Dorchester & Fordington

Dorchester, a county town and borough, is situated in the division of its name, and hundred of Uggscombe; 120 miles from London, 27 from Poole, and 8 from Weymouth. It is an ancient and respectable well built town, pleasantly seated on an ascent above the river Frome, which bounds it on the north side, at a distance of about 6 miles from the British channel; and on the south and west it opens on pleasant downs, intermixed with corn fields. Dorchester was of considerable importance under the Romans, standing on the via Icenia, and several vicinal roads issuing hence, the coins and other pieces of antiquity found here, the maiden castel, the amphitheatre (the most perfect of its kind in Britain), and the camp at Poundbury, near it shew it to have been then a place of consideration. This town suffered dreadfully from the plague, which broke out here in 1595, and which proved so destructive that the living were not sufficient to bury the dead. In 1613 the town was almost entirely destroyed by fire; the loss was estimated at £200,000. Dorchester is recorded to have been more particularly disaffected to the royal cause, during the civil wars, than any other place in England.

The town forms an irregular square, and consists principally of three spacious streets; these, with the subordinate ones, are well paved, and in general adorned with handsome buildings of brick and stone. Those of most eminence are the churches; a handsome spacious town hall; the shire hall, a plain neat building, containing the courts; the new gaol, and house of correction, erected on the plan recommended by Mr. Howard. The government of the town is vested in the corporation which, according to the charter granted in the 5th of Charles I, consists of a mayor, two bailiffs, six aldermen and six capital burgesses, who appoint a recorder and a town clerk; six of these are justices viz. the mayor, his last predecessor, the recorder, with two bailiffs and one capital burgess, chosen by the whole body corporate. The assizes and quarter sessions for the borough; a court of record, for the recovery of debts under £40, is held in the guildhall once in three weeks; and a court leet is held annually at Michaelmas by the mayor, who is lord of the manor during the period of his mayoralty.

The privilege of sending members to parliament was conferred upon this borough in the 23rd of Edward I, and the right of election vested in the inhabitants paying church and poor rates in respect of houses, lands or stock in trade; the mayor is the returning officer, and the number of electors is about 500: the present representatives are, the Hon. William Ashley Cooper, of St Giles, in this county, second son of the Earl of Shaftesbury; and Robert Williams, Esq. of Bridehead house, in this county. Formerly this town was considerably engaged in the manufacture of woollens, but this branch is now decayed; and Dorchester is at present, and has been for a long time past, noted for its superior ale, which is sent to all parts of the island.

The edifices for divine worship in Dorchester are the three churches under the establishment, dedicated to St. Peter, the Holy Trinity and All Saints; and four chapels belonging to the Independent and Wesleyan Methodists, Baptists and Unitarians. The church of St. Peter’s is a beautiful and venerable Gothic pile, situate in the centre of town, with a tower 90 feet high, ornamented with turrets and battlements. The livings are all rectories: St. Peter’s is in the gift of the king – incumbent the Rev. John Morton Colson; the mayor and corporation present to All Saints, which is enjoyed at present by the Rev. Evan Davies; the living to the Holy Trinity is in the gift of the feoffees of the free schools, and almshouse, and the Rev. Geo. Wood is the rector. The principle charities are two good free schools, and some well endowed almshouses; also the hospital, or workhouse which is an endowed charity. The environs of Dorchester are extremely pleasant; and the great number of handsome mansions and seats, that are scattered throughout the neighbourhood, conduce materially to the beauty and richness of the general scenery.

The immediate vicinity of the town, on the south and west and part of the north and east, is surrounded by agreeable walks, planted with rows of lime and sycamore trees, as are most of the principle avenues. The market days are Wednesday and Saturday; there are four annual fairs, viz on the 14th February, Trinity Monday, the 6th of july and 6th of august, chiefly for cattle and sheep. By the census for 1821, the population of the borough and parishes of Dorchester was – All Saints parish, 652 inhabitants; St Peter’s, 1,039; Holy Trinity, 1,052: total 2, 743.

POST OFFICE, High East Street, John Pett, Post Master – Letters from London and the East arrive every morning at a quarter before 10, and are dispatched every afternoon at four. – Letters from EXETER, FALMOUTH and the West arrive at a quarter before four in the afternoon, and are despatched every morning at ten. – Letters from CERNE and SYDLING arrive every afternoon at a quarter before four, and are despatched every morning at ten. – Letters from CHARMINSTER, STRATTON, FRAMPTON, MAIDEN NEWTON, CATTISTOCK, EVERSHOT and MELBURY arrive every afternoon at a quarter before four, and are despatched every morning at ten. – Letters from WEYMOUTH arrive every morning at thirty five minutes past nine and at four in the afternoon; and are despatched every morning at a quarter before ten and at half past four in the afternoon.

