Bruton Genealogical Records

Bruton Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Bruton Baptisms (1681-1812)

A searchable database containing transcriptions of baptism registers. These records may help trace a family as far back as 1681.

Early Somerset Baptism Transcripts (1597-1700)

Transcriptions of 255 parish baptism registers. They list children, their parents' names, residences, occupations and sometimes other details.

Wells Diocese Bishop's Transcripts (1594-1695)

Transcriptions of copies of parish registers that were compiled for the Bishop of Wells.

British Birth and Baptism Records (1400-2010)

A collection of indexes and transcripts of birth and baptism records that cover over 250 million people. Includes digital images of many records.

Bruton Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Bruton Marriage Registers (1554-1837)

An index to marriages in Bruton listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Bruton Marriages (1750-1837)

Brief notes on marriages that occurred at the church between 1750 and 1837.

Bruton Marriage Index (1658-1760)

Brief notes on marriages that occurred at the church between 1658 and 1760.

Bruton Marriage Index (1554-1813)

An index to marriages recorded by the church, listing the date of marriage and the names of the bride and groom.

Bruton Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Bruton Burials (1681-1812)

Transcriptions of records from burial registers. Lists the deceased's name, residence and age. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.

Bruton Monumental Inscriptions (1430-1996)

Details extracted from tombs, monuments and plaques.

Blessed Virgin Mary, Bruton Burial Records (1554-1928)

An index of burials recorded at Blessed Virgin Mary, Bruton_. The index includes the name of the deceased, the date of burial, age (where available) and occasionally other notes.

Early Somerset Burial Transcripts (1597-1700)

Transcriptions of around half the parish burial registers for Somerset. They list the name of the deceased, the date of their death and/or burial and sometimes other details, such as age and occupation.

Bruton Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Hearth Tax for Somerset (1664-1665)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Somerset Electoral Registers (1832-1914)

Digital images of books the list people eligible to vote in Somerset. Includes addresses and nature of that address.

Somerset Certificates of Muster (1569)

An early census of men able to serve in the militia.

Newspapers Covering Bruton

Wells Journal (1851-1867)

A record of births, marriages, deaths, legal, political, organisation and other news from the Wells area. Original pages of the newspaper can be viewed and located by a full text search.

Sherborne Mercury (1770-1867)

Fully text-searchable articles from a local newspaper covering the Sherborne district. It includes family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more.

Western Morning News (1894-1950)

A politically independent newspaper, covering the affairs of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It includes family notices.

Weekly Mail (1879-1910)

A weekly newspaper that circulated through Wales and parts of Somerset and Gloucestershire. It published general news, literature, commentary, family notices, adverts etc. Each edition has been indexed and digitised.

Western Gazette (1863-1950)

A regional newspaper covering the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire Hampshire and Berkshire. It covers local and national news, family announcements, business news, legal proceedings and more.

Bruton Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Somerset Medieval Will Abstracts (1385-1558)

Summaries of 1,616 wills that may detail family relationships, land ownership and other details.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Admon Index (1559-1660)

An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.

Archdeaconry of Taunton Wills & Administrations (1537-1799)

A calendar to wills and admons granted by the Archdeaconry of Leicester. Contains year of the grant, name and residence.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Probate Abstracts (1630-1654)

A searchable database of mid-17th Century probates performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Supplies details of testator and executor.

Bruton Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Bruton Military Records

Memorial Book of Somerset (1914-1919)

An index to almost 11,000 men connected with Somerset who died during WWI.

Somerset Certificates of Muster (1569)

An early census of men able to serve in the militia.

2nd Somersetshire Regiment History (1801-1815)

A history of the regiment in the run-up to and during the Napoleonic Wars.

Somerset WWI Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War One monuments in Somerset, with some service details.

Somerset WWII Memorials (1914-1918)

A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Somerset, with some service details.

Manuscripts of the Dean & Chapter of Wells (1100-1799)

A collection of charters, writs, letters, conveyances and other records from the Dean & Chapter of Wells.

Somerset Inquests (1790-1825)

Transcripts of a large number of records detailing investigations into deaths.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

Home Office Prison Calendars (1868-1929)

Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.

Central Criminal Court After-trial Calendars (1855-1931)

Over 175,000 records detailing prisoner's alleged offences and the outcome of their trial. Contains genealogical information.

Bruton Taxation Records

Hearth Tax for Somerset (1664-1665)

A transcription of records naming those who had taxes levied against them for the privilege of owning a hearth.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811)

An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.

