Churches of Dormington

• St. Peter's Church - Dormington

  The church of St. Peter is a Norman church, but in 1877 was greatly renovated .

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

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  13th century

   

   

   

  

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News from the Past Dormington

• Dormington News from the Past

  Landslips;  train crash and floods

  1804 – Stolen or Strayed, massive Reward Offered

  The following advertisement appeared in the Hereford Journal on 4th July 1804. The money involved for the reward was enormous.

  “Stolen or strayed from a field at Dormington near Hereford on Sunday 1st July,

  A dark brown mare of the nag kind, about fifteen hands high, five years old, in good condition, has no white on her legs, has a rowel mark on the inside of the left thigh, a small swelling on the outside the near leg behind, a small star in the forehead, a thick blood tail, several saddle and girth marks, goes rather wide behind. Shoes marked T.E.

  Whoever will give information of the same to Mr. Vevers at Dormington, or Thomas Maddy at Madley, so that she may be had again, shall be handsomely rewarded; and if stolen, on conviction of the offender or offenders, shall receive a reward of twenty guineas over and above what is allowed by Act Of Parliament, by applying to either of the above.

  1820 – Dormington Lime Kilns

  The public were respectfully informed that the Dormington Lime Kilns were now working, and that orders would be taken at the bar of the Black Swan every Saturday.

  1844 – Landslip at Dormington

  Reported in the Greenock Advertiser:

  “During the night of Friday last, an unusual and remarkable occurrence took place on Claston Estate in the parish of Dormington, Herefordshire, the property of Edward Foley Esq. of Stoke Edith Park.

  A large piece of land, consisting of more than three acres of rock and earth, with 40 oak trees, slipped down Dadnor’s Hill a distance of 200 yards into the valley beneath, and now presents a very curious appearance, the projected masses of rock forming fantastic shapes of caverns etc. and some of the trees remaining upright as if growing. From the ground cracking, there had been previous indication of the coming slip, and no doubt the wet weather hastened the result.

  The damage occasioned by the occurrence is estimated at £150.

  The event has given rise to a variety of alarming reports about an earthquake, but we have stated the real nature of the incident above.”

  1848 – Sudden death of John Mitton

  John Mitton was an old and well trusted servant of Richard Webb at Dormington Hall, where he had been in service as farming bailiff for 14 years, and had been well respected by his fellow servants.

  John was taken ill on 24th March 1848, whilst walking along the road, and although kindly assistance was offered he declined saying that he would try to get home. Shortly afterwards he was found in the hedge unconscious, and although he was picked up and put in a cart, he died very shortly afterwards.

  The jury returned a verdict of “died by the visitation of God”.

  1848 – Steeplechaser “Charity”

  The renowned horse Charity was put down at Dormington Court on 3rd March – the anniverary of his last race win at Liverpool in 1841.

  He had won 24 races, thirteen for his last owner and was by Woodman out of a dam by Grimaldi.

  The plates he had on when winning the Liverpool were buried with him, and all that was kept back was a piece of mane which his groom wanted to keep.

  1852 – Floods at Dormington

  Torrential rain in November flooded much of Herefordshire so that travel became difficult and dangerous, and the Hereford/Gloucester Mail Coach was lost in the River Lugg at Dormington; one passenger died, and two others along with the guard and coachman only just escaped with their lives.

  The three passengers were Mr. Thomas Hardwick, solicitor; Mr. W.S. Allen, a Birmingham solicitor, and a young man from Norwich who was up on the box with the coachman, Charles Murphy.

  Late afternoon, after negotiating horrendous conditions, the coach came to the bridge over the river, and of course it was dark so the coachman was unable to see until it was too late that the bridge had in fact been washed away by the floods. Coach, horses and passengers were carried downstream by the strong current, until their cries were heard by James Taylor of Longworth Lodge, who along with neighbours set about trying to rescue them.

  It was long, arduous and distressing work in the dark with just lanterns to help them see, and although they managed to save some of the mail and luggage, Thomas Hardwick died from exhaustion and exposure.

