I have been contacted by a descendant of the Powell family who owned Pengethley for a great many years (Nicholas Waloff) who has spent some considerable time and effort researching his family tree. I am always indebted to those who take the trouble to correct or add to this website and extend my thanks to him for his contribution.

This is what he wrote:
“It starts with Richard Powell of Harewood, Herefordshire, who had 4 sons, including Edmund and his brother John. They jointly acquired Pengethley in 1583 from Edward Brown of Harewood for 1000 marks, and a deed of sale survives which is quoted in Charles Feret’s History of Fulham, ii, p.183.

Both John and Edmund were employed in the Royal Household of Queen Elizabeth I, and John for a brief period in King James I’s household. John was the Clerk of the Market of the Royal Household, responsible for enforcement of legally defined weights and measures in Southern England. He lived in Fulham, Middlesex, as well as Pengethley. Edmund was the Deputy Clerk of the Market at the same time. John wrote a famous treatise, ‘The Assize of Bread’, which amongst other things established the legal pint line around pint beer glasses (or rather pewter mugs at the time).

In 1594, John acquired the Mynde Park Estate in Sellack (Mynde Park Deeds, National Library of Wales)

John died in 1606 and bequeathed his share of Pengethley to Edmund, who then passed it on to Sir Edward Powell, his son.

John’s daughter, who did not inherit Pengethley, was the 15th great grandmother of Diana, Princess of Wales and a possible similar great grandmother to Baroness Margaret Thatcher.

So the Powells acquired Pengethley in 1583.”

Edward Powell was created a Baronet in January 1621. He married, but died without having children, so left his estates to his nephew William Hinson of Pengethley, who took on the name and arms* of Powell and who was created a Baronet in January 1660. Despite being married twice, William only had one child – a daughter, Mary, who inherited the estates. Mary married Sir John Williams of Eltham in Kent, and their youngest daughter Penelope married Thomas Symonds of Sugwas, Herefordshire and she conveyed Pengethley house to him.
* This has been called into question by Nicholas Waloff, who has extensively researched the coats of arms used – he does believe that William Hinson kept his own coat of arms.

The Symonds Family at Pengethley Manor

Their great grandson was Thomas Powell Symonds who married Elizabeth Turner in 1816, and he totally rebuilt the house after the original building suffered a dreadful fire in the early 19th century. although he had two sons, it was the eldest by a year, Thomas Powell, who inherited Pengethley Manor.
The Symonds family remained in residence until the death of Caroline Symonds in 1947; she had never married and in the absence of heirs the estate was sold.

Dr. John Hagmann at Pengethley Manor

It changed hands many times before eventually being turned into a hotel, and at one time, in 2007, Pengethley Manor was bought by an American – Dr John Hagmann, who although making improvements and renovations, gave the house a rather dark period. There is a great deal on the internet about this man and his rather ghastly experiments, many of which were carried out at Pengethley Manor – one description of him being “he was like a diabolical mad scientist at work in a horror movie”. Certainly I am not about to write it all down here given how recent the events were, and the fact that most of those involved are still alive – however if you want the grisly details then just Google John Hagmann.

Of course, if it had all occurred more than a hundred years ago, then I would definitely have written the whole thing up!

The Ghosts of Pengethley Manor

There are reputedly two ghosts at Pengethley Manor; one is a little girl called Harriet who tragically died when she was trapped in the fire that destroyed most of the house in the early 1800s. It is said that she is naughty and plays childish tricks as she haunts the main part of the house.
The other ghost is an old lady dressed in black, who appears to be searching for someone as she wanders around the ruined area.
Strange goings on have also been reported, such as furniture moving around and footsteps being heard when nobody is there.

William Harris – Butler at Pengethley Manor

Set out below is an email received from a family history researcher regarding her relative William Harris.  If anyone can help with this, please contact me and I will put her in touch.

I’m hoping you can help me with my intrepid search into my family’s past. My great great grandfather, William Harris, was the Butler at Pengethley Manor House from 1861 until 1881, according to the censuses for those years. I am related to him through his daughter, Elizabeth, her daughter, Ethel Ann and then down through to my mother, Jean.

My husband and I visited Pengethley last week to see if they had any old photos or information I could possibly look at, but, unfortunately they had nothing at all on the past apart from some old weddings used for publicity purposes from the early 1980’s.

I have since found your article on Pengethley and the information on a butler’s duties, all of which was extremely informative. I was, therefore wondering if either you or your readers may have anything at all on William Harris that they may be willing to share with me.

Thank you in anticipation of what may emerge. Here’s hoping!

