VI

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THE RECTORY : MANOR AND MONTACUTE

PORTIONS. RELATIONS BETWEEN THE

RECTORS. LIST OF RECTORS. THE

RECTORY HOUSE. LISTS OF CURATES.

PARISH CLERKS, AND CHURCHWARDENS

The Rectory.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

       The Rectory, according to Hutchins, was anciently divided into two moieties, the Upper and Lower. One was in the patronage of the Lord of the Manor, the other in that of the Priory of Montacute. This priory in Somerset was founded in 1102 by William Count of Mortain, and among its early benefactors was Robert, son of Eskelin, who granted it half of the church of Ocforde (Shillingstone).  It thus had two contemporary resident Rectors, with two parsonages and the church in common, in which they are said to have officiated alternately. Similar conditions existed at Hazelbury Bryan, Winterborne Clenston, Wimborne All Saints, and Child Okeford. (See Vol. 14 Dorset Field Club Proceedings.) The rectories at Hazelbury Bryan were united about 1350, those at Winterbome Clenston about 1346, those at Wimborne All Saints about 1564, and those at Child Okeford about 1758. The two rectories at Shillingstone, as we shall see later, were united in 1609. Montacute Priory was of the Benedictine Order and was subject to Cluny, and as such was an alien priory, with the result that during the frequent wars with France, presentations to the Montacute portion of the rectory of Shillingstone were made by the King. In 1407, however allegiance to Cluny was renounced, and from that time to the dissolution of the monasteries it was a distinctly English institution.

In 1291 (Taxatio Ecclesiastica, Pope Nicholas IV) each moiety of the rectory was rated at 100s., but the Priory of Montacute had a pension of 10s. out of the Montacute portion. In 1534 (Valor Ecclesiasticus, Henry VI11) each portion was valued at £7 14s. 6d., reduced, after payment of the Archdeacon's Fees, to £7 9s. 8d., which sum, in the Montacute moiety, was subject to a further redaction of 13s. 4d., payable to the Priory, leaving a net sum payable to the Rector of that portion of £6 16s. 4d At this date the Priory also received 3s. per annum rent (or 3s. 4d.) from Shillingstone, in respect of a tenement there granted by the King ¹ to Lord Clynton and others, in the tenure of John Harryes, Florence his wife, and John his son John Harryes, who signs the Return of Church Goods 1552, is probably the same man. This tenement was probably the parsonage house of the Montacute portion of the rectory , as Thomas Freke, Rector from 1526 to 1564, was without doubt non-resident, holding as he did the vicarage of Montacute and a chantry at Crewkerne during his rectorship at Shillingstone.

 

¹ 6 Ed. VI 1552-3, Land Revenue Enrolments, vol. I p. 122.

 

RELATIONS BETWEEN RECTORS                                 p71

.

The rectory remained divided until 1609, when William Bisson, who in 1597 had succeeded to the manor portion, was appointed to the Montacute moiety, thus uniting the rectory after 500 years. Since this time the rectory has been held by one Rector, although as late as 1751 he was appointed separately to each moiety. The relations between the two Rectors were not always of an amicable nature, In 1380(3 Rec. II) we read that William Fitzburgh, Rector of the manor moiety Rector of the manor proceeded against  John Symonds, Rector of the Montacute portion for having killed his cattle, oxen, horse, and pigs ¹

 John Symond seems to have been of rather quarrelsome nature, for at that same date we find him summoned at the instance of his patron, the Prior of Montacute, for not having paid the annual sum of 13 s 4d due to the prior ²

 

¹ de Banes Roll 479 in 370d

² Ibid 475 in 329

 

In 1320 (14 Edward II) Renauld Husee (called by Hutchins Reginald de Anisea), Rector of the Montacute portion, complained that William Turpyn, clerk, entered his (Husee's) house and took his goods and chattels to the value of 100s viz: 1 pair of decretals (books of Canon law), 1 bowl of maize (maple wood), 6 silver spoons, cloth, linen, and langes and other goods; Turpyn was also accused of driving two mares and two oxen belonging to Husee into the pound.¹ It was not clear who Turpyn was, as he cannot be traced among the rectors; possibly he was a chantry priest. Husee seems to have had much legal worry, as we find him involved in several cases with Brian de Turberville, Lord of the Manor, who apparently was acting in concert with Turpyn. In 1438 (17 Henry VI) Thomas Smert, or Smart , Rector of the manor portion proceeded against William Mayne, his colleague Rector of the Montacute portion, for breaking into his house and close at Okeford Skilling ²   As has been observed, the gross value of the rectory( both portions) was:-

           In 1291-£10 per cent, which is equal to about £240 at the present day.

           In 1534 - £15 9 s per annum, which is equal to about £185    

           In 1649 - ( Survey of the Church Lands) it was returned as of the value of £155 per annum, equal to about £775

           In 1730 was valued at about £160 per annum.

