Swanstone Court at Dilwyn was built in the 14th century, and was rebuilt and extended in the 18th century; much of the earlier features still survive.
1841 – Swanstone Court Household
John Mattey | 32 | Farmer | b. Herefordshire |
Beatrice Jay | 26 | b. Herefordshire | |
Joanna Jay | 10 | b. Herefordshire | |
John Jay | 20 | b. Herefordshire | |
Samual Mathews | 13 | Servant | |
James Lane | 12 | Servant |
In 1844, all the effects of Swanstone Court were put up for auction by John Mattey as follows:
34 pure bred Herefordshire cattle descended from the universally esteemed herds of the Misses Tomkins, Mr. Edmund Jeffries and John Hewer; a team of cart horses and mares; sheep of the Ryeland and Leicester cross; fat and store pigs; implements of husbandry etc. etc. All in all, virtually everything that was used to run a farm.
Household furniture was also up for auction:
Oak and other tables and chairs; an eight day clock in oak case; barometers; cupboards; chimney glass; oak four post and stump bedsteads; feather beds, bolsters and pillows, blankets, sheets and counterpanes; bureau and chest with drawers; wash hand stands and night chair, linen chest; fenders and fire irons; china, glass and earthenware; kitchen, brewing and culinary requisites; a variety of useful dairy utensils.
In other words, John Mattey was selling absolutely everything bar the clothes and one wonders whether he had to do this to settle debts.
1851 – Swanstone Court Household
Henry Rawlins Evans | 49 | Widower, farmer | b. West Indies |
Henry Rawlins Evans | 23 | Son | b. Bristol, Somerset |
Mary G. Evans | 21 | Daughter | b. Bristol, Somerset |
John Stope | 47 | Under Waggoner | b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire |
Charles Basenham | 29 | Cowman | b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire |
Hannah Harris | 29 | House Servant | b. Kineston, Radnor |
Given the leap in household numbers when the Evans family took over the court, the extensions to the house probably were built between 1844 and 1861.
1861 – Swanstone Court Household
Henry Rawlins Evans | 33 | Farmer | b. Bristol, Somerset |
Parthenia Evans | 29 | Wife | b. Vowchurch, Herefordshire |
Henry Rawlins Evans | 3 | Son | b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire |
Mary Jane Evans | 1 | Daughter | b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire |
Henry Rawlins Evans | 59 | Father | b. West Indies, British Subject |
Elizabeth Palfrey | 21 | Nurse | b. Herefordshire |
Sarah Williams | 16 | Housemaid | b. Kings Pyon, Herefordshire |
John Parton | 32 | Head Waggoner | b. Radnor |
Joseph Barber | 22 | Under Waggoner | b. Hope Under Dinmore, Herefordshire |
William Evans | 15 | Waggoner | b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire |
1871 – Swanstone Court Household
Henry Rawlins Evans | 43 | Farmer | b. Bristol, Somerset |
Parthenia Evans | 40 | Wife | b. Vowchurch, Herefordshire |
Mary Jane Evans | 10 | Daughter | b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire |
Jane Moore Evans | 8 | Daughter | b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire |
Fanny Moore Evans | 6 | Daughter | b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire |
James Parry Evans | 4 | Son | b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire |
Francis Moore Evans | 2 | Son | b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire |
Parthenia Moore Evans | 9 months | Daughter | b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire |
Henry Rawlins Evans | 69 | Father | b. St. Christopher, West Indies |
Ellen Hiles (?) | 23 | Governess | b. Vowchurch, Herefordshire |
Eliza Bowcott | 21 | General domestic servant | b. Pembridge, Herefordshire |
Julia Tunks | 16 | General domestic servant | b. Kimbolton, Herefordshire |
Thomas Leighton | 17 | Indoor farm servant | b. Kings Pyon, Herefordshire |
1881 – Swanstone Court Household
James T. Dawe | 30 | Farmer | b. Moreton on Lugg, Herefordshire |
Elizabeth Dawe | 30 | Wife | b. Wormsley, Herefordshire |
Alfred James Dawe | 2 | Son | b. Madley, Herefordshire |
Edith Dawe | 5 | Daughter | b. Madley, Herefordshire |
Nora Dawe | 3 | Daughter | b. Madley, Herefordshire |
Alice Wheeler | 20 | Governess | b. Eaton Bishop, Herefordshire |
Alice Morgan | 14 | General Servant | b. Wellington, Herefordshire |
John Bathurst | 20 | Indoor Servant | b. Birley, Herefordshire |
William Bagley | 15 | Indoor Servant | b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire |
1911 – Swanstone Court Household
James Davies | 66 | Single, Farmer | b. Weobley, Herefordshire |
May P. Jenkins | 46 | Single, Housekeeper | b. Monmouthshire |