Dorchester

Baptisms of Protestant Dissenters
The Wesleyan Chapel, North Square, Dorchester 1831-1837

Transcribed from RG4/2409 by Michael Russell OPC for Dorchester - January 2014 (72 Records) Last update May 2015



John Wesley (1703-1791)
Image in the public domain due to its age

Wesleyanism:- is a movement of Protestant Christians who follow the "methods" and Theology of the evangelical reformers John Wesley (1703-1791) and his brother Charles Wesley (1707-1788). According to the return to the Commissioners held at the Public records Office the Chapel in Dorchester was originally situated in North Square and founded in 1825 but the register of baptisms only covers 1831-1837.
Source Material:-

Slaters Directory for 1852 shows the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel to be in Durngate Street.

Harrods Directory of 1865 shows the Wesleyan Chapel to still be in Durngate Street and the Minister to be Revd J Allen.

The Western Gazette for Friday 5th Sep 1873 states" Wesleyan Chapel: The Rev W.Dunstan has just been removed from Swindon to the Dorchester Circuit, in place of the Rev. T.L.Taylor and commenced his duties on Sunday, by preaching two sermons in the Wesleyan Chapel in Durngate Street.

The Post Office Directory of 1875 still shows the Wesleyan Chapel as being in Durngate Street and the Minister to be Revd J Duffill living at 2 Alexander Terrace

The 1886 Ordnance Survey Map shows the Methodist chapel (Wes.) to be on the south corner of South street where it is joined by Durngate street.

Kellys directory for 1889 shows the Chapel to be in South street (erected 1875) and the Revd Richard Henry Bleby Wesleyan Minister resident at 2 Alexander Terrace

Kellys Directory for 1895 shows the Chapel in South street was builtin 1875 in the Italian Style at a cost of £4,000 with the Architect being Mr W.S.Allardyce. Also that the Ministers were Rev. William Chant whose private residence was 2 Alexander Terrace& Rev. Seth Swithenban.

The 1901 Ordnance survey map still shows the chapel to be on the south corner of South street where it is joined by Durngate street.

Kellys Directory for 1915 shows the Chapel still in South street and the Minister to be Revd John Edmund Lewis who was living at Grassington, Prince of Wales Road Dorchester

Ministers:- were itinerant rotating on average about once ever three years. Ministers known to have served at the Chapel are listed below.

    (1) James ALLEN (Serving in Dorchester in 1831-1832 and in 1865 )(2)

    (2) James OKE (d.1833) (Served 1826-1833 - Dorchester in 1832)(1&2) James Oke was converted in early life. He entered the Wesleyan Ministry in 1826 and served Circuits in south-west England until his death following a long illness

    (3) Edward BRICE (Served 1833-1859 - Dorchester in 1833) (2)

    (4) J ARMSTRONG (Served - Dorchester from Oct 1833 to Oct 1834) (2)

    (5) Revd Joseph LOWTHIAN (1799-1872) (Served 1822-1872 - In Dorchester from Oct 1834 to Aug 1836) (2) Born ar Renwick in Cumberland on 28th July 1799 the son of Methodist parents. First appointed to the Brecon circuit in 1822. Married Mary the daughter of John & Mary BROWNRIGG in her home parish of Moreland on 13th Aug 1828 (b.1801 Morland in Westmorland) and raised a family of at least 5 children

      (1) Margaret Lowthian was born on the 13th Nov 1833 at Hugh Town St Marys in the Scilly Islands and baptised in the Methodist Chapel there on Christmas day in the same year(10) She became a Governess and was visiting in Broughton Salford in Lancashire in 1881 and living with her brother Joseph in 1891.
      (2) Joseph Lowthian born in the Parish of St Peters Dorchester Dorset on 2nd Dec 1835. He was delivered by the surgeon John Petty Aldridge and baptised on 7th February 1836. He became an accountant, married a Mary Jane and was living in Carlisle in 1891 with his family and sister Margaret(11)
      (3) Mary Jane Lowthian born Melksham district of Wiltshire 1st qtr 1838
      (4) Thomas Lowthian born at Lancaster in Lancashire Aug 1840
      (5) George W Lowthian born at High Wycombe Buckinghamshire 1845