  The coachman, Charles Murphy, was so shaken by the event that it took him a long time to get over it, but he did continue as driver of the Hereford and Hay Mail coach and was much respected for his “civil and obliging demeanour”.

  1853 – The shameful Petitions

  Mr. King King presented petitions from the parishes of Dormington and Orleton in Herefordshire, against the admission of Jews into Parliament.

  1854 – Sudden death of Emanuel Treherne

  Emanuel Treherne was a labourer in the employment of Mr. Hodges at Dormington, and had appeared to be quite well early in the morning of his death, but was found dying in a ditch just two hours later.

  He died before the surgeon arrived, but he had been labouring with heart disease for some time and a verdict to that effect was returned.

  1904 – Serial Horse Thief

  Joshua Lovell aged 20 was charged with stealing a gelding belonging to Charles Fox of Dormington; also a donkey owned by Mary Hailes of Ross on Wye, and also with stealing a horse the property of John Payton, Upon on Severn.

  It was alleged that Joshua, whilst in the South African War, deserted and stole a horse from a Boer farmer.

  The court concluded that Joshua had a rather bad record and gave him eighteen months hard labour.

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Buildings of Dormington

• Dormington Court History

   

  Dormington Court dates from the early 17^th century, and became much larger when  an extension was built in the early 18^th century.

  It is part timber frame and part brick, and originally boasted a superb stable block;   it is now a hotel and  many of the original farm buildings have been bulldozed and replaced with a housing estate.

  One of the most notable owners was William Vevers.

  William Vevers.

  William Vevers of Dormington Court was born in 1782, the son of John Vevers of Yarkhill Court.  He was a rider to hounds and was well known in the area since childhood, few better men across country were to be found anywhere in England.

  William Vevers and Horse Racing

  William was a frequent competitor for the Hunters’ Stakes at Hereford Races, not only riding his own horses but also those of his friends.  He was said to have an elegant and firm seat, and he won the race at Warwick in 1816 for the Hunters’ Stakes, in five heats, with his mare Bradamante, by Brigliadoro.  He owned many racehorses, including the incredible Lady Byron who was perhaps the best four mile horse of her time.  She was by Sir Ulic, and was a small, light, horse but had a glittering career which ended with her winning at Newmarket in 1818.  The race made her a great favourite for the Worcestershire Stakes, but a rather stupid trainer gave her one gallop too many during the preparation, and she broke down just before the race.  She was kept on as a brood mare and she produced some stunning horses.

  William Vevers and Steeple Chasing

  It was in the steeple chasing sphere that Mr. Vevers was most well known;  he began by winning the Ross Steeple Chase with his horse Sailor Boy, even though incredibly he suffered a heavy fall in the course of the race.  One of his most famous steeplechasers was Charity, by Woodman, who was bought by Mr. Vevers from Mr. Williams of Cowarn Court, Herefordshire, having never won a race.  This soon changed, and he won the Usk stakes and the hurdle race at Cardiff, as well as the hurdle race at Monmouth in 1836.  He went on to win numerous other prestigious races including the great Liverpool steeplechase in 1841 (the Grand National of the day?).His last race was at Swindon, which he lost through no fault of his own, and William Vevers kept him at home until he died on 3^rd March 1848 – the anniversary of his win at Liverpool.

  William went on to own many superb horses and had many successes, including at Paris in 1846 when he was 64 years old, although in this instance he came second.  The last steeplechase he rode was at Ledbury in 1849, which he won on his horse Vengeance.

  In October 1855, his whole valuable stud was put up for sale by auction, including the steeplechasers Vainhope;  Vengeance;  Hardwick and Little Tommy.

  William Vevers was also a courser, and a breeder of top class dogs although he wasn’t too keen on this, but he did enjoy fishing.

