Herefordshire Past » byford

Byford

sally — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 19:28:30 +0000

The origins of Byford go all the way back to the Romans who had a settlement here, and it lies some 7 miles west of Hereford.

Churches of Byford

Buildings of Byford

Garnons History

Garnons country house, situated just west of Hereford, has a slightly elevated position which affords wonderful views.

John Geers Cotterell

John Geers Cotterell was born in 1757, and he inherited the estate from his father in the late 18th century; he married the wealthy Frances Isabella Evans and then set about making plans to renovate and rebuild the house. He consulted Humphry Repton, a renowned landscape gardener (famous for his little red books, which each set out detailed instructions for individual country estates; unlike Capability Brown, he designed the gardens and outdoor areas but then left it to the owners to arrange for the implementation of his ideas).

John Cotterell was awarded the title of Baronet in 1805, and he was a Tory MP for Herefordshire for many years – he was staunchly anti catholic, but was also a stout defender of Agriculture in general and Herefordshire in particular. The death of his eldest son in 1834 rather knocked him for six, and for a while he lost enthusiasm for politics.

In the mid 19th century Garnons was rebuilt in the Picturesque style with a castellated section.

Meetings of the Bowmen of Herefordshire regularly took place at Garnons, with Sir J.G. Cotterell Bart. being a representative. Attendance was usually high, and the renowned hospitality of Garnons ensured that everyone was more than happy. Oh, and the shooting was good too!

Death of Sir John Cotterell’s Butler

John Taylor Griffiths had been Butler to Sir John Geers Cotterell for 50 years and was highly respected and esteemed by both family and guests alike. So there was huge sorrow at Garnons when John died in 1840 aged 73 from a long and agonizing illness.

Death of Sir John Geers Cotterell

In 1845 Sir John Geers Cotterell, Bart. Died aged 88 in 1845 at Garnons, and was buried in the family vault at Mansel church.
His obituary reads thus:
“The name of Sir John Cotterell had been so long familiar – his public services so eminent – his frank and hospitable disposition so universally known and acknowledged, that there are few who will not feel in greater or less degree, that in his death one is lost; to them the very mention of whose name used to imply some sort of claim on their good will or respect. It is a consolation to know that his end was free from anything like painful suffering, and a mere decay of nature. In truth few persons can have enjoyed more uniform or vigorous health than the honourable Baronet throughout a long life, or been blessed with a heartier constitution. It may be truly said of him that he has come to his grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in its season.
He had spent no idle life, and many are his claims to be held in respectful remembrance.
Early in his life Sir John entered the County Militia and attained the rank of Colonel. At the outbreak of the Irish rebellion in 1798 – during a high pressure of the revolutionary war with France – it became necessary to accept the assistance of militia regiments, and The Herefordshire under Co. Cotterell’s command was one of the first to volunteer such service and they distinguished themselves.
Shortly after returning from Ireland, he became a successful Tory candidate, and he held the post for almost 30 years; he would have carried on by his friends and family persuaded him that the violence of the Reform phrenzy in 1831 made it unwise to contest the election.
After this, he gradually retired from public life but he continued to be a generous and genial host at Garnons; he was a true country gentleman with innate good taste (as shown by the improvements to Garnons)’
“at Garnons he was surely to be found in all intervals of leisure, keeping the hearth warm, cherishing agriculture, ornamenting his grounds, and in all quiet ways unostentatiously doing substantial service to his dependents and neighbourhood. His family have lost in him an indulgent father; his domestics a kind master; and his neighbours of all ranks, a practical friend.
The admirable likeness of Sir John Cotterell placed by subscription some years since in the Shire Hall at Hereford, will remain a lasting memorial of him, and also for a continued evidence of the public esteem in which he was held by those whom he had faithfully served.

John Geers Cotterell the younger

John Henry Geers inherited Garnons from his grandfather, and unfortunately, a load of unpaid debt too; however in 1846 the young heir to the House of Garnons tragically died of fever at Eton College aged just 17.

Also in this year, advertisements appeared in various papers informing of the opening of Garnons gardens – describing a splendid collection of flowers in full bloom,including ten rare yucca glorwsa plants which contained more than 500 blossoms each.

Sir Henry Geers Cotterell

Sir Henry Geers Cotterell (3d baronet) made himself absolute owner of Garnons by a deed of distraint in 1855.
Sir Hamilton Seymour, late Ambassador to Russia, and his lady stayed at Garnons with their nephew Sir Henry Cotterell in 1855, then shortly afterwards Sir Henry set about asking for tenders to work on the erection of a new wing to Garnons.
In 1857 Sir Henry Cotterell came under fire when was on the threshold of life as a Liberal policitican.
An anonymous (hmm, a tad cowardly) voter wrote a heated letter to the Hereford Journal :
…”we are to have an opposition for the county if a numerously signed requisition can be obtained, soliciting the young heir of Garnons to enter into the turmoils of political strife. That the officious lawyers will strenuously exert themselves to obtain the required invitation there can be no doubt. We are totally uninformed as to what are the political opinions of the young Baronet; they may be Conservative, possibly Radical – we well remember that at Garnons the blue flag has fluttered in the breeze for many years; its colour may have now become sickly pale, and another of a very different hue may be hoisted. I cannot conceive that a change so sudden could have come over the spirit of the young Baronet’s dream; through his own conviction, and great indeed will be the responsibility of his evil advisers”
He went on to say that he had refused to sign the requisition to Sir Henry Cotterell – partly because he was just out of school but mostly because he felt him totally inexperienced in political matters. He also made a rather nasty dig that inferred Sir Henry was not the brightest spark in the county. He finished by saying
“I am fully persuaded that the Party has made a bad choice, and that a candidate for the county of Hereford should be a man of greater experience and farther advanced in years than is the present possessor of Garnons. Such a candidate may easily be found if necessary, and prevent our being misrepresented by any sucking statesman or juvenile senator.”
Sir Henry Cotterell started to suffer with his health, and took to living abroad for much of the time, so he decided to make over the Garnons estate to his son, Captain John Cotterell and his wife Lady Evelyn. This pair were to make Garnons their family seat and principal residence.
They were keen on country pursuits and held many a lavish shooting party on the estate.
Sir Henry Geers Cotterell died in Middlesex in March 1900

The Cotterell family retained ownership of Garnons, and descendants are still in residence, although much of the house was demolished in the mid 20th century. The castellated portion remains, having being renovated in 1907.