Red Book of the Exchequer (1066-1230)

A compilation of records from the Court of the Exchequer primarily dealing with taxes and land. These records are in Latin.

Bruton Land & Property Records

Manuscripts of the Dean & Chapter of Wells (1100-1799)

A collection of charters, writs, letters, conveyances and other records from the Dean & Chapter of Wells.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem (1236-1291)

Abstracts of records detailing the estates and families of deceased tenants from the reigns of Henry III and Edward I.

Bruton Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1939)

An exhaustive gazetteer, containing details of settlement's history, governance, churches, postal services, public institutions and more. Also contains lists of residents with their occupation and address.

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1935)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1923)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1919)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1914)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Bruton Cemeteries

Bruton Monumental Inscriptions (1430-1996)

Details extracted from tombs, monuments and plaques.

Somerset Monumental Inscriptions (1600-2000)

An index to vital details engraved on over 100,000 monuments across the county of Somerset.

Somerset Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Somerset's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Bruton Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Bruton Histories & Books

Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset (1888-1906)

Selected issues of a periodical which contains many historical and genealogical tracts relating to the counties of Somerset and Dorset.

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Victoria County History: Somerset (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Somerset Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Somerset.

Somerset Turnpikes (1707-Present)

A history of turnpikes and tollhouses in Somerset. Includes profiles of individual turnpikes.

Bruton School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Bruton Occupation & Business Records

Somerset Parish Apprentice Indentures (1575-1800)

Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Somerset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.

Smuggling on the West Coast (1690-1867)

An introduction to smuggling on the west coast of Britain & the Isle of Man, with details of the act in various regions.

Somerset Pub Histories (1820-Present)

Histories of Somerset pubs, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

South England Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in the south of England.

West Country Police in Glamorgan (1839-1901)

An index of Glamorgan police officers who came from the West Country.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Bruton

The Visitation of the County of Somerset (1623)

Pedigrees of Somerset gentry families, including depictions of their arms. The book also contains some biographical information.

Victoria County History: Somerset (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Bruton Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

The Visitation of the County of Somerset (1623)

Pedigrees of Somerset gentry families, including depictions of their arms. The book also contains some biographical information.

Victoria County History: Somerset (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Somerset Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Somerset's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Bruton Church Records

Manuscripts of the Dean & Chapter of Wells (1100-1799)

A collection of charters, writs, letters, conveyances and other records from the Dean & Chapter of Wells.

Somerset Parish Apprentice Indentures (1575-1800)

Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Somerset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.

Catholic History in South West England (1517-1856)

A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.

Somerset Parish Register Transcripts (1538-1956)

Transcriptions of registers that record baptisms, which typically occur shortly after birth; marriages and burials. They can help establish links between individuals back to the 16th century.

Somerset Monumental Inscriptions (1582-2005)

An index to vital details engraved on over 25,000 monuments across the county of Somerset.

Biographical Directories Covering Bruton

Somerset Worthies, Unworthies & Villains (1500-1900)

Brief biographies of thousands of notable Somerset men.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

Bruton Maps

Maps of Somerset (1607-1902)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Parish Maps of Britain (1832)

Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.

Bruton Reference Works

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Historical Description

Bruton or Brewton is a small but well-built town, containing a great number of inhabitants; situate on the River Bru, (whence its name) at the south-west extremity of Selwood Forest.

In the market-place is an ancient cross, erected by John Ely, last Abbot of Bruton. It is hexagonal, supported by six pillars at the angles, and a large one in the centre; the roof consists wholly of the ribs of arches, which, springing from the centre, diverge from pillar to pillar, and are finely ornamented with sculpture. About the middle of the town is a well- constructed Market-House, with a large room over it, in which are frequently held the quarter-sessions for the Eastern-Division of the county. The Church is a fine Gothic structure.

There is a noble charity in this town, for the maintenance of a certain number of poor men, women, and children, with a school of instruction, founded by Hugh Saxey, esq., a native of Bruton. This person is said to have been a stable-boy at one of the inns here; but afterwards, by the help of a little learning, united with a regularity of meritorious conduct, was advanced to the post of Auditor to Queen Elizabeth. He died in 1620, possessed of considerable landed property. The annual income of the estates belonging to this charity is between two and three thousand pounds.

