Beaminster Genealogical Records
Beaminster Birth & Baptism Records
An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Baptism records from people born in and around Beaminster between 1850 and 1906. Lists the name of people's parent's, their occupations and abode.
Name index attached to original images of the baptism registers of Holy Trinity, Beaminster. Records document parents' names, date of baptism and/or birth, residence, occupations and more.
Records of baptism for people born in and around Beaminster between 1813 and 1906. Details include child's name, parents' names and date of birth and/or baptism. Records may also include parent's occupations, residence, place of origin and more.
Baptism registers are the primary source for birth documentation before 1837, though are relevant to the present. They record the date a child was baptised, their parents' names and more.
Beaminster Marriage & Divorce Records
An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Marriage registers record Anglican marriages in Beaminster. They are the primary marriage document before 1837 and contain the same details as marriage certificates from then on. They typically record residence and marital status, though may contain ages and father's names.
Marriage records from people who married at Beaminster between 1590 and 1812. Lists an individual's abode, marital status, father's name, age and signature
Marriage records from people who married at Beaminster between 1585 and 1896. Lists an individual's abode, marital status and more.
A searchable transcript of marriages from the parish registers of Beaminster. They may list residence, marital status, witnesses and more.
Beaminster Death & Burial Records
An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.
Burial records for people buried at Holy Trinity, Beaminster, detail the deceased's name, residence and age from 1850 to 1919.
Burial records for people buried at Beaminster between 1813 and 1999. Lists the deceased's name, residence and age. Some records may contain the names of relations, cause of death and more.
Burial registers record burials that occurred at Beaminster. They are the primary source documenting deaths before 1837, though are useful to the present. Details given may include the deceased's name, residence, age, names of relations, cause of death and more.
Burial records for people buried at Beaminster, detail the deceased's name, residence and age from 1736 to 1937.
Beaminster Census & Population Lists
An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.
The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.
A full name index, connected to original images of the registers. These records list those who were eligible to vote and may give a description of an individual's property.
A list of freeholders in the county, with their residence, the name of their tenants and the location of their freehold.
Transcriptions of hearth tax records for the county of Dorset.
Newspapers Covering Beaminster
Fully text-searchable articles from a local newspaper covering the Taunton district. It includes family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more.
Fully text-searchable articles from a local newspaper covering the Sherborne district. It includes family announcements, obituaries, court proceedings, business notices and more.
A politically independent newspaper, covering the affairs of Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It includes family notices.
A regional newspaper covering the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire Hampshire and Berkshire. It covers local and national news, family announcements, business news, legal proceedings and more.
A liberal newspaper covering the counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. It includes family notices.
Beaminster Wills & Probate Records
Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.
An index to 295,609 wills of people who lived in or were connected to Devon. The wills they reference can contain a great deal of genealogical information.
An index to Gloucestershire wills from Bristol and Gloucester Diocese.
An index linked to original images of wills, administrations and inventories proved in Dorset courts. Documents contain much genealogical information.
An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.
Beaminster Immigration & Travel Records
An index linked to original images of documents for vagrants. These records were draw up for poor people who moved to parishes where their presence was unwanted. They contain much genealogical information.
Indentures and other records that recorded the transportation of Dorset men and women to the colonies.
Details of individuals who left Dorset for New England.
A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.
A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.
Beaminster Military Records
An index linked to original images of lists men eligible to serve in the militia. Records may include name, residence, occupation, age, height, marital status, disabilities and family details.
A list of Dorset-men who were in the military and registered to vote as absent.
A list of names found on World War One monuments in Dorset, with some service details.
A list of names found on World War Two monuments in Dorset, with some service details.
A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.
Beaminster Court & Legal Records
Over 60,000 documents relating to prisoners held at Dorchester Prison. The collection includes admission and discharge books and photographs of the latter prisoners.
Documents relating to the licensing of alehouses. Contains details on the proprietor, establishment and conditions of the licence.
Original images of Dorset parish records. Including: poor rates, overseers, churchwardens, vestry, incumbents' and other records.
The records document Quarter Session judges’ decisions in matters that include settlement inquiries, highway rates, criminal trials, registers of settlement, orders of removal, bastardy examinations, apprenticeships, licensing, contracts, lists of justices, and other matters related to the business of running the county.
Original images of Dorset parish records. Including: poor rates, overseers, churchwardens, vestry, incumbents' and other records.
Beaminster Taxation Records
Maps delineating fields in Dorset, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.
Digital images of 18th and 19th century records that record landowners and their tenants. The taxable value of the land is given, and sometimes a description of the property. These records can be searched by names and place indices.
Transcriptions of hearth tax records for the county of Dorset.
An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.
This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.
Beaminster Land & Property Records
A full name index, connected to original images of the registers. These records list those who were eligible to vote and may give a description of an individual's property.
Maps delineating fields in Dorset, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.
Digital images of 18th and 19th century records that record landowners and their tenants. The taxable value of the land is given, and sometimes a description of the property. These records can be searched by names and place indices.
A list of freeholders in the county, with their residence, the name of their tenants and the location of their freehold.