1871 – Garnons Household

Henry Geers Cotterell	36		b. Middlesex
Katherine Cotterell	28	Wife	b. Northampton
John Cotterell	4	Son	b. London
Alice Cotterell	3	Daughter	b. London
Louisa Cotterell	1	Daughter	b. London
Elizabeth Norman	41	Housekeeper	b. Norfolk
Frances Hayne	26	Lady’s Maid	b. Norfolk
Henia (?) Briggs	33	Nurse	b. Newmarket
Emma Crouch	19	Nurse	b. Andover
Emily Bishop	27	Laundrymaid	b. Norfolk
Emily Hall	22	Laundrymaid	b. London
Emma Whitley	28	Housemaid	b. Harewood, Yorkshire
Mary Scott	24	Housemaid	b. Aberdeen, Scotland
Mary Farquharson	24	Kitchenmaid	b. Yorkshire
Elizabeth Hoodward	20	Kitchenmaid	b. Yorkshire
Elizabeth Carter	20	Kitchenmaid	b. Sunderland
Charles Smallfield	37	Butler	b. Walton, Middlesex
John Tillbury	34	Valet	b. Buckinghamshire
Edward Saunders	24	Footman	b. Sussex
George Hall	27	Under Butler	b. Hampshire
Henry Maddox	25	Usher	b. Herefordshire
Thomas Cooper	30	Coachman	b. London
Peter Howe	22	Groom	b. Bedfordshire
John Gardener	18	Groom	b. Hampshire

1911 – Garnons Household

John Richard Geers Cotterell	45		b. Grosvenor Place, London
Sylvia Evelyn Cotterell	14	Daughter	b. Belgrave Square, London
Cicily Violet Cotterell	12	Daughter	b. Lennox Gardens, London
Mildred Katherine Cotterell	8	Daughter	b. London
Richard Charles Geers Cotterell	3	Son	b. London
Edith Goldingham	35	Governess	b. London
Charles Thomas Wheeler	46	Butler	b. Suffolk
Edwin Tubb	24	Footman	b. Fulham, London
William Grant	24	Footman	b. St. Pancras, London
Frederick Ernest Lewis	28	Odd man	b. Leominster, Herefordshire
Florence Mothersole	43	Housekeeper and cook	b. Suffolk
Elsie Norvel	23	Kitchenmaid	b. East Dean, Sussex
Gertrude Clayton	18	Kitchenmaid	b. Hampshire
Elizabeth Price	45	Housemaid	b. Holywell, N. Wales
Elizabeth Thomas	24	Housemaid	b. South Wales
Jane Thomas	22	Housemaid	b. South Wales
Annie Saunders	17	Housemaid	b. Swindon, Wiltshire
Mary Elizabeth Stroud	41	Laundrymaid	b. Dorset
Phebe May Warrel	23	Laundrymaid	b. Shropshire
Janet Dodd	19	Laundrymaid	b. Durham
Anabella Fraser	31	Nurse	b. Aberdeenshire
Kate Jones	20	Nurserymaid	b. New Radnor, Radnorshire

Extraordinary Herefordshire Cow at Byford Court

In 1819, Sir John G. Cotterell Bart. Was in residence, and one of his cattle made the headlines when it came up for auction.
“A valuable cow of great weight and astonishing fatness, without ever having eaten corn or oil cake, and has been constantly kept as a store beast until the last twelve months, the property of Sir John G. Cotterell Bart., and bred by him, will be offered for sale by auction in the Herefordshire Agricultural Show in Broad Street, Hereford on 19th October 1819, being the eve of the Hereford Great Cattle Fair; when those gentlemen and breeders who are judges of genuine Herefordshire cattle will have an opportunity of seeing one of the most superior and extraordinary animals the county ever produced.”

Contents of Byford Court Sold

In 1836, the then proprietor of Byford Court, Mr. Heycock, left the estate and put up a great many items for auction, including “highly respectable household furniture; wagon and nag horses and implements”.

1841 – Byford Court Household

There were servants in the household, but the census page is so badly faded that they are not legible.

Samuel Acton	65	Farmer
Jane Acton	20
James ?	30	servant

1851 – Byford Court Household

Peter B. Giles	32	General Practitioner	b. Salop
Caroline Giles	25	Wife	b. Norfolk
Peter B. Giles	3?	Son	b. Byford, Herefordshire
William G. Chattaway	20	Medical Assistant	b. Chelsea
Mary Wall	26	Cook	b. Brilly, Herefordshire
Ann Walters	17	Housemaid	b. All Saints, Herefordshire
Ann Prosser	22	Nurse	b. Tillington, Herefordshire
George Madox	19	Groom	b. All Saints, Herefordshire

1861 – Byford Court Household

George Pardington	36	Farmer	b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Sarah M. Pardington	34	Wife	b. Chelsea, Middlesex
George L. Pardington	4	Son	b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Thomas C. Pardington	2	Son	b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Louisa Cotes	20	Governess	b. Birley, Gloucestershire
John Troughton	19	Nephew	b. Hailes, Gloucestershire
Mary A. Brace	24	Dairy Maid
Ann Parry	17	Housemaid	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire
George East	21	Groom	b. Monnington on Wye, Herefordshire

1871 – Byford Court Household

George Pardington	46	Farmer	b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Sarah M.Pardington	44	Wife	b. Chelsea, Middlesex
George L. Pardington	14	Son	b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Mary Bufton	25	Servant	b. Radnorshire
Mary Parker	24	Servant	b. Rowlestone, Herefordshire

