This fifteenth century manor house sits a couple of miles from Kington, and originally had a moat.  It underwent some alterations over the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries

Black Vaughan

The house was owned by the Vaughan family for generations, and many legends surround a ghost who is still apparently haunting the house to this day –  “Black Vaughan”, whose identity is a tad hazy.  He may have been Sir Thomas Vaughan who was killed in 1469, or perhaps the Sir Thomas who was a traitor to Richard III and was subsequently beheaded.

The most likely theory is that it was the Thomas Vaughan who was killed 26^th July in 1469, fighting for the Yorkists in the battle that was fought at Danesmore near Edgecote in Northamptonshire ;  he was taken prisoner and beheaded at Banbury in 1469 aged 69 years with his body being taken back to Kington to be buried.

Unfair Nickname of Black Vaughan Perhaps

Legend has it that he was rather vile, but there is little to suggest that this was so and in fact the nickname might merely have referred to his dark colouring.

The wife of Thomas was Ellen the Terrible, who thought nothing of sending an arrow through the heart of her cousin, John Vaughan,  during an archery meeting as retribution for the murder of her brother.

There are many dark and horrible stories of the evilness of Black Vaughan, who apparently changed his appearance at will and frequently turned up as a bull – scaring the living daylights out of women on a regular basis, more bizarrely he was thought to turn himself into a fly to spook horses.  The black dog that was his companion was thought to have been the ghost of Sir Thomas’ own dog, and it was this story that many believe inspired Arthur Conan Doyle to write the Hound of the Baskervilles after he stayed at Hergest Court.  This remains speculation as there is no proof.

Attempts were made to exorcise the ghost of Black Vaughan, including a mass ceremony performed by 12 local clergymen who claimed to have captured Vaughan’s spirit and sealed in in a snuff box which was subsequently weighed down by a stone in Hergest Pool.  It didn’t seem to work because people still claim to see him in his bull form to this day.

The Black Dog of Hergest

Thomas Vaughan’s faithful dog is said to have haunted Hergest and members of the Vaughan family down the generations, and the belief grew that it’s appearance signalled a death.  I have recently been contacted by David Richarde,  an ordained bishop of the Knights Templar,  a gentleman who is descended from the Vaughans through the female line and who related his own tale to add to the hauntings……..however intriguingly this took place not in Hergest or Kington, nor even this country.

In 1994, we purchased a spectacular piece of woods and river, situated on an ancient Ojibwa trail, in the upper peninsula of Michigan, US.

We built a rather interesting home, that drew attention, as well as local authorities, which included the building dept. Not knowing that two inspectors had come to the property, while we were out, many times, I went in to get a permit (finally) to build.  Taken to the building supervisor’s room, I took a seat.  On the supervisors desk was a 12×12 picture of our “illegal” structure, a round straw bale house, which struck me as odd. As I began filling out papers, the supervisor came in and sat down to finish out the permit.

I asked him about the picture he had. He says..”Oh, this guy, these people, are in violation, and this is kind of an office memo. They are rather infamous around here!”

Thinking to myself….’oh no, do I say something’? finished out paperwork and paid for permit. All good. But could not let it go, and told him the house was mine. His demeanor changed to one of astonishment, and some angst. He goes, “ What, what(?) ..we went out to enforce violations there, and took a picture the last time. But dude, you’ve got a giant black wolf dog there at your door! Two of us would not get out of the car!”

I explained we had no dog, and the guy got angry. Now, it seemed like we may get fined, while paying for permit. He insisted it was there, and I was full of baloney. We talked for several more minutes, and he let me off the hook on a fine.

This was within the first year of living on the land along the “Yellow Dog River”. For 25 years now, this black wolf dog has been seen by many others, has protected the property, even as we have left it, for other homes, for months at a time. We leave the house unlocked, driveway open, with nothing ever bothered, touched, or molested.

