 The Crescent formed part of Hammet 's plan for Taunton . It was built to the north of Upper High Street , in what was known at the time as Paul 's Field . It follows a shallow crescent shape , which Nikolaus Pevsner notes is " hardly noticeable " . Although Hammet died in 1800 , the foundation stone was placed in 1807 by William Kinglake , as part of a ceremony that was attended by " an immense number of persons . " The Monthly Magazine noted that the street was intended to add to the " ornament , respectability , and advantage " of Taunton , while the Taunton Courier reported that the houses were intended for " genteel families " . 
