TST: Dorset, Dorset

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Dorset Towns and Parishes

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"Dorset, maritime County, on south coast of England; is bounded north by Somerset and Wilts, east by Hants, south by the English Channel, and west by Devon; length, east and west, 52 miles; breadth, north and south, 37 miles; coastline, 75 miles; area, 627,265 acres; population 191,028. The main features of the coast are Poole Harbour, St Alban's Head, and the singular projection called the Isle of Portland. The principal streams are the Stour and the Frome. Great part of the county is traversed by the two ranges of chalk hills called the North and South Downs, and the soil consists mainly of chalk, gravel, and sand, but is very fertile in the valleys. Wheat and barley are grown in the west and north. Immense flocks of sheep are pastured on the Downs. Dairy farms are generally large, and dairy husbandry is carried to a very high point of perfection. The only mineral of any importance is Portland stone, quarried in the Isle of Portland. There are manufactures, to some extent, of sailcloth, sacking, nets, paper, silk, &c., with malting and brewing, and iron-founding. The fisheries, especially of mackerel, are considerable, and ships and yachts are built at Poole." [Bartholemew's Gazetteer of the British Isles, 1887]

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Archives & Libraries

Dorset History Centre
Bridport Road
DORCHESTER
Dorset
DT1 1RP
Telephone:- U.K. 01305 250550, Overseas +44 1305 250550

Bibliography

Barnes, William. Poems of Rural Life in common English (1868)

Boswell, Edward. The Civil Division of the County of Dorset, 2nd edition (Dorchester 1833)

Brocklebank, Joan. Victorian Stone Carvers in Dorset Churches 1856-1880, (Wimborne 1979)

Douch, Robert. A Handbook of Local History: Dorset, (Bristol 1952)

Hutchins, John. The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset, 3rd edition., edited by W. Shipp and J.W. Hodson, Westminster: J.B. Nichols and sons, 1861 - 1874

Mills A.D. The Dorset Lay Subsidy Roll of 1332. Dorset Record Society. (Dorchester 1971)

Pike W.T. A Dictionary of Edwardian Biography - Dorset (Edinburgh 1983)

Rumble A.R. The Dorset Lay Subsidy Roll of 1327. Dorset Record Society. (Dorchester 1980)

Weinstock, Maureen. Studies in Dorset History (Dorchester 1953)

Antiquarian and second hand books relating to Dorset are available from Ivor Cornish at Ambra Books.

Census

An index of place names for the 1891 Census has been provided by Ray Osbourne.

Church History

UK Genealogy Archives have photographs and a description of many churches in Dorset, all linked from their Dorset pages.

Church Records

The Society of Genealogists maintains copies of many parish records in their library. Search the parishes in Dorset which are included in their holdings.

The Dorset History Centre hold many of the original Parish registers for Dorset. These are the Parish Registers they hold.

Information of the location of Quaker Records in Dorset provided by the Quaker FHS.

Civil Registration

Brett Langston has provided details of the Registration Districts in Dorset for the period 1837 to 1930.

Certificates of birth, death and marriage can be obtained from the Superintendent Registrars at the following District Register Offices ;

Dorset
Poole

If ordering from a District Office, please note the following: (a) the cost of a certificate is currently (December 2013) £ 9.25 - send a Sterling cheque payable to the Superintendent Registrar plus return postage or two International Reply Coupons; (b) the St Catherine's or GRO Index references are of no value; (c) for marriage certificates, the precise place of marriage must be given; (d) Civil Registration in England and Wales began on July 1st 1837.

The Dorset Death Certificate Index (www.dorsetdci.com), a free website to help family historians share information about deaths registered in Dorset from 1837 onwards.

Description & Travel

Kelly's Directory of Dorsetshire 1935 on UK Genealogy

Gazetteers

The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868

"ADMISTON, (or Athelampton or Athelampstone), a parish in the hundred of Piddletown, in the county of Dorset, 5 miles to the N.E. of Dorchester. It is situated on the over Piddle, and is pointed out by an uncertain tradition as the seat of the Kings of Wessex. The living is a rectory united with that of Burleston, in the diocese of Salisbury, value £200, in the patronage of the Earl of Mornington. The church, dedicated to St. John, was originally a chapel of ease to Burleston, and is a plain stone binding in the perpendicular style. The register dates from 1693. Admiston Hall is an ancient edifice, built before the year 1503, by Sir W. Martin, whose tomb is in the church.

"BELLCHALWELL, a parish in the hundred of Cranborne, West Shaston division of the county of Dorset, 4 miles S.E. from Sturminster Newton, and 8 miles to the N.W. of Blandford. It lies in a detached part of the hundred, locally in the North Blandford division of the county. The living is a rectory united with that of Fifehead Neville, in the diocese of Salisbury. The church has a fine Norman porch and a square tower. A little to the south is Bell Hill, from which a fine view is obtained of the surrounding country."

"BROADWAY, a parish in the hundred of Culliford-Tree, in the Dorchester division of the county of Dorset, 3 miles to the N. of Weymouth, and 6 miles to the S. of Dorchester. It is situated on the banks of the river Wey, near the Great Western railway, and contains the hamlets of Nottington and Little Moor. Stone is quarried here. The living is a rectory, united with that of Bincombe, in the diocese of Salisbury. The church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, was rebuilt in 1836. It is a small neat fabric. There are charitable endowments worth £9 a year. In this parish the celebrated mineral spring known as the Nottington Spa takes its rise, the waters of which are hepatic, and extremely efficacious in constitutional and cutaneous complaints. A spacious pump-room has recently been erected, with warm, cold, shower, and vapour baths."

"LITTLE MOOR, a hamlet in the parish of Broadway, county Dorset, 3 miles N. of Weymouth.

"MOOR PARK, a seat of the Marquis of Westminster, in the parish of Broadway, county Dorset, 4 miles N. of Weymouth. The mansion, which was built by Leoni, is Grecian, situated in a well-wooded demesne, formerly the property of St. Alban's Abbey. It is decorated with great taste, the hall and staircase being painted with subjects from Ovid, and the saloon by Thornhill after Guido. It was once the residence of the famous Duke of Monmouth, and subsequently of Lord Anson, who here first grew the apricot in perfection."

"NOTTINGTON, a hamlet in the parishes of Broadway and Buckland Ripers, hundred of Cullifordtree, county Dorset, 3 miles N. of Weymouth. The village, which is of small extent, is situated on the road from Weymouth to Dorchester, near the river Wey. It has a pump-room and baths, in connection with a mineral spring, which is highly impregnated with sulphur. It is much frequented in summer by visitors from Weymouth.

The principal residence is Nottington House, the seat of Colonel Steward, who is proprietor of the Isle of Portland and a considerable part of Weymouth."

"BRYANSTONE, a parish in the hundred of Pimperne, North Blandford division of the county of Dorset, 1 mile to the N.W. of Blandford. It is situated in a beautiful country, on the S.W. hank of the river Stour. The living is a rectory consolidated with that of Durweston, in the diocese of Salisbury. The church is dedicated to St. Martin. Bryanstone House is the seat of Lord Portman. This mansion, built about 1780, stands in a fine park abounding in picturesque scenery, on the banks of the Stour, which flows at the foot of a wooded cliff, extending from the house to Blandford Bridge."

"BURLESTONE, a parish in the hundred of Piddletown, Dorchester division of the county of Dorset, 6 miles to the N.E. of Dorchester, its post town. It is situated on the banks of the river Piddle. The living is a rectory united with that of Athelampstone, in the diocese of Salisbury."

"CATHERSTON-LEWSTON, a parish in the hundred of Whitchurch Canonicorum, Bridport division of the county of Dorset, 3 miles to the N.E. of Lyme Regis, and 7 miles to the W. of Bridport. It is situated near the sea-coast, on the river Char, about 1 mile to the N. of Charmouth, its post town. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Salisbury, value £67, in the gift of Mrs. Hildyard. The old church, dedicated to St. Mary, was taken down in 1858, and a new one erected on its site in the decorated Gothic style, from designs by J. Rasson, Esq., at the sole expense of the late R. C. Hildyard, Esq."

"CAUNDLE BISHOP, (or Bishops Caundle), a parish in the hundred of Sherborne, Sherborne division of the county of Dorset, 6 miles S.W. of Sturminster Newton, and 4 S.E. of Sherborne. It contains the hamlet of Bishopsdown and the tything of Caundle Wake. The Central Dorset branch of the London and South-Western railway passes near the village, and has a station at Sherborne. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Salisbury, value £226, in the patronage of G. D. W. Digby, Esq. The church is an ancient building with a tower. There is a National school, and charities to the value of £13 per annum.

"BISHOPDOWN, a hamlet in the parish of Caundle Bishop, hundred of Sherborne, in the county of Dorset, 4 miles to the S. of Sherborne."

"BROWNSHALL, (or Brownsell Lane), a hamlet in the parish of Caundle-Bishop, hundred of Sherborne, in the county of Dorset, 5 miles to the S.E. of Sherburne. It is a very ancient place, and has given name to a hundred in the Sturminster division of the county

"CAUNDLE WAKE, a tything in the parish of Caundle Bishop, hundred of (Sherborne, in the county of Dorset, 4 miles S.E. of Sherborne. This place was formerly possessed by the Wakes of Wareham, to which family Archbishop Wake belonged."

"CAUNDLE PURSE, a parish in the hundred of Sherborne, in the county of Dorset, 3 miles to the N.E. of Sherborne, its post town and railway station. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Salisbury, value £160, in the patronage of Sir H. A. Hoare, Bart. The church is dedicated to St. Peter. Hero is an ancient building now used as a homestead, said formerly to have been in the possession of King John, and used by him as a hunting-seat."