Many more sightings have been relayed to us, about this monster animal, that stops people from trespassing. To date, none of us has ever directly contacted this animal, this spirit animal. It is not malevolent towards us, but seems to be sentinel to this spot, on the river, on an ancient Ojibwa trail. Not so oddly, many more strange and magical events have occurred.

Anyway, the Vaughn family seems to have a connection to this “hound”, to this day.

David Richarde

Bay Mare Stolen from Hergest Court in 1818

The following advertisement appeared in the local paper in 1818:

“Five Guineas Reward…………Stolen or strayed on Wednesday night the twenty-eighth of October 1818 from Hergest Court near Kington, Herefordshire, A BAY HACKNEY MARE, aged, near fourteen hands high, cut tail, blind on the left eye, several saddle marks, a large mark from the girth on the near side near the fore leg and is thought to be in foal;  shoes marked I.W and a heart.  Whoever will give information of the said mare, if strayed, shall be handsomely rewarded for their trouble and all reasonable expenses paid;  and if stolen, upon conviction of the offender or offenders, shall receive the above reward of FIVE GUINEAS by applying to Mrs. Spencer of Hergest Court.”

Now, this of course was a considerable sum of money to offer as a reward and given that the mare was old, half blind and marked from previous injuries, I can only assume that either the foal she was carrying was by a superb stallion, or that she was very dearly loved indeed.

Thomas Price (Tom the Navvy) steals from Hergest Court

In 1847, Thomas Price who was better known in Leominster as Tom the Navvy, was dragged before the courts by Superintendent Humphrys, after being apprehended on suspicion of stealing from John Price of Hergest Court on the night of 30^th June.  He was alleged to have taken £11 in gold and silver, but because John Price didn’t turn up at court Thomas was ordered to be discharged.

Nothing changes does it!

Hergest Court Household and servants 1871

The settlement became known as the king’s town and eventually Kington. By 1287, Kington had spread further down the hill, close to where the present centre is.
Edward I granted six fairs, and the Whit Monday Fair was the biggest and jolliest, but the other five were more seriously for stock.

The Whetstone

Close to the summit of Hergest Ridge, immediately to the west of the church, is a rock known as the Whetstone, which it was said went down to the Hindwell Brook at the bottom of the Ridge every time it heard a cock crow. It is thought that during the plague of 1366 a weekly market was held at the stone, where wheat (whet) was put onto the stone by farmers from the surrounding area, who would then back off to allow the townspeople to collect it and leave their money in exchange…..this was in an effort to avoid infection.

The market hall in the town had two floors, with the top room being used for sales of wool, and the ground floor for dairy goods and poultry.

The Rebecca Toll Gate Riots

Kington, along with Ledbury, was one of the few places in the county to suffer the Rebecca toll gate riots of the 1830s, which arose because locals were angry over being forced to pay for everyday journeys such as to and from the market. Frequently the protestors were men disguised as women, and they even blacked their faces so that nobody could recognise them as they burnt or dismantled the toll gates. (the name ~Rebecca~ might have come from Genesis “the descendant of Rebecca will possess the gates of them that hate them”. Drovers roads gradually came into existence, and these bypassed the hated toll houses which still are plentiful throughout Herefordshire although of course no longer used for the original purpose.

Kington had a thriving clothing industry at one time, but this declined after the late 18th century, and eventually the cloth mills were demolished. There was also a glove industry, but in the mid 1800s cheaper French gloves were being imported and this hit the Kington glove makers hard.

By 1845 there were 4 corn mills, an iron foundry and a tanning industry.

Churches of Kington

• St. Mary the Virgin Church - Kington

  The oldest part of this church is the tower which is roughly circa 1200. Originally it was detached from the body of the church, and was used as a refuge for the parishioners during troubled times – the walls are a very solid and reassuring six feet thick.

