If you are ever in the area, then a guided tour would not only fill a few pleasant hours, but would also help bring the history of this lovely building to life.

The Brewster family at Burton Court

The Brewster family appeared in mid 17th century, and it was John Brewster from neighbouring Gloucestershire who bought Burton court in April 1662.  He and his wife Margaret had two sons, William and John, William was described as “middle sized, lame, and stump footed” which might account for the fact that he became scholarly rather than pursuing energetic outdoor activities, and which resulted in him becoming  the well known Dr William Brewster of Hereford who was an eminent scholar with an impressive collection of important books.   He  died in 1715 leaving many of these books to All Saints Church Hereford, where they formed the famous chained library which can now be seen in Hereford Cathedral, where he himself was buried.

Margaret died when William was only three and a half years old, and she was buried at Eardisland on 18th April 1669, following which her widower John took himself a new, and much younger, wife in the shape of Blanche Howarth and they duly had a daughter, Elizabeth, followed by three more children.

Painting by unknown  artist of Elizabeth Brewster, dated 1690.  Please note the wording attached to the painting, as it is one of the few images on this site that cannot be freely taken.

Reproduced by permission of Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, Hereford Museum Service. Please contact the museum for permission to use this image herefordmuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk

John had settled Burton Court on this second wife, Blanche shortly after the birth of their first daughter, and after his death on 10th May 1684 he was buried in Eardisland Parish Church near to the grave of his first wife.

Blanche Brewster

Blanche was Lady of the Manor of Burton as stipulated by John, and she remarried two years after his death, her new husband being Thomas de la Hay of Peterchurch, a widower.  After this second husband died, in 1698 she settled Burton Court on her son Benjamin and upon his marriage he took up residence.  They had three sons, and one daughter although they tragically lost their second son in 1706.

Benjamin died in 1737, and his wife shortly afterwards, and there followed a line of succession of Brewsters residing at Burton Court, until in 1774 John Brewster was left as the last surviving male member of the family at Burton Court where he lived with his ageing mother, Margaret;  his wife Anne and daughters Margaret and Anna.

The Evans family at Burton Court

In 1782, daughter Margaret married William Evans, son of Arthur Evans of Buckland in the parish of Docklow, and by 1796 only an ageing John and his other daughter Anna remained in residence at Burton Court, his mother and wife both having died.  After his death in 1804 his two daughters were joint heiresses, with only the unmarried Anna living at Burton Court and she made a will the contents of which she hoped would prevent her sister Margaret’s husband from ever getting his hands on Burton Court.  Of course, with him being entitled by right of marriage to half of Margaret’s possessions this was never going to work and after Anna died in 1811 aged only thirty nine, the next Lord and Lady of the Manor were William Evans and his wife Margaret.  They both died in 1822, and thus the occupation of Burton Court passed to the Evans family.  Memorial in St. Mary the Virgin, Eardisland

Rev W.E. Evans

In 1830 the Rev. W.E. Evans, the youngest son of J. Evans M.D., married Elizabeth Evans, one of his cousins, who had inherited Burton Court.  He had been educated at Cambridge and after taking Holy Orders became Curate of Llanymynech in Shropshire.  In 1841 he was appointed prebendary of Hereford.

Rev. W.E. Evans was on the provisional Committee,  and was a shareholder of the  Welsh Midland Railway, which was to connect Birmingham with Swansea via Worcester, Leominster, Ludlow, Hereford, The Hay, Brecon, Llandovery, Llandilo.  Capital to be raised was three and a half million pounds in 70 thousand shares.  He became Canon of Hereford Cathedral and wrote several books which received acclaim, including one called “The Songs of the Birds” (or analogies of animal and spiritual life), which was re published after his death.

Burton Court Household  – 1841 Census

Burton Court Household and Servants  – 1851 Census

Burton Court Household and Servants –  1871 Census

It is believed that in late 1873, John Clowes retired to his other property,  Wardour Lodge, Sunningdale, Berkshire, leaving Burton Court available for rent until such time as his son married and took over the manor.

Burton Court Household and Servants – 1881 Census

The Clowes family at Burton Court

In  September 1864,  Burton Court was bought by John Clowes, a kindly gentleman who with his wife did a great deal for the village of Eardisland;  they took a huge interest in the cricket matches and would provide teas which were served by local ladies from the village;  they also held shoots and tennis parties at the Court, to which people would travel from miles around.   Mrs. Clowes had an imposing black horse, on which she rode around the area,  which with a somewhat stern countenance gave her the impression of being somewhat intimidating – however she had a very soft spot for the village children, and gave vast parties for them, especially at Christmas.

