MAIDEN-NEWTON, a parish in the hundred of TOLLERFORD, Dorchester division of the county of DORSET, 8¼ miles (N.W.) from Dorchester, containing 520 inhabitants.

The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Dorset, and diocese of Bristol, rated in the king's books at £30. 5., and in the patronage of Lord Ilchester. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient cruciform structure, with a large embattled tower rising from the intersection. Near it is the rectory-house, a spacious antique building, the windows exhibiting the arms of Wadham, Wyndham, &c., in stained glass. The privilege of holding a market was granted in the 5th of Henry III., and subsequently a fair for cattle on November 22d; the former has been long disused. George Browne, in 1774, bequeathed a rent-charge of £21 for teaching ten poor children.

Volume 3, page 202