William CAVE (1788-1872) Cerne Abbas Union Workhouse Relieving Officer In the late issues of the Caveman, we heard of John Cave and Elizabeth CAVE'S saga in Sherborne, Dorset and London. Let me introduce now William CAVE, John's father. As it appears in the 1851 & 1871 censuses, he is born in Yetminster, Dorset, circa 1787-1789, even if we cannot find him in Chetnole or Leigh parishes registers, son of John CAVE and Sarah nee PORTER. Sadly he lost his father, died suddenly, aged 47, and buried 9 May 1791 in Yetminster. Nothing more is known of the rough beginnings of his life until the marriage by banns of his sister Elizabeth, 7 January 1813, in Cerne Abbas, with William DUNNING, which ended as a tragedy very soon, for she died of childbirth and was buried the same year 1813, 24 December, aged 28. A few weeks later, William lost his mother, Sarah, who made her will 16 March 1814 and was buried in Cerne Abbas the following 25. Was his faith affected by those big losses and as a result did he become sensitive to other people's difficulties and needs? The fact is he married in Loders, Dorset, 27 July 1818 Susanna KINGSBURY, and likely became very soon a non conformist deciding to baptise his first baby John, born in Stourbridge, Worcestershire, 24 May 1819, in the High Street Independent church of that town, the following 27 June. Just still remains a touch of a mystery : what was he doing there, being given of Cerne Abbas? Moreover, in The Parish Book of Cerne Abbas by Vivian & Patricia Vale, chapter 4 Dissent, part dedicated to the Congregationalists (p. 39), we can see that William and his family were indeed involved in the dissenting movement: 'The first ministry (of more than 50 years, 1812-1863) to have left a distinct impression on the village was that of James TROUBRIDGE... As a result of this, not only was a Sunday School of 100 built up, but the chapel required enlargement in 1820, at a cost of £400, all locally subscribed; and Troubridge's preaching duties extended over neighbouring villages. Heads of Cerne households drawn into participation included J. FRAMPTON (solicitor), Thomas PITMAN (schoolmaster), John HODGES (tanner), Levi GROVES (fell monger) and members of the BENNETT, THORNE, BEER, CAVE and HODDER families.' A second child, Ann Elizabeth, is likely born in 1826, despite the missing baptisms in the Cerne Abbas parish registers. But the misfortune seems decidedly pursuing William CAVE, for 'in 1828 an outbreak at the junction of Long Street and Duck Street opposite the New Inn was prevented from spreading as far as Mill Lane only because rooftop 'spotters' were diligent in wetting the thatch.' (The Parish Book of Cerne Abbas by Vivian & Patricia Vale, chapter 8 Services and Sociability, part dedicated to the Fire p. 70). At this moment William was living precisely Long street (number 15 present address) until at least 1842. Let's hear the Dorset County Chronicle and Somersetshire Gazette, Thursday 20 Nov 1828 (p. 4) reprinted as Dorset a Hundred Years Ago in the Dorset County Chronicle and Somersetshire Gazette, 15 Nov 1928 (p. 7) : 'Destructive Fire at Cerne. – The little town of Cerne never before exhibited such a scene of consternation and alarm as was witnessed on Tuesday last. About four o’clock on that morning the inhabitants were aroused from their slumbers by an alarm of fire. It was soon ascertained that some outbuildings on the back parts of the premises belonging to Mr. PALMER, surgeon, as well as on

the adjoining premises of Mr. STRICKLAND, were on fire. The flames almost immediately obtained a force which defied the efforts made to quell them, and raged with great rapidity in two different directions. The dwelling-house of Mr. PALMER then ignited, and so quick was the approach and progress of the fire, that the whole building was speedily enveloped in flames, and it was but with the greatest difficulty that the family were enabled to escape with their lives. A few minutes after the first alarm was given, the two engines belonging to the parish of Cerne were on the spot, and worked with greatest alacrity; and, a messenger having been despatched to Sydling, the engine of that parish soon arrived, with a number of individuals ready to tender their assistance. But, notwithstanding the great eagerness to assist evinced by every one, the continued exertions used, and the plentiful supply of water obtained, the flames for a long while resisted every attempt, the buildings being principally roofed with thatch. The adjoining dwelling-houses of Mr. FOUNTAIN, Mr. CAVE, and Mr. STRANGE, were soon on fire; and the destructive element then reached a malt-house belonging to Mr. COCKERAM, which was at the time