Shaftesbury

SHAFTESBURY or Shaston is an ancient town & borough, both corporate and parliamentary, having separate jurisdiction, it is 21 miles S.W. from Salisbury, 16 N.E. from Sherborne, 28 miles N.N.E. from Dorchester, a similar distance W.N.W. from Poole, and 101 W,S,W, from London, on a shaft-like eminence-hence its name, - at the at the north eastern confines of the county, bordering upon Wiltshire.  Many antiquarians agree that this town was built by Alfred the Great, but tradition ascribes its origin to a much earlier  era, however this may be it is duly authenticated that in the 88th year of the 9th century, Alfred founded here an abbey for Benedictine nuns, this building occupied a great extent of ground, although its site is scarcely  now discernible.  The abbess of Shaftesbury was one of the four that held the entire barony of the Crown, in consequence of which she was liable to be summoned to parliament, but was excused on account of her sex.  This richly-endowed monastery was greatly resorted to by pilgrims from far & near, who came to worship at the shrine of Edward the Martyr, whose bones were brought from Wareham and re-interred in the Abbey, and many were the miracles said to have been wrought at his tomb.  Among the devotees was the illustrious Danish king Canute, who died here and whose mortal remains were deposited within the abbey walls. Shaftesbury was originally incorporated by Queen Elizabeth; at present the municipal body consists of 12 councilmen and 3 aldermen, from whom a mayor is annually elected, the borough sends one member to parliament, and is one of the polling stations at elections. The town, which is lighted with gas, consists principally of three narrow, ill-contrived and partially-paved streets, diverging from a centre, and the houses although mostly built of stone, have no pretensions to either elegance or uniformity, being ancient buildings of irregular construction.  The local supply of water is  obtained from deep wells, but is inadequate to the consumption of the town, so that the inhabitants are  compelled to have recourse to a stream that flows in the adjoining valley, and were formerly supplied from the village of Motcombe, through the medium of pack-horses.  A great part of the land hereabouts belongs  to the Marquis of Westminster, who has somewhat improved the appearance of Shaftesbury by causing a few years since, a handsome Town Hall, and Infant School and several neat houses to be erected, and rumour reports, that the same nobleman has projected and is about to effect other alterations and additions,  of a character calculated to improve the appearance of the town and confer a benefit on its inhabitants.  At one period the making of wire shirt buttons furnished employment to many females here, but this trade is  now nearly extinct.  This locality is famous for its excellent dairy produce, much of which is brought to this town and sold or exchanged for other commodities, but a large portion of it fins its way to other markets. There were anciently twelve churches at Shaftesbury, at the present period there are but three, viz: Holy Trinity, St. Peter's & St. James's, the livings of the two former are consolidated.  Holy Trinity Church was erected a few years ago upon the site of its aged predecessor; it is a neat structure in the Gothic style. St. James's , a plain edifice, is in the liberty of Alcester.  The Independents, Welseyan Methodists and Society of Friends, have each a Chapel here.  The charities consist of a Blue Coat Free school, where 20 boys are clothed and instructed, and after being in the establishment for four years, a liberal sum is allotted to each for  binding him to any trade he may prefer.  Mr William Lush was the founder of this excellent institution. Alms-houses for men and women were founded and endowed by Sir William Spiller, knt. and Mr Matthew  Chubb.  Here are likewise two schools upon the National system, and one upon the British.  Fairs for cattle, sheep, cheese and agricultural products, are held on the Saturday previous to Palm Sunday, June 24th and November 23rd, and a weekly market on Saturday.  In 1841 the population was 3170. At Shaftesbury the antiquarian will find ample materials for his research and reflection in its two "time-honoured" Churches, as well as in the domestic architecture of many of its ancient houses, whilst the artist or the admirer  of nature in her rustic garb, may satiate his eye in viewing the numerous charming landscapes that surround its rural suburbs, and in the conspicuous heights of Quantock and Glastonbury Tor, the hills of Wilts terminated towards the north by Alfred's tower, and, if the day be clear, the view is extended to the south-east as far as the distant hills of Purbeck isle.

POST OFFICE and Money Order Office Angel Square

Post master      Richard Buckland

Letters delivered from London & the North at 8 a.m. & the West of England, &c. at 9 a.m.