  Under the terms of the will of Lady Margaret Hawkins, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth l and second wife of Sir John Hawkins, the Elizabethan sailor and adventurer, and also a Vaughan from Hergest Court, it was decreed that pupils of the nearby free school (Lady Hawkins School) should attend the church every Sunday, and then on the following day give an account of what they had learnt.

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Font

  This is a simple Norman font, near to which is a baptismal “tank” which was frequently used for adults in the eighteenth century.

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Memorials

  John Morris

  John Morris, died 3rd March 1812 aged 76. Also Anne his wife who died 3rd November 1775 aged 45

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Thomas Vaughan

  An extravagant alabaster tomb for Thomas Vaughan of Hergest Court, who was killed at the battle of Banbury in 1469. His body was returned to Kington, and he now lies with his wife Ellen Gethin, or Ellen the Terrible!!

  In 1845 the Hon. Miss Harley directed Mr. B. Jennings, a sculptor of Hereford, to restore the tomb which had fallen into disrepair, and also to erect strong iron railings around the tomb.

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Richard Fencott

  Richard Fencott, late of Winforton Court, died 26th January 1809 aged 55, also Elizabeth his wife who died 19th January 1836 aged 71

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Philip Turner

  In the aisle opposite this place are deposited the remains of Philip Turner, late of Scutt Mill, and Rebecca his wife. She died 12th October 1762 aged 23 and he died 14th December 1798 aged 64

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Albert Parker

  Lovely brass plaque in memory of Albert, 4th son of Francis and Jane Parker, born 18 March 1853, who with 78 others was lost in the ship “British Admiral” in Bass Straight on 23 May 1874

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Other Memorials include one for Cassandra Davies, a spinster of the parish who decreed that five pounds was to be distributed every year on 26th March to the “most antient, indigent, and necessitous parishioners”. Another inscription relates how Richard Meredith in 1777 left £24 per year to be given “in bread monthly and distributed amongst the poor housekeepers who were not suppoted by the Parish as paupers, on the first Sunday of every month”.

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• St. Bede the Memorable Church - Kington

  St. Bede the Memorable in Kington is a Catholic Church.

  

  Read More >
• Baptist Church - Kington

  This church was built in 1868

  

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Buildings in Kington

• Kington Union Workhouse

  Kingswood
  There was a small workhouse in Kington according to a report in 1771, but a later bigger workhouse was built in 1837. The building became a nursing home in 1962 and now, much altered, it is used as offices for a housing association.

  For general conditions in workhouses please see Hereford or Ledbury Union Workhouses.

  Kington Union Workhouse Staff and inmates 1841 census

  William Kingham	60	Master
  Susan Kingham	40	Wife and Matron
  Susan Kingham	5	Daughter
  Thomas Scandsell (?)	30	Porter
  Lewis Smith	60
  Stephen Thomas	20
  Richard Watkins	35
  William Evans	20
  Edward Lloyd	45
  Edward Davies	25
  Samuel Davies	20
  Phil Gummer	40
  Phil Taylor	70
  Richard East	75
  Sam Dugan	20
  Mary Stephens	20
  Elizabeth Gwilliam	35
  Susan Kedward	45
  Susan Bowstock	35
  Martha Davies	45
  Elizabeth Roberts	45
  Sarah Lewis	60
  Thomas Lewis	15
  William Lewis	10
  ? Jones	10
  Josh Jones	15
  Josh Davies	10
  ? Davies	15
  Mary Eupham (?)
  Ann Davies	10
  Mary Davies	10
  Hannah Kidman	7
  Mary Price	8
  Jane Vaughan	7
  Eliza Davies	6
  Sarah Davies	5
  Jane Davies	2
  Ellen Gwillam	18 months
  Jane Bowstock (Browstock?)	8 months
  Thomas Bowstock	5
  Elizabeth Roberts	6
  Mary Roberts	16 months
  Stephen Price	9
  ? Dugan	7
  Thomas Turner	7
  George Gittus	8
  George Evans	6
  Edward Evans	4
  ? Thornton	6
  William Birch	3
  ? Powell	3
  ? Roberts	6