The chief manufacture of Bruton is that of stockings. The market is on Saturday.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

BRUTON is a small town and parish, on the river Brue, here crossed by two carriage and one foot bridges; it has a station on the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth branch of the Great Western railway, and is 1 mile north-west from Cole station on the Somerset and Dorset railway, 126 from London by Tail, 7 south-east from Shepton Mallet, 12 south-east from Wells, 5 north from Wincanton, in the Eastern division of the county, Bruton hundred, Wincanton petty sessional division, union and county court district, rural deanery of Bruton, archdeaconry of Wells and diocese of Bath and Wells. The streets are well paved and are lighted with gas supplied by a company formed in 1836. The water supply is obtained from waterworks at Sturton. By an Order in Council, 25 March, 1884, part of the parish of Eastrip containing Sheephouse farm was amalgamated with this parish. The church of St. Mary the Virgin, rebuilt towards the close of the 15th century, is one of the finest examples in this country of the Early Perpendicular style, and consists of chancel, erected in 1470, with a crypt below it, clerestoried nave of five bays, aisles, north tower porch and a noble embattled western tower containing a clock and 6 bells: the parapets of the nave are filled with pierced tracery, consisting of zigzag moulding inclosing trefoils; the clerestory is lighted by large traceried windows of four lights, divided by flab buttresses: projecting from the embattled north aisle is a lofty porch tower of three stages, with Perpendicular windows in the upper stage, which is battlemented; at the south-west angle of this tower is a square turret, also embattled, and rising above the merlons of the parapet; the western tower is arranged in three stages, the belfry storey exhibiting on each face triplets of traceried windows separated by slender cricketed shafts; the tower is strengthened by angle buttresses rising into crocketed pinnacles, and has a pierced embattled parapet and an octagonal turret with pinnacle at the north-east angle: the chancel, an incongruous structure, has a tomb with recumbent effigies to Sir Maurice Berkeley K.B. and his two wives. Catherine (Blount), ob. 25 February, 1559, and Elizabeth (Sandes), ob. 16 June, 1585; there is also a monument of black marble, with bust and arms, and a Latin inscription, to William Godolphin esq. ob. 1636, and another mural monument of stone, with a rich canopy supported by Corinthian pillars, and recumbent effigies, to Charles, 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge, ob. 12 June. 1688, and his two wives, one of whom, Penelope, was the daughter of Sir William Godolphin kt. and sister of the above William Godolphin esq.: a mural monument of white and grey marble, with a pediment, and inscriptions in Latin and Greek, commemorates William Berkeley, 4th baron Berkeley of Stratton, ob. 24 March, 1740—1, and near this is a monument of marble, with sculptured trophies and military ensigns, erected in 1749 by John, 5th baron Berkeley, to his brother, Capt. the Hon. William Berkeley R.N. of H.M.S. “Tiger,” on board which he died, 25 March, 1733, and was buried at sea: the stained west window is a memorial to Mr. T. O. Bennett, d. 1877, and to his wife, Mary (Beasant), d. 1878; there are other memorial windows to John and William Ames, former parishioners, who emigrated to America in 1635 and 1638, and to Edward Dyne, d. 1850, Fanny, his wife, d. 1854, Henry Dyne, d. 1890 and Henry Thomas Ridley, d. 1898: the church has a finely carved open timbered roof, and there is a lectern of carved oak: the church has been restored since 1873 at a cost of £5,000, and affords sittings for 800 persons: in the churchyard is a tomb with Latin inscription to the Hon. C. Berkeley, d. 1743. The register dates from the year 1554. The living is a perpetual curacy, net yearly value £170, inclusive of 21 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of Sir Henry Hugh Arthur Hoare bart. and held since 1898 by the Rev. Douglas Llewellyn Hayward M.A. of Durham University, who is also chaplain of Sexey’s hospital, and surrogate. There is a Wesleyan chapel at the west end of the town and a Congregational chapel in the High street, seating about 450 persons. Here is a bacon factory carried on by the Somersetshire Bacon Curing Co. Stuckey’s Banking Company has a branch office here. Fairs for cattle are held in the town on the 23rd of April and the 17th of September. A cattle show was held annually on the second Thursday in October, but now amalgamated with Castle Cary and Wincanton. The Early closing day is Thursday at 5 p.m. About the year 1005 a religious house was founded here by Algar, Earl of Cornwall, for Benedictine monks, subsequently, in 1142, refounded by W. de Mohun, and converted into an abbey of Austin Canons, which was suppressed at the Dissolution: a part of the old buildings, situated in the High street, is now the property of Mrs. Dyne. On a hill on the south side of the church is the monastic Dove Cote. Sir Henry Hugh Arthur Hoare bart. of Stourhead House, Wilts, who is lord of the manor, and the Earl of Ilchester P.C. are the chief landowners. The area is 3,992 acres of land and 15 of water; rateable value, £11,146; the population in 1901 was 1,788 in the civil and 1,583 in the ecclesiastical parish.