A list of Dorset-men who were in the military and registered to vote as absent.
Beaminster Directories & Gazetteers
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.
An exhaustive gazetteer, containing details of settlement's history, governance, churches, postal services, public institutions and more. Also contains lists of residents with their occupation and address.
Beaminster Cemeteries
Vital details extracted from tombstones and other monuments.
An index to vital details engraved on gravestones and other monuments across the county of Dorset.
An index to inscriptions found on 56,608 gravestones and monuments in Dorset. The index includes details of relationships.
An index to inscriptions found on over 11,500 gravestones in Dorset. The index includes details of relationships.
Photographs and descriptions of Dorset' most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.
Beaminster Obituaries
The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.
A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.
A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.
This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.
A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.
Beaminster Histories & Books
Selected issues of a periodical which contains many historical and genealogical tracts relating to the counties of Somerset and Dorset.
A history of Catholicism in South West England with biographies of noted Catholics. Contains details of the Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan orders.
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
Photographs and images of churches in Dorset.
Short profiles of Dorsetshire churches, containing photographs and bibliographies.
Beaminster School & Education Records
A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.
A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.
A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.
A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.
A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.
Beaminster Occupation & Business Records
A collection of nearly 60,000 documents including crew lists, ship agreements and log books for Dorset. Records may contain information of a sailors birth, life, duties and discipline.
Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Dorset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.
Over 3,300 documents relating to bounties offered to farmers by the government to grow hemp & flax.
An article describing the life of labourers in Dorset in the 19th century. Includes details on hiring practices and poverty.
An introduction to smuggling in Dorset & Hampshire.
Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Beaminster
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
Beaminster Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records
A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.
Photographs and descriptions of Dorset' most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.
Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.
A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.
Over 600 pedigrees for English and Welsh families who had a right to bear a coat of arms.
Beaminster Church Records
The parish registers of Beaminster are the primary source for birth, marriage and death details before civil registration (1837). A full index to names with original images of the registers are available between 1590 and 1999.
Documentation for those baptised, married and buried at Beaminster. Parish registers can assist tracing a family as far back as 1585.
Original images of Dorset parish records. Including: poor rates, overseers, churchwardens, vestry, incumbents' and other records.
Abstracts of apprenticeship indentures initiated by parishes in Dorset. These records provide details on parents' names and occupations.
Original images of parish registers, searchable by a name index, covering almost all Dorset parishes.
Biographical Directories Covering Beaminster
A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.
Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.
A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.
Beaminster Maps
Maps delineating fields in Dorset, which are referenced to documents recording field names, land owners, occupiers, land use and land size.
A collection of digitalised maps covering the county.
Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.
Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.
An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.
Beaminster Reference Works
A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.
Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.
A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.
A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.
A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.
Civil & Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
Historical Description
Beaminster, an agreeable town, pleasantly situated on the banks of the river Birt, in a deep and fertile vale, surrounded by gardens and orchards. It is in the parish of Netherbury, and was formerly of more importance than at present, as it gives name to the hundred. The town was nearly destroyed by fire in 1645, and again in 1686. The river Birt issues from several springs on the northside of the town,and after flowing through the town, and the valley which lies between it and Bridport, falls into the sea at Bridport Harbour.
In this parish are three manors, called Beaminster Prima, Beaminster Secunda, and Beaminster Parsonatus, belonging to the three prebends in Salisbury Cathedral. The lands belonging to the three manors are transferred from one tenant to another by surrender, which is registered in the Lord's Court: and the tenant has a right, on his death, to appoint his successor by a special instrument, called a nomination. In the middle of the town stands the Market-house, which is a modern building. The quarter "sessions were held here in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and in the beginning of that of Charles I. Near the Market-house was formerly a cross, whose site was exempt from the tolls of the market.
The Church or Chapel, which is dedicated to the Virgin Marv, stands on an eminence, on the south side of the town; it consists of a body, two side aisles, a chancel, and a small aisle on the north side of the chancel, anciently used for a chantry. This Tower is the chief object of admiration, being near 100 feet high, and extremely well proportioned, consisting of three stories, with double buttresses at the angles, enriched with niches towards the basement, and terminating with small angular shafts; the west front exhibits a design and variety of decoration peculiarly handsome, with pannels, pinnacles, &c. A band, or cornice of enriched quatie-soils, extends round the fronts and sides of the tower, at the springing of the arch of the door, and a similar cornice above the window divides the stories, forming altogether a very handsome design.
In the churchyard is an Almshouse founded in the year 1634, by Sir John Strode, of Parnham, Knt. and also a Free School, for teaching 20 poor boys of the town, reading, writing, and arithmetic, founded by Mrs. Francis Tucker, in the reign of William III. The master receives the yearly salary of 20l. issuing from a farm called Marsh, situated on the east side of the town; and the residue of the rent, amounting to near 80l. a year, is employed in binding out poor children apprentices.
