The County of Somerset Divided into Several Classes
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This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
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This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
THE COVNTY OF SOMERSET DIVIDED Into several Classes, FOR THE PRESENT SETLING OF THE Presbyterial Government.
London, Printed by R. Cotes for Michael Sparke at the Bible in Green-Arbor, 1648.
Right Honorable,
W E humbly conceive the County of Somerset, in regard of its spaciousnesse and multitude of Parishes (when sufficiently furnished with able Ministers and Elders) is fit to be divided into Nine distinct Classes; Viz. the Classis of Bath, Wrington, Wells, Bruton, Ilchester, Ilmister, Taunton, Bridgewater, Dunster; but by reason of the scarcity of fitting Ministers and Elders to constitute so many Classes, we have been necessitated to reduce them for the present into Four, in form following:
The Classis of Bath and Wrington.
- AXbridge
- Bath City
- Bath Easton
- Bathewick
- Batheford
- Brackley
- Bedminster
- Bishporte
- Banwell
- B ••… ington
- Broadweston
- Blagden, & Bleydon
- Burnett
- Bourton
- Barrow
- Brockley
- Backwell
- Butcombe
- Berrington in Wri
- Brislington, alias Busselton
- Beluton
- Buckland
- Charlecome
- Comehay
- Camerton
- Charlton
- Churchill
- Compton Bishop
- Chedder
- Cameley
- Chill Compton
- Compton
- Congersbury
- Claverton
- Corston & Curston
- Compton Dando
- Compton David
- Clutton
- Clevedon
- Chewstock
- Chew Magnum
- Chelvey
- Coldhenton
- Chewton
- Compton Martin
- Chewton Keynesham
- Chelworth
- Comb near Bath
- Dundrie
- Dunkerton
- Easton Gordan, alias St. Georges
- Eastharpetree
- Easton Katharine
- Enborowe
- Freshford
- Farmeborowe
- Forcot, alias Foxcot •
- Farrington
- Farleigh
- Felton
- Hampton
- Hemington
- Hutton
- Hinton Charterhouse
- Hardington
- Henton Blewett
- High Littleton
- Inglescombe
- Keynsham
- Kenn
- Kilmersden
- Kilveston
- Kingston Semer
- Lytton
- Loxton
- Lokinge
- Laverton
- Langridge
- Lullington
- Laurance Weeke
- Lye
- Long Ashton
- Markesbury
- Midsoner Norton
- Nemnett
- Nailsey
- Northstock
- Norton Malereward
- Newton St. Loe
- Orchardley
- Publowe & Pensford
- Philip's Norton
- Portebury
- Priston
- Portshut, alias Portshead
- Puckston
- Paulton
- Radstocke
- Roborowe
- Rode
- Swayneswick
- South stock
- Staunton Prior
- Stowey
- Saltford
- Stone Easton
- Stanton Drew
- Sheepham
- Stoke near Claverdon
- Telesford
- Timesborowe
- Tickenham
- Twiverton
- Thrubwell
- Ubley
- Uphill
- Widcombe, near Westhapetree
- Witcombe, near Bath
- Walton
- Winford
- Weston super Mare
- Weston Gordan
- Wellowe
- Woodspringe
- Worle
- Walcott
- Welton
- Weston near Bath
- Wrington
- Westharptree
- Wolley
- Whitchurch
- Wriggleton
- Wolverton
- Wraxhall
- Winscombe
- Yatton.
The bounds of this Classis are from Axmouth and River, by, and including Blayden, Axbridge, Stone, Easton, Chilcompton, Bluckland, Brackley, where it ends on Wilts-shire. And when they are in capacity to subdivide, then the Classis of Bath is to be divided from Stone, Easton, including in it Cambley, Stowe, Pensforde, Publowe, Keynesham, and Busselton, where it goeth out.
-
Ministers
- Mr. Samuel Crook de Wrington
- Mr. Anthony Parker de Blagdon
- Mr. William Gregory de Backwell
- Mr. Samuel Westoby de Nailsey
- Mr. John Luffe de Chew
- Mr. Joseph Bowden of Bath, and the Ministers of the said City for the time being.
- Mr. Thomas Codrington de Keynsham
- Mr. Will. Thompson de Hillington
- Mr. William Long de Priston
- Mr. William Thomas de Ubley
- Mr. Sam. Tilly de Compton Martin
- Mr. James Ashton de Kilmersden.
-
Elders
- Alexander Popham de Hunstero Esq
- Edward Popham Esq of the same
- John Ash de Freshford, Esq
- John Harrington de Kelson, Esq
- Clement Walker de Charterhouse, Esq
- William Prynne de Swanswick, Esq
- Richard Cole of Nailsey, Esquire
- John Buckland de Westhartery, Esq
- John Hippesley de Stone Easton, Esquire.
