Dorchester & Fordington Glossary

♦“y” is often used instead of “i” as in Wynsor/Winsor - Bryne/Brine - Collyns/Collins - yssue/issue - dyed/died

♦“z” is often used instead of “s” as in Cozens/Cosens - Zeager/Seager - Tomazine/Tomasine

♦“e” is often added to the end of names and some letters repeated as in Bisshoppe for Bishop or Bartlette for Bartlet or Ffordington for Fordington

♦“h” may have been omitted as in Tomas/Thomas or cristened/christened and particularly “is” for “his” in later years ·

With such wide variation in spelling the context in which the word is used is always important in carrying out transcription.

Phonetic dialect: Many words were written as they sounded and were therefore heavily influenced by local dialect and the individuals level of education and therefore varied widely. It needs to be remembered that most people could not read and many of these documents were in any case completed by clergy who moved regularly around the country and may not be familiar with the dialect. A sudden change in spelling of a family name for example is often associated with a change in Rector or churchwarden. The list below is exclusively compiled from Dorchester & Fordington Wills, Inventories and other documents associated with the Parish and were therefore in common use at the time.

Transcription : is very difficult as you are often dealing with faded, out of focus or damaged documents written in Court or Secretary hand where the formation of letters was significantly different from that used today. Examples of Secretary hand - but there are probably many others available on the web. An added complication is that probate is usually written in Latin. If you get through all that you often end up with a word that you have never heard of which then takes research. In the course of doing many old documents from Dorchester I have built up a glossary which I have placed on line mainly for my own benefit but I hope that it may also help those trying to decipher old documents originating in Dorset. Some words have also been added to the glossary because they simply did not mean the same thing in 17th century.

Abbreviation: Was used extensively in Wills and Inventories often indicated by a line above the omitted letters which I can't reproduce for the web. So in text you will see pfect for 'perfect' or pformed for 'performed'. 'pish' was another well used abbreviation for 'parish'. A common abbreviation in the Quarter Session Records was s.^d trer for 'said treasurer' as in:- 'It is ordered that the s.^d trer for the Western pte [parte i.e. part ] of this County doe pay' etc.

Supertext is also used as in w^th for 'with' but it can also mean 'which' depending on context. Some scibes also abbreviated Christian names extensively; W^m is still used today for 'William' and most are self explanitary like Eliz; Rich; Robt etc. Less common were 'Gorg' for George and 'Jams' for James. I have generally tried to spell them out in full in brackets not because I don't think the person will understand most abbreviations but to increase the hit rate when searching documents. There were many recognised abbreviations such as those given in these links:- Pages from an 18th century book showing commonly used Contractions of that period And an abbreviation listing for 17th century records available on the web.

Currency: bequests of 3s.4d; 6s.8d; and 13s.4d These payments are very common in wills as they relate to the 'mark' worth 13s.4d and the 'noble' a gold coin valued at 6s.8d. hence half a mark = 3s.4d.

Pictures: I have started adding links to pictures to better explain some items given in inventories on this site. Please bear in mind that most of these have survived because they came from the houses of landed gentry or well off merchants. Every day items in tenements and farm houses would be of a much more basic type, functional rather than elaborately carved. To have left a will with an inventory however meant some standing in the community. In Dorchester many of these were indeed wealthy merchants who ran businesses importing produce and furniture from Germany, Holland etc but mainly France where some Dorchester Merchants owned property in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Unusual words: Once you have managed to navigate all the above you often end up with a correct transcription but a word no longer in use today. I have listed in this Glossary unusual words or abbreviations etc that I have encountered in Dorchester and Fordington documents. Other listings exist on the web but several I have listed in the past have disappeared. One current example is Terms Used in Inventories for West Northamptonshire

Michael Russell OPC for Dorchester and Fordington

"Antelope Hotel" & Posting House

[Also 'Antelope Inn']

The Antelope Hotel was situated at No.14 Cornhill, St Peters Parish in Dorchester Dorset [See post card right 'The Antelope Hotel' on the left closed in the 1990's and is now offices and the entrance to a shopping arcade (Negative Valentines H4370) ]

1613 - 6th Aug - Extract 'Fire from Heaven' by David Underdown page 2 - " For the hot and weary traveller the most alluring attractions [in Dorchester] would have been its Inns and Taverns- The 'George' on High West Street, next to St Peters church, 'The Antelope' round the corner in South street, a dozen others -with their promise of rest and cool refreshment."

1613 - Extract 'Fire from Heaven' by David Underdown page 5 - "John WATTS (d.1627), a hitherto prosperous merchant and member of the Corporation, was 'much improverished' by the fire', and his house behind South Street, adjoining The Antelope yard or backside was in ruins for two years before he eventually sold it to a lawyer mnamed Humphrey JOLIFFE. ]"

1629 - Extract from 'Fire From Heaven' by David Underdown page 72 - " In 1629 there were thirteen licensed alesellers in the town, a number that grew to around twenty ten years later. Some of them kept large and impressive establishments like the 'George' the 'Antelope' the 'Crown' and the 'Rose'. 'The Ship' kept by William Wilson was somewhat less respectable, to judge by the number of reports of disorders ther, but such things were not unknown even at the 'George' "

1632 - 'Fire From Heaven' page 80 - further reference to Antelope Hotel; and pages 80 and 93

1634 - 'Fire From Heaven' page 159 and page 172- further references to Antelope Hotel;

1637 - 'Fire From Heaven' page 96 - further reference to Antelope Hotel;

1613-1642 - Extract from 'Fire From Heaven' page 122 - ---" There were also two families of apothecaries in the town: The Burys who kept the 'Antelope', and the Colsons .

1737 Burgage Rate for the Parish of St Peters in Dorchester (MRD Page 693) shows that Thomas Atkins was charged 6p pence for his house (The Antelope)

1776 - Extract from Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette Thursday 9th May - Philip FRANCIS, from the Star and Garter Salisbury, most respectfully begs leave to acquaint the Nobility, Gentry, and others travelling the Great Western road, that he has taken and entered upon The ANTELOPE INN in Dorchester: which is fitted up in an elegant and conveinient manner for the accommodation of those who please to honour him with their company - A good larder, and a stock of the best liquors will always be supplied; a strict attention will be paid to the management of the stables; and the utmost assiduity employed, to render the House agreeable to its visitors, so as to deserve their encouragement and recommendation. A Post Coach, Chaises and saddle horses.

1791 - Dorchester Trade Directory - Susanna Carter Innkeeper (Antelope)

1830 Pigots Directory - 'Antelope Hotel', Proprietor James Stent, Cornhill

1839 Roberts Directory - 'Antelope Hotel',South Street Proprietor Richard Gaulton, South Street

1841 Census - Richard Gaulton aged 40 years Hotel Keeper

1844 Pigots Directory - - 'Antelope Hotel',, Proprietor Richard Gaulton, Cornhill

1851 Census living at South Street St Peters Parish Dorchester - James Yearsley Head Married aged 49 Innkeper and Farmer of 78 acres: Herefordshire. + wife, son + 6 servants & 2 guests

1852 Slater's Diretory - 'Antelope Hotel', James Yearlsey, Cornhill

1861 Census Living at 14 Cornhill 'Antelope Hotel' St Peters Parish Dorchester - Stephen Yearsley Head Unmarried Aged 17, Victualler's son, born Dorchester with 10 servants & 1 Visitor [Boarder]

1865 Harrods Directory - James Yearsley, 'Antelope' Family & Commercial Hotel, Posting House, and Excise Office, Cornhill

1868 26 Sep - Bridport News - Special licence to 10th Oct 1868 granted to Landlord Mr. James Yearsley on receipt of a statement that from the assignees of Charles GARDINER, formerly the manager of that hotel and in whose name the license was taken that the document had been destroyed by him; from Oct the license will be grated for the ensuing year.

1871 Census living at 14 Cornhill, "Antelope Hotel" St Peters Parish - James Sly Head Married Aged 52 Hotel proprietor born Melcombe Regis, with wiufe, daughter visitor neice 7 servants boarder

1875 Post Office Directory - James Sly 'Antelope' Family & Commercial Hotel & Posting House

1881 Census living at Cornhill - William Twinlock Head married, aged 61, Hotel Proprietor, born Stamford Lincolnshire, with wife, niece,+ 9 servants

1889 Kellys Directory - Mrs Jane Dunn, Cornhill 'Antelope Hotel' Commercial [Note:- Charles and Jane Dunn came to live in Dorchester c1856 and Charles is in the 1861 Census and his wife Jane Dunn is living at The White Heart Hotel at 53 High East St Dorchester All Saints parish where Charles is a Hotel Keeper born Gillingham and Jane age 35 born Yeaston (just east of Henstridge) Somerset. Charles however died in 1863 aged 44. In the 1871 Census Jane Dunn widow is living next to the Great Western Railway Station Nursery Junction Hotel a widow aged 43 Landlady (Innkeeper) born Henstridge Somerset; In 1881 in Lodgings High West St age 53 (Not 58) a seamstress born Dorchester? ]

1891 Census living at No.14 Cornhill 'The Antelope Hotel' - Mrs Jane Dunn Head Widow, aged 63 Hotel Proprietor born Henstridge Dorset, with grandaughter, 3 visitors, 8 servants. [Note:- See Probate Jane Dunn died 17th July 1894 buried Civic Cemetery Weymouth Ave 20th July 1894 aged 71]

1894 9th Oct 1894 Weymouth Telegram The Management of the Antelope Hotel -- We understand that Mr Clement Dunn has just taken over the management of the above well known hostelry in succession to his late mother (Mrs Jane DUNN) who for many years was the proprietoress. Mr DUNN's numerous friends wish him every success.

1901 Census living at 14 Cornhill Hotel Proprietor Clement Dunn Head Married aged 45 born Dorchester with wife Helena age 42 4 boarders and 5 servants

"Antelope Tap" was situated in Cornhill 1841; South Street in 1851 ; Princess Street in 1861 ; Trinity Street from 1871

1841 Census 'Antelope Tap' listed as part of Cornhill Charles Parsons aged 30 to 34 Hotel Tap Keeper (Publican) with wife child and servant and lodger

1851 Census Living at South Street St Peters Parish Dorchester - 'The Antelope Tap' James Hoare head married aged 46 Innkeeper born Herefordshire with wife & 4 children + boarders? described as travellers. A son John James son James & Matilda Hoare bap HT 15 Jun 1851 abode Back West St occupation father publican. .

1861 Census living at 'Antelope Tap' Princess Street Holy Trinity Parish, - Edward Fudge Head Married aged 43 Licensed Victualler born Fordington with his wife, neice and a lodger

1871 Census living at Trinity Street "Antelope Tap" St Peters Parish - George Cleall, Head Married aged 28 Painter? born Dorchester Dorset, with wife Mary Ann Cleall 2 children, mother and servant

1881 Census St Peters Parish Districts 5a, 5b, and 6 - Preamble to Census return states 'the east side of Trinity Street including the 'Antelope Tap' but does not identify in the return itself. George Bartlett (See 1889) is living in Trinity Street with his 25 year old sister Mary Jane Bartlett [no occupation given for her] George is only aged 17 working as a groom so unlikely to be the innkeeper.

1889 Kellys Directory George Bartlett , Trinity Street, 'Antelope Inn Tap Public House' Commercial

1891 Census Living at Trinity Street 'Antelope Tap' - George Bartlett Head Married aged 38 Landlord of a Public house born Queen Camel Somerset with wife Susanna Cooper Thorne whom he married at Fordington St Georges Church on 13th April 1876 [Link to George BARTLETT (1853-1907) ]

1895 Kellys Directory - George Bartlett 'Antelope Inn Tap' Public House Number 1 Trinity street

1901 Census George Bartlett Head with wife Susannah Manager Antelope Hotel Tap

Not to be confused with "Armitage in Staffordshire". This is an old spelling for the parish of 'Hermitage' in Dorset where there was a Priory with close associations with Dorchester. 'Hermitage' is approximately 15k (10miles) NNW of Dorchester where the Priory of Hermitage was situated in the heart of the forest of 'Blackmore'. In the 15th Century the house became the free chapel of St Mary simply refered to as 'The Hermitage'

See the History of the County of Dorset: Volume 2. It's association with Dorchester and Fordington appears to date from 1469 when Edward IV placed it in the custody of William BROWN Clerk who already held the Mastership of the Hospital of St John at Dorchester. The grant for life of the yearly annuity of 52s 2d with which the chapel was charged to the King of which 38s 10d was payable to the exchequer and 13s 4d to the Bailiff of the Manor of Fordington for the use of the Duke of Cornwall. Fordington has long been a Royal Manor within the estates of the Dutchy of Cornwall. Parish Registers are held at the DHC in Dorchester but only date from 1712. Some earlier records exist however dating from 1604 These are the Bishops Transcripts imagerd by CLDS

'a contract' often referring to a lease of property. In Dorchester/Fordington Wills it is often used less formerly as a condition of inheritance, such as 'I give you these goods/land etc on condition that you do something else such as look after your mother or allow a sister or son to reside in the house until they die or marry or receive the interest from an investment etc. Definition in Dictionary of Genealogy by Terrick VH Fitz Hugh:-

Bargain and Sale . A procedure for the private and secret conveyance of property devised to take advantage of a loophole in the Statute of Uses of 1535-6. When property was transferred, the Statute made possession pass at once to the person who was to have the use of the land, instead of to any trustee who was the nominal purchaser. By Bargain and sale procedure the vendor bargained and sold a property to a purchaser and so found himself holding it to the purchasers us, but according to the Statute ownership had passed at once to the user, so there was no need to enroll any conveyance documents and so make the sale public. However the Statute of Enrollments was quickly passed, enforcing enrollment of such transfers either at one of the central courts or before a Justice of the Peace. This regulation made the procedure less popular and it was gradually replaced in favour by that of lease and release.

Example in Fordington Will of John Oliver of Fordington dated 17th May 1573

'The Bell' Public House, (aka 'The Bell Inn')

and

History of 'Bell Street'

[Note:- Renamed the Star Inn before 1851 Census]

The Bell Inn

27 May 1717 - Referred to in the Will of this date of Thomas Pitman a grocer of Dorchester which was proved 18th Nov 1717. Extract from the will:-

Whereas the house I now live in is and stands settled upon myself for life, remainder to my son Thomas in tays [entailed], remainder to my son Edward entailed with remainder over, my will is that any house adjoining thereto commonly called the 'BELL', one part whereof is now a Warehouse, and the other part a Malthouse, shall be held and enjoyed by such person or persons as shall during the term which I have therein be seized of the inheritance of the said house which I now live in, To which end I give and bequeath the said house called the 'BELL' together with the leaden cistern therein AND all and singular other the appurtenances to the said last mentioned house belonging to the said  Baruch NOWELL , Joseph DAMER and Samuel PITMAN their executors and administrators during the remainder of my term therein In Trust that they from time to time during the reminder of the said term shall permit such person and persons as shall from time to time be seized of the inheritance of the said hosue to hold and enjoy the said house called the 'BELL' together with the said Cistern and other the appurtenances to his and their own use

The extract right has been taken from the 1886 Ordnance Survey Map of Dorchester. The large Street across the top is 'High East Street' from which 'Bell Street' descends southwards and is part of All Saints Parish. The BELL is thought to be the 'P.H' (for Public House) shown on the north east side of the junction of Bell Street with Durngate Street.

As can be seen this public house sits at the center of a group of buildings which fits the description given above from Thomas PITMAN's Will and the Malthouse is even marked 'as Maltho.' on the map with what could easily be a warehouse at the back.

The 1771 Map of Dorchester shows that the top section of this street was then called 'Jail Lane'. The rest, below the junction with' Durngate St, was called 'Gallows Hill' .

Pigots Directory of 1830 - The top section of the street was then still called 'Gaol Lane' as the directory lists under the heading Brewers & Maltsters "Thomas BOWER" of Gaol Lane. Thomas BOWER (1778-1842) was the grandson of Edmund BOWER (d.1773) a gentleman of Dorchester who had married in 1740 at Fordington to Elizabeth SHORTO. Thomas was the son of their eldest child James BOWER (1740-1795) and had been born at Loswithiiel in Cornwall but returned to live in Dorchester being admitted a Freeman and Capital Burgess of Dorchester in 1814 and serving as Bailiff 3 times in 1816/1817, 1824/1825 and 1832/1833. He was also elected Mayor of Dorchester three times in 1818, 1826 and 1834 and became an Alderman of the town in 1829. Thomas was also the nephew of their 3rd child William BOWER (1746-1829) who was owner of Fordington Brewery and owned 16 public houses in Dorchester and Weymouth. When he died in 1827 William left Thomas £1,000 so it is likely that he invested some of this money in the purchase of the 'Bell Inn'.

Roberts Street Directory 1839 - has one reference to 'Bell Street' (To a Mr Prince manager of the Gas works of Bell Street) The Gas works was built in 1833 and was situated just off the bottom of this extract so below the junction with Durngate. It looks therefore like 'Gaol Lane' changed it's name to 'Bell Street' before 1839 and this also embraced the next section of what was then Gallows Hill (down as far as the junction with Wollaston Road creating the situation shown in the 1886 Map of Dorchester) and leaving only the very bottom section as Gallows Hill. In 'The History of Dorchester Gallows' published in 1911, the Rev Filleul confirms that 'Bell Street' took it's name from the pub, which existed prior to 1717 and was the most substantial group of buildings in the street at that time. The 1839 directory still has Thomas BOWER as a brewer and maltster but gives his address as High East Street and given his prominance

Pigots Directory of 1844 still Lists Thomas BOWER to be a Brewer & Maltster in 'Gaol Lane' so both names seems to have been in general use for some time. I think this shows that he still owned the Bell Inn but employed a manager and I note that the 1841 Census shows a John JOINER of Bell Street to be a Brewer living there with his wife and 4 children but also a Journeyman Brewer and 2 male servants and what are probably 2 lodgers. Thomas Bower died in 1842 and was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester 15th sep 1842. He left his estate to his brothers James & John Bower.&

1851 Census : John JOINER has now moved down the road to the remaining section called 'Gallows Hill' but is still employed as a 'Drayman in a Brewery', albeit in a lesser capacity. The Bell Inn has now been renamed 'The Star Inn' and recorded as being in 'Bell Street' run by John WOODWARD a beershop keeper. (Follow link to the Star Inn)

Bell metal is a hard alloy of copper and tin for making bells, with a higher tin content than bronze. (Source Oxford Dict English). In the 17th Century however it was also used for making other household products particularly skillets. Picture Link Example Inventory of the Goods and Chattels of Micheas RASKER (d.1680) a Yeoman of Fordington who possessed a 'Belmettle skillet'

"Black Horse Tavern" (or Black Horse Inn or Black Horse Hotel)

Probably renamed the Dolphin Inn between 1845-1851)

The BLACK HORSE was situated in Church Lane which runs north to south from High East street past All Saints parish church. down to Durngate Lane. See 1771 Map of Dorchester street marked 'O' . Also P.H. shown on the 1886 Map of Dorchester in Church Street and as being next to Whetstone Alms Houses..

1737 Burgage Rate for the Parish of All Saints in Dorchester (MRD Page 694) shows that Anthony's House paid a rate of 3 pence for "The Black Horse"

1739 - In a listing of Rental of Town Burgages etc taken in 1780 is reference to a Mr John Pitman lessee - 1739 for 'The Black Horse Inn' in All Saints Parish (MRD page 700)

1785 - The Will of Thomas Hewstins Victualler of Dorchester in his will dated 18th Feb 1785 states "if my wife should be willing to carry on the business of a publican in the 'BLACK HORSE --that they should entrust her with the same.

1830 Pigots Directory - 'Black Horse', Publican Thomas Lester, Church Street Dorchester

1839 Roberts Directory, Inns, Hotels, & Public Houses: 'Black Horse', Publican Robert J Troake, Church Street Dorchester

1841 Census - Church Lane All Saints Parish - Robert Troake aged 46 Publican with Sarah wife aged 42 and 4 children + a lodger traveller + family with 3 children and a servant

1842 - Pigots Directory, Dorchester Dorset, Page 121 under Taverns and Public Houses - 'Black Horse' Robert Toarke, Church Street

1844 Pigots Directory - Taverns & Public Houses : 'Black Horse' Robert Treake, Church Street Dorchester

[Note 1851 Census shows The Dolphin Inn in Church Lane" run by Charles Parsons Innkeeper]

Burgess: originates from Anglo Norman French 'burgeis' :- an inhabitant of a town or borough with full rights of citizenship.

Burgess Tenure: A form of tenure peculiar to boroughs. The tenant had the free disposal of his land or property in accordance with the custom of the borough, and paid only a nominal rent which made him quit of all other services to his federal superior. If the Lord was the King the tenant held in chief. Source:- The Dictionary of Genealogy by Terrick VH Fitz Hugh published 1988 Alpha Books Sherborne Dorset]

Burgess: In Dorchester 6 Aldermen & 6 other Burgesses were appointed under the charter published by Charles I on 6 Oct 1629 who with the Mayor and two Bailiffs were to be termed 'Capital Burgesses'.

Burton, often referred to in old documents about Dorchester such as street directories:

Both Higher and Lower BURTON are Tithings under the Manor of Fordington [Link to John Hutchins “The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset” published 1860-1874.]

in 1841 Census however the Hamlet of 'Burton' is recorded under the parish of Charminster in Dorset. I think this was sometimes referred to as Higher Burton. 'Lower Burton' however, for example where the 'Sun Inn' is situated, is actually less than a mile north of Dorchester's High Street and many baptisms where the parents lived there were carried out in Holy Trinity Church during the period 1871-1890. e.g. Elizabeth Davis daughter of William & Sarah Samways of Burton was bap there 21st Nov 1886.