    In 1833 Joseph was Wesleyan Minister at Hugh Town on the island of St Marys in the Scilly islands off Cornwall but was in Dorchester the following year where his son Joseph was born. He had left for Wiltshire by 1837 and went onto Lancaster in Lancashire by 1840 and High Wycombe by 1845. In 1851 he was serving at Midsomer Norton in Somerset. In 1860 his failing health faorced him to become a supernumary but he continued to be a faithful preacher of the Gospel. In 1861 he retired to live at Cheetham in Manchester living with his wife and 2 sons. Joseph died on the 17th Oct 1872 at Broughton, Lancashire.

    (6) William HARVY [HARVEY] (served at Dorchester from Sep 1836 to ? ) He submitted the register below to the Royal commission on 3rd July 1837

    (7) Revd Joshua DUFFILL (1828-1896) (Serving 1875) The son of Francis & Elizabeth Duffill he was born in York in 1828 and joined the church to become a Wesleyan Preacher prior to 1851, by which time he was in Beaminster. He married Christiana Blackney 8th Aug 1854 in her parish of Madron, Penzance Cornwall and raised a large family. Whilst in Dorchester he lived at 2 Alexander Terrace but by 1881 had moved to New Sleaford in Lincolnshire with his wife and 6 of his children. He retired to Lincoln prior to 1891 and died at 3 Altham Terrace on 3rd April 1896 leaving a modest estate of only £338. .

    (8) Revd William James CHANT (1855-1916) (3) (Serving 1885) Born c1855 at Milborne Port Somerset the son of a Beer House Keeper who was also a grocer and baker by trade called George Chant by his wife Susan. His father became a Leather trimmer and he taught William how to make gloves. He left however to join the church and in 1881 he was already a Wesleyan Minister resident in West End Cottage in the village of Breock, Wadebridge in Cornwall. Here he met a native of the village Annie Mary Blake whom he married in Bodmin in 1883. They were living at 2 Alexander Terrace in Dorchester in 1885; and in Atherstone Warwickshire in1887; and London Bow in 1891. He died at Stanley villas Runcorn Cheshire on 31st march 1916 leaving a modest estate of just £487 to his widow

    (9) Revd. Seth SWITHENBANK (1868-1951) (3) (Serving in Dorchester in 1885) The son of a cloth manufacturer James Swithenbank by his wife Elizabeth he was born at Ossett in Yorkshire c1868. He joined the church and would have been on probation during his service at Dorchester under the guidance of Revt Chant as by 1891 he was living back with his parents at 11 Westgate Street Leeds and still undertaking theological studies. He went on to become a Wesleyan Minister of Garforth in Yorkshire and married in the 3rd qtr of 1896 to Mary Katherine Pope (a native of Halifax) in Hampstead in London . He died at Oakfold, 174 Leckhampton Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire on 2nd Feb 1951 leaving an estate of £56,778.8s.9d

    (10) Revd Richard Henry BLEBY (1846-1891) (serving in Dorchester in 1889) The son of Henry Bleby a Wesleyan Minister originating from Winchcoombe Gloucestershire by his wife Sarah Richard was born in Kingston Jamaica circa 1846. In 1881 Richard was already a widower serving on the Redruth circuit as a Wesleyan Minister and living in the town with his parents his sister and his son. In 1889 he was serving in Dorchester living at 2 Alexander Terrace but by 1891 he had moved on to Bingley in Yorkshire. He died later that year on 18th Sep 1891 but in Penarth Glamorgan Wales leaving a modest estate of £112


Baptisms: 1831

Samuel James PHIPPARD the son of Richard & Amelia PHIPPARD of the parish of Dorchester was born October 28th and was baptized December 3rd 1831 by me James Allen Minister

Mary Amelia BRICE the daughter of Frederick and Ann BRICE the Parish of Dorchester born October 31st and baptised December 3rd 1831 by me James Allen Minister

Mary Ann the daughter of William & Susan BARTLETT of the Parish of Fordington was born August 3rd 1831 and was baptised on the 24th of the same month by me James Allen Minister

