Dorchester - Holy Trinity Parish

The Vestry Book 1728-1750

© Compiled by Michael Russell OPC for Dorchester Nov 2014
[143 Sets of Minutes transcribed - last updated May 2016]

The Churchwardens & Overseers bought this book:

William ALLEN; Thomas GOULD: Churchwardens and John WHITE and John GALE Overseers

Note:- This book is available to view on ancestry.com - Go to the card index; input Dorset to bring up all the Dorset records; select the 'Dorset, England, Poor Law and Parish Records, 1511-1997' file; then select the Parish or Poor Law Union for 'Dorchester, Holy Trinity' and under Record type 'Vestry Minutes'; I have included image numbers to aid locating entries as it has not (at Jan 2015) been indexed..

These accounts can often add valuable background to events of the day. For example the fathers of bastards are sometimes named; marriage licences bought to help prevent single women seeking support; the recently deceased referred to as widows often then fell onto the parish for support. They also identify who were churchwardens and overseers and even some of the more important parishioners.


VESTRY Meeting Minutes

Date Image Minutes Signed by
Dorchester
Aug 29th 1728
2 At a Meeting of ye Churchwardens and Overseers and other inhabitants of the Parish of Holy Trinity and a Vestry for this purpose it is agreed that:
Francis CONDON and Enoch Fforticue Accounts defer to Mr DAMER; Mr Nicholas WEARE; Mr STOKES; and Mr George LESTER and Ann JASPER shall have ye week to look after Widow HOOK till the next Vestry
Lawrence SNOOK
Samuel MEADER
Frank CONDON
James TAYLOR
John DENNING
John PETTY
Signed William ALDER and
Thomas GOULD Churchwardens and
John GALE Overseer
September the 22: 1728 2 It is agreed by the officers and parishioners of this parish the Thomas HARMSTRONG shall have 1-6 s week and Hope ROGERS be allowed 2 s week John LAWS
Robert HILDON
Signed William ALDER and
Thomas GOULD Churchwardens and
John WHITE Overseer
Sunday September the
22: 1728
2 It is agreed by ye Vestry for this purpose that the officers and parishioners of this parish to stand a tryal [trial] with ye town of Blandford next Bridport proficient about ----wife of ye late William BECK deceased and to charge of same shall be paid to the present Overseers in their Accounts by the parish

[Note:- William BEKE was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 27th April 1728]
David HAYDON
Thomas EVOMY
John MORSEY
Anthony READ
Thomas SNOOK
Robert FILDON
William TURNER
Signed William ALDER and
Thomas GOULD Churchwardens and
John WHITE and John GALE Overseer
October ye 24th 1728 3 It is agreed that Catherine POUNCY is to have 1s a week from this time and ye Widow PADDOCK to have 15d a week from this time and Widow CARRINGTON 1s and no more from this time William TEMPLETON
Robert HILDON
Signed William ALDER and
Thomas GOULD Churchwardens and
John WHITE & John GEAL Overseer
December 29th 1728 3 It is agreed by this Vestry that ye Widow GAWLER is to have from this time 1s per week and that Mary SEAGER to have nine pence per week from this time and Margaret AISH to have a change [i.e. of clothing] and to give Ruth READ some ----small to look after the Widow UNDERWOOD as ye Overseers shall think fit till another vestry and that William PARRY's wife to have a change, to clean her, and other necessaries as they shall think proper Lawrence SNOOK
James TAYLOR
Robert HILDON
Signed William ALDER and
Thomas GOULD Churchwardens and
John WHITE & John GEAL Overseer
Sunday January 19: 1728/9 4 At a meeting of the Churchwardens and Overseers and other inhabitants a vestry appointed for this purpose that the Overseers do buy a licence for to marry Susannah KEECH to Thomas FONE of Maiden Newton and that a charge shall be paid in their accounts [Note:- Thomas FOANE of Maiden Newton & Susanna KEECH of Dorchester were married at Holy Trinity Church on 20-Jan 1728/9 ]

and that a messenger be sent to Poole on purpose to enquire where Henry DAYS First wife be living and likewise send his wife to Epsom by an order for her settlement there

and that Henry HARBIN's shall have one shilling per week from this time and that William PARRY 's wife shall have one shilling per week and that Catherine HARBIN shall have a pair of shoes and Thomas STROD Family be taken care of till another vestry and ye Widow CROAD to have five shillings
David HAYDON
John MOREY
Robert FFILDEW
John MASTERS
Laws [Lawrence] SNOOK Signed William ALDER and
Thomas GOULD Churchwardens and
John WHITE & John GEAL Overseer
January ye 28th 1728/9 5 At a meeting of the churchwardens and Overseers and other inhabitants and a Vestry for this purpose it is agreed that present Overseers shall be paid their bills that was expended at Bridport Sessions about Phoebe POLLYS was examined by ye Vestry? and remains due to the Overseers twenty two pounds sixteen shillings which we do agree the money shall be paid them on that bills Signed William ALDER and
Thomas GOULD Churchwardens and
John WHITE & John GEAL Overseer and
John MASTERS
March ye 27th 1729 5 At a meeting of the churchwardens and Overseers and other inhabitants it is agreed that ye present Overseers shall have a four months additional rate to reimburse them in their accounts which is thirteen months this year
and that Deb: MAISH shall have a shift
Signed William ALDER and
Thomas GOULD Churchwardens and
John WHITE & John GEAL Overseer and
Laws [Lawrence] SNOOK
Francis CONDON
Anthony READ
April ye 11th 1729 6 At a meeting of ye churchwardens and Overseers of ye poor of ye pish [parish] they did agree to give Cath. POUNCY one shift & Thomas CHAMBERLIN one shilling per week to ye next meeting Zachary NELSON
Richard COOPER and
Thomas GOULD
John PETTY
Anthony READ
April ye 20th 1729 6 At a meeting of ye churchwardens and Overseers of ye poor of ye pish [parish] with other inhabitants they did agree to give unto Robert STEVENS one shilling per week John GOULD
John MOREY
Thomas GOULD
Anthony READ
and John PETTY
June ye 5th 1729 6 At a meeting of ye churchwardens and Overseers of ye poor of ye pish [parish] it was agreed that ye present Overseers should have five months rate to maintain the poor Robert FILDEW; George LESTER
Richard COOPER
Signed Zachary NELSON Churchwarden
George COOMBS and William LOCK Overseers
June ye 16th 1729 6 At a meeting of ye parishioners it was agreed Thomas FOY's wife shall have a shift; and a shift for ye Widow JAMES? and a shift for the Widow CROAD; and a coat for Margaret AISH William ALDER and Thomas GOULD Churchwardens
Anthony READ Overseer and William LOCK and John GALE
August ye 20th 1729 7 At a meeting of ye parishioners it was agreed for Margaret AISH to have a coat; Widow VOSS a shift; Joan PERRY a shift; and by agreement to send Mrs CROAD five shillings; Widow DAMNON a shift; Robert POUNCY a shift; Margaret AISH a shift and to pay Mr WOOLVEMENTON 3? Henry HARBIN ? Mr COOPEER for Thomas CHAMBERLAND five shillings and for Widow CROAD to have half a crown more and a bed cord for John PADOCK William ALDER and Anthony READ
December ye 26th 1729 7 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other inhabitants it was agreed for Mary STANDISH to have an apron; Robert POUNCY to have a coat and Joan PERRY to have a Lince Gown [i.e. made of linen] and Henry HARBEN to have a shirt and for Joan FFRAMPTON and her two daughters to have a lince gown each William ALDER; John MASTERS; Thomas GOULD Churchwarden; Anthony READ Overseer
January ye 25th 1729/30 7 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other inhabitants of the pish of Holy Trinity it was agreed ye Margaret DAMON shall have 2s per week Richard COOPER; John GALE; Zachary NELSON; Thomas GOULD; John PETTY; and Anthony READ
March ye 16th 1729/30 8 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other Parishioners it is agreed that the present Overseers shall have five months additional rate to reimburse them in their accounts which is ten months this year. George LESTER; Robert FILDEW; William GUNDY; Laws [Lawrence] SNOOK; Richard COOPER; John GALE;
Zachary NELSON; churchwarden and John PETTY; and Anthony READ Overseers
March 3rd 1730/31 8 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers of ye poor and other inhabitants it was agreed that the present Overseers shall have five months additional rate to reimburse them in their accounts which is ten months this year. & ye Overseers to pay eighteen pence per week for maintenance of Benja: {i.e. Benjamin] TURNNERS child till further orders Richard COOPER; John GALE; Zachary NELSON; Thomas GOULD; John PETTY; and Anthony READ
September 4th 1732 8 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other parishioners it was agreed that Eliz: [Elizabeth] POTTS is to have a gown and petty coats John GALE Churchwarden; John LESTER and John OLDIS
November 15th 1732 9 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other parishioners it was agreed that Goody PERRY is to have a gown & petty coat Samuel RICKWOOD and John GALE Churchwardens
John LESTER; John OLDIS Overseers and John PIERCE and Laws [Lawrence] SNOOK
May 24th 1733 9 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other parishioners it was agreed that every person living in ye Parish and not an inhabitant shall bring a certificate or be removed to the place to which they belong Samuel RICKWOOD and John GALE Churchwardens
Richard SUMMERS and Mathew COOPER Overseers and Zachary NELSON; John MOREY; William GUNDRY; Laws [Lawrence] SNOOK; William LOCK; John LESTER; William PADDOCK; John LAWES;
May 24th 1733 10 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other parishioners it was agreed that the officers shall sue Simon FRAMPTON for what money he is indebted to ye Parish for keeping his family and what charges the said officers at in suing the said Simon FRAMPTON shall be allowed to them by the parish of Holy Trinity Samuel RICKWOOD and John GALE Churchwardens
Richard SUMMERS and Mathew COOPER Overseers and Zachery NELSON; John MOREY; William GUNDRY; Laws [Lawrence] SNOOK; John LESTER; John LAWES;
July 2nd 1733 10 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other inhabitants of the parish of Holy trinity it was agreed that Samuel RUMSEY and John FONE do promise to pay to this parish eighteen pence per week towards the relief of Ruth READ's two Bastard Children and likewise to acquit George FONE of the former charges by us Signed Samuel RUMSEY and John FONE [Note:- Ruth Read had 2 illegitimate births (1) Frances READ daughter of Ruth Read base born bap on 26th Sep 1727 and twins George and John READ sons of Ruth READ base born baptised at HT on 31st May 1733. Ruth Read was buried at HT on 10th Jan 1748/9] Testament John GALE Churchwarden; Mathew COOPER and Richard SUMMERS Overseers and William TURNER and John PETTY
July 24th 1733 11 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other inhabitants it's agreed that John SEAL shall chang ye two lives that he holds his house, and add one more life whom he shall nominate for ye sum of ten shillings and put it in good repair in one year from ye date hereof John GALE and William GUNDY Churchwardens; Mathew COOPER and Richard SUMMERS Overseers and Richard COOPER; Samuel RICKWOOD; John LAWES; David HAYDON and John WHITE
Sept 17th 1733 11 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other inhabitants it's agreed that Jasper EASMOND shall have two shillings and six pence per week John GALE and William GUNDY Churchwardens; Mathew COOPER Overseer and Lawrence SNOOK
October 22nd 1733 12 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other inhabitants it's agreed that ye Overseers shall disburse the sum of four pounds on a note of Thomas BUSHROD's hand which he promises to pay on demand John GALE and William GUNDY Churchwardens; Mathew COOPER & Richard SUMMERS Overseers
December ye 30th 1733 12 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other parishioners it's agreed that Ann RUSSELL shall have one shilling per week and Catherine HARBIN shall have for taking care of her one shilling and three pence. At the same time we do add sixpence to Mary FITCHETTS pay per week Samuel RICKWOOD; William PUKNER? - John GALE and William GUNDY Churchwardens; Mathew COOPER; Richard SUMMERS & Richard COOPER Overseers
April ye 1st 1734 13 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other inhabitants it is agreed that William LATTY shall have 2s per week John GALE and William GUNDY Churchwardens; Mathew COOPER; Richard SUMMERS Overseers and John GOULD and Thomas PIERCE?
July ye 7th 1734 13 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other inhabitants of the parish it is agreed to send Ben: [Benjamin] ROGERS on Board one of her Majesty's Ships if he do not carry a strange [i.e. as in stray] child that he have took into his house within three days to his proper place of his abode Lawrence SNOOK; Mathew COOPER; Samuel RICKWOOD -- William GUNDY and John LAWES Churchwardens; Joseph HELLARD and John GALE Overseers and William TURNER and Richard COOPER
September the 22nd 1734 14 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other persons of the parish of Holy Trinity for that purpose that if Mathew READ junior do not forthwith pay Thomas FRY the arrears due him and further pay weekly for the child's maintenance it is agreed at this meeting to send him to the House of Correction forthwith William GUNDY and John LAWES Churchwardens; Joseph HELLARD Overseer and Nicholas WEARE; George GALE; Henry ALDER; Anthony READ and John PETTY
November 15th 1734 15 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other inhabitants of the parish of Holy Trinity it is agreed that the churchwardens shall have full power to erect a New Cage for five Bells Zacharius NELSON; Richard COOPER; Mathew COOPER; John PRISIE?; John GALE; John PAGE; John MASTERS; John MILER; Thomas PURSE; John OLD; and Robert SNOOK --- William GUNDY and John LAWES Churchwardens; Thomas EVOMY Overseer
March 10th 1734/5 15 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other persons of the parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester & several of the principal inhabitants of the said parish pursuant to a notice for that purpose given It is agreed -- that the four Bells now belonging to the said parish be now cast & that a fifth bell be added thereto in order to make a Ring of Five Bells and that a Rate be granted to the churchwardens of the said parish for so much money as will be sufficient to pay and discharge the costs and charges thereof Richard COOPER; Mathew COOPER; Thomas PURSE; John MASTERS ; Robert SNOOK ---William GUNDY and John LAWES Churchwardens; Thomas EVOMY Overseer --- Robert GUNDY; Robert FILDEW; Zachary NELSON; William MOWLINS; John BUCKLAND; John PIERCE; John GALE; William PADDOCK; John WHITE; David HAYDON; John MOREY; and John OLD
September 7th 1735 16 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers and other persons of the parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester & several of the principal inhabitants of the said parish pursuant to a notice for that purpose given ---It is ordered that the Overseers of the Poor do buy and provide for the base born child of Mary STANDISH a gown and coat and one shift a pair of stockings and shoes and two aprons. [Note:- John a base born son of Mary STANDISH was baptised at HT on 30th Dec 1731 and Mary STANDISH appears to have been buried at HT on 16th Feb 1732/3 so this may be the Overseers continuing to look after her child]

