Churchwarden's Accounts

These survive for the period late C19th to 1959but have not been transcribed as yet.

The Churchwardens were traditionally elected on the Tuesday after Easter each year by a small group of the wealthier householders (known as the Vestry). Landowners paid rates based on sums for their land and buildings. Rates were collected by a churchwarden for the upkeep of the prison in Dorchester, bridge repairs and poor relief.

In 1728, a rate was collected eight times during the year. The rather odd payments for heads of birds, stoats & polecats were a way of minor payments to the poor and these animals were considered vermin that ate crops and seeds. Beer was provided for bell-ringers on the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot on 5th November each year. Beer was also given out for householders after they assisted in compulsory road mending. 

Below : An index listing from Dorset History Centre of the records held (sorry links inoperative below)