Herefordshire Past » fownhope

Fownhope

sally — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 18:16:47 +0000

A large village, situated on the River Wye, close to Mordiford.

Churches of Fownhope

News from the Past Fownhope

Fownhope News from the Past
Of drunkenness, drownings and tragedy

1848 – Child burnt to Death

Mary Ann Tyler, a child of 18 months, was left in the care of her 4 year old sibling whilst their mother, Mary took her husband’s dinner to him.

When Mary returned some ten minutes later, she found that her toddler had escaped from the chair in which she had been fastened and was badly burnt. Mr. Lingen, a Surgeon of Hereford, was sent for and he applied oils and gave restoratives, but to no avail – Mary Ann died late that night.

We have to remember that at this time it was quite usual for small children to be left in charge of even smaller children – something that would be unheard of in our own time.

1853 – Drowning in River Wye at Fownhope

In early July William Jenkins aged 19, who was employed by the keeper of the Fownhope Ferry, John Wigley, was taking two men who were working on the Hereford, Ross and Gloucester Railway across the river from Fownhope to the Holme Lacy side. The men were Thomas Lawrence and James Hobley.

The river was in full spate and still rising, which made it impossible for William to land in the usual spot, and the ferry drifted down until it bashed into a coal barge being pulled by three horses. The ferry overturned and all three men were thrown into the water, but Thomas Lawrence was able to catch hold of the barge and save himself. Unfortunately, the other two were caught in the current and were carried down river, far too fast for anyone to help them.

The body of William Jenkins was found not far away, but James Hobley was nowhere to be seen – he had been due to be married just a few days after the tragedy.

The body of James Hobley was recovered a full 9 days later near to Foy.

1856 – Proposed New Bridge at Fownhope

A meeting was held at the Green Man Inn, Fownhope, in order to decide whether the project should be pushed forward.

Richard Hereford was in the Chair, and the Meeting approved the recommendation of the erection of a Bridge at Evenpitt instead of at the Mill Ford.

It was stated that funding was already very nearly in place, and that steps should be taking for obtaining an Act in Parliament.

Permission was eventually granted and the Fownhope and Holme Lacy Bridge Company was set up, with work being completed towards the end of 1858.

1859 – Opening of Fownhope and Holme Lacy Bridge

The new bridge was opening on 11th April 1859 for public use, and was an occasion of great rejoicing on both sides of the River Wye.

The tolls were fixed at a fairly low rate, with carriages and horses having to pay no more than at turnpike gates, and importantly, tickets would be issued for carriages, horses and waggons to pass and repass on the same day without having to pay again. Foot passengers who previously had to pay one penny each time they were boated over, with a good chance of ending up in the water, would now just pay half that for each pass through the toll gate.

This new bridge enabled easy access from the Fownhope side to the railway station on the Holme Lacy side, and residents on both sides of the river would benefit greatly by being able to visit neighbours across the other side.

1859 – Inebriated in Church

W. Wilcocks of Fownhope had some rum in his Sunday morning coffee before going to St. Peter’s Church.

During the service it became clear that he was rather the worse for wear and a policeman was sent for; by the time he arrive Wilcocks had left the church and was reeling around outside, where he was promptly charged.

He was fined 1s plus expenses.

1859 – Another Tragic death of Child

Thomas William Morgan, son of John Morgan an agricultural labourer, was left in the house with other children.

When the mother returned, she found him in the kitchen with his clothes on fire; the lad died 24 hours later.

1862 – Christmas at Fownhope

The custom of giving a little money to the poor of the parish prevailed, in spite of many people beginning to think that gifts of coal at a reduced price or some useful article, would be more use than money.

In defence of the custom of giving money, it was said that the poor man’s wife knew better what she needed than the Lady of the Manor who didn’t really understand the needs of the poor, and that a shilling would go a long way to making Christmas more comfortable.

