Melcombe Horsey Various Records

These records will be transcribed and abstracts put on this website, as time and institutions permit.

Dorset Record Office: Dorset Quarter Sessions [QDE(L)/54-64] 1780-1832 44 hit(s)

Dorset Record Office: Dorset Quarter Sessions [Register of Electors] 1833-1938 7 hit(s)

Dorset Record Office: Andrews, Son and Huxtable Solicitors Archive 1524-1912 6 hit(s)

Dorset Record Office: Encombe Estate Archive 1344-1949 4 hit(s)
Dorset Record Office: Melcombe Horsey Parish, alias Melcombe Bingham 1690-1992 3 hit(s)

Dorset Record Office: Howard, Shreeve and Turnbull of Blandford, Architects 1889-1985 2 hit(s)

Dorset Record Office: Melcombe Horsey Church of England School 1914-1945 1 hit(s)

Dorset Record Office: Traill, Castleman-Smith and Wilson, Solicitors 1544-1943 1 hit(s)

Dorset Natural History & Archaeological Society Library, Dorset County Museum, Dorchester

These records will be transcribed and abstracts put on this website, as time and institutions permit.

PARLIAMENTARY SURVEYS. Copies of surveys - ref. COMM/12A
FILE - VOLUME 5 - ref. COMM/12A/5 - date: 1650-1656 [from Scope and Content] Milton Abbas, Ibberton, Chesilborne, Woolland perpetual curacy, Melcombe Horsey Rectory & Bingham Melcombe, Hilton Vicarage, Stoke Wake Rectory, Sherborne, Oborne & Castleton

FILE - VOLUME 6 - ref. COMM/12A/6 - date: 1650. [from Scope and Content] Melcombe [...] Horsey Rectory

Catalogue Ref. AR. Creator(s): Arundell family of Lanherne and Trerice, Cornwall

FILE [no title] - ref. AR/3/642 - date: [16th century]. [from Scope and Content] Instruction to impound the cattle of four men from the ground that 'Melcum' men challenge [Melcombe Regis or Melcombe Horsey, Dorset?].

Catalogue Ref. Add Mss 6080 – 6846. Creator(s): West Sussex Record Office, Chichester.

FILE - Conveyance. Consideration £1550 - ref. Add Mss 6711 - date: 29 September 1887. [from Scope and Content] (a) William Watts, of Lanceston, co. Dorset, gent., and Richard Caines Watts, of Melcombe Horsey, co. Dorset; (b) Sydney Watts, of Yeovil, co. Somerset, gent; (c) Walter Cobb, of Silverdale Lodge, co. Kent, gent

FILE - Album of photographs - ref. AL0384 - date: 1870 – 1900. [Access Conditions] Public item: GENERAL EXTERIOR VIEW (General view) - ref. AL0384/007/01 - date: 1870 – 1900. [Access Conditions] Public [from Scope and Content] Address/Location: Binghams Melcombe House, Binghams Melcombe, Melcombe Horsey, Dorset

-  - deed, Volume 58 page 69
-  - icehouse, Volume 86 page 228
-  - Manor House, Volume 15 pages xl-xlii; Volume 36 pages xxix-xxx; Volume 51 pages 78-81
-  -  - armorial bearings, Volume 45 pages 134-138
-  - round barrow, excavation, Volume 38 pages 74-80
- Bowdens Hill, excavation of cross dyke, Volume 79 page 115; Volume 100 pages 36-42
- Bowdens, Bronze Age socketed axe-head, Volume 73 page 114
- church,
-  - bells, Volume 19 page 27; Volume 24 pages 131-132; Volume 27 page 108; Volume 51 pages 251-252;             Volume 60 page 117; Volume 90 pages 313-314
-  - description, Volume 51 pages 78-80 & 246-252
-  - goods inventory, 1552, Volume 26 page 102
-  - note by Sir Stephen Glynne, 1865, Volume 45 pages 37-38
-  - screen, Volume 42 pages 79-80
- Hog Hill, surface finds from Celtic fields, Volume 73 pages 113-114; Volume 76 page 76

- incumbents and patrons, 1542-1731, Volume 73 page 142 See RECTORS & PATRONS section
- medieval deer-park, Volume 85 pages 145-148

Roman Britain in 1999 in Britannia, Vol. 31. (2000), pp. 371-431+433-449, by B. C. Burnham; L. J. F. Keppie; A. S. Esmonde Cleary; M. W. C. Hassall; R. S. O. Tomlin; Barry C. Burnham.

“Melcombe Horsey: 42 siliquae, pot sherds and lead fragments to c. A.D. 402. 387”

(n.) A weight of four grains; a carat; - a term used by jewellers, and refiners of gold.

The Conversion of Wessex in The English Historical Review, Vol. 7, No. 27. (Jul., 1892), pp. 437-443, by T. S. Holmes. Published 1892.

