Reginal Pavey, our famous local historian makes a point in his notes that until the 20 th Century there were few buildings in Lower Sea Lane. The ground between the Street and the sea had been Common Land owned by the Abbots of Forde for three centuries until 1539. Early maps and photos show the vestiges of the old mediaeval strip system of farming and the name still survives in Single and Double Common that were one or two acres in size. Anthony Tutchen, a mariner by deed dated 1661 gave a freehold house and field there belonging there containing one acre, in the parish, for the benefit of seamen, seamen's wives and children, originally given in stockings and shoes. A Report in 1837 informs us that:
“ There is also on the east side of sea lane a field containing an acre, called Shoe and Stocking land, which was let by auction for a term of 21 years to Matthew Lock at the rent of £8.8s per annum, of this term, about three had expired, where in consideration that the tenant had built 2 small tenements on the premises, the following lease was granted here follows lease dated 1823 The rent of £8-8s has always been paid to the ministers and is generally expended on repairing the almshouses”.
A book titled: “The Memorials of Stepney from 1579 to 1662” records that Anthony Tutchen of Poplar and Blackwall (Captain) was an officer in the Commonwealth navy. He was the master of the transport 'Brazil' in May 1650 and in 1653 was pressing seamen for the navy in the eastern counties. He married, Margaret and following her death was preparing to marry Grace Hazle, widow, upon whom he settled property in Poplar known as Oakfield. He died about 1667 and left property to his grandchildren, Margaret Gyles and Sarah, wife of Abraham Read. His father of the same name was also a mariner living in Limehouse and was married in 1607 to Margaret Chapman, of Limehouse, widow. In 1625 he was in command of a ship ' lent to the French.' In the year following he appears as a Master- assistant of the Navy, and later as a Master of Trinity House. He died in 1643 and was buried in Stepney. In Kenneth Andrews Book: “Ships , Money, and Politics: Seafaring and Naval enterprises in the Reign of Charles I” He writes as follows: “ There were of course other eminent masters: Peter Andrews, Thomas Best, the Bushells and Anthony Tutchen for example, the last of whom at the age of 56 in 1638 having lived 20 years in Limehouse boasted that his ship- money rate was among the highest in the district”.
Both father and son were famous in their day and there are a number of records relating to them and their lives. We are fortunate as The Dorset Record Office has a Deed that relates to a later rental on the property which refers to the original Gift as follows: ”Whereas by an Indenture of 26 th February 1673 made between Anthony Tutchen of Limehouse, Middlesex, Mariner and Richard Rose, Benjamin Bird, clerk of Wootton Fitzpaine, William Ellesden, Anthony, his son. Edward Mable, Yeoman and Stephen Limbry, Mariner and Robert Jones the Elder and Robert Jones the younger of Lyme Regis. Anthony Tutchen did grant all his dwelling house, garden, etc with one close of meadow of about 1 acre called the Common in occupation of Richard Wey”. Richard Way is shown on the 1642 Protestation list and a Robert Wey appears on the Hearth Tax for the village paying for 3 chimneys, which may well be the same building.
A later document dated 1735 shows that Anthony Ellesden as the surviving trustee leases it to Elizabeth Richards, daughter of Abraham Richards, Cordswainer ( shoe maker ) for 99 years at £1-15s
I could not find the connection with Charmouth in any of the records relating to Anthony Tutchen, father and son. They did not appear in the parish records or the Protestation List of 1642 for the village. But delving back I was more fortunate and an Anthony Tutchen is seen as paying 8s 4d towards Queen Elizabeth's Ships in 1588. Then again in 1542 A William Tutchen is shown as an able archer in Charmouth`s Muster Roll, with a bow and sheaf of arrows ready to defend his country if there was a War with France.
It would seem that the family had left the village to make their fortune in London in the 17 th Century, which indeed they did. But no doubt still had property here and it is this house and acre of land, which is left by the subsequent beneficiary.
The earliest accurate map dated 1801 produced by the Ordnance Survey shows the field with a house on it. The later 1841 Tithe Map supplies us with more information. It shows that Matthew Lock who as referred to earlier has built an additional 2 small tenements on it is renting it out. He pays £8-8s to the Minister which is spent on repairing the ancient Almshouse at the top of the Street. The map clearly shows the building, which was eventually to be known as “Long Temps Cottage” or “Seacroft” as it is today. The building Mathew Lock built is on the right. Later photographs show it as a thatched group of 3 cottages. I then checked the earlier Census for 1851, which confirmed them living in Lower Sea Lane in that year. There were very few buildings there and the only place I could see where they would be living is one of the squalid thatched cottages that had been built by Mathew Lock in 1823.

definitely relate to Tutchens' Charity, the rent from which went to the upkeep of the Almshouses
When Tom Hunter left "Sea View" in Lower Sea Lane he lived in one of the cottages facing east-ward and Bill Gordge in another. Behind Tom's was a smaller one inhabited by Bert Stork. On the opposite side of the path was a smaller cottage, now called "The Chalet", where an old lame woman used to live. These cottages were thatched with 'spear" from the river by the old battery. At some period during, or after the 1914-18 war, all these cottages were owned by Charles How and three of them were burnt down in about 1921 after a disastrous fire that destroyed them and “Greenacres” and “Wayalong” were later built on the site.
We are fortunate that the Tutchen`s original house survived set back from the road. With its thick stonewalls and windows it is easy to imagine it with its original mullioned windows with leaded panes. There is still more evidence to find that may well prove this to be one of Charmouths most historic houses.

