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Thanks to the hard work of Michael Harrison of Watergore (a former resident of Seavington St. Mary), we are able to provide this brief history to the Seavington villages from 1020 until 2010.

 

1020—1025 A charter of King Cnut, witnessed by Earl’s Leofric and Godwin, and Stigand the priest, granted the manor of evenhampton to Athelney

1027– 1032 King Cnut gave to Athelney Abbey an estate measuring two “manses” in Seofenempton.

1086 Estate of “Seovenamentone”, held by Athelney Abbey, measured two hides. The holding of Athelney assessed at 30s. As many as 156 sheep recorded on the demesne estate - manorial land actually possessed by the lord and not held by tenants.
The manor of Seavington Dennis originated as an estate called “Sevenemetone” held of the King’s thegns by Siward the falconer. Mauger de Cartrai held an estate called “Sevenehantona” of the count of Morain in succession of Alwin.

1175 The church of South Petherton and its dependant chapelries including Seavington St. Mary granted by the crown to Bruton priory. Under an ordinance of Archbishop Pecham (d. 1292), Bruton had all the great tithes in Seavington St. Mary and found a resident chaplain and clerk to serve the chapel.

Late 12th Cent. - Early 13th Cent. Alice Vaux, first known tenant of based Bruton priory’s rights of pasturage and provided a messuage and cutilage. This was presumably for the chaplain and clerk to serve the church. The convent of Bruton acquired rights of common from the lord of the manor for 40 sheep and other animals.

c1206—1222 Robert Vaux tenant of the manor of Seavington Vaux

c1212 One of the earliest known reference to a windmill in Somerset contained in the Montacute Chartulary. It refers to Robert de Vallibus who granted to the church of Montacute “together with his body, his windmill of Sevenamtune, (Seavington St. Michael) with the grinding of the whole of the same manor, and six acres of land, close to said windmill, from his own demesne”.

1226 First occurrence of the church of Seavington St. Michael. Its patronage was then disputed between Simon of Dinnington and Agnes of Wraxall. Dinnington, where a church had been established c1207, was subsequently a chapelry of Seavington, indicating the prior foundation of the principal church.

c1236 Hubert Vaux succeeds as tenant of the manor of Seavington Vaux.

c1252 - c1293 Maud, probably Hubert Vaux’s daughter and wife of Thomas de Multon, tenant of Seavington Vaux.

1252 Adam the Dane occupied the manor of Seavington Dennis and received grant of free warren. Adam was also tenant of Wraxall (Dorset).

1260 The prebendary of Ilton had a barn within the court of the abbot of Athelney at Hurcott, which he exchanged for a site for a new barn further to the north. Estate held by Athelney referred to as Herdcote. 1284 - 1285 Estate held by Athelney called  Oppetone Abbe. Adam the Dane occupied Seavington Dennis, and held it immediately of Hamon de Bordone.

c1284 - 1285 Isabel de Forz, countess of Aumale, took over the overlordship of the estate of Sevenehantona, though whether through the counts of Aumale or from the Reviers family it is not known. From Isabel it descended to the Courtney family.

1285 A composite made between Bruton priory and Athelney abbey confirmed the right for
Bruton to take a proportion of the crop in a specified area. This may have been Hurcott.

1291 Holding of Athelney assessed at £7 6s. 3d.

1297 First recorded rector of Seavington St. Michael Church.

14th Century The two parishes of Seavington St. Mary and Seavington St. Michael appear to have
formed two tithings known as Seavington Dennis and Seavington Abbots.

1303 - c1316 James Vaux sole occupier of Seavington Vaux.

1303 Hugh Courtney, later 1st Earl of Devon (d. 1340) held ½ fee in the manor of Sevenehantona. His son, also Hugh, died in 1377 possessed 10 fees here and at Ashill. The fees passed to Thomas Courtney, Earl of Devon (d. 1458) and then to his son and
successor Thomas (d. 1461). After this they are not traceable.

1305 Adam the Dane still occupied Seavington Dennis although Robert, Lord FitzPayn (d.1315), his overlord at Wraxall, had acquired an interest in some of the property.

c1311 Death of Adam the Dane. Robert, Lord FitzPayn probably acquired the remainder of the manor of Seavington Dennis.

1315 The rector of Seavington St. Michael Thomas de Cranden was licensed to be absent from the parish for a year to serve the dowager countess of Gloucester. He was still in the dowager countess’s service in 1319

c1316 James Vaux’s brother Thomas made settlement on his own sons John, Thomas and James successively.

