George Fox was born on 19th July 1624 into the strongly puritan village of Drayton-in-the-Clay(1), in Leicestershire the eldest of four children of Christopher Fox a successful weaver by his wife Mary (nee Lago). His father was churchwarden of the local Episcopal Church and called 'Righteous Christer' in consequence of the strictness and sobriety of his life. Both he and his wife endeavoured to bring up their children in an exemplary manner according to the religion of the Episcopal Church. Fortunately his father was relatively wealthy, leaving him a substantial legacy when he died in the 1650's. The English Civil War erupted in 1642 and I have already given some background under the History of the Baptist Church in Dorchester to the Religious undercurrent to the dispute between the King and Parliament. Many dissenters joined Cromwell's Army and preached their own brand of religion as they moved about the countryside. A year into the the war, at the age of 19, George Fox left Drayton heading for London 'driven by an inner voice' and met many of these troops and self styled preachers garrisoned along the route. Over the next 5 years he traveled extensively meeting with religious leaders and gradually formed the basis of his own beliefs. In 1647 he began to preach in market towns, at appointed meetings of various kinds, and even in open fields and immediately began gathering followers.
Among his ideas were: (1) Rituals can be safely ignored, as long as one experiences a true spiritual conversion. (2) The qualification for ministry is given by the Holy Spirit, not by ecclesiastical study. This implies that anyone has the right to minister, assuming the Spirit guides them, including women and children. (3) God "dwelleth in the hearts of his obedient people": religious experience is not confined to a church building. Indeed, Fox refused to apply the word "church" to a building, using instead the name "steeple-house", a usage maintained by many Quakers today. Fox would just as soon worship in fields and orchards, believing that God's presence could be felt anywhere. Though Fox used the Bible to support his views, Fox reasoned that, because God was within the faithful, believers could follow their own inner guide rather than rely on a strict reading of Scripture or the word of clerics. His understanding of the Bible however was thorough and he used it ruthlessly to destroy what he saw as false arguments put forward by others.
George Fox was imprisoned a number of times, the first in 1648 as his views ran counter to established doctrine. He particularly took issue with the swearing of oaths, the paying of tithes, and the legal requirement to attend church but there were many others such as sobriety and a complete rejection of violence or the bearing of arms. In 1653 he had an audience with Oliver Cromwell who set him at liberty. He preached in Dorchester at least twice, first in 1655 when he took issue with the Baptists over their water baptism and again in 1659. Being a Charismatic and inspirational preacher wherever he went he gathered followers and in 1671/3 he visited America and met William Penn (1644-1718) who established the Quaker state of Pennsylvania. He died after a short illness on 13th January 1691 and was interred in the non conformist burial ground at Bunhill Fields.
The first 'Meeting of Friends' in Dorchester dates from the visit of George Fox to the town in 1655. Being a small persecuted sect it drew its membership from the surrounding area and Meetings were held at various locations with members traveling much greater distances to attend. Meetings are recorded as being held at Charminster, Dorchester, Poole, Shaston, Sherborne, Tarrent Monkton, and Weymouth with Poole having the largest congregation. I have extracted the following births, marriages and deaths from these records which relate to either meetings held in Dorchester or Dorchester residents attending meetings elsewhere(2). I have also completed a time-line below of events which affected this community and included references found which relate to known Quakers
1650 - An Act of Parliament made 'The Friends' liable to charges of Blasphemy and a magistrate bestows upon them the nickname 'Quakers'.
1654 - The earliest records of Meetings of Friends begins.
1655 - George Fox, first visit to Dorchester - See the History of the Baptist Church in Dorchester
1656 - In 'Fire from Heaven' by David Underdown states (page 219):- "Nor were the Quakers, the Baptists chief sectarian rivals, any more welcome. Several were imprisoned in Dorchester Gaol by the county magistrates in 1656. Persecution drove many abroad and 1656 saw the First Missionaries from the Society going to America
1658 - John WHITEWAY (1614-1679) (the brother of the famous diarist William Whiteway(1599-1635) was particularly hostile, and when he was Mayor of Dorchester in 1658 he often had Quakers whipped as vagrants.