CALENDAR - (Including the START OF THE NEW YEAR) The system fixing the civil years beginning, length and sub divisions. In the middle ages dates were usually indicated (for years) by the REGAL YEAR of the reigning monarch, and (for days) by the number of days before or after the nearest CHURCH FESTIVAL or fast. When 'Anno Domini' years are shown, there was no regularity as to the day on which the year was considered to have begun. To the writer of any document New Years day might have been 1st January, 25th March or 25th December. At the reformation it was laid down in the Book of Common Prayer that 'the Supputation [reckoning] of the year of our Lord in the Church of England beginneth the Five and twentieth day of March, the same day supposed to be the first day upon which the world was created and the day when Christ was conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary'.

In Fordington for example the vicar John JACOB usually started the year on 25th March in accordance with common convention but for the period 1722/4 he started the year on 1st March before reverting to the 25th in 1725.

In Dorchester when the existing Rector Edward Doughtie left in 1584 the curate gave a nil return for burials for the year, meaning to the end of December, and started 1585 in January.

In 1752 two changes were made in the English calendar. The first was from the Julian to the more accurate Gregorian system that had been introduced in Catholic countries by Pope Gregory XIII in March 1582. A difference of eleven days had accumulated between the systems, so the change necessitated England's losing that number of days. To bring that about the day following 2nd September 1752 was renumbered the 14th.

The second change which was of far greater importance to genealogists, was that the commencement of that year was brought forward from 25th March to the preceding 1st January. This changed January, February and most of March from being the last months of the Old year to the first of the New. As the new system had already been put into use by some people in advance of its official introduction, care has to be taken when transcribing documents of the pre 1752 period dated between 1st Jan and 24th March. The correct transcription procedure is to use both Old and new reckonings; for example, by copying '11th Jan 1645' as '11th Jan 1645/6'. When viewing the National Burial Index (which does not follow this procedure but relies upon a purely computer general sort by calendar month) it is necessary therefore when recording the burial to fully appreciate that burials with dates 1st Jan to 24th March actually post date those for March to December.

The months of September, October, November and December, which used to be the seventh to tenth months of the year, are sometimes found abbreviated to '7ber, 8ber, 9ber, 10ber' respectively and must not be mistaken for the present seventh to tenth months July to October.

See separate entry below for Christian Festivals

1839 Roberts Directory, Castle, Publican William West, Fordington

1841 Census living at Grove Buildings - William West aged 35 to 39 Publican born Dorset

1848 Sherborne Mercury Sat 4th Nov 1848 - DEATHS: Oct 30 at Upper Fordington, Dorchester Mr William West of the Castle Inn aged 46.

1851 Census living at Grove Buildings Fordington - Charles Raynold Head married aged 40; Innkeeper Coachbuilder formerly, born St Peters Dorchester, with wife, daughter and servant

1852 Slaters Directory - Charles Raynold, 'Castle' Grove Buildings West Fordington.

1861 Census living at No 14 Grove Buildings 'Castle Inn' - Elizabeth Raynolds Head Widow aged 55 Landlady born Chawton Hampshire with 2 daughters, servant and 2 Boarders

1865 Harrods Directory - Mrs. Elizabeth Raynold 'Castle Inn', Grove Buildings , West Fordington

1875 Post Office Directory - Henry Butten , Castle Inn, Grove Buildings [West Fordington]

1889 Kellys Directory, Richard Hare [Haw], Grove Buildings 'Castle Public House' [West Fordington], Commercial

1891 Census Living at 14 Grove Buildings 'Castle Inn' West Fordington - Richard Haw Head Married aged 62 Licensed Victualler born Blandford, with wife, daughter & servant (Ostler)

The Chequers Inn is situated in All Saints Parish 47 High East Street Dorchester

1654 Will of Leonard MILLER the Elder Gentleman of Fordington dated 1st July 1654 proved 14th Sep 1654 "To wife Agnes my messuage etc called 'The Phonix' within the parish of All Saints in Dorchester in the tenure of Charles ALLEN and I give the said Agnes the yearly rents due of my house called the Chequer and for my house in the tenure of Peter FFILDEWE within the parish of All Saints"

1712 - Will of Sebastian Hunt Sergemaker of Dorchester dated 13th Oct 1712 refers to one of 4 of his properties being in the tenure of Jane Saunders Widow commonly called the 'Chequers Inn'

1744 -Will of John Lilly Innholder of Dorchester - beneficiary son Harry Lilly left The Chequer Inn in which he lives [Note:- Harry Lilly was buried at All Saints Church in Dorchester on 16th Nov 1745 and apart from 2 butts of beer No 13. and No.29 in his celler at the Chequer (Inn) and a few bequests everything else was left to his wife Hannah Lilly]

1830 Pigots Directory, 'Chequers', Publican Thomas Tullidge, High East Street Dorchester

1839 Roberts Directory, 'Chequers',, Publican Thomas Tullidge High East Street Dorchester. [1841 Census aged 52 High East St a Malster: 1851 Census Thomas Tullidge married age 68 retired Malster mliving 4 High East street]

1842 - Pigots Directory, Dorchester Dorset, Page 121 under Taverns and Public Houses - 'Chequers' William Stevens, High East Street

1844 Pigots Directory 'Chequers',, William Stephens, High East Street Dorchester

1851 Census All Saints Parish 7 High East Street Dorchester, 'Chequers Inn', John Stephens aged 54 married Victualler born Exeter Devon with wife nephew & visitors

1852 Slaters Directory 'Chequers', - John Stephens, High East Street

1861 Census living at 'Chequers Inn' No. 47 High East Street - George Hayman Head married aged 38 Victualler, with wife 4 children 4 Boarders & Servant

1871 Census living at 47 High East Street - Francis Porter Head widower Aged 36 Licensed Victualler born Stafford with 2 sons servant and boarder

1873 8th Dec - Edwin Gilbert arrested in the Chequers Inn Dorchester but later freed.

1875 Post Office Directory - Francis Porter 'Chequers Inn' , High East Street

1881 Census Living at 47 High East street - Francis Porter Head Married Aged 45 Innkeeper born Stafford, with wife, son, visitor, and servant

1889 Kellys Directory, Joseph Porter High East Street 'Chequers Inn Public House', Commercial

1895 - Kellys Directory - Joseph Porter 'Chequers Inn 47 High East Street.

1891 Census living at [47] High East Street, 'The Chequers' - Joseph Porter Head married aged 29 Licensed Victualler born Dorchester, with a visitor, and servant

The 'Coach & Horses' was a signed Inn or Victualling House in Forthington [Fordington]

1758 - An Ale House Liceence was issued on 12th Sep 1758 to Jane TAYLOR at the sign of the 'Coach & Horses' to keep a Victualling House in Forthington for 12 months from 29th Sep 1758. Surities were Leonard WINZOR and David PHIPPARD both of Forthington for the sum of £10 each.

1760 - An Ale House Licence was issued on 17th Sep 1760 to Jane TAYLOR at the Sign of the 'Coach & Horses' t in Forthington - Surities by Leonard WINSOR & Thomas ROLLS both of Forthington in the sum of £10 each.

The Compasses Cottages (at foot of Glyde Path Hill)

'The Compasses Inn (at Glyde Path )

The New Compasses Public House (at the Grove)

References to 'The Compasses' can be found in all Census Returns for the Parish of Holy Trinity 1841-1891 etc when they refer to a number of cottages; with the 1861 Census making their location clear as shown below. We only have two ref so far to the Compasses as an Inn as below so it seems likely that beer was brewed at one of the cottages and sold there to anyone who called in.It is not advertised as an Inn in any of the local trade directories although 'The New Compasses Public House' appears in Kellys Directory for 1915 but situated at The Grove West Fordington.

1851 Census West Fordington, 'Compasses Inn' William Cox Head; Mar; 46; Common carrier. Beer Retailer; Dorset Fordington; with wife 5 children Mother + 3 Visitors [Lodgers]

1861 Census - Preamble to Census refers to 'The Compasses' at the foot of Glyde Path Hill in the Tithing of Frome Whitefield (part of Holy Trinity Parish Dorchester district 3). Also ref to Compasses Cottages then occupied by John WILLS and his family.

1868 19 Nov - Newspaper report of inquest into the death of James Richard RUSSELL Landlord of the 'Half Moon Inn' in North Square Dorchester who drowned - deposition by Richard Notley makes reference to went to the 'Compasses' by Russell's instructions and called for two glasses of beer, but Russell never came.

Elected annually by the tenantry, he had to report, and take action on a great number of matters among them: felonies committed, escaped prisoners, riots, unlawful assemblies, non attendance at church, oppression by other officers, commercial irregularities, licensing of ale houses, compiling juror lists, drunkenness. He usually had assistants who dealt with things such as unauthorised building of additional cottages and dovecotes, vagabonds, intruders, militia muster rolls, taking of lewd women before justices of the peace and detaining refractory fathers of bastards

Constables for Fordington were appointed at the Quarter Sessions

Cousin: I have been asked about the definition of cousin in the 17th century a number of times so I think the best thing to do is quote verbatim the entry in "The Dictionary of Genealogy" my bible by Terrick VH Fitz Hugh (since deceased) who used to be a member of the West Surrey Family History Society to which I belonged for many years.

"Cousin: A term formerly loosely used, and often meaning a nephew or niece. A cousin German is a first cousin, i.e. the child of an uncle or aunt. A cousin-once removed expresses the relationship between a person and his cousin's child or parent, the 'once removed' referring to a difference of one generation. Hence 'twice removed' indicates a difference of two generations, and so on. People who are 'second cousins' to each other are the children of first cousins".

The Crown Tavern was described as being situated 'at the turn of East Street' from c1737 to at least 1844 - and - Durngate Street from c1865 to at least 1891. This was because the Fordington end of Durngate Street took a dog leg northwards to meet the end of High East Street. This part of Durngate Street fell within the parish of Fordington in the 18th Century but was being called Salisbury Terrace by 1901.

1629 - Extract from 'Fire From Heaven' by David Underdown page 72 - " In 1629 there were thirteen licensed alesellers in the town, a number that grew to around twenty ten years later. Some of them kept large and impressive establishments like the 'George' the 'Antelope' the 'Crown' and the 'Rose'. 'The Ship' kept by William Wilson was somewhat less respectable, to judge by the number of reports of disorders ther, but such things were not unknown even at the 'George' "

1737 Burgage Rate for the Parish of Holy Trinity Dorchester (MRD Page 690) - Elizabeth Heaviland for the "Crown Inn"

1754 2 Sep - Ale House Licences - Mary Bartlett Widow of Fordington granted a victualler's Licence for the 'Crown'

1755 3 Sep - Ale House Licences - Mary Bartlett Widow of Fordington granted a victualler's Licence for the 'Crown'

1756 6 Sep - Ale House Licences - Mary Bartlett Widow of Fordington granted a victualler's Licence for the 'Crown'

1757 1 Sep - Ale House Licences - Mary Bartlett Widow of Fordington granted a victualler's Licence for the 'Crown'

1762 15 Sep - Ale House Licences - Mary Bartlett Widow of Fordington granted a victualler's Licence for the 'Crown'

1763* 14 Sep - Ale House Licences - Mary Bartlett Widow of Fordington granted a victualler's Licence for the 'Crown' Surities Leonard WINZOR and David PHIPPARD both of Forthington [*Ancestry.com incorrectly indexed as 1765]

1766 - 13 Sep - Ale House Licences - Mary Bartlett Widow of Fordington granted a victualler's Licence for the 'Crown' Surities Leonard WINZOR and David PHIPPARD both of Forthington

1767 12 Sep - Ale House Licences - Mary Bartlett Widow of Fordington granted a victualler's Licence for the 'Crown' [Note Mary Bartlett (1683-1772) Buried at FStG 12th Feb 1772 aged 89 years]

1773 15 March - Sherborne & Yeovil Mercury 'Crown Inn' Dorchester Advert - Elizabeth Relict Thomas Coombes

1829 27th Apr - Will of Mr William Bower written 14th July 1827 and proved 27th Apr 1829 left "The Crown" in trust to be sold

1829 19th Nov 1829 Dorset County Chronicle - Sale by Auction at the Antelope Inn Dorchester on Friday 18th Dec 4 lots for sale -- Lot 4 The Fee-Simple and Inheritance of the CROWN INN in the Parish of All Saints, with brewhouse, stables, and garden now in the occupation of Mr. Thomas WHITTLE, subject to a lease for one life aged 59 years.

1830 Pigots Directory, 'Crown', Publican Thomas Whittle, at the turn of East Street Dorchester [Note:- Thomas WHITTLE was buried at FStG on 2nd Dec 1838. He was the the farther-in-law of Philip PEARCE (1794-1871) who married his daughter Eliza WHITTLE (1801-1879) at All Saints Church in Dorchester on 20th June 1820 and was already the landlord of the Union Arms Inn in Fordington.]

1838 Entry in Sherborne Mercury Mon 3rd Dec 1838 DEATHS: November 27, aged 67, Mr. Thomas WHITTLE, of the Crown Inn Dorchester, for a great number of years a much respected inhabitant of the town.

1839 Roberts Directory, 'Crown', Publican E White at the turn of East Street Dorchester

1842 - Pigots Directory, Dorchester Dorset, Page 121 under Taverns and Public Houses - 'Crown' Luke Harris, turn of East Street

1844 Pigots Directory - 'Crown', Luke Harris, turn of East Street Dorchester

1865 Harrods Directory - John Blandamer - 'Crown Inn' Durngate St Dorchester

1867 7th Oct - Thomas Blandamer Inn Keeper arrested for receiveing stolen oats aged 30 6ft 1½ ins tall , hair dark brown with light grey eyes & a fair complexion, Married with 2 children.

1871 Census Durngate Street 'The Crown' All Saints Parish Thomas Blandamer Head Married aged 34 Licensed Victualler born Fordington with wife 4 children, neice + 3 boarders

1875 Post Office Directory - Thomas Blandamer 'Crown' Durngate Street

1881 Census living in Durngate Street All Saints Parish - George Hayman Head married aged 58 Inn Keeper born Dorchester with wife 4 children & father-in-law+ 2 lodgers

1889 Kellys Directory, George Hayman, Durngate Street, 'Crown Public House', Commercial

1891 living Durngate St 'Crown Inn' - George Haymen Head Married aged 68 publican born Dorchester, with wife, 3 children father-in-law and lodger [Note:- George Hayman was buried at the Civic Cemetery in Dorchester on 23rd Oct 1891]

"The Dolphin Inn"

[probably previously named The Black Horse Inn 1830-1851.]

The Dolphin Inn is situated in All Saints Parish in Church Lane Dorchester next to Wheatstones Almshouses.

1851 Census shows 'The Dolphin Inn' in Church Lane All Saints Parish; run by Charles Parsons Innkeeper married aged 42 born Sopley Hampshire, with wife & 2 lodgers

1852 Slaters Directory 'Dolphin Inn' - Charles Parsons, Church Street

1861 Census living in Church Street All Saints Parish - John Shiner Head Married aged 38 Victualler born Cattistock with wife 3 children and sister in law

1865 Harrods Directory - John Shiner, 'Dolphin' Church Street

1871 Census living at "Dolphin" Church Street All Saints Parish - John Shiner Head Married Aged 48 Licensed Victualler born Cattistock, with wife & 6 children

1875 Post Office Directory - William Crocker 'Dolphin' Church Street

1881 Census [Note:- There is a William HJ Crocker living in Church St but shown as a cooper by trade, with his wife and 7 children + 1 boarder?]

1889 Kellys Directory - Charles Vallens, Church Street, 'Dolphin Public House' - also blacksmith, Bell Street, Commercial

1891 Census living at Church Street, 'Dolphin Inn' Charles Vallens, Head Married, aged 48 Licensed Victualler born Long Bredy Dorset, with wife, daughter & 4 lodgers and a servant

1895 Kellys Directory - Charles Vallens, 'Dolphin Public House', 9 Church Street, - also a blacksmith, Bell Street

1915 Kellys Directory - George Board, Church Street 'Dolphin Public House'

1871 Census living at 61 High West Street "Duke of Wellington" Holy Trinity Parish - Charles Meech Head Married aged 51 Landlord of an Inn born Glanville Wootton Dorset, with wife, 2 daughters, mother, servant 7 lodgers

1875 Post Office Directory - Charles Meech 'Duke of Wellington' 61 High West Street Dorchester

Evident in a number of Dorchester & Fordington Inventories (usually not the main bed) Dust beds are frequently shown in smaller rooms/ store rooms and mainly on farms:   I have used the definition given by Phillimore;  "bed-tick mattress filled with chaff". I have also seen 'dust pillow'. [Thanks to Peter Fullalove for this definition]

East Street: (1) In 1431 (Will of Walter Barons MRD Page 273) ref to his burgage in 'East Street', Dorchester in a certain lane which leads to Fordington called Durnelane (See street (E) on 1771 Map) Historically I think it may have been East Street leading to Durgate which became Durngate Street

(2) East Street in the 1886 map of Fordington runs from Fordington Cross leading to Loud's Road off the map. It is unfortunately not named in the 1901 Survey map

1861 Census living at 'Exhibition Hotel' Mill Street East Fordington - Thomas B Greening Head Married aged 30 Victualler born Dorchester, with wife 4 servants, 3 lodgers

1865 Harrodfs Directory - Edward Diamond 'Exhibition Hotel' East Fordington

1871 Census living at 'Exhibition Hotel' Mill Street East Fordington - Richard Davis Head Married aged 56 Builder employing 8 men, with wife Ann Davis 2 sons, nurse, 2 servants

1875 Post Office Directory - Richard Davis, 'Exhibition Hotel', East Parade East Fordington

1881 Census living at East Parade 'Exhibition Hotel' East Fordington - Richard Davis Head Married aged 66 Innkeeper & Builder born Fordington, with wife Ann Davis & servant

1891 Census living at London Road 'Exhibition Hotel' Fordington - John Wilmott Head Married aged 45 Shoeing Smith & Licensed Victualler, born Cerne Abbas, with wife, 4 children, visitor, 3 Boarders

1893 17th July - Henry David Nash aged 53 who was a lodger at the 'Exhibition Hotel' Fordington died there and was buried at FStG Church in Fordington

1895 Kellys Directory - Henry Joseph Barsted 'Exhibition Hotel', Fordington & horse breaker, 71 East Parade.

1900 25 Apr - St George Baptisms - George & Ada Panchen, abode 'Exhibition Hotel' Fordington Licensed Victualler

farthing &

Farthinghold

Farthing: Originally the quarter of anything but in time applied exclusively to a quarter penn. Fathinghold [fathing land] was a quarter of yardland which was an area of about thirty acres. Source:-The Dictionary of Genealogy by Terrick VH Fitzhugh. Clearly there was no exact measurement as:-

Fathing Hold : In Fordington this referred to a plot withinin the 3,097 acres of Fordington Fields which according to 'Notes on Fordington Manor' by Henry Joseph Moule contained between 13 and 15 acres of land and usually had a tenement. Links : Tithe Map of Fordington - 1844 showing plots : Surveys of Tenant Plots in 1600:    1615:   1650 which show that some farthingholds were actually above 15 acres

Fordington Brewery was owned by William BOWER Esq and when he died in 1829 was sold forming part of Lot 1 of sale particulars

1837 -11th May Dorset County Chronicle : FORDINGTON within the Borough of DORCHESTER, To be sold by Auction (In lots with immediate possession by M BAKER) At the Kings Arms Inn in Dorchester on Thursday the 18th day of May 1837 at Four O'Clock in the afternoon (subject to such conditions as will then and there provided) THE FORDINGTON BREWERY together with the cottage thereto adjoining and gardens belonging to the same, late the property of William BOWER Esq deceased. The above property is held by Copy of a Court Roll of the Manor of Fordington for three healthy lives, and is pleasantly situated adjoining Salisbury Field in the said parish. The Buildingsmay at a trifling expenses be converted into excellent dwelling houses and offer an eligible and advantageous investment for Builders Capitalists and others. For further particulars and inspection of the Plan of the intended lots apply to Mr FISHER also to Mr BRIDGE SolicitorDorchester or the Auctioneer. Mr Anthony TREW onthe spot will have the keys of and show the premises. All letters to be postr paid.Dated 4th May 1837

Fordington House

1886 Map of Fordington (center of map just above the railway on King Street prior to junction with Icen Way)

Fordington House is situated in King Street

Extract from British History On Line at - https://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/dorset/vol2/pp104-132

Fordington House, some 330 yds. S. of St. George's church, of two storeys and attics, is of brick partly stuccoed and has slate-covered roofs. The house was built in the second half of the 18th century, and a substantial W. wing was added to it in the early 19th century. The original house has been much altered, having had a modern pedimented feature added to the S. front and a modern portico to the N.; the interior has been remodelled to form flats.

The N. front is of brick laid in header bond and in five bays with a central doorway and plain sash windows; the doorway has a moulded architrave and side brackets carrying a pedimental hood. The eaves cornice is modern. The S. front is rendered and has a modern eaves cornice and pediment. The W. wing, rendered in stucco, has a symmetrical W. elevation in five bays with plain sash windows; before it is a verandah with trellis standards linked to form an arcade and a curved roof. Inside the wing are early 19th-century ceiling cornices and doorways in the hall with reeded architraves with lions' masks on square panels at the angles.

The grounds are enclosed by rubble walls containing a main entrance from Icen Way to the N. with ashlar gate piers surmounted by ball finials and with curved brick wing walls. A Stable building in Athelstan Road to the S.E. may have been connected with Fordington House. It is of two storeys, of rubble with brick dressings and probably of the early 19th century.