1316 John atte Stone tenant of Seavington Dennis.

c1317 - c1363 John Vaux, son of James’ brother Thomas, succeeds as tenant of Seavington Vaux.

1321 John Attemede appointed rector of Seavington St. Michael, and sent to Oxford for 3½ years because of insufficient education. Another priest exercised the cure, providing Attemede with 10 marks a year

c1327 Parnel de la Stone succeeds John atte Stone as tenant of Seavington Dennis. She was still there two years later, holding the manor first of Robert, Lord FitzPayn (d. 1354), and Ela his wife, and then of their feoffee, or public trustee, Jordan de Byntre,

1331 Thomas de Chelrye, rector of Seavington St. Michael, licensed to be absent for study. He was also absent in 1333.

1349 Holding of Athelney assessed at £3 11s. 6d. The demesne of Hurcott amounted to about 66 acres, which were 55 acres of arable. 7 acres of meadow and 4 acres of pasture.

1354 Manor of Seavington Dennis sold to William de Wyngham.

1357 Robert de Samborne, probably acting as feoffee, or public trustee, probably for William de Wyngham, sold the manor of Seavington Dennis to Richard Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel and Surrey (d. 1376).

c1377 John Vaux’s son-in-law, Sir John Streche, husband of Margaret succeeds as tenant of Seavington Vaux.

1383 Manor of Seavington Dennis said to be held by Ellis de la Linde, who also held the manor of Dinnington. Richard Fitzlan’s son, also Richard (d. 1397), exchanged the manor of Seavington Dennis, with the crown for other properties. After the acquisition
the crown extinguished the overlordships and for the next 100 years let the manor to farm for short periods to royal servants or retainers. The earl of Arundel’s capital messuage comprised a hall, two chambers, a grange, garner, stables, byre, and piggery.

1384 -1390 The manor of Seavington Dennis held by Sir Matthew Gourney.

1389 An agreement between the prior and convent of Bruton, and Sir John Streche, lord of Sevenhampton, by the intervention of Sir Richard Seymour, knight, concerning certain ground surrounding the chapel of Sevenhampton, pertaining to the granting of burial rights.

1390 Sir John Streche died leaving his two daughters as co-heirs; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Beauchamp, and Cecily, wife successively of Thomas Bonville and Sir William Cheyney of Brook, Westbury (Wilts).

1399 - 1413 The manor of Seavington Dennis held by Sir Humphrey Stafford, until his death.

1412 The interdict, or sentence debarring a person or place from ecclesiastical functions, removed from Seavington St. Michael church after the stamping out of Lollard preaching.

1413 - 1442 Sir Humphrey Stafford’s son, also Sir Humphrey, held the manor of Seavington Dennis, until his death.

1430 Sir William Cheyney’s widow Cecily died, outliving her son Sir Edmund Cheyney. She was succeeded by three young granddaughters, Anne, Elizabeth and Cecily. Cecily died six months later, and the manor passed to Elizabeth, wife of Sir John Colshull.

1431 Manor of Sevenhantone held by Lord Zouche as of Castle Cary in socage.

1462 The manor of Seavington Dennis granted to William Milford for life, who held it until 1468.

1481 Manor of Seavington Dennis given to Tewkesbury Abbey by the crown in exchange for land in Dorset.

1483 Grant of the manor of Seavington Dennis to Tewkesbury Abbey nullified as the acquired land belonged to Glastonbury Abbey. The manor of Seavington Dennis given to Glastonbury Abbey.

1486 Margaret Colshull, widow, said to be lady of the manor of Seavington Vaux.

1489 The grant of the manor of Seavington Dennis to Glastonbury Abbey confirmed.

1539 - 1600 The crown held the manor or manors of Hurcott and Sevenhampton Abbot.

1539 Manor of Seavington Dennis surrendered by Glastonbury Abbey at the Dissolution. Four separate areas for musters known as Seavington, Seavington Abbots, Seavington Dennis and Seavington Vaux.

c1542 Manor of Seavington Vaux in the hands of Walter Willoughby, grandson of Robert, 1st Baron Willoughby de Broke, the eldest son of Anne Cheyney by John Willoughby

1542 The holding of Bruton priory which included the rectory of South Petherton and the other dependant chapelries, was granted to the chapter of Bristol. This was subsequently leased to successive members of the Poulett family for the sum of £17 a year.
Walter Willoughby made over the manor of Seavington Vaux to John Bowyer.