The Workhouse was anciently an Almshouse, founded by Gilbert Adams, mercer, in 1626, who gave, by his will, a sum of money, for its maintenance, with which was purchased an estate, situate at Aliens Loscombe, about four miles from the town, of the annual value of eighteen pounds; another estate, called Emleywood, situated in the parish of Corscombe, was given to the poor of Beaminster, by the Rev. William Hillary, of Minstead, in the county of Hants, in the year 1712. This benefaction was directed to take place after the expiration of 99 years from his decease.
A congregation of Protestant Dissenters has existed in the town, from the passing of the Act of Uniformity in 1662. The Vicar of the parish has always resided at Netherbury, where stands the vicarage-house. This living is supposed to produce upwards of 500l. a year, notwithstanding the occupiers of lands are entitled to the privilege of paying small sums of money in lieu of several species of their tythes.
The manufacture of woollen cloth was established in this town at an early period, and is still in a thriving state. Here is also a considerable sailcloth manufactory, as also of Jocks and other iron, tin, and copper goods, for home consumption and exportation. The convenience of water has afforded great encouragement to the tanning business; and many machines, in the various trades of the town, are worked by water only. One sail cloth manufactory at Beaminster alone has employed 600 people, and in and about the environs of the town there have been upwards of 2000 persons employed by them and others in making twine, string, packthread, netting, cordage, and ropes.
At this place is a regular daily post from Bridporr, which is managed by a postmaster, chosen by the principal inhabitants. The number of houses appears to be 445, and 2290 inhabitants.
The market day is on Thursday; and a fair is annually holden on the 19th of September, which has existed ever since the 12th of Edward I. Of late years there have been two public sales, for cattle, cheese, &c. on the 4th of April and 9th of October! The town is distant from London 133 miles.
On the south side of the town is Parnham, the seat of Sir William Oglander, Bart, a large and ancient structure. Upon a pane of painted glass in the ball, 11 3 there is the arms of "John Strode, 1449." From the family of this name, it passed in 1699 to that of the present owner by marriage.
On the east of Beaminster is a large farm, called Langdon-farm, held by lease under the Bishop of Sarum.
The hills which surround the town of Beaminster afford very extensive and pleasing prospects, particularly Lewesdon Rill the subject of a fine poem in blank verse, by the Rev, William Crowe, public orator of the University of Oxford, The poet is supposed to be traversing the summit on a May morning, and surveying the surrounding objects of Pillesdon hill, Shipton hill, Burton cliff, and Eggerdon hill." From this proud eminence, on all sides round Th' unbroken prospect opens to my view; On all sides large : save only where the head Of Pillisdon rises, Pillisdon's lofty Pen; So call (still rendering to his ancient name Observance due; that rival height south west, Which like a rampire bounds the vale beneath.
About a mile from Lewesdon Hill is Pillesdon Pen, another remarkably high hill, on the north side of the village. Both these hills form eminent sea marks, and are called by the seamen the Cow and Colf. On the eastern summit of Pillesdon Pen are the vestiges of the same sort of encampment as we have before described.
Lambert's Castle Hill an ancient fortification in the parish of White Church Canoniconum, is of vast height, in the form of a Roman D; having triple trenches and ditches with their entrance. The area within the ramparts is estimated at about twelve acres.
BEAMINSTER is a market and union town and parish 18 miles west-by-north from Dorchester, 6 north from Bridport terminal station on a branch of the Great Western railway, 6 south from Crewkerne station on the London and South Western railway, and 133 by road from London, in the Western division of the county, petty sessional division and county court district of Bridport, hundred of Beaminster Forum, rural deanery of Bridport (Beaminster portion), archdeaconry of Dorset and diocese of Salisbury. The town is of considerable antiquity: in “Domesday Book” it is classed amongst lands belonging to the Bishopric of Sarum: it was given in 1091 to Bishop Osmund to augment two of the prebends of his cathedral: it is pleasantly seated in a fertile and beautiful valley, through which runs the river Brit, which issues from several springs about one mile north from the town and flows into the English Channel at Bridport harbour. At East Axe Knoll, one of the highest hills in this county, two rivers take their source-the Axe and the Brit. The town is paved and is lighted with gas by a company and supplied with water from wells and springs. There are many good residences, and the modern appearance of the town may be attributed to the destruction of the old town by fire, which took place in the civil wars of Charles I. In the parish register it states that-“On the 14th of April, 1644, it was all consumed by a terrible fire, except the East streete and part of the Church streete, Prince Maurice and his army lying then in the towne;” it was rebuilt with the assist ance of Parliament, but again, with the Market house, destroyed by the fire of June 28th, 1684; and again on the 31st of March, 1781, at about 5 a.m. a fire broke out in the back premises of the King's Arms inn, in the Market place, destroying in a few hours the whole of the houses (two only excepted) on the west side of the street leading to the church, also the houses in Church street and Little street. In 1849 Beaminster was separated from the mother-parish of Netherbury, to which