1841 - Hayne, John - Marriage:- On 2nd Instant at Fordington by the Rev John HAYNE , Lieutenant Richard Forest COLE; of Her Majesties 6th Regiment of foot; only son of Lieutenant Colonel COLE formerly of the 81st Regiment half pay unattached, to Mary Ann second daughter of John HAYNE of Fordington House Esq Dorchester County of Dorset. -- Times -- Also Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle etc (Portsmouth, England), Monday, October 11, 1841; Issue 2192

1852 - Rev.Campbell Fordington House - Slaters Street Directory 1852

1854 - Sparks Family - SALE:--- Papers concerning sale of the Fordington house owned by Sparks family; agreement of Alexander STEEN, Samuel HILL and Mary TAYNTOR to this. - Dorset History Center Archive Ref D/SBS/E9

1861 - Hayne, Elizabeth spinster daughter of John Hayne (1779-1868) recorded as of Fordingon House buried at FStG 5th Oct 1861 [Note:- In the 1861 Census she is with the family simply recorded as living in King Street so I have added a note to the 1861 Census Her father is recorded as being a wholesale grocer & soap boiler and a farmer of 350 acres employing 20 men and boys]

1864 - Hayne, Elizabeth Ridge daughter of Robert Hayne described as of Fordington House baptised at St Georges church Fordington

1865 - Smith, Captain Edward Heathcote, Fordington House - Harrods Street Directory 1865

1868 - Hayne, Robert son of Robert Hayne dsecribed as of Fordington House baptised at St Georges church Fordington.

1871 - Hayne, Robert, King Street Fordington House - Robert Hayne head married aged 54 wholesale grocer sundowner employing 11 men 6 boys 1 wonam with wife Mary Ann 2 children + 3 servants- 1871 Census [Note:- Haynes Soap & candle Factory & Grocery Store run by William Withyman]

1873 - Williams, Rev Hubert Brymer - bankrupt said " I went into the church about 6 years ago --- I applied for the living at Charminster --- our time was up at Fordington House 31st October ---- I know of Emma COX my servant coming to dorchester to claim things --- At Fordington I had another servant called SAMSON --- Don't know of any goods being removed by a man of Fordington called CLARK. i had no furniture at Fordington house (rented) Meeting adjourned to 19th Inst. Source:: The Derby Mercury (Derby, England), Wednesday, December 10, 1873; Issue 8316

1875 - Seymour, Miss Fordington House - Post Office Street Directory 1875 - DEATH:- on Monday 11th October at Fordington House Dorchester Avice wife of John Gunning Seymor Esq of the County of Dorset --- Times. Also St Georges Church Burials Avice Seymour entry 508 buried 15th Oct 1875 aged 59

1876 - White, Mary - DEATH: - on 29th Sep at Fordington House Dorchester aged 84 years Mary White She had lived more than 60 years in the service of the late Rev G BIRCH of Cheselborne Dorset -- Times

1879 - Mortgage G Stevens and F Edser to Katherine Jane Seymour of Fordington House , Dorchester County of Dorset Spinster - held at London Metropolitan Archives Ref A/CSC/3052/5

1880 - Mortgage G Stevens and F Edser to Katherine Jane Seymour of Fordington House , Dorchester County of Dorset Spinster - held at London Metropolitan Archives Ref A/CSC/3071/5 and A/CSC/3072/5

1881 - Boyes, Mary Catherine Fordington House Head married aged 34 Majors wife with 2 children, brother & sister-in-laws and 3 servants - 1881 Census
[Note:- Fordington Farm House is now separately listed still in possession of Robert Hayne aged 56 now a farmer of 435 acresemploying 21 labourers]

1886 - Fordington House - 1886 Map of Fordington (center of map just above the railway on King Street prior to junction with Icen Way

1889 - Law; Cecil Henry (Capt); Fordington House, Adjutant 1st Vol Batt. Dorset Reg.; Private Residents -  Kellys Street Directory 1889

1891 - Hayne, Robert Fordington House Head Married aged 74 Farmer with wife and son Robert and 2 servants [Next premises Haynes Soap Works run by Joseph Franklin

1895 - Hayne Robert, Fordington House, (2nd entry farmer) - Kellys Street Directory 1895

1901 - Fordington House no longer named but buildings in the same place - 1901 Map of Fordington

1915 - Hayne, Robert, Fordington House - Kellys Street Directory 1915

Location:- Best seen in the 1886 Map of Dorchester at the end of Friary Hill and then The 1771 Map of Dorchester The "N" refers to 'Fryery Lane' and the Mill is the small building fording the river.

Possession:- It appears to have been part of the original Priory Follow link and note the final entry refers to Francis John Browne Esq sold it to William HENNING. In 1616 it was clearly in the possession of John HENNING (1532-1616) Follow link to transcription of his Will which leaves a £40 annuity out of the rents from the property to his daughter Ann the wife of William Golsey for her life and the property left to his son Robert HENNING when he died.

The George Inn is situated in the parish of St Peters in Dorchester on the North side of High West Street

1577 - George Robynson's Charter (MRD Page 704/5) Feoffment by Robert Palmer of Dorchester, of vacant land on the west side of the 'George Inn', on the north side of High West Street, on the east / a burgage now in the tenure of said George Robynson, and on the south of stable of the 'George Inn'. To hold of the chief Lords, paying rent of three pence for all services. Warrenty 20th Aug 19. Elizabeth I [1577]-

1613 - 6th Aug - Extract 'Fire from Heaven' by David Underdown page 2 - " For the hot and weary traveller the most alluring attractions [in Dorchester] would have been its Inns and Taverns- 'The George' on High West Street, next to St Peters church, 'The Antelope' round the corner in South street, a dozen others -with their promise of rest and cool refreshment."

1620, April 30. A lease was granted to Margarett Chubb, widow of three messuages, called 'The George', lying together in the parish of St. Peter's, on north side of High West Street, between the Church and Churchyard of St. Peter's on the east and the dwelling house of Richard BUSHROD [BUSHRODE] on the west source MRD.

1629 - Extract from 'Fire From Heaven' by David Underdown page 72 - " In 1629 there were thirteen licensed alesellers in the town, a number that grew to around twenty ten years later. Some of them kept large and impressive establishments like the 'George' the 'Antelope' the 'Crown' and the 'Rose'. 'The Ship' kept by William Wilson was somewhat less respectable, to judge by the number of reports of disorders ther, but such things were not unknown even at the 'George' "

1640, June 10th "Reported that the dye house and faggot ricks there and in the 'George' backside are exceedingly dangerous for fire. Ordered the ricks to be removed. C12 (MRD page 540)

1644, 31st Oct - Brief mention in the will of Mr John Allambridge Clothier of Dorchester - son John to inherit a property 'next to and adjoining the Tavern called 'The George' ------

1652, March 26 - ----Ref to --- 'out of the sale of the old Trinity Parsonage house, the barn adjoining, and the garden behind the 'George' with the passage forth into the back lane belonging to the 'George'. -----(MRD 611)

1658, September 24th "It was agreed that Mr Mayor should be desired to write to Mr Davidge, that this company have resolved to lay a Rent charge of five pounds a year clear of all charges upon the "George Inn" which is the town land, in consideration of the hundred pounds given to the town by Mr. John Hill for five pounds a year exhibition for a poor scholar of this town to be maintained in the University. (MRD Page 578)

1660 Juliana Perkins by her will dated 19th January 1656, gave to the poor of the three parishes of Dorchester £100, to remain as a stock for ever, which money was laid out in the purchase of a rent-charge, to be issuing out of certain messuages, burgages, tenements, called by the name of 'The George', in Dorchester, and at the date of the indenture, 9th April 1660 , in the tenure of John COBB Innkeeper. Source John Hutchins page 399. Also Note John COBB of St Peters Parish in Dorchester was buried there 30th July 1667.]

1670, 19th & 22nd August - Inventory at 'the George' - Power of Attorney from the Corporation of Dorchester to William Hasselbury and Henry Daw, Serjeants of the Borough and Robert COLSTON and Thomas COOPER of the same, gent to enter the 'George' in St Peters Parish, and make an Inventory of the fixtures, - Inventory made 22 Aug 1670

1737 Burgage Rate for the Parish of St Peters in Dorchester (MRD Page 692) - Mr Thomas Loder's House ( The George Inn)

1748 In a listing of Rental of Town Burgages etc taken in 1780 is reference to a Lessee Mr Robert Loder- 1748 paying £10 rent for 'The George Inn' in St Peters Parish (MRD Page 700)

1766 July 22. In a lease of a corner shop in St. Peter's parish, on north side of High West Street, the boundaries are a tenement formerly called the 'George Inn' on west, and St. Peter's Churchyard on north. This inn is frequently mentioned.

1775 From a survey of rental and several burgages, tenements and lands belonging to the corporation - Ref to a lease given to Mr Christopher Arden in 1755 2 shillings and 6 pence rent for garden heretofore used by occupiers of the 'George Inn' on south side of Pease Lasne, St Peters Parish.

1791 - Dorchester Trade Directory - Thomas JOHNSTON Victualler

1805 Thomas JOHNSON is referred to as an Innholder in the Will of his brother-in-law James BONNETT written on the 9th Feb 1805. As far as I know he remained there until his death in 1831 and the first ever street directory published for Dorchester, Pigots Directory published in 1830, confirms this to have been the George Inn as shown below.

1830 Pigots Directory, 'George', Publican Thomas Johnson, High West Street, Dorchester

1839 Roberts Directory, Publican John Wood, High East? Street Dorchester

1841 Census living at High West Street St Peters Parish - John Wood aged 60 to 64 a Publican with wife, 2 children + 2 servants & probably a lodging family

1842 Pigots Directory, Dorchester Dorset, Page 121 under Taverns and Public Houses - 'George' John Wood, High West Street

1844 Pigots Directory - 'George', John Wood, High West Street Dorchester

1851 Census living at High West Street 'George Inn' St Peters Parish - Thomas Durden Head Married aged 54 Victualler born Mintern Magna with wife, daughter, sister-in-law, + 2 servants, lodger and guest [Note:- In 1841 Census as Innkeeper of the Sun Inn at Lower Burton]

1852 Slaters Directory, 'George' - Thomas Durden, High West street

1861 Census Living at 'George Inn' 7 High Street St Peters Parish Dorchester - Thomas Read Loveless Head married Aged 42 Licensed Victualler born Bincombe Dorset, with wife, 2 children, 2 servants, and a lodger

1865 Harrods Directory - Thomas R Loveless 'George Inn' High West Street.

1871 Census living at 7 High West Street 'George Inn' St Peters Parish - Harry Read Head married Aged 38 Licensed Victualler born Upway with wife, 3 children, 2 servants, 3 lodgers

1875 Post Office Directory - Harry Read, 'George Inn', High West Street

1881 Census living at 61 High West St, 'George Inn', Charles Irish, head married aged 49 Hotel Proprietor, with wife 3 children, son-in-law, servant & 14 boarders (11 of which were Militia Men)

The Great Western Hotel was situated on Great Western Road and was originally owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. This pub was closed in 1989 and has since been demolished.

The Great Western Railway Station was opened on 20th Jan 1857. The Hotel was situated just south of the 'Nursery' not far from the Great Western Railway Station itself right at the cross roads of Union Road, Great Western Road, Maumbery Road and Cornwall Road and is marked on the 1886 Map of Dorchester as 'G.W.Hotel.' [You may need to zoom in on your browser to see greater detail]

1858 1st July - Article Dorset County Chronicle re Death of Benjamin CROSSMAN - Inquest held at the 'Great Western Hotel' Ben Crossman was buried at FStG Church 28th June 1858

1861 Census - Great western Hotel next to Grove House - Hotel Keeper Thomas Grigg (1809-1880) age 50, with wife Mary Ann age 50; servant + nephew Samuel Grigg age 22 blacksmithand 2 lodgers

1871 Census - Great Western Hotel (next to Nursery) - Licenced Victualler Thomas Grigg (1809-1880) age 63, wife Mary Ann age 63, Nephew John Barber age 19 decorator; Nephew Thomas Grigg age 14 scholar; Domestric servant (Cook) Ann G Bow age 38 + Lodger [Note:- 'Thomas Grigg' died at the age of 71 on 28th Feb 1880 and was buried at FStG Church on 02 Mar 1880.]

1872 Article Southern Times and Dorset Herald 16 Mar 1872 - Ref to Court deposition in case of William Mickleburgh hay trusser of Dorchester v George Keats of Fordington - "A man named Wellspring deposed to carting hay from Mr. Grigg's weighing machine at the Great Western Hotel to the Barracks etc etc.

1874 - Article Weymouth Telegram 2nd Jan 1874 - Ref to The employee's of the Great Western Railway Co, in accordance with their custom, met together at the Great Western Hotel on Tuesday last and partook of an excellent supper provided by host Grigg.

1875 - Entry in 1875 Post Office Directory of Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset - Under Dorchester Dorset - Page 795 " Thomas Grigg, Great Westrn Hotel "

1875 - Article Southern Times and Dorset Herald 09 Jan 1875 - The officials- clerks and others - employed at the local offices of the Great Western Railway Company, had their annual supper on Monday evening at the Great Western Inn. Mr Grigg catered in satisfactory style for a party numbering 21, etc etc

1875 - Article Southern Times & Dorset herald 14 Aug 1875 - SALE OF FREEHOLD LAND AND PREMISES. A Sale of Freehold property attracting a numerous attendance of buyers and spiroted competition took place at the Kings Arrms Hotel on Thursday afternoon, Mr.Ensor submitting the several lots on behalf of the Duchy of Cornwall. Some of the land was disp[osed of at a rate of £1,000 an acre - which may be regarded as an indicationof the value put upon it as sites for building purposes. Now that the new fair field will soon be opened land inthe neighbourhood of Beggar's-knap is doubly valuable. Amongst the lots was the "Great Western Inn" and premises, near the Great Western Railway Station, and in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Grigg. This was purchased by Mr.R.N.Howard at £1,510 for Messrs. Eldridge Pope and Co the well known brewing firm,who we believe formerly held the property on lease. etc etc

1876 - Advert Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette 18 Jan 1876 - To Builders - Persons wishing to Tender for work to be done in alterations and additions to the "Great Western Hotel" Dorchester for Messrs Eldridge Pope and Co may see the plans and specifications at the office of the artitect Mt GR Crickmay Weymouth on and after this date to whom tenders are to be delivered not later than 12 oclock on Thursday 20th Jan , The lowest trenderer will not necessarily be accepted.

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1876 - Article Southern Times and Dorset County Herald 6th May 1876 - TRANSFER OF LICENCE - On Monday the borough magitrates tranferred the license of the Great Western Railway Hotel from Thomas Grigg to G.D.Searle formerly drill sergeant of the Dorset County Constabulary.

1876 Artcle Southern Times and Dorset County Herald 16 Dec 1876 - Ref to the Annual Dinner of the Dorchester Club held last Thursday evening at the 'Great Western Hotel', the catering of Mr Searle affording the best satisfaction'" etc.

1877 Article Southern Times and Dorset County Herald 13 Jan 1877 - Ref to The employee's of the Great Western Railway Co supped together at the Great Western Hotel, Dorchester on Monday evening, Mr Searle providing excellent repast.

1878 Jury List - address Nursury - Searle, George, Innkeeper, Occupier, Amount at which assessed to the inhabited property £55

1881 Census - Great Western Hotel - Nursery Road - Publican George Searle age 52; wife Harriet age 53; 6 children (2 working as barmaids) a neice and nephew

1891 Census - Great Western Hotel, Great Western Road.- Hotel proprietor Henry J.J.Selway age 36; wife Emma age 34, 3 children; Niece Ethel M Ball age 10; a barmaid age 30; a general domestic servant.

My grandmother, Ethel Mary Taylor, nee Ball, was brought up in the Great Western Hotel and lived there from the age of about two or three (1883) until she married in 1903. Her aunt and uncle, Henry and Emma Selway ran the pub and my grandmother went to live with them and their children, her cousins, after her parents died when my grandmother was still a young child. Her siblings were brought up by other relatives in different parts of the country. My grandmother worked in the pub and met my grandfather there, William Taylor, when he visited the pub while working on the Came estate nearby. Anne Dowsett (October 2021).

1901 Census - Great Western Hotel - 20 Great Western Road - Inkeeper Henry J.J.Selway age 46; wife Emma age 44; 6 children + Niece Ethel M Ball age 20 + 2 servants

1911 Census - Great Western Hotel - 20 Great Western Road - Hotel Proprietor Emma Selway age 54 + 5 children; + 2 barmaids + grandson + servant

1915 - Kelly's Directory - Great Western Hotel, 20 Great Western Road, - Mrs Emma Selway proprietoress

1984 Link to another picture taken by John Law - in 1984

1989 Great Western Hotel closes.

1737 Burgage Rate for the Parish of St Peters in Dorchester (MRD Page 693) shows that James Bartlett was charged 6 pence for his house (The Greyhound)

1754, Sep 13. ALE LICENCE 1754 - Robert LAMBERT of Dorchester Gent: Nicholas STICKLAND of the same place Gent. acknowledge to owe to our sovereign Lord the King the Sum of £10 each. To be levied on their several goods and Chattles, lands Tenements by way of Recognizance to his Majesty's use. UPON CONDITION That whereas Jane BONNETT of Fforthington widow is this day licensed to keep a common Alehouse or Victualling house in the parish of Fforthington at The Greyhound in this County for the term of one year from the twenty ninth day of September Instant. If therefore the said Jane BONNETT shall keep good order and government and suffer no disorder to be committed or unlawful games used in the said house yard garden or backside thereunto belonging during the continuance of the said Licence. then this recognizance to be void or else to remain in full force. Taken and acknowledged this 13th day of September 1754 before us George CLAVELL and William RICHARDS.

1759, Jan. 27. The passage to the 'Greyhound Inn' is mentioned as the eastern boundary of a messuage in High South Street, St. Peter's parish. Source MRD.

1851 Census living at 'Greyhound Inn' Hospital Street James Hoare Head Married aged 21 years Innkeeper born York Yorkshire with wife servant + 3 Visiters [boarders]

1861 Census living at 'Greyhound Inn' Prince's Street George Smith Head Married aged 24 Publican born Godmanstone with his 2 sisters and 3 lodgers

1865 Harrods Directory: Pope, Joseph proprietor of Greyhound in Princes Street Dorchester

1871 Census living at Prince's Street "Greyhound Inn" Holy Trinity Parish - Joseph Pope Head Married aged 39 Publican, with wife, 5 children, servant & 3 lodgers; Baptisms 01 Mar 1871 - Mary Eliza daughter of Joseph & Elizabeth Pope baptised of Holy Trinity Parish Dorchester a Publican

1875 Post Office Directory - Thomas Forse, 'Greyhound Inn', Prince's Street

1881 Census living in Prince's St, Holy Trinity Parish - Thomas Forse Head Married aged 52 innkeeper born Preston Dorset, with wife, daughter, 2 boarders, 7 travellers

1889 Kellys Directory - Thomas Forse, Prince's Street 'Greyhound Inn'. Commercial,

1891 Census living in Princess Street, 'The Greyhound' - Zillah Forse, Head Widow, aged 48 Landday of a Public House born Puddletown, with daughter, son-inlaw, grandaughter, niece + 6 lodgers

The Half Moon Inn was situated on the north side of Sheep Lane [Pease Lane] in 1743 & at 15 North Square from 1871

1743, Feb. 6. A messuage on north side of Sheeplane was bounded on west by William Pate's malthouse, on north by the Castle, and on east by the 'Half Moon'. Source MRD. B.65.

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1865 in Harrods Directory James Russell of North Square Dorchester is the Innkeeper of the 'Half Moon'

1868 19 Nov Thursday - Newspaper Weymouth Telegram - Article Sad Death of a Dorchester Publican - James Richard Russell landlord of the 'Half Moon Inn'

1871 Census Living at North Square "Half Moon Inn" St Peters Parish - Frances Russell Head widow aged 54 Licensed Victualler & House Proprietor born Fordington, with a servant. [Note Frances was the widow of James Russell]

1881 Article Southern Times and Dorset County Herald Sat 16th Apr 1881 - "The Licences of the following public houses were transferred as under:- 'The Railway Tavern', South Street, from John Pitfield to Thomas Grigg; Queens Head Fordington from James Meech to William Player; Queen's Own, Durngate Street from Henry Wilshire to Samuel Warren; Half Moon North Square from Henry J.J.Selway to Arthur Spicer."

1889 Kellys Directory, Joseph Horwood, North Square 'Half Moon Public House', Commercial

1891 Census living North Square 'Half Moon Inn' - Joseph Harwood head married aged 49 Licensed Victualler born Tintinhull Somerset with wife & 6 children.

1895 Kellys Directory, Walter J Marsh 'Half Moon Public House' 15 North Square

In the 17th century the 'Hall' was generally the main living room so it's often the first chamber to be itemised and for the better off contains things like tableboards and stools, an amry, a trencher cage, with trenchers and chargers for eating. The other main room was the kitchen and bedrooms might be described as 'the chamber within the hall' or 'the chamber above the hall'

Worth remembering that in the 17century many if not most houses in Dorchester were shared accommodation. It was quite common therefore for one person to own half of a house, or where they owned the whole house to live in one part and lease out the rest. This led to even the main room being divided between families.  

'Icen Way' within All Saints Parish

(see 1901 Map of Dorchester) --- In 1901 it runs all the way from High East Street south to join King Street (which leads north east to Fordington Cross).