1544 - 1545 John Bowyer and Sir Fulk Greville, husband of Elizabeth, Baroness Willoughby de Broke (d. 1560), in possession of the manor of Seavington Vaux.

1547 No Bible in English in Seavington St. Mary Church. Greville sold the “manor or lordship of Seavington Vauce alias Mary Seavington” to John Thynne.

1551 The manor of Seavington Dennis given to Winchester College by the crown.

c1553 Manor of “Seavington Vauce alias Mary Seavington” passed to Sir Edward Seymour, son of Protector Somerset, John Thynnes’ patron. In 1553 , Sir Edward Seymour sold the manor to the crown in exchange for Berry Pomeroy (Devon).

1553 The manor of Seavington Vaux, possibly “Seavington Vauce”, valued for fee farm at £29 7s. 8d. This figure included perquisites of 25s. 8d.

1554 No pyx, or box made of precious metal which holds the altar-bread or wafer used in the Eucharist or communion, in Seavington St. Mary Church.

c1559 Master John Poulett, rector of Seavington St. Michael and Hinton St. George, resident in Jersey where his brother Sir Hugh Poulett was governor.

c1563 Eleven households in the parish of Seavington St. Michael.

1569 Areas for muster reduced to three; Seavington Mary, Seavington Abbot and Seavington Dennis.

c1574 - 1575 Manor granted by the crown to Laurence Hyde. This was the manor of Seavington Vaux.

1577 A woman “suspect to be a sorcerer” disturbed her neighbours in St. Mary’s church. The rector of Seavington St. Michael was accused of not preaching the quarterly sermons.

1600 Manors or Manors of Hurcott and Sevenhampton Abbot granted to William and Robert Offley, the later being a London haberdasher.

1604 Manor of Seavington Vaux granted to John Erskine, Earl of Mar (d. 1634), by James I.

1605 Robert Offley sold the property of Hurcott and Sevenhampton Abbot to George Speke (d. 1637) of Whitelackington.

1606 Edward Barret, rector of Seavington St. Michael from 1580 to 1632, resident in Jersey.

c1617 The real property of the rectory in Seavington was a yard of ground known as Parsonage Plot. This house replaced an earlier one apparently damaged by fire, c1557, and later converted to a barn. This was a parish house next to Parsonage Plot.

1620 Evidence of a tanner in Seavington St. Michael.

1621 The two oldest bells in Seavington St. Mary Church dated 1621. They were cast by George Purdue, who had been based in Taunton, but by 1621 it is thought he had moved to Closworth, Dorset.

1624 Manor of Seavington Vaux said to be held by Robert Hyde, a relative of Laurence Hyde. But the property must of reverted to the crown before 1604, due to the grant of James I to James Erskine.

1630 The rent of the manor of Seavington Vaux payable to the Whetstone Almshouses, Ilton.

1635 Fringed altar and pulpit cloths provided for Seavington St. Michael church.

1637 The Speke property assessed at £10 by office and £20 by certificate.

c1652 “Several tithings of the three Seavingtons” held by one man of the crown and regarded as one fiscal unit.

1652 John Erskine’s son, also John (d. 1653), sold the manor of Seavington Vaux to John Davis of Westminster. Robert Clement, rector of Seavington St. Michael, and brother of Gregory Clement the regicide, one of the men who tried, convicted and executed King Charles I, was ejected by Parliament. He was replaced by Peter Glasbroke, presented under the great Seal because the patron was a delinquent.

1653 John Davis conveyed the manor of Seavington Vaux to Henry Dunster, a London merchant.

1671 The poor of Seavington St. Michael were housed in the church house.

1672 Claims made by a curate of Seavington St. Mary that a conventicle, or unlawful religious assembly, had been held by a Mr. Butler, and a number of those involved were fined.

1680 The manor of Seavington Vaux valued at £458. Henry Dunster, or a son of the same name, sold the manor of Seavington Vaux to Simon Welman M.D., of London. Simon left the property to his brother Isaac (d. 1716), and it descended successively through his son Thomas (d. 1757), his grandson Isaac (d. 1782), and his great-grandson Thomas (d. 1829), to Charles Noel Welman of Norton Fitzwarren. The manor acquired by Isaac Welman amounted to 560 acres, which was shred between
20 tenants. Most farms were of 20 or 40 acres, although they varied much in value.