Also ordered that Mary CHILD Widow be paid and allowed one shilling per week till further order.
And that the 6d per week already paid and allowed to Joan FFRAMPTON be from henceforth taken off and discontinued
Ordered that if the Overseers shall at any time buy or provide for any of the poor of this parish any clothes or apparel whatsoever without an order of vestry for that purpose that they shall answer the same out of their own pockets
Ordered that William PERRY do provide a Certificate for himself and his wife from the parish of Upwey
And that Jane FFOOK Widow do also provide the like for herself and her two children from the same parish by this day ? or that they shall be removed to the said parish
And the same with Regard to Henry CAINES and his wife, that they provide a certificate from Weymouth
Ordered that those persons who receive relief's from the parish shall and do not inhabit in the poor house provided for them, do at Mutias? next come over into the said Poor House or that in default thereof that the overseers do discount fines their pay, upon notice forthwith to be given them
William GUNDY and John LAWES Churchwardens;
Samuel RUMSEY Overseer ---
Robert Lumley KINGSTON; Richard COOPER; John GALE; David LAYDON; Mathew COOPER
May 30th 1736 17 At a meeting of churchwardens and Overseers of the poor and other of the inhabitants of the parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester in the County of Dorset It is ordered that the Overseers of the Poor do pay and allow to the Widow of David SHEPPARD deceased one shilling a week besides what is already paid and allowed her for the maintenance of her children till further order [Note:- Link to more information about this family] John LAWES and Mathew COOPER churchwardens; William MOWLIM Overseer; and John GALE; Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; Samuel RICKWOOD; Thomas EVOMY; David HAYDON; Richard COOPER
2nd June 1736 17, 18 & 19 Borough of Dorchester - Parish of Holy Trinity - At a meeting of churchwardens , Overseers of the Poor and other inhabitants of the said parish on Wednesday the second day of June in the year of our Lord 1736 pursuant to a notice given for that purpose on Sunday Last.

Ordered --- That the overseers of the poor shall not at any time or times hereafter pay allow lay out or disburse any sum or sums of money whatsoever to or for the uses of the Poor of this Parish otherwise than the weekly allowance to the several persons in the schedule hereunto annexed mentioned or otherwise than in [a] particular cases of necessity betwixt Sunday and Sunday without an order of vestry for that purpose.

Ordered --- That the persons in the said schedule mentioned do receive their weekly allowances set opposite their respective names, till by an order of vestry, the parishioners shall think proper to alter the same, and no Person to receive any more without such order, and that the Overseers do pay the extraordinary's subscribed to such schedules

The Schedule referred to in the preceding order
Mrs COLE in the Alms House -----1s. 0d.
Ruth READ in the Alms Houses -----0s. 6d
Magdalen PALMER -----0s. 6d
Catherine HARBIN -----0s. 6d
Widow Mary POUNCY -----1s. 0d
Widow PADDOCK -----1s. 0d.
Widow Katherine POUNCY -----1s. 3d
Widow MOORES -----1s. 0d Mary SEAGER -----1s. 0d
Sarah SEAGER -----1s. 0d
John PADDOCK-----1s. 0d
Mary STANDISH's child-----1s. 0d
Robert DAY-----1s. 0d
Widow CHILDES-----1s. 0d
Widow COOPER-----1s. 0d

Widow ROGERS -----1s. 6d
Henry HARBIN -----1s. 6d
Mary FITCHARD -----1s. 6d
Widow LESTER for her children -----2s. 0d
Mary READ's Child -----1s, 6d
Mary LOCK for her children -----1s. 3d
Widow SHEPPARD -----3s. 6d [Note:-Elizabeth SHEPHERD widow of David Link to more information about this family]

Extraordinary's Referred to:-

To Edith POUNCY attending her mother -----0s. 6d

Ordered --- That the order of the Vestry made the 7th day of September last in regard to the Poor (who receive relief from this Parish) for their inhabiting in the Poor Houses be confirmed and the same hereby conformed accordingly

Ordered ---That the Widow DAMON do pay £15 per ann for the room in the Poor House wherein she now lives, in Default thereof that the Overseers do turn her out in such manner as the Law Directs.

Ordered ---That the two children of Joan BRINE by her former husband Robert FFOOKES be forthwith removed to their Parish of Upway being their legal place of settlement.
John LAWES and Mathew COOPER Church Wardens

William MOULIM Overseer of the Poor

also:-
Robert Lumley KINGSTON
Thomas EVOMY
William PADDOCK
Samuel RUMSEY
John GALE
20th June 1736 19 & 20 Borough of Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a meeting of the parishioners pursuant to notice given in the Church this twentieth Day of June 1736

Ordered --- That Sarah SEAGER be paid six pence a week more by the overseers than her present pay by the overseers till further orders

Ordered --- That the overseers do buy for the child of Mary READ one gown and two aprons

Ordered --- That Mary PADDOCK be allowed by the overseers three pence a week above her present pay till further notice

Ordered --- That John STICKLAND be paid two shillings and six pence for attending and dressing Mary PADDOCK, that the same be paid him by the overseers

Ordered --- That the overseers do buy for Katharine HARBIN one pair of shoes and one shift

Ordered --- That the overseers pay three pence a week more for the maintenance of Mary STANDISH's child and buy for him a pair of stockings and two shirts

Ordered --- That the children of Hannah LOOKER? be all owed a shirt and one pair of shoes each and that the overseers do buy the same

Ordered --- That the overseers do allow MARY LOCK six pence a week more for her children till further order
John LAWES and Mathew COOPER Churchwardens

John PAGE Overseer and

Robert Lumley KINGSTON
John GALE
John WILES
4th July 1736 20 Parish of Holy Trinity Dorchester: At a meeting of the parishioners pursuant to notice given in the Church this 4th Day of July 1736

Ordered --- That the Overseers do buy a Pair of Shoes for John the son of the Widow SHEPPARD and allow her six pence a week above her personal Pay for the better maintenance of the children [Note:-Elizabeth SHEPHERD widow of David Link to more information about this family]
John LAWES Churchwarden
John Page and William Mowlim Overseers
Nicholas WEARE; Robert Lumley KINGSTON; and Richard COOPER
18th July 1736 21 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a meeting of the parishioners pursuant to a public notice given in the Church this 18th Day of July 1736

Ordered --- That Joane NEWMAN be paid six pence a week by the overseers of the poor upon a particular complaint this day made to us
John LAWES & Mathew COOPER Churchwardens
John Page and William Mowlim Overseers
Robert Lumley KINGSTON; John GALE; Samuel RICKWOOD; David HAYDON; John WHITE
5th September 1736 21 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a meeting of the parishioners pursuant to a public notice given in the Church this present Sunday 5th Day of September 1736

Ordered --- That the overseers do buy for the widow Katharine HARBIN a petty coat

Ordered --- That the overseers do buy for the widow Katharine POUNCY a pair of stockings and one shift

Ordered --- That the overseers do buy one shift for the Widow PADDOCK and another for the Widow ROGERS

Ordered --- That the overseers do buy for the wife of William BROWNE in the Alms House one shift
John LAWES & Mathew COOPER Churchwardens
John Page and William Mowlim Overseers
Robert Lumley KINGSTON; David HAYDON;John GALE; William HAYDON
26th September 1736 22 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a meeting of the parishioners pursuant to a public notice given in the Church this present 26th Day of September 1736

Ordered --- That six pence per week be added to the pay which Magdalen PALMER already receives as relief of this parish, and that the overseers buy her a shift

Ordered --- That the overseers do buy a shirt apiece for John PADDOCK & Henry HARBIN, and a shift apiece for Mary SEAGER and Sarah SEAGER and Mary COOPER

Ordered --- That Mary ? widow be paid one shilling [er week for relief of this parish
John LAWES & Mathew COOPER Churchwardens
John Page and William Mowlim Overseers
Robert Lumley KINGSTON; Richard COOPER; and John GALE;
7th November 1736 22 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a meeting of the parishioners pursuant to a public notice given in the Church this 7th Day of November 1736

Ordered --- That Katherine HARBIN Widow be for the future paid nine pence a week for her maintenance

Ordered --- That Matthew READ the elder be paid nine pence per week till further order to begin from Friday last

Ordered --- That Joan NORMAN be paid nine pence a week for her maintenance till further order

