Note:- The following account is based on information in Burke's listing and given in Hutchins Pedigree of the Family, supported by information given in the 1623 and 1677 Visitations of Dorset, the Oxford and Cambridge Alumni, and many other sources most of which I have listed in the genealogical notes provided at the end . There were many other inhabitants with the surname of Churchill not directly associated with this family who from time to time lived in Dorchester or Fordington. I have also now cross referenced many of these records to aid research into their origin as well, but have not attempted research much beyond their time here. Many of these associations are complex and if anyone is aware of errors please make contact via the email address given on the index page.

1. John CHURCHILL (1512-1557) Esq of Dorchester, a clothier (draper) by trade was born about 1512^(1.12) during the reign of Henry VIII. He was elected Bailiff of Dorchester for the years^(1.12) 1540/1, 1544/5, 1546/7 and 1548/9. He married about 1540 to Edith BOND (b circa 1519) daughter of William BOND of Herringston and Lutton, Dorset by his wife Elizabeth nee Prowz of Bridy. 'Lutton' was the largest farm within the parish of Steeple on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. This was the period of the 'Reformation' when all the Religious houses and chantries were abolished and the official religion changed from Catholic to Protestant. Some families did well out of the reformation and in 1549 John Churchill acquired part of the property of the dissolved Hospital of St John the Baptist in Dorchester ^(1.12); some he sold (e.g. Charter 616) , but on part of it on the edge of town he built the first house at 'Colleton' [Colliton]. We know from charter 618 that he also owned property on the North side of Pease Lane. He died between 15th April and 25th August 1557. From his will we know he had a brother Rowland Churchill and that he was survived by three children William, John and Elizabeth. His son John was under the age of 21 in 1557 and was the younger of his sons as William Churchill (1541-1602) inherited half his estate the other half being bequeathed to his mother Edith. John Churchill's will dated 15th April 1557 was proved on 25 Aug 1557 and has been transcribed below. He was almost certainly buried at St Peters church where records have not survived for this period. Edith according to Hutchins pedigree for the Churchill Family re-married to Thomas FOXHILL of Dorchester but I have found no further trace of her..

Will of John CHURCHILL (1525-1557)
dated 15th Apr 1557 Proved 25th Aug 1557
PROB 11/39
In the name of God Amen the 15th day of April in the year of our Lord God a thousand five hundred and fifty seven I John CHURCHILL of Dorchester in the Diocese of Bristol whole of mind and of perfect remembrance God be thanked make my last will and testament in manor and form following.

First I give and bequeath my soul to almighty god and my body to the earth to be buried amongst the christian people deceased.

Item To the Cathedral Church of Bristol 4 pence.

Item To the Church of St. Peters in Dorchester a chalice piece gilt.

Item to the church of Holy Trinity in Dorchester 6 shillings and 8 pence.

Item to the church of All Hallows [i.e. All Saints]in Dorchester 3 shillings and 4 pence.

Item to any of the poor people that shall do prayer to my burial 1 pence.

Item to the poor people and to the persons within the town of Dorchester forty shillings by the year during the term of three years next after my departing this life to be paid and distributed by my executors or their assigns in the time of lent:

[Item] to my brother Rowland CHUCHILL my gown furred with [ffoyms? foims?] and my coat of [sad?] [m^ccer?] collar [&?] To every servant in my house 2 shillings

Item to every of my godchildren 4 pence. to my son John CHURCHILL 2 hundred pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto him by my executors at such time as he shall accomplish the age of 21 years.

Item to the same John [CHURCHILL] my house called Mathew Wulffe House with such land and meadow as appertaineth to the same as Mathew Wolfe lately held it to have the same John [CHURCHILL] my son and to his heirs of his body lawfully begotten and if he happen to die without such heirs then to remain to William CHUCHILL my son and his heirs for ever.

Item to the same John [CHURCHILL] a gilt Goblet a featherbed two pair of sheets a [coneser?] [coverledd?] a pillow a pair of blankets

Item and I will that my executors shall give unto said John [CHURCHILL] sufficient funding and apparel until he come to the age of 21 years.

Item to Edith my wife my best goblet my salt with the cow and my best cup with the cow with best cup with his cow I will that she leave to my son William after her decease and to his heirs

[Item] To my daughter Elizabeth forty one pounds which p^r [presently] John Harssley oweth me.

The remainder of all my goods I will immediately after my death to be equally divided in two parts by my overseers and so being divided I give and bequeath them to Edith my wife and William CHURCHILL my son, that is to say one part of the same to Edith my wife and the other to William my son whom I make my executors

Item I do constitute and make Thomas SYMONDE Gyles WINTEESEY and Denis BONNDE Overseers of this my will To this ?enth my t??? Thomas SYMONDES and Richard CHURCHILL

Proved by the executors 25th Aug 1557

Children :-

(1.1) William Churchill (c1541-1602) of Dorchester son and heir (See 2 Below)

(1.2) Elizabeth Churchill (c1543-1610/11) she would have married in her parish of St Peters in Dorchester c1576 (parish registers have not survived) to George SMITH [SMYTH] and settled in Holy Trinity Parish to live and raise a family of at least 9 children . George SMITH was buried at Holy Trinity Church 06 Jan 1608/9, despite a request in his Will dated 30 Dec 1608 to be buried at St Peters. He left everything to Elizabeth whom he made his executrix. Elizabeth also left a Will Dated 3rd Nov 1610 which was Proved on 19 Jan 1611 in which among many other bequests she left her best gown and kirtle to Elizabeth Watts her goddaughter. and £150 to Susan William the daughter of Bruen Williams. There are also bequests to Maximilian Moone [Mohun] and siblings. Elizabeth asked to be buried at St Peters and probably was as she is not in the Parish Register of Holy Trinity and Registers for St Peters for this date have not survived.

(1.3) John Churchill (c1545-1612) of Corton in Portesham. He married a daughter of John MOHUN of Fleet buried at Portesham. His Will is dated 1st Oct 1597 (PROB 11/95) and was proved 12 Mar 1599. In it he is described as John CHURCHILL of Corton which is a small hamlet within the Parish of Portesham in which church he asks to be buried. They had 2 children:-

(3.1) Ann [Anna] Churchill (1578-1641) daughter and co-heir who was baptised at Portesham on 20th July 1578 and married there to Maximilian Mohun (1564-1612) [recorded as Moone] a Gentleman of Fleet on 4th Oct 1593. The Mohun Pedigree is recorded on page 72 of the 1623 Visitation of Dorset and also on page 46 of the 1677 Visitation from which it is evident that they had 10 children, 5 boys and 5 girls. Ann and her husband are beneficiaries under Elizabeth Smith's will in 1611. Anne's husband died in 1612 and Anne wrote her own will [PROB 11/189] on 9th Jan 1641 asking to be buried at Fleet and leaving bequests to surviving children and her estate to her eldest son also Maximilian Mohun.

(3.2) Elizabeth Churchill daughter and co-heir married bef 1st Oct 1597 to Bruen [Brune & Brian] Williams Esq of Tyneham, Sheriff of Dorset in 1631. Bruen was the son of John Williams of Tyneham by his wife Jane daughter of Sir John Bruen of Rowner in Southampton. His Pedigree is given at page 98 of the 1623 Visitation and page 77 of the 1677 visitation of Dorset.

Will of William CHURCHILL (1541-1602)
dated 12th March 1599 Proved 18 Nov 1602
PROB 11/100
I William CHURCHILL of Dorchester in the County of Dorset Gentleman My Body to be buried in St Peters Church Dorchester finding myself of late years to be grieved with maine? sickness and knowing that I now grow old, so that by course of nature I cannot live long, therefore before the extremity either of sickness or age happen have determined to make my last Will and Testament the 12th day of March 1599, for the disposition of some part of my lands and of goods and chattels: To the end hereinafter I may not be troubled with worldly cares, but may wholly bestow my time in prayer and repentance for my sins. And therefore First I bequeath my body to the earth to be buried in Saint Peters Church in Dorchester aforesaid, my soul to Almighty God my saviour and redeemer; I give to the churchwardens of the said church of Saint Peters, to be employed for reparations there twenty shilling, To the churchwardens of Holy Trinity in Dorchester aforesaid for the reparations of that church ten shillings, To the churchwardens of All Saints in Dorchester aforesaid for the reparations of that church ten shillings.

Item:I give ten pounds to be bestowed and distributed by my executor to the poor people of Dorchester aforesaid And I do appoint that my executor at my burial shall provide and bestow 12 frieze gowns to twelve poor people of Dorchester that is to say six poor men and six gowns to six poor women.

Item: I give to Anne BROWNE my daughter a ring of 12 shillings with a deaths head on it for remembrance of me, And I will that my executor shall provide the same ring.

Item: To Martha COLLIER, my son [in-law] Edward COLLIER's daughter, £5;

Item: To my daughter Virtue HUNTON £10 And to her 2 daughters Elizabeth and Marye £5 each And I forgive my son [in law] Thomas LYNTON such money as he oweth to me.

Item: I devise all my estate and interest fieth ⁽⁵⁾ of corn and hay in Great Burton and Little Burton ⁽⁶⁾ in the county of Dorset unto my brother [in-law] Richard SWAYNE and to my nephew Thomas FREAKE of intent and purpose that they their executors and assigns with the yearly profits thereof shall relieve my daughter Grace WATTS so long as she shall live, If my lease of the same tythes continue so long; And if she die during the said lease then they shall suffer William WATTS her son to have the profits thereof so long as he lives, And if the said William WATTS die during the the same lease then they shall permit and suffer Robert WATTS another of the sons of the said Grace to have the whole profits thereof for ever.