This Indenture made the 25 th day of October in the 9th year of the reign of our sovereign Lord George II by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland King Defender of the faith. – 1735. Between Anthony Ellesden of Charmouth in the County of Dorset, Esq of the one part and Elizabeth Richards, daughter of Abraham Richards of Charmouth aforesaid. Cordwainer(shoe maker) of the other part. Whereas by an indenture bearing the date 26 th February in the 13 th year of the reign of our lord King Charles II - 1661 made or mentioned to be made between Anthony Tutchen of Limehouse in the county of Middlesex, William Ellesden, Gent. Anthony, his son, Edward Mable, Yeoman and Stepehn Lymbry , Mariner of Charmouth in the same county of Dorset and Robert Jones the Elder and Robert Jones the Younger of Lyme Regis in the aforesaid County of Dorset, Gent. Of the others part. The said Anthony Tutchen for the consideration therein mentioned did grant a lieu enffeoff and confirm unto the said Richard Rose, Benjamin Bird, William Ellesdon, Anthony Ellesdon, Edward Mable, Stephen Lymbry, Robert Jones the Elder and Robert Jones the younger All that his dwelling house or messuage, garden and park side with the affivits together with the one close of Meadow containing by estimation one acre and called by the name of the common situate lying and being in Charmouth aforesaid and then in the occupation and tenure of one Richard Wey. TO HAVE and to hold the said dwelling house or messuage, garden and parkside with the appurtenances together with the said close or common of meadow unto the said Richard Rose, Benjamin Bird, William Ellesdeon, Anthony Ellesdon, Edward Mable, Stephen Lymbry, Robert Jones the Elder and Robert Jones the younger, their heirs & assignees forever upon such special trust and confidence to such respective uses and schooffs as in the said indenture of Lease (relation being there unto had) more particularly and mentioned and expressed and may more fully and plainly appear. NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that the said Anthony Elledon surviving Trustee of the said premises as well for and in consideration of the surrender of a forever lease of the aforesaid premises wherein 5 lives are still living as of the sum of three pounds of lawful money to the said Anthony Ellesdon in hand paid by the said Elizabeth Richards before the ensealing and delivery hereof the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and of the yearly rent herewith received and the covenant and agreements hereinafter mentioned on the part and behalf of the said Elizabeth Richards has ex-etc. and assigns to be paid performed and kept hath demised granted and to farm letten? The said Elizabeth Richards her Ex etc and assignees All the aforesaid messuage or dwelling house, garden and parkside with the appurtenances together with the said close or common of meadow now in tillage To have and to hold the said messuage or dwelling house, garden and parkside with the appurtenances together with the said close or meadow ( now in Tillage as aforesaid with the said Elizabeth Richards her exa. Etc from the day next before the day of the date if these presents unto the end of Term and for and during all the time and terns of 99 years from the.. following fully to be complete and ended if the said Elizabeth Richards and Abraham Richards and Sarah Richards, wife of the said Abraham Richards or any or either. Of them shall so long happen to live yielding and paying therefore yearly during the said terms unto the said Anthony Ellesdon his heirs and assignees the yearly rent of sum of one pond and fifteen shillings of lawfull money of Great Britain at or upon the most usual feast in the year that is to say the feast of St. Michael the Archangel and the annunciation of the blessed virgin Mary by even and equal portions the first payment to begin and be made at the feast of the annunciation of the blessed virgin Mary next coming and it shall happen that the said yearly rent of one pound fifteen shillings to be unpaid in part or in the space of 15 days next after either of the said feasts or days of payment where…

In witness the parties above said to these present Indentures have interchangeably sett their hands and sealed the day and year first above written. Anthony Ellesdon.

Anthony Ellesdon , Lord of the Manor and Patron of this living, was born in Charmouth on May 28 th 1659 and was the son of William Ellesdon. In 1663 there is a Robert Wey living in the village who appears on the 1642 Protestation list and has a house with 3 chimnets in the 1663 Hearth tax. In 1654 Thomas Way is born to Robert Way.

Elizabeth was baptised in 1711 to Abraham and Sarah Richards. She married Henry Whitney in 1746 and died in 1767. Henry Whitney died in 1758.

Tutchens' Charity and Almshouse: deeds of   PE/CMO/CH 1 1714-1868

ii) Messuage and land called the Common 1735, 1764 (Ellesdon to Richards - later Whitney - to Rector and Parish Officers)
iii) Exchange of property: Trustees of Almshouses convey 3 old cottages (the Almshouses) on north of Charmouth Street in exchange for 3 cottages and gardens on east of Lower Sea Lane 1868

Salter's and Tutchens' Charities   PE/CMO/CH 3 c.1837 Commissioners' reports

The civil division of the county of Dorset By Edward Boswell 1833