  Testimonials to William Vevers

  A testimonial, in the form of a massive silver tea and supper service, with toast rack, spoons and forks,  was presented to William in 1845 by friends and neighbours, which perhaps sums up his character:

  “Presented to William Vevers Esq. of Dormington Court, Herefordshire, by his friends and neighbours, in testimony of his generous and social qualities, superior talent and determined zeal and activity which have distinguished him as a sportsman for more than half a century;  and in grateful acknowledgement of the spirited manner in which he upheld the pre-eminence of his native county in the contest between the members of the Herefordshire and Monmouthshire Hunts at their steeplechase on 27^th February 1845”.

  In 1838, a silver tankard was presented to him:
  “The gift of the Rev. J. Leyson Penoyre to William Vevers Esq. of Dormington Court for the best thoroughbred stallion used in the county of Hereford, and also for the spirited exertions in the improvement of the breed of horses in that county”.
  In fact, the best hunter he ever owned was Rattler, a very fast animal who was able to carry 20 stone. At the age of ten he was sold to the French Government for 300 guineas, and proved to be one of the best stallions ever imported to France.
  William died on 23rd April 1858 after a long illness, he was 76.
  William’s wife, Elizabeth, died 28th February 1862 at Dormington Court

  Dormington Court Household 1851

  William Vevers	Head	68	Farmer b. Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Vevers	Wife	64	b. Herefordshire
  Thomas Vevers	Son	34	Son b. Herefordshire
  Richard Vevers	Son	32	Son b. Herefordshire
  Edward Vevers	Son	16	Son b. Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Smythe	Daughter	40	Widow b. Herefordshire
  Charles Vevers	Son	29	Son b. Herefordshire
  John Vevers	Visitor	79	b. Herefordshire
  Samuel Bradshaw		45	Housekeeper, b. Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Meek		22	General Servant, b. Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Price		24	General Servant b. Herefordshire
  Ann Bailey		12	General Servant b. Herefordshire
  Edward Edwards		18	General Servant b. Herefordshire
  James Hicks		20	General Servant b. Gloucestershire
  George Stephens		21	General Servant b. Warwickshire
  Frederick Lawrence		15	General Servant b. Gloucestershire
  Richard Jenkins		14	General Servant b. Gloucestershire
  William Morris		23	General Servant b. Herefordshire
  John Hill		25	General Servant b. Herefordshire
  Thomas Howells		36	General Servant b. Herefordshire

   

  Dormington Court Household 1861

  Elizabeth Vevers	Head	75	Farmer and employer, b. Herefordshire
  Thomas Vevers	Son	46	Son, b. Dormington, Herefordshire
  Frances Vevers	Daughter	32	b. Dormington, Herefordshire
  Catharine Jenkins		27	House Servant, b. Herefordshire
  Esther ??		25	House Servant b. Herefordshire

   

   

  Dormington Court Household 1871

  Thomas Vevers	Head	52	Farmer (unmarried)
  Ann Williams		40	General Servant b. Herefordshire

   

  Dormington Court Household 1881

  Henry Hall	Head	32	Farmer b. Yarkhill, Herefordshire
  Catherine Hall	Wife	40	b. Bosbury, Herefordshire
  Annie Pitt		16	Domestic Servant b. Dormington, Herefordshire
  Emma Eversham		12	Domestic Servant b. Mordiford, Herefordshire

  Dormington Court Household 1911

  George Henry Bray	Head	37	Unmarried farmer, born Dilwyn, Herefordshire
  Sarah Ann Line		57	Housekeeper, b. Knighton, Radnorshire
  Florence Baugh		15	General Servant, b. Herefordshire
  Herbert Lewis		16	Assistant Groom, b. Withington, Herefordshire

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Dormington Court dates from the early 17^th century, and became much larger when  an extension was built in the early 18^th century.

It is part timber frame and part brick, and originally boasted a superb stable block;   it is now a hotel and  many of the original farm buildings have been bulldozed and replaced with a housing estate.

One of the most notable owners was William Vevers.

William Vevers.

William Vevers of Dormington Court was born in 1782, the son of John Vevers of Yarkhill Court.  He was a rider to hounds and was well known in the area since childhood, few better men across country were to be found anywhere in England.

