Freemasonry has existed in Dorset since 1736 with the creation of the Three Crowns Lodge (No. 145) at Weymouth. The Durnovarian Lodge in Dorchester was named and established in 1775 and originally met at 'The Kings Arms' at 30 High East Street Dorchester(1). This agrees with the Register of Members listed below. and was reported in "The Constitutions of the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free Masons (page lxiii) where it states "The Grand Secretary reported That the two following Lodges had been constituted since the last Grand Lodge ---- the second was ---No 476 Durnovarian Lodge, Kings Arms Dorchester". The 'Kings Arms' In 1785 they met at the 'Royal Oak' in High West Street, and this address is referred to in the 1790 publication in London of 'Jachin and Boaz; or an Authentic Keyt to the door of Free Masonry. In 1799 they met at the 'Antelope Inn' on Cornhill in the center of Dorchester where meetings remained there until 1830 when the lodge was erased. General correspondence relating to the lodge for years 1787, 1788, 1790-1792, 1800 and 1809-1811 is held at the Library and Museum of Freemasonry at 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ. Various Lodge numbers are used in correspondence but again 'Lanes Masonic Records' suggests that the original Lodge number was 476 and dates from as early as 1770? This became Lodge 381 in 1780 and 382 the following year. In 1792 it became Lodge 310 and is listed as such in "The Spirit of Masonry in Moral and Elucidatory Lectures" by William Hutchinson (page 344). From 1814 it became Lodge 395. The Lodge was Erased in 1830. |
REGISTER 1775-1812
MEMBER'S NAME |
AGE | OCCUPATION | RESIDENCE | When Made a Mason | REMARKS (Lodge 476D/382E - Pages 233 continued 237) |
LOCKETT, Thomas | 35 | Printer | Dorchester | [Blank] | Admitted as a member June 1775 |
MEECH, Robert | 32 | Officer in the Army | [Blank] | [Blank] | Admitted as a member June 1775 |
LACEY, Richard | 32 | Attorney | Fordington | [Blank] | Admitted as a member June 1775 |
READ, Clement | 36 | Architect | Dorchester | [Blank] | Admitted as a member June 1775 |
BRYER, Henry | 24 | Innholder | Dorchester | 25 Jun 1775 | |
READ, William | 34 | Plasterer | Dorchester | 25 Jun 1775 | |
ANDREWS, George | 35 | Currier | Dorchester | 07 May 1776 | |
READ, William | 30 | Innholder | Milbourne St Andrew | 05 Dec 1776 | |
EAMES, Thomas [In 2nd Register] | 28 | Butcher | Dorchester | 05 Jun 1777 | |
WHITE, John | 28 | Plasterer | Dorchester | 15 Apr 1778 | |
TORBEN, Jacob | 40 | Victualler | Dorchester | 19 Jan 1780 | |
SHEPPARD, John | 40 | Victualler | Maiden Newton | 19 Apr 1780 | |
BRIDELL, Jonathan | 44 | Haberdasher | Maiden Newton | [Blank] | Admitted as a member 25 Jun 1781 |
WHITE, John | 35 | Surgeon | Maiden Newton | 19 Sep 1781 | |
MARTIN, John | 30 | Victualler | Netherbury | 17 Oct 1781 | |
HANHAM, William | 42 | Tin man | Sherborne | 21 Nov 1781 | |
HADDINOTT, James | 40 | Auctioneer | Sherborne | 03 Apr 1782 | |
HANN, Benjamin | 38 | Starch maker | Sherborne | 02 Oct 1782 | |
OKE, Robert | 28 | Merchant | Poole | 27 Dec 1775 | |
FRANCIS, Richard | 36 | Innholder | Yeovil, Somerset | 07 May 1776 | |
COLLINS, Joseph | 28 | Taylor | [Blank] | 15 Apr 1778 | |
WALKER, James | 24 | [Blank] | [Blank] | 07 Apr 1779 | |
GREGORY, John [In 2nd Register] | 28 | Tyler | Dorchester | 16 Jun 1779 | |
MAY, John | 40 | Mariner | Sunderland | 09 Aug 1780 | |
