There was some major restoration in the mid 19th century, and an account of the re-opening is as follows:

“This church is prettily situated on rising ground about seven miles from Bromyard.  Considerable remains of Norman work existed, including the north and south doorways and the chancel arch.  The font and a small window to the north of the chancel also belong to the same style.

The interior was occupied by most unsightly fittings, such as high pews, gallery etc. and the whole building was sadly dilapidated, the roof and the bell turret especially being in a very unsafe state.”

The repairs were carried out by G. Warner, a Leigh builder, under the watchful eye of W.J. Hopkins, architect to the Worcester Diocesan Church Building Society.

The tower and spire were completely rebuilt;  the belfry stage being open timber work.  The nave was paved with Maw’s red and black tiles and filled with open seats of deal, except at the west end where some of the old oak seats were replaced and the original oak pulpit was preserved.

The original church had no East window, and a lovely three light middle pointed window was put in at the east end;  this was the gift of Mrs. Newman as a memorial of her late husband, William Towers of the High House in Upper Sapey.

Some “unsightly stone slabs” to the memory of members of the Addenbrooke family were replaced with ornamental memorial tiles.

The total cost of the renovations was nearly £1000, but Sir Thomas Winnington, Bart., donated half that amount and others also gave generously so that virtually all of the money was raised.

The church was beautifully decorated for the re-opening, and because the altar cloth was not ready, a temporary frontal was made with evergreens and red berries.

Font

A simple, but beautiful old font

Memorials

Hugh Lea

Hugh Lea, died 26th April 1622

Edward Addenbrooke

Edward Addenbrooke, died 7th July 1791 aged 90. Also, Margaret his sister who died 31st October 1784 aged 79

Henry Huck

Henry Huck, son of John by Anne, died 25th December 1757 aged 46. “Cheerful without levity and honest without reserve. An Obedient and dutiful son, the best of brothers and friends. One who justly claimed our esteeem when living and our tears now dead”

William Towers

William Towers, died 12th April 1853. Also Jane, wife of Thomas H. Newman who died 17th June 1866 aged 63

Bier

Churches of Upper Sapey

• St. Michael's Church - Upper Sapey

  This church is near the middle of the village, and originated around the late 12th century.

  There was some major restoration in the mid 19th century, and an account of the re-opening is as follows:

  “This church is prettily situated on rising ground about seven miles from Bromyard.  Considerable remains of Norman work existed, including the north and south doorways and the chancel arch.  The font and a small window to the north of the chancel also belong to the same style.

  The interior was occupied by most unsightly fittings, such as high pews, gallery etc. and the whole building was sadly dilapidated, the roof and the bell turret especially being in a very unsafe state.”

  The repairs were carried out by G. Warner, a Leigh builder, under the watchful eye of W.J. Hopkins, architect to the Worcester Diocesan Church Building Society.

  The tower and spire were completely rebuilt;  the belfry stage being open timber work.  The nave was paved with Maw’s red and black tiles and filled with open seats of deal, except at the west end where some of the old oak seats were replaced and the original oak pulpit was preserved.

  The original church had no East window, and a lovely three light middle pointed window was put in at the east end;  this was the gift of Mrs. Newman as a memorial of her late husband, William Towers of the High House in Upper Sapey.

  Some “unsightly stone slabs” to the memory of members of the Addenbrooke family were replaced with ornamental memorial tiles.

  The total cost of the renovations was nearly £1000, but Sir Thomas Winnington, Bart., donated half that amount and others also gave generously so that virtually all of the money was raised.

  The church was beautifully decorated for the re-opening, and because the altar cloth was not ready, a temporary frontal was made with evergreens and red berries.

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Font

  A simple, but beautiful old font

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Memorials

  Hugh Lea

  Hugh Lea, died 26th April 1622

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Edward Addenbrooke

  Edward Addenbrooke, died 7th July 1791 aged 90. Also, Margaret his sister who died 31st October 1784 aged 79

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Henry Huck

  Henry Huck, son of John by Anne, died 25th December 1757 aged 46. “Cheerful without levity and honest without reserve. An Obedient and dutiful son, the best of brothers and friends. One who justly claimed our esteeem when living and our tears now dead”

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  William Towers

  William Towers, died 12th April 1853. Also Jane, wife of Thomas H. Newman who died 17th June 1866 aged 63

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Bier

   

   

   

  

  Read More >

News from the Past Upper Sapey

• Upper Sapey News from the Past

  Death at Upper Sapey

  1845 – Waggoner Killed at Upper Sapey

  John Palmer was a married man with seven children, and worked as a waggoner, so should really have known better than to do what he did.