Abbot Thomas, Gent. Came
Armstrong --, Esq. Charminster
Bedloe Jos. Gent. Higher Kingston
Bedloe Joseph Gent. Fordington
Bedloe Jos, Thos. Gent. Herrington
Birsted Mrs. Jane. High East st
Bowring Benjamin Gent. Kingston
Browne F. J. Esq. Frampton
Bryer Rev. Edmund, High West st
Bullock Morgan gent. High West st
Burgess Rev. W. Upwey
Burnett Captain John High East st
Carter the Misses, Upwey
Chapell Mrs, South st
Churchill Rev. Wm. Rush H. Colliton House
Clapcott Joseph, esq. High East st
Clavell Mrs. Fordington
Clementson Rev, Dacre, Fordington
Colson Rev. John M. Back west st
Colson Rev. Thomas, Back west st
Cox Barnard, gent. Charminster
Cozens Charles, gent. High West st
Cozens Miss, Corn Hill
Cull James, gent. Coker’s Frome
Cull Lieut. George, RN Back West st
Dade Rev. Thomas, Broadwey
Damer Hon. Capt. Milton Abbey
Damon Robert, gent. Fordington
Daniels N. C. esq. Upwey
Devenish Robert esq. Charminster
Devenish William, gent. Upwey
Edmonds --, gent. Wolverton hse
England Rev. Archdeacon, Stafford
England Rev. William, Stafford
Ensor Edward, gent. Fordington
Fevers the Misses, Back South st
Flower George, gent. Stafford
Floyer Mrs. Stafford House
Fowle --, gent. Charminster
Frampton Mrs Mary
Garland Major John, High West st
Garland Thos. Gent. High West st
Goodridge Jas. Gent. High West st
Gould Thomas esq. Frome Billett
Harding William, gent. Stunsford
Hardy Joseph, esq. Charminster
Harvey Bennett, gent. South Walk

Harvey Robert R. gent. Fordington
Hawkins Chas. Gent. Martins Town
Hawkins Wm esq. Martins Town
Hawkins Wm gent. Martins Town
Henning Capt. Wm. L. High West st
Henning Edward, gent. Munkton
Henning George, esq. Millers Close
Henning William, esq. Frome hse
Hodges wm. Water. P. esq. South st
Homer Thos. Gent. Martins Town
Honslow Rev. Middleton, Bradford
Ilchester the Dowager Countess of, Abbotsbury Castle
Ilchester the Earl of, Melbury
Jacob Joseph gent. South st
Kellaway Christophr. Gent. Stafford
Lambert Jno. Jas. Esq. High West st
Lewis Rev. Lewis, Fordington [Note:- Minister of the Unitarian Chapel in Pease lane]
Luckman Levi, gent. Broadway
Macfarlane Lieut. General Sir Robert, Came house
Manfield Mrs & the Misses, South st
Meech Captain, Upway
Meech Mrs, High West st
Morgan Mrs, Back South st
Murray Rev. Edward, Stunsford
Palmer Mrs. Fordington
Pattison Robert, esq. High West st and Wrackleford
Peech George, esq. Herrington hse
Pettigrew Captain Wm. Pease Lane
Pitt William Gray Morton esq. Kingston house
Richards --, esq. Buckland Ripers
Richards Mrs. High West st
Russell Jeffery, gent. Bomstone
Sampson Thomas, gent. Upway
Shergold Mrs. South st
Somner Mrs. Back South st
Steward Mrs. South Walk
Stickland Colonel Charles, South st [Note:- See Charles STICKLAND (1776-1845)]
Stickland the Misses, High East st
Stickland Mrs M. High East st
Wheeler john, gent. South st
Willis Captain john, South st
Wood Mrs. Upway
Woods Rev. George High West st
Woollaston Charlton Byam esq.
Wyatt Lieutenant, Bockhampton
Yeatman Mrs. High West st

ACADEMIES AND SCHOOLS
Blandy, Mary, South St [Note:- Mary Blandy (1797-1844) Ladies Boarding School ]
FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL, South st, Rev. Richard Cutler, Master
Lock, Misses, (brding) Durngate st
Patch Thomas (& teacher of music), High East st
Poynter Richard, High East st
Watson Wm. (brding) High West st
Zillwood Ann, (brding) Fordington