1881 – Byford Court Household

John Pearce Ellis	42	Farmer	b. Leckhampton, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Ellis	42	Wife	b. Clifford, Herefordshire
Mary Jancey	25	Cook	b. Preston Wynne, Herefordshire
Hannah Thomas	17	Housemaid	b. Dewsall, Herefordshire
Robert Leah	21	Indoor Farm Servant	b. Ledbury, Herefordshire

1891 – Byford Court Household

Charles T. Edward	50	Farmer	b. Kinnerton, Radnor
Maria J. Edward	52	Wife	b. Warwickshire
Cecilia J. Edward	21	Daughter	b. Stowe, Salop
Edith Edward	19	Daughter	b. Stowe, Salop
Arthur Edward	17	Son	b. Stowe, Salop
Ellen Bellis	27	Cook	b. Cheshire
Elizabeth Colwell	19	Housemaid	b. Bridge Sollars, Herefordshire
Noah Beavan	15	Groom	b. Holme Lacy, Herefordshire

1901 – Byford Court Household

Charles Theodore Edwards	59	Farmer	b. Kinnerton, Radnor
Maria Jane Edwards	62	Wife	b. ?
Christopher A. Edwards	27	Son	b. Woodville, Salop
Fanny G. Edwards	23	Daughter	b.Bridge Sollers, Herefordshire
Mabel Annie Davies	19	Cook	b. Byford, Herefordshire
Ellen Caradine	17	Housemaid	b. Byford, Herefordshire
Edward Neath	12	Odd Work, Domestic	b. Byford, Herefordshire

1911 – Byford Court Household

Frederick Theodore Edwards	40	Farmer	b. Radnorshire
Fannie Clarke	44	Housekeeper	b. Northants
Kate Dowell	19	Domestic Servant	b.Herefordshire
Alfred Lloyde	23	Farm Labourer	b. Kenchester, Herefordshire

News from the Past Byford

Byford News from the Past
Byford Horse Races and attempted murder by deranged would be lover, (The Byford Mystery) amongst other things

1797 – Fire on Byford Farm

Late one afternoon in early February, a fire broke out on J.G. Cotterell’s farm at Byford which resulted in the death of one cow and severe burn injuries to another, along with the destruction of a barn full of barley.

The fire was started by a small child putting a burning stick to the straw by the barn door.

1823 – Sad End to Marriage Ceremony of Byford Woman

Mrs. Smith of Byford, a widow whose first husband had died suddenly whilst crossing the river Wye in a boat, had befriended 70 year old Mr. Hopkins, a former curate of Byford who was a native of Dorston. He lived with her in her house when gravely ill, and she cared for and nursed him.

When he recovered, he was so grateful to her that he proposed, both of them thinking they would be comfort for each other in their old age.

The wedding was arranged to take place at St. John’s in Hereford and just as the wedding ring was about to be placed on Mrs. Smith’s finger, Mr. Hopkins dropped to the ground, and died almost instantly.

He was taken to the house that he had prepared for his bride, and the post mortem revealed that he had ruptured a blood vessel close to his heart.

1839 – Photogenic Drawing

Dr. Kidley of Byford, was the first person in Herefordshire to apply the art of photogenic drawing – a newly discovered and beautiful art.

It was suggested that a material improvement could be made by washing the paper with a mixture of equal parts of white of egg and water, and afterwards with the solution of nitrate of silver, fixing the drawing as usual with the iodide of potassium.

1843 – Manslaughter at Byford

James Preece went to a dance at the Boat public house in Byford one Wednesday in August, and had a falling out with Charles Lewis. On the Sunday morning, at around seven, they met to fight and after some seven rounds James Preece was downed by Charles – he immediately gave in, saying that he was badly hurt in the neck and back.

James was carried to the Byford Boat and after being bled by a woman, was put to bed, but he died in agony just after midnight.

Mr. Giles, the Byford Surgeon, carried out a post mortem and his opinion was that death was due to spinal cord injury and effusion of blood. He said that the whole of the vessels of the membranes of the brain, as well as the brain itself, were very much congested and gorged with blood. He also discovered a fracture and dislocation of the sixth and seventh vertical vertebrae.

The verdict at the inquest was Manslaughter

1844 – Horse Races Re-established at Byford

In July 1844, the village of Byford thoroughly enjoyed an excuse for fun, having foregone the old custom of Sunday wakes.

Many hundreds of people made their way to the new racecourse, which was said to be in a perfect state for racing following some much needed rain.

Entries were not as high as was hoped, but this was mainly due to other races taking place elsewhere on the same day, but this didn’t stop the pleasure of the spectactors and the first race for the Byford and Monnington purse of sovereigns was run between Mr. Hall’s Orlando and Mr. Crump’s Running Rein. Orlando won.

After the horses came the foot racers, who contested for new hats, fabric,handkerchiefs etc., and then the dancing commenced. The partying continued late into the night, with an eventual adjournment to The Boat Inn, and it was well into the early hours before people went home.

1845 – Attempted Murder by Lover at Byford – As First Reported

Rumours of an attempt on the life of Miss Ellen Davies spread rapidly around Herefordshire, with embellisments being added along the way until the gossipers had her dead and buried.

Eventually, the story became so fantastical that many who heard it decided that it was all a hoax, however it turned out that she had indeed been shot at. Or so it was said…….

Ellen Davies and her Would be Suitor

Ellen Davies was a pretty daughter of a miller/shopkeeper, who had been pestered for nearly two years by a young man who frequently asked her to marry him, even though he refused to tell her his name or where he lived. Ellen consistently ignored his pleas to meet him at various places in and around Byford, so that he changed tactics and wrote to her saying that he was very ill and dying. When that didn’t work, he pestered her even more than before (would be called stalking these days) and eventually he wrote to her saying that he would kill both her and himself unless she married him.

Ellen’s friends were horrified, but rather thought she would be safer to marry him than reject him! Ellen herself decided otherwise, so continued to spurn his advances.

Ellen’s Would be Suitor becomes Deranged

The young man became so deranged that he was sectioned for a while, and many different people heard him swearing that he would shoot Ellen Davies, and that she would never marry anyone else; he made more threats of a destructive nature, but nobody took any notice because they thought he was insane.

