V
Page 50
THE CHURCH. THE FOUNDER'S TOMB.
ITS RESTORATIONS. THE PULPIT. TAB-
LETS. BELLS. RULES FOR RINGERS.
CHURCH PLATE. PARISH REGISTERS.
CHURCHYARD AND CROSS
The Church.
THERE is no church mentioned in Domesday as then existing in Shillingstone, nor any mention of a priest there, but as according to Eyton (in his Key to Dorset Domesday, pp. 42-3) there are references to eighteen churches only in the whole of the county, the absence of any such mention is no proof that there was no church in the village. The dedication, which is to the Holy Rood, would seem to imply a Saxon origin. This dedication is not common in the county, and is found in three other places only, viz. Buckland Newton, Wool, and Comb Keynes. In digging a grave about fifty feet south-west of the tower the sexton found two rudely sculptured stones that had apparently served as bases for wooden or stone pillars, together with a layer of wood ashes, and near the south door of the present church a head of the Saviour, rudely carved in chalk, was dug up and built into the present porch. These may be relics of an earlier Saxon church which was destroyed by fire. So far as can be ascertained there are no descriptions of the church earlier than that given by Hutchins in the first edition (1774) of his history of Dorset, where he describes it as " not very large and consisting of a body and chancel, both tiled, and a tower with battlements and pinnacles, in which are four bells.
In 1858, the church was restored, and the description of it given in the third edition of Hutchins may be taken as showing what it was in 1874. It is there stated that— "the church stands on the north side of the village on an elevated site near the line of the Somerset and Dorset Railway, from which its tower is a conspicuous object. It seems to have been originally a Norman edifice, for, on removing the plaster a few years ago, several very narrow round-headed windows were discovered, of extremely rude masonry, only one of these in the chancel having any pretensions to architectural care. The walls of the nave and chancel are therefore to some extent of this ancient date, but the details of the former now existing are chiefly of Early English character, and those of the latter Perpendicular. The chancel windows are three in number, two of them Early English and square-headed, the third or east window of more elaborate tracery. On each side of this window is a bracket consisting of a plain projecting slab and there is a small English piscina in the unusual situation in the south wall, as well as a small aumbry on the locker of brick opposite. The chancel has a plain semi-circular arch of two orders upon plain piers. The windows of the nave are square-headed and of Perpendicular character. The staircase to the rood-loft and its long lancet windows were discovered and thrown open in l858. The walls of the chancel and nave are of rubble and flint; but the tower which is of the Perpendicular style, is a substantial edifice of good ashlar stone of thc neighbouring country, perhaps from an old quarry of green sandstone, which may be still traced on the cliff opposite Hanford, from which also tradition says the materials were taken. Besides the battlements it has four small pinnacles and a turret staircase. There is a plain south porch, and in the north wall opposite a doorway blocked up. The west end of the church was blocked up by two galleries, one over the other. Alterations were made in 1858."
In 1888, a new aisle was built, and the galleries were then removed. The roofs of the nave and porch wore renewed and the bells were repaired and rehung. The pulpit was removed and repaired. The old high pews were removed, the floor was relaid and new pews put in. This increased the number of sittings by ninety-five of which seventy were free. The vestry was removed from the belfry and a new one formed in the new aisle. The cost of these alterations was £17,00 pounds, which was raised by the Rector, Canon E. A. Dayman, and the churchwardens, Kyrle Arthur Chapman, Esq., and William Cox, Esq., Kyrle Arthur Chapman, Esq., and William Cox,
In 1902 a rood-screen, surmounted by a large wooden cross, was added. This was made a distinctive feature on account of the dedication of the church. A new east window, representing the Crucifixion, was put in, and the chancel was fitted with new choir stalls. A new roof was put in the chancel with a blue ground, inset with gilt stars. The roof and beams of the nave were painted and gilded. The vestry was removed to the west end of the aisle and a Lady Chapel formed in its place. This was the work of the eminent church architect, G. H. Bodley. Hutchins describes the font as Early English, with a bowl of Purbeck marble, which stands upon a larger central and four smaller columns at the angles, and is ornamented with plain, round-headed, incised arches." The font stood in the middle of the nave till about 1878, when it was removed to its present position. In Hutchins (1774) it is stated, " on the north side of the body of the church, towards the higher end, is an arch in the wall, in which was a small altar tomb, now plastered over, wherein, the tradition is, the founder of the church was buried."