FORD, Thomas | 22 | Mariner | Weymouth | 16 May 1781 | |
WILLIAMS, Richard | 42 | Mariner | Weymouth | 21 Nov 1781 | |
DOWLAND, John | [Blank] | Victualler | Sherborne | 18 Jun 1783 | |
BROWNE, William | 35 | Gentleman | Dorchester | 20 Jun 1783 | |
CARSCALLION, James | 30 | Officer 93rd Regt | [Blank] | [Blank] | Admitted as a member 03 Oct 1781 |
CORBIN, J | [Blank] | [Blank] | Dorchester | [Blank] | |
WRIGHT, John | [Blank] | [Blank] | Sherborne | [Blank] | |
COLLINGTON, Richard | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
HANN, Benjamin | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
HANHAM, William | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
HODDINOTT, James | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
ARDEN, Christopher | 38 | Surgeon | [Blank] | 20 Aug 1789 | |
MANSFIELD, John Collard | 25 | Attorney at Law | [Blank] | 20 Aug 1789 | |
MURRAY, John | [Blank] | Mariner | [Blank] | 30 Sep 1793 | |
WARR, Richard | [Blank] | Mariner | Bridport | Jun 1784 | |
HUGHES, Richard Thomas | 33 | Clerk | [Blank] | [Blank] | Admitted as a member 06 Oct 1784 |
WHITE, John | 29 | Gentleman | [Blank] | 20 May 1778 | |
RICHMAN, Rev John | 21 | Clerk | Dorchester | 1776 | Note:- Follow link for more information 'Master of the Free School' in Dorchester 1790-1813 |
GROVES, Charles | 44 | Cordwainer | Dorchester | 06 May 1785 | |
GLYNN, Henry | 40 | Tyler | Dorchester | Oct 1795 | |
CARTER, Charles | 28 | Painter | [Blank] | 24 Jun 1793 | |
BRYER, [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
SHITLER, Robert [In 2nd Register] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] {Dorchester see 2nd Register] | [Blank] | |
APLIN, John | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
JEFFREYS, Benjamin | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
MADDOCK, Jeffery | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
PAULK, William | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
WOOD, John | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | 05 Jul 1797 | |
WOOD, Rev George | [Blank] | [Blank] | Dorchester | 05 Apr 1797 | Note:- Follow link for more information later became Rector of Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester from 1825 to 1847 |
NATHAN, Joseph | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
LOUTER, Thomas | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | 27 Dec [No year given] | |
KLION, John Wilke | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | 07 Feb 1798 | |
GASKON, Joseph | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
PERRY, Abraham | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | 27th Dec [No year given] | |
LUCE, Daniel | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
PARRY, William | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
TYNDALL, Thomas | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | 09 Jan 1799 | |
YORKE, Henry Redbeard | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | |
RING, Richard | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | 06 Mar [No year given] | |
BASCOMB, John [In 2nd Register] | 45 | Mercer | Dorchester | 01 May [No year given] | |
GROVES, Charles [In 2nd Register] | 44 | Cordwainer | Dorchester | 06 May 1801 | |
MALLINSON, William | 36 | Corp R.H.Guards | Dorchester Barracks | 09 Nov 1802 | |
EVANS, William | 24 | Corp R.H.Guards | Dorchester Barracks | 09 Nov 1802 | |