“Nor in our summary can we pass over two other groups of churches which tell of the connexion of Wessex with the shrine of the Apostles and the monastery on the Caelian Hill. Surely these dedications suggest as the founders of these churches the early missionaries of the church of Wessex. They are those dedicated either to St. Andrew or to SS. Peter and Paul. Somerset is studded all over with churches dedicated to St. Andrew. Some thirty-six in all claim him as their patron. Of course some of these, like Cheddar, Banwell, and Wiveliscombe, were the daughters of St. Andrew’s of Wells. In Dorset there are more than a dozen with the same dedication. From Yetminster, where also the old church is under the protection of St. Andrew, there is a connected line of such churches-Minterne, Alton Pancras, Melcombe Horsey, and Milborne-as far as Bloxworth. The cluster at the north of Salisbury is probably due to some later cause. But we cannot doubt that in this we see the influences of that reverence for the monastery on the Caelian Hill which we know clung to the immediate disciples of Aldhelm and his fellow-workers. And the same may be said of the other group. “

The Ferryman and His Fee: A Study in Ethnology, Archaeology, and Tradition in Folklore, Transactions of the Folk-Lore Society, Vol. 68, No. 1. (Mar., 1957), pp. 257-269, by L. V. Grinsell.

138-61AD Antoninus Pius Dorset Melcombe Horsey Ref: Warne, Celtic Tumuli of Dorset, iii, no.98

Land Classification in Dorset: A Study of Land Classification with Special Reference to Agricultural Distributions in Dorset in Transactions No. 6, (1937), pp. 1-61. Institute of British Geographers, by L. Ellis Tavener.

“Between the River Frome and the River Stour, the downlands increase in elevation and are more deeply dissected by the valleys. This area is covered by poor, shallow soils; but more fertile loamy strips occur in the valleys where chalk downwash has mixed with gravel deposits and pebbles. The chief elevations in this area are at Melcombe Horsey, 856 feet, Bulbarrow Hill, 902 feet, and Batcombe Hill, 864 feet.”

Dorset Coast Digital Archive Choose Interactive Maps & then Tithe Apportionments (Melcombe Horsey not yet onsite 24.2.2005)

St. Andrew’s Church, Melcombe Horsey
History & Description

There is evidence in the fabric of the current building that an earlier structure stood on this site. A fragment of a 12th century font is built into the East arch of the tower and there are two 13th century coffin lids are in the graveyard just to the West of the tower. The library of the Dorset County Museum holds records dating from AD 1150 onwards relating to this church. The present building appears to date from the 14th century, with the tower, nave and Bingham Chapel being mid-14th century. The door, South Porch and Horsey Chapel date from the late 15th century and the chancel was built in 1844. For information about the dedication to St. Andrew, see The Conversion of Wessex in the Records relating to Melcombe Horsey section, under Melcombe Horsey References in Books & Academic Papers.

The patrons were always the Lords of Melcombe Horsey. In 1919, the estate was sold by Captain G.H.L.F. Pitt-Rivers, but he retained the patronage. In 1925, a united benefice of Hilton, Melcombe Horsey & Cheselbourne was created. The Bishop of Salisbury presents for Hilton and the Pitt-Rivers family for the other two churches.

The South Porch and Horsey Chapel are clearly part of the same 15th century structure. The hood mould over the South window has the letters I and C interlaced on the left and an R on the right. I can find no note in the literature as to what these might represent. The hood moulding corbels of the Horsey Chapel represent male and female heads. There’s an upside down scratch dial on the South East buttress of the chapel.

The 1844 building of the chancel utilised: flint, dark brown ironstone, Purbeck Marble Rag, Purbeck and Ham stone.

Several Bingham memorials lie outside their family chapel, including an altar tomb.

The low embattled tower boasts turret stairs, a Decorated West Window and on its Northern side, a gargoyle.

The porch contains a Hamstone canopied niche and pedestals for three figure. High up and easily missed are two carved stone masks.

Inside the door on the right there is a niche, probably once containing a holy water stoop.

The Horsey Chapel is separated from the nave by an oak screen with the initials S.T.F. for Sir Thomas Freke and the date 1619 on the reverse side. Sir Ralph Horsey buried 1612 and his wife, Lady Edith buried 1628 lie beneath a Hamstone marker. There is an ogee arched piscina with a stone bracket above. The chapel has been laid out with the Jacobean communion table and the 1905 reredos, both taken from the chancel. The reredos was carved by a carpenter in Dewlish. The pews in the chapel are ancient. There are two figures in the chapel’s East window - St. Jerome and St. Augustine wearing academic robes and a pileus (doctor’s cap). Each is seated with a book and labelled in black letters. The glass is 15th century. There is a further fragment in a roundel. The South window contains the Turges arms (azure, a chevron between three crosslets fitche within a border or) in a vesica piscis supported by a figure. The Turges were Lords of Melcombe Horsey.

The chancel was apparently completely rebuilt in 1844. There is a Communion Table and a Jacobean chair. There are also two coffin stools, which the parish records show were made in 1789 and cost 14 shillings.