Letters for London and the North must either be posted before 5.50 p.m.or with an extra stamp affixed before 6.20 p.m., otherwise they will not be forwarded before the next day's mail.  Letters for the West of England must either be posted before 3.30 p.m. or with an extra stamp affixed to each before 3.50 p.m.

GENTRY   CLERGY &c.

Batten;   Mr William;   Barton Hill House

Bennett;   Miss Mary;   St. James;    

Chitty;   Mr Thomas B.;   Bimport;  

Buckland;   Mr Jas. L.;   Church Lane;    

Buckland;   Mr Richard;   Church Lane;    

Burridge;   Mr William;   Barton Hill;    

Cotton;   Rev. John W.;   Bell St.;    (Wesleyan Minister)

Edwards;   Mr William;   Bell St.;    

Evans;   Rev. Thomas;   Grosvenor House;    (Independent Minister)

Jones;   Rev. Thomas;   Coppice St.;    (Wesleyan Minister)

Patteson;   Rev.William M.A.;   St. James;    

Peace;   Rev. Peter;   Tout Hill;    

Rake;   Mr Beaven;   St. James;  

Stanton;   Rev. Thomas M.A.;   Castle Hill House;   (Rector)

Stokes;   Capt. William;   Salisbury St.;    

Storey;   Mr William;   High St.;    

Thomas;   Mr Edwin;   St. James;    

Thomas;   Mr John Clark;   St. James;    

Thomas;   Miss Ann;   Bell St.;    

Tucker;   Mrs Eliza;   Bimport;  

MISCELLANY of Traders &c

Blanchard;   Jas.;    Bell St.;   chairmaker

Boucher;   Thomas;   Salisbury St.;    wire worker

Buckland;   Richard Buckland;   Salisbury St.;    music teacher

Campbell;   Elizabeth & Son;   High St.;    china & glass dealers

Corben;   Mrs Sarah;   St. James;    

Davey;   John;    High St.;   late supervisor

Denbeigh;   Richard Buckland;   Bell St.;    gingerbread baker

Dowland;   Charles;   High St.;    hatter

Dyke;   Edward;   Parsons Pool;   agent to Ford & Co. carriers

Ford;   Samuel;   High St.;   corn dealer

Hallett;   James;    Parsons Pool;   fishmonger

Hardy;   William;   Bell St.;    plasterer

Hussey;   Robert;   St. James;    registrar births & deaths

Jackson;   Mary;    Bimport;   language teacher

Kitto;   Jas.;    Bell St.;   supervisor

Langton;   John S.;   High St.;    inland revenue officer

Maidment;   Matthew;   High St.;    County Court bailiff

Perkins;   George;   Bell St.;    umbrella maker

Perry;   Charles;   High St.;    clothier

Phillips;   George;   High St.;    banker's clerk

Raymond;   John & Son;   Parsons Pool;    surveyors

Sheppard;   Jas.;    High St.;   cooper

Shirley;   Thomas;   Coppice St.;    pawnbroker

Vincent;   David;    Bell St.;   chimney sweeper

AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS

Guy;   Charles;   High St.;   (& broker)

New;   Alfred Hiscock;    High St.;  

BAKERS

Barnes;   William;   Bell St.;    

Fricker;   Thomas;   Mustons Lane;    

Grimes;   John;    High St.;  

Higgins;   Thomas;   Bimport;  

Smith;   James;    Salisbury St.;  

Thick;   David;    Bell St.;  

BANKERS

National Provincial Bank of England;   Macklin;    Jas. William;   High St.;   manager

Storey & Thomas;    ;   High St.;    

Savings Bank;   Swyer;    Walter;   High St.;    actuary

BEER RETAILERS

Fry;   Jeremiah;   Gold Hill;  

Jeanes;   George;   Salisbury St.;    

Jeanes;   James;    St. James;  

BLACKSMITHS

Bowren;   Charles;   Park Lane ;    (& edge tool maker)

Gatehouse;   John;    Salisbury St.;  

Snook;   Isaac;    St. James;  

BOOKSELLERS  STATIONERS & PRINTERS

Bastable;   Charles;   High St.;    

Highman;   William;   High St.;    

Hurd;   Ring;   High St.;  

Roberts;   George M. & David;   High St.;    

