Category Archives: local history
Wool Stealers of Milton Abbas
The following are a huge cast of interrelated characters named by Clive Barnes in his research on the Wool stealers gang of 1836. Why not find out more about these people and what life, poverty and justice was like in the … Continue reading
The Wool Stealers of Milton Abbas
Our member Clive Barnes recently gave a presentation on the wool stealers gang. From Milton Abbas James Drake, James Cox, Philip Arnold, James Vatcher and Thomas Cox were charged in 1838 with stealing and receiving wool, wool sacks and sheepskins. … Continue reading
Milton Abbas Grammar School
Our progress so far – we have collected all the leases for the grammar school in Milton Abbas which are in the Dorset History Centre. These 34 leases from 1616 to 1774 prove that the feoffees of the school were … Continue reading
Justice and Milton Abbas
Following a recent talk on Dorset Justice of the 17th century a number of questions were raised. The Dorset Record Society book volume 14 ‘Dorset Quarter Session 1625 – 1638’ is a transcription of the earliest surviving Order Book for … Continue reading
The Milton Abbas Pendant update
At a meeting in the Reading Rooms, Milton Abbas, on Tuesday 24 January we were very privileged to hear from Clare Randall, archaeologist, and from Liz Selby, Director of Dorset Museum. The museum is trying to save this important and … Continue reading
Milton Abbas Grammar School 1521 – 1929
This famous and early grammar school was founded by Abbot Walter Myddelton who endowed the school with land at Little Mayne Farm. There was sufficient income to make it a free school for local people. The trustees of the school … Continue reading
Dorset in the First World War
One of our members has kindly donated this book, and it had been added to our library, click here to see a list of our books. The information will be informing our World War I research group who are preparing … Continue reading
Christmas Tree Festival 2022
Thanks to Ann Fookes who organised the tree and to Nicky Griffin for decorating it with images of the medieval tiles of St Catherine’s Chapel. This is the contribution from the Milton Abbas Local History Group for this year. There … Continue reading
Court Roll of a manor of Milton Abbey
This is a snippet from a court roll for the manor of Sydling St Nicholas which was then held by Milton Abbey. This one is dated 11 Jul in the 8th year of the reign of Richard II which can … Continue reading
Milton Abbas First School 1985 – 1991
Former headmaster Ron Karley has written up the school diary. He has very kindly donated a copy of this 280 A4 page, lavishly colour illustrated tome to the Milton Abbas Local History Group. This has been added to our Records … Continue reading