Dorset Pensioned Royalist Soldiers 1662-4

Transcribed and donated to the Dorset OPC Project by Kim Parker

Compiled from lists originally drawn up by Rev. R. G. BARTELOT from the Dorset Quarter Sessions Minute Books and published in 1924-5 in Somerset and Dorset Notes & Queries, volumes 18 and 19. Whereas Rev. Bartelot arranged his lists first by County division (of which there were seven), secondly by parish and finally, within each parish, alphabetically by the surname of the pensioned soldier, to aid those researchers who may only have limited grasp of Dorset geography, or who may not know the parish of residence of their ancestor(s) in the seventeenth century, I have created a single list arranged alphabetically by surname of the 735 pensioned soldiers. Amounts are annual pensions.

As Bartelot explains: At the time of the Restoration of King Charles the Second there were living in Dorset a number of men who had fought for King Charles the First in the Civil War. Naturally it was expected that something should be done for them in reward for their services. An Act of Parliament was passed to provide for them, and the machinery of the Quarter Sessions was set to work to seek out the survivors of the Royalist Army, examine their claims and provide immediate assistance and ultimately, pensions… To the historian these records reveal the localities in the County where Royalism prevailed, and also by their silence where the Roundheads were strongest. To the genealogist they supply pedigree links in a period when Parish Registers were to a large extent non-existent. Allowance must of course be made for those who had died between 1646 and 1662.

The preamble to the presentation of the list for Sherborne at the Quarter Sessions is typical of the sentiments expressed: "Upon the presentment of a list under the hands of Sir John Fitzjames Knt., and George Hussey Esq, two Justices of the Peace for this County in pursuance of an order of this Court made att the General Sessions of the Peace held at Bridport the 8th of October 1662 of such indigent souldiers within the Division of Sherborne as shewed themselves loyall and faithfull in the late warrs, and never deserted the sayd service. It is ordered by this Court that the Treasurer for the Western parte of this County doe for the present reliefe of the sayd souldiers, and which are mentioned in the list hereunto annexed, pay unto each of them the sume of 20 shillings. And this court will hereafter take it unto further consideration how to settle pensions on them according to their demeritts and as is directed in the late Act of Parliament."

SOURCE Somerset and Dorset Notes & Queries "Dorset Royalist Roll of Honour" Vol 18 Pages 89-95, 165-167, 200-203 & Vol 19 Pages 43-45, 139-142

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