Category Archives: Dorset

A snippet from the Old Bailey Proceedings Online

Posted on April 24, 2025 | Leave a comment

As my family tree grows larger and larger I am fortunate to find some really interesting records outside of the usual family history sites. One such interesting record is from the Old Bailey Proceedings Online.

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 9.0) March 1846. Trial of JOHN GREENING (t18460330-828). Available at: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/record/t18460330-828 (Accessed: 21st April 2025).

John Greening was indicted for stealing a certain post letter, containing an elastic strap and buckle, value 6d.; 3 pieces of printed paper, 1d.; 2 written invoices, 1d.; and 1 letter, 1d.; the property of Her Majesty’s Postmaster-General.—2nd and 3rd COUNTS, for embezzling and secreting the same.—4th COUNT, for stealing the said goods out of the letter.—5th COUNT, for stealing the said letter and goods; the property of the Right Hon. Edward Granville, Earl of St. Germains, Her Majesty’s Postmaster-General; he being employed under the Post Office.

The letter was sent by Lady Sarah Jeffery Medlycott, the wife of Sir William Coles Medlycott, Bart., residing at Venn-house, Milbourn Port.

The account is interesting to read and gives extra insight to the lives on my ancestors. Poor John Greening was found guilty and imprisoned for a year.

Leave a comment

Posted in Dorset

Medlycott family vault in the Church of St John

Posted on April 23, 2025 | Leave a comment

This is my final post about Medlycott ancestors connected to the Church of St John in the pretty village of Milborne Port. In the church graveyard we found one large grave, almost hidden by yew trees which surrounded it. It looked to be made of granite and was inscribed around the top with the following names:

W.C.R.M. 8 Jan 1887 aged 55

S.J.M. 13 May 1879 aged 72

W.C.M. 23 Dec 1882 aged 76

E.D.M. {x} Feb 1902 aged 89

M.E.M. 1 May 1912 aged 78

Medlycott family vault

I will need to identify the family members who were buried here in the Victorian times.

Leave a comment

Posted in Dorset

More about the Church of St John, Milborne Port

Posted on April 22, 2025 | Leave a comment

Following on from my post yesterday I wanted to write a little more about the Church of St John, Milborne Port. The church is full of memorials to different members of the Medlycott family. It was really exciting to walk around and spot them.

The first memorial I found was to George Medlycott, Gent, First Lieutenant in Colonel Moretes Regiment of Marines. Also of Thomas Medlycott, son of Thomas Medlycott of Ven, who died 1741.

A memorial to Sir William Coles Medlycott; his wife Dame Elizabeth Medlycott; Sarah Jeffrey, wife of Sir William Coles Medlycott; Sir William Coles Medlycott, 2nd Baronet.

In memory of Ann Medlycott, relict of James Medlycott of Ven (died 1758); of Elizabeth, second wife of Thomas Medlycott of Ven (died 1763); of Thomas Medlycott, eldest son of James Medlycott of Ven (died 1763); of Thomas Mervin Medlycott, second son of T.H. Medlycott of Ven (died 1793); of T.H.Medlycott of Ven, eldest son of John Hutchings of Sherborne; Thomas Mervin son of William Coles Medlycott (died 1798); of Elizabeth eldest daughter of William ….; of Mary Hutchings Medlycott ….

Thomas Medlycott of Abingdon, died 1716. Of James Medlycott (died 1731). Of James Medlycott (died 1729).

These were the most significant memorials I could find on my quick visit to the Church of St John at Milborne Port. I can’t wait to see how these fit into my family tree.

Leave a comment

Posted in Dorset, Mansel family

Church of St John, Milborne Port

Posted on April 21, 2025 | Leave a comment

When I was researching one of my Mansel ancestors I discovered a connection to Ven House, Milborne Port. As we were recently holidaying in the area we stopped to take a look around this historic village of Milborne Port and the Church of St John.

Fortunately the church was open so we were able to get inside.

It was a very pretty church.

It didn’t take long to find links to the Medlycott family from nearby Ven House (sadly not open to the public). This stained glass window was dedicated to Edward Bradford Medlycott.

The church was full of memorials to the Medlycott family (more of which later), then we headed to look round the churchyard. Just beyond this was a small area with a very high wall and it was a ball court!

According to a plaque on the wall, the ball court was built by Sir W.C.Medlycott in the year 1847. “It is earnestly hoped that this court which is meant for the health and amusement of the town will be protected from injury’.

I have never seen a ball court before. One side of it looked to be built against an old pub. Today it was a public space with benches.

Leave a comment

Posted in Dorset, Mansel family