By 1086 the Bromyard area was fairly large and amongst the residents were forty two tenant farmers  and 9 cottagers, plus six slaves; 3 knights, 2 priests, and a chaplain, each of whom had their own land. The population gradually grew and by 1285 it was roughly 1,200 but then various diseases followed by the Black Death in 1348 took serious toll on the inhabitants of Bromyard and the population dropped dramatically. In 1394 a large chunk of the population were labourers (104), and there were 86 domestic servants, plus Masons, dressmakers and shoemakers.

In the early 19th century it was cheap to live in Bromyard, and poor people from miles around flocked to take advantage of this, which inevitably resulted in a rise in general health problems, and in 1850 it was reported that only eleven other places in the whole country had a higher mortality rate.

As with other market towns, Bromyard held fairs – the main ones being the May Mop Fair and the Whit Monday Fair, where those seeking employment held an indication of their trade (hoe if they were a labourer;  bridle if they were a horseman etc. etc. If they had no set trade, then they would carry a mop….hence the term Mop Fair). In 1844 the market cross was demolished and the importance of these fairs gradually diminished whilst stock fairs increased in importance, and Bromyard gained a reputation for its horse fair in the Autumn, which thrived until the mid 1950s when the need for horses declined. In 1877 the railway connected Worcester with Bromyard which allowed many more buyers to move stock in and out of the market, and the line was extended to Leominster in 1897. Sadly these lines were closed during the mid 1900s.

Most of the buildings in Bromyard date from the 18th century, but the mediaeval structures are now hidden by modern brick fronts in many cases.

Churches of Bromyard

• St. Peter's Church - Bromyard

  The church of St. Peter at Bromyard dates back to the 12th century, and the church registers are amongst the earliest in the country, going back to 1538.

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Font

  Original Norman font

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  There is a second font, dated 1989 in memory of Alison Hall

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Memorials

  Thomas Hallward

  Plaque for Thomas Hallward, who died 22nd April 1700, also Jane his widow who died 2nd September 1769. Also William, their youngest son who died 30th April 1770, and Jane their only daughter and widow of William Reeve, who died 11th February 1802. Also, Judith only child of above William and Jane Reeve who died 29th April 1826

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Brown Shelton

  Brown Shelton (Surgeon) born Eastham, and died 8th December 1844 aged 75. Also Janet Bennett his wife who died 13th December 1863. (Both are buried inside the church)

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Milton family tomb – much of which is unreadable, but there is Anne, daughter of William and Anne Milton, who died 5th April 1812 aged 12.

   

   

   

  

  Read More >

Buildings in Bromyard

• Lower Brockhampton Manor House and Estate - History

  This ancient manor house has to rank amongst the most delightful in Herefordshire. ( Not to be confused with Brockhampton Court near Fownhope)

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  From the moment you wend your way down the narrow lane to where Lower Brockhampton Manor House nestles within acres of  woods and grazing land, the sense of peace is overwhelming.

  The house itself is by no means large, but for me it beats its more impressive and bigger counterparts hands down and has such a lovely happy atmosphere oozing out of the gloriously creaking oak floors and wealth of beams..

  Back in 1383 John Domulton married the heiress to the estate, and took on the title Lord of Brokhampton;  it is thought that their son Philip built the manor house in the early 15th century.

  Lower Brockhampton Gatehouse

  The gatehouse with its massive old oak door, made from trees felled in the mid 16th century, was merely for effect and not in any way suitable for a defensive role, is delightful.

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Lower Brockhampton Chapel

  Now in ruins, the atmosphere in this little roofless chapel is of peace and calm.

  

   

   

  

   

   

   

  

  The Stone Font was installed by John and Emma Brockhampton

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  The Great Hall at Lower Brockhampton

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  This room originally had no gallery or stairs to the bedrooms, but was altered over the centuries.

  The Barnebys at Lower Brockhampton

  In the late 17th century, Isabella Lechmere of Hanley Castle married Richard Barneby of Brockhampton, and some years later he inherited the estate.

  In 1750, Bartholomew Lutley was bequeathed the Brockhampton estate by his uncle, who had stipulated that Bartholomew change his name to Barneby.

  When Bartholomew graduated from Oxford University he took up residence on the estate and set about making improvements.  He modernised some of the farms, and decided to build a new mansion house, which would be far grander that Lower Brockhampton.

  Bartholomew married Betty Freeman, and set about building Brockhampton House on the site of one of the farms;  once completed the couple moved in leaving Lower Brockhampton to be occupied by farm workers.

  One such worker was Joseph Cureton and his wife Ann plus their seven children.  He was a wagoner on the estate.