George Arbuthnot and Burton Court

Thus it was that George Arbuthnot and his family took up residence for a few years, until they moved to Norton Court in Gloucestershire.  It is entirely possible, given that both John Clowes and George Arbuthnot were important military men, and that they both had strong connections with Sunningdale, that they were good friends and some sort of agreement may have been made so that in fact is was more that Burton Court was loaned to the Arbuthnots and not rented.

Whatever the arrangement, the Arbuthnots moved from Chelsea to Herefordshire after Lt. Col. R.A  George Arbuthnot retired from the army life.  He was born in Madras on 9th June 1836 and was educated at Eton.

He entered the army in 1855 and progressed from Captain, through Major to Lt. Colonel and served in India and Abyssinia and was mentioned in despatches three times.  Once retired, he kept himself busy as M.P. for Hereford 1871 – 1874 and 1878 – 1889. Then on his move to Norton Court in Gloucestershire he became J.P for Gloucester, and J.P. and D.L for Hereford.  He died 26th December 1912 at Hillingdon Middlesex, and was buried at Sunningdale.

In 1895 by Deed of Settlement in anticipation of marriage to Edith Emily Warren, John Clowes settled Burton Court and the Lordship of the Manor on his son Peter Legh Clowes .  Ediths father was George Warren (of the Warren Steamship Line) of Woolton, Liverpool.  The marriage took place in Leighton Buzzard, on 18th September.

Colonel Peter Legh Clowes was a serving Army Officer and commanded his Regiment in the South Africa Campaign 1897-1901;  upon his return he went back to Burton Court and settled to civilian life.  He had one son, Warren Peter Clowes, born in Kensington, who was commissioned into the 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars and who was killed in action in France on 30th March 1918, and when Peter himself died on 23rd February 1925 his wife Edith inherited the estate.  She was some twelve years younger than her husband, and continued to run Burton Court and the Estate as well as she could until her eventual death in late 1949.

Colonel Peter Clowes left over £40,000 in his will, and Edith left over £126,000.  The estate was sold off in lots in 1926.

The original rectory in this glorious picturesque village was built around 1300, and the building was extended in the 16th and 17th centuries. Unfortunately it is now in a state of extreme disrepair, so if your ancestors lived or worked here then pay a visit quickly in case it has to be demolished!

Churches of Eardisland

• St. Mary the Virgin Church - Eardisland

  A beautiful church, in a glorious village – if your ancestors had connections with this Norman church then you are so lucky!

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

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  Memorials

  William Evans of Burton Court

  Sacred to the memory of William Evans Esq., of Burton Court in this Parish. Third son of Arthur Evans Esq. formerly of Buckland in this County. He departed this life the 10th day of May 1822 in the 62 year of his age. Also of Margaret his wife, eldest surviving daughter and coheiress of John Brewster Esq. She died 9th day of December 1822 in the 61 year of her age.

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  James Kinnersley

  In memory of James Kinnersley Esq. of the Lynch in this Parish who died Nov. XIV MDCCXCVIII aged LXXVI. Also of his son James Kinnersley Esq. who departed this life March V MDCCCIV aged L.

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Mary Meredith

  Near this place lieth the body of Mary, the wife of Thomas Meredith. She departed this life October 14 1767 aged 64

   

   

  

   

   

  Read More >

Buildings in Eardisland

• Burton Court History

  The Manor of Burton Court dates from around the 11th century, but the present house originated in the 14th century with rebuilds in the nineteenth century. Further work was carried out in 1912. The following photograph was kindly provided by Edward Simpson of Burton Court, which is enjoying a new lease of life as a hugely popular venue for weddings, as well as providing facilities for conferences etc.

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  If you are ever in the area, then a guided tour would not only fill a few pleasant hours, but would also help bring the history of this lovely building to life.

   

  The Brewster family at Burton Court

  The Brewster family appeared in mid 17th century, and it was John Brewster from neighbouring Gloucestershire who bought Burton court in April 1662.  He and his wife Margaret had two sons, William and John, William was described as “middle sized, lame, and stump footed” which might account for the fact that he became scholarly rather than pursuing energetic outdoor activities, and which resulted in him becoming  the well known Dr William Brewster of Hereford who was an eminent scholar with an impressive collection of important books.   He  died in 1715 leaving many of these books to All Saints Church Hereford, where they formed the famous chained library which can now be seen in Hereford Cathedral, where he himself was buried.

  Margaret died when William was only three and a half years old, and she was buried at Eardisland on 18th April 1669, following which her widower John took himself a new, and much younger, wife in the shape of Blanche Howarth and they duly had a daughter, Elizabeth, followed by three more children.

