Tales of Straying Pigs and Toll Evasion
1852 – Return of the Rev. Arthur Childe
As reported in the Hereford Journal 3oth June:
“On Friday last, Edvin Ralph and Collington and their neighbourhood presented such a scene of joy and festivity as has not been witnessed within the memory of the oldest inhabitants, and such as will not easily be forgotten by the younger branches, in honour of the return home of the Rev. Arthur Childe and his amiable bride to their newly-erected residence, the Rectory at Edvin Ralph.
The morning was highly auspicious for the occasion, the sun shining forth in regal splendour, gladdening the hearts and making buoyant the spirits of those who assembled to pay their respects to the happy pair”
1857 – Evasion of Toll
William Palmer, collector of tolls for the Bromyard district, charged Joseph Moore, a Miller of Edvin Ralph, with deliberately evading the toll payment.
It was Joseph’s servant who was driving the cart and two horses, and he turned off the road onto adjoining land with the intent of avoiding paying 1s toll at the Tenbury turnpike road gate. He was spotted and asked his name, which he refused to give, so Joseph Moore was summoned and although he expressed his regret, he was ordered to pay costs and toll.
1858 – Horrible Treatment of Step Daughter
The wife of Edward Bromage, Sarah, was charged with assaulting her step daughter Elizabeth who was 6 years old.
A neighbour saw Sarah unmercifully beat Elizabeth with a birch rod, and it was said that her general conduct towards her step daughter was appalling.
The Rev. Arthur Childe, Rector of Edvin Ralph, called at the house to ask about the child, and he found her with her arms tied together behind her and fastened to a bed upstairs. He brought the case forward to prevent more such gross barbarity.
Mr. Bray for the defendant said that the child was merely being corrected for her filthy habits, however the Bench severely reprimanded Sarah for her brutal conduct and sent her to prison for two weeks.
Elizabeth, who had been in the Workhouse, was present in court and “presented a very ghastly appearance.”
1877 – Fined for Straying Pig
In the nineteenth century it seems that a pretty dim view was taken of animals being allowed to stray onto the road.
Just one example was Mary Ann Benbow of the Park, Edvin Ralph who was charged with allowing a pig to stray onto the highway.
Sir. R. Harington remarked that it would be cheaper for Mary to mend her fences and provide more food for her animals than to keep paying fines and costs.
She was fined 5s and 8s costs.