"CAUNDLE STOURTON, a parish in the hundred of Brownshall, in the county of Dorset, 4 miles W. of Stourminster station, and 15 N.W. of Blandford. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Salisbury, value £48, in the patronage of Sir H. A. Hoare, Bart., who is lord of the manor. The church is an ancient building with a tower, and possesses a monument to Highmore, the anatomist. Bishop Mow, who took a prominent part in the battle of Sedgmoor, was born here."

"CHEDDINGTON, a parish in the hundred of Beaminster Forum, in the county of Dorset, 4½ miles S.E. of Crewkerne, its post town, and 3 N. of Beaminster. It is situated on the river Axe, and commands a beautiful prospect. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Salisbury, value £128, in the patronage of William T. Cox, Esq. The church, dedicated to St. James, is a modern edifice in the Elizabethan style. Here are traces of a Roman camp."

"CHESILBORNE, a parish in the hundred of Whiteway, in the Cerne subdivision of the county of Dorset, 6 miles E. of Cerne Abbas, and is N.E. of Dorchester, its post town. It is situated on a branch of the river Piddle. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Salisbury, value £254, in the patronage of Lord Rivers. The church is in the Gothic style of architecture, with embattled tower. There is a free school. The village is a meet for the Blackmoor Vale harriers."

"CHICKERELL, (or West Chickerell) a parish in the hundred of Culliford-Tree, in the county of Dorset, 2½ miles N.W. of Weymouth, its post town, and 8 from Dorchester. Both the Great Western and London and South-Western railways pass near the village, and have stations at Weymouth. The parish includes the chapelry of Herringstone, and the townships of East Chickerell and Potton. The living is a rectory, formerly in the archdeaconry of Dorset and diocese of Bristol, but now in the diocese of Salisbury, of the value of £320, in the patronage of the Duke of Cleveland and the Dowager Countess Sandwich. The principal residence is Herringstone Lodge.

"PUTTON, (or Podington), a tything in the parish of Chickerell, county Dorset, 4 miles N.W. of Weymouth.

"CHILFROOME, a parish in the hundred of Tollerford, Dorchester division of the county of Dorset, 8 miles N.W. of Dorchester, and 1 from Maiden Newton station, on the London and South-Western railway. It is situated on the river Froze. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Salisbury, value £180, in the patronage of Lord Poltimore and W. Fryer, Esq. The church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is a small edifice, without a tower of spire. There is a small school. This parish participates in the charities of Spettisbury."

"COMPTON VALLENCE, (or East Compton), a parish in the liberty of Frampton, Bridport division of the county of Dorset, 6 miles W. of Dorchester, and 3 S. of Maiden Newton, its post town and railway station. It is situated on the bank of a small stream. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Salisbury, value £300, in the patronage of R. Williams, Esq. The church, dedicated to St. Thomas-a-Becket, is a handsome stone edifice in the later English style of architecture. It was (with the exception of the tower) rebuilt in 1840, and possesses a pulpit of Bath stone, with altar of Caenstone.

"CRITCHELL MOORE, a parish in the hundred of Badbury, in the East Shaston division of the county of Dorset, 2½ miles S. of Long Critchell, and 7 N.W. of Wimborne. It contains the hamlet of Wandswood. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Salisbury, value with the rectory of Long Critchell, £371, in the patronage of H. C. Sturt, Esq. The church, dedicated to All Saints, contains tombs of the Uredale and Sturt families. Critchell House, a fine old mansion, is the seat of the Starts."

"MANSWOOD, a hamlet in the parish of Critchell-Moore, county Dorset, 5 miles N.W. of Wimborne."

DORSETSHIRE

[Transcribed and edited information from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868]

"DORSETSHIRE, a maritime county in the S. of England, bounded on the E. by Hampshire, on the N. by Wiltshire, on the N.W. by Somersetshire, on the W. by Devonshire, and on the S. by the English Channel. Its greatest length, E. and W., from Alderholt Heath to near Stockland, in the portion of the county which is detached and lies wholly in Devon, is 58 miles. The greatest breadth N. and S., from Portland Bill to near Silton, is 40 miles. The area of the county is 632,025 acres, the circuit being about 200 miles, 75 of which are coast. It is included between 50° 30' and 51° 5' N. lat., and 1° 48' and 3° 7' W. long. Ptolemy states that it was inhabited in his time by the Durotriges, a Belgic tribe. Their name is said to be derived from the British words dwr, "water," and trig, "dweller." Other writers speak of this tribe as Morini. When subdued by the Romans, Dorset was included in Britannia Prima, and stations were constituted at Dorchester (Dunium or Dumovaria), and at Vindogladia or Vindelia, which is supposed to have been either at Wimborne, or else at Gussage St. Michael or Gussage All Saints, about 4 miles S.W. of Cranborne, between which two places the Icknield Road passes. There were also settlements at Wareham (Morinio), Charmouth (Carca Arista), Lyme (Londinio), Poole (Boldanio), Weymouth (Clavinio). In 494 the Saxons, under Cerdic, added Dorset to the kingdom of Wessex. Until the Norman Conquest, the maritime portion was much exposed to the incursions of the Danes, who were defeated by Egbert at Charmouth in 833, and by Ethelwulf in 840.

In 876 a body of Danes marched across the country from Cambridgeshire, and surprised Wareham, which they held until King Alfred forced them to evacuate the town. While leaving Poole harbour, 120 of their vessels were wrecked in Studland and Swanage bays. Alfred's elder brothers, Ethelbert and Ethelbald, were buried at Sherborne, and Ethelred I. at Wimborne. In 1002 Sweyn passed through Dorset on his march from Exeter to Wilton, destroying on his way Dorchester, Sherborne, and Shaftesbury. Few occurrences of historical importance have taken place in the county. Two naval actions have taken place off Portland Bill-the second fight with the Spanish Armada in 1588, and Blake's victory over Van Tromp in 1653. In the parliamentary war the majority of the townspeople and those living near the coast took the popular side, but the gentry chiefly espoused the royal cause, and held Chideock, Sherborne, and Corfe castles for the king. Lyme Regis and Poole were fortified for the parliament, and Dorchester, Weymouth, Portland, and Wareham, were also held by the inhabitants for the same cause. Corfe Castle was defended against the parliamentary forces by Lady Bankes at the close of the year 1642, and in the March of the following year the Earl of Carnarvon raised the siege, and then proceeded to take Portland and Dorchester. Several minor engagements took place during the following years, but in 1645 the men of Dorset united with those of Somerset and Wilts to form bodies of "clubmen," whose object was to defend the counties from the inroads of the armies of either party. A body of these "clubmen" came into collision with Cromwell's army at Hamilton Hill, and were defeated, after which the remaining bodes gradually dispersed. The Duke of Monmouth landed at Lyme Regis when attempting to promote an insurrection against James II. in his own favour, and after the battle of Sedgmoor was taken prisoner at Shag's Heath, near Horton. The surface of Dorset is uneven and undulating, but not mountainous, and its most characteristic feature are the open downs, which supply pasturage to some 800,000 or 1,000,000 sheep.

This range of chalk hills or downs enters the county near Cranborne Chase, and runs towards Blandford, in the valley of the Stour. The eastern corner of the county from which they proceed contains a greater abundance of wood than the western and southern portions. The two isolated elevations, Hamilton and Hod hills, belong to this range. On the W. bank of the Stour the downs recommence at Okeford Hill, and proceed with one or two breaks to Beaminster, whence another range runs S.E., and on the E. side of Weymouth Bay forms a series of cliffs, which decrease at Kimmeridge Bay, and recommence at St. Alban's or St. Aldhelm's Head, the height of which is 344 feet. A branch of the same range also runs across the centre of the Isle of Purbeck, terminating at the Foreland, the eastern extremity of Ballard's Down, which separates Swanage from Studland Bay. Pillesdon Point, the highest hill in the county, W. of Beaminster, does not belong to this range, being of the greensand formation. Its height is 934 feet. The character of the coast varies considerably at different points. The Hampshire cliffs enter Dorset, but soon are, replaced by sand, which extends in a tongue of about a mile in length across Poole Harbour. This harbour, which is about 5 or 6 miles either way, contains several smaller bays, as Holes Bay, Lytchet Bay, Arnes Bay, and others. The centre of the harbour is occupied by Brownsea Island, about 1 mile long. Round the Isle of Purbeck to Weymouth Bay the coast is again rocky, and forms several bays, viz. Studland, Swanage, Kimmeridge, Worbarrow, and Ringstead bays. In Weymouth Bay the coast is flat, but on the other side of the estuary to Sandsfoot Castle cliffs again rise. S. of this, Portland Isle projects from the mainland, being connected with it by the Chesil Bank, an extraordinary ridge of pebbles, commencing at Burton Castle, about 2½ miles E. of Bridport Harbour, and running for about 6 miles to near Abbotsbury. Here it is separated from the land by an arm of the sea called the Fleet, and continues in a straight line for 10 miles until it joins the Isle of Portland. The bank consists of blue clay, covered with pebbles of calcareous spar, quartz, chert, jasper, &c., to a depth varying from 4 to 6 feet. The island measures about 4 miles by 11, and is surrounded by lofty cliffs. It contains two castles-one, very ancient, called Rufus's Castle, or Bowand-Arrow Castle; the other, built by Henry VIII., to defend Portland Road. At the Bill two lighthouses have been erected as a protection against the dangers of Portland Race. At the W. of the isle a breakwater is in course of construction, which will convert Portland Road into a harbour of refuge. The stone employed is that quarried on the isle, and the convicts in the large prison to the E. of the isle are engaged in its construction. The pasturage is good, and the corn particularly fine, so that it is in general request for seed. The remainder of the coast of Dorset consists entirely of cliffs, remarkable for the quantity of fossils which they contain. The chief rivers are the Stour, the Piddle or Trent, and the Frome. The Stour enters the county near Silton, passes Gillingham, Sturminster Newton, and Wimborne, leaving the county at West Parley, and falling into the sea at Christ Church. Its length is 65 miles, and as far as Sturminster Newton it is navigable. Its tributaries are-the Shreen Water, the Call, the Lidden, and the Wim. The Piddle rises near Alton, passes Piddletrenthide, Piddlehinton, and Piddletown, and falls into Poole Bay near Wareham. It is joined by a small stream which flows through Bere Regis. The length of the Piddle is 22 miles.

