Melcombe Horsey

Directories etc.

1807     1831     1844     1851     1855     1859     1875     1889     1895     1915

Melcombe Horsey Entries in the 1807 Dorset Poll Book

 

Freeholder's Name      Residence                    Situation of Freehold   Occupier's Name         Page

BINGHAM R. Esq          Melcombe Horsey          Worth Matravers            FURMEDGE Robert       011

DAVIS John                   Oak Hill Somerset          Melcombe Horsey         

DAVIS Richard              087

 

 

A Topographical Dictionary of England. Samuel Lewis, London 1831.

 

MELCOMBE-HORSEY, a parish in the hundred of WHITEWAY, Cerne subdivision of the county of DORSET, 8½ miles (W.S.W.) from Blandford-Forum, containing 153 inhabitants.

The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Dorset, and diocese of Bristol, rated in the king's books at £16. Lord Rivers was patron in 1814. The church is dedicated to St. Andrew. In the vicinity are the remains of the hamlet of Melcombe-Bingham, consisting only of foundations of houses. On an eminence, called Nettlecombe Tout, is a square encampment, occupying a space of twenty acres.

Volume 3, page 276

 

 

A Topographical Dictionary of England. Samuel Lewis, London 1844 (5th Edition).

Transcribed from a privately owned copy.

A Topographical Dictionary Of England

Comprising The Several Counties, Cities, Boroughs, Corporate, And Market Towns, Parishes, And Townships, And The Islands Of Guernsey, Jersey And Man,

 With

 Historical And Statistical Descriptions

 And Embellished With

 Engravings Of The Arms Of The Cities, Bishoprics, Universities, Colleges, Corporate Townships, And Boroughs, And Of The Seals Of The Various Municipal Corporations.

 Published By S. Lewis And Co., 13 Finsbury Place South, London

 

Melcombe-Horsey (St.Andrew), a parish, in the union of Cerne, hundred of Whiteway, Cerne Division of Dorset. 8½ miles (W.S.W.) from Blandford-Forum; containing, with the hamlet of Hartsfoot Lane, 173 inhabitants. The parish comprises by computation 2,000 acres: many of the labouring class are employed in making hurdles, spars, and other articles of wood for the farmers in the neighbourhood.

 

 

Hunt & Co.'s Directory of Dorset, Hants., Wilts. & Som., 1851

 

Melcombe Horsey, a village 7 miles W. from Cerne, and 9 N.E. from Dorchester, it contains a small church, the living of which is a rectory. Here is a Free School supported by the lord of the manor. The parish comprises 2,151 acres, and had in 1841, 200 inhabitants.

Bingham Capt. Richard Hipsley, Melcombe House

Bingham Rev. Chas. Wm. M.A., Melcombe House

Davis James, farmer

Free School, mistress Smith Eliza

Moors Humphrey, farmer

Moors Robt., blacksmith & grocer  

Stickland John, grocery, &c.dealer

 

 

Post Office Directory of Dorsetshire, 1855

 

Melcombe Horsey, with Melcombe Bingham, the residence of the Bingham family, form a parish in Cerne Union, 9 miles north-east from Dorchester, 7 west from Cerne, and 9 south-by-west from Blandford. The church is a small Gothic structure, with low tower. The living is in the gift of Lord Rivers, who is lord of the manor, and owns about four-fifths of the parish; the Rev. Charles Wm. Bingham, M.A., is the rector. Here is a Free school, supported entirely by his lordship and the rector. Population, in 1851, was 191; acres 2,151.

Harefoot Lane is partly in this parish; Hatherley is 2 miles north of Melcombe Horsey; Nordon, half a mile north; Nettlecomb Tout, 1 mile north-west; Liscomb, 2 miles south-west; on Hog Hill, Highdon, and Henning Hill, are barrows.

Melcombe Bingham.

GENTRY

Bingham Capt. Richard Hipsley, Melcombe House

Bingham Rev. Charles William, M.A.

Melcombe Horsey.

Davis James, farmer

Killoway William, dairyman

Moors Humphrey, farmer

Moors Robert, blacksmith & shopkeeper

Smith Eliza (Mrs.), mistress of Free school

Strickland John, shopkeeper

Letters received from Dorchester via Piddletown. The nearest money order office is at Cerne Abbas.