William Vevers and Horse Racing

William was a frequent competitor for the Hunters’ Stakes at Hereford Races, not only riding his own horses but also those of his friends.  He was said to have an elegant and firm seat, and he won the race at Warwick in 1816 for the Hunters’ Stakes, in five heats, with his mare Bradamante, by Brigliadoro.  He owned many racehorses, including the incredible Lady Byron who was perhaps the best four mile horse of her time.  She was by Sir Ulic, and was a small, light, horse but had a glittering career which ended with her winning at Newmarket in 1818.  The race made her a great favourite for the Worcestershire Stakes, but a rather stupid trainer gave her one gallop too many during the preparation, and she broke down just before the race.  She was kept on as a brood mare and she produced some stunning horses.

William Vevers and Steeple Chasing

It was in the steeple chasing sphere that Mr. Vevers was most well known;  he began by winning the Ross Steeple Chase with his horse Sailor Boy, even though incredibly he suffered a heavy fall in the course of the race.  One of his most famous steeplechasers was Charity, by Woodman, who was bought by Mr. Vevers from Mr. Williams of Cowarn Court, Herefordshire, having never won a race.  This soon changed, and he won the Usk stakes and the hurdle race at Cardiff, as well as the hurdle race at Monmouth in 1836.  He went on to win numerous other prestigious races including the great Liverpool steeplechase in 1841 (the Grand National of the day?).His last race was at Swindon, which he lost through no fault of his own, and William Vevers kept him at home until he died on 3^rd March 1848 – the anniversary of his win at Liverpool.

William went on to own many superb horses and had many successes, including at Paris in 1846 when he was 64 years old, although in this instance he came second.  The last steeplechase he rode was at Ledbury in 1849, which he won on his horse Vengeance.

In October 1855, his whole valuable stud was put up for sale by auction, including the steeplechasers Vainhope;  Vengeance;  Hardwick and Little Tommy.

William Vevers was also a courser, and a breeder of top class dogs although he wasn’t too keen on this, but he did enjoy fishing.

Testimonials to William Vevers

A testimonial, in the form of a massive silver tea and supper service, with toast rack, spoons and forks,  was presented to William in 1845 by friends and neighbours, which perhaps sums up his character:

“Presented to William Vevers Esq. of Dormington Court, Herefordshire, by his friends and neighbours, in testimony of his generous and social qualities, superior talent and determined zeal and activity which have distinguished him as a sportsman for more than half a century;  and in grateful acknowledgement of the spirited manner in which he upheld the pre-eminence of his native county in the contest between the members of the Herefordshire and Monmouthshire Hunts at their steeplechase on 27^th February 1845”.

In 1838, a silver tankard was presented to him:
“The gift of the Rev. J. Leyson Penoyre to William Vevers Esq. of Dormington Court for the best thoroughbred stallion used in the county of Hereford, and also for the spirited exertions in the improvement of the breed of horses in that county”.
In fact, the best hunter he ever owned was Rattler, a very fast animal who was able to carry 20 stone. At the age of ten he was sold to the French Government for 300 guineas, and proved to be one of the best stallions ever imported to France.
William died on 23rd April 1858 after a long illness, he was 76.
William’s wife, Elizabeth, died 28th February 1862 at Dormington Court

Dormington Court Household 1851

Dormington Court Household 1861

Dormington Court Household 1871

Dormington Court Household 1881

Dormington Court Household 1911

1804 – Stolen or Strayed, massive Reward Offered

The following advertisement appeared in the Hereford Journal on 4th July 1804. The money involved for the reward was enormous.

“Stolen or strayed from a field at Dormington near Hereford on Sunday 1st July,

A dark brown mare of the nag kind, about fifteen hands high, five years old, in good condition, has no white on her legs, has a rowel mark on the inside of the left thigh, a small swelling on the outside the near leg behind, a small star in the forehead, a thick blood tail, several saddle and girth marks, goes rather wide behind. Shoes marked T.E.

Whoever will give information of the same to Mr. Vevers at Dormington, or Thomas Maddy at Madley, so that she may be had again, shall be handsomely rewarded; and if stolen, on conviction of the offender or offenders, shall receive a reward of twenty guineas over and above what is allowed by Act Of Parliament, by applying to either of the above.