This was said of the Lady of the Manor:

“Let her try her hand on the layout out, say 10s or 12s per week for rent, coals, food and clothing for say four persons…..only see the bewilderment she would be in, not know where to begin; and long before she had completed all she required, she would find her stock of money all gone. We say this not to discourage the gift of any article to the poor, but we do say it to encourage a more liberal handed gift of a trifle of money at this time of year”

Through the generosity of the Vicar, Thomas Lechmere; Thomas Evans; R. Hereford; J.Y. Stephens, Mr. Connop and other gentlemen, over 160 households were made happy at Christmas.

The report in the Hereford Journal went on to say:

“It was a pleasing sight to see the poor old man “sans eyes, sans teeth, sans everything”; the poor old woman led by the hand of the grandchildren; the lame, the halt, the blind, all wending their way towards the never to be forgotten barn at the Vicarage, where from the memory of the oldest it has been customary to dole out help to the need at this time of year.

We say, and say from the bottom of our hearts, may the custom never be done away with whilst England the proud, England the noble, England the charitable, the birthplace of liberty, the home of the slave – whilst she stands in all her glory, the wonder, the admiration of the world. May the hand of kindness and love be ever extended to the poor in the manner we have shewed it is done at Fownhope”

Crikey! How times have changed.

1862 – Luck’s All Beerhouse

George Gordan was enjoying a drink at the Luck’s All beerhouse where several other men were drinking away their wages; an argument developed (not unusual in this establishment), which resulted in George being knocked to the floor and kicked. This was not violent enough for the drunken men, and one picked up the kettle of boiling water from the fire and threw it over the poor chap.

George was very badly scalded on his face, head, shoulders and side, but even this did not satisfy the men and they then kicked him down a flight of stairs into the cellar.

He was taken to hospital, and for a while it was touch and go but gradually he recovered.

1867 – The Notorious Green Man at Fownhope

There were an enormous number of men being hauled before the Bench in the 19th century, for causing a drunken disturbance at the Green Man.

In May 1867, Richard Andrews was just the latest in a long line of cases, and he pleaded guilty to be drunk and riotous late at night in the pub.

The Chairman said that there were far too many cases from Fownhope, and something must be done about it – maybe he wondered, was there something wrong with the Green Man? The Superintendent explained that for a while the pub had been left in the charge of two girls, but the father was back and it was not actually the fault of the people in the pub because the trouble makers got cider from elsewhere first.

It was stated that any and every case of drunkenness would be brought before the Bench.

1876 – Disgrace of Fownhope Magistrate

Mr. Thomas C. Lechmere of Fownhope Court, a County Magistrate and head of one of the oldest county families, was discovered drunk and incapable whilst driving a horse and trap in St. Ethelbert Street, Hereford. He was also charged with assaulting his wife and refusing to leave the residence of Mr. J. Cleave when asked to do so.

Mr. Cleave was a solicitor and clerk of the peace for the county, and he stated that Thomas called to his house in Hereford asking to see his wife, who it turned out had taken refuge there. He was extremely drunk, and appeared quite mad with his conduct and language being excessively coarse.

His wife, Mrs. Lechmere came into the room, and Thomas tried to make her go home with him, but she flatly refused whereupon he whacked her on the side of the head. It turned out that it was no new thing for her to be beaten by Thomas, and in fact this was why she had fled to the Cleave household that day.

Thomas was remanded in custody.

Thomas was too ill to attend Court, but Mr. G. Williams brought the case forward and pleaded guilty on Thomas’s behalf. The fine of £2 and costs were promptly paid, and a similar amount was donated the poor. He was also made to enter into a bond of £100 to keep the peace for 12 months.

How on earth did he continue to hear cases of others who were drunk and disorderly after this, or indeed cases of wife beating? Perhaps he was never again allowed to.

1878 – Devastating Floods

In the space of a few hours, after torrential rain, the River Wye rose by some 16 feet, and many cottages close to the river found themselves almost submerged whilst livestock was swept away.

At one point, the river resembled a floating orchard with the amount of fruit being born away from orchards, and a railway bridge between Whitney and Clifford was destroyed, in spite of the fact that it had recently being rebuilt in stone.

The whole vast expanse of Holme Lacy meadows was turned into a lake with only the tops of hedges and trees to be seen, and many roads were completely impassable.

