By T. H. Baker. 321 
* Mere Dec, 1799 
A Toll Free Market 
for 
Corn and Cattle 
Sanctioned by the Hon. Sir John Morshead, Bart. Surveyor General to his Royal 
Highness the Prince of Wales, Lord of the Manor. 
“Notice is hereby given to the Public in general. That a large Market will 
commence on Tuesday, the 7th day of January, 1800. 
“T, Giles Jupe, Bailiff of the Manor and Lessee of the Tolls of Mere Market 
and Fairs do hereby promise that I will not exact or take any Toll for Corn or 
Cattle of any kind. 
“N.B.—A good Ordinary at one o’clock, at the Ship Inn.” 
1817. A meeting was held at the Ship Inn, at Mere, on 9th 
December, to consider the advantages that would arise from having 
a pitched corn market at Mere every Tuesday. This was supported 
by all the leading agriculturists in the district, and for a time was 
a great success, Mere, being midway between the Radstock collieries 
and the arable lands of Dorset, served as a depot for coal and 
meeting-place for the farmers’ waggons and those of the colliers. 
It grew in importance for three or four years, after which it 
gradually declined till in the forties and fifties it was simply a pig 
market; and when in 1866 restrictions were placed on the move- 
ment of these animals it disappeared altogether. In 1896 an 
attempt was made to revive it, but without success. 
The fairs have also gradually become extinct within the memory 
of man. 
Before the days of railways Mere was in the direct road from 
London to Exeter, and a considerable number of coaches passed 
through the town daily after the shorter route vid Andover, 
Amesbury, Hindon, Mere, Wincanton, Ilchester, and Honiton was 
established. 
CuRFEW. 
The curfew bell is rung at Mere at 8 o’clock every night from 
St. Luke’s Day (18th October), to St. Matthias’ Day (24th 
February). 
At the beginning of the eighteenth century for a few years we 
find in the churchwardens’ book entries for “ Ringing the Six 
o'clock bell.” 
