Reference number
  • D-406/1
Level of description
  • Item
Date
  • c.1757
Extent
  • 1 doc
Description
  • [James, the only son of Joseph and Jone Warne of Bovington, married Ann, daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth White of Hethfelton Farm, East Stoke at East Stoke Church on 21 November 1751. Their sons, Joseph Kingston, Stephen White, James Lyne and Robert Duel, were born 18 October 1752, 26 January 1754, 16 October 1755 and 12 June 1757 respectively. Portraits of James, 'Nanny' and their son Stephen White Warne can be seen in the Dorset County Museum. There is also a portrait of Charles Warne, the distinguised Dorset Antiquarian, who was a grandson of James. The diary is a day-by-day account of a year in a farmer's life. The Warnes leased Bindon and Woodstreet Farms from Edward Weld of Lulworth Castle, and Turnerspuddle Farm from James Frampton of Moreton. Although the space for each day is small, there is an enormous amount of agricultural detail: work done on the land and buildings, mishaps to animals, engagements of workers and occasionally quarrels with them. The weather is usually described. During the week the diarist is seen perpetually riding between Woodstreet, Bindon, Bovington, Hethfelton and other places, sometimes attending markets and fairs. His wife Nanny too often goes out on visits, and friends and relations visit them. On Sundays they attend church, and in these entries the text and psalm are given. James was possibly Parish Clerk, and was certainly a staunch Sabbatarian. The diary suggests that he and his uncle were tenant farmers of some standing. He himself dines several times with Mr Frampton during the year. It is evident that he was musical and interested in poetry, and he writes with an exceedingly good hand].
Language
  • English