Purse Caundle History, Dorset

PURSE CAUNDLE HISTORY - CHAPTER 7: GEORGIAN PURSE CAUNDLE 1714-1837

2010-06-20T16:17:00.605+01:00

Updated 8.50 a.m., 2nd July 2010.

1714, 1st August. Accession of George I as king, and the beginning of the Hanoverian dynasty and so-called 'Georgian period'.
1716 At this time: 'CANDAL PURSE. Hundred of Sherborne. R[ector]. Deanery of Shaftesbury. Valuation £7-8-8. Patron: Lord Brook. Incumbent: Mr R. Heymour. Seat [manor house]: Mrs Hopkins [presumably Hoskins]. [Lord of] Manor: Lord Brook.'
5th February, Tuesday. The Manor of Purse Caundle. There was 'a Court Baron of the Right Honourable William Lord Brooke, by Andrew Shirley, gentleman, steward there.
Homage: Thomas King (principal juror), James Pope, John Taylor (jurors).
Who say on their oaths that to this court came John Clarke, who holds for the term of his life, according to the custom [of the manor], and who surrendered into the hands of the lord of the manor aforesaid part of a tenement with appurtenances (that is to say) part of a messuage or dwelling house, otherwise known as le Kitchin, and the northern end of le barn of the said messuage, a close called the Barton on the eastern edge of the said messuage, and a parcel of land called le old apple orchard, containing by estimation ten roods, a close of arable land called Overfeild, containing by estimation seven acres, two closes of arable land called Hill Closes, containing by estimation two acres, one meadow called Eastmead, containing by estimation two acres and a quarter more or less, and a parcel of meadow called le Plott, containing by estimation three quarters of an acre, with appurtenances, and all and singular of these premises were once in the tenure of William Kinge deceased, and late in the tenure of Alice King, widow and relict of the aforesaid William King, together with the use and occupation of the water in le Barton, in an complete and full a manner and form as the aforesaid William King enjoyed the premises aforesaid during his life, by virtue of a copy of the court rolls bearing the date the first of April in the 23rd year of the reign of King Charles II, late king etc [1671], granted by Philip Hoby esquire, and all the estate, title, interest and claim of the said John Clarke to the aforesaid premises, whereby there falls to the lord an heriot, which is included in the form within mentioned. Whereupon there came to this court the aforesaid John Clarke and James Clarke, son of the said John, and took from the said lord of the manor aforesaid and by delivery from the steward aforesaid, the aforesaid part of a tenement and the seversl closes and premises aforesaid with appurtenances. To have and to hold the aforesaid part of a tenement, closes and all the rest of the said premises with appurtenances, to the said John Clarke and James Clarke, and also to John Clarke, son of the said James, for the terms of their lives and of the longest one of them to live, successively, according to the custom of the manor aforesaid. Paying for it annually five shillings and fourpence at the usual times, and for all other charges, services, heriots and dues, formerly due and accustomed, and for having therein the title and estate, the aforesaid John Clarke senior, and James Clarke, give to the lord aforesaid, as a fine, £45. And so the said John Clarke senior is admitted tenant thereto and made his fealty, but the fealty of the said James and John Clarke his son, shall be held over until etc.

[Signed] Thomas King

James Pope

John Tayler'

'Michas 3d King Geo: 1716

Dorsetshire [---] John Lanyon                           )
Gent. demth agst Clement                                 )
Newsham Esqr the Manor of                            )
Purse Chaundell oths Chaundle                         )
Purse oths Purse Candle wth                            )
the Appurts and 20 Mefses -                            )
40 Gardens 1000 acres of Land                       )
50 acres of Meadow 500 acres                        )
of Pasture 50 acres of Wood                            )                                                    Willm Lord Brooke
800 acres of ffurze and Heath                           )                                                            Baron Brooke
and Common of Past. for all                             )
Cattle Courts Leet Courts                                )                                                           of Beauchamp
Baron and View of Frankpledge                      )                                                                 Court Vol
with the Appurts in ---                                     )                                                                   Roll 312
Chaundell Purse oths Purse                              )
Candle Milborne and Stawbridge                     )
oths Stalbridge and also the                              )
Advowson of the Church of                             )
Purse Chaundell - - -                                       )

     Exd
     Richd F. Lee Deputy Clk Warrs'                                                                     (WSRO 383/512!)
1722 Under what was to be known as Knatchbull's Workhouse Act (9 George I, c.7), parishes were empowered to establish workhouses or poor-houses. There was to be a general growing tendency to deal stringently with the able-bodied poor and grant them relief only within an institution in which they would be set to work. Parishes alone or united could build or adapt existing buildings for the purpose. These were often referred to as 'poor houses' - see also 1782. Apparently Purse Caundle had "old Poor Houses" according to the Census enumerator in 1841 (q.v.).
1727, 11th June. Accession of George II as king.
c.1729 John Burgess became Parish Clerk, until 1763 - see APPENDIX C2.
1729-1730 During the winter the number of deaths was up at Stalbridge due to the national outbreaks of "agues and influenza".
1730, 21st December. The Rev. John Chafey M.A., vicar of Lillington, Dorset, since 1717, was installed rector of Purse Caundle following the death of Rev. Richard Highmore.
From about now the depiction of the rural poor in English painting started to be more realistic, by such artists as Thomas Gainsborough, George Morland, and John Constable. (See John Barrell's The Dark Side of the Landscape, etc.)
1733 English was again required to be used in all legal documents, including Manorial records, after Latin had been legislated in 1660 (q.v.).
1735-1737 Bishop Secker of Bristol began his Diocesan Survey, which has since been transcribed in Bristol Record Society Vol. 37 - reproduced for Purse Caundle in 1767 below.
1738, 2nd November, Purse Caundle Manor Court Baron.
'The Homage on their Oathspresent as follows-
   First, we Present the several Freeholders, Leaseholders and Copyholders who made default in appearing at this Court.
Also, we Present Mr John Prankhard a Tenant of this Manor for not Scouring and Cleansing his ditch leading from his house against the Church Yard in Purse Candle to the bridge adjoining to the Parsonage house there and that the same be done by Midsummer next under the penalty of Twenty Shillings [£144 in 2007].
Also, we Present Eliz Clark widow for not repairing her barn at Ruston within this Manor and that the sasme be done by Midsummer next under the penalty of Twenty Shillings.

[Signed] Henry Snooke

James Pitman

Freeholders amerced at 5s [£36] assessed to    ) 1s 6d [£10]
Tenants by Ind[enture] each at 3s assessed to   ) 1s 6d
Tenants by Copy[hold] each at 2sassessed to   ) 1s 6d

Agreed by us [Signed] Henry Snooke

James Pitman'

1739, 20th November, a Court Baron, before John Hutchings, Deputy Steward of the Manor.

Walter Chaffey bailiff.

The names of the Homage

Sworn James Pitman

Sworn Robert Snook

The Homage on their Oaths present as follows.

First, we Present the several Freeholders, Leaseholders and Copyholders who made default in appearing at this Court.

Also, we Present The ditch from the corner of the home of the late Thomas Kings to Mr John Prankards ditch [against] the Church Yard to want Scouring and that the same be done by Walter Brett the Occupier thereof by Christmas under the penalty of Twenty Shillings.

Also, we Present the Church way and ditches leading from Tripps Farm to the Church, and from John Chards house to the Parsonage house to be out of repair and to want amending and scouring and we do order the same to be amended and scoured by Tho Sewall [---] who ought [---] and [there] by Christmas next [---] shall each person [---] being default [---].

Also, we Present that since the last Court Henry Snooke a Copyhold tenant of This Manor is dead whereby there [---] due to the Lord of the Manor a Herriott which is [---] and that Robert Snooke is the Lords next Tenant [---] was admitted [---] Court and did his ffealty.

Also, we Present that the pound is out of repair and that the Same is to be Repaired by the Lord of the Manor.

Also, we Present the Foot path Three Wearmead from stile to stile to be out of Repair and being within this Manor and that the Same be Amended by the Occupiers of the ffarm late John Hoskyns Esq, by Xmas next under the penalty of Twenty Shillings.

[Signed] James Pitman

Robert Snooke

There were the same amercements and assessments as previously.

[Signed] Agreed by us ) James Pitman

) Robert Snooke'

1741, 23rd June. 'The Court Baron of nthe right honble Francis Lord Brook Baron Brook of Beauchamps Court in the county of Warwick Lord of the Manor [of Candle Purs, Purs Candle] aforesaid . . . Before John Hutchings, Gent, Deputy Steward of the Sd Manor.
The names of the sworn Homage: James Pitman, Robert Snook, John Prankerd.
Presented were the several Freeholders, Leaseholders and Copyholders who made default in appearing at this Court.
The Footpath leading to the Church lying within this Manor from Rew house to Mr john Chaffeys Lains [---Shleand?] The Same be repaired by the occupier of Tripps Farm by Michaelmas next under penalty of Ten Shillings.
{Amercements and assessments as previously]
List of Freeholders and Tenants:
Freeholders: The heirs of John Hoskyns Esq for the Farms; the widow of Mr John Chaffey for the rentes; John Jolleffe; William Foot; Anne King widow.
Copyholders: Samuel Barrett decd; Robert Snook; James Pitman, Elizabeth Clasre; John Clark [crossed through] dead; Ann King; Joan Brown.
Leaseholders: Elias Parret late Jeffery Brine; Mary Clark widow; John Clarke; [Robert?] Player? Esq; John Prankerd; Elizabeth Pope widow; James Pitman.'
1742, 16th July, a Court Baron, again held 'before John Hutchings, Gent, Deputy Steward of the Manor.
The names of the sworn Homage: James Pitman, Robert Snook, with the same amercements and assessments as previously.
Presented were: John Prankherd, John Clark, Elias Parrett, Charles Bragg Esq., Leaseholders of this Manor have made default in attending at this Court and that the heirs of John Hoskyns Esq for the Farme, John Hallett, William Foot, Freeholders of this Manor, and that the assigns of Samuel Barrett deceased, and Elizabeth Clark widow, Copyholders of this Manor have made default in appearing at this Court.
The Footway leading from the Church to the reverend Mr John Chaffeys house late Richard Highmores to be out of repair and that the same be amended by Michaelmas next by the Supervisors of the Highways of Purse Candle under the penalty of Ten Shillings [£72].
The Ditches on both sides of the road and also the foot road leading to the Church of Purse Candle to the House of Robert Snook in this Manor to be out of repair and want scouring and amendment and that the ditches be scoured by the Occupiers of the Grounds thereto adjoining by Michaelmas next under penalty of [Ten - torn] Shillings on each person making default and that the footway be amended by the Supervisors of the Highways by Michaelmas next under the penalty of Ten Shillings.
That the Occupiers of a Farme now belonging to the Revd Mr John Chaffey and formerly to Mr Richard Highmore decd being parcell of this Manor have a right at all Times of the year to go with Carts and Carriages and to drive Cattle and Sheep thro two Closes called Challwell field and Snailhill part of the farme late John Hoskins Esq to certain Closes called Pasthill being parcell of sd farme in the occupation of the sd John Chaffeye situate on each side of London Road.
William King has got into possession of a piece of Ground cont abt one quarter of an acre being part of Mays Tenement parcell of this Mannor and keeps the possession thereof under [---] that the same was and is the Inheritance and part of the farme late John Hoskins Esqr decd.

[Signed] James Pitman Robert Snook'

1742-1743 During the winter the number of deaths were up at Stalbridge, and possibly at Purse Caundle, from the smallpox rife throughout England.
1743, 11th May, a Court baron of Lord Brooke was held, again 'before John Hutchings, Gent, Deputy Steward of the Manor.

The names of the sworn Homage were: John Prankerd, John Clarke, Robert Snook, James Pitman.

[The same amercements and assessments as previously were agreed and signed by Robert Snook and James Pitman.]

Presentments were: The footway leading from the Church to the Reverend Mr John Chaffeys house late Richard Highmores to be out of repair and that the same be amended by Michaelmas next by the Supervisors of the Highways of Purse Caundle under the penalty of Ten Shillings.

The Ditches on both sides of the Road, and also the foot road leading to the Church of Purse Candle to the house of Robert Snook in this Mannor to be out of repair and wants scouring and amendment and that the Ditches be scoured by the Occupiers of the grounds thereto adjoyning by Michaelmas next under the penalty of Ten Shillings on each person making default, and that the footway be amended by the Supervisors of the Highways by Michaelmas next under penalty of Ten Shillings.

That the Tenants of this Manor have a right to the plowboot, gateboot, stileboot and fireboot without assignment and houseboot with assignment.

[Signed] Jno Prankerd

Jno Clark

Robert Snook

Jamy Pitman'

1747 On 15th August, the churchwardens and overseers of the poor of the parish of Sherborne made complaint to two Justices - William Clapcott and John Meech - concerning Hannah Sherring, widow of James Sherring, and her children Katherine aged about 7 years and James aged about 5 years, who had recently settled in Sherborne, and likely to become chargeable to the parish. Upon examination it was found that their legal place of settlement was the parish of Caundle Purse, whereupon the Justices ordered the removal forthwith of the Sherring family from Sherborne to the churchwardens and overseers of Caundle Purse. On the Removal Order (DHC ref- PE/SH: OV 1/4/17) there is a note that the three Sherrings were delivered to Mr Robert Snooks, churchwarden of Caundle Purse on 22nd August 1747.

1749 Bridget Hoskins, widow of Peter Hoskins, died. The Purse Caundle manor house then possibly passed to the Gooch family.

1750, 4th May. There was an earthquake with a Dorset oigin. (DHC ref: D/FOW/D2)

1752 A New Calendar was introduced. Up to now the Julian Calendar year had commenced on 25th March, but had become 11 days behind the rest of the world's Gregorian Calendar. England at last was to adopt this 'New Style' Gregorian Calendar in 1752, with the year now to start on 1st January, and ending on 31st December. To account for the out-of-step 11 days, the day following Wednesday 2nd September 1752 was Thursday 14th September 1752. This caused upset amongst the population who somehow considered they had 'lost' 11 days of their life, and gave rise to the cry "Give us back our 11 days."

1753, 9th July, Turnpike Deeds were arranged for improvements, gates, tolls, etc. on the road from Whitesheet Hill in Wiltshire, through Shaftesbur, Milborne Port, Sherborne, to the Halfway House in Nether/Lower Compton. Money was to be raised by private loans at interest, re payable from the tolls. This was to be along part of the old main road between London and Exeter, running through north Dorset, including the northern part of Purse Caundle parish, being diverted from the old medieval road at Toomer Hill, eventually coming some 600 yards south and closer to the village, before meeting up with the old road again at Milborne Port.

1754, 28th November, a Purse Candle 'Court Baron of Lord Brooke, held again before John Hutchings Esqr, Deputy Steward of the Manor.

The sworn Homage was Robert Snooke, John Clarke.

Freeholders of the Manor: [Jenkin] Elisha, John Brett, William Horsey, The heirs of John Hoskyns Esq.

(Amercements and assessments were as previously.)

Presentments: Mrs Mary Player by whose Life a Leasehold Estate called Tripps otherwise Mewe Farm lying within this Manor dyed on the Sixth day of June 1751 and by her death fell into the Hands of the right Honourable the Earl brooke Lord of the sd Mannor and that an Herriott on her Death became due to the Lord of this Mannor which is paid and satisfied.

That Elizabeth Clarke widow of John Clarke who held a Copyhold tenement called ruston for her Widowhood is lately dead and that John Clarke Grandson of the sd John Clarke is the Lords next Tenant who is Intitled to this tenement for his Life by Virtue of a Copy of Court roll of this same Mannor dated the 5th day of February 1716 and Granted to the said John Clarke the Grandfather and James Clarke both deceased for their Lives and the Life of the above named John Clarke the Grandson by the Rt Honourable William Lord Brooke deceased and that the sd John Clarke the Grandson came into Court and Claimed to be admitted Tenant to the same Tenement and premises and was Admitted Tenant accordingly and did his Fealty.

The Ditch from Farmer Toogoods barton Gate to the Stile leading into Ellis Everitts Mead to want Scouring and that the same be done by the Occupiers of the Severall Grounds adjoining by the 25th day of December next under penalty of two Shillings a [---] each person making default.

That William King is got into pofsefsion of a Plott of Ground containing about one Quarter of an Acre lying opposite Mr Hoskins's Barn formerly part of Mays Tenement [arcell of this Mannor as proved to Us on the Oath of Thomas King who proved in Court that he heard his Father Thomas King who dyed about twenty Years ago and was then Fourscore years of Age and born in the parish of Candle Purse declare that the sd plott was held by Lease from the Lord of this Mannor and taken out of the Close called Mays adjoining.

That the Heirs of John Hoskyns Esq, [Jenkin] Elisha, John Brett, and William Horsey, Freeholders of this Mannor and Charles Braggs Esq, John Prankherd and Elias Everett, Leasehold Tenants of this Mannor have made default in Appearing at this Court.

[Signed] Robert Snook, John Clark, Nicholas Clark.'

1757-1759 Of the Dorset Lieutenancy Militia Ballot Lists - the majority of which were destroyed in 1927 because of their badly decayed condition - nothing has survived of any involvement by Purse Caundle inhabitants. In the Register of Yeomanry and Volunteer Corps in Dorset, listed is Captain Noake's Company of Volunteers for Sherborne, but unfortunately it is not listed with places of abode.

1758, 7th March. John Chafy M.A., son of previous Purse Caundle's rector John Chafy who died 1757, was installed rector in his place. The Patron was Francis, Earl Brooke. (See APPENDIX C2)

1760, 25th October, accession og George III as king.

1761, 9th June, at 11.45 a.m. there was a strong earthquake felt at Sherborne, Shaftesbury and 13 miles around. (DHC ref: D/FOW/D2)

1762, 12th March. A day of Prayer and Fasting.

Only now was bull-baiting stopped at Marnhull, five miles from Purse Caundle.

1763, 1st September. The burial at Purse Caundle of John Burgess who had been Parish Clerk there for 34 years, and to be succeeded by his son Thomas Burges to 1800.

17th November. A Purse Caundle Court Baron 'of the Right Honourable Francis Earl Brooke and Earl of Warwick Lord of the Mannor, held before Thomas Miles, Deputy Steward.

Homage: John Clarke, Robert Snooke, Who being sworn and charged upon divers articles touching the Business of this Court do on their Oath present as followeth:

That the Brook from Parsonage Bridge to Horns Well Lane wants to be scoured and often renders the Road leading from Purse Candle to Milborne [Port] unpafsable and that the same ought to be scoured by the Occupiers of the several Grounds adjoining Therefore we order the said persons to scour their respective parts of the said Brook before 24th June [next] under the penalty of 5s [£30] each person making Default.

That the Ditches on each Side of the Road from Farmer Toogood's Barton Gate to the Gate leading ninto Farmer Dowding's Ground called Dole want to be scoured and that the same ought to be done by the Occupiers of the several Grounds adjoining Therefore We order the said Persons to scour their respective parts of the said Ditches before 2nd February 1764 under the penalty of 10s 6d each person making Default.

That the Copyholders within this Mannor may cut and have sufficient Gate Boot, Stile Boot, Plow Boot and Fire Boot without Assignment of the Lord of this Mannor or his Agent for that purpose appointed according to the Custom of the said Mannor.

[Signed] John Clark, Robert Snook.'

1765 Up to this date there had not been so far any Alehouse Recognizances for Purse Caundle.

During 1765-1767 there was to be widespread smallpox.

1766, Saturday, 30th August. According to The Journal of the Rev. John Wesley, the Methodist preacher, Having just come from Shaftesbury, 'We rode to Stallbridge, long the seat of war by the senseless, insolent mob, encouraged by their betters, so called, to outrage their quiet neighbours. For what? "Why, they were mad; they were Methodists." So, to bring them to their senses, they would beat their brains out. They broke their windows, leaving not one whole pane of glass, spoiled their goods, and assaulted their persons with dirt, and rotten eggs, and stones, whenever they appeared in the street: but no magistrate, though they applied to several, would show them either mercy or justice.' Wesley had apparently managed to bring the matter to the Court of King's Bench after prolonged delays of eighteen months or so. At the assizes '. . . it fell so much heavier on themselves when they [the rioters] were found guilty. And from that time, finding "there is law for Methodists", they have suffered them to be at peace. I preached near the main street, without the least disturbance, to a large and attentive congregation.'

As his next stop was Axminster he must have passed by Purse Caundle by either the old (non-payment) medieval road, or the new fee-paying turnpike road. Along the former road is now Gospel Ash Farm (a matter of a few yards inside Somerset), and said to have been named after an ash tree in a field along the Dorset/Somerset boundary. Under this tree which stood right on the boundary, John Wesley was supposed to have preached. According to Countryside Treasure in Dorset - West Dorset, Part 2, published by Dorset County Council in 1980: 'Tradition relates how John Wesley used to preach there until constabularies arrived from one county or the other, when he simply carried on preaching but from the other side of the tree.'

There is currently (2010) a large ash tree in a field here (Grid ref: ST 692 188), but whether directly associated with the original one is not certain.

1767 The Diocesan Survey started by Bishop Secker of Bristol in 1735, was continued by Bishop Newton in 1766: 'Caundle Purse H[oly] Trinity [sic?]. R[ectory]. King's Book 7.8.9. [Valor Ecclesiasticus giving the yearly value of the benefice in 1534].

Certified 43 li [Liber Valor et Decimorum 1707]. Mr Walker 80. [written over this figure is written "since 60 clear" [- value of the living at the time of writing, i.e. £80 "since £60 clear".] (approx. £8.117 and £6,087 respectively at 2007 values). Patron Ld Brooke. Incumbent John Chaffey [interlined "good"], resides upon a peculiar within a mile and half. Small Parish. One family of Presbyterians.

None. B[isho]p Smalr[idge - George Smalridge was Bishop of Bristol 1714-1719. Entries in the Survey for several parishes include details "according to Bishop Smalridge". In this instance it appears that he had recorded that there were no dissenters here in his time.]

John Chafey M.A. succeeded his father in 1758. Wm Sharp his curate. In 1766 about 20 families. No Dissenters, Methodists, or Papists. The curate James Shields licensed with a salary of 20£ [approx. £2.029 in 2007] a year and surplice fees. Divine service every Sunday alternately morning and afternoon. Four communions, 10 communicants. Mrs. Chafey being in an ill state of health lives in Salisbury, near which he has some other preferments.

In 1767 no Papists.'

Was the name of the church as shown of Holy Trinity an error? - but see also 1780. And who was Mr. Walker?

Under the Highways Act passed this year, on the 22nd September each year, unless a Sunday then the next day, constables, tythingmen, churchwardens, and householders of every parish were to meet to choose ten sufficient persons for presentation to justices in October, who would in turn appoint one or more to the office of Surveyor of Highways.

A Directory shows that at neighbouring Stalbridge, as well as the weekly Market on Thursdays, there were Fairs on 6th May and 4th September for all sorts of cattle. Milborne Port had Fairs on 5th June mainly for entertainment, and 28th October for a few cattle, sheep, and toys.

1768 The Rev. John Wesley wrote in his Journal that having preached at Wincanton the day previous: 'About one, Wednessday the 28th [September], I preached at Stalbridge, to a large and seriously attentive congregation.' A similar reception to that he had received in 1766.

1770 WSRO ref: 383/321 is a bound book in which there begins a record of yearly meetings of the Purse Caundle Court Baron:

'15th November, Court Baron of Henry Hoare Esq, [new] Lord of the Manor, henld before Moulton Messiter, Gentleman, Steward there.

Homage sworn: Nicholas Clarke, James Toogood, William Horsey, Thomas Dowding, James Stoy, Elias Greene, John Coomes, George Toogood.

We present John Collins to be Hayward of this Manor for the Year ensuing.' All the Homage signed, except John Coomes who had to make his "X" mark.

1771, '23rd November. Purse Caundle Court Baron of Henry Hoare Esq, before Moulton Messiter, Gentleman, Steward there.

Homage sworn: Nicholas Clarke, James Toogood, James Stoy, Elias Greene, George Toogood, John Coomes.

Presented was John Collins to be Hayward of the Manor for the year ensuing.

All the Homage signed, except John Coomes who made his "X" mark.'

1772, '21st November. Court Baron of Henry Hoare Esq, held before Moulton Messiter, Gentleman, Steward there.

Homage sworn: Nicholas Clarke, James Toogood, George Toogood, John Coombs.

Presented: William Horsey who had died since the last Court, a Heriot of £3 [£287] thereby due to the Lord.

John Chard had also died, with heriot of 1s [£4.75] due to the Lord.

John Collins to be Hayward for the ensuing year.

All the Homage signed, except for John Coombs who made his "X" mark.'

1773, 13th November. 'Purse Caundle Court Baron of Henry Hoare Esq., held before Moulton Messiter, Gentleman, Steward there.

Homage sworn: Nicholas Clarke, James Toogood, George Toogood, John Coombs.

Presented: John Clarke had died since the last Court, with his Copyhold Tenement fallen into the Lords hands, and a Heriot of the best beast hereby due to the Lord of the Manor.

James Clarke died since the last Court, with his Leasehold Tenement also fallen into the Lords hands, and a Heriot of Twenty Shillings due to the Lord.

John Collins again presented to be Hayward for the ensuing year.

All the Homage signed, except John Coombs who made his "X" mark.'

1774, 19th November. 'Purse Caundle Court Baron of Henry Hoare Esq., held before Moulton Messiter, Gentleman, Steward.

Homage sworn: Nicholas Clarke, James Toogood, John Coombs.

Presented: John Collins to be Hayward of the Manor for the Year ensuing, and he was approved and Sworn accordingly.

All the Homage signed, except again John Coombs who made his "X" mark.'

During the year was published the 1st Edition of the Rev. John Hutchins of Wareham's The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. The coverage of 'Purse Candel' was relatively small. For instance, there was the short entry: 'The Church is a small ancient fabric, and contains little remarkable' and not much more, compared to the seven or more columns in the 3rd Edition c.1870. However, the generous early history of the Manors of Athelney and Shaftesbury, and major family genealogies were not much less than later. Included was a form of genealogical table of the Hanham family of 'Purfe-Candel'. There were also potted biographies of Nathaniel Highmore MD, son of one of the parish rectors; and of Bishop Peter Mew, son of an owner of the manor house. The list of Patrons and Rectors was practically almost complete. See appropriate CHAPTERS and APPENDICES.

1775, 11th November. 'Purse Caundle Court Baron of Henry Hoare Esq., held before Moulton Messiter, Gentleman, Steward of the Manor.

Homage sworn: Nicholas Clarke, James Toogood, John Coombs, Thomas Dowding.

John Collins again Presented to be Hayward for the ensuing year.

All the Homage signed, except John Coombs who made his "X" mark.'

1776 According to Volume 31 of the House of Commons Sessional Papers of the Eighteenth Century, the following is an Abstract of the Return of the Overseers of the Poor of Purse Caundle in the Sherborne Out Hundred:

'Money raised within the Year ending at Easter 1776: £12-8-4.

Expended, out of the Money so raised, in paying County Rates, and for other Purposes not relating to the Poor: £0-14-4.

Expended on Account of the Poor: £10-3-0.

Whereof was applied in paying Rent of Workhouses and Habitattions for the Poor: Nil.

In Litigations concerning Settlements and Removal of Paupers: Nil.

Number of Workhouses and Number of Persons which each will accommodate: Nil.'

See 1787 below re. a report of the Overseers of the Poor.

