When the St. Anne’s chapel was restored in 1956, it was found that the floor was actually covering an earlier floor of stone slabs, in which were many memorial stones. The inscriptions were unreadable, and most were removed when the new floor was laid, however when one of the slabs was taken up a stone coffin was found in which was a skeleton of a child between 12 and 16. The grave was closed again, but it is thought possible that it was Henry Pembrugge who died aged 15 in 1375; he was the son of Sir Richard Pembrugge of Clehonger Manor. Two memorial slabs were kept, and they were for members of the Aubrey family who also had Clehonger Manor from 1600 to 1794, when the Manor suffered a dreadful fire.

Font

Memorials

Sir Richard Pembrugge

There is an effigy of Sir Richard Pembrugge who died in around 1346. He is dressed in full armour with a sword on his left side, and his shield with his coat of arms on his left hip. His right hand holds the hilt of a dagger. At his feet is a dog. Sir Richard Pembrugge married Petronilla and they had three children – Hawisia, Amicia and Richard, who was knighted by Edward lll. He married Elizabeth, the widow of Gerald de Lisle and they had one child, Henry who died in 1376 – the same year as his father.

Petronilla also has an effigy in the church, and the figure is about 4 feet long, so presumably she was tiny; she is depicted wearing a gown with buttoned sleeves and a belt, and has long hair. At her feet is a bird, and nobody seems to know what this is although it’s possible that it is a stormy petrel given the appearance of it’s beak, and Petronilla’s name may be a clue to this. She died around 1348.

Another memorial is to John Matthews and his wife Elizabeth – daughter of Aurthur Ellis. Also their eldest son William Hoskyns Matthews who was one of 14 children.

There are two magnificent brasses which depict Sir John Barre who died in around 1482, and his second wife Joan, widow of Robert Greyndour. Joan died in 1484. Sir John Barre’s great great grandfather was Sir Thomas de la Barre who married Hawisia, sister of Sir Richard Pembrugge K.G. This was when Clehonger Manor went from the Pembrugges to the Barres.

In the churchyard are some interesting finds – Three members of the Phillips family who were all blacksmiths; John who died 1771, James in 1850 and Thomas in 1859. Then there are four brothers in the Taylor family – Thomas aged 20 who died 17th July 1813 after being hit over the head by a club. He worked as a groom for Colonel Matthews of Belmont House, and one night on arriving home quite late he yelled to be let in; eventually he forced his way in and was hit by the Coachman rather forcibly. He died a few days later. Two years later, three of his brothers died from drowning – John aged 32, William aged 27 and James aged 25. “Where by the sinking of a boat, in which they were returning from their daily labours, were unfortunately drowned in the River Wye, on the evening of 10th March 1815, leaving three widows and ten helpless children to the protection of that providence whose Mercy extends over all His Works, but whose ways are inscrutable to man”.

A visit by the Cambrian Archaeological Association in 1867

The party came to Clehonger church where they found several objects of interest;  the effigy of Sir Richard Pembridge in the north side of the church which was in a remarkable state of preservation.

Another effigy was the  monument to a lady of the Aubrey family dated 1576;  nearby were stones to the memory of a brother and sister of the late Archdeacon Prosser.

The tower of the church was of a very early date, opening out at the nave which is chiefly remarkable for its massive and handsome timber roof.

The altar cloth was a nice example of needlework by Miss Blencowe, and some communion linen, the work of Mrs Smith a lady of the neighbourhood, and Mrs. Walker of Hammersmith, was also admired.

Churches of Clehonger

• All Saints Church - Clehonger

  This lovely Herefordshire church of All Saints was built during the 13th century, although there was once a Norman church on the site. This is one of few churches to have changed names following the original dedications, and in fact it used to be St. Mary’s. The first time that All Saints occurred was 1742.