Item: I devise to the said William WATTS being my godson one Barn in the parish of All Saints in Dorchester now in the possession of Stephen FASE or his assigns, to have and to hold to the said William WATTS and his heirs for ever

Item: I give the said William twenty pounds if he live until he come to the age of twenty and one years, And I give to Robert WATTS his brother five pounds to be paid him in his age of sixteen years And to John WATTS another brother of the said William five pounds to be paid at his age of sixteen years, And in the meantime would my executor should employ the sons so given to the said Robert WATTS and John WATTS that it may help relieve them in their minorities

Item: I give to Elizabeth WATTS and Elinor WATTS two of the daughters of the said Grace ten pounds each to be paid them within two years after my decease, And I would have my executor deliver the same money so given to Elizabeth and Elinor into the hands of their friends because they are infants, to the end it may be employed to their best benefit, And I Will my executor shall give my daughter Grace during her life pasturing for a milch cow in Fordington according to the moot custom there, And because I have had the custody of Giles ADDIS son of Thomas ADDIS and have brought him up long, and for those I would he should be satisfied all that is due by me unto him, I will that if the said Giles do at his full age make unto my executor a general release, that then my Executor shall pay unto him threescore pounds, And whereas I have a bond or bill of our Thomas MUNDAY late of Burton in the parish of Charminster deceased for the payment of ten pounds my will is if that may be recovered then my executor shall pay unto the same Giles the same ten pounds

Item: I give unto Marie PALMER my servant 20 shillings unto my servant Margaret [Blank] ten shillings , To Jone STONE ten shillings To Jone PATCH ten shillings To Joane SMETHES 5 shillings,

Item: I will that my executor shall pay to the poor of Poole the five pounds which Richard JOLIFFE deceased gave them.

The Rest: of my goods and chattels my debts and legacies paid and my funeral discharged I give to my son and heir John CHURCHILL whom I make sole executor: And I do constitute and appoint my brother [in-law] Richard SWAINE and cousin Thomas FREAK to be Overseers of thos my last will to whom I give two several rings with death heads of 40 shillings each;

In Witness: whereof I have put my hand and seal the day and year first written

William CHURCHILL

This will was sealed and published in the presence of us whose names are subscribed the 12th day of March 1599 Richard SWAINE; William WHITEHEAD
Proved: This written testament was proved before magistrate John Gibson doctor of law at London on 18th Nov 1602 by John CHURCHILL the son and executor of the deceased to whom administration was granted

The Visitation of Dorset for the year 1623 gives the first 3 children as shown below - the rest from Hutchins Pedigree

2.1 John Churchill (1567/8-1621) of Stinsford and Muston - son and heir - (See 3 below)
2.2 Vertue Churchill (b. circa 1569 ) married Thomas Hunton of Knoyle, Wiltshire
2.3 Grace Churchill (b. circa 1571) married before 12 Mar 1599 to John Wattes of Dorchester
2.4 Ann Churchill (b. circa 1573) married to ...Browne -- bequest from her father in his will 1602 of a death head ring of 12 shillings
2.5 Martha Churchill (b. circa 1575) Note:- Often referred to as Mary but fathers Will names her as Martha Collier. Therefore married before 12 Mar 1599 to Edward Collier 5th son of John Collier of Piddletrenthide she is reputed to have died 22nd Mar 1599 and been buried at Piddletrenthide

A Sketch of Muston Manor c1800 ^(1.15)

The following transcription of this document (cic) can be found in the Municipal Records of Dorchester Page 552-555
THIS INDENTURE TRIPERTITE made the eight and twentiethe daie of September in the one and Forteth yere of the Raign of our Soveraine Ladie Elizabeth [1599] by the grace of God of England Fraunce and Ireland Quene defender of the faith, &c. Betwene me, John CHURCHELL of Corton in the Countie of Dorset, gent., of the first part, Sir George TRENCHARD knight and John WYLLYAMS Esquier, Brewyn WILLYAMS and Maximilyan MOONE gent, of the second part, William CHURCHILL, brother of the said John CHURCHILL, Mathewe CHUBBE, Edmond DASHWOOD, inhabitants of the Borough of Dorchester in the said countie of Dorset of the thirde part.

WHERAS I, the said John CHURCHILL, have delivered into the handes of the said William CHURCHILL, Mathewe CHUBB and Edmunde DASHWOOD the some [sum] of one hundred poundes of lawfull money of England, to be imployed and governed for and towardes the Relief mayntenance and setting on worke of the poore Artificers of the said Borough of Dorchester to have contynewannce for ever, NOWE this Indenture witnesseth That I the said John CHURCHILL, doe by these presents ordeyne and apoint that the said William CHURCHELL, Mathew CHUBBE and Edmunde DASHWOOD and their successors henceforthfor ever, shallbe Threasourers of the said some of one hundred poundes to them delivered as aforesaid for the poore Artificers of Dorchester aforesaid,

AND that the said Sir George TRENCHARD Knight and John AYLLAMS Esquire and their successors together with the said Brewyn WILLIAMS and Maximilyan MOONE, and the heires of my two daughters Elizabeth and Anne, wives of the same Brewyn and Maximilian, shalbe Auditors and Visitors of the said Threasourers and the poore Artificers.

AND I doe further ordayne that the said Threasourers for the time beinge, with the advice and assent of the said Auditors or some or one of them, shall deliver fourth yerelie vnto the poore Artificers of the same Borough of Dorchester such as shall and will put in good sureties for the Repayment therof, to eache of them a severall porcion of the said treasure, for the settinge on worke and maintenannce of them and their familie, to be repaid againe yerely vpon the Feast of Sainte Mychaell tharchangell, and then to be delivered fourth againe, for one yere, vpon like bonde and Suertoes, AND so yerely and successiuely for ever. AND if any poore Artificers of the said Borough shall wante Stocke to sett them selves on worke and be not able to put in such Surities as aforesaid, That in such case such other Artificers of better ability as shall receave any part of the said Treasure in Loane as aforesaid shall yelde some moderate consideration (not exceeding Five for the Hundred) for the same, to be distributed vnto the other poorer Artificers aforesaid for their Relief, as to the good discretion of the said Threasourers with such assent shall seeme most to meete and conveinient. AND if any part of the said Treasure by the decaye or insufficiency of any of the Artificers Surities or Bondes aboue mencioned shall happen to bee consumed or wasted Then the same to be made vp againe and supplied of such moderate consideration to be taken as aforesaid, whereby the Stocke of the said Treasure may be continued for ever.

AND I do ordeyne that the said Threasourers and their Successors yerelie vpon the Feast daie of Sainct Mychaell Tharchangell or within tenne dayes next after the same Feast shall meete and assemble themselves together before the said Auditors or their successors or before some one of them, and shall deliver vp in writinge in a Register booke to be kept for that purpose a true account of the state of the said Treasure, and howe the same is imployed and in whose handes it remayneth, and vpon what securitie, to the ende the same accompts may be subscribed with the handes of the said Auditors or some of them, and their Advice and consent to be given from tyme to tyme for further imployment direction and safetie of the same stocke. AND if it shall happen any of the said Auditors Visitors or Threasourers being butofficers for lief [relief] as aforesaid to die or to refuse the execucion thereof, That then and so often the Survivors of them or the most parte of them respectively, shall chuse one other meete and sufficient person to succeede in the roome and office of the person so deceased, and so successively for ever, wherby the number of the officers aforesaid may remayne full and complete for ever, and the trust and interest of the siad Threasourers may not at any time be cast vpon executors or administrators. AND I do apoint that one parte of this Tripertite Indenture shall remaine in Custodye of the Bailiffs and Burgesses of Dorchester aforesaid to be safely kept in the Towne Chest there, one other part thereof to remayne in the Custodie of the said Sir George TRENCHARD Knight and his successors,and the thirde part thereof to remayne in the Custodie of me and myne heires for ever.

AND YET NEVERTHELESS for the better preservacion of this myne ordynannce in tyme to come I do ordeyne and apointe that this present deede Indented shalbe acknowledged and inrolled before some of the Justices and Clearke of the Peace of this Countie of Dorset to remayne of Recorde in Custodie of the Custos Rotulorum amongst other records of the same Countie for ever. AND I do request the said auditors and Visitors that if any negligence or abuse shall happen to be in any of the said Threasourers, wherby the trust in them reposed shall not be performed, that then in such case they shall vse their indevors, by the ayde of the Sessions of the peace or the ordinary of the same place, to cause the same to be reformed and redressed, as to their wisedomes and good discrecions shall seeme meete. AND i do earnestly desier my said trustie friends to voutsafe their charitable aydes to the performannce of this my charitable intent.

