HISTORY OF ACONBURY. A COLLECTION OF

NOTES FOR FAMILY HISTORIANS

If you are "surfing" or have a specific interest in this place - a BIG welcome!

During the many years researching ancestry in this parish a few items of interest have been collected along the way. It is presented in the hope that it may aid others with similar interests and illustrate some of the available records of this interesting parish and the historical context. Included are some 19th century directory entries for parishes neighbouring Aconbury.


PARISH AND CHURCH HISTORY

The parish  is about five miles SSE of Hereford City and was remarkable for its wooded hills, especially Aconbury Hill anciently called Caer Rein. On its summit is an entrenchment said to be the remains of a Roman camp. During the Civil War a large Scottish Army encamped there and on Dinedor.

In 1871 the population was just 144 (in 35 inhabited houses), and in 1901, 117 - less than half of its neighbours Much and Little Birch. The whole of the parish in the 19th century, save for three small tenements, was the property of Guys Hospital Herefordshire Estates.

The church has some important monuments -

Dame Maud de Cobdene, wife of Roger de Clifford. (ancient)

Joan Pauncey or Dauncey (ancient)

Sir Henry Barnard, Knight 25 April 1680 - "leaving his daughter Elizabeth wife of James Lord Chandos and Emma, wife of Sir Josiah Child of Wansted.

Giles Wilton, gent 1718

Thomas Eustance, 1775 

Fortune his wife 1767

James, Lord Chandos 1714

The monument of John Pearle of Aconbury, 1643, is in Dewsall Church.

(His will PCC 1649 includes bequests to his labourers - Thomas Smith, Thomas Hodge, Thomas Morgan, Thomas Griffith, William (Sime?), Richard Jones and John Phillips.)

(The Herefordshire Family History Society have recorded monumental inscriptions in the churchyard and they are available on their web-site, searchable by surname and on CD Rom.)

The church is dedicated to St John the Baptist as suggested by steps leading down into the church, symbolising descent into the river for baptism. One authority suggests St John of Jerusalem. But the records of the Knights Hospitallers make no reference to Aconbury being in their possession.

The church is all that remains of what was an important Augustinian priory, a female religious house of influence founded by Margery Lacy for the souls of her father and mother William and Matilda de Braose in the time of King John (1199-1216). To this place, for religion and probably a degree of education, came the daughters of those "landed": families of Herefordshire and South Wales.

The site was well chosen, being a knoll of about four acres leading into the surrounding forest, with a lake on three sides. Later, fish ponds were made with embankments to conserve water and water-wheels to drive corn mills. The site of the nunnery is occupied by an old mansion, Aconbury Court Farm house near the church.

Some of the Prioresses whose names are known were  (with representative dates) -

1280
 Beatrice de Gamages
 1288
 Catherine de Genevile
 1346
 Matilda de Grandison
1399
 Joan of Ledbury
 1415
 Ann Barry (Barre?)
 1452
 Agnes King
1474
 Joan Draper
 1481
 Cecily Mason
 1489
 Isabella Gardiner
1535
 Joanna Scudamore



When, in 1538, the Priory was dissolved the value of its estates was estimated at 75 pounds 7 shillings. Joanna Scudamore, the last Prioress, was granted a pension of nine pounds. The record is silent as to the other nuns.

The Bailiff then was John ap Gwillim. His final account records the demesne lands, three water mills and the following pasture -
Boughgard
 Kings Close
 Further Huntley
 Millerough
 Little Walbrooke
 Gosty Lesue
 The Bury
Adams Valley
 Pykemedowe
 Hygyns Medow
 Stanke Medow
 The Court Close
 Rydings or Strekynge
 Syssills Ford
Goose Lezowe
 Meadows abutting the Worme Brook  - (presumably  in Much Dewchurch)
 Skydmore
(Scudamore?)
 Mantell Medowe
 Quarrell Field
 Mill Field

(Many of these field names, in their modern spellings, are on the 1841 Tithe Map.)