  

Post Office Directory of Dorsetshire, 1859

 

Melcombe Horsey, with Melcombe Bingham, the residence of the Bingham family, forms a parish in Cerne Union, Dorchester county court district, 9 miles north-east from Dorchester, 7 west from Cerne, and 9 south-by-west from Blandford diocese of Salisbury, archdeaconry of Dorset, and deanery of Whitchurch. The church of St. Andrew is a small Gothic structure, with low tower. The living is a rectory, annual value £342, with residence, in the gift of Lord Rivers, who is lord of the manor, and owns about four-fifths of the parish; the Rev. Charles Wm. Bingham, M.A., is the rector. Here is a Free school, supported entirely by his lordship and the rector. Population, in 1851, was 191; acres 2,151.

On Hog Hill, Highdon, and Henning Hill, are barrows.

Melcombe Bingham.

Bingham Col. Richard Hipsley, Melcombe House

Bingham Rev. Charles William, M.A.

Groves Levi, farmer

Killoway John, dairyman

Melcombe Horsey.

COMMERCIAL

Burden Cornelius, parish clerk

Davis James, farmer

Killoway Joseph, dairyman

Moors Humphrey, farmer

Moors Robert, blacksmith & shopkeeper

Strickland John, shopkeeper

Letters received from Dorchester via Piddletown. The nearest money order office is Piddletown.

 

 

Post Office Directory of Hampshire, Wiltshire & Dorset, 1875

 

Melcombe Bingham is a parish, in Cerne union, Dorchester county court district, rural deanery of Whitchurch, archdeaconry of Dorset, and dioceses of Salisbury, 10 miles north-east from Dorchester, 8 east from Cerne, and 9 south-by-west from Blandford. The church of St. Andrew is a small gothic structure, situate at the extreme south-eastern verge of the parish, near the ancient mansion of the Binghams; it comprises tower, chancel, nave, and two chantries or transepts, the south one being appropriated to the possessors of Melcombe Horsey, and that on the north to the family of Bingham: here are some interesting fragments of ancient glass, and monuments to the above family. The register dates from the year 1690. The living is a rectory, yearly value £300, with residence, in the gift of Lord Rivers, and held by the Rev. Charles William Bingham, M.A., rural dean, and formerly fellow of New College, Oxford. Here is a school supported by his lordship, the Bingham family, and Government. Binghams Melcombe house is an ancient structure, somewhat earlier than the reign of Elizabeth: there is a gate house leading to a courtyard, and the buildings are generally in their original state; an ancient bowling green and fish ponds are contiguous to the house; it is now in the occupation of John Baines, esq. Lord Rivers is lord of the manor and chief landowner. The area is 2,151 acres; gross estimated rental, £2,381; rateable value £2,134; the population in 1871 was 190.

On Hog Hill, Highdon, and Henning Hill are barrows.

Parish Clerk, Charles Drake.

Post Office – John Stickland, receiver. Letters received from Dorchester via Puddletown at 9 a.m.; despatched 4.30 p.m. The nearest money order and telegraph office is at Abbey Milton.

National School, Miss Mary Cox, mistress

 

Baines John, Binghams Melcombe ho.               

Bingham Rev. Chas. William M.A., J.P                                       

 

COMMERCIAL                                     

Burden John, dairyman                          

Chaldecott James, blacksmith

Groves Levi, farmer

Kingman George, dairyman

Lovibond George, commercial traveller

Moors Ann (Mrs.), shopkeeper

Moors Humphrey, farmer

Stickland John, shopkeeper

Watts Vile Board, farmer

 

 

Kelly's Directory of Dorsetshire, 1889

 