Ordered --- That the Widow COOPER be also paid fifteen pence a week in like manner

Ordered --- That the overseers do pay Mr George COOPER his bill of costs of £3. 16s. 5d
John LAWES & Mathew COOPER Churchwardens
William Mowlim Overseer
Richard COOPER; George COOPER; Robert Lumley KINGSTON and John WHITE
12th December 1736 23 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a meeting of the parishioners pursuant to a public notice given in the Church this 12th Day of December 1736

Ordered --- That the overseers do pay for the making and trimming ?old clothes for ? children of the widow LESTER

Ordered --- That they also pay five shillings for a Great Coat & Waist Coat for old William BROWNE

Ordered --- That the overseers do buy a shirt for John the son of John BUSHRODE

Ordered --- That the overseers do pay Mr KINGSTON his bill for business done for this parish amounting to ten shillings

John LAWES & Mathew COOPER Churchwardens
William Mowlim & J.PAGE Overseers
Nicholas WEARE; John GALE; David HAYDON; John MILES;

William GUNDRY: William LOCK; Robert Lumley KINGSTON

16th January 1736/7 23 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a meeting of the parishioners pursuant to a public notice given in the Church this Sunday 16th Day of January 1736/7

Ordered --- That the overseers do provide a set of clothes (to wit) a Coat; Waistcoat; and Britches, and also one shirt for John the son of John BUSHRODE

John LAWES & Mathew COOPER Churchwardens
William Mowlim Overseer
Richard COOPER; Robert Lumley KINGSTON and Robert SNOOK

6th March 1736/7 24 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a meeting of the parishioners this present Sunday March 6th 1736/7 pursuant to notice given in the church

Ordered --- That the overseers do buy a coat waistcoat and britches and a pair of stockings for the child of Mary STANDISH

Ordered --- That the overseers do pay the Widow Mary PADDOCK one shilling and sixpence a week during her illness, and that they do pay the Widow Catherine HARBIN six pence a week for looking after her till further order

Ordered --- That the overseers do buy a shift for the said Catherine HARBIN and a shirt for Henry HARBIN and a shift for Magdalen PALMER

John LAWES & Mathew COOPER Churchwardens
William Mowlim & John PAGE Overseers
Richard COOPER; John PIERCE; John GALE; Robert Lumley KINGSTON; and David HAYDON

9th May 1737 24 Dorchester - Parish of Holy Trinity - At a meeting of the parishioners on Monday May 9th 1737 pursuant to notice given Sunday last

Ordered --- That the overseers of the poor do pay to the several persons receiving relief of this Parish their respective weekly allowances as under till further notice

Ordinary Payments:

Mr COLE in the Alms House -----1s. 0d.
Widow CHILD ----1s. 0d
Widow COOPER ----1s. 0d
Robert DAY-----1s. 0d
Widow CHILDES-----1s. 0d
Widow COOPER-----1s. 0d
Mary STICKLAND ----1s. 6d
Harry HARBIN ----1s. 6d
Katherine HARBIN ----0. 9d
Mary HANN ----1s. 0d
Widow LESTER ----2s. 0d
Widow MOORES ----1s. 0d
Magdalen PALMER ----1s . 0d
John PADDOCK ----0s. 6d
Widow PADDOCK ----1s. 3d
Widow POUNCY ----1s. 3d
Mary POUNCY ----1s. 0d
Ruth READ ----0s. 6d
Widow ROGERS ----1s. 6d
Mary READ's Child ----1s. 6d
Mary STANDISH's Child 1s. 3d
Mary SEAGER ----1s. 6d
Sarah SEAGER ----1s. 6d
Widow SHEPPARD ----4s. 0d [Note:-Elizabeth SHEPHERD widow of David Link to more information about this family]
Martin WILCOX ----2s. 0d
Benjamin TURNER's Child ----0s. 6d

Extraordinary's Referred to:-

To Our attending Mary POUNCY ----0s.6d
Joan FRAMPTON ----0s. 6d
John LAWES and Mathew COOPER Church Wardens

William HAYDON Overseer of the Poor

also:-

John GALE
Richard COOPER
Robert Lumley KINGSTON
22nd May 1737 25 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a meeting of the parishioners on Sunday the 22nd May 1737

It is ordered that the churchwardens and overseers do remove Jane MILLER and her two children to the parish of Affpuddle and the charges shall be paid and allowed them in their attempts

Mathew COOPER & Robert FFILDEW Churchwardens
William HAYDON Overseer
Richard COOPER;Robert Lumley KINGSTON; George COOPER and Robert SNOOK

16th June 1737 25 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a meeting of ye parishioners on Thursday the 16th day of June 1737 pursuant to notice given Sunday last

It is ordered that the overseers do add six pence to John PADDOCKS weekly pay

Ordered ---- Hannah LESTER's Children a new shirt each

Ordered ---- Daniel PADDOCKS widow a new shift

Ordered ---- that Mary READ's Child do have two new shirts

Ordered ---- that Mary & Sarah SEAGER do have a new shift each

Mathew COOPER & Robert FFILDEW Churchwardens
William HAYDON John HUNT Overseers
Robert Lumley KINGSTON; and John PAGE

7th July 1737 25 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a meeting of ye parishioners on the 7th day of July 1737 pursuant to notice given Sunday before

It is ordered that whereas the churchwardens & overseers of the parish of Affpuddle have given notice of appeal at the next Quarter Sessions for the family to the order for removal of Jane MILLER the Churchwardens & Overseers of this parish do defend the said appeal and the charges thereof shall be allowed the overseers in their accounts

Mathew COOPER & Robert FFILDEW Churchwardens
William HAYDON Overseer
Richard COOPER; John LAWES; John PETTY

11th December 1737 26 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a meeting of the parishioners on the 11th day of December 1737 pursuant to notice given this day Sunday

Ordered ---- That the overseers do provide a pair of shoes for each of the children of Hannah LOCK and the like for each of the children of the Widow SHEPPARD [Note:-Elizabeth SHEPHERD widow of David Link to more information about this family] and a pair of shoes for Hope HUTCHINGS and a Petty Coat for the widow Katharine POUNCY and a gown for the widow Katharine HARBIN.

Ordered ----That the overseers do pay the widow Mary FITCHETT? six pence a week above her present pay and the like to Marline WILSON and three pence a week more to Joan FRAMPTON

Ordered ---- That Matthew READ be paid one shilling a week till further order

Mathew COOPER Churchwarden
William HAYDON & John HUNT Overseers
Richard COOPER; John GALE; William PADDOCK; David HAYDON: John WHITE

15th January 1737/8 27 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a meeting of ye parishioners this 15th day of January 1737/8 pursuant to notice given Sunday before

Upon the complaint of the Widow FFOSTER It is ordered that the churchwardens & overseers of this parish do forthwith make enquiry into the nature of the security which Mr Thome? of Weymouth has on the house late in the possession of John FOSTER her late husband And do inspect the articles now in the custody of Mr Daniel ARDEN for their better information In order for the recovering of the possession of that house & receipts of the rents and profits thereof that she might not be a charge on this parish And that the overseer4s do pay this widow FFOSTER one shilling per week for the better support in the meantime. [NOTE:- John FOSTER was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 20th July 1731.]

Also ---- that Henry HARBIN be allowed six pence a week more

Also ---- that the overseers do buy a shift for Mary HILIILEK?

Also ---- that the overseers do buy a gown for the child of George PADDOCK and also a petticoat & some covering for his stays

Mathew COOPER & Robert FFILDEW Churchwardens
William HAYDON & John HUNT Overseers
John GALE; Richard COOPER; John LAWES; David HAYDON; William MOWLIM and Robert Lumley KINGSTON

3rd February 1737/8 28 At a meeting of the parish officers & parishioners of the Parish of Holy Trinity this 3rd day of February 1737/8 pursuant to notice given on Sunday last

Ordered ---- That Mr KINGSTON do get a copy of the will of the late Mr John SAMWAIES or so much thereof as relates to the gift made by the said Mr SAMWAIES to this Parish for the bonding out a poor child Apprentice to be lodged in the chest for the use of the Parish [Note:- A transcription of this will is available to view on Ancestry.com Many bequests to members of his family Bequest to the Parish of Holy Trinity or of St Peters of £10 every 2 years charged on his dwelling house in Dorchester to be laid out in the clothing and binding out an apprentice child of some poor inhabitant of the parish Mr John SAMWAYS was buried at St Peters in Dorchester on 8 Sep 1727]

Mathew COOPER & Robert FFILDEW Churchwardens
William HAYDON & John HUNT Overseers
Richard COOPER; James GOLLOP and Robert Lumley KINGSTON

5th February 1737/8 29 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a Meeting of the churchwardens & Overseers of the Parish pursuant to notice 5th Feb 1737/8

Ordered ---- that the overseers do allow Mary the wife of Richard ABBOTT one shilling a week till further direction

Mathew COOPER & Robert FFILDEW Churchwardens
William HAYDON & John HUNT Overseers
Robert Lumley KINGSTON and John GALE

25th May 1738 30 Dorchester Trinity Parish : May 25th 1738 : At a meeting of the church wardens Overseers and Parishioners pursuant to Notice Sunday last
Ordered ---- That the Overseers provide a shirt each for the Children of Hannah LESTER

Mathew COOPER & John GALE Churchwardens
James BLY and John MEADER Overseers
William HAYDON; John HUNT: David HAYDON; John PAGE; Anthony READ

June 1st 1738 31 Dorchester - Trinity Parish - At a meeting of the parishioners June 1st 1738 pursuant to notice Sunday last

Ordered --- That the weekly allowances to the poor be as followeth

Ordinary Payments:

Widow CHILD ----1s. 0d
Widow COOPER ----1s. 0d
Robert DAY-----1s. 0d
Mary FITCHETT ---- 2s. 0d
Henry HARBIN ----2s. 0d
The Widow [i.e. Mary] HANN ----1s. 0d
Katherine HARBIN ----0. 9d
Widow LESTER ----2s. 0d
Widow MOORES ----1s. 0d
Magdalen PALMER ----1s . 0d
John PADDOCK ----1s. 0d
Widow PADDOCK ----1s. 6d
Mary POUNCY ----1s. 0d
Katharine POUNCY ----1s. 6d
Ruth READ ----0s. 6d
Widow ROGERS ----1s. 6d
Mary READ's Child ----1s. 6d
STANDISH's Child [i.e. Mary] 1s. 3d
Mary SEAGER ----1s. 0d
Sarah SEAGER ----1s. 6d
Widow SHEPPARD ----2s. 8d [Note:-Elizabeth SHEPHERD widow of David Link to more information about this family]
Martin WILCOX ----2s. 6d
Benjamin TURNER's Child ----0s. 6d
Bushrod's Child ----1s. 6d
Elizabeth GRAY ----1s. 0d
Ruth READ in the Almshouses ----0s. 6d
Mary ABBOTT ----1s. 6d
William BROWNE ----1s. 0d
WEEKLY Distribution Total ----£1 : 16s: 8d

Ordered ---- That the two sister SEAGERS have a shift each bought for them & the like for Katharine POUNCY

Ordered ---- The like to the Widow ROGERS & Mary PADDOCK and Widow MOORS and Mandlin PALMER

Ordered ---- The like to Mary READ's & STANDISH's Children
Mathew COOPER & John MEADER Church Wardens
James BLY Overseer of the Poor

also:-

John John PETTY; David HADON: William GUNDRY and
Robert Lumley KINGSTON
23rd June 1738 32 Trinity Parish : 23rd June 1738 : At a meeting of the Parishioners pursuant to Notice Sunday last
Ordered ---- That the Overseers do buy a shift for Mary COOPER Widow and the like for Katherine HARBIN & the like for Henry HARBIN and a shirt and a pair of shoes for Mary STANDISH's Child & a Pair of shoes & stockings for Mary READ's Child

Mathew COOPER & John GALE Churchwardens
James BLY and John MEADER Overseers
Richard COOPER; Robert Lumley KINGSTON; John LAWES and Thomas PURSE

19th July 1738 33 Trinity Parish : 19th July 1738 : At a meeting of the Parishioners of this Parish pursuant to Notice Sunday last
touching and concerning the Removal of Mary the wife of Richard ABBOTT and her three children from here to Little Fulford within the Parish of Shobrook in the County of Devon being the place of the last Legal Settlement of the said Richard ABBOTT. It is ordered that the Overseers do pursue an error from his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the Borough of Dorchester to remove the said Mary ABBOTT and her said three children to the said Parish of Shoebrook or to such Parish as shall be deemed the Place of the last Legal Settlement of the said Richard ABBOTT And that the proper officers do upon obtaining such order remove them as soon as they conveniently can.