The big timber was reserved to the King (Henry 8) and granted to John Seycill, gent. It is recorded that William Wilcock held a house and lands called Meryvalle. But soon after the whole manor, including Rowlstone in Little Birch, was granted to Sir William Sydney. It then came into the hands of Hugh Parry of Poston and then to his heir who married into the Pearle family. It devolved similarly, in 1627, to the Bridges family. (See "After the Dissolution"). I have used the spelling Bridges for this family, but am aware it was often written Brydges, anciently Bruges.

In 1538 after the Priory was closed, it was recorded that - "the trees with the underwoods growing about the foresaid lands and tenements pertaining to the said manner and parsonage of Acornebury and Rowlston, and in hedges inclosing same will barely sufice to repair the houses standing there, and the said hedges which with the tenants have used to repair the same by their custom of old time used."

Some of the Priory's earlier accounts and transactions are in Duncomb's "Collections Towards the History and Antiquities of the County of Hereford" 1912. Here are some extracts from the account of Phillip Godrich who was Bailiff in 1400 -
Farm of John Taillour for Mury Valefeld, thirteen shillings and four pence
Farm of the mill demised to John Whithed by Roger Comyn, thirteen shillings and four pence
For 30 stone of wool at two shillings per stone
Recouped the price of 45 skins sold two shillings and not more because they were putrid
By the sale of 60 sheep at seventeen pence each
For seven bushells of wheat, five shillings and ten pence
For one bushell of barley, six pence
Defects of rents at Hereford seven shillings and two pence. 
And four shillings and two pence in Foye because the Bailiff dare not distrain.
And in defect of rent of Ewyas, six shillings and eight pence because the Bailiff dare not levy it.
Necessary expenses. And in one man brought to raise stone from the quarry and to hold a plough in the absence of the Bailiff who had gone on business of my Lady (the Prioress).
And in one carpenter engaged to repair the great cloister on the east, to saw timber and make the granary at Childesmalmeshull and make wheels for 30 weeks deducting festival days, twenty shillding and ten pence.
And in mowing Keilnowe twenty shillings (ie Kivernoll, Much Dewchurch).
Corn received of the whole issue of the grange of Malmeshullacy (ie Mansel Lacy) this year, Roger Comyn, granger.
Delivered to William Brower, baker for bread for the hospice, fifty two quarters of wheat.
And delivered to him for making the capital brew, thirty quarters.
To William Moill for custody of the meadows, two bushells of wheat.
And delivered to Roger Smith by my Lady's orders, two bushells.

Bailiffs in this period were Walter Jackeson, Richard Dobbins, Richard Wall. Edward Chylde and Thomas Barry are recorded as proctors in 1412 and Robert Kent, 1447. Caldecot Manor in Aconbury was anciently a parcel of the Priory, but in 1533 held by the Priory of Llanthony, Gloucester and the tithes demised to Henry ap Thomas.

Prior to the Reformation Little Birch was a chapel of Aconbury church. After the Reformation the benefice of Little Birch was held with Aconbury.


An interesting feature in this parish is St Ann's Well which was believed to be of great medicinal value, especially for eye troubles. According to Jacqueline Simpson ("Folklore of the Welsh Borders") Aconbury folk used to compete for the first bucketful at the magic moment - midnight on 12th night. The well seems to have been purposefully used, being boarded and with a door.


ACONBURY CHURCH
(with thanks to Glen Peel for the photo)


AFTER THE DISSOLUTION

A forlorn attempt to exclude the Nunnery from closure was made by Bishop Lee of Coventry in a letter to Thomas Cromwell, 1536. The Priory and all of its land went first to the mayor and burgesses of Gloucester. But soon after it was in the hands of Hugh Parry (or ap Harry), who in 1572 was the subject of an inquisition concerning spoil of woodlands in the parish. His daughter Elizabeth Parry married John Pearle in 1600. Thus the manor came to that family. Through the marriage of their daughter to Sir John Bridges in 1627 the manor devolved to their descendants, Dukes of Chandos and Buckingham, for whom it served as an occasional summer residence. Their principal seat was at Wilton in Bridstow near Ross-on-Wye.