 

¹ Assize Roll, 1556 in 19 and 46.

² de Banes Roll, 711.

 

The list of Rectors given by Hutchins is far from complete. It has been added to from information taken from various sources at the Public Record Office, but it is possible that further names may yet be discovered The Rectors recorded so far are shown in the following list. Those not mentioned in Hutchins are marked with an asterisk (*).

 

 

UNITED MOIETEES

William Bisson                                                1609                          " outed for delinquency

                                                                                                         1647," restored 12th June 1647

(Thomas Chapplyn  Intruder)                          1647

Richard West, D.D.                                        1649

Patrick Gutheridge                                          1690

Unton Reade, M.A.                                        1715

Cauldwell, John                                               1750

Moreau, Charles Frederick, M.A.                   1759

Edward Jacob, M.A.                                       1786

Henry Rushworth Woollcy, M.A.                     1813

Edward Arthur Dayman (Canon)                     1842

Charles James Marshall                                   1891

Herbert Gascoigne M.A.                                 1898

Joseph Hugh Cooke LL.D.                              1903

Some of the Rectors held other livings, and consequently Shillingstone was occasionally left to the ministration of Curates

           Walter Cosh, Rector of the manor portion 1574-97, was also Rector of Durweston, where from his will it is evident he resided. In that will he refers to Thomas Whitelocke, his Curate at Shillingstone, who was probably in charge.

Thomas Freke, Rector of the Montacute portion 1526-64, was also Vicar of Montacute and Vicar of Crewkerne (third portion) Somerset.

 Thomas Morley, Rector of the Montacute portion 1564-1607, was also Vicar of Montacute.

Adam Wilson, Rector of the Montacute portion 1607-9, was also Rector of Lidlinch and Vicar of Fordington.

Unton Reade, Rector in 1715-50, was also Rector of Durweston.

 

John Cauldwell, Rector 1750-59, was also Rector of Grioshall, Staffordshire, where he died.

 

Charles Frederick Moreau, Rector 1759-85, was also Rector of Durweston. He appears to have been non-resident from about 1777, when he probably went to America.  

 

The Rev. John Hill Browne was Curate during the greater part of the period.

 

Henry Rushworth Woolley, Rector 1813-42, was also Rector of Handsworth, Staffordshire, and Vicar of Shenston.

 

The Rev. E. H. Acton was Curate during this period.

 

Hutchins gives as a Rector, from 1777 to 1785, Peter Bellanger Brodie, the father of the celebrated surgeon, Sir Benjamin Brodie, but he was never really appointed. He was presented to the living by his father-in-law, Benjamin Collins, banker, of Salisbury, in 1777. In the Bishop's Certificates of Institution, Peter Bellinger Brodie was presented by Benjamin Collins, Esq., to Okeford Shilling Rectory, " for this term by death of Charles Frederick Moreau (as it was asserted), but query whether he was then or is yet dead."

           In a Terrier and Modus of Shillingstone, dated 1st October, 1784, Moreau is said to be "now resident in South Carolina." The Certificate of Institution of Edward Jacob, in 1785, states the. rectory to be void by the death of Charles Frederick Moreau, Clerk. It is quite certain, therefore, that Brodie was never Rector of Shillingstone.

 

THE RECTORY HOUSE

 

 

 

The Rectory House.                                                                                                                                                                                                Page 77

The present rectory house in all probability occupies the site of that of the manor portion of the ancient rectory. There is little known about its history, but in 1752 there was an action in the Court of King's Bench¹ between the Rector, the Rev. John Cauldwell, and Susannah Read, widow and executrix of the previous Rector, the Rev. Unton Read, about dilapidations—that frequent source of trouble to the clergy. Cauldwell stated that at the time of his predecessors death the chancel of the church, the dwelling-house and other edifices, outhouse and buildings, and the gates, stiles, walls, and fence were very much out of repair. He also complained that Susannah Read disposed at Shillingstone, on 20th January, 1751, of 100 square yards of oak wainscot, 100 square yards of deal wainscot, 10 oak doors, 10 other doors made of deal, 20 oak window shutters, 20 deal window shutters, 10 stone chimney-pieces, 10 other chimney- pieces made of oak, 10 other chimney-pieces made of deal, 20 hinges and 20 locks, to the value of £20. Susannah would seem to have dismantled the rectory. The house was rebuilt in 1890.

 

¹ Judgement Roll, 248, 25 George II.