The Frome rises N.E. of Beaminster, and passes Maiden Newton, Frampton, Stratton, Dorchester, Tincleton, Moreton, and Wareham, and after a course of 35 miles, during which it receives the Churn Bourne or Cerne, from Cerne Abbas, the South Winter Bourne, and other smaller streams, flows into Poole Bay, a short distance S. of the mouth of the Piddle. Other small rivers in Dorset are-the Lyme, at Lyme Regis; the Char, entering the sea at Charmouth; the Brit, about 9 miles, the mouth of which forms Bridport Harbour; the Bredy, 7 miles, running from Little Bredy to Burton Bradstock; the Wey, 5 miles, falling into Weymouth Bay; the Purbeck, 7 miles, from Corfe Castle to Swanage; and the Corfe from Corfe Castle to Poole Bay. Between the chalk ranges mentioned above are the upper formations of pipe clay, potter's clay, and plastic clay, with sand, known as the Poole trough. Beneath the potter's clay in Purbeck Isle and other places, a crumbly bituminous coal is found resembling Bovey coal. In Purbeck and Portland the white formations are found, and in the S., chalk, marl, greensand, weald clay, and iron-sand. In the N.W. and W. of the county greensand takes the place of chalk. No metallic ores are found, but the Portland and Purbeck stone-quarries are largely worked. In Purbeck the stone consists of argillaccous limestone, alternating with schistose marl. A variety of this is known as Purbeck marble. The Portland stone is a calcareous freestone. It is largely employed for building in London. The soil in the W. and most other parts of the county is a rich loam, suitable for wheat and barley. The most fertile district is the Vale of Blackmore. Round Bridport and Beaminster hemp and potatoes are principally produced. Irrigation is largely practised on the meadow lands; lime and seaweed form the chief manures. Full three fifths of the surface are pasture land. The downs are covered with sheep in the summer, which in the winter are brought down to the sheltered valleys. The South Down are largely bred. In Purbeck and near Weymouth there is a much smaller breed, resembling forest sheep. Butter and skim-milk cheese is sent up in large quantities to the London markets. Dorset is divided into the 9 following divisions, containing 34 hundreds and 22 liberties North Blandford, containing Coombsditch, Pimperne, and Rushmore hundreds, and Dewlish liberty; South Blandford, containing the boroughs of Corfe Castle, and Wareham, the hundreds of Bere Regis, Hundres Barrow, Hasilor, Rowbarrow, and Winfrith, and the liberties of Bindon, Overmoygne, and Stowoorough; Bridport, containing the boroughs of Bridport and Lyme Regis, the hundreds of Beaminster, Beaminster Forum, Eggerton, Godderthorn, and Whitchurch Canonicorum, and the liberties of Broad Windsor, Frampton, Lothers, and Poorstock; Cerne, containing Buckland Newton, Cerne, and Whiteway hundreds, and Alton-Pancras, Piddletrenthide, and Sydling St. Nicholas liberties; Dorchester, containing the boroughs of Dorchester and Melcomb Regis, united with Weymouth, the hundreds of Culliford-Tree, George, Tollesford, Piddletown, and Uggescombe, and the liberties of Fordington, Piddlehinton, Isle of Portland, Sutton Pointz, Wabyhouse, and Wyke Regis; East Shaftesbury or Shaston, containing Badbury, Cogdean, part of Cranborne, Knowlton, Loosebarrow, Monkton-up-Wimborne, part of Sixpenny Handley and Wimborne St. Giles hundreds; Shaftesbury, or Shaston West, containing the borough of Shaftesbury, parts of the hundreds of Cranborne and Sixpenny Handley, and the liberties of Alcester and Gillingham; Sherborne, containing Sherborne and Yetminster hundreds, and Halstock and Ryme Intrinseca liberties; and Sturminster, containing Brownshall, Redlane, and Sturminster Newton Castle hundreds, and the liberty of Stower or Stour Provost. The parishes number 269, exclusive of 8 in Dorchester, Wareham, and Shaftesbury. There are also parts of 2 others, and 4 extra-parochial places.

Cranborne is the largest parish in the county, and contains 13,730 acres. The following 19 are market towns: Dorchester, the county town, Shaftesbury, Wareham, Blandford, Wimborne, Minster, Beaminster, Sherborne, Bridport, Weymouth with Melcombe, Poole, Cerne Abbas, Sturminster, Lyme Regis, Corfe Castle, Stalbridge, Cranborne, Bere Regis, Swanage, and Milton Abbas; of these the last 4 have discontinued holding markets. The county is divided into 12 Poor-law Unions, being the first 12 of the places mentioned above. The first 5, with Bridport and Weymouth, are County Court districts. Dorset returns 14 members to parliament: 3 for the county, 2 each for Dorchester, Bridport, Poole, and Weymouth with Melcombe Regis, and 1 each for Lyme Regis, Shaftesbury, and Wareham, which includes Corfe Castle. The polling places for the county are-Dorchester, Wimborne, Wareham, Blandford, Beaminster, Sherborne, Shaftesbury, and Chesilton. The local government is vested in a lord-lieutenant and custos, high sheriff, about 60 deputy-lieutenants, and 210 magistrates. The county is in the south-western military district and the western circuit, and is under the Exeter bankruptcy jurisdiction. Sherborne was formerly the assize town, but the assizes are now always held at Dorchester, where the county gaol and shire-hall are. Quarter sessions are held at Dorchester, Blandford, Sherborne, Shaftesbury, and Bridport. The county lunatic asylum is at Charminster, about 1½ mile from Dorchester. It will accommodate 160 patients. The number of inhabited houses in the county in 1861 was 37,709, occupied by 188,789 persons. In 1851 the population was 184,207, showing an increase of 4,582 persons in the decennial period. Dorsetshire constitutes an archdeaconry in the diocese of Salisbury and archbishopric of Canterbury. It is subdivided into 5 deaneries-Bridport containing 62 livings, Dorchester 53, Pimperne 38, Shaftesbury 65, and Whitchurch Canonicorum 68. During the Saxon period Dorset belonged successively to the sees of Dorchester in Oxfordshire, Winchester, and Sherborne, whence the bishopric was removed to Salisbury in the 11th century. In 1542 it was transferred to the new diocese of Bristol, but was re-transferred to Salisbury by the late Act. The chief manufacture in the county is that of flax. At Bridport, canvas, sailcloth, rope, thread, and twine, are manufactured. There are also flax-mills at Beaminster, Burton Bradstock, Netherbury, and other places. Woollen goods are manufactured at Sturminster, Shaftesbury, and Lyme Regis, and worsted stockings at Wareham and Wimborne. The silk manufacture has also been introduced, and is carried on principally at Sherborne. Ships and yachts are built at Poole and Bridport. Shirt buttons are made largely at Shaftesbury and Blandford, and gloves at Cerne Abbas. Good ale is brewed in the county. The chief trade is from Poole, in coal, timber, and wine. The exports are Portland and Purbeck stone, clay for pottery, sheep, wool, butter, cheese, ale, cider, and mackerel. The antiquities in the county are very numerous, both of the British and Roman periods. Of the former the most interesting are-Agglestone barrows, near Studland; the Hellstone cromlech, a circle of stones near Winterbourne St. Martin; Celtic earthworks at Sutton Walrend; cromlechs at Little Breedy and Poxwell; Badbury and Maumbury rings, and numerous barrows. As many as twenty-five Roman camps have been discovered in Dorset. The remains of a Roman amphitheatre near Dorchester are still visible. Four Roman roads traversed the county-one on each bank of the Frome, from Dorchester to Stratton, where they unite, and beyond which they cannot be traced; another from Dorchester to Melcombe Regis, and the celebrated Via Icenia. This road enters Dorset from Wilts, near Woodyates Inn, passes between Gussage All Saints and Gussage St. Michael's, and proceeds to Long Critchill, Badbury camp and down, Shapwick Marsh, Sturminster Marshall, and Stinford Lane, entering Dorchester on the N. of St. Peter's church. It issues from the town on the N.W. side, and, passing Eggerton and Poorstock, leaves the county, and proceeds to Exeter. In many parts the road has been destroyed for the materials. It is called by various names, Ickening or Icknield Road being the general name for the road in all the counties through which it passes. Between Woodyates and the Gussages it is known as Ackling Dike, and to the W. of Dorchester as the Ridgeway. In this county are the remains of Corfe Castle; also castle ruins at Brownsea and Portland. The religious houses in Dorset were twenty-nine in number at the Reformation. There were Benedictine and Cistercian abbeys at Bindon, Cerne, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Abbotsbury, Cranborne, Horton, and Milton; and priories at Dorchester, Bridport, Wareham, Loders, Frampton, and Spettisbury, besides others of less importance. Sherborne Abbey possessed a vineyard at the time of the compilation of Domesday Book; the hospital and cathedral church still remain. Wimborne, which, as well as Sherborne, was the seat of a bishopric, possesses a very fine old minster. Stalbridge church is a very ancient building, with an embattled tower, which has recently been repaired. In the marketplace there is an old cross, on a base of three steps; it measures 30 feet in height. Affpuddle church, originally belonging to Cerise Abbey, contains some fine carving. At West Chickerell there is an early English church, which formed part of Bindon Abbey, and which contains a Norman stone font, and at the W. end two large bells suspended under stone arches. Other towns and villages possessing interesting churches are: Dewlish, Handley, Lytchett Maltravers, Maiden Newton, Piddlehinton, containing several curious brasses, Shapwick, Spettisbury, Swanage, and Wyke Regis. -The seats of the nobility and gentry are: Sherborne Castle, of Earl Digby, where Sir W. Raleigh lived; Eastbury Park, of Duke of Buckingham; Stalbridge Park, Marquis of Anglesea; Cranborne Lodge, Marquis of Salisbury; Motcombe, Marquis of Westminster; Encombe, Earl Eldon; Melbury House, Earl Ilchester; Milton Abbey, Earl Portarlington; Wimborne St. Giles, Earl Shaftesbury; Bryanstone, Lord Portman; Rushmore Lodge, Lord Rivers; Down House and Sydling, of Smith, Bart.; Gaunt's House, of Glynne, Bart.; Loder's House and Mapperton, Nepean, Bart.; Parnham House, Oglander, Bart.; Raunston House, Baker, Bart.; Sans Souci, Scott, Bart.; Rhode Hill, Admiral Talbot; Bloxworth, Pickhard; Brideheed, Williams; Charboro' Park, Drax; Critchell House, Sturt; Dewlish, Mitchell; Edmondesham, Monro; Frampton House, Sheridan; Stowborough Grange, Bond; Handford House, Seymer; Henbury, Parston; Herringstone Lodge, Williams; Kingston House, Pitt; Langton, Farquharson; Lulworth, Weld; Mansion, Yeatman; Moor Critchell, Okedon; Nottington House, Steward; Strode House, Gollop; Studland, Bankes; Thornhill House, Boucher; Turnworth, Davis; Upton, Doughty; West Stafford, Floyer; Whatcombe, Pleydell; Wolveton, Trenchard; and many others. The county formerly gave the title of Marquis of Dorset to the Beauforts and the Greys, and Earl of Dorset to the Sackvilles. The London and South-Western railway passes through Dorset, entering the county near Ringwood in Hants. The chief stations are Wimborne Minster, Wareham, and Dorchester, whence it proceeds in a north-westerly direction past Stratton and Frampton to Yeovillage There are branches from Wimborne through Blandford, Sturminster Newton, and Stalbridge; a short branch to Poole; others from Dorchester to Weymouth, and from Maiden Newton to Bridport. The Exeter line also passes through portions of Dorsetshire, and the stations of Gillingham, Sherborne, and Chardstock, are in that county. The high roads from Dorchester are as follows:-to Weycombe, 7 miles, and Portland, 11. To Owre Moyne 7; Wool, 12; Wareham, 18; Corfe Castle, 22; and Swanage Bay, 27. To Piddletown, 5; Bere Regis, 11; Poole, 22; to Bournemouth and Christchurch, 32. To Charborough, 16; Wimborne Minster, 21; and Ringwood, 30. To Cranborne, 30; and Fordingbridge, 37. Blandford, 16; Eastbury Park, 22; and Salisbury, 40. By Blandford to Shaftesbury, 31. To Cerne Abbas, 7; Mintern Magna, 9; Sherborne, 17; and Yeovil, 23. By Mintern Magna to Lydlinch, 17; Stalbridge, 20; to Sturminster Newton, 20. To Longbridge, 6; Bridport, 15; Lyme Regis, 24; and Axminster, 27. To Beaminster, 17; and Chard, 28. To Crewkerne, by Chadlington, 20. There are no canals in the county."

