Wareham
This town was known to the Romans as Morinio, but its modern name is said to be derived from the Saxon words, Var and Ham, denoting a habitation by a fishing shore; it stands upon a piece of land formed by the junction of the rivers Piddle and Frome, and consists of four principal streets meeting each other about the centre of the town; these streets, which are paved and gas lighted, are wide and airy, and the houses therein are generally good substantial brick erections. The whole of Wareham (except the southern part of it) is encompassed by earthen ramparts, which it is to be regretted have of late years been very much mutilated, especially in the west and north parts, by the workmen cutting away the west walls to form the new market, and by mischievous boys destroying other parts for mere idle amusement. The space between these earth works and the inhabited part is laid out in garden grounds, which produce an abundance of vegetables, not only sufficient for the supply of the townspeople, but occasionally large quantities are sent to Poole, &c. At the southern portion of the town a handsome bridge bestrides the Frome, and in an opposite direction a bridge of three arches crosses the river Piddle. Wareham formerly was a port, but in consequence of the recession of the sea, and the shallowness of parts of the river, it is now only navigable for small craft; boats of a suitable construction, bearing from 20 to 40 tons burthen, are in constant use, and annually convey thousands of tons of potters' clay, which is dug in the vicinity, to Poole, where it is shipped for the Staffordshire potteries, and other parts of England. Here was formerly a profitable salmon fishery, which formed part of the dowry granted by Henry VII. to his queen; salmon was then caught here in such abundance that an express clause was inserted in apprentices' indentures, that they should not have this fish for food more than twice a week, an agreement which probably at this time would be hailed as a great luxury, few of those delicious fish being now caught here. The government of the town is vested, by a statute of Queen Anne, in a corporate body, consisting of a mayor and six capital burgesses, with twelve assistants or common councilmen. The mayor, during his official term, is coroner for the town, and also for Purbeck and Brownsea islands. Wareham was enfranchised by Edward I. and continued to return two members to parliament until the reform act deprived it of one representative.
Wareham contains three parishes, each having its respective church (in former times it had eight, besides small chapels or oratories); they are St. Mary's, Holy Trinity, and St. Martin's. The first-mentioned is a large and ancient structure, and the only one in which divine service is performed; it is said to be the oldest in the county: in the south aisle were deposited for three years the remains of Edward the Martyr, which were afterwards removed by Archbishop Dunstan, with much pomp and ceremony, to the monastery at Shaftesbury. The Rev. Mr. Hutchins, the talented author of the history and antiquities of the county of Dorset, and at one period rector of this parish, is interred here. In 1841 the nave of this church, owing to the bad state of the roof, was entirely rebuilt, when the walls were found to be in an excellent state of preservation: but the modern style of architecture adopted in the improvement, is much regretted by all who remember its old Norman character, this portion being much older than the chancel or tower, which happily were left untouched in the alteration. The sacred edifice however has by this retouch given more sittings, and now holds conveniently about 1000 persons. The other places of worship are chapels for Independents, Wesleyan Methodists and Unitarians; and there is a public school; also almshouses for 6 men and 5 women, founded and endowed by John Stretch, Esq, each of the inmates receiving £3. 18s. quarterly, with clothing, beef, coals, &c. at Christmas, A weekly market is held on Tuesday; formerly it was kept on Saturday, but this day was found inconvenient through its being the weekly market day at Dorchester. Fairs take place on the 17th of April, and September 11, for cattle, sheep, &c. In 1841 the parish contained 2746 inhabitants.
POST OFFICE and MONEY ORDER OFFICE, South st. Postmaster, Peter Selby. Letters are delivered at 1 30 a.m. and at 5 p.m.
DESPATCHES.
LONDON (Night mail) at 11 a.m. box closes at 10 45; letters may be posted to 10 55, by affixing an extra 1d. stamp; (Day mail) at 11 a.m. box closes at 10 45; letters may be posted to 10 55, by affixing an extra 1d. stamp.DORCHESTER and WEYMOUTH, at 4 p.m.
Gentry, Clergy, &c.
Baskett Charles, esq. East street
Brown Dennis, esq. South street
Brown John, esq. South street
Brown Mrs. John, East street
Capel Rev. Samuel Rd. Rectory
Connor Rev. Geo. H. Sawpit green
Davis Mr. William, Sawpit green
Dugdale Robert, esq. North street
Everingham Henry, esq. West st.