1659 - George Fox - second visit to Dorchester
1661 - More than 4,000 Friends were released from prisons in a temporary relaxation of regulations following the end of the Commonwealth Regime
1662 - The Quaker Act enabled conventicles (unlicensed meetings) to be broken up (Act strengthened in 1664)
1666 - The Society's system of organisation was established. Each local congregation is called a Particular meeting which also has a meeting of discipline to manage it's affairs called a Preparative Meeting. All Preparative Meetings in one district send representatives to make up a monthly meeting, an executive body for the area in which all lands, meeting houses etc are vested. The Monthly Meetings in turn send representatives to a Quarterly Meeting and in Spring these send representatives to the London Yearly meeting - the first being held in 1668.
1670 - The second Conventicle Act imposed automatic fines on anybody attending or holding an unlicensed religious assembly and made Quakers the prey of informers
1672 - The Test Act required an oath of supremacy from all holders of public office. As Quakers would not take any oath at all this barred them from holding any position of authority.
1673 - The Society's Library was founded
1675 - The permanent standing committee of the Society was established called the Meeting for Suffering and is still so called today.
1676 - In 'Fire from Heaven' by David Underdown (page 243) ---"After the withdrawal of the Declaration of Indulgence dissenters were more often punished for being absent from their parish churches"---"Quakers were always fair game, and in the following spring (1676) two of them William BILES (BYLES) and Thomas STRONG, were presented at the Assizes".
1681 - In 'Fire from Heaven' by David Underdown in talking about the persecution of non-conformists states (page 242) " Before 1681 only the Baptists and Quakers suffered anything more than intermittent persecution" ---and ----"In the town even more than in the country harassment of dissenters was sporadic, varying according to the amount of pressure from above, the nature of the dissent (Quakers being the most and Presbyterians the least likely to suffer), and the inclinations of those temporarily in authority. Even in Dorchester it did not pay to speak out too robustly against the established church".
1682 - William Penn (1644-1718) founded Pennsylvania as a Quaker state
1689 - The Toleration Act ended persecution for non-attendance at church; but Quakers still suffered for non-payment of tithes.
1703/4 - March 3rd. A lease to Enoch Fortescue of two racks on the wast, for his life, and Samuel BEDLOE is permitted to put up a racke on the wast for 5s a year rent. [Extract from Municipal records of Dorchester page 497 C7. Note:- Samuel BEDLOE Senior (died 1726) a Quaker and Clothier by trade see 1710]
1706 - Quarter Session Records held at Shaston on 16th and 17th July 1706 - GODMANSTON: At this Court came Samuel BEDLOE & brought a Certificate that the house of Christopher PRYOR of Godmanston in this County is Intended to be set up to for the worship of God by a congregation of dissenting protestants called 'Quakers' and desired the same might be entered amongst the records of this Court. This Court doth thereupon Record the same, and the same is hereby recorded accordingly.
1710 - Samuel BEDLOE Senior - a Clothier by trade admitted as a member of the Company of Freemen in Dorchester on 27th Sep 1710 for a fee of £20 [source MRD page 430 see above]
1712 - Source:- History of Quakers in Dorchester - extract:- The first Quaker Meeting House was on the north side of what is now Colliton Street, Dorchester, when that street was known as Pease Lane. It was a cottage, purchased by the Quakers in 1712 for £44.8s.0d and needing some alteration. It had a nearby burial ground where 8 Quakers were buried between 1715 and 1739. The Meeting House was repaired in 1723 and a larger room for meetings created, work that was overseen by William Herbert on behalf of the Quarterly (Regional) Meeting. He was a very diligent Weymouth Quaker. etc
1715 - See entry below for 28 Jan 1715 - Quakers get their own burial ground in Dorchester
1718 - "The occupiers of the Quakers' meeting house (are to be) Charged upon the land rate." [ Source Churchwarden accounts of Holy Trinity Parish page 408 The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset by John Hutchins]
1737 - The Municipal Records of Dorchester confirm that the 'Quakers Meeting House' was situated in the parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester and was assessed at a rate of 6d in 1737 when the property was in the possession of --Antrim. Also on page 692; Samuel BEDLOE Junior was resident in St Peters Parish and paid a 3d burgage rate in 1737.
