Local History and Folklore
"Wilkswood Days"

by Cecily A. Bower

Reminiscences of farming in Langton Matravers in the days between the two World Wars, written in 1989 by a dairyman’s daughter.

Edited by R.J. Saville.

     Published February 2005                                                                                      A5        28pp   £2 plus postage and packing rate: A
"The Mautravers Family"

How the village  acquired its name. A history of the family from 1066 to 1365.

     Published August 2002                                                                                             A5   21pp  £2 plus postage and packing rate A

"Rachel Lester's Diary"

Rachel was the daughter of the Rev. Lester Lester,  Rector of Langton Matravers between 1876 and his death in 1894  The diary sheds light on the rather monotonous lifestyle of the unmarried daughter of a clergyman in Victorian times..

Published September 2002                                                                                           A5   42pp  £2 plus postage and packing rate A

 
"The Knaveswell Affair 1764"

The story of an Eighteenth Century eviction from Knaveswell Farm in Langton Matravers.  Most of this account was written by  James Bishop, a Bailiff of the landowner at the centre of the affair.

Published 1998                                                                                                                A5  16pp  £1.50 plus postage and packing rate A
 "A Langton Quarryman's Apprentice"
James Corben's Autobiography

This autobiography  was written by James Corben in 1880 when he was 68 years old.  The entire work is very lengthy and only the parts relevant to the Isle of Purbeck have been extracted here.  The appalling conditions of employment in the quarries are very well described.

Published 1996                                                                                                         A5  24pp  £2.00 plus postage and packing rate A
"A Langton Smuggler"

The story of Charles Hayward (1796 - 1879), Churchwarden, Postmaster, Quarry owner, and ace Smuggler. Illustrated. 

Published 2001                                                                                                          A5  16pp  £1.80 plus postage and packing Rate A
 
"Rector Lester's Sermon against Mrs. Serrell's Schism 1878"

The "Great Schism", as it came to be called locally, was a rift between Manor House and Rectory, and between two rival schools.  Here is the account of its origins, and a transcript of the sermon preached against the division and published as a booklet by the Rector of the time. A fascinating look back at village politics of the 19th. Century with illustrations of the protagonists.  A good story.

A5  16pp  £2.00 plus postage and packing
"Zum Lanc'n Zayens   (Some Langton Sayings)"

Some samples of the South Purbeck dialect, collected, 'translated' and annotated by R. J. Saville. 

Published 1996                                                                                                      A5 32pp     Price £2.00 plus postage and packing rate A
 

   "A Village Walk" -  CD Rom    

        For some years the Society has arranged guided walks around the nearby villages, led by Reg Saville.   The format of this presentation  is      is based on the Langton walk, with two small additions covering Acton and Dancing Ledge and provides a record of the Local History of     Langton Matravers of interest to local people and visitors alike. e.                                                                                                                                          Price £9.00 plus postage and packing rate A
Journals of the Langton Matravers Local History and Preservation Society

Each year the Society publishes a Journal containing articles and illustrations covering the history of the village. Not all issues are currently available. 
                                                                                              Usually  12 pages  A5           Price £1.50 plus postage and packing rate A

"The Evolution of a Farm"

by M. C. Helfer

The history of the development of Knitson Farm.   17 pages with maps and photographs         Price £1.50 plus postage and packing rate A

"A Short History of Langton Matravers Parish Council"

The first Parish Council of Langton Matravers was elected in 1894. The Election was by a show of hands at a Parish Meeting convened especially for the purpose. This book by Reg Saville is mainly based on the Parish Council records from then until 2004.                                 A5 Comb bound  140 pages      Price £7.00 plus postage and packing rate B

"Langton in Some 16th. Century Documents"

Inventory of Church goods, 1552.                         Archbishop Parker's Visitation,  1560
Tudor Subsidy Rolls, 1523, 1544 and 1594             Tudor Muster Rolls  1539, 1542, and 1569

With notes on each section by R. J. Saville                                           A5  12pp     Price £1.50 plus postage and packing rate A

"Langton in Some 17th. Century Documents"

Memorial Court Roll, 1612                              Return concerning the Protestation Oath, 1641
Hearth Tax Returns, 1662 - 4                Calamay's Report on Langton's Congregational Minister 1662
Mention in diary of Celia Fiennes, c.1691

With notes on each section by R. J. Saville                                           A5  16pp     Price £1.60 plus postage and packing rate A

"Langton in 19th. and 20th. Century Directories"

These Directories give a fairly good impression of what the Parish of Langton Matravers appeared to be like in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.   With some notes to correct errors in some earlier volumes.

A5  42pp     Price £2.00 plus postage and packing rate A

"Some Langton Inventories"

Edward Taylor, farmer          1690                        Ephraim Taylor, farmer                             1700
Richard Phippard, yeoman     1703                        Henry Corben, yeoman                              1705
Thomas Stiles, carpenter        1711                        Robert Hall of Wilkswood, husbandman     1712

Probate Inventories were made to accompany Wills and the two documents were used together to prove the Will in the ecclesiastical courts.  Some spelling was decidedly variable.  With notes on the families.

A5  24pp     Price £1.60 plus postage and packing rate A

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