  1861 – Lower Brockhampton Household

  Joseph Cureton	34	Wagoner	b.Avenbury, Herefordshire
  Ann Cureton	32	Wife	b. Norton, Herefordshire
  George Cureton	11	Son, Wagoner’s Boy	b. Norton, Herefordshire
  William Cureton	9	Son, Wagoner’s Boy	b. Avenbury, Herefordshire
  Alice Cureton	7	Daughter	b. Edvin Ralph, Herefordshire
  Mary Cureton	5	Daughter	b. Edvin Ralph, Herefordshire
  Eliza Cureton	4	Daughter	b. Norton, Herefordshire
  Henry Cureton	2	Son	b. Norton, Herefordshire
  John Cureton	10 mths	Son	b. Norton, Herefordshire

   

  Lower Brockhampton was bequeathed by  Colonel John Lutley to the National Trust in 1947, and much restoration work was carried out using timber from the estate.

   

  There is also a lily filled moat

  

  Read More >
• Bromyard Union Workhouse

  The Bromyard Workhouse was built in 1836 at a cost of around £3000, the architect being George Wilkinson who also was responsible for the workhouses at Leominster, Weobley and Ledbury.
  It was designed for 120 inmates and followed the usual cruciform shape, thus allowing for easy segregation of people into the categories……men, women, elderly and infirm, and children, all of which came from the surrounding villages as follows:
  Avenbury, Bridenbury, Collington, Little Cowarne, Much Cowarne, Cradley, Edwin Ralph, Evesbach, Felton, Bishops Frome, Grendon Bishop, Grendon Warren, Hampton Charles, Linton, Moreton Jeffries, Norton with Brockhampton, Ocle Pychard, Pencombe, Upper Sapey, Stanford Bishop, Stoke Lacy, Tedstone Delamere, Tedstone Wafer, Thornbury, Ullingswich, Wacton, Whitbourne, Winslow, Wolferlow; and from over the border in Worcestershire, Acton Beauchamp, Edwin Loach and Lower Sapey…….these three now being within Herefordshire boundaries.
  Workhouse Life

  Food Rations in the Workhouse

  Food rations for Bromyard were much the same as elsewhere in other Workhouses, and they were extremely basic, as decreed by the Poor Law Act.
  Breakfast – 3lbs 8oz bread plus 10 ½ pints of gruel to last the week, although the women were allocated 13oz less bread.
  Dinner – for two days there was 8 oz bacon plus 2lbs of potatoes; for two more days there were 2 pints of soup, l lb 6oz bread, and for the last three days l lb 5 oz bread and 6 oz cheese.
  Supper – for the week, 2lbs 1oz bread and 10 ½ oz of cheese.
  Again, the women were given the same as the men but less, and the elderly were allowed some tea, butter and sugar instead of gruel.

  Disease in the Workhouse

  Bromyard Workhouse was not immune to outbreaks of disease, and in 1893 Smallpox was brought into the Workhouse – presumed by tramps – and it was not long before a cottage half a mile from the workhouse was turned into an isolation hospital to deal with such outbreaks.

  News from the Workhouse

  Advertisement for Schoolmistress

  An advertisement was posted for a schoolmistress for the Bromyard Union Workhouse, at a salary of 10 pounds per year.

  John Sunderland, a man of aliases

  February 1856 – John Sunderland, a man with a number of aliases, was charged with running away from his wife and two children who had in consequence become chargeable to the parish of Stoke Lacey. The wife said that her husband had left her in Staffordshire three years earlier, and that she had come down to the Bromyard Workhouse. “John” blamed his bad behaviour on being out of work initially, and then on being injured on the railroad. He was sent to gaol for one month.

  Egenia Philpotts – murderess

  June 1857 – Egenia Philpotts was committed for trial at Hereford Assizes for the murder of her new born child. Mr. and Mrs. Brailsford, Master and Matron of the Bromyard Union Workhouse, said that the defendant who had been an inmate at the Workhouse, left on 20th then returned on 24th, saying that she had been confined at her father’s house and that the child was dead. However, Egenia’s mother told the court that her daughter had informed her that the confinement had taken place at the Union Workhouse. Superintendent Harward deposed that on confronting the prisoner on the Tuesday morning, she stuck to her story that she gave birth in the Workhouse where she was attended by Mr. Owen the Surgeon and Mrs. Brailsford the Matron, and that she supposed that after the baby died they buried it in Bromyard churchyard. Later however, she admitted that she gave birth in Mr. Rowberry’s field and that she buried the child in a ditch. After a search, the baby was found and although there were no external marks there was evidence of clay in it’s mouth and blood coming from the nose.
  Egenia said that it was an accidental birth as she was on her way home, and that she was unconscious afterwards. On waking the baby was dead.
  She was committed for trial!!

  Workhouse Porter attempts suicide

  June 1891 – The last train was approaching Suckley, when a young man ran down the embankment and threw himself across the rails; the driver blew his whistle and immediately braked, managing to stop just in time. The dazed man was put in a sitting position, and was recognised as Richards, who had been a porter at the Bromyard Workhouse. He was taken into custody after some resistence, and it was decided that he was of unsound mind. He was remanded by Magistrates on the charge of attempted suicide.

