Biddlecombe of Hampshire and Dorset

ESRI Story Map

Below is, in part the culmination of my 'perambulation of the borders' of the Canford Manor, plotted on a single map so as to see the true extent of the huge manor. It is a stand alone ESRI Story Map so there will inevitably be repetition.

You can also open the ESRI Story Map An exploration of Biddlecomb(e) families by clicking on the link, which will open a new page.

Planned future additions to the story are the locations of all of the people mentioned in this article for whom I can establish a location. Some are already plotted. Others include Biddlecomb(e)'s with later stories and records. All being slowly expanded.

Scroll down the insert to see the map, which can also be expanded.

Hightowns in the Will of Christopher Biddlecomb, together with Highwood in the Will of William Biddlecomb

The address I have given in the first past of the transcription of Christopher Biddlecomb is Lightowns, however, checking back to the script and looking at an old Ordnance survey Map held at the National Library of Scotland, that should probably be Hightowns.

The maps below focus on the original address in Christopher's will. However, Highwood, mentioned below, and another Biddlecomb residence, is so close and just to the north, of Hightown, and shown on some of the maps, that it would be repetitive to show the same maps, but focused on Highwood.

Hightown aka High Town, near Ringwood, Hampshire

Click on most of the maps and a new widow will open, taking you to the source of the map, where you will be able to navigate to both Hightown and Highwood, together with other areas around Ringwood.

The map above is titled Ringwood (Outline), Sheet 314, Revised: 1894, Published: 1895 and is part of the 1 inch series. A location map before diving into the 25 inch to the mile maps below.

The map below is titled, Hampshire and Isle of Wight LXX.12, Revised: 1895, Published: 1897 I have added a maker for the location of Hightown Farm which may have been Christopher's residence, over 200 years before the map was drawn. It is possible that the farm gave its name to the area surrounding it.

A closer look.

Going back in time to early detailed maps of Hampshire, in several plates, there are Taylor's 1759 and Milne's 1791 Maps. I did look at earlier maps, more contemporary to Christopher Biddlecomb, but they were only detailed enough to locate Ringwood, not the nearby Hightown.

Taylor's 1759 map above has Hightown immediately to the right of Ringwood. There are a few of the larger properties indicated on the map.

The Milne's 1791 Map also has Hightown shown, circled in blue. In some instances the major landowners of an area are also indicated on the map. However, Christopher Biddlecomb was a yeoman not an Esquire, so he, nor his descendants are included with this honour.

OS First Series, 1810-1855, the railways have arrived. A section highlighted in brown. Hightown or High Town as it is shown, circled in light blue. A turnpike gate circled in yellow, and just because it is my surname, Hurst Farm circled in green. Hightown is evidently expanding, as were almost all other conurbations in the country, as the population grew, and people moved to towns. Away from an agricultural based economy towards an industrial one.

Greenwood's 1826 Map is the last of the Old Maps of the location. Not able to pinpoint Christopher Biddlecomb's actual dwelling place, but a closer idea of how the area around Ringwood, and in particular, Hightown has developed over time.

Rockford, Ellingham in the County of Hampshire

Pertaining to the Will of Stephen Rook, husband of Margaret Biddlecomb who was the daughter of Christopher Biddlecomb.

Rockford the village is just under the Parish name of Ellingham. Rockford Farm is the location of marker and the light blue circle. Highwood, which is mentioned in another Biddlecomb(e) will. The distance between Rockford Farm and Highwood is approximately 800 yds, as the crow flies.

ESRI Story Map

Below is, in part the culmination of my 'perambulation of the borders' of the Canford Manor, plotted on a single map so as to see the true extent of the huge manor. It is a stand alone ESRI Story Map so there will inevitably be repetition.

You can also open the ESRI Story Map An exploration of Biddlecomb(e) families by clicking on the link, which will open a new page.

Planned future additions to the story are the locations of all of the people mentioned in this article for whom I can establish a location. Some are already plotted. Others include Biddlecomb(e)'s with later stories and records. All being slowly expanded.

Scroll down the insert to see the map, which can also be expanded.

The reason for including these locations.

Merritown and Avon, Hampshire and Hampreston and Wimborne Minster, Dorset

Merritown has also been known as Merrietown.

The will of Richard Biddlecombe of Merrietown and the will of John Biddlecombe of Merrytown in the parish of Christchurch Twyneham in the County of South’t are the focus of this location tab. The County stated was an abbreviation of Southamptonshire, now known as Hampshire. The parish of Hampreston, Dorset is also mentioned in both Wills. Despite being in different counties the two locations are relatively close together.

