the house since the 1760s. The house is not open to the public, though it has welcomed visitors from bodies such as the Georgian Group. Chapel of St. James A small chapel dedicated to St. James once stood nearby. It is reputed to have been built by the Russells and was financed by them through tithes and the glebe in Pitcombe. The last rector of the chapel was Roger Bond who was appointed to it, along with Little Bredy in 1531. The inhabitants then used the church at Long Bredy for burials. After its closure it was leased variously. In 1565 it was granted to Edith Cole, widow and John and Joan Martin, her children for their lives. It was then granted to John, Henry and William Mintern for their lives from 1585, then in 1605 to Fenton, esq. captain of the guard, and 1607 to George Ward. The chapel of St James then came to the Mellers of Little Bredy who sold the tithes and part of the glebe to the Michels. By this time the chapel was in ruins and in John Hutchins's time only the walls remained. During the time of the Michels residence of the manor, according to Hutchins, it was inhabited by poor people. References Sources Scott-Thomson, Gladys,F.R.H.S. Two Centuries of Family History, London, 1930. A study of the Bed, Historical Memoirs of the House of Russell from the Time of the Norman Conq Round, J. Horace, Studies in Peerage & Family History, London, 1901, vol.2, pp.250-279, "The Origin of the Russells". A severe and detailed critique of the work of Wiffen. Gorges, Raymond. History of the Family of Gorges ("The Story of a Family through Eleven Centuries Illustrated by Portraits and Pedigrees Being a History of the Family of Gorges"), Boston USA, 1944. Extensive research on the Russell family. Church, S.D. The Household Knights of King John, Cambridge, 1999 Pitt-Rivers, Michael, 1968. Dorset. London: Faber & Faber. External links b&w copyrighted photo of Kingston Russell c. 1955 Local History Website Research article on birth place of Thomas Hardy Earthwork and geophysical survey of long barrows on South Dorset Ridgeway Round, J.H., Studies in Peerage & Family History, 1901. pp. 250–277 "The Origin of the Russells". 17th-century establishments in England Houses completed in the 17th century Country houses in Dorset Grade I listed buildings in Dorset West Dorset District