In the third edition of Hutchins (1874) a note is added probably by Canon Dayman, "not known now, gone before 1842." There is, however, a broken stone coffin still existing under the tower, which is probably that of the founder. At the same time was discovered an incised stone slab with a head, flanked on the one side by a figure of the sun, and on the other by the moon. This is also now preserved under the tower. In vol. xxv. 185 of the Dorset Field Club Proceedings are some notes on this stone by Dr. Colley Marsh, and at page 184 is an illustration of it. In the belfry there is also a portion of the pre-Reform portion of the stone altar, with the cross clearly marked on it. In the Norman arch at the entrance to the church, a head, rudely sculptured in chalk, has been inserted. This is generally believed to represent that of our Saviour, though some have thought it might be St. Birinus. The pulpit, which is Jacobean, is said by Hutchins, in 1774, to have had a canopy with the following inscription: "The gift of Mr. William Keen, of Bread Street, London, 1666." He retired hither in the time of the Great Plague, and perhaps gave the pulpit." There is a note to this in the third edition of Hutchins (1874)" that the inscription is not there now. Gone before 1842. The canopy is also removed." there is nothing to show who this William Keen was, and the parish registers do not help us, but the will of Lay ton Keen, of St. Gregory's (by St. Paul's), London, proved in 1663, describes the testator as son of John Keen, late of Shillingstone, Dorset, deceased, and is witnessed by a William Keen, who may well be the donor of the pulpit. In the register is the burial of Edith Keen, on 6th June, probably a member of the family. Of the other items mentioned by Hutchins, the Early English piscina, the aumbry, and the rood-loft stairs, the top of the piscina alone remains. The exterior of the church at the present time, 1920, may be described as:
Tower........Sundial "at spring of the newel of the staircase in the arms of the Eskellings-a bird rising- which appears on a seal of Viviana de Eskelling about 1300."
(See Hutchins iii. 144.)
The ancient sundial, on which the arms of the Eskillings engraved, is situated on the south side of the tower, about 20 feet from the ground. This is now difficult to trace.
Lectern.
The first lectern in the church was that of iron, ornamented with brass. The amount ornamented with brass. The amount needed to provide this was raised by subscriptions collected by Miss Marshall and Miss Forbes. This was replaced by the present eagle lectern, which has been generally admired as being appropriate to the church. This was dedicated on September 25th, 1906, by the late Chancellor Edmonds, who was also the treasurer of Exeter Cathedral. The collection taken that evening, with the subscriptions previously given, completed the amount required for its cost. At the base are the names of the Incumbent and Churchwardens.
Organ.
Until the year 1913, the musical portion of the service was accompanied by au American organ, presented by Major Lachlan Forbes. An opportunity was afforded of procuring the present pipe organ from the church at Iwerne Minster, in which a new organ was being installed. After twelve years' use there it was found to be in good condition. It fitted the space under the arch between the chancel as if it and the Lady Chapel had been built for it. A further expenditure of £50 to the original cost of £80 was laid out on its removal and the effecting of some needful additions. These improvements were carried out by Joseph Ivimey, South of England Organ Works, Southampton. In the year 1919 further additions were made to it.
Sursum Corda.
This is the name of a supplemental hymn-book to Hymns Ancient and Modern, which is regularly used in the church. It was published by the Rector, Christmas, 1904, in memory of Canon Dayman, and contains the hymns of his own composition, three of which have been printed in the Appendix.
MEMORIALS
Memorials in the Church.
The following are to be found: Richard West, Rector 1649-1690. On the north wall of the new aisle is a mural monument of freestone. On the top, a fess indented, with a crescent for difference, impaling a lion rampant. Crest: a wolf's head. Below this inscription in Roman letters Richard West S.T.P.
in agro Northamptoniensi natus, ex nobili familia de la Ware oriundus, Apud Westmonasterium in schola regia educatus, factus diende ex Æde Christi alumnus, postea ecclesiæ hujus tutelam, suscepit. Ubi per 42 annos fideliter egit pastorem assidua cura et diligentia gregi sivi commisso invigilans Temporibus dubus et calamitosis, ausus est Regis et Ecclesiæ partes firmiter tueri, nectamen fanatico furore pulsus Officio cessit, nec in honestis artibus lenevit, sed constans et inculpata morum sanctitas, perpeti omnia paratum ab injuria vindicatum Obiit 22 die mensis Maii Anno Dom 1690 Ætatis suæ 76.
Memorial to Elizabeth Acton, wife of Rev. E. H. Acton.
In addition to the monument above-mentioned there is a
tablet with a figure by Chantrey inscribed as follows :
Hic quiescit quicquid mortale sit Elize Acton, Rev. E.H. Acton, uxoris,
modestæ, prudentis, piæ quam lugent citius abreptam et conjux
amantissimus et quatuor parvuli; quam autum æternæ felicitis ipsi modo
digni sint sociam; spirant salutare. Vixit anno 29. Deslit esse mortalis, 7 Nov, 1817.