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Buildings Fownhope

Fownhope Court started life in the 17th century, with renovations and alterations in the 19th and 20th centuries. I believe that the Court was owned by Sir William Gregory in the mid 1600s, but it was later sold to the Lechmere family who remained there right through to the 1900s.

In 1831 John Scudamore Lechmere, was at Fownhope Court, when his only daughter Catherine J.A. Lechmere died suddenly at her brother’s house in Lugwardine.

The Lechmeres of Fownhope Court

The Lechmere family were generally well respected in Herefordshire, but one chap frequently found himself on the wrong side of the law.

Thomas Lechmere

Thomas Lechmere was born in 1819, and married Elizabeth Eckley in 1846
Thomas Lechmere was a bit of a lad it seems, and maybe not the most pleasant of characters even though he was a Magistrate for the county and a landed proprietor. In 1869 he was charged at Hereford City Police Court with being drunk; with assaulting his wife, and refusing to leave the residence of Mr. J. Cleave when required to do so.

Mr. J. Gwillim, solicitor, appeared in support of the charge.
Mr. Cleave, also a solicitor and clerk of the peace for the country, stated that Thomas Lechmere called at his house in Bridge Street, Hereford, during the evening and asked to see his wife who was there at the time. Thomas said that he was going to take her home and that he would not leave without her…….he was horribly drunk, and appeared deranged with disgustingly coarse language and conduct. During his tirade, his wife came into the room and she flatly refused to go home with him, whereupon Thomas ran at her and hit her such a violent blow that the crack could be heard in a distant room.
Mr. Cleave went on to say that he knew that this was not the first time that Thomas had assaulted his wife, and in fact she had been beaten by him on several occasions which was why she was at his house that day.
Thomas Lechmere was remanded in custody, surprisingly admitting that it was all true.

Thomas Lechmere in trouble again

In 1876, Thomas was once again in trouble (incredibly he was still a Magistrate), and was fined for being drunk and incapable whilst in charge of a horse and trap in Ethelbert Street, Hereford. The case had been held back for a few days, as Thomas was too ill to attend, and when it was finally heard, he pleaded guilty and not only paid the fine, but also put money into the poor box.
This then was a man who was possibly an alcoholic, or prone to excessive drinking when he became violent and unreasonable but then when sober, genuinely regretted his actions.
Throughout the marriage, and despite Thomas’s treatment of her, Elizabeth went on to have a prodigious amount of children.

1861 – Fownhope Court Household

Thomas Lechmere	42	Justice of the Peace	b. Herefordshire
Elizabeth Lechmere	37	Wife	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Mary Jane Lechmere	11	Daughter	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
John Scudamore Lechmere	10	Son	b. Herefordshire
Edmund Lechmere	9	Son	b. Brecon
Elizabeth Lechmere	4	Daughter	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Arthur Lechmere	3	Son	b. Herefordshire
Annie Maria Lechmere	2	Daughter	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Sarah Johnston	57	Cook	b. Herefordshire
Jane Yeoman	39	Nurse	b. Herefordshire
Thomas Badham	27	General Servant	b. Herefordshire
Fanny Lewis	18	General Servant	b. Herefordshire
May Jane Griffith	16	General Servant	b. Herefordshire

1871 – Fownhope Court Household

Thomas Lechmere	52	JP and landowner	b. city of Hereford
Elizabeth Lechmere	48	Wife	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Mary Jane Lechmere	21	Daughter	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
Elizabeth Lechmere	14	Daughter	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Ann Maria Lechmere	12	Daughter	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Edith Lechmere	9	Daughter	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
Arthur Lechmere	13	Son	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Robert H. Lechmere	6	Son	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
John Fordman	65	Groom	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
Jane Robins	26	Cook	b. Herefordshire
Ann Hodges	14	Housemaid	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
Mary Ann Smith	15	Housemaid	b. Woolhope, Herefordshire