   

  Read More >
• Hergest Court History

  This fifteenth century manor house sits a couple of miles from Kington, and originally had a moat.  It underwent some alterations over the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries

  Black Vaughan

  The house was owned by the Vaughan family for generations, and many legends surround a ghost who is still apparently haunting the house to this day –  “Black Vaughan”, whose identity is a tad hazy.  He may have been Sir Thomas Vaughan who was killed in 1469, or perhaps the Sir Thomas who was a traitor to Richard III and was subsequently beheaded.

  The most likely theory is that it was the Thomas Vaughan who was killed 26^th July in 1469, fighting for the Yorkists in the battle that was fought at Danesmore near Edgecote in Northamptonshire ;  he was taken prisoner and beheaded at Banbury in 1469 aged 69 years with his body being taken back to Kington to be buried.

  Unfair Nickname of Black Vaughan Perhaps

  Legend has it that he was rather vile, but there is little to suggest that this was so and in fact the nickname might merely have referred to his dark colouring.

  The wife of Thomas was Ellen the Terrible, who thought nothing of sending an arrow through the heart of her cousin, John Vaughan,  during an archery meeting as retribution for the murder of her brother.

  There are many dark and horrible stories of the evilness of Black Vaughan, who apparently changed his appearance at will and frequently turned up as a bull – scaring the living daylights out of women on a regular basis, more bizarrely he was thought to turn himself into a fly to spook horses.  The black dog that was his companion was thought to have been the ghost of Sir Thomas’ own dog, and it was this story that many believe inspired Arthur Conan Doyle to write the Hound of the Baskervilles after he stayed at Hergest Court.  This remains speculation as there is no proof.

  Attempts were made to exorcise the ghost of Black Vaughan, including a mass ceremony performed by 12 local clergymen who claimed to have captured Vaughan’s spirit and sealed in in a snuff box which was subsequently weighed down by a stone in Hergest Pool.  It didn’t seem to work because people still claim to see him in his bull form to this day.

  The Black Dog of Hergest

  Thomas Vaughan’s faithful dog is said to have haunted Hergest and members of the Vaughan family down the generations, and the belief grew that it’s appearance signalled a death.  I have recently been contacted by David Richarde,  an ordained bishop of the Knights Templar,  a gentleman who is descended from the Vaughans through the female line and who related his own tale to add to the hauntings……..however intriguingly this took place not in Hergest or Kington, nor even this country.

   

  In 1994, we purchased a spectacular piece of woods and river, situated on an ancient Ojibwa trail, in the upper peninsula of Michigan, US.

  We built a rather interesting home, that drew attention, as well as local authorities, which included the building dept. Not knowing that two inspectors had come to the property, while we were out, many times, I went in to get a permit (finally) to build.  Taken to the building supervisor’s room, I took a seat.  On the supervisors desk was a 12×12 picture of our “illegal” structure, a round straw bale house, which struck me as odd. As I began filling out papers, the supervisor came in and sat down to finish out the permit.

  I asked him about the picture he had. He says..”Oh, this guy, these people, are in violation, and this is kind of an office memo. They are rather infamous around here!”

  Thinking to myself….’oh no, do I say something’? finished out paperwork and paid for permit. All good. But could not let it go, and told him the house was mine. His demeanor changed to one of astonishment, and some angst. He goes, “ What, what(?) ..we went out to enforce violations there, and took a picture the last time. But dude, you’ve got a giant black wolf dog there at your door! Two of us would not get out of the car!”

  I explained we had no dog, and the guy got angry. Now, it seemed like we may get fined, while paying for permit. He insisted it was there, and I was full of baloney. We talked for several more minutes, and he let me off the hook on a fine.