Under the provisions of the Divided Parishes Act, 1882, detached parts of Pitcombe parish, known as Discove and Dairy House and Cottage, have been amalgamated with Bruton, by Local Government Board Order 16,582; a part of Eastrip parish has also been added.

Bruton Hospital, standing on the south side of High street, was founded in the year 1638 by Hugh Sexey, who endowed it with the manor of Blackford: it provides lodging & maintenance, with other privileges, for 7 aged men & 24 aged women; 15 girls are also maintained & educated & trained for domestic service for three years: there is a chapel attached to the institution, where prayers are held daily; the Rev. Douglas Llewellyn Hayward M.A. Vicar of Bruton, is chaplain; James Warburton Parfitt A.K.C.L. Master; Miss Marion Harvey, mistress.

SCHOOLS

King Edward the Sixth’s Grammar School, Plox road, was founded in 1520 by Richard Fitz-James, Bishop of London, Sir John Fitz-James kt. his nephew, & in 1526 Lord Chief Justice of England, & John Edmondes, clerk: it was suppressed at the Reformation & restored by King Edward VI. in 1549: there is an excellent modern library, containing more than 1,000 volumes, a chemical laboratory, gymnasium, carpenter’s shop & new fives courts: attached to the school are two exhibitions of £30 a year, tenable for three years at the universities or elsewhere, or which the governors may at their discretion) apply to the advancement in life of the successful candidate, if he does not wish to proceed to one of the universities; there are also scholarships tenable in the school of the aggregate value of £300 yearly & valuable prizes are awarded by the governors & other benefactors: the school is administered under a scheme of the Charity Commissioners & has an income of £650 yearly, derived from land: there are about 60 boys: the governing body consists of 15 members, of whom three are appointed by the County Council, six are nominated by the bishop, the two universities & the county magistrates, other six being co-optative.

Sexey’s Trade School, founded in November, 1889, out of the old endowments of Sexey’s Hospital under a scheme of the Charity Commissioners, with aid from the Somerset County Council, is intended to provide a sound technical & commercial education for the sons of farmers & tradesmen. The school-buildings, erected at a cost of over £5,000, occupy an attractive & healthy site adjoining the main road from Bruton to Castle-Cary, about half-a-mile from Bruton Station (G.W.R.) to Cole Station (S. & D. R.), & are of brick with stone dressings in the Jacobean style, from designs by Messrs. George J. Skipper F.R.I.B.A. & J. W. Skipper, architects, of Norwich, & comprise, in the centre, a large schoolroom for 50 boys, with a double-gabled projection on the principal front & an open bell turret with a cupola & vane on the roof; adjoining, on the right, is the headmaster’s house & on the left, a spacious porch, a lecture room for 30 boys, chemical laboratory, equipped for 20 students, physical laboratory for 20 students, masters’ room, workshops, museum & reading room, gymnasium & offices. There are about acres of garden & playground attached, & near the school is a private boarding house for 25 boys: county scholarships of the value of £15 a year (junior), £30 a year (intermediate) & £60 a year (senior), are open to & some are at present held by boys of this school; & there are free scholarships open to candidates from elementary schools in the neighbourhood: there are now (1901) 100 boys. The school is managed by a body of 9 governors, elected by the County Council for 5 years; the income, derived from invested funds, amounts to £250 yearly.

Kelly's Directory of Somerset (1902)