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  When the St. Anne’s chapel was restored in 1956, it was found that the floor was actually covering an earlier floor of stone slabs, in which were many memorial stones. The inscriptions were unreadable, and most were removed when the new floor was laid, however when one of the slabs was taken up a stone coffin was found in which was a skeleton of a child between 12 and 16. The grave was closed again, but it is thought possible that it was Henry Pembrugge who died aged 15 in 1375; he was the son of Sir Richard Pembrugge of Clehonger Manor. Two memorial slabs were kept, and they were for members of the Aubrey family who also had Clehonger Manor from 1600 to 1794, when the Manor suffered a dreadful fire.

  Font

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Memorials

  Sir Richard Pembrugge

  There is an effigy of Sir Richard Pembrugge who died in around 1346. He is dressed in full armour with a sword on his left side, and his shield with his coat of arms on his left hip. His right hand holds the hilt of a dagger. At his feet is a dog. Sir Richard Pembrugge married Petronilla and they had three children – Hawisia, Amicia and Richard, who was knighted by Edward lll. He married Elizabeth, the widow of Gerald de Lisle and they had one child, Henry who died in 1376 – the same year as his father.

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Petronilla also has an effigy in the church, and the figure is about 4 feet long, so presumably she was tiny; she is depicted wearing a gown with buttoned sleeves and a belt, and has long hair. At her feet is a bird, and nobody seems to know what this is although it’s possible that it is a stormy petrel given the appearance of it’s beak, and Petronilla’s name may be a clue to this. She died around 1348.

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Another memorial is to John Matthews and his wife Elizabeth – daughter of Aurthur Ellis. Also their eldest son William Hoskyns Matthews who was one of 14 children.

  There are two magnificent brasses which depict Sir John Barre who died in around 1482, and his second wife Joan, widow of Robert Greyndour. Joan died in 1484. Sir John Barre’s great great grandfather was Sir Thomas de la Barre who married Hawisia, sister of Sir Richard Pembrugge K.G. This was when Clehonger Manor went from the Pembrugges to the Barres.

   

  In the churchyard are some interesting finds – Three members of the Phillips family who were all blacksmiths; John who died 1771, James in 1850 and Thomas in 1859. Then there are four brothers in the Taylor family – Thomas aged 20 who died 17th July 1813 after being hit over the head by a club. He worked as a groom for Colonel Matthews of Belmont House, and one night on arriving home quite late he yelled to be let in; eventually he forced his way in and was hit by the Coachman rather forcibly. He died a few days later. Two years later, three of his brothers died from drowning – John aged 32, William aged 27 and James aged 25. “Where by the sinking of a boat, in which they were returning from their daily labours, were unfortunately drowned in the River Wye, on the evening of 10th March 1815, leaving three widows and ten helpless children to the protection of that providence whose Mercy extends over all His Works, but whose ways are inscrutable to man”.

  A visit by the Cambrian Archaeological Association in 1867

  The party came to Clehonger church where they found several objects of interest;  the effigy of Sir Richard Pembridge in the north side of the church which was in a remarkable state of preservation.

  Another effigy was the  monument to a lady of the Aubrey family dated 1576;  nearby were stones to the memory of a brother and sister of the late Archdeacon Prosser.

  The tower of the church was of a very early date, opening out at the nave which is chiefly remarkable for its massive and handsome timber roof.

  The altar cloth was a nice example of needlework by Miss Blencowe, and some communion linen, the work of Mrs Smith a lady of the neighbourhood, and Mrs. Walker of Hammersmith, was also admired.

   

  Read More >

News from the Past Clehonger

• Clehonger News from the Past

  Tales of tributes and whipping

  1850 – Moving Gravestone Tribute to a Boy and Dog

  “In childhood’s prime, when opening springtide wove

  it’s wavy wreaths of yellow daffodil.

  Awoke the winged warblers of the grove,

  and fringed with primrose pale the copse-side rill.

  Poor boy, death laid it’s hand upon thy brow,

  and snatch’d thee in an instant from the earth,

  while life was bursting from each budding bough,

  and all around was industry and mirth.

  Parental anguish steep’d in tears they shroud,

  domestics press’d thy mangled corpse to see,

  the passing pilgrim paused amid the crowd,

  and they fond, faithful terrier – where was he?

  He who was wont at dawn beside they door

  to gently tap, or gambol at they side?

  Soon as thy young life’s pulses beat no more,

  he lick’d thy hand, moaned plaintively, and died.