MELCOMBE BINGHAM (or Melcombe Horsey) constitutes a parish, 10 miles north-east from Dorchester, 8 east from Cerne and 9 south-west from Blandford, in the Western division of the county, hundred of Whiteway, petty sessional division of Cerne, Cerne union, Dorchester county court district, rural deanery of Whitchurch Bere Regis portion, archdeaconry of Dorset and diocese of Salisbury. Melcombe Bingham, otherwise Bingham's Melcombe, is the eastern portion, in which the church and Bingham House are situate. Melcombe Horsey is the western portion, and covers the greatest area, and in which Melcombe Horsey House is situate, nearly two miles from the church: originally the whole parish was known by the latter title. The church of St. Andrew is a small Gothic structure, situate near the ancient mansion of the Binghams: it consists of chancel, nave, two chantries or transepts, the south one being appropriated to the possessors of Melcombe Horsey, and that on the north to the family of Bingham, south porch and a western embattled tower containing 2 bells: here are some interesting fragments of ancient glass and monuments to the above families: there are 180 sittings. The register dates from the year 1690. The living is a rectory, gross yearly value £290, with residence, in the gift of Lieut.-Gen. A. H. L. Fox-Pitt-Rivers D.C.L., F.R.S., and held since 1882 by the Rev. Joseph Hall B.A. of London University. Bingham Melcombe House, the property of the Bingham family, is a structure somewhat earlier than the reign of Elizabeth: there is a gate-house leading to a courtyard, and the buildings are generally in their original state: an ancient bowling green and fish ponds are contiguous to the house: it is at present occupied by Edward John Eyre esq. Lieut.-Gen. A. H. L. Fox-Pitt-Rivers is lord of the manor and chief landowner. The soil is a varied loam: subsoil, chalk. The chief crops are wheat, roots and some land in pasture. The area is 2,151 acres: rateable value £1,801; the population in 1881 was 188.

On Hog Hill, Highdon, and Henning Hill are barrows.

Parish Clerk, Charles Drake.

Post Office -- Mrs. Caroline Chaldecott, receiver. Letters received from Dorchester, via Puddletown, at 7.45 a.m.; dispatched at 4.45 p.m.; there is no delivery or dispatch on Sundays. The nearest money order and telegraph office is at Milton Abbas. Postal orders are issued here, but not paid.

School (mixed) for 55 children; average attendance 39; supported in part by Lieut.-Gen. A. H. L. Fox-Pitt-Rivers D.C.L., F.R.S. & others; Miss. Elizabeth Alice Gale, mistress.

 

Eyre Edward Jn., Bingham's Melcombe ho

Hall Rev. Joseph B.A., Rectory

Chaldecott Jas, blacksmith & shopkeeper

Hansford Edward, dairyman, Newton

Watts Richard Caines, farmer, Melcombe Horsey house

 

 

Kelly's Directory of Dorsetshire, 1895

 

MELCOMBE BINGHAM (or Melcombe Horsey) constitutes a parish, 10 miles north-east from Dorchester stations on the London and South Western and Great Western Railways, 8 east from Cerne and 9 south-west from Blandford station on the Midland and South Western railway, in the Western division of the county, hundred of Whiteway, petty sessional division of Cerne, Cerne union, Dorchester county court district, rural deanery of Whitchurch (Bere Regis portion), archdeaconry of Dorset and diocese of Salisbury. Melcombe Bingham, otherwise Bingham's Melcombe, is the eastern portion, in which the church and Bingham House are situate. Melcombe Horsey is the western portion, and covers the greatest area, and in which Melcombe Horsey House is situate, nearly two miles from the church: originally the whole parish was known by the latter title. The church of St. Andrew is a small Gothic structure near the ancient mansion of the Binghams, and consists of chancel, nave, two chantries or transepts, the south one being appropriated to the possessors of Melcombe Horsey, and that on the north to the family of Bingham, south porch and a western embattled tower containing 2 bells: here are some interesting fragments of ancient glass and monuments to the above families: there are 180 sittings. The register dates from the year 1690. The living is a rectory, average tithe-rent charge £210, gross yearly value £260, net £200, with 20 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of Lieut.-Gen. A. H. L. Fox-Pitt-Rivers, and held since 1882 by the Rev. Joseph Hall B.A. of the University of London. Bingham Melcombe House, the property of the Bingham family, is a structure somewhat earlier than the reign of Elizabeth: there is a gate-house leading to a courtyard, and the buildings are generally in their original state: an ancient bowling green and fish ponds are contiguous to the house: it is at present occupied by Col. Richard Charles William Bingham. Lieut.-Gen. A. H. L. Fox-Pitt-Rivers is lord of the manor and chief landowner. The soil is a varied loam: subsoil, chalk. The chief crops are wheat, roots and some land in pasture. The area is 2,151 acres: rateable value £1,324; the population in 1891 was 182.

On Hog Hill, Highdon, and Henning Hill are barrows.