ATTORNEYS
Boswell Edward, High West st
Bridge William, High West st [Note:- William Bridge (1796-1858) ]
Coombs Thomas, South st [Note:- Thomas Coombs the Elder (1777-1852) ]
Henning Charles B, High West st
Ingram Francis, South st
Manfield William, High West st

Letter sent to William Manfield
for sale on ebay Oct 2016

Letter sent to Joseph Stone Esq. Solicitor of Dorchester dated 25th July 1833
from George Martin of Stapleton Road, Bristol, concerning the estate of Miss Bullock who died in Paris - purchased on e-bay 2012.
The Solicitors Stone and Symonds was a partnership between Joseph Stone and Giles Symonds (1813-1892) ]

AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISRS
Baker Mark, South st
Curme Charles & john Acres, High West st
Foot John, Fordington
Hawkins William, High East st

BAKERS & CONFECTIONERS
Bonnett Jane, High East st
Curme George, High West st
Frampton Mary, North st
Hazard John, South st
Hazard Robert, High East st
Miller Thomas, High West st

BANKERS
Bower & Eliot, High West st 
(draw on Williams, Deacon & Co. London)
Williams, Pattison and Co. High West st
(draw on Williams, Deacon & Co. London)
SAVINGS BANK, High East st, Benjamin Jacob, actuary

BASKET MAKERS
Hutchings James, Pease Lane
Stainer Maurice, Gaol Lane

BLACKSMITHS
Ellis Thomas, Glyde path hill
Hall Benjamin, Fordington
Kerley William (& veterinary surgeon) Back South st
Tizard John, Pease Lane

BOOKSLLERS, STATIONERS, BINDERS AND PRINTERS
Clark George, Corn Hill
Jacob Benj. & Henry, High East st
Zillwood Charles, High West st

BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS
Cozens Solomon, High West st
Curtis Edmd. Jewell, High West st
Fox James, North st
Gray Elizabeth, High East st
Keats James, Pease Lane
Mills James, High West st
Nutt Robert (to HRH Prince Leopold) High East st
Squibb George, North st
Stoodley William, Fordington
Tarzwell John, High West st
White Joseph, South st

BREWERS & MALSTERS (See also Malsters)
Bower Thomas, Gaol Lane
Bower William, Fordington
Galpin Elias, turn of East st
Gaulton Richard, Durngate st
Hawkins Jas. Harvey, High East st
Mowlam Henry, High East st
Oakley Robert, High East st
Saill --, Martin Town

BRICKLAYERS
Bartlett John, Fordington
Hooper William, Glyde path hill
Lester Edward, Glyde path hill
Oliver Joseph, Back South st

BUILDERS AND CARPENTERS
Biles John, Fordington
Brown John, Back South st
Curme Charles & John Acres, High West st
Gale Stephen, South st

BUTCHERS
Fudge Richard, Pease Lane
Lock William, North square [Note:- William Lock (1780-1837)]
Rowe Edmund, Pease Lane

CABINET MAKERS AND UPHOLSTERERS
Curme Charles and John Acres, High West st
Elford Lawrence, South st
Hawkins William, High East st
Hazard Mary, South st
Keats John, North st
Treves William, Corn Hill [Note:- William Treves (1812-1867) the father of Sir Frederick Treves (1853-1923)]

CHINA, GLASS &C DEALERS
Beasant Thomas, High West st
Dufall Charles, High st
Escott William, High West st

CHYMISTS AND DRUGGISTS
Davis and sons, High West st
Froud Joseph, High West st
Galpin William, High East st
Sheppard Charles, Corn hill

COACH MAKERS
Master John, Fordington
Reason William, South st

COAL MERCHANTS
Fudge Richard, Pease Lane
Lock William, North squareWilliam Lock (1780-1837)]

COOPERS
Barnard William, High East st
Beasant Thomas, High West st
Galpin William, High East st

CURRIERS AND LEATHER CUTTERS
Andrews George, High West st
Jesty Robert, Fordington

FIRE &C OFFICES & AGENTS
ATLAS, Joseph Stone, South st
BRITISH COMMERCIAL, John Pett, High East st
CLERICAL & MEDICAL, Geo. Clark, Corn hill
COUNTY, Bennett Harvey, Corn hill
GUARDIAN, Charles B. Henning, High East st
HANTS, SUSSEX & DORSET, James Goodridge, High East st
NORWICH UNION, Ts. Tapp, South st
PHOENIX, George Clark, Corn hill
ROYAL EXCHANGE, Thomas Gould Read, High st
SUN, Charles Zillwood, High West st
WEST OF ENGLAND, Thos. Fisher, High East st