  Tramps revolt at the Workhouse

  September 1892 – Thomas Morgan, John Timbs, Peter Allen, William Green, Thomas James, John Lomas and William Smith, all tramps, were brought before the court by Thomas Arter, Master of Bromyard Union Workhouse charged with refusing to complete their allotted task of breaking stone. They were admitted into the Workhouse, and the following morning told to break the stone, but by the evening they had failed to finish the task and Thomas Arter gave the information to the police and had them all locked up. Roberts, the porter, said that he had told the defendants that they had to break 9cwt of stone each but they barely completed a quarter of this amount and refused to do any more. Thomas Morgan also damaged a door, trying to get out. They were all committed to 14 days hard labour, with Thomas Morgan earning himself another 7 days for damaging the door.

  Bromyard Union Workhouse Staff and Inmates 1901 Census

  Richard Byards	43	Master of the Workhouse b. Southampton, Freemantle
  Emma Byards	37	Matron b. East Ham, Essex
  Maud Byards	12	Daughter b. East Ham, Essex
  Charles Byards	12	Son b. East Ham, Essex
  Arthur Peggram	37	Porter b. Clyro, Radnorshire
  Gertrude Peggram	36	Hospital Nurse b. Reading, Berkshire
  Eva James	34	Night Nurse b. Evesham, Worcestershire
  Charles Green	75	Widower, Cooper b. Upper Sapey, Herefordshire
  Thomas Cureton	86	Widower, Shoemaker, born Avenbury, Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Bradford	86	Widow (blind) b. Bromyard, Herefordshire
  William Croft	87	Sawyer, born on voyage from Canada to England
  John Horton	47	Labourer, b. Ridgemont, Bedfordshire
  Hannah Welsh	42	Widow, Field Hand b. Grimley, Worcestershire
  Isaac Round	81	Nail Maker b. Worcestershire
  Henry Portman	65	Stableman b. Callow End, Worcestershire
  John Bartlet	76	Waggoner b. Ludlow, Shropshire
  Henry Beachey		Ag. Lab. B. Lockley, Worcestershire
  Henry Powles	70	Widower, Ag. Lab. B. Berrington
  William Row	68	Widower, Shoemaker b. Gloucestershire
  James Bishop	74	Bricklayer b. Herefordshire
  William Oliver	73	Widower, Ag. Lab b. Wacton, Herefordshire
  George Hackett	15	Not known where born
  Edward Clewes	68	Waggoner b. Herefordshire
  Isaac Strafford	68	House Painter b. Rusham, Lancashire
  Edwin Underhill	57	Ag. Lab. B. Droitwich, Worcestershire
  John Pitt	36	Widower, Puddler b. Wolverhampton
  William Vaughn	50	Bread Maker b. Bromyard, Herefordshire
  Thomas Bray	67	Wheelwright b. Docklow, Herefordshire
  Hannah Price	80	Widow, b. Kington, Herefordshire
  George Mays	67	Ag. Lab. B. Buntingford, Hertfordshire
  James Gettens	74	Widower, Cowman b. Cradley, Herefordshire
  William Hitchins	56	Ag. Lab. B. Cradley, Herefordshire
  George Plaskett	70	Waggoner b. Brockhampton, Herefordshire
  John Berrins (?)	83	Widower, Ag. Lab. B. Bishops Frome, Herefordshire
  John Davies	71	Timber Feller b. Bishops Frome, Herefordshire
  William Casewood	77	Waggoner b. Hereford
  Noah Foxall	77	Ag. Lab. B. Knightwick, Worcestershire
  Ann Saunders	73	b. Hacton Beeches, Worcestershire
  Fanny Watkins	35	Charwoman b. Avenbury, Herefordshire
  Frederick Watkins	3	b. Linton, Herefordshire
  Walter Stephen Watkins	Baby	b. Linton, Herefordshire
  James Hopkins	69	Ag. Lab. b. Bishops Frome, Herefordshire
  John Williams	80	Shoemaker, b. Maidenhead, Berkshire
  Samuel Gettens	50	Tunnel Miner b. Dawley, Shropshire
  George Drew	43	Widower, Navvy, b. Inglestone, Gloucestershire
  Frederick Drew	8	b. Llantresant, Monmouth
  Eliza Phillips	43	Domestic Servant b. Ocle Pychard, Herefordshire
  Martha Brown	69	Widow b. Golden Grove, Pembrokeshire
  Thomas Smith	86	Widower, Stonemason b. Exeter
  George Teague	65	Blacksmith’s Striker b. Brinstey, Herefordshire
  George Field	64	Bricklayer b. Linton, Herefordshire
  Jas Weatherby	19	b. Walsall, Staffordshire
  Benjamin James	37	Waggoner b. Stoke Prior, Herefordshire
  Edward Baker	80	Widower, Ag. Lab. b. Marden, Herefordshire
  Fanny Clare	31	(Lunatic) b. Upper Sapey, Herefordshire
  William Pitt	80	Navvy b. Stoke Prior
  David Mytton	21	(partially blind) b. Herefordshire
  William Morris	34	b. Cradley, Herefordshire
  William James	87	Ag. Lab. b. Pencombe, Herefordshire
  Joseph Powell	80	Sawyer b. Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire
  Eliza Powell	74	b. Kidderminster
  John Foxall	75	Ag. Lab. b. Whitbourne, Herefordshire
  Edward Kennett	82	Widower, Timber Feller, b. Worcestershire
  Mary Yeomans	78	Domestic Servant, b. Wacton, Herefordshire
  Margaret Jones	56	(imbecile) b. Kings Pyon, Herefordshire
  William Jones	36	(imbecile) b. Suckley, Worcestershire
  Joseph Ovens	69	Widower, Ag. Lab. b. Norton, Herefordshire
  George Drew	67	(lunatic) b. Powick, Worcestershire
  John Jones	65	Widower, Cowman b. Linton, Herefordshire
  John Pritchard	75	Widower, Navvy, b. Brinstead, Herefordshire
  John Cheeseman	62	Navvy b. Cradley, Herefordshire
  Thomas Morris	62	Waggoner b. Tedstone, Herefordshire
  Richard Shuck	65	Ag. Lab. b. Cradley, Herefordshire
  Ann Newton	70	Widow b. Tenbury, Worcestershire
  Patience Thomas	79	Widow b. Bromyard, Herefordshire
  John Downes	56	Brickmaker b. Bosbury, Herefordshire
  William Corbett	74	Widower, Gardener b. Norton, Herefordshire
  William Woodward	77	Widower, Maltster b. Great Malvern, Worcestershire
  William Webster	51	Gardener b. Ashby de la Zouche, Leicestershire
  Thomas Fisher	30	Bricklayers Labourer b. Liverpool
  Mary Collins	46	Charwoman b. Dublin, Ireland
  William Clark	30	Ag. Lab. b. Blackburn, Lancashire
  John Price	62	Ag. Lab. b. Leeds, Yorkshire
  Arthur O’Leary	45	Tailor b. Cork, Ireland
  William Cook	30	Stoker b. Prescot, Lancashire
  William Coldrick	32	Ag. Lab. b. Newent, Gloucestershire
  Arthur Wellham	42	Ag. Lab. b. Norwich, Norfolk
  William Brown	49	Ag. Lab. b. Lancashire