Rutter;   Clarence;   High St.;    (& circulating library & stamp office)

BOOT & SHOEMAKERS 

Belbin;   Charles;   High St.;    

Blake;   James;    Salisbury St.;  

Blandford;   Joseph;   St. James;    

Clewett;   Thomas;   Salisbury St.;    

Denbeigh;   Charles;   Bell St.;    

Dyke;   William;   High St.;  

Fox;   James;   High St.;  

Freke;   John;    Bell St.;  

Fry;   Stephen;   High St.;  

Lear;   Thomas;   St. James;  

Lodge;   John;    Bell St.;  

Parsons;   Henry;    High St.;  

BUILDERS  

Downs;   Richard;   High St.;    

Miles;   Thomas Bullen;   High St.;    

Oborne;   William;   High St.;    

BUTCHERS   

Dowland;   Peggy;    Bell St.;   (pork only)

Imber;   George;   Bell St.;    

Tanswell;   Elizabeth;   High St.;    

Tanswell;   Mary;    High St.;  

CABINET MAKERS  

Downs;   Richard;   High St.;    (& upholsterers)

Fricker;   Edward;   Bell St.;    

Highman;   George;   High St.;    

Mansfield;   Thomas;   Salisbury St.;    

Miles;   Thomas Bullen;   High St.;    

Oborne;   John;    High St.;  

Taylor;   Edwin;    Bleke St.;  

CARPENTERS  

Bastable;   John;    Salisbury St.;  

Coombes;   Isaac;    Bell St.;  

Elkins;   James;    St. James;  

King;   John;   Bell St.;  

Targett;   Isaac;    Gold Hill;  

White;   William;   St. James;    

CHEESE DEALERS 

Fricker;   William;   Bell St.;    

Fricker;   William H.;   Bimport;  

CHEMISTS & DRUGGISTS  

Powell;   John;    The Commons;  

Roberts;   George M. & David;   High St.;    

Rutter;   Clarence;   High St.;    

COACH BUILDERS 

Hallett;   Robert;   Angel Square;    

Hayter;   Thomas;   Bleke St.;    

FARMERS  

Aish;   George;   St. James;  

Brickell;   Robert;   St. James;    

Case;   Samuel;   St. James;  

Shute;   Stephen;   St. James;    

Watts;   Isaac;    Bleke St.;  

FELLMONGERS  

Watts;   John;    Bleke St.;  

Young;   John;    St. James;  

FIRE & LIFE ASSURANCE AGENTS;   ;   ;  

Alliance & Medical & Clericals;   Macklin;    Jas. William;   High St.;  

Church of England;    Wyatt;    Robert;   High St.;  

City of London & Legal & Commercial;   Chitty;    Philip Mathews;   Angel Lane;    

Eagle;   Swyer;    Robert;   Angel Lane;    

Etonian;   Highman;    William;   High St.;  

Globe;   Storey;    William;   High St.;  

Hail Storm;   Hussey;    Robert;   High St.;  

Legal & Commercial;   Highman;    John Charles;   High St.;  

Norwich Union & Temperance & General Provident;    Norton;   Geo. Edmund;    High St.;  

Phoenix;   Keynes;   R & J;    High St.;  

Professional;   Powell;    John;   The Commons;    

Property Protection Society;   Rutter & Son;    High St.;  

  ditto;   Wyatt;   Robert;   High St.;    

Royal Farmers (& hail);   Raymond;    John & Son;   Parsons Pool;    

Sun;   Wills & Burridge;   Parsons Pool;    

West of England;    Hannen;    William;   High St.;  

    ditto;   Chitty;   Philip Mathews;   Angel Lane;    

    ditto;   Rutter & Son;    High St.;  

GLOVERS

Watts;   John;    Bleke St.;  

Young;   John;    St. James;  

GROCERS & TEA DEALERS 

Keynes;   Richard & James;   High St.;    ( & agents to London Manure Company

Powell;   John;    The Commons;  

Roberts;   Charles & Son;   High St.;    (& tallow chandlers)

Roberts;   Geo. Matthew & David;   High St.;    (& gingerbeer & lemonade makers)

GROCERY &c. DEALERS

Andrew;   John;    High St.;  

Bartlett;   William D.;   High St.;    