   

  Painting by unknown  artist of Elizabeth Brewster, dated 1690.  Please note the wording attached to the painting, as it is one of the few images on this site that cannot be freely taken.

   

  

   

   

   

  Reproduced by permission of Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, Hereford Museum Service. Please contact the museum for permission to use this image herefordmuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk

   

   

   

   

   

  John had settled Burton Court on this second wife, Blanche shortly after the birth of their first daughter, and after his death on 10th May 1684 he was buried in Eardisland Parish Church near to the grave of his first wife.

  Blanche Brewster

  Blanche was Lady of the Manor of Burton as stipulated by John, and she remarried two years after his death, her new husband being Thomas de la Hay of Peterchurch, a widower.  After this second husband died, in 1698 she settled Burton Court on her son Benjamin and upon his marriage he took up residence.  They had three sons, and one daughter although they tragically lost their second son in 1706.

  Benjamin died in 1737, and his wife shortly afterwards, and there followed a line of succession of Brewsters residing at Burton Court, until in 1774 John Brewster was left as the last surviving male member of the family at Burton Court where he lived with his ageing mother, Margaret;  his wife Anne and daughters Margaret and Anna.

  The Evans family at Burton Court

  In 1782, daughter Margaret married William Evans, son of Arthur Evans of Buckland in the parish of Docklow, and by 1796 only an ageing John and his other daughter Anna remained in residence at Burton Court, his mother and wife both having died.  After his death in 1804 his two daughters were joint heiresses, with only the unmarried Anna living at Burton Court and she made a will the contents of which she hoped would prevent her sister Margaret’s husband from ever getting his hands on Burton Court.  Of course, with him being entitled by right of marriage to half of Margaret’s possessions this was never going to work and after Anna died in 1811 aged only thirty nine, the next Lord and Lady of the Manor were William Evans and his wife Margaret.  They both died in 1822, and thus the occupation of Burton Court passed to the Evans family.  Memorial in St. Mary the Virgin, Eardisland

  Rev W.E. Evans

  In 1830 the Rev. W.E. Evans, the youngest son of J. Evans M.D., married Elizabeth Evans, one of his cousins, who had inherited Burton Court.  He had been educated at Cambridge and after taking Holy Orders became Curate of Llanymynech in Shropshire.  In 1841 he was appointed prebendary of Hereford.

   

  Rev. W.E. Evans was on the provisional Committee,  and was a shareholder of the  Welsh Midland Railway, which was to connect Birmingham with Swansea via Worcester, Leominster, Ludlow, Hereford, The Hay, Brecon, Llandovery, Llandilo.  Capital to be raised was three and a half million pounds in 70 thousand shares.  He became Canon of Hereford Cathedral and wrote several books which received acclaim, including one called “The Songs of the Birds” (or analogies of animal and spiritual life), which was re published after his death.

   

  Burton Court Household  – 1841 Census

  William E. Evans	b.1802	b. Shrewsbury
  Elizabeth Evans	b.1801	b. Herefordshire
  Mary Ann Evans		b. Herefordshire
  William B. Evans	b. 1833	b. Herefordshire
  Robert H. Evans	b. 1835	b. Herefordshire
  Eliza Evans	b.1838	b. Herefordshire
  Edward A. Evans	b. 1840	b. Herefordshire
  Eliza Watkins	b.1768	b. Herefordshire
  Martha Adams	b.1801
  Eliza Russell	b.1806
  Susan Davies	b.1811
  Catherine Francis	b.1807

   

  Burton Court Household and Servants  – 1851 Census

  William E. Evans	b.1802	Vicar of Madley b. Shrewsbury
  Elizabeth Evans	b.1801	Wife b. Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Jane Evans	b.1839	Daughter b. Burton Court, Herefordshire
  Arthur Edward Evans	b.1841	Son b. Burton Court, Herefordshire
  Emma Phillips	b.1823	Governess b. London
  John Lomax	b.1831	Visitor b. Bury St. Edmonds
  Martha Thomas	b.1837	Cook and Housekeeper b. Eardisland, Herefordshire
  Jane Morris	b.1818	Maid b. Kingsland, Herefordshire
  Margaret Williams	b.1831	Housemaid b. Monkland, Herefordshire
  Clarinda Hodges	b.1832	Young Lady’s Maid b. Lydbrook, Gloucestershire
  Mary Butcher	b.1832	Kitchen Maid b. Leominster, Herefordshire
  Edward Gardner	b.1825	Footman b. Ross on Wye, Herefordshire
  Thomas Williams	b.1829	Coachman b. Radnorshire