IN WITNESS WHEROF to every parte of the same Indentures all the said parties have putt their handes and Seales. YEAVEN the daye and yere first above written and in the year of our Lord God one thousand five hundred nynetie and nyne, 1599." B.14"
Seven Signatures with seals of red wax:
John WYLLYAMS: seal, a shield. quarterly, 1 and 4, a greyhound courant, between three Cornish choughs; 2 and 3, three bucks heads couped.
John CHURCHILL: Seal, a monogram.
Bruen WILLIAMS: Seal lost.
Max. (Maximilyan) MOONE: Seal a maunch within a bordure charged with crosses, a crescent for difference, helmet, mantling and cest.
Will'am (William) CHURCHILL Seal, T.I.(?) within a diamond. Per me
Mattaheu' CHUBBE: Seal, a merchant's mark between the letters "M.C."
Edmunde DASHWOODE: Seal a merchant's mark with "D" at its lower termination.
NOTE:
Endorsed on B.14 " John CHURCHILL, of Corton by Indenture Tripartite, dat' 2* Sep, 41 Eliz. did constitute diuers in trust for the imployment of £100 for the poore of Dorchester, 1599

1648: Sep 18th - "Vpon enquiry about the £100 given by Mr Churchel to be lent vnto the pore Artificers gratis, etc we find that there is none og the Feoffees, Visitors nor Treasrers living. That Mr Edmund DASHWOOD was the last Treasurer, and by Nathaniel DASHWOOD wee are enformed that there is in the hands of:-

John CHURCHILL, the Taylor £5 - Suretyes George Lawrence
George PANCHARD £5 - Suretyes Jasper Colston
Robert GILLETT £3 - Suretyes Thomas Clench.
Nathaniel BOWER £1 (no suretyes)
John MEEDER £5 Suretyes Thomas Clench
Benjamin DARBY £10 Suretyes Henry Hoskins [C.12]


1650: April 12th. Mr Richard BURY, Mr John WHITEWAY and Mr John BUSHROD, Capital Burgesses, appointed treasurers of the £100 given by Mr John CHURCHILL to be let out the artificers and tradesmen at reasonable rates in the room of Mr William CHURCHILL, Mr Matthew CHUBB, and Mr Edward DASHWOOD.

3.1 William Churchill (abt 1598-1680) Eldest son and heir, (See 4 below)
3.2 Gervase Churchill (b. abt 1600) 2nd eldest son, may have died as not mentioned in his mothers will of 1641
3.3. Richard Churchill (abt 1602 - 1672) 3rd eldest son, according to William Whiteway's Diary he married Edith Blatchford in Dorchester (probably St Peters) on 14th Sep 1630. Edith was the 8th child from the marriage of Richard Blatchford to Frances Combes of Ashmore c1597 whose pedigree and this union with Richard Churchill is recorded in the Visitation of London taken in 1633. Described as a woollen draper of Dorchester he was granted administration over the estate of John Hardy of Beaminster on 5th July 1641 as he had died intestate and owed him money. He also received a bequest of £10 under his mother's Will which was proved on 10th July 1641. Link to his marriage and more information about his extensive family inc that of his son and heir Richard Churchill (c1633-1713/14).

3.4 Rev. John Churchill MA (1603-1682) 4th eldest son. Born c1603, he matriculated at Queens College Oxford on 10th Nov 1621 aged 18; awarded his BA degree on 21st Oct 1624 and an MA from St Edmund Hall on 26 May 1627. He was ordained a priest on 24th May 1635 and presented as rector to his fathers parish of Stinsford on 16th March 1637 and also instituted as Rector of Steeple on 22nd June that year^{. (1.2)} They also appointed in 1637 a curate the Rev Benjamin Maber to assist him. John Churchill received a bequest from his mother in 1641 of £10 and died on 25th May 1682. He was buried at Steeple on 28th. He left a will dated 14th Oct 1681 (PROB 11/370) from which it is clear that at Elizabeth's marriage he charged his estates with a dowry of £1,000 for her. His place at Steeple was taken by Samuel Bolde who was imprisoned that year by James II after a spirited defence defence of the rights of dissenters to their own beliefs. John left by Sarah his wife, three daughters ^(1.9) so they probably married just prior to the start of the civil war circa 1641, but we have not located the marriage as many records do not survive from this period and do not therefore have her full name:-

(1) Sarah Churchill (1642-1675) bap at Steeple on 3 Feb 1642/3 married to William COLLINS at Steeple on 14th Sep 1664 and died on 5th Dec 1675 where a memorial to her survives in the pavement within the alter rails at Steeple church. His body was interred 4 days later on the 9th.
(2) Maria [Mary] Churchill bap at Steeple on 6 May 1646 married John SCOVILE at Steeple on 8th Sep 1665 and had a son John Scovile baptised there on 10th Feb 1668 to whom her father in 1682 left £50 and all the books in my study; also a daughter Elizabeth Scovile bap on 1st Nov 1677 who was the main beneficiary under her fathers will.
(3) Elizabeth Churchill bap 8th Feb 1648/9 at Steeple married to Nathaniel BOND (1634-1707) at Steeple on 21st Dec 1667 who in 1660 had bought from his elder brother the Lutton estate and was to be knighted and appointed Recorder of Weymouth in 1699. Elizabeth died on the 18th December 1674 ,without issue, and was buried at Steeple on 21st of that month.


Sarah Churchill recorded as the wife of John Churchill Clerk was buried at Steeple on 23rd Oct 1678. His daughters Sarah & Elizabeth both having also died John Churchill's will dated 8 Aug 1681 ( proved 12 July 1682) leaves bequests to his surviving grandchildren by his daughter Mary Scovile. John Churchill recorded as Rector of Steeple was buried in woollen the 28th day of March 1682

3.5 Robert Churchill 5th eldest son born c1605, may have died as not mentioned in his mothers will of 1641
3.6 Maximilian Churchill (c1607-1619) 6th eldest son born c1607, received a bequest from his mother in 1641 of £10. He was buried at Bridport recorded as the son of John Churchill on 16th Mar 1619.
3.7 Jasper Churchill 7th eldest son born c1609, may have died as not mentioned in his mothers will of 1641
3.8 Thomas Churchill 8th eldest son baptised HT Dorchester 10th May 1612, received a bequest from his mother in 1641 of £10. Married after the civil war to Alice COX at St Peters Church 30th Dec 1656
3.9 Matthew Churchill 9th eldest son baptised HT Dorchester 9th July 1615

3.10 Anne Churchill eldest daughter generally thought to be their 2nd child born circa 1600. She married Lancelot COOPER of Faringdon Devon (circa 1617) . They had 3 children baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester (1) Dorothie bap 19 Jan 1618, who received a bequest from her grandmother in 1641 of £5 (2) Eleanor bap 21 Dec 1619 who received a bequest from her grandmother in 1641 of £10 (3) Robert bap 31 Dec 1622

3.11 Edith Churchill 2nd eldest daughter married surname Parr [Parry?] , already married she received a bequest from her mother in 1641 of £5
3.12 Jane [Joane] Churchill 3rd eldest daughter married surname Chappel, and received a bequest from her mother in 1641
3.13 Sarah Churchill youngest & 4th daughter, may have died as not mentioned in his mothers will of 1641

Will of Eleanor CHURCHILL Widow of Dorchester (c1571-1641)
dated 16 Apr 1641 Proved 10th July 1641
PROB 11/186
In the name of God Amen I Ellnor CHURCHILL of Dorchester in the County of Dorset widow being sick in body yet of perfect memory & state of mind (My God be praised) knowing the mortality of my present being no man having continuance here willing a desire to express my intent & meaning in disposing of those blessings which Dod Almighty hath bestowed upon me amongst my children desiring that although their expectations supposing my present estate to be greater than in truth it is They will all of them endeavour so to pray to the living Lord that they continually be united as brethren and no discord arise between them And to accept as that small provision & parcel out of that talent that heavenly God hath lent me do so make my last Will & Testament in manner and form following.

First: I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God from whence I had it trusting & relying on the merits & mediation of Jesus Christ my only Saviour & Redeemer having through & by him only to be saved

My body to be buried near my dear deceased husband in St Peters Church in Dorchester aforesaid. Now concerning my temporal estate:-

First: I give and bequeath unto my son Richard CHURCHILL as a remembrance of my love ten pounds; To my son John CHURCHILL ten pounds; To my son Maximilian CHURCHILL ten pounds; To my son Thomas CHURCHILL ten pounds; To my God daughter Ellnor [Elinor] COOPER ten pounds; To her sister Dorothy COOPER five pounds; To my daughter Edith PARR five pounds; I give and bequeath to my daughter Joane CHAPPELL my gold border given unto me by my mother her God mother

Item: I give and bequeath unto my servant & kinswoman Virtue COLSON ten pounds

Item: I give and bequeath unto my servant James WALLIS five pounds

Item: I give unto William SQUIBB forty shillings

Item: I give the poor of the parish five pounds

Lastly: I give and bequeath unto my eldest son William CHURCHILL my silver basin & ewer with all the residue of my goods and chattels & household stuff and the legacy of fifty pounds given me by my late deceased dear brother father MILLER my debts and lagacies & funeral paid & discharged whom I make my sole executor of this my last will and testament desiring & entreating him to be a friend & loving brother to all his brothers and sisters and to pay all my legacies hereby given Although they may want form in law My will intent meaning being really & plainly expressed.