James Bridges (or Brydges) Duke of Chandos ("Princely Chandos") was born at Dewsall Court in 1674 and died at his mansion Canons in Middlesex, 1744. (Although the matter does not concern Aconbury's history, he was succeeded by his son Henry, the one famous for buying his second wife, a chambermaid at the Pelican Inn, Newbury, the wife of Jeffries the Ostler there.)

That family's Herefordshire estates, including Aconbury were vested by Act of Parliament in the Duke of Chandos (born 1674) absolutely, reserving rights of the Dowager Lady Carnarvon, her daughters and the daughters of Henry, Marquis of Carnarvon. For financial reasons, not in pique at his defeat in the Hereford election in 1714, as some have written, Chandos began negotiations with Guys Hospital of London in 1728. Agreement was substantially reached in 1732. But he was unable to fully dispose of the entire property until 1754 because of reversionary clauses. After 1754 almost the whole of Aconbury parish became the property of Guys Hospital. They disposed of it in 1962 and it is now mostly owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. 

Guys Hospital estate records in Hereford Record Office include those of their predecessors, Bridges. The genealogical benefit of some of this material may be useful for periods where the parish register is defective.

When the leases Guys took over expired, they were often commuted to annual rentals in accordance with the policy adopted by Guys for all of their estates. The estates were administered from their Counting House in London and by local agents.

Many of the estate papers are itemised on the "A2A" catalogue, on-line. But for quick reference a brief summary, down to 1870 is given below. In some cases farm plans have survived, especially for 1841 as a result of the Tithe Survey. Some rental data for selected dates, which has not been catalogued with detail, is at the end of this section.

At the time of the Militia Assessment 1663 Lord Viscount Scudamore (of Holme Lacy) owned property in the parish. And Sir William Powell alias Hinson of Pengethly Manor, near Peterstow, also held some land in Aconbury through his marriage to Mary (Pearle), widow of Sir James Bridges. But that ownership appears to have reverted to Bridges. Scudamore appears to have owned much of Athelstones Wood in the parish. The Public Record Office, London hold various deeds for the Scudamore estate which may have Aconbury material for the early period. Their catalogue is on-line but unavailable for refined searching. For those reasons extracted data on leases and rentals must be considered incomplete especially for the period prior to Guys accessions circa 1754. However it is an illustration of the type of material available for researchers and, hopefully might be of specific help to some.

It should be noted also that the Manor of Aconbury was a small part of the total holdings of Guys (and the Bridges family before them). Other estates included the Manors of Callow, Dewsall, Wilton and farms and cottages in Much and Little Dewchurch, Bridstow, Peterstow, the Manor of Monnington Stradle in Vowchurch, mills and other properties in St Weonards, Michaelchurch and Tretire and estates in Pipe and Lyde and Stretton Sugwas. It is therefore possible that some families, or individuals moved for work on these other components of the Herefordshire estates.

During the period when Bridges was lord of the manor some leases had the peculiar requirement that the lessee was to keep a hunting dog and cock. The lease to Thomas Eustance of Caldicott Farm, 1736 allowed him to "run his horses and colts into the Coppice wood adjoining Netherwood for the first two years after every fall, they doing no damage" .... and after the end of two years, to run his horses, colts, sheep, swine and cattle (except goats) into the same coppice.

After acquisiton by Guys the organisation appointed agents answerable to their Treasurer in London, who in turn was responsible to the Governors. The Governors seldom viited Herefordshire, not through disinterest but because of the hazards of 18th Century roads - it was a 140 mile coach journey. But during one of their visits their survey revealed the poort state of buildings and much almost orthless farm land.   .

A survey of all of the acquired estates was conducted by Guys in 1754 and it is recorded that many houses were in bad repair. Even as late as 1798 when John Verry took a tenancy for ten pounds per annum, Guys rebated it by nine pounds nine shillings "towards putting the dwellinghouse and other buildings into repair". Nor was it just small holdings affected for in 1864 Archibald Hepburn of the Aconbury Court Farm sought arbitration regarding rent and the condition of the property. Nevertheless the accounts suggest that the various manors were well administered, both from a committee at Guys Counting House in London and by their local agents.