1685 Six men from Seavington St. Mary, two from Seavington St. Michael and one from Seavington Abbott listed in the Constables’ Presentments following the Monmouth Rebellion. George Drewer of Seavington St. Mary Joseph Drewer of Seavington St. Michael
Samuel Dunn of Seavington St. Mary Roger Gummer of Seavington St. Mary Samuel Gummer of Seavington St. Mary John Rawlins of Seavington St. Mary John Swayne of Seavington St. Mary William Tappell of Seavington Abbotts John Willey of Seavington St. Michael All were listed as “in the rebellion and not come in”.

1699 John Speke, a descendant of George Speke, sold the estate of Hurcott and Seavington Abbot to Simon Welman, owner of Seavington Vaux.

1703 Great Storm. Roof of newly-built stable, owned by John Huthens, “heaved clean off the walls”.

1747 The “parish meeting” for Seavington St. Michael determined to purchase no more special forms of prayer coming from the bishop or archdeacon, and promised to stand by the churchwardens should any trouble result.

1752—1754 Three licenses issued for dissenting meeting. Two of these were for a house used by Presbyterians, already established in Seavington St. Mary, and the third, issued in 1753, was for Methodists.

1754 Four men licensed to sell beer in Seavington St. Mary.

1770 An Inn known as the Bell kept by the Hunt family from at least 1740.

1782 - c1795 The parish of Seavington St. Michael regularly supported Love Gummer “in his time of need”. Gummer’s Castle is probably an ironic reminder of the site of the hovel where the family lived.

1788 Thomas Hutchings, resident in Barrington, shared the lease of the tithes from Lord Poulett.

1790’s The poor of Seavington St. Michael housed in the “parish house”.

1794 Mead Farm Bridge, Water Street, built by Ilminster Trust when this formed part of the old road, which was supplanted by the A303.

1797 The Winchester college surveyor recommended the inclosure of the arable land in Seavington St. Michael which would add between a quarter and a third to the value of the property.

Late 18th Century Sub-Leases of the tithes in Seavington St. Mary included a dwelling-house. The dwelling -house stood on the corner of Church Lane, now occupied by Westerfield House, formerly Allenby House.

1802 Earl Poulett purchases the property held by the chapter of Bristol and became lay rector.

1812 Wesleyan Methodists began worshipping in the parish of Seavington St. Mary.

1814 The “parish house” in Seavington St. Michael repaired by the overseers.

1815 As Seavington St. Michael church, Holy Communion was celebrated three times a year and prayers and a sermon were held one a Sunday. At Seavington St. Mary church, services were held on alternate Sundays, both morning and afternoon.

1817 - 1818 A new poorhouse was erected in Seavington St. Michael on the site of the old one, though paupers; rents continued to be paid for those living elsewhere. The poorhouse, comprising three dwellings, stood in the village street opposite the present Seavington House, on the west side of its junction with David’s Lane.

1818 Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School in Seavington St. Mary catered for about 30 children run by the curate and others. Two day-schools in Seavington St. Michael with 8 to 10 children in each.

c1820 A shop in Seavington St. Michael

c1825 - 1826 A Sunday school in Seavington St. Michael taught 20 boys and 27 girls. This school continued until at least 1835, supported by subscriptions, and was probably that still kept in the chancel of the parish church in 1840.

1827 - 1848 One or two weavers in Seavington St. Michael

1829 Several people contributed to the Bible Christian Circuit. Section of road between the northern end of Water Street and West Street Farm, known as New Road, constructed. 1831 The 1831 census show a population of 366 in Seavington St. Mary and 397 in Seavington St. Michael, which included 187 in Dinnington. Rev. J. Fayrer, M.A. of Clare Hall, Cambridge, and Master of the Grammar School of Chard appointed to the Perpetual Curacies of Chillington and Seavington St. Mary under the patronage of Earl Poulett.

1832 Rev. W. J. Russell, M.A., Master of the Grammar School, Chard, licensed by the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells to the  erpetual and augmented curacies of Callington and Seavington St. Mary, on the presentation of the Right Hon. Earl Poulett.
 

1833 The Volunteer Inn established. A day school was opened in Seavington St. Michael, and by 1835 17 children were being
taught at their parents’ expense.

1834 Formal Bible Christian Circuit group created in Seavington St. Mary

1836 Parishes of Seavington St. Mary and Seavington St. Michael incorporated in the Chard union.

1837 The annual report of the Chard. Ilminster and Crewkerne Labourers’ Friend Society reported that the field-garden (allotment) system had been adopted in Seavington St. Mary, where there were 10 field-gardens in operation. Rev. H. Stambury, Rector of Hinton St. George and Seavington St. Michael, died at Hinton St. George, aged 72. He had been rector for 48 years.