  This was within the first year of living on the land along the “Yellow Dog River”. For 25 years now, this black wolf dog has been seen by many others, has protected the property, even as we have left it, for other homes, for months at a time. We leave the house unlocked, driveway open, with nothing ever bothered, touched, or molested.

  Many more sightings have been relayed to us, about this monster animal, that stops people from trespassing. To date, none of us has ever directly contacted this animal, this spirit animal. It is not malevolent towards us, but seems to be sentinel to this spot, on the river, on an ancient Ojibwa trail. Not so oddly, many more strange and magical events have occurred.

  Anyway, the Vaughn family seems to have a connection to this “hound”, to this day.

  David Richarde

   

   

  Bay Mare Stolen from Hergest Court in 1818

  The following advertisement appeared in the local paper in 1818:

  “Five Guineas Reward…………Stolen or strayed on Wednesday night the twenty-eighth of October 1818 from Hergest Court near Kington, Herefordshire, A BAY HACKNEY MARE, aged, near fourteen hands high, cut tail, blind on the left eye, several saddle marks, a large mark from the girth on the near side near the fore leg and is thought to be in foal;  shoes marked I.W and a heart.  Whoever will give information of the said mare, if strayed, shall be handsomely rewarded for their trouble and all reasonable expenses paid;  and if stolen, upon conviction of the offender or offenders, shall receive the above reward of FIVE GUINEAS by applying to Mrs. Spencer of Hergest Court.”

   

  Now, this of course was a considerable sum of money to offer as a reward and given that the mare was old, half blind and marked from previous injuries, I can only assume that either the foal she was carrying was by a superb stallion, or that she was very dearly loved indeed.

   

  Thomas Price (Tom the Navvy) steals from Hergest Court

  In 1847, Thomas Price who was better known in Leominster as Tom the Navvy, was dragged before the courts by Superintendent Humphrys, after being apprehended on suspicion of stealing from John Price of Hergest Court on the night of 30^th June.  He was alleged to have taken £11 in gold and silver, but because John Price didn’t turn up at court Thomas was ordered to be discharged.

  Nothing changes does it!

   

   

  Hergest Court Household and servants 1871

  James Price	42	Farmer of 404 acres b. Kington, Herefordshire
  Thirza Price	37	Wife b. Birmingham
  Hannah E. Price	17	Daughter b. Kington, Herefordshire
  Eleanor Price	16	Daughter, b. Kington, Herefordshire
  John James Price	13	Son b. Kington, Herefordshire
  Thomas James Price	10	Son b. Kington, Herefordshire
  Alice Martha Price	5	Daughter b. Kington, Herefordshire
  Hannah Roberts	70	Mother in Law, b. Gloucester
  Thirza Elizabeth Purcell	17	Visitor b. Warwickshire
  Ambrose Bowen	39	Farm Servant b. Brilley, Herefordshire
  John Jones	26	Farm Servant b. Old Radnor, Wales
  James Watkins	18	Farm Servant b. Eardisley, Herefordshire
  Thomas Bowen	18	Farm Servant b. Kington, Herefordshire
  Charles Kettle	13	Farm Servant b. Kington, Herefordshire

   

  Read More >

News from the Past Kington

• Kington News from the Past

  Eeels, cricket clubs, free shoes and more

  1834 – Woman Dies in Brewhouse Copper

  Mr. Cawley, a Veterinary Surgeon, was on his way home to Kington after attending a patient in the early hours of the morning, and as he passed the Lamb Inn he heard terrible cries and screams for help.

  Mr. Cawley tried to rouse the sleeping inmates of the house, but having no luck he moved on to the neighbours – again with no luck.

  With great difficulty he traced the fading cries to the brewhouse, where he found 73 year old Mary Price, a long time assistant brewer at The Lamb, had fallen into the copper which unfortunately was full of boiling water at the time.

  She was still just about alive, but perhaps fortunately for her, she died before she could be removed.

