The latest issue of SDNQ (vol. 40, part 402) contains the following articles, book reviews, and obituary:
Articles:
- Philip Ashford, ‘Forest of Exmoor graziers and flock sizes, 1594-1656: new revelations’. Philip Ashford discusses what a Fine Exemplification for 1594 discovered at the Devon Heritage Centre (1508M/0/Moger/301) reveals about rights to common of pasture in the Forest of Exmoor. Philip also analyses previously unknown sheep numbers grazed in the Forest of Exmoor between 1643 and 1655 and the impact of the local woollen industry on flock sizes.
- Graham Hoddinott, ‘How the inhabitants of Long Bredy and Kingston Russell agreed to share the seating and upkeep of Long Bredy church in 1614’. Graham Hoddinott uncovers a dispute between the parishioners of St Peter’s church Long Bredy in Dorset and how it was resolved in 1614 by Dr James Hussey, chancellor to the bishop of Bristol. The article includes a transcript of the agreement which is held in the Montmorency Collection at the Dorset History Centre (D-MCY/5618)
- Allan Shephard, ‘The ‘bankruptcy’ of John Harcombe (1742-1803), gentleman of Saint Mary Magdalene, Taunton and London. Part 1: The bankruptcy and its background’. In Part 1 of a two part article Allan Shephard tells the story revealed by a document found at the Somerset Heritage Centre relating to the ‘bankruptcy’ in 1775 of Taunton grocer and haberdasher John Harcombe (1742-1803) (DD/DP/76/2). In Part 2 of his article Allan will reveal the political scandal that may also have impacted on Harcombe’s business.
- Ann Smith, ‘Lettering works of Reynolds Stone in Dorset’. Having catalogued the archive of the engraver, designer, and typographer Reynolds Stone (1909-1979) held at the Dorset History Centre (D-RYS), Ann Smith has compiled a list of previously unknown lettering work by Reynolds Stone in Dorset, which includes gravestones, plaques and memorials.
- J.W. Hart, ‘Henry Payne Hope: A Dorset clergyman and a ‘self serving scoundrel’. Jim Hart uncovers the financial scandals that dogged the Revd. Henry Payne Hope (1803-1868) throughout his life, from forging cheques to being run out of the London Stock Exchange (where he was pelted with flour and eggs), and ending in Canada with his defrauding Catharine Parr Traill out of her book profits, and later the authorship, of The Female Emigrant’s Guide.
Book Reviews
- Mick Davis (ed.), Frome Society Yearbook, vol.27 (Frome Society for Local Study, 2024), reviewed by Steve Hobbs.
- Mick Davis, Henry ‘Orator’ Hunt and the Ilchester Bastille (Hobnob Press, 2024), reviewed by Steve Poole.
- Stalbridge Sold: a town under the hammer (Stalbridge History Society, 2025), reviewed by Mark Forrest.
- Lynn Thorley, John Billingsley, 1747 to 1811: entrepreneur turned agriculturalist (Hobnob Press, 2024), reviewed by Adrian Webb.
- Wells Mills Interest Group, The Mills of Wells: the history of the mills along St Andrew’s stream (Wells & Mendip Museum, 2019).
Obituary for Glanville James Davies, BA, PhD, FSA, 1931-2025, by Ann Smith. Jim Davies served as Dorset Editor of SDNQ from 1983 to 2009.
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