In Witness: whereof I have put my hand & seal the sixteenth day of April in the seventeen year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King Charles Anno Domini 1641

Elinor CHURCHILL
Signed & sealed in the presence of us Richard PERIN: George COLE

Probate of the written testament was approved at London 10th July 1641

4.1 Christian Churchill (1621-1663) eldest daughter baptised Churston Ferrers Devon 11th Nov 1621 ^(1.8) buried unmarried at Piddlehinton on 20 Aug 1663

4.2 John CHURCHILL JP (1622-1682) Esq of Muston J.P. 2nd child but eldest son and heir baptised at Churston Ferrers Devon 15th Dec 1622. ^(1.8) He became a student at the Middle Temple in London in 1647: JP for Dorset 1660: he was elected Member of Parliament for Dorchester in the Cavalier Parliament. He was commissioner for assessment from 1661 to 1680. In 1662 he became a freeman of Poole and Lyme Regis. He was commissioner for corporations for Dorset from 1662 to 1663. In 1675 he was commissioner for recusants. He succeeded his father in 1680. Married (1) Bridgett VAUGHAN daughter of Charles Vaughan of Ottery St Mary Devon on 30th May 1650 settlement after marriage dated 2nd Aug 1655 and (2) Frances HOOKE daughter of John Hooke MA (c1605-1672) of Bramshott Hants. Their London issued marriage bond is available to view on ancestry.com and is dated 6th July 1664 wherein he is described as "John CHURCHILL of Puddle Hinton in Dorset a widower of about 40 years" and "Frances HOOKE of the parish of Bramshott in the County of Southampton a spinster aged about 21 years". Francis [i.e. Frances] recorded as his wife was buried at Piddlehinton on 14th Nov 1672. John Churchill was buried Piddlehinton 22nd Dec 1682 leaving a will dated 12th day of October 1682. (PROB 11/375) his will shows him to have been in financial difficulties, but most of his property seems to have gone eventually to his brother, William Churchill (1627/8-1702).

4.3 George Churchill (1625-1664) baptised Piddlehinton 16 Oct 1625 buried there on 9th May 1664 described in the burial register as the son of William Churchill of Muston Esq.
4.4 William Churchill (1627/8-1702) (See 5 below) baptised at Piddlehinton on 15 Jan 1627/8
4.5 Mary Churchill (1629-?) baptised at Piddlehinton on 16 Dec 1629
4.6 Eleanor Churchill baptised Piddlehinton on 11 Dec 1631: she married Robert Swayne at Piddlehinton on 18 Dec 1656
4.7 Henry Churchill (1634-1691) baptised at Piddlehinton on 11 Jan 1634/5: he married twice 1stly to Hannah GALLER at Piddlehinton on 17 Apr 1671 and 2ndly to Elizabeth CHEEKE at Piddlehinton on 4th April 1682

(5.1) William Churchill (1652-1654) baptised at Piddlehinton 10th Feb 1652 and buried there 26th Jun 1654
(5.2) John Churchill (1657-1709) : son and heir baptised at Piddlehinton on 10th Feb 1657 :- (See 6 Below)
(5.3) Charles Churchill (1658- 1723) : baptised at Piddlehinton on 1st Mar 1658 he inherited the Muston estate from his father in 1702 and his brother John's property in 1709. To support the running of his brothers property he borrowed a large sum of money from his brother's widow Ann (See codicil to her Will dated 17th June 1722) . Buried at Fordington St Georges Church 14th July 1723 leaving a Will ( Link to transcription ) left his estates to William Churchill (1686-1737) 2nd son of his uncle Henry Churchill (1634-1691) of Dorchester.
(5.4) Henry Churchill (1663-1672) baptised at Piddlehinton 28th Aug 1663 and buried Piddlehinton 8th July 1672
(5.5) Grace Churchill (d.1680) the daughter of William Churchill was buried at Piddlehinton 25th Oct 1680 ^(1.17)
(5.6) Frances Churchill (d.1669) a daughter ^(1.17)

In the name of God Amen I William CHURCHILL of Muston in the County of Dorset Esq do make this my last Will and Testament in form and manner as follows:-

Impremis: I make void all former Wills and Testaments

[Item:] I give and bequeath unto my servant John COAT ten pounds

Item: I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth CHAPPEL my maid Servant Ten Pounds

Item: I give and bequeath unto the aforesaid John COAT and Elizabeth CHAPPEL the bed, bolster, blankets and rug that the said Elizabeth CHAPPEL now lies upon and also one pair of sheets

Lastly: I give and bequeath unto my son Charly CHURCHILL. whom by these presents I do make and constitute the sole and only executor of this my last Will and Testament, All my goods and chattels whatsoever paying all my just and lawful debts .

Dated the twenty eighth day of July in the year of our Lord God 1699

Signed Will: CHURCHILL [Note on reverse of Will " This is my Last Will, Open it when I am dead and not before"]

Sealed and delivered in the presence of following: John HOOKE: John SYMONTS The mark of Mrs CHAPPEL

PROVED: 20th November 1702 Inrat fuit Executor Cormei Signed Thomas POPE Surrogate

In the name of God Amen I John CHURCHILL of ffordington in the county of Dorset Esq being in good health of body and of sound and perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say

First: I give unto my dear wife Anne all my plate jewels and household goods

[Item:] I give unto my brother Charles CHURCHILL (after the decease of my wife Anne) all my lands commonly called and known by the name of 'Lowers' [Lourds] and all other lands in the parish of ffordington unto him the said Charles CHURCHILL his heirs and assigns for ever, also

[Item:] I give and bequeath unto my brother Charles CHURCHILL the sum of five hundred pounds to be paid to him as followeth (vizt) two hundred pounds part of the said five hundred pounds to be paid to him on the next quarter day come twelve month that shall happen next after after my decease, the other three hundred pounds to be paid to him the next quarter day to come two years that shall happen next after my decease and I having a very great assurance of my wife's kindness to my cousin Anne SWAINE therefore I leave her wholly to her disposal to give her as she thinks convenient

All the rest and residue of my personal estate goods and chattels whatsoever I do give and bequeath unto my dear Wife Anne and I do make her my said wife Anne full and sole executrix of this my last will and testament and I do hereby revoke disannul and make void all former Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made

In Witness whereof I the said John CHURCHILL have hereunto set my hand and seal the eighth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and five.

John CHURCHILL

Signed sealed and published in the presence of us E Hodges: J Eastment; H Hodges junior

Probate: Granted at London to Anne CHURCHILL Relict 7th May 1709

Children:-
(7.1) Grace Churchill (1687-1735) She was baptised at Piddlehinton on 21st April 1687 and remained a spinster living in Dorchester but being buried at Piddlehinton on 13th Aug 1735. She left a Will dated 28 Feb 1734 which was proved 09 October 1735 leaving many bequests to friends and relatives but the bulk of her estate to her brother William

(7.2) Honor Churchill (1689- 1734) She was baptised at Holy Trinity Church Dorchester on 16th May 1689, remained a spinster living in Dorchester but being buried at Piddlehinton on 19th Oct 1734. She left a Will dated 11th Sep 1734 which was proved on 22 Nov 1734 leaving all her estate in trust with her brother William for the benefit of her sister Grace

(7.3) John Churchill (1691- ?) He was baptised at Holy Trinity Church Dorchester on 18th Nov 1691. He clearly died prior to the death of his father in 1695 as his younger brother William inherited his father's estate.

(7.4) William Churchill (1693-1759) of Colliton (see 8 below).

I William CHURCHILL of Colliton within the Parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester in the county of Dorset Esquire do make this mt last Will and Testament in manner following

First: I direct my debts funeral expenses and also legacies to be paid out of my personal estate (except such part thereof as is hereinafter specifically otherwise given and bequeathed) and do dispose of all my Real Residue of my Personal Estate as followeth

In Performance of and to fulfil my marriage articles bearing date on or about the eighth day of April One thousand Seven hundred and twenty nine on my part give and devise unto my dear wife Elizabeth CHURCHILL and her assigns for and during the term of her life only one Annuity or yearly rent charge of one hundred and fifty pounds per annum free of all deductions for taxes or otherwise with power of distress for the same to be paid quarterly and to commence from the time of my death and to be charged upon and issuing out of my Manor Farm of Muston alias Musterton and Loveford hereinafter given and devised and entailed upon my son William CHURCHILL for life with remainder to his first and other sons entailed with remainders over And I will that the said Annuity her any part thereof shall be chargeable upon or payable out of my personal estate or any part of thereof

Also I give unto my said wife as a legacy the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds together with her watch, rings and all other ornaments of her person and I do hereby declare the said several devises to my said wife to be in bar and discharge and in full satisfaction of all dower and other demands whatsoever of my said wife in or to any part of my real or personal estate except that the same is not to extend to debar or exclude her from having and enjoying her widowhood or free benefit in my copyhold estates at Fordington

Also I give and devise to my son William Churchill his heirs and assigns all that my Mansion House at Colliton aforesaid with all the buildings courts gardens and the meadow thereto adjoining and all my plate furniture and household goods of what kind soever which at the time of my death shall be in about or belonging to my Mansion House at Colliton aforesaid

But it is my will that my said wife Elizabeth (if she thinks proper) shall enjoy and have the use of my said Mansion House with all its buildings courts gardens and the meadow thereto adjoining and all my plate furniture and household goods of what kind soever for one year after my decease and no longer without my son and wife agree to live together which I hope they will

I also give // and devise my Manor or reputed Manor of Colliton or Colliton Row and all the tenements thereunto belonging situate in the said Parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester aforesaid and the ten acres of freehold arable land situate in Fordington Field subject to the right my wife has in them for her life and also all my lands tenements and hereditaments lying in the Parish of Milborn in the said County of Dorset unto my said son William CHURCHILL his heirs and assigns forever provided nevertheless and it is my express Will and desire that in case my said son William CHURCHILL shall before he attain the age of thirty years marry any woman that has not really and bona fide a fortune of two thousand pounds in lands or money that then and in such case for such imprudent act I give and devise my said Mansion House at Colliton aforesaid and all the Manor of Colliton and all other my lands tenements and hereditaments in the said Parish of Holy Trinity and the ten acres of arable land in Fordington Field and also my plate furniture and household goods of what kind soever unto my son George CHURCHILL his heirs and assigns forever