"EAST PULHAM, a parish partly in the hundred of Buckland-Newton, and partly in the liberty of Bindon, county Dorset, 5½ miles N.E. of Cerne, and 8 S.E. of Sherborne, its post town. It is situated on the river Lyd. The village is small and wholly agricultural. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £410, and the glebe comprises 54 acres. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Sarum, value £350. The church, dedicated to St. Thomas-a-Becket, is an ancient structure with a tower containing three bells. The Rev. John Moore Halley, lord of the manor, resides at Gaddesden Park.

"WEST PULHAM, a manor in the parish of East Pulham, hundred of Buckland-Newton, county Dorset, 9 miles S.E. of Sherborne.

"EAST STOWER, a parish in the hundred of Redlane, county Dorset, 2 miles S. of Gillingham, its post town, and 4 W. of Shaftesbury, on the high road from the latter town to Sherborne. The living is a curacy annexed to the vicarage of Gillingham, in the diocese of Salisbury. The church was rebuilt in 1841. It stands on the site of the old one, and is dedicated to St. Mary. The register commences in 1653. There is a National school. Henry Fielding, the novelist, resided for some time in the parish.

"ABBOT'S COURT, an extra-parochial place, situated in the parish of Winterborne Kingston, and hundred of Bere Regis, in the county of Dorset, 5 miles to the S.W. of Blandford."

"EAST HOLME, an extra parochial liberty in the hundred of Hasilor, county Dorset, 2 miles S.W. of Wareham, its post town and nearest railway station on the London and South-Western line. It is situated on the river Frome. A small priory of Cluniac monks was founded here in the reign of Edward I., which, in the 16th century, became the property of Edward Duke of Somerset, and afterwards passed to John Hornham. There is no church. The Rev. Nathaniel Bond is lord of the manor. Holme House is the principal residence.

"HANFORD, an extra parochial place in the hundred of Redlane, Sturminster division of county Dorset, 5 miles N.W. of Blandford-Forum. It is situated on the river Stour, and formerly belonged to Tarrent Nunnery. Here was once a village, but there are now only a few farmhouses, and the old mansion of the Seymours. The living is a donative curacy in the diocese of Sarum. There is a small chapel. It is the burial-place of the Seymour family."

"KINGSTON-RUSSELL, an extra parochial liberty in the hundred of Uggscombe, Dorchester division of the county Dorset, 1 mile S. of Corfe, and 8 miles from Dorchester. This place, which in ancient records is stated to have been in the parish of Whitchurch-Canonicorum, had formerly a weekly market and annual fair, but these have long been discontinued. There is no village, only a few scattered houses. The impropriate tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £151. There was formerly a free chapel dedicated to St. James, but it is now in ruins."

"LEWESTON, an extra parochial place in the hundred of Sherborne, Sherborne division of county Dorset, 3 miles S. of Sherborne. It is a meet for Mr. Farquharson's hounds.

Leweston House is the principal residence."

"LEWSTON, an extra parochial place in the hundred of Sherborne, county Dorset, 4 miles S. of Sherborne."

"MUSTON, an extra parochial place in the parish of Winterborne Kingston, county Dorset, 4 miles N.E. of Dorchester. It is situated on the river Piddle."

"WATERCOMBE, an extra parochial place in the hundred of Winfrith, South Blanford division of county Dorset, 5 miles S.E. of Dorchester."

"WEST WOODYATES, an extra parochial liberty in the hundred of Wimborne St. Giles, county Dorset, 5½ miles N.W. of Cranborne. It adjoins the hamlet of East Woodyates, and is crossed by the Roman road from Dorchester to Old Sarum. On the neighbouring downs are numerous barrows and traces of a rampart and fosse, called Grimes dyke.

"FROOME ST. QUINTIN, a parish in the hundred of Tollerford, county Dorset, 4 miles N.W. of Cerne-Abbas, and 9 S.W. of Sherborne. Beaminster is its post town. It is situated on the river Frome. The Evershot station on the Great Western railway is about a mile N.W. of the village. The place takes its name from the St. Quintin family, to whom it belonged. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Salisbury, value with the curacy of Evershot annexed, £308, in the patronage of the lord chancellor. The church is a small edifice dedicated to St. Mary. The register commences in 1699. At Caldwell was anciently a chapel, and at Evershot is a chapel-of-ease."

"FROOME-VAUCHURCH, a parish in the hundred of Tollerford, county Dorset, 3½ miles S. of Froome St. Quintin, and 7 N.W. of Dorchester, its post town. The Maiden Newton station on the Great Western railway is a short distance from the village. The river Frome flows through the parish. At the junction of four roads, near a ford across a rivulet which falls into the Frome, is a spot called Tollerford, distinguished as having given name to the hundred, and which had anciently a chapel. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Salisbury, value with that of Batcombe annexed, £411. The church is a small edifice, the interior handsomely fitted up. There are a few small charities."

"GRANGE, a parish in the Isle of Purbeck, county Dorset, 3 miles. S. of Wareham. Here is a church, the living of which is a rectory in the diocese of Salisbury. The principal residence is called The Grange, and formerly belonged to Bindon Abbey."

"HANDLEY, a parish in the hundred of Sixpenny-Handley, East Shaston division of county Dorset, 5 miles N.W. of Cranbourne, its post town, and 10 N.E. of Blandford. It is situated on the border of Wiltshire, and, contains the chapelry of Gussage, and the hamlet of Minchington. The village, formerly a market town, is still considerable. The living is a perpetual curacy* with the curacy of Gussage St. Andrew, in the diocese of Sarum, value £63, in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Windsor. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient structure, with a square embattled tower containing three bells. It has been subsequently enlarged. The register dates from 1736. The Wesleyans have places of worship, and there is a National school. Lord Rivers is lord of the manor."

"DEANLANE, a district in the parish of Handley, in the county of Dorset, 5 miles N.W. of Cranborne; adjoining Newton."

"GUSSAGE, a chapelry united with Minchington, in the parish of Handley, county Dorset, 6 miles W. of Cranborne. The chapel-of-ease is dedicated to St. Andrew."

"MINCHINGTON-WITH-GUSSAGE, a tything in the parish of Handley, county Dorset, 6 miles N.W. of Cranborne."

"NEWTON WITH DEANLANE, a district in the parish of Handley, county Dorset, 6 miles N.W. of Cranborne."

"WOODCOTS, a tything in the parish of Handley, hundred of Sixpenny-Handley, county Dorset."

