Herefordshire Past » bridstow

Bridstow

sally — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 18:38:49 +0000

Bridstow lies just a short distance from Ross on Wye close to the Wilton roundabout.

The name Bridstow probably relates to a holy place, or meeting place of St. Bride’s.

The bridge over the river Wye at nearby Wilton is 16th century.

Churches of Bridstow

News from the Past Bridstow

Bridstow News from the Past
Tragedies and disease

1893 – Death of Lieutenant-Colonel C.W. Whinfield

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles William Whinfield of the Royal Engineers, died after a long illness at the age of 53 at his home – Wyeville, Bridstow.

He was born on 23rd May 1840 and his first appointment in the army was 21st December 1859. He was appointed Captain of the Royal Engineers on 3rd August 1872 and was promoted to Major in the year 1881. He retired as Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel in 1883.

He was very respected by all who knew him; he was a staunch Conservative and Churchman, and left a widow, three daughters and one son – Lieutenant H.C. Whinfield of the Queen’s Foot, who had just returned to Malta after being at home with his father for some time.

Lieutenant-Colonel Whinfield was buried at Bridstow Church

1894 – Man found in River Wye

The body of Richard Voyce of Buckcastle, Bridstow, a labourer aged 50, was found in the River Wye near Ross on Wye.

He was a widower, and had lost his job of 12 months with the Rev. W.J. Sawyer of Woodlands, Bristow. He disappeared, and although every effort was made to trace him, when his body was eventually found it was in a very decomposed state.

1894 – Schoolboy thief sent to Workhouse

William Hatton aged just 8, of Bridstow, was charged with stealing part of a wooden fence belonging to Mr. C. Lee Campbell of Glewstone Court.

This was the lad’s second offence, the first being the theft of a walking stick belonging to Mr. Campbell’s bailiff.

The Chairman of the Petty Sessions remanded William to the Workhouse for seven days, and enquiries were to be made for getting him into an industrial school.

1895 – Suspected Suicide of Farmer

John Lloyd, a 52 year old farmer from Gosbrook, Bridstow, set out to milk his cows one Monday morning, taking his single barrel, muzzle loading gun with him.

At 7.30 his wife heard the sound of a shot, and his son went out to investigate – he found his father sitting upright with the butt of the gun at his feet and the muzzle towards his face, most of which had been blown away.

Poor old John had been very depressed following an illness.

1898 – Outbreak of Diptheria at Bridstow

Many cases of diptheria at both Bridstow and nearby Wilton forced schools to close, with both children and teachers becoming ill.

Flu was also rampant, especially amongst the children.
Read More >

Buildings of Bridstow

Wilton Castle History

History of Wilton Castle

Set Close to the River Wye in Wilton village near Ross on Wye, Wilton Castle itself dates back to the 12th century, whilst the adjoining manor house was built in the 15th century and was altered throughout the Norman, Tudor, Elizabethan, Georgian and Victorian periods. The purpose of the castle was to safeguard the river crossing on the Welsh border in order to stop the thieving Welsh from plundering farms!
The first owners were the de Longchamp family, but after a relatively short time spanning three generations it passed to the de Greys, who used it to house a garrison of soldiers for some 300 years. It was the de Greys who built the original manor house using stone from the deteriorating castle walls, but by the end of the 16th century they were broke and were forced to sell to marriage related Charles Brydges.
Unfortunately, when the Civil War broke out, Sir John Brydges seriously annoyed the Royalists by refusing to take sides, and the house was torched. The castle and ruins of the manor house were left to their fate until 1731 when Guys Hospital bought Wilton Castle and built a new manor house on the site of the old one; they then rented it out to tenant farmers until 1961 when it was purchased privately. Since then it has changed hands again, been completely restored with the help of English Heritage, and is now used for functions and weddings, however the owners are now looking for new owners to take care of the estate.

Early 19th Century Furnishings of a small Manor House

One tenant in the early 19th century was Guy Hill who was described as urbane with a general good conduct through life which endeared him to all – he died in 1825
Guy Hill’s widow stayed on at the Castle until her death in 1860, whereupon the contents of the house were put up for auction by the Executors of her Will.
A fascinating insight into how the interior was furnished:

In the dining room and sitting rooms –

dining, Pembroke, work and reading tables in mahogany; sideboard fitted with cellaret, drawers and cupboards; invalid and easy chairs in various designs, hair stuffed and cane seated chairs; sofa beds and couches; book cases in mahogany, admirably fitted with all modern appliances, pier glasses, carpets and rugs.

In the drawing room –

massive and very handsome centre sofa; occasional tables, superb what nots; sofa; easy chair; set of chairs forming a suite in rosewood, nearly new and has sustained no injury from wear, also cheffioneer; splendid chimney glass, mirrors, vases, flower stands, fender and fire irons, carpets and rugs.