To this the following addition has been made :
Rev. E. H. Acton—husband of the foregoing.
In Memoriam Edward Hanly Acton, M.A.
Eliza Acton Mariti
Infesto S. Joannis, Evang: A.D. MDCCLXXXIV
A.D. MDCCCLXXV obiit. XVII. Kal: Meii
Hujus Parochia. Curam Per
XXX Annos. olim. Suscepit.
THE ENTWISTLE MEMORIAL WINDOWS.
"To the Glory of God and in memory of William
Entwistle, D.G.L., whose remains rest in this Church-
yard, these windows arc dedicated by his Widow.
A.D. 1870."
On the window nearest the altar is the figure of an angel
and the words " Glory to God in the Highest." The re-
mainder of this inscription, "On earth peace, goodwill
towards men," is found on the second window, at the head
of which are the opening words of the To Deum, "We
praise Thee, 0 Lord." The principal figures on the win-
dows represent the four Evangelists, two on each window.
In the north wall of the chancel there is also a small
window with a representation of Christ holding a scroll
bearing the words " Patient in suffering." Beneath are
the words, "In Memoriam W.E. Obt. August 27th, I860."
THE JACOB MEMORIAL WINDOW.
In 1868 stained glass was placed in the east window of
the chancel with the following inscription to :
George Thomson Jacob, Lieut-Col., died May 1855.
Harriet Thomson Jacob, his wife, died November 1863.
George Thomson Jacob, 5 D.G., their son, died 1865.
In the centre of the window is thc figure of the " Good Shepherd," to the left of this is the representation of the baptism of our Lord in the River Jordan, while on the right is portrayed the institution of the Holy Communion. This window was removed to its present position in the east window of the Lady Chapel during the alterations carried out in 1903. A new and beautiful east window was put in when the chancel was restored by Mrs. Kyrle Chapman. In the centre is the representation of the Crucifixion with the Blessed Virgin Mary on the left and St. John on the right The inscription is as follows:—" To the greater Glory of God and the honour of His sanctuary this window was offered A.D. 1903." " Miserere mei Domine."
As already stated, there is little, if anything, known about the church previous to 1774, but there is in the British Museum1 a charter dated 1405, which recites an earlier one of 1303, which refers to the altar of the Blessed Mary in the parish church of Ocford, at which masses were to be said for the souls of Bryan Turberville (Lord of the Manor) and his ancestors. This would seem to imply the existence of a chantry connected with the church, which is confirmed by the mention in 1565 of land called "Chantry Close."2 In chantry certificates 1548 3 is a reference, under Whitchurch Deanery, to money at Ocfford Shilling amounting to 13s. 4d which may have been the proceeds of sale of some small chantry property. Several priests, who do not appear among the rectors, are mentioned in early documents relating to the village, who may have been chantry priests.
1 Additional Charters No. 8447.
2 Common Plea Roll, 1230 in 419.
3 Augmentation Office Roll No. 16.
Church Goods.
In the return of church goods, made in the reign of Edward VI (1552),1 is the following, under Shillingstone:
"Fyrst, j chalis sylver parcell gylt, j. cope of say, ij]
vestments, ij of say the other sylke, ij table clothes, ij
surplices, ij cruetes of leade, iij bells in the tower.
To thuse of the church, appoynted by the Raid com-
niyssioners, j chalis, j cope of saye with all tlin table clothes
and surplices. The residue of all the promises commytted
to the custody of thes men whose names be under written."
William Bayly
Thomas Freke }parsons }Robert Bayly
Thomas Kaynes }George Morryn
John Harrys }
See V, xxv. p. 2G5, Dorset Field Club Proceedings.
In Nightingale Church Plate (1889), p. 141, is the following description of the existing plate:
" An Elizabethan Chalice and Paten Cover, measuring
7 1/2 inches in height. The only mark found is the provincial
Dorset one. On the cover is inscribed the date 1574. It
is of the ordinary Elizabethan type, with a single band of
engraved foliated and intersecting strap work round the
bowl. A Paten, 6 inches diameter with foot. The hall
mark is of the Britannia Standard for 1715, the makers
P.R. apparently with a pellet beneath. It is inscribed
' U. Reade Rectr. Ecclesire D.D.' The Rev. Unton Readc
was Rector from 1715 to 1750." The ancient silver, having
become weak in parts, has been strengthened again.