- Henry Corges de Batcombe in Chedd, Esq
- Tho. Hippesley de Camerton, Esq
- Tobias Venner de Bath, Doctor of Physic
- John Burgess de Stanton Drewe
- Peter Lock de Chew Magnum
- William Hall de Brackley
- Ben. Pitt de Sanderwick
- James Rowsell de Comchey
- John Collins de Priston
- John Curle de Freshford
- John Wood de Bath
- Thomas Wornall de Wraxhall
- John Amery de Wrington
- Richard Arthur de Backwell
- Thomas Baynard senior, de Blayden
- Richard Grimston de Yatton
- Henry Plomley de Easthartrey
- James Wrenckmore de Axbridge
- Herculer Comer de Chedder
- James Nash de Compton Martin
- John Salmont de Easton Katharine
- Henry Hurle de St. George
- Edmond Keene de Wrington.
The Classis of Wells and Bruton.
- ATford
- Abbots Comb
- Ascott
- Ashwicke
- Allerton
- Bruham
- Burnham
- Bimger
- Babington
- Bruton
- Bradley
- Badgworth
- Brayne, alias Breane
- Bradley
- Batcombe
- Bitsham
- Buckland
- Blackford,
- Castle Carie
- Charlton Musgrave
- Cucklington
- Chereton
- Catcott
- Croscombe
- Corton
- Chester blade
- Cloford
- Compton
- Compton Pansford
- Doulting
- Ditchere
- Dinder
- Donyett
- Elm
- East Cranmere
- Ever Creech
- East Lidford
- East Brent
- East Pennard
- Froome Selwood
- Gothill
- Glastonbury
- Gillingham
- Gedney
- Henstridge
- Holcombe
- Halton
- Horsington
- Kilmington
- Limpersham
- Lye under Mendhipp
- Levington
- Lamyeat
- Luckington
- Marston Bigott
- Milton
- Mere
- Melles
- Mark
- Maperton
- Milborn Port
- North barrowe
- North Wotton
- Nunny
- North Cadbury
- Poyntington
- Priddie
- Polesham
- Pill
- Pitcombe
- Pilton
- Rodney Stoke
- Redlinche
- Shapwhick
- South Wotton
- Stratton on the Force
- Stokeland
- Stoake
- Sutton epi.
- South brent
- Stone
- Staffordell
- South Cadburie
- Shepton Mallet
- South Barrowe
- Shepton Montague
- Stowell
- Street
- Temple Comb
- Upton Noble
- Wells City
- Wookey
- Week & Wike
- Worseway
- West Cramere
- West Comb
- Wyncanton
- Wydcome
- Weare
- Walton
- Wales
- West Lidford
- Whethill
- Wanstrowe
- Wedmore
- Westbury
- West pennard
- Whateley
- Yenston
- Yarlington.
The bounds of this Classis are from Axmouth and River by and including Bitsham, Weare, Priddie, Chewton, Froome, Frary, Cuclington, Henstridge Poyntington, Corton, South Barrow, Lidford street, Walton, Shapwick over Ba •• nbridge, and ends at Grange mouth, and when they they are in a capacity to subdivide, then the Classis of Wells is to be divided from East Lidford, including in it Stone Doulting and Stokeland.
-
Ministers.
- Mr. Sam. Oliver de Wells
- Mr. Fletcher de Mere
- Mr. Robert Balsum de Shepton Mallet
- Mr. Purifie Middleham de Westbury
- Mr. John Whiteburne de Crosecombe
- Peter Glasbrooke de Streete
- Mr. Ben. Whitchott de North Cadbury
- Mr. Richard Allen de Ditchett
- Mr. Richard Allen de Batcombe
- Mr. William Parker de Bruton
- M. Christopher Reede de Cloforde
- Mr. Richard Fairecloth de Melles
- Mr. William Wright de Froome
- Mr. John Darli • de Temple Comb
-
Elders
- Sir John Horner of Melles Knight
- Sir Robert Gorges of Redlinch Knight
- Mr. Justice Rolle of Shapwicke
- George Horner of Cloford Esq
- William Strode of Downeside Esq
- Lisl. bone Long of Stratton Esq
- Thomas Horner of Lye Esq
- Thatcher of Queen Camel
- Henry Alben of Upton
- John Sanders of Bruton
- William Cornish of Alhampton
- Stephen Ashford of North Cadbury
- Francis Plympton of Wincanton
- John Keene of Wincanton
- William Ridout of Charlton Musgrave
- Richard Bingham of Henstridge
- John Accort of Rodden
- Thomas Millard of Preistley
- Jo. Pranket of Bayford
- William Bennet of Bruham
- John Weare of Temple Comb
- George Millard of Shepton
- William Tucker of Doulting
- Thomas Salmon of Wells
- Stephen Hasket of Wells
- Joseph Gallhampton of Wells
- Aaron Mito of Croscombe
- Richard Dale of Glaston
- Richard Hippesley of Wookey
- Jeffery Agustine of Glastonbury
- Abraham Gundery of Streete
- William Meade of Streete.