Bedrooms –

are appointed with down and goose feather beds; eider down quilts, blankets, coverlids and general bed linen; mahogany wash stands and ware; dressing tables and glasses; wardrobes; commodes; towel rails and every chamber convenience.
Choice oil paintings; water colour drawings and prints; library of standard works; plate, richly chased; plated articles and rare old china; cut glass; stuffed animals and birds; collection of curiosities of the most recherché kind.
Elegant bedroom apointments; requirements of kitchens, Brewhouse and cellar; conservatory plants; wire stands, garden tools.
A pair of grey horses of fine shape – good matchers and perfectly steady; two fashionable carriages; poles, lamps and travelling boxes.

Captain Lewis Paxton Walsh

In the latter part of the 19^th century, Captain Lewis Walsh was in residence. He was born on 10^th July 1835 and married his wife in 1865 in Ross on Wye.

He was a keen dog breeder, and when things were not to his liking he was quick to voice his displeasure in the papers.

In November 1877 he wrote crossly to the “Man of Ross” paper, complaining about the fact that whilst dogs were being judged some exhibitors remained in the hall. He declared the system to be a bad one which shook the confidence of exhibitors generally. From this it is clear that at this time dogs were not “shown” by owners, but were left on their own to be judged – probably much as poultry and cavies are these days.

On another occasion during the same year, Captain Walsh wrote again to the Man of Ross accusing the Great Western Railway company of gross negligence when one of his prize terriers was being transported from Cheltenham to Ross after a show – he himself was a shareholder of the Railway company.

The little black and tan dog had been put in a box with Walsh’s name and address on the side and instructions to be delivered immediately. Apparently two omnibuses met the train, but no attempt was made to deliver the dog to Wilton Castle just one mile from the station, and the poor thing was shunted to a sideline until late at night. The little dog had been taken ill on leaving Cheltenham Show, and Walsh claimed that through the neglect of the Railway Company it died because by the time it was delivered it was too late to see a vet.

Apart from dogs, Captain Walsh also bred poultry, and had great success at shows around the country.

Captain Walsh died in 1917

1851 – Wilton Castle Household

Catherine Hill	77	Widow, gentlewoman	b. Ross on Wye, Herefordshire
Mary George	46	Housekeeper	b. Canterbury, Kent
Sophia Dawson	31	Lady’s Maid	b. Shropshire
Elizabeth Morris	26	Cook	b. Herefordshire
John George	41	Coachman	b. Kings Caple, Herefordshire

1891 – Wilton Castle Household

Lewis P. Walsh	55	Captain Royal Artillery	b. Datchet, Buckinghamshire
Lydia Walsh	48	Wife	b. Ross on Wye, Herefordshire
Ellen Buckland	45	Cook	b. Windsor, Berkshire
Frances A. Probert	31	Parlour Maid	b. Upton Bishop, Herefordshire

1901 – Wilton Castle Household

Lewis P. Walsh	65	Captain Royal Artillery, retired	b. Datchet, Buckinghamshire
Lydia Walsh	57	Wife	b. Ross on Wye, Herefordshire
Ellen Buckland	59	Cook	b. Windsor, Berkshire
Annie Thomas	23	Parlour Maid	b. Stretton, Herefordshire
Fanny Thomas	15	Housemaid	b. Bridstow, Herefordshire

1911 – Wilton Castle Household

Lewis Paxton Walsh	75	Captain Royal Artillery, retired	b. Datchet, Buckinghamshire
Lydia Walsh	69	Wife	b. Ross on Wye, Herefordshire
Ellen Buckland	69	Cook	b. Windsor, Berkshire
Lizzie Bryan	21	Parlour Maid	b. Hoarwithy, Herefordshire

1861 – Moraston House Household

James Allaway	47	Banker	b. Newland, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Hall	72	Housekeeper	b. Lyonshall, Herefordshire
Sophia Simmons	34	Housemaid	b. Dursley, Gloucestershire
Eliza Cox	22	Parlour Maid	b. Gloucestershire
Sarah Derry	16	Nurse/Housemaid	b. Much Cowarne, Herefordshire
Joseph Walton	47	Coachman	b. Wiltshire

1871 – Moraston House Household

James Allaway	55	Retired Banker	b. Gloucestershire
Sarah Rogers	41	Housekeeper/Cook	b. Herefordshire
Sophia Simmons	43	Housemaid	b. Dursley, Gloucestershire
Sophia Collins	21	General Servant	b. Bridstow, Herefordshire

1881 – Moraston House Household

Matilda Gwilliam	34	Parlour Maid	b. Bridstow, Herefordshire
Fanny Price	21	General Servant	b. Tretire, Herefordshire