  He had his team and a wagon at a mill when he saw a man, Philip Butcher, leading a horse towards his team – he called out “let me see that horse trot” and loudly clapped his hands, which startled the horse and more importantly, his own team of horses, which took off at speed.

  John tried to stop the frightened animals, but was knocked down by the shafts of the wagon, and he was killed when the wheels ran over him.

   

  1846 – Rather Gory Death at Upper Sapey

  Maria Moore, a 59 year old woman had refused for years to seek medical help for her bad leg, and tried to treat it herself.

  Eventually, she called for help from her neighbour, Ellen Jones, saying that her leg had “burst” and she was bleeding to death.

  Ellen found her on the floor in a puddle of blood, and managed to undress her and put her to bed, but Maria died just half an hour later.

  1846 – Fatal Kick by Horse

  John Jones of Upper Sapey had been repeatedly told to stay away from a colt with a dodgy reputation, but he chose to ignore the order.

  According to William Wood, servant to Mr. Hall of Burlton Court, John was pulling “some trappings” off the colt when it kicked out and caught him in the stomach.

  He died some four weeks later, and Edward Haddock the surgeon, said that he thought John had died from disorganisation of the liver in consequence of the kick he received.

  1846 – Child Drowned in Well

  Eight year old William Wood of Upper Sapey, went with a woman named Susannah Griffiths to draw water from the well.  The task accomplished, Susannah went to close the lid over the well, but William “would not let her”.

  A little later, William’s five year old sister called to Susannah that her brother was in the well, and immediately a labourer by the name of Henry Pantall, rushed to the well with a hook.  He managed to drag William out, but it was too late, he had drowned in nine feet of water.

  1851 – Warning to Drunkards!

  One Saturday morning, Richard Gough, a 29 year old labourer, was working with other men,Joseph Bishop, Edward Kennett and John Fowke, on laying a hedge, when a storm put a stop to things.  They decided to shelter in a nearby coppice, and made themselves comfortable with a fire and a supply of cider procured from John Dunderdale, a nearby farmer.

  They happily stayed put for the whole day, and between the five of them they managed to drink six gallons of cider – they were a little tipsy!  At nine in the evening they kicked the fire around to put it out, and left to go home, with Richard Gough taking a different route.

  The next morning, two of the men went back to the coppice, and discovered Richard totally burnt to a cinder and quite dead.

  The surgeon, Mr. G. Harvey of Bromyard made an external examination of the body and found him badly burnt on the chest and throat, with his stomach bowels and arms burnt to a cinder.  There was nothing to suggest that he died from anything other than the burns.

  1866 – Concealment of Illegitimate Child

  Hannah Bradley, alias Price, worked as a servant for Elizabeth and Joseph Farmer at Upper Sapey.

  One morning, Hannah was spotted looking most unwell and having difficulty walking, and seemed unable to carry out her duties around the house.  Elizabeth Farmer became suspicious after a while and asked her if she was in labour, but Hannah denied this.

  For the rest of the day Hannah tried to evade her mistress and her questions, but when she was found on her bed it was clear that she had given birth.

  Dr. Marley, a surgeon from Bromyard was called, and eventually Hannah confessed to him that she had had a baby and that it was in the closet.  Some three days later, and I cannot work out the reason for the delay, Dr. Marley was shown the dead body of a male child which appeared to be premature, and in his opinion, had never breathed.

  Hannah was committed for trial at Hereford Assizes but the grand jury ignored the bill against her.

  1901 – Bungling of medical help for little girl at Upper Sapey

  Elizabeth Stancard, aged 5, had arrived with her grand parents at Lea Green Farm for hop picking.  Her mother lived at Stourbridge, and her father had been living in South Africa.

  Elizabeth was playing with other children on a small rick when she either fell or was pushed off, and unfortunately her foot caught in a hole causing her leg to break.