(See 1886 Map of Dorchester.) --- In 1886 the top portion of this road, from High East St south down to its junction with Woolaston Road, was called 'Bell Street'. The middle part from Woolaston Road junction to the cross roads with South Walks was called 'Gallows Hill' and only the very bottom section from South Walks to King Street was called 'Icen Way'

(See 1771 Map of Dorchester ) --- In 1771 the top portion previously 'Bell Street' was called 'Jail Lane'. I suspect that 'Jail Lane' covered the same ground as 'Bell Street' i.e. down to the juction which was later going to be called Woolaston Road by 1886. the next section is still called 'Gallows Hill' which took it's name from the Gallows mounted at the cross roads with South walks. Unfortunately this map does not extend to cover the last section which was called Icen way in 1886.

(See 1611 Map of Dorchester) --- In 1611 there were no houses only lane access to various fields

A Jacobus is an English gold coin of the reign of James I, worth 25 shillings.

The name of the coin comes from the Latin inscription surrounding the King's head "Iacobvs". [note:- 'i' and 'j' - and - 'u' and 'v' were interchangeable in 17the Century]

Example: The Will of Rev. Edward DAMER (1632-1701/3) dated 1st May 1701 -- extract --- "To each of my brothers and sisters to my cousin Trevillian and his sister Seely and to my daughter PITTMAN and to each of my daughters-in-law and to each of the children of my brother George DAMER to each of these last mentioned relations a broad Jacobus peice of gold"

'Jail Lane' was situated in All Saints Parish in Dorchester. It connects 'High East Street' running south east to join the corner of the old Roman Wall where there has long been a cross roads where the town scaffold was erected. It was the route taken by criminals in the back of a cart to be hanged and also referred to as 'Gaol Lane'.

It changed it's name, but I am not sure when the street first became called' Bell Street' see the 1771 Map of Dorchester which shows this top section to be called 'Jail Lane'. The bottom of this lane is called 'Gallows Hill' .

Link to 'Bell Street' for more information about the street and The Bell Inn

The Kettledrum was a Coffee Tavern situated at 17 the Grove West Fordington and run by Albert Victor CURTIS an Army Pensioner and his wife Louisa

1890 - 18 July Article Bridport News Fri 18th July 1890 Page 5: Excursion : --when tea admirably served by Mr CURTIS of The Kettledrum West Fordington was partaken of on the beach and graetly enjoyed

1891 - See report 1893 21 Mar

1893 - 21 Mar Article Weymouth Telegram Tue 21 Mar 1893 Page 8 : Albert CURTIS manager of the "Kettledrum" Coffee Tavern Grove Buildings Dorchester stated that on Feb 22nd of this year he saw the prisoner in High West st. He knew her, she having stopped at his house for a period of 6 weeks in 1891 etc etc

1893 - 7 Nov Article e Weymouth Telegram Tue 7th Nov 1893 Page 5 : WEST FORDINGTON COFFEE TAVERN _ On Thursday evening a jumble sale was held at West Fordington School room in aid of funds of the "Kettledrum" Coffee Tavern. The sale was largely patronised and the proceeds amounted to £15 The arragements were made by etc etc list of people

1894 - 21 Aug Weymouth Telegram --Refreshments were supplied on the ground by Mr CURTIS of the Kettledrum Coffee Tavern

1896 - 11 Apr - Article Southern Times & Dorset County Herald Page 6 - CHRIST CHURCH CHOIR :- On Tuesday evening the boys of Christ Church choir were entertained to a substatial tea at The Kettledrum Coffee Tavern by the organist (Mr H.G.Gilmore Dodderidge)

1896 - 28 July - article Weymouth Telegram Tue 28 July 1896 page 6 brief mention " Girls Friendly Society Festival " Mr CURTIS of The Kettledrum provided an excellent tea " etc

1896 - 18 Aug - article Weymouth Telegram Tue 18 Aug 1896 Page 6 West Fordington Vegetable & Cage Bird Show - very brief mention there was a refreshment stall etc etc Mrs CURTIS of The Kettledrum assisted

1896 - 27 Nov - St George Fordington Burials 1896 Entry 241 on burial of their 16 month old son Albert Victor CURTIS gives their address as "The Kettledrum The Grove West Fordington"

1899 - 18 July article Weymouth Telegram Tue 18th July 1899 Page 5 :Dorchester news: Remembering the Little one: "Tea was provided by Mr Curtis of the "Kettledrum"

1906 - 15 Seo Article Southern Times & County Herald Sat 15th Sep 1906 Page 6 Sudden death of Mr Emanuel Legg - Inquest Mr Albert CURTIS of the Kettledrum" was Chosen Foreman

1907 - 16 Feb 1907 Article Southern Times & County Herald Sat 16 Feb 1907 Page 3 - Artcle under The Stewart memorial "Soldiers Home and Coffe Tavern: ----"Dr Fisher asked if it would be possible to give a small donation to Miss MANSEL for the Kettledrum Coffee Tavern which was badly in need of funds"

Killing Vermin: Many people may be suprised to find that churchwarden accounts (which have survived from 1725 for Fordington) often contain reference to payments made to parishioners who brought them the heads of what were generally referred to as vermin. This is particularly true for Fordington, probably because it contained 3,000 acres of agricultural land that surrounded Dorchester on 3 sides that were called Fordington Fields. Perhaps the most common payments were for sparrow heads, but also included polecats, stoats and hedgehogs, sometimes in quite large quantities and most often around harvest time.

The first disbursements return for 1725 for example (image 4) refers to paying for' a polecat head 4d'. and 'killing birds 2 shillings'. The 1732 return lists 6 separate payments for a total of 9 polecat heads and £1. 4 shillings for killing birds. I think they were only paying about 1d per sparrow head so this probably represents over 280 birds. Another good example is disbursements for 1761/1762 (images 66/67) where there are 22 separate payments for sparrowheads during May to July. The 1775/6 return apart from sparrows and the odd polecat has payments for 18 hedgehogs.

As an interesting aside I think the practice of rural communities paying parishioners (particularly the poor in the case of Fordington) for killing what they considered to be vermin/pests was of long standing. When Anthony EAMES emigrated to America in 1633 he ended up in 1650 in the parish of Marshfield in Plymouth County. He and his son bought 100 acres there and the area was clearly still much more of a wilderness than generally encountered in Dorset. The Marshfield town meeting minutes for 18th Nov 1652 record them agreeing to pay twenty shillings a head for every wolf any inhabitant killed. This was a lot of money but probably reflected both the better status of those that emigrated and the fact that wolf packs were a direct threat to the inhabitants themselves rather than crops as in Fordington.

The King's Arms Inn is at No. 30 and 30A High East street Dorchester with Stables and outbuildings which backs onto Friary Lane. This building was Grade II listed on 8th May 1950 when it was described as being of "Late C18 or early C19" - [Picture right taken 1886]

1737 Burgage Rate for the Parish of All Saints in Dorchester (MRD Page 694) shows that Elizabeth Battin was charged 1 shilling and 3 pence for her house (The King's Arms)

1772 - 2nd Nov - The next Assembly will will be held at the Kings Arms Inn on Thurdsay 5th Nov 1772 and to have the remainder fortnightly

1775, February 3rd - From Corporation Accounts MRD Page 488 - Of Mr William Templeman a years acknowledgement for the Pillars standing in the street at the King's Arms Inn

1788 - 18th March Dorchester- The Next Dorchester Subscription Ball will be held at the Kings Arms Inn on Thursday the 27th instant - Salisbury and Winchester Journal

1791 - Trade Directory Dorchester - Mary BRYER Innkeeper of Kings Arms

1799 - 14th November - The Next County Assembly will be held as usual at the Kings Arms Inn, Dorchester on Thursday November 14th 1799, and continue every Thursday month during the season - Salisbury and Winchester Journal.

1812, Saturday 17th Oct - Salisbury & Winchester Journal Issue Monday 19th 1812- William Oliver [See Image left]

1820 - Poem written by William Barnes (1801-1886) about his first siting of Julia Miles (1805-1852) as she stepped down from a 'Magnet' stagecoach in the cobbled yard of the Kings Arms Hotel .

1828, 5th January - Francis Oliver brother to William Oliver in partnership to run the Kings Arms

1830 Pigots Directory - King's Arms Inn, Francis OLIVER High East Street. It was a main pick up point in Dorchester for caoches

1839 Roberts Directory, 'King's Arms Hotel', Publican F. Oliver, High East Street Dorchester

1841 Census - Publican was Francis OLIVER aged 47 living in Durngate Street Dorchester

1842 - Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Sat 27th Aug 1842 - The Duke and Duchess of Somerset arrived at Oliver's 'King's Arms Hotel' Dorchester from London on Wednesday evening, and their Graces left there yesterday for Sidmouth. This morning they arrived in Exeter changed horses at Pratt's Old London Inn and proceeded to their Mansion at Stover.

1844 Pigots Directory - Francis Oliver, High East Street

1851 Hunt's Directory, Dorchester Dorset, Page 82 under Inns and Public Houses - 'King's Arms' William Manley, High East Street

1852 Roberts Diretory - Kings Arms Inn William Manley, High East Street

1853 The History Centre has details of the sale of five properties in West Walks, rented out on 99 year Leases by the Trustees of the Dorchester Charities ( Ref: DI/11488 ), with the auction at the King's Arms Hotel on 8th March 1853

1855-1860 - See picture of this date in Jo Draper's publication "Dorchester" inside, 1st page and text.

1871 Census living at 30 High East Street "Kings Arms Hotel" - George Frost Head Married aged 48 Hotel proprietor (employing 20 men) born Yeovil

1875 Post Office Directory - High West Street George Frost - 'Kings Arms' Family & Commercial Hotel & Posting House

1881 Census living at 30 High East Street All Saints Parish - George Frost Head Married aged 59 Hotel Proprietor born Yeovil with '12 hands'
Also at this address 'Kings Arms Tap' Joseph Horwood Head Married aged 39 Master of Tap born Yeovil, with wife.

1889 Kellys Directory, Harry Stone Frost High East Street 'King's Arms Hotel & Posting House', Commercial

1891 Census Living at 30 Higher East Street All Saints Parish "Kings Arms Hotel", - Harry Stone Frost, head married aged 35 Hotel proprietor born Weymouth, with wife, 2 sons, visitor 10 servants

1895 Kellys Directory, family & commercial, & posting house (D. G. Bilham, manager), High East street [See Baptisms 1897 entry 59 David George BILHAM Hotel Proprietor]

1915 - Kellys Directory, William G Wilson Kings Arms Hotel; High East St.; 

'leaden cestern' refers to a 'cistern' made of lead - They were made in large numbers during the 17th and 18th century.

An example is in the Will Dated 27th May 1717 of Thomas PITMAN of Dorchester which was proved on 18th Nov 1717.

The picture right is of a typical small lead cistern used to store rainwater and is dated on the front 1714. Because Lead is durable many have survived and ones decorated as well as this one is often come up for sale at auction houses. In reality many were functional and made of plain lead and melted down and reused.

It has mainly been referred to throughout history as 'Glydepath' this name being found in the charters of Dorchester (See the following Charters already transcribed on this site: 151 (dated 1407); 153 (dated 1408); 293 (dated 1417) and 591 dated 1547). In 1603 it is referred to as 'Glippath Hill' (See Speeds 1611 Map of Dorchester - page down for index) and simply ran from 'Glippath Bridge' over the river and up the hill where it became 'Colliton Row'. I suspect that Glippath is simply a colloquial for of Glydepath. In the 1700's it is recorded as 'Glide Path Hill' but also commonly referred to as 'Lippath Hill' another colloquial form of the word (See Will of James Bly Senior 1769, image on ancestry.com which conveniently quotes both alternative names for the street). The 1771 Map of Dorchester shows little change; 'North Walk' now joins the start of 'Glyde Path Hill' but it still climbs the hill to 'Colliton Row' (Where the Churchill family lived). Throughout his tenure as Rector of Holy Trinity the Rev George Wood in his parish registers referred to it as 'Libboth Hill' or 'Glyde Path Hill' so both forms seem to have been in common use for many years. By the 1901 Old Ordnance Survey Map, 'Glyde Path Hill' has now been extended to run at the base of 'North Walk' but rises from the river on its original course further along to the junction with Colliton Street where it becomes Glyde Path Road.

One of the earliest methods of transferring land was known as, 'livery of seisin'. The buyer was known to be, "seized of the land".

Seisin : Legal possession with occupation Source

Loud's Mill [Also known as Loud's Factory]

[Other spellings:- Lounds Mill, Lowds Mill, Lowdes Mills Lutsmill.

Also known as Stantons Factory e.g.1851 Census]

LOUDS Mill: - Extract from British History on Line at :- https://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/dorset/vol2/pp104-132

1590's - "Water Mills were the only mechanical source of power. There was only one mill actually in town (Friary Mill) with two more just on the outskirts. West Mill and Fordington Mill. These were corn mills, but Loud's Mill, further down stream, was built in the 1590's specifically as a fulling mill for pounding cloth to make it thick and felty. An early 17th century map shows the tentering racks close by, where the cloth was stretched after fulling". ---Extract from page 25 of 'Dorchester Past' by Jo Draper.

1607 - Brief mention in Dorchester Life published 10 May 2010 :- extract "A little further on, the millstream and the Frome proper unite before reaching Loud’s Mill. First built in the 1590s when it was a fulling-mill, in 1607 ‘Lutsmill’ was another of John Churchill’s possessions. It was re-built in 1825 by William Stanton as an over-large woollen cloth factory, but it could not compete with the textile industry of northern England. It was demolished in the 1980s".

1615 - Brief Comment in the Survey of Fordington Manor in 1615 under Observations

1782 - 18th July To be LETT, and entered on immediately, - All those new-erected, convenient, and commodious WATER GRIST MILLS, called LOUDS, situate within one mile of Dorchester, and eight of Weymouth. Enquire of Mr.Robert Stickland, Dorchester: Source:- Salisbury & Winchester Journal

1822 - Cust, Mr. J Died Tuesday at Louds Mill, Fordington - Extract from Salisbury and Winchester Journal Monday 14 Jan 1822 [Note:- Joseph Cust aged 48 was buried at FStG 16th Jan 1822 and a Letter of Administration was granted to his widow Mary]

1825 - "PICTURE Plate 65" Page 54, of 'Dorchester Past' by Jo Draper. Caption:- Loud's Mill had been a cloth mill, originally for fulling or thickening woollen cloth, from the time it was first built in the 1590's. It was rebuilt on this huge scale in 1825 by William Stanton, and was demolished in the 1980's. Also brief mention in Dorchester Life published 10 May 2010 :- extract "A little further on, the millstream and the Frome proper unite before reaching Loud’s Mill. First built in the 1590s when it was a fulling-mill, in 1607 ‘Lutsmill’ was another of John Churchill’s possessions. It was re-built in 1825 by William Stanton as an over-large woollen cloth factory, but it could not compete with the textile industry of northern England. It was demolished in the 1980s".

1828/29 - Sims Joseph, with his wife and first 3 of their 9 children resident in one of the workers cottages at Loud's Mill. See 1841 Census

1830 - Stanton William, woollen cloth manufacturer, Louds Mill - Pigots Street Directory 1830

1839 - Stanton Wm & Son, Lowds Mill........Cloth Manufacturers - Roberts Street Directory 1839

1841 6th June Census - Link to list of employees and their families at Loud's Factory 1841

1844 - Stanton, William & Son, woollen cloth manufacturers, Loud’s Mill - Pigots Street Directory 1844

1848 - 9th Oct - Death of William Stanton burial 18th Oct 1848 FStG, Link to Will proved 17th Aug 1849 and more info about his family

1850 15th July - Sale of Louds Mill advertised - Link to extracts from newspapers - not sold

1851 March 30 - Census Link to list of employees and their families working at Stanton's Factory - [Note:- no trace in Census of Lydia Stanton widow of William Stanton].

1852 - Stanton, William & Son, woollen cloth manufacturers, Lowdes Mills - Slaters Street directory 1852

1855 21 April - James Loder of Fordington labourer charged with assault on Mr G.K.Stanton of Louds Mill cloth manufacturer - both needed medical attention - case dismissed. [Not transcribed full account of circumstances] - Salisbury and Winchester Journal Sat 21st April 1855

1857 27th February - Sale of Louds Mill advertised - Link to extracts from newspapers - not sold

1860 - Stanton - To be sold in lots to suit the conveinience of purchasers - about twenty tons of prime well made hay Price £5 per ton - Apply to Mr Stanton Louds Mill Fordington - extract from Dorset County Chronicle Thuirsday 26th April 1860

1861 April 7 - Census Living at Icen Road George Knight Stanton unmarried age 48 Woollen manufacturer employing 9 men 2 women & 5 boys. Also 'Stantons Factory' lists 4 cottages (1) Thomas Furze and family (gardener to Mr Collins?) : (2) Anthony Smith a Woollen Cloth Finisher with his wife and 5 young children; (3) Martha Mitchell a cloth worker and her daughters Mary Ann Mitchell a woollen weaver and Elizabeth Mitchell a woollen spinner also boarding with them Eliza Hawker a woollen weaver. (4) William Baker a woollen cloth worker with his wife Mary also a woollen cloth worker their daughters Mary Jane and Elizabeth Ann both Woollen weavers and their daughter Jemima a woollen warper with their son Edmund Baker a cloth worker.

1864 - 20th May Sale of Loud's Mills Dorchester - Highly desirable freehold Woollen Manufactory Mills, Dwelling house, cottages, outbuildings, and valuable water meadow and pasture land situate at Fordington Dorchester in the County of Dorset and known by the name of "Loud's Mills" -  - Link to extracts from newspapers with a full description of the property for sale.

1865 - Advertisements - After Grass to be let:- The Feed of about 5½ acres of good grass at Loud's Mill Fordington to be let until the 7th day of Nov next, the same day to be fed by sheep -&- Barley can be ground at Loud's Mill Fordington at 1s per sack - Dorset Count Chronicle Thursday 28th September and Thursday 26th Oct 1865

1864 18th April - Stanton, GK SALE: Loud's Mill Dorchester Dorset: Highly desirable Freehold Woollen Manufacturing Mills Dwelling house, Cottages, Out-buildings; and valuable water Meadow and Pasture. Situated at Fordington Dorchester in the County of Dorset and known by the name of Loud's Mills-- By MR J.T.ENSOR at the Antelope Hotel Dorchester on Friday May 20th at 4 in the afternoon -- long description of property -- Particulars apply to Mr G K Stanton Loud's Mill Fordington -- Times

1865 - Stanton and Son, woollen cloth manufacturers Lounds Mill - Harrods Street directory 1865

1871 - Apr Census - Louds Factory occupied by Robert Thrasher and family occupation manager of pulp Mill (now closed formerly cloth factory) born St Peters Dorchester. Also Charles Lake and family Ag Lab probably one of the cottages

1871 - The building known as Loud's Mill Fordington has been lately purchased by the Dutchy of Cornwall. It is said that it will shortly be converted into a flour mill. - extract from Bridport News Friday 30th June 1871

1873 - 6th Sep - North Europe Wood Pulp Company - LOUD's of Fordington Dorchester - Mr T.ENSOR has received instructions to SELL by AUCTION on Wed Sep 17th 1873 The following machinery Plant and Steam engine viz: A 20 horse power portable portable steam engine by Clayton and Shuttleworth, Tangye's patent hydraulic press, with 20 iron plates, 24 inches by 23 inches weighing machine by Avery, to weigh 4cwt, sack lifter and trucks by Marshall, circular saw bench, with 17 saws ?? inches to 40 inches in diameter, 19feet iron shaft with blocks and brasses and driving wheel, a 9 foot iron shaft, 10 feet iron shaft, each 2½ inches in diameter, 18 inch wheel, leather driving belt 49 feet long, 7¼ inches wide, ditto, 40 feet by 7 inches, a ditto 40 feet by 4¼ inches, ditto 30 feet by 3 inches, 60 feet of hoisting chain, 115 iron buckets for water-wheel, each 4 feet 4 inches long 11 inches wide, 131 iron brackets for water-wheels, 14 inches by 12 inches, 28 pulp pressing bags, 38 sacks, 4 new shaker boxes, 8 tubs, 2 screw wrenches, small quantity of crushed fir wood, fir bark, office desk, and sundry other articles.

1879 - 3rd Jan - Marriage: Dec 26th at St George's Church, Fordington, George third son of Mr Henry TAYLOR of Loud's Mill, to Sarah Annie youngest daughter of Mr John Sansom MARTIN Briton House Fordington - St George Parish Marriage Register and Bridport News Friday 3rd Jan 1879

1880 - 23rd Jan - The affairs of Mr H.Taylor implement manufacturer of Loud's Mill are to be wound up in liquidation, the creditors at a meeting on Tuesday having agreed to accept a composition of 5 shillings in the £. This is better than many at one time anticipated - Bridport News Friday 23td Jan 1880

1881 - Apr - Louds Mill occupied by Henry Taylor and family aged 57 Engineer & machinist Emplying 10 men and 7 boys also farming 30 acres with 4 men and 2 boys

1881 - Taylor, Henry - Deaths: September 27th 1881 at Loud's Mill Fordington Mr Henry Taylor implement manufacturer aged 58 - Western Gazette Friday 30th Sep 1881

1883 - 8th Dec - STEALING LEAD - At the borough police court on Thursday a man named George Hall was charged with stealing 35lb of lead the property of George Taylor of Loud's Mill. It appears prisoner was seen stripping the lead from a malthouse belonging to prosecutor, which was being pulled down, and on information being given to the police the lead was found in his possession. Prisoner was remanded until Monday.

