Winterborne Anderson

Anderson is a village and civil parish in the North Dorset district of Dorset, about twelve miles by road from Poole and six from Blandford, with a population of 72 (as per the 2001 census). It forms part of the ecclesiastical parish of Winterborne Zelston with Tomson and Anderson. In the reign of Edward II (1307-1327) the village was referred to as “Vifhache” and later called “Five Ash”, a designation that lives on in the village today in the name of a cottage. Shortly after that, a document mentions Henry de Sameford as being the Rector of the Chapel of “Andreuston”.

Sometimes known as Winterborne Anderson (after the winter stream that runs just to the north of the Churchyard), it is the sixth out of eight villages on the Winterborne: Houghton, Stickland, Whitechurch, Kingston, Muston, Anderson, Tomson and Zelston.

At the time of the Domesday Book, Anderson Manor was held by William de Schohies (Stokes), then by the Turbervilles and in 1450 was taken over by the Mortons. It was the latter family who started to build the present Manor house in 1613, but sold it to John Tregonwell of Milton Abbas before finishing it. Completed in 1622, Anderson Manor is considered to be one of the best small Jacobean manor houses in the country. Built in brick and stone, it is a stately building, endowed with high gables, mullioned windows and towering chimneys.

The Court Leet was held around Martinmas (11 November) right up until about 1905. The Town Crier would go round with his bell to inform the local people when the court was to take place. After the court sitting, the Lord of the Manor would visit all his cottages to check for repairs. The house remained in the Tregonwell family until 1910 and was used as a Commando headquarters during World War II. (Two more pictures of the church are at the foot of the page)

The OPC for Winterborne Anderson is Kim Parker

All records are online but if you can't find what you need online please contact Kim putting 'Dorset-OPC' in the subject line