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