1887 - 2nd Mar - Taylor, Caroline - BANKRUPTCY: Adjudications-- Caroline TAYLOR trading as Taylor and Sons Louds Mill Fordington Dorchester, agricultural engineer, miller, and implement dealer. Source: Birmingham Daily Post (Birmingham, England), Wednesday, March 2, 1887; Issue 8947 - Also Daily News (London, England), Wednesday, March 2, 1887; Issue 12759 - Also London Gazette Issue 25835 6th July 1888. Note Caroline Taylor was the widow of Henry Taylor born abt 1821 at Axminster

1889 - Taylor recently at Loud's Mill Fordington the wife of Mr B.E.Taylor of a son. Western Gazette Friday 28th June 1889

1891 - Apr Census - Living at Loud's Mill, Thomas Pomeroy Fish Keeper with his wife and 8 children

1895 - George Taylor Louds Works Engineer Thrashing machine proprietor agricultural implement maker & agent - Kellys Street Directory

1901 - Mar Occupier of Louds Mill Thomas Pomeroy a fish keeper and his large family

1839 Roberts Directory - 'Mail Coach Inn', Publican J Parcel High East Street, Dorchester

1841 Census living in High East Street John Parcel age 40 to 44 Publican

1842 Pigots Directory, Dorchester Dorset, Page 121 under Taverns and Public Houses - 'Mail Coach' John Parcel, High East Street

1844 Pigots Directory - 'Mail Coach', John Parcel, High East Street Dorchester [Note:- See copy of the heading of one of his bills dating from 1844 in Jo Draper's publication "Dorchester Past" page 52]

1851 Census living at 'Mail Coach Inn' North Square - John Parcel Head Married aged 40? an Innkeeper born Pembrokeshire Wales

1852 Slaters Directory, 'Mail Coach' - John Parcel, High East Street Dorchester (Note:- John Parcel from the parish of St Peters was buried at StP 10th April 1855 aged 56 - 1861 Census St Peters 23 South Street Mary Parcel widow aged 60 retired Innkeeper)

1861 Census living at 'Mail Coach Inn' North Square St Peters Parish, Dorchester - John Purkis Head married aged 56 years, Victualler born Eling Hampshire with wife daughter 2 servants

1868 25 July a Saturday - Newspaper report in Bridport News of inquest held at the 'Mail Coach Inn'on the body of a Policeman Charles Bourne

1871 Census Living at North Square - Alfred Samways Head Married aged 28 Innkeeper born Piddletrenthide, with wife & 2 servants

1875 Post Office Directory - Alfred Samways, 'Mail Coach Inn', North Square

1881 Census Living at North Square - Jane Samways head, widow (of Alfred), aged 35, Innkeeper, born Coker Somerset, with 2 servants

Manor Court: The organs of manorial administration were the Manor Courts of which there were two types the Court Baron (which mainly dealt with disputes and administration of the lords estate), and Court Leet, dealing with such things as criminal proceedings where the principal was that Justice will be seen to be done by the Lord's Court, not the Lord. Custom governed everything and checked the rights and duties of both the Lord and tenants. The Court Leet for Wareham still sits even today, although its functions are now largely ceremonial. The Lord of the Manor appointed a Bailiff and Hayward. The Bailiff looked after the lords interests, superintended his land, and liaised with tenants of the manor. The Hayward was responsible for all the hedges, fences, and enclosures of the manor.

Tenants elected from the most respected members of their community a number of officials. A Reeve was appointed to negotiate with the Bailiff on their behalf but the 'Constables', 'Tithing Men', 'Pinfalds', and 'Aletasters' had specific functions and were common across most of English Manors and had to report directly to the Manor Court. In Wareham for example, which was larger than most villages, they seem to have also had: - Carniter's to check the freshness of meat and poultry, Bread Weighers to check on the freshness and ensure consistency of weight for the 2lb loaf; Scavengers to ensure standards of hygiene within the lanes and privies of the town; Leather Sealers to maintain the quality of leather goods and ever since 1762 Surveyors of Chimneys and Mantles to check that chimneys were regularly swept clean.

The Masons Arms was situtated on Glydepath Hill in Dorchester in the Parish of Holy Trinity.

[1829 27 Apr - The Will of William Bower written 14th July 1827 and proved 27th Apr 1829 left "The Masons Arms" in trust to be sold - Note when the properties were put up for sale however the sale particulars refer to the 'Queen's Arms' rather than the Masons Arms'?]

1851 Census living at Glydepath Hill Holy Trinity Parish Dorchester - Isaac Robins Head married aged 32 Beer Retailer born Frampton 1852 Slaters Directory, 'Masons Arms' - Isaac Robins, Glydepath Hill, Dorchester

1861 Census living at 'Masons Arms' Glyde Path Hill Holy Trinity Parish - John Thomas Head Married aged 28 Licensed Beer House Keper & Plumber born Dorchester with wife & daughter & 2 boarders + 18 lodgers

1871 Census living at Glyde Path Hill "Masons Arms" Holy triunity Parish - John Lambert Head married aged 60 Carpenter and Innkeeper born Stourton Caundle Dorset, with wife 2 children & 10 lodgers

1877 05 Aug - Baptisms HT - Lily Beatrice daughter of James & Mary HARRIS baptised from Dorchester a Publican

1881 Census living at Glyde Path Hill 'Masons Arms' - James HARRIS head married age 44 Publican, born Fordington, with wife 3 daughters, boarder 9 travellers

1889 - Kellys Directory - James HARRIS , Glyde Path Hill, Beer Retailer - Commercial

The Beer House Kepper in 1891 was James HARRIS age 54 a native of Fordington

They were married - example Parish of Steeple Dorset Marriages 1725 Ancestry.com image 42 of 90

[The 4th entry in 1725 on this page relates to the marriage of "Georgius Yeats generos : et Elisabetha Williams 18th die of Octo: "(i.e. George Yates Gentleman &  Elizabeth  Williams 18th day of October)"

History of Methodism

The Methodist movement began in 1738, when John and Charles Wesley, the sons of an Anglican Rector, set out to revive a sense of spirituality and inner holiness in worship. At first, they preached to church congregations and religious societies; then their followers formed themselves into two societies and met at member’s houses. In 1739 George Whitfield, an associate of the Wesley brothers when they were at Oxford, began to preach in the open air, and the Wesley’s followed his example. They accepted the nickname “Methodist” which had been mockingly bestowed upon them at Oxford as a derisive allusion to the methodical manner in which they performed the various practices and that their sense of Christian Duty and Church ritual required.

Although they remained members of the established church, they built supplementary preaching houses (Wesley) and tabernacles (Whitefield), and these became grouped into circuits under a Circuit Chapel.

In 1741 the followers of Whitfield, who were Calvinists and believed in predestination to heaven or hell, separated from those of the Wesley’s, who were Armenian and held that salvation was open to all true believers. During the eighteenth century both sects continued to be called Methodists. Much to my surprise Caerphilly became a centre of the Methodist revival in the 18th century; the first synod of the Calvinistic Methodists was held in a farmhouse near the town in 1743.

Wesley travelled the whole country and his following grew greatly. In 1778, Wesley’s chapel in City Road, London, was founded, with its own graveyard and burial register. By 1784, Methodist clergy were being barred from Anglican churches so they invoked the Toleration Act and became officially Dissenters. From then on they took less care to arrange their meetings at times that did not conflict with Church of England services, but the baptisms of their children were still performed and registered in church.

Charles Wesley died in 1788 and John in 1791. The movement continued to grow but in the following decades it was subject to an almost constant state of change, as a succession of sub-denominations developed and split off from the main body. In 1797 a sect called the Methodist New Connection was founded. It gave its laity more control over its affairs, and by 1837 it had thirty circuits, each with its own register.

In 1807, a small group called Independent or Quaker, Methodists left the main body, and in the following year the followers of Hugh Bourne were expelled from the Burslem Circuit for open camp meetings to the rural poor and built their first chapel at Tunstall. In 1812 they adopted the name Primitive Methodists and expanded, especially in the industrial towns of the north. Three years later, the Bible Christians (O,Bryanites) broke away in the south-western area of England. In 1818 a Metropolitan Wesleyan Registry of Births and Baptisms was begun in London, from duplicate certificates sent in by Circuits.

Three other groups resented the dominance of the Methodist Conference and the movement continued to divide. In 1827 the Protestant Methodists became a separate body, wanting more rights for ordinary members. In 1833, the Independent Methodists took over the name United Churches of Christ, and in 1836 the Wesleyan Methodist Association was formed, with the same aim of lay member rights.

In 1837 the Methodists obeyed the call to deposit their registers with the General Registrar – they sent 856 of which the oldest is one for London of 1738. However not all registers were sent although some have since found their way to local record offices.

Fragmentation however had taken its toll and there then began a program of consolidation. The Wesleyan Methodist Reformers from 1849, joined by the majority in 1857 then formed the United Methodist Free Churches. A further merger with the Methodist New Connexion group and the Bible Christians occurred around 1907 and became The United Methodist Church. All the ones against forming a Union became the Wesleyan Reform Union, mainly the Independent Methodists, United Churches of Christ and United Free Gospel Church. Source The Dictionary of Genealogy by Terrick VHFitzHugh published 1985

1851 Census living in South Street St Peters Parish Dorchester - William Harris head married aged 50 Victualler & Wheelwright born Fordington. [Note:- William harris bap Fordington St George 25th Dec 1800 married the widow Virtue barge at St peters Church in Dorchester on 29th July 1840]

1851 Census living at 'The New Inn' South Street William Harris Head Married aged 50 Victualler & Wheelwright born Fordington

1852 Slaters Directory, 'New Inn' - William Harris, South Street Dorchester

1861 Census Living at 27 South Street 'New Inn' St Peters Parish Dorchester - Edward WORTLEY Head Married Aged 41 Victualler born Salisbury with wife daughter + 2 Servants

1865 Harrods Directory Edward WORTLEY 'The New' (See advert left) 27 South Street (See Advert)

1871 Census living at 27 South Street "New Inn" St Peters Parish - William Darch Head Married Aged 49 Inn Keeper born Huish Champflower, Somerset, with wife 1 servant 4 lodgers

1875 Post Office Directory - William Darch, 'New Inn' & Coal Merchant, South Street

1881 Census living at South Street - Thomas Rendall Head Married aged 48 Inn Keeper born West Coker Somerset, with wife & 2 children 2 lodgers and a servant

1891 Census living at 27 South Street 'New Inn' - George Banks Head Married aged 55 Innkeeper born Battersea London with wife, & 3 daughters (one a barmaid). [Note:- He died aged 60 being buried at the Civic Cemeterey on 28th Jan 1897.]

1901 Census at 27 South Street - Thomas DUNKLEY Head married aged 43 Licensed Victualler born Dorchester with wife and 3 children and 2 boarders. [Note:-The marriage of Thomas Robert DUNKLEY (1857- ) to Rebecca BANKS at FStG Church on 03 Aug 1880]

1908 Probate Calendar - William Frederick Banks of New Inn South Street Dorchester Doirset Licensed Victualler died 21 March 1908. Admin to his widow Mary Jane Banks [Note:- William Frederick was the brother of Rebecca Dunkley]

1911 Census living at 'The New Inn' South Street - Mary Jane Banks Head Widow Innkeeper with 4 of her children a nephew a neice and boarder

Law (of a Will or Testament) declared orally as opposed to in writing. Until 1838 these were testamentary intentions expressed by the decease's word of mouth before credible witnesses', who later made sworn statements before the probate court. By the Statute of Frauds, 1678, there had to be at least three witnesses who had heard the deceased's wishes spoken in his own house and during his last illness. They needed to have them written down within six days, and not proved until 14 days after the death. Examples are the will of James Pook of Fordington or Robert Anthony of Dorchester dated 8th June 1724 and the subsequent letter of Administration issued 1st Oct 1724 - see wills index - images available on Ancestry.com

Since 1838, nuncupative wills can be made only by soldiers on active military service, and by seamen at sea. Freehold land could not be devised by a nuncupative will, nor could a written will be revoked by one. Example of a nuncupative Will is that for Nicholas Purchase of Dorchester who died in 1620. Also in Wills Index are nuncupative wills for Thomas Lymington 20th Oct 1660; Mathias BRINE 10th March 1692; Christopher FOY 19th Nov 1692 ; John MILBORNE of Frome Whifield in Holy Trinity Parish in 1696; Jasper COLSON of St Peters 30 Dec 1726; Mary ROGERS of Blandford Forum 03 22 Aug 1736; Edmund BRYER 5th Oct 1770

The Old Ship Inn still at Number 16 and 17 High West Street. (Note:- oldest pub in Dorchester built c1600 (picture by Mal Nichols) Much of the original front elevation including the second floor original oak windows remain. A section of the mantel from the original fireplace is now in the Dorchester Museum displayed with some original oak paneling taken from the wall.)

1600 British History On-Line Dorchester Pages 104-132 - "Old Shi Inn" - was built in c.1600; it has been much altered in modern times, and only original features surviving are two windows on the upper floor of the street front; these are four and five lights respectively with oak frames and mullions. An old plaster overmantle and panneling have been removed to the Dorset County Musem

1629 - Extract from 'Fire From Heaven' by David Underdown page 72 - " In 1629 there were thirteen licensed alesellers in the town, a number that grew to around twenty ten years later. Some of them kept large and impressive establishments like the 'George' the 'Antelope' the 'Crown' and the 'Rose'. 'The Ship' kept by William Wilson was somewhat less respectable, to judge by the number of reports of disorders ther, but such things were not unknown even at the 'George' "

1637- Fire from Heaven - page 96 Brief mention of 'Ship Inn'

1846 - 30th April - Entry in Salisbury and Winchester Journal for Sunday 2nd May 1846 - Died April 26th at Dorchester Mr. George ADAMS late of the Ship Inn, in that town.

1851 Census living at High West Street 'Old Ship Inn' , Charles Sergeant Head married aged 36 years a Victualler born Frampton Dorset with wife and son + 4 visitors (boarders). A son William Sargent was bap HT 26 Mar 1851 occupation of father Publican.

1861 Census living at 17 High West Street at 'Old Ship Inn' Holy Trinity Parish - George New Head Married Aged 40 Victualler born Alton Pancras with wife and 2 children + 3 boarders and Seravnt The Innkeeper in the 1891 Census was Richard WALTERS aged 43 native of Coryton in Devon

1865 Harrods Directory - George New 'Old Ship' 17 High West Street

1866 7 July 1894 Southern Times and Dorset County Herald - 'Old Ship Inn' briefly mentioned during the inquest into the death of David Lester.

1871 Census Living at 17 High West Street Holy Trinity Parish at "Old Ship Inn" - George New Head married aged 50 Innkeeper born Alton Dorset, with wife 5 children 4 Lodgers

1875 Post Office Directory - George New 'Old Ship Inn' High West Street

1881 Census living at 16 and 17 High West St 'Ship Inn' - George New head married aged 64 Inn Keeper a native of Alton in Dorset, with wife 4 children, 13 boarders (of which 12 were Militiamen)

1889 Kellys Directory 1889 - Michael Walsh Old Ship Public House 16 High West St Dorchester

1891 Census living at 16 and 17 High West Street "Old Ship Inn" - Richard Walters married Publican aged 43 with his wife a neice and a servant and 1 lodger

1895 Kellys Directory Richard Walters 'Old Ship Inn' 16 High West Street

1915 Kellys Directory Richard Eminson 'Old Ship Inn' 16 High West Street

Overseers of the Poor

[Ancestry.com Main File = 'Dorset, England, Poor Law and Church of England Parish Records, 1511-1997'

(1) On 10th May 1568 Phillip Overy a widow married John Shepparde in Holy Trinity. Initially I thought this was just a clerical error for Phillipa but she was buried at Holy Trinity on the 4th August 1569 again referred to as 'Phillip the wife of John Sheppard
(2) Phillippe Longe married John Narton at Holy Trinity church on 3rd April 1611
(3) Powerstock Dorset Parish Register - William WHITE and Phillip WAYE were married 14th Sep 1612
(4) Philipp Shepherd a widow was buryed the 28th of August 1615 at Holy Trinity church. She was the daughter of William Lawrence a yeoman of Fordington and married Roger Shepherd at Winterbourne Whitchuch on 11th Oct 1636.
(5) Philipp the daughter of John Watercombe was baptized the fifth day of Maye 1616 at Holy Trinity church
(6) Philipp sonne (sic) daughter of William Mrtin June 12 1630 & buried as his daughter on 14th June 1630 at Holy Trinity church
(7) Philip Paule married John Birche at Holy Trinity Dorchester on 12th February 1635
(8) In the Will for Christian Lawrence Widow of Fordington in 1663 there is a bequest to 'my dafter [i.e. daughter] Phillip Shepard.

The Phoenix Inn is situated in All Saints Parish 16 High East Street

1654 Will of Leonard MILLER the Elder Gentleman of Fordington dated 1st July 1654 proved 14th Sep 1654 "To wife Agnes my messuage etc called 'The Phonix' within the parish of All Saints in Dorchester in the tenure of Charles ALLEN and I give the said Agnes the yearly rents due of my house called the Chequer and for my house in the tenure of Peter FFILDEWE"

1737 Burgage Rate for the Parish of All Saints in Dorchester (MRD Page 694) shows that Mr Ingram & Dawes were charged 1 shilling and 3 pence for their house (The 'Phoenix' )

1791 - Dorchester Trade Directory - William Pearce Victualler

1818 Will of William Pearce Maltster of Dorchester dated 15 Aug 1818 - "--also leashold property called or known by the name of the 'Pheonix Inn' all which properties lie within the parish of All Saints Dorchester to my wife and after her decease equally between his 2 children Mary the wife of Reverend Frederick Joseph Cox TRENOW and Ann PEARCE "

1830 Pigots Directory, 'Phoenix' , Publican George Galpin, High West Street Dorchester

1839 Roberts Directory - 'Phoenix Inn' , Publican William Churchill High East Street

1841 Census High East Street All Saints Parish Dorchester - William Churchill age 42 Innkeeper

1842 Pigots Directory, Dorchester Dorset, Page 121 under Taverns and Public Houses - 'Phoenix' [Blank], High West Street

1843 29 July Sherborne Mercury - Article concerning a theft by James Curtis and Richard Paul - Witness statment- " I am a porter in the employ of Messrs Jennings and Ford carriers who have a wareroom at the 'Phoenix Inn', Dorchester. On 29th June about seven in the evening I saw Curtis in the wareroom handing a bottle to Paul wh is a waggoner in Messrs Jennings and Ford's employ; I went to the door and saw Curtis come out with someting under his jacket; Curtis is ostler to Mr. Churchill the landlord of the 'Phoenix'; he went towards the stable --- etc etc

1844 Pigots Directory -'Phoenix' [Left Blank], High East Street, Dorchester + a Carrier John Thomas operated out of the Phoenix

1851 Census High East Street 'Phoenix Inn' , Francis Oliver married age 57 born Fordington Innkeeper

1852 Slaters Directory, 'Phoenix', Francis Oliver High East street - also mentions under Carriers by Railway Jonathan Crocker from the 'Phoenix Inn'

1861 Census living at 'Phoenix Inn' 16 High East Street - Sarah Wiltshire Widow aged 56 born Preston Dorset + 4 children and a Servant

1865 - Thursday 2nd Feb - Dorset Chronicle Anniversary Gatherings - On Wednesday 1st the members of the Improved Order of Old Friends held its first anniversary dinner at Host Barrett's, the 'Phoenix Inn', Dorchester, when upwards of 60 sat down to a repast which reflected great credit on the establishment, everything being so arranged that "enough and to spare" was most visibly demonstrated etc etc long list of attendees

1871 Census living at 16 High East Street "Phoenix" - Joseph Barrett Head Married Aged 35 Licensec Victualler born Puddletown with wife son & servant

1875 Post Office Directory - Joseph Barrett 'Phoenix Inn', High East Street

1881 Census living at 16 High East Street - Joseph Barrett Head married aged 45 Licensed Victualler born puddletown, with wife, son, sister-in-law, 2 servants

1889 Kellys Directory - Joseph Barrett 'Phoenix Inn' High East Street

1891 Bridport News pub 30th Jan 1891 and All Saits Church Marriages BARRETT - RICHARDS Jan 26, at All Saints Church Dorchester. by Rev. G.Stone , Mr F.J.Barrett the Phoenix Inn, Dorchester, to Miss Ellen Richards of Melksham

I have come across references to the "Plasterers Arms" a number of times but not located it in any official documents apart from as an address on various baptisms and marriages. I have alo now (July 2022) located references in local newspapers which show it was located close to West Mills in West Fordington and is I believe the building located on the north side of the start of Miller's Close shown on the 1886 Map of West Fordington.

1838: Article Dorset County Chronicle 1st Mar 1838. Headed "Grove Buildings, Upper Fordington Dorset To be sold at auction: --- Lot 1. All that substantial newly erected brick and stone built Messuage or dwelling house called and known as "Plasterer's Arms" containing a large dining room, three parlours, bar, kitchen, four large bedrooms, under ground celler, with coach house, stables and other out buildings thereunto belonging, a garden, and a pump with excellent water situate near the West Mills in the said parish of Fordington and now in the occupation of Mr.G.GULLIVER as tenant.

1838: Holy Trinity Marriages :- 25 Oct 1838 Thomas BROOKS of full age a widower a publican resident 'Plasterers Arms', Upper Fordington ; father John BROOKS a blacksmith & Farrier, married after banns to Mary Ann PAUL of full age a widow a cook resident High Wedst Street Dorchester father John BRAKE a Farmer 

1839: Article Dorset County Chronicle 21st Mar 1839 - Evidence given in a court case refers to "James Dowding - I am employed in the office of the Dorset County Chronicle ; in Nov last I had a stable near BROOKS's who keeps the 'Plasterers Arms' etc etc

1881: Christchurch West Fordington Baptisms: 10 July 1881 Bap of a child of George VEAL resident at 'Plasterers Arms' a mason by trade

1882: Article Dorset County Chronicle 7th Dec 1882 - NOTICE: West Fordington Dorchester: To be let from 25th Dec next from year to year or on lease -- All those four cottages and dwelling house lately called 'Plasterers Arms'and a coach house and Stable all adjoining, situate at West Fordington and now in the occupation of Mr. John WELLSPRING Builder or his under tenants.