  Burton Court Household and Servants –  1871 Census

  John Clowes	b.1823	Derbyshire landowner and Magistrate, b. Sutton on the Hill
  Peter Leigh Clowes	b.1854	Son b. Lancashire
  Caroline Clowes	b.1855	Daughter b. Lancashire
  George Gooch Clowes	b.1835	Visitor b. Egginton, Derbyshire
  Emily King	b. 1835	Governess b. Newbury, Berkshire
  Emma Soulinson	b.1835	Housekeeper b. Staffordshire
  Anna Howlett	b.1842	Lady’s Maid b. Norfolk
  Eliza Matthews	b.1844	Housemaid b. Monkland, Herefordshire
  Mary A. Bayliss	b.1852	Under Housemaid b. Linton, Herefordshire
  Jane Browfield	b.1851	Kitchen Maid b. Bristol
  Elizabeth Taylor	b.1855	Scullery Maid b. Woolhope, Herefordshire
  James Rodgers	b.1830	Under Houseman b. Radnorshire
  Charles Machin	b.1855	Footman b. Edith Weston, Rutland
  Thomas Glover	b.1842	Coachman, Staffordshire

  It is believed that in late 1873, John Clowes retired to his other property,  Wardour Lodge, Sunningdale, Berkshire, leaving Burton Court available for rent until such time as his son married and took over the manor.

   

  Burton Court Household and Servants – 1881 Census

  George Arbuthnot	b 1836	Lt. col. R.A retired. B. Madras, East Indies
  Frances M.Arbuthnot	b.1872	Daughter b. London
  John B. Arbuthnot	b.1876	Son b. London
  Dorothy G. Arbuthnot	b.1878	Daughter b. London
  Mary C. Arbuthnot	b.1880	Daughter b. London
  John R. Symonds	b.1851	Visitor, Solicitor b. Hereford
  Constance F. Playford	b.1857	Governess, b. Worth
  Eliza A. Benmore	b. 1844	Housekeeper b. Bath
  Priscilla R. Hunt	b.854	Nurse b. Downend
  Ruth Brewster	b.1862	Under Nurse b. Suffolk
  Julia Clarke	b.1866	Nursery Maid b. Flintshire
  Fanny Andrews	b.1859	Housemaid b. Hampshire
  Emma Watkins	b.1856	Housemaid b. Woolhope, Herefordshire
  Sara Hulse	b.1854	Kitchenmaid b. Bodington, Herefordshire
  Clara Smith	b.1862	Scullery Maid b. Farnham
  Jane Ashburner	b.1852	Lady’s Maid b. Cumberland
  William Jones	b.1862	Footman, b. London
  Mary Hill	b.1821	General Servant b. Hereford

   

  The Clowes family at Burton Court

  In  September 1864,  Burton Court was bought by John Clowes, a kindly gentleman who with his wife did a great deal for the village of Eardisland;  they took a huge interest in the cricket matches and would provide teas which were served by local ladies from the village;  they also held shoots and tennis parties at the Court, to which people would travel from miles around.   Mrs. Clowes had an imposing black horse, on which she rode around the area,  which with a somewhat stern countenance gave her the impression of being somewhat intimidating – however she had a very soft spot for the village children, and gave vast parties for them, especially at Christmas.

  George Arbuthnot and Burton Court

  Thus it was that George Arbuthnot and his family took up residence for a few years, until they moved to Norton Court in Gloucestershire.  It is entirely possible, given that both John Clowes and George Arbuthnot were important military men, and that they both had strong connections with Sunningdale, that they were good friends and some sort of agreement may have been made so that in fact is was more that Burton Court was loaned to the Arbuthnots and not rented.

  Whatever the arrangement, the Arbuthnots moved from Chelsea to Herefordshire after Lt. Col. R.A  George Arbuthnot retired from the army life.  He was born in Madras on 9th June 1836 and was educated at Eton.

  He entered the army in 1855 and progressed from Captain, through Major to Lt. Colonel and served in India and Abyssinia and was mentioned in despatches three times.  Once retired, he kept himself busy as M.P. for Hereford 1871 – 1874 and 1878 – 1889. Then on his move to Norton Court in Gloucestershire he became J.P for Gloucester, and J.P. and D.L for Hereford.  He died 26th December 1912 at Hillingdon Middlesex, and was buried at Sunningdale.

  In 1895 by Deed of Settlement in anticipation of marriage to Edith Emily Warren, John Clowes settled Burton Court and the Lordship of the Manor on his son Peter Legh Clowes .  Ediths father was George Warren (of the Warren Steamship Line) of Woolton, Liverpool.  The marriage took place in Leighton Buzzard, on 18th September.

