MELBURY-ABBAS, a parish in that part of the hundred of SIXPENNY-HANDLEY which is in the Shaston (West) division of the county of DORSET, 2½ miles (S.E.) from Shaftesbury, containing 345 inhabitants.

The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Dorset, and diocese of Bristol, rated in the king's books at £9. 18. 11½. Thomas Grove and W. Goodden, Esqrs. were patrons in 1794. Walter Blandford, D.D., Bishop of Oxford, and afterwards of Worcester, was a native of this place.

Volume 3, page 276