Servant Boy Charged with Incendiary Fire at Preston Court

In 1849 a fire on 3rd April reduced the extensive farm buildings of Mr. John Davis of Preston Court in Preston on Wye to a pile of rubble; at the same time a large quantity of feed, waggons, carts and farming implements were destroyed. Three barns, four beast houses, a stable and many sheds and other outbuildings over roughly three quarters of an acre were demolished with no walls remaining standing – fortunately all the animals were rescued, but it was not an easy task.

The buildings were only insured for £500, and this was nowhere near enough to cover the cost of the damage. It was reported that the blaze was so large and terrifying that at least 2000 people turned up to try to help.

There was no doubt that someone had deliberately set fire to the property but at first there were no suspects – then a couple of days later circumstances arose which led people to believe that John Jones, a 14 year old servant of Mr. Davis, was the perpetrator of the deed. In fact, Jones himself later confessed to Mr. Davies’ sister, saying that he used a Lucifer match – he hoped that because he had owned up he would be forgiven.

John Jones was the youngest of several boys, and his father, an out and out Chartist, lived close to Preston Court. Mr. Davis had always been very kind to Jones and his parents  and had helped him and his brothers as they grew up, giving them work and trying to guide them into adulthood.

Apparently on the morning of the fire he had been reprimanded by Mr. Davis for neglecting the horses, and he was told not to go near them again while the job was given to another boy.   Perhaps this had annoyed Jones, who was of limited intelligence, enough to set the fire.

The Court Hearing

John Jones was described as having a “heavy stupid appearance” and when he first arrived at Preston Court he appeared quite nonchalant about the whole thing, even enjoying bread and cheese and a mug of cider, (provided by the ever kind John Davis) but by the end of the proceedings he seemed to realise the seriousness of his position and burst into tears. His previous lies when first questioned were picked apart and after many witness statements as well as his own admission,  his guilt was without doubt.

John Jones was convicted of setting fire to the farm buildings at preston court and sentenced to 15 years transportation. He was ordered by the Secretary of State to Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of White.

1851 – Preston Court Household

1861 – Preston Court Household

1871 – Preston Court Household

1881 – Preston Court Household

1891 – Preston Court Household

1901 – Preston Court Household

1911 – Preston Court Household

Many of the village buildings are sixteenth and seventeenth century, including The Elms, Willow Farm, Green Farm and Lower Bellamore Farm, and some houses have roof timbers which date from even earlier. The current Preston Court is 16th century and was a present from Godiva and her sister to Hereford Cathedral. Huntley Court dates from the same period and belonged to the Delahay family.

Churches of Preston on Wye

• St. Lawrence Church - Preston on Wye

  The 13th century church of St. Lawrence at Preston on Wye was restored in 1625, and then more comprehensively in 1883

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Font

  The bowl of the font at St. Lawrence is fairly modern, but the stem and base are old.

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Memorials

   

  Alice Elliott, wife of Samuel, born 18th February 1747 and died 19th May 1812. Also Samuel born 13th October 1741 and died 30th December 1814

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  There is a monument to Sarah Hosier, wife of Andrew Carwardine, 1707. The Carwardine family were especially important in the Preston on Wye area, and lived at Preston Court, the manor house at the time, but they also owned farms at Madley

   

   

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Buildings of Preston on Wye

• Preston Court History

  This medieval manor house was built in the early 16th century, with alterations in the 17th century and renovations at a later date.
  Preston Court became an important farm, but in 1849 the farm buildings suffered catastrophic damage following an arson attack. At this time Mr. John Davies was the lessee of the farm under the Dean and Chapter of Hereford.

  Servant Boy Charged with Incendiary Fire at Preston Court

  In 1849 a fire on 3rd April reduced the extensive farm buildings of Mr. John Davis of Preston Court in Preston on Wye to a pile of rubble; at the same time a large quantity of feed, waggons, carts and farming implements were destroyed. Three barns, four beast houses, a stable and many sheds and other outbuildings over roughly three quarters of an acre were demolished with no walls remaining standing – fortunately all the animals were rescued, but it was not an easy task.

   

  The buildings were only insured for £500, and this was nowhere near enough to cover the cost of the damage. It was reported that the blaze was so large and terrifying that at least 2000 people turned up to try to help.

  There was no doubt that someone had deliberately set fire to the property but at first there were no suspects – then a couple of days later circumstances arose which led people to believe that John Jones, a 14 year old servant of Mr. Davis, was the perpetrator of the deed. In fact, Jones himself later confessed to Mr. Davies’ sister, saying that he used a Lucifer match – he hoped that because he had owned up he would be forgiven.

  John Jones was the youngest of several boys, and his father, an out and out Chartist, lived close to Preston Court. Mr. Davis had always been very kind to Jones and his parents  and had helped him and his brothers as they grew up, giving them work and trying to guide them into adulthood.

  Apparently on the morning of the fire he had been reprimanded by Mr. Davis for neglecting the horses, and he was told not to go near them again while the job was given to another boy.   Perhaps this had annoyed Jones, who was of limited intelligence, enough to set the fire.

  The Court Hearing

  John Jones was described as having a “heavy stupid appearance” and when he first arrived at Preston Court he appeared quite nonchalant about the whole thing, even enjoying bread and cheese and a mug of cider, (provided by the ever kind John Davis) but by the end of the proceedings he seemed to realise the seriousness of his position and burst into tears. His previous lies when first questioned were picked apart and after many witness statements as well as his own admission,  his guilt was without doubt.

  John Jones was convicted of setting fire to the farm buildings at preston court and sentenced to 15 years transportation. He was ordered by the Secretary of State to Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of White.