Blandford;   Margaret;   Bell St.;    

Burridge;   Robert;   Bimport;  

Dean;   Robert;   St. James;  

Foyle;   Elizabeth;   Salisbury St.;    

Horder;   Peter;    Angel Lane;   (& coal dealer)

New;   Philip;   Salisbury St.;  

Norton;   George E.;   High St.;    (tea dealer only)

Oborne;   George;   Salisbury St.;    

Smith;   James;    Salisbury St.;  

Stone;   Sarah;    St. James;  

Weldon;   Grace Ann;   St. James;    

White;   Jas.;    Bell St.;  

HABERDASHER & TOY DEALER

Norton;   George;   High St.;    (& hair sieve manufacturer & hardwareman)

HAIR DRESSERS  

Bioletti;   James;    High St.;  

Morgan;   Charles;   Gold Hill;    

Tapper;   Thomas;   High St.;    

INNS & PUBLIC HOUSES  

Abbey Arms (commercial);   New;    Alfred Hitchcock;   High St.;  

Crooked Billet;    Mansfield;    Thomas;   Salisbury St.;    

Cross Keys;   Hayter;    Eli;   High St.;   (& lime burner)

Crown & Punchbowl;    Andrew;    John;   High St.;  

Flying Horse;   Freke;    John;   High St.;    

Fox & Hounds;    Watts;    John;   St. James;  

Greyhound;   Harvey;    thomas;   Church Lane;    

Griffin's Head;    New;    Joseph;   Bell St.;  

Grosvenor Arms (commercial & posting);   Burdon. Richard;    High St.;  

Half Moon;   Hayter;    thomasd;   Bleke St.;  

Hand In Hand;   Hanham;    thomas;   St. James;  

King's Arms;   Godwin;    Edmund;   Bleke St.;  

Mitre;   Tanswell;    Mary;   High St.;  

Ox Inn;   Ingram;    William;   Bimport;  

Red Lion;   Lodge;    Thomas;   Church Lane;    

Rose & Crown;    Blandford;    Charlotte;   High St.;  

Ship;   Highman;   William & John Charles;   High St.;    (& corn dealers)

Star;   Foot;   Fanny;    High St.;  

Sun & Moon;    Morgan;    Charles;   Gold Hill;  

Two Brewers;   Andrew;    Rose;   St. James;  

IRONMONGERS;   BRAZIERS   &c.

Ackland & Mullett;    -;   High St.;    (& bar iron merchants & oil & colour men)

Imber;   Jas.;    High St.;  

Thorn;   Edwin;    High St.;  

LINEN & WOOLLEN DRAPERS

Abbott;   Thomas;   High St.;    

Cotton;   Henry;    High S;  

Harvey;   Samuel;   High St.;    

Perkins;   Joshua;   High St.;    

LINSEY & WORSTED MANUFACTURERS

Appleby;   James R. C.;   St. James;    

Troubridge;   Daniel;   St. James;    

MILLINERS & DRESSMAKERS

Alford;   Caroline & Eliza;   High St.;    

Brine;   Elizabeth & Caroline;   The Commons;    

Corben;   Eliza;    St. James;  

Fricker;   Jane;    Salisbury St.;  

Hughes;   Sarah;    Bell St.;  

Norton;   Caroline;   Salisbury St.;    

Sellick;   Priscilla & Sophia;   Gold Hill;    

Taylor;   Charlotte;   Bleke St.;    

West;   Ann;   High St.;  

West;   Fanny & Hannah;    High St.;  

PAINTERS;   PLUMBERS & GLAZIERS

Davis;   Joseph;   High St.;    

Harding;   George;   High St.;    

New;   Philip;   Salisbury St.;  

Oram;   George;   Bell St.;  

Oborne;   George;   Salisbury St.;    

PASTRYCOOKS

Hunt;   James;   High St.;  

King;   Samuel;   High St.;  

Roberts;   Maria;    High St.;  

POST HORSE PROPRIETORS 

Burdon;   Richard;   High St.;    

Thick;   David;    Bell St.;  

SADDLE & HARNESS MAKERS  

Dowland & Son;    -;   High St.;    

Harding;   Charles;   High St.;    

SCHOOLS

Blue Coat;   Roberts;    Robert;   Bell St.;  

-;   Dunman;   Marianne;   Tout Hill;    

British;   Conibeere;    Mary Ann;   Mustons Lane;    

Infant's ;   Pearman;    Ann;   Bimport;  

National;   White;    William;   Bimport;  

ditto;   Bowren;    Rose;   Bimport;  

National;   Stevens;    Amelia;   St. James;  

SOLICITORS

Buckland;   Charles Edward;   Bleke St.;    (& clerk to Co. Magistrates;    town clerk etc.