16th November. 'Purse Caundle Court Baron of Henry Hoare Esq., held before Moulton Messiter, Gentleman, Steward.

Homage sworn: Nicholas Clarke, James Toogood, John Coombs, George Toogood.

John Collins Presented to be Hayward for the year ensuing.

All the Homage signed, except John Coombs who had to make his "X" mark.'

1777, 12th November. 'Purse Caundle Court Baron of Henry Hoare Esq. held before Moulton Messiter, Gentleman, Steward.

Homage sworn: Nicholas Clarke, James Toogood, John Coombs, William Upward, George Toogood.

John Collins Presented, approved and sworn as Hayward for the ensuing year.

All the Homage signed, except John Coombs who had to make his "X" mark.'

1778, 24th October. 'Purse Caundle Court Baron of Henry Hoare Esquire, held before Moulton Messiter, Gent, Steward.

Homage sworn: Nicholas Clarke, James Toogood, John Coombs, William Upward, George Toogood.

Presented: John Collins to be Hayward of the Manor for the year ensuing, being approved and sworn accordingly.

Presented Edward Miller for digging and carrying away great Quantitys of the Soil in the Highway leading from Milborn Port to Henstridge.

All the Homage signed, except John Coombs who made his "X" mark.'

1779, 11th December. Purse Caundle Court Baron, when Presented was the Death of Mary, wife of Robert Noake, late Mary Prankard spinster. Presented John Collins again to be Hayward for the ensuing year.

1780 No meetings of the Purse Caundle Court Baron were recorded for 1780-1782.

The Archdeacon of Dorset's Book 'was made for the use and convenience' of the Venerable George Watson Hand soon after he entered upon his archdeacon's office in 1780. The entry of particular interest reads: 'Caundle Purse R. H.Trinity[!] Kings books £7. 8. 9. certified £43. Income 60£. Patron Ld. Brooke small Parish Divine Service every Sunday alternately Morning and Evening. In 1767 No Papists. Incumbent John Chafey succeeded his father in 1758.' This does not seem to have been updated since 1767 (q.v.).

About this time was drawn the first known Purse Caundle estate map of the Earl Brooke and Earl of Warwick. The introductionof estate maps could have made periodic perambulations of bounds unnecessary.

1782, 22nd August. William Horsey was installed rector of Purse\Caundle on the death of John Chafy earlier in the year. Patron was Henry Hoare Esq.

The Act 22 George III, chapter 83 (known as Gilbert's Act) re-enforced the 1722 Act regarding the formation of workhouses.

1783 At this time there were still being published details of the following Fairs and Market Days in the immediate area:

'Sherborne: Wednesdays before Holy Thursday for all sorts of cattle and pedlary.

July 18th: Wool, horned cattle, sheep, horses and pedlary.

July 26th: Horses, cattle, and in particular for lambs and pedlary.

First Monday after 10th October for wool, horses, horned cattle and pedlary.

Milborne Port: June 5th and October 28th for a few cattle and toys.'

The following entry was made in Purse Caundle's Parish Register:

'The First of October, 1783, being the day of Tax of three pence [£1] duty to his Majesty Commenced for every Marriage, Birth and Burial (excepting in the case of Baptisms of those children who are born of Parents who receive relief from the Parish, and in the case of Burials of those who are buried from any Work House, or Hospital, or those that are buried at the sole expense of any Charity.' (DHC ref: PE/PCD RE 4/1)

6th December. A Court Baron. Presented: Thomas Savage to be Hayward for the ensuing year.

1784, 20th November. Court Baron. 'Presented: Thomas Savage to be Hayward for the ensuing year.

Presented: The death of Barbara, wife of the Rev. Mr. Read late Barbara Gardner spinster. Heriot of £10 [£974] in respect to farm in Manor called Trymms farm [Tripps?].'

1785 January-March there was snow, frost and ice.

The summer suffered much from lack of rain. Appropriate contemporary comments were made, such as:

April- "Farmers wish much for rain." "Hot sun. Muddy sky."

May- "The dust on the roads insufferable." "There is a great want of rain in . . . England." "Severe drying exhausting drought. Cloudless days. The country all dust." "The country strangely burnt-up."

Then on 19th August- "Terrible storm all night . . . and broke off boughs from the trees." Followed a couple of days later by "Sweet harvest day."

September-November were again to be wet, with ten weeks of rain and accompanying flooding. On 25th November there was "Considerable snow on the ground."

26th November. 'Court Baron before Richard Messiter, Steward. Presented: Death of John Dyer, a life named in a cottage, etc., late Thomas Sturgess, but that that the same is held by the life of Samuel Sturgess. Thomas Savage to be Hayward for the ensuing year.'

1786 On 16th January, Joseph Olive Esq., mayor of Poole in Dorset, made examination of Jane, otherwise Jenny Barber, "a rogue and vagabond", who had been apprehended within the parish of St. James, Poole, and found that she had been born in Purse Caundle where she had lived at service, and had not gained subsequent settlement, and had been relieved by several persons in Poole, and having nothing wherewithal to subsist and no place to lodge in but the open air. Jane had to make her "X" mark on the Examination form. The mayor then made an order to the Constables, Tythingmen or other Officers of the Peace of Poole and elsewhere to convey her from Poole, firstly via the parish of Hamworthy, and the churchwardens or overseers of the poor of Purse Caundle to receive her. (DHC ref: OV 2/3/53) In the Purse Caundle Parish Register it is recorded that Jane Barber had been baptised at Purse Caundle on 31st July 1765 - see APPENDIX C5.

25th November. A Court Baron, where it was Presented that George Coombs to be Hayward for the ensuing year.

According to the 2nd edition of Hutchins, in a 'Return to Parliament 1786: There are no charitable donations within the parish.

John Messiter, Minister

Edw. Miller, Churchwarden'

Presumably the latter comment related to such things as bequests the interest from which was to fund charitable operations.

1787 Hutchins was to also record:

'The return by the overseers of the poor of this parish [Purse Caundle] to Parliament, 1787:

Money raised within the year ending at Easter 1776 £12 8s 4d

Expended in county-rates, and other purposes £ 0 14s 4d

Expended on the poor £10 3s 0d

Money raised in 1783 £45 13s 2d

Money raised in 1784 £34 12 7d

Money raised in 1785 £31 7s 10d

Medium of these three years £37 4s 6d

Medium of county expences £ 4 10s 5d

Medium of nett annual expences for the poor £32 14s 1d

Medium, of law expences £ 0 13s 4d

Medium of setting the poor to work £ 0 11s 8d'

[£1 = £100 approx. at 2007 values]

27th October. Court Baron held before Richard Ring, Deputy Steward. Presented was George Coombs to be Hayward for the ensuing year.

By 1787 the Stalbridge cattle market, held on alternate Mondays, had been revived. After the American War of Independence there was no other such market between Salisbury and Yeovil, but it was to decline again in the 19th century.

Cottagers often had a pig in a stye in their gardens.
1788, 23rd January. John Messiter B.A. was installed rector of Purse Caundle on cession of William Horsey. Patron: Sir Richard Colt Hoare, Bart.
18th October. 'Court Baron, before Edward Ings, Deputy Steward. Presented: George Coombs to be Hayward for ensuing year.'
1789, 4th August, Tuesday. King George III and the Royal family visited Sherborne Castle and Park from noon until late. (See Parson Woodforde's Diary)
11th October. 'Court Baron, before Edward Ings, Deputy Steward. Presented: George Coombs to be Hayward for ensuing year.'
1790, 16th October. 'Court Baron before Uriah Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: George Coombs to be Hayward for the ensuing year. Death of Martha Chafie, by whose death a life was lost upon Mr Chafie's Estate.'
1791, 8th October. 'Court Baron held before Uriah Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: George Coombs to be Hayward for ensuing year.'
This year's Universal Biritish Directory made no mention of any of Purse Caundle's inhabitants.
1792, 6th October. 'Court Baron held before Uriah Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presentment: George Coombs to be Hayward for ensuing year.'
1793 In the first week of January, at Sherborne, Sturminster [Newton], 'and a great number of other places' in the south-west, an effigy of Thomas Paine (author of The Rights of Man) was hung and burnt, as being considered undermining the King's Majesty and the Constitution. This unrest came with the onset of the French Revolution, when there was a fear of a French invasion, such that between 1794-1798 there were raised within counties companies of volunteer soldiers. It is not known whether there were any Purse Caundle disturbances or subsequent volunteers.
16th October, a 'Court Baron was held before Uriah Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: George Coombs to be Hayward. The waggon house of the Farm held by Rev. W. Chafie under the Lord out of repair, and ordered to be repaired by the next Court. Similarly regarding the dwelling of Charles Collins.'
Similar to circumstances of a century before, there was a shortage of low denomination currency, such that many traders again had to issue their own halfpenny and farthing coin tokens. One place being Sherborne.
1794, 15th October. 'Court Baron held before Uriah Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: George Coombs to be Hayward. The death of John Clark, a life named in a cottage held by Jane Clark under the Lord. Also the death of Samuel Sturgis, with a cottage and garden fallen into the Lord's hands. Also the death of Mary Jeffery, sister of Rev. Mr. Chafie, a life name in a farm held by him under the Lord. The Waggon house not yet repaired under penalty of forty shillings [approx. £176 at 2007 values].'

A real Halfpenny token of 1794, inscribed around the edge CURRENT EVERY WHERE. Marked on the reverse PRO BONO PUBLICO.

1795, 14th October. 'Court Baron held before Uriah Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: George Coombs to be Hayward for ensuing year.'

Medal issued to celebrate the marriage in 1795 of the Prince of Wales (future George IV) to Princess Caroline.

1796, 12th October. 'Court Baron held before Uriah Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: George Coombs to be Hayward. The waggon house on Tripps farm under same penalty as in 1794.'
This year saw the beginning of five years of exceptional bad weather.
An interesting book to read giving some indication of living conditions at this time is The Diary of a Farmer's Wife 1796-1797. It is the day-to-day Diary (with its eccentric spelling) of the wife (Anne Hughes) of a well-to-do farmer in Hereforshire, which although not really local to Purse Caundle, does give the reader some insight into typical country life.
1797, 11th October. 'Court Baron held before Uriah Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: George Coombs to be Hayward. Continued presentment of waggon house. Death of Thomas Dowding, a life named in a dwelling house and lands held under the Lord of the Manor.'

A real 'Cartwheel' penny of 1797, so-called because of its large size - 1 4/10th inches diameter.

1798 Early in the year there was heavy snow and rapid thaw. During the year a General Mobilisation was ordered, to prepare to repel any feared French invasion.
10th October. There should have been a Court Baron, but 'A sufficient number of Tenantys not appearing no Presentment was made. [Signed] Geo. Messiter'.
'Land Tax Assessment for rthe Sherborne Hundred - Purse Caundle:
Proprietor                                   Occupier             Sum assessed
Sir R. C. Hoare Bt                   Geo. Coombs            5 - 11 - 4
Sir R. C. Hoare Bt                   Edward Swire            0 - 8 - 4
Thos Couche Esq                    James Miller               9 -   4 - 8
Revd Wm Chafy                     James Miller               2 - 10 - 4
Revd John Messiter Rector            -                                -
Revd Canon Colton                James Loader             7 - 17 - 10
Mr Collins                              William Notley            1 -   1 - 4
Mr Noake                              Geo. Coombs             1 - 14 - 2
Mr Horsey                             Himself                        1 -   0 - 10
Mr Horsey                             Himself                        0 -   4 - 0
Mr Dowding                          Geo. Coombs              0 -   8 - 8
Mr Stoy                                 Geo. Coombs             0 -   8 - 8
Late Toogoods                      Richard Bakstock        0 - 11 - 6

Total: 33 - 12 - 0'
(DHC ref: QDE(L)47/15/20) [1d = 34p. 1s = £4. £1 = £81 at 2007 values]
1799 People living on heavy clay soils, such as that at Purse Caundle, could barely sow half their quantity of wheat because of torrential rains. Sheep rot was also prevalent.
9th October. 'Court Baron held before Edward Dyne, Deputy Steward. Presented: George Coombs still to be Hayward. The continued Presentment of the Barn on Tripps Farm. The dwelling house of Tripps Farm and the barnns to be out of repair, and ordered that the same to be repaired under a penalty of £50 [approx. £3,382 at 2007 values]. House, barns, etc. belonging to the same farm situate in the Street of Purse Caundle out of repair, under penalty of £50. Dwelling house belongingto the Estate called Rue in possession of William Notley to be repaired by next Court.'

A real George III penny of 1799, back to a normal size of 1 2/10th inches diameter.

1800, 4th October. 'Court Baron, held before Uriah Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: George Coombs to be Hayward.'

1801 First Census held. Purse Caundle contained 73 males, 75 females = 148 inhabitants in 26 inhabited dwellings. Very little information of use to genealogists was included.

7th October. 'Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: George Coombsto be Hayward. Presented was the death of James Dowding, a life name in a tenement called Dowding's fallen into the hand of the Lord, and a heriot of forty shillings [approx. £110] paid.'

1802, 27th October. 'Court Baron, held before Thomas Ware, Deputy Steward. Presented: George Coombs to be Hayward. Presented: Barn belonging to the late James Toogood ruinous and out of repair; to be repaired under penalty of £5 [c.£356].

1803, 12th October. 'Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: John Coombs [now] to be Hayward. [Continued] Presentment of James Toogood's Barns, etc.'

A local newspaper reported: 'Mr Coombs, of Purse Candel, a very honest respectable farmer, died 26th December, at the Castle Inn, Sherborne, of a paralytic stroke, which seized him the 24th.' Was this the George Coombs who had been the Hayward for a number of years, but had had to sign with an "X" mark?

In Michael J. Flame's PhD Thesis of 1997, he gives thr following Poor Law details relating to Purse Caundle:

'Adults permanently relieved outdoors - 13.

Children permanently relieved outdoors - 9.

Adults and children permannnnently relieved indoors - Nil.

Relieved occasionally - 7.

Total relieved - 29.

Total relieved as total of population - 19.6%.

Non-able-bodied relieved (above 60 years old) or disabled from labour by permanent illness or other infirmity - 3.

Able-bodied adults and children - 26.

Able-bodied as percentage of all paupers relieved - 89.7%.

Permanent indoor paupers as percentage of all paupers relieved - Nil.'

1804, 10th April, a Bastardy Order was issued for Thomas Burgess, labourer of Purse Caundle, and Jane Ricketts (nee Bazell) of Winterbourne Kingston. (DHC ref: PE/BCN/OV22)

10th October. 'Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: John Coombs to be Hayward for the ensuing year.'

1805, 24th October. 'Court Baron, held before Richard Messiter, Steward. Presented: John Coombs to be Hayward. Presented: Death of John Day, with a cottage and garden falling into the Lord's hands.'

Early in this 19th century there were high prices because of poor harvests, and the Napoleonic Wars.

1806, 24th March. In the Salisbury and Winchester Journal was an advertisement whereby the churchwardens and overseers of the poor of Stalbridge were ready to receive proposals from any person for Farming their Poor for one year, and providing the several paupers with Provisions, Firing, washing and mending, at a stipulated sum per pauper; and allowing all advantages resulting from the labour and earnings of the paupers. 35-40 paupers could thus be accommodated.

22nd October. Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: Jonathan Cadie appointed Hayward for the ensuing year.

1807, May. General Election. Regarding Purse Caundle, according to the Poll Book it was to take part in electing two Knights of the Shire. Candidates were: W. M. Pitt Esq, E. B. Portman Esq, and H. Bankes Esq.

Situation - Nature of -

Freeholders Residence Freehold Name of Freehold Occupier's Name

John Horsey Milborne Port Caundle Purse Land Himself

Rev. John Messter Woolwich, Kent Caundle Purse Rectory Thomas Uphill

John Stoy Pointington Caundle Purse Land Mary Coombs

Horsey voted for Pitt and Portman; Messiter for Portman; Stoy for Pitt and Bankes.

23r5d october. 'Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: Jonathan Cadie to be Hayward.'

A real George III halfpenny of 1807.

1808, 21st October. 'Court Baron, held before Uriah Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: Jonathan Cadie to be Hayward.'

1809, 20th October. 'Court Baron, held before Uriah Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: Jonathan Cadie to be Hayward.'

1810, 20th October. 'Court Baron, held before Uriah Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: Jonathan Cadie to be Hayward. Presented: The farm house at Rew held by Charles Collins for lives, and in occupation of William Notley was out of repair. Also house belonging to James Stoy, and to be repaired by next Court. Presented: Death of Elizabeth Chaffey, farm called Chaffey has fallen into the Lord's hands, with heriot of £3 [c.£163].

1811 Census: 69 males, 63 females = 132. Again very little information required.

18th October. 'Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: Jonathan Cadie to be Hayward.'

1812, 16th October. 'Court Baron, held before Uriah Messiter, Deputy Steward. Presented: Jonathan Cadie to be Hayward. Presented that it is contrary to the Custom of this Manor to plepasture the Lanes with horses or cattle of any description, and we do order the Hayward to impound such cattle as he shall find feeding therein. Also the cottage of Mrs. Teaver is out of repair and to repair before Xmas next under pain of forty shillings [£96].'

As late as 1812 William Stevenson could write of Dorset that "in the vale of Blackmoor, th'cows are mostly of the Devonshire kind."

1813, 15th October. 'Purse Caundle Court Baron of Sir Richard Colt Hoare, Baronet, Lord of the Manor, held before George Messiter [now] the Steward there. Homage: James Styles, William Harris, Thomas Savage, George Burgess. Jonathan Cadie sworn as Hayward for the ensuing year. Rue House held by Charles Collins and occupied by Samuel Lawrence as Undertenant to William Notley is out of repair, and that a certain outhouse adjoining thereto is also in Want of some Amendment and that the same be seveerally amended and repaired before Lady Day next under the Forfeiture of forty shillings. An Incroachment on the Waste and an Infringement by George Stacey on the Manorial Right by his having dug a pond converted to his own use on a parcel of Ground near Park Hill, and present that the same be thrown out before the next Court.

[Signed] James Styles, The "X" Mark of William Harris, The "X" Mark of Thomas Savage, The "X" Mark of George Burgess.

(W.Notley had Notice and promised to repair. G.M.)

N.B. G.Stacey paid 6d [approx. £1.20] acknowledgement and promised to throw out this Incroachment. G.M.' (WSRO ref: 383/336)

1814, 14th October. 'Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Steward. Presented: William Coombs appointed Hayward. Death of James Stoy, one of two lives in a tenement under the Lord, a heriot of £1 [£53] paid.'

Between 1796-1814 were published the several volumes of the greatly expanded second edition of Hutchins, with Purse Caundle in the final volume. It was now mentioned that 'The parish is inclosed and chiefly in pasture; the remainder is partly arable, partly coppice.' It was also noted by inference that the new turnpike had been built as mention was made of 'The old causeway from Sherborne to Stalbridge passed a little North of the vill.' The church was now described in great detail (see APPENDIX B1), with the interesting point of 'the South and West sides of the church almost covered in ivy', which presumably was removed in later renovations/rebuilding. It was further noted that 'The Register begins 1731', seemingly from the new rector, the Rev. John Chafy, without any explanation of the whereabouts of any previous one(s). Synopses of the 1801 and 1811 Censuses were included. See also 1787 re. Account of the Overseers of the Poor.

1815 Following the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo on 18th June, there were widespread celebrations in towns and villages throughout Britain. The Rev. William Barnes, the Dorset dialect poet was to write a poem, Bishops Caundle, recording how the victory ws celebrated in one Dorset village - not many miles away from Purse Caundle.

'BISHOPS CAUNDLE

At Peace day, who but we should goo

To Caundle for an hour or two:

As gay a day as ever broke

Above the heads of Caundle volk.

Vor Peace, acome for all, did come

To them wii two new friends at hwome.

Zoo while we kept, wi nimble peace

The wold dun towir avore our feace

The air at last, begun to come

Wii drubbens of a beaten drum;

Ani then we heard the horns loud drouts

Play of a tuenis upper notes;

An I then agean a risen chearm

Vrom tongues of people in a zwarm;

Ani zoo at last, we stood among

The merry feaces oi the throng.'

In this long poem there is also a description of the feast and dancing on the village green, to the accompaniament of musicians platformed on a gaily painted farm waggon. It continues:

'In Caundle, vor a day at least,

You woudden vind a scowlen feace,

Or dumpy heart in all the pleace.'

24th October. 'Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Steward. Presented: William Coombs appointed Hayward. The dwelling house and buildings of the tenement held by Charles Collins very much out of repair and delapitated, and to be repaired forthwith.'

1816 There was to be bad weather and resultant poor crops.

22nd October. 'Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Steward. Presented: William Coombs appointed Hayward.'

1817, 28th October. 'Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Steward. Presented: Richard White appointed Hayward for the ensuing year. Death of Jonathan Senior where a life is dropped in a leasehold tenement held by him of the Lord.'

1818, 30th October. 'Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Steward. Presented: John Ridout appointed Hayward.'

Amongst the findings this year of the Select Committee on nthe Education of the Poor, for the County of Dorset, regarding Caundle Purse:

John Peddle, curate, had signed the Return. In the 1811 Census the population of the parish was 132, of which 15 were Poor in 1815. There were no endowments for the Education of Youth. there was an unendowed Sunday school containing 28 children. Observations: The poorer classes are desirous of having the means of education.

1819 The weekly Salisbury and Winchester Journal newspaper for Monday, 8th March, carried the following advertisement:

'OAK and TIMBER, Purse Caundle, Somerset

TO be SOLD by AUCTION, by H.TAYLOR, on Thursday the 11th day of March, 1819, at PURSE CAUNDLE MANOR HOUSE, at 1 o'clock precisely, subject to such conditions as will be there produced - 248 MAIDEN OAKS, 3 MAIDEN ELMS, 1 POPLAR, and 68 POLLARD TREES, with their Tops, Lops, and Bark, numerically marked with paint, and standing in Purse Caundle FARM - particulars describing the Lot are in circulation, and may be had at the King's Head, Milborne Port; Virginia Inn, Henstridge; at Purse Caundle House; or of H.Taylor, timber-surveyor, auctioneers, Stalbridge, Dorset, of whom further particulars may be known.'

2nd November. 'Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Steward. Presented: John Ridout appointed Hayward. The death of Jonathan Senior by which a second life is lost in tenement lately held by him.'

1820, 29th January, the accession of George IV as king, until 1830.

31st October. 'Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Steward. Presented: John Ridout appointed Hayward. Presented was the quantity of earth dug on the Lord's waste by the Turnpike Road side leading from Milborne Port by Samuel Dungey and others, and that the said Samuel Dungey hath appeared now in Court and paid compensation to the Steward for the same.'

1821, 30th October. 'Court Baron, held before George Messiter, Steward. Presented: John Ridout appointed Hayward. Death of Charles Collins by which tenement held by him was fallen into the hands of the Lord, and a heriot of £3 [£209] paid into Court.'

1822, 18th March. Edward Huddlestone Esq., late of Kingsclere, Hampshire, but now of Purse Caundle (manor house), as one of those making a declaration as to the purchase of certain lands in Hampshire. (HCRO ref: 29M62/7)

The earliest surviving Purse Caundle Churchwardens' Accounts date from this year, being mainly concerned at this time with still making payment of bounties to parishioners for the heads of adders and sparrows under the Tudor Vermin Acts. A bounty of 1 1/2d was paid for each adder (of which some 38 were killed during the year), which were thought to be responsible for biting sheep on the muzzle, with resultant swelling and suffocation. 3d was paid for a dozen sparrows, of which some 40 dozen were killed during the year. See APPENDIX C2.

1826 Robert Hamlin of Purse Caundle, labourer, aged 23, was convicted of involvement in smuggling, and fined £10 [£696], and given 5 months imprisonment in Dorchester Prison. (Registers of Dorchester Gaol, 1782-1853)

Much of the content of this and the following five years is taken from the Hunting Journal of the Blackmoor Vale Hounds 1826-1831. The preamble noted:

'In perusing the hunting Journal of the Blackmoor Vale Fox Hounds, it must not be forgotten,-First, that a very considerable part of the Country which their Proprietor established in the Sprin of 1826, HAD NOT BEEN HUNTED AT ALL FOR NEARLY THIRTY YEARS;-that the Foxes had been systematically destroyed [under the Vermin Acts?], and even that their Haunts and Earths were known to FEW, if to any person, except those who dealt in their destruction.-Secondly, that this small extent of Country had never been hunted before by any Gentleman as an ENTIRE COUNTRY.-Thirdly, that at its extreme north-eastern Wiltshire extremity the Covers are of enormous extent, and so full of Earths as to baffle the vigilance of the most careful and active stopper.-Fourthly, that a large portion of the Country lying between Yeovil and Compton Castle, is nearly destitute of Cover of any description capable of holding a Fox during the WINTER MONTHS, consisting almost entirely of sandy arable land, intersected by roads, and notorious as bad-scenting ground.-And lastly, that a system of annoyance bordering on persecution, IN THE COUNTY OF DORSET, was not wanting to superadd difficulties to the whole of no ordinary kind, such indeed as must be continually kept in view by the Courteous Reader of the following pages.'

Although the Hunt met several times a week during a Season, only those meets which have a Purse Caundle or immediate area content are included in this History.

'September 22nd: In this the sixth meeting of its first Season the Blackmoor Vale Hunt met at Stalbridge Park:-found a litter in the Park Wood, and killed one after a very little running. Stopped the Hounds and went to Caundle Brake, (a fine Gorse Cover belonging to that generous and distinguished sportsman, Edward Huddlestone, Esquire.) where we got upon the walk of an old Fox evidently disturbed by having heard the Hounds in the Park; hunting him across Toomer Farm to Inwood; in which Cover the Hounds got up to him, and after a short but sharp run, left him among the houses in Henstridge Bowden.'

October 3rd, Tuesday, the Blackmoor Vale Hunt was in the general area of Purse Caundle, including Caundle Wood.

October 13th, Friday, the Blackmoor Vale Hunt 'met at Plumley Wood, where we found a fine litter of Foxes, and ran two hours; changing continually in the thickest Cover, and under a scorching sun. The Hounds being much distressed, we stopped and went home.'

24th October. A Court Baron was held.

Friday, 3rd November, the Blackmoor Vale Hunt met at Plumley Wood, 'finding a brace and half of Foxes, but in a very boisterous and windy day, with heavy rain blowing up from the south-west. Hunted our Fox to the Caundle Holts, and thence by Batcombe Wood across to Stalbridge and Weston Vale to Stalbridge Park Wood, where we changed to the litter there and stopped the Hounds.'

Friday, 29th December, the Blackmoor Vale Hunt 'Met at Plumley Wood, near\Stourton Caundle, and found immediately:- going away through the Caundle Holt Covers by Ashcombe Wood to Haydon, and along the Vale to Purse Caundle, by Frith Wood to Stalbridge Park, where he went to drain and got in. The Hounds going away to an halloo with another Fox, over the Park Wall to Inwood, and through that Cover by Henstridge Bowden, to Caundle Brake, and along Milborne Moor to Hanover Wood, where the Hounds, when close to his brush, were hallooed on to a Terrier! Went back to Stalbridge Park, -bolted the first Fox, and killed him for the Hounds' sake.'

1827, Friday, 5th January. Blackmoor Vale Hunt: 'We unluckily chopped this day a fine dog Fox in Caundle Brake, a single Hound meeting him in a rack way, the Fox having got well upon his legs. A second Fox stole away, the Hounds not getting upon him for nearly thirty minutes after he had left his kennel. Bad and stormy as the weather was, the Hounds hunted him at a walking pace, for Frith Wood and thence to Plumley Wood, and over the Earths there to the Caundle Holt Covers and Caundle Wood where they got up to him, when a tremendous shower of hail brought Hounds and Horses to a stand-still; but they persevered, and eventually ended up in Sherborne Park.'

