From the Directory of Somersetshire 1875
BRENT (EAST) is a village and parish in the
Axbridge union, containing, by the census of 1861: 797 and in 1871: 772
inhabitants, and 3037 acres; in the deanery of Axbridge, Archdeaconry of Wells
diocese of Bath and Wells, hundred of Brent-cum-Wrington, mid Somerset; 4
miles north from Highbridge Station on the Bristol and Exeter Railway, 7
south-east from; Weston-super-Mare, and 150 from London
The Manor was
originally given by Ina, King of the West Saxons, to Glastonbury Abbey and
held by them until the dissolution. The vicarage, in the incumbency of the
Ven. George Anthony Denison M. A. archdeacon of Taunton and Prebendary of
Wells, had the tithes commuted at £690 per annum with residence and 80 acres
of the land and is in the dedicated to the Virgin
Mary, consisting of nave,
chancel, north and south aisle, porch and tower containing five bells and
surmounted by a spire. In the church are two cedilla and the whole of the
windows are of stained glass two in the north aisle and the remainder modern.
The altar is very highly embellished. The pulpit and seats are of oak, with
some curious specimens of carved ends. The Church 514 feet long and 50 feet
wide; the height of the tower 80 feet and the spire 60 feet. On the exterior
of the tower are three niches; the upper one contains an effigy King Ina, with
sceptre and mound, embracing a monk; the middle niche, Queen Frithegrand and
in the lowest, her husband, King Ethelard, who succeeded Ina on his retirement
from Rome.
The Wesleyans have a place of worship here which has recently been
erected.
There is a National School for children of both sexes.
George Reed
Esq. is lord of the manor, and he and A. K. Dean, S. Meade-King, and William
Wyndham, Esqs. Are the chief owners of the soil. The poor have charitable
bequests, producing £2 lOs per annum.
A cattle fair is held annually, on the
last Tuesday in July.
BRENT KNOLL is a lofty, conical hill, partly in
this parish and partly in South Brent.
EDINGWORTH is a hamlet. about 1/2
mile
north.
ROOKSBRIDGE about
1/2 mile
east, is another hamlet, in which the Baptists have a place of worship.
Clergy,
Gentry and Private Residents.
Denison
Venerable George Anthony, M.A.,
Archdeacon of Taunton and Prebendary of
Wells,
The Vicarage
Denison Rev. H. P., B.A., curate
Fear Mrs. Selina
Frost Mrs. Ruth
Harden Mrs.
Susan, Rose cottage
Hawkins Rev. C
.F., B.A., curate
Hutson Mr. John
Kiddle Mr.
Joseph, Brent house
Macers Mrs.
Mary, Brent Knoll cottage
Purnell Mr. William
Slade Mrs. Sarah
Tout Mrs. Susan
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