Mathew COOPER & John GALE Churchwardens
James BLY and John MEADER Overseers
John SNOOK; Richard SUMMERS; John WHITE; John PETTY; Thomas PURSE and ; Robert Lumley KINGSTON;

20th September 1738 34 Dorchester Parish of Holy Trinity: At a Meeting of the churchwardens & Overseers of the Parish pursuant to notice Sunday last

Ordered ---- that the overseers provide a shirt for Robert DAY; a shift for Mary FITCHETT; a shift for Mary KENN; a shift for Mary POUNCY; a shift for Martin WILLCOX's wife a pair of shoes for the widow POUNCY

Mathew COOPER & Robert FFILDEW Churchwardens
William HAYDON & John HUNT Overseers
Robert Lumley KINGSTON and John GALE

19th March 1752 [Odd scrap of paper included with this minutes] 34 & 35 Note on a separate piece of Paper inserted with the minutes:
Anne LOVELACE went out of the Hospital [i.e. Workhouse] January ye 13th
Carry'd out of the child bed Linen
two new caps:
two new bed blankets and the swathing
Band and two new binders
2 new shirts a pair of fustian reeves
1 new fustian waistcoats
a pair of new shoes for ye child
As Also coats bibs (illegible word) whittles & that anon in the house belonging to the parish
Left to ye house -- of Within Bill : 2 Caps ; 2 binders 1 shirt & all the clouts ; 2 whittles & one further waistcoat

A Bill for cloths for Ann LOVELASES [LOVELACE's] Child
Paid for Holland for four caps and 4 binders ----0. 1. 7d
Paid for Holland for shirts ----0. 0. 10d
Paid for 4 yards of Rushia Cloath [cloth] ----0. 2s. 0d
Paid for an Ell of Muslain [i.e.Muslin]---- 0.1. 3d
Paid for a Swathing band ----0. 1s. 0d
Paid for Pumis ---- 0. 0. 6d
Paid for a yard of Cotten Linset at 20 ----0. 1. 0d.
Paid for a yard of White Linen at 13d ----0. 1s. 1d
Total 11s. 0d Dated 19th March 1752? ---- Paid off Mrs WHEELER the full contents of this bill by the Robert SMITH

no signatures

[Note:- Clearly out of date order in the images on ancestry.com. I have not been able to locate a suitable baptism in Dorchester but there are further Vestry entries on 21st June 1753 and 19th April 1758 which states that this is the bastard child of William BELLRINGER]

29th October 1738 36 Trinity Parish: At a Meeting of this Parish this 29th day of October 1738 being Sunday pursuant to notice:-

Ordered ---- that the overseers pay Robert DAY six pence a week more than his present allowance

That the Overseers provide a petty coat for Katharine HARBIN

That the Overseers do pay 2s 6d per week to support the children of Thomas BUSHRODE till further order

Robert FFILDEW & John GALE Churchwardens
John MEADER Overseer
Robert Lumley KINGSTON and Richard COOPER; David HAYDON; William MOWLIM & John BUCKLAND

10th December 1738 37 Trinity Parish: At a Meeting of this Parish this 10th day of December 1738 being Sunday pursuant to notice:-

Ordered ---- that the overseers provide for PADDOCK'S Child Coat Waistcoat and Britches two shirts and one pair of stockings and shoes

Robert FFILDEW & John GALE Churchwardens
John MEADER Overseer and John LAWES;
Robert Lumley KINGSTON William HAYDON and David HAYDON

28th January 1738/9 38 Trinity Parish: 28 Jan 1738: At a Meeting of the Minister Churchwardens Overseers and other Parishioners of this parish pursuant to notice given for this purpose yesterday being Sunday

It is agreed that the four Bells belonging to this church (being much in decay as may appear from a Presentment of their defect made the last Visitation) shall be new cast into a Ring of Five Bells and that in order to reimburse the charges & expenses thereof It is agreed that the Parish Officers shall be allowed sufficient Rates to collect the moneys that shall be laid out for the purposes aforesaid
William LEIGH Rector:
John GALE and Robert FFILDEW Churchwardens
John BLY and John MEADER Overseers;
Matthew COOPER; David HAYDON: William PADDOCK; Thomas EVOMY: John PAGE Lawrence SHEPPARD: Richard COOPER; Robert SNOOK: George FOREMAN; John READ; John LAWES; Thomas PURSE; William CHURCHILL; John SNOOK; John LESTER; John QUEXBERY: Samuel MEADER; Thomas SNOOK; John WHITE: John HUNT: George COOPER; Ambrose OLD: John STICKLAND: John OLD; Thomas WALBRINGS; William GUNDRY: John MOREY; Samuel RICKWOOD: Robert Lumley KINGSTON John MASTERS; William MOWLIM: John GOULD; Charles COOPER
28th March 1739 39 Dorchester Trinity Parish: At a Meeting of the churchwardens Overseers and other parishioners pursuant to notice given on Sunday last:-

It is agreed ---- that the present overseers shall have six months Rate according to the assessment be forthwith collected towards the relief of the poor of this parish
John GALE Churchwarden
John MEADER and John BLY; Overseers
Richard COOPER; John PAGE and William PADDOCK
4th June 1739 40 Dorchester - Trinity Parish - 4th June 1739: At a meeting of the parishioners pursuant to public notice given yesterday for that purpose

Ordered ---- That the several Weekly Payments to the poor of this parish be according to the proportions following----

Vitz:----

Widow CHILD ----0s. 9d
Widow COOPER ----1s. 0d
Mary FITCHETT ---- 2s. 0d
Henry HARBIN ----2s. 0d
Katherine HARBIN ----0. 9d
Mary KENN ----1s. od
Widow LESTER ----2s. 0d
Widow MOORES ----1s. 0d
Magdalen PALMER ----1s . 0d
John PADDOCK ----1s. 0d
Widow PADDOCK ----1s. 3d
Katharine POUNCY ----1s. 6d
Ruth READ ----0s. 6d
Ruth SMITH ----0. 6d
Mary READ's Child ----1s. 6d
Mary STANDISH's Child 1s. 3d
Mary SEAGER ----1s. 0d
Sarah SEAGER ----1s. 6d
Widow SHEPPARD ----2s. 0d [Note:-Elizabeth SHEPHERD widow of David Link to more information about this family]
Martin WILCOX ----2s. 6d
[Benjamin] TURNER's Child ----0s. 6d
Elizabeth GRAY ----1s. 0d
Robert DAY ----1s. 3d
BUSHROD's Family ----1s. 6d
Widow HUTCHINS ----0s. 6d

WEEKLY Distribution Total ----£1 : 7s: 3d

Ordered ---- That
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens

Ambrose OLD; Overseer

Robert SNOOK
John SNOOK
11th November 1739 41 11 November 1739: Trinity Parish: At a Vestry this day called It is ordered -----

That ----Widow CHILD shall have one shilling per week ----
Katharine HARBIN one shilling and Mary HOBBS the like
Widow PADDOCK and Katharine POUNCY one shilling & six pence
Robert DAY and Sarah SEAGER one shilling & six pence
William BROWNE in the Alms House six pence

That ----the weekly pay for other poor shall stand as on the old list except that BUSHROD's Family shall have one shilling & six pence

That the Overseer do buy some of the goods soiyed? for Stephen HOBB's house for the use of his wife & Family who are individually to go into the poor Houses and allow them one shilling a week

That the overseer do also provide some ordinary bedding for the widow COOPER

Ordered further that BUSHROD & his Family shall at Xmas next go into the poor houses & on the failure thereof that his children be taken care of & himself obliged to provide for himself and his wife or be sent to the house of correction

Ordered that Patience NORMAN shall have 3s for [the] looking after PADDOCK's Child in the Smallpox & for materials used thereabouts
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens

Ambrose OLD; Overseer

Richard COOPER; and David HAYDON
2nd December 1739 42 2nd December 1739: At a Meeting of the Vestry on public notice given in the church for that purpose:-

Ordered ---- that the overseer do provide a Bed and necessaries for the wife and family of Robert NEWMAN and that they be provided a Room to live in for a quarter of year and allowed two shillings a week till further order

Ordered ---- Also that the overseer do get a great coat for William BROWNE
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens
Ambrose OLD; Overseer
Richard COOPER; John WHITE; David HAYDON; William HAYDON; John PAGE; Robert SNOOK
16th December 1739 43 16th December 1739: At a Meeting of a Vestry this present Sunday pursuant to notice:-

Ordered ---- that Nicholas MARTIN be allowed 1s a week and that he go into the poor house in the room with John PADDOCK

Ordered ---- That Mary SEAGER - have a pair of shoes

Ordered ---- That Martin WILCOX's 6d a week be put on again
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens
Ambrose OLD; Overseer
John LAWES; Mathew COOPER; David HAYDON: William MOWLIM: Robert SNOOK; John BUCKLAND and William HAYDON
6th January 1739/40 44 6th January 1739/40: At a Meeting touching William LEWIS who is settled under a certificate at Shaston and has demanded relief of this parish. It is ordered that no relief be sent him but that if he be sent hither to be received and provided for & otherwise:-

Ordered also---- that Stephen HOBBS wife have 3d a week more

Ordered also ---- That the parish officers at the next Bradford Sessions do oppose the settlement of Mary DAMER's child on this Parish & be allowed the expenses thereof
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens
Ambrose OLD; Overseer
David HAYDON: Matthew COOPER and William HAYDON
25th March 1740 45 25th March 1740: At a Meeting of Vestry pursuant to notice Sunday Last:-

It is ordered that ---- the overseers do collect six months further rates for the relief of the poor

It is also ordered ----that the overseers do pay the year's rent due to William HARBIN for the Widow FOSTER

It is also ordered ----that the Widow of William LEWIS deceased have some reasonable relief for herself and Family now living at Shaston till further notice [Note:- a William LEWIS was buried at St James Parish in Shaftsbury on 16th Mar 1739//40]
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens
Ambrose OLD; Overseer
Matthew COOPER and John WHITE
25th June 1740 46 25th June 1740: Trinity Parish: At a Meeting of Vestry this day pursuant to public notice Sunday Last:-

The accounts of Ambrose OLD and George LESTER the Overseers for the year past now perused and allowed of by us whose names are hereunder written or appear by the entry this day made in the poor book