1753 - Quakers were exempted from Hardwicke's Marriage Act which restricted marriages to churches licenced for that purpose
1766 - The Municipal Records of Dorchester confirm that " The house called the Quaker Meeting in Holy Trinity Parish in the possession of ---Oxford, then unrated, was ordered to be charged on the assessment , 6th October 1766.
1778 - William WINZAR, of Fordington, and Robert MASTERS appeared to answer the complaint of the Rev. Thomas MOLLAND, that they had disturbed the congregation where the latter was preaching; they being discharged, there being no prosecution, 5th October 1778.
1782 - John LILL of Wool a Yeoman was indicted for similar offence, but found not guilty, 7th October 1782
recorded at, or associated with, Dorchester
NOTE:- The Society uses its own dating system. The names of months and days of the week are replaced by numbers . Before 1752 March was called the First Month; April , the Second; and so on. After 1752 January became the First Month. Sunday is the First day of the week , Monday the second and so on. This can lead to confusion over interpretation of the register dates so I have transcribed the numbers but insert an abbreviation for the month in brackets as below.
30 2 (Apr) 1657 - John the son of Elias NICHOLLS & Hannah his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- probably the 1st known child of Elias NICHOLAS who married a Hannah BAGG at Bridport on 26th day of December 1654]
04 5 (July) 1659 - Nicholas MASTERS of Glason Bradford died Aprisuer? for Tyth [Tything?] in Dorchester (Recorded as a death belonging to the Bradford Meeting)
- [Note:- He probably came from Bradford Abbas near Yeovil where 'Friends' certainly had their own burial ground before 1702. A Quaker, George Masters married at Bradford Abbas in 1669 who may have been from the same family]
05 7 (Sep) 1660 - Elias the son of Elias NICHOLLS & Hannah his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- probably the 2nd known child of Elias NICHOLAS who married a Hannah BAGG at Bridport on 26th day of December 1654]
20 1 (Mar) 1667 - Richard the son of Richard & Cassandra HOW was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- Richard HOW the father died at Fordington and was buried at St Georges Church on 8th Nov 1667. The Quakers did not have their own burial ground in Dorchester until 1715. He and his wife however had taken the precaution of having their children baptised at St Georges. Records prior to 1665 have not survived but they had a daughter Jane baptised at St Georges on 11th March 1665 and Richard whose posthumous birth is shown here was baptised at St Georges when he was 2 months old on 20th March 1667. Cassandra then appears to have remarried at Osmington to John STYLES on 10th Oct 1682. See also their son Richard HOW's marriage to Anna Seymour on 10th Sep 1700]
30 Nov 1668 - John PELMAN or PETMAN a Prisoner at Dorchester Gaol [Note Source Quaker burials at Sherborne Transcribed from Quaker records at Dorchester Records Office]
03 4 (Jun) 1670 - Elizabeth daughter of William BYLES (BILES) & Joanah his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- 1st child from the marriage of William BILES to Joannah HELLARD at All Saints Church in Dorchester on March 6th 1669. Elizabeth was baptised at All Saints Church on 14 Jun 1670 when her birth was given as being 3rd June 1670]
12 11 (Jan) 1671/2 - William son of William BYLES (BILES) & Joanah his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- 2nd child from the marriage of William BILES to Joannah HELLARD at All Saints Church in Dorchester on March 6th 1669. William was also baptised at All Saints Church on 12th Jan 1671 ]
