Preston has long been associated with Sutton Poyntz its neighbour, both coming under the Liberty of Sutton Poyntz in civil administration. (For history of the manor, please see the Sutton Poyntz page.) The parish registers of St. Andrew's Church Preston are those of Preston cum Sutton Poyntz and contain entries relating to the inhabitants of the latter. Sutton Poyntz being a chapelry to Preston and being Peculiar of the Prebend of Preston ecclesiastically.

The approach to St. Andrew's Church, Preston is delightful. A lychgate said to be partly constructed using timbers from the burnt down courthouse at Sutton Poyntz, offers a charming place to sit and admire the flowers which adorn the pathway, and of course the church itself. The church is 14th century although built on the site of a Saxon church. The font remains from the Norman church. During the sixteenth century the south aisle was added and the tower was rebuilt incorporating some of the 14th century materials.

St. Andrew's Church, Preston, Dorset

The village of Preston has some interesting old buildings, some easy to find and others tucked away in quaint settings. The true history and appeal of such places can only really be appreciated by taking a walk along the little paths and narrow roads. Along the route from Osmington into Weymouth however there are some gems to be seen.

On the 1841 census the only publican listed in Preston is James Plowman, with his wife Eliza and their three daughters, Mary aged 8, Ann aged 5 and Jane aged 1, all born in Dorset. James Hayward Plowman had married Eliza Hellier at Preston on 21st July 1831. He was born 1810 the son of James Plowman and his wife Rebecca Thorne Cox.

The Spice Ship, Preston, Dorset

Being on the main thoroughfare, one would expect an inn such as this to have a long history, perhaps as a coaching inn.

John Wesley the grandfather of the founders was born in 1636 to Bartholomew Wesley who was the Rector of Charmouth in Dorset. John found employment in Melcombe Regis and joined some Presbyterians. In 1658 he became Rector of Winterborne Whitechurch, Dorset. It was here that his son Samuel was born in 1662. John Wesley, like many others of the same leaning, refused to comply with the requirements of an Act and lost the living.

John tried to move back to Melcombe Regis but the authorities of the time imposed fines and made it near impossible for him to live there. Impoverished, the family moved around and it came to the attention of the Vicar of Preston and the local landowners, the Gollop family. Manor Cottage became their home in 1663 under the generosity of the Gollops who allowed them to live there rent-free. Two years later the Five-Mile Act came into force that forbade ejected clergy to preach within five miles of any parish. Imprisoned several times, the now wandering preacher eventually returned to Preston where he died in 1678.

Manor Cottage, Preston

John's son Samuel studied at Oxford and in 1688 obtained his degree and was ordained. He was given a living in Lincolnshire in 1690 and then went to Epworth for the next 39 years. His wife, Susanna, helped her husband with his duties. Everything she did was done in a methodical manner and it was these ways she taught to the parishioners. She called it Methodism. Her sons, the famous John and Charles went about preaching their mother's doctrine. Eventually it spread and gained in popularity. Methodism had been founded as a religion. John Wesley founded the Society in 1728.

A short distance further on, across the road there is an alleyway called Bridge Inn Lane. What a delight it is to wander down this lane between old cottages, which have such a quaint appeal, to emerge at the River Jordan and the Mill House.

The Old Post Office, Preston

The Mill House, Preston

Kelly's directory of 1875 records Daniel Whittle as being the miller at Preston.

The Bridge Inn, Preston

The Innkeeper, James Brown Spencer is listed in Kelly's directory of 1867 at the Swan Inn. In the directory of 1875 however, the Swan is not listed but Jim Harvey Spencer is listed as a beer retailer at Preston. This would appear to be the son of James as listed on the 1861 census and in all probability it was at the Swan that he carried out his business.

Bridge Cottage, Preston

Bridge Cottage or as it is now known, Roman Bridge Cottage is of the 17th century. It lies hidden from the main road just below the bridge and hidden from Bridge Inn Lane in its secluded spot screened by trees. Here there is a small bridge over the River Jordan. It is said to be a Roman bridge, but in a "Pictorial Guide to Weymouth" of the late 19th century it is claimed to be of Norman origin. "This interesting bridge was for a long time styled a Roman Bridge, but the absence of a keystone arch, and the indications in the masonry, have satisfied the Rev. Sir Talbot Baker, Mr. F.Warne and other antiquaries, that the Bridge was constructed by the Normans."

Historical Parish Information

Parish Registers begin:

1693 (Bishop's Transcripts 1592)

Hundred or Liberty:

Sutton Poyntz Liberty

Poor Law Union & Registration District:

Weymouth

Online Parish Clerk Project (external link):

Preston with Sutton Poyntz OPC

Bincombe