The Murder Attempt on Ellen Davies

Eventually he was released from the asylum, and shortly afterwards he commenced watch on Ellen’s house. One Monday night, Ellen went out to the cider house at the back of her father’s house, where she came across the young man of her nightmares who was with a friend of his. Before she could escape, they had grabbed her and dragged her over two meadows; the friend held her by the arms whilst the insane would be lover pointed a pistol at her breast. He fired once, and Ellen felt blood pouring down her neck and arm – just before fainting she heard the man holding her arms cry out “you have shot me”.

When she came round, the men had gone and she screamed for help until her family found her, and not surprisingly, when they saw her covered in blood and in a state of near insensibility, they feared the worst and sent for surgeons from Hereford and Byford.

The surgeons merely discovered a few bruises to her arms, but the effects of her terror were profound and for some considerable time she was said to be dangerously ill from the shock.

Of the men, no trace was found other than blood being found in an adjoining field.

The Papers Are Not Totally Convinced

The papers duly reported the case with the facts that were given to them, but were highly sceptical…….

“That a madman might have fired in the way described is not improbable; but that a coadjutor could be found to hold the victim, is really out of the range of probability – if not mad too – and who but a madman would occupy the dangerous position of holding a person while a third party shot at the person so held? He is by far the more culpable, in fact his offence is diabolical.”

The Aftermath of the First Reports of the Byford Mystery

Many people doubted the truth of the facts, especially as it was all related by Ellen Davies herself, along with her parents.

It was felt to be extraordinary that nobody ever saw the “Demon” as he came to be known, except for Ellen and her mother and sister.

It transpired that the letters he sent her were sometimes delivered to Ellen at Credenhill Mill where she occasionally lived, and sometimes to Byford where they were pushed under the door or thrown into the shop.

He gave Ellen gifts, such as a dress and shawl – the papers, and the people, questioned why it was not possible for the shop where they were bought to reveal the identity of the purchaser.

The Truth Emerges – The Verified Report

A truth that was described “a more malicious and unaccountable transaction is not to be found in the annals of either reality or romance. Indeed, so wild, so heartless, so daring, is the wickedness which the persecution of Ellen Davies unfolds, that the reader will often exclaim – this cannot be true, it must be romance, it cannot be reality. Let the reader however be not incredulous, the source of this information is the most credible”

So here it is, and the man is no longer a lover, or suitor…….he is The Demon.

The Davies Family

Richard Davies was a miller living in a secluded cottage in Byford. It was a small cottage, hidden by trees, and was rather cramped with low rooms; it had an outhouse which was both a cellar and lumber room about twenty yards from the cottage. Richard Davies’s mill was at Credenhill, some miles away, and he was honest and hard working – very inoffensive; he had a general store at his Byford house where virtually anything could be bought.

Richard Davies had a quiet hard working wife and three pretty daughters; there was also a female domestic and a labourer living in the house with them.

Ellen Davies aged 21 and the eldest daughter, was extremely pretty and was described as being of Venus stature with nicely rounded proportions. Her hair was beautiful, and she had lovely eyes, teeth and lips.

Ellen Davies Works in her Father’s Hereford Shop

Three years prior to the incident, Richard Davies took a small house and shop in Hereford and filled it with groceries etc., and here he placed his daughter Ellen, but she was not there long before she became plagued by suitors. She was firm with them all, but it didn’t stop their advances, however she “shook them off as one strikes down an insect buzzing near the ear”. The continued “hum of swarms” was not pleasant though and the situation became unbearable.

The Demon Appears

One of these men was the one that was to become known as The Demon – a young man of 30, about five feet seven tall with a dark complexion. His hair and whiskers were dark, and he was not one bit handsome; he wore a profusion of rings, including one big one which had a sprung cover and when open revealed a miniature painting of himself.

Ellen had often seen him walking around Hereford with respectable gentlemen but never learnt his name. She was used to living in the country, so was not always happy to be confined to the shop, and often got up early in the morning to walking up Ailstone Hill or Broomy Hill. One morning in March 1844 she realised that The Demon was following her, tracking her every move, and from that day she could not go for her walks without the man following her, although he never spoke.

The Demon Starts Stalking

Then a letter arrived in which The Demon declared his love for her, and put his case for a happy and successful marriage – he didn’t reveal his name, and never did throughout the whole sorry affair.

Ellen replied, turning him down, and on 1st May 1844 he wrote again pleading with her to change her mind, as well as following her at every opportunity. Again and again she rejected him, until eventually she was so tired of it all that she begged her father to close the Hereford shop and let her return to Byford, which he immediately did. This however only seemed to inflame the Demon further, and letter after letter arrived – sometimes by post, and sometimes delivered by a young man who later became the Demon’s accomplice. Ellen never answered any of his increasingly desperate letters.

One day he saw Ellen in Hereford and forced his company on her, vowing eternal love and pleading with her to agree to be his wife. She refused, saying that apart from anything else she could never entertain a relationship with a man who concealed his real name from her. She refused many gifts of rings for the same reason, and he promised that if she would agree to be his wife, he would tell her his name as long as she told nobody else other than her parents. She left.

The Demon Fakes Illness

There followed over a period of time, increasingly insane sounding letters to Ellen, most of which she ignored. Then after some weeks, she met the Demon in Hereford and once again he proposed marriage, describing fantastical estates in Cumberland where he would take her after their marriage. Unfortunately, Ellen’s parents appeared dazzled by this, and perhaps Ellen herself was swayed, because when he wrote to say that he was ill, she resolved to go to see him in Cumberland, but before she could, she met the accomplice of the Demon, the young man on the dappled pony who carried the letters to Byford, who on learning her intentions to go to Cumberland, told her that the Demon was dead.

Two Strange Men Join the Cast

A week later however, he met her again and said that he had made a mistake! Then followed more letters, all of which she ignored having realised that the man was quite mad, but one day two gentlemen drove up to the shop in a gig – they asked her to sign a document, but she refused having no idea what was written there. A few days later they returned, but the shop was full of customers so they drove off; they returned some days later and tried to force her to sign the document, using many threats – once again she refused.