02 12 (Feb) 1672/3 - George WEST of Wareham & Christian BURGES of Fordington in the County of Dorset were joined together as husband and wife (Recorded as a marriage belonging to Wareham Meeting)
02 7 (Sep) 1673 - Elizabeth the daughter of Samuel BEDLOE & of Dorothy his wife was born
- [Note:- 1st known child from the marriage of Samuel BEDLOE to Dorothy Unknown. She married John GALPIN on 2nd May 1705 see below]
04 7 (Sep) 1673 - George son of William BYLES (BILES) & Joanah his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- 3rd child from the marriage of William BILES to Joannah HELLARD at All Saints Church in Dorchester on March 6th 1669]
01 1 (Mar) 1675 - Joanah daughter of William BYLES (BILES) & Joanah his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- 4th child from the marriage of William BILES to Joannah HELLARD at All Saints Church in Dorchester on March 6th 1669]
16 2 (Apr) 1675 - Nathaniel the son of Samuel BEDLOE & Dorothy his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- 2nd known child from the marriage of Samuel BEDLOE to Dorothy Unknown. He died on 18 Feb 1676) see below]
18 12 (Feb) 1676 - Nathaniel the son of Samuel & Dorothy BEDLOE died (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting) [Note:- Born 16th Apr 1675]
24 1 (Mar) 1676/7 - Samuel the son of Samuel BEDLOE & Dorothy his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting) [Note:- died 13th June 1676]
- [Note:- 3rd known child from the marriage of Samuel BEDLOE to Dorothy Unknown. He died on 13th Aug 1677) see below]
13 6 (Aug) 1677 - Samuel the son of Samuel & Dorothy BEDLOE died (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting) [Note:- Born 24th Mar 1676/7]
20 7 (Sep) 1677 - Rebeckah the wife of Moses BEDLOE died (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
31 1 (Mar) 1678 - John son of William BYLES (BILES) & Joanah his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- 5th child from the marriage of William BILES to Joannah HELLARD at all Saints Church in Dorchester on March 6th 1669]
17 5 (July) 1678 - Dorathy the daughter Samuel BEDLOE & Dorathy his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- 4th known child from the marriage of Samuel BEDLOE to Dorothy Unknown. She married John WHITING at the Savoy in London on 1st Day of Nov 1709 see image of their marriage certificate below]
29 10 (Dec) 1681 - Mary the wife of Moses BEDLOE died (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
20 9 (Nov) 1681 - Edith the daughter of Samuel BEDLOE & Dorathy his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- 5th known child from the marriage of Samuel BEDLOE to Dorothy Unknown. She married Thomas CARTER on 29th july 1705 - See below]
27 4 (Jun) 1681 - Joseph the son of Samuel & Joan BEDLOE died (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
22 10 (Dec) 1681 - Moses the son of Moses BEDLOE & Mary his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
28 8 (Oct) 1683 - Rebeckah the daughter of Samuel BEDLOE & Dorathy his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- 6th known child from the marriage of Samuel BEDLOE to Dorothy Unknown.
26 10 (Dec) 1685 - Samuel the son of Samuel BEDLOE & Dorathy his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- 7th known child from the marriage of Samuel BEDLOE to Dorothy Unknown.Had a son he named Samuel BEDLOE baptised at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 3rd Nov 1717 who later married at St Georges Church in Fordington on 14th Jan 1740/1 to Sarah WINZAR] .
27 4 (Jun) 1687 - Dorothy the wife of Samuel BEDLOE died (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
- [Note:- Wife of Samuel Bedloe a clothier by trade - see births of their 7 children given above between 1673 and 1685.]