Chitty;   Philip Mathews;   Angel Lane;    

Hannen;   William;   High St.;    (& Clerk to county court & coroner)

Rutter & Son;    -;   High St.;    (& masters extra & commissioners for taking declarations)

Swyer;   Robert;   Angel Lane;    

Wills & Burridge;    -;   Parsons Pool;    

STONE MASONS

Burridge;   Robert;   Bimport;  

Gatehouse;   Nicholas;   Bimport;  

STRAW HAT MAKERS

Dowland;   Mary Ann;   Bimport;  

Harding;   Maria;    High St.;  

Short;   Ann;    Bell St.;  

SURGEONS

Bennett & Barratt;    -;   Bell St.;    

Brine;   John Edmund;   Abbey House;    

Woodcock;   Mark;    Salisbury St.;  

TAILORS

Abbott;   Thomas;   High St. ;    (& draper)

Bastable;   William;   High St.;    

Dunham;   Thomas;   Salisbury St.;    

Dunham;   William;   Bleke St.;    

London;   John;    Bell St.;  

Mullett;   John;    High St.;   (& draper)

Sherry;   Thomas;   Salisbury St.;    

Townshend;   Jas.;    Bell St.;  

White;   Jas.;    High St. ;   (& draper)

TINMEN & BRAZIERS  

Hopkins;   John;    High St.;  

Stickland;   Jas.;    High St.;  

WATCH & CLOCK MAKERS

Belloni;   Frederick;   High St.;    

Leah;   Frederick H.;    Salisbury St.;  

Mansfield;   Joseph;   High St.;    

WHEELWRIGHTS

Hayter;   Thomas;   Bleke St.;    

Spearpoint;   Thomas;   Bimport;  

WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS

Roberts;   David;    High St.;  

Watts;   William;   The Commons;    

COACHES- To;

Bath;   "Wellington" from Grosvenor Arms;    Tues;   Thurs. & Sat. at half-past 10 a.m. 

Salisbury;   "Telegraph" from Grosvenor Arms daily (except Sunday) at half-past 10 a.m.   

Wimborn;   "Wellington";    from Grosvenor Arms;   Mon. Wed. & Fri. at 2.pm.

Yeovil; "Telegraph"; from Grosvenor Arms daily; (except Sunday) at 6 p.m. through Sherborne & Wincanton.

CARRIERS - To

Berwick St. John;  Philpot;  from Abbey Arms;  Sat. 

Blandford;  Post Cart;  from Half Moon daily 10 a.m. 

Bristol;  Coward; from the Abbey Arms; Wed.; also Ings;  from Abbey Arms;  same day;  Farnham;   Morgan;  from Flying Horse; Sat. 4 p.m. 

Gillingham Butler; from Abbrey Arms; Tues. & Sat. ;  also Post Cart;  from Half Moon daily;  4 p.m. London; Smith & Dawes; from Star; Tues; Thurs; & Sat.; at 10 p.m.; also Ford & Co.;   and to all parts of Dorset & West of England.

Poole; Coward; from Abbey Arms;  Mon.;  also Ings; from Abbey Arms;  same day    

Salisbury;  Butler; from Abbey Arms; Mon. 11 a.m.; also Post Cart; from Half Moon daily; 6 p.m.;   Shepton Mallet;  Post Cart;  from Half Moon daily;   4 p.m.

Tollard Royal; Bennett;  from Abbey Arms;  Sat.;  also Morgan;  from Flying Horse;  Sat. 4 p.m.;    

Wincanton; Butler; from Abbey Arms; Tues. & Sat.; also Post Cart; from Half Moon; daily; 4p.m.;  

Shaftesbury St James     Shaftesbury St Peter      Shaftesbury Holy Trinity

OPC  PAGE