Wellington

Wellington, a market town in the Wellington parliamentary division of Somersetshire, England, at the foot of the Blackdown hills, and near the river Tone, 1701 m. W. by S. of London by the Great Western railway. Pop. of urban district (1901), 7283. The 15th-century church of St John has a fine Perpendicular tower and chancel; while the clerestoried nave is Early English. There is a magnificent altar-tomb to Sir J. Popham, Lord Chief Justice under Elizabeth and James I. The chief buildings include the West Somerset County School and a 17th-century hospital for the aged poor, founded by Sir J. Popham. A tower, which stands on the highest peak of the Blackdowns, 2Z m. S., was erected in honour of the duke of Wellington. The town has woollen manufactures, iron foundries and brick and tile works.