  Such a sad and horrible end for a lady known for her industry and honesty;  she had saved an incredible £150 from her hard earned pay, £50 of which she had lent to other people and the rest she had hidden in her house.

  1841 – Would-be Beer Sellers Refused License

  The magistrates assembled at Kington decided not to “grant the prayer of several parties of beer sellers” who wanted to become licensed victuallers, because they thought that there were more than enough in the town already.

  1841 – Cruelty to Cattle

  Several cows in Kington were found to have had their tails cut off, and a reward of five pounds was offered for any information leading to the conviction of the perpetrators.

  Elsewhere in the county, horses were suffering the same fate.

  1842 – The “Badger” Fight!

  William Thomas, alias Bill the Badger, and Edward Thomas alias Ned the Badger, two brothers, were found drunk and fighting in Church Street, Kington.

  When P.C. Wilson and Constable William Lloyd approached them, the badger boys thought it a good idea to resist arrest and scuffle with the plods instead of each other.

  When in court, the rather sorry boys admitted the offences and promised never to do it again, whereupon the magistrates (probably trying to suppress a smile) took their previous good character into consideration and were not too stern with the fines.

  1847 – Accident at Kington Wool Factory

  Thomas Stocker, a 12 year old boy had been working for Mr. Swain, the owner of a wool manufactory, for some two weeks.  He was employed for the task of plucking wool from the machine and had been cautioned by Mr. Swain on the dangers, who had also given him instructions on what to do or not to do.

  Unfortunately, the glove he was wearing became caught in the “plucker” when he disregarded safety precautions and his hand was dragged in to the machinery.

  Once released, he was taken home and treated by the surgeon, but although he was recovering well initially, tetanus set in and he subsequently died.

  Mr. Swain said that in his 30 years in business he had often employed boys of 10 or 12, including his own child, and that the machinery was in good working order, but that on his own admission Thomas had disregarded the safety instructions.

  The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death, but said that inexperienced boys should not be employed in such work in the future.

  1857 – Imminent Opening of Leominster and Kington Railway

  It was announced that the line would be formally opened on 28th July 1857, with a public lunch at the Oxford Arms Hotel in Kington at one o’clock precisely.

  It was something that was looked forward to with great joy, as it marked the chance for huge opportunity for inhabitants of the town of Kington.

  1857 – Kington Lammas Fair

  The annual fair was held on 3rd August, and was deemed to be the largest for many years, with a full supply of dealers and stock changing hands at top prices.  the sheep and lamb trade was unusually high.

  1859 – Kington Cricket Club Re-Opens

  After many years without a cricket club, a new one was set up in 1859, after many young determined men threw themselves into the task.

  A field between the town and the railway station was obtained, and many stalwarts of the town agreed to be honorary members.  The team went from strength to strength and became very good in later years.

  1859 – Young Woman Dies of Syphilis in Kington

  Elizabeth Eddings, a 21 year old girl, died suddenly at the house of her parents in, James and Jane Eddings of Kington and as happens in villages, rumours abounded as to whether she had been murdered,  as it was known that she had horrible marks on her face and head.

  The Coroner, N. Lanwarne Esq. held an inquest along with W. Blakely Esq., Surgeon of Kington.  The Surgeon and the jury inspected the body, and very quickly realised that Elizabeth had advanced syphilis.

  Elizabeth was one of six children and although she had been in service she never stayed long in any one job, and eventually became a prostitute working in Worcester, Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Bromyard for some three years.  When she became very ill, she returned home in a dreadful state – shoeless, ragged clothes and swollen eyes, not to mention the terrible sores on her head and back.  She was also filthy, and once her tattered clothing was removed it was apparent that the chronic sores and syphilitic eruptions had been there for some considerable time.  She was also an alcoholic.

  She quickly went downhill and died a short time after returning home.

  The verdict at the inquest was Death by the Visitation of God from natural causes, and from erysipelas on head and face produced from exposure to cold and privation, operating upon a constitution tainted with syphilis.