HERVEY, James | 26 | Private R.H.Guards | Dorchester Barracks | 09 Nov 1802 | |
GUMMER, William | 40 | Merchant | Bridport | 19 Jan 1803 | |
KUSE, Thomas | 35 | Merchant | Bridport | 19 Jan 1803 | |
PAINTER, John | 30 | Merchant Clk | Weymouth | 05 May [No year given] | |
BRAGG, John | 35 | Taylor | Weymouth | 05 May [No year given] | |
READER, John William | 25 | Officer in the German Legion | Dorchester Barracks | 08 Aug 1804 | |
SCOTT, George Peace [In 2nd Register] | 30 | [Blank] | Dorchester | [Blank] | Admitted as a member 6th Nov 1805 |
GOODRIDGE, James [In 2nd Register] | 30 | Printer | Dorchester | [Blank] | Admitted as a member 6th Apr 1808 |
VIE [or NIE] , Henry | 30 | Surveyor | Dorchester | 01 Apr 1812 | |
HANLON, Daniel | 32 | Taylor | Dorchester | [Blank] | Admitted as a member 1st Apr 1812 |
ARNOLD, William | 26 | Watchmaker | Weymouth | [Blank] | Admitted as a member 1st Apr 1812 |
ZILLWOOD, William [In 2nd Register] | 35 | Schoolmaster | Dorchester | 03 Feb 1812 |
REGISTER 1813-1836 MEMBER'S NAME |
When Made a Mason | AGE | OCCUPATION | RESIDENCE | REMARKS Lodge 395 |
EAMES, Thomas [In 1st Register] | 1777 - June 5 | 28 | Yeoman | Fordington | Accounts annotated Sep 1817 "Withdrawn" |
SHITTLER, Robert [In 1st Register] | 1793 - | {Blank] | Maltster | Dorchester | Last Entry Dec 1820 |
BASCOMBE, John [In 1st Register] | 1799 - May 1 | 45 | Mercer | Dorchester | Accounts annotated March 1817 "Withdrawn" |
GROVES, Charles [In 1st Register] | 1801 - May 6 | 44 | Victualler | Dorchester | Last Entry Dec 1817 |
SCOTT, George Peace [In 1st Register] | 1805 - Nov 6 | 30 | Innholder | Dorchester | Accounts annotated Dec 1819 "Withdrawn" |
OLIVER, William | N. K. | [Blank] | Innholder | Dorchester | Accounts annotated Dec 1815 "Resigned" |
ASH, Joseph | N. K. | [Blank] | Hatter | Dorchester | Last Entry Dec 1820 |
LOCK, William | N. K. | [Blank] | Butcher | Dorchester | Last Entry Dec 1820 |
GOODRIDGE, John [In 1st Register] | 1805 - Apr 6 | 30 | Banker's Clerk | Dorchester | Accounts annotated Dec 1815 "Withdrawn" |
GREGORY, John [In 1st Register] | 1779 - June 16 | 28 | Tiler | Dorchester | Last Entry Dec 1820 |
ZILLWOOD, William (Junior) [In 1st Register] | 1812 - Feb 3 | 35 | Schoolmaster | Dorchester | Accounts annotated Mar 1818 "Dead" |
SPENCER, William | 1813- Dec 8 | [Blank] | Attorney | Dorchester | Last entry Dec 1820 |
NORTON, John Howe | 1814 - Feb 2 | 28 | Vet Surgeon | Weymouth | Last Entry Jun 1814 |
PETT, John | 1814 - Feb 2 | 50 | Grocer | Dorchester | Last Entry Dec 1815 annotated "Resigned" |
CUST, Joseph | 1814 - Feb 2 | 45 | Yeoman | Fordington | Last Entry Dec 1820 |
WRIGHT, John | 1814 - Oct 5 | 50 | Gentleman | Charminster | Last Entry Dec 1815 annotated "Resigned" |
LAKE, Robert | 1814 - Nov 23 | 25 | Butler | Kingston | Last Entry Sep 1814? |
LOCK, Thomas | 1815 - June 7 | 42 | Gentleman | Dorchester | Last Entry Dec 1820 |
SHEPHERD, Thomas | 1815 - May 4 | 25 | Lieutenant R.N. | Bridport | Last Entry Mar 1815? |
FRAMPTON, George | 1815 - Nov 1 | 38 | Frampton? | Dorchester | Last Entry Dec 1817 |
FUDGE, Richard | 1815 - Dec 27 | 38 | Butcher | Dorchester | Annotated against Dec 1815 "Rejoined" - Last entry Dec 1818 |
TOUGH, George | 1815 - Dec 27 | [Blank] | Yeoman | Fordington | Last Entry Dec 1820 |
ARDEN, George | 1817 - June 25 | [Blank] | Attorney | Weymouth | Annotated Jun 1818 "Withdrawn" |
STONE, John | 1817 - July 2 | [Blank] | Yeoman | Frampton | Last Entry Dec 1820 |