1886: Christchurch West Fordington Baptisms: 4th July 1886 Bap of a child of Walter DIMENT resident at the 'Plasterers Arms'a Masons labourer

1887: Christchurch West Fordington Baptisms: 14th Oct 1887 Bap of a child of Joseph RICKETTS an Ostler (deceased) resident at 'Plasterers Arms'

1889: Christchurch West Fordington Baptisms: 27th Jan 1889 Bap of a child of John WYATT a labourer resident at the 'Plasterers Arms' [Note:- John WYATT was a drover and was buried at FStG 28th Feb 1889. His wife Frances Ellen remarried at the register office to Willia Hails in 1890]

1891: Article in Bridport News 9th Oct 1891 page 6 under heading Dorchester - Ejectment Order - refers to a warrant for the ejectment of Wm Drake a carpenter who "rented a room in the 'Plasterers Arms' in June last and has refused to give up possession" (only paid 2 of 13 weeks occupation).

1895: Albert Edward LEGG, beer retailer, abode 33 Miller's Close - Kellys Dorectory 1895

1900: - 3rd Nov Christchurch West Fordington Baptisms: Albert Edward LEGG resident at 33 Miller's Close Innkeeper

1901: Census West Fordington Christchurch : 33 Miller's Close, Albert LEGG (1867-1939) Married age 33 "Licensed Victualler for his own accout and working at home". Note:- by Kellys Directory for 1915 he is still at 33 Miller's Close but now shown as a pig dealer.

1759 In the Will Dated Feb 1759 of Alice Jackson a Widow of Dorchester buried at St Peters 21st Feb 1759 and proved 1st March 1759 one of her beneficiaries was her daughter Susannah the wife of James POOK being left "all her estate term right and title in the house called the Plume & Feathers in Dorchester;"

1830 Pigots Directory, 'Plume of Feathers' , Publican John Tullidge, West Back Street Dorchester

1839 Roberts Directory, 'Plume of Feathers' , Publican William Tullidge, West Back Street Dorchester [Note William Tullidge was the son of John Tullidge previous innkeeper and took over running of the Plume of Feathers after his marriage in June 1837]

1841 Census Living at West Back Street Holy Trinity Parish - William Tullidge aged between 30 & 34, born Dorset Publican with wife 2 children & 2 servants

1842 Pigots Directory, Dorchester Dorset, Page 121 under Taverns and Public Houses - 'Plume of Feathers' William Tullidge, West Back Street

1844 Pigots Directory - 'Plume of Feathers' . William Tullidge, Back West Street Dorchester [Note:- William Tullidge left the Plume of Feathers 1847 and went to Winterborne Houghton as a yeoman farmer. He emigrated to Australia after the birth of his 5th child there in 1848.

1851 Census 109 Hospital Street 'Plume of Feathers Inn', William Topp Head Married aged 45 years Innkeeper & Farmer of 143 acres born Wiltshire Lavington with wife, sister-in-law, mother,4 servants & 1 visitor

1852 Slaters Directory 'Plume of Feathers' , William Topp, Back West street Dorchester

1861 Census living at 'Plume of Feathers' Princess Street, Holy Trinity Parish - John R.Taylor Head Married aged 39 Innkeeper Brewer Wine and Spirit Merchant born Ramsgate Kent with wife 5 children 2 servants

1865 Harrods Directory - John R.Taylor 'Plume of Feathers Inn' brewer, wine and spirit merchant , Back West Street.

1871 Census living at Princess Street "Plume of Feathers Inn" Holy Trinity Parish - John Richard Taylor Head, Married Aged 40 Brewing Victualler born Ramsgate, with wife, 2 daughters, 2 servants & lodger

1875 Post Office Directory - John Richard Taylor, 'Plume of Feathers' & brewer & wine & spirit merchants, Prince's St

1881 Census living at Prince's St Holy Trinity Parish 'Plume of Feathers' - John Richard Taylor, Head, Married, aged 59 Innkeeper, born Ramsgate, with wife & 2 servants

1889 Post Office Directory -Walter William Scriven at Prince's St, 'Plume of Feathers Public House', Commercial [Note:- 20 Feb 1889 - Mabel Florence daughter of Walter William & Bessie Scriven abode Dorchester, a Publican ]

1891 Census Living at Princes St 'Plume of Feathers' - Walter W Scriven Head Married aged 29 Publican born TRiverton Devon

1896 - Advert for wines and spirits Southern Times and Dorset County Herald page 8 : W.W.Sriven Plume of Feathers Dorchester

'Prince's Street' is in Holy Trinity Parish and runs parallel to 'High West Street' on the south side. It extends from 'West Walk Road' eastwards to 'Trinity Street'.

(See 1901 Map of Dorchester) --- 'Princes Street'. In 1901 it is bisected by 'Alington Street' which provides access to 'High West Street' to the north. The continuation of 'Allington Street' across 'Prince's St' becomes 'Somerleigh Road' and the Dorset County Hospital.

(See 1886 Map of Dorchester) --- 'Princes Street'. There is little change by 1901 except 'Allington Street' is not named, so might just be another part of Somerleigh Road.

See 1851 Census District 5a. ---- The Dorset County Hospital was built in Dorchester on land in 'West Back Street' (also called 'Back West Street') donated by a wealthy banker Robert Williams in 1839. Some of the houses standing on the site were adopted for use of the House Surgeon, Matron and Nurses and connected by a covered passage to the North wing. It received it's first patients in May 1841. Some time over the next decade the dominant presence of the Hospital caused the street to be called 'Hospital Street' and it is recorded as such in the 1851 Census. By 1861 it has been renamed as 'Princes Street'.

(See 1771 Map of Dorchester) --- In 1771 'Prince's Street' was called 'West Back Street' a name it retained right up to and including the 1841 Census. The roads/walks it connects were also called by different names . 'West Walk Road' was previously called 'The Old Walks' or 'Bowling Alley Walks' . 'Trinity Street' was previously called 'South Back Street'

(See 1611 Map of Dorchester) --- In 1611 there were no houses in what was to become 'West Back Street' only a lane providing access to enclosed fields within the ruins of the old Roman Walls.

The Queen's Arms were situated in Holy Trinity Parish Dorchester in 1696 was on the north side of High West Street but by 1807 in Pease Lane .

1613 - 6th Aug - Extract from 'Fire from Heaven' by David Underdown pages 4 and 5 - referring to the cost of rebuilding after the great fire of Dorchester on page 4 states "--- many properties remained in ruins for for years. The old 'Queen's Arms' in Durngate was empty for at least a year before it was rebuilt as the 'Green Dragon'. On page 5 he states "Robert Short needed only £40 to rebuild 'The Queen's Arms' --"

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1696, March 9. A messuage in Holy Trinity parish, on north side of High West Street, adjoining the 'Queen's Arms' on the east, is mentioned in a lease of this date Source (MRD page 711) (B. 64),

1737 Burgage Rate for the Parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester (MRD Page 691) - Mr Robert Grundy's House ('Queen's Arms' )

1795 See Will of Sarah Besant Widow of James Besant Maltster & Brewer of Dorchester - Thomas Gatehouse Besant inherits ''Queen's Arms' in Holy Trinity Parish

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1807 12th August, the Corporation agreed to grant to William Bower, Esq., a lease of a dwelling house called the 'Queen's Arms' , in Pease Lane.

[1829 27 Apr - The Will of William Bower written 14th July 1827 and proved 27th Apr 1829 left "The Masons Arms" in trust to be sold - but when the properties were put up for sale however the sale particulars refer to the 'Queen's Arms' rather than the Masons Arms'?]

1830 Pigots Directory, 'Queen's Arms' , Publican David Brown, Pease Lane

1839 Roberts Directory, 'Queen's Arms' , Publican Samuel Edmunds, Pease Lane

1842 Pigots Directory, Dorchester Dorset, Page 121 under Taverns and Public Houses - 'Queen's Arms' Samuel Edmunds, Pease Lane

1844 Pigots Directory - Queen's Arms, Samuel Edmunds, Pease Lane, Dorchester

1851 Census living at 226 Pease Lane 'Queen's Arms Inn', William Brinson Head married aged 50 years Innkeeper born Beaminster with wife 2 children brother and 12 Visitors [Boarders]

1852 Slaters Directory - 'Queen's Arms' William Brinton, Pease Lane

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1865 Harrods Directory, 'Queen's Arms' James Cox, Durngate Street

1757 01 Sep - Ale House Licence Issue to Leonard WINZAR of Forthington [Fordington] is this day licenced to keep a common Alehouse or Victualling-house in the Parish of Fordington ('at the sign of the Queens Head') for the term of 1 year from 29th Sep 1757. Leonard is bound over to owe to the King £10 to keep good order and Government and suffer no disorder to be committed , or unlawful games used in the said House, Yard, Garden, or Backside thereto belonging during the continuance of the licence. Bound with him as surities is David PHIPPARD and James ALLEN both of Forthington in the sum of £5 each.

1758 12 Sep - Ale House Licence as above issued to Leonard WINZOR, Thomas ROLLS and James ALLEN both of Forthington surities

1761 11 Sep - Ale House Licence issued to Leonard WINZOR at the sign of The Queens Head in Forthington for 1 year Leonard bound in the sum of £10 other surities Thomas ROLLS and James ALLEN both of Forthington in £5 each.

1762 15 Sep - Ale House Licence issued to Leonard WINZOR at the sign of The Queens Head Victualler in Forthington for 1 year Leonard bound in the sum of £10 other surities Moses BEDLOE and Benjamin TULLEDGE both of Forthington in £5 each.

1763 08 Sep - Ale House Licence issued to Leonard WINZOR at the sign (side line entry 'The Queens Head') Victualler in Forthington for 1 year Leonard bound in the sum of £10 other surities Moses BEDLOE and Joseph LOVELACE both of Forthington in £5 each.

1764 13 Sep - Ale House Licence issued to Leonard WINZOR at the sign (side line entry 'The Queens Head') Victualler in Forthington for 1 year Leonard bound in the sum of £10 other surities Moses BEDLOE and Joseph LOVELACE both of Forthington in £5 each.

1765 14 Sep - Ale House Licence issued to Leonard WINZOR at the sign of 'The Queens Head' Victualler in Forthington for 1 year Leonard bound in the sum of £10 other surities Thomas ROBERTS and David PHIPPARD both of Forthington in £5 each.

1766 13 Sep - Ale House Licence issued to Leonard WINZOR at the sign of 'The Queens Head' Victualler in Forthington for 1 year Leonard bound in the sum of £10 other surities David PHIPPARD and Samuel HELLARD both of Forthington in £5 each.

1767 12 Sep - Ale House Licence issued to Leonard WINZOR at the sign of 'The Queens Head' Victualler in Forthington for 1 year Leonard bound in the sum of £10 other surities Moses BEDLOE and Thomas ROBERTS both of Forthington in £5 each.

1768 17 Sep - Ale House Licence issued to Leonard WINZOR at the sign of 'The Queens Head' Victualler in Forthington for 1 year Leonard bound in the sum of £10 other surities Joseph LOVELACE and Moses BEDLOE both of Forthington in £5 each.

1791 - Dorchester Trade Directory - Thomas Roberts of Fordington Victualler

1851 Census John Brown Head Mar age 43 a Beer Retailer born Piddletown dirset with his wife Elizabeth age 41 born Rampisham & 4 children. [Note:- In 1841 John was a carrier and they lived in Holloway Fordington so does not appear to have been at the Queens head]

1861 Census Fordington- 'Queen's Head' Holloway, Elizabeth Brown, Head, Widow, Aged 51; Innkeeper, born Rampisham - 3 daughters 1 daughter-in-law (widow) 1 boarder with his wife & Son

1865 Harrods Directory - Elizabeth Brown, 'Quenn's Head Inn' East Fordington.

1866 25 Aug 1866 - Southern Times and Dorset County Herald - Inquest held at the 'Queen's Head Inn' Fordington [Link to newspaper report concerning the death by drowning of James Evans].

1868 26 Sep - Bridport News - Licence granted to Landlord W.J.SYMES after deferral following complaint from Police that bad characters were allowed to congregate there.

1875 Post Office Directory - James MEECH , 'Queens Head' , Holloway Row Fordington

1881 Article Southern Times and Dorset County Herald Sat 16th Apr 1881 - "The Licences of the following public houses were transferred as under:- 'The Railway Tavern', South Street, from John Pitfield to Thomas Grigg; Queens Head Fordington from James Meech to William Player; Queen's Own, Durngate Street from Henry Wilshire to Samuel Warren; Half Moon North Square from Henry J.J.Selway to Arthur Spicer."

1889 Post Office Directory - William Meader, Fordington 'Queen's Head Public House', Commercial

1891 Census living at Holloway Row 'Queen's Head' - James Haine Head Married aged 50 Innkeeper born Idcombe Somerset, with wife, neice, and at least 8 lodgers

1861 Census living at "Queen's Own" Durngatre St All Saints Parish - Jane Cox Head widow aged 52 Victualler born Corfe Castle + servant and 6 lodgers

1871 Census living in Durngate Street All Saints Parish John Wright Head Married aged 55 Licensed Victualler & Chelsea Pensioner born Ireland, with wife

1875 Post Office Directory - Thomas Adams - 'Queen's Own' Durngate Street

1881 Article Southern Times and Dorset County Herald Sat 16th Apr 1881 - "The Licences of the following public houses were transferred as under:- 'The Railway Tavern', South Street, from John Pitfield to Thomas Grigg; Queens Head Fordington from James Meech to William Player; Queen's Own, Durngate Street from Henry Wilshire to Samuel Warren; Half Moon North Square from Henry J.J.Selway to Arthur Spicer."

'The Railway Tavern' is located at 34 South Street Dorchester which is situated 3 houses up from the Royal Carriage Works at the old Roman South Gate through the surrounding wall of Dorchester and close to both the GWR and South Western Railway stations.(See 1886 Map of Dorchester. P.H.= Public House) 

1851 Census lliving at 'The Railway Tavern', South Street - John Lovelace Head Married aged 37 Carpenter Journeyman & Beer Seller, + wife, servant and 2 children

1861 Census Living at 34 South Street 'Railway Tavern' St Peters Parish - Samuel Head married Aged 58 Victualler & Currier born Plymouth Devon with wife 2 grand-daughters 8 Lodgers

1861 Weymouth Telegram - at the Railway Tavern South Street Dorchester -- Property of Mr Howe (long list) to be sold by Action on the premises by Mr W BRYER on Thursday June 20th 1861

1864 6 Jan Southern Times & Dorset herald - Article about a discharged soldier from the Royal Artillery charged with stealing £9. 3s from his father at Tolpuddle arrested at the Railway Tavern Dorchester.

1865 23 Sep Bridport News - Licensing Meeting --- Mr Weston again applied for a license to be grated to Mrs Sarah Hallett landlady of the Railway Tavern Dorchester.

1865 Harrods Directory - Benjamin Marshalsay 'Railway Tavern' 86? South street

1871 Census living at 34 South Street - William Browne Head married aged 40 Pensioner Publican born Blandford Dorset, with wife 3 children, visitor & Boarder

1875 Post Office Directory - Robert Forse, 'Railway Tavern' South Street.

1880 Article Southern Times & Dorset County Herald Sat 26th June 1880 (page 6). "At the Town Hall on Monday Mr.Alderma G.Curme and Mr Alderman G.J.G.Gregory had before them an application to transfer the license for the "Railway Tavern", South Street from Elizabeth Damon to George Pitfield, and another request to transfer the license of a beerhouse, Fordington, in Holloway Row to Elizabeth Billett, widow of the late Mr R.Billett. In each instance the application was granted."

1881 Census (3rd April) living at 34 South Street - Thomas Grigg (1857-1932) Head unmarried aged 24, Licensed Victualler born Coombe St Nicholas Somerset, with 2 neices one a child the other a bar maid.. (Jury lists from 1881-1886 all refer to him as an Inkeeper at 34 South street)

1881 Article Southern Times and Dorset County Herald Sat 16th Apr 1881 - "The Licences of the following public houses were transferred as under:- 'The Railway Tavern', South Street, from John Pitfield to Thomas Grigg; Queens Head Fordington from James Meech to William Player; Queen's Own, Durngate Street from Henry Wilshire to Samuel Warren; Half Moon North Square from Henry J.J.Selway to Arthur Spicer"

1884 - Article Southern Times 19 Apr 1884 - About George Clark being charged with stealing the umbrella of "Mr T.Grigg" of the 'Railway Tavern' which he sells for 8d in Princess Street.

1886 - Article Southern Times 13 Aug 1886 - About transfer of licences -- "and that of the Railway Tavern from T.Grigg to Hiram Edmunds.

1889 Kellys Directory - Hiram Edmunds, 34 South Street 'Railway Tavern' Commercial

1891 Census living at 34 South Street 'Railway Tavern' - Hiram Edmunds head married aged 34 born Moreton Dorset, with wife Elizabeth (nee Maine whom he married at All Saints Church in 1883) and 2 children.

1892 - Article Southern Times etc - 5th Nov 1892 - Money stolen from till - Elizabeth wife of Landlord 'Railway Tavern' gave evidence.

1893 26 Dec 1893 - Weymouth Telegram - The 'Railway Tavern' South Street Dorchester - Article about the Enlargement and Improvement of Premises by Proprietor H,EDMUNDS

1894 - Article Bridport News 1 June 1894 - " -- applied for the transfer of the licese of the Railway Tavern South Street from Hiram Edmunds to John Wm. Richards formerly of Wareham

1895 - Kellys Directory - Richards, John W of 'Railway Tavern' Public House 34 South Street

1895 - Article Bridport News - 2nd Aug 1895 - "Dorchester ---applied for the transfer of the license of the 'Railway Tavern', South Street from John Wm Richards to Nicholas Geo. Baggs (formerly coachman in tye employ of Mr Sowden Payne of Weymouth - granted"

1915 - Kelleys Directory - Dowle, Herbert 'Railway Tavern' 34 South Street

Link to watercolour painting by Henry Joseph Moule (1825-1904) of the Red Cow Public House in Fordington painted on 7th May 1891

1898 13 Nov - Robert & Frances Ann BALLARD gave the "Red Cow" as their abode at the baptism of their son Robert Henry BALLARD

1737 Burgage Rate for the Parish of St Peters Dorchester (MRD Page 692) Joshua Brook's House (The Red Lyon) Rate 9 pence - [Note:- Joshua Brooks was the brother of Mary Channing (1687-1705/6) who was burnt at the stake for poisoning her husband. ]

1791 June 13 - The Market House (MRD Page 499) A proper market house being wanted for this Borough and no place being found more proper to erect the same on than the west pinnion end or gable end of the 'Red Lion Inn' in the parish of St Peters to the east end of the Church passage and extending from North to South to the North end of the second butchers shops on the west and east sides of the Shambles.

1829 27th Apr - Will of Mr William Bower written 14th July 1827 and proved 27th Apr 1829 left "The Red Lion" in trust to be sold [Note:- See William BOWER (1746-1829) ]

1830 Pigots Directory, 'Red Lion', Publican John Pulman , High East Street Dorchester

1851 Census living at 29 High West Street Holy Trinity Parish and 'Red Lion Inn' Dorchester, William BENNETT; Head; Mar; 44; Tailor Master employing 1 man; Dorset Dorchester, with wife daughter + 2 Servants

1861 Census living at Church Street 'Red Lion Inn' All Saints Parish - Thomas Dewland Head married aged 44 Plumber & Glazier? born Charminster with wife & daughter a servant & 2 lodgers (none described as running the Inn?

1865 Harrods Directory - Thomas Dewland, 'Red Lion', and a painter, Church Street

1871 Census living at Church Street 'Red Lion' All Saints Parish - Thomas Dewland Head Widower aged 55 Licensed victualler born Charminster with a servant

1873 8th Dec - John Hellyar arrested at The Red Lion Inn

1875 Post Office Directory - Thomas Dewland, 'Red Lion', Church Street

The Royal Oak Inn - Location 20 High West Street in Holy Trinity Parish Dorchester (See Advert 1865)

1708 In his Will dated 5th September 1708 Richard Brooks a wagoner of Dorchester left his "messuage burgage and Inn with the appurtenances in the parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester aforesaid called the 'Royal Oake" in trust for his son Richard Brooks to receive the rents etc for life.