Friday, 19th January, the Blackmoor Vale Hunt 'Met at Caundle Brake, and drew Frith Wood, where we found a brace immediately; sixteen and a half couple running THEIR Fox to Earth in view, in Sherborne Park, after a sharp burst of forty minutes . . .'

Friday, 2nd February. 'The Blackmoor Vale Hunt met at Plumley Wood. It being a very raw cold morning, with the wind south-east, and the Hounds late in consequence of the frost, we soon discovered by old WILDBOY that our Fox was gone! And that we had the heel of him. Catching the Hounds up as quick as we could, we hit him into the Caundle Holt Covers, and hunted him to Bull Close Furze', and onward to Bishops Caundle, Glanvilles Wootton, and beyond. Further frosty weather followed.

Saturday, 3rd March, the Hunt 'met at Inwood, and finding immediately, and after one hour and twenty minutes good hunting by Toomer to Caundle Brake, and by Milborne Moor to Goathill and North Wootton, we got up to our Fox and ran him in view of the leading Hounds to the Earths in Sherborne Park.'

Friday, 9th March, the Blackmoor Vale Hunt started at Stock House, chasing their Fox through Bishops Caundle to Caundle Woods. 'He then turned his head towards Plumley Wood, but was headed back for Caundle Wood again by Ashcombe to Marsh Common and thence to Haydon, leaving Sherborne Park to the left and up to the Earthsd at Hanover Wood; going through that Cover to Milborne Moor, where the Hounds began to run for him, hurrying him along the Vale to Purse Caundle, and over the enclosures to the top of Plumley Wood, where they ran into him and killed after a good hunting run of three hours and half.'

Tuesday, 9th October, the Hunt 'Met at Plumley Wood, and found a brace of Foxes immediately, in a very heavy rain, running forty minutes in Cover with a very middling scent - but losing him when we got upon the fallows near Hanover Wood. Went to the Caundle Holt Woods and found four Foxes running and changing till half past two - when the Hounds were ordered to be stopped:- and by A VERY WIDE and persevering cast, a single scent was hit off.' when they continued until 5 p.m., killing near Marsh Common after running 'six hours in an incessant and heavy rain!'

Friday, 26th October, '. . . the Blackmoor Vale Hounds met at Inwood, finding immediately, and going away by Caundle Brake at a severe and pressing rate to Stalbridge Weston . . .' and Thornhill.

Friday, 2nd November, 'The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Stock House' and during the course of the day's hunting went via Caundle Wood and beyond 'to Bishops's Caundle and to the Caundle Holts, where they were stopped at four P.M., with three fresh Foxes before them!

Friday, 16th November, the Blackmoor Vale Hunt again chased from Thornhill 'to Bishop's Caundle Wood, and into the Caundle Holts, where they again had three or four fresh Foxes on foot, and by continued changing, did nothing.'

Friday, 30th November, 'The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Plumley Wood, and found at the Caundle Holts, running their Fox to Caundle Wood', when he was eventually killed 'under Sherborne Park Wall.'

Friday, 21st December, the Hunt 'Found at Caundle Brake;-going away at his brush for Purse Caundle, and Plumley Wood, breaking Cover in the same field with him; going across the Vale to Hanover Wood' and thence to Sherborne Park for the kill.

1828, Friday, 18th January, the Hunt 'Found at Inwood;-getting away immediately, close to our Fox by Caundle Brake, and along the Milborne Moor at a racing pace for Lord Digby's Park . . .'

Friday, 1st February, the Hunt 'met this day at the Caundle Holt Covers;-finding at Plumley Wood, and where, after one hour and five minutes, principally in Cover, the Hounds got up to their Fox, and killed. Found a second in the Caundle Holts, and after a very sharp burst of fifty minutes, killed a Fox in New Lease Coppice.'

Friday, 15th February, the Hunt 'Found at Caundle Brake;-going away to Plumley Wood, and the Holts, where nthe Hounds changed;' and thence to Glanvilles Wootton.

Tuesday, 4th March, the Hunt 'Met at Plumley Wood, and found immediately in the Caundle Holts-and after three hours and twenty-five minutes very good hunting in a very bad-scenting day, working our Fox through Plumley Wood, Frith Wood, Caundle Brake, Hanover Wood, and Haydon Coppice, by Ashcombe Wood, to Caundle Wood, the Hounds got up to him, forcing him at a rattling pace across the enclosures to Stourton Caundle, and away for New Lease Coppice, killing him handsomely in Plumley Wood.'

Friday, 28th March, 'TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FIVE HORSEMEN met the Blackmoor Vale Hounds this day, at Stock House;-finding immediately, and after a brilliant burst of forty minutes, killing our Fox in very superior style in the open, before he could reach the Caundle Holt Covers. Found a vixen Fox at Hanover, ran her about one hour, when the Hounds were stopped late in the day, and taken home.'

Friday, 10th October, the Hune 'Found three or four old Foxes at Plumley Wood, and after two hours and a quarter, we ran into an old dog Fox and killed.'

Friday, 31st October, 'Rather more than one hundred horse met [the Hunt] at Stock House. The Hounds found a fine litter of Foxes in the Covers there, and after running in Cover one hour very sharp, close to the brush of a Cub (which we whipped off from), we got away twenty minutes behind an old Fox, which we ran to Lord Digby's Park Wall, where we stopped the Hounds, the Earths being open; we then walked the Hounds on to Caundle Brake, and found a leash of Foxes presently, and after a pretty hunting run without any scent, we stopped the Hounds at four P.M. just above Ashcombe Wood, with three Foxes on feet.'

Tuesday, 18th November, the Hunt 'found a Fox at Temple Coombe Wood at two o'clock, ran him at a killing pace to Caundle Brake, where we CHANGED; and after running the fresh Fox to Frith Wood, and to Henstridge . . .'

Friday 21st November, the Hunt 'Met at Plumley Wood, where a very large Field were present. Drew the Caundle Holt Covers and found five Foxes immediately; getting away with a dog Fox to Caundle Holt, to Woodrow. . .'

Friday, 19th December, 'A very large Field met [the Hunt] at Caundle Brake;-found a brace of Foxes going away in about thirty minutes, to Frith Wood, where we crossed a stale scent, and hunted him slowly to the Caundle Holts, and lost. Went back and found a brace and a half of Foxes in Stalbridge Park; . . . VERY HEAVY RAIN.'

Tuesday, 30th December, 'A large Field met [the Hunt] at Inwood, where the Hounds unluckily chopped a Fox in his Kennel.. Finding a second immediately, and after a good hunting run of two hours and thirty-five minutes, killing in Caundle Brake.'

1829, Friday, 9th January, the Hunt 'Met at Plumley Wood;-found a brace of Foxes in the Caundle Holt Covers, and after a very severe burst of twenty minutes ran into a very large and old dog Fox, killing in the enclosures near Marsh Common. Found again a brace and half of Foxes in Plumley Wood; going away with one to Frith Wood, and to Stalbridge Park, and on to Stalbridge Weston, and thence through Plumley to the Holts, and on to Caundle Wood, where we got upon another Fox, which we ran to Marsh Common, and thence at a killing pace to the Holts, and to fallow close to Plumley, where we had a check, and stopped the Hounds, when nearly dark, TEN MINUTES BEFORE FIVE, after a very good run of two hours and forty minutes.'

Friday, 6th February, the Hunt 'Met at Stalbridge Park;-found a brace and half of Foxes at Inwood, and after a superior run of one hour and forty minutes, by Temple Coomb Wood, Henstridge Bowden, Caundle Brake, Plumley Wood, and Hadspen, we got up to him in Goathill, adjoining Lord Digby's Park, and when the Hounds were killing him, he went to an Earth that had been left open at Mews Hill, and saved himself, when a few yards only before the Pack.'

Friday, 27th February, the Hunt 'Met at Cherton Wood;-finding immediately, and going away close at his brush for Temple Coombe Wood, and thence to Inwood, where he waited a little, and then made his way to Caundle Brake, and to Frith Wood, under Stalbridge Park, where the Hounds ran into and killed after a severe run of one hour and forty minutes.'

Friday, 6th March, 'A very large Field met [the Hunt] at Stock House', and during the day chased 'away through the Caundle Holts to Caundle Wood, and thence by Marsh Coppice to the enclosures and orchards under Bishop's Caundle. . .'

Friday, 13th March, the Hunt 'Drew Thornhill Coppice, Stalbridge Park, and Inwood, blank. When on our way to the Coombe Woods, we were hallooed to a fox-scent half an hour old, hunted him, however, fifty-five minutes by Toomer, Frith Wood, and through Plumley Wood, pointing for the earths at Sherborne Park, but the Fox being a long while a head of us, and the snow which had fallen in the morning, being still in patches on the surface of the ground, we came to a stand-still, and took the Hounds home.'

Tuesday, 29th September, 'A large Field met [the Hunt] this day at Inwood, where we found a litter, and in twenty minutes very quick work, the Hounds killed a very finefull-grown dog Fox. We then found an old Fox in the Caundle Brake, which after going to Frith Wood, was headed back by the Brake, and by Henstridge Bowden to Inwood, and thence to Temple Coombe Wood, but the heat being excessive, and the horses much jaded, we stopped the Pack, and took them home, after three hours hot work.'

Tuesday, 6th October. The Hunt 'Met at Thornhill Obelisk: drawing Thornhill Coppice, adjoining the Park, and after forty-five minutes very pretty running by Caundle Brake and Toomer Farm, we killed him in Toomer Coppice, near Inwood.'

Friday, 14th November, with the Hunt '. . . A brace of Foxes being hallooed away from Inwood, we laid on immediately to one of them, going away to Caundle Brake, Plumley Wood and Hanover, and thence to North Wootton. . .'

1830, Friday, 19th February. 'A very large Field met [the Hunt] at Henstridge Ash Inn, wind north-west, and a very heavy snow-storm falling for several hours. Found immediately in Inwood;-going away with an execrable scent to Stalbridge Park, and by Stalbridge Weston to Plumley Wood, and across the vale to Purse Caundle, and by Dole's Coppice to Stalbridge Park, and again to Inwood, where the Hounds got upon rather better terms, running him a little quicker up-wind to Temple Coomb Wood, where the Hounds certainly changed, coming back with a staler scent to Caundle Brake, the Fox being hallooed half an hour before us, hitting him into Frith Wood, and on towards Plumley, where we were beat out of scent, after a run of three hours and three quarters, over a very extensive tract of Country.'

Thursday, 25th February. 'A good Field and a select one met [the Hunt] at Stalbridge Park;-after drawing Thornhill Coppice, etc., the Hounds were taken to Caundle Brake, and unkenneled a brace of Foxes immediately, (five couple and half going away with one to the Stalbridge Park Wall, where they were met with a tired Fox which Mr. Farquharson's Hounds had brought from Butterwick, running him in view back towards Plumley Wood, joining with Mr. Farquharson's Hounds and killing in Frith Wood) the body of the Blackmoor Vale Hounds going away at the top of their speed towards Inwood', and beyond.

Friday, 26th March. 'Upward of a hundred horse met the Blackmoor Vale Hounds this day at Stock House; the morning apparently most inauspicious with a very bright sun, a blue and cloudless sky, and the thermometer at nearly 80, due south, at ten o'clock; the wind, however was west!' During the day the Hunt chased a fox 'for the Caundle Holts, from whence he was headed by a shepherd and his dog, turning towards the Sherborne Road, and over it to the Holwell Grounds. . .'

26th June, the accession of William IV as king, until 1837.

Friday, 15th October, the Hunt 'Met at Stalbridge Park, which we drew blank;- finding, however a brace of Foxes in Caundle Brake, running from thence to Frith Wood and back for two hours, the hill being lined with carriages and groups of horsemen, and the Foxes headed in all directions; getting away at last', and finally 'killing him in the open, near Charlton Horethorne, in two hours and fifty minutes hot and hard work.'

Friday, 29th October, the Hunt 'Met at Inwood;-finding a very old and gallant dog Fox immediately, after three ineffectual attempts (being headed by a large and anxious Field) getting away on very good terms to Toomer farm, and under Frith Wood, which they skirted, the Hounds pressed him at the top of their speed through Purse Caundle to Hanover Wood, and away to Plumley Wood and New Lease Coppice', and onwards to Hazelbury.'

Farm labourers wanted higher wages; and their tenant employers wanted lower rents from the landlords to enable them to pay any higher wages.

Purse Caundle seems not to have been directly involved with the November/December 'machine-breakers' riots (or 'Swing' riots, being the name of the leading instigator), which were going-on elsewhere in the neighbourhood. Because of the disturbances around the county, on Monday, 29th November, at Stalbridge and many other parishes several special constables were sworn-in by Justices. On Wednesday morning, 1st December at Henstridge, two Justices came to swear in several special constables. But that did not stop a mob later that day burning a threshing machine near the Ash Inn at Henstridge, and one at Toomer Farm. Within a few hours a force of some hundreds of special constables and other horsemen arrived on the scene, when some of the suspected trouble-makers were captured.

Next day a mob of 40-50 strangers (some at least apparently from nearby Henstridge) entered Stalbridge, where they seem to have been joined by villagers, but seemingly one of the constables was able to quell them and arrest a couple of the men. Early next morning, the 2nd December, a fire at Stalbridge was to be mentioned in a subsequent letter, but little damage was said to have been done. Another letter was to say that regarding the events at Stalbridge, the magistrate who sent for the Troops to go there from Blandford remained with them throughout the night.

In the other geographical direction, there was to be some trouble in the Sherborne area, and consequent mobilisation of forces of law and order.

All told though, 'there was no serious rioting in Dorset due to the vigorous and active steps taken by magistrates, constables, etc.' Before and after the riots recommendations and proposals had been made by magistrates to major landowners that - to deter active unrest - agricultural workers' wages be increased, and possibly rent reductions. A fuller story may be found in Jill Chambers book - see BIBLIOGRAPHY.

Friday, 31st December. As far as the upper classes were concerned, life seemed to carry on as usual, for the Hunt which 'Met at Stalbridge Park;- walking the Hounds on to Frith Wood, where we found immediately, after two rings in Cover, going away close to his brush for Toomer, and over the enclosures into the village of Henstridge, where the Fox was headed, coming back at a pressing pace to Caundle Brake, and on to Purse Caundle and Hanover Wood, and along Milborne Moor to Goathill, and through Lord Digby's Park to Haydon, and under Ashcombe Wood, to the Caundle Holts, where the Hounds got up to him and killed after a very good run of two hours and thirty-five minutes.'

1831, Friday, 18th February, the Hunt 'Met at Stalbridge Park;-finding in Frith Wood, and going away, all but in view, to Caundle Brake, and over Toomer Farm', killing near Henstridge. Later the Hounds 'Found a second in Caundle Brake;-running him to Frith Wood, and across the enclosures towards Stalbridge Weston to Plumley Wood, and through it for the Caundle Holts, where we changed to a brace of fresh Foxes after a severe run of two hours, and went home late in the evening.'

Wednesday, 9th March. 'The Blackmoor Vale Hounds met this day at Stock House, where a large and select Field were assembled.' During the day the Hunt passed through 'Bishop's Caundle, and within a few fields of Caundle Wood, where the Fox was again headed, the Hounds running him to Sourton Caundle and killing him in one hour and twenty minutes. . .'

Tuesday, 22nd March. 'The Hunt met at Charlton Hawthorne, and were walked on to the celebrated Gorse Cover of Caundle Brake, where they found their Fox immediately, going away close to his brush through Frith Wood to Plumley Wood, and on to Ashcombe Wood, Haydon, and Goathill, making their way through Sherborne Park', finally ending at West Chelborough 'after a run of three hours and forty five minutes, over twenty-five miles of ground and upwards, through fourteen parishes.' The Hunt's hounds were to kill 25 brace of foxes during this Season.

The New Sporting Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 1, May 1831, page 54, reported: 'Mr Portman, M.P. for Dorsetshire, took possession of the Blackmore Hunt at the close of the season, and is setting about the thing with that earnestness which is sure to be crowned with success. If there is a sufficient stock of foxes left in his vale country we have no doubt that he will show sport, as it is an excellent scenting country.' See 1845 for further on local Hunting.

'ELECTION POLL BOOK FOR DORSET

Candidates were: E. B. Portman, H. Bankes, and Rt. Hon. J. Calcraft.

There was seemingly only the one eligible voter of Purse Caundle:

Richard Messiter, Clerk. Tithes Freeholder. Residence: Stourton Caundle. Voted for Bankes.'

On 19th October there was widespread national rioting and disturbance over the Reform Bill, including at Sherborne. A mob attacked Sherborne Castle and 'broke every pane of glass which they could get at, and tried to force the great gates.' Whether there was any demonstration t Purse Caundle is not known. The Bill was finally passed in June 1832. The right to vote was extended for example to well-to-do farmers, but it was still not secret, and voters were still liable to bribery and intimidation.

During the year was publisged a Topographical Dictionary of England, containing a reasonable entry for Purse Caundle.

As well as a 'Glove Manufactory' at Milborne Port, there was now one at Stalbridge. Women at these could earn nine shillings per week. (See 1841 Census in CHAPTER 8)

1833 On 22nd October there was a Purse Caundle Court Baron.

1834 Whilst the upper and gentry classes were continuing to enjoy themselves with huntingnaround the countryside, the same could not be said for the ordinary cottager working on the land. During the 1830s times continued to be hard for agricultural labourers, especially in Dorset where wages were falling each year. In 1830 a labourer's wage was nine shillings per week, but by 1834 six shillings was being threatened. It was this that caused the eventual scandal and transportation of the Tolpuddle Martyrs in the first quarter of the year. It is not known what wages and conditions were in Purse Caundle, but there must have been some apprehension by both employing farmers and their farm staff, especially with the memory of the 1830 agricultural disturbances still fresh in their memories. Luckily extra income would be fortrhcoming from home-working in the glove trade by women (and their childen). A source of small amounts of money - as well perhaps of something for the pot - could have been derived from birds and animals killed under the old Vermin Acts.

1835 In the Dorset History Centre (ref: D/FFO/25/122) is a handwritten note:

'Mr Ayre/Statement/respecting a Pew/in Purse Caundle/Church= taken July 28, 1835/from Mr I. Young/in ye office/[---(Signed)]

'Purse Caundle Church

Mr J. Ayre therefore [presents ---]/the Pew [in] the Church - and he/had it in his psn abt [27 years] -/leave was given by Sir Rd Steward/[to him] - so it went on till/Hopton came. Mr Young bought/the Estate and took [possession] of the Pew/and used it [exclusively] for abt 3 years/Then Hopton came and made a/[demand] of the Pew and put a lock/on and has therein sat, but Young/has occasionally gone in and sat/with him. Mr Hopton has -/some times gone out and left [him] there.

Mr Hopton has so had it/abt 3 Years -/Sir Rd Hoar is Rector of the Parish.'

(Sir Richard Colt Hoare, 2nd Baronet, Lord of the Manor, was to die in 1838)

It is not known when pews weere introduced into Purse Caundle church. Once installed they were always going to be a bone of contention. Firstly, were they freely usable by any parishioner, orz were they for sale? Whichever case was adopted, there was still the matter of status. Lords of the Manor, if resident, with their families would always have the most prominent position, and quite often furnished their pews as befitted their station with such luxuries as cushions, curtains, and fireplace. Next in importance would be the owner of the manor house, if not the Lord of the Manor. Their respective staffs also had prominent pews. According to their status, parishioners would then naturall gravitate to their appropriate hierarchial positions towards the back of the church where the humblest sat. At Purse Caundle it would seem that the pews were somewhat higher than at present. In this particular instance of dispute it would seem that although pews were specifically not for sale or rent, they could be allocated by grace and favour. (See later in 1905 as regards a stipulated freedom of their use by any parishioner.) This whole aspect of pews has been studied by K. Dillon in his unpublished Ph.D. thesis, The social and ecclesistical significance of church seating; and Spencer Thomas in his article 'Pews: their setting, symbolism and significance', published in The Local Historian, November 2009.

1837, 20th June, death of King William IV, and accession of young Victoria as queen.

PURSE CAUNDLE HISTORY - CHAPTER 9: MODERN PURSE CAUNDLE FROM 1901

2010-05-03T14:16:00.066+01:00

Updated: 6th October 2010, 8.45 p.m.

1901, 22nd January, accession of Edward VII as king.
21st March, a Parish Meeting was held in the Schoolroom. Mr Dodd and Mr F. Barter elected overseers for the ensuing year.
This year's Census was on the night of Sunday, 31st March, and showed there were 145 inhabitants - 79 males and 66 females.

It will be noticed that several inhabitants are still engaged in the gloving trade, some by hand or machine at home, or at a factory - presumably at neighbouring Milborne Port. There, the factory in North Street was to close in 1984 because of foreign competition, with the substantial premises being redeveloped into apartments and businesses, and named Glovers Court. There is also a Glovers Close housing development close by.
Interestingly many familes are beginning to be more imaginative in naming their children, and now often with two christian names instead of the usual one. For some reason children are not noted as 'Scholars' as previously.
It will be noticed what fluctuation and overall decline there has been with the population of Purse Caundle: 1841 - 183; 1851 - 177; 1861 - 185; 1871 - 176; 1881 - 194; 1891 - 160; 1901 - 145. Thereafter there is to be a continuing gradual decline into the 21st century - see 2001.
1902, 29th March. A Parish Meeting was held. Mr F. Barter and Mr W. Holloway elected overseers.
1903, 26th March. A Parish Meeting was held. Messrs William and Robert Holloway appointed\overseers.
1904-1905 The church tower and chancel were again restored, at a cost of £400, with some work also carried out in the nave. Subsequently a painted and decorated notice-board was produced (see illustration), with the following wording:
The Incorporated Church
Building Society

GRANTED £10, A.D. 1905, TOWARDS

                                                  RESEATING AND REPAIRING THIS
                                                  CHURCH, UPON CONDITION THAT
                                                     ALL THE SITTINGS ARE FOR THE
                                                    FREE USE OF THE PARISHIONERS
                                                            ACCORDING TO LAW.

1905, 25th March. A Parish Meeting was held. Mrs Newman and Mr G. Dodd appointed overseers.
25th July. The Times reported on the Polo Tournament (Country Clubs' Junior Championship) that began on the ground of the Blackmore Vale Polo Club at Manor Farm, Purse Caundle the day previous (Monday). It had been promoted by the Blackmore Vale Club with a view to encouraging polo among country clubs, the members of which had not competed for the higher honours of the County Polo Associstion annual compeitions. Blackmore Vale supported three teams: Grove-house, Marnhull, and Sherborne, none of which played on the first day.
26th July. The Times reported on the second day's polo, when Grove House beat North Devon, but Marnhull lost to the Aldeshot military team. Sherborne had a bye. Only a handicap was to be played on this third day.
29th July. The Times reported the semi-final of the Country Clubs' Junior Championship, with no Blackmore Vale team competing.
31st July (Monday). The Times reported the last day's Championship Polo at Purse Caundle the previous Saturday. 'The attendance was a capital one, and Mr H. E. Lambe is to be congratulated on having brought the new competition to so successful an issue. The teams which were left in the final tie were Aldershot [8th Hussars officers] and Sherborne, with the former winning by ten goals to none. . . A much closer game was the final tie in the handicap tournament' which went to extra time. 'The prizes were distributed by Mrs Phipps-Hornby.'
15th August. The Times reported the previous day's (Monday) polo at the Blackmore Vale Club's ground at Purse Caundle, as part of the provincial tournaments being held around the country. Only one tie was played, with Admington Hall beating Grove House (H. E. Lambe, L. de Las Casas, J. C. Holford, and R. H. H. Eden) by 13 goals to two.
1906 The national Board of Education published a Return of Schools as at 1st January this year. Under 'Elementary Day Schools aided by Parliamentary Grants', for Caundle Purse: 'Number of Scholars for whom accommodation possible - 36; Average attendance - 24; Annual Grant - £49 0s. 9d.'
31st March. A Parish Meeting was held. Mr Robert Clarke and Mr H. R. Watson appointed overseers.
1907, 25th March. A Parish Meeting ws held. Mr H. R. Watson and Mr S. T. Ryall appointed overseers; Mr Gould and Mr Hayter appointed School Managers.
12th June. The rector, Rev. C. H. Cowan, and the two churchwardens H. R. Watson and C. A. Newman, petitioned the Diocese of Salisbury for a faculty for a stained glass window at the East end of the church in memory of the late Nathaniel Surtees who had died in 1902, and who will be found in the 1881 Census at the manor house, but not thereafter. The faculty was granted on 4th July 1907 (WSRO ref: D/1/61/43/21).
19th August (Monday), The Times reported 'A good entry of 11 has been received for the open (Blackmore Vale) tournament, promoted by the Blackmore Vale mPolo Club. Play begins today on the Purse Caundle ground.' The entry included a Blackmore Vale team of Captain A. Courage, Mr H. S. Harrison, Mr J. C. Holford, and Captain Phipps-Hornby.
1908, 21st January. There was a small Altered Apportionment of the Tithe Rentcharge under the Tithe Acts 1836 to 1891, of 18th March 1840, due to a new survey and inclusion of land previously free of Tithe Rent Charge, on land now owned by Sir Henry Hugh Arthur Hoare, and occupied by Samuel Thomas Ryall.
27th March. A Parish Meeting was held. Mr S. Ryall and Mr James Gould(?) appointed Overseers; Mr Gould and Mr Hayter appointed School Managers.
27th April (Monday). The Times reported: 'The snowstorm on Saturday prevented Mr H. E. Lambe and Mr L. Lambart, the joint hon. secretaries of the [Blackmore Vale Polo Club] spring tournament at Sherborne, from playing the final tie in the handicap, for which 16 men had sent in their names. . . Six teams entered in the competition for the Spring Cup, which opened the season on the Spurles and Purse Caundle grounds, and it was found possible to play off all the ties. . . Great disappointment was expressed that the tournament could not be finished, but the snow was several inches deep on both grounds on Saturday, and play was quite out of the question.'
1909, 25th March. A Parish Meeting was held. Mr James Gould and Mr Frank Curtis appointed Overseers; Mr James Gould and Mr John Hayter appointed School Managers.
1910, 8th April. A Parish Meeting was held. Mr Arthur j. Brine and Mr C. A. Newman appointed Overseers; Mr James Gould and Mr John Hayter appointed School Managers.
6th May, accession of George V as king.
1911, 22nd March. A Parish Meeting was held. Mr H. R. Watson and Mr F. Ryall appointed Overseers; Mr James Gould and Mr John Hayter appointed School Managers.
This year's Census was taken on the night of Sunday, 2nd April, (see http://www.1911census.co.uk/) showed there were 170 inhabitants in Purse Caundle. One series of entries show Mrs Ker as a resident at Crendle Court with her three unmarried daughters, and a large retinue of indoor and outdoor staff here and in other houses and cottages on the estate. She was Eva Frances Caroline, born c.1850, the eldest child of Sir Thomas Bateson, 1st Baron Deramore, and Caroline Elizabeth Anne, second daughter and co-heir of George, 4th Lord Dynevor. On 4th March 1871 she married David Alfed Ker, eldest son of David Stewart Ker of Montalto, co. Down, Ireland, who died 8th December 1877. She seems not to have re-married. The Building News of 9th October 1908 had contained a print and gound plan of 'Purse Caundle House' [sic - Crendle House], for the Hon. Mrs Alfred Ker. The architect had been Walter H. Brierley - see illustration.

