Parsonage farm

Warfield James, farmer, Rapps

Wright Henry, farmer, Southtown

Wright Robert, farmer, Windmill Hill

Yard Andrew, farmer

1914

ASHILL is a parish on the road from Ilminster to Taunton, 3 3/4 miles north-west from Ilminster station on the Chard branch of the Great Western Railway, and 8 miles south-east from Taunton, in the Bridgwater division of the county, western division of Abdick and Bulstone hundred, Ilminster petty sessional division, Chard union and county court district, rural deanery of Ilminster, archdeaconry of Taunton and diocese of Bath and Wells. The church of St. Mary's is an ancient building of stone in the Norman, Early English, Decorated and perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel, nave, north porch and an embattled western tower containing 5 bells: it was partially restored in 1882 at a cost of £650, and has 185 sittings. The register dates from the year 1558. The living is a rectory, net yearly value £200, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and held since 1906 by the Rev. Morgan John Griffiths B.A. of Durham University. In the parish is a chalybeate spring which has been found serviceable in diseases of the digestive organs and scrofulous complaints. Jordans is the seat of Walter Hanning Speke esq. J.P., lord of the manor and chief landowner. William Wyndham esq. of Dinton House, Salisbury, is also a landowner. The soil is stonerush and clay; subsoil is clay and gravel. The chief crops are wheat, oats, peas and beans. The acreage is 2,740; rateable value, £3,846; the population in 1911 was 469 in the civil and 321 in the ecclesiastical parish.

STEWLEY, a hamlet 1 1/2 miles north, formerly a part of Isle Abbots, and Rapps 1 mile east, taken partly from Broadway and partly from Ilton, were, March 25, 1885, under the provisions of the "Divided Parishes Act" . incorporated with this parish by Local Government Board Orders 16,420 and 17,648 respectively, and by order 17,647, another part of Broadway was amalgamated with this parish.

Parish Clerk, now (1913) vacant

Post Office Walter William Sheppard, sub-postmaster. Letters arrive from Ilminster at 7 a.m.& 5.15 p.m.; dispatched at 10 a.m.& 7.20 p.m. week days only. The nearest money order and telegraph office is at Hatch Beauchamp, 2 1/2 miles distant

Wall Letter Box, Thickthorn, cleared at 10.50 a.m.& 7.25 p.m. week days only.

Public Elementary School ( mixed), erected in 1842 & enlarged in 1911, for 90 children; average attendance, 65; Miss Alice Pile, Mistress

Carrier to Taunton Andrew Baker, sat..

PRIVATE RESIDENTS

Dicks Mrs.

Griffiths, Rev. Morgan John B.A. (rector) Rectory

Hawks Major Frederick Welman

Helliar Frederick, Ashill House

Marshall Malcolm Charles, Thickthorn

Palmer Francis, Wood Court

Speke Walter Hanning J.P., Jordans

Wilson Robin, Stewley Lodge

COMMERCIAL

Adams Robert, farmer, White House Farm

Baker Andrew, carrier

Bickley Edward, farmer

Bickley Susan ( Miss), assistant overseer & clerk to Parish Council, Rapps

Bicknell Edward, farmer, Rapps

Bragg Walter, farmer

Brinson Tom, Farmer, Cage Bush

Brown Fred, shoeing and general smith, Catherine Wheel

Chick William Albert, Wheelwright, Windmill Hill

Churchill Tom, farmer, Rapps

Davis Fred, cowkeeper, Wood

Denman Frank, dairyman, Shrubbery dairy

Filer Enoch, farmer, Windmill Hill

Forward Edward, farmer, Windmill Hill

Grigg William, farmer, Folly farm

Hancock William, farmer, Ashton

Helliar John, farmer

Howard William, farmer Southtown

Hull Walter, farmer, Forest farm

Kinglake John, farmer, Stewley

Lillycrap William, blacksmith, Stewley

Lock Frederick James, baker

Marshall Malcolm Charles, farmer, Thickthorn

 

 