1737 Burgage Rate for the Parish of Holy Trinity Dorchester (MRD page 691) - George Brown Esq (for the 'Royal Oak')

1740-1773 - Edmund Bower (d.1773) is known to have become the Inkeeper of the 'Royal Oak' possibly around the time of his marriage in 1740. His will dated 19th Nov 1771 and proved on 17th May 1773 leaves the 'Royal Oak' to his son William Bower

1779 25th Sept - Mr William Bower to pay 2 shillings a year for erecting a Bow window in the front of his house called the 'Royal Oak' Source MRD p497. William Bower died in 1829 being buried at Holy Trinity Church Dorchester and left an extensive will [Note:- See William BOWER (1746-1829) ]

1829 27th Apr - Will of Mr William Bower written 14th July 1827 and proved 27th Apr 1829 left "The Royal Oak" in trust to be sold

1830 Pigots Directory, 'Royal Oak', Publican Matthew Dufall, High West Street Dorchester [Note:- See account of the life of Matthew Dewfol (1771-1843) ]

1839 Roberts Directory, 'Royal Oak Inn', Publican Fred. Bennett, High West Street Dorchester

1841 Censis Living in [West back Street Dorchester - Matthew Dufall aged 70 to 74 Beer House keeper] : Frederick Bennett aged 25 to 29 Publican living High West Street ,with wife & daughter +5 servants

1842 Pigots Directory, Dorchester Dorset, Page 121 under Taverns and Public Houses - 'Royal Oak' Frederick Bennett, High West Street

1844 Pigots Directory - 'Royal Oak', Frederick Bennett, High West Street Dorchester

1845 - Salisbury and Winchester Journal Sat 12th July 1845 - The returm match of fives was on Thursday last played at the Barrack Court, Dorchester between Mr. Frederick Bennett, landlord of the "Oak Inn", Dorchester and Mr. Thorne a celebrated player of Stoke-under-Ham Somerset. The match excited much interest in the town and neighbourhood and there were numerous spectators. The betting was all in favour of the Dorchester man who won the match easily, the Stoke man only scoring eleven in the two innings of 21 each, A marquee was pitched and a sumptuous repast was provided by the worthy host of the Canteen, Mr Charles Hodges.

1851 Census High West Street Dorchester - 'Royal Oak Inn', Frederick Bennett Head Married aged 37 Victualler & Farmer born Dorchester

1852 Slaters Directory - 'Royal Oak', Frederick Bennett, High West Street.

1856 26th Jan - HT Baptisms Louisa daughter of John Upshill & Anna Maria Trowbridge of West Back Street Dorchester a Publican,

1865 Roberts Directory - George Read, 'Royal Oak Commercial Inn' 20 High West Street (See Advert)

1871 Census living at 20 High West Street 'Royal Oak Inn' Holy Trinity Parish - George Read Head married aged 52 Licenced Victualler born Stickland, with wife 3 children, 3 servants 1 boarder & 14 lodgers

1875 Post Office Directory - Alfred Read, 'Royal Oak Inn', 20 High West Street

1881 living at 20 High West Street 'Royal Oak' Holy Trinity Parish - Charles Read head married aged 27 Licensed Victualler born Weymouth, with wife, 14 Boarders (10 of which Dorset Militia)

1889 Post Office Directory - David Marjoram, High West street, 'Royal Oak Public House', Commercial

1891 Proprietor David Marjoram

Serjeants-at-Mace were officials appointed by the Mayor with the approbation of the Corporation. Their main function seems to have been ceremonial and to keep order at official meetings. See Link to Dorchester's Serjeants at Mace

(1) The Indemnity Certificate of Settlement, given to the pauper by his own churchwardens
(2) The Examination of the pauper by the churchwardens or a magistrate prior to the issue of a Removal Order. This mentions his family, recent moves, and other valuable information
(3) The Removal Order, made out in duplicate after application by the Overseers to two Justices of the Peace; one copy to each parish concerned.
(4) Quarter Sessions records of appeals against removal orders sometimes with councils opinions on the case
(5) Vestry Minutes and the accounts of overseers and constables.

(Info extracts from "Vaccination Jenner's Legacy" by Derrick Baxby published by the Jenner Educational Trust 1994) Before control measures were developed most people in populous areas contracted smallpox and of those approximately 20% died. The survivors were often terribly scarred, and blindness was a common complication. It is estimated that 200,000 to 600,000 people were killed annually by smallpox in Europe in the 18th Century, and it was a major killer of children. Smallpox caused about 10% of all deaths and 25-35% of deaths in children. With its characteristic appearance it was realised that those who survived smallpox did not get it again, and this led to a greater willingness to employ servants etc with pock marks because of their immunity. Prevention of smallpox by isolation of patients required some idea that the disease was specific and had a specific transmissible cause, and predated proof of the germ theory of disease. It also required specific knowledge of the infectious period which was from about the time the rash appeared until after the scabs dropped off. Such knowledge was acquired gradually and as presented by John Haygarth in his 'Rules for the prevention of Smallpox (published 1785)' meant that by this date many villages had an old cottage or similar on the outskirts of town that was used to immediately isolate individuals suspected of having the disease. Dorset was at the forefront of many of these developments.

Deliberate infection as a preventative measure was practiced in India and China centuries before it was introduced to Britain by Lady Mary, wife of the British Ambassador to Turkey. The process involved deliberate inoculation of smallpox material into the arm in the hope that mild smallpox would develop. The practice was called inoculation later called variolation. Lady Mary had her son variolated in Constantinople in 1717 and on her return to England she had her daughter variolated in 1721 and so introduced the practice to London Society. A successful trial on six prisoners soon followed and in 1723 two children of Caroline of Ansbach, Princess of Wales were variolated. Initially Variolation was used mainly only in populous areas and when epidemics threatened but became increasingly common in the 1760's. Dorchester and Fordington of course sat at the crossroads of major trade routes not just throughout Dorset to places like London, Oxford and Exeter but also with the continent through the nearby coastal ports as many of the merchants in Dorchester imported wine, textiles and other produce from the continent. Protection was therefore a major concern and not just for the rich.

There is no doubt that inoculated smallpox produced a less severe effect reducing mortality significantly, but there were occasional disasters such as at Blandford in 1766 when many were very ill and 13 out of 384 died. There was particular concern about the fact that those in contact with variolated individuals caught smallpox which was fully virulent and fatal and this was a major barrier to its widespread use. Individuals could be isolated but few could afford it so the practice arose for a whole village to be inoculated so that everyone was infectious at the same time.

Although Edward Jenner (1749-1823) is credited with the widespread introduction of vaccination using cowpox he did not carry out his first vaccination until May 1796. The use of cowpox was in use in Dorset well before that date mainly because of the work of Benjamin Jesty (1736-1816) (picture) who was using the practice some 22 years earlier. Jesty and two of his female servants, Ann NOTLEY and Mary READE, had been infected with cowpox. When an epidemic of smallpox came to Yetminster in 1774, Jesty decided to try to give his wife Elizabeth and two eldest sons immunity by infecting them with cowpox. He took his family to a cow at a farm in nearby Chetnole that had the disease, and using a darning needle, transferred pustular material from the cow by scratching their arms. The boys had mild local reactions and quickly recovered but his wife's arm became very inflamed and for a time her condition gave cause for concern, although she too recovered fully in time. There is a blue plaque commemorating Jesty's pioneering work at Upbury Farm at Yetminster. Jesty's experiment was met with hostility by his neighbours. He was labeled inhuman, and was "hooted at, reviled and pelted whenever he attended markets in the neighbourhood’". The introduction of an animal disease into a human body was thought disgusting and some even "feared their metamorphosis into horned beasts". But the treatment's efficacy was several times demonstrated in the years which followed, when Jesty's two elder sons, exposed to smallpox, failed to catch the disease.

Vestry minutes in Dorchester & Fordington record:-
Holy Trinity Paris, Dorchester: 15th Dec 1763 "At a Vestry held this day according to public notice given on Sunday last it is agreed :- Such Poor as will be inoculated at the expense of the Parish are to make their application so the officers who are to apply to Mr William DAVIS Apothecary and are to be inoculated at ten shillings and six pence per head

29 May 1764 - Corporation Accounts MRD Page 482/3 - Paid for 2 advertisements about the small pox -- £7shillins. and again 21st Aug 1764 For advertisements about the small pox £0. 8s. 3d

Holy Trinity Parish, Dorchester: 25 Mar 1770 "At a Vestry then held by public notice this day after divine service:- Ordered that a List of the Poor unable to be at the expense [i.e. unable to afford the expense] of the Smallpox of themselves be taken, and when the number appears, to employ some person at the lowest expense that can be to inoculate such as are willing to undergo the operation

Holy Trinity Parish, Dorchester: 12th Dec 1779 that James KEATS & five of his children be inoculated at this parishes expense & that Mr James BUCKLAND be employed to inoculate them

Holy Trinity Parish, Dorchester: 3rd June 1781 "At a vestry held this day pursuant to notice given it was agreed that Dr BUCKLAND do inoculate the poor of this parish at 5/3 each - that the Officers are requested to ascertain in the mean time the number of proper objects that the expense of the undertaking may be known"

St Georges Parish, Fordington "For the month of May 1789 Minutes show that the poor of the parish had all been inoculated at the cost of the ratepayers.

Holy Trinity Parish, Dorchester 28th April 1789. "At a Vestry held this day pursuant to notice given it is agreed that Mr Christopher ARDEN do inoculate the poor of this parish at 5shillings each agreeable to the list now ascertained, and again on 12th Feb 1792, 10th April 1796 and 9th Oct 1798.

KNOWN DEATHS BY SMALLPOX:

Most burial records do not record the cause of death at all which belies how prevelent it actually was, but a few records are known and these include:-

(1) Quarter Session Records held at Shaston Dorset 13 Aug 1724 This Court etc pay unto Edward CHAFEY the sum of fifteen pounds and eight shillings the same being ye contents of his bill for attendance on several prisoners in the small pox and for what paid the Apothecary during their illness and other particulars mentioned in the said bill and the same etc. [Source: Quarter Sessions held at Bridport on 16th Oct 1724 Ancestry. com image 199 of 240 ]

(1) The Rev Baruch NOWELL dissenting Minister in Dorchester for 50 years from 1689 to 1739 buried at St Peters on 10th Sep 1739 known to have died from Smallpox see account of the Old Dissenters Meeting House.

(2) St Peters burial register: 16 Dec 1739 Mary HUGHES buried. See' A Popular and Illustrated guide to St Peters Church Dorchester published 1907' page 39 where it states " The following is a translation of the inscription on the defaced tablet outside the porch given me by Mr H.D.SIME -- Underneath lies buried, prematurely snatched away by smallpox MARIA the thrice best beloved daughter of John & Alisa HUGHES. She died December 13th AD 1739 in the eighth year of her age.

(3) Quarter Session Records held at Bridport 3rd Oct 1775 - This Court etc To Pay James CHAFFEY Gentleman Mayor and Coroner for the Town and Borough of Dorchester for the said County the sum of Four Pounds being the contents of his Bill now delivered into this Court for taking Four Inquisitions in the Gaol of the said County on view of the several and expostive Bodies of Joseph BARTLETT A poor Prisoner confined in the said Goal for Debt, William MITCHELL charged with Murder, Robert SNOOK and Philip SNOOK under sentance of Transportation who all respectively died of the Small Pox as appears by the several Inquisitions

Quarter Session Records held at Bridport 8th Oct 1776 - [Ancestry.com imager 184 of 476] This COURT doth order the Western Treasurer of the county Stock of this County to pay unto James CHAFFEY Gentleman Keeper of His Magesty's Goal at Dorchester the sum of Thirty Two Pounds Sixteen Shillings anbd two pence being the contents of his Bill now delivered into this Court for his great care and humanity in providing necessaries for the poor Prisoners under the distemper of the Small Pox and other disorders [NAMELY] John HOBBY; Joseph BARTLETT (who died); Elizabeth GOFFE; Sarah PRIDDY; (Debters); William MITCHELL, Robert SNOOK and Philip SNOOK (who also died) Richard GARRETT; Melchezedec BURT; William HUSAR and Elizabeth SEBLEY (Criminals) commencing from the tenth day of December 1775 and continued until the 25th day of March 1776 as appears by Bill of Particulars delivered, etc.

(3) William Trask CHRISTOPHER (1741-1785) died of smallpox being buried in St Mary's churchyard in Morden on 9th August 1785

(4) Holy Trinity burial register: John WHITE died of the smallpox of South Back Street in this parish; buried 23 Jan 1821; age 73 years;

(5) A case of Smallpox occuring at Fordington was reporteed in the Bridport News on Friday 23rd June 1871 for a young man named Isaac LESTER - Link to article

"Star Inn"

[may previously have been the Bell Inn]

The Star Inn was situated in All Saints Parish in 'Bell Street' Dorchester (later renamed as No.6 'Icen Way' ) It charged it's name from the 'Bell Inn' , so named sometime prior to 1717 at which time Bell Street was actually called 'Jail Street'. At the back of the Bell was the Malthouse and those buildings can be clearly seem in the 1886 Map of Dorchester. In later years it is listed as one of the pubs owned by Eldridge Pope Brewery. The Inn closed in 1973. Follow the link to the Bell Inn for more information.

1851 Census All Saints Parish, Bell Street, 'The Star Inn' Dorchester - John Woodward; Head; M; 67; Beershop Keeper-Formerly Dairyman; born Winterborne Steepleton; with his wife Dinah also aged 67 a native of Broadway. John had married Dinah Tomkins at Winterbourne Abbas in 1806 and had been a Dairyman living at West Stafford in 1841 but moved to Dorchester.

1852 Slaters Directory - John Woodward - Bell Street, Retailer of Beer. His wife Dinah was buried at All Saints 31st Oct 1854 aged 75 and because of his advancing years left the 'Star Inn' in the hands of his eldest Son William Woodward.

1861 Census living 'Star Inn' Bell Street - William Woodward Head Married aged 39 Licensed Victualler born Winterborne Abbas with his wife Mary Ann a native of Marnhull and 4 children his father aged 84 his mother-in-law. William Woodward described as a Victualler from All Saints Parish aged 41 was buried at the Civic Cemetery in Dorschester on 4th Feb 1863 when the 'Star Inn' was left in the hands of his widow Mary Ann Woodward.

1865 Harrods Directory - Mrs. Mary Woodward - 'Star Inn' Bell Street

1867 Bridport New Sat 12 Jan 1867 - Deaths - Jan 4th at the 'Star Inn' Dorchester - Jane widow of the late Mr Henry Hardy of Middlemarsh Dorset Cooper aged 78 years

1871 Census living in Bell Street - John Rogers Head Married aged 25 Licensed Victualler born Dorchester, with wife, daughter, visitor, Lodger and Boarder

1875 Post Office Directory - John Brushett, 'The Star' Bell Street [Note:- John Brushett in 1851 was working as a brewers labourer and living a few houses away from the Bull's Head on Fordington Hill. By 1861 he had moved with his wife and family to live at the Charminster Tavern in Charminster where he was a beer retailer. By 1865 however he had returned to live in Dorchester and now well versed in the trade was the Innkeeper of the 'Three Mariners' in High East street. His daughter Elizabeth Brushett (1850-1891) married George Pitfield (1844-1917) a tailor on 24th Feb 1870 at All Saints Church in Dorchester. By 1871 George Pitfield had become the Innkeeper of 'The Old House and Home'. By 1875 John Brushett and his wife Elizabeth were running 'The Star Inn' in Bell Street]

1881 Census All Saints Parish, Bell Street, - John Brushett Head married aged 64 Licensed Victualler born Dorchester, with his wife Elizabeth and grandson George John Pitfield

1886 Map of Dorchester shows a Public House [P.H] in Bell Street on the north east side of the junction with Durngate Street

1889 Kellys Directory, William Roper Bell Street 'Star Inn Public House', Commercial

1891 Census living at Bell Street 'Star Inn' - William Roper, Head married aged 51 Innkeeper, born Dorchester, with wife Eliza born Piddlehinton and son Wm Clerk born Dorchester

1894 - All Saints Marriages

1895 Kellys Directory, William Roper , Star Inn, 8 Bell Street

1901 Map of Dorchester shows an 'Inn' in Bell Street on the north east side of the junction with Durngate Street

1901 Census living in Icen Way - [can only locate Icen Way & no publican etc?]

1911 Census - at 'Star Inn' Icen Way Dorchester - Alfred Dunesby Head aged 47 married 19 years Publican born Fordington wife Jessie aged 40 born Portland and daughter Daisy aged 12 born Weymouth

1915 Kellys Directory, Alfred Dunesby 'Star Inn' 6 Icen Way

1973 - Closed

Situated at the end of Mill street opposite Fordington Corn Mill - see FStG Burials No.1356 29 Jan 1889 & No.137. Marian Rose Player 24 Mar 1889

1788 Will of Isaac SPARKS (1727-1788) - And whereas I am seized or possessed of certain copyhold messuage tenements following (to wit) the 'Swan Inn' in Forthington (Fordington) aforesaid" ---etc - on his death in 1788 passes to his widow Miriam SPARKS nee MANUEL (d.1811) for her widowhood and then to his daughter Sarah SPARKS (bap1758) and after her death to William SPARKS his son (b.1759) .

1851 Census Fordington Mill Street 'Swan Inn' - Richard Davis Head Mar aged 36 Victualler & Bricklayer born Fordington with wife, 5 children, mothera servant +5 lodgers

1861 Census Fordington Mill Street 'Swan Inn' - Richard Davis Head Married aged 46 Builder & Victualler born Fordington with wife 3 children 1 servant 1 relative 4 lodgers

1870 Long article in Southern Times & Dorset County Chronicle Sat 10 Dec 1870 concerning the inquest into the death of Alfred Meecham who lived at the 'Swan Inn'

1865 Harrods Directory - John Davis 'Swan Inn', builder and shop keeper, East Fordington

1871 Census living at Mill Street 'Swan Inn' Fordington - Isaac Pitfield Head married aged 28, Inn Keeper, born Fordington, with wife & 7 lodgers

1881 Census living at 'Swan Inn' Mill Street East Fordington - Sarah Franklin Head, Widow aged 77 Inn Keeper born Compton with son, daughter-in-law & 2 garndchildren. Also 11 Dec 1881; Jane Andrews daughter of Thomas & Temperance FRANKLIN abode "Swan Inn" Mill street; a Carpenter, baptised.

1889 Kellys Directory Arthur Player Mill Street Fordington 'Swan Inn Public House' Commercial. [Note:- 1st of Arthur William Player's children - Irene Maud Player baptised Fordington St George Church 12 Jan 1886 abode shown as Swann Inn]

1891 Census Living in Mill Street Fordington Arthur W Player Head Married aged 28 Licensed Victualler born Dorchester, with wife 2 daughters and 2 Boarders.

1895 09 Aug :- Entry in Burial Register for St Georges Church Fordington " William Player resident at Swan Inn Fordington buried aged 78"

1895 22 Dec :- Entry in Baptism Reg for St Georges Church " Kenneth son of William John & Rose EMERTON abode "The Swan" Mill Streeyt Fordington occupation Licensed Victualler

'Trinity Steet' is in Holy Trinity Parish in Dorchester. It runs almost parrallel to 'South Street' connecting 'High West Street' heading due south to meet what used to be the 'South Gate' in the old Roman Wall and is now a main cross roads. (See 1901 and 1886 Maps of Dorchester.

In 1771 however 'Trinity Street' was called 'South Back Street'. See 1771 Map of Dorchester

Henry Hellier aged 55-59
William Lovering aged 35-39
George BOWRING (1810-1890) who married Mary WARREN at Holy Trinity Church on 19 Feb 1844 and who worked as a warder from before 1841 until he retired about 1876.
Samuel Kendall aged 40-44
Henry Kellaway aged 30-34
James Dawe aged 60-64
James Fudge aged 45-49
James Lester aged 30-34
William Cutis Reynold aged 40-44

a feudal tenant entirely subject to a lord or manor to whom he paid dues and services in return for land. (see also 'feudalism'). The term was introduced in Norman times and he was free in regard to everyone except his feudal lord, which meant that he was bound to his holding. Even there, he held his land hereditarily only by right of the custom of the manor. His work service was of two kinds: week work i.e. regular agricultural work done each week; and boon work which was extra work done at important stages in the agricultural year e.g. harvest

A villein could not bring a suit in the king's court, and could not marry without his Lords permission; but he had rights even against his lord. which were protected by the Manor Court. His holding - a house and, usually, a garden plot on which there was often an orchard - carried with it the right to a certain number of arable strips of land, the right to graze a certain number of beasts in the pasture, and the right to a certain crop of hay from the meadow. Villein status virtually died out by 1500, after which time the villein's descendants became entirely free and held their land of the Lord of the Manor by Copyhold

1861 Census Living at 43 Grove Buildings - John Stone Head Married aged 45 Cooper & Innkeeper born Bradpole, with wife & 3 children

1865 Harrods Directory - John Stone, 'Weigh Bridge Inn' Grove Buildings West Fordington

1868 19 Nov - Weymouth Telegram report of inquest into death of James Richard Russell - deposition by Richard Notley refers to him going to the Weybridge Inn to drink

1871 Census living at 43 Grove Buildings West Fordington - John Stone Head Married aged 55 Innkeeper born Bradpole, with wife 2 children & neice

1875 Post Office Directory - John Stone, 'Weigh Bridge Inn' Grove Buildings [West Fordington]

1889 Kellys Directory John Stone, Grove buildings [West Fordington] 'Weighbridge Inn' , Commercial

1895 Kellys Directory - Edward Wheeler 'Weigh Bridge Public House' , 47 The Grove

'West Back Street' is in Holy Trinity Parish in Dorchester .was renamed 'Princess Street' in the late 1850's

(See 1771 Map of Dorchester) --- In 1771 'Prince's Street' was called 'West Back Street'. The roads/walks it connects were also called by different names . 'West Walk Road' was previously called 'The Old Walks' or 'Bowling Alley Walks' . 'Trinity Street' was previously called 'South Back Street'

(See 1611 Map of Dorchester) --- In 1611 there were no houses in what was to become 'West Back Street' only a lane providing access to enclosed fields within the ruins of the old Roman Walls.