  Hence, while around Mount Pleasant’s slopes we stray,

  and mark his grave beside the Shepherd’s Cot,

  we pensive pen this tributary lay,

  and plant above the mound – Forget Me Not.

  1866 – Tragic Death at Clehonger Mill

  Benjamin Cross was known as a sober man in good health, and hard working.

  One day, witnesses reported seeing the mill wheel going faster than normal, but didn’t think to investigate;  it wasn’t until  Thomas Probert went to the mill as he had some grist to be ground that Benjamin Cross’s sad demise was discovered.

  The water wheel was moving quickly, and Thomas could see Benjamin apparently standing by the machinery – he was so alarmed by his appearance that he immediately stopped the water wheel.

  Benjamin was nearly in a standing position, with his knees bent and his arms around the spindle of the cog wheel.  The skirt of his jacket was caught in the wheel and he had been drawn right into the machinery by his clothes – he was cold and dead.

  The Post Mortem

  A Hereford surgeon carefully examined Benjamin’s body and discovered severe external injuries, with the lower part of the abdomen extensively lacerated and bowels protruding.  There were also cog wheel marks on the spine, which was dislocated.  The surgeon also thought that there would have been extensive internal injuries, and that the shock alone would be sufficient to cause death.

  Verdict – Accidental death from the machinery of a mill.

   

   

  1887 – The Clehonger Whipping Case

  As reported in the Birmingham Daily Post

  “At the Hereford County Court, an action was brought by William Pritchard the younger of Clehonger (who is an infant) through William Pritchard the elder, a labourer, against Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of Belmont, J.P. for the county of Hereford, the Rev. E.H. Holloway, vicar of Clehonger, and Mr. W.J. Smith, schoolmaster of the same place, the claim being £50 for damages arising out of what is locally known as the Clehonger whipping case.

  “Witnesses for the plaintiff stated that in May last, the plaintiff who is a weak minded youth aged 19, obtained admittance to Clehonger parish church vestry when no one else was present, got possession of several surplices some of which he burnt, and others defiled in a filthy manner.

  “Pritchard admitted the act, and after being waited upon by the police who told him that he would be pardoned if he asked for forgiveness, he and Mrs. Pritchard waited upon the vicar and offered an apology. To this the Rev. Mr. Holloway replied that he could not overlook the matter and referred the plaintiff to Colonel Lucas, the churchwarden. The plaintiff and his mother called upon Colonel Lucas who said he felt it incumbent upon him to prosecute the lad and make him pay the damages, which were about £3 10s, but as this punishment would fall on the parents and not the person who deserved to suffer, he offered as an alternative that the plaintiff should be whipped in the Clehonger day school.

  “The plaintiff agreed to this arrangement and stipulated that the schoolmaster, Mr. Smith, should administer the punishment. On reaching the school however, he met the three defendants.

  The Whipping

  “The schoolmaster took down plaintiff’s trousers, his shirt was also removed, and then Colonel Lucas gave him twenty four strokes with a cane, while the vicar stood by and counted the cuts. He shrieked and struggled to get away but was held down over a desk by the schoolmaster, and afterwards, the vicar addressing the other lads present, said he hoped it would be a warning to them not to abuse God’s house.

  “The defence was that the plaintiff gave his consent to all that was to take place, and that therefore no assault was committed. It was done simply and solely as a kindness to the parents, and as a corrective to the lad, who, if taken before the magistrates would have been fined and his parents would have had to pay. Colonel Lucas also swore that the plaintiff agreed that he should administer the strokes and he denied that they were given with undue severity.”

  The Judge did not think that it was a case in which heavy damages should be given, and the jury found for the plaintiff damages of £10.

  1888 – Fatal Accident of a Farmer at Clehonger

  William Hutton, a farmer of Clehonger was driving home from market late one night when his mare shied at a heap of stones on which a tramp had left a coat. He was flung from his trap and killed.

  The horse went home and his worried wife drove out to look for her husband; when she found him she sat by his body until the doctor came.

