Downton Castle is situated at Downton on the Rock close to the border with Shropshire, and should not be confused with Downton Hall which is a few miles the other side of the border.
The Knight Family at Downton Castle
Thomas Andrew Knight
Thomas Andrew Knight was born at Wormsley Grange, near Weobley in Herefordshire on 19th October 1758, and was the youngest son of the Rev. Thomas Knight whose father had amassed a great deal of money through hard work and expertise as an Ironmaster. This was way before steam was used to smelt and produce iron, and the factories had to be next to running streams or rivers. One of his biggest forges was at Downton on the river Teme, and it was here that he built Downton Castle in the 18th century.
Thomas Andrew Knight lost his father when aged only 3, and the lack of a father figure possibly helped to shape his future; he was a country boy and was able to freely roam the fields instead of being chained to studies, and it was said that not a leaf or blossom unfolded its bud, or an animal or insect crossed his way, that did not make an impression on his infant mind. At the age of 9 he went to school in Ludlow, and then Chiswick, before going to Balliol College Oxford, but when he got back to Herefordshire, he continued with his study of nature and reveled in breeding programmes for animals.
After his marriage to Frances Felton in 1791 he initially lived at Elton Hall, Ludlow, but later moved to Downton Castle in 1809 when his brother, Richard Payne Knight, moved to London.
Thomas Andrew Knight the Horticulturist
Knight devoted a great deal of his time to studying cider apple trees, and to working out a solution to the problem of them becoming less productive and more diseased. He realised that the common method of grafting was not a huge success, and conducted several experiments over time, and fertilised the blossom of hardy crab apple trees with pollen taken from cider and dessert fruits, and then sowing the artificially impregnated trees. In the late 18th century, he sent his first paper to the Royal Society and from then on never looked back, being hailed as a very superior vegetable physiologist.
He published a book entitled “A Treatise on the Culture of the Apple and Pear, and on the Manufacture of Cider and Perry”, and was hugely knowledgeable on the subject, extending his research and expertise to plums, strawberries, nectarines and all manner of fruit.
Thomas Andrew Knight the Farmer
Thomas was also a great lover of Herefordshire cattle, and was considered a very good judge of the breed, so was frequently asked to judge at agricultural shows; he himself had the largest herd of Hereford Cattle in the country, known famously as the Leinthall herd. It was he who sought to improve the breed of draught horses by crossing big London dray horses with his own breed of a smaller more compact horse, but he died before seeing the results.
A letter to the paper in 1833 showed how he combined his desire to teach good agricultural practices with good treatment of his tenants – at the time, crops were not doing well generally, partly due to a lack of understanding of how to manage the land and the produce grown there. He was roundly praised thus:
“….although we have had occasion to mention the liberality of T. Andrew Knight Esq. of Downton Castle in various ways, by his late good judgement it will give a stimulus to his tenants to benefit themselves, and improve his land, and an example to all with the landed interest. Mr. Knight has given this year three prizes to his tenants – the first, ten dozen of hurdles to that tenant who grows the best 20 acres of turnips – the second, six dozen to the one who grows the best 15 acres; and the third, four dozen to the one who grows the best 15 acres. Those accustomed to farming must know the culture of turnips is the best method to clean the ground and to improve the land.”
The prizewinners were Mr. Ashwood of Downton who grew 40 acres all equal in goodness; Mr. Edward Ashwood the second, and Mr. Edwards of Cop Hall, the third.
He was a much loved man by all accounts, and he took great pleasure in making sure that the poor and destitute were fairly dealt with; he was extremely good natured, gentle and intelligent and was thought of as a true English country gentleman. He died in 1838 in London.
Thomas Andrew Knight Jnr
Thomas as above had just one son, Thomas Andrew Knight Jnr. For whom he gave a lavish 21st birthday party at Downton Castle – the church bells pealed from an early hour, and two oxen were roasted, one at Bringewood Hill and one at Long Lantall, with a band playing in each village. There were eight hogsheads of cider, six hundred loaves of bread and twenty one hogsheads of old beer.
