Monument record MWX383 - Well south of St George's church, Reforne, Portland

... an old well which was discovered a little to the S. of the parish church ... This well was discovered accidentally in a field by a shepherd, who when driving a stake one day for his sheepfold, was surprised by its sudden disappearing - about 26 diameter, filled up to within 4 surface, in all 16 deep with concave bottom: well-built of stone. At the bottom a great quantity of Ro pottery was found, now lost. some of the smaller vases were very perfect. <1>

St. George's, described as, the former parish church is 18th cent and apparently replaced the church near Rufus Castle, which was destroyed by a landslip. <2>

The farmer and informed persons who were questioned knew nothing about the site. The majority of the area is under grass but the western boundary of the graveyard has been extended 200.0m to the south and few burials have taken place in the new enclosure. No trace of the well was found. <3>

<1> G E Eliot, 1872, Journal of the British Archaeological Association 28, p32-33 (Serial). SWX2005.

<2> The little guides Dorset Vol 1949 Page(s) 142 (Article in serial). SWX2006.

<3> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 07-JUN-55 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 451697 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jun 1 2023 12:53PM