Most Common Surnames in Bruton

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in Bruton Hundred
1White711:262.45%3
2Hill451:411.78%6
3Jones391:471.72%10
4Vigar341:5447.89%1,241
5Meaden331:5640.74%1,117
6Green301:622.81%47
7Atkins231:808.68%333
8Eastment211:8815.00%657
9Smith201:930.46%1
10Day191:971.63%37
11Thomas181:1031.24%22
11Curtis181:1033.00%117
11Goverd181:10369.23%2,545
14Bennett171:1091.51%42
14Cox171:1090.72%8
14Reakes171:10910.06%534
14Lumber171:10912.88%691
18Read161:1163.16%153
18Francis161:1161.93%70
20Parsons151:1230.71%11
20Spratling151:12365.22%2,758
22Clarke141:1321.33%52
22Andrews141:1321.55%66
22Hole141:1322.21%109
25Williams131:1420.48%4
25Young131:1420.96%27
25Mead131:1423.02%188
28Hayward121:1542.40%160
28Trim121:1549.45%716
28Eddington121:15452.17%2,758
31Scott111:1681.99%130
31James111:1680.70%17
31Hopkins111:1682.61%192
31Humphreys111:16816.42%1,286
31Norton111:1685.21%434
31Rendall111:1685.79%479
31Longman111:1687.53%621
31Stainer111:16832.35%2,119
39Thompson101:1852.07%166
39Henderson101:18519.61%1,568
39Harding101:1850.95%51
39Ashford101:1853.66%327
39Hyam101:18543.48%2,758
39Thick101:18511.36%1,028
39Balch101:1859.43%858
46Wallis91:2063.90%390
46Butt91:2062.54%239
46Court91:2062.16%197
46Viney91:20614.75%1,376
46Amor91:20618.75%1,653
46Goodland91:2064.62%463
46Bord91:20650.00%3,173
46Whotton91:206100.00%4,797
54Barnes81:2311.34%119
54Payne81:2310.75%49
54Lane81:2311.25%106
54Barber81:2311.93%198
54Hobbs81:2311.07%85
54Waite81:23122.86%2,081
54Coombs81:2310.97%71
54Coward81:2314.88%555
54Saxon81:231100.00%5,187
54Crossman81:2313.13%352
54Gass81:231100.00%5,187
54Moxam81:23188.89%4,797
54Milborne81:23128.57%2,419
67Harris71:2640.33%12
67Marshall71:2641.22%123
67Pearce71:2640.55%32
67Newman71:2641.39%157
67Cross71:2641.12%111
67Hodges71:2640.98%92
67Chamberlain71:2642.47%312
67Brooke71:26413.46%1,540
67Hayter71:2647.69%998
67Huntley71:2649.46%1,199
67Bown71:2642.66%337
67Gard71:2647.37%960
67Billett71:2648.75%1,126
67Phippen71:2645.07%665
67Scofield71:264100.00%5,654
67Titball71:264100.00%5,654
67Heginbothom71:264100.00%5,654
84Mitchell61:3080.65%63
84Carter61:3080.58%54
84Gray61:3081.74%254
84Griffin61:3081.22%164
84Sheppard61:3080.78%79
84Hoare61:3082.36%355
84Carey61:3081.58%221
84Rawlings61:3081.87%277
84Attwood61:3087.79%1,159
84Staples61:3085.45%825
84Carver61:3084.76%728
84Barter61:3083.95%597
84Farthing61:3082.73%415
84Feltham61:3083.70%563
84Herrington61:3088.33%1,227
84Sly61:30813.64%1,779
84Bowring61:30831.58%3,072
84Boundy61:30837.50%3,399
84Gulliford61:3082.11%308
84Parham61:30818.75%2,217
84Gapper61:30810.34%1,434
84Ivins61:30825.00%2,687
84Allder61:308100.00%6,245
84Christophers61:308100.00%6,245
84Bren61:308100.00%6,245
84Pinnions61:308100.00%6,245
110Evans51:3700.48%53
110Higgins51:3700.99%158
110Field51:3701.95%352
110Hull51:3702.65%483
110Swain51:3703.29%597
110Coombes51:3701.54%274
110Stroud51:3705.05%927
110Priddle51:3702.16%390
110Trevitt51:37083.33%6,245
110Cockrell51:37031.25%3,399
110Hurden51:37045.45%4,240
110Isgrove51:37016.67%2,313
110Poake51:37083.33%6,245
123Wright41:4630.72%129
123Turner41:4630.40%57
123Morris41:4630.57%98
123Davis41:4630.16%5
123Matthews41:4630.70%124
123Shepherd41:4630.91%183
123Jennings41:4630.78%146
123Blake41:4631.08%229