Among the other inhabitants and families around the village were the Goulds at Home Farm, Mrs Caroline Newman and staff in the Manor House, the Rev. & Mrs George Cowan in the rectory, the Ryalls at Church Farm, the Brines at the Travellers Rest public house, the Hansfords at the Dairy House, the Watsons at Manor Farm, the Hayters at Tripps Farm, the Barters at Rue Farm, with the News and Dyers down in Rushton Bottom. There were naturally a number of children in the village, but it seemed to be the exception rather than the rule for children to attend school before the age of ten years: and even then the youngest recorded was aged seven. Judging by the recorded places of birth there is still clear evidence of widespread movement of labour around the country. Only one person was shown as still being involved in the glove-making industry.
10th July. This day ws held at Sherborne the sale by auction of much of Sir Henry Hoare's estate, consisting of Purse\Caundle, Stourton Caundle and Caundle Marsh. This sale was subsequently fully reported in the local weekly newspaper. Accoring to the auctioneer, as a result of the current situation Sir Henry "had come to the conclusionnthat he would be a wise man to get rid of some of his wide track of land. It was with very great reluctance that he had decided to sever the long connection and cordial relationship which had always existed between him and the tenants of the estate." The speaker also believed he was right in saying that it was with very great regret indeed that Sir Henry Hoare had come to the conclusion that it would be wise on his part bearing in mind all the different and changing circumstances that were prevailing then, to take that step, and he (the speaker) was sure that nobody would be more pleased than Sir Henry if he found at the end of the day's proceedings that the old tenants were still remaining on the farms with which they had so long been associated and which hitherto they had rented from him. The rents from farms had been little altered since 1850, due to the depression in agriculture. In much of Dorset the farm labourers and their families lived in poverty, working long hours for low wages, living in cramped cottages, often in a bad state of repair.The tenanted farms were held by copyhold tenure, which meant for the duration of three named lives. The low rents paid to the Manor estate Lord were subsidised by the payments made to the estate when a tenant died, and a new name was added to the copyhold. [Quite how much of this related to Purse Caundle is not clear, but Sir Henry Hoare obviously felt it was time to 'call it a day' as far as his large estate was concerned.
A copy of the Sale Catalogue is in the DHC, ref: D/FFO/38/126, but unfortunately without the accompanying map. However, use of the map relating to the Altered Apportionment of Tithe Rent of 1912 (see 1912 below) has been used to determine the locations of the various properties involved. Among the several Purse Caundle lots, and results of sale according to the newspaper report were:
Lot 2 Manor Farm of just over 351 acres, including the 'well-known and exceptionally good Blackmore Vale Polo Ground. The farm land is in a high state of cultivation (the tenants having taken many prizes for their flock of Dorset sheep). The Manor Farm ws held by Messrs Eden & Watson at a yearly rent of £126 [£9,198 at 2007 values], and the Polo Club premises by Messrs Ridley and others on a lease for 21 years from Michaelmas 1910 at a yearly rent of £50 [£3,650]. The lot met a starting bid of £2,500 [£233,607], but was withdrawn at £3,200.'
Lot 3 Church Farm, 'a capital dairy farm, in the occupation of Mr S. T. Ryall, at an apportioned rent of £60 [£4,380] per annum, just over 131 acres. It was started at £1,000, and sold at £2,150 [£156,955] to Mr W. R. Lake, Stalbridge (as agent).'
Lot 7 'A valuable agricultural holding of just over 46 acres, known as The Court Farm, in the occupation of Mr Samuel Ryall, the apportioned rental being £31 2s [£2,270] per annum. It was started at £600, and knocked down to Mr A. W. Parker of Cheltenham at £1,150 [£83,952].' Included were two cottages and garden - now Hardys Cottage.
Lot 8 'A picturesque cottage,, productive garden, and orchard, situate in Cockhill Lane, let to Mr L. Dennett at a rent of £3 [£219] per annum, was withdrawn at £45 [£3,285].' Now called June Cottage - see 1918.
Lot 9 'A freehold ground rent of £1 5s per annum (paid by Lady Theodora Guest, who was believed to hold the Leasehold interest), secured upon a cottage and garden in the parish of Purse Caundle, and containing an area of 1r 17p, leased to Mr George Pitman of Milborne Port, for 99 years from December 25, 1891, was witheld at £28 [£2,044].' Now called Villa Cottages - see 1918.
Lot 9A The Manor [LORDSHIP] of Purse Caundle with Quit Rents arising out of various properties situated in the Parish of Purse Caundle, and amounting to £1 1s 4d [£77] per annum.
Lady Theodora Guest, on Farm and Lands - 19s 8d.
Sir C. Medlycott, House, Garden and Orchard - 8d.
Lady Theodora Guest, Lands at Goat Hill - 1s 0d.
Total = £1 1s 4d.
together with A Small Plantation Adjoining the High Road from Milborne Port to Henstridge, and containing 0a. 0r. 19p., or thereaboputs. [This was the strip of woodland along the main A30 road just before the turning off right to Stalbridge Weston.] According to the newspaper report there was no bid for this lot - but see 1918.
Lot 10 This was a block of three cottages in the village, the total rent being £7 16s [£569] per annum. The property was withdrawn at £170 [£12,410]. This is now one of the cottages opposite the old Travellers Rest (which has itself since been renamed Purse\Caundle House) - being now Snowdrop Cottage or Brook Cottage.
Lot 11 'A Srone-built and thatched cottage, let to Mr S. T. Ryall, with Church Farm, the apportioned rent being £3 [£219] per annum, was withdrawn at £40.' This again was either Snowdrop cottage or Brook Cottage.
Lot 12 This consisted of Plumley Wood in the south-eastern part of Purse Caundle, and the land adjoining it to the East which is in Stourton Caundle. 'Held by Mr S. Rice at the apportioned yearly rent of £21. It was put up at the starting bid of £1,200, and rose to £1,600, when it was withdrawn.'
Lot 15 'A cottage and garden in Cockhill Lane, extending to 37p., let at £4, was withdrawn at £65.' This was what is now Hillside, on the triangular plot opposite Woodlands - see 1918.
Lot 17 'The agricultural holding, Tripp's Farm, together with The Woodlands, comprising an area just over 286 acres. The bulk held by Messrs Eden & Watson at the apportioned yearly rent of £139. The first bid was £2,200, and rose to £2,700, at which price the lot was withdrawn. It was subsequently sold to Mr K. W. Bartlett for £2,700.' This lot also included the two cottages and garden in Russon Bottom, now since demolished to build Russon in the centre of the village.
Lot 18 'A small and compact agricultural holding, containing just over 74 acres, known as Rue Farm, the bulk being held by Mr F. Barter at the apportioned rent of £28, and the rest by Messrs Eden & Watson at the apportioned rent of £11. At £550 the lot was knocked down to Mr E. W. Bartlett, solicitor, of Sherborne.'
There were also several lots of land which were described as being high land with splendid views, and admirable for a Hunting Box. For the lots that were withdrawn because of an insufficient bidding price see 1918 below. The Sale Catalogue said: 'Purse Caundle is developing into a favourite Residential Centre. Current year's Pound rates of the Land Tax to which the properties are subject are:
Stourton Caundle Parish - 1s [£3.65]
Purse Caundle Parish - 8 1/2d [£2.58]
Marsh Caundle Parish - 10d [£3.04]'
1912, 21st March. A Parish Meeting was held. Mr Gould and Hon. Mrs Alfred Ker appointed School Managers; Mrs C. A. Newman and Mr H. P. Watson appointed Overseers.
By a Conveyance dated 16th May, Sir Henry Hoare donated half an acre of land in Cockhill Lane to the Ecclesistical Commissioners for use as a Cemetery - see APPENDIX B2.
North Dorset (including Purse Caundle) was to suffer from Foot-and-Mouth Disease restrictions, as did adjoining Somerset and Wiltshire, which were advertised in The London Gazette of 2nd August 1912, page 5765.
At the DHC, ref: T/PCD, is a confirmation dated 23rd August of an Altered Apportionment Of Tithe Rent Charge Under The Tithe Acts, 1836 To 1891. The original Apportionment had been dated 18th March 1840, with the Alteration dated 22nd Janury 1908:
Landowners          Occupiers    Names & Descriptions       State of
                                            of lands and premises            Cultivation
Lady Theodora
              Guest       Various       House, Farms and land
Sir Henry Hugh
Arthur Hoare Bt   In hand       Plumley Wood                   Wood
                                                Nurse Hill                          Wood
                                                Husson Hanging                 Wood
                                                Deadman's Covert             Wood
                                                Spinney                             Wood
                                                Spinney                             Wood
                                                Land at Toomer Hill          Wood
                      Henry Matthew
                     Ridley & others   Pasture                     Polo ground
                                               Pasture                    Do. & Sheds
                                               Pasture            Lawns & Buildings
                  Robert Hilyard Henley
         Eden and Henry Russell
                                 Watson Homesteads, Arable, Pasture,
                                                 Orchards, Cottages & gardens,
                                                                Woodland, Roadway
                 Samuel Thomas
                                   Ryall Homesteads, Orchards, Arable,
                                                 Pasture, Wood, Cottages &
                                                                                    gardens
                  Henry G. White   Pasture
                 Frederick Barter   Homestead, Pasture, Arable

                                             2 Cottages and Gardens
                                             School
                                             Burial Ground

More fuller details (of premises and land, acreages and valuation) will be found in the Terrier.
1913 On Friday, 14th February, the Blackmore Vale Hunt met at the Henstridge Ash crossroads - see poor quality illustration derived from a sepia picture postcard which the author was kindly allowed to copy by the owner.

25th March. A Parish Meeting was held. The Hon. Mrs Ker and Mr S. T. Ryall reappointed School Managers; Mr John Ridout and Mr S. T. Ryall appointed Overseers.
1914, 14th April. A Parish Meeting was held. The Hon. Mrs Ker and Mr S. T. Ryall reappointed School Managers; Mr Ernest Green and Mr G. R. Cox appointed Overseers. The District Council was to be written to, to "repare" [sic] the Parish Pump.
During the year was published Highways and Byways in Dorset by Sir Frederick Treve, Bart. One item read: 'In the poor village of Purse Caundle most of the thatched roofs of the cottages have been rplaced by Corrugated iron, the churchyard is in a ruinous condition, while in the church the stone marking Highmore's grave is partly covered up.'
The GREAT WAR started on 4th August 1914.
1915, 25th March. A Parish Meeting was held in the Schoolroom. Mr Cox and Mr Drew were appointed Overseers; Mr Drew was also appointed a School Manager in place of Mr Diment who had left the parish, with the others to continue in office.
1st May, three fields of Glebe land were leased by the Rev. Cowan and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to Dorset County Council for Smallholdings - see DHC ref: MIC/R/1676.
The London Gazette of 31st August 1915, page 8663, advertised the cancelling by the Registrar of Friendly Societies on the 20th August of the Registry of the SHERBORNE SMALL HOLDINGS Limited, following the latter's meeting held at the then Travellers' Rest, Purse Caundle.
1916, 28th March. A Parish Meeting was held. Mr J. A. Drew and Mrs [--]zar appointed Overseers; the Assistant Overseer to be appointed by the Overseers being paid £3 a year and the usual expenses.
The Salisbury Diocese proposed that the parishes of Purse Caundle and Stourton Caundle be united. Purse Caundle churchwardens petitioned against this to the Bishop. The Diocesan solicitor replied to the rector, the Rev. Cowan at Purse Caundle, on 4th October 1916, with the Diocese's case for the union:
'The Benefice of STOURTON CAUNDLE at present has no certain income the Patron SIR HENRY HOARE making a voluntary payment each year which may be discontinued at any time. As Patron however he is anxious to help the position and has offered to provide an endowment for the Benefice consisting of a sum of £700 War Loan and tithe commuted at £20-15s.
'This endowment the Ecclesiastical Commissioners will be prepared to meet by the grant of £1000 which would provide £30 a year for the Benefice - they stipulate however that the Benefice must be united to Purse Caundle which is also in the patronage of Sir Henry Hoare.
'The result of taking advantage of this offer is that in place of a voluntary income of £50 a year Stourton Caundle will enjoy a permanent income of some £80 a year. Sir Henry Hoare would also be prepared to transfer to the Bishop of Salisbury the patronage united Benefice in addition to the above income. If the union were to take place the parsonage house of one of the Benefices would be available for letting purposes thus adding to the income.'
1917, 3rd April. The Annual Parish Meeting was held. Mr L. Green and Mr J. Ridout appointed Overseers; and that the Overseers collect the rates during the absence of the Assistant Overseer, Mr A. J. Brine on Active Service; the Acting School Managers were re-elected.
1918 Published in The London Gazette of 8th March was an Order confirming the exchange of the Patronage of Purse Caundle and Stourton Caundle from Sir Henry and Dame Alda Hoare to the Bishop of Salisbury. The actual Order from the Privy Council Office in Whitehall was dated 9th March (WSRO ref: D/1/36/4/10).
3rd April. The Annual Parish Meeting was held, with just three persons present - Rev. G. A. Cowan, Messrs E. Green and E. R. Cox. Messrs J. Ridout and H. White appointed Overseers; Mr E. Green appointed School Manager in place of Mr J. Drew who had left the Parish.
On Wednesday, 26th June, at 1.30 p.m. was the auction sale of some of Sir Henry Hoare's estates (which had not been sold at the 1911 auction - see above), held at the Blue Ball Assembly Rooms, Bruton, by auctioneers Messrs Knight Frank and Rutley, 20 Hanover Square, London W.1. - see illustrated plan DHC ref: D/FFO/38/137.
Lot 40 A Picturesque Cottage situate in Cockhill Lane. Stone Built and thatched, containing Kitchen, Pantry, Coal House, and Two Bedrooms. Productive Garden and Orchard. O.S. map No. 90, containing about 25 perches. Held by Mr Levi Dennett on a Quarterly Tenancy. Landlord pays Rates and Taxes. Land Tax 8d in the £. (This was the 1911 Lot 8 - June Cottage)
Lot 41 A Freehold Ground Rent of £1. 5s per annum Secured upon Two Cottages and Gardens. O.S. map No. 105, and containing about 1r. 17p. Leased to Mr George Pitman of Milborne Port, for 99 years from 25th December 1891. The rent is paid by Lady Theodora Guest, who is believed to hold the Leasehold Interest. (This was the 1911 Lot 9 - Villa Cottage)
Lot 42 The [LORDSHIP] Manor or Reputed [LORDSHIP OF] Manor of Purse Caundle with Quit Rents Arising out of various properties situated in the Parish of Purse Caundle, as follows:
Lady Theodora Guest, on Farm and Lands - 19s 8d [£34.33]
Sir C. Medlycott, House, Garden and Orchard - 8d [£1.26]
Lady Theodora Guest, Lands at Goat Hill - 1s 0d [£1.75]
Reverend G. Cowan, Rector of Purse Caundle, on Glebe - 5s 0d = £1. 6s. 4d.
together with A Small Plantation Adjoining the High Road from Milborne Port to Henstridge, forming part of of the Ordnance Survey No. 160, and containing 0a. 0r. 19p., or thereabouts. (This was the 1911 Lot 9A) Again this lot was not sold.
Lot 43 Two Very desirable Pasture Fields near Clayhanger Lane on High Ground admirably adapted for a site for a Hunting Box. O.S. map Nos. 60 and 61, 11a. 3r. 2p., £10. 0s. 0d [£349] Rental. Held by Mr Leonard Green on a Yearly Michaelmas Tenancy determinable by either party on six months' notice. Rectorial Tithe Rent Charge £1. 6s. 6d [£42.26]. Land Tax 8d in the £. 11a. 3r. 2p. (This lot had been withdrawn at £240 at the 1911 auction.)
Lot 44 'A Valuable Small Holding in Cockhill Lane. Stone built and Thatched Cottage containing Kitchen, Pantry, Two Bedrooms and Coal House. Excellent Garden attached. Adjooining is a Field, part pasture and part arable, adjoining a good road. O.S. map Nos. 54 and 56, 5a. 2r. 10p. Rental £15 0s. 0d [£523]. Held by Mr. William Case as Lot 43. Rectorial Tithe Rent Charge 12s. No. 54 Pasture and Arable = 5.328 acres, No. 56 Cottage and Garden = 0.232 acres, Total = 5.560 acres. Cottage and Garden, occupied by Mr. N. Case. [This was the 1911 Lot 15, with the cottge being Hillside.
In July there were further sales of Purse Caundle properties: Rue Farm, 57 3/4 acres for £1,550; Arable field 13 acres for £220; 7 acres of Meadow land for £140; Trip's Limekiln Farm 63 acres 0 rods 31 perches for £1,400.'
11th November saw the end of the Great War, which had begun in August 1914.
1919, 31st March. The Annual Parish Meeting was held. Messrs Henry White and H. Elsworth appointed Overseers; with Mr. A. J. Brine being asked to be Assistant Overseer at a slary of three pounds a year, plus usual expenses.
Some thought must have been given to a form of war memorial, but unfortunately no surviving records have been located as to what discussions were held as to its construction, or what names should be commemorated- see APPENDIX C4. As none of those our named appear to have been contemporary residents, perhaps the village thought it ought to have a War Memorial of some sort, but with only those names having any association with the village.
1920, 30th March. The Annual Parish Meeting was held. Mr A. J. Brine wished to resign as Assistant Overseer, with Mr. Somerville to be asked to undertake the duties at a salary to be fixed later. Messrs F. Elsworth and E. Green appointed\Overseers; Captain A. Tyrwhitt Drake to be asked to be Purse Caundle School representative to Dorset County Council; Mr. Leonard Green appointed\ School Manager in place of the Hon. Mrs Alfred Ker who wished to resign.
On 20th April the manor house (with grounds of three acres, and pasture of just over nine acres) was put up for auction at Sherborne by Lady Theodora Guest (nee Grosvenor, daughter of the 2nd Marquis of Westminster). Also included in the sale was 'The vendor's interest (if any) in the Lady Chapel attached to St. Peter's Church.' It was all to be bought by Lady Victoria Herbert, youngest daughter of the 4th Earl of Carnarvon and god-daughter of Queen Victoria - see APPENDIX C1G. The manor house (including this Sale) is comprehensively dealt with in APPENDIX B3.
22nd November (Monday), The Times reported that the Blackmore Vale Hunt met at Hinton St. Mary on the previous Saturday, and chased all around including through Stourton Caundle, Stalbridge Weston, Stalbridge Park, Frith, with the 'Hounds continuing at a better pace through Purse Caundle to the Holts, where a fresh fox deprived hounds of a well-earned kill. This was a really good hunt of one hour and a half over a fine sporting country.'
1921 This year's Census showed that Purse Caundle had 152 inhabitants (170 in 1911), 74 males, 78 females, 38 families, 38 Dwellings, 1,558 acres.
1st April. The Annual Parish Meeting was held. Messrs E. Green and G. Lawrence appointed Overseers; with an Assistant Overseer to be appointed as soon as possible at a slary of £3.
1922, 20th April. The Annual Parish Meeting was held. Mr A. Lawrence and Captain A. Tyrwhitt Drake appointed Overseers; Mr. J. White of Goathill reappointed Assistant Overseer at a salary of five pounds.
Lady Victoria Herbert moved into Purse Caundle manor house. During her time there she was restore the porch, and Minstrels Gallery in the Great Hall which was in a very bad state when she bought the manor house.
1923 Thursday, 25th January, the rector,the Rev. G. A. Cowan, whilst cycling near Inwood, near Henstridge, was seriously injured when involved in an accident with a motor-car. For full details see APPENDIX C3.
16th April. The Annual Parish Meeting was held. Messrs Leonard green and J. Ridout appointed Overseers; Mr J. White reappointed Assistant Overseer at the same salary as before. A letter to be sent to Sherborne Rural District asking them to take back the corner on the right-hand side leading into the main road; with Mr Green stating he was willing to give the land and to haul away the earth providing the Council erect a suitable fence and pay a reasonable price for the hauling.
1924, 26th February (Tuesday), The Times reported: 'The Blackmore Vale [Hunt] found at Tupps [Tripp's] Limekiln yesterday. Hounds found close to the meet and ran all day round and about the Holts, Plumly [Wood], Haydon, Hanover [Wood], Purse Caundle, and the Park. Scent was very poor, but hounds hunted well, although they must have changed foxes several times. It was a very disappointing day, owing to the lack of scent.'
7th April. The Annual Parish Meerting was held. Messrs leonard Green and J. Ridout reappointed Overseers, with Mr J. White reappointed Assistant Overseer; and Mr E. Green to be thanked for his help in improving the corner near the main road.
11th November (Tuesday), The Times reported: 'The Blackmore Vale [Hunt] met yesterday, and from Tripps Lime Kiln found directly and ran fast by Holts and Plumley [Wood] for Purse Caundle. They went on to Hanover [Wood], where hounds, hunting well in covert, pressed their fox into Haydon and across the road into Sherborne Park, where there were fresh foxes and little more was done.'
1925, 24th March (Tuesday), The Times reported on a Blackmore Vale Hunt meet the previous day, when a fox from Toomer Hill ran back to Frith, on to Plumley Wood, and away across the small vale, then through Purse Caundle up into Hanover Wood, where nothing more could be done. The 28th March edition announced that the Hunt would meet at Purse Caundle Corner on the Monday.
6th April. The Annual Parish Meeting was held. Mr E. R. Cox again continued to be chairman of the Parish Meeting for the ensuing year. Messrs A. Tyrwhitt Drake and G. Dennett appointed Overseers, with Mr J. Dalwood to be asked to be Assistant Overseer. Mr J. White allowed £1 for his work as Assistant Overseer for the last half year when he did not collect the rates.
1926, 13th April. The Annual Parish Meeting was held. Messrs G. Dennett and H. White appointed Overseers, with Mr J. J. Dalwood to be again asked to be Assistant Overseer.
Purse Caundle Parish Church united with that of Stourton Caundle.
1927, 4th April. The Annual Parish Meeting was held. Messrs A. Lawrence and E. R. Cox appointed Ratepayers Representatives for one year. Messrs R. B. G. Greig and H. Tucker appointed School Managers.
!0th June, Friday. Members of the Dorset Natural History & Archaeological Society's Field Club visited Purse Caundle manor house, where they were guided round by its owner, Lady Victoria Herbert. Details of this visit, and the paper she read at the time were published in the Society's Proceedings, volume 49, 1928.
16th July, The Times advertised for sale by auction of Purse Caundle rectory house, with a total area of 2 rods and 35 perches, at the Digby Hotel, Sherborne, on Thursday 22nd September. The property was to be eventually Conveyed by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to Miss E. A. G. Guest of Inwood, near Henstridge, on 10th November 1927, for the sum of £800.
In the Dorset Year Book 1927 was an article 'Forgotten Byways in Dorset' by Alys F. Serrell. This concerned the several Caundle villages. Purse Caundle was described as:
'a straggling, old-fashioned village of some one hundred and fifty inhabitants. . . The village consists almost entirely of old and much-decayed thatched cottages, but unfortunately for the lovers of the picturesque, the little Inn stands in a conspicuous position where the ways meet, has recently been given the modern comforts of a corrugated iron roof. A few cottages, too, have ben built lately with the orthodox tiled roofing, but such modern improvements are still in the minority, and the deep coverings of dark thatch line the village street, and dot the sides of the hill up whose steep ascent the visitor to the other Caundles must pass.'
There used to be fetes in a field believed southwards alongside Church Farm. The proceeds from these would be used to pay for annual charabanc trips to Weymouth, with the charabancs being provided by Seagers of Sherborne - see illustration.
1928, 10th January (Tuesday), The Times reported on the Blackmore Vale Hunt's meet the previous day. With a good scent the Hunt went all round the area, it eventually 'went over Hanover as if for Plumley. They did not go into it, but ran back by Frith and Toomer to Everlane's, and, after another circle, were whipped of at Purse Caundle.' The Hunt was to meet at Purse Caundle manor house on 22nd March at 11.30 a.m.
24th April. The Annual Parish Meeting was held. Mr A. Lawrence re-elected as Ratepayers Representative.
1929, 18th April. At the Annual Parish Meeting only the chairman, Mr E. R. Cox, was present.
1930, 18th March (Tuesday), The Times gave an account of the Blackmore Vale Hunt's previous day meet: 'a good fox from Goat Hill went away through Hanover to Purse Caundle. Swinging round past Tripps lime kiln' he was followed as far as the Yetminster area 'before scent failed.'
24th March, The Times reported that 'The Blackmore Vale [Hunt] met at Purse Caundle on Saturday. Finding a fox below Frith, hounds ran into that covert past Caundle Brake and killed. From Crendle hounds hunted through Hanover, Haydon Hill, past Ashcombe, through the Holts to Caundle Wood, and, running on slowly, they left Lanes and Rowden Mill on the right, scent failing near Stock. Finding again in Newleaze, hounds ran fast past the Holts down the hill by Ashcombe, through Haydon Hill to Tripp's limekiln.'
19th April. The Annual Parish Meeting held, with just Mr E. R. Cox again being appointed chairman for the ensuing year.
3rd November (Monday), The Times said 'The Blackmore Vale [Hunt] met at Purse Caundle on Saturday. Finding by Frith, hounds ran to Plumley and through the Holts, the fox being headed in Holt Lane. He then turned back through the Holts and was marked to ground in Plumley. Finding again in Stalbridge Big Wood, hounds ran round the park and killed. Another fox from the park was killed near Copse House.'
25th November (Tuesday), The Times reported: 'The Blackmore Vale [Hunt] met at Tripps Limekiln yesterday. . . There was a slow hunt from Holt's round Plumly. A Haydon Hill fox led hounds an extraordinary line. After a circle of Hanover and Goathill scent improved, and hounds raced to Bowling Green, going through Milborne Port Churchyard, the Main Street, and Cross House Garden to Crendly [Crendle], bring stopped at Purse Caundle Corner.'
30th December (Tuesday), The Times said: 'The Blackmore Vale [Hunt] met at Milborne Port Station yesterday. . . From Frith hounds ran through Caundle Brake to Toomer Hill. Swinging right-handed into Stalbridge Park and leaving the park, they ran by Stalbridge Weston almost to Newleaze, being finally stopped between Purse Caundle and Plumley.'
Sometime around this period the following hunting song was written by a John Budden, with music by Ashworth Hope, published by Leonard, Gould and Bottler, 47 Poland Street, London W.1. It was dedicated to Lieut-Col. F. J. B. Wingfield Digby D.S.O., M.F.H., Master of the Blackmore Vale Hunt.

THE SONG OF THE BLACKMORE VALE

There be doughty men in Dorset,

There be boys of bone and brawn,

Who work and smile and sing all day

In the land where they were born.

CHORUS: 'Tis the old, old song of the Huntsman's horn,

As away down the vale they run;

There's a splash and a thud, and a roll in the mud,

And fine old Dorset fun,

Then there comes a crash! of the old Blackthorn,

The rend of the rasping rail,

Oh! the sound of the hound and the huntsman's horn,

The Song of the Blackmore Vale.

When a man goes out from Dorset,

Out to the far, far west,

He longs for his lanes and pasture land,

And the songs that he loves the best.

There's the song of the kine in the cow-yard,

And the song of the nightingale,

But the song that dwells with a Dorset lad,

Be the Song of the Blackmore Vale.