1838 Rev. Robert Albion Cox appointed to the Rectories of Hinton St. George and Seavington, with Dinnington Chapel annexed.

1840 Two services were held each Sunday at Seavington St. Michael church. At Seavington St. Mary church, services held on alternate Sundays, both morning and afternoon, with Holy Communion celebrated 8 times a year.

1841 Wesleyan Methodists had 8 members

c1842 The Seavington Club established. In 1842 the club had 141 members and survived until at least 1923.

1842 The tithes commuted to a rent charge of £350, payable to Earl Poulett. National School (mixed) erected in Seavington St. Michael.

1843 Holy Communion celebrated four times a year at Seavington St. Michael church. A day-school, under Church auspices, was established in Seavington St. Michael.

1844 A building adjacent to the churchyard was opened to house the school, which was affiliated to the National Society. Children from both Seavington St. Mary and Seavington St. Michael attended the day school. The one salaried mistress was supported
by subscriptions and school pence. There was accommodation in the single partitioned school room for 100 children.
The Bristol Mercury of 25th May reported that a fire had occurred in Seavington which “before an hour had elapsed after its discovery, destroyed three dwelling houses, tenanted by respectable tradesmen; as also a barn and other outbuildings, a fine horse, and two large Newfoundland dogs, being burnt to death. Part only of the property is insured.”

1845 The Bristol Mercury of 4th October reported that “Upwards of 1000 acres of land planted with potatoes are now lying in a putrescent state, in the neighbourhood of Seavington near Ilminster.” Rev. Joseph Burges Watson, M.A., of Emmanuel College, appointed to the curacy of Seavington St. Michael with Dinnington.

1846 Rev. Robert Albion Cox, M.A., Rector of Hinton St. George, and Seavington St. Michael with the Chapelry of Dinnington annexed, died at Hinton St. George aged 45. The Rev. Thomas Newbury, M.A., of Queen’s College, Cambridge, appointed to the
rectory of Hinton St. George, and Seavington St. Michael, with Dinnington.

1849 31 allotments in Seavington St. Mary and 8 in Seavington Abbott.

1850 The Bristol Mercury of 11th May reported that “At Chard county-court, on Friday, John Rawlings, labourer, Seavington, brought an action against John Lee Lee, Esq., for trespass. It appeared that on March 28 some parties cut the throat of a dog belonging to
the defendant, who, suspecting one of the plaintiff’s sons, went to his cottage, and examined it, with some minuteness to  ascertain whether recent marks of blood were on any of the clothes of the young man, who had been imprisoned for poaching. He then said the house was very clean, gave Mrs. Rawlings sixpence, and rode away. Mr. Lee said that he believed he asked permission to walk in, but was not sure; and the jury, after a long investigation, returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages fifty shillings.”

1851 Roughly one-sixth of the population were employed as farm labourers. Ten people were employed in canvas making at Lopen, and at least 30 women and girls worked as glovers. On Census Sunday, the morning congregation at Seavington St. Michael church was 200, equally divided between adults and Sunday-school pupils. At the afternoon service there were 150 adults and 100 children. At Seavington St. Mary church, there was only an evening service which was attended by 75 people. Rev. P. R. R. Sandilands, appointed to the Curacy of Seavington St. Mary. Rev. C. W. Hodson, M.A., appointed to the Curacy of Seavington St. Michael.

1853 The vestry agreed to the request of the Chard Union to sell ten cottages, formerly used for the poor, standing at a number of points in the waste to the north of the village. Holy Communion celebrated nine times a year at Seavington St. Mary Church.

1854 - 1855 A sailcloth manufacturer in Seavington St. Michael.

c1859 Two shops in Seavington St. Michael, as well as a baker and a blacksmith.

1859 Beulah chapel erected in Dark Lane. Rev. Edward Thomas Hoare, M.A., appointed to the Curacy of Seavington St. Michael.

1860 The ruins of a cross were in existence at the entrance to Seavington St. Mary, but they were entirely removed about 1866.

1861 - 1862 Discovery and excavation of a Roman Villa in a field call Crimmelford, or Curnelford Kapp.

1861 Rev. Joseph Phelps Billing, M.A. head master of Chard Grammar Schools appointed to the rectory of Seavington St. Michael.