Richard Biddlecombe

In the name of God Amen I Richard Biddlecombe of Merrietown or Merristowne within the parish of Christchurch in the County of South.

With South being an abbreviation of Southamptonshire, now called Hampshire.

From the above, Richard's primary location is Merritown, as it is now known.

Other Lands mentioned in Richard Biddlecombe's Will

I Richard Biddlecombe of Merrytown within the parish of Christchurch in the County of South Yeoman ...

Item I give to my Son Thomas Biddlecombe my ??? and Land at Hampreston

Item I give him one hundred pounds to be paid within the space of two years after my Decease

Item I give him ???? ??? half the rent or profit of my ??? at Avon ???? the two ????

...

I Richard Biddlecombe of Merrytown within the parish of Christchurch in the County of South Yeoman ...

Item I give to my grandchild Martin Biddlecombe fifty pounds ...

Side Cast

Item I give to my grandchild Martin Biddlecombe my land at Wimborn Minster but if ??? ??? ??? got ??? to ??? its before ?? ?? 21 years of age my will ?? ?? go ?? it ??? ??? the money for it.

...

 From the transcription I have managed so far, I have not yet ascertained who inherited the land and property at Merritown

John Biddlecombe

 I John Biddlecombe of Merrytown in the parish of Christchurch Twynham in the County of South't

From the above, John's primary location is Merritown, as it is now known, the same as Richard's

I John Biddlecombe of Merrytown in the parish of Christchurch Twyneham in the County of South’t Yeoman ...

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my sonn Marten Biddlecombe all my Land and estate that I have and am possessed of lying at Merrytown aforesaid and at Moours? xxxx Srabottd? with their and either of their apperstnanted?? And hath to him his heirs and assignes and forever upon xxx ... 

All the rest of my goods and chattels whatsoever moveable and unmovable xxxx my debts and funeral expenses being discharged I give and devise and bequeath unto my sonn Martin Bibblecombe whom I nominate and appoint to be my full and whole Executor of this my last will and Testament ...

On to the locations mentioned in the wills.

Merritown Hampshire

 Previously known as, Meadow Town and Merriton, with the change taking place between the Milne's 1791 and the Ordnance Survey map of about 1810 and the Greenwood's 1826 Map. Chaning again to Marritown for the 1896 OS 25" map.

NLS OS Map - Bournemouth (Outline), Sheet 329, Revised: 1893, Published: 1895 

Old OS Map held by the National Library of Scotland. Merritown circled in light blue and Hampreston in red. Bottom right has Holdenhurst circled in green. The county boundary at the time of the map has been highlighted in yellow, with Devon on the left and Hampshire, which was sometimes known as Southamptonshire, on the right of the yellow line. The River Stour has also been given a blue wash.

Going further back in time towards the dates of the Wills with the help of Old Hampshire Mapped. It is worth visiting the site just to look at the excellent maps of the past. They were not a accurate as more recent one but the engravings are superb. 

Saxton's 1575 New Forest Hampshire

Starting with Saxton's Hampshire 1575. or part of it in the area of the New Forest. A blue ring captures Christchurch and Avon. With red rings drawing your attention to Ringwood, Ellingham, Boldre, and Eling

Taylor's 1759 Meadow Town Hampshire

 What is called Merritown on the old OS Map above, is when you go further back in time, to Taylor's Hampshire 1759, called Meadow Town. Circled in light blue.

Milne's Hampshire 1791 Meadow Town

On Milne's map of Hampshire 1791 Meadow Town is still the name in use, again circled in light blue. Milne's map is also useful in having primary landowners added as well as places and towns. Holdenhurst is circled in green just to aid comparative location with other maps.

OS Old Map Series Hern Hampshire 1810s

 On an early Ordinance Surrey 1" map the name of the place has changed from Meadow Town to Merriton Farm, still circled in light blue. Avon is circled in brown and the route between them named here as Avon Cross Way, latterly known as Avon Causeway. 

From a current Google map Merriton Farm to Avon, is about 3.8 miles, with a walking time of 1 ¹/₄ hours.

Greenwood's Hampshire 1826 Merriton Fm

 The last map from Old Hampshire Mapped is Greenwood's Hampshire 1826, which has a direct placing of Merriton Farm, the same as the OS Map.

OS 25 Old Map Merritown Hampshire -- Hampshire and Isle of Wight LXXVIII.14, Revised: 1896, Published: 1898

A bigger scale map and Merritown and Merritown Farm are clearly shown. The name has changed again with the ton at the end becoming town.

