Archive stories

Graves, Grangerising and a man who wore Green

Portland, Wimborne and Shaftesbury are the largest places covered by the eighth edition of Hutchin’s Extra Illustrated. The additions for Wimborne include a newspaper article detailing the celebrations held in the town when King George III recovered from his madness. There are also many drawings of the inside of the minster, including one of the… Read more Graves, Grangerising and a man who wore Green

Managing the Marquis of Anglesey’s Dorset and Somerset Estate 1812 -1854

This is a guest blog from Dr Carol Beardmore, of The University of Leicester. Dr Beardmore’s research centres around the role of the land agent and the exploration of rural general practice through the letters and diaries of late nineteenth century practitioners. In this blog, she explores the papers of the Marquis of Anglesey… —… Read more Managing the Marquis of Anglesey’s Dorset and Somerset Estate 1812 -1854

Physicians, fires and false allegations

Two influential Dorset families dominate the additions to the seventh edition of Hutchin’s Extra Illustrated. The first is the Fox-Strangways family, who are the Earls of Ilchester. Among the many portraits of family members there is a picture of a young Charles James Fox, a politician who was the arch rival of Pitt the Younger,… Read more Physicians, fires and false allegations

Thomas Coram: “Unmistakable honesty and sterling goodness of heart”

In our series on Hutchin’s Extra Illustrated, some stories are so interesting that deserve more attention. In the first of our ‘spin-off’ blogs, we look at philanthropist Thomas Coram… — Thomas Coram is best known for his role in establishing the Foundling Hospital in London. By itself, this was a great achievement but it was… Read more Thomas Coram: “Unmistakable honesty and sterling goodness of heart”

A Gaol, a Guide and a Man of Great Girth

Volume 6 of Hutchin’s Extra Illustrated covers Weymouth and Dorchester.   The Dorchester section is dominated by documents relating to Judge Jeffreys and the Bloody Assize. There is even a 48-page biography of Jeffreys bound into the volume.    There are several documents connected with Dorchester Gaol, including plans of the new gaol, pictures of the old one and an image of King George visiting the Prison. The new Gaol was… Read more A Gaol, a Guide and a Man of Great Girth

Antiquities, Adventurers and an Actress

The fifth volume of Hutchins Extra Illustrated contains some very old documents and has a focus on the towns and villages around Beaminster. Perhaps the most notable are a set of three documents giving grants of land at Marshwood to the Cary family. These date from the 1300’s, the earliest being from 1312. There is… Read more Antiquities, Adventurers and an Actress

130 Years of Dorset County Council

On 1 April 2019, Dorset County Council (DCC), along with the district and borough councils, was succeeded by the new unitary Dorset Council. DCC was thus in operation for 130 years, over which time it administered a large part of Dorset’s local services from roads, libraries and small holdings to social care, country parks, Trading… Read more 130 Years of Dorset County Council

A Phenomenon, Fake News and a Philanthropist

Volume four of Hutchin’s Extra Illustrated Edition covers just two places; Bridport and Lyme Regis. A M Broadley, the creator of the book, lived near Bridport in Bradpole and this may explain the large number of additions connected with the town. Amongst the drawings, newspaper clippings and portraits is a flyer for The Greatest Human… Read more A Phenomenon, Fake News and a Philanthropist

Coastline, Castles and Catastrophe

The Isle of Purbeck is the focus of the third volume of Hutchins Extra illustrated and many of the additions to this volume are pictures of the spectacular coastline. Numerous sketches and prints of Lulworth, Kimmeridge, Studland and Swanage have been included. — There are also three castles that feature in this volume; Woodsford Castle,… Read more Coastline, Castles and Catastrophe