Also I give and devise unto my daughter Elizabeth CHURCHILL the sum of Three Thousand One Hundred and Fifty Pounds to be paid her within six months after my decease

Also I give and devise unto my said son George CHURCHILL the sum of Three Thousand One Hundred and Fifty Pounds to be paid him when he shall attain the age one and twenty years and in case my said son George shall happen to die before he shall attain the said age of one and twenty years Then it is my Will that the sum of two thousand one hundred pounds part of my said son George 's Legacy shall go and be paid unto my said son William CHURCHILL and the sum of one thousand and fifty pounds the other part of my said son George's legacy shall be paid unto my said daughter Elizabeth,

And I Do direct and appoint that my Executor and Executrix hereinafter named shall out of my personal estate pay unto my said son George for his maintenance and education the interest or net produce of his fortune in such manner as they shall think fit until my said son George shall attain the age of one and twenty years or die, provided nevertheless and it is my Will that my Executor and Executrix hereinafter named shall pay all or part of my said son George's fortune of three thousand one hundred and fifty pounds for his better advancement in the World before he shall attain the age of one and twenty years if they shall think it necessary and convenient

Also I give and devise all and singular my Manors of Muston alias Musterton and Loveford situate or reputed to be situate in the Parish of Piddlehinton in the said County of Dorset and all other my Real estate whatsoever and wheresoever not herein otherwise devised unto my said son William CHURCHILL for the term of his life without impeachment of waste remainder unto George SOUTHCOTT of Dowlshayes within the Parish of Kilmington in the county of Devon Esquire and Amos PROWSE of South Petherton in the County of Somerset Esquire and their heirs and to the survivors and survivor of them and to the heirs Executors and Administrators of such survivor during the life of my said son William CHURCHILL In TRUST to preserve the counting out remainders out to permit him to receive the rents and profits thereof for his life remainder to the first and every other son and sons of my said son William CHURCHILL lawfully to be begotten severally and successively according to seniority and to the several and respective heirs of their bodies the oldest and every other son of my said son William CHURCHILL and the heir of his and their body and bodies to take severally and successively entail before the younger remainder to all and every the daughter and daughters of my said son William CHURCHILL lawfully to be begotten and the heirs of their bodies as tenants in common and not as joint tenants and in default of such issue remainder to my said son George CHURCHILL for life without impeachment of waste remainder to the said George SOUTHCOTT and Amos PROWSE and their heirs during the life of the said George CHURCHILL IN TRUST to preserve the counting out remainders out to permit the said George CHURCHILL to receive the rents and profits thereof for his life remainder to the first and every other son and sons of the said George CHURCHILL lawfully to be begotten severally and successively according to their seniority and to the several and respective heirs of their bodies the oldest and every other son and sons of the said George CHURCHILL and the heirs of his and their body and bodies to take severally and successively entail before the younger remainder to all and every the daughter and daughters of the said George CHURCHILL lawfully to be begotten and the heirs of their bodies as tenants entail in common and not as joint pennants and in default of such issue to any other son and sons successively which I may hereafter happen to have and the heirs of his and their respective body and bodies the older and the heirs of his body to take before the younger and the heirs of his body. In default of such issue remainder to my said daughter Elizabeth CHURCHILL and the heirs of her body lawfully to be begotten remainder to to my right heirs and I do hereby empower my said sons William and George CHURCHILL and all and every other son and sons which I may happen to have and their issue male severally and respectively as they shall successively become actually possessed of the said // premises by virtue of the entail hereinbefore created to settle limit or appoint all or any part of the entailed premises to and upon any wife or wives they shall respectively marry for the term of her life only and subject to impeachment for waste for and as a jointure and in bar of dower yet do nevertheless on this condition that every such wife shall have only ten pounds per annum lands for every one hundred pounds value of her fortune and no more and also a power of demising at the full and most improved rent that can be gotten for the same all or any part of the entailed premises for any term or number of years not exceeding ten years in possession the said rent to be reserved during the said term and such leases to be subject to impeachment for waste and the leases thereof only (containing counterparts?) of such leases and it is my Will that my executor and executrix hereinafter named to default and reimburse themselves out of my personal estate all costs charges and expenses they or either of them shall at any time hereafter be put unto or be at for or on account of the execution of the Trusts or Powers in them vested by this my Will and

Lastly all the rest residue and remainder of my Goods Chattels and Personal estate of what nature or kind soever after my debts legacies and my executors and executrixes expenses are satisfied and paid I give and devise unto John DAMER of Came in the County of Dorset Esquire and my said wife Elizabeth CHURCHILL their executors administrators and assigns In TRUST to be paid and delivered over unto my said son William as soon as my said daughter Elizabeth's and my said son George's fortune of three thousand one hundred and fifty pounds each shall be fully paid and satisfied and in case it shall happen that my personal estate shall not be sufficient to pay unto my said daughter Elizabeth and my said son George their several and respective legacies of three thousand one hundred and fifty pounds each then it is my Will that such deficiency if any be shall be paid out of and chargeable upon my said Mansion House at Colliton and all the buildings courts gardens and the meadow thereto adjoining and all my plate furniture and household goods of what kind soever hereinbefore devised unto my said son William CHURCHILL and I do hereby constitute and appoint the said John DAMER and my said wife Elizabeth executor and executrix In trust as aforesaid of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made

In Testimony whereof I have to this my last will and testament contained in these two sheets of paper set my hand and seal the seventeenth day of September in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Seven

William CHURCHILL

Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request subscribed our names as Witnesses in his presence George COOPER; G STICKLAND; John BRINDLE

This WILL was proved at London the Fifteenth day of August in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Nine before the Right Worshipful Edward SIMPSON Doctor at Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oaths of John DAMER Esquire and Elizabeth CHURCHILL Widow the Relict of the deceased and the executors named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the deceased having been first sworn by Commission duly to Administer

Children from the marriage:-

(8.1) Elizabeth CHURCHILL (1730-1800) was baptised on 29th June 1730 in St Mary's, the parish church at Stratton in Dorset situated just three and a half miles north west of Dorchester ⁽²⁾ . The following year her parents moved to live in Holy Trinity Parish in Dorchester where she lived until her marriage to the Revd. Nathaniel TEMPLEMAN. He came from the parish of Almer and they married by licence on 26th May 1761 in the old church of St Barnabas which stood in the grounds of Stock House in the Parish of Stock Gaylard. Elizabeth Templeman nee Churchill was buried at Piddlehinton on 24th January 1800.

(8.2) John CHURCHILL (1731-1755) was baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 21st Dec 1731 described as John the son of William Churchill Esquire. He was educated at Eton and his entry in 'The Eton College Register 1698-1752' states:- "CHURCHILL 1745-1749 - John son of William & Elizabeth Churchill; baptised 21 Dec 1731 Holy Trinity, Dorchester in the County of Dorset; on 21st Dec 1731; K.S. (stands for Kings Scholar) 1745; killed in the great earthquake at Lisbon in 1755" and quotes Burke's Landed Gentry as it's source. ^(1.17) In letters written home to England after this catastrophe however we have such sad details as these : " Mr. Hake's house fell the first shock and buried poor Mrs. Hake; Mr. John Churchill and Mr. Giles Vincent are killed. Mr. Chase was dug out of the ruins with both legs broken." ⁽⁴⁾ As John was William's eldest son and heir this meant that their 4th child William inherited as stated in his fathers will above..

(8.3) Grace CHURCHILL (1734-1735) was baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 3rd Sep 1734 but died an infant being buried at Piddlehinton on 28th April 1735 described in both registers as Grace the daughter of William Churchill Esquire.

(8.4) William CHURCHILL (1738-1799) was baptised at Holy Trinity Church Dorchester on 15th Sep 1738 described as William the son of William Churchill Esquire.- surviving son and heir (See 9 below).

(8.5) Charles Churchill (1741-killed at sea) was baptised at Holy Trinity Church Dorchester on 14 Dec 1741 described as Charles the son of William Churchill Esquire. He died young being killed at sea ^(1.17)

(8.6) George CHURCHILL B.A. (1745-1814) was baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 6th Sep 1745. Initially educated at Eton, he was admitted pens aged 17 at Trinity College Cambridge on 24th Nov 1762. B.A. 1767. He joined the Army becoming Captain of the 34th Regiment of Foot in which he served for many years in North America. On 11th Sep 1793 he was formally admitted to the Company of Freemen in Dorchester and on 1st Oct 1798 elected an Alderman of the town. On 1st Apr 1801 he was bound with his nephew William Rush Hallett Churchill for the correct administration of the estate of the estate of his niece Sophia CHURCHILL (1779-1800). He died unmarried on 6th June 1814 aged 69 and was buried at Piddlehinton on 15th. A memorial tablet to him is on the wall at St Peters Church - follow link for image. He left a Will dated 2nd Oct 1769 leaving everything to his brother William with a codicil added on 11th Oct 1813 with a few bequests to his servants. Administration of his estate was proved at London on 3rd Aug 1814

"I William CHURCHILL of Colliton in Dorchester do hereby declare that I am seized or possessed of such estate either in law or equity, to and for my own use and benefit consisting of Lands Tenements and Hereditaments as doth qualify me to act as a Deputy Lieutenant of and for the said County of Dorset and town of Poole according to the present Militia Laws: and that such premises are situate lying and being in the Parish of Piddlehinton in the said County of Dorset. Witness my hand the 15th day of September 1796

Memorial North Wall of St Peters Church Dorchester

"This monument is erected / by the three surviving children of William CHURCHILL, esq: of Colliton / to the memory of their beloved father / who died the 1st day of December 1799, in the 61st year of his age / and was buried at Puddle Hinton with his sister / Elizabeth, the wife of the Revd: Nathl: TEMPLEMAN & their ancestors / Also to their beloved mother, Jane CHURCHILL . who died on the 12th of April 1801, in the 54th year of her age / and was buried in this church with her daughter Sophia, who died on the 2nd December / 1800, in the 21st year of her age /

This addition / to the above monument was made in testimony of / fraternal affection to the memory of / Caroline Frances CHURCHILL / one of the above mentioned children / of William Churchill, Esqr: of Colliton / who died May 10th 1808, the 19th year of her age / and was buried in this church by the side / of her much lamented mother".

