Swanage Dorset Family History Guide
Swanage is an Ancient Parish and a market town in the county of Dorset.
Other places in the parish include: Herston and Ulwell.
Alternative names: Swanwich, Swanwick
Parish church: St. Mary the Virgin
Parish registers begin:
- Parish registers: 1563
- Bishop’s Transcripts: 1731
Nonconformists include: Independent/Congregational and Wesleyan Methodist.
Table of Contents
Adjacent Parishes
Parish History
The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales 1870
SWANAGE, or Swanwich, a village, a parish, and a sub-district, in Wareham district, Dorset. The village stands on S. bay, 9 miles SE of Wareham r. station. It was known, at Domesday, as Swanawic or Sonwic; is a sub-port to Poole, and a pleasant watering-place; consists chiefly of one street, nearly a mile long; commands a fine view of the Hants coast and the Isle of Wight; enjoys very fine environs, with many interesting natural features; and has a post-office under Wareham, a banking office, two chief inns, an ancient cruciform church restored in 1860, two dissenting chapels, and a coastguard station. S. bay is proximately semi-circular, on a chord of 1¾ mile; has a depth of from 5 to 8 fathoms; and affords good shelter in westerly winds.
The parish includes Herston and Ulwell hamlets; and comprises 2,953 acres of land, and 240 of water. Real property, £4,819. Pop., 2,004. Houses, 445. The property is subdivided. Building stone is quarried. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Salisbury. Value, £555. Patron, J. H. Calcraft, Esq. The sub-district contains four parishes. Acres, 15,872. Pop., 3,682. Houses, 798.
Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].
A Topographical Dictionary of England 1848
SWANWICH (St. Mary the Virgin), a market town and parish, in the union of Wareham and Purbeck, hundred of Rowbarrow, Wareham division of Dorset, 6 miles (E. S. E.) from Corfe-Castle, and 122 (S. W. by W.) from London; containing 1990 inhabitants. In the Saxon Chronicle this place is called Swanawic; Asser Menevensis styles it Swanavine and Gnavewic, and in Domesday book it is written Swanwic and Sonwic.
The earliest and principal historical circumstance on record connected with it is the destruction by a violent storm, in 877, of a Danish fleet of 120 sail, on Peveril Point, at the south-eastern entrance of the bay on which the town stands, when advancing to the relief of the Danish troops in the city of Exeter. A similar disaster is said to have befallen another of their fleets, after its defeat by Alfred, in the same place and year.
The town consists principally of a street about a mile long, containing many neat houses built and roofed with stone; and the bay having of late years become a place of resort for bathing, some new houses have been erected, among which are a library containing more than 2000 volumes, and the Royal Victoria hotel, a spacious building sheltered in its different aspects from all winds, and containing hot and cold sea-water baths.
The bay, though not large, is beautiful, and affords security for vessels of 300 tons’ burthen, which can ride here steadily except when the wind blows from the east; the sands afford pleasant walks and drives. Considerable improvements have taken place in the neighbourhood; and the mildness and salubrity of the air, possessing all the advantages of a southern climate, render the town peculiarly desirable as a winter residence.
The manufacture of straw-plat and shirt-buttons employs most of the young females, and the chief occupation of the men is in working the numerous quarries in the southern part of the parish, which produce great quantities of excellent freestone called Purbeck stone. The quarry-men are governed by local laws or regulations, by which none but their sons, who must serve an apprenticeship of seven years, are allowed to work. The market is on Tuesday and Friday.
The parish is situated in the Isle of Purbeck, and comprises 2923 acres, of which 26 are common or waste land. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s books at £27. 9. 9½., and in the gift of the Rev. J. L. Jackson: the tithes have been commuted for £400, and there is a glebe-house, with about 15 acres of land, nearly half of which is uninclosed. The church, originally a chapel to the vicarage of Worth-Matravers, was made parochial in 1500: the tower is lofty and of great strength, and is supposed to have been built as a watch tower when the Danes had possession of the Isle of Wight; the body of the church is of much more recent date. Here are places of worship for Independents and Wesleyans.