  1851 – Preston Court Household

  John Davis	52	Farmer of 235 acres employing 8 labourers	b. Herefordshire
  Julianna Davis	45	Wife	b. Herefordshire
  Joseph Minest	12	Farm servant	b. Herefordshire
  William Jones	17	Farm Servant	b. Herefordshire
  Eliza Worthington	18	Farm Servant	b. Herefordshire
  Ann Preece	16	Farm Servant	b. Herefordshire

  1861 – Preston Court Household

  John Davis	63	Farmer of 230 Acres	b. Herefordshire
  Julia Davis	55	Wife	b. Herefordshire
  Thomas Seabourn	18	Groom	b. Herefordshire
  George Gardiner	16	Carter	b. Herefordshire
  Harriet Seval	27	House Maid	b. Herefordshire
  Hannah Rice	18	Dairy Maid	b. Herefordshire

  1871 – Preston Court Household

  John Davis	73	Farmer	b. Norton Cannon, Herefordshire
  Julianna Davis	66	Wife	b. Kentchurch, Herefordshire
  Thomas Davis	25	Nephew	b. Madley, Herefordshire
  Henry Williams	16	Indoor farm servant	b. Woolhope, Herefordshire
  Thomas Seal	16	Indoor farm servant	b. Preston on Wye, Herefordshire
  Ann Prosser	25	General servant	b. Brinsop, Herefordshire
  Catherine Prosser	22	General servant	b. Preston on wye, Herefordshire

  1881 – Preston Court Household

  Jonathan Davis	36	Farmer of 300 Acres	b. Madley, Herefordshire
  Mary E. Davis	35	Wife	b. Kingstone, Herefordshire
  Ethel Davis	6mths	Daughter	b. Preston on Wye, Herefordshire
  Juliana Davis	76	Widow, Aunt	b. Herefordshire
  William J. Davis	33	Brother	b. Madley, Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Jancey	22	Cook	b. Preston on Wynne, Herefordshire
  Emily Thomas	17	Housemaid	b. Mansel Lacey, Herefordshire
  John Williams	16	Groom	b. Moccas, Herefordshire
  George Thomas	17	Waggoners Boy	b. Holmer, Herefordshire

  1891 – Preston Court Household

  John Davis	46	Farmer	b. Madley, Herefordshire
  Mary Davis	45	Wife	b. Kingstone, Herefordshire
  Ethel Davis	10	Daughter	b. Preston on Wye, Herefordshire
  Frances Davis	9	Daughter	b. Preston on Wye, Herefordshire
  Juliana Davis	86	Widow, Aunt	b. Kentchurch, Herefordshire
  Alice Rogers	19	Cook	b. Clehonger, Herefordshire
  Emma Williams	18	Housemaid	b. Herefordshire
  John Davies	19	Groom	b. Lyonshall, Herefordshire

  1901 – Preston Court Household

  Jonathan Davis	57	Farmer	b. Madley, Herefordshire
  Mary E. Davis	58	Wife	b. Kingstone, Herefordshire
  Ethel Mary Davis	20	Daughter	b. Preston on Wye, Herefordshire
  Mary Jane Davis	51	Visitor, living on own means	b. Madley, Herefordshire
  Frances Davis	47	Visitor, living on own means	b. Madley, Herefordshire
  Gregory E. Damer	24	Farm Assistant	b. Gloucestershire
  Kate  Williams	18	Domestic Servant	b. Breinton, Herefordshire

  1911 – Preston Court Household

  Jonathan Davis	66	Farmer	b. Madley, Herefordshire
  Ethel Mary Davis	30	Daughter	b. Preston on Wye, Herefordshire
  Isabel Grace Davis	25	Daughter	b. Preston on Wye, Herefordshire
  Harold Oswald Summers	22	Farm worker	b. Tooting, Surrey

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News from the past Preston on Wye

• Preston on Wye News from the Past

  Bits and pieces of news from Preston on Wye

  1849 – Accident at Preston on Wye Wake

  At a wake held at Ploughfield (also known as Plovill) one Sunday, Joseph Pitt was indulging in a rather inappropriate bout of wrestling and managed to break his leg.

  He was take to the Infirmary at Hereford.

  1877 – Scarlet Fever at Preston on Wye

  The Inspector of Nuisances for the Weobley District, Mr. Lloyd, reported an outbreak of scarlet fever in a cottage at Preston on Wye.

  The house had to be whitewashed and the well had to be properly protected, the pump having rotted and the water supply being insufficient.

  The agent of the property had been instructed by the owner to attend to the necessary requirements.

  Read More >

1849 – Accident at Preston on Wye Wake

At a wake held at Ploughfield (also known as Plovill) one Sunday, Joseph Pitt was indulging in a rather inappropriate bout of wrestling and managed to break his leg.

He was take to the Infirmary at Hereford.

1877 – Scarlet Fever at Preston on Wye

The Inspector of Nuisances for the Weobley District, Mr. Lloyd, reported an outbreak of scarlet fever in a cottage at Preston on Wye.

The house had to be whitewashed and the well had to be properly protected, the pump having rotted and the water supply being insufficient.

The agent of the property had been instructed by the owner to attend to the necessary requirements.

Font

The bowl of the font at St. Lawrence is fairly modern, but the stem and base are old.

Memorials

Alice Elliott, wife of Samuel, born 18th February 1747 and died 19th May 1812. Also Samuel born 13th October 1741 and died 30th December 1814

There is a monument to Sarah Hosier, wife of Andrew Carwardine, 1707. The Carwardine family were especially important in the Preston on Wye area, and lived at Preston Court, the manor house at the time, but they also owned farms at Madley