it was formerly subject, and made a separate vicarage. The church of the Virgin Mary is a large handsome stone building, standing on an eminence on the southern side of the town: it is principally of Perpendicular character, of about the end of the fifteenth century, consisting of a chancel, nave of 5 bays, aisles, north porch and embattled western tower nearly 100 feet high, which contains a clock and a peal of 8 bells, with chimes, which play every three hours: the bells were rehung at considerable expense in 1887 : the tower is well proportioned and enriched with figures representing the Virgin Mary, the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension: it was anciently ornamented with pinnacles, but these having been entirely destroyed, the tower in 1878 was restored and the pinnacles replaced at a cost of £1,100; the aisles were newly roofed in 1889 at a cost of £400: there are two monuments of the Strode family, several mural tablets, one brass and fine memorial stained windows, the principal being to Sir Henry Oglander, Sir William Oglander, Colonel Cox and Edward Fox esq. : in removing one of the monuments some years ago the ancient steps and doorway to the rood-loft were exposed: the church has sittings for 750. The parish register dates from the year 1684, the previous one having been destroyed by the fire of that year. The living is a vicarage, average tithe rent charge £247, gross yearly value £314, net £239, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Salisbury, and held since 1890 by the Rev. Arthur Allen Leonard M.A. of Oriel College, Oxford. Holy Trinity chapel of ease, at the north-western extremity of the town, is a building of stone in the Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave of five bays, aisles, south porch and bell turret at the intersection of chancel and nave, containing one bell: the east and west windows are stained: consecrated and opened in 1851: it has 400 sittings. There are chapels for Wesleyans (with 200 sittings) and Congregationalists (with 300 sittings). Petty sessions for the Bridport petty sessional division are held here at the Police station every alternate month on a Monday at 11 a.m. alternately with Bridport and Thorncombe; for list of magistrates and places in the division see Bridport. The Market house and other buildings were bought from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners by a local committee and pulled down in 1886, leaving the market place clear. The markets are held on Thursday for butchers’ meat and provisions; and the fair on September the 19th annually, for cattle. Adjacent to the churchyard is an almshouse, built and endowed by Sir John, Strode, for the support of six poor people; the inmates are chosen by Admiral Fitz Roy C. B. the representative of the donor. There are other charities of the annual value of £85, derived from land and Consols. This town was the native place of Thomas Sprat, Bishop of Rochester, born 1635, consecrated bishop 1684. Parnham House, the seat of Vice-Admiral Robert O'Brien Fitz Roy C. B. is a large old structure: the hall is a noble room, having in its windows and on its walls all the marriages of the family, and a pane of stained glass having the arms of Strode inscribed “John Strode, 1449:” in the withdrawing room is an original portrait of Thomas Lord Cromwell, vicar-general of Henry VIII. and another of Gregory Lord Cromwell, his son: in the gallery are various portraits of the Strodes, some of which are of the age of Queen Elizabeth: the capital mansion house was rebuilt and enlarged by Robert Strode esq. in the reign of Henry VIII.; many of the chambers are hung with tapestry: on the extinction of the Strode family (to whom it originally belonged) by the death of Thomas Strode esq. the last of that name, the estate devolved on the late Sir John Oglander bart. of Nunwell, in the Isle of Wight, and since then it has passed to the present owner. The Manor House is the seat of Mrs. Cox. John Russell Cox esq. J.P. is lord of the manor of Beaminster Prima and Secunda. The principal landowners are Vice-Admiral Fitz Roy C. B. John Russell Cox esq. Miss Frances Cox, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, Capt. Thomas Russell, Peter Meech esq. William James Daniel esq. and Henry Francis Compton esq. The area is 4,916 acres; rateable value £10,880; the population in 1891 was 1,915.
Langdon is a tithing 1 ½ miles north-east; Newtown, half a mile north; and Buckham, 2 miles north-west, are hamlets.
Beaminster Union
Board day, every alternate Thursday at the workhouse, at 11 a.m.
Beaminster is the head of a union of 26 parishes, comprising Beaminster, Bettiscombe, Broadwindsor, Burstock, Oheddington, Chelborough (East), Chelborough (West), Corscombe, Evershot, Halstock, Hooke, Mapperton, Marshwood, Melbury Osmond, Melbury Sampford, Mosterton, Netherbury, Perrott (South), Pilsdon, Poorstock, Poorton (North), Rampisham, Stoke Abbott & Wraxall & Misterton & Seaborough in Somerset. The area of the union is 54,638 acres, rateable value in 1894 £84,696. The population in 1891 was 10,366.
Places of worship, with times of services
Church of the Virgin Mary, Rev. Arthur Allen Leonard M.A. vicar; Rev. Basil Wyatt Bradford B.A. curate; holy communion at 8 a.m.; morning prayer, 11 a.m.; afternoon service, 3 p.m.; evening service, 6.50 p.m.; Mon Tues. Thur. & Sat. morning prayer in summer, 7.30 a.m.; morning prayer in winter, 10 a.m.; Wed. & Fri morning prayer at 11 a.m.; saints’ days, celebration 8 a.m.; morning prayer at 11 a.m.; evening service at 6 p.m. summer & 4.30 p.m. winter; sermon every Friday evening at 7.30 Chapel of the Holy Trinity; morning prayer at 11 a.m. Congregational, Rev. William Akehurst revan; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.
Wesleyan; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.
