The Universal British Directory 1791

For Dorchester & Fordington in Dorset

Transcribed for OPC by Michael Russell Aug 2024

Dorchester is the Shire-town, 122 miles West of London, regularly built, standing conformable to the four cardinal points, and has a river on its North side: It had four gates, one in the middle of each side, and was encompassed with a strong wall and ditch. On the West side part of the old wall is still standing, which is 12ft thick; it is broken and battered everywhere. The foundation of the Roman wall appears quite round the town; but Eastward there is a street built upon it, and a ditch is filled up; however it is still called the Walls. Here are three churches, among which that dedicated to St. Peter is a handsome structure. And on the South and West sides, without the walls. is a fine walk of trees, with an agreeable prospect on each side into the fields.

The winding of the river to the North spoils the square of the town that way. There is an area of a castle, out of whose ruins the Grey Friers were built: on the said area is now erected a large commodious county gaol, built on the plan the philanthropic Howard. The banks of the river here are steep, for the town stands on high ground; and beyond the river there are meadows and warm sandy lands; but on this side there are fine chalky downs, pleasant to ride in and abounding in excellent corn.

A new town hall and market-house has been lately erected. The county hall is now repairing under the direction of W. Morton PITT Esq. member for the county, who has a seat near the town called Kingston. The streets are neatly paved, and have regular houses generally built with stone. The corporation consists of Mayor, a recorder, two bailiffs, six aldermen, six capital burgesses, and twenty four common council men, by charter of 5 Charles I. There are three alms-houses, one of which is very handsome and well endowed; there is also a good free school. On this town the assizes are held; and the knights of the shire are chosen here. It sends two members of parliament, who are at present Francis FANE Esq. and the Hon. Cropley ASHLEY.

The patrons of the borough were the Earl of Shaftsbury and Lord Middleton: but, at the last general election the independent interest prevailed over the influence of the latter, and returned Francis FANE Esq by a majority of near two to one.

This town has sent members to parliament ever since 23 Edward I. The following resolutions have passed the house at different times relative to the right of election in this borough.

March 18, 1720 Resolved, "That the right of electing burgesses to serve in parliament for the borough of Dorchester in the County of Dorset, is in the inhabitants of the said borough paying to church and poor in respect of their personal estate, and in such persons as pay to church and poor in respect of their real estates, within the borough. And Thomas PITMAN, the Mayor was ordered into custody for illegal and arbitrary practices at the election.

May 17, 1720, Resolved "That part of the parish of Holy Trinity, alias Dorchester Trinitatis, which was formally the parish of Froome Whitfield, is no part of Dorchester in the County of Dorset."

Resolved that the tithing of Colliton-row, within the parish of Holy Trinity, alias Dorchester Trinitatis, is no part of the borough of Dorchester in the County of Dorset.

February 22, 1775, Resolved, by committee, "That pursuant to the last determination, such persons as pay to church and poor relief in respect of their estates within the said borough, though not inhabitants or occupiers, were entitled to vote".

April 14, 1791, Resolved, "That pursuant to the last determination of the house of commons, the right of electing burgesses to serve in parliament for the borough of Dorchester, in the County of Dorset, is in the inhabitants of the said borough paying to the church and poor in respect of their personal estates and in such persons as pay to church and poor to their real estates within the said borough, although not inhabitants or occupiers, and although their names do not appear upon the poor's rate"

But the right of election may be said to be pregnant with the greatest political inconveniences; for a person possessing the fee simple of a house and offices, may, by letting his house to one, his garden to a second, his coach house to a third, and his stable to a fourth, qualify as many voters, and that without regard to residence, or his name ever appearing upon the poor's rate. We should therefore be happy to be informed by what criterion the returning officer is to judge of what votes he should admit or refuse: or indeed upon the view here taken of the inconsistent principles and extraordinary determinations of the right of voting, which this scene of borough affords on what system or security of right can this country depend for a pure, free, equal and adequate representation: The number of voters is 200. The Mayor is the returning officer. The patrons of the borough are the Earl of Shaftsbury and Lord Milton.

Dorchester had two mints in the time of the Saxons. It extends 5 furlongs from East to West and within the walls covers about 8 acres. In 1763 it had 1808 inhabitants. It had an hospital built in 1616, converted to a work-house in 1744. And at the North end of the town-hall is the town-gaol, called the Blind-House. The county gaol stands in the East Street, and has a chapel

On the royal excursion to Weymouth in 1791, their majesties with the six princesses, paid a visit to the old gaol, Dorchester, and liberated a poor old man named PITFIELD, who had been confined 10 years for a debt of £210 - a rare instance of royal benevolence!