1851 – Pengethley Manor Household

1861 – Pengethley Manor Household

1871 – Pengethley Manor Household

1881 – Pengethley Manor Household

1891 – Pengethley Manor Household

1901 – Pengethley Manor Household

Churches of Sellack

• St. Tysilio - Sellack

  The church of St. Tysilio at Sellack is in the most glorious peaceful position, surrounded by fields.

  The original building was 12th century, with additions and subtractions over the next two centuries. In 1840, the parishioners rather wrecked the church by removing most of the north aisle and making a mess of building the north transept!

  However, the church was re-opened on 7th December 1841 and was declared to have been considerably enlarged with free sittings provided for the accommodation of the poor.  The sermon was preached by the Lord Bishop of Hereford.

  Lately, there has been much restoration and repair work, including on the 15th century spire.

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Font

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Memorials

  Thomas Symonds

  died 5th March 1760 aged 75. Also his wife Penelope Symonds who died llth December 1773 aged 80

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Thomas Phelps

  died August 1827 and his wife Mary. Also thomas died September 23rd 1847 aged 75 and his son John and wife Mary

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Bier

  

  Read More >

News from the Past Sellack

• Sellack News from the Past

  Coronation celebrations, death by drink, rabies and more

  1838 – Coronation of Queen Victoria Celebrations at Sellack

  The Coronation day of Queen Victoria was heartily celebrated in Sellack, with gentlemen and farmers alike agreeing to grant a holiday beginning at midday.

  The Procession to Sellack Church

  On the morning of Coronation day, a large procession formed at Baysham and was hugely augmented at Grove Common.  As the procession progressed through the countryside, flag bearers of St. Weonards and Llangarren Benefit, and Odd Fellow’s Club took the lead, followed by a wonderful band.

  Armed volunteers of Sellack were next in the procession, marching as true soldiers, followed by all the men women and children of the parish, walking two abreast;  the whole spectacle being remarkable, headed to the church.

  The Rev. Love Robertson, Vicar of Sellack, preached the sermon in which he extolled the virtues of their “young, beautiful and interesting Queen”.

  The Dinner and Cheers for the new Queen

  The general feeling of happiness grew as four hundred people sat down to a feast of a dinner, cooked “in a style fit for the Queen herself” – however, there were more than 1000 people outside, and it is not recorded whether they were fed!

  After the dinner, the Queen’s health was cheered over and over again, followed by three volleys of musketry and the National Anthem.

  The Vicar Gets on his Soap Box about Drinking

  Everyone seemed happy enough at the end of the day, although it seems that alcohol was only handed out in extreme moderation – unlike other villages where cider and beer was freely available – and indeed the Vicar used the occasion to give an extremely long (and probably not well received) speech about the evils of drink and of the Sunday Wake.

  He described the Sunday Wake as a “cruel and debasing enemy”, which encouraged habits of intemperance, and urged them to “think of your wives and familes that sooner or later will be pining in wretchedness at home.  Think of your manslaughters, your cursing and swearing, your blood thirsty and cowardly proceedings…..”.

  One imagines that the vicar would use absolutely any occasion to drive home his anti alcohol message, but it seems a shame that he should use what was clearly a happy day to do so.

  1855 – Rabid Dog in Sellack

  A dog which was proved to have rabies was on the loose around the parishes of Sellack and Hoarwithy.  Other dogs had been bitten by it before it was caught by Thomas Buckham of Bosham, and destroyed.

  An order went out for any dog which may have been bitten to immediately be put down, this being “a duty, the performance of which the welfare of society imperatively demands”.

  People were warned that if they neglected to carry out this order, the results would be absolutely awful.

   

  1856 – Fatal Accidents at Sellack

  It seems that 1856 was a dangerous year to work for Mr. Jardine – his horses were a nervous bunch:

  Bolland Tiffer, a waggoner working for Mr. Jardine of Sellack, was out with the horses one day in August 1856, when he took them down to the river to drink.

  He was holding the bridles, and one of the horses suddenly bolted, dragging Tiffer along the ground;  thoroughly frightened, the horse kicked out and a hoof caught the poor man squarely on the temple, virtually killing him outright.

  He left a widow and two children

  In the same year, John King, a labourer working for Mr. Jardine, was engaged in hauling gravel when the horse he was using took fright and bolted.

  John tried to stop it, but fell down and the horse trampled over his head, killing him on the spot.

  Now, I am wondering whether somehow the first reported death was somehow typed up wrongly in the newspaper at the time, because Bolland Tiffer does seem to be a somewhat strange name!  Also, the manner of death in both reports is somewhat similar, although in one case the horse was drinking from the river, and in the other it was working.