  For some reason no medical help was sought until the following day, when she was taken into Bromyard for examination by Dr. Gillam;  he tried to get her into the local cottage hospital but there was no room, so the unfortunate child was taken to the Workhouse infirmary where little treatment was given.

   

   

  Read More >

1845 – Waggoner Killed at Upper Sapey

John Palmer was a married man with seven children, and worked as a waggoner, so should really have known better than to do what he did.

He had his team and a wagon at a mill when he saw a man, Philip Butcher, leading a horse towards his team – he called out “let me see that horse trot” and loudly clapped his hands, which startled the horse and more importantly, his own team of horses, which took off at speed.

John tried to stop the frightened animals, but was knocked down by the shafts of the wagon, and he was killed when the wheels ran over him.

1846 – Rather Gory Death at Upper Sapey

Maria Moore, a 59 year old woman had refused for years to seek medical help for her bad leg, and tried to treat it herself.

Eventually, she called for help from her neighbour, Ellen Jones, saying that her leg had “burst” and she was bleeding to death.

Ellen found her on the floor in a puddle of blood, and managed to undress her and put her to bed, but Maria died just half an hour later.

1846 – Fatal Kick by Horse

John Jones of Upper Sapey had been repeatedly told to stay away from a colt with a dodgy reputation, but he chose to ignore the order.

According to William Wood, servant to Mr. Hall of Burlton Court, John was pulling “some trappings” off the colt when it kicked out and caught him in the stomach.

He died some four weeks later, and Edward Haddock the surgeon, said that he thought John had died from disorganisation of the liver in consequence of the kick he received.

1846 – Child Drowned in Well

Eight year old William Wood of Upper Sapey, went with a woman named Susannah Griffiths to draw water from the well.  The task accomplished, Susannah went to close the lid over the well, but William “would not let her”.

A little later, William’s five year old sister called to Susannah that her brother was in the well, and immediately a labourer by the name of Henry Pantall, rushed to the well with a hook.  He managed to drag William out, but it was too late, he had drowned in nine feet of water.

1851 – Warning to Drunkards!

One Saturday morning, Richard Gough, a 29 year old labourer, was working with other men,Joseph Bishop, Edward Kennett and John Fowke, on laying a hedge, when a storm put a stop to things.  They decided to shelter in a nearby coppice, and made themselves comfortable with a fire and a supply of cider procured from John Dunderdale, a nearby farmer.

They happily stayed put for the whole day, and between the five of them they managed to drink six gallons of cider – they were a little tipsy!  At nine in the evening they kicked the fire around to put it out, and left to go home, with Richard Gough taking a different route.

The next morning, two of the men went back to the coppice, and discovered Richard totally burnt to a cinder and quite dead.

The surgeon, Mr. G. Harvey of Bromyard made an external examination of the body and found him badly burnt on the chest and throat, with his stomach bowels and arms burnt to a cinder.  There was nothing to suggest that he died from anything other than the burns.

1866 – Concealment of Illegitimate Child

Hannah Bradley, alias Price, worked as a servant for Elizabeth and Joseph Farmer at Upper Sapey.

One morning, Hannah was spotted looking most unwell and having difficulty walking, and seemed unable to carry out her duties around the house.  Elizabeth Farmer became suspicious after a while and asked her if she was in labour, but Hannah denied this.

For the rest of the day Hannah tried to evade her mistress and her questions, but when she was found on her bed it was clear that she had given birth.

Dr. Marley, a surgeon from Bromyard was called, and eventually Hannah confessed to him that she had had a baby and that it was in the closet.  Some three days later, and I cannot work out the reason for the delay, Dr. Marley was shown the dead body of a male child which appeared to be premature, and in his opinion, had never breathed.

Hannah was committed for trial at Hereford Assizes but the grand jury ignored the bill against her.

1901 – Bungling of medical help for little girl at Upper Sapey

Elizabeth Stancard, aged 5, had arrived with her grand parents at Lea Green Farm for hop picking.  Her mother lived at Stourbridge, and her father had been living in South Africa.

Elizabeth was playing with other children on a small rick when she either fell or was pushed off, and unfortunately her foot caught in a hole causing her leg to break.

For some reason no medical help was sought until the following day, when she was taken into Bromyard for examination by Dr. Gillam;  he tried to get her into the local cottage hospital but there was no room, so the unfortunate child was taken to the Workhouse infirmary where little treatment was given.