GROCERS & TEA DEALERS (see also shopkeepers)
Curtis William, High West st
Ensor John, High East st
Fisher Thomas, High East st
Garland William, High West st
Hayne John, Corn hill
Pett John, High East st

GUN MAKERS
Clare John, East st
Pulman John (& fishing rod, &c.) High East st

HATTERS
Ash Joseph (and manufacturer, and agent for Blackmore’s patent bolting cloths) High East st
Marsh Thomas, High East st

HOSIERS
Curtis Thomas, North st
Norman John Evomy, South st

INNS (see also taverns & public houses)
Antelope Hotel (and posting house) James Stent, Corn hill
King’s Arms Inn (& posting house) Francis Oliver, High East st

IRONMONGERS
Clare John, High East st
Curme Charles and John Acres (& upholsterers) High West st
Davis William, High West st
Harvey Bennett, Corn hill
Treves Phillip, Corn hill [Note:- Philip TREVES (1800-1831) son of William TREVES (1773-1829) Cabinet Maker & Upholsterer]

LINEN & WOOLLEN DRAPERS
Austin Charles & son, High West st
Bascombe Thomas, High West st
Bennett John, High East st
Browning Joseph, High West st
Ingram Sarah, Corn hill
Swinburne and Filch, Corn hill
Upcott Jas. (& silk mercers) Corn hill

MALTSTERS (see also brewers & maltsters)
Caines Richard, Froome
Hawkins James Harvey & Richard, Pease lane
Lock George, Back South st
Standish John, Friary lane

MILLERS
Brown James, WEST MILL
Galpin Charles, Fordington
Painter --, burton
Young John, FRIARY MILL

MILLINERS & DRESSMAKERS
Bollan Jane, South st
Frampton Sarah, North st
Galpin Mary, Corn hill
Ingram sarah, corn hill
Rolls Charlotte, High East st

NEWSPAPERS
DORSET CHRONICLE (Thursday) Weston, Simonds and Sydenham, printers & proprietors, Corn hill

PAINTER, PLUMBERS AND GLAZIERS
Durden John, Durngate st
Goddard John, Durngate st
Lock George, North st
Scholar Robert, Back South st
Tolbort Hooper, Back West st

PAWNBROKERS
Baker William, Durngate st
Raynold William, Church st

PERFUMRS & HAIR DRESSERS
Curtis Charles, High East st
Groves Richard, High East st
Maber Isaac, Thoroughfare
Standish Thomas, High East st
Stroud William, High East st
White Thomas, turn of East st

PLASTERERS
Foy Edward, High st
Gregory John and son, South st
Rumsey Robert, North st

SADDLERS AND HARNESS MAKERS
Greening George, High East st
Handsford Joseph, High West st
Jacob John Somers, High West st
Pouncy Thomas, Corn hill
Pouncy Thomas Smith, Corn hill

SHOPKEEPERS AND DEALERS IN SUNDRIES
Bennett Thomas, West Back st
Bird Joseph, High West st
Churchill Charles, North st
Groves Richard, High East st
Locket Thomas, North st
Masters William, High East st
Parsons James, High West st
Randall Mary, High East st
Tripp William, High West st
Warren William, South st

SILVERSMITHS
Logan Thomas, Corn hill
Saunders Thomas, High West st

SPIRIT MERCHANTS
Garland William, High West st
Hayne John, Corn hill

STONE MASONS
Bushrod Jesse, High East st
Lester Edward, Glyde path hill
Slade George and Wm, High East st

STRAW HAT MAKERS
Ellis Elizabeth, Glyde path hill
George Clarissa, Church st
Hazard Ann, South st
Homer Mary, High West st
Ireland E, Fordington
Phillips Elizabeth, High West st
Steyner Elizabeth, South st

SURGEONS
Arden Christopher, High West st
Cooper Christr. MD, High West st
Edwards John, High West st
Tapp William, Corn hill
Wallis and Curme, High East st

TAILORS (Marked Thus * are also Drapers)
*Austin Chas. & son, High West st
Barge Richard, South st
*Bascombe Thomas, High West st
*Bennett Thomas, West Back st
*Bonifas John, Corn hill
Cox John, Fordington
*Curtis Thos. Jewell, High West st
Hunt Henry, Pease lane
*Morgan William, High East st
*Newman Thomas, High West st

TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES
Anchor, Esther Creech, North st
Black Horse, Thomas Lester, church st
Chequers, Thomas Tullidge, High East st
Crown, Thomas Whittle, turn of East st
George, Thomas Johnson, High West st
Green Dragon, Chas. Eldridge, Durngate st
Phoenix, George Galpin, High West st
Plume of Feathers, John Tullidge, West Back st
Queen’s Arms, David Brown, Pease lane
Red Lion, John Pulman, High East st
Royal Oak, Matthew Dufall, High West st
Sun, Elizabeth Galpin, Burton
Three Mariners, John Standish, High East st
White Hart, Ann Beasant, High East st
Wood & Stone, Wm. Masters, Durngate st

TOY DEALERS
Curtis Charles, High East st
Lucas John, South st
Warhan William, High West st

WATCH MAKERS
Hardy James, High East st
Logan Thomas, Corn hill
Saunders Thomas, High West st
Stephenson William, West Back st

Miscellaneous
Bow Jeremiah, carpenter, Glyde hill path
Durden Thomas, Livery stables, Pease lane
Eliot Edward, wheelwright, Fordington
Hassell Richd, corn & seedsman, North st
Lock John, cork cutter, North st
Orchard --, tanner, Bradford
Parsons James, glover, High West st
Squire Mary, haberdasher, Back West st
Stanton William, woollen cloth manufacturer, Louds mill
Wood John, brazier, &c, High West st

COACHES:

To LONDON, The Royal Mail (from Exeter and Falmouth) calls at the King's Arms, every afternoon at a quarter past four - The Celerity (from exeter & plymouth) calls at the Antelope & Kings Arms, every night at eleven; both go through Blandford, Salisbury, Andover, basingstoke, Staines, &c - and The Magnet (from Weymouth) calls at the Antelope and King's Arms, every morning at half past five; goes through Blandford, Salisbury and Andover, Bagshot, &c

To BATH & BRISTOL, The John Bull (from Weymouth) calls at the Antelope. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at half past eight - and The Wellington, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nornng at nine; both go through Sherborne, Wincanton, & Frome

To BRISTOL, The Royal Dorset (from Weymouth) calls at the King's Arms. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at half past eight; goes through Yeovil, Ilchester, glastonbury & Wells.

To EXETER & FALMOUTH, The Royal Mail (from London) calls at the King's Arms. every morning at ten; goes through Bridport, Axminster and Honiton.

To EXETER & PLYMOUTH, the Celerity (from London) calls at the King's Arms and Antelope, every morning at seven - and the Southampton (from Southampton) calls at the King's Arms every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoon at half-past one; both go through Bridport, Axminster and Honiton.

To SOUTHMPTON, The Independent (from Weymouth) calls at the Antelope every morning (sunday excepted) at nine; goes through Wareham, Poole; Christchurch, Lymington & Lyndhurst - the Southampton (from Exeter & Plymouth) calls at the King's Arms, every afternoon at one; goes through Blandford, Wimborne and Ringwood.

To WEYMOUTH, the Magnet (from London) calls at the King's Arms and Antelope, every evening at eight - The Royal Dorset (from Bristol) calls at the King's Arms and the John Bull at the Antelope every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evening at five - the Royal George every morning (Sunday excepted) at ten - the Wellington (from Bath & Bristol) calls at the Antelope every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening at five - & the Independent (from Southampton) every evening (Sunday excepted) at five

CARRIERS:

To LONDON, RUSSELL & Co's Van from High East Street, every night; a Waggon, every Tuesday; Thursday ; & Sarurday & John WOOLCOTT from Pease Lane every Tuesday and Saturday

To BATH, Robert WADMAN from the Wood and Stone every Tuesday

To BRIDPORT, William COOMBES from the Phoenix every Thursday

To BRISTOL, Richard BAULCH, from the Royal Oak every Thursday and John SLADE from South Street every Saturday

To EXETER & PLYMOUTH and FALMOUTH, RUSSELL & Co's Van from High East Street, every night; a Waggon, every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday

To LYMINGTON, Joseph BIDDLECOMB from the Phoenix every other friday

To MAIDEN NEWTON & TOLLAR, Mary GREEN from the Royal Oak every Monday wednesday and Friday

To POOLE, William COOMBES from the Phoenix every Tuesday

To WAREHAM, William GRADY from the Phoenix every Saturday

To WEYMOUTH, James BEER from Russell's warehouse, and Thomas GAULTON from Pease Lane daily - Richard BAULCH from the Royal Oak every Wednesday - John SLADE from Cornhill every friday and Robert WADMAN from the Wood and Stone every Monday