Matravers George, farmer, Hastings

Matthew James, farmer, Southtown

Mear Alfred, farmer, Rowlands

Mear Herbert, dairyman, Rapps

Oborne Maria (Miss), shopkeeper, Rapps

Palmer Francis, yeoman, Wood Court

Pounsberry William John, farmer, Stewley farm

Sheppard Kate ( Mrs.) shopkeeper

Sheppard Walter William, carpenter & sub-postmaster

Slade Elizabeth ( Mrs.), Ashill Inn

Trump Aaron, bootmaker, Hastings

Warfield Arthur, dairyman, Rowlands

Warfield James, farmer, Rapps

Warry Edwin Thomas, beer retailer, Windmill Hill

Wright Henry, farmer, Southtown

Wright Robert, farmer, Windmill Hill

 

1927

ASHILL is a parish on the road from Ilminster to Taunton, 3 3/4 miles north-west from Ilminster station on the Chard branch of the Great Western Railway, and 8 miles south-east from Taunton, in the Yeovil division of the county, western division of Abdick and Bulstone hundred, Ilminster petty sessional division, Chard union and county court district, rural deanery of Crewkerne (Ilminster District), archdeaconry of Taunton and diocese of Bath and Wells. The church of St. Mary's is an ancient building of stone in the Norman, Early English, Decorated and perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel, nave, north porch and an embattled western tower containing 5 bells: it was partially restored in 1882 at a cost of £650, and has 185 sittings. The register dates from the year 1558. The living is a rectory, net yearly value £300, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and held since 1906 by the Rev. Morgan John Griffiths B.A. of Hatfield Hall, Durham University. In the parish is a chalybate spring, which has been found serviceable in diseases of the digestive organs and scrofulous complaints. Jordans is the seat of Col. Walter Hanning Speke D.L., J.P. lord of the manor and chief landowner. The soil is stonerush and clay; subsoil is clay and gravel. The chief crops are wheat, oats, peas and beans. The acreage is 2,740; rateabale value, £4,193; the population in 1921 was 423 in the civil and 279 in the ecclesiastical parish.

STEWLEY, a hamlet 1 1/2 miles north, formerly a part of Isle Abbots, and Rapps 1 mile east, taken partly from Broadway and partly from Ilton, were, March 25, 1885, under the provisions of the "Divided Parishes Act" . incorporated with this parish by Local Government Board Orders 16,420 and 17,648 respectively, and by order 17,647, another part of Broadway was amalgamated with this parish.

Post Office Walter William Sheppard, sub-postmaster. Letters arrive from Ilminster at 7 a.m.& 5.15 p.m.; dispatched at 10 a.m.& 7.20 p.m. week days only. The nearest money order and telegraph office is at Hatch Beauchamp, 2 1/2 miles distant

Public Elementary School ( mixed), erected in 1842 & enlarged in 1911, for 90 children; Miss Alice Pile, Mistress

PRIVATE RESIDENTS

Akers-Jones Edward, Windmill Hill

Andrews Richard, The Firs

Dicks Mrs.