Ordered ----that the extraordinary's now paid to Hester HOUSE; Mary HOLLAND; HANCOCK's wife; HOBB's wife; and Samuel CARDROW be continued

Ordered ----that the the Widow HUTCHING's pay to for the future one shilling & six pence a week

Ordered ----that the the expenses of the Child brought out of prison be allowed the overseers in their account

Ordered ----that the the same present provision be made for the foundling now in this parish

Ordered ----that the Mary FFITCHITT have six pence per week added to her pay

Ordered ----that the Mrs MOREY's bill be paid amounting to 7s. 6d
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens

Samuel GOULD and John SNOOK; Overseers

William MOWLIM and Ambrose OLD
23rd July 1740 47 Trinity Parish: At a Meeting assembled this twenty third day of July 1740 pursuant to public notice for that purpose given on Sunday last:-

It is now Ordered ---- Those Persons who have refused or neglected to pay their church rates shall be forthwith proceeded against accordingly for the recovery of the same as the law directs --- And the parish officers shall be indemnified for so doing and be reimbursed all such costs charges and expenses as they shall extend to at or be put unto in and about the recovery of such church rates out of the moneys to be collected from June to June for the relief of the poor of this parish
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens
Samuel GOULD and John SNOOK; Overseers
William TURNER; John STICKLAND; David HAYDON; Robert SNOOK; John MASTERS
3rd August 1740 48 Trinity Parish: At a Meeting of the Vestry pursuant to public notice :-

It is Ordered ---- that David the son of David SHEPPARD a poor child of this parish be put Apprentice to SWETNAM of the City of Bristol Tin man and that he be bound for four years during which time the Parish shall find him all necessary wearing apparel and clothe him fully at his going out and the overseers do forthwith procure the Indentures to be prepared [Note:- David the son was baptised 23rd Apr 1724 as the son of David SHEPHERD & Elizabeth Chapel. His father died at South Perrott in Dorset and was buried there on 28th Feb 1734 from which time the overseers supported the family Link to more information about this family].
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens
Samuel GOULD ; Overseer
William LEIGH Rector:

William CHURCHILL
5th October 1740 49 At a Meeting of the Vestry this fifth day of October 1740 pursuant to public notice :-

Ordered ---- that John PADDOCK have a great coat provided for him

Ordered ----that 6d a week more be added to Joan MOORE's Pay

Ordered ---- That Ben TURNER's child & Mary READ's be placed with John WHEATHAM's wife and also Hester HOMES Child and Mary SEYMOUR's at 1s 6d per week for one year to commence immediately
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens
Samuel GOULD Overseer
Matthew COOPER; Robert SNOOK; David HAYDON
1st February 1740/41 50 At a Meeting of the Parishioners this first day of February 1740/1 :-

Ordered ---- That William FOWELL his wife and Family be removed from this parish to the place of their proper settlement in pursuance to the direction of the late Act of Parliament

Ordered ---- That the overseers make some provision for Joan MEADER till further order owing to her illness by way of extraordinary's [Note:- Joan MEADER was buried at HT Church in Dorchester on 08 Mar 1740/1]

Ordered ---- That three pence a week be allowed more for Mary STANDISH's child

Ordered ---- That Jos [i.e. Joseph] BELBIN's wife immediately go into the poor house or nothing to be allowed for the payment of Rent elsewhere and that she shall only be relievable occasionally as necessity requires
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens
John SNOOK Overseer
William GUNDRY; William HAYDON; John WHITE and John WHITE grocer
16th February 1740/41 51 At a Meeting of the Vestry this 16 day of February 1740/1 pursuant to public notice on Sunday Last:-

Ordered ---- That the overseers shall have six months Rate to be collected according to the former assessment

Ordered ---- That Dame PULMAN be allowed one shilling & six pence per week for intending [looking after] Joan MEADER & that the overseers give Joan MEADER one shilling and six pence per week for the present necessity

Ordered ---- That Widow NEWMAN have three pence a week more till this hard season is over
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens
John SNOOK & Samuel GOULD Overseers
John WHITE; John LAWES; John BUCKLAND
8th April 1741 52 8 April 1741 : At a Vestry this day assembled -

Ordered ---- That Mandlin PALMER have six pence a week more

Allowed ---- of the expenses of buying the Person that dyd [i.e. died] at John CRIMBLE's [Note:- This entry relates to the burial of Catharine HUSSEY a stranger who was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 4th April 1741]

Ordered ---- That Samuel CARDROW have six pence a week more
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens
William PEATE Overseer
Richard COOPER and Samuel RICKWOOD
12th April 1741 53 At a Vestry on Sunday April 12th 1741

Approved ---- of the two shillings already given by the overseers for the relief of Joan SLYFIELD and her Family - And
Ordered ---- That she be allowed eighteen pence a week till further directions
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens
William PEATE Overseer
Richard COOPER Andrew PURCHASE; and William HAYDON
26th April 1741 54 At a meeting of the Parishioners this twenty sixth day of April 1741

Approved ---- of the six pence paid to Joan SLYFIELD the last week and the two shillings for the woman's looking after Mathew READ in the Alms House for a week past

Ordered ---- That the overseers pay Elizabeth HOBBS one shilling a week till further order

Ordered ---- That the Widow BROWNE shall have six pence a week till further direction

Ordered ---- That the overseers do forthwith give JOHN SYMES Notice that the Parish will have his House at Michas nest and that they contract with Mr THOME for the house late FOSTER's for the use of the poor from midsummer next and that leases be prepared for that purpose immediately

Ordered ---- That Joan SLYFIELD be allowed six pence a week more and Mary SEAGER have a pair of shoes and Anne JASPER a fan
Robert Lumley KINGSTON ; John GALE Churchwardens
William PEATE Overseer
William TURNER; Richard COOPER David HAYDON; William HAYDON; and John WHITE
14th May 1741 55 May - 14 - 1741

Ordered ---- At a meeting of the parishioners this day that Catharine POUNCY, Henry PADDOCK; STANDISH's Child; William BROWNE; Agnes GIBBS ye found child & Ben TURNER's girl have each of them a shift: Matthew READ one shirt; that Joan PADDOCK is to have 6d per week paid her from this time. [Note:- Agnes GIBBS was a foundling child baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 27th June 1740]

Ordered ---- That for the future only Ten Shillings shall be allowed for making ye poor rate & enclosing the Accounts in the Book
George COOPER; and Samuel RICKWOOD Churchwardens
William PEATE Overseer
Samuel GOULD
7th June 1741 56 June ye 7th 1741:
Ordered at a Vestry of ye Parishioners of ye Holy Trinity ye day above said:

That Matthew MITCHARD have two Pounds Ten Shillings sent to him at Blackburne
Samuel RICKISON? Churchwarden
William PEATE and James MASTERMAN Overseers
Nicholas WEARE: William TURNER and John GALE
22nd June 1741 57 22 June 1741:
At a Vestry this day assembled it is ordered that Mr KINGSTON's Bill of two pounds six shillings and eight pence be forthwith paid him
Samuel RICKWORD? Churchwarden
William PEATE and James MASTERMAN Overseers
John WHITE; John MASTERS; Matthew COOPER; William MOWLIM; John BUCKLAND; David HAYDON; John HUNT and Thomas PURSE
12th July 1741 58 12th July 1741:
At a Vestry meeting of the parishioners of the Parish of Holy Trinity it is ordered that the overseers of the poor do pay unto the overseers of the poor of St James parish in Shaston the sum of twenty shillings by them expended in supporting the Widow LEWIS Children in the Smallpox

Ordered ---- that Robert DAY to have a shirt, the Widow NEWMAN paid (illegible) for a coat & 9s younger son a shirt
Samuel RICKWORD & George COOPER Churchwardens
William PEATE and James MASTERMAN Overseers
John GALE; and William HAYDON
18th May 1742 59 18th May 1742:
Ordered ---- STANDISH's boy a coat & pair of shoes & shirt
Katharine HARBIN a shift. Mary SEAGER & Sarah SEAGER a shift each, Mary COOPER a shift; The foundling child a shift & a pair of stockings. Robert HENRY an additional 3d a week ; The Widow SUTON? one shilling a week
Samuel RICKWORD & George COOPER Churchwardens
John WHITE Overseer
John GALE; John LAWES and William TURNER
6th June 1742 59 6th June 1742:
Ordered ----that the overseers send Mr METCHARD [MITCHARD?] forty shillings to maintain his family at Blackburn: William BROWNE a shirt; Robert DAY a pair of shoes
Samuel RICKWORD & George COOPER Churchwardens
John WHITE Overseer
11th July 1742 60 11th July 1742:
At a meeting of the parishioners
Allowed -----of the overseers having paid fourteen shillings for A nurse looking after the sick persons in the poor house, and that they continue to pay seven shillings per week to a nurse till further order

Ordered ----Lydia BUFFET two shillings a week & ye six pence per week be taken from John PADDOCK which was allowed him towards keeping one of his children [Note:- A Lydia BEFFORD was buried at HT 27th July 1750? also see burials as several members of the Paddock family died around this time so it looks like one at least was a child of John Paddock's]
George COOPER & Samuel RICKWORD Churchwardens
John WHITE & John GALE Overseers

John LAWES; John WHITE; William HAYDON: John MASTERS
18th July 1742 60 18th July 1742:
Ordered ----that the overseers do pay a nurse eight shillings a week for taking care of the four children of the late Widow NEWMAN [Note:- A Susannah NEWMAN was buried at Holy Trinity Church on 4th July 1742]

Let Mathew READ's Widow have an extraordinary of six pence a week during her family illness
George COOPER & Samuel RICKWORD Churchwardens
John WHITE Overseer
Robert Lumley KINGSTON
3rd October 1742 61 3rd October 1742:
Ordered ----that the children of James CROSS deceased be forthwith removed to Tiverton being their legal place of settlement

Ordered ---- that Sarah DAMON a discretionary relief during her illness
Samuel RICKWORD Churchwarden
John WHITE Overseer
Robert Lumley KINGSTON; William TURNER; John GALE; John WHITE; William HAYDON; James BLY;
8th November 1742 62 8th November 1742:
Ordered ----that ye overseers do inquire after Fosters home? who has left a child upon ye parish
The child of STANDISH's to be bound out apprentice
George PADDOCK to be examined as to his child left on the parish
SLADE's eldest boy to be bound apprentice
Mary HELLARD 6d; Mary READ 1s; per week to look after the Widow GRAY & add 6d per week to her pay; Mary SEAGER a pair of shoes; To give NEWMAN children some clothing, SLADE's & PADDOCK boys & a shift to Goody FOSTER's daughter
George COOPER & Samuel RICKWORD Churchwardens
John WHITE Overseer
3rd January 1742/3 62 3rd January 1742/3
At a meeting of the parishioners of the Parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester it is:-

Agreed ---- whereas Richard WETHAM & his Family were lately removed from the said parish of Stinsford in the said County by virtue of an order of two of his Majesty's Justices of the peace for the Borough of Dorchester, to which order the said parish of Stinsford hath given notice of appeal at the next Sessions the Churchwardens of the sd [said] Parish of Holy Trinity do defend the said appeal & that they be reimbursed all the charges & expenses they shall be at in so doing by the overseers of the said parish of Holy Trinity & that the same shall be allowed them in their accounts

