Stoke Abbot

Stoke Abbot is a small parish 6 miles north of Bridport, 2 miles west of Beaminster and about 6 miles south of Crewkerne. The church of St Mary the Virgin originally Norman has an Early English chancel and western tower containing five bells. The church was struck by lightening in 1828 and not restored until 1878, the church was further restored in 1913 when the bells were rehung. Some parts of the Norman church remain; a small Norman window on the north side and the carved stone font. The church also houses a Jacobean pulpit.

Stoke Abbot is conected to the last public hanging in Dorset; in 1858 a cottage in the village caught fire, when extinguised the body of 23 year old Sarah Guppy was found with her throat cut; a relative John Seale was found guilty and hung on 10th August that year.

The OPC for Stoke Abbot is Helen Jones who  is busy transcribing records at present.
If you can't find what you need online please contact Helen putting 'Stoke Abbot' in the subject line

1841 Census
1841 Census of Beaminster Workhouse in the parish of Stoke abbott
1861 Census by Eddie Hann

Baptisms
1783-1812, 1813 - 1837, 1838-1853

Marriages
1560-1837 [Phillimores]

Burials
1738-1812, 1813-1837, 1838-1875, 1876-1884

Removal orders to and from the parish

Description of Stoke Abbott in 1895 (external link)written by Frederick Swaffield & transcribed by Stephen Jones

An interview with Jim Webber of Stoke Abbott who has just retired at the age of 104; a write up & a video interview

The 1891 ordnance survey maps of the parish can be seen at the old-maps site, just enter 'Stoke Abbot' under place search.

For modern location maps visit:-  www.multimap.com