PARISH HISTORY - Desertion
Ownership and absentee landlords (continued...)
Recent times
For around 500 years at least, Stanton had belonged to someone who didn’t live there. Thereafter, while the land in neighbouring Chideock was held as a unit for centuries by a succession of wealthy families living at Chideock Castle, the land at Stanton became divided between a number of smaller farmers and landowners.
Then, in the early 19th century, most of the farms in the parish were bought by Walter Eustace Gundry, a banker and owner of the leading Bridport rope and net manufacturing firm. Gundry’s had grown rich during the Napoleonic Wars and now wanted to own the land on which grew the hemp and flax that it needed for its business.
Thereafter, the farms were let to smallholders until the 1960s when The National Trust acquired most of the land in the parish and converted many of its properties into holiday cottages.
So, for this remote corner of Dorset, it has largely been a history of absentee landlords. But what about this notion of the deserted village?
Then, in the early 19th century, most of the farms in the parish were bought by Walter Eustace Gundry, a banker and owner of the leading Bridport rope and net manufacturing firm. Gundry’s had grown rich during the Napoleonic Wars and now wanted to own the land on which grew the hemp and flax that it needed for its business.
Thereafter, the farms were let to smallholders until the 1960s when The National Trust acquired most of the land in the parish and converted many of its properties into holiday cottages.
So, for this remote corner of Dorset, it has largely been a history of absentee landlords. But what about this notion of the deserted village?
Also in 'Parish History':
Vikings ~ Fishtrap ~ Desertion ~ Recent times ~ Saddening agents ~ Digory Gordge ~ Buildings & Archaeology ~ Old photos
Vikings ~ Fishtrap ~ Desertion ~ Recent times ~ Saddening agents ~ Digory Gordge ~ Buildings & Archaeology ~ Old photos