Avon and Sopley

OS 25 NLS Old Map Avon Hampshire

 OS 25 NLS Old Map Merritown, Avon, and Sopley, Hampshire

 Merritown Farm and Merritown circled in light blue, Avon in brown and the yellow circle is around the village of Sopley. Sopley Park and the parish of Sopley extend beyond the circle. The three together gives an idea of close proximity.

Sopley is the subject of a previous article, entitled Sopley and the Domesday Book.

Hampreston

I have not yet found an Old Dorset Mapped or anything similar to Old Hampshire Mapped which would enable me to map Hampreston through the centuries.

Also, Hampreston is a larger settlement, and a parish, so I don't know specifics of location in the same way as Merritown.

OS 25 Old Map Merritown Avon and Sopley Hampshire and Hampreston Dorset

 Again, a map not to show detail, zoomed out to far, but to show comparative locations. To see detail click on the map to travel to the National Library of Scotland, to see the map, without the coloured circles. Merritown Farm and Merritown circled in light blue, Avon in brown and the yellow circle is around the village of Sopley. Sopley Park and the parish of Sopley extend beyond the circle. Hampreston in Dorset is circled in red.

 OS 25 Old Map Hampreston Dorset - Dorset XXXV.10, Revised: 1900, Published: 1901

 The village of Hampreston and the surrounding fields.

Wimborne Minster

 OS 25" NLS Old Map Wimborne Minster Dorset - Dorset XXXV.5, Revised: 1900, Published: 1901

OS 25" NLS Old Map Wimborne Minster Hampreston Merritown Avon

The relative positions of Wimborne Minster and Hampreston, both in Dorset and Merritown and Avon, both in Hampshire. Wimborne Minster is much larger than the other places but Merritown remains the focus.

 Four of the five places mentioned in the Wills of Richard and John Biddlecombe. The fifth place, the transcription alludes me, is yet to be plotted.

There is a Tithe Map covering Merrritown, extract below.

 I have added the text, Merritown Farm, in blue. It is rarely that easy to identify places on Tithe Maps. However, in this instance it is further complicated insofar as the plots around Merritown Farm are not indexed, which makes finding the Landowner and Occupier for the Tithe Record date of 18th September 1838, difficult.

If the landholding is still together, knowing the landowner of one area could help establish the location of the as yet unidentified fifth place. Muckleshell is the area of plot 544 in the Holdenhurst sub-area. Or perhaps Muscliff and Throop. Neither look like the words in the will.

Canford Manor, near Hampreston, Dorset

This may not have anything to to with the Biddlecomb family. However it is being explored due to the Will of John Biddlecomb of Merrytown.

Above is an extract of his will, where he 'bequeath unto my son Martin Biddlecomb all my land and estate ... at Merrytown and at ????' In another part of the will he provides for the poor of the parish of Hampreston in addition to those of Christchurch. Perhaps his other lands are near Hampreston.

Hence looking in the vicinity of Cranford Manor, and how I came across the following extract from Poole History.

Canford Manor 1571
Description of the bounds included in a Survey of the lands of the Manor.

The Perambulations and Bounds of the Manner of Canfford.
“ Fyrste hyt begynnethe at Gallowe Poole nyghe to Rydlesforde and so as the dyche leadeth to Walfforde yn the East part. And from thence to a Stone nyghe unto Dyrley Chine yn the Moore upon a lytle bancke. And from thence as the Water runeth downe Durley cheine yn to the Sea. And from thence by the Sea to Northehaven fronte and so along by the Sea to Tyrland. And from thence to the stone yn Rushe Moor and so to the Stomped Crosse and from thence to Crechmear and as the Moore lyethe to the Weaste gate of Upton. And as the lane leadeth to the northe gate of Upton. And from thence as the Dyche runnythe to Cherwell water. And as the water runethe to Gyllynghame Mylle. And from thence along the Ryver to Julyans Brydge. And so to Allyns Brydge. And from thence to Holman Stubbe and from thence to the corner of the Lytle parke and to the northe parte of Breacke. And so downe to the Stower. And as the Stower runnethe to Rydlesforde where we began.

Transcription based on a handwritten copy of the Survey prepared in 1897 for Lord Wimborne.

It has taken a good while but I believe that I may have found Rydlesforde.

Both on Milne's 1791 map ant the later OS 25" map.

Riddles Ford is circled in blue on the Milne's 1791 map above. Circled in orange is Wellingford, could this be an alternative spelling to the latter of the two names in this extract, ' ... Rydlesforde and so as the dyche leadeth to Walfforde ...? Another ford on the Hampshire boarder?