The men returned a week later, and they grabbed hold of her and dragged her towards their gig; fortunately, two labourers saw her plight and ran to help, at which point Ellen was released and the men drove off.

It would seem clear that these men were working for the Demon, and the document was a marriage agreement.

Everything went quiet – Ellen had no more letters, and the men did not return, so she must have started to relax, but it was not to be for long because the Demon shoved a note through her bedroom window.

The Demon becomes Threatening, and Attempts Murder

The contents were disturbing, and very threatening – he was basically warning her that he would never allow her to marry anyone else and as he wanted nobody but her then they would die together, but incredibly Ellen seemed unafraid.

On a Monday night, the Ellen and her family were eating supper, although Mr. Davies was at the Credenhill Mill. Ellen went to the cider house for some cider, and was horrified to see the Demon in the lane; she ran back into the house, and her sister and their man servant rushed out to chase the Demon. Ellen ran too, and stood by the fence to watch, when the young man who had brought letters to her suddenly appeared by her side, and warned her that she was in great danger because “they” had lost the Demon during the previous 24 hours……he barely finished speaking, before the Demon, who had shaken off his pursuers, sprang over the fence and grabbed Ellen, before throwing her back over the fence. He and his accomplice manhandled her a hundred yards or so before hurling her over a stone stile, but then their way was thwarted by some wooden rails – the pair failed to get Ellen through these, and the Demon became frantic; he drew a pistol and pointed it at Ellen, at which point his accomplice threw his arms around her, apparently in an effort to protect her, but the gun went off and hit him instead.

As described in the first report above, Ellen was so badly shocked as to be very ill for some time, but this was not the end of the matter. She received a letter from the accomplice, saying that he was badly injured and must leave the country until things died down, but hoped that she was okay. Then a letter came from the Demon, which was very clearly the work of a madman, and in which he once again threatened her.

Disbelief that no Real Attempts were Made to find the Demon

The papers were puzzled, astonished and angry that no apparent attempts had been made by the authorities to trace any of the people involved in this whole affair – the Demon; his accomplice; the two men in the gig, and a lad who was holding their horse. Mr. Davies put up a £50 reward for any information to help find the miscreants, but nothing came of it, and the police continued to turn their backs on the affair.

It all rather smacks of something being hushed up!

1854 – Death of Surgeon’s Son

Herbert Johnson Broome Giles, the infant son of P. Giles, Surgeon, died suddenly.

He had been “cross and sickly” for some time, and the nurse found him dead in bed, with a black face.

Verdict, died by the visitation of God.

1858 – Death by Falling from a tree

In April 1858, 17 year old Joseph Preece of Byford was removing ivy from an elm tree when he fell and landed heavily on the ground.

P.B. Giles, a surgeon of Stanton on Wye, was immediately sent for, and he found Joseph unconscious but could not discover any fractures or contusions.

Sadly Joseph died the following morning, never really having gained consciousness.

Read More >

Byford Court History

sally — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 20:11:11 +0000

Extraordinary Herefordshire Cow at Byford Court

Contents of Byford Court Sold

1841 – Byford Court Household

There were servants in the household, but the census page is so badly faded that they are not legible.

Samuel Acton	65	Farmer
Jane Acton	20
James ?	30	servant

1851 – Byford Court Household

Peter B. Giles	32	General Practitioner	b. Salop
Caroline Giles	25	Wife	b. Norfolk
Peter B. Giles	3?	Son	b. Byford, Herefordshire
William G. Chattaway	20	Medical Assistant	b. Chelsea
Mary Wall	26	Cook	b. Brilly, Herefordshire
Ann Walters	17	Housemaid	b. All Saints, Herefordshire
Ann Prosser	22	Nurse	b. Tillington, Herefordshire
George Madox	19	Groom	b. All Saints, Herefordshire

1861 – Byford Court Household

George Pardington	36	Farmer	b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Sarah M. Pardington	34	Wife	b. Chelsea, Middlesex
George L. Pardington	4	Son	b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Thomas C. Pardington	2	Son	b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Louisa Cotes	20	Governess	b. Birley, Gloucestershire
John Troughton	19	Nephew	b. Hailes, Gloucestershire
Mary A. Brace	24	Dairy Maid
Ann Parry	17	Housemaid	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire
George East	21	Groom	b. Monnington on Wye, Herefordshire

1871 – Byford Court Household

George Pardington	46	Farmer	b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Sarah M.Pardington	44	Wife	b. Chelsea, Middlesex
George L. Pardington	14	Son	b. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Mary Bufton	25	Servant	b. Radnorshire
Mary Parker	24	Servant	b. Rowlestone, Herefordshire

1881 – Byford Court Household

John Pearce Ellis	42	Farmer	b. Leckhampton, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Ellis	42	Wife	b. Clifford, Herefordshire
Mary Jancey	25	Cook	b. Preston Wynne, Herefordshire
Hannah Thomas	17	Housemaid	b. Dewsall, Herefordshire
Robert Leah	21	Indoor Farm Servant	b. Ledbury, Herefordshire

1891 – Byford Court Household

Charles T. Edward	50	Farmer	b. Kinnerton, Radnor
Maria J. Edward	52	Wife	b. Warwickshire
Cecilia J. Edward	21	Daughter	b. Stowe, Salop
Edith Edward	19	Daughter	b. Stowe, Salop
Arthur Edward	17	Son	b. Stowe, Salop
Ellen Bellis	27	Cook	b. Cheshire
Elizabeth Colwell	19	Housemaid	b. Bridge Sollars, Herefordshire
Noah Beavan	15	Groom	b. Holme Lacy, Herefordshire

1901 – Byford Court Household

Charles Theodore Edwards	59	Farmer	b. Kinnerton, Radnor
Maria Jane Edwards	62	Wife	b. ?
Christopher A. Edwards	27	Son	b. Woodville, Salop
Fanny G. Edwards	23	Daughter	b.Bridge Sollers, Herefordshire
Mabel Annie Davies	19	Cook	b. Byford, Herefordshire
Ellen Caradine	17	Housemaid	b. Byford, Herefordshire
Edward Neath	12	Odd Work, Domestic	b. Byford, Herefordshire

1911 – Byford Court Household

Frederick Theodore Edwards	40	Farmer	b. Radnorshire
Fannie Clarke	44	Housekeeper	b. Northants
Kate Dowell	19	Domestic Servant	b.Herefordshire
Alfred Lloyde	23	Farm Labourer	b. Kenchester, Herefordshire

Byford News from the Past

sally — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 21:57:16 +0000

Byford Horse Races and attempted murder by deranged would be lover, (The Byford Mystery) amongst other things

1797 – Fire on Byford Farm

Late one afternoon in early February, a fire broke out on J.G. Cotterell’s farm at Byford which resulted in the death of one cow and severe burn injuries to another, along with the destruction of a barn full of barley.