The Classis of Ilchester and Ilmister.
- Ashington
- Abbots He
- Adber
- Ashhill
- Bingham
- Barrington
- Broadway
- Babcarie
- Berwick
- Butleigh
- Brympton
- Chisleburrowe
- Compton Dandon
- Crewkehorne
- Charde
- Chilton
- Comb St. Nicholas
- Chilterne Domer
- Clauseworth
- Cudworth
- Chynnocke
- Chellington
- Curry Evil
- Cricket Thomas
- Chilton
- Donyett
- Dunington
- East Charlton
- East Coker
- Evil Burrowe
- East Dolish
- Evylton alias Yeauylton
- Fivehead
- George Hynton alias Henton
- Hewish
- Hislegrave alias Hilsgrave
- Higheham
- Hasilbere Plucknett
- Hardington Marsh
- Ilbruers
- Ilchester Burrowe
- Illton
- Ilmister
- Kingsburie
- Kingstone
- Kingesdon
- Kings Weston
- Kingsbury
- Knoll
- Lynington
- Long Sutton
- Lambrooke
- Lang porte
- Luston
- Longeham
- Michael Seving •
- Middle Chenocke
- Mudford
- Martock Parish and Hundred
- Marston
- Muche Lucy
- Milton
- Montague
- Norton under Hamden
- North Over
- North Parrot
- Odcombe
- Pendomer
- Preston Plucknet
- Pytney
- Puckington
- Queen Camel
- Rimpton alias Rymeton
- Stoke under Hamden
- Seavington Marie
- Stockings Magdalene
- Samford Orcas
- Sparkeford
- Stoklinsh
- Seaburrow
- Somerton
- Stamford
- Sutton Binghe
- Shepton
- Swill
- Tyntenhall
- Thorn
- Trent
- West Charlton
- West Coker
- Westchinock
- Wayford
- Whites Taunton
- White Lakington
- Weston Zoyland
- West Camel.
The bounds of this Classis are from or near Walton by and including Butleigh, Babearie, Weston, Trent, Pendoner, Parrott, Winsham, Chard, Whites, Taunton, Comb St. Nicholas, Broadway, Ashhill, Abbots, Isle Fiveheads, Auler, Higham, & out of Walton. And when they are in a capacity to subdivide, then the Classis of Ilchester is to be divided from Clausworth to Auler including them both and Chinocke Odcomb, and Martock; Currirevell and out at Auler.
-
Ministers
- Mr. Ed. Bennet of South Pederton
- Mr. John Moore of Auler
- Mr. James Elliott of Shepton Beacham
- Mr. Maine of Puckington
- Mr. Thomas Budd of Kingsburie
- Mr. Tim. Batt of Ilmister
- Mr. Reynold Leslie of Doniett
- Mr. Christopher Laurence of Odcombe
- Mr. Brain of Lymington
- Mr. Nath. Debancke of Martocke
- Mr. Jacob Tomkins of Crewkerne
- Mr. Wyatt of Puddemore
- Mr. Matthew Randall of Higham.
-
Elders
- Henry Henly of Lye Esq
- John Saintbarbe of Ashington Esq
- Henry Bonner of Comb St. Nicholas Esq
- Rich. Trevillian of Drayton, Gent.
- George Gibbs of Crewkerne
- James Burford of Martocke
- Will. Redbeard of Norton sub • anden
- Thomas Patten of Chistleburrowe.
- Robert Webb of Ilmister
- Thomas Collins Junior of Ilmester
- George Sampson of Lopen
- Charles Warren of Pendomer
- Robert Dunn of Crewkerne
- Edward Atkings of Charde
- Peter Higdon of Merson
- William Atkins of Charde
- William Strode of Charlton Adams
- Francis Carswell of Charde
- George Sampson junior, of Kingsbury
- Barnard Gold of Ilchester.
The Classis of Taunton, Bridgewater, and Dunster.
- ASh-holt, alias Ashcott
- Anglesby
- Andrey
- Ashbrittle
- St. Andrew's
- Burrowe St. Mich.