In the evening, the tenantry of R. Payne Knight followed a playing band to the Castle, bearing a very expensive blue satin flag
“In 1817 on Monday June 23rd the only son of Thomas Andrew Knight came of age, when the happy event was celebrated with every demonstration of joy and respect in the vicinity of Downton Castle. At a very early hour on Monday morning, the bells of Leintwardine were set in motion to ring a merry peal, being the birthday of Mr. Knight. Two oxen were roasted whole, one at Bringewood Hill and one at Long Lantall; at place a band of music attended, and eight hogsheads of cider were given to the populace, with six hundred loaves of bread, independent of twenty one hogsheads of old beer, given by Andrew Knight at the Castle. In the evening the tenantry of R. Payne Knight preceded by a band of music, went in procession to the Castle with a most costly flag, painted on blue satin with the family crest encircled with a palm, and having an angel at the top holding a scroll. There was a motto on the flat “May his happiness increase with his years” and at the bottom was a fabulous gold fringe – it was presented to Thomas Jnr. By R. Hoy; The Rev. T. Price of Birriton; J. Smith of Paton, and Mr. Wheeler of Trippleton.
Mr Hoy gave a speech, in which he eulogised on the respect held for the Knight family and offered the beautiful flag as a gift from tenants and neighbours saying that they hoped that while even a vestige of the flag remained, the name of Knight would inhabit the Castle and descend to future ages.
Thomas Jnr answered most eloquently and emotionally and assured them that he would never forget their kindness and attention to him on that day.
More than 200 ladies and gentlemen from the neighbourhood were invited to tea, supper and a ball, with the Castle being lit up and the ballroom decorated with plants and flowers. At midnight, the supper rooms were opened and were described as an enchanted fairy palace, with every delicacy of the season provided – also many wines. The ladies ate first with Mrs. Knight presiding, followed by the gentleman with the birthday boy sitting at the head of the table. After eating, he left for the ballroom leaving Mr. Hoy to preside over the gentlemen and he kept them in high spirits until six in the morning. Those in the ballroom danced the night away and everyone felt that the occasion was a joyous and successful occasion.
Sadly, the hope of a long life at Downton Castle with children and heirs was not to be, and Thomas Andrew Knight Jnr died aged 30 following a shooting accident.
Charlotte Knight
The youngest daughter of Thomas Andrew Knight Snr, Charlotte, married Sir W.E. Rouse Boughton, Bart. Of Downton Hall, Salop (a few miles away from Downton Castle) in 1824. It was reported that on the day of the wedding, Bringwood hill opposite Downton Castle, was ablaze with the light from bonfires; four sheep were roasted and five hogsheads of cider were given to the populace along with two fat oxen distributed to the poor of Downton and Leintwardine.
There was a brilliant display of fireworks at night, and thousands cheered with fervent wishes for the lasting happiness of the pair.
Elizabeth Knight
Elizabeth was the second daughter of Thomas Andrew Knight Snr, and she married Francis Walpole the younger son of the Hon. Robert Walpole, formerly Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Lisbon, and grandson of the first Lord Walpole of Walterton.
When she died, her body was brought back from Eaton Square, London to Ludlow where she was laid in the Feathers Hotel before being interred in the family vault in Elton in Herefordshire, where she was born.
Most of the shops closed for the day, and the bell of St. Lawrence tolled for an hour.
The ownership of Downton Castle
As reported above under the life of Thomas Andrew Knight Snr, the Castle was owned by his brother, Richard Payne Knight and upon his death in 1844 there was much consternation amongst the Knight family residing in Downton Castle, as well as amongst the tenantry and others, with their future seemingly in doubt.
However, the validity of Richard’s Will was proved in the House of Lords in favour of the possessors of the property, i.e. Mrs. Knight the widow of the late Thomas Andrew, brother of the testator. The relief was clearly enormous, and a huge banquet was arranged to celebrate.
There seemed to follow a period of uncertainty at Downton Castle, and it was reported in the press in 1848 that the house and gardens were in a deplorable and neglected state.
In 1852, Downton Castle was advertised for let, fully furnished, and was described as being the residence of the late Thomas Andrew Knight.
Andrew Johnes Rouse Boughton Knight
Andrew Johnes Rouse Boughton Knight was the second son of Sir William E. Rouse-Boughton, tenth baronet, of Lawford Hall Warwick, by his wife Charlotte, youngest of the three daughters and co-heirs of Mr. Thomas Andrew Knight of Downton Castle.
In 1857 he added the name “Knight” to comply with a direction in the will of his grandfather.