Fossils of different fish, particularly bream, are found in the quarries; and among the bones discovered in the Isle of Purbeck are large vertebræ and bones of the iguanodon, megalosaurus, and plesiosaurus, bones of large and small crocodiles, and of various reptiles. There are two or three mineral springs, but they have not been used for medicinal purposes.
Source: A Topographical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis 1848
Parish Registers
The Registers of Swanage, co. Dorset 1563-1812 Transcribed by Llewellyn Lloyd Simpson of Littleover, near Derby. Preface, The Register, Index Publisher: The Parish Register Society Date of publication: 1912 – This book is a free download from Parishmouse
Swanage (Swaniche, Sanwich, Sandwich), a seaport and rising watering place in the Isle of Purbeck, South-East Dorsetshire, ten miles south-east of Wareham.
The Registers from their commencement in 1563 to 1812 are contained in seven volumes. The first volume, marked “A,” (1563 to 1709), is on parchment, and contains 148 pages, size 10½ by 7¼ inches, and is stitched in a thick cartridge paper cover.
The first leaf is cut right across and the last leaf has also been cut, and two leaves are altogether missing, having been torn out, thus making a gap in the Baptisms from 1572 to 1591. Besides which the years 1667 to 1668, 1685 to 1690 are missing. Marriages do not commence till 1565, and there are no entries for the years 1570 to 1573 ; 1576 to 1587; 1667 and 1668; 1676, 1677, 1679, 1682, 1685 to 1691, and 1693. Burials commence in 1568, and there are no entries for 1571, 1576, 1590, 1598, 1599, 1668, 1669, 1670 and 1685 to 1689.
The arrangement of the entries is as follows: –
| Pages of the original. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Baptisms | 1563 to 1706 | 1 to 74 |
| Burials | 1568 to 1670 | 75 to 101 |
| Marriages | 1564 to 1595 | 102 |
| Burials | 1671 to 1692 | 103 to 114 |
| Baptisms | 1706 to 1709 | 115 to119 |
| Marriages | 1595 to 1709 | 121 to 144 |
The Register on the whole is well kept, many of the pages are discoloured and the writing faint, but the caligraphy is very good in places, the letters being well and distinctly formed, the capitals being very elaborate and of the old style. The information given is very precise and of great use to the genealogist though subjects of general history are entirely left out.
The second volume, marked “B” (1693 to 1756) consists principally of burials and contains 150 paper pages, size 11¼ by 7½ inches, and is bound in thin parchment covers.
The arrangement of the entries is as follows : —
| Pages of the original. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Burials | 1693 to 1756 | 3 to 115. |
| Reverse end of Book | ||
| Burials | 1690 | 1 |
| Briefs | 1695 to 1760 | 3 to 24 |
| Dissenters’ burials | 1704-5 | 25 |
| Briefs | 1787 to 1762 | 26 to 27 |
| Burial of Phanaticks | 1700-16 | 29 |
The writing is very scrawly. It will be observed that the law for burying in woollen and the reception of the affidavits was most faithfully observed, but other information is very meagre.
The third volume, marked “C” (1710 to 1799), contains 110 parchment pages, besides 8 pages of plain paper at each end of the book. The size is 13 by 8½ inches and is bound in stiff white vellum.
The arrangement of the entries is as follows : —
| Pages of the original. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Baptisms | 1710 to 1779 | 1 to 62. |
| Marriages | 1710 to 1753 | 63 to 71. |
| Reverse end of Book : — | ||
| Burials | 1756 to 1799. | 1 to 39. |
Swanage appears to have suffered from the scourge of smallpox, for in the years 1761 and 1762 there are 53 entries of death from this plague.
The Register is well kept.
The fourth volume, marked “D” (1780 to 1812), contains 116 parchment pages besides four pages of plain paper at each end of the book. Fifty-four of the parchment pages are unused. The size is 13¼ by 8½ inches, and is bound in stiff white vellum.