- Bishops Lydeard
- Bushford
- Bridgewater
- Bicknell
- Buckland Fee
- Beer
- Broomfield
- Bicknaller
- Brumpton Rafe
- Brumpton Regis
- Bawdripe
- Bagborowe Me • t
- Braford
- Badleton
- Bitts Comb
- Chelton
- Cheripoole
- Crookham
- Comb Florie
- Curry Mallet
- Culbone
- Cutcombe
- Clatworthy
- Cart Upton
- Chair Finch
- Cotherstone
- Creech
- Cattcott
- Chedsey
- Cheddon fitz pain
- Cassington
- Chilton
- Corse
- Comb With
- Chipstaple
- Dodington
- Durston
- Durley
- Dunster
- Enmore
- Eddington
- Exford
- Exton
- Eastquantock
- Fitzhead
- Grenton
- Goathurst
- Holeford
- Hawkridge
- Hunspill
- Hatch
- Hewish Champflower
- Hill Bishops
- Haules
- Kingston
- Kittsford
- Kilton
- Kilve
- Laurance Lydeard
- Langford
- Langridge
- Luxburrowe
- Linge
- Luckcombe
- Morlinche
- Middlesay
- Michaels Church
- Margaret's Church
- Margaret's Thorn
- Mark Silver preston
- Minehead
- Mary Stoake
- Munckton
- North pedderton
- Nether Stowley
- Norton Fitzwarren
- Nettlecombe
- Nine head
- Oak
- Orchard
- Oldcleeve
- Oterhampton
- Otterford
- Oure
- Paulett
- Perriton
- Pitmister
- Purlocke
- Rinton, alias Rumington
- Riston
- Reddington
- Sutton Mallet
- Stockland
- Staple Beacham
- Samford
- Sainford Bret
- Staveley, alias Stawley
- Stowell
- Selworthy
- Strengston
- Skilgate
- St. Decumans
- Spaxton
- Stogummer
- Staple grove
- Taunton
- Thurlebeere
- Tolland
- Trull
- Treboroe
- Timberscombe
- Thurloxton
- Upton
- Westbuckland
- Williton
- Wemdon
- Wiltscombe, alias Wivelescombe
- Westquantocke
- Wollavington
- Winsford
- Weston
- Wellington
- West hatch
- Wotton Courtney
- Whitbey Poole
- Withey hill
- Yarcombe
The bounds of this Classis are from Grange or Brewemouth, by, and including Hunspill, Wollavington, Cassington, Eddington, Cattcott, Grainton, Michaels Burrowe, Curry Mallet, Buckland, Yarcombe, Samford, Stavely, Wilscombe, Alfoxton, Strengston, and Listoake going out at Seavern; and also Dunster- Classis, from Kilve upon Seavern, by, and including the Quantocke, Coockham, Clatworthy, Highleigh, Reddington, Skilgate, Dulverton, Hawkergidge, Oure, Parlocke, and goeth out at Seavern.
-
Ministers
- Mr. Robert Cross of Luckham
- Mr. George Bindon of Angerslee
- Mr. Alexander Robinson of Norton
- Mr. Rob. Tirling of Taunton James
- Mr. George Newton of Taunton
- Magdalene
- Mr. Richard Smith of Creech
- Mr. John Baker of Curry Mallett
- Mr. Forward of Pittminster.
- Mr Samuel Pretty of Weston.
- Mr. Henry James of Chedsey.
- Mr. John Norman of Bridgewater
- Mr. Tho. Walrond of Hunspill
- Mr. Barth. Yoe of Selworthy
- Mr. William Chapel of Kingston
- Mr. John Langford of Exford
- Mr. John Hill of Elworthie
- Mr. Barth. Safford of Bicknaller
-
Elders
- John Palmer of Taunton Esq
- George Searle of Taunton Esq
- Sir Tho. Worth of Northpedderton Knight
- Robert Blake of Bridgewater Esq
- John Pyne of Curry Mallet Esq
- Thomas Nicholas of Taunton
- John Gardener of Rinton
- Thomas Gatchell of Anglesby
- Thomas Coombe of Petmister
- Roger Hill of Ponsford Esq
- William Andrew's of Bridgewater
- Richard Newton of Northpedderton
- Robert Good of Perriton
- Thomas Summers of Andrey Hill of Weston
- Thomas Musgrave of Rinton
- Edward War of Chipley Esq
- Tho. Francis of Combeflorie Gent.
- Charles Stenings of Selworthy Esq
- Hatfell, alius Whitfield of Mynehead
- Thomas Beadon of Stogumber
- John Street of Bicknaller
- Robert Quicke of Minehead
- Jasper Chaplin of Taunton
- Humphry Blake of Bridgewater
- Thomas Courte of North pedderton.
This is humbly desired that the County of Somerset may be made one entry Province and divided into nine distinct Classes as aforesaid, when it shall be furnished with able Ministers and Elders to supply the same.
In obedience to the Commands of the High Court of Parliament signified in a letter directed to us whose names are hereunto subscribed, we have with the advice of godly Ministers and others considered how the County of Somerset may be most conveniently divided into distinct Classical Presbyteries; and what Ministers and others are fit to be of each Classis; which division and nomination of persons is here accordingly certified and presented to the Honorable Houses of Parliament, by
Your most humble Servants,
- John Horner
- Roger Gorges
- William Prynne
- Hen. Fenley
- William Thomas
- George Newton.