Martock

"MARTOCK, a parish and small post town in the hundred of the same name, county Somerset, 3 miles E. of South Petherton, and 4 W. by S. of Ilchester, its post town. It is a station on the Yeovil branch of the Bristol and Exeter line of railway. The name of this place is said to be derived from "mart" and "oak," a market having been formerly held under an oak tree near the centre of the town, where now stands a fluted column designed in imitation of the pillar of Trojan at Rome. The market has long been discontinued, but the town is still considerable, consisting principally of one street about a mile and a half in length. It, is situated on a small stream, tributary to the river Parret. The parish includes the tythings of Long Load, Ash, Bower Hinton, Coat, Milton, Stapleton, and Witcombe. A portion of the inhabitants are employed in glove-making, and others in weaving sailcloth. A court-leet is held in October by the lord of the manor, anciently presented by James I. to Lord Konteagle, for his services in detecting the Gunpowder Plot. The surface is pleasingly varied, and the soil chiefly clay." From The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) Transcribed by Colin Hinson © 2003