1 Q.R. Ch. Goods Dorset 2-17
Church Bells 61
As already observed, it is stated in the Return of Church Goods in 1552 that- there were then CHURCH BELLS four bells in the tower. In 1774 (Hutchins) the same number are referred to, but in 1874 (Hutchins, third Edition), five bells are mentioned and the inscriptions on them given, which are practically identical with those in Church Bells of Dorset, by Canon Raven (1900), which are as follows:
Five Bells—Tenor, Diameter 46 1/2 inches height 32
inches. Note F. Weight 21 cwt. °
1. Give thanks to God—1622
2. Cast 1634. Recast 1892 by Llewellin and James Bristol in memory of Rev. Edward Arthur Dayman
48 years Rector of Shillingstone. C. J. Marshall, Rector. L. Forbes, W. Cox Churchwardens.
3. Cast 1622. Recast 1892 (remainder of inscription as on No. 2) 4. Thomas Melmoth, Thomas Ford. Church Wardens
anno 1736. W. Knight B.F. (Blandford Forum)
5. 1 Thomas Melmoth, Thomas Ford anno 1736. C.W. W.K. B.F.
Old 2nd Give thankes to God-1634. J.D. (probably John Danton of Salisbury) Old 3rd AVE GRACIA
Hutchins says this inscription was "Adiboih A.V.R (A.V.H. "in old English characters.)
In vol xxiv. of the Dorset Field Club Transactions it is suggested that the third (old) bell dates from the thirteenth. or fourteenth century. From the dates given on the five bells it would seem that they must have been in existence in I774 when Hutchins remarks there were four bells. It is possible, however, that one of them may have been disused at the time.
1 Hutchins says there is a lion rampant on No. 6.
The following inscription is quoted by Hutchins as being on a board in the belfry:
Praise the Lord with the lowd symboks, if
You curs or aware in the time of
Ringing you shall pay three pence.
There is no musick play'd or rung
is like good bells if well rung.
Put off your hat, coat and spurs
And see you make no brawl or
if you chance to curs or sware
Be sure you shall pay sixpence here.
Or if you chance to break a stay
eighteen pence you shall pay
Or if you ring with a spur or belt
We will have sixpence or your pelt.
1767.
Parish Registers.
The early Registers, which probably commenced about 1558, are lost. Those existing date from 1654 only. In the Parish Register return, given in the Census Returns of 1831, published in 1833, the then Registers are described as follows:
I. II. Baptisms and Burials 1654-1765.
Marriages 1654-1754.
III. Burials 1678-1716.
IV. Baptisms and Burials 1766-1812.
V. Marriages 1755-3812.
From a note in volume ii. it appears it was purchased for 15s. on 9th October, 1718, of Edward Stillingfleet, of Shaftesbury, and from a similar note it appears volume iv. was purchased of Samuel Simmonds, bookbinder, in Blandford, for £2, which was repaid the Rector, the Rev. Charles Frederick Moreau, by the Churchwardens, on 12th October, 1766. During the Commonwealth the registers were kept by " Parish Registrars" appointed for that purpose, and the following persons are recorded as having held that office: James Clarke, appointed llth March, 1653-4, and makes entries in the register till 8th April, 1655. Henry Morren, appointed 18th April, 1655, and makes entries till 18th April, 1663.A carefully erased line in the register in 1657 reads: " Here beginneth the first Registering of George Fry." We do not know why the entry was erased, or why George Fry did not act. There is no reference to him in the Register. On 9th June, 1663, the Rector, the Rev. Richard West, commenced registering and continued to do so till 25th March, 1689. On the first leaf, dated 1654, Hutchins records the following:—" Marriage comes in on the 13th day of Januarie and at Septuagesima Sunday is out again, until Low Sunday; thence it is in till Rogation Sunday and forbidden until Trinitie Sunday; from whence it is unforbidden till Advent Sunday: then it goes out and comes not in againe till the 13th day of Januarie next following." This was probably by the Rev. Richard West, the then Rector. From 1654 to 1812, 158 years, there are about 400 marriages, 1,350 baptisms, and 1,250 burials recorded. In 1711, thirty burials are entered, which seems to imply the existence of some epidemic. In 1792, out of eleven burials, five were due to deaths by small-pox . The following entries are worthy of note: 1654: May 17, Thomas Harte, son to Thomas Harte, " bell carpenter," was buried. 1703 Feb. 15. Mary, the daughter of Thomas Fletcher, " a vagrant or mountebank," was baptised. 1746 April 21. John Porter and Eleanor Rose, both of Sturminster Newton Castle, aged between them 144 years, were married.