  Colonel Peter Legh Clowes was a serving Army Officer and commanded his Regiment in the South Africa Campaign 1897-1901;  upon his return he went back to Burton Court and settled to civilian life.  He had one son, Warren Peter Clowes, born in Kensington, who was commissioned into the 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars and who was killed in action in France on 30th March 1918, and when Peter himself died on 23rd February 1925 his wife Edith inherited the estate.  She was some twelve years younger than her husband, and continued to run Burton Court and the Estate as well as she could until her eventual death in late 1949.

   

  Colonel Peter Clowes left over £40,000 in his will, and Edith left over £126,000.  The estate was sold off in lots in 1926.

   

  Read More >

Eardisland News from the Past

• Eardisland News from the Past

  Harvest Festival and tragedy

  1843 – Prostitute Convicted of Stealing

  (This article submitted by Mike Walsh who is researching his family history in Herefordshire)

  George Wethers and Ann Wethers were charged with having picked the pocket of John Griffiths of Eardisland and stolen a purse containing two sovereigns.

  John Griffiths said that he was on his way home from Kington one evening when Ann Wethers came up to him on the road, catching him by the collar and asking in somewhat obscene manner for him to walk with her.  John said that he tried to send her away, but that George Wethers then came up to him and starting swearing.

  John continued walking, but then suddenly discovered that the purse which had been in his pocket had gone.

  The next day both George and Ann Wethers were stopped in Pembridge by P.C. Jefferson but there was no sign of the purse on either of them.

  The best the court could do was to commit Ann to one month in the house of correction with hard labour for being a common prostitute, and George was discharged.

  1847 – Suicide of old man at Eardisland

  (This article submitted by Mike Walsh who is researching his family history in Herefordshire)

  An inquest was held at the Swan Inn, Eardisland on the body of 93 year old John Morgan who lived on a farm in the parish, and who had been found drowned in a pool in his fold.

  John’s son, aged 40, gave evidence and said that his father had recently become rather irritable, and this was borne out by domestic, Eliza Lewis who also said that the marriage of John and his wife was very comfortable, but that John had become depressed and bad tempered.

  John’s wife had been pushing him to make his will, but he said that he couldn’t because of the bad state of his head.

  The jury returned a verdict that the deceased destroyed himself whilst in a state of temporary insanity

  1851 – Suicide of young man at Eardisland

  (This article submitted by Mike Walsh who is researching his family history in Herefordshire)

  An inquest was held at Eardisland on the body of 31 year old John Bowen, a tailor who was found drowned in water called Lady Pool in the parish.

  John’s wife gave evidence, saying that he had been very down for some months but she had no idea why, and just prior to his death his manner became much worse.

  Later evidence showed that John was heavily in debt to Mr. E. Gould, a draper of Leominster, but no proceedings had been taken by that gentleman although he had repeatedly asked for the money.

  On the morning of the suicide, Mr. Gould had gone to see John Bowen at his house, asking to see his books.  Once Mr. Gould left, the poor embarrassed man went up to his children in bed and kissed them saying “I will sacrifice my life before I’ll give up my books”.

  When Mr. Gould returned he found that John had gone out of the back door, and his wife thought that he may have to to see a young man to instruct him in tailoring, as he frequently did.

  That evening, John was found dead.

  The jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity.

  1855 – Accident at the Mills of Messrs. Connop Brothers

  Mr. Thomas Caldicott a miller who was quiet and well respected by both family and friends, was helping Mr. Connop in the engineering department of the mills at Eardisland.

  Somehow, during the work the seed mill started up, and Mr. Connop managed to jump clear;  unfortunately Thomas Cadicott became caught in the machinery and apart from a broken thigh he was very badly cut and bruised.

  The bleeding was so profuse that he died before surgeons could get to his aid.

   

  1862 – Child burns to death at Eardisland

  (This article submitted by Mike Walsh who is researching his family history in Herefordshire)

  Thomas Evans was left as usual in the care of his seven year old sister Jane, along with another child, whilst their mother Ann Evans went to work.

  She was sent for during the morning, and on rushing home found Thomas very badly burnt.  It transpired that Jane developed a headache and went up to bed, and before long the other child went to her saying that Tommy was on fire.

  Jane immediately went down and put out the flames before pulling off Tommy’s clothes.  Although the mother immediately sent for a doctor who arrived and applied the usual remedies, Tommy died later that day.

  1867 – Harvest Home at Eardisland

  As reported in the Hereford Journal:

  “The proceedings commenced with a morning service in the parish church, which had been suitably decorated for the occasion with specimens of the products of both field, garden and orchard.

  On the communion table was placed an offering of luscious fruit, whilst the super-altar was adorned with neatly arranged bouquets, the entire space on either side and around being filled up with a kind of trellis work of evergreens and flowers.