CHORUS: 'Tis the old, old song of the Huntsman's horn, etc:

A man comes back to Dorset,

Back from the lands afar.

No need to yearn for the old milk churn

And the song of the swingle bar

Now shall he bide in Dorset,

Or once again set sail?

When there comes the sound of the huntsman's horn

Away in the Blackmore Vale

CHORUS: 'Tis the old, old song of the Huntsman's horn, etc:

1931, 26th March (Thursday). The Times said: 'The Blackmore Vale [Hunt] met at Purse Caundle on Tuesday and had an enjoyable hunt of 50 minutes with a four-mile point, seven as hounds ran. Finding in Frith, hounds ran fast by Haddon Lodge [up Cockhills Lane] and leaving Stourton Caundle on the left, ran into Holt's. . .'

27th March. The Annual Parish Meeting held. Mr R. H. Hiscock to be a School Manager in the place of Mr H. B. Tucker who has left the Parish.

This year's Census showed a Purse Caundle population of 148.

1932, 23rd March. The Annual Parish Meeting, when only Mr E. R. Cox again appointed chairman for the ensuing year.

Editions of The Times advertised meets of the Blackmore Vale Hunt at Purse Caundle manor house on 1st February at 11 a.m., and Tripp's Lime-kiln on 14th March at noon. Miss Guest's hounds would meet at Purse Caundle [manor house?] on 16th March.

The Times of 29th June and 6th July advertised in its lists of gardens open to the public on those days in aid of the Queen's Institute of District Nursing would be (Lady Victoria Herbert's) Purse Caundle manor house garden and part of the house, between 2-7 p.m. In December Lady Victoria also made an appeal on behalf of her Scheme for British ex-Prisoners of War.

According to the Kelly's Directory compiled at this time: 'Miss Guest was lady of the manor [sic] and the chief landowner. The soil is Limestone and clay; subsoil, clay and gravel. The crops are wheat, barley and mangold wurzel. The area is 1,588 acres; the population in 1931 was 148. Private Residents: Arthur Tyrwhitt Drake, Crendle; Robert Gillespie Greig, Manor house; Lady Victoria A. M. Herbert C.B.E., Manor house. Commercial: Frank Bertram Clarke, farmer, Rue farm; Geo. Dennett, shopkeeper; Isaac Durrant, farmer, Gospel Ash farm; Percival Durrant, smallholder, Clayhanger; Walter H. Durrant, farmer, Folly farm; A. Floyd, gardener to R. G. Greig esq; Ronald Henry John Hiscock, farmer, Court farm; Alfred Lawrence, farmer, Tripps farm (over 150 acres); John Ousley, Traveller's Rest P.H.; William Waltham, farmer, Manor farm; Henry George White & Sons, farmers, Home farm (over 150 acres).'

The Greig family apparently came to stay at the manor house during the winter months, and indulge in hunting with the local Hunt, which somtimes met at the manor house. Local children looked forward to these occasions because they could earn some money by opening gates for the huntsmen.

The Whites at first had a pony and trap; and later a car (with a 'dicky-seat') which was used as a taxi.

Mrs Polly Dennett who lived in one of the two Raghill cottages up on the A35 main road, she had a small shop in one of her rooms. Customers used a footpath that ran from Home Farm across a field. Informants have said that she was a very nice lady, and used to make her own butter and wine. Sometimes used to be "three-sheets to the wind", or used to "hit the bottle", when it seems she would get confused with the money and quantities of sweets. News of this would quickly travel around the village, and children would straightway go to the shop to take advantage. It would thus be possible to buy a large bag of sweets for a penny, or she would give the wrong change against herself.

Ousley had retired from the navy at Portsmouth, and was to die leaving his wife to keep on the Traveller's Rest. A previous owner had had a monkey, which was to give the establishment its nickname of 'The Monkey-house'.

1933 The Times of 18th February advertised a meet of Miss Guest's hounds on Tuesday, 21st, at 11 a.m.

13th March (Monday). The Times reported: 'The Blackmore Vale [Hunt] met at Bagber on Saturday . . . Going on by the Stalbridge Weston coverts almost to Frith, hounds turned to Plumley. Running by Biddescombe back by Frith, almost to Caundle Brake, they turned towards Purse Caundle and were stopped by Haddon Lodge, after a hunt of more than two hours, with a greatest point of five miles.'

A further Blackmore Vale Hunt meet was advertised for Monday, 27th March, at Purse Caundle mnor house, at 11.30 a.m.

1st July (Saturday). The Times advertised Purse Caundle manor house and part of the house amongst those being open that day on behalf of the Queen's Institute of District Nursing.

13th October. The last Annual Parish Meeting as such was held, with the Schoolroom also being used for the last time as a venue. Mr A. Tyrwhitt Drake now to be Chairman in place of Mr E. R. Cox who had left the Parish. Regarding monies of £7-1-0 left over from the Peace Day Fete, it was proposed by Mr H. White, seconded by Mrs Mathews that it should go towards a Supper for the Parish to which ex-service men be invited free of charge. Mr A. Tyrwhitte Drake moved an amendment, seconded by Mr Ridout, that the monies be used as a Fete Fund. The amendment being lost Mr A. Tyrwhitt Drake proposed, Mr R. B. G. Greig seconding, that Mr White be Chairman of the Supper Committee, which was carried. The Minute Book resumes on 23rd March 1954 (q.v.).

Children living in the Hornswell Lane area of Purse Caundle were said not to be able to get to school if the footbridge and ford out to the main lane were too flooded and impassable.

According to Dorset County Council the village school was closed-down on 27th July, and the children transferred to Stalbridge Senior and Junior Schools. According to an informant, children were taken by bus to and from Stalbridge, travelling up to Copse House to pick up children there, and any belonging to the staff at Frith House. The Board of Education ceased to recognise the school from 3rd September.

The area covered by the existing Hornswell housing estate was at that time just a farm field, seen on thre left of the photograph. The cottages in Hornswell Lane (now called Well Lane), had to get their water from the spring at the far end of the Lane. Laundry was done in collected rainwater. One year there was a drought when water had to be delivered in churns. The corner house was that of the Loader family; then came Bert Ashford; a tiny cottage in which lived Mr & Mrs Neal; then Ernest Ashford; and finally another Ashford residence, with the spring further along the Lane. Then there was a door which led to the manor house tennis court.

Sometime during the early 1930s there was a death in the road near the entrance down to Tripps Farm - it was certainly after 1923 when the house at the entrance was built. A baker named Luffman, from Milborne Port, had a delivery round by horse-drawn cart which passed through Goathill on its way to Purse Caundle. Here he was to become known as 'the midnight baker' on account of the lateness of his arrival. He used to go then into the Travellers Rest public house at the end of his round. One day the horse must have been frightened and bolted, during which Luffman was killed.

1934, 12th March (Monday). The Blackmore Vale Hunt met at Purse Caundle manor house at 11 a.m. From Plumley the hounds hunted down as far as the Pulham area.

18th December (Tuesday). The Times reported: 'The Blackmore Vale [Hunt] met yesterday at Purse Caundle. A fox found at Frith was marked to ground. Another found at Frith Gorse was killed in Purse Caundle Village. Finding at Rowden Coppice hounds hunted in a left-handed ring to Plumley, and then ran towards the Holts. Bearing left-handed past Biddlescombe to the Stalbridge Weston coverts and turning back to Haddon's Farm, hounds ran under Plumley to Rue Bushes and along the hillside to Swalletts. . . and were stopped owing to darkness at the River Coverts after a great hunt of 17 miles as hounds ran, with a five-mile point.'

In one of her contemporary letters, Lady Victoria Herbert wrote that she wished she had a field behind her manor house, which she dreamt to turn into an orchard - something in existence at the beginning of that century, but which seems to have since disappeared. She also mentioned that at that time she had a little class for sewing on Tuesdays. The Times of 9th June advertised Lady Victoria's manor house and garden again being open to the public on behalf of the Queen's Institute of District Nursing, on Wednesday, 13th July, between 3-7 p.m., at 1s 6d.

1935 Miss Guest's hounds were advertised to meet at Purse Caundle manor house on Tuesday, 5th March, at 11 a.m., and similarly on 12th November.

20th August (Tuesday). The Times reported: 'A motorist travelling towards Southampton on Sunday night found a man in a dying condition about 11 miles from Salisbury, and near him a motor-cycle. The injured man died in the ambulance when on the way to Salisbury Infirmary, where bhe was later identified as Aircraftman Reginald White, of No. 9 Squadron, R.A.F. Boscombe Down. His home address was Purse Caundle. How White met his death was not revealed at the Inquest yesterday, when a verdict of 'Accidental death was returned.' Reginald Thomas White, aged 27, was to be buried in Purse Caundle cemetery on 22nd August.

Kelly's Directory for Dorsetshire 1935 gave the principle residents, etc. as:

'Rev. Edward Henry Fincher (since 1926), of the London College of Divinity, rural dean of Stalbridge, who

resides at Sourton Caundle.

Drake, Arthur Tyrwhitt, Crendle.

Greig, Robert Gillespie, Manor house.

Herbert, Lady Victoria A. M., C.B.E., Manor house.

Clarke, Frank Bertram, farmer, Rue farm.

Dennett, Geo., shopkeeper.

Durrant, Isaac, farmer, Gospel Ash farm.

Durrant, Walter H., farmer, Folly farm.

Floyd, A. gardener to R. G. Greig esq.

Hiscock, Ronald Henry John, farmer, Court farm.

Lawrence, Alfred, farmer, Tripps farm.

Ousley, John, Traveller's Rest P.H.

Waltham, William, farmer, Manor farm, Milborne Port.

White, Henry George & Sons, farmers, Home farm.

1936 The Blackmore Vale Hunt was advertised to meet on Monday, 10th February, at Tripp's limekiln, at 11 a.m.; and on Monday, 21st December at Purse Caundle manor house, at 11 a.m. Miss Guest's hounds were due to meet on Friday, 14th February at Purse Caundle at 11 a.m.; and similarly on Tuesday, 17th November.

8th June, The Times advertised the manor house and garden being again open to the public on the 10th (Wednesday) for the Quen's Institute for Nursing , between 3-7 p.m., at 1s 6d.

A Petition dated 5th August was made o the Diocese of Salisbury by the rector, the Rev. Edward Fincher, and churchwardens Arthur Tyrwhitt Drake (who died 12th February 1938) and R. B. E. Greig, for the placement in the church's sanctuary of two 16th century brass German alms dishes, the gift of Lady Victoria Herbert of Purse Caundle. The faculty was granted 14th October 1936 (WSRO ref: D/1/61/84/20)

1937 The Sherborne Gas and Coke Company Limited was to commence supplying gas to Purse Caundle and neighbouring villages - (The London Gazette 26th February 1937).

14th June, The Times advertised the manor house and garden being again open on the 19th (Saturday) for the Queen's Institute for Nursing, between 3-7 p.m., at 1s 6d.

1938 Foot-and Mouth Disease again hit Purse Caundle and the countryside all around - (The London Gazette, 11th February, page 907). Restrictions over part of the affected area were relaxed from 22nd December, but not at first for Purse Caundle - (The London Gazette, 20th December 1938, page 8079).

11th February, The Times reported the death 'on 8th February, very suddenly at the Manor House, Purse Caundle, of Robert Bertram Gillespie Greig, beloved husband of Elsie Greig, and much-loved step father of Noel and Gordon Wall, elder son of the late Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Greig. Funeral at Purse Caundle Church, to-morrow (Saturday), at 2.30. Train leaving Waterloo at 11 o'clock will be met at Templecombe.' Burial took place in Purse Caundle cemetery.

28th April, The Times carried a legal notice on behalf of the executor of the will of the late Arthur Tyrwhitt Drake, of Crendle, Purse Caundle, retired stockbroker, who had died on the 12th February.

In the two latter illustrations, the two long buildings to the right of centre are part of Court Farm, with square shaped Court Farmhouse in the centre, while on the left is what is now named Well Lane going up from the road, being bordered with cottages on its left-hand (western) side. Parallel to the road on the right can be seen a narrow footpath which passes over a culverted stream which then flowed over the road as a ford. Both culvert and ford have since been removed - see second b/w photograph. At the top can be seen the manor house tennis court. The area and building to the right above the road is the (future) Brook Orchard. [The b/w photograph kindly donated by Danette Hemsley, to whom grateful thanks are extended].

To be continued ..........

PURSE CAUNDLE HISTORY - CHAPTER 8: VICTORIAN PURSE CAUNDLE 1837-1901

2010-05-03T14:15:00.113+01:00

Updated: 29th August, 4.15 p.m.

1837, 20th June, accession of Victoria as Queen.
1838 Under the 'Act for the Commutation of Tithes' passed during the year, an appropriate Map and Terrier for the parish of Purse Caundle were drawn up - with the original to be found at the Dorset History Centre.
The Tithe Map and Terrier recorded:
Wheat at 7s 0 1/4d (approx £25 at 2007 money values) per bushel, 155.2522 acres.
Barley 3s 11 1/2d (£14) per bushel, 275.36842 acres.
Oats 2s 9d per bushel, 396.36364 acres.
Arable land = 552 acres (38% of parish).
Mead/Pasture = 729 acres (51%).
Furze = 152 acres (10%).
With Glebe (230 acres) excluded, Sir Hugh Hoare owned approximately three quarters (1,066 acres) of the parish, and Edward Huddlestone most of the remainder (375 acres).
Sir Hugh Hoare's estate was given as 1,066a 2r 30p, £119 2s 4d (£8,340) Rent charge payable to rector - with 18th March 1840 being the date of apportionment. In July 1835 Sir Richard Hoare (died 1838) had been mentioned as being the 'Rector' - see CHAPTER 7.
The Commutation of Tithes dated 7th November 1838 was assessed for 1,470 acres 2r 16p at £163 10s 0d (£11,448).
There continued to be a village nucleus close to the church of some farmsteads and cottages, with three outlying farmsteads and a couple of cottages to the south-west, all located on the Lower Fullers Earth Clay, which accounted for the preponderance of pasture land over arable; plus a small group of freehold cottages to the south-east periphery.
The Landowners and Occupiers, and their properties were shown on the Terrier as:

Sir Hugh Hoare                 Mary White                            Houses, Farms and Lands
                                         William Styles
                                         Sarah Sharp
                                         Richard Winter
                                         William White & the Parish
Edward Huddlestone         William White                        Houses, Farms and Lands
                       Esquire       Robert Williams
                                         John Abbot

Leasehold Estates under Sir Hugh Hoare

James Young Himself House and Garden

Mary Ann Moores Joseph Moores House, Garden & Orchard

George Burgess Himself House and Garden

Mary Harris Samuel Hamlyn House and Garden

Hugh Cox George Hamlyn House and Garden

William Styles Himself Shop

" Mary Ridout House and Garden

" George Clark House and Garden

Grace Harris Herself House and Garden

Charles Hutchins Esq Samuel Harris and House, Garden, Orchards

Thomas Burgess and Plot of Land

Late Senior Sarah Burgess, Thomas Houses and Gardens

Burgess, Matthew Luffman,

                                          & James Hamlyn
William Harris                   George Burgess                    House and Garden
Sarah Pope                       Herself                                 House and Garden
Reverend Richard              Mary White, Thomas           Parsonage House, Lands,
           Messiter (Glebe)       Burgess, Job Hamlyn           Yard, Garden, Buildings,

& William Styles and Church and Yard.

The shop was where Honeysuckle Cottage now is - between Church Farm and the Old School House.
1840 The Sherborne Journal on 10th November reported: 'As Henry Hann, boot and shoemaker was crosing (sic) the fields from Caundle Purse to Milborne Port, he was met by two men who robbed him of a bundle containing a new pair of boots and a quantity of clean linen. After having taken the bundle, the villains struck the poor boy several times on the head and rifled his pockets of a letter and six shillings and sixpence in money. They then dragged him across a meadow and threw him into a brook of water. The lad, however, very providentially, was not much injured by the violence used but that he was enabled, after the wretches had left him to extricate himself from the water and reach Stourton Caundle.' Hann was not on the 1841 Purse Caundle census; but wherever he was from he was presumably delivering boots and shoes and collecting the money for them.
1841 On the night of Sunday, 6th June, there was a National Census which showed Purse Caundle with 183 inhabitants - 88 males and 95 females, in some 35 properties. In this early Census only the name, age, occupation, and whether born or not in the county, or whether born outside England were recorded. Ages over 15 years were usually rounded down to the nearest 5 years. To assist in locating the places of residence, the enumerator's recorded perambulation is worth showing:
'Caundle Purse. Commencing with Mr William Whites house, through the parish, to Grace Harris's returning then to the old Poor Houses, passing on to Mr White's Farm House thence to Tripps Farm & Farmer Winters, and terminating with the houses near the road towards Haydon.' Thus believed from what is now Home Farm, straight through up to Clayhanger; then from what is now Brook House (being on site of the Poor Houses) up and downalong to Tripps Farm and Rew Farm, and ending up at the two cottages in Rushton Bottom.

As with some other villages and towns in the area, Purse Caundle had a number of women and girls engaged at home in the Glove manufacturing trade. Some of them obviously started quite early in life. By the 1830s the textile trade, then involving both sailcloth and collars, had been in some degree superseded by glove-making. The first gloving factory was established by J. Hemming in 1810 in nearby Milborne Port. A Mr. Taylor then also started a glove business there in 1816, to be followed by the Ensor family who began production in 1820. With others in 1823 and 1827. New mechanical techniques made factory glove-making even more possible in 1834. The largest factory, Thomas Ensor's in North Street, Milborne Port, processed work of over 2,000 employees from the parish and beyond. Thus this was the local centre of the glove industry, and from there the leather for the gloves was sent out for sewing. This latter was to continue in Purse Caundle throughout the century - DNHAS Vol. 59, 1937.

This is one of the old gloving factories in North Street, Milborne Port, 2001.
Outworkers in the country later used Singer sewing-machines, patented in 1851. Knitting gloves was also a cottage industry, with even boys earning 7d a pair. What the general level of income from this was is not known: presumably piece-work. But doubtless it was preferable to having to work out on the land in all weathers. Homeworking also made it easier to look after children. But being close work, good lighting would be required - not something always available in dark cottages at that time, lit only by the likes of candles.
The mention of 'old Poor Houses' pre-supposes that they were no longer used as such, with eligible residents now being carried away to the nearest workhouse at Sherborne. These Poor Houses seem to have been in the vicinity of the road junction just south of the church - possibly where now stand Snowdrop Cottage and Brook House.
A study of the Purse Caundle Parish Register will show the usual occasional baptism of a "base born" child, e.g. in 1833 was that of Mark, thre bastard son of Jemima Snook, "a married woman, her husband having run away." One should naturally feel sorry for poor Repentance Penny above, who had been baptised in 1797. If as appears she was born out of wedlock, stigma enough, she had then to bear for the rest of her life the added indignity of a name expressing her mother's apparent shame and remorse for the original sin.
Thomas 'Backer' should doubtless be 'Baker', due to mispronunciation by the respondent in the Dorset dialect. See also 1848 below.
1844 Lewis's Topography described Purse Caundle as:

'. . . a parish in the union and hundred of Sherborne . . . containing 183 inhabitants. Comprises 1470 acres 2 rods 16 perches, of which, with the exception of of about 100 acres of woodland and copse, the whole is arable, meadow, and pasture. The surface is generally level, but rises towards the south, and terminates in a long ridge; the soil is strong clay, alternated in some parts with a stone brash. The living is a discharged rectory, valued in the king's books at £7-8-8, and in thre gift of Sir H. R. Hoare, Bart: the tithes have been commuted for £162, and the glebe comprises 23 acres. In the chancel of the church, under a plain marble tombstone, are interred the remains of Dr. Highmore, a distinguished writer on medical and anatomical subjects.'

On 10th October was the marriage at Stourton Caundle od Elizabeth Gosney, born in Purse Caundle, to William Coffin of Stourton Caundle.
During these so-called 'Hungry Forties' there was a combination of poor farming and crop failures.
1845 During 1838/9 there had been some continuing controversy between John James Farquharson's Blackmoor Hunt, and that of Mr. Wingfield Digby of Sherborne Castle, believed to have been over encroachment onto respective territories. According to The Sporting Magazine in 1845, the Blackmoor Vale Hunt had kennels at Eastbury (4 miles north-east of Blandford) and at Cattistock. Although sometimes meeting nearby, the Hunt apparently did not now do so at Purse Caundle itself as previously, though whether it ever went over the ground there is not known. (See further in 1857)
1846 The Times newspaper published during June-August a series of articles reporting the low pay and wretched conditions of the Dorsetshire agricultural labourer, which seemed to have varied very littlr from village to village. Whilst the general agricultural wage was supposed to be 8 shillings a week, some employing farmers paid less than this. From this was generally deducted a weekly rent of 1s or 1s 6d; and in some cases a rent for a piece of ground on which to grow potatoes. A large family was expected to live in a small cottage with obvious insufficient sleeping accommodation, and most often it was of a derelict condition. Some employers allowed their workers an 'advantage' price for a bushel of "grist" at a shilling below the market price of the best wheat. "Grist" (or tailings) was that portion of wheat which remains after the best, which was designed for the market, had been separated from the mass. It then underwent a second separation, and the dirt and useless stuff is removed. However, when samples of this "grist" sold at 7s 6d a bushel (60s a quarter) were independently tested they were considered to be worth only 35s a bushel. Thus this so-called 'advantage' was anything but. It was noticed at Sherborne that rakes "of most formidable dimensions" were being offered for sale. It was said these were for raking the fields after the corn harvest had been carried off. Thus the poor miserable labourers were even being denied the Biblical practice of gleaning. Purse Caundle was not specifically mentioned in any respect, though its Court Baron meetings at that time often recorded a certain run-down appearance. Probably the availability of glove-making work at or from Milborne Port would have been a god-send to the labouring families of surrounding villages. (See The Greenwood Tree, August 2007. The Illustrated London News of 5th September 1846 printed illustrations of some such Dorset cottages.)
1848, 9th October there was a Court Baron.
The Kelly's Post Office Directory of Dorsetshire, etc. entry for Caundle,Purse read:
'Letters received through Sherborne. There is in this parish a fine old mansion . . .; it is now converted into a farm house. Thomas Baker parish clerk; Isaiah Dowden farmer; John Ings farmer; James Sherring cooper; George Trent farmer; William White farmer; William Wilkins farmer.'
1851 On the night of Sunday, 30th March, Census = 177 inhabitants - 79 males, 98 females. The enumerator's records are not of the best, with parts almost illegible, or particularly with ages scored through and thus often unreadable. The accuracy of any transcription cannot be guaranteed. It is of interest to again read ther enumerator's preamble as to his journey round the village:

'Caundle Purse, commencing with Mr. William White's house, through the parish to John Abbott's, returning thence to the old Poor Houses, passing on to Mr Ing's Farm house, thence to "Tripps" and "Rew", and terminating with the cottage at "Rushton".'

Additional details were required in this Census - relationships, marital status, actual agaes, occupations, and places of birth.

Purse Caundle to a certain extent still seems to have been a typical village, with its several agricultural occupations. Did the children of the village receive any schooling? Only one or two are noted as being a 'Scholar'. Judging by the numerous places of birth there must have been considerable mobility of labour.
In the Hunt & Co's Directory of Dorsetshire 1851 is shown:
'Thomas Baker Parish Clerk
Isaiah Dowding farmer
John Ings farmer
Robt Minchinton farmer
James Sherring cooper
George Trent farmer
Wm White farmer
Catherine Williams farmer
Jane Winter farmer'
When described by Hutchins in the mid-1800s the village was enclosed, being chiefly to pasture, plus some arable and coppice. As will be seen there was also around that time a large number of people doing home-work in the glove-making industry. There were two glove-making centres in the area throughout the 19th century - at Yeovil and Milborne Port. There was a depression in this trade in the mid-1850s, but apparently still flourishing certainly up to the 1890s.
1854 The cold summer was to affect crops.
1855 The Post Office Directory of Dorsetshire listed: 'Thos. Baker parish clerk, Anthony Bugg - farmer Tripp's Farm, Isiah Dawson - farmer, Thos. Sherring - cooper, Wm. White - farmer, Wm. Wilkins - farmer.'
1857, May. According to the General Election Poll Book for Dorset:
'Candidates: Hon. William Berkeley Portman, Mr Henry Ker Seymer, Mr Henry G. Sturt, Mr Floyer.
Henry Huddlestone Purse Caundle House F/holder Voted for Portman
William White Caundle Purse Farm Occupier Voted for Portman
James Hall Caundle Purse Farm Occupier Voted for Portman'
The septuagenarian J. J. Farquhason gave up mastership of the Blackmoor Vale Hunt, which was taken over by Wingfield Digby. The Portman Hunt dates from about the same time, with the 2nd Viscount Portman
being master 1858-1919. The original hunting country was divided between them.
According to the Western Flying Post of 11th October, thr public stocks at Henstridge were put to use when a young man of Milborne Port had to sit in them for six hours, for not having paid a fine of five shillings for being drunk and disorderly. These stocks thus seem to have been the only ones still available in the area.
1858 Lieut-Colonel Henry Huddlestone died at Purse Caundle, aged 56 (Annual Register 1858, page 438). He was to be buried in the church's chapel, where the memorial slab may still be seen (2010 - see APPENDIX C1E). The Huddlestone family owned the manor house until the end of the 19th century.
1859 The Post Office Directory shows for Purse Caundle:
'Harry Ayles - farmer
Thomas Baker - parish clerk
Samuel Barter - farmer
Thomas Burgess - farmer
Thomas Gartell - cider & apple tree dealer, Bishop's Down
Robert Menchentin [presumably Minchinton] - farmer
William White - farmer
Thomas Worthy - farmer'

J. G. Bartholomew's Gazatteer = 145 inhabitants.
1861 The night of Sunday, 7th April. Census: 185 inhabitants - 92 males, 93 females. The enumerator travelled: 'The whole of the Parish of Caundle Purse commencing at Mr Whites Farm-house, passing on to the eastern end of the Village to Alfred Gosneys, returning and continuing to Mr Minchinton's Farm house, from there to the Manor Farm, passing on to Tripps Farm, turning to the left and proceeding to Rue Farm, returning and concluding at Rushton.' The same information as in 1851 was recorded.

In the Gentleman's Magazine for 1861, page 557, was the announcement:
'At the Manor-house, Purse Caundle, Dorset, the wife of Capt. Amyatt Brown, late 5th Lancers, a dau.'
It will be noticed that this family does not appear in this year's Census - being possibly only later temporary tenants.
1863, 22nd October, there was a Court Baron.
During the year was the repeal of the 1566 Vermin Act (q.v.) which saw the cessation of the Parochial Church Council's responsibility for vermin control.
1865 The Postal and Commercial Directory of Dorset and Wiltshire listed for Caundle Purse:
'Harry Ayles - farmer
Thos. Baker - parish clerk
Samuel Barter - farmer
Frederic Bugg - farmer
Thos. Burgess - farmer
Robt. Menchenton - farmer
Mrs White - farmer'
1870, March. In the Dorset History Centre is a solicitor's and user's correspondence relating to the hard surface road going southwards from Purse Caundle, which had been used by waggons and carriages for some 45 years or so. It had been repaired by Purse Caundle parish up to the gate in Cockhills cow leaze; and therefrom it was a 'halter path' to Stourton Caundle. Sherborne Highways Department were now working on widening the road, thereby turning it into a bridle and footpath by throwing soil from either side onto the road, making it impossible to continue to be used for waggons, etc. (DHC ref: D/FFO/27/43)
1871 On the night of Sunday, 2nd April, a Census = 176 persons (84 males, 92 females - 40 inhabited houses). The enumerator's perambulation oof 'The whole of the Parish of Caundle Purse. Commencing at Mr Surtees Manor House passing on to the Western end of the Village returning and continuing to Court Farm from thence to the Manor farm passing on to Tripps Farm, turning left and proceeding to Rue farm returning and concluding with the Cottage at Rushton.' The same personal details were recorded as in the previous two Censuses.