07 3 (May) 1690 - Elias NICHOLS of Bridport son of Elias NICHOLS of Dorchester Goldsmith deceased & Mary GUNDRY daughter of John GUNDRY of Evershot were joined together as husband and wife in the presence of Thomas KING; Thomas GUNDRY; Daniel TAYLOR; Humphrery SPRAGUE; John NICHOLLS; Richard LINCOLNE; John DANDO; Elias OSBOURNE; William SMITH; Sarah COLLINS &c (Recorded as a marriage belonging to the Bridport meeting)
08 8 (Oct) 1690 - John NICHOLS of Bridport son of Elias NICHOLS of Dorchester Goldsmith deceased & Rachel ROUND of Reading daughter of Nicholas ROUND Cursurgeon of the same were joined together as husband at a public meeting of the people called Quakers in Reading Berkshire in the presence of Nicholas ROUND; Elias OSBOURNE; Daniel TAYLPOR; William FERING; Thomas BAGG; William SMITH; William LAMBOLE; John BUY; William SPRAKMAN; Anne ROUND; Elizabeth ADDAMS and many others (Recorded as a marriage belonging to the Bridport meeting)
03 11 (Jan) 1690/1 - John the son of Daniel PAINTER & Elizabeth his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
23 10 (Dec) 1691 - Joseph son of Samuel BEDLOE & Joan his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
20 12 (Feb) 1692 - Mary the daughter of Samuel BEDLOE & Joan his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
14 11 (Jan) 1694/5 - Mary the daughter of Samuel & Joan BEDLOE died (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
23 11 (Feb) 1694/5 - Joseph son of Samuel BEDLOE & Joan his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
03 7 (Sep) 1696 - Richard JOLLET & Mary BRINE both of Fordington were joined together as husband & wife before sundry witnesses at a public Meeting of Friends at Dorchester
28 8 (Oct) 1696 - Richard JOLLET of Fordington died (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
12 2 (Apr) 1698 - Elias NICHOLLS of Bridport Mercer son of Elias NICHOLLS of Dorchester deceased & Elizabeth PRIEST of Pittminster Somersetshire daughter of George PRIEST of the same carrier were joined together as husband and wife at a public meeting of the people called Quakers held in Taunton in the presence of sundry witnesses as per Certificate more at large it doth appear
[day & month blank] 1700 - Benjamin the son of Samuel BEDLOE & Joan his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
10 9 (Nov) 1700 - Richard HOW of Dorchester a clockmaker & Anna SEYMOR daughter of Richard SEYMOR of Marnhull deceased were joined together as husband & wife at a public Meeting of the people called Quakers held at Sherborne in the presence of several witnesses
-
[Note:- Richard HOW (1667-1715) was born on 20th Jan 1667 at Fordington the son of a Quaker also called Richard HOW by his wife Cassandra (see above). Here recorded as a clockmaker the Municipal Records for Dorchester show that he took on an apprentice (Ralph the son of James NORMAN who was another Quaker) on 25th Sep 1707. Richard and Anna had 3 children whose births are recorded below and all referred to in his Will dated 29th May 1715 (1) Anna born 24th July 1702 and entered into the baptism register at St Peters on the same day (2) Richard born 9th Mar 1703 and entered into the baptism register of St Peters on 29th March 1703 where it specitically refers to Richard How being a Quaker and their son born but not baptised (3) Thomas born 7th Oct 1707 and entered into the baptism register at St Peters on 7th Oct 1707. His widow Anna lived until 30th Jan 1741/2 leaving a Will]
24 5 (July) 1702 - Anna the daughter of Richard HOW & Anna his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting) [Note:- 1st child see entry 10 Nov 1700 above]
09 1 (Mar) 1703 - Richard the son of Richard HOW & Anna his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting) [Note:- 2nd child see entry 10 Nov 1700 above]
24 8 (Oct) 1703 - Moses BEDLOE Senior of Fordington died (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