  Read More >

News from the Past Bromyard

• Bromyard News from the Past

  Disease freee workhouse. suicide, drowning and more

  1842 – Suicide at Bromyard

  Jane Milton, aged 37 was grief stricken after burying her mother to whom she was very close, in fact she became deranged with grief.

  Aware of this, Jane’s sister in law kept a watchful eye on her, even sleeping with her, but one morning Jane crept out of the house.

  She went out of the back door and crossed into her neighbour’s garden where she threw herself in that neighbour’s well.  She was discovered at 7.30 the next morning.

  1844 – Suicide of an Auctioneer at Bromyard

  Mr. William James, a long time auctioneer in Bromyard, killed himself with a pistol to the head.

  It seems that it was no secret that his financial state was decidedly rocky, and he had recently been charged with forgery.

  William had lived for many months closeted in his house trying to avoid arrest, and many people actually thought that he had fled the country.  However the warrant for his arrest was given to Superintendent Marshall, and he along with two others called at the house;  on going inside and telling Mrs. James why they were they suddenly heard a gunshot.

  On rushing upstairs, the policemen found that William had blown his brains out.

  The inquest on the body of William James

  At the inquest it was difficult to establish William’s state of mind, as only his wife and daughter had seen him for some considerable time;  however, his daughter, Margaret eventually agreed to meet the jury and told them that for seven months her father had not gone out, even into the garden.

  Margaret told of how her brother had accidentally shot himself dead a month ago, and since then her father seemed different and rather excitable saying that he would not long be with them.  However in between periods of such excitement he would become very depressed.

  The Post Mortem on William James

  Thomas Pitt, a surgeon of Bromyard said that he found the deceased in a chair and near to death.  There was a large wound in the lower part of the right temple bone behind the ear;  a portion of the brains and blood was escaping from what appeared to be a bullet wound.

  On removing the scalp, the surgeon found all the bones in the head fractured except the occipital bone;  the bullet was between the skin and the flesh on the opposite side of the head having passed through the brain.

  The Jury’s Verdict

  A verdict was returned of temporary insanity.

  1847 – Cruelty to a Child at Bromyard

  William Prince was charged with allowing his 13 year old daughter Ann to become chargeable to the Parish of Edvin Ralph.

  Superintendent Marshall declared that he found Ann Prince in her father’s house, chained to the grate in a back room by her leg.  She was being beaten by her step mother.  Superintendent Marshall unlocked the padlocks chaining Ann and took her away before securing an order for her admission into the Bromyard Union Workhouse.

  He said that he had often found Ann lying around on the streets of Bromyard, and each time asked her parents to take care of her;  however Ann was frightened to go home due to the anticipated beatings.  Many people spoke of having seen her sitting on doorsteps late at night.

  William Prince said that perhaps the step mother did beat her too much, but that Ann often stole money from them.  This statement did not go down well in court, because it had been proved that there was no money for Ann to steal;  also, an older child had been allowed to go to London to make a living as a prostitute.