"WOODCUTTS, a tything in the parish of Handley, county Dorset, 5 miles N.W. of Cranborne."

"HASELBURY-BRYAN, a parish in the hundred of Pimperne, county Dorset, 5 miles S. of Sturminster Newton, and 10 N. W. of Blandford. The surface is undulating, and the soil chiefly a tenacious clay, alternating with rich loam. The land is chiefly in pasture, and the lower grounds are watered by a brook which flows through the parish. Limestone is quarried for building and for burning into lime. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £440. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Salisbury, value £419. The church, dedicated to St. James, is a building of the 15th century, with a square tower. The roof and part of the chancel have been recently rebuilt. The Primitive Methodists have a chapel, and there is a day school chiefly supported by the rector, who has also recently built an almshouse for eight widows. The charities comprise an estate of 21 acres, letting for £56, the donor of which is unknown, the rental to be divided amongst the most deserving poor. Lord Rivers is lord of the manor, and the Duke of Northumberland takes the title of Baron Bryan from this place."

"HOOK, a parish in the hundred of Eggerton, Bridport division of the county of Dorset, 4 miles S.E. of Beaminster, its post town, and 7 N.E. of Bridport. It is a small village situated on the river Froom, which is here joined by the Owke or Hook stream. A portion of the inhabitants are employed in flax spinning. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £41. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Sarum, value £100. The church, which was repaired in 1844, is an ancient structure, dedicated to St. Giles. There is a National school, also a Sunday-school attached to the church. The Duke of Cleveland is lord of the manor."

"HOUGHTON-WINTERBOURNE, (or Winterbourne Houghton), a parish in the hundred of Pimperne, North Blandford division of the county Dorset, 4 miles S.W. of Blandford, its post town. It belonged to the Despensers. The village is small and wholly agricultural. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Sarum, value £180. The church, dedicated to St. Andrew, is an ancient structure, with a tower containing three bells; the register dates from 1558. There is a parochial school.

"IWERNE COURTNAY, (or Shroton), a parish in the hundred of Redlane, Sturminster division of county Dorset, 5 miles N.W. of Blandford, its post town, and 8 S. of Shaftesbury. It is situated under Hambledon Hill, on the river Ewerne, and contains the chapelry of Farington. It is a small agricultural village, and formerly belonged to the Courtnays. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £260. The living is a rectory* with the curacy of Farington annexed, in the diocese of Sarum, value £372. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient structure with a square embattled tower containing four bells. The register dates from 1562. Lady Freke's School has an endowment of £20 per annum. Lord Rivers, a descendant of the Courtnays, is lord of the manor. A fair is held on the 25th September, for cattle and cheese.

"FARRINGDON, a chapelry in the parish of Iwerne Courtnay, hundred of Redlane, county Dorset, 6 miles N.W. of Blandford. This place was anciently written Ferendone. The chapel-of-ease is dedicated to St. Mary. There is a chalybeate spring."

"RANSTON, a tything in the parish of Iwerne Courtnay, county Dorset, 4 miles N.W. of Blandford."

"LADY ST. MARY, a parish in the borough of Wareham in the hundred of Winfrith, county Dorset. [See Wareham]."

"LONG CRITCHELL, a parish in the hundred of Knowlton, in the East Shaston division of the county of Dorset, 6 miles W. of Cranborne, and 5 N.W. of Wimborne station on the London and South-Western railway. The village, which is small, is situated near Achling Ditch, which formed part of the Roman way Icknield Street, leading from Old Sarum to Sturminster. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Salisbury, annexed to the rectory of Critchell Moore in 1774. The church was dedicated to St. Mary.

"MINTERN-MAGNA, a parish partly in the hundred of Cerne, but chiefly in the liberties of Piddle-Trenthide and Fordington, Cerne division of the county Dorset, 2 miles N. of Cerne-Abbas, its post town, and 5 from the Evershot railway station. The village, which is of small extent, is situated on the road to Weymouth and Bath, and is wholly agricultural. The parish includes the tythings of Lyon's-Gate and Middlemarsh. The soil is chalk and flint, alternated with clay. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Sarum, value £140. The church, dedicated to St. Andrew, is a neat edifice with a tower. The interior of the church contains monuments of the Napiers. The parochial charities produce about £18 per annum. Mintern House is the principal residence."

"HARTLEY, a hamlet in the parish of Mintern Magna, county Dorset, 2 miles N. of Cerne Abbas."

"MIDDLEMARSH, a tything in the parish of Mintern-Magna, hundred of Cerne, county Dorset, 3 miles N. of Cerne-Abbas, and 12 N.W. of Dorchester. It had formerly a seat of the Abbots of Cerne, and subsequently of the Napier family."

"TILEY, a hamlet in the parish of Mintern Magna, county Dorset, 2 miles N. of Cerne Abbas."

"AGGLESTONE, a huge mass of rock, estimated to be of 400 tons weight, lying detached near Studland Bay, in the south-eastern part of Dorsetshire. There is a curious tradition to explain its position. It is said that the devil was desirous of utterly destroying Corfe Castle, and to effect his purpose hurled this rock over from the Isle of Wight. The people name it now the Devil's Nightcap. There are some tumuli near it."

"BADBURY HUNDRED, one of the nine hundreds of the Shaston division of the county of Dorset, bounded on the N. by the hundreds of Pimperne, Cranbourne, and Knowlton; on the E. by the hundred of Cranbourne; on the S. by the hundred of Cogdean; and on the W. by the hundreds of Cogdean and Loosebarrow. It contains the following parishes:-Chalbury, Critchill More, Gussage St. Michael, Hinton Martell, Hinton Parva, Shapwick, Tarrant Crawford, and Wimborne Minster. The hundred has an area of 30,550 acres."

"BEAMINSTER FORUM and REDHONE HUNDRED, one of the 34 hundreds or subdivisions of the county of Dorset, situated in the Bridport division, and surrounded by the hundreds of Tollerford, Eggerton, and Whitchurch, the liberties of Broadwinsor and Halstock, and the county of Somerset. A portion of it lies detached. It contains the following parishes:-Beaminster, Bradpole, Chardstock, Cheddington, Corscombe, Mapperton, Mostertone, Netherbury, South Perrot, North Poorton, Stoke Abbas, and Wambrooke, with part of Teller-Porcorum. The hundred extends over an area of 34,490 acres."

"BERE-REGIS HUNDRED, one of the six hundreds of the South Blandford division of the county of Dorset, situated near the middle of the county, and surrounded by the hundreds of Coomsditch, Barrow, and Piddletown.

It comprises the parishes of Bere-Regis and Winterborne-Kingston, and has an area of about 9,920 acres."

"BINDON LIBERTY, one of the subdivisions of the South Blandford division of the county of Dorset, lying in detached parts, surrounded by the hundreds of Barrow, Hasilor, and Winfrith, and partly by the sea. It contains the parishes of Chaldon Herring, Wool, and parts of Edmondsham, Moreton, and Pulham. It has an area of about 9,640 acres."

"BRIDPORT DIVISION, one of the nine divisions of Dorsetshire, situated in the western part of the county, and bounded on the N. by Somersetshire, on the E. by Sherborne and Dorchester divisions, on the S. by the English Channel, and on the W. by Devonshire. It contains the following four hundreds Beaminster Forum and Redhone, Eggerton, Godderthorne, and Whitchurch-Canonicorum; and the four liberties of Broadwinsor, Frampton, Lothers, and Poorstock. The division covers an area of about 93,200 acres."

"BROWNSHALL HUNDRED, one of the 3 hundreds or subdivisions of the Sturminster division of the county of Dorset, bounded on the N. by Somersetshire, on the E. by the hundreds of Redlane and Sturminster-Newton-Castle, on the S. by parts of the hundreds of Pimperne and Sherborne, and on the W. by the hundred of Sherborne. It contains the parishes of Caundle Stourton, Stalbridge, and Stock Gayland."

"BUCKLAND-NEWTON HUNDRED, one of the 3 hundreds of the Cerne subdivision of the county of Dorset, situated in the centre of the county, and surrounded by the hundreds of Sherborne, Pimperne, Whiteway, and the liberties of Piddlehinton, Alton Pancras, Piddletrenthide, and Fordington. It contains the parishes of Buckland-Newton, Mappowder, Pulham, and Wootton-Glanville, and has an area of about 12,500 acres."

"COGDEAN, a hundred in the East Shaston division of the county of Dorset. It contains the parishes of Hamworthy, Code-Mullen, Canford Magna, Lytchett-Matravers, Lytchett-Minster, Sturminster-Marshall, and Charlton Marshall, comprising about 32,960 acres."

"COOMBS DITCH, a hundred in the North Blandford division of the county of Dorset; contains the parishes of Bloxworth, Blandford, Blandford Forum, Anderson, St. Mary, Winterborne Thompson, Winterborne Whitchurch, and Winterborne Clenstone, comprising an area of 11,520 acres."

"CRANBORNE, a hundred in the East Shaston division of the county of Dorset, contains the parishes of West Parley, Pentridge, Edmondsham, Rushton-Tarrant, Ashmore, Witchampton, Bellchalwell, Shillingstone, Little Farnham, Tarrant-Gunville, Turnwood, and parts of Hampreston, Cranborne, and Tollard Royal, comprising 41,000 acres."

"CULLIFORD-TREE, a hundred in the Dorchester division of the county of Dorset, contains the parishes of Buckland-Ripers, Broadway, West Knighton, Radipole, Oamington, Whitcombe, West Stafford, Winterbourne-Monckton, Winterbourne-Herringstone and parts of Winterbourne-Cerne and Winterbourne-Chickerell, comprising 11,920 acres."

"DEWLISH, a liberty in the North Blandford division of the county of Dorset, contains Dewlish and part of St. Andrew Milbourne, comprising 6,800 acres."

"EAST SHASTON, (and West Shaston) divisions of the county of Dorset. They contain the borough of Shaftesbury, and the hundreds of Badbury, Cogdean, Knowlton, Loosebarrow, Monkton-up-Wimborne, Wimborne St. Giles, Cranborne, and Sixpenny Handley, and the liberties of Alcester and Gillingham, comprising an area of 158,440 acres.

"EGGERTON, a hundred in the Bridport division of county Dorset, contains the parishes of Askerswell, Hook, Longbredy, Winterbourne-Abbas, Wraxall, and part, of Poorstock, comprising an area of 9,090 acres."

"FORDINGTON LIBERTY, in the Dorchester division of county Dorset. It is situated in the southern part of the county, and includes the parishes of Fordington and Hermitage, with parts of Mintern-Magna and Stockland, comprising an area of about 6,300 acres."

"FORELAND, (or Handfast Point) between Studland and Swanage bays, county Dorset.

"FRAMPTON LIBERTY, one of the subdivisions of the Bridport division of the county of Dorset, situated in the western part of the county. It contains the parishes of Bettiscombe, Bincombe, Burton-Bradstock, Compton-Vallence, Frampton, and part of Winterbourne-Came, comprising an area of about 10,050 acres."

"FURZE ISLAND, an island in Poole harbour, county Dorset, 2 miles S. of Poole."

"GEORGE, a hundred in the Dorchester division of the county Dorset. It is situated in the southern part of the county, and contains the parishes of Bradford-Peverell, Broadmayne, Charminster, Stinsford, Stratton, and Winterbourne St. Martin, comprising an area of about 15,500 acres."

"GILLINGHAM, a liberty in the West Shaston division of the county Dorset. It is situated in the northern part of the county, and includes the parishes of Gillingham and Motcombe, comprising an area of about 12,000 acres."

"GODDERTHORNE, a hundred in the Bridport division of county Dorset. It is situated in the south-western part of the county, and includes the parishes of Allington, Skipton-George, and Walditch, comprising nearly 3,300 acres."

"HASILOR, a hundred in the South Blandford division of county Dorset, contains the parishes of Arne, Church Knowle, East Holme, Kimeridge, Steeple, and Tyneham, comprising together about 14,820 acres."

"HUNDREDSBARROW, a hundred in county Dorset, contains the parishes of Aff Puddle and Turners Puddle, comprising an area of 5,710 acres."

"ISLE OF PURBECK, properly a peninsula, forming the S.E. angle of county Dorset. It-is surrounded by the sea on the S. and E., while on the N. it is divided from the mainland by Poole Harbour and the Frome, and on the N.W. by a rivulet called Luckford Lake. It comprises the hundreds of Hasilor and Rowbarrow, with Corfe Castle near the centre, and Studland and Swanwich bays on the coast. It is near 12 miles long by 7 broad, and is traversed from W. to E. by a chalky ridge of hills from Warbarrow Down to Foreland Point, on the coast, dividing it into two sections. The southern half is generally fertile, with a subsoil of greensand, while the northern is mostly barren heath on a subsoil of London clay. Prior to the 17th century it was a royal forest, and some of the old hunting seats are still remaining, having been converted into farmhouses. The prevailing rock is limestone, with oolite and Portland stone, in parts, as at Durlestone and St. Alban's Heads. One variety of the limestone, called Purbeck marble, was formerly much used in the building of churches, being susceptible of a good polish, but is deficient in durability underexposure to the air. It weighs about 150 lbs. per cubic foot, and abounds in shells and fossils, including several species of the iguanodon, crocodile, and plesiosaurus. There are also found a kind of slate, a very hard paving stone, a pure potter's clay, Kimmeridge clay, and firestone near Wareham.

"KNOWLTON, a hundred in the East Shaston division of county Dorset, contains the parishes of Long Critchill, Gussage, All Saints, and Woodlands."

"LEWESDON, a hill in county Dorset, 2 miles W. of Beaminster. It serves with Pillesdon Pen Hill as a landmark for sailors, who term them the Cow and Calf."

"LOOSEBARROW HUNDRED, in the East Shaston division of county Dorset. It is situated in the central part of the county, and includes the parishes of Almer, Morden, and Spetisbury, comprising an area of about 12,000 acres."

"LOTHERS, a liberty in the division of Bridport, county Dorset. It is situated in the western part of the county, and includes the borough of Lyme Regis, and the parishes of Bothenhampton and Loders."

"MAUMBURY, a hill, county Dorset, a quarter of a mile S.W. of Dorchester, remarkable for the remains of an amphitheatre cut out of the chalk rock by order of the Roman general, Agricola. The amphitheatre, which is reckoned the most perfect in England, is nearly oval, being 344 feet by 340, and 55 feet deep."

"MONCKTON-UP-WIMBORNE, a hundred in county Dorset, contains the parishes of Chettle, Tarrant Monckton, and part of Cranborne, comprising an area of 4,720 acres."

"NINEBARROW, one of the chalk downs in the Isle of Purbeck, county Dorset, 3 miles E. of Corfe Castle."

"OWRE, an extensive common in the hundred of Cranborne, county Dorset, 4 miles S.E. of Cranborne. It formed part of Cranborne Chase."

"PARRET, (or Perrott), a river rising on the borders of Dorsetshire and Somersetshire, and falling into the Bristol Channel at Stert Point, near Burnham lighthouse. It is navigable to its junction with the Yeo.

"PEVERELL POINT, a headland on Swanage Bay, coast of county Dorset, 5 miles S.E. of Corfe Castle. The Saxon fleet commanded by Alfred the Great gained a victory here over the Danes in 877."

"PIDDLETOWN, a hundred in the county of Dorset, contains the parishes of Athelampstone, Burlestone, Piddletown, Tincleton, Tolpuddle, and part of Milborne St. Andrew, comprising an area of 11,430 acres."

"PIDDLETRENTHIDE, a liberty in the Cerne division of county Dorset, contains the parishes of Mintern Magna and Piddletrenthide, comprising an area of 7,201 acres."

"PIMPERNE, a hundred in the North Blandford division of the county of Dorset; contains the parishes of Bryanstone, Durweston, Neville, Fifehead, Hammoon, Haselbury-Bryan, Langton-Long, Blandford, Pimperne, Steepleton-Iwerne, Stourpain, Tarrant-Hinton, Tarrant-Keynston, Tarrant-Launceston, Tarrant-Rawston, and Winterbourne; comprising an area of 25,810 acres."

"REDLANE, a hundred in the Sturminster division of county Dorset, contains the parishes of Buckhorn Weston, Child Okeford, Fife-head-Magdalen, Hanford, Iwerne-Courtnay, Kington-Magna, Manston, Silton, East and West Stower, Sutton Waldron, and Todbere, comprising about 18,000 acres."

"ROWBARROW, a hundred in the South Blandford division of county Dorset, contains the parishes of Langton-Matravers, Studland, Swanage, and Worth-Matravers, comprising an area of 12,640 acres."

"RUSHMORE, a hundred in the North Blandford division of county Dorset, contains the parish of Winterborne Zelstone comprising about 840 acres."

"SALISBURY PLAIN, an extensive level tract of unenclosed country running across the county of Wilts, formerly extending into Hampshire on the E., and Dorsetshire on the W., but now much circumscribed, including only the open downs to the S. of Salisbury, and the level plain, or plateau, to the S. of that city, chiefly occupied as sheep walks. In the dreariest part of this plain, about 6 miles N. of Salisbury, stands Stonehenge."

"SHAMBLES, a shoal off the coast of county Dorset, 3 miles E. of Portland. It extends about two miles from E. to W., and caused the wreck of the Abergavenny in 1805."

"SHERBORNE, a hundred in the above division, county Dorset, contains the parishes of Beer-Hackett, Bradford-Abbas, Castleton, Caundle Bishop, Caundle (Marsh and Purse), Nether and Over Compton, Folks, Haydon, Holnest, Leweston, Lellington, Longburton, Lydlinch, North Wootton, Oborne, Sherborne, Thornford, and Up-Cerne, comprising an area of 21,090 acres, exclusive of Sherborne."

"SHERBORNE, a division in the county of Dorset, contains the hundreds of Sherborne and Yetminster, and the liberties of Halstock and Ryme Intrinseca, comprising an area of 34,220 acres."

"SIXPENNY-HANDLEY, a hundred in the county of Dorset, contains the parishes of Handley, Cann, Compton Abbas, Fontmell Magna, Iwerne Minster, Melbury Abbas, and East and West Orchard, comprising an area of 16,960 acres."

"STURMINSTER, a division of county Dorset, contains the hundreds of Brownshall, Redlane, Sturminster-Newton-Castle, and Stower Provost liberty, comprising an area of 41,904 acres."

"STURMINSTER-NEWTON-CASTLE, a hundred in the Sturminster division county Dorset, contains the parishes of Hinton St. Mary, Marnhull, Margaret Marsh, Okeford-Fitzpaine, and Sturminster-Newton-Castle, comprising an area of 12,430 acres."

"THE MIXON SANDS, a shoal on the coast of Dorset, off Weymouth.

"TOLLERFORD, a hundred in the Dorchester division of county Dorset, contains the parishes of East and West Chilborough, Chilfroon, Evershot, Frome St. Quintin, Frome Vanchurch, Maiden Newton, Melbury-Sampford, Rampisham, Toller-Fratrum, Winford-Eagle, and part of Toller-Porcorum; comprising an area of 14,880 acres."

"UGGSCOMBE, a hundred in the Dorchester division of county Dorset, contains Dorchester, also the parishes of Abbotsbury, Little Bredy, Chilcombe, Fleet, Kingston Russell, Langton Herring, Litton Cheney, Portisham, Puncknowle, Swyre, Winterbourne Steepleton, and part of Hawkchurch, comprising an area of 24,290 acres, exclusive of Dorchester."

"WABYHOUSE, a liberty in the Dorchester division county Dorset, contains the parish of Upway, comprising an area of 1,120 acres."

"WEY, a stream of county Dorset, rises near Upway and falls into the sea at Weymouth."

"WHITCHURCH CANONICORUM, a hundred in the Bridport division of county Dorset, contains the parishes of Bridport, Burstock, Catherston Lewston, Charmouth, Chideock, Marshwood, Pilsdon, Symondsbury, Whitchurch Canonicorum, Stanton St. Gabriel, Wooton-Fitzpaine, and part of Stockland, comprising 22,020 acres, exclusive of the borough of Bridport."

"WHITEWAY, a hundred in the Cerne division of county Dorset, contains the parishes of Chesilborne, Hilton, Ifferton, Melcombe-Horsey, Milton-Abbas, Stoke Wake, and Wolland, comprising 13,190 acres."

"WIMBORNE, a hundred in the Shaston division of county Dorset, contains the parishes of Wimborne St. Giles and West Woodyates, comprising 3,090 acres."

"WINFRITH, a hundred of South Blandford division of county Dorset, contains the parishes of Coombe Keynes, East Lulworth, Moreton, Poxwell, East Stoke, Warmwell, Watercombe, Winfrith-Newburgh, and Woodsford, comprising 20,490 acres."

"YETMINSTER, a hundred in the Sherborne division of county Dorset, contains the parishes of Batcombe, Clifton Maybank, Melbury - Bubb, Melbury - Osmond, and Yetminster, comprising 9,960 acres."

"PIDDLETOWN, (or Puddlestown), a parish and town in the hundred of Piddletown, county Dorset, 5 miles N.E. of Dorchester, its post town. The parish, which is extensive, is bounded on the N. by the river Piddle, or Trent, and contains Little Piddleton and nine other hamlets The town, which formerly had a market, contains some good houses and shops. There are remains of an ancient cross near Heedless William's Pond. The road from London to Exeter passes through the parish. The great tithes, belonging to the Earl of Orford, have been commuted for a rent-charge of £908, and the vicarial for one of £520; there are about 12 acres of glebe. The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Sarum, value £438. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, has an embattled tower. The church was decorated and enlarged in 1505. It contains a figured font, some old effigies, and two brasses of the Martyn family, bearing date 1524. The parochial charities produce about £8 per annum. There are National and infant schools. The Independents have a place of worship. Cattle fairs are held on Easter Tuesday and on 29th October.

"BARTON, a hamlet in the parish and hundred of Piddletown, in the county of Dorset, 6 miles from Dorchester."

"BOURNE, a hamlet in the parish and hundred of Piddletown, in the county of Dorset, 5 miles to the N.E. of Dorchester. It is situated on the river Piddle, and contains a manufactory of sailcloth."

"CHINE HILL, a hamlet in the parish of Piddletown, in the county of Dorset, 5 miles N.E. of Dorchester."

"DRUCE, a hamlet in the parish of Piddletown, in the county of Dorset, 5 miles N.E. of Dorchester."

"DUDDLE, a hamlet in the parish of Piddletown, in the county of Dorset, 2 miles E. of Dorchester."

"ILSNGTON, a hamlet in the parish of Piddletown, county Dorset, 3 miles E.

of Dorchester."

"LITTLE PIDDLE, a hamlet in the parish of Piddletown, county Dorset, 6 miles N.E. of Dorchester.

"TROY TOWN, a hamlet in the parish of Piddletown, county Dorset, 3 miles N.E. of Dorchester."

"WATERSON, a hamlet in the parish of Piddletown, county Dorset, 4 miles N.E. of Dorchester, on the river Trent."

"POORSTOCK, (or Powerstock), a parish chiefly in the above liberty, but partly in the hundred of Eggerton, Bridport division of county Dorset, 4 miles N.E. of Bridport, its post town, and 5 S.E. of Beaminster. The parish comprises the tythings of West Milton, Mappercombe, South Poorton-cum-Loscombe, and Witherston. It was formerly a market town by grant of Edward III. The village is small, and chiefly agricultural. On Eggerton Hill, at the extreme end of the Roman road from Dorchester, are traces of two Roman camps, and at Castle Hill foundations of a castle, built by King Athelstane, who occasionally resided here. There are quarries of freestone and paving stone. The appropriate tithes, belonging to the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury, have been commuted for a rent-charge of £303, and the vicarial for £230. The living is a vicarage* with the curacy of West Milton annexed, in the diocese of Sarum, value £195, in the patronage of the dean and chapter. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, was originally built in the reign of Henry VII., and though the greater portion of it has been recently rebuilt, it still retains its chancel arch and S. doorway. In the chancel are six windows of stained glass. The alterations were effected at an outlay of about £2,200. There is also a chapel-of-ease at West Milton. The parochial charities produce about £2 per annum. There is an excellent parochial school, erected on a site presented by Mr. Shepperd, of Milton.

"LOSCOMBE, a hamlet in the parishes of Netherbury, North Poorton, and Poorstock, county Dorset, 3 miles S.E. of Beaminster."

"MAPPERCOMBE, a tything with Nettlecombe, in the parish of Poorstock, county Dorset, 3 miles N.E. of Bridport."

"NETTLECOMBE, a tything in the parish of Poorstock, county Dorset, 4 miles N. E. of Bridport.

It is in conjunction with Mappercombe."

"POORSTOCK, a liberty in the Bridport division of county Dorset, contains a part of the parish of Poorstock, comprising an area of 3,680 acres."

"SOUTH POORTON, a tything in the parish of Poorstock, hundred of Eggerton, county Dorset.

"WEST MILTON, a tything in the parish and liberty of Poorstock, county Dorset, 3¾ miles N.E. of Bridport, its post town. The village, which is small, is wholly agricultural. Stone for paving and an inferior kind of freestone are quarried. The living is a curacy annexed to the vicarage of Poorstock, in the diocese of Sarum. The church is ancient and serves as a chapel-of-ease to Poorstock.

"WITHERSTONE, formerly a parish but now a tything in the parish of Poorstock, hundred of Eggerton, county Dorset, 5 N.E. of Bridport."

"SHROTON, a parish in the hundred of Pimperne, North Blandford division, county Dorset. See Iwerne Courtnay."

"STAFFORD WEST, a parish in the hundred of Culliford-Tree, county Dorset, 2½ miles S. E. of Dorchester, its post town. The village, which is small, is situated on the river Frome, and is chiefly agricultural. The parish includes the old parish of Frome-Billet. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Sarum, value £303. The porch of the church bears the date 1640. The parochial charities produce about £30 per annum. There is a parochial school for both sexes. Stafford House, an Elizabethan mansion, was formerly the seat of the Goulds."

"STANBRIDGE, a parish in the hundred of Badbury, East Shaston division of county Dorset. See Hinton Parva."

"STEEPLETON-IWERNE, (or Steepletonpreston), a parish in the hundred of Pimperne, North Blanford division of county Dorset. See Iwerne, Steepleton.

"STOCK-GAYLAND, (or Stoke), a parish in the hundred of Brownshall, Sturminster division of county Dorset, 5 miles W. of Sturminster-Newton, its post town, and 4 S. of Stallbridge. The parish is bounded on the N. by the river Caundle, and is intersected in the S. by the Lidden. The land is chiefly in pasture. There was once a chantry at Watton Court. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Sarum, value £194. The church, situated in the Park, is an ancient structure, and contains the effigy of a Knight Templar. The parochial charities produce about £10 per annum. There are day and Sunday schools, supported by the Rev. H. F. Yeatman, LL.B., who is lord of the manor. Stockton House is the principal residence.

"STOKE ABBOTT, (or Stoke Abbas), a parish in the hundred of Beaminster Forum, Bridport division of county Dorset, 2 miles W. of Beaminster, its post town, and 6 N. of Bridport. The village is situated near the river Bret. A large portion of the inhabitants are employed in flax-spinning and manufacture of tow. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Sarum, value £420, in the patronage of New College, Oxford. The church is dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin. The register dates from 1559. There is a National school for both sexes. The Dissenters have a chapel. The Beaminster Union poorhouse is situated in this parish.

"STOWER PROVOST, a parish and liberty in the Sturminster division county Dorset, 5 miles S.W. of Shaftesbury, its post town, and 9 S.E. of Wincanton. The village is considerable. Here was formerly a cell to the nunnery of St. Leger de Pratellis, or Preaux, in Normandy, founded in the reign of King John, and given at the suppression to King's College, Cambridge. The living is a rectory* annexed to that of Todbere, in the diocese of Sarum, value £655, in the patronage of King's College, Cambridge. The church is dedicated to St. Michael. The parochial charities produce about £6 per annum, which go towards the support of the National school."

"STRICKLAND WINTERBORNE, a parish in the hundred of Pimperne, North Blanford division of county Dorset, 3¾ miles W. of Blanford, its post town. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Sarum, value £367. There is a National school for both sexes. The Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists have chapels."