02 3 (May) 1705 - John GALPIN of Marnhull son of Stephen GALPIN of the same & Elizabeth BEDLOE daughter of Samuel BEDLOE of Dorchester were joined together as husband & wife at a public meeting of the aforesaid people at Dorchester in presence of John ELLIS, Richard HOW, Samuel BEDLOE, Moses BEDLOE, Benjamin CHAPPLE, James SEYMOR, Joan BEDLOE, Anna HOW, Edith BEDLOE, Mellion BAGG Etc. [Note:- Elizabeth BEDLOE was born 2nd Sep 1673 the daughter and eldest known child of Samuel BEDLOE a Clothier by trade by his wife Dorothy - see above]
20 5 (July) 1705 - Thomas CARTER son of Nicholas CARTER of Tarrent Monkton & Edith BEDLOE daughter of Samuel BEDLOE of Dorchester were joined together as husband & wife in the presence of many witnesses at a Meeting of Friends at Charminster (Recorded as a marriage belonging to Tarrent Monkton) [Note:- Edith was born 20th Nov 1681 the daughter of Samuel BEDLOE a clothier by Trade by his wife Dorothy]
22 5 (July) 1706 - William HARBERT of East Cowes in the Isle of Wight & County of Southton & Sarah BEERE of Weymouth were joined together as husband & wife at a public Meeting of Friends at Dorchester there before Sundry witnesses (Recorded as a marriage belonging to Weymouth Meeting)
29 7 (Sep) 1706 - Hannah the wife of John MAYO died at Dorchester and was buried at Weymouth the 30th of the same (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
07 8 (Oct) 1707 - Thomas the son of Richard HOW & Anna his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting) [Note:- 3rd child see entry 10 Nov 1700 above]
22 10 (Dec) 1707 - Humphry CARDER of Rye in the County of Sussex and Ann ANER daughter of John ANER of Weymouth were joined together as husband & wife at a public Meeting of Friends at Dorchester in presence of Sundry witnesses (Recorded as a marriage belonging to the weymouth Meeting)
1 Nov 1709 - John WHITING and Dorothy BEDLOE daughter of Samuel BEDLOE of Dorchester Clothier married at the Savoy in London on the 1st day of November 1709 (See extracted Image below from RG6/496 - available on Ancestry.com )
12 7 (Sep) 1710 - Jane the daughter of John & Jane INGRAM of Fordington died the 12th July 1710 & was buried at Weymouth the 15th of the same (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
30 3 (May) 1712 - William WHITE of Fordington died the 30th March 1712 & was buried at Weymouth the 1st of the 4th Month following (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
[Note:- Transcription of salient parts of the Letter of Administration (see right)
The first section is written in Latin.
-
Letter of Administration: Know all men by these presents that Mariam WHITE of Fordington in the County of Dorset Widow & Matthew WHITE of the same place Weaver are firmly bound unto Rev John YOUNGER of Sarum etc. -- This ninth day in the month of September AD 1713
The condition of this obligation is such that if the above bound Mary WHITE widow relict and administratrix of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of William WHITE late of Fordington intestate deceased do make or cause to be made a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased which have or shall come to the hands possession or knowledge of her the said Mary WHITE or into the hands and possession of any person or persons for her and the same so made do exhibit or cause to be exhibited into the Registry of the dean of Sarum at or before the last day of December next ensuing etc etc
The mark of Mary WHITE [M] - The mark of Matthew WHITE [MW]
Sealed and delivered into the presence of Thomas FFROME JP Affirmation of Maria WHITE a Quaker for Thomas HENCHMAN Junior
24 11 (Jan) 1714/5 - John ANGER [AUGER?] son & of the parish of Winsham in the County of Somerset & Mary JELLET [JOLLET] of Fordington widow were joined together as husband & wife at a Meeting held at Dorchester in the presence of many witnesses