  The pulpit, organ screen, lectern and reading desk were also prettily decorated in a similar manner and collections of fruit and flowers were placed on the several window cills on the south side of the church. Besides this there were standards composed of wheat, barley and oats placed at the corner of the pews at either end which had a nice effect. The font was also enwreathed in evergreens and we must not omit to mention that the hop formed a conspicuous ornament among the various other decorations employed.

  The whole was arranged in an exceedingly tasteful manner as, indeed, it could not fail to be seeing that the work was carried out by the ladies of the neighbourhood.”

  1867 – Funeral of the Rev. F. Rudge of Eardisland

  The Rev. F. Rudge had been vicar of Eardisland for more than fifty years and was aged 78 on his death.

  He retired to Tenbury due to ill health, and soon died.  His funeral took place in Tenbury, with bell ringers from Eardisland paying their last tribute by ringing out his age.

  1889 – Sudden Death of Child at Eardisland

  11 Year old Matilda Lewis went home from school one day complaining of a painful foot.

  Her mother could see nothing wrong and there was no injury;  two days later Matilda was dead.

  After hearing evidence from Dr. Hall, the jury returned a verdict of “died from embolism of the pulmonary artery”.

  1894 – Serious Fire at Eardisland

  Mid afternoon one Tuesday, Mrs. Hope was feeding her hens at Court House Farm, Eardisland, when she spotted some straw ablaze on the floor over by a hay and clover rick.

  She rushed over and tried to pull the burning straw away from the ricks, but in a matter of minutes four of the ricks were well alight.

  Villagers having spotted the dense smoke came with buckets, and used a cordon from the water in the moat to try to quench the flames.  The fire brigade was sent for, but it was gone five in the evening before they arrived with their Captain, Mr. J. Biddle.

  Eventually, some 24 hours later, the fire was finally extinguished with some 12 tons of hay being saved but an awful lot having been burnt.

  James Williams, a small boy of just 6 years of age, owned up to setting fire to the straw in the rick yard, but said that the match was given to him by Fred Jones, a 13 year old boy – the latter was taken into custody by the police.

  Fortunately Mr. Hope  had insurance.

  1899 – Drowning in the River Lugg

  Two little girls who had just recovered from scarlet fever, drowned in the River Lugg at Eardisland on 14th February. They were the children of George Thomas, a waggoner living near the Reading Room at Eardisland, and were playing in the garden at the back of the cottage which adjoined the River Arrow.

  Their mother had only left them for a few moments, and when she found them missing she checked the wall which had been built to protect the cottage from flooding, and to her horror found that part of it was broken down and realised that her girls must have fallen through into the river.

  She called for help and many villagers came to look for the children, but it was not until a few hours later that the schoolmaster Mr. Rogers found the body of Elsie May aged 5 years and 9 months.

  It was some time before her sister, Minnie Thomas aged four was discovered by her father at the foot of the main weir. Her clothing had become caught in the piles of the weir which had prevented her body from surfacing and floating down the river.

  1900 – Recollections of Eardisland Grammar School by an Old Scholar

  It was about 1857 when I started at Eardisland School.  A very old schoolmaster, Mr Bullock (he used to keep the Post Office) was my first teacher, but was only there for about 3 years.

  Due to his age, some of the bigger boys began to get the better of him with some of them actually getting into a scuffle with the poor old man.

  Shortly after this Mr. Bullock was retired although he received part of his salary until his death.

  The school desks in Mr. Bullock’s time rose in tiers, with one row of desks on each rise – thus ensuring that the whole of the scholars in the writing lesson were clearly visible, who for any little misconduct on our part would spank us on the head, or anywhere, with a long ruler he used for the blackboard.

  At this time, the school was free to boys but girls paid something per week for their education.  The whole of the boys and girls able to write at all, paid 3d a month for pens and ink.  Mr. Bullock made the quill pens we used, with Pigmore Common supplying the goose quill which was gathered by some of the scholars living there.

  Mr. Powell, Rector of Welwyn, was headmaster for many years, which was odd as the curate in charge (the Rev. J.H.Bluck) seemed to have no power to act.

  The new schoolmaster, Mr. John Leigh for whom I had the greatest respect was a mere stripling, but he made great changes to the school.

  The desks were put to the side of the school and soon there were Penny Reading Concerts, and finally the library was started.  Mr. Leigh also started the first cricket club in Eardisland, and it was no trouble getting an eleven together for matches during the season.

  Visitors to the school were few and far between – it was quite a sight for the children to see a lady or gentleman enter the school and as soon as one entered, the order was given to “stand”.  The copy books would be shown to all visitors.