Schools
The Beaminster & Netherbury school, founded by Mrs. Tucker in 1684, for 20 poor boys of the parish, has been amalgamated with the Netherbury Grammar school, which has been removed here, as a day & boarding school for boys & called the Beaminster & Netherbury Grammar school: the number of scholars is now about 25 & the endowment amounts to £280 yearly; the Rev. Samuel Hood, father of Lords Hood & Bridport, was master of this school in 1715. This school is temporarily closed to amass funds.
National (girls), built in 1870, for 130 children; average attendance, 60.
Boys’ Elementary, built in 1875, for 130 children; average attendance, 70.
Infant, built in 1870, for 150 children; average atlendance 100.
Most Common Surnames in Beaminster
| Rank | Surname | Incidence | Frequency | Percent of Parent | Rank in Beaminster Hundred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bugler | 72 | 1:30 | 37.31% | 209 |
| 2 | Marsh | 48 | 1:44 | 7.14% | 22 |
| 2 | Paul | 48 | 1:44 | 18.75% | 150 |
| 4 | Dawe | 37 | 1:58 | 19.17% | 209 |
| 5 | Chubb | 33 | 1:65 | 14.93% | 184 |
| 6 | Poole | 32 | 1:67 | 26.45% | 336 |
| 7 | Watts | 31 | 1:69 | 6.10% | 45 |
| 8 | Swaffield | 30 | 1:71 | 17.65% | 244 |
| 9 | Legg | 29 | 1:73 | 2.65% | 5 |
| 10 | Tuck | 28 | 1:76 | 13.73% | 201 |
| 11 | Hawker | 27 | 1:79 | 11.64% | 171 |
| 12 | Elliott | 25 | 1:85 | 7.79% | 109 |
| 12 | Dunn | 25 | 1:85 | 10.73% | 168 |
| 14 | Hill | 23 | 1:93 | 6.23% | 81 |
| 14 | Travers | 23 | 1:93 | 8.65% | 141 |
| 16 | Bowditch | 22 | 1:97 | 8.76% | 153 |
| 17 | Russell | 21 | 1:101 | 4.78% | 56 |
| 17 | Gibbs | 21 | 1:101 | 5.17% | 69 |
| 17 | Weaver | 21 | 1:101 | 63.64% | 1,029 |
| 17 | Coombs | 21 | 1:101 | 4.17% | 46 |
| 17 | Way | 21 | 1:101 | 4.25% | 47 |
| 22 | Edwards | 20 | 1:107 | 5.24% | 77 |
| 22 | Newman | 20 | 1:107 | 6.08% | 106 |
| 24 | Cox | 19 | 1:112 | 2.07% | 7 |
| 24 | Chambers | 19 | 1:112 | 47.50% | 895 |
| 24 | Gale | 19 | 1:112 | 2.49% | 13 |
| 24 | Hann | 19 | 1:112 | 5.46% | 94 |
| 28 | Turner | 18 | 1:118 | 5.26% | 99 |
| 28 | Hallett | 18 | 1:118 | 3.00% | 30 |
| 28 | Meech | 18 | 1:118 | 6.84% | 143 |
| 28 | Pomery | 18 | 1:118 | 62.07% | 1,118 |
| 32 | Allen | 17 | 1:125 | 3.11% | 36 |
| 32 | Symes | 17 | 1:125 | 2.58% | 25 |
| 34 | Frampton | 16 | 1:133 | 3.05% | 42 |
| 35 | Rogers | 15 | 1:142 | 3.46% | 59 |
| 35 | Boon | 15 | 1:142 | 29.41% | 755 |
| 35 | Barter | 15 | 1:142 | 7.98% | 220 |
| 35 | Trump | 15 | 1:142 | 34.09% | 837 |
| 39 | Lawrence | 14 | 1:152 | 5.60% | 155 |
| 39 | Clare | 14 | 1:152 | 43.75% | 1,045 |
| 41 | Brown | 13 | 1:164 | 0.86% | 3 |
| 41 | Lane | 13 | 1:164 | 2.41% | 38 |
| 41 | Bartlett | 13 | 1:164 | 1.03% | 4 |
| 41 | Keech | 13 | 1:164 | 11.11% | 356 |
| 45 | Welsh | 12 | 1:178 | 21.05% | 684 |
| 45 | Winter | 12 | 1:178 | 12.90% | 460 |
| 45 | Holloway | 12 | 1:178 | 4.60% | 146 |
| 45 | Lock | 12 | 1:178 | 4.35% | 138 |
