By the Kev. F. H. Manley. 329 
THE Parish Awarp, 1809. 
“An Act for Inclosing Lands in the Parish of Great Somerford 
otherwise Broad Somerford, in the County of Wilts,” was passed 
46 George III. Some thirty years before, efforts had been made 
to bring about an agreement between those interested in this 
matter, but without success. The commissioners appointed to 
earry out the Act were John Davis, of Bloxam, Francis Webb, 
of the Close, New Sarum, and Thomas Davis, the younger, of 
Horningsham, and they issued their award in August, 1809. 
Under the Act the Rector was given land in lieu of tithe which 
_ was reckoned to be equal in value to one-fifth part of the open and 
_ enclosed arable lands, one-eighth part of the common grazing land, 
—“The Breaches” and “The Marshes,’—and of the waste lands,— 
“The Heath,” “Startley Common,” and “Seagry Heath,’—one- 
seventh part of the meadows, pastures, messuages, &c. The owners 
of ancient cottages, not held under any lord of the manor, which 
" numbered fourteen, were allowed waste land sufficient to make up 
with their gardens two roods, and the Rector, churchwardens, and 
overseers were yearly on Easter Tuesday to re-allot this land to 
each of the ancient cottagers. In the case of cottages held under 
any lord of the manor, viz., ten cottages under William Randell, 
the garden land was also made up to two roods, but without any 
restriction. For poor cottagers some eight acres was vested in the 
Rector, churchwardens, and overseers, to be let out free of rent 
yearly on Easter Tuesday. Both these trust arrangements led to 
difficulties. The owners of ancient cottages after some years 
claimed full liberty of action with regard to the land allotted to 
them, and the trustees renounced the trust. In the case of the 
poor land the tenants in possession gradually objected to the 
interference of the trustees more and more, refusing to admit to 
the benefit of the trust some of those legally entitled to it. Matters 
remained in an unsatisfactory condition until in 1897, with the 
consent of the Charity Commissioners, the trust was handed over 
fo the parish council. Proceedings were then taken against a 
prominent offender, and the trust is now impartially administered. 
slight alteration of the boundary of the parish on the Dauntsey 