  I think that I shall have to check on the existence of Bolland Tiffer in order to verify this.

  1863 – Death Through Inebriation

  Walter James, waggoner to Mr. Thomas Phelps of the Grove, Sellack, met his death “while in a beastly state of drunkenness”.

  Walter was on the road home with his master’s team and wagon after drinking very heavily;  he was riding on the wagon shafts when just a quarter of a mile from home he tumbled off the shafts and fell under the wheel.

  The poor chap was crushed to death, and had half his head cut off by the wheel.  He left a wife and five children.

  Read More >

Buildings of Sellack

• Pengethley Manor History

  Pengethley Manor was originally called Pengethley House, and is situated in the village of Sellack, close to Ross on Wye, in an absolutely glorious setting.

  I have been contacted by a descendant of the Powell family who owned Pengethley for a great many years (Nicholas Waloff) who has spent some considerable time and effort researching his family tree. I am always indebted to those who take the trouble to correct or add to this website and extend my thanks to him for his contribution.

  This is what he wrote:
  “It starts with Richard Powell of Harewood, Herefordshire, who had 4 sons, including Edmund and his brother John. They jointly acquired Pengethley in 1583 from Edward Brown of Harewood for 1000 marks, and a deed of sale survives which is quoted in Charles Feret’s History of Fulham, ii, p.183.

  Both John and Edmund were employed in the Royal Household of Queen Elizabeth I, and John for a brief period in King James I’s household. John was the Clerk of the Market of the Royal Household, responsible for enforcement of legally defined weights and measures in Southern England. He lived in Fulham, Middlesex, as well as Pengethley. Edmund was the Deputy Clerk of the Market at the same time. John wrote a famous treatise, ‘The Assize of Bread’, which amongst other things established the legal pint line around pint beer glasses (or rather pewter mugs at the time).

  In 1594, John acquired the Mynde Park Estate in Sellack (Mynde Park Deeds, National Library of Wales)

  John died in 1606 and bequeathed his share of Pengethley to Edmund, who then passed it on to Sir Edward Powell, his son.

  John’s daughter, who did not inherit Pengethley, was the 15th great grandmother of Diana, Princess of Wales and a possible similar great grandmother to Baroness Margaret Thatcher.

  So the Powells acquired Pengethley in 1583.”

  Edward Powell was created a Baronet in January 1621. He married, but died without having children, so left his estates to his nephew William Hinson of Pengethley, who took on the name and arms* of Powell and who was created a Baronet in January 1660. Despite being married twice, William only had one child – a daughter, Mary, who inherited the estates. Mary married Sir John Williams of Eltham in Kent, and their youngest daughter Penelope married Thomas Symonds of Sugwas, Herefordshire and she conveyed Pengethley house to him.
  * This has been called into question by Nicholas Waloff, who has extensively researched the coats of arms used – he does believe that William Hinson kept his own coat of arms.

  The Symonds Family at Pengethley Manor

  Their great grandson was Thomas Powell Symonds who married Elizabeth Turner in 1816, and he totally rebuilt the house after the original building suffered a dreadful fire in the early 19th century. although he had two sons, it was the eldest by a year, Thomas Powell, who inherited Pengethley Manor.
  The Symonds family remained in residence until the death of Caroline Symonds in 1947; she had never married and in the absence of heirs the estate was sold.

  Dr. John Hagmann at Pengethley Manor

  It changed hands many times before eventually being turned into a hotel, and at one time, in 2007, Pengethley Manor was bought by an American – Dr John Hagmann, who although making improvements and renovations, gave the house a rather dark period. There is a great deal on the internet about this man and his rather ghastly experiments, many of which were carried out at Pengethley Manor – one description of him being “he was like a diabolical mad scientist at work in a horror movie”. Certainly I am not about to write it all down here given how recent the events were, and the fact that most of those involved are still alive – however if you want the grisly details then just Google John Hagmann.

  Of course, if it had all occurred more than a hundred years ago, then I would definitely have written the whole thing up!

  The Ghosts of Pengethley Manor

  There are reputedly two ghosts at Pengethley Manor; one is a little girl called Harriet who tragically died when she was trapped in the fire that destroyed most of the house in the early 1800s. It is said that she is naughty and plays childish tricks as she haunts the main part of the house.
  The other ghost is an old lady dressed in black, who appears to be searching for someone as she wanders around the ruined area.
  Strange goings on have also been reported, such as furniture moving around and footsteps being heard when nobody is there.