Parish Clerk, Charles Drake.

Post, M. O. & T. O. S. B., Express Delivery & Annuity & Insurance Office -- Mrs. Caroline Chaldecott, sub-postmistress. Letters received from Dorchester, via Puddletown, at 8 a.m.; dispatched at 4.45 p.m.; there is no delivery or dispatch on Sundays.

School (mixed) for 55 children; average attendance 39; supported in part by Lieut.-Gen. A. H. L. Fox-Pitt-Rivers D.C.L., F.R.S. & others; Mrs. Elizabeth Alice Brown, mistress.

Carrier to Dorchester – Coombs passes through on sat.

 

Bingham Col. Richard Charles Wm., Bingham Melcombe house

Hall Rev. Joseph B.A., Rectory

Chaldecott James, blacksmith & shopkeeper, Post office

Groves Ernest, farmer, Newton

Watts Richard Caines, farmer, Melcombe Horsey house

 

 

Kelly's Directory of Dorset, 1915

 

MELCOMBE BINGHAM (or Melcombe Horsey) constitutes a parish, 11 miles north-east from Dorchester stations on the London and South Western and Great Western Railways, 10 miles east from Cerne and 10 south-west from Blandford station on the Midland and South Western Junction railway, in the Western division of the county, hundred of Whiteway, petty sessional division of Cerne, Cerne union, Dorchester county court district, rural deanery of Whitchurch (Bere Regis portion), archdeaconry of Dorset and diocese of Salisbury. Melcombe Bingham, otherwise Bingham's Melcombe, is the eastern portion, in which the church and the old Manor House are situate. Melcombe Horsey is the western portion, and covers the greatest area, including Melcombe Horsey House, which is nearly two miles from the church: originally the whole parish was known by the latter title. The church of St. Andrew is a small building in the Gothic style, and consists of chancel, nave, two chantries or transepts, south porch and an embattled western tower containing 2 bells: here are some interesting fragments of ancient glass and monuments to the families of Bingham and Horsey: the church affords 180 sittings. The register dates from the year 1690. The living is a rectory, net yearly value £180, with 20 acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of A. E. L. Fox-Pitt-Rivers esq. and held since 1912 by the Rev. Pierce Rollo Butler. Bingham Melcombe House, once the property of the Bingham family, but now belonging to and occupied by Mrs. Bosworth Smith, is a mansion the earliest part of which dates from the Plantagenet period: the latter and more ornamental portion belongs to the reign of Elizabeth: there is a gate-house leading to a courtyard, and the buildings are generally in their original state: near the house is an ancient bowling green and fish ponds, and a yew hedge of gigantic size. Alexander Edward Lane Fox-Pitt-Rivers esq. Who is lord of the manor of Melcombe Horsey, Mrs. Bosworth Smith, lady of the manor of Melcombe Bingham, Mr. Robert N. Tory and Sir Everard A. Hambro K.C.V.O. are the chief landowners. The soil is a varied loam; subsoil, chalk. The chief crops are wheat, roots and land in pasture. The area is 2,151 acres: rateable value £1,079; the population in 1911 was 151.

On Hog Hill, Highdon, and Henning Hill are barrows.

Parish Clerk, Charles Mears.

Post, M. O. & T. & Telephonic Express Delivery (for places within a limited distance)--Mrs. Minerva Pearman, sub-postmistress. Letters received from Dorchester, via Puddletown, at 8.20 a.m. & 3.15 p.m.; dispatched at 9.10 a.m. & 5 p.m.; there is no delivery on Sundays.

Elementary School (mixed) for 51 children; supported in part by voluntary subscriptions; Mrs. Elizabeth Alice Brown, mistress.

Carrier to Dorchester – Coombs passes through on wed. & sat.

 

Ashburnham Maj. Cromer, Newton Ho.

Butler Rev. Pierce Rollo (rector), Rectory

Smith Mrs. Bosworth, Bingham Melcombe House

 

COMMERCIAL

Brown Samuel, blacksmith

House Harriet (Miss), shopkeeper

Kent Frank Oliver, farmer, Melcombe Horsey House

Marsh Frederick, shopkeeper

Matthews Henry, farm bailiff to Robert N. Tory, Newton

Pearman Anthony, drug & stationery stores, Post Office

 

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