Allowed ---- of the overseers having paid 6d towards supporting Clement MILLER & his wife & six children for three weeks past &that they pay them two shillings & six pence per week till further order
George COOPER & Samuel RICKWORD Churchwardens
John PITMAN and John WHITE Overseers
David HAYDON
14th June 1743 63 14th June 1743:
Ordered ----that Mary SEAGER and Sarah SEAGER be allowed each a shift; the Widow EASTMONT a shift; Ann READ a shift; Widow FORSTER's granddaughter a gown; Widow HOBBS a shift

Mary BROWNE a shilling a week for maintaining her. SLADE boy, PADDOCK boy, SEYMOUR's boy a shirt; Pet READ a coat & shoes & breeches, LOWE's two boys shoes & stockings each
George COOPER & Samuel RICKWORD Churchwardens
William CHANNING and Thomas BESANT Overseers
John WHITE: and Richard COOPER
4th September 1743 63 4th September 1743:
At a meeting of the Churchwardens Overseers and other Parishioner pursuant to notice given it is:-

Agreed that all those that do take an Apprentice or Apprentices and do not belong to this parish shall be forthwith removed by an order without they bring a Certificate
John GALE Churchwarden
William CHANNING and Thomas BESANT Overseers
John WHITE: William GUNDRY; George COOPER John LAWES; and John MASTERS
28th February1743/4 64 28th February 1743/4:
At a Vestry then assembled It was agreed that the sum of Forty Shillings each be given as an additional consideration to bind out two poor boys of this parish to two proper masters. The residue of the consideration being to arise from Thorner's? charity
Richard COOPER and John GALE Churchwardens
William CHANNING and Thomas BESANT Overseers
Robert Lumley KINGSTON; John WHITE; David HAYDON; Thomas EVOMY
27th June 1744 64 27th June 1744:
At a Vestry this day held It was:-

Agreed that the overseers of the poor do pay thirty five shillings a year to Mr THOM? for Amy FOSTER's house rent from Lady Day last

And that the overseers do likewise pay eighteen shillings for the supporting Nicholas MARTIN late illness which shall be allowed them in their accounts

And also sixteen shillings & six pence on account of Milley HARDY & PADDOCK's children
John GALE Churchwarden
Edward BOWER and Richard THOMPSON Overseers
George COOPER; William PEATE; Thomas BESANT and John WHITE
21st October 1744 65 21st October 1744:
At a meeting of the Churchwardens Overseers and other parishioners to pubic notice given Sunday

It is agreed that Temple SLAD(e)'s boy is to be clothed, [Note:- Temple SLADE was buried at HT 30th Nov 1740] the two SEAGER's, Virtue BENBO, Widow HAGGARD, Widow EASMOND and Clement MILLERS family & Eliz FOSTER is to have a shift each and Eliz FOSTER's shoes to be mended; HOBY wife 6d per week till further orders
Richard COOPER and John GALE Churchwardens
Edward BOWER and Richard THOMPSON Overseers
Nicholas WEARE; John LAWES; John PITMAN
16th November 1744 66 11th November 1744:
At a meeting of the Churchwardens & Overseers & other inhabitants of the Parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester it was:-

ordered ---- that the churchwardens & overseers do pursue an order for Removal of Joanna RATCLIFF otherwise ROGERS & George & Martha her children from the parish of the Holy Trinity unto the Parish of Weymouth & Melcombe Regis and in case any appeal be made to the said order they defend the same and the costs & charges thereof shall be paid them by the overseers of the parish of Holy Trinity which shall be allowed them in their accounts

And that Sarah CAHN? be examined touching the place of her last legal settlement & removed to such place

That better security be given to the parish for the bastard Child of Sarah RANDALL [Note:- Sarah the daughter of Sarah RANDAL base born was baptised at Holy Trinity church Dorchester on 27 Jun 1744]
John GALE and Richard COOPER Churchwardens
Richard THOMPSON and Edward BOWER Overseers
W TEMPLEMAN; George COOPER; Thomas BESANT; Anthony READ; David HAYDON; John BUCKLAND
15th April 1745 66 15th April 1745:
Ordered that such persons as have not paid their poor rates shall be duly prosecuted by distress or otherwise & the overseers shall be justified therein
John GALE and Richard COOPER Churchwardens
Richard THOMPSON and Edward BOWER Overseers
William TURNER; John LAWES; David HAYDON; Thomas BESANT; William PEATE and Robert Lumley KINGSTON
20th May 1745 67 20th May 1745:
At a public Vestry this day held pursuant to Notice the following Persons are adjudged fit for the work houses and ordered to be sent thither accordingly:
Widow EASTMOND
The wife of Benjamin BRINE
Elizabeth & William } their children
George son of Temple SLADE [Note:- George was bap HT 7th May 1745 the father Temple SLADE was buried at HT 30th Nov 1740]
Sarah and Thomas } Children of Clement MILLER
Susannah & William } Children of Robert NORMAN
John the son of John HOLLAND
John GALE and Richard COOPER Churchwardens
John ENSOR and Thomas POUNCY Overseers
George COOPER: Robert Lumley KINGSTON; Edward BOWER; John WHITE; John WHITE; David HAYDON
27th May 1745 67 27th May 1745:
At a public Vestry this day held pursuant to Notice the following Persons are adjudged fit for the work houses and ordered to be sent thither accordingly:
George SEYMOUR bastard child of Mary SEYMOUR;
Mary SEAGER
Sarah SEAGER
John BAGG
Mary HAGGARD
Virtue BEMBOW
Mary, Anne, Charles and Elizabeth
all children of Clement MILLER
John GALE and Richard COOPER Churchwardens
John ENSOR and Thomas POUNCY Overseers
George COOPER: Robert Lumley KINGSTON; Edward BOWER; John WHITE; John WHITE; David HAYDON; John MASTERS
3rd June 1745 68 3rd June 1745:
At a public Vestry this day held pursuant to Notice

The Following Persons are adjudged fit for the work house and are ordered to be sent thither forthwith

Agnes GIBBS, a found child aged five years
John GALE and Richard COOPER Churchwardens
Thomas POUNCY Overseer
David HAYDON; William TURNER; John LAWES; John PITMAN
25th June 1745 69 25th June 1745:
At a public Vestry this day held pursuant to Notice

The Following Persons are adjudged fit for the work house and are ordered to be sent thither forthwith

Walter LEWIS, aged 11 Son of William LEWIS
John GALE and Richard COOPER Churchwardens
John ENSOR & Thomas POUNCY Overseers
George COOPER
19th August 1745 69 19th August 1745:
At a public Vestry this day held pursuant to Notice

The Following Persons are adjudged fit for the work house and are ordered to be sent thither forthwith

John PADDOCK Son of John PADDOCK
Amy FOSTER
Widow DAY
John GALE and Richard COOPER Churchwardens
John ENSOR & Thomas POUNCY Overseers
John WHITE; David HAYDON; John WHITE; John MASTERS; Thomas BESANT
27th August 1745 69 The Parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester : At a public Vestry this day held pursuant to Notice given :
27th August 1745:

ordered ---- that the overseers do forthwith get a warrant to distrain on the persons underneath for not paying their poor rate
John TUCKER Esq
Mr HAVELAND
Mr LESTER
Thomas SHAVE
Law: [i.e. Lawrence] SHEPPARD
John WATTS
William LOCK
John GALE and Richard COOPER Churchwardens
Thomas POUNCY Overseer
David HAYDON; John LAWES;William MOWLIM
8th December 1745 70 8th December 1745:
At a public Meeting of ye Parishioners of ye Parish, according to public notice it is:-

Agreed ---- that Ben: [i.e. Benjamin] TURNER is a fit Person to be put into the Workhouse, it is ordered to be forthwith sent thither
John GALE and Richard COOPER Churchwardens
John ENSOR Overseer
John WHITE: Samuel HITCHCOCK; David HAYDON; John LAWES; William MOWLIM
19th January 1745/6 70 19th January 1745/6:
At a public Vestry pursuant to Notice given in the church this day. It is :-

Agreed ---- that a Jacket , two shirts, pair of stockings, and shoes be provided for George the son of Hannah LESTER in order to fit him out for the sea he being to go thither with his brother
John GALE Churchwarden
John ENSOR & Thomas POUNCY Overseers
Robert Lumley KINGSTON; David HAYDON; Samuel HITCHCOCK; and William MOWLIM
3rd March 1745/6 71 3rd March 1745/6: The Parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester
At a public Vestry this day held pursuant to Notice given Sunday last: the following person is adjudged for the Work House and is ordered to be sent thither forthwith:-

Nicholas MARTIN Aged 53
John GALE Churchwarden
John ENSOR & Thomas POUNCY Overseers
William MOWLIM; John SNOOK; Thomas PURSE
1st June 1746 71 1st June 1746:
At a Meeting of the Churchwardens Overseers and other Parishioners pursuant to Notice given Sunday

Ordered ---- that Math [i.e. Mathew] MEECHARD shall have forty shillings returned him by Mr William HALL of Bristol

Ordered ---- that Mary TURNE be forthwith Examined on oath what goods she have belongs to her

Ordered ---- for a pair of shoes for ye Widow FOSTER
John GALE & Richard COOPER Churchwardens
Charles COOPER Overseer
John WHITE; Thomas POUNCY; Thomas PURSE
1st July 1746 72 1st July 1746:
At a Meeting of the Churchwardens & Overseers of the Poor of the parish of Holy Trinity & other parishioners of the said parish It is:-

Agreed ---- that the following persons are proper to be sent to the workhouse & it is ordered that they be sent there forthwith

Mary HARBIN
of the said parish spinster aged [missing at edge of page] years or thereabouts

Joseph LEWIS son of William LEWIS aged 10 years or thereabouts to be sent thither in the room of [i.e. in place of] Walter LEWIS his brother who is discharged
Richard COOPER & John GALE Churchwardens
John GALE Overseer?
Samuel HITCHCOCK; David HAYDON; John WHITE; John WHITE [Note different signatures] ; William MOWLIM; George COOPER
23rd November 1746 72 23rd November 1746:
At a public Vestry then held
br/ Ordered -----That Anne the daughter of Mathew READ be sent forth to the Hospital [i.e. Workhouse] as a person fit to be received there

Ordered ---- that proper care and relief be given for Martha BRINE during ers present illness at the discretion of the Overseers and that when she is sufficiently recovered she be also sent to the Hospital
John WHITE & John MASTERS Churchwardens
John GALE Overseer
William CHURCHILL; Robert Lumley KINGSTON; George COOPER; John WHITE; Samuel HITCHCOCK; and William MOLWLIM
21 Feb 1746/7 73 Gentlemen: London Febry 21 1746:

I have received a complaint that some persons of the Parish of Holy Trinity who sit in the gallery of that church have taken a fancy to distinguish themselves from their neighbours by putting up curtains in the front of it.

These curtains cannot but deaden the voice of him who officiates, and drawing and un-drawing them must be some disturbance, But my information adds that one Sunday 18th January there was a great noise and disturbance, during almost the whole time of the Service , behind the curtains and it is said that some clews past upon supposition that this is the general state of the case for I do not pretend thoroughly to judge of it, not having heard both sides but supposing this to be the case I desire you to have the curtains and rod immediately taken down and let the persons concerned know that it was my directions otherwise I shall be obliged to order a citation to you whose office is to prevent (???) and preserve order and decency in the church. To appear at the Court at Blandford to answer for your tolerating this novelty and disturbance. I speak in the mildest way when I say tolerate for I am told that when the Minister of the Parish took the curtains down you yourselves put them up again.