  That silenced the rumour mongers!

  1863 – Huge Eel at Kington

  Two men from Kington were walking across a field near Titley when they saw what they thought was a large snake.  They approached it, and discovered that it was in fact an enormous eel, which was later proved to weigh five and a quarter pounds.

  1866 – Kington National Schools

  The annual distribution of shoes and boots to children attending the Kington National Schools took place at the end of December 1865, and 60 pairs were given out to those who had been present at school for the most number of days since the last Government inspection.

  The boots this time were made by Mr. James Knowles of High Street, Kington, and were of top quality.

  Read More >

1834 – Woman Dies in Brewhouse Copper

Mr. Cawley, a Veterinary Surgeon, was on his way home to Kington after attending a patient in the early hours of the morning, and as he passed the Lamb Inn he heard terrible cries and screams for help.

Mr. Cawley tried to rouse the sleeping inmates of the house, but having no luck he moved on to the neighbours – again with no luck.

With great difficulty he traced the fading cries to the brewhouse, where he found 73 year old Mary Price, a long time assistant brewer at The Lamb, had fallen into the copper which unfortunately was full of boiling water at the time.

She was still just about alive, but perhaps fortunately for her, she died before she could be removed.

Such a sad and horrible end for a lady known for her industry and honesty;  she had saved an incredible £150 from her hard earned pay, £50 of which she had lent to other people and the rest she had hidden in her house.

1841 – Would-be Beer Sellers Refused License

The magistrates assembled at Kington decided not to “grant the prayer of several parties of beer sellers” who wanted to become licensed victuallers, because they thought that there were more than enough in the town already.

1841 – Cruelty to Cattle

Several cows in Kington were found to have had their tails cut off, and a reward of five pounds was offered for any information leading to the conviction of the perpetrators.

Elsewhere in the county, horses were suffering the same fate.

1842 – The “Badger” Fight!

William Thomas, alias Bill the Badger, and Edward Thomas alias Ned the Badger, two brothers, were found drunk and fighting in Church Street, Kington.

When P.C. Wilson and Constable William Lloyd approached them, the badger boys thought it a good idea to resist arrest and scuffle with the plods instead of each other.

When in court, the rather sorry boys admitted the offences and promised never to do it again, whereupon the magistrates (probably trying to suppress a smile) took their previous good character into consideration and were not too stern with the fines.

1847 – Accident at Kington Wool Factory

Thomas Stocker, a 12 year old boy had been working for Mr. Swain, the owner of a wool manufactory, for some two weeks.  He was employed for the task of plucking wool from the machine and had been cautioned by Mr. Swain on the dangers, who had also given him instructions on what to do or not to do.

Unfortunately, the glove he was wearing became caught in the “plucker” when he disregarded safety precautions and his hand was dragged in to the machinery.

Once released, he was taken home and treated by the surgeon, but although he was recovering well initially, tetanus set in and he subsequently died.

Mr. Swain said that in his 30 years in business he had often employed boys of 10 or 12, including his own child, and that the machinery was in good working order, but that on his own admission Thomas had disregarded the safety instructions.

The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death, but said that inexperienced boys should not be employed in such work in the future.

1857 – Imminent Opening of Leominster and Kington Railway

It was announced that the line would be formally opened on 28th July 1857, with a public lunch at the Oxford Arms Hotel in Kington at one o’clock precisely.

It was something that was looked forward to with great joy, as it marked the chance for huge opportunity for inhabitants of the town of Kington.

1857 – Kington Lammas Fair

The annual fair was held on 3rd August, and was deemed to be the largest for many years, with a full supply of dealers and stock changing hands at top prices.  the sheep and lamb trade was unusually high.

1859 – Kington Cricket Club Re-Opens

After many years without a cricket club, a new one was set up in 1859, after many young determined men threw themselves into the task.

A field between the town and the railway station was obtained, and many stalwarts of the town agreed to be honorary members.  The team went from strength to strength and became very good in later years.

