Swanstone Court History

sally — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 20:47:43 +0000

Swanstone Court at Dilwyn was built in the 14^th century, and was rebuilt and extended in the 18^th century; much of the earlier features still survive.

1841 – Swanstone Court Household

John Mattey	32	Farmer	b. Herefordshire
Beatrice Jay	26		b. Herefordshire
Joanna Jay	10		b. Herefordshire
John Jay	20		b. Herefordshire
Samual Mathews	13	Servant
James Lane	12	Servant

In 1844, all the effects of Swanstone Court were put up for auction by John Mattey as follows:

34 pure bred Herefordshire cattle descended from the universally esteemed herds of the Misses Tomkins, Mr. Edmund Jeffries and John Hewer; a team of cart horses and mares; sheep of the Ryeland and Leicester cross; fat and store pigs; implements of husbandry etc. etc. All in all, virtually everything that was used to run a farm.

Household furniture was also up for auction:

Oak and other tables and chairs; an eight day clock in oak case; barometers; cupboards; chimney glass; oak four post and stump bedsteads; feather beds, bolsters and pillows, blankets, sheets and counterpanes; bureau and chest with drawers; wash hand stands and night chair, linen chest; fenders and fire irons; china, glass and earthenware; kitchen, brewing and culinary requisites; a variety of useful dairy utensils.

In other words, John Mattey was selling absolutely everything bar the clothes and one wonders whether he had to do this to settle debts.

1851 – Swanstone Court Household

Henry Rawlins Evans	49	Widower, farmer	b. West Indies
Henry Rawlins Evans	23	Son	b. Bristol, Somerset
Mary G. Evans	21	Daughter	b. Bristol, Somerset
John Stope	47	Under Waggoner	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire
Charles Basenham	29	Cowman	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire
Hannah Harris	29	House Servant	b. Kineston, Radnor

Given the leap in household numbers when the Evans family took over the court, the extensions to the house probably were built between 1844 and 1861.

1861 – Swanstone Court Household

Henry Rawlins Evans	33	Farmer	b. Bristol, Somerset
Parthenia Evans	29	Wife	b. Vowchurch, Herefordshire
Henry Rawlins Evans	3	Son	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire
Mary Jane Evans	1	Daughter	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire
Henry Rawlins Evans	59	Father	b. West Indies, British Subject
Elizabeth Palfrey	21	Nurse	b. Herefordshire
Sarah Williams	16	Housemaid	b. Kings Pyon, Herefordshire
John Parton	32	Head Waggoner	b. Radnor
Joseph Barber	22	Under Waggoner	b. Hope Under Dinmore, Herefordshire
William Evans	15	Waggoner	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire

1871 – Swanstone Court Household

Henry Rawlins Evans	43	Farmer	b. Bristol, Somerset
Parthenia Evans	40	Wife	b. Vowchurch, Herefordshire
Mary Jane Evans	10	Daughter	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire
Jane Moore Evans	8	Daughter	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire
Fanny Moore Evans	6	Daughter	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire
James Parry Evans	4	Son	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire
Francis Moore Evans	2	Son	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire
Parthenia Moore Evans	9 months	Daughter	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire
Henry Rawlins Evans	69	Father	b. St. Christopher, West Indies
Ellen Hiles (?)	23	Governess	b. Vowchurch, Herefordshire
Eliza Bowcott	21	General domestic servant	b. Pembridge, Herefordshire
Julia Tunks	16	General domestic servant	b. Kimbolton, Herefordshire
Thomas Leighton	17	Indoor farm servant	b. Kings Pyon, Herefordshire

1881 – Swanstone Court Household

James T. Dawe	30	Farmer	b. Moreton on Lugg, Herefordshire
Elizabeth Dawe	30	Wife	b. Wormsley, Herefordshire
Alfred James Dawe	2	Son	b. Madley, Herefordshire
Edith Dawe	5	Daughter	b. Madley, Herefordshire
Nora Dawe	3	Daughter	b. Madley, Herefordshire
Alice Wheeler	20	Governess	b. Eaton Bishop, Herefordshire
Alice Morgan	14	General Servant	b. Wellington, Herefordshire
John Bathurst	20	Indoor Servant	b. Birley, Herefordshire
William Bagley	15	Indoor Servant	b. Dilwyn, Herefordshire

1911 – Swanstone Court Household

James Davies	66	Single, Farmer	b. Weobley, Herefordshire
May P. Jenkins	46	Single, Housekeeper	b. Monmouthshire