The Mercer and Crocker's Directory for Hampshire, Dorset, etc. listed for Purse Caundle:
'Harry Ayles - Farmer
Thos. Baker - parish clerk
Saml. Barter - farmer
Frederick Bugg - farmer
Thos. Strange - shoe maker
Nathaniel Surtees Esq. - Manor House'
1877, 12th January. The Times announced the death on the 9th at Weymouth of Fanny, the wife of Nathanial Surtees Esq. of Purse Caundle, only child of the late Thomas Hodwell, Esq. of Gloucester-place, Portman-square, London.
1880 Kelly's Directory of Dorsetshire listed for Purse Caundle:
'Register dates from 1731. Rev. Messiter resides at Caundle Marsh. Soil is limestone and clay; subsoil clay and gravel. Crops:- wheat, barley and mangold wurzel. Parish Clerk - George Clark, Nathaniel Surtees - manor house, Samuel Barter - farmer, Frederick Bugg - farmer, Henry Harris - farmer, (Mrs.) Mary Luffman - beer retailer, Wm. Read - shopkeeper, Thos. Strange - boot maker.'
1881 On thr night of Sunday, 3rd April, Census = 194 inhabitants (94 males, 100 females):

1883 The church underwent a restoration, including rebuilding of the nave. In the Western Gazette of 15th April 1983, in its '100 Years Ago' column was the following:
'PURSE CAUNDLE On Wednesday and Thursday, 4th and 5th April, a bazaar was held in the town hall, Sherborne, in aid of the restoration of Purse Caundle Church. The church is an ancient and picturesque edifice and has gradually, by natural process of decay, been getting into its present delapidated condition, until it has become almost impossible to worship in it with comfort. An estimate was therefore lately procured from Mr Wilcox, architect of Bath, for the proposed work which is to include an entire new roof. Slight repairs to the tower, and the raising of the church floor. The amount of the estimate was about £530 (£38,255) and towards this amount the bazaar contributed £160 (£11,548). The audience on each day was most satisfactory. At intervals popular selections of music were performed by Mrs Lyon, Miss C. Messiter and Miss Thompson. £130 (£(,383) is still required.' Miss Messiter was presumably a relative of the rector of Purse Caundle. The final cost was said to have been £600 according to the 1885 Kelly's Directory - see below.
1884 Gladstone's second Liberal government in the third Reform Act gave farm labourers the vote.
1885 Kelly's Directory for Dorsetshire listed for Purse Caundle:
'Parish Clerk - George Clark. Rural postman passes through at 9 a.m. School Board of 5 members formed in 1876: Henry Harris, clerk to the Board and attendance officer. Board School built in 1879 at a cost of £420, for 39 children; average attendance - 36. Mrs C. M. Nobbs, mistress. Henry H. Huddlestone - manor house, Samuel Barter - farmer, Albert Jehu Brown - Tripps Farm, Frederick Bugg - farmer, John Notley Bugg - farmer, Wm. Gulliver - beer retailer, Henry Lemon - haulier, Raymond Leet - farm bailiff to Sir Hy. A. Hoare Bt., manor farm, Wm. Read - shopkeeper.'
1886, 19th May. The Times reported Petitions against legislative separation between Great Britain and Ireland were presented in the House of Lords by the Earl of Kintore, from Milborne Port, Stalbridge, Purse Caundle, etc., and similarly with other Lords from around the country.
Kelly's Directory 1886 gave the following details:
'Parish Clerk - George Clark
Nathaniel Surtees, manor house
Samuel Barter, farmer
Frederick Bugg, farmer
Henry Harris, farmer
Mrs Mary Luffman, beer retailer
Wm Read, shopkeeper
Thomas Strange, boot maker'
1887 During this hunting season the Hunt met once at Purse Caundle manor house, on Wednesday 16th February (The Times 12th February), and once at Tripp's Farm.
1889 In Kelly's Directory for Dorsetshire 1889 was the following:
'The church has sittings for 130. The register dates from the year 1731. The living is a discharged rectory, yearly value £160, in the gift of Sir Henry A. Hoare bart. and held since 1885 by the Rev. Charles Lemon. The Manor House now the property of Henry H. Huddlestone esq. J.P. who resides there. Sir Henry A. Hoare bart. is lord of the manor and chief landowner. The soil is limestone and clay; subsoil, clay and gravel. The crops are wheat, barley and mangold wurzel. Rateable value £1,059.
Parish Clerk, George Clark.
Letters are collected by the rural postman, who passes through at 9 a.m. Letters through Sherborne arrive at 8.45 a.m. The nearest money order & telegraph office at at Milborne Port. A School Board of five members was formed July 12, 1876; Edward Wallis Lemon, clerk to the board & attendance officer.
Board School (mixed), built in 1879 at a cost of £420, for 39 children; average attendance 30; Mrs Selina S. Humphreys, mistress.
Henry Huddlestone Huddlestone J.P., Manor house
Rev. Charles Lemon [rector], Rectory
Samuel Barter, farmer
Albert Jehu Brown, farmer, Tripps farm
Walter Brown, farm bailiff to Mr Josiah Fish
John Notley Bugg, farmer
William Gulliver, beer retailer
Henry Lemon, haulier
Raymond Lees, farmer, Manor farm
Mrs Clara Matthews, shopkeeper'
1890, 9th May, being Stalbridge Fair, schoolchildren were given a day's holiday.
Thursday, 17th July, was the auction by the Huddlestone family at the Digby Hotel, Sherborne, of the Purse Caundle manor house and its estate Woods and Plantations, 'Purse Caundle' Farm (now Home Farm), Gospel Ash Farm, and other estate lands, with an overall total of some 502 acres. According to the full details described in the Sale catalogue, the majority of the lands were currently let to Mr. Thomas Ryall. Then in the Southern Times of Saturday, 26th July 1890, 'The auctioneer was accompanied by a fairly numerous gathering, but the highest bid forthcoming [for the manor house, two farms, and majority of the land] was £12,000 [£946,582], so that as the vendor's reserve was £15,000 [£1,183,228] the lot was withdrawn at that figure, and as a consequence of no sale being effected the three minor lots were not put up.'
1st August, with the circus visiting Stalbridge, schoolchildren were given a half-day holiday.
8th November, The Times advertised Purse Caundle manor house being for auction.
1891, on the night of Sunday, 5th April, a Census, showing 160 inhabitants - 78 males, 82 females. The Enumerator recorded his perambulation as the: 'Whole of the parish of Caundle Purse commencing at the Two new cottages on the Milborne Port Road [Raghill] on to Mr Pulam Farm house passing on to the Eastern end of the village, returning on continuing on to Mr Buggs, from thence on to the Manor Farm, passing on to Mr Brownd farm turning to the left and proceeding to Rue Farm returning and concluding with the Cottages at Rushton.'

Several women (and young girls) are continuing in the glove industry, but this time some are shown as glove machinists. Did this mean they went to work at the Milborn Port factories, or were the machines suitable to be used at home? Many inhabitants are perhaps surprisingly shown as single, as well as a fair number of widowers and widows. There were some scholars, though the school's numbers were probably boosted with pupils from just outside of the parish.
1895 In SDNQ IV there is the description: 'Purse Caundle is a small decayed village in Dorsetshire with a population of about 130.'
During the year was published a Royal Commission Report on Agriculture in Dorset. Amongst the many Tables was the following concerning 'Caundle mPurse', based on Cebsuses:
'     1871                            1881          1891
Inhabited Houses 40             39             34
Families or
Separate Occupiers 43         39             37
Population 176                    194           160'
As an example of beliefs still held at the end of the 19th century in the Dorset rural countryside, there was a 'cunning man' of Stalbridge, who had a considerable reputation as a healer of those made sick through being 'overlooked' by a witch or whoever. He ripped the legs from living toads, placed the legs in a bag to be worn around rhe neck of the victim, and pronounced that the evil as remedied. (Touchyng Witchcraft and Sorcerye, Dorset Record Society 1985)
1896 Saturday, 19th September saw the marriage of Mary Jane Hamblin, aged 27, an Assistant Mistress at Purse Caundle school, and Henry John Lane, 21, a policeman from Shapwick, near Wimborne. The schoolchildren presented the bride with three publications by The Religious Tract Society: LIFE'S MORNING: or Counsels and Encouragements for Youthful Christians; LIFE'S NOONTIDE: . . .; and Life's Evening or THOUGHTS FOR THE AGED, each having a handwritten inscription: "Mary Hamblin on her wedding day Sept: 19: 1896. Presented by the children of the Day Schools, Purse Caundle." (See illustrations)

Purse Caundle church's chapel was restored during the year, presumably at the expense of the manor house's owner - Colonel Huddlestone. The chancel and tower were restored at a cost of £150.
1898 The Times of 10th March reported on the fourteenth show of the Hunters' Improvement Society at Islington, London. Amongst the prizewinners was Mr Guy Henshaw of Purse Caundle, in Class IV for three-year-old colts or geldings (31 entries), who received a premum of £10 for his brown gelding Goldfinder, by Strathmore.
1899, 5th June. The Times reported that at the Horse\Show at the Crystal Palace, London, in the Hunters' Competitions, in Class VI for four-year-olds, up to 14 stone, 3rd prize of £3 went to Mr Guy Henshaw of Purse Caundle, with his brown gelding Knight Errant. In the Officers' Chargers Competition, Class XXIX for Officers' Chargers, suitable for heavy cavalry, 1st prize of £10 went to Mr Guy Henshaw of Purse Caundle, for his 4-year old brown gelding Knight Errant, by Knight of the Vale.
During the year, 9-year old Gertrude E. Holloway completed a Sampler whilst in Standard III at Purse Caundle School - see illustration.

1900, 27th March. A Purse Caundle Parish Meeting was held at the Schoolroom: 'Mr Barter proposing, Mrs Vincent seconding, Mr Vercoe and Mr Dodd were elected overseers for the ensuing year. Mr Holloway proposing, Mrs Vincent seconding, Mr L. Learmouth was elected Chairman.'
1st September, a Parish Meeting was held to discuss the water supply of the Parish.
During the year Mr Merthyr Guest buys the manor house from Colonel Huddlestone.
1901, 22nd January. Queen Victoria died, having reigned since 1837. Accession of George V as king.

PURSE CAUNDLE HISTORY - CHAPTER 6: STUART AND COMMONWEALTH 1603-1714

2010-04-21T14:35:00.021+01:00

1603, 24th March, accession of King James I (VIth of Scotland), until 1625.
From now until 1624 was to be the longest period of peace in the country's history, which was to be partly responsible for change in the country's prosperity.
According to the 73rd Church Canon of 1603, marriage could only take place between 8 a.m. and noon during Divine Service (possibly hence then the 'marriage breakfast').
Following last year's drought and consequent food shortage, rats practically competed with man for food, and spreading themselves out caused a bubonic plague which was to last for a year or more. The Tudor 'Vermin Acts' were thus not being successful in this respect.
Readers are advised to read J. H. Bettey's article: 'Parish Life in Dorset during the Early Seventeenth Century', published in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History & Archaeological Society, Volume 114, 1992.
Edward Highmore was installed during the year as rector of Purse Caundle church, the first of five successive ones from the same family.
1604, 31st January. Purse Caundle Manor Court of Christian Dodington, widow.
Homage: John Hewlett, John Curtis, William Damick, Thomas Kinge, Anthony Stone, Ellis Mewe, George Kinge, John Sock, Simon Evered, William Browne, William Stone.
Freeholders in default: Heirs of James Hannam, dec., and William Albert did not appear.
Freeholders appearing: Geoffrey Foot, James Hewlett, William Damick.
Presentments (by Head Man John Hewlett):
Thomas Crosse, tenant of a messuage and quarter virgate of land (4s per annum) [£30 at 2007 values] has died since the last court - 3s 4d [£25] heriot due to Lady of manor - Alice his widow should enjoy premises for her life as long as she does not remarry - she is admitted tenant.
Thomas Toogood: chamber within his house, and barn and stable, fallen into great decay - fined 6s 8d [£50] - to be repaired.
Lady Mary Hastinges: her tenenment called Maies is in ruin - fined 6s 8d.
William Stone: his wainhouse is ruinous.
Anthony Stone: his tenement has decayed roof and watling - fined 2d [£1.26].
Nicholas Polden: his stable totally in ruins - to be repaired by Michaelmas - fined 2d.
John Curtis: his well house has decayed roof fined 1d - to be repaired.
Elizabeth Mewe: her dovecote has decayed roof - fined 2d - to be repaired.
Alice Crosse: her ditch is unscoured and thus a nuisance to other tenants - fined 1d - to be scoured.
George Kinge: his barn has decayed roof - fined 1d - to be repaired.
Anthony Stone: his cowstall has decayed roof - fined 2d - to repair it.
John Overs, son of William Overs, dec., takes from Lady of manor the reversion of one messuage or tenement and garden, orchard (6 lugs), three closes of meadow and pasture 2 1/2 acres), close of land called Cleverland (4 1/2 acres), now in tenure of Alice Crosse, widow, to be held by John Overs and John Clarke, son of Robert Clarke, dec., for their lives. Fine £15 [£2,259]. Rent 4s.
Assessors: John Hewlett, John Sock.

Sum of this court: £15 5s 6d [£2,300]

(heriot of 3s 4d, amerciaments 2s 2d, fine £15)

Judging by the above, the village again at this time appears continuing to be somewhat run-down, possibly due to the combination of an absentee Lord of the Manor, and a slack Steward. With the death of Sir William Dodington, and his wife Christian being now sole Lord/Lady of the Manor, matters may well have begun to be tightened up, though the fines in some instances appear somewhat derisory. It is interesting tp note the type of buildings, etc. there were in the village at this time. Regarding Lady Mary Hastings, see APPENDIX C2. Her property of Maies was just across the road immediatedly,opposite the manor house.

Matthew J. Clark, in his paper 'Manorial courts and the management of the land in early Stuart England', considered that the role of Manor Courts were neither the perogative of either the Manor Lords nor the courts' juries, but were an endeavour to maintain a long-standing mutually achieved status quo. On the other hand, those presented for infringements were encouraged by juries to rectify faults rather than suffer immediate draconian fines. In these latter instances the Lords would of course suffer by not receiving the fines.

From the end of June to December there was plague about in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, e.g. at Cranborne and Salisbury. Though according to the Milborne Port parish register there were some sixteen deaths from plague there from 6th December to the following 25th February.

Illustrated are reproductions of a James I silver sixpence and twelve pence.

1605, 23rd October. Purse Caundle Manor court of Christian Dodington, widow.

Freeholders in default: Heirs of James Hannam esq., William Albert, heirs of William Dammyck.

Homage:John Hewlett, James Hewlett, Thomas Kinge, Anthony Stone, Thomas Toogood, Ellis Mewe, George Kinge, John Sock, Simon Evered, William Browne, William Stone, Nicholas Polden.

Presentments (by Head Man John Hewlett):

Death of John Curtis who held messuage or cottage with garden (1/2 virgate), 8 acres of land, 5 acres of meadow - rent 7s 3d [£54] - heriot due to Lady of the manor = bedstead valued at 20s [£149] - his widow Alice should inherit and enjoy premises for life, as long as she remains unmarried - she is admitted tenant.

Death of William Dammick, who held for life one tenement and 4 closes of meadow and pasture (19 acres) - rent 5s 3d - heriot is one cow. His widow Alice should inherit, not admitted however because she did not appear. The said William Dammick also held in perpetuity a cottage and yard (1/2 acre) part of the possession of William [Horner?], thereafter Michael Bryne - annual rent 4d - relief to Lady of manor 4d [£2.49].

Anthony Stone has not repaired his tenement as ordered - forfeits 6s 8d [£49] and ordered to repair it. The said Anthony has not repaired his cowstall as ordered - forfeits 40d [£25] - to repair it.

Alice Curtis, widow: her barn has ruinous roof - to be repaired.

Ellis Mewe and Thomas Toogood: have taken sub-tenants into thir houses, a burden to the parish - ordered to remove them or to give security to the parish.

Thomasina Mewe, wife of Ellis Mewe, with his consent, took from Lady of manor the reversion of a messuage and 4 closes of meadow and pasture (19 acres), now occupied by Alice Damyck, widow, to be held by Thomasina, and James, son of said Ellis and Thomasina, for their lives - rent 5s 3d [£39] - heriot to be paid on death = best beast - fine £50 [£7,483] - paying £5 in hand, the remainder in instalments.

Sum of this court: £51 10s 4d and one cow

made up of: fine £50, heriot 20s (for cow),

relief 4d and forfeited penalty 10s.

5th November, the 'Gunpowder Plot' of Guy Fawkes, etc. was foiled.

1607 Severe frosts and heavy rains caused an 'extreme dearth of corn.'

December. Five weeks of cold weather began shortly before Christmas, when victuals were so frozen they would take no salt.'

From the seventeenth century onwards, increasing quantities of marl and lime were used to improve the fertility of the soil, as well as ashes, soot, and all sorts of industrial refuse. There were at one time four working lime-kilns in Purse Caundle, with their associated quarries; and in a field called 'The Allotments' on Church Farm there is much evidence of the earlier spreading of pottery wastes.

1609, 2nd June. Purse Caundle Manor court of Sir William Dodington, knight, Lord of manor.

Homage: Nicholas Polden, James Mewe, William Stone, George Kinge, Laurence Ellis, John Clarke, Simon Evered, William Evered, John Overe.

Presentments (by Head Man Nicholas Poulden):

Death of Katherine Hulett, widow, who held during her widowhood, one messuage with garden and yard adjoining (4 acres), close of pasture and arable (3 acres), close called Grene Way (14 acres), close of pasture called Beanecloses (16 acres), close of meadow called Duffettes Meade (1 1/2 acres) - no heriot - all now in hands of Lord of manor.

Richard Barrett: house decayed because of falling timberwork, this timber is allowed him for repairs.

James Hannam ordered to cut down tree in Mayes Close near James Mewe's close.

George Derby: to scour out his ditch leading to Greene Hill Lane.

Alice Kinge, widow: to scour out her ditch in Mill Lane.

Nathaniel Heighmore, clerk: to scour out his ditch in Parsons Lane, and Greene Lane.

Richard Barret: to repair road leading to the church inj close called Beaneclose and to scour his ditch in Duffettes Lane.

Edward Heighmore, clerk: to scour out his ditch in Horners Close.

Edward Heighmore: to give sufficient security to parish of Purse Caundle for discharging the parish for William Clotworthy his sub-tenant.

No tenant of the manor to lease his customary tenement or part of it unless to another tenant of the manor.

Richard Barrett: received from Lord of manor a grant of messuage or tenement with garden and yard and various closes late in occupation of Katherine Hulet, widow, dec. [see entry above for details of this land], to be held now by Richard Barrett and Thomas Barrett and Caleb Barrett, his sons for their lives - rent 6s 8d [£44], fine: £120 [£15, 847] - paid £20 in hand, the rest secured by bond.

Licence is granted to Richard Barrett to lease to Thomas Parker of Purse Caundle for 7 years a close of pasture and arable adjoining his customary tenement (3 acres), three closes called Greeny Way (14 acres), four closes called Beanecloses (16 acres), close called Duffettes Meade (1 1/2 acres).

Sum of this court: £120

Examined by me John Grey, steward.

Only one property now seems to need attention, but possibly due to the previous winter rains, and thoroughfares flooded and damaged by badly maintained ditches, those responsible had now to undertake appropriate measures to ensure there was no repeat in the coming winter.

1610 During the year another map of Dorset was to be published - see illustration below of part of the northern boundary with Somerset, where 'Candelpurfe' is clearly shown.

1611 According to the Milborne Port Parish Register: 'Silvester Hulet, gent., of London, by his will dated 9th April 1611, proved the last of April by Elizabeth Hulet, his relict, gave £10 [£1,594] each to the towns of Blandford forum [sic], Sherborne and the parishes of Purse Candle and Stalbridge, and the town of Milborne Port, "for bynding of apprentices of the poorest sorte of children vunto needful trades."'

During the year was published what was to be become known as the King James Bible, to be renowned as one of the finest examples of English prose.

1612 'A true Terrier of the Gleabe landes &c. belonging to the psonadge of Candle Purs taken by those whose names ar vnder written.

Imprmis a parsonadge howse wth a barne and stall.

Itm an Orchard Garden and backside conteyning by estimaco an Acre.

It' one pasture ground called by the name of psons lanes conteyninge by estimacon fowre and twentie Acres.

It' the pasturinge of fowre oxen and a horse in a ground belonginge to the farme of Elize Mewe caleed by the name of Court Lease conteyning by estimacon fiftie Acres from the third day of May called Hollierood day to the feast day of St. Andrew the apostle [30th November].

It' out of the farme of James Hulet 2s to be paid at Easter.

It' the whole Tythes of the rest of the P'she to belong to the said psonadge.

In witness whereof we haue sett or hands the xj th of October Ao Dni 1612.

Per me Eduardu Highmore Rectore James Hulet } Ward'

Ellis Mewe } Sidme'

Willm Stone }

The whole is in the handwriting of Edward Highmore except the last three signatures (SDNQ VI, 1888/9).

Illustrated is the obverse and reverse of a James I 'Gold Laurel' coin of twenty shillings, dated 1613.

1614 or15, 16th January a great snow started accompanied by frost, and it continued until mid-March. This took two months to clear, with resulting floods. This was followed by a warm and dry summer, with drought. Hay and corn became very scarce.

1622 Physician's licence granted to William Fookes:

'George etc. to our beloved in Christ, Nathaniel Heamor [Highmore], clerk, Rector of CaundlePurse, Francis Scarlett, clerk, Vicar of Sherborne in the county of Dorset, and John Clerk, clerk, minister of Mappowder, greeting and grace whereas one William Fookes of Caundle Purse aforesaid in the diocese of Bristol and Province of Canterbury, professor of medicine, and whereas the said William Fookes is now working in distant parts and cannot come before us personally to take the Oath of Supremacy according to law, therefore to receive the oath from the said William Fookes for acknowledging the royal supremacy in matters ecclesiastical and temporal, and for renouncing all other powers and jurisdictions, they [those named above] are to do so in his name and stead and to certify it into the Bishop's registry. Dated 9 Feb 1621 [1622 new style]'.

'On 18 April 1622 licence was granted to William Fookes of Caundle Purse, Dorset, professor of medicine, to practice the art of medicine in and throughout the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Wiltshire, Southampton [co. Hampshire], Gloucester, Monmouth and Glamorgan in the province of Canterbury, having taken the oath of royal supremacy according to law, for as long as he behaves well and in a praiseworthy manner.' (Lambeth Palace Library ref: Reg.Abbot2,ff.196-7)

1623 The Rev. John White, calvinist rector of St. Peter's, Dorchester, as part of his scheme to found a non-conformist colony in Massachussetts in New England, America, he formed 'The Dorchester Company'. Amongst the speculators were three from Purse Caundle: The Rev. Nathaniel Highmore, James Mew of the manor house, and Nicholas Polden, with each subscribing £20 [£2,510], to form a fishing enterprise in a plantation set up in Massachussetts. The first attempt resulted in a Chancery Suit - Beale v White - heard at Dorchester on 2nd and 12th July 1636. To quote from the Rev. White's preliminary answer to the suit, dated 12th October 1634, as reported in SDNQ XVII, 1921/3:

'Eleven years sithence and upwards divers knights, gentlemen, and others did agree to ioyne togither in purse as ioynt adventurers for the setling of a Plantacon in New England in America for the better and more convenient taking and saving of the fish of those parts, and also for bartering and exchange of commodoties transported from the Kingdopm of England with the natives of New England aforesaid as of such others as afterwards became adventurers with them; this defendant to his best knowledge and remembrance hath hereunder particularly menconed and expressed viz:-

[Amongst the many listed investors were:]

James Mew of Caundle manor house.

Nicholas Polden of Caundle.

Nathaniell Heighmore of Caundle.'
During the 1620s many soldiers were moving from one place to another; whilst sick and maimed soldiers were on their way home, having to be paid for by the places through which they passed. Purse Caundle being some little way south of the main route from London to the West Country may well not have been so burdened, though several footpaths criss-crossed the parish. Whilst in 1624 the vicar of neighbouring Henstridge complained that "the prices of all things are grown to such an unreasonable height, that the common, that is the meaner sort of people, are even undone."
1625, 27th March, following the death of James I, the accession of Charles I as king until 1649.
1626 In August there was a plague prevalent in Dorset, e.g. Blandford.

Illustrated are reproduction gold Crown (five shillings) and silver sixpence coins of Charles I; with a well-used real silver 'rose' penny.

1630 There was to be a poor harvest, being followed by a wet winter, which led grain prices to more than double again. Added to this was the sparodic return of the plague in the area in 1626 and 1630s; and smallpox in 1626, 1634 and in the 1640s which did not help the lot of the agricultural labourers. In nearby Milborne Port during this period there were linsey-woolsey manufacturers, who could well have employed Purse Caundle womenfolk.

1631, 3rd January, was held a Purse Caundle Manor court. Although there is not an extant copy record, an extract can be found in APPENDIX A2.

During the Tudor and Stuart period there was in the clay areas a marked agricultural arable expansion, but the main speculation was in cattle. A contemporary writer noted in 1633 that n these areas were "verie good Pastures and Feedings for cattell."

At Easter, some examples of annual wages as regulated by magistrates were:

'3rd. Noe Bayliff of Husbandry shall take above £3 10s. 0d. by the yeare, and for his livery 13s 4d.

4th. Noe carter, ploughman, or shepherd shall take above £2 13s. 4d., and for his livery 13s 4d. meat and drinks.

5th. Noe common servant of husbandry above the age of twenty years shall take above 40s. by the yeare, and for his livery 6s. 8d.

9th. Noe day-labourer in harvest shall take for their wages, the man for reapinge of corne above 6d for mowing of corne and grasse above 6d the day; the woman for reapinge of corne 4d, and for makinge of hay 3d meat and drinke, and not above.

10th. Noe day-labourer at husbandry shall take from Allhallontide to the 25th March above 3d. the day with meat and drinke, and from 25th of March to Allhallontide 4d the day with meat and drinke and not above.

19th. For reapinge an acre of wheat to taske 2s. 6d., and for mowing an acre of hay att taske 12d. and not above.

20th. Noe person shall take for making an acre of hay to taske above 12d.

21st. Noe person or persons shall take for threshinge of a quarter of barley to taske above 8d., and for a quarter of beanes and oattes to taske above 6d.

22nd. Noe person or persons shall take for threshinge a quarter of wheat or rye to task above 16d.

23rd. That noe woman-servant unmarried from the age of eighteen nyears and upwards to foure and twenty shall take above 25s. per annum; and for her vesture or garment 5s., and from foure and twenty and upwards, not above 26s. 8d., and for her livery 6s. 8d.'

Other trades were similarly regulated.

1634 The King's universal 'Ship money' tax was imposed. This was a tax levied on English maritime towns and shires to provide ships for defence - to be abolished in 1640. It caused hardship in Dorset, with an increasing number of people, mostly the poorer classes, having their goods seized for non-payment of this and other taxes. There was to be an increase of beggars.

1639, during 7th-9th May a troop of King's horsemen were quartered at Stalbridge.

1640 The younger James Hanham sold the manor house to his cousin Thomas Hanham, owner of Dean's Court, Wimborne.

There were supposedly trained bands, which drilled once a month in the use of the pike and musket. 600 Dorset men reluctantly and mutinously marched north for the King's fight against Scotland. Whether anyone from Purse Caundle was involved is not known.

1641, 8th January, there was a Royal proclamation announcing a national general humiliation before Almighty God in Fasting and Prayer on the last Wednesday of every month, 'to continue during the troubles in the said Kingdome of Ireland'. People were expected to attend church, etc. on those days.

There was a Poll Tax, but the records for Dorset do not seem to have survived.

1642 During February and March everyone, especially those in public office, had to take The Protestation Oath: "Protestation Religion expressed in the doctrine of the Church of England, against all Poperie and Popish Innovation within this Realme contrarie to the same Doctrine and according to the duties of my Allegiance to his Ma'ties Royall person, honor, and estate I doe, in the presence of Almightie God, promise, vow, and protest to maintain and defend, so farre as lawfullie I may, with my life, power and estate, the true Reformed Protestant Religion . . . as also the power and privilges of Parliament, the lawful rights and liberties of the subject.' As far as Purse Caundle within the Sherborne Hundred was concerned, 'The names of those ministers, constables, church wardens and ouseers of the poore who have taken the ptestacon before William Coker and John Walcot, Esqrs, two of his Mats Justices of the pece of the said County wthin the division of Sherborne were:

Caundle Purse

Nathaniell Highmore minister John Clarke ) ourseers

James Mewe ) wardens Edward Everett )

Lawrance Ellis )

Candlepurse

Nathaniel Highmore, rector

James Mewe ) ouerseers Nicholas Polden Simon Rivers

Lawrence Ellis ) Thomas Polden James Cuffe

John Clarke ) guardians Richard Marks, senior John Pellie

Edward Everet ) Richard Marks, junior Andrew Sherly

John Kinge John Blecke Thomas Hussey

George Kinge Simon Eueret William Highmore

William Kinge William Goadinche John Clarke

Thomas Kinge Richard Goadinche William Socke

John Keepinge William Everett Thomas Stone

Richard Barnet John Ouer Thomas Gillet

William Ellis James Pope Silvester Pope

Also early in the year there were outbreaks of plague on the Somerset border.

22nd August 1642. Following civil unrest against the King (details of which are not basically the concern of this History), what was to become known as The English Civil War (or The Great Rebellion) could be said to have officially started on this day, when King Charles I raised his standard at Nottingham. Many of the following entries concerning legislation have been derived from the publication Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum 1642-1660 by C. H. Firth & R. S. Rait (see BIBLIOGRAPHY). This publication has been fully uploaded on the website http://www.british-history.ac.uk/.

Dorset during the Civil War was mostly Protestant and Royalist, including the Blackmoor Vale. Sherborne Old Castle had been built by a Bishop of Salisbury in the 12th century, being one of the few medieval fortresses in Dorset still defensible during the Civil War. It wass held by the Digby family for the King during the Civil War, being garrisoned in early 1642 with 500 horsemen. The Marquis of Hertford occupied it in the August, plus further soldiery. Hertford repaired the defences which had been partly destroyed in the late 16th century when Sir Walter Raleigh began trying to convert it to a more residential use.

The Marquis of Hertford's appeal from Sherborne for volunteers to fight for the King met with widespread inertia - with but twelve men from Somerset and ten from the Blackmoor Vale. Few gentry could afford to raise a troop of soldiers, and one of the Highmore family had to sell several manors to raise and equip a volunteer corps for the King.

The Sherborne garrison by the September was 1,000 strong when unsuccessfully sieged for a few days by a far superior Parliamentary force, who then departed. Hertford himself marched off later in the month.

This illustration is of a Civil War enactment Parliamentary field gun battery in operation during the siege of a Royalist stronghold. It is doubtful that Purse Caundle would have had this sort of heavy ordnance passing through the village itself, as it would have been more easily - though still with some difficulty in view of the hilly terrain - transported along the medieval London-Exeter 'Causeway' which ran across the northern edge of the parish up by Gospel Ash and the top of Crendle Wood.

This illustration is of a Civil War re-enactment of part of a Royalist force on the move against a Parliamentary one.

This Civil War re-enactment shows opposing forces of pikemen engaged, each with their 20-foot long pikes.

As this re-enactment by members of the Sealed Knot demonstrate, ranks of Musketeers would also stand bravely and steadfastly at a distance face to face with their opponents, and fire at one another with obvious resultant carnage.

After a battle or major skirmish there would inevitably be many dead and wounded to be attended to.

After the hostilities at Sherborne, the Dorset countryside then went on with harvesting, though Dorset was to be criss-crossed with armed forces from both sides. At times these were to be totally undisciplined. The following extract from a contemporary letter from a Dorchester merchant to another in London gives a flavour of the times:

"Here in the Countrey we dare not send seven miles abroad, for feare of the Cavaliers, who lye at Sherborne, pillaging, robbing and killing like so many Sonnes of Hell; but they were met withall this weeke to the purpose, by some London Troopers, and our Dorchester Troopers." (DHC ref: RON22/2/8)

These representations of a Royalist cavalry officer and a mounted Trooper may give some indicationn how intimidating an armed troop of such may be when suddenly descending on an unsuspecting village. Whether across hedged fields, or along winding lanes, as at Purse Caundle, there may well not have been any warning of their approach until their actual sudden arrival.

On 24th August was passed 'An Ordinance for the better observation of the monethly Fast' proclaimed in January 1641 (q.v.), but which was being neglected. Parliament ordained that on the Sundays immediately prior to such Day of Fasting and Prayer, priests should announce such a Day during church service. Parish constables and churchwardens were required to report any priest who omitted to do this. On these Fast Days people were to attend church, and refrain from all sports and pastimes, and also their usual trades and business; whilst establishments of refreshment of any sort were not to keep open their doors or sell their wares until the required observances were over.

There was to be an unseasonably cold winter, which put a break on warlike activities.

1642/3, 15th February was published: 'An Ordinance exhorting all his Majestie's good subjects to the duty of Repentance, as the onely remedy for their present Calamities, with an Earnest Confession, and deepe Humiliation for all particular and national Sins, that so at length we may obtaine a firme and happy Peace both with God and Man.' Parish priests, etc. were required to persuade and inculcate their congregations into this practice, especially on Fast-days.

Also in February was passed an Ordinance requiring the raising of money for defence against foreign invasion and the maintenance of a required army, etc. Dorset had to raise the weekly sum of £437 10s, beginning 1st March for the next three months. (Hampshire for example had to raise £750) Each county had its own Committee to oversee this. This was followed by 'An Ordinance for the Assessing and rating of such as have not contributed at all, or not contributed according to the Proportion of their Estates . . . Provided . . . that no Person be assessed above the Sum of Ten Pounds the week.' In March was a further Ordinance to counter the slow collection and delivery of this money.

In August was 'An Ordinance for the utter demolishing, removing and taking away of all Monuments of Superstition or Idolatory.' This was to cause a repeat of the situation within church buildings following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, particularly during the reign of Edward VI (q.v.). Wanton damage to altars, monuments and effigies, paintings, etc. has been well documented. Would this have been the time when wall paintings in Purse Caundle's church would have been coverd over of which a fragment is now on display in the tower?

This is a contemporary portrayal of Roundhead soldiers burning 'popish' images.

1643 and 1644 saw Sherborne castle change hands several times. Spring in 1643 came early, together with high prices. In mid-April 1643 the Sherborne townsmen repulsed a Parliamentary party, but a few days later Parliament captured Sherborne town and castle., followed by general pillaging and plundering, when houses were burnt, fat sheep and calves killed, and almost all the barley and malt in the town taken away. A large Parliamentary force of horsemen plundered their way through Dorset on their way through to the Welsh borders, frustrated by a truce. Dorset ended being mostly Royalist, except for some coastal towns. The weather had been appalling for getting in the harvest whilst hostilities were quiet.

1644 In the New Year, in north Dorset there was heavy snow, and having to bear the cost of billetting and provisioning of Royalist forces on their way through to Wardour Castle in Wiltshire, about five miles north-east of Shaftesbury. As well as Sherborne having to provide for the garrison,. so did farmers round about.

In April was a further 'Ordinance for the better observation of the Lords-Day.' Anyone doing business or labour, or undue travelling would be fined ten shillings. Anyone indulging in sport or pleasure activities would - if aged over fourteen - be fined five shillings. Parents and guardians of children who engaged in these offences would be fined twelve pence. Parish officers were to remove May-poles, and their failure to do so would result in fines of five shillings. Non payment of fines could result in a period of three hours in the stocks. Even 'Rogues, Vagabonds and Beggars' had to soberly attend church on the Sabbath.

A month later, in May, was another pro-Reformation ("blessed and so happily begun") 'Ordinance for the further demolishing of Monuments of Idolatry and Superstition'. There was to be an end to the use of such as altars, fonts, vestments, organs and the like, and their defacement.

In June, fleeing Royalists from their defeat at Wardour came to Sherborne. At the same time the Earl of Essex, a senior Parliamentary general, marched on the south-west, passing through north Dorset and south Somerset. Dorset country people were for the Royalist when they were doing well, but could change their opinion, being usually for the strongest party. Thus hundreds of volunteers flocked to the Earl of Essex's army which already contained 'Swedes, Germans, Danes, French, Walloons and Scotts.' But on 3rd June there was, however, at least one pro-Royalist skirmish - when on 3rd June a group of poorly armed peasants at the small village of Poyntington, two miles north of Sherborne, attempted to ambush a body of Parliamentarian soldiers under the Earl of Essex on his way to Wincanton. The result was a foregone conclusion, and the depopulated village was never to be the same again.

During the summer Lieutenant-General John Middleton had his Commonwealth headquarters at Milborne Port.

The King and Prince Maurice, with a 10,000 strong army, visited\Sherborne Castle for two days in early October, where the troops were reviewed in the park. They all left there on Tuesday, 8th October, leaving 150 men to garrison Sherborne Castle. The King and his force encamped at Stalbridge that night, with food and forage needed for the men and horses. The King slept that night at Lord Cork's mansion at Stalbridge. On the 9th all marched to Sturminster Newton, where some camped, and others to quarter at Durweston. (SDNQ XIX, 1927-1929)

Much cattle had been looted by the Roundheads, and the following was an order issued regarding such cattle recovered by the King's party:

'Where as these bearers being twenty three men wth threescore oxen and three horses have been pressed for his Mats service in Prince Maurice his highnes carriages and have performed it and are discharged and are to pass quietly wrth their cattle to their several dwelling places ffrom Styrminster Newton the nynth day of October 1644.

John Payne

WaggonMr Generall to his highnes

Prince Maurice

To all his Mats officers

souldiers and others whom

this shall or may concerne.'

King Charles authorised the Sheriff and county commisioners for an impressment for recruits, and supplies from local farmers. The resultant general impressment seemed so probable that many people "were forced to fly from their dwellings." The King's army then left for Blandford.

In December a Parliamentary force from Abbotsbury marched eastwards through Sturminster Newton and Shaftesbury, with the Royalist garrisons fleeing at its approach. Thus the wretched people of Dorset suffered at the hands of both sides.

As many persons for various reasons were not now paying their tithes, there was passed 'An Ordinance for the true payment of Tythes, and other such Duties, according to the Laws and Customs of this Realm', with appropriate penalties for non-payment.

On 19th December, regarding the last Wednesday in the month Fast, there was passed 'An Ordinance for the better observation of the monthly Fast; and more especially the next Wednesday, commonly called The Feast of the Nativity of Christ, Thorowout the Kingdome of England and Dominium of Wales'. So definiitely no Christmas celebrations that year!

During the first 15 months of the civil war church records had generally recorded the names of buried soldiers, but by 1644 few parishes bothered any more.

1645 At the beginning of January was passed 'An Ordinance for taking away the Book of Common Prayer, and for establishing and putting into execution of the Directory for the publique worship of God.' This Ordinance set out in quite some detail how church services were to be held as regards its form, sermon, baptism, marriage, etc.

The end of January came with heavy snowfall, and weeks of freeazing rain and sleet. At the end of February the country people of mid-Dorset had had enough, and turned on the oppressing Royalist soldiery. They banded together, arming themselves as best they could, and became known as 'Clubmen'. There were several skirmishes around the county in March. At one such on 29th April, near Oborne, a Royalist Irish soldier, Morice Lee, was killed. (DHC ref: PE/OBN RE 1/1). During May numbers of Dorset Clubmen were increasing, and becoming more organised.

There was to be in June an Ordinance authorising when necessary 'the raising and impresting of Men, within the Western Association' from the ages of 18 to 50. There were naturally exemptions, mainly those of the better sort; with penalties of prison or fines of £10 for refusal to be imprest. This was for a period of six months.

Each parish was to have a committee of three, with two constables, to raise the alarm. Arms and ammunition were stockpiled, and villages rang the church bells to warn each other of the approach of soldiers. The Clubmen were not only poor rural workers, but also farmers, craftsmen, minor gentry, and knights. There were also several ministers amongst the leaders. Although supposedly neutral they tended to lean one way or the other. They wore white silk ribbons in their hats, and carried banners with such slogans as 'Peace and Truth', or

'If you offer to plunder or take our cattle,

Be assured we will bid you battle.'

Both the Royalist and Parliamentary leadership had to be conciliatory to these determined Clubmen who could prove a real thorn in the side if provoked, but could only be tolerated to a limited extent.

Parliament now had a New Model Army in Dorset. At some time a Parliamentary force under Sir William Waller had men quartered at Shaftesbury and Gillingham. On 29th June the Royalist won a clash at Sturminster Newton.

At the end of June, the Royalist Sherborne Castle was again to come under seige by Parliamentarians under Sir Thomas Fairfax, who had Oliver Cromwell as a Lieutenant-General. The garrison endured a fortnight of heavy bombardment. On 22nd and 24th July a Parliament soldier was killed at Folke, and another at Alweston.

This is a representation of Oliver Cromwell, Lieutenant-General of Horse, with a general Officer of the Parliamentary staff.

Believed also operating in the area was the Parliamentary brigade of cavalry under the command of Major-General Edward Massey. One of its officers was a Captain Joseph Swettman, probably of either Sherborne, or possible (in 1689) of Stourton Caundle, who at some time was to marry Hannah Mews of Purse Caundle.

On 4th August, Cromwell having come from the seige at Sherborne, was to defeat around 3,000-4,000 Clubmen at Hambledon Hill, north of Blandford. Cromwell took quite a number of Clubmen ring-leaders as prisoners with him back to Sherborne. He was at the capture of Sherborne Castle on 17th August, which followed its undermining for 16 days. Although the above prisoners' names were listed, their places of abode were not given; but no Purse Caundle names are recognised (DHC ref: RON22/2/14). Similarly with those Royalist prisoners (officers, ministers, and gentry, plus 344 un-named soldiers) taken at the capture of Sherborne Castle - which Parliament forces were later in the year to considerably destroy. Purse Caundle must surely have been affected to some degree by all this activity not more than a handful of miles distant, if only at the least to hear the distant gunfire.

By 18th August there was a fear and panic of an invasion by France, started mistakenly, illegally, or wilfully. A letter from Sir John Horsey of Sherborne stated that "about Sherborne [a] commandment was brought by men of honesty as is supposed" to constables and tithingmen to search the houses of priests and to put all "weapons, books, letters and spits wherewith they roast their meat" in safe keeping. Also during the summer it was reported that Sherborne had been seriously afflicted by the bubonic plague then ravaging the country. It is not known if this affected Purse Caundle.

Following on from the relevant Ordinance passed in January, during August there was passed an 'Ordinance for the more effectual putting into Execution the Directory for Publique Worship, in all Parish-Churches and Chappels.' These books were to be sent to Constables who should then deliver them to the Minister of each parish, to be paid for by the inhabitants. Further use of the Book of Common Prayer was to be discontinued, and failure by a Minister to use the new Directory could result in a fine of forty shillings. Churchwardens or Constables were to deliver the old Prayer Books for disposal.

During 1645 many Dorset estates were sequestered, including at Purse Caundle - see Hannam in APPENDIX C1, so presumably Parliamentary soldiers were in the village, and possibly billetted there.

1646, by July any organised forces of the King had gone from Dorset. But still soldiers and ex-soldiers, many undisciplined and disorderly, were roaming about fleeing from the Model Army, to the distress of inhabitants - until as late as March 1647. It was abrutal time. Soldiers were clamouring for outstanding pay, and civilians likewise for billetting, provisioning, and plundering and debts. Soldiers with war wounds sought compensation reparations from wealthy Royalists. See 1647 re. wounded and killed Parliamentarian men.

At the Standing Committee meeting at Dorchester on 19th March 1646, 'It is ordered that Mr Russell and Mr Raymond and their assignes forbeare to dispose of or put to sale any more of the coppice woods now in sale, belonginge to the Lord Stourton in Candle, or any other woods whatsoever belonging unto him, pvided thr said Ld or his assignes will give such reasonable and valuable consideracon for the same it will yield to others.' William, 11th Baron Stourton, was a recusant and had property at Stourton Caundle, and possibly still leased some at Purse Caundle.

Parliament in December passed 'An Ordinance for the better Observation of the Monthly Fast.' There had been a "great neglect and prophanation of the Monethly Fast" around the Kingdom, and this Ordinance was to strongly enforce previous Ordinances "for the Sanctification of the Lords Day."

1647 In February there was 'An Ordinance concerning the growth and spreading of Errors, Heresies, and Blasphemies, and for setting apart a day of Publike Humiliation, to seeke Gods assistance for the suppressing and preventing the same.' Wednesday, the 10th March was chosen for this day, with Ministers in churches to announce this on the Sunday ("Lords Day") prior.

In May there was passed 'An Ordinance for Relief of Maimed Soldiers and Mariners and the Widows and Orphans of such as have died in the service of Parliament during these late Wars.' For this purpose each parish was obliged to continue to be charged weekly as they had been rated under 43 Elizabeth chap. 3 (1600), plus an additional sum as may be ordered between 3d and 2s 6d weekly. The Dorset Standing Committee on 11th November authorised payments of 12d [£5.50] and £60 [£6,640] to 'maymed souldiers and Wyddowes' in the county.

Then in June there was 'An Ordinance for Abolishing of Festivals', whereby all Festivals and Holy Days were no longer to be observed. These included the Nativity of Christ (Christmas), Easter and Whitsuntide. Masters of Scholars, Apprentices and Servants, when possible, were to allow the "convenient reasonable Recreation and Relaxation ffrom their constant and ordinary Labours on every second Tuesday in the moneth throughout the year."

In September there was again plague at Sherborne.

December saw the passing of 'An Ordinance for the constant Reliefe and Imployment of the Poore; And the punishment of Vagrants and other disorderly Persons.' This was to be the responsibility of the City of London, Counties, Corporations, or Boroughs, though it could obviously affect parishes.

1648 February saw the passing of 'An Ordinance for repairing Churches, and for payment of Church Duties.' For the upholding and keeping of all parish churches and chapels from utter ruin and decay, yearly on the Monday or Tuesday in Easter Week, the parishioners of each Parish according to its size was to choose one or more of its substantial inhabitants to be Church-wardens, or Collectors of moneys for Church Duties, within such Parish. These Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor were to tax the inhabitants as appropriate for the repair and maintenance of the churches, the provision of books, and of the bread and wine used there. This Ordinance also confirmed any such rateable provisions made since 1st March 1641.

In August was 'An Ordinance for the further and better regulating the Sequestrations of Papists and Delinquents Estates.' It is not yet certain what implications this might have had on those associated with Purse Caundle. Courts Leet and Courts Baron were to be re-established in sequestered Manors. Though during the year John Hoskyns was to buy the manor house at Purse Caundle from the Commonwealth Commisioners who had confiscated it from the Hanham family.

From about this time copper farthing tokens began to be issued by traders and local authorities in England, with halfpennies following some years later. These unofficial pieces of money were used because there was a widespread insufficient official silver small currency in circulation, which greatly inconvenienced the poor people. The shortage had been mainly caused through clipping of coins, loss, and lack of minting. The inscriptions on the tokens usually bore the name of the trader, his trade and place of residence, and other emblems. In north Dorset this seemingly did not start until 1657 (see 1658 below).

1649 News would eventually reach Purse Caundle of the execution of King Charles I which took place on 30th January in London.

Ordinances were now longer passed by Parliament, but again Acts. In April was passed a lengthy 'Act for Raising Ninety thousand pounds per Mensem [month], For the Maintenance of the Forces raised by Authority of Parliament, for the Service of England and Ireland, For Six Moneths, from 25th March, 1649 to the 29th of September, 1649'. Of that sum, for the first three months Dorset had to provide £1,403-6s-4d, and the second quarter £1,682-10s-od. To oversee this the designated County's Commissioners inluded "James Mew of Candlepus".

On 17th April a Manor Court of Edward Dodington was held, with the only business known being the Memorandum of leasing enrollments to be found in APPENDIX A2.

Another Act in April was one 'For setting apart a Day of Solemn Fasting and Humiliation, And repealing the former Monethly Fast.' As it had been noticed that this Fast on the last Wednesday of each month had been neglected throughout the Commonwealth (it no longer being a Kingdom), Thursday 3rd May was to "be set apart and appointed for a publique and solemn day of Fasting and Humiliation, to be observed in all Churches and Chappels"; and likewise Thursday, 17th May.

It was to be the wettest summer for years, and thus a poor harvest, with hard times following. This contemporary woodcut illustration, however, depicts hay-making (and other activities) in a happier atmosphere.

Dorset was to become even more pro-Royalist, but Royalist statues, etc. were being destroyed. Passes were now required to travel.

There was privately published during the year this DECLARATION. The cause being that Lords of Manors and Lords of Land were considered not to have Divine Right to the complete ownership of woodland and trees, and land and the fruits thereof for their exclusive use. (For fuller details of the 'Digger Movement' and its Land and Freedom cause, see such internet websites as www.exlibris.org/nonconformist/engdis/diggers.html and www.tlio.demon.co.uk/poor.htm)

The alehouse was considered by the authorities as the seat of sedition, and the "nursery of naughtiness".

During December was an Act ordering payment of another £90,000 per mensum for the quarter from 25th December (of which Dorset's share was again £1,682-10s-0d), and £60,000 for the second quarter - with county, etc. quotas in proportion. This time there was no mention of of any Dorset Commissioner named Mew as previously.

1650 Following the poor summer, the winter of 1649/50 was one of the worst on record, and carried well into the early Spring of 1650. Unemployment was very high, food was scarce and expensive, with some areas bordering on possible riots. People wwere sick and dying throughout the country. Again how unfortunate that the Purse Caundle Register for this period went missing, to show how Purse Caundle could have fared.

In the January, Charles II was secretly proclaimed King at Blandford. He managed to raise an army, but was defeated at Worcester on 3rd September. Subsequently in flight he passed briefly through west and north Dorset on his escape journey to Brighton, and ultimately France. There is a tradition that Charles, when escaping to Salisbury, was hidden at Purse Caundle manor house. He did stop at Charlton Hawthorne which is only some four miles away northwards.

In February was an Act appointing Thursday, 28th February as a Day of Solemn Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer.

Another Act, in April, was titled 'An Act for the better Observation of the Lords-Day, Days of Thanksgiving and Humiliation. Goods cryed, or put to sale on the Lords day, or other days of Humiliation or Thanks-giving, to be seized. Travellers, Waggoners, &c. not observing those days, to forfeit ten shillings. Any Writ, Warrant, &c. executed on those days to be of no effect; and the person offending to forfeit five pounds. No person to use or travel with Boat, Horse, Coach, or Sedan, except to Church upon pain of ten shillings. The like penalty for being in a Tavern, Alehouse, &c.; Dancing; Grinding Corn. Neglect by those responsible for enforcement could also be fined. Inability to pay by all offenders could lead to six hours in the Stocks or Cage. The Act was to be read out yearly in Churches on the first Lords-day in March.'

May saw the 'Act for suppressing the detestable sins of Incest, Adultery and Fornication.' Incest and Adultery were considered Felonies, with a penalty of death, without benefit of clergy; though in the latter case a married woman would not be so guilty if her husband had been three years absent. Fornication warranted three months imprisonment. A common Bawd, or anyone keeping a common Brothel, for a first offence would be openly whipped and set in the Pillory, and there marked with a hot iron in for forehead with the letter B, and afterwards committed to prison for three years and until he/she could provide sufficient Sureties for future good behaviour. A second such offence would be a Felony, warranting death without benefit of clergy. Husband and wife could not be witnesses against each other.

June saw another puritanical Act, 'for the better preventing of prophane Swearing and Cursing.' For such offence a Lord would forfeit thirty shillings for a first ofence; a Baronet or Knight twenty shillings; an Esquire ten shillings; a Gentleman six shillings and eight pence; and all inferiors three shillings and fourpence. It would be double for the second offence.

In September was the 'Act for the Repeal of Several Clauses in Statutes imposing Penalties for not coming to Church.' These Acts of former Kings and Queens had been basically against Recusants, who in many cases were now "well-affected" to the prosperity of the Commonwealth." But this new Act did not inany way allow people "to neglect the performance of Religious Duties."

There ws published this year The ORDER Of keeping A COURT LEET And COURT BARON, With the Charges appertaining to the same. Truly and plainly delivered in the English Tongue, for the Profit of all men, and most commodious for young Students of the Lawes, and all other within the Jurisdiction of those Courts. This was solemn and very detailed, with the dealing of murder to the straying of animals, with sometimes the quoting of statutes dating back to Edward I which authorised such control and penalties, plus legal case law.

In November was an 'Act for easing the charge of Lords of Manors or Liberties, and their Bayliffs in passing their Accompts in the Court of the Public Exchequer.' For details see APPENDIX A1.

Another Act in the same month was for raising this time 'One hundred and twenty thousand pounds per Mensem for Four Moneths, To commence the Five and twentieth of December 1650, for Maintenance of the Forces in England, Ireland and Scotland, Raised by Authority of Parliament for the Service of this Commonwealth.' Dorset's share was to be £2,243-6s-8d. Among the administering Commissioners for Dorset was "Mr. Mew of Candle".

Also during the year was: "The answeare of the parishioners [of Caundle Purse] to a [Commission] warrant concerning the parsonage:

Imprimis: What and how mannye parsonages or other spiritual lyvings or donatyves you have within your parish?

To this wee answeare: wee have butt one parsonage.

Secondly: whatt the true yearlye value of the parsonage is?

Wee answeare that the trewe value is fortye six pounds per annum.

Thirdly: howe is it supplyed?

Answeare: it is supplied by Mr Richard Heighmore, he receiveth the proffittes to his own use.

Fourthly: what parish churches or chappells you have, how are they scittuated and whether they are fitt to be united?

Wee answeare that we have one chappell named Goatehill scittuate neare a myle from our parish church whose proffitts have tyme out of mynde belonged to our Mynyster and which we thincke very fitt to be united. It lyeth in Somerset shire. And the yearely value thereof is twenty-five pounds per annum." (Lambeth Palace Library ref: COMM-12A-6-84)

1650-1656 Sometime during this period was the following subsequent Commission record:

"Candle Purse: Wee presente that there is in the parishe of Candle Purse one parsonage and one parishe churche. There is a little place called Stalbridge Weston which lyes about three quarters of a mile from Stalbridge. We conceive this place very fitte to be united to Candle Purse, what the value of the yearly profittes are, wee are not certainely informed of.

Patron: Mr Edward Dorrington [Dodington?]

Incumbents: Mr William Heymore [Highmore]

Value: The proffittes of fortye pounds per annum or thereabouts, which the said Mr Heymore receaves to his owne use." (Lambeth Palace Library ref: COMM-12A-5-5)

1651 The Iterregnum Parliament had legislated that from 1st January all legal documents, including Manor Court rolls, should cease to be in Latin but were to be in English.

In April was 'An Act for continuing the Assessment of One Hundred and twenty thousand pounds per Mensem for Six Months, from the Five and twentieth of March, 1651, for Maintenance of the Armies in England, Ireland and Scotland.' The individual County assessments were in the same proportion as before; and the same Commissioners as in the previous similar Act.

July saw the 'Act against stealing or killing of Deer.' Any one who killed, hurt, or took away any TRed or Fallow Deer without permission of the owner would forfeit fifteen pounds, with half to the informer and the other half to the Poor of the Parish where the offence occurred. If unable to pay then it would be Prison for twelve months.

August saw the 'Act concerning the Militias in the respective Counties within this Commonwealth', whereby County Militias were to be assembled at appropriate rendezvous; and all those who were required to supply Horse-men and Foot-men were to immediately furnish them, giving them one month's pay. They should stand in full force until 1st December.

Another Act that same month stipulated that each inhabitant should declare what arms and ammunition he had. Householders were also to declare details of any lodgers they had; and keepmtheir sons and Men-servants within house or in order so as not to allow them to have "tumultuous Meetings together, or any disorderly Actions."

John Hoskins of Purse Caundle manor house died. The rector of neighbouring Stalbridge ws to be forcibly evicted by the Parliamentarians.

1652 Dorset was now settling down, though people were expected to swear that they would 'be true and faithful to the Commonwealth of England as it is now established, without a king or House of Lords'. Churchwardens could still be expected even now to have to pay for travelling maimed soldiers. Puritan anti-festive culture, e.g. abolition of Chrsutmas during which markets and shops may be open, was far slower to penetrate the pasture regions of north Dorset and south Somerset.

There was yet in December a further 'Act for an Assessment at the Rate of One hundred and twenty thousand Pounds by ther Moneth for Six Months, from 25th December 1652; to 24th June 1653, towards the Maintenance of the Armies in England, Ireland and Scotland; as also for the Navy.' Dorset's share was £2,243-6s-8d, but again it is not known what parishes and/or individuals had to contribute. One of the overseeing Commissioners was "James Mew of Candel."

1653 In August was 'An Act touching Marriages and the Registring thereof; and also touching Births and Burials'. This Act for example stipulated that banns of marriage should be declared for three consecutive weeks in church or market place; and where the parties were under twenty-one years they should have the permission of parents or guardians. The age of consent for a Man should be sixteen years, and for a Woman fourteen years. Marriages were now pronounced as merely a civil contract; being performed by Justices of the Peace. The form of marriage was set out, being that the Man takes the hand of the Woman, saying: "I A.B. do here in the presence of God the searcher of all hearts, take thee C.D. for my wedded Wife: and do also in the presence of God, and before these witnesses, promise to be unto thee a loving and faithful Husband." The Woman should then take the hand of the Man, saying: "I C.D. do in the presence of God the searcher of all hearts, take thee A.B. for my wedded Husband: and do also in the presence of God, and before these witnesses, promise to be unto thee a loving, faithful and obedient Wife." A Register book of vellum should be kept to record details of Births, Marriages and Burials.

Coins struck during the Commonwealth had inscriptions in English, as the usual Latin was considerd to savour too much of the papacy. Illustrated is a reproduction silver Twelve Pence coin, dated 1653.

1654 March saw 'An Ordinance for prohibiting Cock-matches', it being considered that gatherings for this purpose tended to become unruly "to the Dishonour of God". It was "Ordained by his Highness the Lord Protector[!]" that such meetings must cease. (Note that Cromwell has now been elevated to a form of royalty.)

Also in March was 'An Ordinance [or Act] for the better amending and keeping in repair the Common High-ways within the Nation.' This was because existing legislation was not having the desired good effect. Now in each Parish, two or more Householders holding either land there worth £20 per annum, or personal Estate worth £100, were to be elected and chosen yearly on the first Tuesday following 25th March, who must then be sworn before a Justice of the Peace. It would be the duty amongst others of such Surveyors of Highways to maintain all highways and roadside ditches in the parish, obtaining suitable materials and hiring labour, to levying a parish tax to pay for it all. There were also restrictions on the number of animals pulling carts, waggons, etc., though a subsequent Act in May excluded such restrictions to vehicles carrying Ordnance, Timber or Artillery for the use of the Army or Navy. The final clause of in the Act was:

'Shirborn Causeyway

. . . That one Act made in the first year of the Reign of the late Queen Mary, for and concerning the making, repairing nd amendment of the Common High-way and Causey, in the Counties of Dorset and Somerset, between the Towns of Shaftsbury and Shirborn, in the said county of Dorset, Entituled, An Act to Repair Shirborn Causey in the Counties of Dorset and Somerset, from henceforth shall be revived and stand in force, until the First of September, One Thousand six hundred sixty two.'

There was continuing taxation with the 'Ordinance for an Assessment for Six Moneths, from June 24, 1654, for maintenance of the Armies and Navies of this Commonwealth, at the rate of £120,000 per mensem, for the first three moneths. And at the rate of £90,000 per mensem, for the last three Moneths.' Dorset's first quarter's share was £1,686-5s-0d, and in proportion for the second quarter. The same Commissioners were to oversee as previously.

August saw 'An Ordinance for ejecting nScandalous, Ignorant and insufficient Ministers and Schoolmasters.' Amongst the Commissioners appointed to administer the Act was a "James Mew Gent", who was probably from Purse Caundle. Although Purse Caundle's minister was to be safe, it was seen in 1651 that the rector of Stalbridge had already been ejected.

This Ordinance was followed in September by 'An Ordinance for the better maintenance and encouragement of Preaching Ministers, and for uniting of Parishes.' Purse Caundle with its resident minister, the Rev. Richard Highmore, would seem to have been adequately catered for - but see 1655-1659 below.

1655 Dorset was considered by some Parliamentarians as that most "disaffected county of Dorset". With the Commonwealth Protectorate under Cromwell, matters generally settled down, albeit reluctantly, and normal daily life returned.

But taxation continued to be imposed with in February 'An Ordinance and declaration of His Highness the Lord Protector with the Advice of his Council, for an Assessment of three-score thousand pounds by the Moneth, for six Moneth, for and towards the Maintenance of the Armies and Navies of this Commonwealth.' Dorset's share was £1,124-3s-4d.

1655-1659 Inquisitions were held to investigate any need for the Union or Division of Parishes. Regarding the parish of Caundle Purse, 'A chappell named Goatehill belonging to it, very fit to be united to it.' (See 1650, and DNHAS Volume XXXVI, 1915)

1657 In June was a further 'Act for Assessment upon England at the Rate of Sixty thousand Pounds by the Moneth, for three Moneths.' Dorset's share each month was £1,124-3s-4d. One of Dorset's administering Commissioners was again "James Mew of Candle".

The Puritanical Parliament again paid attention to a central tenet with 'An Act for the better observation of the Lords Day.' It was considered that previous legislation on the matter was "frequently neglected and prophaned to the dishonor of Christ, and Profession of the Gospel." Between the hours of midnight on Saturday night to midnight on Sunday night there was very little that any person could do, except they must attend church. Churchwardens and other parish officers were to enforce this Act, and the minister on the first Lords Day in March yearly should read out the Act before the morning Sermon.

In June was yet another 'Act for an Assessment at the Rate of Five and thirty thousand pounds by the moneth upon England [and other sums on Scotland and Ireland], for three years; from the 24 June 1657, for a Temporary Supply towards the maintenance of the Armies and Navies of this Commonwealth.' Dorset's share each month was to be £655-15s-3d.

1658, 3rd September, saw the death of Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector, with his eldest son Richard succeeding him as Lord Protector.

Regarding the production since 1648 (q.v.) by businesses of unofficial copper trade tokens, because of the general shortage of official small denomination silver coinage, Thomas Snooke of Stalbridge this year issued copper farthings, followed by James Cane in 1666. Tokens were also to be issued at Sherborne (1657-16690, Shaftesbury (1657-1669), and Sturminster Newton (1664).

1659 Following Oliver Cromwell's death, there was support for a plot for the return of Charles II, with some minor gentry and skilled workers around Sherborne, Stalbridge and Shaftesbury promising help and a handful of horses. There were to be abortive Royalist uprisings in the South and South-West for the Restoration of a Monarchy, but there was not to be another civil war.

On the 25th May, in the face of unrest within, and opposition from the Army, Richard Cromwell handed in his resignation. The Commonwealth was then to be ruled by a Rump Parliament, composed of those with self-interest.

Perhaps it was as a result of this unrest that in July there was an 'Act for Householders to Give an Account of Lodgers, Horses, Arms, and Ammunition.'

1660 One of the last pieces of legislation of the dying Commonwealth was unsurprisingly and partly in view of the domestic opposition to the Commonwealth, 'An Act for an Assessment of One hundred Thousand Pounds by the Moneth, upon England, Scotland, and Ireland, for Six Moneths.' Dorset's monthly share was £1,311-10s-6d. Of the ppointed Commissioners for the county, only a John Hannam could have had a Purse Caundle connection.

The Rump Parliament bowed to the inevitable, and negotiated for the return from abroad of Charles Stuart. Charles II finally succeeded to the throne on the 29th May, though there had been previous joyful Proclamations in Dorset and elsewhere. Sherborne celebrated on Monday, 14th May. Large bonfires were lit on the three highest hills about a mile from the town, being visible in the greatest part of Blackmore Vale. (SDNQ XIII, 1930) The Civil War had changed conditions little: there was still a Stuart King, a Parliament still elected by the same limited electorate, and the same state religion. Bu some things had gone for ever, such as many church documentd, registers, etc. which had been destroyed by soldiers. An above national average of deaths had occurred in Dorset as a result of the many skirmishes and sieges. Thus there had been great disruption to farm work, and to maintenance and repairs. Heavy taxation had depressed the living standards of the people.

Legislation was to be passed which reversed the 1651 requirement (q.v.) that all legal documents, including Manor Court rolls, should be in English, i.e. they would again now be in Latin. This was to continue until 1733.

1661 King Charles II had brought substantial debts with him, which Parliament considerd should be repaid by a population grateful for his return. Thus an Act (13 Charles II, chap 4) was passed for the collection of a "Free and Voluntary Present" to the king. Although no sums were stipulated, it was expected that the richer a person was the more should be contributed. Although not compulsory, records of donations were made, and refusal frowned upon, and sometimes recorded. Unfortunately, practically no returns survive as to Dorset "Present" contributions, so it is not known how generous was Purse Caundle. (For more details see 'The Free and Voluntary Present 1661-62' by Cliff Webb, in the Journal of the Society of Genealogists, c.1986.

1662 On 3rd May a violent thunderstorm apparently erupted above Purse Caundle. Dorothy Chapman, who had a reputation for cursing and using 'very sad imprecations', was struck down by a bolt of lightning that burst through the front door of her house, and striking her dead as she sat before the hearth. Her clothes above her waist were ripped and torn, and her hair stripped from her head and scattered about the house. Her three children were thrown to the floor. The lightning also broke the bars and glass of a window. The house was literally turned upside down, and in the air hung a thick layer of smoke, and the distinct odour of brimstone. He husband, Leonard Chapman, came back to witness the devastation, but soon left the house with his eldest son, vowing never to return, fearing he too would be struck down by this malevolent force. What did he do about the other two children?

Amongst the Acts passed this year were the following two. Firstly, an Act to assist those who had fought for the late Charles I in the Civil War. For mention of Caundle Purse, see APPENDIX C1 re. Hoskins. (SDNQ XVIII, 1926) There was also the Act of Settlement (13 & 14 Charles II, chap 12), which gave powers to parish Overseers of the Poor, on making complaint to Justices, to return to their parish of settlement any newcomers to the parish who had no legal settlement within it. This meant that rather than have to provide for these incoming persons (e.g. widows) from the parish poor rate, unless they had perhaps been born in the parish, could find work there, or had some other close tie with it, they could be returned to whence they came. See later in 1722.

On 4th December there was a Manor Court of Evan [?Peys] and Francis Coldes, with leasing enrollments extract in APPENDIX A2.

1662/1664 The Hearth Tax Assessment.

Sherborne Division - Caundle Purse Tithing [number of hearths being charged],

Mr Richard Heymor v John King senr' j

Mrs Ursula Hoskins xiij John King junr' iij

Edward Everatt j James Pope j

James May iiij Anthony Stone iij

Willm' Everatt ij Willm' Ones ij demoleshd j

Richard Barrett iij wold upp j Ann Ellis ij

George Bartlett iij Willm' Ellis ij wold j

Willm' King j Giles Hawkins j decayd

David Clark j David Wooder senr' iij

John Clark j Reynold Burgesse ij

John Pere iiij

(i or j = 1. v = 5. x = 10. wold upp = walled up. demoleshd = demolished.)

1665 The GREAT PLAGUE came to England in early November. It was still active on the 13th, but the onset of cold weather thereafter temporarily extinguished it, but it did not finally end until 1670. Because of the missing church Register, how it directly affected Purse Caundle is again not known, though it did reach Sherborne, and Donhead St. Mary just north-east of Shaftesbury. Charles II temporarily moved his Court from London to Salisbury, and visited nearby towns.

1666 Following the Great Fire of London in the firstv few vdays of September, churches throughout the land started receiving 'Briefs' asking for donations from congregations "for the reliefe of the sufferers by the great fire at London."

1667 A third bell was hung in Purse Caundle church tower, and still survives.

1671, 1st April, a Court Baron of Philip Hoby, esquire, was held at Purse Caundle, at which certsin premises and lands there were leased to John Clarke - for details see APPENDIX A2.

The first Game Act was passed, which restricted rights for taking game to those with a rental income of at least £100 per annum - which would naturally exclude the majority of people.

1673 Hearth Tax, Ladyday Assessment of Purse Caundle:

61 total chargeable hearths. 20 chargeable entries. 3 exempt.

1674 Production and use of Trade Tokens was abolished by Royal Proclamation, with the eventual minting of official currency copper halfpennies and farthings.

1675 saw the publication of John Ogilby's illustrated road network: Britannia, Volume the First: or an Illustration of the Kingdom of England and Dominium of Wales.

Of particular interest for this History was this section of the London to Lands End road between Shaftesbury and Sherborne. Depicted is the old medieval pre-turnpike road - the ill-maintained Causeway of Tudor times - that can still be followed from Toomer Hill westwards, just south of Gospel Ash to Crendle Hill Wood.

1677 As part of a nationwide exercise, there was a Visitation of Dorset by Heralds of the College of Arms, to verify claims to armourial bearings.

1678 June, death of Philip Hoby, Lord of the Manor, being succeeded by his widow, Elizabeth Hoby of Glamorganshire.

14th October, was held a Purse Caundle Manor Court, when a messuage and 9 acres in occupation of James Ellis were granted to William Ellis for his life. Also the surrender by William Ellis and Johan his wife, and Johan Ellis, spinster, their daughter, of three closes containing 8 acres, and also 9 acres called [---]ckway.

The reversion of the Manor after Sir William Dodington's lease had been granted to Lady Brooke and her children, the books and writings of the Manor were handed by Llewellin to Mr. Joseph Gray by order of Mr. Parker for the use of Lady Brooke. (Dorset Chancery Suits, Vol. XIV)

1679 Illustrated above is a real silver Threepence of Charles II.

1683, 10th April, a Purse Caunle Manor Court of Thomas Hoby, with an extract in APPENDIX A2.

1683/1684 In December began an exceptionally severe spell of cold weather. Apparently some trees, particularly oaks, split with the frost, exploding with a noise like a gun. The severest part of this spell, however, was in the following January and February.

1685, 6th February, was the accession of James II as king.

11trh June, Thursday, James, Duke of Monmouth landed at Lyme Regis as a claimant to the throne, and began recruiting many followers on his progress northwards into Somerset. But extremely wet weather towards the end of the month, plus lack of sufficient followers and supplies, were contributory reasons for his defeat at the hands of the King's forces at Sedgemoor on Sunday, 5th July. Among the latter was Bishop Peter Mew, originally from Purse Caundle, who prior to the battle stayed at the house of a man named Baker. There immediately began not only a determined search by soldiers for Monmouth, but also for his surviving rebel followers and sympathisers. Monmouth's flight route went through Semley Common, White Sheet Hill, Cranborne, Wimborne St. Giles to Horton Heath where he was captured on Wednesday, 8th July. He was eventually executed on Tower Hill, London, on Wednesday, 15th July. Fear among pro-Monmouth sympathisers continued with the issuing of an Order to constables of the Hundreds within the area of the Rebellion. This required them to return names of all persons absent from their houses at the time of the insurrection, or who, for any other reason, were suspected of having joined in it. Consequent on this, these persons were Presented as Rebels at Judge Jeffrey's 'Bloody Assizes'. Whilst there seemingly was not anybody from Purse Caundle so named, the immediate area did not escape this retribution:

3rd September, Thursday. Sherborne Hundred and Liberty presentments at the Dorchester Assize held on Saturday, 5th September:

Nether Compton 6) "Suspected to bee in the late Rebellion,

Bradford [Abbas] 2) being absent from their homes."

Upper Compton 3) "Absconding from their homes and

Stalbridge 1) suspected to bee in the Rebellion."

Sherborne 2)

No local person seems to have been presented at the Exeter Assize on Saturday, 12th September.

17th September, Thursday. Horethorn Hundred presentments at Taunton Assize:

Milborne [Port] 2) "For being in the late Rebellion with James

Trent 4) Scott, late Duke of Monmouth, &; at large."

The final Assize was at Taunton on Tuesday, 22nd September. (DNHAS Vol. V, 1882)

Some 840 rebels were convicted, with many being executed, but the majority were sentenced to ten years transportation to the West Indies, almost as slaves. Many were held in the cloisters at Wells cathedral, before being made to walk to Weymouth to catch a boat. There was a two nights' rest at Sherborne gaol (where some escaped). Sick prisoners were carried in carts. (A source for further details is The Dorset and Somerset Rebellion by K. Merle Chacksfield, 1985)

1686, 29th July. 'Purse Caundle Manor Court held of Thomas Hoby Esq, and Lady Brooke, his wife:

Bailiff: Browne presented that all is well and remains in office.

Jury: Anthony Stone, William Stone, Edward Everitt, William Over.

Presentments:

Thomas King (12d) [£6.64], Margaret Foote, widow (12d) - free suitors of manor, they owe suit of court but did not appear and are in mercy.

John Clarke, senior (12d), John Clarke, junior (12d), James Pitman (12d) are customary tenants owing suit of court, but did not appear, are in mercy.

William Ellis: holds by copy of court roll a messuage or tenement with 2 closes of pasture and 1 close of meadow (8acres); also 3 closes called Munckway (9acres) - has died since last court. Joan Taylor, once wife of said William Ellis, now wife of John Taylor, is admitted tenant to his lands.

Edith Pope, widow: holds by copy of court roll a messuage or tenement with curtilage, garden, and orchard, and close of meadow adjoining (1 acre), a close of pasture called Lay Close (2 acres), close called Claverland (9 acres), another close of pasture called Moss Leaze 1 1/2 acres) - she died since last court - her son James is admitted tenant to her lands.

Jane Ellis, widow: holds by copy of court roll messuage or tenement - has died since last court - lands revert to Lord and Lady of manor.

Thomas Polden: holds by indenture a messuage or tenement - died since the last court - land reverts to Lord and Lady of manor.

All the customary tenants should make repairs, and ought to have houseboote, plowboote, fireboote, gate posts, rails, wattles, spars.

A watercourse from Hob Crosse to the end of a close called The Lower End of Shore Mead should be properly repaired and scoured before 3 May next - all those defaulting fined 3s4d [£22] each.

Robert Seyes, esq, came to court and took from the Lord and Lady a house called Hornswell House, with a stable, orchard, garden, and a close of meadow called Greenewell (3 acres), close of arable land at Greenway (12 acres), late in tenure of James Ellis, now dead, to be held by himself Richard Seyes, John Shipton, gent, and William Tippin, gent, for the term of their lives or the survivor. Rent 5s 3d [£34] per annum. Fine to Lord and Lady £112 [£14,878].' See also Court Baron of 3rd May 1687 and APPENDIX A2. Hornswell House is no more, and site a small Council housing estate.

1687, 3rd May. 'Manor Court held of Thomas Hoby esquire and the most noble Anne, Lady Brooke, his wife, before Josephe Mede, gentleman, steward of the Manor.

Jury: John Taylor, James Pitman, Edward Everet, John Clarke, William Overs, James Pope.

Presentments:

John Clarke, senior, copyholder of manor, died since last court. [This entry crossed through in original.]

Abraham Cave's ditch is blocked and should be scoured out by Michaelmas under pain of 3s 4d [£25].

thomas King's ditch at Greenhill is blocked, to be scoured out before St. John's Day under pain of 20s [£148].

Ditch at Highmorne is blocked, should be scoured out and repaired by St. John's Day, on pain of 20s.

Ditch of Widow King at Greenhill is blocked, to be scoured out by St. John's Day on pain of 12s 4d [£91].

Elizabeth Evered's ditch at Greenehill is blocked, to be scoured and repaired by St. John's Day on pain of 10s.

James Pope's ditch at Cleverland is blocked, to be scoured and repaired by St. John's Day on pain of 3s.

Thomas Whittle's ditch at Mill Lane within the Bars adjoining Lake Close, is blocked, to be scoured out before St. John's Day on pain of 20s.

Abraham Cave's ditch at Little Panck Hill is blocked.

Richard Seyes, esq. appeared at court - he holds by copy of court roll dated\29 July 1686 Hornswell House, stable, orchard, garden, meadow called Greenehill (3 acres) . . .' [incomplete entry on damaged document].

Also at this Court a lease of certain premises and lands at Purse Caundle were surrendered by Richard Seyes, and leased to Thomas King, Ambrose James and James Brown - for details see APPENDIX A2.

1688, 15th June, 'Manor Court held of Thomas Holby and Dame Anne Brooke.

Freeholders: John Hoskins Esq, William Browne, John Clothier, Widow Foote.

Jury: John Taylor, James Pitman, Edward Everet, John Clarke, William Overs, James Pope, Thomas King, Anthony Stone, William Stone.

George Maynard, gent, [Robert Tite crossed through] took from the Lord and Lady a messuage or tenement, garden, orchard, barn, meadow ground (12 acres), backside, pasture ground Greenehill (8 acres), close of arable (4 acres) Monkeway, all which were once held by Elizabeth King widow, to be held by George Maynard, Richard Seyes, esq, William Tipping esq, for the term of their lives or the survivor. Rent: 6s 8d [£50] per annum. Fine: £80 [£1,229]. Tite surrendered and George Maynard took it.

Robert Tite took from the Lord and Lady a messuage or tenement, barn, porch, orchard, close of meadow (2 acres), two closes of pasture called Greenehills (8 acres0, close of arable land called Monkway (4 acres) now in tenure of Elizabeth King widow. To be held by said Robert Tite, George Tite and James Tite his sons, for the term of their lives or the survivor. Rent: 6s 8d per annum. Fine: £80.

Robert Tite who holds by copy of court roll dated 15 June a messuage and land [as above] surrenders it to the Lord and Lady, cancelling the reversion to sons and George Maynard receives it [as above].'

Soon after his landing at Tor Bay from Holland, on 5th November, William of Orange stayed at Sherborne Castle for three nights as the guest of John Digby, 3rd Earl of Bristol - see 1689.

1689, 13th February, was the subsequent accession of William III and Mary.

The 'Toleration Act' gave Protestant Dissenters religious liberty, but not political equality. In practice the religious equality was extended to Catholics as well.

1690 'Att the Court Barron held att Candle Purse the 12th Day of November Anno Dom 160 and in the second year of the reign of King William & Queen Mary by Thomas Hoby Esqr & Dame Anne Brooks, his wife, before Richard Highmore, steward there.

First: Wee doo present that the Lord of this Mannor may grant two lives in reversion after one in possession accrording as it hath been formerly presented.

item: Wee doo present that the Lord of this Mannor cannot grant a Coppy upon a Coppy in Reversion.

item: We doo present House Boot, Plow Boot, Gate Boot & Fire Boot with allowance.

item: Wee present fire Wood without Assignment.

item: Wee doo present Elizabeth Everett to allow Wm Brown a footway through Greenhill.

William Ellis - ) All these are to

Robert Penny - ) have Wattle &

John Everett - ) Sparrs out of

Tho Barrett - ) Whittles Wood

William Brown - ) in Night Gate

Thomas King - ) All these are to

Antho Stone - ) have Wattle &

John Clarke - ) Sparrs out of Plumly

Wm Stone - ) Wood with Wm Taylor

Simon Everett - ) Rents.

James Pope - )

James Pitman - )

Widd Clarke - )

[Signed]

Anthony Stone

Wm Stone

Tho King

William Brown

James Pitman

The mark of

Sym. Everett

The mark of

Tho Barrett

John Clarke

Sometime during the 1690s there was a malignant fever recorded in the Stalbridge Parish Register.

1693 Up until now residents and visitors to Sherborne would have seen displayed as a warning and deterrent the body parts of those hanged and then quartered.

1695 Soon after the 'Restoration'a major campaign against bird pests was initiated, being concentrated on the kite, buzzard, and raven which preyed on farmyard poultry and on weak lambs, or damaged the hides of dead and dying sheep; and secondly on bullfinches and jays which stripped whole orchards of buds. This was because poultry, sheep rearing, and fruit production had grown. The original 'Vermin Acts' were still being implemented in other respects, as witness at Stalbridge where twopence was being paid for a hedgehog, and one shilling for a fox. Churchwardens' Accounts for Purse Caundle covering this period have apparently not survived - the earliest known dating from 1822.

1702, 8th March, was the accession on his death of William III's wife Anne as Queen, until 1714.

1703 On Wednesday, 24th November, following a fortnight of very windy weather, there began a 'Great Storm' which lasted a week, with possibly the most severe storm ever recorded in the British Isles on the night of the 26th. A 120-mile per hour "perfect hurricane" affected southern England, and did not die down until 2nd December. Daniel Defoe, in his first book The Storm in 1704, called it "the tempest that destroyed woods and forests all over England." Many houses and barns were also blown down, with thousands of both people and animals killed by drowning. Further violent gales occurred on the 7th/8th and 27th/28th December.

Illustrated is a real Queen Anne silver penny, with a diameter of only 12 mm. No wonder that they could easily be lost.

1707 According to the Stalbridge Parish Register there were deaths from smallpox in the area.

1710 An Act was passed requiring Lords of the Manor to register with a Clerk of the Peace the appointment of the one gamekeeper allowed by that Act at any one time.

1712 According to the Stalbridge Parish Register there were deaths from smallpox at Milton Abbas.

1714, 8th March, the death of Queen Anne; and with the accession of George I, being the beginning of what was to become known as the Georgian period.