[Transcription © SA Whittle-Bruce 2003]

Timberscombe, Somersetshire

Kelly's 1889 Directory

TIMBERSCOMBE is a parish and village, situated on the road from Dunster to Dulverton, 8 miles south-west from Williton, 3 1/4 south-west from Dunster station on the West Somerset branch of the Great Western railway and 3 south from Minehead, in the Western division of the county, hundred of Carhampton, petty sessional division of Dunster, union and county court district of Williton, rural deanery of Dunster, archdeaconry of Taunton and diocese of Bath and Wells. The church of St. Michael is a building of stone of the 15th century, consisting of chancel, nave of four bays, south aisle, north porch and an embattled western tower containing 5 bells: the tower was rebuilt by Richard Elsworth esq. ;there is a handsome carved screen; the chancel was restored in 1862 and the body of the church in 1882; there are sittings for 147 persons. The register dates from the year 1656. The living is a vicarage, average tithe rent-charge £176, net yearly value £266, including 12 acres of glebe, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and held since 1876 by Rev. Robert James Crosswell M.A. of Oriel College, Oxford, and surrogate. The poor have £10 yearly from Elsworth's charity mentioned below. Worsley Battersby esq. J.P. of Knowle, who is lord of the manor, Rt. Hon. Sir Thomas Dyke Acland bart. P.C. and Henry Clark esq. are the principal landowners. The soil is red sandstone and limestone; the subsoil various, mostly rock. The chief crops are wheat, barley and turnips. The acreage is 1,902; rateable value, £3,155; the population in 1881 was 357.

By Local Government Orders, which came into operation March 25, 1883, a detached part of Carhampton, known as Beasley, was amalgamated with Timberscombe and detached parts of the parish, known as EAST LYNCH and STADFORD ROCKS, were amalgamated respectively with SELWORTHY and CUTCOMBE

Parish Clerk, John Huxtable.

POST OFFICE.-Mrs. Mary Lyddon, sub-postmistress. Letters arrive from Taunton via Dunster, by foot post, at 8.15 a.m.; dispatched at 4.25 p.m. except sunday. The nearest money order & telegraph office is at Dunster. Postal orders are issued here, but not paid.

Endowed School (mixed); average attendance 65; founded by Richard Elsworth in 1714; the governors of the charity contribute £1 annually for every child passing the government examination; Samuel Overmass, master; Mrs. M.A.Overmass, mistress.

Battersby Worsley J.P. Knowle Crosswell Rev. Robt. Jas. M.A. Vicarage Kendall Thomas Rousby, Great house COMMERCIAL Brewer Thomas, farmer, Slade farm Brewer Thomas, wheelwright Clatworthy William, market gardener Coles John, farmer Davis Elizh. (Miss), Rose & Crown PH

Edwards George, tailor Floyd William, mason Gibbs John, Lion inn, & farmer Grabham William, blacksmith Hensley Thomas, saddler & shopkeeper Hurford George, shoe maker Huxtable John, jun. wheelwright Merson Francis, farmer, Bickham Morgan Geo. miller (water), The Mills Norris John, farmer, Dudding's farm

Phillips James & Son, millers (water), Cowbridge mills Pugsley William, tailor & shopkeeper Sayer George, farmer, Well Stenner Samuel, butcher Tapp James, farmer, Croydon farm Tapp John, farmer, Harwood Townsend John, farmer Townsend William farmer, Harwood Williams Robert, shoemaker