   

  William Harris – Butler at Pengethley Manor

  Set out below is an email received from a family history researcher regarding her relative William Harris.  If anyone can help with this, please contact me and I will put her in touch.

   

  I’m hoping you can help me with my intrepid search into my family’s past. My great great grandfather, William Harris, was the Butler at Pengethley Manor House from 1861 until 1881, according to the censuses for those years. I am related to him through his daughter, Elizabeth, her daughter, Ethel Ann and then down through to my mother, Jean.

  My husband and I visited Pengethley last week to see if they had any old photos or information I could possibly look at, but, unfortunately they had nothing at all on the past apart from some old weddings used for publicity purposes from the early 1980’s.

  I have since found your article on Pengethley and the information on a butler’s duties, all of which was extremely informative. I was, therefore wondering if either you or your readers may have anything at all on William Harris that they may be willing to share with me.

  Thank you in anticipation of what may emerge. Here’s hoping!

  1851 – Pengethley Manor Household

  Thomas Powell Symonds	62	Magistrate;  Clergyman not having care of Souls	b. Dymock, Gloucestershire
  Elizabeth Symonds	55	Wife	b. London, Middlesex
  Thomas Powell Symonds	34	Son, Magistrate, Militia Officer	b. Kent
  Louisa Spill	27	Servant	b. Gloucestershire
  Sophia Spill	33	Servant	b. Gloucestershire
  Eliza Williams	24	Servant	b. Llangarron, Herefordshire
  William Digwood	32	Coachman	b. Llanwarne, Herefordshire

  1861 – Pengethley Manor Household

  Thomas Powell Symonds	73	Clergyman without care of souls	b. Dymock, Gloucestershire
  Elizabeth Symonds	65	Wife	b. Marylebone, Middlesex
  Thomas P. Symonds	43	Son, Major of Militia	b. Isle of Thanet Kent
  William Harris	41	Servant	b. Herefordshire
  Catherine E. Powell	29	Servant	b. Monmouthshire
  Ellen Price	23	Servant	b. Monmouthshire
  Sarah J. Hoffard	19	Servant	b. Woolhope, Herefordshire

  1871 – Pengethley Manor Household

  Thomas P. Symonds	54	Commander Herefordshire Militia	b. Isle of Thanet,  Kent
  Caroline E. Symonds	3	Daughter	b. St. Peters, Southampton
  Elizabeth Symonds	75	Mother	b. London, Middlesex
  William Harris	52	Butler	b. Ross on Wye, Herefordshire
  Mary Watt	26	Cook	b. Winforton, Herefordshire
  Fanny Probert	17	Housemaid	b.  Lyonshall, Herefordshire
  Julia Taynton	24	Nurse	b. Ross on Wye,  Herefordshire

  1881 – Pengethley Manor Household

  William T. Cahusac	58	Colonel, Bombay Staff Corps, and Farmer	b. Cheshire
  Janette Cahusac	50	Wife	b. Hampton Bishop, Herefordshire
  Emily Sarah Cahusac	80	Mother, Widow	b. Rickmansworth, Herefordshire
  Matilda Layton	34	Visitor	b. Blackheath, Kent
  Thomas Evans	26	Groom	b. Brinsop, Herefordshire
  Mary Fowler	41	Lady’s Maid	b. Herefordshire
  Caroline Gwilliam	24	Housemaid	b. Bridstow, Herefordshire
  Jane Duggan	29	Cook	b. Clifford, Herefordshire
  Eliza Moore	19	Housemaid	b. Newnham, Herefordshire
  Lucy Preseth	17	Kitchenmaid	b. Redmarley, Gloucestershire

  1891 – Pengethley Manor Household

  Caroline Symonds	25	Living on own means	b. Southampton
  Anna Symonds	52	Mother, Widow	b. Litchfield, Hants
  Frances M. Butlin	26	Visitor, living on own means	b. Ealing, Middlesex
  Harriet Wood	28	Cook	b. Bridstow, Herefordshire
  William Ireland	27	Butler	b. Kinnerton, Radnorshire
  Sara Parker	25	Housemaid	b. Staffordshire
  Sarah Powell	16	Kitchenmaid	b. Garway, Herefordshire

  1901 – Pengethley Manor Household

  Caroline E. Symonds	35	Single, living on own means	b. Southampton, Hants
  Annie Symonds	62	Mother, widow, living on own means	b. Litchfield, Hants
  Rose A. Crumpton	29	Cook	b. Radnor
  Myra Hohlds	16	Kitchenmaid	b. Llanwarne, Herefordshire
  Annie M. Heayns	32	Housemaid	b. Cornwall
  David E.S. Small	24	Butler	b. Scotland

  Read More >

1838 – Coronation of Queen Victoria Celebrations at Sellack

The Coronation day of Queen Victoria was heartily celebrated in Sellack, with gentlemen and farmers alike agreeing to grant a holiday beginning at midday.