One of the names most frequently met with in these registers is that of Fry, which appears more than one hundred times. It must have been one of the oldest families in the village, as there are records extant which show that people of the name were connected with Shillingstone in 1307. They were related to the Frys of Iwerne Minster and Tarrant Gunville Churchyard. As already stated, the burials from 1658 to 1812 were about 1,250 and if, as is probable, a church and churchyard existed here in Saxon times, it is very obvious that many generations of the "forefathers of the hamlet" are sleeping their last sleep around the old church. There are, however, very few tombstones of any age now to be found. A note has been made from time to time, during the last thirty years, of changes in the churchyard, and during that period the inscriptions on some 104 stones have been recorded, some of which have now disappeared
The oldest of those noted are:—
Susannah Skivington 1707
Mary Biles 1727.
Hugh Bennett 1759
Elizabeth Bennett 1769
Mary Stickley 1784
Martha Kingsbury 1784
Mary Best 1785
John Biles Kingsbury 1790
Thomas Fry 1796
This latter stone was in fragments in 1887 and was the only memorial remaining of the family, forty members of which, from 1654 to 1861, found their last resting-place in their ancient burial spot under the yew tree by the south porch. Hutchins, in his last edition, merely mentions three graves with the inscriptions:
The Dayman Vault.
Catherine Davie—1854.
Catherine Jacob—1844 (widow of the Rev. Edward Jacob, Rector 1785-1813).
The Dayman Vault.
It rarely happens that the scattered members of a large family are laid to rest side by side, as is the case with the family of the Rev. E. A. Dayman, Canon of Salisbury. In the centre of the enclosure, which has been enlarged by the last survivor, Frank Dayman, Esq., Ashley Court, Tiverton, is the cross. A small cross, with the initials only engraved, marks the last resting place of each. The following stones also deserve notice:
William Entwistle, d. 1865. (See also windows in the church.)
Major Laughlan Forbes d. 1895
Andrew James Livingstone Learmonth, of Hanford, d. 1892
Kyrle Alfred Chapman, d 1891
Charles Paine, d. 1891 (Parish clerk for sixty years)
James Booth d.1861. (Late drummer in the band of Mrs.Wombell's Royal No.1 Menagerie and formally in the 2nd Royal North British Dragoons, Scots Greys)
Agnese, d. 1892.
The only Roman Catholic, so far as is known, buried in the churchyard since the Reformation, was a lady who only spent one night in the parish before her death She had come on a visit to her sister, and being over-fatigued by her long journey suddenly passed away. She was of Italian parentage, and the inscription on the stone in that language is as follows:
Agnes
All Ombra Santa
. Della Croce
Dimentica Deoli Umani Torth
Reposa Alfine
A.M.D.
24 Maggio 1892.
There are seven stones commemorating people named Stickland or Sticklen, and twelve (six of each) of people named Cox and Harte. The Churchyard was enlarged on November 29th, 1891, by the addition of a piece of ground to the eastern portion. This was a memorable day in the history of the parish, beginning with the benediction of the Rectory House. The service held in the hall, consisted of Versicles and Responses, followed by two special Collects asking God's blessing on the inmates. In the afternoon there was a large congregation for a special Confirmation Service, and after this those present proceeded to the eastern portion of the churchyard for the consecration of the addition to the old portion.
The churchyard was again enlarged on November 2nd, 1908, by the addition of about a quarter of an acre of land, the gift of the late Viscount Portman, who also kindly bore the expense of enclosing it with an iron fence. The Lych Gate was erected in 1903 by Mrs Livingstone Learmonth, who afterwards became Viscountess Portman . Hutchins says: " There is a base of a cross in the churchyard." This cross is very fully described in The Old Stone Crosses of Dorset, by Alfred Pope (1906) at p. 108, where he states: "In the churchyard, to the east of the porch, is the base of what was probably a preaching cross. It is of Ham Hill stone, and consists of a basement seven feet square and eighteen inches deep, with a bold fluted weather drip, and a good set-off and a second step. four feet ten inches square and eleven inches deep, formed of three solid blocks of stone with no weather drip. There is no socket nor shaft. Tradition says that, as at Corfe Mullen bread and alms were distributed once a year from this cross to the poor of the parish who received it after attending morning service "This cross was probably erected early in the fifteenth century."
Up to about 1867 or 1868 the music in Shillingstone Church was of the good old-fashioned type, the instruments being a violin, violoncello, double bass, and flute. In those days there were two galleries across the western end of the church; the orchestra and choir sat in the upper gallery and the school children and parish clerk in the lower.