William Fortune, their first agent in Herefordshire, who  had earlier worked for he Duke of Kent (and therefore should have been competent) was demoted because of his neglect of duty and the Governors' distrust. One of the complaints against him concerned his inability to explain large arrears of rent. The hospital's choice of agents thereafter was to be central to its policy  -  "A person fit to be a Bailiff to a nobleman or gentleman would be very sufficiently qualified for the service". The Woodhouse's (uncle and nephew) were their agents 1791-1809 followed by Whaley Armitage. Arthur Armitage , his son held the position between 1849 until 1889. This almost "dynastic" appoach to appointments extended to their gamekeepers and woodmen. In 1780 John Verry was appointed head woodman and gamekeeper, including their Manor of Callow, succeeding Robert Powell. His son John Verry took over in 1808 and with duties extending to their neighbouring Manors of Twyford (in Callow) Dewsall and Much Birch. Indeed the Verry family (and their Preece relations) were employed by Guys in various capacities well into the 20th century.

Thomas Lewis was appointed gamekeeper after John Verry died in 1842 (after 45 years' service according to his monument in Aconbury Churchyard). James Mathews was a gamekeeper from 1817. Charles Macklin of Kingsthorne in Much Birch was bailiff in 1851 and in 1881 William Lewis of Mount Skippett farm, Much Birch and  Aconbury was Chief Woodman employing five men and one boy. In 1890 Thomas Mumby, a builder of Kings Thorn Cottage, Much Birch was an agent for Guys.

The tenancy agreements often contained clauses instructing tenants to clear ditches, maintain hedges and graft fruit trees. Preventative clauses included forbidden crops such as hops which could be grown only with permission. On some of their Herefordshire farms ploughing of land for three or four consecutive years was allowed only because it was local custom. But on one of their rare visits in 1781, the Governors thought the use of cots to house sheep ill advised but did not enforce changes as "it is a custom so generally practised it could not be broke thro".

By the end of the 18th century clover had become common due to the agents persuasion and on the heavier land swedes were encouraged. And at the end of that century an agricultural commission commented on the success of Guys in improving their estates.

The French Wars caused rentals to rise markedly throughout England. But those for Guys Herefordshire estates the rise was more moderate in comparison, no doubt attributed in part, to the charitable disposition of the organisation. Many of their cottages in Aconbury Hill are now in ruin but, given free access to timber for warmth and cooking, access to game, their tenants lives were probably comfortable in comparison to others affected by the Industrial Revolution in the cities.

