Owermoigne

Transcription of framed text to be found inside of the entrance porch to St Michael's Church

Mathew Morethania held opre of Melcburne (Milborne St Andrew) and belonged to family of Le Moign Moygnes. Moynes early after Conquest Ralph Moyne in reign Edward I held Manor of Oweres by service of Sargeantry of the Kitchen, and his ancestor had held it from Henry I by gift of that King. It was held till the reign of Henry IV when daughter heir Elizabeth married Lord Stourton from Stourton in Wilts.

Later it was purchased by W Wake after Archbishop of Canterbury later conveyed to Sir Theodore Janessen 1732 and sold to Rev John Cree 1853 and a portion sold in 1823 to T Billet of Warmwell – (father of Mrs Augustus Foster of Warmwell House).

The rectory probably has existed since the 13th Century, but most of the present building dates to the time of Elizabeth, the beams in the Dining Room tradition relates were taken from a wreck of the Spanish Armada in Ringstead Bay.

A modern wing was added to the Rectory in 1882. The inhabitants of the village in past years, had a great reputation for smuggling. Thomas Hardy relates stories of their exploits, one relating to casks of brandy being hidden in the orchard that still exists to the west of the Church. The church tower also seems to have been a hiding place on some occasions.

 Evidently squire and parson were all involved, as there is still in the Rectory cellar a bricked-up window – through which the parson of those days received a share of the spirits.

Stones with writing cut in them were dug up opposite the church, and probably relates to smuggling days.

The church was dedicated to St Michael. The original church of which the Tower only remains, consisted of Chancel, Nave, South porch and Western embattled tower. Chancel originally early English.

The church had a low Alter of Purbeck marble, and a tomb on the North side.

In the Chancel there was flatstone, over the tomb of John Thornborough, rector who died 1702 – his wife died 1665.

Originally a window on North side in memory of John Sturton Esq had a brass tablet beneath, the tablet is now to be seen on the South side of the chancel, the window above mentioned, was placed in the Rectory on the North side, when the church was rebuilt in 1882.

The inscription on the brass tablet reads as follows –

 

Here lyeth John Sturton Esq the which decesayed the XIII day of January the year of our Lord MNCVI. The which John caused this wyndowe to be made the year aforesaid on whose soul Jesus have mercy.

Another brass plate to a Nicholas Cheverel Esq who deceasyed in January MVCXLVIII and a number of other memorials to the Sturton family and former rectors and their relations, with the Church Chest dated 1625, have all disappeared, as also the ancient chalice and paten.

There are 3 bells dating to the reign of Elizabeth. The Registers are reported by an expert, to be the best kept in the Diocese of Salisbury and are complete to the year 1569. They are of interest as they contain a number if the ancestors of Thomas Hardy. See List.

BAPTISMS

1624

26 DEC

Mary

Daughter

of

John and Joane HARDY

1635

19 APL

James

Son

of

John and Joane HARDY

1637

10 APL

Giles

Son

of

John and Joane HARDY

1639

8 DEC

Grace

Daughter

of

John and Joane HARDY

1662

28 DEC

William

Son

of

Thomas & Agnes HARDY of Chaldon

1688

4 NOV

Mary

Daughter

of

Thomas HARDY Senior of Chaldon

1689

26 DEC

William

Son

of

Richard & Sarah HARDY

1692

27 MAR

Richard

Son

of

Richard & Sarah HARDY

1710

30 NOV

Elizabeth

Daughter

of

Grace HARDY

1715

7 JUNE

Sarah

Daughter

of

James HARDY

1715

28 JUL

William

Son

of

Joseph HARDY

1715

4 DEC

John

Son

of

Grace HARDY

1718

17 OCT

Sarah

Daughter

of

Joseph HARDY

1718/19

4 JAN

Richard

Son

of

Richard HARDY

1719/0

4 FEB

Mary

Daughter

of

William HARDY

1722

31 AUG

John

Son

of

Joseph HARDY

1722/3

16 JAN

James

Son

of

Richard HARDY

1747

22 APL

Jenny

Daughter

of

John & Elizabeth HARDY

1748

26 DEC

John

Son

of

John & Elizabeth HARDY

1749

10 DEC

Molly

Daughter

of

John & Elizabeth HARDY

1751

5 SEP

Mary

Daughter

of

John & Elizabeth HARDY

1752

20 MAR

Anne

Daughter

of

John & Elizabeth HARDY

1755

11 MAR

Sarah

Daughter

of

John & Elizabeth HARDY

1756

25 APL

John

Son

of

John & Elizabeth HARDY

1766

8 MAY

Thomas

Son

of

John & Ann HARDY

1784

14 NOV

Joseph

Son

of

Mary HARDY

1793

23 JUN

James

Reputed son

of

James.

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