In 1858, Andrew Johnes Rouse Knight married Eliza, the youngest daughter of John Michael Severne of Thenford House, Northamptonshire, and the celebrations were out of this world, starting with the firing of cannon at dawn at both Downton Castle, and Downton Hall over the border in Shropshire. Many fine oxen, with bread and ample supplies of cider were provided for the “peasantry” along with the opportunity to play old English sports. Ludlow fair fell on the same day, and many neighbouring farmers and tradesmen of the town were unavoidably prevented from joining in the festivities, so it was arranged for them to have a dinner at the Feathers Hotel the following week.
Once again, the festivities were not confined to Downton Castle, but were shared with equal zeal by the tenantry at Dowton Hall, the residence of Sir Charles Boughton, brother of Mr. Knight. A series of rather funny donkey races were well contested, and there was general merriment throughout the day. They went on to have three sons and four daughters.
He was deputy Lieutenant and magistrate for Herefordshire and Salop, and served as High Sheriff for Herefordshire in 1860, as well as being chairman of the Wigmore bench of Magistrates, and was for many years a guardian of the poor.
He died in 1909 , leaving a fortune of £240,000. £11,000 had been allocated to each of his two daughters, but some legacies were revoked or reduced by codicil due to the huge increase in taxation on landed estates and the amount left to his daughters was considerably reduced.
His oldest son, Charles Andrew Boughton Knight took over Downton Castle and estate
Present Day Downton Castle
Currently, the Castle and Estate is not open to the public, but it has been developed as a centre for shooting pheasants, and many of the farm buildings have been put to good use as Lodges for the shooting parties.
Downton Castle Household and servants 1861 Census
| Andrew B. Knight | 34 | Land Proprietor b. Stanton Lacy |
| Charles A.B. Knight | 1 | Son b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Mary Beavan | 42 | Housekeeper b. Rutland |
| Margaret Shea | 57 | Nurse b. Lambeth, Surrey |
| Martha Whittall | 30 | Housemaid b. Shropshire |
| Mary Downes | 21 | Kitchen Maid b. Shropshire |
| Betsy Shelding | 22 | Under Nurse b. Worcestershire |
| Charlotte Jarratt | 22 | Housemaid b. Leintwardine, Herefordshire |
| Elizabeth Mansell | 19 | Kitchen Maid b. Bayston Hill, Shropshire |
| John Griffiths | 32 | Coachman b. Ledbury, Herefordshire |
| Walter Spencer | 24 | Footman b. Suffolk |
| John Pope | 19 | Groom b. Tenbury, Gloucestershire |
Downton Castle Household and servants 1871 Census
| Andrew Boughton Knight | 45 | Landowner b. Salop |
| Eliza Boughton Knight | 33 | Wife b. Westbury, Salop |
| Charles Boughton Knight | 11 | Son b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Anna L.F. Boughton Knight | 9 | Daughter b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Katherine E. Boughton Knight | 6 | Daughter b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Mary G. Boughton Knight | 4 | Daughter b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Florence Boughton Knight | 3 | Daughter b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Andrew G. Boughton Knight | 2 | Son b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Henry Hohler | 13 | Visitor b. London |
| Frederick Hohler | 11 | Visitor b. Berkshire |
| Mary E. Rogers | 21 | Governess b. London |
| Anne Meridith | 46 | Housekeeper b. Worcester |
| Sarah Doyle | 43 | Head Nurse b. Dorset |
| Fanny Vigar | 22 | Under Nurse b. Somerset |
| Anne Ganett | 18 | Under Nurse b. Northamptonshire |
| Martha Whittal | 39 | Housemaid b. Radnorshire |
| Anne Whitney | 29 | Housemaid b. Radnorshire |
| Jane Hammond | 17 | Housemaid b. Leintwardine, Herefordshire |
| Sarah Reynolds | 26 | Laundry Maid b. Salop |
| Clara Weaver | 20 | Laundry Maid b. Salop |