28 1 (Mar) 1715 - Richard HOW of Dorchester died the 28th 1st Month (i.e. March) 1715 & was the first Friend interred in the burial ground there the 31st of the same [Link to transcription of his Will ]
09 9 (Nov) 1716 - Jane the daughter of John MEADER of Piddletown died the 9th of 9th month (i.e. Nov) 1716 & was buried at Dorchester the 11th of the same
04 2 (Apr) 1718 - John MEADER Senior of Piddletown died the 4th 2nd month (i.e. April) 1718 & was buried at Dorchester the 6th of the same
26 4 (Jun) 1718 - James SEYMER of Fordington Malster son of Richard SEYMOR of Marnhull deceased & Mary SMITH of Newbury in the County of Devon spinster daughter of John SMITH of the same deceased were joined together as husband & wife in the presence of Hannah SMITH; Daniel SMITH; Edward SMITH; Martha SMITH; John SMITH; Elias SMITH; Richard LEYMER; james WILLET; Thomas DYAT; Thomas BAGG; Joseph GILLET; John DIAMOND; John DYET; Mary OSBORNE; Elias OSBORNE junior; Sarah OSBORNE; Hannah OSBORNE; Mary HARDY; Ann BAGG; Anne SMITH; Hannah NICHOLES; Anne NICHOLES; Mary GUNDRY; Mary GILLET; Martha GILLET; John ASH; & Sundry others in a public Meeting at Membury
20 1 (Mar) 1718/19 - Hannah the daughter of James SEYMER & Mary his wife was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
20 1 (Mar) 1718/19 - Hannah the daughter of James & Mary SEYMOR died 20th 1st Month (i.e. March) 1718 & was buried the next day (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
26 2 (Apr) 1721 - Moses BEDLOE Junior of Fordington died the 26th 2nd month (i.e. April) 1721 & was interred in the Friends burial ground at Dorchester the 30th of the same
20 4 (Jun) 1722 - Benjamin CHAPPLE of Charminster died the 20th of the 4th Month (i.e. June) 1722 & was buried at Dorchester the 22nd of the same
01 7 (Sep) 1722 - Sarah the wife of Thomas DYATT junior of Bampston in Purbeck died at Fordington the 1st 7th month (i.e. Sep) 1722 & was buried at Dorchester the 6th of the same (Death also recorded at Corfe Meeting)
03 6 (Aug) 1726 - Samuel BEDLOE Senior of Dorchester died the 3rd of the 6th month (i.e. Aug) 1726 & was interred in Friends Burying ground the 7th of the same month
30 6 (Jun) 1727 - Joan BEDLOE widow of Samuel BEDLOE died ye 30th of the 6th month (i.e. Aug) 1727 & was buried in Friends Burial Ground at Dorchester
26 2 (Apr) 1730 - Ralph NORMAN died ye 26th of the 2nd month (i.e. April) & was buried at Dorchester ye 29th of ye same (Recorded at a Meeting of Charminster ) This record also seems to refer to his wife Margaret but does not seem to give a proper date for her death just the figure 172. Ancestry have entered as her death but it may be that she died in the 1720's.)
13 8 (Oct) 1731 - Robert THEDHAM of Dorchester son of Robert THEDHAM of Ringwood and Mary NORMAN daughter of James NORMAN of Charminster took each other in marriage at a public meeing of ye people called Quakers in Bridport before many witnesses as therin certificate appears (Recorded as a marriage belonging to the Charminster Meeting)
14 April 1732 - Mary WHITE a Quaker of Ffordington was Christened Ap: 2. 1732 [Note:- See entry in Bradford Peverell Parish Reggister - Ancestry.com Image 26 of 72]
16 10 (Dec) 1733 - Rebekah WICKENS daughter of John WICKENS and Sarah his wife was born at Dorchester the 16th of the 10th month (i.e. Dec) 1733 (Recorded at a Meeting of Reading and Warborogh)
30 1 (Mar) 1735 - Martha THEDHAM the daughter of Robert & Mary THEDHAM of Dorchester was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
21 8 (Oct) 1736 - James Norman THEDHAM son of Robert & Mary THEDHAM of Dorchester was born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
12 8 (Oct) 1739 - Mary ye wife of James NORMAN Senior of Charminster died the 10th of the 8th month (i.e. Oct) 1739 & buried ye 12th at Dorchester (entered and in Charminster too by mistake)