1863 Seavington Harriers (Hunt) established by Mr. Tom Naish.

1868 January 4th – An earthquake occurred at about 5:10am “in the valley of the Parrett, between Langport and Stoke-sub-Hamdon. At Seavington the postman distinctly heard the shock, which resembled a train passing the house at full speed.” The earthquake had a magnitude of about 3.0 on the Richter scale

Arthur Linton was born on the 1st of February at the Volunteer Inn, here his father John Linton was the innkeeper. The family moved to Aberdare in South Wales in the early 1870’s. Arthur became a world-class cyclist in the 1890’s, breaking the world one-hour unpaced record in 1893 at a track in Cardiff. From 1894, Arthur raced predominantly in France because the races were of a higher standard than those in Britain. During 1894, he won a series of races and was given the title of ‘Champion Cyclist of the World’.  In 1896, Arthur won the epic Bordeaux to Paris race which covered some 350 miles, but died of Typhoid fever on 23rd July, only six weeks after the race.

1869 The Bristol Mercury of 27th March reported that at the Somerset Spring Assize in Taunton, 9 year-old Henry Gibbs was charged with arson at Seavington on October 16th the previous year. “On the day in question some couch was being burnt in a field belonging to Mr. Poole, and prisoner, who was in a field, was seen near a straw rick in the barton, which was discovered to be on fire. Prisoner said that he lighted a piece of straw to carry to a couch heap, and the wind blew the flame to the rick. The jury
acquitted the prisoner.”

1870 Only one service with sermon held every Sunday at both Seavington St. Michael and St. Mary churches. Holy Communion celebrations held every six weeks in both parishes.

1871 Charles Noel Welman sold the estate, described as Hurcott Farm, and then measuring 160 acres, to Vaughan Hanning Lee, then of Lanelay in Llanhran, Glamorgan. Subsequently became part of Dillington estate. Captain (later Major) Langdon appointed Master of Seavington Harriers. Rev. Joseph Phelps Billings appointed to be Perpetual Curate of Seavington St. Mary, in addition to being the Rector of Seavington St. Michael.

1873 Rev. J. P. Billing, Rector of Seavington St. Michael with Dinnington appointed as Domestic Chaplain to Earl Poulett.

1875 By Local Government Board Order 16,420, a detached part of Ilton parish at Hurcott, known as Boxstone Hill transferred to the ecclesiastical parish of Seavington St. Mary. A small piece of meadow land at Ilford Bridges was transferred to Whitelackington from Seavington. The presence of an emigration agent in Seavington St. Michael suggests that an agricultural slump had affected the area.

1876 Charles Noel Welman sold the property, incorrectly described as the manor of “Seavington Abbot and Hurcott etc.” to Vaughan Hanning Vaughan Lee M.P. of Dillington.

1880 The Incorporated Society for Buildings and Churches granted £10 towards the reseating and restoring of Seavington St. Mary Church. The Batch and Wells Diocesan Church Building Society grants £25 towards the restoration. The entire interior of the church was restored, with the total cost being about £370. Surpliced choir introduced to Seavington St. Mary Church.

1881 The London Gazette of 28th January reported that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England granted £1500 towards the cost of providing a parsonage for the vicar of Seavington St. Mary. The Bristol Mercury of 1st October reported that fire occurred in  cottage at Seavington St. Michael which spread to two adjoining cottages, with all three destroyed by fire. Twenty people were made homeless and one man had his leg broken “by his horses taking fright.”

1883 Thomas Naish, founder of the Seavington Harriers, died at his residence, Upton, near Seavington St. Mary.

1884 John Frederick Charles Denning, B.A., appointed to the curacies of Seavington St. Michael’s cum Dennington and Seavington St. Mary.

1885 The Wesleyan Methodist Chapel was built. Methodism had existed in Seavington for over a century but until the chapel was built, a cottage room was used for worship. Four memorial stones were laid when the chapel was built; the first by Mr. F. Harding, of
Seavington, for Mr. M. G. Pearce of London; the second by Miss Hosegood, daughter of Mr. O. Hosegood of Bristol; the third by Master E. B. Bradford of Martock; and the fourth by Miss Harding. The building was built in the semi-Gothic style of architecture,
and cost nearly £500 to build. By Local Government Board Order 16.420, March 25, 1885, a detached part of Ilton known as Boxstone Hill was added to Seavington St. Mary.

