an engraving by
William Barnes - 1833
William Barnes was born in 1801 at Bagber, near Sturminster Newton in North Dorset. He was educated locally and worked as a solicitor's clerk until 1823, when he became a schoolmaster. In 1827 he married Julia Miles.
Rules of the Armshouses - the inmates should be unmarried men of
thirtyscore (60) years or upwards. If any inmate "shall happen to commit adultery, fornication, theft, felonie,
perinery, or any other heinous or notorious cryme such person shall be thereupon expelled".
