Yatton Court was built in around 1780 on the site of an existing half timbered building, and has been much extended and renovated over the centuries. The house is set in the most glorious park which was created in the late 18th century by the then owner, John Woodhouse (1716-1792) In 1796, the Court was advertised for let, described as “A large commodious new built house, with extensive shrubberies and pleasure ground, the river Lugg running through the garden, many acres of ground, beautiful woods, a large fish pond, and a garden walled and planted with the choicest fruits”.

John Woodhouse at Yatton Court

In the early 1800s Yatton Court was owned by John Woodhouse who was a Governor of Bridewell and Bethlehem Hospitals, and was for many years one of the Directors of the East India company as well as a major landowner in Herefordshire (he also owned Aramstone House in Kings  Caple). He was outlived by his wife Elizabeth, who died in 1817 aged 93 “in full possession of her faculties”.
She was said to be a little short tempered at times, and not easy to get on with, but behind the scenes she was forever doing her best for the poor, widowed and orphaned in the neighbourhood and was severely missed after her death. She had an incredible sixteen children, and her pregnancies and subsequent labours were not easy but she survived to tell the tale. Eventually though, her many illnesses took their toll.
The descendents of this couple went on to keep Yatton Court in the family until the end of the 20th century although the house was rented out on occasion, and in 1828, George Ferguson was in residence, before Elizabeth Jane Woodhouse returned to the house with her husband the Rev. T.T.Lewis, although again, in the early 1850s, the house was rented to T.B.Beasley – when he left in 1852 he sold much of his furniture; it all sounded lovely…..
Modern drawing and dining room furniture in rosewood and fine Spanish mahogany.
Tudor four post and half tester bedsteads, suitably clothed.
Spanish mahogany chests of drawers.
Washing and toilet tables
Brussels and Scotch carpets
A bay hack horse, a bay pony, a dog cart (nearly new) and other effects.

 

1861 – Yatton Court Household

Elizabeth Jane Woodhouse Lewis 48 Widow, landowner b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Agnes Woodhouse Lewis 21 Daughter b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Edith Woodhouse Lewis 18 Daughter b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Philip Davies 22 Butler b. Little Birch, Herefordshire
Anne Goode 29 Cook b. Brampton Abbotts, Herefordshire
Emma Edgkish 23 Lady’s Maid b. Eye, Herefordshire
Ellen Goode 16 Kitchen Maid b. Brampton Abbotts, Herefordshire
Elizabeth Alston 19 Visitor b. London

During the year of 1861, Agnes Woodhouse Lewis, daughter of the Rev. T.T Lewis who was the husband of Elizabeth in the table above, married George Rodney Ward, and by the next census, the couple had moved into Yatton Court to take over the running of it.

1871 – Yatton Court Household

John George Rodney Ward 40 Land Agent b. Over Stowey, Somerset
Agnes Woodhouse Ward 31 Wife b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Mary I. Ward 47 Sister, Land owner b. Somerset
Thomas B. Ward 7 Son b. Brampton Brian
Agnes E. Ward 5 Daughter b. Over Stowey, Somerset
Mabel Ward 2 Daughter b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Arthur Ward 8 months Son b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Charlotte Botwood 24 Nurse b. Bucknell
Selina Nicholls 17 Nursery Maid b. Bucknell
Ann Wheeler 26 Cook b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Elizabeth Griffiths 23 Maid b. Burrington
Elizabeth Stragwood 17 General Servant b. Aymestrey

1881 – Yatton Court Household

John George Rodney Ward 50 House Agent and JP for Hereford County b. Over Stowey, Somerset
Agnes W. Ward 41 Wife b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Agnes E. Ward 15 Daughter b. Over Stowey, Somerset
Mabel Ward 12 Daughter b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Isabella A. Ward 3 Daughter b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Kate Ward 55 Sister b. Over Stowey, Somerset
Anne Lewis 68 Visitor b. Ludlow
Elvira Deverell 36 Governess b. St. Lucia, West Indies.  British Subject
Charlotte Botwood 34 Nurse b. Bucknell
Edith Leggett 18 Nursemaid b. Suffolk
Ellen Crowe 20 Parlour Maid b. Leintwardine, Herefordshire
Priscilla Evans 26 Housemaid b. Radnor
Jane Hughes 22 Cook b. Bucknell
Catherine Mason 20 Kitchen Maid b. Redstone, Salop

1891 – Yatton Court Household

James Watkins 49 Farmer b. Radnorshire
Mary Watkins 36 Wife b. Radnorshire
James Watkins 9 Son b. Bucknell, Herefordshire
John Watkins 8 Son b. Bucknell, Herefordshire
Thomas Watkins 7 Son b. Bucknell, Herefordshire
Edward Watkins 6 Son b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
David Watkins 5 Son b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
William Watkins 3 Son b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Rachel Annie Watkins 2 Daughter b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Josiah Watkins 5 mths Son b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Mary Ann Sayers 16 General Servant b. Herefordshire
Jessie Payne 17 Nurse b. Yatton, Herefordshire
James Thomas 29 Farm Servant b. Radnorshire
Charles Bowen 20 Shepherd b. Radnorshire
Francis Lowe 15 Farm Servant b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire
Henry Oliver 30 Farm Servant b. Aymestrey, Herefordshire

1901 – Yatton Court Household

George Jenkins 65 Gardener b. Eardisley, Herefordshire
Ann Jenkins 75 Wife b. Kington, Herefordshire

1911 – Yatton Court Household

Emmanuel Edward Shearman 33 Butler b. Hants
Jean Kennedy 41 Cook and Housekeeper b. Ecclefechan, Dumfrieshire
Lizzie Thomson 30 Head Housemaid b. Glasgow
Ada Catherine Styler 21 Kitchenmaid b. Alcester, Warwickshire
Fanny Kathleen Ledingham 15 Between Maid b. Aberdeenshire