| Anne Watkins | 23 | Kitchen Maid b. Oswestry, Salop |
| Sarah Bursell | 20 | Scullery Maid b. Leintwardine, Herefordshire |
| George Dalziel | 36 | Butler b. Durham |
| Thomas Storey | 26 | Footman b. Redcar, Yorkshire |
| James Steel | 21 | Footman b. Leicestershire |
| Maurice Hills | 15 | Groom b. Chipping Norton |
Downton Castle Household and Staff 1881 Census
| Andrew J.R. Boughton Knight | 54 | Magistrate, Landowner b. Stanton Lacy, Salop |
| Eliza R. Bought Knight | 44 | Wife b. Westbury, Salop |
| Lily A. Frances Boughton Knight | 19 | Daughter b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Katherine E.R.B. Boughton Knight | 16 | Daughter b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Mary G.R. Boughton Knight | 14 | Daughter b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Florence R. Boughton Knight | 13 | Daughter b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Edmund M.R. Boughton Knight | 5 | Son b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Anna Von Balliodz | 30 | Visitor, Governess b. Prussia (British Subject) |
| Maria Belchamber | 27 | Cook b. Dartford, Kent |
| Emily Roberts | 28 | Lady’s Maid b. Cheltenham Gloucestershire |
| Louise Agnet | 20 | Lady’s Maid b. Switzerland |
| Martha Whitall | 49 | Nursemaid b. Wiltshire |
| Kate Alexander | 21 | Nursemaid b. Salop |
| Fanny Staley | 20 | Nursemaid b. Leintwardine, Herefordshire |
| Janet Crump | 23 | Kitchen Maid b. Wellington, Salop |
| Martha Magness | 20 | Scullery Maid b. Hereford |
| Harriet Russell | 23 | Stillroom Maid b. Onibury, Salop |
| Elizabeth Cox | 18 | Schoolroom Maid b. Northampton |
| George Dalziel | 49 | Butler b. Durham |
| William Harris | 28 | Footman b. Ludlow, Salop |
| Charles Noveraz | 31 | Footman b. Berkshire |
| Thomas Harrison | 17 | Usher b. Wigmore, Herefordshire |
Downton Castle Household and Servants 1901 Census
| Andrew Rouse Boughton Knight | 74 | Landowner and Army officer b. Stanton Lacy, Shropshire |
| Eliza Rouse Boughton Knight | 64 | Wife b. Westbury, Shropshire |
| Mary G. Boughton Knight | 33 | Daughter b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Florence Rouse Boughton Knight | 32 | Daughter b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Margaret Peareth | 11 | Granddaughter b. Northamptonshire |
| William Peareth | 8 | Grandson b. Northamptonshire |
| Eleanor McCausland | 33 | Visitor b. Marylebone |
| Alice C. Greathead | 30 | Visitor b. India |
| Winifred J. Corbett | 32 | Visitor, Governess b. Oswestry, Salop |
| Jane Broom | 55 | Housekeeper and Cook b. Shineton, Salop |
| Harriet Tudor | 50 | Lady’s Maid b. Monmouthsire |
| Henry Purchase | 44 | Butler b. Cockerham, Lancashire |
| Charles Preston | 25 | Footman b. dindor, Somerset |
| James Winterburne | 21 | Footman b. Whitby, Yorkshire |
| John Monnington | 19 | Usher, b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Elizabeth Adams | 27 | Housemaid b. Liverpool |
| Mary Pitt | 23 | Housemaid b. Bromyard, Herefordshire |
| Bessy Edge | 24 | Kitchen Maid b. Whitchurch, Salop |
| Alice Watson | 18 | Scullery Maid b. Whitchurch, Salop |
| Mary Monnington | 19 | Scullery Maid b. Whitmore, Staffordshire |
| Florence Cattell | 20 | Housemaid b. Oxfordshire |
| Harriet Davis | 67 | Laundress b. Leintwardine, Herefordshire |
| William Cook | 18 | Groom b. Stanton Lacy, Salop |
| William Davies | 19 | Groom b. Knighton, Radnorshire |
Downton Castle Household and Servants 1911 Servants
| Eliza Rouse Boughton Knight | 74 | Widow b. Herefordshire |
| Florence Rouse Boughton Knight | 43 | Daughter b. Herefordshire |
| William Henry Coles | 24 | Butler b. Northamptonshire |
| Mary Rawle | 37 | Lady’s Maid b. Weston Super Mare, Somerset |
| Bertha Edwardes | 19 | Housemaid b. Kington |
| Alice Moles | 15 | Scullery Maid b. London |
| Minnie Evans | 25 | Parlourmaid b. Downton, Herefordshire |
| Clara Davis | 35 | Cook b. Ledbury, Herefordshire |