  The stepmother did not appear in court as she had just given birth, but it was thought that she would be fit to turn up the next week and a summons was issued.

  The magistrate said that it was one of the most disgraceful affairs he had ever heard.

   

   

  1849 – Bromyard Union

  In 1849 it was reported that the population of Bromyard Union was 11,405, and that only 37 deaths had been registered during the months of July, August and September, whilst the births totalled 95.

  There was not one case of sickness at the Union Workhouse

  1850 – Report on the State of Bromyard’s Health

  Benjamin Herschel Babbage, the Superintending Inspector to the General Board of Health submitted a damming report on the state of Bromyard’s sanitary conditions.

  Summary of Babbage’s Report

  The annual increase of Bromyard’s population was one third of the country’s average.

  The average annual mortality rate in Bromyard was hugely greater than elsewhere in Herefordshire.

  The average living age had steadily decreased since 1838.

  Disease had become endemic to particular houses in Bromyard, and certail localities were always infested by it.

  Cause of excessive mortality was traced to defective house drains and open sewers.

  Water supply was deficient, and the handles of private pumps were locked in summer so that water wasn’t stolen.

  The parish churchyard was so full that there was no room for more burials.

  The mortality rates in Bromyard imposed excessive demand on the inhabitants.

  A complete sewerage system could be provided for £1180 15s 6d, and an abundant water supply provided for £1387 5s 3d (very precise!), and an average weekly payment of two and a quarter pence per house for thirty years would liquidate the principal and pay the interest of the above sums.

   

   

   

  1857 – Drowning at Bromyard and a newly discovered possibility of resuscitation.

  William Corbett, a 12 year old boy jumped into the River Froome to bathe, but he got out of his depth and because he couldn’t swim, he drowned before anyone could help him.

  His body was in the water for half an hour before it was retrieved, and then there was another hour before Mr. R. Marley, a Bromyard surgeon, turned up.

  The surgeon had read about the possible resuscitation of the apparently drowned in local papers, but his efforts to put the methods into practice failed…..not surprising given the length of time that had elapsed since death.

  1857 – Inquest at Bromyard on Newborn Child

  A woman named Ezenia Phillpotts had been in the Union Workhouse, but left at the end of May late in her pregnancy.  Shortly afterwards, she returned to the workhouse and asked the matron to express milk from her breasts, saying that she had had her baby which died almost immediately.

  She told police where the body was, and it was found in a ditch in Avenbury.

  The surgeon said at the inquest that the child had been born alive, and that there were no marks of violence, nor any other apparent cause of death unless it arose from suffocation.

  The jury returned a verdict of “natural death”.

  1877 – Opening of Worcester and Bromyard Railway

  At the opening of the new Worcester and Bromyard Railway, banners were put up in the street proclaiming…. “come at last, Hurrah!”

  The Worcestershire Chronicle reported

  “….for many years now the easy going inhabitants of this pleasant Herefordshire town had looked with intense longing, but looked in vain, for the two iron streaks from which the puff of the railway engine might be seen, and the place of their nativity added to the great network of railways which afford a speedy means of communication over the United Kingdom.

  Seventeen years is a long time to make a single line of railway barely a dozen miles in length, but difficulties have arisen in the way, and which, thanks to the indefatiguable exertions of E.B. Evans esq.  have been overcome, and at least the opening is an accomplished fact.”

  The community rejoiced heartily, and although initially there were few passengers, there were many who went to the station to see the train.

  “Soon the shrill scream of the whistle and the roar of the train will cause but little remark;  let us hope however, that Bromyard will now, phoenix like, rise from her ashes, and beginning a new and stirring existence prove to the two or three old fogies who reside within it, and who forget that the world moves, that railways after all are amongst the most important things required to make a town the scene of industry.

  1878 – Manslaughter at Bromyard

  An inquest was held on the body of 25 year old Richard John Box, a baker of Broad Street, Bromyard.

  His brother William Henry Box said that he  saw him at 7 in the morning when he was in good health and busy making bread, then he next saw him late that night in Dr. Etheridge’s house, when he was lying on the sofa and bleeding heavily from a wound in his stomach.

  William stayed with him that night and then took him home, not leaving him for very long at any time until he died some weeks later.  He was under the care of Mr. Shelton, Dr. Etheridge and Mr. Walsh.

  It transpired that whilst Richard John Box was attending a wake with friends, their spring cart overtook a man called John Bentley, who then accused the driver of hitting him with his whip, and became very stroppy.  Bentley followed the cart, swearing profusely and eventually Richard got down and approached him before giving him a push.  Bentley fell down, then when he got up Richard gave him another push.  After a short scuffle, Bentley stabbed Richard, who bleeding badly, climbed back into the cart and his friends raced him to Dr. Etheridge, who found a severe wound from which bowels protruded.

  Following many accounts of the fateful events, the jury retired and returned a verdict of manslaughter against John Bentley.

