Langton Matravers          

 

Langton Matravers, a charming village consisting of old stone cottages and houses in the Isle of Purbeck is 4 miles S.E. of Corfe Castle and 2 miles inland from Swanage. In 1851 it comprised of 3,400 acres with various soils and overlying chalk. The oldest occupation in Langton Matravers was farming however the quarrying and cutting of the local limestone has been important since Roman times.

The Parish Church is dedicated to St. George and is at least the third, and possibly the fourth building on the site. Hutchins in 'The History of Dorset' describes the church as "an ancient building, consisting of a chancel, body, and two aisles, whereof the north is a small one belonging to Wilkswood farm, and was probably a chapel made use of by that priory: the south aisle is of equal length with the body of the church." On the west wall the remains of a chapel built about 1290 can be seen and the embattled tower was added in the 15th century.

 



Photo displayed with kind permission of Phillip Lander

In 1828 the church, with the exception of the tower, was taken down and rebuilt with nave, chancel and south porch. However in 1876 this larger church became unsafe because of smuggling activities in the roof and was demolished and rebuilt.

The rebuilt nave and chancel are of Purbeck Stone decorated with Portland Stone, Purbeck 'Marble' and Studland Sandstone. Housed in the old tower are a trinity of bells, the tenor being the original of about 1420.

The oldest occupation was farming, but quarrying and cutting of the local limestone has been important since Roman times with mines sunk to deal with the enormous demand for the local stone during the late 17th Century, especially after the Great Fire of London in 1666. 

The population of Langton Matravers in 1891 was 773. In 1991 it was 910.

 

The Online Parish Clerk for Langton Matravers is Sue Mills

Any enquiries please contact by email at the following:

I am an unpaid volunteer willing to assist others with their genealogical research
and should in no way be confused with the County Council appointed Parish Clerk.

I live in Western Australia.

 

 SEARCH THIS SITE

FOR RECORDS FROM

SWANAGE - LANGTON MATRAVERS - WORTH MATRAVERS - STUDLAND - CHURCH KNOWLE
 AND MY PERSONAL RESEARCH


 

    

     16th and 17th Century Records :

 

 

 

     Parish Registers :

  • Baptisms - 1670 - 1880
    Transcription by Michael Norman and Sue Mills

        1646 - 1759,    1760 - 1799

        1800 - 1841,    1842 - 1880

 

  • Marriages - 1670 - 1841
    Transcription by Michael Norman

         1670 - 1841

 

  • Burials - 1670 - 1841
    Transcription by Michael Norman

1614 - 1774,   1775 - 1841


Discrepancies
 

  • List of Rectors of St George's Church - c1200 - 1991

 

 

 

 

     Monumental Inscriptions :
 

Langton Matravers Cemeteries
Unless otherwise stated, the MI photos were taken by Jan Marsh
 

  • Churchyard Cemetery -
    Photos 1 - 2 

 

 

 

  • Langton Matravers Village MI's - 1

 

 

 

     Militia List :

  • Some Purbeck Militia Lists - 1759

  • Purbeck Militia List - 1798
    by Kim Parker

  • Langton Matravers Militia List - 1798

 

 

 

     Census Returns :

  • Full transcription of 1803 list of names of inhabitants in preparation for a French Invasion -

Page 1 - Page 2

  • Full transcription of 1841 census -

Page 1 - Page 2

  • Full transcription of 1851 census -

Page 1 - Page 2

  • Full transcription of 1861 census -

Page 1 - Page 2

 

 

 

     Wills :

  • Abstracts of PCC Wills - Page 1

  • George Fry's Dorset Administration List - PCC     

  • Calendar of Wills and Administrations -
    Archdeaconry and Consistory Court - 1567 - 1855

  • Abstracts of Archdeaconry and Consistory Court
    of Dorset Wills - Page 1     - Page 2

  • Purbeck Miscellaneous Wills -  Page 1
     by  Richard Wiltshire 
                                

 

 

 

     Directories :

  • Langton Matravers Directories Index - 1849 - 1939
    By John Patrick   
  • Post Office Directory - 1867
  • Kelly's Directory - 1895

  • Kelly's Directory - 1915

  • Kelly's Directory - 1931

 

 

 

 

     Maps :

  • Tresswell's Map C 1586
     
  • Survey Map - 1886
  • Braye's Map - 1890
  • Purbeck Quarries Map

 

 

 

     Photos :

  • Images of Langton Matravers - 1 - 2 

  • Images of St George's Church - 1 - 2
    - Kneelers in St George's Church - 1 

  • Langton Matravers of Olde - 1  

  • Purbeck Folk  - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8

 

 

 

     This and That :

  • Lumey - an extract from Roy Martin's book

  • Peak District Mines - 1896

  • Dorchester Prison Admission and Discharge Registers, 1782 - 1901

 

 

 

     Suggested Reading :

 

 

     Researchers :    

  • List of those researching in Purbeck
    To be added to the list contact

 

 

 

     Links :

  • Dorchester Gaol Registers - 1782 - 1901 - Ancestry

  • 19th Century Tithe Map 1 - 2
    and Apportionments  - Ancestry     (email me for look ups)

  • List of Dorset Mines - 1908
  • Obituaries from the Fortnightly Returns of the
    Operative Society of Masons, Quarrymen and
    Allied Trades of England and Wales
  • Dorset Life Magazine - The Sage of Langton Matravers [2016] Reg Saville

 

 

 


 

A place to share Purbeck research

 

 

Ancestors of Sue Mills

 

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