MUSBURY, a village and a parish in Axminster district, Devon. The village stands near the river Axe, 3 miles S W by S of Axminster r. station, 3 N N E of themouth of the Axe, and 4 W of the boundary with Dorset; was anciently called Muchbery; and has a post-office under Axminster, and a fair on the Monday after Michaelmas. The parish contains also the hamlet of Maidenhayne. Acres, 2, 178. Real property, £3, 866. Pop., 493. Houses, 98. The property is divided among a few. The manor belongs to the Rev. J. V. Payne. Ashe belonged to the Drakes; was the birthplace of John Churchill, the great Duke of Marlborough; and is now a farm-house. An ancient British camp, double ditched, and occupying 20 acres, is here, and is in good preservation. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Exeter. Value, £365. Patron, the Rev. J. V. Payne. The church is ancient but good; consists of nave, aisles, and chancel, with a tower; and contains monuments of the Drakes, and a monument of Judge Grundy.

(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))