1820 – Dormington Lime Kilns

The public were respectfully informed that the Dormington Lime Kilns were now working, and that orders would be taken at the bar of the Black Swan every Saturday.

1844 – Landslip at Dormington

Reported in the Greenock Advertiser:

“During the night of Friday last, an unusual and remarkable occurrence took place on Claston Estate in the parish of Dormington, Herefordshire, the property of Edward Foley Esq. of Stoke Edith Park.

A large piece of land, consisting of more than three acres of rock and earth, with 40 oak trees, slipped down Dadnor’s Hill a distance of 200 yards into the valley beneath, and now presents a very curious appearance, the projected masses of rock forming fantastic shapes of caverns etc. and some of the trees remaining upright as if growing. From the ground cracking, there had been previous indication of the coming slip, and no doubt the wet weather hastened the result.

The damage occasioned by the occurrence is estimated at £150.

The event has given rise to a variety of alarming reports about an earthquake, but we have stated the real nature of the incident above.”

1848 – Sudden death of John Mitton

John Mitton was an old and well trusted servant of Richard Webb at Dormington Hall, where he had been in service as farming bailiff for 14 years, and had been well respected by his fellow servants.

John was taken ill on 24th March 1848, whilst walking along the road, and although kindly assistance was offered he declined saying that he would try to get home. Shortly afterwards he was found in the hedge unconscious, and although he was picked up and put in a cart, he died very shortly afterwards.

The jury returned a verdict of “died by the visitation of God”.

1848 – Steeplechaser “Charity”

The renowned horse Charity was put down at Dormington Court on 3rd March – the anniverary of his last race win at Liverpool in 1841.

He had won 24 races, thirteen for his last owner and was by Woodman out of a dam by Grimaldi.

The plates he had on when winning the Liverpool were buried with him, and all that was kept back was a piece of mane which his groom wanted to keep.

1852 – Floods at Dormington

Torrential rain in November flooded much of Herefordshire so that travel became difficult and dangerous, and the Hereford/Gloucester Mail Coach was lost in the River Lugg at Dormington; one passenger died, and two others along with the guard and coachman only just escaped with their lives.

The three passengers were Mr. Thomas Hardwick, solicitor; Mr. W.S. Allen, a Birmingham solicitor, and a young man from Norwich who was up on the box with the coachman, Charles Murphy.

Late afternoon, after negotiating horrendous conditions, the coach came to the bridge over the river, and of course it was dark so the coachman was unable to see until it was too late that the bridge had in fact been washed away by the floods. Coach, horses and passengers were carried downstream by the strong current, until their cries were heard by James Taylor of Longworth Lodge, who along with neighbours set about trying to rescue them.

It was long, arduous and distressing work in the dark with just lanterns to help them see, and although they managed to save some of the mail and luggage, Thomas Hardwick died from exhaustion and exposure.

The coachman, Charles Murphy, was so shaken by the event that it took him a long time to get over it, but he did continue as driver of the Hereford and Hay Mail coach and was much respected for his “civil and obliging demeanour”.

1853 – The shameful Petitions

Mr. King King presented petitions from the parishes of Dormington and Orleton in Herefordshire, against the admission of Jews into Parliament.

1854 – Sudden death of Emanuel Treherne

Emanuel Treherne was a labourer in the employment of Mr. Hodges at Dormington, and had appeared to be quite well early in the morning of his death, but was found dying in a ditch just two hours later.

He died before the surgeon arrived, but he had been labouring with heart disease for some time and a verdict to that effect was returned.

1904 – Serial Horse Thief

Joshua Lovell aged 20 was charged with stealing a gelding belonging to Charles Fox of Dormington; also a donkey owned by Mary Hailes of Ross on Wye, and also with stealing a horse the property of John Payton, Upon on Severn.

It was alleged that Joshua, whilst in the South African War, deserted and stole a horse from a Boer farmer.

The court concluded that Joshua had a rather bad record and gave him eighteen months hard labour.

Font

13th century