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Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser Wednesday 11 Dec 1850
Page 4 Column 3
TAUNTON.
Wednesday, December 11th, 1850.
The year is closing upon us with unusual benignity of temperature. The weather has been, during the autumn highly favourable to agricultural pursuits, and the frosts which have occurred of no greater rigour than to have seasonably retarded the growth of the newly-inserted grain. Yesterday was a superb sunshiny day, more of a character to remind us of the loveliness of spring, than to admonish us of the waning days of December.
The County Ball in this town, on the 19th inst., promises to be of great brilliancy, a considerable number of the most distinguished families having arranged for their attendance. The Orchestral Band will be rendered unusually effective by several excellent performers.
TESTIMONIAL TO A CLERGYMAN. - The Rev. J. W. MIDDLETON, Incumbent of Durston, has been presented by the congregation of that Parish, with a Silver Inkstand, Gold Pen and Pencil Case, also with a Silver Pocket Sacramental Service; as a memorial of their esteem and gratitude, for his able, affectionate, and zealous ministry among them for nearly 20 years. The inkstand and incidental accompaniments, were from the stock of Mr. ABRAHAM, and from their appropriate character, ingenious workmanship, and tasteful elegance well support the reputation of his establishment. The Inkstand bore the following inscription:-
“Presented with a Pocket Communion service, to the Rev. JOHN WHITE MIDDLETON, by the congregation of the Durston Church, as a small tribute of grateful affection and esteem, for his zealous and faithful ministry in that Parish for nearly 20 years. - November, 1850.”
The Parishioners have by this well deserved munificence, at once conferred honour on themselves, and recorded the merits of a faithful pastor – a benevolent neighbour, and an amiable man.
An Anti-papal demonstration took place in a field opposite Trull Green, near this town, on Thursday evening last. The effigies of the Pope, the Papal Archbishop of Westminster, and the Inquisitor General, after being paraded through the village, attended by about thirty monks, a number of soldiers, and a numerous concourse of people, and exposed to divers humiliations, were committed to the flames amidst the execrations of the populace. A band was present, and enlivened the scene by the production of some exhilirating <sic> music.
On the 1st inst., some thieves broke into the cottage of a poor widow, named GARDENER, at North Petherton, by entering a back bed-room window, by means of a ladder. After searching the room where this poor woman and her children slept, they proceeded to the adjoining bed-room occupied by her brother-in-law, William GARDENER, and took from under his pillow, his trousers, containing 4s. 6d., a silver watch, and some wearing apparel. Their direct object it is supposed was to plunder this young man, it being well known that he has by honest industry saved a few pounds, which he had fortunately placed in the Taunton Savings Bank.
The pretty little Church of Thurloxton has undergone several useful alterations, at the expense of the worthy curate, the Rev. Mr. PRATT. This gentleman has taken down the screen, and removed the singing gallery back into the tower, which gives the interior of this sacred edifice a light and pleasing appearance.
A report is circulated that the village Church of Durston is to be taken down, and a new one to be built on the same scite <sic>, at the expense of two opulent and influential gentlemen connected
with that parish.
COUNTY COURT OF SOMERSETSHIRE. - Circuit 57. - Courts for the several Districts are appointed to be holden as under – viz:- January, 1851 – Axbridge, 6th, at 11 a.m. - Bridgwater, 9th, 10 a.m. - Chard, 16th, 2 p.m. - Crewkerne, 10th, 9 a.m. - Clutton, 21st, 12 noon – Langport, 17th, 10 a.m. - Taunton, 7th, 10 a.m. - Wellington, 8th, 10 a.m. - Wells, 25th, 10 a.m. - Weston-super-Mare, 10th, 10 a.m. - Williton, 8th, 2 p.m. - Wincanton, 14th, 1 p.m. - Yeovil, 15th, 10 a.m.