Archive stories

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

Eldridge Pope: The best beer in town!

Tracing its roots back to 1837, Eldridge Pope was the staple of Dorchester enterprise. Upon its restructuring and the development of the new brewery site in 1880 by the new owners Edwin and Alfred Pope, ‘Eldridge Pope & Co. Ltd.’ soon became the largest and most important employer in Dorchester. These were successful times, but… Read more Eldridge Pope: The best beer in town!

Hutchins’ Extra Illustrated Volume 2 – The Pitt family, a piano player and a plague of caterpillars

It is impossible to list all the additions in the Extra Illustrated Edition of Hutchins, but several items catch your eye as you browse the second volume; the drawing of a maze at Pimperne, a rubbing of a coat of arms alongside sketches of archaeological finds from a house at Langton Long, the account of… Read more Hutchins’ Extra Illustrated Volume 2 – The Pitt family, a piano player and a plague of caterpillars