1859 – Young Woman Dies of Syphilis in Kington

Elizabeth Eddings, a 21 year old girl, died suddenly at the house of her parents in, James and Jane Eddings of Kington and as happens in villages, rumours abounded as to whether she had been murdered,  as it was known that she had horrible marks on her face and head.

The Coroner, N. Lanwarne Esq. held an inquest along with W. Blakely Esq., Surgeon of Kington.  The Surgeon and the jury inspected the body, and very quickly realised that Elizabeth had advanced syphilis.

Elizabeth was one of six children and although she had been in service she never stayed long in any one job, and eventually became a prostitute working in Worcester, Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Bromyard for some three years.  When she became very ill, she returned home in a dreadful state – shoeless, ragged clothes and swollen eyes, not to mention the terrible sores on her head and back.  She was also filthy, and once her tattered clothing was removed it was apparent that the chronic sores and syphilitic eruptions had been there for some considerable time.  She was also an alcoholic.

She quickly went downhill and died a short time after returning home.

The verdict at the inquest was Death by the Visitation of God from natural causes, and from erysipelas on head and face produced from exposure to cold and privation, operating upon a constitution tainted with syphilis.

That silenced the rumour mongers!

1863 – Huge Eel at Kington

Two men from Kington were walking across a field near Titley when they saw what they thought was a large snake.  They approached it, and discovered that it was in fact an enormous eel, which was later proved to weigh five and a quarter pounds.

1866 – Kington National Schools

The annual distribution of shoes and boots to children attending the Kington National Schools took place at the end of December 1865, and 60 pairs were given out to those who had been present at school for the most number of days since the last Government inspection.

The boots this time were made by Mr. James Knowles of High Street, Kington, and were of top quality.

For general conditions in workhouses please see Hereford or Ledbury Union Workhouses.

Kington Union Workhouse Staff and inmates 1841 census

Under the terms of the will of Lady Margaret Hawkins, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth l and second wife of Sir John Hawkins, the Elizabethan sailor and adventurer, and also a Vaughan from Hergest Court, it was decreed that pupils of the nearby free school (Lady Hawkins School) should attend the church every Sunday, and then on the following day give an account of what they had learnt.

Font

This is a simple Norman font, near to which is a baptismal “tank” which was frequently used for adults in the eighteenth century.

Memorials

John Morris

John Morris, died 3rd March 1812 aged 76. Also Anne his wife who died 3rd November 1775 aged 45

Thomas Vaughan

An extravagant alabaster tomb for Thomas Vaughan of Hergest Court, who was killed at the battle of Banbury in 1469. His body was returned to Kington, and he now lies with his wife Ellen Gethin, or Ellen the Terrible!!

In 1845 the Hon. Miss Harley directed Mr. B. Jennings, a sculptor of Hereford, to restore the tomb which had fallen into disrepair, and also to erect strong iron railings around the tomb.

Richard Fencott

Richard Fencott, late of Winforton Court, died 26th January 1809 aged 55, also Elizabeth his wife who died 19th January 1836 aged 71

Philip Turner

In the aisle opposite this place are deposited the remains of Philip Turner, late of Scutt Mill, and Rebecca his wife. She died 12th October 1762 aged 23 and he died 14th December 1798 aged 64

Albert Parker

Lovely brass plaque in memory of Albert, 4th son of Francis and Jane Parker, born 18 March 1853, who with 78 others was lost in the ship “British Admiral” in Bass Straight on 23 May 1874

Other Memorials include one for Cassandra Davies, a spinster of the parish who decreed that five pounds was to be distributed every year on 26th March to the “most antient, indigent, and necessitous parishioners”. Another inscription relates how Richard Meredith in 1777 left £24 per year to be given “in bread monthly and distributed amongst the poor housekeepers who were not suppoted by the Parish as paupers, on the first Sunday of every month”.