The Bingham Chapel contains numerous memorials and the blocked up rood loft stair can be seen. In 1929, the altar tomb stone was placed on the West wall to prevent further damage on the floor. It commemorates Richard and Joanna Bingham and dates to 1524. Joanna was the daughter of John Delalynde. A hatchment hangs in the chapel: Bingham quarters 1 & 6, Turbeville 2, Chaldicott 3, Pottinger 4, Batt 5. The chapel was restored in 1999. The new oak pews bear the Bingham coat of arms. The stone altar was commissioned from local sculptor, Leo Reynolds. The new floor is Marnhull stone. The chapel contains fragments of 14th & 15th century glass, including a crowned head with a halo.

On the North wall of the nave are memorials to the Bosworth Smith family, owners of the manor house from 1896 to 1948. Also commemorated is Robert Norris, a Colporteur (peddler) of the British and Foreign Bible Society who died in 1873. A war memorial brass plaque contains just two names from WW1, there thankfully being no casualties from the parish in WW2. The North window contains a rope intertwining the letters I and H, representing John Horsey. The window also contains tiller and rudder designs barded round with rope, plus a fish caught in a snare and other figures.

Remains on a fresco were found in 1824 when placing the memorial to Richard Bingham. One part was of a large St. Christopher carrying the Christ child over a stream containing fish and a mermaid with a comb and a looking glass. The other portion was of St. Michael weighing a soul, his left hand holding a bible and his right hand raised in benediction. Unfortunately, the fresco was plastered over again.

The West window is a memorial to Charles W. Bingham, Rector from 1842 to 1882. It is of the church’s patron saint, St. Andrew.

The present Norman font was brought from the chapel at Higher Melcombe in 1951. The earlier one, bought in Blandford in 1751, was given to the new church at Swanage.

In 1552, there were three bells.: O BEATA TRINITAS Dia. 39 ½ ins.; REGINA COELI ALLA ALLA Dia. 36 ins.; A LYCHE Bell. The Lyche bell was sold in 1844. The other two hang today in the belfry, but REGINA COELI is well travelled. In 1891, it was sold to raise money for church restoration and taken to Dorchester station. However, Wordsworth Bishop of Salisbury ordered its return to Melcombe Horsey. In 1920, it was sold again but wouldn’t fit at Sturminster Marshall. In 1923, it was bought back by a local resident. It remained on the tower floor until 1970, when it was re-hung and both bells were modified to chime only.

The history and description above have been freely borrowed from several sources, including the church guide and the proceedings of the Dorset Natural History & Archaeological Society. St. Andrew’s Church is open from 9am to 4pm but sits in the middle of a private estate. Access is allowed to the church, but keep strictly to the gravel path. It is a beautiful multi-coloured church in a picturesque setting, well worth a visit.

The current Rector, the Rev. Tony Monds, has an information page for the united parishes of Milton Abbas (St. James) Hilton (All Saints) Cheselbourne (St. Martin) & Melcombe Horsey (St. Andrew)

St. Andrew’s Church, Melcombe Horsey

Rectors & Patrons

From an article in Volume 73 (page 142) of the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History & Archaeological Society - Incumbents and Patrons, 1542-1731.

Incumbents

St. Andrew’s, Melcombe Horsey Parish

1289	Walter De Colerne	1582	Wm. Arnold
1302	Robert De Wynchecumb	1616	Robert Arnold
1335	Wm. Oleby	1648	Hope Sherard
1376	Wm. Stykelane	1658	Wm. Felton
1385	John Vowel	1660	John Martyn
	Wm. Cerne	1690	Nath. Highmore
1394	Stephen Frankeleyn	1723	John Pitt
1398	Robert Offcote	1733	John Hutchins
	Henry Chicele	1744	Thomas H. Stephens
1400	John Maylard	1775	Edmund Smith
1441	John Stacey	1814	John Davis
1463	John Nolton	1842	Charles W. Bingham
1465	Wm. Crampisley	1882	Joseph Hall
1466	Nicholas Kempston	1898	John H. Wilkinson
1468	John Bavys	1910	Henry De B. Dillon-Trenchard
1473	Richard Steward	1913	Pierce R. Butler
1476	Wm. Deneys	1923	Wm. Fenn
	Henry Thorp	1925	Harry A. Caryl
1488	Thomas Smyth	1954	Gwyn A. Thomas
1503	Wm. Synkelar	1967	Frank William Pugh
1512	Henry Criche	1971	Brian D. Colin
1522	John Loder	1973	David Pennal
1523	Augustin Horsey	1978	J. N. Michael Creed Meredith
1530	Reg. Dowle	1981	Stanley M. Royle
1554	Thomas Masters	1987	Robin S. Ferguson
1559	Robert Duck	1996	Justin M. Bailey

Below the board hangs a notice: Made From Timber Felled In Melcombe Park By Brigadier C. H. Woodhouse.

St. Andrew’s Church, Melcombe Horsey History & Description

St. Andrew’s Church, Melcombe Horsey

Rectors & Patrons

St. Andrew’s, Melcombe Horsey Parish

St. Andrew’s Church, Melcombe Horsey
History & Description