Durleigh

This index page for history relating to the parish of Durleigh is under construction. More materials will be added over time, and contributions are welcome. The placename Durleigh was rendered ‘Derlege’ in the Domesday book and ‘Durlega’ in 1274. It is assumed to mean ‘the wood frequented by deer’ from the Old English deor-leah (Ekwall, Oxford Dictionary of English Place Names, 1960). In the Domesday book the parish consisted of 9 households, broken down into four with villager status, two with smallholder status and three as slaves. There was around 20 acres of woodland. Before the Norman Conquest it was held by someone called Alsi, who owned considerable property throughout England. After the conquest it was held by Ansger Fower, presumably a lesser knight who held a handful of local properties.

Durleigh
Durleigh parish church.

Histories

Rev Edward H. Smith, DURLEIGH, c.1945

Robert Dunning, ‘Durleigh’ in the Victoria County History.

Misc. Historical Pictures and Sources

Unposted postcard by Montague Cooper of Taunton, Burnham and Lyton.
Cutting from an unknown publication of about 1937. This is probably John Mansfield of Harts Cottage Enmore, who is mentioned in the 1911 census as 53 years old (suggesting he was born about 1858), occupation ‘Horseman on Farm’. His wife of 31 years was Louisa, also 53 years old. We learn she had had a total of 6 children, but only 4 were living that year. Living with them was daughter Elizabeth, a blouse machinist (probably working in Bridgwater) and widowed Elizabeth Baker, John’s sister.
A cheese advert celebrating West Bower. From an unknown publication.