1881 – Fownhope Court Household

Thomas Lechmere	62	Widower, JP for Herefordshire	b. Hereford
Arthur Lechmere	23	Son, Farmer and gentleman	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Mary Jane Lechmere	30	Daughter	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
Elizabeth Lechmere	24	Daughter	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Annie M. Lechmere	22	Daughter	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Edith B. Lechmere	34	Daughter	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
Jane Dawes	34	Cook	b. Worcestershire
Emma A. Carver	25	Housemaid	b. Hereford
Louisa Stone	17	Housemaid	b. Woolhope, Herefordshire
Henry Izzard	19	General Servant	b. Lugwardine, Herefordshire

Hans Hamilton Howard Brooke

Hans Hamilton Howard Brooke, born 1^st April 1849 at Castle Howard was the son of R. Howard Brooke and had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy. He died at Fownhope Court on 16^th June 1890

Colonel Sir Robert Bridgford

Colonel Sir Robert Bridgford KCV owned Fownhope Court in the early 1900s; he was born in 1836 and was active in his father’s business in Manchester – Messrs. J.T. Bridgford and Sons, land agents etc. He was heavily involved with the Volunteer movement, for which he gained due recognition – for over thirty four years he was in command of the battalion, and the War Office repeatedly extended his term of service.

Sir Robert contracted a serious illness in 1901 after working himself into the ground, and knew that he would not be able to continue as head of the battalion for much longer

He was created a Companion of the Bath in 1885, and received a knighthood in the year of the Coronation.

His interest in Herefordshire included being the agent for the Brockhampton Estate, and he owned the Upper Newton estate at Kinnersley. He also bred pedigree Hereford cattle; was a JP for both Lancashire and Herefordshire, and was Deputy Lieutenant of Herefordshire.

He died in May 1905 after a long illness initially contracted in Africa whilst training the Imperial Yeomanry.

Walter Spencer

The Rev Walter Spencer lived at Fownhope Court for many years; he was the father of Lady Greenwood wife of Sir Hamar Greenwood, Chief Secretary for Ireland. He was a virtual recluse, taking his pleasure from a glorious collection of old china and wood carvings and hee himself was a talented wood carver.

At the end of his life he was very ill, confined to his bed for three years before he died of heart disease

1911 – Fownhope Court Household

Walter Spencer	61		b. Lancaster
Geoffrey Francis Spencer	16	Son	b. Codicote, Hertfordshire
Olive Annette Spencer	11	Daughter	b. Codicote, Hertfordshire
Frances Beechey	67	Sister	b. Lancaster
Elizabeth Lewis	45	Cook	b. Abbeydore, Herefordshire
Harriet Stephens	33	House and Parlourmaid	b. Brecon, Wales
Ellen Mary Jeeves	22	Housemaid	b. Hertfordshire

1921 – Fownhope Court Household

Walter Spencer	b. Eccles, Lancashire 1848	Clerk in Orders, Retired
Charles Frederick Gale	b. Hampshire 1880	Servant
Harriett Lucy Gale	b. Sussex 1888	Servant
Frederick Charles Gale	b. Sunninghill, Berkshire 1917

Fownhope Court History

sally — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 20:26:31 +0000

In 1831 John Scudamore Lechmere, was at Fownhope Court, when his only daughter Catherine J.A. Lechmere died suddenly at her brother’s house in Lugwardine.

The Lechmeres of Fownhope Court

The Lechmere family were generally well respected in Herefordshire, but one chap frequently found himself on the wrong side of the law.

Thomas Lechmere

Thomas Lechmere in trouble again

1861 – Fownhope Court Household

Thomas Lechmere	42	Justice of the Peace	b. Herefordshire
Elizabeth Lechmere	37	Wife	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Mary Jane Lechmere	11	Daughter	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
John Scudamore Lechmere	10	Son	b. Herefordshire
Edmund Lechmere	9	Son	b. Brecon
Elizabeth Lechmere	4	Daughter	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Arthur Lechmere	3	Son	b. Herefordshire
Annie Maria Lechmere	2	Daughter	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Sarah Johnston	57	Cook	b. Herefordshire
Jane Yeoman	39	Nurse	b. Herefordshire
Thomas Badham	27	General Servant	b. Herefordshire
Fanny Lewis	18	General Servant	b. Herefordshire
May Jane Griffith	16	General Servant	b. Herefordshire