    [Note:- Link to Dorset Coucil History website about Pitfield and his Pardon]
Here was a dreadful fire, August 6, 1613, which consumed 2 of the churches, since rebuilt, and about 300 houses, to the damage of £200,000. yet not a soul perished in it. The inns are large, the markets and fairs well frequented; and the toll of both is vested in the corporation, who hold the manor of the borough at a fee-farm rent from the crown.

Dorchester is famous for beer, great quantities of which are sold in London. It has almost lost the manufacture of board-cloth, for which it was once so famous, and its serge trade is not very considerable. It is computed that no less than 600,000 sheep are fed within six miles of this place; the ewes generally bring two lambs, which is imputed to the wild thyme and other aromatic herbage which here grow upon the down in great plenty. It has a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays; with 4 fairs, namely on the 12th February, foe cattle, and particularly all sorts of sheep; On Trinity- Monday, and July 5, for sheep, lambs and all sorts of cattle; and on the 5th August for all sorts of cattle sheep wool and leather.

The following are the principal inhabitants: [Note:- (F) = Resident in Fordington]

CORPORATION

R.Stickland Esq, Mayor
Nathaniel Bond Esq. Recorder
John Gollop Esq.
William Gundry Esq.
William Templeman, Esq.
Richard Cozens Esq.
Edward Cozens Esq.
William Davis Esq.
Robert Lambert Esq.
Town-Clerk, George Stickland Esq.

GENTRY &c.

Chaffey, James Esq. (F)
Churchill, Capt George
Churchill, William Esq. (F)
Festing, Henry, (F) Lieut. in the Navy
Pouncy, henry Gent, (F)
Sabine, John Esq. (F)
Willis, John Esq. (F)

CLERGY

Beaver, Rev. J
Colson, Rev Thomas
Edwards, Rev Abel Dissenting Minister
Floyer, Rev William
Fothergill, Rev
Harben, Rev
Hawkins, Rev James
Howe, Rev Samuel
Hughes, Rev Thomas
Meech, Rev Giles
Mills, Rev P. Dissenting Minister
Rickman, Rev John Henry, Master of Grammar school
Sabine, Rev S.
Templeman, Rev Nathaniel, Rector
White, Rev George
Wood, Rev John

PHYSIC

Applen, John Surgeon and Apothecary
Arden, Christopher, Surgeon
Graves, Robert M.D.
Hawkins, John (F) Surgeon
White, Robert Surgeon and Apothecary

LAW

Cozens, Charles Attorney
Henning, Robert (F) Attorney
Manfield, John Callard (F) Attorney and County Clerk
Read, Thomas Gould Attorney
Sabine, J Attorney
Salisbury, Thomas Attorney
Stickland, Nathaniel Attorney
Tapp, Thomas (F) Attorney
Templeman, John (F) Attorney

TRADERS &c.