"STURMINSTER-NEWTON-CASTLE, a parish, post, and market town in the hundred of Sturminster-Newton-Castle, Sturminster division county Dorset, 5 miles S.E. of Stalbridge, and 8 S.W. of Shaftesbury. It is a station on the Somerset and Dorset railway. It is situated at the six-arched bridge over the river Stour, and comprises the townships of Sturminster and Newton, occupying opposite sides of the river. The parish includes the hamlets of Newton and Bagbere. It is a petty sessions town, and a court leet takes place annually, at which the constable for the hundred and tythingmen are appointed. It is supposed to be the Anicetis of Ravennas, and was given by Alfred the Great to his son, Ethelwald; and in 968 Edgar granted the manor of Sturre to Glastonbury Abbey. At the Dissolution the manor was presented by Henry VIII. to Queen Catherine Parr,;and was given by Queen Elizabeth to the Hattons. It was formerly the seat of an extensive woollen trade, which is now extinct, the only manufactures being white baize and swan skins. In the vicinity are traces of an old castle and of a D-shaped camp. The streets, in general narrow and indifferently built, have been much improved of late years. There are two banks, a union poorhouse; and a large oblong market-house, with warerooms above and shambles below. The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Sarum, value £712. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, has been much enlarged and nearly rebuilt, with the exception of the tower, which is part, of the old building. There are schools for both sexes, including infants. The Primitive Methodists and Wesleyans have chapels, and the latter a Sunday-school. A literary and scientific institution was established in 1850. The Blackmoor Vale harriers hunt here. Lord Rivers is lord of the manor. The market is held every alternate Thursday.

Fairs, are held on 12th May and 24th October."

"NEWTON, a tything in the parish of Sturminster-Newton-Castle, county Dorset, 1 mile S.W. of Sturminster. It is situated near the river Stour."

"TARRANT-KEYNSTON, a parish in the hundred of Pimperne, county Dorset, 3½ miles S.E. of Blandford, its post town, and 5½ N.W. of Wimborne. The village, which is of small extent, is situated on the western bank of the Tarrant, which here joins the Stour. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Sarum, value £394. The church, dedicated to All Saints, has been rebuilt, with the exception of the tower. Sir J. James Smith, Bart., is lord of the manor."

"TARRANT-MONCKTON, a parish in the hundred of Monckton-up-Wimborne, county Dorset, 4¼ miles N.E. of Blandford, its post town. There was formerly a priory. The living is a vicarage with the curacy of Tarrant-Launceston annexed, in the diocese of Sarum, value £55. The church, dedicated to All Saints, is old. The parochial charities produce about £1 per annum. The Wesleyans have a chapel. J. J. Farquharson, Esq., is lord of the manor."

"THOMPSON, a parish in the hundred of Coombs-Ditch, county Dorset, 6 miles S.E: of Blanford-Forum. There is no village. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Salisbury, value £100. The church, dedicated to St. Andrew, was rebuilt by Archbishop Wake."

"TODBERE, a parish in the hundred of Redlane, Sturminster division of county Dorset, 5 miles S.W. of Shaftesbury, its post town. It was formerly a chapelry in the parish of Gillingham. The living is a rectory annexed to that of Stower Provost, in the diocese of Sarum. The church is old. The register dates from 1563. The Marquis of Westminster is lord of the manor."

"TOLLARD-ROYAL, a parish, partly in the hundred of Cranborne, county Dorset, but chiefly in the hundred of Chalk, county Wilts, 8 miles S.E. of Shaftesbury, and 8 N.W. of Cranborne. Ludwell is its post town. The parish is apportioned into four farms, viz:, Higher Farm, Lower Farm, Corner Farm, and Thorn Farm. In the parish is an old farm-house, called "King John's Hunting Seat," thought to be the remains of an ancient royal residence for hunting in Cranborne chase. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Sarum, value £467. The church, dedicated to St. Peter-ad-Vincula, has recently been restored. There is a National Sunday-school. Lord Rivers is lord of the manor."

"FARNHAM-TOLLARD, a tything in the parish of Tollard-Royal, hundred of Cranborne, county Dorset, 1 mile N. of Farnham."

"UPPER CERNE, a parish in the hundred of Sherborne, in the county of Dorset, adjoining Cerne-Abbas. There is no village. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Salisbury, in the patronage of W. W. White, Esq., who is proprietor of the whole parish, and resides at Upper Cerne House, a fine old structure, formerly connected with Cerne Abbey.

"WEST STOWER, a parish in the hundred of Red Lane, county Dorset, 4 miles S.W. of Gillingham, its post town, and 5 W. of Shaftesbury. The village is on the river Stour, and the high road from Shaftesbury to Sherborne and Yeovil. The living is a curacy annexed to the vicarage of Gillingham, in the diocese of Sarum. The church is an ancient structure, dedicated to St. Mary.

"WIMBORNE, a parish in the hundred of Wimborne and Cranborne, county Dorset, 2 miles S.W. of Cranborne, and 5 S. of Woodyates. It comprises the tythings of Wimborne All Saints and All Hallows. The village is situated on the river Allen, and chiefly belongs to the Earl of Shaftesbury, whose seat, St. Giles' Park, is comprised within this parish. In the park is a grotto made of shells and mineral ores. The manor anciently belonged to the Plessys, from whom it came to the Malmairs, Hamelyns, and Ashley-Coopers, and now belongs to the Earl of Shaftesbury, who takes hence the title of baron. The soil is light, resting upon a substratum of chalk. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Salisbury, value £620. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, was rebuilt in 1732, and restored by the Earl of Shaftesbury in 1852. The register dates from 1652. There are National schools for both sexes, and almshouses for widows and aged persons founded by Sir A. Ashley, but the endowment belonging to which has been unfortunately lost."

"STONE, a hamlet in the parish of Wimborne, county Dorset, 1 mile W. of Wimborne."

"WINTERBORNE-ABBAS, a parish in the hundred of Eggerton, county Dorset, 4 miles N.E. of Abbotsbury, and 5 W. of Dorchester. The village is situated in a vale on the high road from Dorchester to Bridport. It takes its name from the South Winterborne stream, which rises a little to the W. of the village, within a Druid circle formed of rough stones, called the Nine Stones. On the surrounding hills are numerous barrows, a cromlech, and traces of a Roman encampment. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Salisbury, united to that of Winterborne Steeple, joint value £435, in the patronage of Lincoln College, Oxford. The church is dedicated to St. Mary: The living was once held by Bishop Ironside."

"WINTERBORNE-CLENSTONE, a parish in the hundred of Coombs Ditch, county Dorset, 4 miles S.W. of Blandford. It was formerly a place of importance, having three churches. It takes its name from the northern Winterborne stream, a feeder of the Stour. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Salisbury, value £160. The church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, was rebuilt at the expense of Mrs. Michel in 1840. There is a school, lately built by Mrs. Michel."

"WINTERBORNE-HERRINGSTONE, a parish in the hundred of Culliford Tree, county Dorset, 1 mile S. of Dorchester. It anciently belonged to Siward the Saxon, and subsequently came through the Herrings, to the Williams family. The hall contains several historical portraits by Kneller, and Bible carvings on the large window. There is no church, and only a few farmhouses."

"WINTERBORNE-MONCKTON, a parish in the hundred of Culliford Tree, county Dorset, 2 miles S.W. of Dorchester, and 6 N. of Weymouth. It had once an alien priory cell, founded by King John, subordinate to Cluni Abbey. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Salisbury, value £159."

"WINTERBORNE-STRICKLAND, a parish in the hundred of Pimperne, county Dorset, 3½ miles S.W. of Blandford-Forum. It includes the tything of Quarleston, the site of the old seat of the Binghams, the greater part of which has recently been pulled down. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Salisbury, value £367. The Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists have chapels. There is a National school. The charities produce about £7 per annum, bequeathed by Barbara Skinner. Baron Hambro' is lord of the manor."

"WINTERBORNE-THOMPSON, a parish in the hundred of Coombs Ditch, county Dorset, 6 miles S. of Blandford."

"WOOTTON-GLANVILLE, a parish in the hundred of Buckland-Newton, county Dorset, 12 miles N. of Dorchester, 7 S.E. of Sherborne, and 5 N. of Cerne Abbas. The village was once the residence of John Churchill, the grandfather of the great Duke of Marlborough. The parish includes the tything of Newlands, and an ancient camp called Dungeon. The soil is a deep clay interspersed with chalk and gravel in patches, upon a substratum of sandstone, in which fossils are found. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Salisbury, value £210. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, was repaired in 1741, and has on the S. side a mortuary chapel, once a chantry, containing an altar tomb with a recumbent effigy of a knight, several mural monuments, and remains of ancient stained glass."

"NEWLANDS, a tything in the parish of Wootton Glanville, county Dorset, 8 miles N.E. of Cerne-Abbas."

"WOOTTON-NEWLAND, a tything in the parish of Wootton-Glanville, county Dorset, 8 miles S.E. of Sherborne."

Genealogy

John Fuller has provided full details of the DORSET and WESSEX-PLUS, the Genealogy Mailing Lists which cover this county. This is but a small part of the data available on the "Genealogy Resources on the Internet" pages maintained by John and Chris Gaunt.

The Dorset Online Parish Clerks (OPC) scheme provides online parish resources, and its members offer to perform lookups in the resources to which they have access.

Researchers may be interested in the Dorset GenWeb pages.

Heraldry

The transcript of the Herald's Visitation of Dorset in the year 1623 is available for online searching on Ancestry

History

Hutchins, J. The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset, 3rd edition., edited by W. Shipp and J.W. Hodson, Westminster: J.B. Nichols and sons, 1861 - 1874

Maps

Antique maps, Plans, Manuscripts, Documents, etc., relating to Dorset are available from Lesley Aitchison.

Military History

The Military Museum of Devon and Dorset houses documents, photographs and histories of The Devonshire Regiment, The Dorset Regiment, The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, The Dorset Yeomanry, The Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry, The Dorset Militia, The Royal Devon Yeomanry and 94 Field Regiment RA.

Societies

Voting Registers

The names of the Freeholders In Dorchester & Fordington are listed in alphabetical order, together with their place of residence, the location of the freehold property, who was living there and the page number in the book. Transcription by Michael Russell - OPC for Dorchester & Fordington

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Archives & Libraries

Bibliography

Census

Church History

Church Records

Civil Registration

Description & Travel

Gazetteers

The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868

DORSETSHIRE

Genealogy

Heraldry

History

Maps

Military History

Societies

Voting Registers

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