Stoke Abbott

St Mary the Virgin	Stoke Abbott is a small parish 6 miles north of Bridport, 2 miles south west of Beaminster and about 6 miles south of Crewkerne. The church of St Mary the Virgin originally Norman has an Early English chancel and western tower containing five bells. The church was struck by lightning in 1828 and not restored until 1878, the church was further restored in 1913 when the bells were rehung. Some parts of the Norman church remain; a small Norman window on the north side and the carved stone font. The church also houses a Jacobean pulpit. The hamlets of Blackney and Brimley Coombe are within the parish. In 1838 the Beaminster Union Workhouse was opened, located at Stoke Water within the Parish of Stoke Abbott, south west of Beaminster. Stoke Abbott is connected to the last public hanging in Dorset; in 1858 a cottage in the village caught fire, when extinguished the body of 23 year old Sarah Guppy was found with her throat cut; a relative John Seale was found guilty and hanged on 10th August that year.
The position of OPC for Stoke Abbott is currently vacant. If you are interested in taking on the role, please contact the OPC Co-ordinator

Census	1841 Census by Helen Jones 1841 Census of Beaminster Workhouse in the parish of Stoke Abbott by Helen Jones 1861 Census by Eddie Hann 1871 Census by Christel Muncaster 1881 Census by Terry Smith 1891 Census by Eddie Hann
Parish Registers	Baptisms 1783-1812, 1813-1837, 1838-1853 by Helen Jones 1853-1924 by Pam Sharkey Marriages 1560-1837 [Phillimores] Burials 1783-1812, 1813-1837, 1838-1875, 1876-1884 by Helen Jones
Postal Directories
Other Records	Removal orders to and from the parish Monumental Inscriptions index Register of Electors 1921 by Eddie Hann
Wills	Index of Stoke Abbot Wills Will of Thomas Abington 1657
Useful Links	Description of Stoke Abbott in 1895 (external link) written by Frederick Swaffield & transcribed by Stephen Jones
Other information	An interview with Jim Webber of Stoke Abbott who retired at the age of 104; a write up & a video interview
Maps	External link to modern day Parish Boundary map The 1891 Ordnance Survey maps of the parish can be seen at the old-maps site, just enter 'Stoke Abbott' under place search. For modern location maps visit:- www.multimap.com
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Records held at the Dorset History Centre [Ref PE-STA]	Registers Christenings 1559-1923. Marriages 1560-1953. Burials 1561-1721, 1738-1983.
Registration District (for the purpose of civil registration births, marriages & deaths)	1 Jul 1837-31 Mar 1937: Beaminster 1 Apr 1937-31 Mar 1997: Bridport 1 Apr 1997-30 Sep 2001: West Dorset 1 Oct 2001-17 Oct 2005: South & West Dorset
Stoke Abbott Post Office Courtesy Eddie Hann	St Mary's Church 1921 Courtesy Eddie Hann
Stoke Abbott Rectory Courtesy Eddie Hann

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