Kilmington

"KILMINGTON, a parish in the hundred of Norton Ferris, county Somerset, 9 miles S. of Frome, its post town, 6 from Bruton, and 4 N.W. of Mere. The parish is small, and considered to be the most easterly in the county. A battle was fought here between the Danes and Alfred the Great. Near Stourhead is a triangular brick tower, 155 feet in height, founded in 1772 by Henry Hoare, Esq., commemorative of the victory gained by Alfred over the Danes; and in the S.W. extremity of the parish is a small oval intrenchment called Jack's Castle. The inhabitants are principally employed in agriculture. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £450. The living is a rect* in the diocese of Bath and Wells, value £498. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a plain structure, with a tower containing two bells. In the church are interred the remains of Mr. Hartgill, and his son, both murdered in the reign of Queen Mary, by Lord Stourton, and others, who were convicted and executed. Kilmington manor, formerly belonging to the crown, was granted to the family of Le Port, in the reign of Edward I.; it afterwards passed to the family of the Hartgills. Sir Ainslie Hoare, Bart., of Stourhead, is the present owner of Kilmington manor." From The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) Transcribed by Colin Hinson © 2003