full of malt and barley. A very extensive range of minor buildings and outhouses, belonging to different individuals, then caught fire; and at this period, the conflagration was awful in the extreme, as, from the highly combustible nature of most of the buildings, the flames towered to an almost incredible height, and exhibited a mass of burning buildings covering and enclosing upwards of an acre of land. The whole of the buildings we have mentioned were totally destroyed; nothing being left but the bare walls containing a mass of ruins and ashes. The New Inn and the other houses which were opposite the fire, were in the greatest danger; but for upwards of four hours momentary apprehensions were entertained that some of the immense flakes flying about would alight on the thatched buildings in the innyard, but by the roofs being kept constantly wetted, the danger was averted. The fire coming, at last, in contact with a house covered by a tiled roof, its fury abated, and, by the unwearied exertions of the inhabitants of the town and those who came to their assistance, it was gradually subdued. Apprehensions were for a long while entertained that the greater part of the town must have been consumed, most of the houses being thatched, and the progress of the flames being at first so excessively rapid; indeed, during the whole four hours Mr. DUNNING’s mill, Mr. BEACH’s academy, and many other houses in Mill Lane were in the greatest jeopardy, as there was but a distance of a few feet between the burning matter and the thatch of the roofs. The utmost distress and alarm imaginable pervaded the town; and females were seen running through the streets, almost in a state of nudity, shrieking and supplicating aid. Owing to the exertions made, a considerable portion of furniture was saved; but we regret that very much valuable furniture and a large quantity of plate was utterly lost. It is, however, some diminution of sorrow to know that the loss is confined to property, no lives having been lost, nor, any serious personal accident having occurred. One man met with a most miraculous escape, being in a house endeavouring to assist, at the time when the roof and floor fell in; he was on the second floor, and fell with it, but was precipitated to the ground without any injury. – We understand that the principal part of the property is insured in the West of England and Sun Fire Offices. The value of the property destroyed, it is imagined, cannot amount to much less than £3000. – Great praise is due to Mr. WILLY and many other inhabitants of Sydling, for their promptitude in forwarding the engine, and the alacrity they showed to render their assistance. It is not yet correctly ascertained in what manner the fire originated.' Several years later, on the 13 April 1841, William CAVE is given as a grocer when marrying his only son John, but as soon as 1842, we are told by the Pigot & Co's Directory for Cerne Abbas that he became relieving officer, being no longer among the 7 grocers & dealers in sundries. By the way, we might guess that he was as well to give up with his dissenting feelings to apply the post, for we find in the same Parish Book of Cerne Abbas (p. 51): 'The Board thereupon advertised for a schoolmistress who, it was stipulated: ... must be a Member of the Established Church...'. Obviously what was required from the employee should have been demanded as well from the man in charge of the poor in the institution... Which is ascertained by those few lines yet in The Parish Book of Cerne Abbas (pp. 49-50):

'The board of Guardians of the Cerne Union held their first meeting at the New Inn (rental 4 shillings) on 29 December 1835. John File HART and Henry HODGES were the guardians for Cerne Abbas. It was resolved that John James SMITH be Chairman and John SAMSON Relieving Officer at a salary of £90 p.a. [...] in December [1836] the building committee was told that to secure estimates for the fitting-up of the workhouse. [...] Meanwhile staff were being recruited by local advertisements. [...] Second, for the post of 'Relieving Officer' the successful applicant would be require: ... to reside in Cerne Abbas and devote his whole time to the employment, not following any other Trade or Profession whatsoever; he must write a good hand, and be capable of keeping accounts... He will be required to enter into a Bond, with sufficient sureties, in £100, for the due discharge of the duties, and to take charge of the Union immediately. The £90-p.a. salary of the first appointee (John SAMSON, soon to be displaced by William CAVE reflected the scope of his duties.' But what kind of duties? Elizabeth O. Cockburn in The Cerne Abbas Union Workhouse 