 Riddles Ford is not very far away from Merritown or Merrytown.

 A mere 1 ¹/₂ miles as the crow flies, just the issue of the River Stour between them.

After Riddles Ford, as the text indicates ' Rydlesforde and so as the dyche leadeth to Walfforde yn the East part.' Could that name have morphed into Walkford? There are several Walkford named places in the vicinity of Walkford Farm. Walkford also fulfils the 'in the East' element as it is only slightly south of due east, about 8 ¹/₂ miles away.

Neither Canford Cliffs nor Canford Cliffs Chine, both shown on the above map, are mentioned in the Canford Manor boundary walk, but the names suggest a link.

Durley Chine is also on the list around the boundary

Durley Chine on a First Series OS one inch map, circled in blue. Note the absence of Bournemouth, as a town. 

 Over seven miles between Canford Manor and North Haven Point. Is this the same place as in the transcription? It does refer to the sea, so it could be.

 This map is for Upton, both western gate (not shown) and northern gate.

The next place found was Julian's Bridge, 'And from thence along the Ryver to Julyans Brydge.'

The perambulation continued thus;

... And from thence along the Ryver to Julyans Brydge. And so to Allyns Brydge.

As part of the research for Canford Manor. Presumably Allyns Brydge could be Allins Brridge, or a bridge over the River Allen.

The River Allen flows from the north to Wimborne Minster, where the river joins the Stour. There are two bridges across the River Stour and three bridges across the River Allen, in Wimborne Minster.

There is Julian's Bridge above and Canford Bridge, below.

Going upstream along River Allen, from Canford Bridge, the next mapped bridge appears to be at East Street. Possibly two bridges, one for the river and another for the mill stream, although the latter may have been more of a culvert. However, to help with the continuity of the maps, the East Street bridge in in the third image below. The three maps are on top of one another and almost join together. I could have done it in one map but without the joins, but the detail would have been difficult to discern.

At the top is Walford Bridge and Mill. The other bridges across the Riven Allen are un-named as far as this map is concerned. I have given the river a colourwash to ease identification.

 Above is a Google StreetView image of the upstream side of East Street Bridge in Wimborne Minster, and adjacent, the bridge viewed from downstream.

Beneath is another Google StreetView slightly further along East Street, as the mill stream disappears under the road.

Walford Bridge is on the outskirts of Wimborne Minster according to the map, and is adjacent to corn mill of the same name.

Returning to tracing the river Allen upstream on the map, the next shown bridge is the 'Bull Bridge' at Wimborne St Giles.

Unfortunately, there is not enough information the identify 'And so to Allyns Brydge.' It could be any of the bridges, apart from Walford Bridge. Well actually it could have been that bridge as well, if it changed name.

Also, unfortunately, I have not been able to find the remaining places on the boundary walk. There are probably enough to give a sense of the extent of the Manor in 1571 as described, but not definitive. It has however, been an interesting exercise, although it did not help locate the second place mentioned in John Biddlecomb's will, starting with an M and looking like Moonre with something on the end. Time to stop and move on. 

Canford Magna Dorset

Kingston Canford Magna

Kingston Tything in the Parish of Canford Magna in the County of Dorset

Also know as Kingstone and Kinson

Kinson is a tithing and ecclesiastical parish formed in 1865 out of Great Canford parish.

Kinson is a parish on the south bank of the River Stour. It was part of the great parish of Canford Magna until 1865 and it became part of the borough of Bournemouth in 1931. The site was recorded in Saxon times and the area of alluvial soil from the river flood plain was ideal farming land. The south of the parish was part of the great Dorset heathland and provided furze for fuel and rough pasture.

Before the Norman conquest the name was Cyneston, the Saxon name for a farm. By the time of Domesday the name had changed to Chinestanestone and the following was recorded:

Edward also holds Chinestanestone. Wulfen held it before 1066. It paid tax for 13 hides. Land for 9 ploughs, of which 5 hides and 1 virgate of land are in the lordship; 2 ploughs there: 7 slaves; 18 villagers, 14 cottagers and 4 cottagers with 7 ploughs. A mill which pays 5s.; woodland, 1 acre; meadow, 100 acres, less 5; pasture 3 leagues long and 2 leagues wide, less 3 furlongs.

The parish name changed a number of times over the next 900 years Kynestanton - Kinestaneston – Kenstaneston – Kinstanton – Kynston – Kingston How – Kingston until finally settling on Kinson in the early 20th century.