Hatherley Henry, esq. Barrack field
House Rev. Thomas, West street
Jenkins Mrs. North street
Moores Mr. George, Sawpit green
Oxford Mr. Justinian, North street
Walker Rev. Alexander, Sawpit gr.
Miscellany of Traders, &c.
Not arranged in the succeeding lists.
Baker George, cattle dealer, East street
Baker Mary, china, &c. dealer, West street
Beer George, currier, North street
Bituminous Shale Co., North bridge, acting partner, Pickering Geo.
Dugdale Thomas, road surveyor, North street
Elmes John Clifford, coach maker, North street
Gas Works, North bridge, manager: Battrick George
Harding Joseph, clothes dealer, North street
Hayward Thomas, iron dealer, West street
King John, veterinary surgeon, North street
Leggett John Tudway, chemist, South street
Lucas Robert, dairyman, Swineham
Marshman Wm. relieving officer and registrar of births and deaths, North street
News room, North street, secretary, Phippard William
Parker John, dairyman, Bestwall
Sansom Mary, beer retailer, Trinity lane
Taylor James, millwright, Mill lane
Union Workhouse, West Walls, master, Sargent Richard; mistress, Sargent Elizabeth
Wheatland Elias, seedsman, North street
Auctioneers and Appraisers.
Best George, East street
Green Leonard Snow, West street
Lance William (and law stationer), North street
Bakers.
Marked thus * are also confectioners,
Churchill Harry, South street
Curtis Josiah, West street
Dugdale Robert Wm. West street
*Harris William, Cow street
*Lockyer Martha, South street
Meaden John, West street
Orchard Charles, East street
Phillips Esther, East street
*Spicer Stephen, North street
Bankers.
Dorsetshire Bank, Williams Robert and Herbert, South st.; manager, Atkins Jas. Norman, draw upon Williams, Deacon & Co. London.
National Provincial Bank of England; manager, Squire John Wm. draw upon London Joint Stock Bank.
Black and Whitesmiths.
Ball John, South street
Davis William, Sawpits
Gillingham John, Trinity lane
Hayward Thomas, West street
Hoare George (& farrier), North st.
Hodder Thomas, East street
Booksellers, Stationers and Printers.
Best George (& stamp distributor), North street
Dugdale Elias, South street
Groves Peter Charles, West street
Shipp Ann, North street
Boot and Shoemakers.
Ash Thomas, Sawpits
Cockran Charles, Stoborough
Gould Moses, South street
Hardy James, North street
Hall William, South street
Hibbs George (and leather cutter), West street
Hoare Henry, North street
Hooper John, East street
Roles Richard, South street
Sansom David, Church lane
Sansom George, North street
Smith Stephen, West street
Brewers.
Marked thus * are also Maltsters.
*Baggs Joseph Hine, West street
*Bennett Stephen, South street
Fooks Joseph, West street
*Panton James (& spirit merchant), Pound lane
Bricklayers and Plasterers.
Churchill Henry, South street
Hobbs John, East street
Laws George, Mill lane
Butchers.
Bennett Angel, West street
Davis John, West street
Dugdale Charles, North street
Warren James, West walls
Whittle William, South street
Butter Factors.
Baker George, South street
Gillingham Joseph, on the Quay
Cabinet Makers.
Card Charles Henry, West street
Card Edward, West street
Carpenters and Builders.
Best George, East street
Bridle William, West street
Card Edward, (and surveyor and appraiser) West street
Churchill Barry, South street
Dodson Thomas, North street
Hobbs John, East street
Richards John, Stoborough
Clay Merchants.
Moody Wm. Sandford works
Pike Wm. J. & John W. North st.
Whiteway Watts and Co. Kilwood
Coal Merchants.
Clarke Edward (and salt), Saw pits
Dodson Thomas, Quay
Coopers.
Bishop John, West street
Burden William, Quay
Lawrence John, South street
Corn Merchants.
Dean Edward (and salt), South st.
Green Leonard Snow, West street
Farmers.
Bennett Stephen, South street
Boyt James, Redcliff
Edmonds John, South street
Ford John, Cold harbour
Garland Henry, Wargate
Groves William, Wargate
Lisk Alexander, Houlton
Stickland George, Kesworth
Watt William, Houlton
Fire and Life Assurance Agents.