Will of William CHURCHILL (1738-1799) Esq
PROB 11/1333 Dated 23rd Nov 1799 Proved 24 Dec 1799

This is the Last Will and Testament of me William CHURCHILL of Colliton House in the County of Dorset Esquire .Whereas by an indenture bearing date on or about the 3rd day of November in the year of our Lord 1773 being a settlement made previous to my marriage with Jane CHURCHILL my present wife the sum of £5,000 therein mentioned was settled and limited   //  after my decease upon trust for all and every my younger children by my present wife in such shares and proportions manner and form as I should by any deed to be sealed and delivered by me in the presence of and attested by two or more credible witnesses or by my last will and testament in writing to be by me signed in the presence of and attested by the like number of witnesses should direct or appoint, And

Whereas: Mrs Mary RUSH late of Berners? Street in the County of Middlesex deceased did invest a sum of money in the Public Funds for the benefit of my daughter Sophia CHURCHILL the dividends which have been and are to be laid for her in the funds till she shall attain the age of 21 years when the principal stock with the annualisations and dividends are to be transferred to her, And

Whereas: Joshua CHURCHILL late of Gussage All Saints in the said County of Dorset Esquire deceased in and by his last will & testament in writing bearing date on or about 13th day of July 1785 give and devise the Manor of East Stower and other hereditaments in the said County of Dorset to my wife for life and remainder to trustees to preserve contingent remainders with remainder to my son John CHURCHILL and the heirs of his body with divers remainders over and the said Joshua CHURCHILL did thereby give unto my said daughter Sophia CHURCHILL the sum of £500 to be paid to her by my said son John CHURCHILL when he should become possessed of the said premises, And

Whereas: I am lately become possessed of the considerable personal property in right of my said wife under and by virtue of the last Will and Testament of Mary RUTH and as one of her next of kin as in and by the said in part restricted indenture of settlement and wills relation being thereunto respectively had will more fully appear NOW I the said William CHURCHILL by virtue of the said power and of all other powers and authorities now vested in me do hereby direct that the said sum of five thousand pounds mentioned in the said settlement shall be equally divided between by younger children John CHURCHILL; Sophia CHURCHILL and Caroline Frances CHURCHILL equally share and share alike as tenants   //   in common and not as joint tenants and the share of my said son John CHURCHILL shall be paid to him as soon as conveniently may be after my decease and the shares of my daughters Sophia CHURCHILL and Caroline Frances CHURCHILL shall be paid to them respectively when they shall severally attain the age of twenty one years or be married which shall first happen and in the meantime so much of the interest thereof as shall be necessary shall be applied towards their education and support and the remainder thereof shall be placed out at interest for the benefit of them respectively, And

I do Give: unto my said daughter Sophia CHURCHILL such sum of money as shall be necessary make at the time of my decease the sum she shall be entitled to by Virtue of my said marriage settlement and the money so invested the funds for her by the said Mary RUSH with the annualisations the clear sum of three thousand and five hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain and I do direct that such sum shall as soon as conveniently may be after my decease be invested in the public funds or placed out at interest on real security and be transferred unto my said daughter Sophia CHURCHILL when she shall attain the age of twenty one years or be married which shall first happen and that so much of the dividends or interest thereof as may be necessary shall in the meantime be applied for her support and the remainder thereof placed out at interest for her benefit it being my will and intention that she shall be entitled to the clear sum of or fortune of three thousand and five hundred pounds with interest from the time of my decease and to be paid and transferred to her on such of the said days hereinbefore mentioned which shall first happen

I do Give: unto my said daughter Caroline Frances CHURCHILL the sum of eighteen hundred and thirty three pounds six shillings and eight pence to make up the money she shall receive under the said marriage settlement the clear sum of three thousand and five hundred pounds and so I direct that the said sum of eighteen hundred and thirty three pounds six shillings and eight pence shall as soon as conveniently may happen after my decease be invested in public funds or placed out at interest on real security (which my Executors may alter and transpose as often as they shall think proper and that the same shall be transferred unto my said daughter   //   Caroline Frances CHURCHILL when she shall attain the age of twenty one years or be married which shall first happen and that in the meantime so much of the dividends or interest thereof as may be necessary shall in the meantime be applied for her education support and the remainder thereof shall be laid out at interest for her benefit and in case either of my said daughters shall die before she shall attain the age of twenty one years or shall be married then I do give such sum of money part of the fortune or legacy of such daughter so dying (and provided for her virtue of this Will unto my surviving daughter as shall be sufficient to make the sum she shall receive by survivorship under my said marriage settlement the clear sum of two thousand pounds to be paid her at such time with the interest thereof as hereinbefore is mentioned respecting her original fortune or legacy of such a daughter so dying I do hereby direct or in case both my said daughters shall die before they shall attain such age or be married then I do also direct that the whole of such fortunes or legacies shall go and be considered as part of the residue of my personal estate hereinafter mentioned And in case my said daughter Sophia CHURCHILL her executors administrators or assigns shall receive the said legacy of five hundred pounds bequeathed to her by the said Joshua CHURCHILL then I do give the like sum of five hundred pounds unto my said daughter Caroline Frances CHURCHILL it being my will that both my said daughters shall receive the same fortunes I do direct that my said executors hereinafter named shall as soon as it may conveniently may be after my decease lay out and invest in their names the sum of two thousand pounds of lawful money of Great Britain in the three per cent consolidated Bank Annuities Upon Trust to pay the dividends thereof unto my son John CHURCHILL during the life of my said wife in case he shall so long live and from and immediately after the decease of my said wife or son John CHURCHILL which shall first happen Upon further Trust to transfer one half of the said principal stock with the dividends then to be come due for the same unto my said daughter Sophia CHURCHILL her   //  Executors administrators or assigns and the remainder of the said principal stock with the dividends then to come due for the same unto my said daughter Caroline Frances CHURCHILL her executors administrators and assigns but if my said daughters shall then respectively be under the age of twenty one years and unmarried then I do direct that such transfer shall be postponed till such event shall happen and that the dividends shall in the meantime be applied or placed out at interest for their benefit respectively

I Give: unto my sister Elizabeth TEMPLEMAN my silver cruet stand, And

The remainder of my plate I Give: unto my son William Rush Hallett CHURCHILL his executors administrators and assigns,

I Give unto my wife Jane CHURCHILL the sum of five hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain and also all my household goods, linen, furniture (except my said plate) carriage, horses, stock and personal property in or about the house and ground at 'Colliton' to be absolutely at her own disposal and I do hereby direct that the copyhold tenements which should for my life and subject to my wife's widowhood in the Manor of Fordington in the same County shall (if the renewal I am now in treaty for be not completed within my lifetime) be full stated and a grant obtained thereof in the name of my said son William Rush Hallett CHURCHILL for such three lives as he shall name and the fine for the same shall be paid out of my personal estate by my executors hereinafter named, And

I do Give the said tenement when the same shall be so renewed in either in my lifetime or after my decease unto my said son William Rush Hallett CHURCHILL his executors administrators and assigns to be at his absolute disposal during the continuance of such grant

I do Give to Mary SHERGOLD of Dorchester in the said County spinster the sum of twenty one pounds

I do also Give to my servant James CHILES if he shall live with me at the time of my death as a reward for his fidelity the sum of one hundred guineas, And

I do also Give to my servant Sarah GROVES the sum of ten guineas over and above any money which may now be due to her for wages, And

In case my said daughters or either of them shall die before their portions shall respectively become payable under my said marriage settlement and my said son John   //   CHURCHILL shall receive any benefit by survivorship under the said settlement then I do Give a sum equal to what he shall receive by so surviving unto my said son William Rush Hallett CHURCHILL his executors administrators and assigns and as to all the rest residue and remainder of my personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever I do hereby bequeath the same (subject in the first place to the payment of all my just debts funeral expenses and the legacies herein before mentioned) unto my son John CHURCHILL to enable him to go into business on condition that immediately on the amount of the net residue of my personal estate being ascertained he do execute a Bond in a sufficient penalty to my said son William Rush Hallett CHURCHILL his executors administrators and assigns for the payment of one moiety or half part of such net residue unto him or them but without any interest at the times and upon contingencies hereinafter mentioned (that is to say) one half part thereof, or one fourth of the whole od such net residue immediately on the decease of Martha the wife of my said son William Rush Hallett CHURCHILL in case she shall die in his life time and during the life of my said wife and the remainder of such moiety or one other fourth part of the whole net residue immediately on the decease of my said wife, and in case the said Martha the wife of of my said son William Rush Hallett CHURCHILL shall survive my said wife then for the payment of the said moiety or half part of the whole of such residue unto my said son William Rush Hallett CHURCHILL his executors administrators and assigns immediately on the decease of my said wife