1832

Jane the daughter of Elizabeth & William RICHARDS of the Parish of Fordington was born Dec 12th 1831 and was baptised January 1st 1832 by me James Allen Minister

Joseph William the son of William and Elizabeth BRYDLE of the Parish of Dorchester in the County of Dorset was born January 28th 1832 and baptised February the 25th in the same year by me James Allen Minister

Hannah the daughter of William BURT a labourer and Ann his wife of the parish of Winfrith was born the fourth of September 1832 and Baptized the Fourth of December 1832 by me James Oke Minister

Edward son of Edward HOARE shoemaker and tanner [by] his wife of the parish of Bere Regis was born November the twenty sixth 1832 and Baptized December the ninth by me James Oke Minister

1833

John the son of William & Susan BARTLETT of the Parish of Fordington was born January 25th 1833 by me James Oke Minister

Charles the son of William and Elizabeth PENNEY of the parish of Ower was born the 20th day of March 1833 and baptized the 8th of April in the same year by me Edward Brice Minister

Samuel the son of Henry & Jane RAWLES of the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset was born on the 2nd day of January 1833 and baptized the 2nd of June in the same year by me Edward Brice

Sarah the daughter of Charles & Sarah ALLEN of the parish of Winfrith Newbury in the County of Dorset was born on the 7th February 1833 and baptized on the 4th of June the same year by me Edward Brice

Emily the daughter of James & Sarah LOVELESS of the parish of Tolpuddle in the County of Dorset was born February 1st 1833 and Baptised the 28th of June in the same year by me Edward Brice

(Omitted) Ann the daughter of Robert and Susan HARDING of the parish of Ower in the County of Dorset born Dec 1st 1830 and baptised April 1st 1831 by me James Allen

(Omitted) Mary the daughter of Robert and Susan HARDING of the parish of Ower in the County of Dorset born Feb 10th 1831 and baptised April 1st 1831 by me James Allen

William the son of Robert and Susan HARDING of the parish of Ower in the County of Dorset born 12th March 1833 and baptized July 3rd in the same year by me Edward Brice

Mary Ann daughter of George COLE shoemaker in the parish of Dewlish in the County of Dorset and Hannah his wife born 1st Sept 1833 and baptized 1st Oct in the same year by me J Armstrong

Henry Clament the son of Joseph BRIDLE of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset Draper and Sarah his wife was born 1832 Nov 22nd Baptised Oct 3rd 1833 by me J Armstrong

John the son of Robert LANE Labourer of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset and Elizabeth his wife born Sept 8th 1833 Baptized Dec 12th in the same year by me J Armstrong

Louisa daughter of George ROMAIN Labourer in the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset and Maria his wife born July 26th 1833 Baptized Dec 12th 1833 by me J Armstrong

1834

Caroline the daughter of William BRYDLE Taylor of Dewlish in the County of Dorset and Elizabeth his wife born January 26th 1834 Baptized Feb 4th 1834 by me J Armstrong

William the son of Frederick LAWRENCE Labourer in the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset and Sarah his wife born September 1833 Baptized Feb 6th 1834 by me J Armstrong

Elizabeth the daughter of John ARNOLD Labourer in the parish of Winterbourne in the County of Dorset and Sarah his wife born Feb 1st 1834 Baptized Feb 20th 1834 by me J Armstrong

Joseph the son of James ASH Carpenter in the parish of Ower in the County of Dorset and Mary Ann his wife born Aug 15th 1832 & baptised Oct 15th 1832 by me J Oak

Frederick the son of Frederick BRICE Butcher in the parish of Fordington in the County of Dorset and Ann his wife Born the 28th January Baptised the 2nd March 1834 by me J Armstrong

Amelia the daughter of Richard FIPPARD grocer in the parish of Fordington in the County of Dorset and Amelia his wife born 8th March Baptised the 30th March 1834 by me J Armstrong

Ester the daughter of James SANSOM shoemaker of the parish of Tolpuddle in the County of Dorset and Mary his wife was born April 13th 1834 Baptised May 2nd 1834 by me J Armstrong