Thus * denotes Fire; thus § Life.
§Argus, Phippard Thos. the Priory
*§Atlas, Marshfield Rt. D. West street
§Clerical, Medical and General, Cust John, North street
§Crown, Leggett John, South street
*§General, Gillingham John B. South street
*§Norwich Union, Filliter C. & F. East street
*Phnix, Card Chas. Hy. West st.
*§Royal Farmers, Lance William, North street
*§Sun, Tuck James, North street
*§ West of England, Bartlett Charles O. North street
Grocers and Tea Dealers.
Baker Mary Ann, East street
Barfoot Chas. Barnes, South street
Best George, East street
Churchill Harry, South street
Frampton Ann, West street
Harlock William, West street
Hibbs John (& seedsman), East st.
Homer Henry, West street
Lance William, North street
Meaden John, West street
Parmiter Ann, Stoborough
Prince Mary, Church lane
Redman Thomas, South street
Smith William, South street
Spicer Stephen, North street
Style Hannah and James William, South street
Hairdressers.
Homer Henry, West street
Hunt Frederick, South street
Moore James, North street
Inns and Public Houses.
Angel, North Carey, Ford John
Antelope, West st. Baggs Joseph Hine
Black Bear (commercial, agricultural and posting), South street, Row Richard
Bricklayers' Arms, West street, Bussey James
Carpenters' Arms, West st. Bridle William
Crown, North st. Harding Joseph
Duke of Wellington, East st. Reed William
Fox and Lamb, Houlton, Drake John
Horse and Groom, Sawpits, Davis William
King's Arms, North street, Hoare George
King's Arms, Stoborough, Cake Henry
Lord Nelson, North st. Ford Saml.
New Inn, Quay, Lucas Mary
New Inn, Stoborough, Churchill Moses
Queen's Head, West st. Piper Geo.
Railway Hotel, Railway Station, Ash Thomas
Red Lion (commercial and posting), North street, Yearsley Cornelius
Rising Sun, Quay, Cribb Robert
Three Tuns, East street, Trenchard Thomas
White Hart, South st. Payne John
Ironmongers, Brasiers, &c.
Brett John, South street
Selby Cornelius (and watch maker), South street
Linen and Woollen Drapers.
Drew John, South street
Gillingham John Barnet, South st.
Lance William, North street
Talbot John, South street
Tasker Jane, West street
Millers.
Dean Edward, South street
Foot George, Stoke mills
Randall Edwin, West mill
Sly John, Bindon mills
Milliners & Straw Hat Makers.
Balls Sarah, South street
Florance Frances, South street
Meaden Mary, West street
Shepherd Susan, West street
Stickland Sarah, South street
Nurseryman and Seedsman.
Poole Charles, Poole road
Painters, Plumbers & Glaziers.
Hill Henry, West street
Marsh William, West street
Shepherd George, West street
Saddle and Harness Makers.
Dugdale Thomas B. West street
Trenchard, Thomas, East street
Schools.
Marked thus * take Boarders.
Free, East street, Clements Mary
Cake Elizabeth, West street
*Groves Miss, West street
*Moss Mary, North street
*Selby Frederick, Elm cottage
Stent George, North street
Solicitors.
Bartlett Chas. Oldfeld (and town clerk, & clerk to the magistrates) North street
Filliter Clavell and Freeland, East street
Filliter Clavell (firm as above), clerk to the commissioners of land and assessed taxes and registrar of marriages
Filliter Freeland (firm as above), clerk to the county court and to the Wareham poor law union
Marshfield Robert D. West street
Phippard Thomas (and clerk to the Wareham turnpike trust) Priory
Phippard William, Priory
Surgeons.
Flower Frederick, East street
Hall William Henry, North street
Williams William, East street
Tailors.
Bishop Charles, North street
Bussey James, West street
Drew John, South street
Hooper Joseph, West street
Hounsell George, West street
James George, North street
Weather William, North street
Tanners.
Hurlstone Roger & Son, North st.
Webb, Thomas, North street
OMNIBUSES. from the Bear & Red Lion Inns to Corfe castle, and to Swanage at 5 p.m. daily, Sunday excepted
CARRIERS, to Blandford, Bartlett, on Sat. and to Poole on Tues. Thurs. and Sat.
A VESSEL to Poole, from Gillingham's wharf, Mon. and Tues.