Entries from 1835 Robson's Directory

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Sherborne, a market town, and parish in the hundred and division of its name, 18 miles from Dorchester, and 118 from London, contained in 1831, 4075 inhabitants, and was assessed in 1815 to £13,501. It is situated on the borders of Somersetshire and banks of the river Ivel, which divides it into two parts ; partly on the acclivity of a hill and partly in the valley of Blackmore. The principal streets lie east and west, and are intersected by others in such a manner as to make it resemble a square. It is a place of high antiquity, and derives its name from two Saxon words, seire, 'clear', and burn, 'a spring.' Before the Reformation it was a place of note for the woollen manufacture ; on the decay of which it carried on the button and lace making ; to which have succeeded the establishment of silk mills. These are now in a flourishing state, are conducted with an improved machinery, and employ about 400 hands. A sewer has lately been made through the main street ; and a new bank and post office have been erected in Long street. The steward of the liberty is the only local officer. The market days are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday ; Thursday chiefly for corn, and every second Thursday for cattle. The fairs are held on May 8, July 18, and July 26, chiefly for cattle ; and a large fair on the first Monday after Michaelmas day. The town is within the jurisdiction of the county magistrates.
The living is a vicarage, in the patronage of the crown, value £20.4s.7d. K.B., and £269 in 1835. The present incumbent is the Rev. John Parsons, vicar. The church is built on the site of the cathedral which belonged to the ancient diocese of Sherborne, now merged in Salisbury. In the year 1075 this cathedral was converted into an Abbey, on the incorporation of this see as stated. The greater part was burnt down, and rebuilt, in the reign of Henry VI. It contains specimans of different styles od architecture, and is considered one of the finest churches in the west of England. The interior is light, lofty, and spacious. It is dedicated to St. Mary. Many Saxon nobles, with the kings Ethelbald and Ethelbert, are said to have been interred here. The tower, rising from the centre of the church, 154 feet high, and has six large bells, one of which weighs 6,000 pounds, and was a present from Cardinal Wolsey.
There is a chapel for the Wesleyans, one for the Independents, and one termed the Providence.
There is a free grammer school, endowed by Edward VI., and is called the "Kings School," which holds four exhibitions. There were four of £60 each ; but in consequence of the enlargement of the schools, the whole has been stopped for the present. There are six masters ; four clergymen of the church of England. The head master is Dr. Lyon, who is allowed to take eighty boarders ; the second master is the Rev. Thomas James, A.M. who is allowed to take fifteen boarders, and has at present about twenty-five. The other masters are the Rev. F. H. Scrivener, A.M. and the Rev. J. J. Day, A.B.; and the two remaining ones are the sub-masters, engaged by the Rev. Dr. Lyon.
Sherborne castle, the seat of the Earl of Digby, who is lord lieutanant and custos rotulorum of this county, was orginally built by the celebrated Sir Walter Raleigh, when in the zenith of his prosperity. Various changes and additions have since been made. Its figure at present resembles that of the letter H. The apartments are decorated with some fine paintings, by the ancient masters and others ; among which may be particularized, a picture on canvas, representing the famous procession of Queen Elizabeth to St Paul's, after the destruction of the Spanish armada. Adjacent to the eastern part of the town is the suburb and parish of castleton, which takes its name from an ancient castellated residence of the bishops of Sherborne, now in ruins. It was a well chosen position for defence, being protected by a large moor on the north, now a meadow,and commanding the ridge of hills on the south, and the valleys in its proximity on the north and west. It was destroyed in the civil wars of Charles I.
The principal seats in the neighbourhood are Sir William Coles Middlecot's, Venn house, Milbourne Port ; John Gooddin's, Esq. ; and Robert Gardner's Esq. M.P. The surrounding scenery is very fertile, and abounding with woods and mountains.