The Procession to Sellack Church

On the morning of Coronation day, a large procession formed at Baysham and was hugely augmented at Grove Common.  As the procession progressed through the countryside, flag bearers of St. Weonards and Llangarren Benefit, and Odd Fellow’s Club took the lead, followed by a wonderful band.

Armed volunteers of Sellack were next in the procession, marching as true soldiers, followed by all the men women and children of the parish, walking two abreast;  the whole spectacle being remarkable, headed to the church.

The Rev. Love Robertson, Vicar of Sellack, preached the sermon in which he extolled the virtues of their “young, beautiful and interesting Queen”.

The Dinner and Cheers for the new Queen

The general feeling of happiness grew as four hundred people sat down to a feast of a dinner, cooked “in a style fit for the Queen herself” – however, there were more than 1000 people outside, and it is not recorded whether they were fed!

After the dinner, the Queen’s health was cheered over and over again, followed by three volleys of musketry and the National Anthem.

The Vicar Gets on his Soap Box about Drinking

Everyone seemed happy enough at the end of the day, although it seems that alcohol was only handed out in extreme moderation – unlike other villages where cider and beer was freely available – and indeed the Vicar used the occasion to give an extremely long (and probably not well received) speech about the evils of drink and of the Sunday Wake.

He described the Sunday Wake as a “cruel and debasing enemy”, which encouraged habits of intemperance, and urged them to “think of your wives and familes that sooner or later will be pining in wretchedness at home.  Think of your manslaughters, your cursing and swearing, your blood thirsty and cowardly proceedings…..”.

One imagines that the vicar would use absolutely any occasion to drive home his anti alcohol message, but it seems a shame that he should use what was clearly a happy day to do so.

1855 – Rabid Dog in Sellack

A dog which was proved to have rabies was on the loose around the parishes of Sellack and Hoarwithy.  Other dogs had been bitten by it before it was caught by Thomas Buckham of Bosham, and destroyed.

An order went out for any dog which may have been bitten to immediately be put down, this being “a duty, the performance of which the welfare of society imperatively demands”.

People were warned that if they neglected to carry out this order, the results would be absolutely awful.

1856 – Fatal Accidents at Sellack

It seems that 1856 was a dangerous year to work for Mr. Jardine – his horses were a nervous bunch:

Bolland Tiffer, a waggoner working for Mr. Jardine of Sellack, was out with the horses one day in August 1856, when he took them down to the river to drink.

He was holding the bridles, and one of the horses suddenly bolted, dragging Tiffer along the ground;  thoroughly frightened, the horse kicked out and a hoof caught the poor man squarely on the temple, virtually killing him outright.

He left a widow and two children

In the same year, John King, a labourer working for Mr. Jardine, was engaged in hauling gravel when the horse he was using took fright and bolted.

John tried to stop it, but fell down and the horse trampled over his head, killing him on the spot.

Now, I am wondering whether somehow the first reported death was somehow typed up wrongly in the newspaper at the time, because Bolland Tiffer does seem to be a somewhat strange name!  Also, the manner of death in both reports is somewhat similar, although in one case the horse was drinking from the river, and in the other it was working.

I think that I shall have to check on the existence of Bolland Tiffer in order to verify this.

1863 – Death Through Inebriation

Walter James, waggoner to Mr. Thomas Phelps of the Grove, Sellack, met his death “while in a beastly state of drunkenness”.

Walter was on the road home with his master’s team and wagon after drinking very heavily;  he was riding on the wagon shafts when just a quarter of a mile from home he tumbled off the shafts and fell under the wheel.

The poor chap was crushed to death, and had half his head cut off by the wheel.  He left a wife and five children.

The original building was 12th century, with additions and subtractions over the next two centuries. In 1840, the parishioners rather wrecked the church by removing most of the north aisle and making a mess of building the north transept!

However, the church was re-opened on 7th December 1841 and was declared to have been considerably enlarged with free sittings provided for the accommodation of the poor.  The sermon was preached by the Lord Bishop of Hereford.

Lately, there has been much restoration and repair work, including on the 15th century spire.

Font

Memorials

Thomas Symonds

died 5th March 1760 aged 75. Also his wife Penelope Symonds who died llth December 1773 aged 80

Thomas Phelps

died August 1827 and his wife Mary. Also thomas died September 23rd 1847 aged 75 and his son John and wife Mary

Bier