Byford Court was first built in the late 16th century, but was greatly extended and rebuilt during the 1700s. It was always principally a farming house, and has passed through many hands over the years.
Extraordinary Herefordshire Cow at Byford Court
In 1819, Sir John G. Cotterell Bart. Was in residence, and one of his cattle made the headlines when it came up for auction.
“A valuable cow of great weight and astonishing fatness, without ever having eaten corn or oil cake, and has been constantly kept as a store beast until the last twelve months, the property of Sir John G. Cotterell Bart., and bred by him, will be offered for sale by auction in the Herefordshire Agricultural Show in Broad Street, Hereford on 19th October 1819, being the eve of the Hereford Great Cattle Fair; when those gentlemen and breeders who are judges of genuine Herefordshire cattle will have an opportunity of seeing one of the most superior and extraordinary animals the county ever produced.”
Contents of Byford Court Sold
In 1836, the then proprietor of Byford Court, Mr. Heycock, left the estate and put up a great many items for auction, including “highly respectable household furniture; wagon and nag horses and implements”.
1841 – Byford Court Household
There were servants in the household, but the census page is so badly faded that they are not legible.
| Samuel Acton |
65 |
Farmer |
|
| Jane Acton |
20 |
|
|
| James ? |
30 |
servant |
|
1851 – Byford Court Household
| Peter B. Giles |
32 |
General Practitioner |
b. Salop |
| Caroline Giles |
25 |
Wife |
b. Norfolk |
| Peter B. Giles |
3? |
Son |
b. Byford, Herefordshire |
| William G. Chattaway |
20 |
Medical Assistant |
b. Chelsea |
| Mary Wall |
26 |
Cook |
b. Brilly, Herefordshire |
| Ann Walters |
17 |
Housemaid |
b. All Saints, Herefordshire |
| Ann Prosser |
22 |
Nurse |
b. Tillington, Herefordshire |
| George Madox |
19 |
Groom |
b. All Saints, Herefordshire |
1861 – Byford Court Household
| George Pardington |
36 |
Farmer |
b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire |
| Sarah M. Pardington |
34 |
Wife |
b. Chelsea, Middlesex |
| George L. Pardington |
4 |
Son |
b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire |
| Thomas C. Pardington |
2 |
Son |
b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire |
| Louisa Cotes |
20 |
Governess |
b. Birley, Gloucestershire |
| John Troughton |
19 |
Nephew |
b. Hailes, Gloucestershire |
| Mary A. Brace |
24 |
Dairy Maid |
|
| Ann Parry |
17 |
Housemaid |
b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire |
| George East |
21 |
Groom |
b. Monnington on Wye, Herefordshire |
1871 – Byford Court Household
| George Pardington |
46 |
Farmer |
b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire |
| Sarah M.Pardington |
44 |
Wife |
b. Chelsea, Middlesex |
| George L. Pardington |
14 |
Son |
b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire |
| Mary Bufton |
25 |
Servant |
b. Radnorshire |
| Mary Parker |
24 |
Servant |
b. Rowlestone, Herefordshire |
1881 – Byford Court Household
| John Pearce Ellis |
42 |
Farmer |
b. Leckhampton, Gloucestershire |
| Elizabeth Ellis |
42 |
Wife |
b. Clifford, Herefordshire |
| Mary Jancey |
25 |
Cook |
b. Preston Wynne, Herefordshire |
| Hannah Thomas |
17 |
Housemaid |
b. Dewsall, Herefordshire |
| Robert Leah |
21 |
Indoor Farm Servant |
b. Ledbury, Herefordshire |
1891 – Byford Court Household
| Charles T. Edward |
50 |
Farmer |
b. Kinnerton, Radnor |
| Maria J. Edward |
52 |
Wife |
b. Warwickshire |
| Cecilia J. Edward |
21 |
Daughter |
b. Stowe, Salop |
| Edith Edward |
19 |
Daughter |
b. Stowe, Salop |
| Arthur Edward |
17 |
Son |
b. Stowe, Salop |
| Ellen Bellis |
27 |
Cook |
b. Cheshire |
| Elizabeth Colwell |
19 |
Housemaid |
b. Bridge Sollars, Herefordshire |
| Noah Beavan |
15 |
Groom |
b. Holme Lacy, Herefordshire |
1901 – Byford Court Household
| Charles Theodore Edwards |
59 |
Farmer |
b. Kinnerton, Radnor |
| Maria Jane Edwards |
62 |
Wife |
b. ? |
| Christopher A. Edwards |
27 |
Son |
b. Woodville, Salop |
| Fanny G. Edwards |
23 |
Daughter |
b.Bridge Sollers, Herefordshire |
| Mabel Annie Davies |
19 |
Cook |
b. Byford, Herefordshire |
| Ellen Caradine |
17 |
Housemaid |
b. Byford, Herefordshire |
| Edward Neath |
12 |
Odd Work, Domestic |
b. Byford, Herefordshire |
1911 – Byford Court Household
| Frederick Theodore Edwards |
40 |
Farmer |
b. Radnorshire |
| Fannie Clarke |
44 |
Housekeeper |
b. Northants |
| Kate Dowell |
19 |
Domestic Servant |
b.Herefordshire |
| Alfred Lloyde |
23 |
Farm Labourer |
b. Kenchester, Herefordshire |