The fire was started by a small child putting a burning stick to the straw by the barn door.

1823 – Sad End to Marriage Ceremony of Byford Woman

Mrs. Smith of Byford, a widow whose first husband had died suddenly whilst crossing the river Wye in a boat, had befriended 70 year old Mr. Hopkins, a former curate of Byford who was a native of Dorston. He lived with her in her house when gravely ill, and she cared for and nursed him.

When he recovered, he was so grateful to her that he proposed, both of them thinking they would be comfort for each other in their old age.

The wedding was arranged to take place at St. John’s in Hereford and just as the wedding ring was about to be placed on Mrs. Smith’s finger, Mr. Hopkins dropped to the ground, and died almost instantly.

He was taken to the house that he had prepared for his bride, and the post mortem revealed that he had ruptured a blood vessel close to his heart.

1839 – Photogenic Drawing

Dr. Kidley of Byford, was the first person in Herefordshire to apply the art of photogenic drawing – a newly discovered and beautiful art.

It was suggested that a material improvement could be made by washing the paper with a mixture of equal parts of white of egg and water, and afterwards with the solution of nitrate of silver, fixing the drawing as usual with the iodide of potassium.

1843 – Manslaughter at Byford

James Preece went to a dance at the Boat public house in Byford one Wednesday in August, and had a falling out with Charles Lewis. On the Sunday morning, at around seven, they met to fight and after some seven rounds James Preece was downed by Charles – he immediately gave in, saying that he was badly hurt in the neck and back.

James was carried to the Byford Boat and after being bled by a woman, was put to bed, but he died in agony just after midnight.

Mr. Giles, the Byford Surgeon, carried out a post mortem and his opinion was that death was due to spinal cord injury and effusion of blood. He said that the whole of the vessels of the membranes of the brain, as well as the brain itself, were very much congested and gorged with blood. He also discovered a fracture and dislocation of the sixth and seventh vertical vertebrae.

The verdict at the inquest was Manslaughter

1844 – Horse Races Re-established at Byford

In July 1844, the village of Byford thoroughly enjoyed an excuse for fun, having foregone the old custom of Sunday wakes.

Many hundreds of people made their way to the new racecourse, which was said to be in a perfect state for racing following some much needed rain.

Entries were not as high as was hoped, but this was mainly due to other races taking place elsewhere on the same day, but this didn’t stop the pleasure of the spectactors and the first race for the Byford and Monnington purse of sovereigns was run between Mr. Hall’s Orlando and Mr. Crump’s Running Rein. Orlando won.

After the horses came the foot racers, who contested for new hats, fabric,handkerchiefs etc., and then the dancing commenced. The partying continued late into the night, with an eventual adjournment to The Boat Inn, and it was well into the early hours before people went home.

1845 – Attempted Murder by Lover at Byford – As First Reported

Rumours of an attempt on the life of Miss Ellen Davies spread rapidly around Herefordshire, with embellisments being added along the way until the gossipers had her dead and buried.

Eventually, the story became so fantastical that many who heard it decided that it was all a hoax, however it turned out that she had indeed been shot at. Or so it was said…….

Ellen Davies and her Would be Suitor

Ellen Davies was a pretty daughter of a miller/shopkeeper, who had been pestered for nearly two years by a young man who frequently asked her to marry him, even though he refused to tell her his name or where he lived. Ellen consistently ignored his pleas to meet him at various places in and around Byford, so that he changed tactics and wrote to her saying that he was very ill and dying. When that didn’t work, he pestered her even more than before (would be called stalking these days) and eventually he wrote to her saying that he would kill both her and himself unless she married him.

Ellen’s friends were horrified, but rather thought she would be safer to marry him than reject him! Ellen herself decided otherwise, so continued to spurn his advances.

Ellen’s Would be Suitor becomes Deranged

The young man became so deranged that he was sectioned for a while, and many different people heard him swearing that he would shoot Ellen Davies, and that she would never marry anyone else; he made more threats of a destructive nature, but nobody took any notice because they thought he was insane.

The Murder Attempt on Ellen Davies

Eventually he was released from the asylum, and shortly afterwards he commenced watch on Ellen’s house. One Monday night, Ellen went out to the cider house at the back of her father’s house, where she came across the young man of her nightmares who was with a friend of his. Before she could escape, they had grabbed her and dragged her over two meadows; the friend held her by the arms whilst the insane would be lover pointed a pistol at her breast. He fired once, and Ellen felt blood pouring down her neck and arm – just before fainting she heard the man holding her arms cry out “you have shot me”.

When she came round, the men had gone and she screamed for help until her family found her, and not surprisingly, when they saw her covered in blood and in a state of near insensibility, they feared the worst and sent for surgeons from Hereford and Byford.

The surgeons merely discovered a few bruises to her arms, but the effects of her terror were profound and for some considerable time she was said to be dangerously ill from the shock.

Of the men, no trace was found other than blood being found in an adjoining field.

The Papers Are Not Totally Convinced

The papers duly reported the case with the facts that were given to them, but were highly sceptical…….

