Charles Challenger (born in 1817) hand wrote A History of Clutton Somerset. This, along with a transcription by Alan Gray is held by The Clutton History Group.
Below are links to the chapters in the book -
Preface. click here
Chapter 1. References to the County of Somerset click here
Chapter 2. The Place Names of Somerset and Clutton References click here
Chapter 3. An Introduction to Picturesque Scenery click here
Chapter 4. Some Interesting Reminiscences click here
Chapter 5. St. Augustine’s Church and its Associations click here
Chapter 6. Where lie the ashes of our Kith and Kin click here
Chapter 7. Further references to Clutton’s West End click here
Chapter 8 (Part 1). Where industry takes a prominent part click here
Chapter 8 (Part 2). Where industry takes a prominent part click here
Chapter 9 (Part 1). A Description of the Valley and Hill click here
Chapter 9 (Part 2). A Description of the Valley and Hill click here
Chapter 10. Embracing Features of Historic Interest click here
Chapter 11. The Science of Geology and Coal Formation click here
Chapter 12 (Part 1). The Last but not the Least in Importance click here
Chapter 12 (Part 2). The Last but not the Least in Importance click here
Chapter 12 (Part 3). The Last but not the Least in Importance click here
Chapter 12 (Part 4). The Last but not the Least in Importance click here
Here are a few extracts -
"I left the village fifty two years ago, in 1869, to fill an appointment on the Midland Railway, and was then seventeen years of age. Much of the information contained in this History of Clutton was acquired during those early years.
In the days of my youth I conversed with natives of the village of all ages, up to more than eighty, thus covering a period of first hand information of more than one hundred and forty years, down to the present date, 1921."
Blackers Monumental Works. Photograph Mr. W. J. Gay
"The next premises are conspicuous in several respects. These are the monumental works. This building is conspicuous to passers by on account of the usual display of marble and pennant slabs undergoing preparation to mark the resting place in the burial places of Clutton and the surrounding villages of those interned.
Another feature of special notice, and of which such a claim is highly prized by the present proprietor, Mr. Fredrick Blacker, is the fact of the long unbroken line of the Blacker family, who have occupied the same premises, and carried on the same monumental sculptural business from its foundation in A.D. 1716., now in 1921 upwards of 205 years! There is hope of its continuance, as a son of the present proprietor, named Charles, giving promise of the same artistic temperament, choose to become apprentice to his father on leaving school in 1919, and is taking a keen interest in the art. Esto Perpetua : “Let it be perpetual.”
"Passing by the dismantled Greyfield Colliery surface works we enter Greyfield Wood, and in a sequestered spot, just within the borders, stood in the sixties, three cottages in which resided John Edwards, Game Keeper to the Earl of Warwick, Matthew Young, senior, who was in charge of the Cornish pumping engine, with its wonderful mechanism, which kept Greyfield Colliery free from water; and his two sons Isaac and Matthew, who had charge of the Colliery winding engine.
This wood in the shooting season has provided “bags” of game for the Earls of Warwick for generations past, until within recent times."