William Meaden

I was looking at some Family History documents this morning prior to going to a talk about The Shire Hall, Dorchester this afternoon organised by Sherborne Museum . I was intrigued because I’m still puzzling what my Great Great Grandfather, a coach builder in Shaftesbury did wrong in 1840 to be committed for 6 months - it says ‘Articles of the Peace’ . The person giving the talk didn’t have an answer but she’s going to investigate it for me . The talk was fascinating but the cruelty of the nineteenth century was clear .

My poor Great Great Grandfather sadly like so many died aged 59 in the Workhouse in Shaftesbury in 1866.