TRADE & POSTAL DIRECTORIES
Extracts kindly transcribed for the OPC Project by Dorinda Miles
Extract from Kelly's Post Office Directory of Dorsetshire 1867
West Orchard is a parish, in the petty sessional division of West Shaston, borough, county court district, and union of Shaftesbury, hundred of Sixpenny Handley, diocese of Salisbury, archdeaconry of Dorset, and rural deanery of Shaftesbury, 5 miles south-west from Shaftesbury and 3 north-east from Sturminster Newton.
The church is a small Gothic
structure, with 2 bells. The register dates from 1653. The living is a curacy,
annexed to the vicarage of Fontmell Magna, joint annual value £650, in the gift
of George C Glyn, esq, and held by the Rev Thomas Davidson, B A.
A parochial school is supported
by the Marchioness of Westminster. The population in 1861 was 103; acreage 617.
Parish clerk, Thomas HASKETT
Letters through Shaftesbury. The nearest money order offices are at Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton.
Parochial school, Miss Sarah GILPIN, mistress
Miss Dowding
COMMERCIAL
FARNHAM Frederick, farmer
JEFFERY John Edwin, farmer
LAWRENCE Philip, blacksmith
MILES William John, farmer
STOKES William, dairyman
TUFFIN Frederick, baker & carpenter
Extract from Kelly's Post Office Directory of Dorsetshire 1875
West Orchard is a parish, in the petty sessional division of West Shaston, county court district, and union of Shaftesbury, hundred of Sixpenny Handley, diocese of Salisbury, archdeaconry of Dorset, and rural deanery of Shaftesbury, 5 miles south-west from Shaftesbury and 3 north-east from Sturminster Newton.
The church is an old Gothic structure, 20 feet wide and 40 feet long, with stone roof, and turret containing 2 bells, nave, south porch and western gallery and will seat 70 people. The register dates from 1653. The living is a chapelry, annexed to the rectory of Fontmell Magna, joint yearly value £650, in the gift of Lord Wolverton, and held by the Rev George William Charles Skene, B A. of Christchurch, Oxford.
A parochial school is supported by the Dowager Marchioness of Westminster, who is the lady of the manor and the principal landowner. The soil is loam and sand; subsoil, gravel and clay. The land is principally pasture, with wheat, beans, oats and carrots. The area is 617 acres; gross estimated rental, £1,470; rateable value, £1,372: the population in 1871 was 102.
Parish clerk, Thomas HASKETT
Letters through Shaftesbury. The nearest money order offices are at Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton.
Parochial school, Mrs Esther THOMAS, mistress
Miss BURT
FARNHAM Frederick, farmer
JEFFERY John Edwin, farmer & cowkeeper
MILES William John, farmer
STOKES Elijah, dairyman
TUFFIN Frederick, baker & carpenter
Extract from Kelly's Post Office Directory of Dorsetshire 1880
West Orchard is a parish in the petty sessional division of West Shaston, county court district, and union of Shaftesbury, hundred of Sixpenny Handley, diocese of Salisbury, archdeaconry of Dorset, and rural deanery of Shaftesbury fourth portion, 5 miles south-west from Shaftesbury and 3 north-east from Sturminster station.
The church, which is a Gothic structure (not dedicated), was, with the exception of the chancel, rebuilt in 1878: it has chancel, nave, south porch and turret containing 2 bells; and will seat 80 people. The register dates from 1653. The living is a chapelry, annexed to the rectory and vicarage of Fontmell Magna, joint yearly value £650, in the gift of Lord Wolverton, and held by the Rev George William Charles Skene, B A. of Christ Church, Oxford.
Elizabeth, Marchioness of Westminster, is lady of the manor and the principal landowner. The soil is loam and sand; subsoil, gravel and clay. The land is principally pasture, with wheat, beans, oats and carrots. The area is 617 acres; rateable value, £1,386; the population in 1871 was 102.
Parish clerk, John STOKES
Wall letterbox cleared at 3.45pm week days only.
Letters through Shaftesbury. The nearest money order offices are at Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton.
Marchioness of Westminster's school, Mrs Emily WHITLOCK, mistress
FARNHAM Frederick, farmer
JEFFERY Jane (Mrs), farmer & cowkeeper
LOCK George, dairyman
MILES William John, farmer
MOCKRIDGE George, baker
STOKES Elijah, dairyman
TUFFIN Frederick, baker & carpenter