At Eaft or Monks-Ninehead was an eftate belonging to the monks of the priory of Taunton, (whence its name) which in 1293 was valued at twenty-five fhillings.
The rectory of Ninehead, valued in 1292 at fix marks and a half, was appropriated to the fame monaftery, and the prior and convent had alfo the advowfon of the vicarage, the patronage of which is now in the crown, and the Rev. Dr. Bovett the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to All-Saints, and is a fmall ftructure, confifting of a nave, chancel, and two fide ailes. At the weft end is an embattled tower, containing five bells. The north aile belongs to the family of Acland.
Againft the north wall of the chancel there is a plain ftone monument, infcribed:-
“Heere liethe interred Richard Wike, of Ninhed in the. county of Somerfet, efquier, who died June 17, 1590, being then of the age of 63 years; and Margaret his wif, daughter of Georg Role, of Stevenfton in the county of Devon, efquier, who died Aug. 12, 1578, being then of the age of 41 years, and parents of 17 children, vid. fix fonns, and 11 daughters.”
Arms, Argent, a chevron gules between three croffes moline fable.
On the fouth wall of the chancel is a monument of black and white marble, with this infcription: -
“Near this place lyeth the body of William Sanford, of Ninehead-Court, efq; who married Anne the daughter of Edward dark, of Chiply, efq, by whom he had three fons, two only furviving him, viz. William and John, infants. He died Feb. 9, 1718, aged 33. His death was much lamented by all, he having lived the fincereft friend, the moft affectionate hufband, the tendereft of fathers, and beft of mafters. Anne his widow thus perpetuates his memory, Dec. 27, 1720”
Arms, Azure, three bars wavy argent; Sanford: impaling, Or, two bars azure, in chief three efcallop fhells gules; Clarke.
Ninehead has been the refidence of the family of Sanford for feveral generations, whofe prefent reprefentative is Henry William Sanford, esq.
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