Theophilus the daughter of James LOVELESS of the parish of Tolpuddle in the County of Dorset by Sarah his wife born April 23rd Baptised May 30th 1834 by me Edward Brice

Frederick son of William RICKARD Gardener in the parish of Fordington in the County of Dorset and Elizabeth his wife born May 25th Baptised June 15th 1834 by me J Armstrong

Thomas the son of John CAKE labourer in the parish of Charminster in the County of Dorset and Sarah his wife Born march 31st Baptised 29th June 1834 by me J Armstrong

Elizabeth daughter of Robert HARDING a blacksmith in the parish of Ower Mine County of Dorset and Susan his wife Born May 20th Baptised July 16th 1834 by me J Armstrong

Mary Frances the daughter of Joseph and Jane WILCOX of the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset Born July 31st 1831 Baptised October 12th 1834 by me Joseph Lowthian

Anne daughter of Edward and Tamer HOOCH of the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset Born September 11th 1834 baptised October 12th 1834 by me Joseph Lowthian

Jane the daughter of James and Mary TOZWELL of the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset Born December 19th 1833 Baptised October 12th 1834 by me Joseph Lowthian

Edward son of William and Anne RAWLES of the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset Born November 6th 1833 Baptised October 12th 1834 by me Joseph Lowthian [Note:- William RAWLES married Ann WILCOX at Bere Regis on 1st Mar 1819]

Rhoda daughter of Lionel and Ann ELFORD of the parish of Houghton in the County of Dorset Born september the 13th 1834 Baptised November 12th of the same year by me Joseph Lowthian

Hannah Lydia daughter of Thomas & Mary Ann GRIVES of the parish of Maiden Newton in the County of Dorset was born September 18th 1834 Baptised November 23rd of the same year by me Joseph Lowthian

1835

Andrew James son of James & Jane LANGDOWN [LANGDON] of the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset Born Nov 8th 1834 Baptised Jan 18th 1835 by me Joseph Lowthian

Susannah Maria daughter of William & Susannah BARTLETT of the parish of Fordington in the County of Dorset was born December 17th 1834 baptised January 25th 1835 by me Joseph Lowthian

Jane Matilda daughter of William & Susannah BARTLETT of the parish of Fordington in the County of Dorset was born December 17th 1834 baptised January 25th 1835 by me Joseph Lowthian

Elizabeth daughter of Simon & Sarah BISHOP of the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset Born September 23rd 1834 Baptised February 5th 1835 by me Joseph Lowthian

Elizabeth daughter of James & Martha LEGG of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset Born February 21st 1835 Baptised April 21st 1835 by me Joseph Lowthian [Note:- James Legg married Martha SCARD at Cerne Abbas on 25th dec 1834]

Mary Jane daughter of William & Mary SHUTTER of Piddletrenthide in the County of Dorset Born May 29th 1835 baptised July 2nd 1835 by me Joseph Lowthian [Note:- William SHUTTER marrried by licence to Mary STROUD at Piddletrenthide on 4th Aug 1828]

George Smith the son of John & Frances SHEPHERD of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset was born January 9th 1825? and Baptised July 14th 1825? by me Joseph Lowthian [Note:- John SHEPHERD married Frances SMITH on 24th Nov 1825]

Herbert son of Robert & Sarah OLD of Piddletrenthide in the County of Dorset Born [blank] 1835 Baptised July 15th 1835 by me Joseph Lowthian

Charles Wesley son of George & Hannah COLE of Dewish in the County of Dorset Borth July 10th 1835 Baptised August 4th 1835 by me Joseph Lowthian

Arthur son of Job and Jane CURME of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset was born September 8th 1835 Baptised October 4th 1835 by me William Solehill

1836

Benjamin son of Lionel & Ann FOSTER of Whitchurch in the County of Dorset Born [blank] Baptised January 6th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Mary daughter of Thomas & Elizabeth ELFORD of Houghton in the County of Dorset Born December 25th 1835 Baptised January 25th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Ann daughter of Joseph & Elizabeth MABY of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset Born January 28th 1836 Baptised February 23rd 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Elizabeth Sarah daughter of George & Mary DERRIMAN of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset Born November the 6th 1835 Baptised December 29th 1835 by me Joseph Lowthian