The White Hart Inn was situated in All Saints Parish in High East Street in Dorchester Dorset -

1737, Burgage Rate for the Parish of All Saints in Dorchester (MRD Page 694) shows that Ann Batt was charged 6 pence for his house (The White Hart)

1753, March 29. In All Saints' Parish, bounded on west by the Common Gaol of the County of Dorset, on east by the Great River, and on south by High East Street. B. 65. - Source MRD

1783, September 18th - Mr Robert Stickland having purchased the "White Hart Inn" in the parish of All Saints within the said Borough by the desire of the Corporation for the sum of £680 the same is approved of, and Resolved that the east part thereof be pulled down as soon as conveniently may be after the purchase is completed and that as a considerable sum of money will be wanting to carry out the scheme into execution. It is further resolved that application be made to our present representatives for the favour of their aid and assistance to enable us to perform the same (C27) MRD Page 507 (This effected an improvement at the eastern entrance to the town).

1784, - From Corporation Accounts MRD Page 488 - To money given by the Trustees of Blandford and Dorchester Turnpike towards the purchase of the White Hart Inn at the Entrance into the East end of the town of Dorchester, and for taking down that part of the house that projected into High East Street and throwing the same into the Turnpike ---£100 Money

1791 - 13 May - Will of James Miller Besant (1741-1792) was signed on 13 May 1791 and proved on the 13 Apr 1792. In it he states "I give and devise unto my beloved wife Sarah [BESANT] all that my messuage or dwelling house wherein I now live with its appurtenances and also all that my messuage or dwelling house called or known by the sign of the WHITE HART situate in the Parish of All Saints in Dorchester aforesaid which I lately purchased of the Corporation.

"1795, - See Will of Sarah Besant Widow of James Besant Maltster & Brewer of Dorchester - Hester [Esther] and her sister Sarah Besant inherit the White Hart in All Saints Parish. Hester and at some point sells her interest in the White Hart to her brother Thomas Gatehouse Besant (1778-1808) and from 1808 his widow Ann Besant runs the White Heart.

1830, Pigots Directory, White Hart, Publican Ann Beasant, High East Street Dorchester

1830, 17 May - Elizabeth Bellinger said to belong to North Cadbury Somerset aged 17 died at the White Heart Inn in All Saints Parish buried 17th May

1839, Roberts Directory, White Heart, Publican George Kenall, High East Street Dorchester

1841, Census High East Street, All Saints Parish Dorchester, George Kendall age 30-34 Publican

1842, Pigots Directory, Dorchester Dorset, Page 121 under Taverns and Public Houses - 'White Hart' George Kendall, High East Street

1844, Pigots Directory, George Kendall, High East street Dorchester

1851, Census All Saints Parish Dorchester, White Hart Inn, Richard Gaulton aged 50 years Innkeeper born Burleston

1852, Slaters Directory - White Hart Hotel Richard Gaulton, High East Street - Also 2nd entry for 'Inland Revenue Office - at the White Hart High West Street' [Note:- Richard Gaulton previously worked at the Antelope Inn]

1861, Census All Saints Parish Dorchester, White Heart Hotel 53 High East St - Charles Dunn Mar age 42 Hotel Keeper born Gillingham with his wife Jane Dunn mar age 35 born Yenston (just east of Henstridge) Somerset and 5 children. [Note:-In 1851 Cesnsus Charles was a Porter and he was living with Jane and 2 children in South Street Wincanton in Somerset. They had arrived in Dorchester to live however by 1856 but Charles died in 1863 at the age of 44 and was buried at the civic cemetery Weymouth Ave Dorchester in grave 1847 ]

1865, - Harrods Directory, Ambrose Brown 'White Hart' London Road? (Maybe private address rather than the Inn?)

1871, Census living at 53 High East Street "The White Hart Inn" - Ambrose Brown head married Aged 45 Licensed Victualler born Puddletown, with wife 2 sons a servant and boarder

1878, 31 May - Inquest held at the 'White Heart Inn' into the death of Eva Maria Tilley the daughter of Mrs Tilley of Fordington Hill aged 8 who drowned in the River Frome

1881, Census living at 53 High West Street - Ambrose Brown Head married aged 53 Hotel proprietor born Puddletown, with wife, son, lodger, neice & 2 servants

1891, Census living at [53] High West Street 'White Hart Hotel' - Mark Sellers head married aged 31 Hotel proprietor born Ringwood Hants, with wife and sister-in-law

1915 - Kelly's Directory - Mrs Frances Follett, White Hart Hotel 53 High East Street.

1926, - Rebuilt following a fire - Source Dorchester Voice Link to Hardy

2006, - Closed - later demolished

The White Horse Inn was situated in St Peters Parish on the North side of High East Street in Dorchester, but in Pease Lane from c1861 - [See Advert 1865]

1708 In his Will dated 5th September 1708 Richard Brooks a wagoner of Dorchester left 'All that my messuage burgage or tenement with the appurtenances in the Parish of St Peter's in Dorchester aforesaid part whereof I now dwell in and the residue thereof now is, or late was, in the possession of Charles YOUNG [a] barber and John WHITE [a] taylor for the term of her natural life. After her death it was to descend to their eldest son Caleb Brooks. As per the Genealogical Notes I have made under his will it appears that probate was granted to his wife in 1708/9 but she did not complete administration and died intestate in 1719/20. Administration of both his father's and mother's estates then passed to their eldest son Caleb Brooks.

1730 - In his will dated 6th Oct 1730 Caleb Brooks states:- First: I give and devise unto my son Caleb BROOKS [i.e.Caleb BROOKS Junior (1722-1763) ] his heirs and assigns all that my Messuage Burgage or Tenement with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging situate in the Parish of St Peter within the Borough of Dorchester aforesaid in the North side of High East Street there now in the possession and ternary of John MARTIN Periwig maker commonly called or known by the name of the "White Horse Inn" To hold the said lands and premises unto my said son Caleb BROOKS his heirs and assigns for ever,

1737 Burgage Rate for the Parish of St Peters Dorchester (MRD Page 692) Caleb Brook's House (The White Horse) [Note:- Caleb Brooks the Elder was the brother of Mary Channing (1687-1705/6) who was burnt at the stake for poisoning her husband. Caleb's brother Joshua ]

1861 Census living at 'White Horse Inn' Pease Lane - Charles Hodges Head Married Aged 54 Licensed Victualler & Tailor born Dorchester with his wife, 3 children and a boarder

1865 Harrods Directory - Charles Hodges 'White Horse Inn' and Tailor Pease Lane (See Advert)

1871 Census living at Pease Lane, "White Horse Inn" Holy Trinity Parish - Charles Hodges Head Married aged 64 Innkeeper & Tailor, with wife Emily 2 daughters, grandson, servant 5 lodgers

1881 Census living at Pease Lane, 'White Horse' - Emily Hodges head widow aged 62 Publican born Alfpuddle,with daughter & boarder

1889 Post Office Directory - Joseph Pope, Pease Lane, 'White Horse Public House', Commercial

1891 - Bridport News published 16 Jan 1891 - Marriages - HUDSON - POPE - January 12 at Holy Trinity Church Dorchester by the Rev.H.Everett, Sergeant W.H. HUDSON R.H.A. to Elizabeth daughter of Mr J.POPE of the 'White Horse Inn' Dorchester

1891 Census - Pease Lane 'White Horse Inn' Holy Trinity Parish - Inn Keeper was Joseph Pope age 61 born Dorchester also a haulage contractor. with his wife Elizabeth his neice and 3 lodgers

1895 - Kelly's Directory - Joseph Plaister 'White Horse Public House' 33 Colliton St

1901 Census - 33 Coliton St St Peters Parish 'White Horse Inn'- InnKeeper was William Henry CROCKER Head age 31 with wife Ida age 28 with 2 children and 4 boarders.

Wollaston House Dorchester [Woolaston]

Richard SMITH has now (July 2024) written

'A History of Wollasten House'

which can be accessed via this link.

Woolaston House is situated in All Saints Parish Dorchester and can be seen most easily on the 1886 Map of Dorchester below Durngate Street and the junction with Acland Road. (Use zoom on your web browser to see more clearly)

1786 - Built (source:- https://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/dorset/vol2/pp104-132) which also refers to 'Minutes of Council Meeting of 14 Aug 1786'
1799 - Sep - King George III visited Mrs Phillis Frampton (1736-1829) at Wollaston House (source Dorset Life article published Feb 2008 'Mrs Frampton's bustle by Jenny Poulsen - she also states:- )

'Her pleasant house, quite large by Dorchester standards and of brick under a slate roof, had been built in 1786 for Robert Stickland in what is now the town centre. It was known as Wollaston House after Mrs Frampton's first husband, Charlton Wollaston*. According to her daughter Mary's Journal (published 1885), Dr Wollaston was a very scientific man, and his death was occasioned by opening a mummy, he having previously by accident cut his finger' [Note:- *Charlton Wollaston (1733-1764) MD See comments after his burial entry]



Robert Stickland (1744-1804) was Mayor of Dorchester 3 times in 1784, 1791 and 1799 and died in 1804.

1824 - 24 Sep - When the Tolpuddle Martyrs were arrested by Petty Constable Charles Bride he took them the 7 miles to Dorchester and escourted them to Wollaston House the home of the Chairman of the Quarter Sessions Charlton Byam Wollaston before he commited them to the Dorset County Gaol in Dorchester. - Source: https://swanwich.uk/tolpuddle-martyrs/

1840 - 28 Feb - Charlton Byam Wollaston (1765-1840) abode Wollaston House Dorchester - buried at Moreton Dorset on 28th Feb 1840 with his mother in the Frampton family vault - His will leaves his estate to his half brother James Frampton (1769-1855) and half spinster sister Mary FRAMPTON (1773-1846) (See her entry in Dictionary of National Biography page 599).

1840 - 5 Dec - Letter written from Woolaston House Dorchester published in Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Sat 5th Dec 1840 (page3 heading Axminster) from AHD Ackland Esq showing he is in situ

1841 - 6 June Census - Woolaston House - Arthur Acland age 30 Independant with his wife Fanny and 4 children moved to Teignmouth Devon in 1849. Dorset County Chronicle 5th Mar 1840 page 4.

1849 - 30 Jun Adverts - Sherborne Mercury and - 9th Aug in Dorset County Chronicle - for sale in Dorchester of Freehold Wollaston House & Grounds late in the occupation of Mr AD Acland.

1851 - 30 Mar Census- Durngate St, Woolaston House - Hastings Nathaniel Middleton licenced Proprietor with wife and 6 children

1852 - Slators Directory - Hastins N Middleton Esq Wolastone House

1861 - 7 Apr Census - Charles Street, Woolaston House - Rev Benjamin Lucas Watson MA Chaplain of Dorst County Prison with wife Annabella and 8 children

1865 - Harrods St Directory - Rev B.L. Watson Woolaston House

1870 -7 Jan - Western Gazette Dorchester page 8 - About 130 of the poor parishoners of West Fordington have been treated to a substatial dinner by Miss E Steele daughter of Mr E Steele of Wollaston House .

1871 - 2 Apr Census - Charles St, Woollaston House - Edward Steele married aged 54 Linen Draper employing 30 people with wife Hannah 2 children etc inc 4 servants

1881 - 3 Apr Census - Durngate / Church st Wollaston House - Edward Steele widower age 64 draper employing 38 staff with daughter & 4 servants

1882 - 8 Sep - Article Blandford and Wimborne Telegram page 4 " The juvenile branch of the "Bud and Hope" Lodge of Oddfellows held their annual fete on Monday afternoon in the grounds of Woolaston House kindly lent by E.Steele Esq. etc

1886 Map of Dorchester showing Wollaston House below Durngate Street and the junction with Acland Road.

1890 - 12 Dec - Western Chronicle page 1 - Heading three days sale : - Wollaston House Dorchester Messrs henry Duke & Son are favoured with instructions fromn the executors of the late Edward Steele Esq to give notice of sale by auction on the premises on thursday and Friday 18th and 19th 1890 and the following Monday of the extensive and high class Equipment of the residence [Note Edward Steele was buried at the civic cemetery in Dorchester on 20th nov 1890.]

1911 - 2 Apr - at Wollaston House Acland Road Dorchester John Edward Acland married age 63 Army Officer retired JP Curator County museum born Dorchester with wife Nora 4 children 6 servants

1915 - Kellys Directory - Captain John Edward Acland MA Oxon JP - Wollaston House

1928 - Surrey Advertiser & County Times Sat Feb 25th 1928 Page 8 - Social & personal - The marriage of Mr Nigel William Duncan Royal Tanks Corps, son of Mr & Mrs G.W.Duncan of Earlston Guildford, to Liss Lettice Acland , youngest daughter of Captain & Mrs John Acland of Woolaston House Dorchester will take place on Wed March 14th at All Saints Dorchester.

1932 - 15 Feb - Probate Calendar John Edward Acland of Wollaston House Dorchester died there 15th Feb 1932

1932 - 6 Jun - Elizabeth Ann WOODSFORD of Wollaston House Dorchester Aged 74 years buried at Charminster

1770 in the 1737 Burgage Rate for St Peters parish in Dorchester (1st column Page 693 MRD )- William Marshfield's House (called 'The Wood and Stone Inn' 1770)

1799 - Mr Thomas ROBERTS victualler - Entry in The Monthy Magazine Vol 8 page 760 - " Died at Dorchester, Mr T. ROBERTS of the 'Wood and Stone Inn' ". [Note:- Thomas ROBERTS married Jane SLADE at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 10th May 1789. See his will dated 1st June 1799, he was buried St Peters Church Dorchester 30th Aug 1799, will proved 27th Feb 1800. After his death his widow Jane remarried to George LOCK at St Peters on 13th May 1804. ]

1804 - Salisbury and Winchester Journal - Mon 16th July 1804 - A desirable Freehold Estate To be Sold at Auction by Mr Baker at The 'Wood and Stone Inn' at Dorchester Freehold estate called Smethams etc

1811 17th January - Taunton Courier - Mr Brice 'Wood and Stone Inn' Dorchester daughter 10 burnt.

1829 28th Nov - William Masters was innkeeper and his 1st wife Jane Masters gave evidence at the Trial of William KENNEDY (1810-1830) a Soldier in the 5th Dragoon Guards who on the night of 28th Nov 1829 had been in the 'Wood and Stone Inn.' Kennedy was found guilty and executed for wounding Revd. Henry Philip Willoughby (1804-1851). .

1830 Pigots Directory, 'Wood and Stone' Publican William Masters, Durngate Street Dorchester. His wife Jane appears to have died from complications arising from childbirth and was buried at All Saints still only aged 31 on 10th Jan 1831. William MASTERS remarried to Elizabeth FORD at St Peters church in Dorchester on16th April 1832.

1833- Dorset County Chronicle - Thursday 3rd Oct 1833 - To Be SOLD About Thirty Casks for two to two and a half hogsheads each, fit for cider. Apply to Mr William MASTERS 'Wood and Stone Inn' Dorchester. As far as I know William continued to run the Wood and Stone Inn until his death in 1834

1839 Roberts Directory, 'Wood and Stone' , Publican J. Tullidge, Durngate Street Dorchester

1841 Census living in Durngate Street John Tullidge aged 35 to 39 Publican with wife 4 children & 3 servants

1842 Pigots Directory, Dorchester Dorset, Page 121 under Taverns and Public Houses - 'Wood and Stone ' John Tullidge, Durngate Street

1844 Pigots Directory, 'Wood and Stone' , John Tullidge, Durngate Street Dorchester

1851 Census living Durngate Street 'Wood and Stone Inn' - John Tullidge head married aged 47 Innkeeper and Farmer of 98 acres born Dorchester

1851 - Hampshire Advertiser - Sat 12 July 1851 - Death: On the 5th Instant at Wye near Weymouth, Mrs TULLIDGE, wife of mr John TULLIDGE of the 'Wood and Stone Inn' Dorchester aged 47 years.

1852 Slaters Directory - 'Wood and Stone' , John Tullidge, Durngate Street.

1854 - Dorset County Chronicle - Thurs 6th Apr 1854 - To be Let 'The Wood and Stone Inn' Dorchester Coming in moderate. Apply on the premises or at the Dragon Brewery Dorchester

1855 Dorset County Chronicle - Thursday 5th July and Thursday 16th Aug 1855 - Advertisemant - WOOD AND STONE INN DORCHESTER - Charles HARDING (for the past 5 years Head Hostler at the Antelope Hotel) begs to announce to the Nobility, Gentry and Inhabitants of Dorchester and its vicinity that he has taken the above Old-Established INN and hopes by strict attention to business and by supplying wines sspirits and malt liquers of the best quality (which it is his intention to do) to merit a share of the public patronage and support.
Well aired beds. Good Stabling. Lock up Coach House. Saddle Horses, Gigs, and Four Wheels close at hand.

1860 - Dorset County Chronicle - Thursday 10th May 1860 - Marriage: May 9th at Yeovil of Mr C.DURDEN of the 'Wood and Stone Inn at Dorchester to Miss Hannah TUCKER of Frome St Quinton.

' 1861 Census living at Durngate Street St Peters Parish 'Wood and Stone Inn' - Charles T Durden Head Married Aged 25 Victualler born Charminster with wife son, father, 2 servants + 3 lodgers

1863 - Dorset County Chronicle - Thursday 1st Oct 1863 - To Be Let - The Wood and STONE INN Dorchester - Apply to Messrs Eldridge, Mason and Co The Brewery Dorchester.

1865 Harrods Directory - Robert B.Symes 'Wood and Stone Inn' Durngate Street, Dorchester

1870's National Archives Dorchester Methodist Church - When referring to the Wesleyan Chapel in Durngate Street it states "In the 1870's a new site was purchased on the corner of Durngate Street and South Street. This included the 'Wood and Stone Inn'. The new larger Chapel opened in 1875. "

1873 Western Times - Wed 22nd Jan 1873 : WESLEYAN giving at Dorchester - This body held its first service in that town on Tuesday in aid of a fund for building a chapel. Though the weather was rough there was a large attendance. The new chapel is to be built in a plain but substatial manner, in South Street, opposite the Post Office. Part of the site has been given by one of the county members, H Gerard STURT Esq., the present chapel and £300 has been given for the "Wood and Stone Inn." The Rev. J.Jackson WRAY of London preached -- article continues with more info on fund raising etc.

1875 Blandford and Wimborne Telgram Fri 21 May 1875 - Long article about Opening the New Wesleyan Chapel in Dorchester : Extract ---- So the Wood-and-Stone public house and some old buildings in front of it were raised to the ground and made way for the new Wesleyan Chapel".

"X" has long been associated with the cross of Christ and widley used as an abbreviation the best known being "Xmas" for "Christmas".

'xpian' is used to mean "Crispian" but in Fordington it is more generally used to mean "Christian" see examples below

Source:- Ancestry.com 'first name meaning index' :- CRISPIAN: Origin - English; Meaning - curly headed; Variations - Crispina, Cristian, Crispin

The name Crispian finds its roots in the English language and is derived from the term crispus, meaning curly or wavy. Historically, the name gained prominence due to its association with Saint Crispian, a 3rd-century Christian martyr. Saint Crispian and his twin brother, Saint Crispinian, were shoemakers who were persecuted for their faith and ultimately beheaded in the Roman Empire. Their martyrdom inspired the celebration of St. Crispin's Day on October 25th, a date commemorated by the famous Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

"X" has long been associated with the cross of Christ and widley used as an abbreviation the best known being "Xmas" for "Christmas".

'xpõfor' or 'xtopher' Dorchester & Fordington parish registers is used to mean 'Christopher'.

Source:- Ancestry.com their 'first name meaning index' states:- CHRISTOPHER: Origin - Greek; Meaning - Christ-bearer; Variations - Cristopher, Christoffer, Kristopher,

The name Christopher has its origins in Greek and holds a significant meaning as the Christ-bearer. This name has a rich historical background and has been used in various cultures and regions throughout centuries. In ancient history, the name Christopher gained recognition due to the legendary figure of Saint Christopher, a patron saint of travelers and a martyr. The story of Saint Christopher involved his selfless act of carrying the Christ-child across a river, which led to his name becoming synonymous with his noble deed.

Examples in Dorchester/Fordington
(1) William son of Xtopher [Christopher] & Sarah PARKER baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 13 Nov 1763;
(2) Elizabeth daughter of Christopher & Sarah PARKER bap HT 15 Mar 1769 - here it is written in full as Christopher on the original register but abbreviated to Xtopher in a copy.

"X" has long been associated with the cross of Christ and widley used as an abbreviation the best known being "Xmas" for "Christmas".

xtian = is used to mean 'Christian'

Source:- Ancestry.com their 'first name meaning index' states:- CHRISTIAN: Origin - English; Meaning - Follower of Christ; Variations - Christiana, Christiane , Christianne,

The name Christian originated from the English language and its etymology can be traced back to the Greek word christianos, meaning follower of Christ. This name holds significant historical and religious connotations throughout the centuries. In the early years of Christianity, the term Christian was used to identify those who followed the teachings and beliefs of Jesus Christ. It became a distinct appellation for the followers of the emerging faith

Examples in Dorchester/Fordington

Yeoman in the plantagenet period, meant a knight's retainer. There were also Yeomen of the King's Chamber, who were minor court officials under the Chamberlain. At that period, there was a class of freemen called Franklins, and under the Tudors the name of yeoman gradually became attached to them. Broadley speaking they constituted a stratum of cultivators of the soil, either freeholders or tenants, who differd from the minor gentry more by way of life than by any economic category. The yeoman would put his own hand to work that the gentleman would employ servants to do, and his wife likewise; but many a young man of gentle and even armigerous family was styled yeoman, as long as he lived like one (i.e. until he inherited his father's estate). Below the yeoman class came the equally ill defined stratum of husbandman, whose landholding was normally smaller. The standing of the yeomanry is reflected in the later use of the word for the local volunteer force, mounted on their own horses, as distinct from the (infantry) militia.

Below Yeoman class came the equally ill-defined stratum of Husbandman, whose landholding was normally smaller. [Source Dictionary of Genealogy byTerrick VH FitzHughpun 1985]