1835-1838 (Dorset Natural History & Archeological Society proceedings for 1972 volume 94 published June 1973 p. 91) tells us a bit more: 'THE RELIEVING OFFICER One of the key posts for the successful working of the new Poor Law was that of relieving officer. John SAMSON had to attend the weekly meeting and produce his out-relief books for examination, when the amounts expended were authorised for payment by the treasurer and the books initiated by the chairman. John James SMITH, Esq. of Sydling House, or in his absence, the Rev. John DAVIS, vicar of Cerne Abbas, both ex-officio Guardians. Everything appears from the Minute Book to be running satisfactorily until November, 1836 when the clerk represented to the Guardians that the relieving officer's books were not in such a state as to enable him to prepare the Pauper Description Book. John Samson was admonished, told to have his books satisfactorily made up or be reported to the Assistant Poor Law Commissioner. At a later meeting he was still unable to produce his books in a reasonable state and tendered his resignation. Notices for a replacement were immediately advertised, and within a fortnight Mr. William CAVE was appointed, having entered into a £100 bond and named as his surety Mr. William CLARK of Cerne Abbas. His salary was settled at £80 a year, £10 less than his predecessor. A few months later his itinerary was revised and it is given like this:— 23 May: Mappowder, 9 a.m. Pulham, 10 a.m. Wootton Glanville, 11 a.m. Buckland Newton, 12 noon. 24 May: Godmanstone, 9 a.m. Cerne Abbas, Up Cerne and Nether Cerne, 10 a.m. 25 May: Cattistock, 9 a.m. Frome St. Quintin, 9 a.m. Batcombe, 10½ a.m. Hilfield, 11 a.m. Melbury Bubb, 11½ a.m. 26 May: Cheselborne, 9 a.m. Melcombe Horsey, 10 a.m. Alton Pancreas, 10½ a.m. Minterne Magna, 11 a.m. Piddeltrenthide, 12 noon. This seems a tight schedule considering his duties. Presumably he met the parish overseer, loaves of bread were distributed, meagre sums of money handed out and any particular cases of paupers in difficulties noted before riding, or driving along the old hill roads to the next village, or along the lanes, often deep in sticky mud, or white with summer dust, to the neighbouring parish. The cost of out-relief varied considerably from week to week. Taking the period before the Workhouse was open, in June, 1836, it was as low as £25, but the average was about £40 and in January, 1837, it rose to £55 4s. 5d.' So a lot of tasks and moves by any kind of weather, going hither and thither to and fro, either riding or driving a light vehicle, likely a small open or covered two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle. But sometimes as well going to the justice room of the town to appear as a witness, in curious cases like this one, which isn't short of comic or humorous moments and seems to demonstrate that in those Victorian days licentiousness, lack of morals and parasitism were not as seldom as we think they were :

From The Sherborne Mercury Sat 04 May 1844 p. 4: 'PROVINCIAL NEWS... Cerne Special Sessions, Monday, April 29. — Charles EDMONDS, saddle and harness maker, of Cerne, appeared to a summons charging him with leaving his wife (Susan) chargeable to the parish of Cerne. As it was understood in the town that there were witnesses to prove distinct acts of adultery on the part of the wife, the Justice-room was much crowded. The wife, a plain young woman, presented a most singular picture of a pauper; she wore a silk gown, had silk gloves on her hands, and carried a parasol and a velvet reticule. Mr. FRAMPTON, the clerk of the Union, attended for the parish; and Mr. PHILLIPS, of Weymouth, for the defendant. Wm. CAVE, the relieving officer of the Cerne Union, stated that in the month of March last the wife of the defendant applied to him for relief ; he examined into her case, and gave her an order of admission into the Union-house. In cross-examination he said she appeared an able-bodied woman; she did not appear altogether in a state of destitution — she was pretty well clad; did not know that she was a married woman further than from her own statement, neither did he know of his own knowledge that her husband had refused to maintain her. Robert WILSON, the master of the Workhouse, stated that Susan EDMONDS was admitted into the house on the 4th of March, and discharged at her own request on the 6th. In cross examination he said the lady had rather a 'flashy' appearance for a pauper; he thought she had a silk reticule basket and a fine shawl; it was such a dress as he never saw a pauper come to the house in before. Susan Edmonds stated that she was married to the defendant at Islington, on the 10th August, 