1888 The Bristol Mercury of 1st June reported on a carriage accident at Crewkerne railway station involving the coachman of the Rev. J. P. Billing, of Seavington. When arriving at the station “turned too sharply, and the horses became restive.” The two horses broke free of the carriage and headed towards Crewkerne, with the coachman jumping from the carriage before the horses broke free. The horses were stopped after nearly a mile, and fortunately no further accidents occurred. Both horses were seriously injured,  and one may have been shot.

1889 A Roman brass coin of Constantius II (AD337-361) was found in February 1889, near Fouts in a field abutting on the road to Hurcott.

1890 Rectory, possibly in Upton Lane, ceased to be a farmhouse.

1891 An outbreak of rabies in the pack of harriers at Seavington caused the whole pack was destroyed to prevent the spread of the disease, and an entirely new pack of hounds was established. Mr. J. S. King of The Beeches appointed Master of Seavington Harriers, to succeed Major Churchill Langdon, and the hunt kennels were moved from Lopen Head to The Beeches. The London Gazette of 1st September reported that the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Seavington St. Mary had been registered for performing marriages there.

1893 Mr. Jeffreys Allen-Jeffreys master of Seavington Harriers. A report appeared in the Pulmans Weekly News that “the village (Seavington St. Mary) was visited by an extraordinary plague of small dark brown beetles which flew into the cottages wherever doors or windows were left open and were soon crawling about the furniture and other people’s clothes. The insects could not be got rid of until the doors and windows were closed and a wholesale massacre carried out.” The average attendance at the school in Seavington St. Michael was 73.

1895 Mr. Jefferys Allen-Jefferys established a pack of stag-hounds at Seavington Harriers Kennels.

1896 Tower and Belfry of Seavington St. Mary Church restored.

1898 May 25th – The Bristol Mercury reported that Mr Jefferies Allen Jefferies, Master of the Seavington Harriers and Seavington Staghounds was summoned to Ilminster police court by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for cruelty to a pony by excessive beating on the 2nd of April. James Lane, grocer of Seavington St. Mary, said that he had seen the defendant in a trap drawn by a grey pony. The pony reared up and “the defendant got out and commenced to belabour it with a thick stick. The pony fell down, and he continued to strike it until it got up again. He kept up a continuous round of blows on the mare, and it fell a second and third time under chastisement. Witness said if he had been 34 instead of 74 years of age he would have gone to the defendant, but he called to him to stop. Two grooms stood at the horse’s head whilst the defendant beat it.” Other witnesses  including Elizabeth Lane, the grocer’s wife, gave the same evidence. The defence contended that the pony had a “vicious and dangerous habit of rearing at starting, and that the beating was necessary and reasonable. William Nicholls, defendant’s groom, said that the pony did not show any weals on its back when it arrived home the same evening.” The Bench decided that the pony needed correction, and dismissed the case as there was a difference of opinion as to the amount of punishment administered by the defendant.

1899 Mr. Jefferys Allen-Jefferys resigned as Master of the Seavington Harriers and Mr. Piers Clarke was appointed the new Master. Mr. Clarke bought his pack of pure 19-in. harriers and hunted them for two seasons at Seavington Harriers. Mr. Allen-Jefferys also sold his pack of stag-hounds. June 29th – Two horse dealers, named Penfold and Mayne, were charged with releasing cattle which had been impounded at Seavington St. Michael, at Ilminster police court. Both defendants were fined £1.

1901 - 1904 Mr. R. Hole master of Seavington Harriers.

1903 79 pupils at school in Seavington St. Michael, with an average attendance of 58. There were then two teachers and the school was also used for parish functions.

1904 - 1906 Mr. H. Stuart-Menzies master of Seavington Harriers.

1906 - 1910 Lord Poulett, Master of Seavington Harriers.

1907 The Times reported in December that the Seavington Harriers had put off meets until further notice due to wet ground.

1911 Mr. W. H. Speke appointed the Master of Seavington Harriers. The Rev. D.S. Evans, curate of St. James, Bristol, appointed to the vicarage of Seavington St. Mary and to the rectory of Seavington St. Michael

1912 The Times of 9th July reported that the chapelry of Dinnington had been separated from the rectory of Seavington St. Michael and annexed to the rectory of Hinton St. George.

1913 The Times of 25th June reported that “Orders in Council are gazetted for uniting the rectory of Seavington St. Michael and the perpetual curacy of Seavington St. Mary, Somerset, the right of presentation to be exercised by Lord Poulett and the dean and
Chapter of Bristol alternately.”