The reason for including these locations.

Kingston in the Parish of Corfe Castle and Kingston in the Parish of Canford Magna, both in the County of Dorset

The first is to avoid confusion between the two Kingston places in the County of Dorset.

Kingston in the Parish of Canford Magna

I Henry Biddlecombe of the Tything of Kingston in the Parish of Canford Magna in the County of Dorset Yeoman ...

On to the location mentioned in the will, together with the Kingston of Corfe Castle.

The two Kingston places were about 121/2 miles apart, with Kingston in the Parish of Canford Magna shown as Kinson on the above map.

 At the time of the Greenwood Maps there were two places called Kingston in the County of Dorset as can be seen in the following maps.

Greenwood Atlas Dorset

Greenwood Atlas Dorset South East

Greenwood Atlas Dorset South East Corfe Castle and Wareham

Greenwood Atlas Dorset South East Corfe Castle

Greenwood Atlas Dorset South East Canford Magna

Greenwood Atlas Dorset South East Canford Magna and Hampreston Parishes

Greenwood Atlas Dorset South East Canford Magna Kingston and Ham Preston

One Kingston, and the one found on the OS Map 25" above is near Corfe Castle. Another, which is shown as Kinson on the OS Map 25". Kinson was previously Kingston in the Parish of Canford Magna. Kinson was a tithing but subsequently separated into a Parish of that name. Shown in the County Parish Maps below.

County map of Parishes - Dorset

Extract from Great Britain, Atlas and Index of Parish Registers, from Ancestry

Dorset South East, Hampshire Border

Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions; Red Boundary, Archdeaconry of Dorset. Yellow boundary, Other Peculiars. Blue Boundary, Sarum and Royal Peculiars. 

Canford Magna Area

Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions; Red Boundary, Archdeaconry of Dorset. Yellow boundary, Other Peculiars. Blue Boundary, Sarum and Royal Peculiars. 

 From the above OS 6" map from the National Library of Scotland, with additional labels, in is apparent the close proximity of Kingston and other places of interest, Merritown, Hampreston, together with Canford Manor and Canford Magna.

Tithe Maps

Searching the Tithe Apportionment for the whole of Dorset, which would be about 1840 to 1845. The parishes that returned any Biddlecom??? were;

• Charmouth
• Thorncombe
• Bothenhampton
• Loders (Except West End)

Accordingly there are no Tithe Maps included here.

Historical Description

Kingstone or Kinson, a village in Dorsetshire. It stands on the river Stour, 1¾ mile W of the boundary with Hants, and 5 miles ESE of Wimborne station on the S.W.R., is a considerable place, and has a post, money order, and telegraph office under Wimborne. Acreage, 5340; population of the civil parish, 7295; of the ecclesiastical, 3565. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Salisbury; gross value, £280 with residence. Patron, Lord Wimborne. The church is a Norman building of stone restored in 1894. There are Congregational and Wesleyan chapels. At Newtown is a small hospital opened in 1889. The church of St John the Evangelist at Kinson Heath was erected in 1881; it is a plain brick building in the Early English style. The living is a vicarage; net value, £85. Patron, Lord Wimborne. The church of St Clement's, Newtown, was built in 1889, and is in Early English. St Mark's, in Talbot village, was built in 1870 by Miss Talbot, who founded the village. It contains a beautiful font which was dug up in the river Tiber. The tower has a fine clock and a peal of bells.

No direct reference yet found to Bidcombe Mill, just a similarity in name.

I found Bidcombe Mill whilst tracing the route of the River Allen from Wimbourn Minster, where the river joins the Stour, on an old 25" old OS looking for;

The Perambulations and Bounds of the Manner of Canfford.
... And from thence along the Ryver to Julyans Brydge. And so to Allyns Brydge. 

As part of the research for Canford Manor. Presumably Allyns Brydge could be Allins Brridge, or a bridge over the River Allen.

 Interesting, but probably coincidental, the proximity of Stanbridge Mill, circled in yellow, to Bidcombe Mill. At a guess Stanbridge Mill would have been part of the Stanbridge Estate which is the subject of another part of this website. Equally, it could have derived it's name from the hamlet of the same name about 31/2 miles to the south. Stanbridge Hall is approximately 22 miles away in a vaguely East North East direction.

Stanbridge Hall was, together with a lot of surrounding land the subject of the will of 'Fifield, John of Standbridge otherwise Standbridge Erles in the parish of Romsey, Gentleman' A gentleman attached to my Family Tree.