   

  1891 – Bromyard Annual Sports

  This event, held under the auspices of the Bromyard Amateur Athletic Association, was well attended due partly to the good weather.

  There was not only racing, but also pony races and the Worcester Squadron of the Worcestershire Hussars gave an exhibition.

  During the afternoon the band of the D Company of 1st Herefordshire Rifle Volunteers, under Bandmaster Palmer did their best to entertain, but unfortunately it was felt that they needed a bit more practice!

   

   

  Read More >

1842 – Suicide at Bromyard

Jane Milton, aged 37 was grief stricken after burying her mother to whom she was very close, in fact she became deranged with grief.

Aware of this, Jane’s sister in law kept a watchful eye on her, even sleeping with her, but one morning Jane crept out of the house.

She went out of the back door and crossed into her neighbour’s garden where she threw herself in that neighbour’s well.  She was discovered at 7.30 the next morning.

1844 – Suicide of an Auctioneer at Bromyard

Mr. William James, a long time auctioneer in Bromyard, killed himself with a pistol to the head.

It seems that it was no secret that his financial state was decidedly rocky, and he had recently been charged with forgery.

William had lived for many months closeted in his house trying to avoid arrest, and many people actually thought that he had fled the country.  However the warrant for his arrest was given to Superintendent Marshall, and he along with two others called at the house;  on going inside and telling Mrs. James why they were they suddenly heard a gunshot.

On rushing upstairs, the policemen found that William had blown his brains out.

The inquest on the body of William James

At the inquest it was difficult to establish William’s state of mind, as only his wife and daughter had seen him for some considerable time;  however, his daughter, Margaret eventually agreed to meet the jury and told them that for seven months her father had not gone out, even into the garden.

Margaret told of how her brother had accidentally shot himself dead a month ago, and since then her father seemed different and rather excitable saying that he would not long be with them.  However in between periods of such excitement he would become very depressed.

The Post Mortem on William James

Thomas Pitt, a surgeon of Bromyard said that he found the deceased in a chair and near to death.  There was a large wound in the lower part of the right temple bone behind the ear;  a portion of the brains and blood was escaping from what appeared to be a bullet wound.

On removing the scalp, the surgeon found all the bones in the head fractured except the occipital bone;  the bullet was between the skin and the flesh on the opposite side of the head having passed through the brain.

The Jury’s Verdict

A verdict was returned of temporary insanity.

1847 – Cruelty to a Child at Bromyard

William Prince was charged with allowing his 13 year old daughter Ann to become chargeable to the Parish of Edvin Ralph.

Superintendent Marshall declared that he found Ann Prince in her father’s house, chained to the grate in a back room by her leg.  She was being beaten by her step mother.  Superintendent Marshall unlocked the padlocks chaining Ann and took her away before securing an order for her admission into the Bromyard Union Workhouse.

He said that he had often found Ann lying around on the streets of Bromyard, and each time asked her parents to take care of her;  however Ann was frightened to go home due to the anticipated beatings.  Many people spoke of having seen her sitting on doorsteps late at night.

William Prince said that perhaps the step mother did beat her too much, but that Ann often stole money from them.  This statement did not go down well in court, because it had been proved that there was no money for Ann to steal;  also, an older child had been allowed to go to London to make a living as a prostitute.

The stepmother did not appear in court as she had just given birth, but it was thought that she would be fit to turn up the next week and a summons was issued.

The magistrate said that it was one of the most disgraceful affairs he had ever heard.

1849 – Bromyard Union

In 1849 it was reported that the population of Bromyard Union was 11,405, and that only 37 deaths had been registered during the months of July, August and September, whilst the births totalled 95.

There was not one case of sickness at the Union Workhouse

1850 – Report on the State of Bromyard’s Health

Benjamin Herschel Babbage, the Superintending Inspector to the General Board of Health submitted a damming report on the state of Bromyard’s sanitary conditions.

Summary of Babbage’s Report

The annual increase of Bromyard’s population was one third of the country’s average.

The average annual mortality rate in Bromyard was hugely greater than elsewhere in Herefordshire.

The average living age had steadily decreased since 1838.

Disease had become endemic to particular houses in Bromyard, and certail localities were always infested by it.

Cause of excessive mortality was traced to defective house drains and open sewers.

Water supply was deficient, and the handles of private pumps were locked in summer so that water wasn’t stolen.

The parish churchyard was so full that there was no room for more burials.

The mortality rates in Bromyard imposed excessive demand on the inhabitants.

A complete sewerage system could be provided for £1180 15s 6d, and an abundant water supply provided for £1387 5s 3d (very precise!), and an average weekly payment of two and a quarter pence per house for thirty years would liquidate the principal and pay the interest of the above sums.

1857 – Drowning at Bromyard and a newly discovered possibility of resuscitation.

William Corbett, a 12 year old boy jumped into the River Froome to bathe, but he got out of his depth and because he couldn’t swim, he drowned before anyone could help him.

His body was in the water for half an hour before it was retrieved, and then there was another hour before Mr. R. Marley, a Bromyard surgeon, turned up.