1840; she lived with him about two years and eight months; since last August had been living with her father at Maiden Newton. Her husband one night sold off all his things and turned her into the streets; after that she got her own living by acting as housekeeper to three young men in Somers Town, but her husband came to the house and threatened to take her life, and she jumped out of the window to save herself. Her husband swore she was living with three other men, to which she replied, 'if I am it matters not to you, you left me destitute; it matters not to you what I do for a living.' He came again to the house about one or two in the morning, accompanied by three or four policemen, to take her into custody, he asked to see her sleeping apartment, and she showed him into the kitchen; she usually slept with the landlady; she had applied to him for relief, when he told her if sixpence would save her life he would'not advance it; after that she went in bodily fear, and left London and went to her father's. Cross-examined.— Her husband had made many accusations against her. She was housekeeper to two persons named HISBETT, and to another person named Lea, the day on which her husband sold off the things she borrowed half-a-crown of one of the Hisbetts; on that morning he desired her not to leave the house, but she went to meet Hisbett to borrow the money of him. When he came to the house where she was living he complained of Hisbett; Hisbett never went by the name of Edmonds. By the Magistrates.— The evening that her husband sold off the things she went to a raffle; Hisbett was there, and her husband came in afterwards: Hisbett asked him how he did, and he said he did not wish to have anything more to say to him. A letter written by the defendant to his wife's father, was here put in; the defendant complained in it that his wife had contracted an improper intercourse with Hisbett, and that in consequence of it he had parted from her. Mary Ann PAYNE was then called for the defence.— She stated that she had come from London on purpose to give evidence in the case: she knew Mrs. Edmonds when she lived at Somers Town; she lived with a person named Hisbett, who passed as her husband. She (witness) always knew him as Mr. Edmonds until the real Mr. Edmonds came; she had seen them in the same bed; she had seen her go down immediately after her pretended husband left her in the morning, and go into the bedroom of his brother and Lea! On each of the occasions when her real husband came to the house after her, Hisbett was upstairs in the room where they both slept. In cross-examination the witness admitted that she was not a married woman herself, and that she lived in the same house as housekeeper to a Mr. WALKER. Mr. Frampton proposed calling the wife of defendant to contradict the statement of this witness, but

Mr. Phillips objected, and contended that, his witness having been examined in chief, crossexamined, and re-examined, it was not competent for Mr. Frampton to re-call her; he also submitted that her evidence ought not to be received as she had heard the whole of the evidence given by the other witnesses. Mr. Frampton contended that as Mr. Phillips had omitted to examine as to the fact sworn to by a subsequent witness, he had a right to recall her and examine her on that fact. The Bench allowed the woman to be re-examined, when she swore that she never lived with Hisbett as his wife, and that she had never slept in his bedroom. She did not deny that she had often gone into the room of the other men, but said that she only went there to make the beds, for which she was paid. Mr. Phillips then re-called Payne, who stated that on one occasion when the defendant came to the house and went up to Hisbett's room, Hisbett and the woman Edmonds were in bed together, and the woman got through the window in her night clothes to escape her husband. Mr. Phillips addressed the Bench for the defendant, and Mr. Frampton replied, after which the room was cleared and the Magistrates consulted. On the public being re-admitted; the Bench said they had determined that they ought not to call on the young man for the expense of maintaining his wife, and that the expenses must fall on the Cerne Union.' Amazing conclusion, isn't it? Later, in the 1851 and 1861 censuses, he is still living in Cerne Abbas, but Duck street. Before 1870, likely resigning his charge, he moved to Wellington, Somerset, living at his daughter's Ann Elizabeth and his son-in-law's Charles HADDON. His wife Susanna died there in January 1870, and he too in July 1872, of a shock following a fall, aged 84. Arnaud C. Aurejac-Davis [email protected] 1776 route de Cayrac 82800 Bioule France