| 45 | Hussey | 12 | 1:178 | 4.04% | 122 |
| 45 | Rendell | 12 | 1:178 | 7.23% | 251 |
| 45 | Galpin | 12 | 1:178 | 5.74% | 197 |
| 45 | Quarrell | 12 | 1:178 | 41.38% | 1,118 |
| 53 | Stone | 11 | 1:194 | 1.02% | 6 |
| 53 | Andress | 11 | 1:194 | 47.83% | 1,283 |
| 55 | Cook | 10 | 1:213 | 2.62% | 77 |
| 55 | Fry | 10 | 1:213 | 2.34% | 63 |
| 55 | Hoare | 10 | 1:213 | 3.14% | 111 |
| 55 | Shephard | 10 | 1:213 | 25.64% | 905 |
| 55 | Hansford | 10 | 1:213 | 1.50% | 24 |
| 55 | Gillingham | 10 | 1:213 | 2.71% | 81 |
| 55 | Guppy | 10 | 1:213 | 4.44% | 179 |
| 62 | Lewis | 9 | 1:237 | 6.12% | 279 |
| 62 | Henderson | 9 | 1:237 | 45.00% | 1,402 |
| 62 | Andrews | 9 | 1:237 | 1.35% | 23 |
| 62 | Bullock | 9 | 1:237 | 18.75% | 787 |
| 62 | Daniel | 9 | 1:237 | 27.27% | 1,029 |
| 62 | Hull | 9 | 1:237 | 9.78% | 463 |
| 62 | Crabb | 9 | 1:237 | 2.74% | 106 |
| 62 | Shapland | 9 | 1:237 | 100.00% | 2,313 |
| 62 | Froome | 9 | 1:237 | 75.00% | 1,933 |
| 62 | Rousell | 9 | 1:237 | 28.13% | 1,045 |
| 72 | Williams | 8 | 1:266 | 1.25% | 26 |
| 72 | Brooks | 8 | 1:266 | 6.96% | 368 |
| 72 | Pearce | 8 | 1:266 | 1.12% | 14 |
| 72 | Hawkins | 8 | 1:266 | 1.90% | 64 |
| 72 | Park | 8 | 1:266 | 6.56% | 334 |
| 72 | Sparks | 8 | 1:266 | 34.78% | 1,283 |
| 72 | Hine | 8 | 1:266 | 8.51% | 458 |
| 72 | Legge | 8 | 1:266 | 12.70% | 623 |
| 72 | Sydenham | 8 | 1:266 | 16.67% | 787 |
| 72 | Greenham | 8 | 1:266 | 10.39% | 540 |
| 72 | Wakely | 8 | 1:266 | 8.00% | 422 |
| 72 | Chaffey | 8 | 1:266 | 4.91% | 254 |
| 72 | Whitty | 8 | 1:266 | 14.29% | 695 |
| 72 | Tizzard | 8 | 1:266 | 5.56% | 289 |
| 72 | Shiner | 8 | 1:266 | 8.42% | 452 |
| 72 | Podger | 8 | 1:266 | 88.89% | 2,313 |
| 72 | Woodbury | 8 | 1:266 | 53.33% | 1,675 |
| 72 | Toleman | 8 | 1:266 | 32.00% | 1,229 |
| 90 | Matthews | 7 | 1:304 | 2.67% | 145 |
| 90 | Gilbert | 7 | 1:304 | 5.47% | 319 |
| 90 | Woodward | 7 | 1:304 | 13.46% | 746 |
| 90 | Hayward | 7 | 1:304 | 2.24% | 114 |
| 90 | House | 7 | 1:304 | 1.23% | 33 |
| 90 | Cheeseman | 7 | 1:304 | 13.73% | 755 |
| 90 | Maunder | 7 | 1:304 | 77.78% | 2,313 |
| 90 | Rendle | 7 | 1:304 | 20.59% | 1,007 |
| 90 | Samways | 7 | 1:304 | 1.33% | 40 |
| 90 | Wheadon | 7 | 1:304 | 8.05% | 481 |
| 90 | Stook | 7 | 1:304 | 100.00% | 2,754 |
| 101 | Taylor | 6 | 1:355 | 0.84% | 15 |
| 101 | Harris | 6 | 1:355 | 0.74% | 10 |
| 101 | Foster | 6 | 1:355 | 2.83% | 194 |
| 101 | Hunt | 6 | 1:355 | 0.78% | 12 |
| 101 | Oliver | 6 | 1:355 | 2.64% | 175 |
| 101 | Read | 6 | 1:355 | 0.85% | 17 |
| 101 | Curtis | 6 | 1:355 | 1.18% | 44 |
| 101 | Nelson | 6 | 1:355 | 22.22% | 1,174 |
| 101 | Groves | 6 | 1:355 | 1.74% | 96 |
| 101 | Bacon | 6 | 1:355 | 14.63% | 882 |
| 101 | Leigh | 6 | 1:355 | 33.33% | 1,491 |
| 101 | Slade | 6 | 1:355 | 1.81% | 105 |
| 101 | Hutchings | 6 | 1:355 | 2.45% | 161 |
| 101 | Gerrard | 6 | 1:355 | 6.74% | 472 |
| 101 | Stroud | 6 | 1:355 | 3.97% | 274 |