The surgeon had read about the possible resuscitation of the apparently drowned in local papers, but his efforts to put the methods into practice failed…..not surprising given the length of time that had elapsed since death.

1857 – Inquest at Bromyard on Newborn Child

A woman named Ezenia Phillpotts had been in the Union Workhouse, but left at the end of May late in her pregnancy.  Shortly afterwards, she returned to the workhouse and asked the matron to express milk from her breasts, saying that she had had her baby which died almost immediately.

She told police where the body was, and it was found in a ditch in Avenbury.

The surgeon said at the inquest that the child had been born alive, and that there were no marks of violence, nor any other apparent cause of death unless it arose from suffocation.

The jury returned a verdict of “natural death”.

1877 – Opening of Worcester and Bromyard Railway

At the opening of the new Worcester and Bromyard Railway, banners were put up in the street proclaiming…. “come at last, Hurrah!”

The Worcestershire Chronicle reported

“….for many years now the easy going inhabitants of this pleasant Herefordshire town had looked with intense longing, but looked in vain, for the two iron streaks from which the puff of the railway engine might be seen, and the place of their nativity added to the great network of railways which afford a speedy means of communication over the United Kingdom.

Seventeen years is a long time to make a single line of railway barely a dozen miles in length, but difficulties have arisen in the way, and which, thanks to the indefatiguable exertions of E.B. Evans esq.  have been overcome, and at least the opening is an accomplished fact.”

The community rejoiced heartily, and although initially there were few passengers, there were many who went to the station to see the train.

“Soon the shrill scream of the whistle and the roar of the train will cause but little remark;  let us hope however, that Bromyard will now, phoenix like, rise from her ashes, and beginning a new and stirring existence prove to the two or three old fogies who reside within it, and who forget that the world moves, that railways after all are amongst the most important things required to make a town the scene of industry.

1878 – Manslaughter at Bromyard

An inquest was held on the body of 25 year old Richard John Box, a baker of Broad Street, Bromyard.

His brother William Henry Box said that he  saw him at 7 in the morning when he was in good health and busy making bread, then he next saw him late that night in Dr. Etheridge’s house, when he was lying on the sofa and bleeding heavily from a wound in his stomach.

William stayed with him that night and then took him home, not leaving him for very long at any time until he died some weeks later.  He was under the care of Mr. Shelton, Dr. Etheridge and Mr. Walsh.

It transpired that whilst Richard John Box was attending a wake with friends, their spring cart overtook a man called John Bentley, who then accused the driver of hitting him with his whip, and became very stroppy.  Bentley followed the cart, swearing profusely and eventually Richard got down and approached him before giving him a push.  Bentley fell down, then when he got up Richard gave him another push.  After a short scuffle, Bentley stabbed Richard, who bleeding badly, climbed back into the cart and his friends raced him to Dr. Etheridge, who found a severe wound from which bowels protruded.

Following many accounts of the fateful events, the jury retired and returned a verdict of manslaughter against John Bentley.

1891 – Bromyard Annual Sports

This event, held under the auspices of the Bromyard Amateur Athletic Association, was well attended due partly to the good weather.

There was not only racing, but also pony races and the Worcester Squadron of the Worcestershire Hussars gave an exhibition.

During the afternoon the band of the D Company of 1st Herefordshire Rifle Volunteers, under Bandmaster Palmer did their best to entertain, but unfortunately it was felt that they needed a bit more practice!

Food Rations in the Workhouse

Food rations for Bromyard were much the same as elsewhere in other Workhouses, and they were extremely basic, as decreed by the Poor Law Act.
Breakfast – 3lbs 8oz bread plus 10 ½ pints of gruel to last the week, although the women were allocated 13oz less bread.
Dinner – for two days there was 8 oz bacon plus 2lbs of potatoes; for two more days there were 2 pints of soup, l lb 6oz bread, and for the last three days l lb 5 oz bread and 6 oz cheese.
Supper – for the week, 2lbs 1oz bread and 10 ½ oz of cheese.
Again, the women were given the same as the men but less, and the elderly were allowed some tea, butter and sugar instead of gruel.

Disease in the Workhouse

Bromyard Workhouse was not immune to outbreaks of disease, and in 1893 Smallpox was brought into the Workhouse – presumed by tramps – and it was not long before a cottage half a mile from the workhouse was turned into an isolation hospital to deal with such outbreaks.

News from the Workhouse

Advertisement for Schoolmistress

An advertisement was posted for a schoolmistress for the Bromyard Union Workhouse, at a salary of 10 pounds per year.

John Sunderland, a man of aliases

February 1856 – John Sunderland, a man with a number of aliases, was charged with running away from his wife and two children who had in consequence become chargeable to the parish of Stoke Lacey. The wife said that her husband had left her in Staffordshire three years earlier, and that she had come down to the Bromyard Workhouse. “John” blamed his bad behaviour on being out of work initially, and then on being injured on the railroad. He was sent to gaol for one month.