Harriet daughter of George & ROMAIN of the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset Born October 21st 1835 Baptised February 16th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Louisa daughter of James & Mary SOMERVILL of the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset Born November 8th 1835 Baptised February 16th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Sarah Jane daughter of John & Jane LEGG of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset Born January 29th 1836 baptised March 8th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Charlotte Stanfield daughter of Joseph & Mary SHAVE in the parish of Whitchurch in the County of Dorset Born March 7th 1836 Baptised June 30th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Elizabeth daughter of John & Louisa MORRIS of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset Born February 4th 1836Baptised June 28th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Catherine daughter of Joseph & Jane WILCOX of Bereheath in the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset was Born April 7th 1836 and Baptised June the 19th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Catherine daughter of William & Ann RAWLES of Bereheath in the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset was Born April 30th 1836 Baptised June 19th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Henry son of William & Frances JACOB in the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset was Born January 7th 1836 baptised July 7th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Ann Marion daughter of Frederick & Ann BRICE of the parish of Fordington in the County of Dorset was born March 21st 1836 baptised 10th April 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

James son of John & Ann FOOT of Sydling in the County of Dorset Born March 26th 1836 Baptised May 8th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Sarah daughter of William & Elizabeth BRYDLE of Dewish in the County of Dorset Born April 16th 1836 Baptisede May 10th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Francis [Frances] daughter of George B and Jane ASH in the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset was Born June 12th 1835 and Baptised 13th September 1835 by me Joseph Lowthian

John Henry son of Joseph & Sarah Ann BRYDLE of the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset was Born December 28th 1835 Baptised March 27th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Herbert son of Richard and Amelia PHIPPARD of Upper Fordington in the parish of Fordington in the County of Dorset was Born July 28th 1836 Baptised Aug 17th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Mary Ann daughter of William & Elizabeth RICKARD of Upper Fordington in the parish of Fordington in the County of Dorset was Born July 28th 1836 Baptised August 17th 1836 by me Joseph Lowthian

Charles the son of Edward & Tamar HOAR of the parish of Bere Regis in the County of Dorset was Born October 26th 1836 Baptised December 25th 1836 by me William Harvy

1837

Anna daughter of William and Mary SHUTTER of Piddletrenthide in the County of Dorset Born January 1837 baptised February 2nd 1837 by me William Harvy

John Thomas son of John & Mariah LANE of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset Born March 22nd 1837 baptised April 23rd 1837 by me William Harvy

Mary Gillingham daughter ofg John & Sarah SHIPHARD of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset Born April 29th 1837 Baptised June 25th 1837 by me William Harvy

Mary Elizabeth daughter of John & Mary Ann BARNETT of Stickland in the parish of Winterbourne in the County of Dorset was Born November 22nd 1837 Baptised June 11th 1837 by me William Harvy

Stephen son of Charles & Susannah ALLIN of Stickland in the parish of Winterbourne in the County of Dorset was Born may 19th 1837 baptised June 11th 1837 by me William Harvy

John Wesley son of Thomas and Mary Ann GRAVEL of Cerne Abbas in the County of Dorset Born May 4th 1837 Baptised June 25th 1837 by me William Harvy Minister


Sources:-
(1) Manchester University Methodist Biographical Index
(2) Return of baptisms to Royal Commissioners 1831-1837 Also The Minutes of the Methodist Conference on Archive.org 1873
(3) Slaters directory 1852
(4) Kellys Directory 1885
(5) Harrods Directory of 1865
(6) Kellys Directory 1915
(7) CLDS IGI
(8) various Census returns
(9) National Probate Records
(10)This birth and baptism is registered at the Methodist Registry Office in Paternoster Row near St Pauls Church in London entry 66 in the register on 21st Dec 1835 Folio 1026 No.9042 and confirms his wife's maiden mane and parentage RG5/204
(11) This birth and baptisn is in RG4 Wesleyan Metropolian Register Paternoster Row Entry 9494

Dorchester Page     OPC Page