123Lucas41:4631.18%259
123Hooper41:4630.35%40
123Ingram41:4632.68%611
123Sims41:4630.87%172
123Bedford41:4639.30%1,805
123Guy41:4633.67%832
123Jeffery41:4631.54%347
123Jeffries41:4635.13%1,151
123Shore41:4632.16%493
123Trott41:4630.79%152
123Randell41:4638.00%1,593
123Stockwell41:46310.53%1,965
123McEy41:4632.33%524
123Nurse41:4633.25%744
123Grist41:4632.92%669
123Hann41:4631.25%277
123Gover41:4635.06%1,142
123Atwell41:4632.53%574
123Clothier41:4631.62%365
123Brimble41:4631.65%371
123Lintern41:4631.80%410
123Biss41:4632.72%619
123Hanham41:4634.26%966
123Elderkin41:46380.00%6,987
123Gambling41:46311.43%2,081
123Bargery41:4636.06%1,301
123Harewood41:46380.00%6,987
123Brixey41:46326.67%3,536
123Smithwick41:463100.00%7,808
160Brown31:6170.13%9
160Taylor31:6170.12%7
160Edwards31:6170.20%21
160King31:6170.22%25
160Cook31:6170.21%24
160Hunt31:6170.21%23
160Hicks31:6170.91%269
160Giles31:6170.59%150
160Coles31:6170.17%14
160Ridley31:6175.08%1,416
160Crocker31:6170.66%175
160Beach31:6176.67%1,753
160Mullins31:6171.36%413
160Pitman31:6170.38%75
160Ames31:6172.80%848
160Newport31:6171.46%446
160Chant31:6170.76%209
160Budden31:61712.00%2,616
160Muller31:61718.75%3,399
160Sweetman31:6174.17%1,227
160Melhuish31:6174.48%1,286
160Louch31:6175.77%1,540
160Eacott31:6179.09%2,166
160Golledge31:6172.22%680
160Annett31:61760.00%6,987
160Nurton31:6174.69%1,331
160Dyne31:61775.00%7,808
160Carp31:6176.38%1,681
160Silverthorn31:61718.75%3,399
160Ridwood31:61775.00%7,808
160Yigar31:617100.00%8,898
191Baker21:9250.06%2
191Ward21:9250.52%217
191Morgan21:9250.24%69
191Allen21:9250.16%34
191Mills21:9250.45%178
191Knight21:9250.18%41
191Russell21:9250.28%94
191Palmer21:9250.12%15
191Ross21:9253.39%1,416
191Ford21:9250.17%39
191Dunn21:9250.63%280
191Oliver21:9251.59%728
191Perry21:9250.13%19
191Warren21:9250.26%77
191Sutton21:9250.60%263
191Skinner21:9250.82%371
191Sutcliffe21:92514.29%3,674
191Gould21:9250.21%60
191Carpenter21:9250.37%134
191Sharpe21:9256.25%2,217
191Bowden21:9250.57%245
191Eaton21:9255.71%2,081
191Tanner21:9250.53%224
191Weeks21:9250.36%132
191Lyon21:9258.33%2,687
191Deacon21:9251.08%493
191Peel21:9259.09%2,826
191Burden21:9253.33%1,396
191Wilton21:9251.11%504
191Linton21:9254.65%1,805
191Pitcher21:9252.44%1,099
191Longley21:92566.67%8,898
191Rivers21:9256.25%2,217
191Pond21:9253.57%1,465
191Lawes21:92516.67%4,036
191Fudge21:9251.18%534
191Ridout21:9251.48%680
191Blandford21:9258.00%2,616
191Griffen21:9253.92%1,568
191Hockey21:9250.65%294
191Cruse21:9254.65%1,805
191Jelley21:925100.00%10,160
191Minchin21:92515.38%3,842
191Mogford21:9254.88%1,863
191McMurtrie21:92522.22%4,797
191Hillard21:9251.21%548
191Hoddinott21:9251.57%716
191Corp21:9251.19%537
191Vallis21:9252.74%1,214
191Leakey21:9252.30%1,041
191Swayne21:92514.29%3,674
191Sugg21:9252.78%1,227
191Benger21:9259.52%2,915
191Faithful21:92528.57%5,654
191Meaker21:9251.53%697
191Pointing21:9254.26%1,681
191Wines21:9251.75%798
191Goffe21:925100.00%10,160
191Soundy21:925100.00%10,160
191Weech21:9254.88%1,863
191Aitkens21:92518.18%4,240
191Mertens21:925100.00%10,160
191Tufton21:92518.18%4,240
191Rees-Mogg21:92516.67%4,036
191Staffard21:925100.00%10,160
191de Cosson21:925100.00%10,160
191Longbourne21:925100.00%10,160
191Desages21:925100.00%10,160
191Flatwood21:925100.00%10,160