It contains Baptisms only and is beautifully kept.
The fifth volume, marked “E” (1799 to 1812) contains 140 parchment pages, of which only nine are used, and four blank paper pages at each end of the book. The size is 15¼ by 9¾ inches, and is bound in stiff white vellum. It contains Burials only and is written in double columns, and like its predecessor, is beautifully kept. From 1803 to the end, the ages of the respective persons buried are given.
The sixth volume, marked “H” (1754 to 1775), contains 66 parchment pages. The size is 13 by 7¼ inches, bound in stiff white vellum. It contains Marriages only. The first seven pages are occupied with a copy of “An Act for the better pre- venting of Clandestine Marriages, Anno Vicesimo Sexto Gcorgii Secundi Regis.” The entries are ail written and not, as usual, on the printed form generally used at that period.
The Register is well kept and is all in the handwriting of the Rev. John Pyke, Rector.
The seventh volume, marked “I” (1775 to 1812), contains 290 pages. The size is 15 by 9½ inches. It is the usual printed Marriage Register on paper, and is bound in full dark brown rough calf.
The first portion (192 pages) contains the Banns of Marriages, but only 57 pages are used. The Marriages commence at page 193 and go on to page 277, the rest being blank. There are four certificates on each page. The Register is well kept.
Monuments in the church prior to 1812
Extracted from the The registers of Swanage, co. Dorset. 1563-1812 by Simpson, Llewellyn Lloyd
MONUMENTS IN THE CHURCH.
{Prior to 1812).
There are no monuments in this Church of any value or importance considering its age. What there are, are only tablets on the walls, and these are but few in comparison to what there used to be before the enlargement and alterations of 1859, when many disappeared altogether and for all time. The Church- yard, nearly all round the Church and its approaches from the gates, is paved with head-stones, on many of which no vestige of any lettering remains, and what are there now are fast becoming unreadable, and alas in a few years these will also be for ever blotted out and no particulars will remain to tell of the last resting place of many of the former inhabitants of this old parish. For this reason I have given, as far as I am able to do so, a list of what may now be read, with the positions in which they are placed. With regard to the tablets in the Church, these have in many cases been removed from their former positions.
On the East Side of the Tower Wall. —
Mr. John Chapman, late of this place Merchant, died in London Nov. 14, O.S. 1735 & was buried in the Church of St. Olave, Hart St.
Also of Mary Chapman, his daughter, who died at Silton in this County, May 9, O.S. 1749 & is here interred.
On a tablet beneath — Here also lyes Susanna Beata Chapman youngest daughter of the above John Chapman who died May 4, 1774.
Mr. Timothy Chinchen who was interred in this Churchyard Oct. 2, 1766, in the 62nd year of his age.
Also— Mary his Wife who died Dec. 3, 1767 in the 65th year of her age.
Also— Mary Wife of Tim. Chinchen son of the above 8 July 1790 aged 52.
Also — Sacred to the memory of Joseph Edmonds, Commander of the Defiance, of 24 guns, whose bravery in conquering a French ship of superior force, in 1758, was generously rewarded by the underwriters, merchants of the City of London. He died at Swanage 26th Sep. 1794, aged 74 years. And Priscilla his wife, an affectionate mother to their children. She died i8th March 1801, aged 75 years. Both buried in this Church, nearly under this monument, placed here as a testimony of filial affection and gratitude.
To the Memory of James, eldest son of Joseph and Priscilla Edmonds, Commander of the New Albion. Died at Jamaica 5 July 1794, aged 33 years.
Also of John, youngest son of the said Joseph and Priscilla, Commander of the Dorset, who was killed gallantly defending his ship against the French off the Isle of Cuba, 21 October 1794, aged 29 years.
