The Somerset Village Book. Almost 200 villages described in this chronicle from the Somerset Federation of Women's Institutes.

When visiting my local public library recently I came across a charming little book compiled by the Somerset Federation of Women’s Institutes entitled The Somerset Village Book (Countryside Books, 1988).  It gives a brief, but fascinating record of the history, people and events relating to almost 200 of Somerset’s villages.

One example of the book’s engrossing morsels of historical information is found in the entry for the village of Charlton Mackrell which is situated 3 miles east of Somerton in South Somerset.   A connection to the US Presidency is revealed!

We learn that one Henry Adams was married in Charlton Mackrell’s village church in 1609 and in 1638, at the age of 55, he and his family crossed the Atlantic to America.  The entry informs us that: “Henry Adams’ great grandson was John Adams who steered through the United States Congress the Declaration of Independence in 1776.  He became the 2nd President of the USA and his son John Quincy Adams was the 6th President.” 

The Church of St. Mary the Virgin in the village of Charlton Mackrell, Somerset.

Apparently when the book was published in 1988 there were still descendants of the Adams family living in the nearby village of Charlton Adam.

It is ironic that Lord North, the British Prime Minister who “lost America”, also lived in South Somerset at Dillington House near Ilminster.

I found The Somerset Village Book such an illuminating read that I have obtained a copy for my own library.