The Universal British Directory 1791

Dorchester is the Shire-town, 122 miles West of London, regularly built, standing conformable to the four cardinal points, and has a river on its North side: It had four gates, one in the middle of each side, and was encompassed with a strong wall and ditch. On the West side part of the old wall is still standing, which is 12ft thick; it is broken and battered everywhere. The foundation of the Roman wall appears quite round the town; but Eastward there is a street built upon it, and a ditch is filled up; however it is still called the Walls. Here are three churches, among which that dedicated to St. Peter is a handsome structure. And on the South and West sides, without the walls. is a fine walk of trees, with an agreeable prospect on each side into the fields.

The winding of the river to the North spoils the square of the town that way. There is an area of a castle, out of whose ruins the Grey Friers were built: on the said area is now erected a large commodious county gaol, built on the plan the philanthropic Howard. The banks of the river here are steep, for the town stands on high ground; and beyond the river there are meadows and warm sandy lands; but on this side there are fine chalky downs, pleasant to ride in and abounding in excellent corn.

A new town hall and market-house has been lately erected. The county hall is now repairing under the direction of W. Morton PITT Esq. member for the county, who has a seat near the town called Kingston. The streets are neatly paved, and have regular houses generally built with stone. The corporation consists of Mayor, a recorder, two bailiffs, six aldermen, six capital burgesses, and twenty four common council men, by charter of 5 Charles I. There are three alms-houses, one of which is very handsome and well endowed; there is also a good free school. On this town the assizes are held; and the knights of the shire are chosen here. It sends two members of parliament, who are at present Francis FANE Esq. and the Hon. Cropley ASHLEY.

The patrons of the borough were the Earl of Shaftsbury and Lord Middleton: but, at the last general election the independent interest prevailed over the influence of the latter, and returned Francis FANE Esq by a majority of near two to one.

This town has sent members to parliament ever since 23 Edward I. The following resolutions have passed the house at different times relative to the right of election in this borough.

March 18, 1720 Resolved, "That the right of electing burgesses to serve in parliament for the borough of Dorchester in the County of Dorset, is in the inhabitants of the said borough paying to church and poor in respect of their personal estate, and in such persons as pay to church and poor in respect of their real estates, within the borough. And Thomas PITMAN, the Mayor was ordered into custody for illegal and arbitrary practices at the election.

May 17, 1720, Resolved "That part of the parish of Holy Trinity, alias Dorchester Trinitatis, which was formally the parish of Froome Whitfield, is no part of Dorchester in the County of Dorset."

Resolved that the tithing of Colliton-row, within the parish of Holy Trinity, alias Dorchester Trinitatis, is no part of the borough of Dorchester in the County of Dorset.

February 22, 1775, Resolved, by committee, "That pursuant to the last determination, such persons as pay to church and poor relief in respect of their estates within the said borough, though not inhabitants or occupiers, were entitled to vote".

April 14, 1791, Resolved, "That pursuant to the last determination of the house of commons, the right of electing burgesses to serve in parliament for the borough of Dorchester, in the County of Dorset, is in the inhabitants of the said borough paying to the church and poor in respect of their personal estates and in such persons as pay to church and poor to their real estates within the said borough, although not inhabitants or occupiers, and although their names do not appear upon the poor's rate"

But the right of election may be said to be pregnant with the greatest political inconveniences; for a person possessing the fee simple of a house and offices, may, by letting his house to one, his garden to a second, his coach house to a third, and his stable to a fourth, qualify as many voters, and that without regard to residence, or his name ever appearing upon the poor's rate. We should therefore be happy to be informed by what criterion the returning officer is to judge of what votes he should admit or refuse: or indeed upon the view here taken of the inconsistent principles and extraordinary determinations of the right of voting, which this scene of borough affords on what system or security of right can this country depend for a pure, free, equal and adequate representation: The number of voters is 200. The Mayor is the returning officer. The patrons of the borough are the Earl of Shaftsbury and Lord Milton.

Dorchester had two mints in the time of the Saxons. It extends 5 furlongs from East to West and within the walls covers about 8 acres. In 1763 it had 1808 inhabitants. It had an hospital built in 1616, converted to a work-house in 1744. And at the North end of the town-hall is the town-gaol, called the Blind-House. The county gaol stands in the East Street, and has a chapel

On the royal excursion to Weymouth in 1791, their majesties with the six princesses, paid a visit to the old gaol, Dorchester, and liberated a poor old man named PITFIELD, who had been confined 10 years for a debt of £210 - a rare instance of royal benevolence!

[Note:- Link to Dorset Coucil History website about Pitfield and his Pardon]

The following are the principal inhabitants: [Note:- (F) = Resident in Fordington]

CORPORATION

GENTRY &c.

CLERGY

PHYSIC

LAW

TRADERS &c.