1871 – Fownhope Court Household

Thomas Lechmere	52	JP and landowner	b. city of Hereford
Elizabeth Lechmere	48	Wife	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Mary Jane Lechmere	21	Daughter	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
Elizabeth Lechmere	14	Daughter	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Ann Maria Lechmere	12	Daughter	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Edith Lechmere	9	Daughter	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
Arthur Lechmere	13	Son	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Robert H. Lechmere	6	Son	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
John Fordman	65	Groom	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
Jane Robins	26	Cook	b. Herefordshire
Ann Hodges	14	Housemaid	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
Mary Ann Smith	15	Housemaid	b. Woolhope, Herefordshire

1881 – Fownhope Court Household

Thomas Lechmere	62	Widower, JP for Herefordshire	b. Hereford
Arthur Lechmere	23	Son, Farmer and gentleman	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Mary Jane Lechmere	30	Daughter	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
Elizabeth Lechmere	24	Daughter	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Annie M. Lechmere	22	Daughter	b. Credenhill, Herefordshire
Edith B. Lechmere	34	Daughter	b. Fownhope, Herefordshire
Jane Dawes	34	Cook	b. Worcestershire
Emma A. Carver	25	Housemaid	b. Hereford
Louisa Stone	17	Housemaid	b. Woolhope, Herefordshire
Henry Izzard	19	General Servant	b. Lugwardine, Herefordshire

Hans Hamilton Howard Brooke

Hans Hamilton Howard Brooke, born 1^st April 1849 at Castle Howard was the son of R. Howard Brooke and had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy. He died at Fownhope Court on 16^th June 1890

Colonel Sir Robert Bridgford

Sir Robert contracted a serious illness in 1901 after working himself into the ground, and knew that he would not be able to continue as head of the battalion for much longer

He was created a Companion of the Bath in 1885, and received a knighthood in the year of the Coronation.

He died in May 1905 after a long illness initially contracted in Africa whilst training the Imperial Yeomanry.

Walter Spencer

At the end of his life he was very ill, confined to his bed for three years before he died of heart disease

1911 – Fownhope Court Household

Walter Spencer	61		b. Lancaster
Geoffrey Francis Spencer	16	Son	b. Codicote, Hertfordshire
Olive Annette Spencer	11	Daughter	b. Codicote, Hertfordshire
Frances Beechey	67	Sister	b. Lancaster
Elizabeth Lewis	45	Cook	b. Abbeydore, Herefordshire
Harriet Stephens	33	House and Parlourmaid	b. Brecon, Wales
Ellen Mary Jeeves	22	Housemaid	b. Hertfordshire

1921 – Fownhope Court Household

Walter Spencer	b. Eccles, Lancashire 1848	Clerk in Orders, Retired
Charles Frederick Gale	b. Hampshire 1880	Servant
Harriett Lucy Gale	b. Sussex 1888	Servant
Frederick Charles Gale	b. Sunninghill, Berkshire 1917

Fownhope News from the Past

sally — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:44:33 +0000

Of drunkenness, drownings and tragedy

1848 – Child burnt to Death

Mary Ann Tyler, a child of 18 months, was left in the care of her 4 year old sibling whilst their mother, Mary took her husband’s dinner to him.

When Mary returned some ten minutes later, she found that her toddler had escaped from the chair in which she had been fastened and was badly burnt. Mr. Lingen, a Surgeon of Hereford, was sent for and he applied oils and gave restoratives, but to no avail – Mary Ann died late that night.

We have to remember that at this time it was quite usual for small children to be left in charge of even smaller children – something that would be unheard of in our own time.

1853 – Drowning in River Wye at Fownhope

In early July William Jenkins aged 19, who was employed by the keeper of the Fownhope Ferry, John Wigley, was taking two men who were working on the Hereford, Ross and Gloucester Railway across the river from Fownhope to the Holme Lacy side. The men were Thomas Lawrence and James Hobley.