Egenia Philpotts – murderess

June 1857 – Egenia Philpotts was committed for trial at Hereford Assizes for the murder of her new born child. Mr. and Mrs. Brailsford, Master and Matron of the Bromyard Union Workhouse, said that the defendant who had been an inmate at the Workhouse, left on 20th then returned on 24th, saying that she had been confined at her father’s house and that the child was dead. However, Egenia’s mother told the court that her daughter had informed her that the confinement had taken place at the Union Workhouse. Superintendent Harward deposed that on confronting the prisoner on the Tuesday morning, she stuck to her story that she gave birth in the Workhouse where she was attended by Mr. Owen the Surgeon and Mrs. Brailsford the Matron, and that she supposed that after the baby died they buried it in Bromyard churchyard. Later however, she admitted that she gave birth in Mr. Rowberry’s field and that she buried the child in a ditch. After a search, the baby was found and although there were no external marks there was evidence of clay in it’s mouth and blood coming from the nose.
Egenia said that it was an accidental birth as she was on her way home, and that she was unconscious afterwards. On waking the baby was dead.
She was committed for trial!!

Workhouse Porter attempts suicide

June 1891 – The last train was approaching Suckley, when a young man ran down the embankment and threw himself across the rails; the driver blew his whistle and immediately braked, managing to stop just in time. The dazed man was put in a sitting position, and was recognised as Richards, who had been a porter at the Bromyard Workhouse. He was taken into custody after some resistence, and it was decided that he was of unsound mind. He was remanded by Magistrates on the charge of attempted suicide.

Tramps revolt at the Workhouse

September 1892 – Thomas Morgan, John Timbs, Peter Allen, William Green, Thomas James, John Lomas and William Smith, all tramps, were brought before the court by Thomas Arter, Master of Bromyard Union Workhouse charged with refusing to complete their allotted task of breaking stone. They were admitted into the Workhouse, and the following morning told to break the stone, but by the evening they had failed to finish the task and Thomas Arter gave the information to the police and had them all locked up. Roberts, the porter, said that he had told the defendants that they had to break 9cwt of stone each but they barely completed a quarter of this amount and refused to do any more. Thomas Morgan also damaged a door, trying to get out. They were all committed to 14 days hard labour, with Thomas Morgan earning himself another 7 days for damaging the door.

Bromyard Union Workhouse Staff and Inmates 1901 Census

From the moment you wend your way down the narrow lane to where Lower Brockhampton Manor House nestles within acres of  woods and grazing land, the sense of peace is overwhelming.

The house itself is by no means large, but for me it beats its more impressive and bigger counterparts hands down and has such a lovely happy atmosphere oozing out of the gloriously creaking oak floors and wealth of beams..

Back in 1383 John Domulton married the heiress to the estate, and took on the title Lord of Brokhampton;  it is thought that their son Philip built the manor house in the early 15th century.

Lower Brockhampton Gatehouse

The gatehouse with its massive old oak door, made from trees felled in the mid 16th century, was merely for effect and not in any way suitable for a defensive role, is delightful.

Lower Brockhampton Chapel

Now in ruins, the atmosphere in this little roofless chapel is of peace and calm.

The Stone Font was installed by John and Emma Brockhampton

The Great Hall at Lower Brockhampton

This room originally had no gallery or stairs to the bedrooms, but was altered over the centuries.

The Barnebys at Lower Brockhampton

In the late 17th century, Isabella Lechmere of Hanley Castle married Richard Barneby of Brockhampton, and some years later he inherited the estate.

In 1750, Bartholomew Lutley was bequeathed the Brockhampton estate by his uncle, who had stipulated that Bartholomew change his name to Barneby.

When Bartholomew graduated from Oxford University he took up residence on the estate and set about making improvements.  He modernised some of the farms, and decided to build a new mansion house, which would be far grander that Lower Brockhampton.

Bartholomew married Betty Freeman, and set about building Brockhampton House on the site of one of the farms;  once completed the couple moved in leaving Lower Brockhampton to be occupied by farm workers.

One such worker was Joseph Cureton and his wife Ann plus their seven children.  He was a wagoner on the estate.

1861 – Lower Brockhampton Household

Lower Brockhampton was bequeathed by  Colonel John Lutley to the National Trust in 1947, and much restoration work was carried out using timber from the estate.

There is also a lily filled moat

Font

Original Norman font

There is a second font, dated 1989 in memory of Alison Hall

Memorials

Thomas Hallward

Plaque for Thomas Hallward, who died 22nd April 1700, also Jane his widow who died 2nd September 1769. Also William, their youngest son who died 30th April 1770, and Jane their only daughter and widow of William Reeve, who died 11th February 1802. Also, Judith only child of above William and Jane Reeve who died 29th April 1826

Brown Shelton

Brown Shelton (Surgeon) born Eastham, and died 8th December 1844 aged 75. Also Janet Bennett his wife who died 13th December 1863. (Both are buried inside the church)

Milton family tomb – much of which is unreadable, but there is Anne, daughter of William and Anne Milton, who died 5th April 1812 aged 12.