“That a madman might have fired in the way described is not improbable; but that a coadjutor could be found to hold the victim, is really out of the range of probability – if not mad too – and who but a madman would occupy the dangerous position of holding a person while a third party shot at the person so held? He is by far the more culpable, in fact his offence is diabolical.”

The Aftermath of the First Reports of the Byford Mystery

Many people doubted the truth of the facts, especially as it was all related by Ellen Davies herself, along with her parents.

It was felt to be extraordinary that nobody ever saw the “Demon” as he came to be known, except for Ellen and her mother and sister.

It transpired that the letters he sent her were sometimes delivered to Ellen at Credenhill Mill where she occasionally lived, and sometimes to Byford where they were pushed under the door or thrown into the shop.

He gave Ellen gifts, such as a dress and shawl – the papers, and the people, questioned why it was not possible for the shop where they were bought to reveal the identity of the purchaser.

The Truth Emerges – The Verified Report

A truth that was described “a more malicious and unaccountable transaction is not to be found in the annals of either reality or romance. Indeed, so wild, so heartless, so daring, is the wickedness which the persecution of Ellen Davies unfolds, that the reader will often exclaim – this cannot be true, it must be romance, it cannot be reality. Let the reader however be not incredulous, the source of this information is the most credible”

So here it is, and the man is no longer a lover, or suitor…….he is The Demon.

The Davies Family

Richard Davies was a miller living in a secluded cottage in Byford. It was a small cottage, hidden by trees, and was rather cramped with low rooms; it had an outhouse which was both a cellar and lumber room about twenty yards from the cottage. Richard Davies’s mill was at Credenhill, some miles away, and he was honest and hard working – very inoffensive; he had a general store at his Byford house where virtually anything could be bought.

Richard Davies had a quiet hard working wife and three pretty daughters; there was also a female domestic and a labourer living in the house with them.

Ellen Davies aged 21 and the eldest daughter, was extremely pretty and was described as being of Venus stature with nicely rounded proportions. Her hair was beautiful, and she had lovely eyes, teeth and lips.

Ellen Davies Works in her Father’s Hereford Shop

Three years prior to the incident, Richard Davies took a small house and shop in Hereford and filled it with groceries etc., and here he placed his daughter Ellen, but she was not there long before she became plagued by suitors. She was firm with them all, but it didn’t stop their advances, however she “shook them off as one strikes down an insect buzzing near the ear”. The continued “hum of swarms” was not pleasant though and the situation became unbearable.

The Demon Appears

One of these men was the one that was to become known as The Demon – a young man of 30, about five feet seven tall with a dark complexion. His hair and whiskers were dark, and he was not one bit handsome; he wore a profusion of rings, including one big one which had a sprung cover and when open revealed a miniature painting of himself.

Ellen had often seen him walking around Hereford with respectable gentlemen but never learnt his name. She was used to living in the country, so was not always happy to be confined to the shop, and often got up early in the morning to walking up Ailstone Hill or Broomy Hill. One morning in March 1844 she realised that The Demon was following her, tracking her every move, and from that day she could not go for her walks without the man following her, although he never spoke.

The Demon Starts Stalking

Then a letter arrived in which The Demon declared his love for her, and put his case for a happy and successful marriage – he didn’t reveal his name, and never did throughout the whole sorry affair.

Ellen replied, turning him down, and on 1st May 1844 he wrote again pleading with her to change her mind, as well as following her at every opportunity. Again and again she rejected him, until eventually she was so tired of it all that she begged her father to close the Hereford shop and let her return to Byford, which he immediately did. This however only seemed to inflame the Demon further, and letter after letter arrived – sometimes by post, and sometimes delivered by a young man who later became the Demon’s accomplice. Ellen never answered any of his increasingly desperate letters.

One day he saw Ellen in Hereford and forced his company on her, vowing eternal love and pleading with her to agree to be his wife. She refused, saying that apart from anything else she could never entertain a relationship with a man who concealed his real name from her. She refused many gifts of rings for the same reason, and he promised that if she would agree to be his wife, he would tell her his name as long as she told nobody else other than her parents. She left.

The Demon Fakes Illness

There followed over a period of time, increasingly insane sounding letters to Ellen, most of which she ignored. Then after some weeks, she met the Demon in Hereford and once again he proposed marriage, describing fantastical estates in Cumberland where he would take her after their marriage. Unfortunately, Ellen’s parents appeared dazzled by this, and perhaps Ellen herself was swayed, because when he wrote to say that he was ill, she resolved to go to see him in Cumberland, but before she could, she met the accomplice of the Demon, the young man on the dappled pony who carried the letters to Byford, who on learning her intentions to go to Cumberland, told her that the Demon was dead.

Two Strange Men Join the Cast

A week later however, he met her again and said that he had made a mistake! Then followed more letters, all of which she ignored having realised that the man was quite mad, but one day two gentlemen drove up to the shop in a gig – they asked her to sign a document, but she refused having no idea what was written there. A few days later they returned, but the shop was full of customers so they drove off; they returned some days later and tried to force her to sign the document, using many threats – once again she refused.

The men returned a week later, and they grabbed hold of her and dragged her towards their gig; fortunately, two labourers saw her plight and ran to help, at which point Ellen was released and the men drove off.

It would seem clear that these men were working for the Demon, and the document was a marriage agreement.

Everything went quiet – Ellen had no more letters, and the men did not return, so she must have started to relax, but it was not to be for long because the Demon shoved a note through her bedroom window.

The Demon becomes Threatening, and Attempts Murder

The contents were disturbing, and very threatening – he was basically warning her that he would never allow her to marry anyone else and as he wanted nobody but her then they would die together, but incredibly Ellen seemed unafraid.

On a Monday night, the Ellen and her family were eating supper, although Mr. Davies was at the Credenhill Mill. Ellen went to the cider house for some cider, and was horrified to see the Demon in the lane; she ran back into the house, and her sister and their man servant rushed out to chase the Demon. Ellen ran too, and stood by the fence to watch, when the young man who had brought letters to her suddenly appeared by her side, and warned her that she was in great danger because “they” had lost the Demon during the previous 24 hours……he barely finished speaking, before the Demon, who had shaken off his pursuers, sprang over the fence and grabbed Ellen, before throwing her back over the fence. He and his accomplice manhandled her a hundred yards or so before hurling her over a stone stile, but then their way was thwarted by some wooden rails – the pair failed to get Ellen through these, and the Demon became frantic; he drew a pistol and pointed it at Ellen, at which point his accomplice threw his arms around her, apparently in an effort to protect her, but the gun went off and hit him instead.