  Read More >

1843 – Prostitute Convicted of Stealing

(This article submitted by Mike Walsh who is researching his family history in Herefordshire)

George Wethers and Ann Wethers were charged with having picked the pocket of John Griffiths of Eardisland and stolen a purse containing two sovereigns.

John Griffiths said that he was on his way home from Kington one evening when Ann Wethers came up to him on the road, catching him by the collar and asking in somewhat obscene manner for him to walk with her.  John said that he tried to send her away, but that George Wethers then came up to him and starting swearing.

John continued walking, but then suddenly discovered that the purse which had been in his pocket had gone.

The next day both George and Ann Wethers were stopped in Pembridge by P.C. Jefferson but there was no sign of the purse on either of them.

The best the court could do was to commit Ann to one month in the house of correction with hard labour for being a common prostitute, and George was discharged.

1847 – Suicide of old man at Eardisland

(This article submitted by Mike Walsh who is researching his family history in Herefordshire)

An inquest was held at the Swan Inn, Eardisland on the body of 93 year old John Morgan who lived on a farm in the parish, and who had been found drowned in a pool in his fold.

John’s son, aged 40, gave evidence and said that his father had recently become rather irritable, and this was borne out by domestic, Eliza Lewis who also said that the marriage of John and his wife was very comfortable, but that John had become depressed and bad tempered.

John’s wife had been pushing him to make his will, but he said that he couldn’t because of the bad state of his head.

The jury returned a verdict that the deceased destroyed himself whilst in a state of temporary insanity

1851 – Suicide of young man at Eardisland

(This article submitted by Mike Walsh who is researching his family history in Herefordshire)

An inquest was held at Eardisland on the body of 31 year old John Bowen, a tailor who was found drowned in water called Lady Pool in the parish.

John’s wife gave evidence, saying that he had been very down for some months but she had no idea why, and just prior to his death his manner became much worse.

Later evidence showed that John was heavily in debt to Mr. E. Gould, a draper of Leominster, but no proceedings had been taken by that gentleman although he had repeatedly asked for the money.

On the morning of the suicide, Mr. Gould had gone to see John Bowen at his house, asking to see his books.  Once Mr. Gould left, the poor embarrassed man went up to his children in bed and kissed them saying “I will sacrifice my life before I’ll give up my books”.

When Mr. Gould returned he found that John had gone out of the back door, and his wife thought that he may have to to see a young man to instruct him in tailoring, as he frequently did.

That evening, John was found dead.

The jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity.

1855 – Accident at the Mills of Messrs. Connop Brothers

Mr. Thomas Caldicott a miller who was quiet and well respected by both family and friends, was helping Mr. Connop in the engineering department of the mills at Eardisland.

Somehow, during the work the seed mill started up, and Mr. Connop managed to jump clear;  unfortunately Thomas Cadicott became caught in the machinery and apart from a broken thigh he was very badly cut and bruised.

The bleeding was so profuse that he died before surgeons could get to his aid.

1862 – Child burns to death at Eardisland

(This article submitted by Mike Walsh who is researching his family history in Herefordshire)

Thomas Evans was left as usual in the care of his seven year old sister Jane, along with another child, whilst their mother Ann Evans went to work.

She was sent for during the morning, and on rushing home found Thomas very badly burnt.  It transpired that Jane developed a headache and went up to bed, and before long the other child went to her saying that Tommy was on fire.

Jane immediately went down and put out the flames before pulling off Tommy’s clothes.  Although the mother immediately sent for a doctor who arrived and applied the usual remedies, Tommy died later that day.

1867 – Harvest Home at Eardisland

As reported in the Hereford Journal:

“The proceedings commenced with a morning service in the parish church, which had been suitably decorated for the occasion with specimens of the products of both field, garden and orchard.

On the communion table was placed an offering of luscious fruit, whilst the super-altar was adorned with neatly arranged bouquets, the entire space on either side and around being filled up with a kind of trellis work of evergreens and flowers.

The pulpit, organ screen, lectern and reading desk were also prettily decorated in a similar manner and collections of fruit and flowers were placed on the several window cills on the south side of the church. Besides this there were standards composed of wheat, barley and oats placed at the corner of the pews at either end which had a nice effect. The font was also enwreathed in evergreens and we must not omit to mention that the hop formed a conspicuous ornament among the various other decorations employed.

The whole was arranged in an exceedingly tasteful manner as, indeed, it could not fail to be seeing that the work was carried out by the ladies of the neighbourhood.”

1867 – Funeral of the Rev. F. Rudge of Eardisland

The Rev. F. Rudge had been vicar of Eardisland for more than fifty years and was aged 78 on his death.