 

                                                                       CURATES

It is difficult to compile a list of the Curates of Shillingstone, but from wills, parish registers, and other records, the following names have been noted:

1596              Revd. Thomas Whiteclock

1642              Rcvd. William Layford

1681              Revd. John Joy

1682              Revd. John Clipper

1755              Revd. Thomas Sollers

1762              Revd. Richard Rogers

1765              Revd. Thomas Frome

1768              Revd. Robert Frome

1771              Rcvd. Edward Napier

1775              Revd. Thomas Butley

1780              Revd. John Hill Browne

1810              Revd. Henry Raikes

1813              Revd. Edward Acton

1885              Revd. G. S. Thompson

1886              Revd. Huon Smith Huon

1897              Revd. W. G. Smallwood

 

LIST OF CHURCHWARDENS 79

The following names have been recorded:

 

PARISH CLERKS

1653              James Clarke

1655              George Cox

1655              Henry Morren

1729              Benjamin Ash

1801              Charles Paine

1861              Robert Ames

1865              John Percy

1892              Tom Stone

1896              Robert Reed

1899              Henry Hart

 

                                              CHURCHWARDENS

 

It is impossible to give a full list before 1752, but the following names have been taken

previous to that date from various sources. From 1752 the succession is practically complete.

 

1552              Thomas Kaynes and John Harryes

1641              Thomas Ford and Thomas Morrey

1649              Thomas Sweet and John White

1654              Allen Hayne and Robert Ridout

1736              Thomas Melmouth and Thomas Ford

1752              William White and John Skivington

1753              Thomas Ford and Thomas Ncwman

1754              George Pope and John Pope

1755              John Skivington and Thomas Melmouth

1756-7          John Ford and William Shorey

1758              George Melmouth and Henry Kaines

1759              George Melmouth and Mark Cox

1760-2          John Stickland and Mark Cox

1763-6          Robert Jenkins and Henry Ford

1767             George Melmouth and Henry Ford

1768             George Melmouth and Richard Hart

1769              John Russell and Richard Hart

1770-1          John Russell and Mark Cox

1772              Thomas Ford and Mark Cox

1773              Thomas Ford and Robert Jenkins

1774              George Melmouth and William Shorey

1776-8          George Melmouth and John Hart

1779              Thomas Ford and John Hart

1780-3           Thomas Ford and John Yeatman

1784-5           James Ford and John Yeatman

1786-7           James Roberts and John Yeatman

1788              James Roberts and John Hart

1788              James Ford and James Cox

Up to1809     James Ford (only name)

1810              James Cox (only name)

1811              Thomas Barter

1812-3          William Melmouth and William Warren

1814              John Ford and William Warren

1815              John Ford and Thomas Barter

1816              John Ford and James Cox

1817              James Cox and Thomas Barter

1818              William Warren and Thomas Baxter

1819              William Warren and William Melmouth

1820              John Ford and William Melmouth

1821              John Ford and William Warren

1822              George J. Jacob and William Warren

1822              George J. Jacob and James Cox

1824              Richard Candy and James Cox

1825-6          John Warren and John Ford

1827-8          William Cox and John Ford

1829              William Cox and Jasper Newman

1830-1          James Cox and Jasper Newman

1832              Charles Dominey and Jasper Newman

1833              Thomas Sydling and John Warren

1834-5          Jasper Rossiter and John Warren

1836              William Cox and John Warren

1837              William Cox and Jasper Newman

1838              Joshua Cox and Jasper Newman

1839              James Cox and Jasper Newman

1840-1          James Cox and John Dominey

1842              Thomas Sydling and John Dominey

1843              Jesse Gillingham and John Dominey

1844              Jesse Gillingham and John Warren

1845-6          William Cox and John Warren

1847              William Cox and Jasper Newman

1848              John Warren and Jasper Newman

1849              John Warren and John Dominey

1850              John Warren and William Cox

1851               John Warren and William Newman

1852              John Warren and Frederick Ingram

1853              Jesse Gillingham and John Dominey

1854              William Cox and John Warren

1855              William Cox and James Broad

1856-7          Frederick Ingram and James Broad

1858-61        John Warren and John Dominey

1862              Henry Roffey and John Dominey

1863              Henry Roffey and William Sticklen

1864              James Broad and William Sticklen

1865              James Broad and James Broad Junr.

1866              Freniers George Bernard and James Cox

1867              Freniers George Bernard and John Warren

1868              Freniers George Bernard and William Cox

1869              Freniers George Bernard and John Dominey

1870-1          Freniers George Bernard and Henry Roffey

1872              Freniers George Bernard and William Savery

1873              Freniers George Bernard and Thomas Warren

1874              Freniers George Bernard and William Cox

1875              Freniers George Bernard and John Dominey

1876              Thomas Warren and John Dominey

1877-8          Thomas Warren and William Cox

1879              Henry Roffey and William Cox

1880-3          Major Lachlan Forbes and William Cox

1884-89        Kyrle Chapman, and William Cox

1890-1          Kyrle Chapman and Walter Henry Cox

1892-5          Major Lachlan Forbes and Walter Henry Cox

1896              John Topp Sticklen and Henry Boney

1897-1910     John Topp Sticklen and George Cole

1911-13        John Topp Sticklen and Thomas J. Sangwine

1914              Amherst Webber, O.B.E., and Thomas J. Sangwine

1915-20        Amherst Webber, O.B.E., and Robert Pope

 

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