A'Court, Thomas Butcher
Andrews, George (F) Wine Merchant
Andrews, William Currier
Ash, Joseph Hatter
Austin, Ann Chandler
Austin, Charles Taylor
Baker, Matthew, Auctioneer. [Note:- Matthew BAKER (1753-1821) ]
Barnwell, Richard, Plumber & Glazier
Bartlett, John Baker
Balcombe, John Taylor
Bayley, John Dancing Master
Bennett, Elizabeth Hatter
Bennett, John Haberdasher
Bennick, William Staymaker
Besant, Sarah Maltster & Brewer
Bly, Sarah Baker
Bridge, Robert Mercer
Bridle, Rebecca Miller
Brine, Thomas (F) Maltster
Bower, Wm. (F) Maltster and Brewer [Note: William BOWER (1746-1829) who was owner of Fordington Brewery and owned 16 public houses in Dorchester and Weymouth. ]
Brown, John Joiner
Brown, William Plumber and Glazier
Browning, Joseph Mercer
Bryer, Henry Mail Contractor
Bryer, Mary Innkeeper (Kings Arms)
Bryer, William Glover
Carter, Susanna Innkeeper (Antelope)
Chaffey, Batt Farmer
Channing, Ann Haberdasher
Chappell, Elizabeth Toyshop
Clare, William (F) Brightsmith
Clark, George Hairdresser
Cole, John Shoemaker
Coombs, Philip (F) Maltster
Corbin, George Cheesemaker
Critchell, Robert Sen. (F) Mercer
Critchell, Robert, Jun. Mercer
Crocker, John Victualler
Curme, Thomas (F) Cabinet Maker
Curtis, John Hosier
Damon, Robert Limeburner
Damon, Robert Collarmaker
Dark, Richard Victualler
Drew, Edward (F) Hairdresser
Elliott, George Taylor
Elliott, Edward Tallow Chandler
Ellis, John Blacksmith
Ensor, Edward (F) Butcher
Evomy, Martha Baker
Eyres, William Shoemaker
Fippard, Richard Gardener
Fishe, Thomas Grocer
Foot, John Cabinet Maker
Foy, James Patten Maker
Frampton, George (F) Haberdasher
Freke, George Baker
Gale, Bernard Joiner
Galpin, William Cooper
Gange, James Baker
Gange, William Tallow Chandler
Garland, John Grocer
Garrett, James Glazier
Greening, John Collarmaker
Grey, Nathaniel Stone Mason
Groves, Charles Shoemaker
Groves, Henry Hairdresser
Groves, Robert Shoemaker
Gritton, Thomas Cabinet Maker
Gundry, Robert Cooper
Hagley, John Baker
Harvey, Bennett Silversmith
Harvey, Jane Victualler
Hawkins, James Upholsterer
Hawkins, John (F) Brightsmith
Hazard, Ann Confectioner
Hodge, Jane French Boarding School
Hodgers ---- Silversmith
Holloway, Charles Baker
Homes, John (F) Maltster
Hunt, Robert Taylor
Hutchins, Abraham Basket Maker
Jacob, Benjamin Breeches Maker
Jacob, Henry (F) Shoemaker
Jacob, John Saddler
Johnston, John Blacksmith
Johnston, Thomas Victualler [Note:- See 'George Inn' Dorchester]
Keates, James Shoemaker
Kerley, William Farrier
Kerr, John Pawnbroker
Lake, Richard Joiner
Legg, John Miller
Lock, George (F) Butcher
Lock, Robert Butcher
Lockett, Richard Shoemaker
Lockett, Thomas (F) Printer
Lockett, William Baker
Manfield, Catherine Milliner
Mason, Ann Schoolmistress
Moores, Samuel Shoemaker
Mowlam, Henry Victualler
Munday, Jeremiah Staymaker [Note:-Jeremiah MUNDAY married Mary MANLY at HT on 18th Jan 1790].
Nelson, Sarah Mercer
Nicholls, Roger Pawnbroker
Norman, William Sen. (F) Hosier
Norman, William Jun. Hosier
Oakley Francis, Victualler
Old, William Fellmonger
Oldis, Edith Gardener
Oldis, John Silversmith
Pardey, John Victualler
Parsons, James (F) Leather Merchant
Pattison, Robert Banker
Pearce, William Victualler [Note:- See 'Phoenix Inn' ]
Pitman, John Nurseryman
Plowman, Elizabeth Mercer
Pouncy, George Butcher
Pouncy, Henry Victualler
Pouncy, James Postmaster
Pouncy, Thomas (F) Saddler
Read, Elizabeth Schoolmistress
Read, Francis Stationer
Read, William Plasterer
Rickwood J.T. Grocer
Roberts, Thomas Victualler [Note:- See 'Queens Head' ]
Rogers, Thomas Breeches Maker
Rumfrey, Robert Lime-burner
Russ, Dorothy Grocer
Sangar, Betty Chandler
Shepard, Henry Plumber and Glazier
Sheppard, Rachel Chandler
Sheppard, Thomas Victualler
Smith, Mary China Shop
Snook, Samuel Upholsterer
Standish, Ann Butcher
Stayner, John Music seller
Stayner Sarah Cork Cutter
Stephenson, Henry Watch Maker
Stuckland (sic Stickland?) , George (F) Grocer
Swyer, Samuel Taylor
Tapp, John (F) Cooper
Thorne, Susanna Stationer
Tripp, Reuben Victualler
Tullidge Benjamin Schoolmaster
Tullidge, John (F) Victualler [Note:- See Plume and Feathers ]
Wood, George (F) Ironmonger [sic out of alpha order]
Wood, James (F) Brazier [sic out of alpha order]
Wood, Michael Victualler [sic out of alpha order]
White, Charles (F) Maltster and Brewer
White, E China Shop
White, John Plasterer
Yeatman, Morgan (F) Wine Merchant
Zillwood, William Schoolmaster

Poundbury stands half a mile West of Dorchester, upon the brink of the river, which is very steep: It is of a square farm, and has a high rampart; but the ditch is inconsiderable, except at the angle by the river: the chief entrance was by the South side. It is supposed to have been a Roman Camp.

Near Dorchester is another Roman Camp, called Maiden Castle, which Dr. Stuckly imagines was the AEstiva of the Dumovarian garrison: it is of a vast extent, prodigiously strong, and appears to have been formed in the inferior times of the empire. The amphitheater is still visible.

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