1891 – Moraston House Household

George H. Hadfield	57	Living on own means	b. Manchester, Lancashire
Sarah Hadfield	53	Wife	b. Beaminster, Dorset
Marion H. Hadfield	23	Daughter	b. Birkenhead, Cheshire
Philip Hadfield	21	Son, Medical Student	b. Birkenhead, Cheshire
Heywood G. Hadfield	18	Son, Law Student	b. Birkenhead, Cheshire
Ada Gittus	28	Visitor, Actress	b. London
Mary Leng	21	Visitor	b. Sheffield, Yorkshire
Mary Adams	39	Cook	b. Cornwall
Olive Higginson	16	Kitchen Maid	b. Bridstow, Herefordshire
Mary J. Bevan	28	Parlour Maid	b. Wiltshire
Alice Terry	20	Housemaid	b. Kings Caple, Herefordshire

1901 – Moraston House Household

George Hadfield	67	Living on own means	b. Manchester, Lancashire
Sarah Hadfield	63	Wife	b. Beaminster, Dorset
Rhoda Barwell	22	Hospital sick Nurse	b. Bristol, Somerset
Marion Price	25	Domestic Servant	b. Glewstone, Herefordshire
Ada E. Price	22	Domestic Servant	b. Glewstone, Herefordshire
Clara Guy	16	Domestic Servant	b. Glewstone, Herefordshire

1911 – Moraston House Household

Edward Deedes Newnham Smith	61	Retired Colonel India Staff Corps.	b. Agra, India
Catherine Louisa Newnham Smith	58	Wife	b. Brecon
Annie Palmer	24	Housemaid	b. Brecon
Daisy Emily Ross Tichurst	15	Kitchen Maid	b. Tunbridge Wells
Leah Watkins	28	Parlour Maid	b. Cowbridge
May Clara Award	22	Serving (or sewing) maid	b. Bidborough
Esther Berry	23	Cook

1921 – Moraston House Household

Edward D. Newnham	b. Agra, India 1849	Indian Army Retired Colonel
Catherine Louisa Newnham	b. Brecon, Wales 1853	Wife, Home Duties
Katherine H. Simpson	b. Mooltan, India 1884	Visitor
Ogilvie David Bennett	b. Rawalpindi, India 1885	Visitor, Indian Army Major
Audrey Elizabeth Ferrier Bennett	b. Abbottabad, India 1897	Visitor
Laura May Hyans	b. Lydbrook, Gloucestershire 1899	Kitchen Maid
Eleanor Brace	b. Sheffield, Yorkshire 1903	Parlour Miad
Elizabeth Peters	b. Woolhope, Herefordshire 1879	Housemaid
Cecilia Elizabeth Field	b. Bosbury, Herefordshire 1881	Cook

Bridstow News from the Past

sally — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 23:09:05 +0000

Tragedies and disease

1893 – Death of Lieutenant-Colonel C.W. Whinfield

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles William Whinfield of the Royal Engineers, died after a long illness at the age of 53 at his home – Wyeville, Bridstow.

He was born on 23rd May 1840 and his first appointment in the army was 21st December 1859. He was appointed Captain of the Royal Engineers on 3rd August 1872 and was promoted to Major in the year 1881. He retired as Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel in 1883.

He was very respected by all who knew him; he was a staunch Conservative and Churchman, and left a widow, three daughters and one son – Lieutenant H.C. Whinfield of the Queen’s Foot, who had just returned to Malta after being at home with his father for some time.

Lieutenant-Colonel Whinfield was buried at Bridstow Church

1894 – Man found in River Wye

The body of Richard Voyce of Buckcastle, Bridstow, a labourer aged 50, was found in the River Wye near Ross on Wye.

He was a widower, and had lost his job of 12 months with the Rev. W.J. Sawyer of Woodlands, Bristow. He disappeared, and although every effort was made to trace him, when his body was eventually found it was in a very decomposed state.

1894 – Schoolboy thief sent to Workhouse

William Hatton aged just 8, of Bridstow, was charged with stealing part of a wooden fence belonging to Mr. C. Lee Campbell of Glewstone Court.

This was the lad’s second offence, the first being the theft of a walking stick belonging to Mr. Campbell’s bailiff.

The Chairman of the Petty Sessions remanded William to the Workhouse for seven days, and enquiries were to be made for getting him into an industrial school.

1895 – Suspected Suicide of Farmer

John Lloyd, a 52 year old farmer from Gosbrook, Bridstow, set out to milk his cows one Monday morning, taking his single barrel, muzzle loading gun with him.

At 7.30 his wife heard the sound of a shot, and his son went out to investigate – he found his father sitting upright with the butt of the gun at his feet and the muzzle towards his face, most of which had been blown away.

Poor old John had been very depressed following an illness.

1898 – Outbreak of Diptheria at Bridstow

Many cases of diptheria at both Bridstow and nearby Wilton forced schools to close, with both children and teachers becoming ill.

Flu was also rampant, especially amongst the children.

Moraston House History

sally — Fri, 13 May 2016 19:59:58 +0000