Martinstown

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tapestry picture index Stone Cottage
1912 sale picture

Re-thatching in progress - June 2003 STONE COTTAGE - Built in the late 16th century, probably on a two-room plan and with windows with hollow chamfered stone mullions. In the mid 17th century the west room was enlarged, with a new window with ovolo-moulded mullions and a wing was added at the back. This became the village poorhouse.

Originally of one story and attic, Stone Cottage was heightened to two storeys in 1698; this date with initials
M.B. (Morgan Balston) is cut in a stone at the south east quoin.
The poor of the parish were later assisted by a grant from Joseph Blanchard in 1804 who left money to
James Balston and Edward his brother. The interest from this was to be paid to "poor labourers of Winterborne St Martin not receiving parish relief"
What became known as the Blanchard Charity continues today.
The use as poor house ceased with the opening of the new workhouse in Dorchester in 1837. The 1881 register of inmates shows Martinstown residents in occupation. They were Mary Richards and the six Sprachlim children aged between four and thirteen.