It would be very inadvisable in you who I suppose are not concerned in the matter to let yourselves be brought into trouble by the instigation of others who's are conspired in it And upon the whole I would by all means advise you to remove the ground of the complaint and prevent the trouble and expense which the prosecution of it must unavoidably chassion
I am Gentlemen your faithfully Friend and Servant J.O. BRISTOL [i.e. Letter sent from the Bishop of Bristol to the Churchwardens of Holy Trinity - See reply below]
1st March 1746/7 74 1st March 1745/6:
The Parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester: At a public Vestry pursuant to Notice given in the church this day. It is :-

Agreed ---- that if any vagrant or any other person be dropped in this parish & become chargeable here by death or otherwise So as any charge shall fall on the parish and which now by the Agreement of the town is paid equally betwixt the three parishes And it being proposed by the parish of Fordington to come into the same agreement & have for that purpose etched the same in their vestry book we do therefore agree that if any such person shall so fall chargeable to the parish of Fordington the whole expense thereof together with the like ex pence happening to the parishes of St peter's & All Saints shall be equally born by the several parishes of the Holy Trinity, St Peter's, All Saints & Fordington

The Churchwardens of this parish having received a Letter from The Bishop of Bristol complaining of some novelty's & Indecency in the church complained of, to him by Dr LEIGH our Minister which after having been fully examined into by the vestry we find his Lordship has been misinformed and we agree that the following Letter shall be returned by the church wardens as an Answer to the Letter

My LORD: We acknowledge our obligation to your Lordship for the method of informing us the Churchwardens of the Holy Trinity in Dor: [i.e. Dorchester] of the complaint made to you against us, and which we have been since told by Dr Leigh our Minister, was done by him, we therefore think it our duty to lay before you a true state of the whole, That your Lordship may be the judge whether these faults have been candidly represented.

In the Town of Dorchester there are three Parish Churches and in the afternoon every other Sunday there is but one Service in the whole town and which is in the Church of the Holy Trinity, which being small and not with conveniently sufficient to receive the inhabitants of the whole town and the middle part of the church, which we call the square and where the Mayor and Corporation and principal Gentlemen of the town are placed, was so much incommoded by persons, who with decency ought to withdraw themselves in some other part of the church, that great complaints were made thereof, but the Churchwardens being unwilling to disoblige any particular persons so as to remove any, it was proposed by us and some of the parishioners to withdraw themselves out of the square, and purchase places in part of the front row of seats in the South gallery apprehending by this example others with decency would do the like and accordingly we who are the churchwardens and about 80 other persons most of them upwards of 40 years of age and of the principal inhabitants of the parish, withdrew and placed themselves in this seat and which in some measure has had the desired affect and this was done & about 40 years since

One half of the whole South Gallery from the front row to the ceiling of the church has been for more than 13 years past railed out and set apart by the parishioners as a space for singers to sit, and such of them as placed themselves in ye front seat then erected a small curtain, not more than two feet deep on the front seat against the body of the church, and which has continued there ever since and in the time of prayer only the curtain were usually drawn and undrawn again as soon as that Service was over.

When the parishioners came to sit in their front seat and which adjoined to the first row of the singers seats they also erected a curtain exactly of the same depth and which has been used by us only in the same and in no other manner whatsoever. Nor does this curtain prevent the sight from any the inhabitants that sit in the seats behind the first row they being built one above ye other or the inhabitants in the church from seeing all who are in the Gallery except such / when the curtains drawn or undrawn there as before.

We, nor none of the parishioners (as we ratified) overheard nor was there ever any complaint made that these curtains deaden the voice of the person who officiates, and it surprises us as they have been so many years in the same manner there, it was never before complained of.

The Gentleman who has been our Officiating Minister for some time, we cant learn, ever made the least complaint, and we are certain none of the inhabitants who sit in ye Gallery behind can be any way injured by it, nor was this complaint ever made to us by Dr LEIGH

As to the very great noise and disturbance in ye church ye 18th January last, during almost ye whole time of service, this we absolutely deny. within the upper part of both Galleries several children and boys sit there; and the Mayor and Corporation always place the Beadle on the one side and the Sexton of ye parish is by us placed on the other on purpose that decency and good order may be preserved amongst them, and we wish we could always keep such persons in due order.

It happened yet on this day one of those boys during ye time of Service was ---- & noisy and the Beadle, who always has a stick in his hand justly reproved him for it, this made the boy cry out, but it was instantly over, and no other disturbance happened. How this can be represented as a great noise and disturbance during almost the whole time of service behind the curtains and some blows past, must be left to your Lordship's candid opinion.

On receipt of of ye Lordships letter we gave notice to the parishioners to meet at ye Vestry and laid the same before them, and by ye unanimous direction of ye whole Vestry ye Lordship is troubled with this answer and as ye parishioners can't conceive the curtains are any ways indecent or a disturbance to ye congregation so they know not what right Dr LEIGH had in ye manner he did to pull down ye same & we did replace them believing we had a power to do so until the same were in undue manner removed but as ye parishioners are very desirous of doing everything for ye Lordships satisfaction so they are willing to leave this whole affair as fully to be examined into as ye Lordship shall direct
not doubting but we shall be able to clear ourselves from}
this unjust charge to ye Lordships satisfaction }
We are with great duty & submission ye Lordships most obedient servants
1st March 1746/7 75 1st March 1746/7
And it is further agreed that in case the said churchwardens shall at any time hereafter be put unto any charge and expense on account of any procedure contained etc to be removed against them relating to the same such charge & expense shall be born by the parish out of the monies collected or to be collected for the relief of the poor of the said parish.
John MASTERS & John WHITE Churchwardens
Charles COOPER & John GALE Overseer
Richard COOPER; John PITMAN; John WHITE; William PADDOCK; Thomas EVOMY; James GOLLOP; George COOPER; W TEMPLEMAN
8th March 1746/7 75 8th March 1746/7
At a Vestry held this day it is:-

Agreed ----that Mary NORMAN and her children be forthwith sent to the Hospital [i.e. Workhouse] and that the churchwardens prepare an order for that purpose

Mary NORMAM Widow aged ----
John NORMAN aged 7 years
Sarah NORMAN aged 5 years
Betty NORMAN aged 3 years
Mary NORMAN and Joan NORMAN aged 6 months [Note:- The 'Hospital is another name for the workhouse' See further entry for 15th May 1748]
John WHITE Churchwarden
Charles COOPER & John GALE Overseer
Richard COOPER; George COOPER; William MOWLIM [Note:- I do not have the time to properly investigate this family but Joan and Mary her youngest children appear to be twins and bap at Charminster on 3rd Aug 1746. If correct her husbands name was Samuel and for the overseers at HT to support her the family must have obtained settlement in the parish. Charminster registers are not complete but also record baptisms for John [1736?] and Sarah 1742 - also of note is that some members of the Norman family in Charminster are recorded as being quakers in their register, and members of the Norman family appear in the Society of Friends register for Dorchester as coming from Charminster]
27th April 1747 76 27th April 1747 Trinity Parish:
At a Meeting of the parishioners of the said parish pursuant to notice

William PEATE and John GALE were agreed to be the Assessors Window Tax for the year oncoming:
John MASTERS & John WHITE Churchwardens
Samuel HITCHCCK and George POUNCEY Overseers
John WHITE; Richard COOPER; Thomas GOULD; David HAYDON; George COOPER
11th October 1747 76 11th October 1747 Trinity Parish:
At a Vestry held this day its :-

Agreed ---- that Joseph BLANDEMORE be forthwith sent to the Hospital [i.e. Workhouse] and that ye Churchwardens do prepare an order forthwith for that purpose ---- Joseph BLANDAMORE aged ----69 years [Note:- May have been buried at HT on 22 Jun 1761]
John MASTERS & John WHITE Churchwardens
Samuel HITCHCCK Overseer
John WHITE; Richard COOPER; William PEATE
23rd November 1747 76 23rd November 1747 Trinity Parish:
At a Vestry held this day its :-

Agreed ---- this day that Mary BRINE be forthwith sent to ye Hospital [i.e. Workhouse] and that ye Churchwardens do prepare an order forthwith for that purpose
John MASTERS & John WHITE Churchwardens
Samuel HITCHCCK & George POUNCEY Overseers
John STICKLAND; William PEATE
31st January 1747/8 77 31st January 1747/8 Trinity Parish:
At a Vestry held this day its :-

Agreed ---- this day that Mary HARBIN be forthwith sent to ye Hospital [i.e. Workhouse] and that ye Churchwardens do prepare an order forthwith for that purpose
John MASTERS & John WHITE Churchwardens
Samuel HITCHCCK Overseer
5th May 1748 77 Trinity Parish:

At a Vestry assembled this fifth day of May 1748 pursuant to a Public Notice for that purpose given on Sunday last it id ordered:-

That the Persons who have refused or neglected to pay their Head Rate shall be forthwith proceeded against accordingly for the recovery of the same as the Law directs. And that the Parish Officers shall be indemnified for so doing and be reimbursed all such costs and charges and expenses as they shall expend be at or be put unto in and about the recovery of such Head Rate out of the moneys to be collected from time to time for the relief of the poor of this parish
John WHITE & John MASTERS Churchwardens

John NELSON and Thomas COMBS Overseers

Samuel HITCHCOCK; Samuel HITCHOCK: Richard COOPER John GALE; David HAYDON; Thomas GOULD; William MOWLIM; Edward BOWER; John WHITE; Thomas BESANT
15th May 1748 78 15th May 1748 Trinity Parish:
At a Vestry held this day it is :-

Agreed ----that Mary NORMAN of this parish and her two children be forthwith discharged from Workhouse & to be allowed 1s 6d per week [Note:- See above entry for 8th March 1746/7. This is because three of her children died in the workhouse and were buried at Holy Trinity :- John & Mary on 19th Feb 1748 and Joan on the 23rd of the same month - Mary therefore still has with her her 2 surviving children Sarah and Betty Norman - See also entry 14th Dec 1748 below]

Ordered ---- at the same time that Betty FROY have two shifts
William PEATE & William MOWLIM Churchwardens
John NELSON and Thomas COMBS Overseers
Nicholas WEARE; Richard COOPER; Thomas MEECH; Samuel HITCHCOCK; John GALE; John WHITE; John BUCKLAND; david HAYDON; Edward BOWER; BESANT; Thomas POOK; John WHITE
13th June 1747 78 13th June 1747 Trinity Parish:
At a Vestry held here this day it is:-

Agreed ----- that William PEATE and Mr John GALE shall be returned officers of ye Land and Window Taxes for this Parish this year and expenses of ye journey to wait on ye Commissioners at Main & Other places out of this Town be allowed them by Overseers of ye Poor of the said Parish, but not to exceed two shillings each for each time for their so attending as aforesaid
William PEATE Churchwarden
Thomas COMB and John NELSON Overseers
John BUCKLAND; David HAYDON; John WHITE; John GALE
4th December 1748 79 4th December 1748
At a Vestry held on this day by ye Churchwardens & Overseers together with the principal inhabitants of the Parish it is:-

Ordered ----that Mary NORMAN and her children be allowed two shillings a week towards their support by ye overseers of the Poor - at ye same time [Note:- See entries above for 8th March 1746/7 and 15th may 1748]

Ordered ---- that all those who reside in this parish who are suspected to bring any future charges on the Parish not belonging to it be forthwith warned to remove or get a Certificate & on refusal be had before ye Justices and Examined
William PEATE & William MOWLIM Churchwardens
John NELSON and Thomas COMBS Overseers
Samuel HITCHCOCK; Richard COOPER; John GALE; John WHITE; Thomas BESANT; Edward BOWER
16th January 1748/9 79 16th January 1748/9 Trinity Parish:
At a Vestry held this day it is :-