The river was in full spate and still rising, which made it impossible for William to land in the usual spot, and the ferry drifted down until it bashed into a coal barge being pulled by three horses. The ferry overturned and all three men were thrown into the water, but Thomas Lawrence was able to catch hold of the barge and save himself. Unfortunately, the other two were caught in the current and were carried down river, far too fast for anyone to help them.

The body of William Jenkins was found not far away, but James Hobley was nowhere to be seen – he had been due to be married just a few days after the tragedy.

The body of James Hobley was recovered a full 9 days later near to Foy.

1856 – Proposed New Bridge at Fownhope

A meeting was held at the Green Man Inn, Fownhope, in order to decide whether the project should be pushed forward.

Richard Hereford was in the Chair, and the Meeting approved the recommendation of the erection of a Bridge at Evenpitt instead of at the Mill Ford.

It was stated that funding was already very nearly in place, and that steps should be taking for obtaining an Act in Parliament.

Permission was eventually granted and the Fownhope and Holme Lacy Bridge Company was set up, with work being completed towards the end of 1858.

1859 – Opening of Fownhope and Holme Lacy Bridge

The new bridge was opening on 11th April 1859 for public use, and was an occasion of great rejoicing on both sides of the River Wye.

The tolls were fixed at a fairly low rate, with carriages and horses having to pay no more than at turnpike gates, and importantly, tickets would be issued for carriages, horses and waggons to pass and repass on the same day without having to pay again. Foot passengers who previously had to pay one penny each time they were boated over, with a good chance of ending up in the water, would now just pay half that for each pass through the toll gate.

This new bridge enabled easy access from the Fownhope side to the railway station on the Holme Lacy side, and residents on both sides of the river would benefit greatly by being able to visit neighbours across the other side.

1859 – Inebriated in Church

W. Wilcocks of Fownhope had some rum in his Sunday morning coffee before going to St. Peter’s Church.

During the service it became clear that he was rather the worse for wear and a policeman was sent for; by the time he arrive Wilcocks had left the church and was reeling around outside, where he was promptly charged.

He was fined 1s plus expenses.

1859 – Another Tragic death of Child

Thomas William Morgan, son of John Morgan an agricultural labourer, was left in the house with other children.

When the mother returned, she found him in the kitchen with his clothes on fire; the lad died 24 hours later.

1862 – Christmas at Fownhope

The custom of giving a little money to the poor of the parish prevailed, in spite of many people beginning to think that gifts of coal at a reduced price or some useful article, would be more use than money.

In defence of the custom of giving money, it was said that the poor man’s wife knew better what she needed than the Lady of the Manor who didn’t really understand the needs of the poor, and that a shilling would go a long way to making Christmas more comfortable.

This was said of the Lady of the Manor:

“Let her try her hand on the layout out, say 10s or 12s per week for rent, coals, food and clothing for say four persons…..only see the bewilderment she would be in, not know where to begin; and long before she had completed all she required, she would find her stock of money all gone. We say this not to discourage the gift of any article to the poor, but we do say it to encourage a more liberal handed gift of a trifle of money at this time of year”

Through the generosity of the Vicar, Thomas Lechmere; Thomas Evans; R. Hereford; J.Y. Stephens, Mr. Connop and other gentlemen, over 160 households were made happy at Christmas.

The report in the Hereford Journal went on to say:

“It was a pleasing sight to see the poor old man “sans eyes, sans teeth, sans everything”; the poor old woman led by the hand of the grandchildren; the lame, the halt, the blind, all wending their way towards the never to be forgotten barn at the Vicarage, where from the memory of the oldest it has been customary to dole out help to the need at this time of year.

We say, and say from the bottom of our hearts, may the custom never be done away with whilst England the proud, England the noble, England the charitable, the birthplace of liberty, the home of the slave – whilst she stands in all her glory, the wonder, the admiration of the world. May the hand of kindness and love be ever extended to the poor in the manner we have shewed it is done at Fownhope”

Crikey! How times have changed.