Upper Twyford in Aconbury was administered with that manor. Lower Twyford was part of the Manor of Callow. Therefore, records of the Callow estate may need to be considered also. Farm boundaries are often invisible with respect to parish and manor boundaries.
MISCELLANEOUS LEASES, RENTALS GUYS ACONBURY ESTATE
(including those documents acquired from their predecessor)
DATE
 NAME
 DETAILS
1670
 Roger PRICE, carpenter, Aconbury son of Thomas (believed to be PREECE)
 Dwelling/Land
1671
 John ROBERTS,weaver, Aconbury Hill
 House Aconbury Hill for lives of John ROBERTS, Margaret and Edward EDRIDGE
1694
 Rees PRICE, yeoman, Dewchurch (probably Little Dewchurch
 House late Mary and Thomas PRICE for lives Rees PRICE, William and Benjamin, his sons
1694
 John SKYNNER, husbandman, Dinedor
 Netherwood Farm late Mrs Jane ABRAHALL for lives John SKYNNER and children William and Anne
1695
 Mary WOOD, Widow, Dewchurch
 Part Pigges Farm or Navilla Green for lives children Richard, Elizabeth, Ann
1698
 Thomas EUSTANCE, husbandman, Aconbury
 Caldecott Farm
1700
 Christopher TORR, Dinedor
 Benefit of watercouse (for mill at Dinedor)
1704
 Katherine PREECE, spinster and John PREECE, yeoman, Llanwarne
 House Aconbury Hill
1707
 Elizabeth RUDGE, daughters Jane and Susan
 Cottage
1712
 James MEREDYTH, yeoman
 House/land
1715
 Thomas EUSTANCE, yeoman, Coldicott, Aconbury and son Thomas
 Capital messuage and Aconbury farm (Eustance Snr died 1716)
1717/18
 Mary WOOD, widow, Much Dewchurch, son Richard
 Recitation 1695 lease etc.
1720
 Thomas WILLIAMS, yeoman, the Bower, Holme Lacy
 Maddoxton Farm
1723
 John WILLIAMS, Upper Twyford, Aconbury
 Upper Twyford House (occupied by his father Theophilus)
1731
 William ROBERTS, sawyer, Aconbury
 Cottage, Aconbury Hill
1731
 Charles THOMAS, yeoman, Aconbury
 Cottage
1732
 John WILCOX, yeoman, Lower Twyford, Callow
 Land Twyford and Aconbury
1734
 Thomas EUSTANCE, yeoman, Aconbury
 Aconbury Farm
1734
 John PREECE the younger, yeoman, Aconbury
 Cottage, Aconbury Hill
1736
 Frances MEREDITH, widow of Thomas, of Brainton
 Pyes Nest
1737
 William JONES, yeoman, New Tindings, Much Birch
 "Cottage he built 12 years ago and land he inclosed of Much Birch Common and Aconbury Hill"
1742
 James BAILEY, labourer, Wooolhope, wife Susan daughter of Elizabeth  RUDGE
 Assignment lease to Richard TAYLOR, yeoman, Aconbury (cottage)
1752
 Charles WILLIAMS, yeoman, Aconbury
 Hosiers Farm ex James THOMAS
1754
 By this date most properties assigned from Bridges to Guys Hospital Estate
1754
 Thomas MEREDITH, yeoman, Mancell Lacy son of Frances, widow, deceased
 Pyes Nest
1756
 Assignment Pyes Nest to Guys Hospital Estate
1771
 James SMITH, yeoman, Bolstone
 Benefit of water-course
1779
 John PENNER, yeoman, St Martins, Hereford
 Merrivold (sic) Farm late Joseph BALDWYN
1791
 Richard GARROLD, yeoman, Little Dewchurch
 Moraston, White house and land in Aconbury and Little Dewchurch
1792
Mary WILCOX of Twyford, Callow
 Land in Upper/Lower Twyford, Cottage Aconbury in occupation of John and Mary WILCOX
1819
 William ROBINS, labourer, Little Birch
 Cottage/land enclosed of Aconbury Hill Common
1857
 Thomas HUGHS, labourer, Aconbury Hill
 Cottage, Aconbury Hill
1857
 Thomas WILLIAMS, labourer
 Cottage, Aconbury Hill
1858
 Thomas DAVIES, labourer Cottage, Aconbury Hill
1859
 William JONES, yeoman
 Cottage, land Aconbury and Much Birch, late Thomas JONES
1861
 Re: Probate Benjamin PREECE (Ann his widow, executrix)
 Pyes Nest
1870
 Ann PREECE, Widow, Aconbury
 1 acre land Aconbury

NOTE: The following properties had been purchased by Chandos circa 1713: Morriston and Whitehouse in Little Dewchurch and Aconbury, purchased from William Fellows; House of John Abrahall in Twyford, Aconbury. All other property in Aconbury had been acquired at earlier dates by marriage settlements.

In addition Hereford County Quarter Session Records include a deposited deed for Thomas BINOLS Jnr, gent of Aconbury 1 January 17 Chas II but it may relate to property elsewhere.  

Duncombs's "Collections Towards the History and Antiquities of the County of Hereford" 1912 says: "Other homesteads in this parish are Kings Pit, Merryvale, The Warren, Mount Skippet and Cross-in-Hand".

