There's a lovely little village in Dorset called Powerstock. This is where my Biles ancestors lived for many generations. It's a peaceful place, with rolling Dorset hills. People have lived in the area since pre-Roman times. But it's not always been an idyllic place, and not everyone was happy there.

Murder is the last thing you would imagine happening there. In November 1838, John Hounsell's wife, Mary, died. She had been nursed by Elizabeth Gale. Later in January Elizabeth's own husband died. In February 1839 both John and Elizabeth went to see the vicar to announce that they wanted to marry. Since both their spouses had died so soon, the Reverend Mr Cookson informed the coroner and an inquest was held. Enough arsenic was found in Mary's body to kill six people. John Hounsell was charged with wilful murder. Although foul play had obviously taken place, John was acquitted due to lack of evidence. The banns for John and Elizabeth were read three times, but no marriage is recorded. There is more information on the Hounsell.org.uk website.

In 1841 George Biles, my great, great, great Grandfather is missing from the 1841 census. This was because he was in Dorchester Prison serving a 1 year sentence for poaching. He was arrested in March 1841 in Nettlecombe, Powerstock along with John and Edmund Hounsell and Joseph Legg. They were brought before the County Assizes charged with poaching, armed and shooting at Gamekeepers. All, except Joseph Legg (who admitted evidence and was acquitted) were sentenced to 1 year of hard labour. They were discharged on 5 March 1842. During his time in prison George’s conduct was orderly.

Another story that involves Powerstock is that of Martha Brown. She lived and married her first husband in Powerstock. She was hung for the murder of her second husband in August 1856, the last woman in Dorset to be publicly hanged. A young man of 16 years watched as this happened. It would be an image he would never forget and in later years inspire him to write the novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy. Read more of the story here.