Griffiths Rev. Morgan John B.A. (rector), Rectory

Helliar Frederick, Ashill house

Manderson Mrs., Folly Farm

Palmer Francis, Wood Court

Rattray Major T.A., M.C. Axhill house

Speke Col. Walter Hanning D.L., J.P. Jordans

Wilson Mrs. Stewley Lodge

COMMERCIAL

Baker Chas. (Mrs.) & Sons, farmers, Parsonage farm

Bicknell Edward, farmer, Rapps

Bragg Walter, farmer

Clark Henry, cowkeeper, Wood

Dibble Arnold, farmer, Radigan Farm

Dibble Eva (Miss), assistant overseer & clerk to Parish Council

Durman Francis, farmer, White House Farm

Edwards Bertram, farmer, Lower Parsonage Farm

Forward Edward, farmer, Windmill Hill

Harvey Charles, oil dealer, Kenny

Hull Walter, farmer, Forest Farm

James Miss, farmer, Southtown

Kinglake C. & R. farmers, Hastings

Kinglake Jn. farmer, Folly

Kinglake Minnie (Mrs.), beer retailer

Lillycrap Wm. blacksmith, Stewley

Lock Frederick Jas. baker, & post office

Matravers Walter, farmer, Windmill Hill

Mear & Son, blacksmiths

Mear Alfred, farmer, Rowlands

Medland Wm. farmer, Deacons farm

Musgrove Alfred, Ashill Inn

Oborne Anna Maria (Miss), shopkeeper, Rapps

Palmer Fras. farmer, Wood ct

Pounsberry Wm. Jn. farmer, Stewley farm

Rawlins F. farmer, Cagebush

Warfield Arthur, dairyman, Rowlands

Warfield James, farmer, Rapps

White George, farmer, Ashton

Wright Garland, farmer, Southtown

1939

ASHILL is a parish on the road from Ilminster to Taunton, 3 3/4 miles north-west from Ilminster station on the Chard branch of the Great Western Railway, and 8 miles south-east from Taunton, in the Yeovil division of the county, western division of Abdick and Bulstone hundred, Ilminster petty sessional division, Chard rural district and county court district, rural deanery of Crewkerne (Ilminster District), archdeaconry of Taunton and diocese of Bath and Wells. Electricity is available. Water is supplied by the Chard Rural District Council. The church of St. Mary's is an ancient building of stone in the Norman, Early English, Decorated and perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel, nave, north porch and an embattled western tower containing 5 bells: the tower was restored, the bells rehung and two recast in 1927: the church was partially restored in 1882, and has 185 sittings. The register dates from 1558. The loiving is a rectory, net yearly value £290, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and held since 1935 by the Rev. John David Henry Patch M.A. of St. John's College, Cambridge. Jordans is the seat of Col. Walter Hanning Speke D.L. J.P. lord of the manor and chief landowner. The soil is stonerush and clay; subsoil is clay and gravel. The chief crops are wheat, oats, peas and beans. The acreage is 2,740; the population in 1931 was419 in the civil and 287 in the ecclesiastical parish.

STEWLEY, a hamlet 1 1/2 miles north, formerly a part of Isle Abbots, and Rapps 1 mile east, taken partly from Broadway and partly from Ilton, were, March 25, 1885, under the provisions of the "Divided Parishes Act" . incorporated with this parish by Local Government Board Orders 16,420 and 17,648 respectively, and by order 17,647, another part of Broadway was amalgamated with this parish.

Post Office. Letters through Ilminster. Hatch Beauchamp nearest M.O. & T. office.

PRIVATE RESIDENTS

Akers-Jones Mrs., Windmill Hill

Dumbar Lt.-Col. J.Cameron D.S.O., Ashill House

Farmer E.D.A., The Folly

Patch Rev. John David Henry M.A., (rector) Rectory

Speke Col. Walter Hanning D.L. J.P., Jordans

Wilson Mrs. , Stewley Lodge

Wyatt Samuel Bertie, The Firs

COMMERCIAL

Adams Alfred, farmer, Inwood farm

Ashill Inn ( Frederick Purchase)

Bicknell Edward farmer, Rapps

Bindon Gilbert Ernest Henry,, farmer, Lower Parsonage farm

Bragg Walter, farmer

Durman Francis, farmer, White House farm

Edwards Bertram, farmer, Parsonage farm. Ilminster 140

Harvey Arthur Charles, Stewley Filling Station

Harvey Frederick Hugo, oil dealer. Hatch Beauchamp 247

Hext John, Blacksmith

Hooper Arthur, farmer, Windmill Hill

Kinglake John, smallholder, Folly

Lock Frederick James, shopkeeper & post office,. Hatch Beauchamp 259

Matravers Wallace, farmer, Hastings

Medland William, farmer, Deacons farm

Miller Benjamin George, farmer, Stewley fm.

Miller Patience Ann (Miss), smallholder, Wood

Nuttycombe Edward, farmer, Radigan farm

Orchard john, farmer, Windmill Hill

Palmer Francis, farmer, Wood Court

Plenty Arthur William, smallholder

Rawlins Frank, farmer, Caigebush

Rawlins William George, farmer, Forest farm

Sparks Arthur Jeffrey, farmer, Southtown

Square & Compasses P.H. (Sidney E. Hayes)

Stone Thomas, farmer, Southtown

Strawbridge James, sawmill

Taylor Henry John, farmer, Shrubbery farm, Jordans

Vaughn James Edgar, shopkeeper, Wood Hatch Beauchamp 295

Warfield Arthur, dairyman, Rowlands

Warfield James, farmer, Rapps

Welch Alfred, smallholder, Sunnyside

White George, farmer, Ashton

Wright Garland, farmer, Southtown

Yarde Andrew John, smallholder, Hastings farm

Yarde William Alfred, smallholder, Windmill Hill

1939 was the last time that Kellys produced their directory in this format. I would like to carry on this page up to the present day, so if anyone has any information which will help me, can you e-mail me at the address on the home page
Thanks Andy Lea