On the Tower Wall in the inside of the Vestry is a flat stone with the effigies of a man (now missing) and two women (supposed to be his two wives) in brass. Underneath is an inscription on a brass plate as follows : —
” Orate pro a ‘ i ‘ abus Will’i Glovell et Margarete ac Alicie uxo’ eius quor’ Animabus p’picetur Deus. Amen.” Date circa 1470 or 1480. The individuals commemorated have not been identified.
South Entrance —
On the floor — Hic Jacet Gulielmus Rose hujusce ecclesiae Rector Qui Obit Quindecimo die Novembris An. Dom. 1690.
Another one underneath a heating coil, unreadable.
Near the Font —
Here underneath lieth the body of Thomas Cockram of Whitcliff, son of Bruen Cockram formerly Rector of this place who departed this life 5th of April 1716 m the 72 year of his age.
Also of Mary his wife died 23 May 1722 aged 65.
North Wall —
On a Purbeck marble slab. — Lewis Cockram, John Allford, Churchwardens, Nov. 28, 1684.
In the North aisle on the floor. — Joan Wife of Thomas Chapman, died June 26, 1727 age 80.
Also Thomas Chapman, died Jan. 10, 1711, aged 63.
Also James Burt & Susannah his Wife {date unreadable), & Jane [rest unreadable).
South Transept. —
On a brass plate — Here lyeth buryed ye body of Henry Welles of Godlinstone, seconde sonne to Thomas Welles of Bradbridge, in ye con’tie of South’ esquier, who beinge of the age of 91 departed this life ye 25th of January 1607. And also ye body of Maria his first wife, sister and heire to John Pole of Godlistone, esquire, who dyed in An’o 1560.
Also — Sarah Wife of Capt. M. Cole died Oct. 27, 1788 aged 56 and two of her children.
Also — Thomas Serrell the sonn of Anthony Serrell of Swan-which died June 28, 1639.
North Transept —
Susan Cockram wife of Brune Cockram parson of Sanwch aged 44 interred Sep 7th 1641.
Underneath the present vestry floor, about two feet below, is another floor paved with tombstones full of names, which consequently are buried out of sight.
Tombstones in the churchyard prior to 1812
Extracted from the The registers of Swanage, co. Dorset. 1563-1812 by Simpson, Llewellyn Lloyd
South Side —
Near the East entrance gate, a large flat tomlbstone — John Heais (?) died May 10, 1715 ? Robert son of Robert & Ann Chinchen. Robert Chinchen and Ann his daughter died Ap. 1791. Aged 30 years.
Also — John Keats and another inscription unreadable.
On a small flat headstone — Elizabeth wife of John Savage died April 6, 1722 aged 33 years.
Near the Chancel, several headstones laid flat on which are recorded — Hester Wife of Francis Warren, only daughter of Richard & Ann Talbot died Feb. 10, 1722, aged 25.
Also of — Lewis son of Francis died Oct. 31, 1721 aged 3 weeks.
Also — Francis Warren died Feb. 23, 1760 aged 13 years.
Also — Hannah wife of R — Warren died Jan. 30, 176-, aged 76 years.
Also — Hannah Warren died — 175- age 21 years.
Also George son of Francis & Hannah Warren died — 10 — aged 49 years.
Also Eliz. wife of George Warren died Feb. — 1793 aged 6- years.
Also Hannah, wife of Henry Smith daughter of George & Hannah Warren died April 2, 1813, aged 49 years.
And another son died Jan. 8, 1816, aged 53 years.
By the South door, in front of it, lying flat — Elizabeth wife of Jolm Burt died April 11th 1757 aged 69 years.
John Burt died Jan. 1, 1777, aged 90 years.
On the West side of the South Porch, on a headstone reared up by the wall — John Jenn, Surgeon, died Mch. 26, 1785.
Also — Mary his Wife died Feb. 7, 1784.
On the Tower Wall —
On a fine carved slab by — reared up by the wall — Katherine Henrietta, daughter of Timothy & Mary Chinchen died Mch 3, 1781 aged one year & three months.