30 10 (Dec) 1739 - Joseph the son of Robert and Mary THEDHAM born (recorded as a birth belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
30 11 (Jan) 1741/2 - Anna HOW Senior departed this life ye 30th of the 11th month (i.e. Jan 1741/2) (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting)
22 Apr 1743 - John ANTRAM of Woodford departed this life ye 22nd of ye (Recorded as a death belonging to the Dorchester Meeting) [Note:- The Woodsford parish Register has an entry for John ANTRAM being buried on 26th Feb 1743]
27 9 (Nov) 1747 - James NORMAN Senior departed this life at his house in Charminster (Recorded as a death belonging to Dorchester Meeting) [Note:- James NORMAN recorded as a Quaker was buried at Charminster on 2nd Dec 1747]
14 Dec 1747 - Joseph WHITE of Poole : DEBT:- Trancription of below document " Joseph WHITE of the town and County of Poole Merchant, being one of the people called Quakers, affirmeth and saith that he is a creditor to Henry BOULES of Charlton Marshall in the County of Dorset yeoman deceased, by Bond principal sum of Two hundred & twenty pounds, and one hundred and ninety pounds two shillings and six pence for Interest thereof. Signature Jos [Joseph] WHITE
Affirmed at the Town & County of Poole the fourteenth day of December in the year of our Lord 1747 Before me. Commissioner in the Kings Bench
[Note:- Henry BOLES, recorded as a Yeoman, was buried at Charlton Marshall on 22nd Nov 1747. Joseph WHITE was a very rich man trading with Newfoundland where he also owned property etc. For example his extensive will dated 20th June 1771 refers to a bequest of £10,000 in trust to enable executors to continue his trade there - also refers to my boats and fishing craft, goods effects stocks etc -- my ships and vessels in Great Britain and Newfoundland etc etc. It was proved at London on 12th Aug 1771. There is also a record of his marriage by licence 28th Oct 1756 at Poole to Jane HILEY of Great Canford ]
01 11 (Jan) 1747/8 - [Image cuts off Christian name] daughter of Sarah died the beginning of ye 11th month 1747/8 (Recorded as a death belonging to Dorchester Meeting)
16 12 (Feb) 1748 - Dorothy WHITING Late of Holborn who died in the Parish of Nicholas Acres aged about 72 years the 16th of the 12th month 1748 'Searches report of a fever'. [Note:- Dorothy WHITING nee BEDLOE see marriage above - Qaker BMD,s London Middlesex Monthly Meetings of Peel's Court John St Westminster 1668-1775 Ancestry.com image 382 of 470]
27 11 (Jan) 1833 - Gertrude Mary the daughter of Edwin Octavious & Jenepher TREGELLES resident at Neath in the County of Glamorgan [South Wales] a Civil Engineer was born at Dorchester in the parish of St Peters (so called) County of Dorset (Recorded at a meeting of Carmarthenshire and glamorganshire) Also a Certificate under Wales " On the 27th day of the eleventh month (i.e. January) one throusan eight hundred and thirty three was born at Dorchester in the Parish of St Peters (So called) in the County of Dorset unto edwin Octavious TREGELLES of Neath in the County of Glamorgan, a Civil Engineer, and jenepher his wife , a daughter who is named Gertrude Mary we who were present at the said birth have subscribed our names as witnesses Christ (Chrisopher) ARDEN Surgeon Dorchester Mary Johnson of Shrewsbury the mark of Fanny Daws of Dorchester
Genealogical Notes:-
(1). Drayton-in-the-Clay is now called Fenny Drayton. Source material includes the Memoir of the Life of George Fox, Friends Library by William & Thomas Evans; Wikipedia which has its own list of source material and George Fox An Autobiography Edited with an Introduction and Notes by Rufus M. Jones, M.A., Litt. D.Professor of Philosophy in Haverford College
(2). RG6/1032 is now available to view on ancestry.com for those with membership and can be accessed through the card index (search for Quaker - not Quakers to access the file 'England & Wales, Quaker birth, Marriage, and Death Registers, 1538-1837').