As described in the first report above, Ellen was so badly shocked as to be very ill for some time, but this was not the end of the matter. She received a letter from the accomplice, saying that he was badly injured and must leave the country until things died down, but hoped that she was okay. Then a letter came from the Demon, which was very clearly the work of a madman, and in which he once again threatened her.

Disbelief that no Real Attempts were Made to find the Demon

The papers were puzzled, astonished and angry that no apparent attempts had been made by the authorities to trace any of the people involved in this whole affair – the Demon; his accomplice; the two men in the gig, and a lad who was holding their horse. Mr. Davies put up a £50 reward for any information to help find the miscreants, but nothing came of it, and the police continued to turn their backs on the affair.

It all rather smacks of something being hushed up!

1854 – Death of Surgeon’s Son

Herbert Johnson Broome Giles, the infant son of P. Giles, Surgeon, died suddenly.

He had been “cross and sickly” for some time, and the nurse found him dead in bed, with a black face.

Verdict, died by the visitation of God.

1858 – Death by Falling from a tree

In April 1858, 17 year old Joseph Preece of Byford was removing ivy from an elm tree when he fell and landed heavily on the ground.

P.B. Giles, a surgeon of Stanton on Wye, was immediately sent for, and he found Joseph unconscious but could not discover any fractures or contusions.

Sadly Joseph died the following morning, never really having gained consciousness.

Garnons History

sally — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 20:45:05 +0000

Garnons country house, situated just west of Hereford, has a slightly elevated position which affords wonderful views.

John Geers Cotterell

In the mid 19th century Garnons was rebuilt in the Picturesque style with a castellated section.

Death of Sir John Cotterell’s Butler

Death of Sir John Geers Cotterell

John Geers Cotterell the younger

Sir Henry Geers Cotterell

1871 – Garnons Household

Henry Geers Cotterell	36		b. Middlesex
Katherine Cotterell	28	Wife	b. Northampton
John Cotterell	4	Son	b. London
Alice Cotterell	3	Daughter	b. London
Louisa Cotterell	1	Daughter	b. London
Elizabeth Norman	41	Housekeeper	b. Norfolk
Frances Hayne	26	Lady’s Maid	b. Norfolk
Henia (?) Briggs	33	Nurse	b. Newmarket
Emma Crouch	19	Nurse	b. Andover
Emily Bishop	27	Laundrymaid	b. Norfolk
Emily Hall	22	Laundrymaid	b. London
Emma Whitley	28	Housemaid	b. Harewood, Yorkshire
Mary Scott	24	Housemaid	b. Aberdeen, Scotland
Mary Farquharson	24	Kitchenmaid	b. Yorkshire
Elizabeth Hoodward	20	Kitchenmaid	b. Yorkshire
Elizabeth Carter	20	Kitchenmaid	b. Sunderland
Charles Smallfield	37	Butler	b. Walton, Middlesex
John Tillbury	34	Valet	b. Buckinghamshire
Edward Saunders	24	Footman	b. Sussex
George Hall	27	Under Butler	b. Hampshire
Henry Maddox	25	Usher	b. Herefordshire
Thomas Cooper	30	Coachman	b. London
Peter Howe	22	Groom	b. Bedfordshire
John Gardener	18	Groom	b. Hampshire

1911 – Garnons Household

John Richard Geers Cotterell	45		b. Grosvenor Place, London
Sylvia Evelyn Cotterell	14	Daughter	b. Belgrave Square, London
Cicily Violet Cotterell	12	Daughter	b. Lennox Gardens, London
Mildred Katherine Cotterell	8	Daughter	b. London
Richard Charles Geers Cotterell	3	Son	b. London
Edith Goldingham	35	Governess	b. London
Charles Thomas Wheeler	46	Butler	b. Suffolk
Edwin Tubb	24	Footman	b. Fulham, London
William Grant	24	Footman	b. St. Pancras, London
Frederick Ernest Lewis	28	Odd man	b. Leominster, Herefordshire
Florence Mothersole	43	Housekeeper and cook	b. Suffolk
Elsie Norvel	23	Kitchenmaid	b. East Dean, Sussex
Gertrude Clayton	18	Kitchenmaid	b. Hampshire
Elizabeth Price	45	Housemaid	b. Holywell, N. Wales
Elizabeth Thomas	24	Housemaid	b. South Wales
Jane Thomas	22	Housemaid	b. South Wales
Annie Saunders	17	Housemaid	b. Swindon, Wiltshire
Mary Elizabeth Stroud	41	Laundrymaid	b. Dorset
Phebe May Warrel	23	Laundrymaid	b. Shropshire
Janet Dodd	19	Laundrymaid	b. Durham
Anabella Fraser	31	Nurse	b. Aberdeenshire
Kate Jones	20	Nurserymaid	b. New Radnor, Radnorshire

St. John the Baptist Church – Byford

sally — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 19:32:46 +0000

The church at nearby Mansell Gamage closed and became a private house in 1974, and some monuments were moved to St. John the Baptist church at Byford which dates from the 12th century.

Over the ages extensions were added and renovations were made and a new tower was built in 1715. The Victorians also did some restoration.
There are some amazing wall paintings, dating from the early 15th century which were gradually uncovered in the 1970s.

Font

Probably Victorian

Memorial

Sir John Geers Cotterell, Baronet

One of many plaques relating to the Cotterell family. This one is for Sir John Geers Cotterell, Baronet, son of Sir John Cotterell, Knight (by his wife Anne Geers), died 26th January 1845. Also John Geers Cotterell, 2nd Baronet and grandson of preceding. Born 20th August 1830, and died at Eton College on 17th February 1847