CURTIS, Thomas | 1817 - Sep 3 | [Blank] | [Blank] | [Blank] | Last Entry Dec 1820 |
TREN or TREW, George | 1818 - Apr 23 | [Blank] | Grocer | Romsey | Last entry Dec 1818 - C Written in Red ink is "Erased by order of the Grand Lodge 1st Dec 1830" |
FRAMPTON, George | 1820 - Jan 12 | [Blank] | Merchant's Clerk | Fogo Newfoundland | Last Entry Mar 1820 |
In 1834 The Lodge of Faith & Unanimity was formed in Dorchester and consecrated on 21st August that year. They met in a new building situated on the corner of Allington and West Back Street (Now called Princess Street). It cost £468.3s. 1d
and is shown in the picture above. Genealogical Notes:- (1). The KINGS ARMS HOTEL No. 30 and 30A High East street Dorchester with Stables and outbuildings which backs onto Friary Lane. This building was Grade II listed on 8th May 1950 when it was described as being of "Late C18 or early C19". Early references located to 'The Kings Arms':-
(1.2) 1764 Militia Listing For Dorchester dated 6th Oct 1764 Meeting adjourned to re-convene at The Kings Arms in Dorchester on 13th Oct 1764 (1.3) bef 1767 From a Settlement Examination dated 7th April 1781 we know that William CHRISTOPHER (1745-1802), who was born in Fordington, worked for Mr Bryar at the Kings Arms in Dorchester as a chaise driver in the mid 1760's. We know it was before he obtained employment in Blandford which occurred about 4 years before he married Mary King at Blandford Forum on 3rd June 1771 so was before 1767. (1.4) 1771 Map of Dorchester - The protrusion of the Porch and Bay windows in the 2 floors above is clearly shown opposite All Saints Church in High East Street (1.5) 1796 Militia Listing For Fordington (Same venue for Dorchester listings): Appeals against being listed were to be heard at The Kings Arms in Dorchester on Saturday 23rd Jan 1797 (1.6) 1813 4th Nov : Advert in the Taunton Courier placed by Mr and Mrs OLIVER of the Kings Arms Dorchester - repeated 15th Sep 1814 (1.7) 1830 Pigots Directory Dorchester:- INNS: Referred top as the Kings Arms Inn (& posting house) in High East Street and run by Francis Oliver. COACHES: used the Kings Arms every day as a pick up point (1.8) 1832 6th Oct : Hampshire Advertiser and others : Election of Christopher ARDEN as Mayor reported with reception dinner held at the Kings Arms (1.9) 1839 Robert's Directory Dorchester:- RESIDENTS: Oliver Francis High East street Kings Arms Hotel, commercial Inn and Posting House CARRIERS: Still being used by coaches as a pick up point (1.10) 1841 Census:- Francis Oliver aged 50 recorded as a Publican resident in High East Street with his wife and 2 children + 14 servants (1.11) 1843 2nd Oct - a Henry Simmonds a post boy resident at the Kings Arms Dorchester married in All Saints Church (1.12) 1851 Census 30th March All Saints Parish William Manley aged 50 with his wife are described as Hotel keepers of The Kings Arms Hotel at 40 High East street with 11 servants and strangely their children are recorded in St Peter's Parish again in High East Street (1.12) 1852 1st May : Sale of Freehold Estates inc Kings Arms Hotel reported in Daily News London Thursday March 25th Issue 1822 (1.13) 1852/3 Slater's Director of Dorchester :- INNS "Kings Arms Inn" William Manley, High East Street. (1.14) 1853 23rd March a Richard DYKE is described as a 'boots' at the Kings Arms in Dorchester on the baptism of his son at All Saints church |