He retired to Tenbury due to ill health, and soon died.  His funeral took place in Tenbury, with bell ringers from Eardisland paying their last tribute by ringing out his age.

1889 – Sudden Death of Child at Eardisland

11 Year old Matilda Lewis went home from school one day complaining of a painful foot.

Her mother could see nothing wrong and there was no injury;  two days later Matilda was dead.

After hearing evidence from Dr. Hall, the jury returned a verdict of “died from embolism of the pulmonary artery”.

1894 – Serious Fire at Eardisland

Mid afternoon one Tuesday, Mrs. Hope was feeding her hens at Court House Farm, Eardisland, when she spotted some straw ablaze on the floor over by a hay and clover rick.

She rushed over and tried to pull the burning straw away from the ricks, but in a matter of minutes four of the ricks were well alight.

Villagers having spotted the dense smoke came with buckets, and used a cordon from the water in the moat to try to quench the flames.  The fire brigade was sent for, but it was gone five in the evening before they arrived with their Captain, Mr. J. Biddle.

Eventually, some 24 hours later, the fire was finally extinguished with some 12 tons of hay being saved but an awful lot having been burnt.

James Williams, a small boy of just 6 years of age, owned up to setting fire to the straw in the rick yard, but said that the match was given to him by Fred Jones, a 13 year old boy – the latter was taken into custody by the police.

Fortunately Mr. Hope  had insurance.

1899 – Drowning in the River Lugg

Two little girls who had just recovered from scarlet fever, drowned in the River Lugg at Eardisland on 14th February. They were the children of George Thomas, a waggoner living near the Reading Room at Eardisland, and were playing in the garden at the back of the cottage which adjoined the River Arrow.

Their mother had only left them for a few moments, and when she found them missing she checked the wall which had been built to protect the cottage from flooding, and to her horror found that part of it was broken down and realised that her girls must have fallen through into the river.

She called for help and many villagers came to look for the children, but it was not until a few hours later that the schoolmaster Mr. Rogers found the body of Elsie May aged 5 years and 9 months.

It was some time before her sister, Minnie Thomas aged four was discovered by her father at the foot of the main weir. Her clothing had become caught in the piles of the weir which had prevented her body from surfacing and floating down the river.

1900 – Recollections of Eardisland Grammar School by an Old Scholar

It was about 1857 when I started at Eardisland School.  A very old schoolmaster, Mr Bullock (he used to keep the Post Office) was my first teacher, but was only there for about 3 years.

Due to his age, some of the bigger boys began to get the better of him with some of them actually getting into a scuffle with the poor old man.

Shortly after this Mr. Bullock was retired although he received part of his salary until his death.

The school desks in Mr. Bullock’s time rose in tiers, with one row of desks on each rise – thus ensuring that the whole of the scholars in the writing lesson were clearly visible, who for any little misconduct on our part would spank us on the head, or anywhere, with a long ruler he used for the blackboard.

At this time, the school was free to boys but girls paid something per week for their education.  The whole of the boys and girls able to write at all, paid 3d a month for pens and ink.  Mr. Bullock made the quill pens we used, with Pigmore Common supplying the goose quill which was gathered by some of the scholars living there.

Mr. Powell, Rector of Welwyn, was headmaster for many years, which was odd as the curate in charge (the Rev. J.H.Bluck) seemed to have no power to act.

The new schoolmaster, Mr. John Leigh for whom I had the greatest respect was a mere stripling, but he made great changes to the school.

The desks were put to the side of the school and soon there were Penny Reading Concerts, and finally the library was started.  Mr. Leigh also started the first cricket club in Eardisland, and it was no trouble getting an eleven together for matches during the season.

Visitors to the school were few and far between – it was quite a sight for the children to see a lady or gentleman enter the school and as soon as one entered, the order was given to “stand”.  The copy books would be shown to all visitors.

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Memorials

William Evans of Burton Court

Sacred to the memory of William Evans Esq., of Burton Court in this Parish. Third son of Arthur Evans Esq. formerly of Buckland in this County. He departed this life the 10th day of May 1822 in the 62 year of his age. Also of Margaret his wife, eldest surviving daughter and coheiress of John Brewster Esq. She died 9th day of December 1822 in the 61 year of her age.

James Kinnersley

In memory of James Kinnersley Esq. of the Lynch in this Parish who died Nov. XIV MDCCXCVIII aged LXXVI. Also of his son James Kinnersley Esq. who departed this life March V MDCCCIV aged L.

Mary Meredith

Near this place lieth the body of Mary, the wife of Thomas Meredith. She departed this life October 14 1767 aged 64