RENTAL RECORDS: MANOR OF ACONBURY (Guys Hospital)

The following data was extracted from the ledger records for selected years, 1785, 1808, 1820, 1832 and 1840. Some data was not copied such as amounts allowed for land tax and shire hall rates, these being included in the total rent. Rent during the 19th century  was generally collected at Michelmas, 29 September. Later rolls were not copied as it is felt that the census returns from 1841 provide a more satisfactory record for family history research.

Many of the cottages on Aconbury Hill remained in poor condition. In 1871 Arthur Armitage, Guys agent reported on them and referred to those built on waste-land who were paying an "acknowledgement" of one or two shillings per annum. Some tenants declared the property to be their own. His earlier report in 1857 includes personal comments on some tenants as well as the condition of the buildings. That biographical matter should be of interest.

Plans made of specific farms in Aconbury for the 1841 Tithe Survey include Moraston Farm (P Garrold Jnr), Maddoxton and Caldecot, the Cross in Hand (J Verry), Merrivale Farm (William Bickerton). The records also include other plans, surveys and measurements made at diverse dates. The catalogue should be checked for specific properties particularly under the general heading "Surveys and Measurements". The plan for the Cross-in-Hand farm includes a list of fields and their use in 1841. Presumably others do likewise.

As far as can be discerned each roll of tenanted cottages is in the same order, year by year, but with an increasing number of additions, presumably of cottages newly built, occupied or became chargeale. In some cases new tenants were related to the old. This is sometimes noted on the ledger.

The cottages are not named in the ledgers. Some are known - Woodhouse, Camphouse, Pyes Nest,Upper House, Priory Cottage, Hill Cottage. Finally, there was presumably some sub-letting of cottages not represented in the ledgers such as Merryvale Cottage on Merryvale Farm and Bowle House Cottage.

EXTRACTS - RENT ROLL:
MANOR OF ACONBURY (GUYS HOSPITAL ESTATES) 1785
 RENT PER HALF YEAR
Pds=Pounds
Sh=Shillings
P=Pence
NAMES OF FARMS etc
 TENANT
 ARREARS RENT
Aconbury
Thomas EUSTANCE
100.00.00
Caldecott Farm
 Thomas EUSTANCE
 15.00.00
Mournhall Farm
John PENNER
 45.00.00
Rabbit Warren
 John PENNER
 20.00.00
Maddoxton Farm
 Roger EDWARDS
 16.00.00
Upper Twyford
 Mary WILCOX, Widow
 16.00.00
Kings Pitts
 Francis POWELL
   3.10.00
   7.00.00
A tenement and lands
 John VERRY
   3.10.00
   1.10.00
Bowl Farm
 Thos. EUSTANCE
   3.00.00
   6.00.00
A tenement and lands
 Mary THOMAS
   2.10.00
   2.10.00
Water Course to Torrs Mill
 Wm. SKYRME ex James SMITH
      1.11.06  
    1.01.00
Pyes Nest
 Robert POWELL
the Woodward
NIL
Cottage/garden Aconbury Hill
 John PREECE ex wid. NICHOLAS
      0.15.00
   0.10.00
Cottage/land Aconbury Hill and Much Birch
 Walter MEEK
  1.05.00
Cottage/ Aconbury Hill
 MILBRO, JONES ex Edw. Wm. RAVENHILL
       0.02.00
   0.02.00
Cottage Aconbury Hill
 Wm. SKYRME ex Wm. COLEBORNE
        0.00.06
   0.00.06
Moraston, White house in Wilton and woodlands in Aconbury
Richard GARROLD
  65.00.00
EXTRACTS - RENT ROLL:
MANOR OF ACONBURY 1808
 RENT PER ANNUM
NAMES OF FARMS etc.
 TENANT
Aconbury, Bowle and Caldicott Farms
 Walter FISHER
 166.00.00
Madoxton Farm
 Walter FISHER (Sic)
   50.00.00
Mournhall Farm and Rabbit Warren
 Thos. BULLOCK now Sam BICKERSTON
 110.00.00
A tenement called Cross and Hand and part of Kings Pitts farms
 John VERRY
   10.00.00
Parish House, the Camp Piece and late Smiths Rough
 Mary SKYRME
     5.05.00
Water Course leading to Torrs Mill
 Chas. BODENHAM Esq (of Rotherwas)
     1.02.00
Cottages etc. on Aconbury Hill