1918 After the death of 7th Earl Poulett, the kennels at Hinton St. George were vacated by the Seavington Harriers due to the 8th Earl’s opposition to hunting and blood sports.

1923 Mr. L. Tritton, Master of the Seavington Harriers.

1927 Sometime between 1923 and 1924, the Seavington Hunt changed from being harriers to foxhounds.

1932 The property held by Winchester College sold.

1935 Captain M.C. Cox resigned as acting-Master of Seavington Foxhounds, and Mr. B.K. Ronald of Slape Manor, Netherbury was appointed Master.

1938 80 pupils on the books of the school in Seavington St. Michael, but the average attendance was only 28.

1940 - 1944 Numbers at the school in Seavington St. Michael increased by evacuees, mostly from London. The Rectory was used as a hostel for boys not billeted.

1941 - 1945 The Seavington Hunt was dormant due to World War 2.

1947 Seavington Football Club moved their football pitch to a field belonging to Mr. F. Rowswell. Previously, they had used a field lent by Mr. Jacobs since 1935.

1948 Senior pupils transferred to Ilminster from the schools in Seavington St. Michael.

1949 Mr. Tom Poole excavated the site of the Roman Villa near to Crimbleford Knapp. These excavations revealed a concrete floor and wall foundations up to 22ins high. Finds included many pieces of tiling and flue-tiling, hundreds of tesserae, pieces of painted
wall plaster, potsherds and C3 coin.

1955 Seavington United FC joint winners of the Perry Street and District League Division 1 Cup with Haselbury FC. A Roman brass coin of Constantine I from Seavington St Mary was given to Taunton museum by L Denman. The site of the find is not known.

1956 Seavington United FC winners of Somerset Football Association Intermediate Cup. The club was winners of the Perry Street and District League Division 1 Cup.

1960 Rev. Frederick William Weaver appointed “to hold in plurality the benefices of Lopen and Saint Michael and Saint Mary, Seavington.”

1962 Admiral Sir Charles Pizey of Abbot’s Barton, Seavington appointed Deputy  Lieutenant for the County of Somerset. The Rev. A. T. Budgett, Assistant curate of Holy Trinity, Hendford, Yeovil, appointed to be Rector of Seavington St. Michael with Seavington St. Mary with Lopen.

1968 Seavington St. Michael school closed.  The London Gazette of 19th July reported that a scheme by the Church Commissioners “for uniting the benefice of Seavington Saint Michael with Seavington St Mary and the benefice of Lopen” had been approved.

1971 Former Water Street Farm converted to the Pheasant Restaurant.

1972 Seavington United FC Perry Street and District League Division 2 champions and winners of the Division 2 Cup.
The first village flower show was held in conjunction with the village fete in August.

1973 Ownership of Seavington St. Mary, or Vaux, vested in the Dillington Estate.

1977 Seavington United FC winners of the Perry Street League Arthur Gage Memorial Cup and Division 1 Cup.

1981 4th July - Opening of the Pavilion on the Playing Fields.

1982 Seavington United FC Perry Street and District League Division 2 champions.

1983 28th June – The parishes of Seavington St. Mary and Seavington St. Michael were united and the parish church of Seavington St. Mary Church was declared redundant by the Church Commissioners. The parish was renamed Seavington St. Michael and St. Mary. Seavington United FC winners of the Perry Street League Arthur Gage Memorial Cup

1984 First cricket match for the Leonard Alexander Trophy played between Seavington St. Mary and Seavington St. Michael. Match won by St. Michael

1986 First football match for the Volunteer Cup played between Seavington St. Mary and Seavington St. Michael. Match won by St. Mary.

1994 During the early summer, an excavation was carried out by a group of students from Yeovil College on the site of the Roman Villa near to Crimbleford Knapp. The earliest feature recorded was a ditch which although aligned on the villa buildings appeared to have been silted up by the Roman period. The building had been terraced into the hillside but had been comprehensively destroyed following the 1861 excavation.

1998 11th April - Seavington Millennium Hall opened.

2002 4th June - Opening of Seavington Jubilee Play Area by Swing Park 2000.

2006 Brigadier Alastair Fyfe of the Beeches appointed High Sheriff of Somerset.

2008 An archaeological dig during restoration work on Seavington St. Michael church uncovers the footprint of a Norman church, and evidence of a wooden Saxon church underneath.

2010 19th March - Launch of the Seavington Web Museum

2010 14th July - Opening of Seavington Village Store and Cafe.