EXTRACT
FROM KELLY'S DIRECTORY
1883 BLACKFORD
Blackford is an ecclesiastical parish formed in 1844 out of the parish of Wedmore, 2 miles west from the Church of the ancient village, about 6 south from Axbridge, 6 east from Highbridge and 6 south west from Cheddar station, in the Mid division of the County, Hundred of Bempstone, Union and County Court district of Axbridge, Burnham district of the rural deanery of Axbridge, Archdeaconry of Wells and diocese of Bath and Wells.
The Church dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is an Octagon building, the living is a vicarage, gross yearly value £300 in the gift of the Vicar of Wedmore and held since 1858 by the Reverend John Matthew Hale Whish BA of Trinity College Cambridge.
The Manor of Blackford belongs to the feoffees of Bruton Hospital. Hugh Sexey esq, who was auditor to Queen Elizabeth and King James being Lord of this Manor gave it with out splendid properties AD1617 to found an establishment for the education of twelve boys and for the maintenance of 14 old men and 14 old women.
In Blackford is a mineral spring, noted for its curative effects in scrofula; it turns silver yellow. The land is mostly used for grazing. The population in 1881 was 530. Westham is a hamlet.
Post
Office, Mrs Elizabeth Redman, receiver. Letters arrive from Weston-super-Mare
at 8 am, dispatched at 5.45 pm. The nearest Money Order Office is Wedmore.
Board School, Edward Arnold (Master)
RESIDENTS - PRIVATE
BAILEY
Miss
BARTLETT Joseph
PUDDY Richard
REDMAN Mrs
REDMAN Thomas
REEVE William
TUCKER Mrs
WHISH Rev J.M.H. BA, Vicar
RESIDENTS - COMMERCIAL
AMESBURY
Alfred, Mason
BURNETT George, Farmer
CHAMPENY Charles, Farmer
COMER Benjamin, Farmer
DUCKETT George, Auctioneer
DUCKETT George Jun, Farmer
DUCKETT Robert, Farmer
DUCKETT Robert Green, Farmer
DUCKETT Wookey, Farmer
DURBIN Alfred, Carpenter
FEAR Fred, Tailor
HANSFORD George, Blacksmith
HARDING Mary Mrs, Farmer
HOLE Thomas, Farmer
LATCHAM George, Cheese Dealer
LATCHAM Mark, Beer Retailer
LATCHAM Matthew, Butter Dealer
LATCHAM Stephen, Carpenter & Wheelwright
LATCHAM Wm Hedges, Relieving Officer
METHUEN John, Butcher
PIMM Henry, Blacksmith
PUDDY Charles, Beer Retailer
PUDDY George, Butcher & Cattle Dealer
REDMAN Thomas, Farmer
REDMAN Mrs E, Shopkeeper & Postmistress
REDMAN William, Farmer, Holly Tree
REEVE William, Farmer
SELLER Charles, Farmer, Snipefield
SOMERS Daniel, Shoe maker
TINCKNELL Mark, Baker
TUCKER Ann (Miss), Shopkeeper
TUCKER Edwin, Farmer
TUCKER John, Farmer
TUCKER William, Miller and Corn Dealer, Heath House Mill
WESTHAM
BANWELL
John, Farmer
COURT John, Farmer
DUCKETT Thomas, Farmer
SWEET William, Farmer
TOOGOOD John, Farmer