1852 Slater's Directory
Henstridge

Is A small but pleasant village, in the hundred of Horethorn, 111wsw from London, 10 west from Shaftsbury, seven south from Wincanton, and one mile from Stalbridge (Dorset), situated at a short distance from the London road, and on the direct line from Bath to Poole. The church of St. Nicholas is a very ancient building, with a small tower, which is clothed with ivy, the living is in the gift of the Marquess of Angelsey, who is lord of the manor. In the church are several handsome monuments. There is no particular business carried on here, nor does it possess either fair or market, the inhabitants going to Stalbridge for what necessaries they require.
Henstridge Ash consists only of the inn called the 'Old Ash' or 'Virginia Inn' - remarkable as being the first inn in which tobacco was smoked in England, and it was here that the story originated of the waiter entering the room when Sir Walter Raleigh was smoking, and believing him to be on fire discharged a pailfull of water over him. The parish of Henstridge contained in 1841, 1,146 inhabitants, and at the last census (1851), 1,136.

Post Office, Lucy BURGE, Post Mistress - Letters from all parts arrive (from Sherborne) every morning at nine, and are despatched every afternoon at four.