Agreed ---- Eliz: [i.e. Elizabeth] FOY & William BROWN be forthwith sent to ye Hospital [i.e. Workhouse] , & that the Churchwardens do prepare an order for that purpose
William MOWLIM Churchwarden
John NELSON and Thomas COMBS Overseers
Samuel HITCHCOCK and David HAYDON
29th January 1748/9 79 29th January 1748/9 Trinity Parish:
At a Vestry held this day it is :-

Agreed ---- Jane BROWN be forthwith sent to ye Hospital [i.e. Workhouse] for a maintenance & that the Churchwardens do prepare an order for that purpose
William PEATE and William MOWLIM Churchwardens
Thomas COMBS Overseer
Edward CLINES; Thomas BESANTS; John BUCKLAND and Samuel HITCHCOCK
20th February 1748/9 80 20th February 1748/9 Trinity Parish:
At a Vestry held this day it is :-

Agreed ---- Mary COTE is to have Ruth READ'S Weekly Pay and value ye Old Overseers eight shillings & nine pence left in arrears [Note:- See earlier comments about two Ruth Read's in Vestry Minutes for 2nd July 1733 & burial of Ruth READ at HT on 10 Jan 1748/9]
William MOWLIM Churchwarden
Thomas COMBS & John NELSON Overseers
William TURNER; John BUCKLAND and Samuel HITCHCOCK
8th March 1748/9 80 8th March 1748/9 Trinity Parish:
At a Vestry held this day: public notice given it is:-

Ordered ---- ye Mary LACEY be removed to ye Parish of St Peters in this town
William PEATE and William MOWLIM Churchwardens
Thomas COMBS & John NELSON Overseers
David HAYDON and John WHITE
27th March 1749 80 27th March 1749 Trinity Parish:
At a Vestry held this day it is:-

Agreed ---- that ye Widow FOOK's Child be forthwith sent to ye Hospital [i.e. Workhouse] for a maintenance & that the Churchwardens do prepare an order for that purpose
William MOWLIM Churchwarden
Thomas COMBS & John NELSON Overseers
Nicholas WEARE; John GALE; John BUCKLAND; Richard COOPER; Samuel HITCHCOCK and Edward CLINES
9th April 1749 81 9th April 1749 Trinity Parish:
At a Vestry held here this day it was:-

Ordered ---- that William BROWN & Jane BROWN and Samuel PADDOCK be immediately discharged out of ye Workhouse
William PEATE and William MOWLIM Churchwardens
Edward CLINES and Simon BRETT Overseers
John GALE; John WHITE and John BUCKLAND
14th May 1749 81 The Parish of the Holy Trinity
At a Meeting of the Churchwardens and Overseers of & other inhabitants of the said Parish at a Vestry held this 14th day of May 1749 pursuant to public notice given for the purpose

WHEREAS by an order of Vestry of the said parish having date the 4th Day of May 1746 It was agreed that the Churchwardens of the said Parish should Lend and Pay unto the Guardians of the Hospital of Dorchester the sum of Ten Pounds being a Legacy formerly given to the poor there by John CHURCHILL Esquire and Ten Pounds more which was formerly paid by Mary POMIE?? [not clear] & ten pounds more paid by James MASTERMAN as a security for a bastard child being in the whole thirty pounds and WHERAS the present Guardians are willing & ready to pay off the said Thirty Pounds so lent as aforesaid NOW it is agreed & ordered that the Ten Pounds formerly lodged by the said Mary POMIE? be paid her by the said Guardians the said Bastard Child being discharged from the said parish and the ten pounds mentioned to be paid by James MASTERMAN be such in the said Parish there having been more than that sum advanced in relief & maintenance of the said Bastard Child and the ten pounds formerly given by the said John CHURCHILL to be paid into the hands of the said Guardians in case of the present rates of the said parish there to remain until the Inhabitants of the said parish shall think fit to all for the same
William PEATE and William MOWLIM Churchwardens
Edward CLINES and Simon BRETT Overseers
Edward BOWER; John WHITE; Robert SMITH; Thomas BESANT
7th July 1749 82 I do acknowledge to have received of the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of the parish of the Holy Trinity in Dorchester the sum of Ten Pounds which was formerly lodged by me in their hands as a security or indemnification for my child to the said parish; the child having since gained a settlement elsewhere and fourteen shillings and eight pence for the interest thereof which they received of the Guardians of the Hospital - witness my hand
Mary POMIE [Note See Vestry minutes 14th May 1749 above - Signed in her own hand but surname still not clear ]
Witnessed :
Thomas PITMAN and J. CHAFFEY??
23rd July 1749 82 23rd July 1749
At a Vestry held here this day it was:-

Agreed ---- that Benjamin TURNER be allowed a Penny Loaf a day by ye overseers of ye poor

Ordered ---- also that Mr Edward CLINE do agree to Mr RING ye Bridwell Keeper on ye most reasonable terms he can for ye maintenance of John HARDY There
William PEATE and William MOWLIM Churchwardens
Edward CLINES Overseer
David HAYDON; John WHITE and Edward BOWER
12th February 1749/50 82 12th February 1749/50
At a Vestry this day held according to public notice given Sunday last it's:-

Agreed ---- that Matha [i.e. Martha] NEWMAN be a Loud - a Gound [i.e. be allowed a gown] & a shift, and that Dibra [i.e. Deborah] FOYE have a Gound [gown] and that James MASH be a loud [allowed] one shilling per week till further orders, and that ye Widow WINSER have six pound of Flax
William PEATE & William MOWLIM Churchwardens
Edward CLINES Overseer
Nicholas WEARE; John NELSON; John WHITE; John WHITE; David HAYDON; John BUCKLAND
8th April 1750 83

8th April 1750
At a Vestry held here this day as by public notice given it is:-

Agreed ---- to grant the churchwardens three months rate to reimburse them

William MOWLIM & W PEATE Churchwardens
Edward CLINES Overseer
Samuel HITCHCOCK; John WHITE; John WHITE; and John MASTERS
22nd April 1750 83

22nd April 1750 Trinity Parish:
At a Vestry held here this day it is:-

Agreed ---- that Rebecca WINZER Widow, & John GREEN and James MASH Taylour be forthwith send into the Hospital for Maintenance and that the Churchwardens and Overseers do prepare an order for that purpose. It is agreed that all Persons that have no Certificate do get them judiciously

William MOWLIM Churchwarden
John SCUTT Overseer
Edward BOWER; Richard COOPER; John BUCKLAND; John WHITE; John WHITE; Thomas POUNCY and Edward CLINES
7th May 1750 84

7th May 1750
At a Vestry held here this day according to notice given it is:-

Agreed ---- that the Churchwardens shall have power to distrain for two years Head Rent due from Joseph PHELPS & John SEARLE

William MOWLIM Churchwarden
John SCUTT and John DAVEY Overseers
Richard COOPER; John WHITE; John NELSON ; Samuel HITCHCOCK
17th May 1750 84

17th May 1750
At a Vestry held here this day according to notice given it was:-

Ordered ---- that the Widow FOOKES & her two children, Martha BRINE & Joseph LEWIS be immediately discharged out of the WorkHouse and that the Widow NORMAN from this time to have but 6d per week and Debrah {Deborah] FOYE to have but 6d per week. If when the Widow FOOKES & her two children are out of ye workhouse to be paid two shillings & 6 pence per week

John WHITE and John NELSON Churchwardens
John SCUTT and John DAVEY Overseers
Richard COOPER; John GALE; John BUCKLAND; John WHITE; David HAYDON ; Thomas EVOMY; Edward CHILES and William GUNDRY
22nd May 1750 85

22nd May 1750
At a Vestry held here this day according to notice it is:-

Agreed and ordered ---- that Thomas POUNCEY & John ENSOR; shall be returned as officers of the land & Window Taxes for this Parish for this year

John WHITE and John NELSON Churchwardens
John SCUTT and John DAVEY Overseers
Samuel HITCHCOCK; John GALE; Edward CLINES; John WHEELER; [Constable]
18th July 1750 85 18th July 1750
At a Vestry held here this day according to public notice given Sunday last it is:-

Agreed and ordered ---- that Mary POUNCEY alias HOBBS be allowed five shillings & that Elnar STICKLAND have five shillings & 3d to pay a Quarters Rent and to allow Hester TURNER one shilling per week till further orders
John WHITE and John NELSON Churchwardens
John SCUTT Overseer
John WHITE; John BUCKLAND; Edward CLINES; William MOWLIM; David HAYDON
20th August 1750 85 20th August 1750
At a Meeting of the Churchwardens & Overseers and others of the parishioners according to public notice given Sunday last it's:-

Agreed ---- that Mathew BRINE be forthwith sent to the Hospital [i.e. Workhouse] and that there is an order got for that purpose
John WHITE and John NELSON Churchwardens
John SCUTT & John DAVEY Overseers
Richard COOPER; Samuel HITCHCOCK; John WHITE and William MOWLIM
2nd September 1750 86 2nd September 1750 DORSET Parish of Holy Trinity Dorchester
At a public Vestry or meeting of the parishioners of the said parish held the second day of September 1750:-

It is Agreed ---- that William NEWMAN & Elizabeth FFOY two poor children of the said Parish & now in the Hospital of this town be bound apprentice to John HOLT of Wareham Pipemaker till they be of the age the act of Parliament requires for binding poor children Apprentices. The Parish is to give 40s? [Shillings?] with Elizabeth FFOY and 4l [i.e.£4] with William NEWMAN & the parish to cloth them going out & the Master to find them all necessaries & new suits of clothes at the end of the same.
John WHITE and John NELSON Churchwardens
John SCUTT Overseer
Robert SMITH; Anthony READ; Samuel HITCHCOCK; Thomas COOMBS; David HAYDON; William MOWLIM; and William GUNDRY
3rd September 1750 86 3rd September 1750
At a public Vestry held this day pursuant to public notice given Sunday last it is:-

Agreed ---- that Deborah FFOY's bastard child be putinto the Hospital & that no more pay be given her out

That Mary HOBBS be allowed a gown two shifts & a new hat & an apron

That Martha NEWMAN be allowed 6d a week towards her maintenance

That Elizabeth MARSH the wife of James MARSH be allowed 6d a week towards her maintenance
John WHITE and John NELSON Churchwardens
John SCUTT & John DAVEY Overseers
Robert SMITH; William MOWLIM; David HAYDON; Samuel HITCHCOCK: and John BUCKLAND
6th January 1750/1 87 6th January 1750/1
At a public Vestry held this day according to public notice given it is:-

Agreed ---- that John GREEN be allowed two shillings & six pence per week for one month
John NELSON Churchwarden
John SCUTT & John DAVEY Overseers
Samuel HITCHCOCK: Thomas COOMBS; John WHITE: Edward CLINES; John GALE; and Thomas EVOMY
27th January 1750/1 87 27th January 1750/1
At a Vestry held this day according to public notice given it's:-

Agreed ---- that the bastard child of Jane BESANT aged 7 weeks be sent to ye Hospital [i.e. Workhouse] for a maintenance till the next Sessions and that ye officers do prepare an order for that purpose [Note:- James son of Jane BESANT was baptised at Holy trinity Church on 10 Apr 1751 ]
John NELSON Churchwarden
John SCUTT & John DAVEY Overseers
Samuel HITCHCOCK: Thomas COOMBS; John WHITE: Edward CLINES; John GALE; and Thomas EVOMY

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