  1889 – Suicide at Clehonger due to Lack of Sleep

  Clara Baylis was a single woman who worked as a Companion for a Miss Crampton, and travelled around with her.

  Around Easter time she wrote to her sister and her husband saying that she did not feel well and would like to visit them, but subsequently she postponed the visit.

  She then rearranged her visit and when she arrived was clearly unwell, saying that she had not slept for a good six weeks and was becoming distraught. She refused to see a doctor, but her mother called for one anyway and he prescribed some medicine.

  The next morning, Clara’s mother went downstairs first thing and saw Clara hanging from a beam in the kitchen – she was cold and must have hung herself early in the night.

  Her doctor in London said that she had not been depressed, just rather excitable and nervous.  His examination of the body showed that she had come down with a drop which virtually dislocated the neck, and he thought that death would have been instant.

  He thought that lack of sleep had sent her temporarily out of her mind.

  1893 – Mysterious Death at Clehonger

  Three young men were out for a walk when one of them went into a coppice to cut a stick – there he found the body of a man under some bushes.

  They pulled the man out and saw that the man had been shot through the mouth – a new revolver being in his hand.

  Strangely, the man seemed determined to hide his identity, having removed the used pages of his notebook, and put on brand new clothes from which he had cut the tailor’s name.

  The surgeon, Mr. David Evans of Kingstone, made his examination and found a wound at the roof of the mouth such as might have been caused by a shot from a revolver;  the ball had penetrated the back part of the brain at the junction with the spine, and death would have been instantaneous.  Advanced putrefaction had set in in the abdomen which indicated that the man had been dead for about four days.

  He was thought to be about 24 years old, around 5 ft 8 ins, with fair complexion and short brown hair;  a short stubby moustache, hazel eyes and regular teeth.

  The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind.

  Read More >

1850 – Moving Gravestone Tribute to a Boy and Dog

“In childhood’s prime, when opening springtide wove

it’s wavy wreaths of yellow daffodil.

Awoke the winged warblers of the grove,

and fringed with primrose pale the copse-side rill.

Poor boy, death laid it’s hand upon thy brow,

and snatch’d thee in an instant from the earth,

while life was bursting from each budding bough,

and all around was industry and mirth.

Parental anguish steep’d in tears they shroud,

domestics press’d thy mangled corpse to see,

the passing pilgrim paused amid the crowd,

and they fond, faithful terrier – where was he?

He who was wont at dawn beside they door

to gently tap, or gambol at they side?

Soon as thy young life’s pulses beat no more,

he lick’d thy hand, moaned plaintively, and died.

Hence, while around Mount Pleasant’s slopes we stray,

and mark his grave beside the Shepherd’s Cot,

we pensive pen this tributary lay,

and plant above the mound – Forget Me Not.

1866 – Tragic Death at Clehonger Mill

Benjamin Cross was known as a sober man in good health, and hard working.

One day, witnesses reported seeing the mill wheel going faster than normal, but didn’t think to investigate;  it wasn’t until  Thomas Probert went to the mill as he had some grist to be ground that Benjamin Cross’s sad demise was discovered.

The water wheel was moving quickly, and Thomas could see Benjamin apparently standing by the machinery – he was so alarmed by his appearance that he immediately stopped the water wheel.

Benjamin was nearly in a standing position, with his knees bent and his arms around the spindle of the cog wheel.  The skirt of his jacket was caught in the wheel and he had been drawn right into the machinery by his clothes – he was cold and dead.

The Post Mortem

A Hereford surgeon carefully examined Benjamin’s body and discovered severe external injuries, with the lower part of the abdomen extensively lacerated and bowels protruding.  There were also cog wheel marks on the spine, which was dislocated.  The surgeon also thought that there would have been extensive internal injuries, and that the shock alone would be sufficient to cause death.

Verdict – Accidental death from the machinery of a mill.

1887 – The Clehonger Whipping Case

As reported in the Birmingham Daily Post

“At the Hereford County Court, an action was brought by William Pritchard the younger of Clehonger (who is an infant) through William Pritchard the elder, a labourer, against Lieutenant Colonel Lucas of Belmont, J.P. for the county of Hereford, the Rev. E.H. Holloway, vicar of Clehonger, and Mr. W.J. Smith, schoolmaster of the same place, the claim being £50 for damages arising out of what is locally known as the Clehonger whipping case.