I do hereby declare that the estate purchased by me in or near Bridgewater in the County of Somerset was paid for by and out of the property of the said Joshua CHURCHILL and that I am now seized thereof to the uses upon Trust and for the intents and purposes contained in the said Will of the said Joshua CHURCHILL and it was my intention that certain lands and hereditaments situate in the parishes or precincts of Puddlehinton and Puddletown in the said County of Dorset and purchased by me should be settled to certain uses and upon Trusts mentioned in an indenture of settlement bearing date on or about the 15th day of May 1798 made previous to the marriage of my said son William Rush Hallett CHURCHILL with the said Martha CHURCHILL his wife and to obviate any doubts which may arise concerning the same I do hereby Give devise and bequeath the said lands and hereditaments so purchased by me as as aforesaid to the several uses upon the several Trusts and to and for the several intents and purposes mentioned and expressed as to the Manors or reputed Manors of Muston and Loveford situate at Piddlehinton and Piddletown aforesaid in the said last mentioned settlement

I do hereby appoint my said wife Guardian of my said daughters Sophia CHURCHILL and Caroline Frances CHURCHILL until they shall attain the age of twenty one years respectively and I do hereby constitute and appoint the said wife Jane CHURCHIOLL and my said sons William Rush Hallett CHURCHILL and John CHURCHILL executrix and executors of this my will and revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made

In Witness whereof I have to this my last will and testament contained in this and the four preceding sheets of paper set my hand and seal this twenty third day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety nine

William CHURCHILL

Signed sealed published and declared by the testator William CHURCHILL as and for his last will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto set our names as witnesses Nathaniel TEMPLEMAN; Thomas SALISBURY; Rob Rid HARVEY

This Will was proved at London the 24th day of December 1799 before the right honourable Sir William Wynne Knight Doctor at Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oaths of Jane CHURCHILL Widow the Relict and the Reverend William Rush Hallett CHURCHILL Clerk and John CHURCHILL Esq the sons and executors named in the said will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased having been first sworn by Commission duly to administer.

They had several children:-

(9.1) Revd.William Rush Hallet CHURCHILL (1775-1847) baptised at HT Church in Dorchester on 27th June 1775. Buried Piddlehinton 19th Jan 1847
(9.2) John (Damer) CHURCHILL (1778-1848) bap HT Church in Dorchester on 20th June 1778, residual beneficiary under Joshua CHURCHILL's will dated 13th July 1785 and in his fathers will when he died in 1799. He died in 1848 aged 70^(1.17)
(9.3) Caroline Frances CHURCHILL (1788-1808) bap HT 28th Dec 1788 buried with her mother aged 19 18th May 1808.
(9.4) Sophia CHURCHILL (1779-1800) bap HT 4th Apr 1780 and buried aged 21 on 2nd Dec 1800. A Letter of Administration to administer her estate was granted to her brother William Rush Hallett Churchill on 01 Apr 1801.

(10.6.1) Matilda Louisa Churchill (1835-1882) Baptised at Buckland Ripers 14th Jun 1836; remained a spinster died 12th April 1882 at Alderholt Park leaving an estate of £2,659
(10.6.2) George Oslow Churchill (1838-1821) Baptised 12th Dec 1838 at Melcombe Regis in Dorset; late 15th Regt JP, Major 7th Lancashire Militia born 1st Nov 1838 Buckland Ripers Dorset; unmarried aged 42 in 1881 living at Colliton House in Dorchester with his spinster aunts married Elizabeth Margaret Sarah Monins a native of Dublin in Ireland on 16th Feb 1882 at All Saints Paddington London. Was living at 3 Gloucester row Melcombe Regis in 1882 when executor of his sister Matilda's will. George described as of Aldersholt Park died 26th Feb 1921 at Bournemouth leaving an estate of £80,029
(10.6.3) Harriett Churchill (1840- ?) Baptised at Buckland Ripers 17th Feb 1840.
(10.6.4) Charles Morant Churchill (1842-1909) Baptised Buckland Ripers 21st June 1842. Capt 50th Regt born 19th May 1842; married 5th Apr 1877 Ellen Anneta only daughter of Edmunde Meade WALDO Esq of Stonewall Park Kent by whom he had issue - Frances Cicely Evelyn (1881-1923) and Charles Waldo Lionel (1883-1902) ; Charles Morant Churchill was buried at Hampreston 28th Oct 1909 aged 67. Described as of Holmwood Park near Wimborne a Lieutenant Colonal in his Majestys Army (retired) he die4d on 25th Oct 1909 leaving an estate of £53,892 to his widow.
(10.6.5) Lucy Sophia Churchill (1845 - ) Baptised at Buckland Ripers 21st Feb 1845
(10.6.6) Emma Isabella Churchill (1844 - ) Baptised at Buckland Ripers 13th Feb 1844

Please note that 'Richard Smith - orchidgrower@btinternet.com' has carried out the following research into the life of the Rev William Churchill and compiled the following account:- Michael Russell OPC for Dorchester and Fordington Nov 2024

Married Julia Charlotte Mackenzie GORDON ( born at Government House, Plymouth 1814 ) at Walcot, Bath, Somerset on 26th November 1839. Julia died at Winterborne Stickland on 10th August 1857 and was buried there on 15th August. William died 1st July 1886 at Drayton House, Weymouth, aged 83, and was buried at Winterborne Stickland on 5th July 1886.

They had the following children -

(11.1) William CHURCHILL baptised at Winterborne Stickland 9th November 1840. Listed in the 1851 census at school in Blandford, Dorset. The Cambridge University Alumni gives the following - educated at Brighton College, and entered Trinity College, Cambridge April 1859. Graduated with a B.A. degree in 1964 and admitted to Lincoln’s Inn to train as a barrister November 1863. Called to the Bar in 1866. Member of Cambridge University cricket team, and played for MCC against Oxford University in 1870 and Cambridge University in 1872. appears in no census after 1871 and the 1875 Electoral Register at Winterborne Stickland - was he abroad ? William Churchill is a common name. A shipping arrival at Southampton on 23rd February 1892 of a William Churchill born 1841 might be him, but he then does not appear in the 1901 or 1911 census ? Peter Churchill on Ancestry says William died whilst out shooting with his brother Reginald at Berrynarbor, Devon, but gives no date. William is recorded as dying at Woking on 20th October 1907. His probate was £41,656, and his Executors were his three brothers Col. Mackenzie Churchill H.M. Army, Lt. Co. Seton Churchill H.M. Army and Rev’d Stuart Churchill.

In a conveyance held at Dorset History Centre dated 9th October 1907, just days before he died, William Churchill conveyed Colliton House and two cottages etc. to the then occupant of Colliton House Denzil Hughes Onslow - see Notes on Colliton House and Estate owned by Churchill family for over four centuries. In 1933 it was then sold to Dorset County Council.

(11.2) Julia Louisa CHURCHILL baptised at Winterborne Stickland on 25th January 1842. Married Richard St. Andrew St. John a gentleman aged 32 at Winterborne Stickland on 17th October 1871. Died at “ Dunliffe “, Ealing, Middlesex on 20th September 1898.

(11.3) Vice Admiral Orford CHURCHILL baptised at Winterborne Stickland on 24th August 1843. Joined the Royal Navy on 5th December 1857, and in 1871 census was a Lieutenant R.N. on HMS Narcissus. On 26th November 1872 married Edith Maria Preston at Minstead, Hampshire. Was on the Navy retired list as a Vice Admiral. Orford was living in London, but he died at Berrynarbor, Devon on 1st December 1909 - his probate was £20,563, and Sole Executor his widow Edith Maria Churchill.


(11.3.1) Their son John Preston Churchill born 21st November 1883 joined the Royal Navy on
15th September 1897 and was serving as Sub Lieutenant / 2nd Captain on HM Submarine A.1 and was drowned when she was rammed by SS Berwick Castle and sunk on 18th March 1904 off Spithead, during exercises.

(11.4) Gordon CHURCHILL was baptised at Winterborne Stickland on 14th May 1844, but nothing more was found for him. A boy aged 2 months was buried at Hove, Sussex on 26th June 1844 - could this have been Gordon ?

(11.5) Home CHURCHILL was baptised at Winterborne Stickland on 13th November 1845, but died and was buried there on 17th November 1847, aged 2 years and 2 months.

(11.6) Louisa CHURCHILL was baptised at Winterborne Stickland on 26th March 1847. She remained unmarried and died at Woking, Surrey on 6th June 1931. Probate £10,848, and her Executors were her brother Rev’d Reginald Churchill and nephew Edward Churchill St. John.

(11.7) Colonel Mackenzie CHURCHILL was born on 28th January 1848, and baptised at Winterborne Stickland on 10th March 1848. In 1861 he was at school in Windlesham, Surrey and then joined the Army. Whilst serving in Ireland he married Eleanora Agnes Buchanan at Omagh in July to September 1902, but by 1911 had retired as Colonel living at St Marks, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. He died at Blagendon, Gloucestershire on 18th May 1934. His Probate was £28,961. The Executors were his widow Eleanora Agnes Churchill, his nephew Kenneth Berkeley Mackenzie Churchill Retired Commander R.N. and 2 others.

(11.8) Reverend Cameron CHURCHILL M. A. was born on 6th February 1849 and baptised at Winterborne Stickland on 20th March 1849. In 1861 he was at school at Windlesham, Surrey with his older brother Mackenzie, then at Worcester College, Oxford, before qualifying as a barrister - listed in 1881 census at Barnes, Surrey. Had married Eliza Blanche Hodge (1833 - 1935) at Hanover Square, London on 19th November 1874. Took Holy Orders in 1885 as Curate at St. Saviours, Chelsea, and by 1887 was Vicar at Crockham Hill, Kent, and at some point added “ Crockham “ as a middle name. Rev’d Churchill died at Crockham Hill Vicarage, near Edenbridge, Kent on 20th January 1901. Probate was £8,016. His Executors were his brothers Capt. Orford Churchill R.N. and Col. ackenzie Churchill H.M. Army.

(11.9) Reverend Melville CHURCHILL M.A. was baptised at Winterborne Stickland on 6th May 1850 and in 1861 was at the Purnells Academy in Weymouth, then Sherborne School. Admitted Emmanuel College Cambridge May 1868, awarded B.A. 1875 and an M.A. 1878. Seems to be missing in the 1881 census. In 1875 had taken Holy Orders, and Rev’d Churchill was priest at Winchester in 1877 and then Curate at Bishops Waltham, Hampshire. On 14th October 1902 he married Edith Charlotte Harrison (1859 - 1942) at All Saints church in Hove, Sussex - he was aged 52 she was 43. Was still living at Bishops Waltham in 1911 but had retired as Vicar, and he died at West Southbourne, Dorset on 20th February 1931. Probate was £1112. His Executors were his nephew Retired Cdr. Kenneth Berkeley Mackenzie Churchill R.N. and Walter Arthur Maslin Solicitor.

(11.10) Lieutenant Colonel Seton CHURCHILL was born on 20th April 1851 and was baptised at Winterborne Stickland on 2nd June 1851. He joined the 44th Foot Essex Regiment on 3rd February 1869, and married Eleanor Milly Kidd at Woolwich, London in April 1877. He was a Major at St Chad, Staffordshire in 1891 and a retired Lieutenant Colonel H.M. Army at Wimbledon in 1911. He died at Wimbledon on 20th March 1933. His Probate £14,750. His Executors were his widow Eleanor Milly Churchill and his son Retired Captain Gordon Seton Churchill H.M. Army.

(11.11) Caroline CHURCHILL was baptised at Winterborne Stickland on 24th August 1852, and little is known of her life. In 1901 she was in Chichester, Sussex living on her own means, and in 1911 was living with her brother Sefton in Wimbledon. She died a spinster at Wokingham, Berkshire on 28th March 1943. Her probate was £10,581, and her Executors were Lloyds Bank Ltd. and her niece Gladys Beryl Stuart Latham nee Churchill.

(11.12) Reverend Reginald CHURCHILL was born on 13th September 1853 and baptised at Winterborne Stickland on 11th October 1853. In 1871 he was a scholar at Newick House, Cheltenham and then in 1881 a builder, but that year took Holy Orders, and was appointed Chaplain to the Bishop of Soder and Man, Isle of Man 1881 - 82, then Curate at Peel, Isle of Man in 1882, then Rector at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset 1883 - 85, and from 1885 he was Rector at Berrynarbor, Devon. In 1901 was living with his sister Louisa in Woking, Surrey, but in 1911 was back as Rector at Berrynarbor. In the pre war 1939 census he was retired but still living at Berrynarbor, and died at Braunton, Devon on 21st December 1941. His probate was £6,488. His Executor was his daughter Elsie Kathleen Gordon Churchill spinster.

(11.13) Reverend Stuart CHURCHILL was baptised at Winterborne Stickland on 1st April 1856, was at Brasenose College, Oxford graduating with an M.A. degree, and took Holy Orders in 1879. Was Curate at Holy Trinity church, Kilburn in 1879 - 82, then at Great and Little Driffield, Yorkshire 1884 - 85, Walcot, Bath 1885 - 87 and St. Mary’s Bayswater 1887 - 90. On 7th September 1887 at Walcot, Bath, Somerset he married Amelia Georgina Henry (1860 - 1894), but sadly she died on 15th May 1894. He was Vicar at Birling, Kent in 1890 - 92, and from 1892 on was Vicar at Holy Trinity church, Kilburn. Then on 20th April 1899 he married Beatrice Galen Hamilton. He was 43 she was 10 years younger. He was still in London at the 1921 census, but living in the Vicarage at Mancetter near Atherstone, Warwickshire when he died at Leamington Spa on 20th December 1928. His probate £4,560. His Executors were his daughters Irene Sylvia Stuart Gurney-Randall and Gladys Beryl Stuart Latham.

Sources - Cambridge Univ. Alumni & U.K. Clergy Listing

'Richard Smith - orchidgrower@btinternet.com'

24. 11. 2024

(1.1) Alumni: University Cambridge and University Oxford
(1.2) Clergy of the Church of England database
(1.3) Parish Registers: Dorchester Dorset, (All Saints; Holy Trinity; and St Peters): Fordington Dorset (Christchurch & St George): Kimmeridge (St Nicholas): Piddlehinton Dorset (St Mary's): Portesham (St Peter's) : Steeple Dorset (St Michael & All Angels)
(1.4) Monumental Inscriptions St Peters Church Dorchester
(1.5) National Probate Calendar
(1.6) Wills: Prerogative Court of Canterbury; Dorset Archdeaconry Court; Wiltshire Archives: Will Charles Christopher SPC 1723 4 9 : P15/107
(1.7) Visitations of Dorset 1623 and 1677 ( and London 1633 - Richard Churchill)
(1.8) Church of Latter Day Saints GS Film No. 909710
(1.9) John HUTCHINS The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset - Fordington, Dorchester and Steeple Also The Pedigree of the CHURCHILL Family of Colliton and Alderholt Park
(1.10) Dictionary of National Biography Awnsham Churchill
(1.11) William Whiteway of Dorchester His Diary 1618-1635 Dorset Record Society published 1991 Pages 37 & 112
(1.12) "Fire From Heaven" by David Underdown Pimlico edition 2003; On page 9 DU refers to John Churchill (i.e.1512-1557) being bailiff in 1525, & 1540. In fact as recorded above he was bailiff 4 time from 1540. The elected post of Bailiff was a responsible job given to well respected members of Dorchester's Corporation and usually went to middle aged men of long standing and highly respected within the Dorchester's ruling elite. 15 years is a long break although not unheard of, but if we have his birth even approximately right he was too young at the age of 13? There were Churchill's in Dorchester for many years before 1525 and I think on balance that the 1525 appointment may relate to an earlier ancestor, but if not John Churchill would have been born earlier.
(1.13) 'Dorchester Past' by Jo Draper
(1.14) Municipal Records of Dorchester
(1.15) The Story of Piddlehinton - Muston Manor
(1.16) Census Returns 1841 Dorchester
(1.17) Sir Bernard Burke's 'A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland' sixth edition Published London Pall mall 1879 - Page 313.

(2) Elizabeth CHURCHILL (1730-1800) - There can be no doubt about her baptism as the register for St Mary's church at Stratton states "29th^th June 1730 was Baptized Elizabeth the Daughter of William Churchill of Dorchester Esq^r by Elizabeth his wife". Also her younger brother John Churchill was buried there on 6th April 1747

(3) Charles Churchill (1741 - ?) - William and Elizabeth's other sons were

(4) There is a brief mention in 'The London Magazine, or Gentleman's Intelligencer, Volume 24 for the year 1755 Page 587 which gives an account of the aftermarth of the earthquake which refers to 10 or 12 English that were known to have been killed and states at one point " Mr John Churchill and Mr Giles Vincent are among the killed" but I have quoted a fuller version see Sir Charles Henry Frankland Baronet or Boston in the Colonial Times published in 1865

(5) 'Fieth' - I have recorded this word as it is clearly written rather than transcribed into more modern English as I am not entirely sure of it's meaning. I think it is more commonly written as 'Fief' which relates to an estate of land held on condition of feudal service (a fee)

(6) There are a number of places called 'Burton' in Dorset such as Burton Bradstock near Bridport; Lonburton 14 miles north of Dorchester and East and West Burton hamlets in the parish of Winfrith Newburgh 8 miles SW of Wareham. 'Great Burton' and 'Little Burton' however refers to the hamlet of Burton in the Parish of Charminster only 2 miles north west of Dorchester. See Charminster on the British Histroy on-line website and the map showing the mediaeval settlements north of the river Cerne. The last of these is the long settlement of Burton and that next to it is the settlement of 'Wolfeton' on which stands Wolfeton House. Note the bequest in the will of Will of John CHURCHILL (1525-1557) to his son John of 'my house called Mathew Wulffe House with such land and meadow as appertaineth to the same as Mathew Wolfe lately held it'. Matthew Wolfe is listed as a Capital Burgess of Dorchester in 1555 and he and John Churchill were witnesses to Charter 607 in the Municipal Records of Dorchester dated 9th Feb 1549/50.