| 101 | Dyke | 6 | 1:355 | 4.96% | 336 |
| 101 | Isaacs | 6 | 1:355 | 10.53% | 684 |
| 101 | Sibley | 6 | 1:355 | 6.19% | 437 |
| 101 | Gear | 6 | 1:355 | 8.82% | 591 |
| 101 | Pine | 6 | 1:355 | 50.00% | 1,933 |
| 101 | Newbery | 6 | 1:355 | 9.09% | 606 |
| 101 | Pilley | 6 | 1:355 | 75.00% | 2,498 |
| 101 | Ebdon | 6 | 1:355 | 12.50% | 787 |
| 101 | Poat | 6 | 1:355 | 100.00% | 3,092 |
| 101 | Furmedge | 6 | 1:355 | 20.00% | 1,093 |
| 101 | Swateridge | 6 | 1:355 | 54.55% | 2,038 |
| 127 | Saunders | 5 | 1:426 | 1.04% | 51 |
| 127 | Warren | 5 | 1:426 | 0.87% | 32 |
| 127 | Bellamy | 5 | 1:426 | 19.23% | 1,203 |
| 127 | Davy | 5 | 1:426 | 7.46% | 598 |
| 127 | Still | 5 | 1:426 | 6.67% | 549 |
| 127 | Kite | 5 | 1:426 | 35.71% | 1,745 |
| 127 | Larcombe | 5 | 1:426 | 2.09% | 164 |
| 127 | Caddy | 5 | 1:426 | 2.98% | 248 |
| 127 | Pomeroy | 5 | 1:426 | 4.46% | 377 |
| 127 | Shearing | 5 | 1:426 | 7.35% | 591 |
| 127 | Cleal | 5 | 1:426 | 4.07% | 331 |
| 127 | Gudge | 5 | 1:426 | 20.83% | 1,256 |
| 139 | Roberts | 4 | 1:533 | 0.65% | 28 |
| 139 | White | 4 | 1:533 | 0.21% | 1 |
| 139 | Davis | 4 | 1:533 | 0.49% | 9 |
| 139 | Mitchell | 4 | 1:533 | 0.71% | 34 |
| 139 | Knight | 4 | 1:533 | 1.06% | 80 |
| 139 | Fowler | 4 | 1:533 | 2.05% | 206 |
| 139 | Tucker | 4 | 1:533 | 0.92% | 60 |
| 139 | Hancock | 4 | 1:533 | 4.71% | 494 |
| 139 | Hooper | 4 | 1:533 | 1.65% | 163 |
| 139 | Guy | 4 | 1:533 | 1.17% | 99 |
| 139 | Orchard | 4 | 1:533 | 1.74% | 173 |
| 139 | Pool | 4 | 1:533 | 30.77% | 1,847 |
| 139 | Seal | 4 | 1:533 | 6.67% | 649 |
| 139 | Lingard | 4 | 1:533 | 100.00% | 3,917 |
| 139 | Greening | 4 | 1:533 | 1.90% | 196 |
| 139 | Codd | 4 | 1:533 | 80.00% | 3,470 |
| 139 | Hellier | 4 | 1:533 | 2.68% | 277 |
| 139 | Winsor | 4 | 1:533 | 12.90% | 1,064 |
| 139 | Purkis | 4 | 1:533 | 28.57% | 1,745 |
| 139 | Kingsbury | 4 | 1:533 | 3.54% | 373 |
| 139 | Record | 4 | 1:533 | 6.78% | 660 |
| 139 | Genge | 4 | 1:533 | 6.25% | 615 |
| 139 | Tett | 4 | 1:533 | 12.12% | 1,029 |
| 139 | Halson | 4 | 1:533 | 50.00% | 2,498 |
| 139 | Cursons | 4 | 1:533 | 100.00% | 3,917 |
| 139 | Keddle | 4 | 1:533 | 44.44% | 2,313 |
| 165 | Morris | 3 | 1:710 | 0.82% | 85 |
| 165 | Collins | 3 | 1:710 | 0.57% | 43 |
| 165 | Holt | 3 | 1:710 | 2.65% | 373 |
| 165 | Hopkins | 3 | 1:710 | 1.05% | 129 |
| 165 | Norris | 3 | 1:710 | 2.04% | 279 |
| 165 | Bryant | 3 | 1:710 | 2.29% | 311 |
| 165 | Savage | 3 | 1:710 | 6.52% | 812 |
| 165 | Ware | 3 | 1:710 | 4.00% | 549 |
| 165 | Oxley | 3 | 1:710 | 60.00% | 3,470 |
| 165 | Plummer | 3 | 1:710 | 8.57% | 981 |
| 165 | Salisbury | 3 | 1:710 | 3.30% | 465 |
| 165 | Flood | 3 | 1:710 | 25.00% | 1,933 |
| 165 | Rawlins | 3 | 1:710 | 8.82% | 1,007 |
| 165 | Chard | 3 | 1:710 | 2.29% | 311 |
| 165 | Hollins | 3 | 1:710 | 33.33% | 2,313 |
| 165 | Hoar | 3 | 1:710 | 25.00% | 1,933 |
| 165 | Bowerman | 3 | 1:710 | 100.00% | 4,444 |
| 165 | Hurford | 3 | 1:710 | 17.65% | 1,539 |
| 165 | Hewer | 3 | 1:710 | 60.00% | 3,470 |
| 165 | Foyle | 3 | 1:710 | 5.66% | 727 |
| 165 | Bickford | 3 | 1:710 | 33.33% | 2,313 |
| 165 | Trevett | 3 | 1:710 | 1.20% | 155 |
| 165 | Leaney | 3 | 1:710 | 100.00% | 4,444 |
| 165 | Forsey | 3 | 1:710 | 2.56% | 356 |
| 165 | Traverse | 3 | 1:710 | 30.00% | 2,156 |
| 165 | Mintern | 3 | 1:710 | 10.00% | 1,093 |
| 165 | Stembridge | 3 | 1:710 | 13.64% | 1,328 |
| 165 | Beament | 3 | 1:710 | 18.75% | 1,616 |
| 165 | Dunsbey | 3 | 1:710 | 37.50% | 2,498 |
| 194 | Smith | 2 | 1:1,066 | 0.13% | 2 |
| 194 | Jackson | 2 | 1:1,066 | 1.72% | 361 |
| 194 | Morgan | 2 | 1:1,066 | 0.92% | 186 |
| 194 | Carter | 2 | 1:1,066 | 0.44% | 53 |
| 194 | Bennett | 2 | 1:1,066 | 0.44% | 55 |
| 194 | Ellis | 2 | 1:1,066 | 0.75% | 139 |
| 194 | Webb | 2 | 1:1,066 | 1.79% | 377 |
| 194 | Mills | 2 | 1:1,066 | 0.92% | 187 |
| 194 | Barrett | 2 | 1:1,066 | 0.49% | 68 |
| 194 | Tomlinson | 2 | 1:1,066 | 13.33% | 1,675 |
| 194 | Wilkins | 2 | 1:1,066 | 1.30% | 269 |
| 194 | Mathews | 2 | 1:1,066 | 4.44% | 824 |
| 194 | Randall | 2 | 1:1,066 | 0.56% | 89 |
| 194 | Ireland | 2 | 1:1,066 | 6.25% | 1,045 |
| 194 | Roper | 2 | 1:1,066 | 0.96% | 197 |
| 194 | Charles | 2 | 1:1,066 | 1.29% | 267 |
| 194 | Barratt | 2 | 1:1,066 | 11.76% | 1,539 |
| 194 | Everett | 2 | 1:1,066 | 1.94% | 410 |
| 194 | Sampson | 2 | 1:1,066 | 3.13% | 615 |
| 194 | Squire | 2 | 1:1,066 | 3.33% | 649 |
| 194 | Davie | 2 | 1:1,066 | 8.00% | 1,229 |
| 194 | Denham | 2 | 1:1,066 | 25.00% | 2,498 |
| 194 | Pitman | 2 | 1:1,066 | 0.52% | 79 |
| 194 | Kitson | 2 | 1:1,066 | 40.00% | 3,470 |
| 194 | Fountain | 2 | 1:1,066 | 22.22% | 2,313 |
| 194 | Burridge | 2 | 1:1,066 | 1.55% | 316 |
| 194 | Wilmot | 2 | 1:1,066 | 14.29% | 1,745 |
| 194 | Hodder | 2 | 1:1,066 | 0.66% | 119 |
| 194 | Horwood | 2 | 1:1,066 | 8.00% | 1,229 |
| 194 | Trotman | 2 | 1:1,066 | 10.00% | 1,402 |
| 194 | Loveridge | 2 | 1:1,066 | 3.39% | 660 |
| 194 | McHale | 2 | 1:1,066 | 100.00% | 5,091 |
| 194 | Doble | 2 | 1:1,066 | 14.29% | 1,745 |
| 194 | Gillham | 2 | 1:1,066 | 5.13% | 905 |
| 194 | Ackerman | 2 | 1:1,066 | 1.75% | 370 |
| 194 | Priddle | 2 | 1:1,066 | 8.70% | 1,283 |
| 194 | Mabey | 2 | 1:1,066 | 2.27% | 479 |
| 194 | Dowdeswell | 2 | 1:1,066 | 33.33% | 3,092 |
| 194 | Stoodley | 2 | 1:1,066 | 2.11% | 452 |
| 194 | Pester | 2 | 1:1,066 | 6.67% | 1,093 |
| 194 | Cleall | 2 | 1:1,066 | 1.32% | 272 |
| 194 | Hulls | 2 | 1:1,066 | 100.00% | 5,091 |
| 194 | Brinson | 2 | 1:1,066 | 4.65% | 850 |
| 194 | Tenant | 2 | 1:1,066 | 40.00% | 3,470 |
| 194 | Dunsby | 2 | 1:1,066 | 100.00% | 5,091 |
| 194 | Woolmington | 2 | 1:1,066 | 11.76% | 1,539 |
| 194 | Shimell | 2 | 1:1,066 | 100.00% | 5,091 |
| 194 | Wildern | 2 | 1:1,066 | 16.67% | 1,933 |
| 194 | Virgint | 2 | 1:1,066 | 100.00% | 5,091 |
| 194 | Sely | 2 | 1:1,066 | 100.00% | 5,091 |
| 194 | Firsman | 2 | 1:1,066 | 100.00% | 5,091 |