National Gazetteer (1868) - Castle Cary

"CASTLE CARY, a parish and market town in the hundred of Catsash, in the county of Somerset, 3 miles to the W. of Bruton, and 129 miles from London by railway, or 113 miles by road. It is a post town, and a station on the Wilts and Somerset section of the Great Western railway. The parish is situated in a beautiful country, and contains the hamlets of Clanville, Dimmer, and Cockhill. Here was anciently a castle, which, in the reign of Stephen, belonged to Lord Lovell, and was garrisoned by him against the king. The Lovells held the estate till the 25th Edward III., it then passed by marriage to the Lords St. Maur, and from them, in the same manner, to the Lords Zouche, who held it till the reign of Henry VII. Charles II. is said to have taken refuge here after the battle of Worcester. The site of the castle is traceable, but no remains exist of the building.

The town consists mainly of one street, and has many neat and pleasant houses. There is a good supply of water. The manufacture of coarse linen and hair-cloth is carried on. The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Bath and Wells, value £312, in the patronage of the bishop. The church, which stands on high ground, is dedicated to All Saints. The Independents and Wesleyan Methodists have chapels in the town. There are several small charities and a savings-bank. The market is held on Tuesday. Fairs for the sale of cattle, cloth, &c., are held on the Tuesday before Palm Sunday, the 1st May, and Whit-Tuesday. Cattle markets are held every alternate Tuesday throughout the year."

"CLANVILLE, a hamlet in the parish of Castle Cary, in the county of Somerset. It is situated in a beautiful country, near the town of Castle Cary."

"COCK HILL, a hamlet in the parish of Castle Cary, in the county of Somerset, 21 miles E. of Bridgwater."

"DIMMER, a hamlet in the parish of Castle-Cary, in the county of Somerset, near Castle-Cary."