At the foot of this is an old and nearty defaced stone, lying flat, of Mr. Timothy Chinchen died Oct. — 1766 aged 6— years.
Near by, laid flat — Grace wife of Nathaniel Brann died June 17, 1714 aged 66 years.
Another, Anne daughter of John & Ann Smedmore, died Oct. — 1743 aged 4 years
On the opposite side of the wall is a large flat slab, top part of which is unreadable — Samuel & Hannah Marsh. Hannah died Oct. 18, 1793 aged — Samuel died June 179—. aged 66 years.
Near the South Gate —
James son of James & Mary Talbott died Jan. 2, 1765 aged 6 days.
Also of — Mary wife of above James Talbott died Aug. 10, 1783 aged 70 years.
Also — James Talbott died Nov. 7, 1825 aged 97 years.
Also — of Mary Ann grand-daughter of above James & Mary Talbott & daughter of John & Ann Talbott died — aged 13 weeks.
West Side —
Near the South gate is a large fiat tombstone — To Sarah, wife of Lieut. Wm Patey of His Majesty’s Navy died June 20, 1799 aged 30 years.
Also of — Lieut. Wm Patey, R.N., died at Gibraltar, Nov. 10, 1810, aged 52 years.
On the Boundary Wall are a lot of old headstones reared up by the wall, mostly unreadable, and only a word here and there can be deciphered. Amongst them the following : —
Richard Bower, died June 26, 1811 aged 57 years.
Another — Mary wife of Samuel Terry died Nov. 30, 1707 aged 59 years.
Another — Lewis Cole died May 11, 1799, aged 79 years.
Another — Nicholas Mourant of Guernsey, unfortunately wrecked on the Purbeck Coast Mch. 28, 1778 aged 34 years.
Another — Samuel Curtis died Nov. 28, 1744 aged 28 years & Grace his daughter died June 9, 1743. Also Ann, another daughter.
West Door —
All on headstones laid flat — Agnes wife of George Medway Sr. died Jan. 10, 1777 aged 63 years.
Hester wife of Jonathan Cole died Aug. 14, 1732.
Others on same stone unreadable.
Also — Jonathan Cole died Mch — 1771 & Sarah Cole wife of John Cole died Nov. 14, 1810.
Also — John Cole {date unreadable).
On another stone, the top part of which is unreadable —
Mary daughter of — & — Cole & wife of the above Peter Camell, died Nov. 6, 1790 aged 65 years.
Also on many other stones quite unreadable, amongst which is one just underneath the Vestry window to two quarrymen who were killed 1— .
North Side —
On a lot of headstones laid flat, quite unreadable, and some small stones, with only initials on them, but at the extreme East end, reared against the Chancel wall, is a headstone to four children of Henry and Mary Pushman —
Mary died May 16, 1781 aged 7 years.
Mary died March 16, 1782 aged 1 month.
Sarah died May 20, 1786 aged 3 months.
Thomas died Oct. 20, 1787 aged 3 months.
Also — Esther died Feb. 12, 1791 aged 19 months.
Also four other stones unreadable.
East Side —
On a small flat stone laid at the entrance to a small door underneath the Chancel window — Joseph son of —
& Barbara Harden 15 — , 1755.
In the Crypt —
On a long flat tombstone — Mary, wife of Thomas Randall died Oct 18, 1766 aged 65 years.
John their son died Aug. 31, 1776 aged 44 years.
Jemima daughter of Thomas & Mary Randall & grand-daughter of above died 12 Dec. 1817 aged 18 years, and several others of more recent date.
In the Heating Chamber —
Samuel Melmoth {defaced) 1681 ?
Joan Clarke died March — .
Also — Margaret {rest unreadable).
Administration
- County: Dorset
- Civil Registration District: Wareham
- Probate Court: Court of the Archdeaconry of Dorset
- Diocese: Salisbury
- Rural Deanery: Dorchester
- Poor Law Union: Wareham and Purbeck
- Hundred: Rowberrow
- Province: Canterbury