279 



10 years old, and binding them as apprentices till they were 21. 

 During which time they are fed, clothed, taught the business of the 

 trade, and receive a humble but useful education." Thci-e were at 

 this time two other cloth mills in Twerton, and one on the other 

 side of the river. 



The cloth mills received a great impetus at the amval of Mr. 

 Wilkins, in 1808, who during the forty years he was there became 

 the largest and best manufacturer in the West of England. In 

 1845 he was joined by Mr. Thos. Can-, brother of the present 

 manufacturer, and the medals they received in 1851 and 1862 in 

 England, in 1853 at New York, and 1862 in Australia, prove that 

 Twerton stiU maintains the fame of West of England manufacture, 

 though, as Mr. Earle says in " Bath Ancient and Modem, " with 

 ftir other looms did the good wife of Bath make her cloth 500 years 

 ago, but perhaps in no other place than that same suburban 

 Twerton where it is still manufactm-ed." 



In 1720 a paper mill existed in Twerton, and appears to have 

 continued for some time, mention being made of it in 1727 and 

 1738. 



Besides the cloth mills there is also a large carpet factoi-y 

 belonging to !Mr. McMichael. Leather dressing is still also largely 

 carried on. 



Kington St. Michael. 



This Nunnery, founded before 1155, was dedicated to St. Mary, 

 Aubrey says by Empress Matild, and that the inmates were subject 

 to Glastonbmy, but he states no authority. A dam de Britone gave 

 them all his land in Kington ; Hugh and Roger Mortimer, lands ; 

 Burnett, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1274 — 1292, an acre of land and 

 the advowson of Church of Kyngton ; Petronilla Bluet gave all her 

 lands in Beadley ; Riclmrd de Heriet, the Church of Somerford ; 

 Alexander de Stodleye, granges of Stodleye and Cadenham, with 

 tithes of both places and of Redmore ; William de Uarptre and 

 Roger de Villiers tithes in Stures and Sanford : Robert de Brynton, 

 Churches of Ewerne and Lazartone, the latter of which was con- 

 firmed by Joce, Bishop of Sai'um ; William Malreward gave the 

 Church of Twyvertone, which was afterwards confirmed by Geoffrey 

 Malreward. 