“Witnesses for the plaintiff stated that in May last, the plaintiff who is a weak minded youth aged 19, obtained admittance to Clehonger parish church vestry when no one else was present, got possession of several surplices some of which he burnt, and others defiled in a filthy manner.

“Pritchard admitted the act, and after being waited upon by the police who told him that he would be pardoned if he asked for forgiveness, he and Mrs. Pritchard waited upon the vicar and offered an apology. To this the Rev. Mr. Holloway replied that he could not overlook the matter and referred the plaintiff to Colonel Lucas, the churchwarden. The plaintiff and his mother called upon Colonel Lucas who said he felt it incumbent upon him to prosecute the lad and make him pay the damages, which were about £3 10s, but as this punishment would fall on the parents and not the person who deserved to suffer, he offered as an alternative that the plaintiff should be whipped in the Clehonger day school.

“The plaintiff agreed to this arrangement and stipulated that the schoolmaster, Mr. Smith, should administer the punishment. On reaching the school however, he met the three defendants.

The Whipping

“The schoolmaster took down plaintiff’s trousers, his shirt was also removed, and then Colonel Lucas gave him twenty four strokes with a cane, while the vicar stood by and counted the cuts. He shrieked and struggled to get away but was held down over a desk by the schoolmaster, and afterwards, the vicar addressing the other lads present, said he hoped it would be a warning to them not to abuse God’s house.

“The defence was that the plaintiff gave his consent to all that was to take place, and that therefore no assault was committed. It was done simply and solely as a kindness to the parents, and as a corrective to the lad, who, if taken before the magistrates would have been fined and his parents would have had to pay. Colonel Lucas also swore that the plaintiff agreed that he should administer the strokes and he denied that they were given with undue severity.”

The Judge did not think that it was a case in which heavy damages should be given, and the jury found for the plaintiff damages of £10.

1888 – Fatal Accident of a Farmer at Clehonger

William Hutton, a farmer of Clehonger was driving home from market late one night when his mare shied at a heap of stones on which a tramp had left a coat. He was flung from his trap and killed.

The horse went home and his worried wife drove out to look for her husband; when she found him she sat by his body until the doctor came.

1889 – Suicide at Clehonger due to Lack of Sleep

Clara Baylis was a single woman who worked as a Companion for a Miss Crampton, and travelled around with her.

Around Easter time she wrote to her sister and her husband saying that she did not feel well and would like to visit them, but subsequently she postponed the visit.

She then rearranged her visit and when she arrived was clearly unwell, saying that she had not slept for a good six weeks and was becoming distraught. She refused to see a doctor, but her mother called for one anyway and he prescribed some medicine.

The next morning, Clara’s mother went downstairs first thing and saw Clara hanging from a beam in the kitchen – she was cold and must have hung herself early in the night.

Her doctor in London said that she had not been depressed, just rather excitable and nervous.  His examination of the body showed that she had come down with a drop which virtually dislocated the neck, and he thought that death would have been instant.

He thought that lack of sleep had sent her temporarily out of her mind.

1893 – Mysterious Death at Clehonger

Three young men were out for a walk when one of them went into a coppice to cut a stick – there he found the body of a man under some bushes.

They pulled the man out and saw that the man had been shot through the mouth – a new revolver being in his hand.

Strangely, the man seemed determined to hide his identity, having removed the used pages of his notebook, and put on brand new clothes from which he had cut the tailor’s name.

The surgeon, Mr. David Evans of Kingstone, made his examination and found a wound at the roof of the mouth such as might have been caused by a shot from a revolver;  the ball had penetrated the back part of the brain at the junction with the spine, and death would have been instantaneous.  Advanced putrefaction had set in in the abdomen which indicated that the man had been dead for about four days.

He was thought to be about 24 years old, around 5 ft 8 ins, with fair complexion and short brown hair;  a short stubby moustache, hazel eyes and regular teeth.

The jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind.