Movements
by Peter during his life.
Peter moved about during his life, why?What took him to Lower Lytchett before his marriage?What took him back to the Hordle/Milford area.He then relocated to Christchurch, then back to Hordle, and finally to Milton.
It appears that Peter was an itinerant laborer who moved about, as work was available or the land held by the Lord of the Manor where he moved to work the land as dictated.
Peter Stay was born in Hordle 1779, Christened in Milford. (see Peter’s Place of Birth document)
He married Sarah Mussen, Sarah lived in Longfleet, Dorset while he lived in Lower Lytchett, Dorset that was just above Pool. These two villages are about two or three miles apart.
Sarah Mussen, Peters wife, was born or christened in Canford Magna, Dorset in 1783.
Peter and Sarah were married at Canford Magna, Dorset, in 1803.Sarah lived in Longfleet, at the time of their marriage.
His first two children (Ann and Elisa) were born in Lytchett Minster, or near Lower Lytchett.
Ann in 1804 and Elisa in 1806.
His third and fourth children, Mary and John were listed as born in Hordle, Mary in 1809 and John in 1811.
The fifth Child Charles was christened in Milford in 1813.
The sixth child William was listed as born in Ashley about 1816.
The seventh Child Joseph was also listed as born in Ashley in 1822.
The eighth child Rebecca was born in Barton in 1824
The villages Hordle, Milford, Ashley, Barton and Milton are all within a three mile radius or less, Ashley, and Barton are within the Milton Parish.
It is important to note the above period of about ten years.
Upon returning from Christchurch, their residence (place of settlement”) was in the Milton Parish.Based upon the Act called the Law of Settlement, which made every pauper chargeable upon removable to his “Place of Settlement”.One would gain a “settlement” and become chargeable to a new parish if he succeeded in staying there for a whole year or more.
The family lived in Christchurch in 1827 and 1828 where William, Joseph, Sarah and Rebecca were baptized into the Independent Church. (The Congregation of Protestant Dissenters)
It appears that Ann and Elisa were married in Christchurch
·Peter was on the Poor roles in Christchurch in 1831.(About 52 years of age)Two entries from the Overseers of the Poor Law dated May 21 and May 28th with a notation “under “Casual payments and not long term support” i.e. not permanent persons needing aid from the church, shows that Peter and Sarah lived for a period in Christchurch near their children.
Perhaps we can assume that if Peter and Sarah were on the Poor roles, that Peter might have been unable to work because of illness or his blindness, thus he may have followed his children to Christchurch who provided for his care.
Peter and Sarah lived in Hordle (1841 Census) and lived with John and Rebecca along with Rebecca’s child Ellen.
The family moved to Milton during this period. We should look for an order of Removal by the Overseers of Hordle to have Peter and his family removed from the Hordle Parish to his “Place of Settlement” or they could have voluntarily moved back to their Place of Settlement, which may give an account for his ending up on the poor roles of the Milton Parish. It would seem that this was based upon his last permanent residence in Ashley and Barton for at least ten years.See Harry’s notation from the Poor Law Minute Books of the Poor Law Lymington Union under outdoor relief)
Based upon Harry’s research, the Parish of Milton had accommodations and utilized cottages for carrying for the very poor and infirmed. (see notations in the Peter Stay History)
Sarah died in Milton in 1850
Peter resided in Milton (1851 Census) listed as Widower age 72 – Pauper – blind.
Peter died Milton 1859 age 81 years.
Why did Peter live in Dorset at time of marriage?Is there some connection between Hordle and Lytchett?In the Catholic Record Society records there is a reference to this issue.Perhaps we may assume that Peter may have been Catholic in his youth or had sympathies with those of the Catholic faith.We have located Muston’s and Mussons on the Catholic recusant rolls in Canford Magna.Perhaps Sarah came from a Catholic family.
No.111 The Registers of Canford and Stapehill,
Dorsetshire 1772-1856
P. 122 “Canford and Stapehill are not in Hampshire and belong to the present diocese of Plymouth, but as will be seen by the Introduction to Sopley, they are closely connected with the latter mission.”We find a number of families that had holdings in both areas.This could account for Peter’s move from Hordle to Lytchett because of his employment with one of these families.”
Ongoing research may provide additional information and clues about Peter and Sarah’s movements before and after their marriage.The poor laws could well be the link we are looking for.Often records were kept in some detail about the settlements of poor and disabled individuals and their families.