1862 – Luck’s All Beerhouse

George Gordan was enjoying a drink at the Luck’s All beerhouse where several other men were drinking away their wages; an argument developed (not unusual in this establishment), which resulted in George being knocked to the floor and kicked. This was not violent enough for the drunken men, and one picked up the kettle of boiling water from the fire and threw it over the poor chap.

George was very badly scalded on his face, head, shoulders and side, but even this did not satisfy the men and they then kicked him down a flight of stairs into the cellar.

He was taken to hospital, and for a while it was touch and go but gradually he recovered.

1867 – The Notorious Green Man at Fownhope

There were an enormous number of men being hauled before the Bench in the 19th century, for causing a drunken disturbance at the Green Man.

In May 1867, Richard Andrews was just the latest in a long line of cases, and he pleaded guilty to be drunk and riotous late at night in the pub.

The Chairman said that there were far too many cases from Fownhope, and something must be done about it – maybe he wondered, was there something wrong with the Green Man? The Superintendent explained that for a while the pub had been left in the charge of two girls, but the father was back and it was not actually the fault of the people in the pub because the trouble makers got cider from elsewhere first.

It was stated that any and every case of drunkenness would be brought before the Bench.

1876 – Disgrace of Fownhope Magistrate

Mr. Thomas C. Lechmere of Fownhope Court, a County Magistrate and head of one of the oldest county families, was discovered drunk and incapable whilst driving a horse and trap in St. Ethelbert Street, Hereford. He was also charged with assaulting his wife and refusing to leave the residence of Mr. J. Cleave when asked to do so.

Mr. Cleave was a solicitor and clerk of the peace for the county, and he stated that Thomas called to his house in Hereford asking to see his wife, who it turned out had taken refuge there. He was extremely drunk, and appeared quite mad with his conduct and language being excessively coarse.

His wife, Mrs. Lechmere came into the room, and Thomas tried to make her go home with him, but she flatly refused whereupon he whacked her on the side of the head. It turned out that it was no new thing for her to be beaten by Thomas, and in fact this was why she had fled to the Cleave household that day.

Thomas was remanded in custody.

Thomas was too ill to attend Court, but Mr. G. Williams brought the case forward and pleaded guilty on Thomas’s behalf. The fine of £2 and costs were promptly paid, and a similar amount was donated the poor. He was also made to enter into a bond of £100 to keep the peace for 12 months.

How on earth did he continue to hear cases of others who were drunk and disorderly after this, or indeed cases of wife beating? Perhaps he was never again allowed to.

1878 – Devastating Floods

In the space of a few hours, after torrential rain, the River Wye rose by some 16 feet, and many cottages close to the river found themselves almost submerged whilst livestock was swept away.

At one point, the river resembled a floating orchard with the amount of fruit being born away from orchards, and a railway bridge between Whitney and Clifford was destroyed, in spite of the fact that it had recently being rebuilt in stone.

The whole vast expanse of Holme Lacy meadows was turned into a lake with only the tops of hedges and trees to be seen, and many roads were completely impassable.

St. Mary’s Church – Fownhope

sally — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 18:22:28 +0000

The 12th century church of St. Mary at Fownhope is one of the longest in the county, having been extended in the 14th century.

Strange case of the disintegrating Coffin

Major restoration work was carried out in the 19th century, and during renovations it was reported that Mr. Stone, a builder who was carrying out the work, excavated a brick vault. Inside he discovered a beautiful oak coffin which was of an enormous size – some 8ft 6in in length and 3ft 6in across the broadest part.

The coffin was opened to reveal exceptionally preserved bones – but only for an instant, because they immediately started to crumble in the air.

No date or name was seen anywhere on the coffin, which also began to break up into tiny pieces.

I have yet to confirm the truth of this report!

Fonts

There are two fonts at St. Mary’s, both of which were lost for many years but then recovered and put back in the church.
The oldest of the two is 16th century and beautifully decorated with carvings, and was rescued from nearby ruins in 1858.

The later font is 17th century, and was rescued from the vicarage garden. It is thought that it was used for baptising children in the porch of the church, in order that they could enter as a full member of the congregation.