Mary SKYRME
Edward MAYOS
Daniel BIGGS
Samuel WILLIAMS
William SEAL
Thos. PREECE
Thos. JONES
John SEAL
0.01.00                  0.00.06
1.15.06
0.01.00
0.01.00
0.01.00
0.01.00
0.01.00
Moraston and White house and Woodlands etc
 Richard GARROLD
 104.08.06 

NOTES:
  1. Cross and Hand recorded in other documents as Cross-in-Hand which appears historically correct, and may have been the site of a pre-Reformation chantry.

  2. The name Bickerston appears from other records to be derived from Biggleston.
EXTRACT - RENT ROLL: MANOR OF ACONBURY 1820
NAMES OF FARMS etc
 TENANT
 RENT PER
ANNUM
 ARREARS
1819
Aconbury Court and Bowle Farms
 Thomas NASH
 350.00.00
 272.14.00
Madoxton and Caldicot Farm
 S BICKERSTON Jnr
 130.00.00
Mournhall Farm and Rabbit Warren
 BICKERSTON
 110.00.00

Cross and Hand tenement, meadow etc.
John VERRY
   26.00.00  
Water Course to Torr's Mill
 C BODENHAM Esq
(of Rotherwas)
     1.02.00
Cottages etc. on Aconbury Hill

M SKYRME
E MAYOS
D BIGGS
S WILLIAMS
W SEAL
Thos. PREECE
Thos. JONES
Mary SEAL
? SEALE
 		     0.00.06
     1.15.06
     0.01.00
     0.01.00
     0.01.00  
     0.01.00
     0.01.00
     0.01.00  
     0.10.00


  0.01.00  
 
  0.01.00  

   0.08.00
   0.08.00  
   1.10.00
Moraston, White house and Woodlands etc
 Richard GARROLD
   200.00.00 

LAND TAX, SHIRE HALL RATES (included in rent) 1820 - examples
 LAND TAX
 SHIRE HALL
Thomas NASH
 7.06.00
 1.04.08
S BICKERSTON
 3.12.00
 1.04.08
BICKERSTON
 3.12.00
 0.00.00
J VERRY
 1.00.00
 0.05.00
GARROLD
 5.04.00
 2.03.08
No tax or hall rates were levied on cottages on Aconbury Hill


EXTRACT - RENT ROLL: MANOR OF ACONBURY 1832
TENANT
 NAMES OF FARMS etc
LAND
Acres Roods Perches
 ARREARS
 RENT PER
ANNUM
Thomas NASH
 Aconbury Court and Bowle Farm
 418.2.39
 103.14.02
 330.00.00
Samuel BICKERSTON
 Madoxton and Caldicot Farms
 170.0.23
  97.00.00
 100.00.00
Wm. BICKERSTON
 Murrivale and Warren Farms
  Not Recorded
  56.08.00
  66.00.00
Joseph VERRY
 Cross and Hand tenem't and meadows
  44.2.24
20.00.00
Chas. BODENHAM
 Priory Sheen tithes in Dinedor

 25.10.06
Chas. BODENHAM
 Watercourse to Torrs Mill
  

  1.02.00
Chas. BODENHAM
 Road to Mainscroft Wood

  0.01.00
James POWELL
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

  1.15.06
Ann now Thos. HARRIS
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

  0.01.00
William WILLAMS
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

  0.01.00
Sam'l WILLIAMS
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

  0.01.00
Will'm WATKINS
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

0.01.00
Thos. PREECE Cottage on Aconbury Hill

0.01.00
Thomas JONES
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

0.01.00
Late SEAL
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

0.01.00
Richard SEAL
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

0.01.00
John HUGHES
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

0.01.00
Richard DAVIES
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

0.01.00
John PREECE
 Cottage at Netherwood
late "Ann Seal" (possibly refers to Davies)

0.01.00
Thomas POWELL
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

00.01.00
Late Thos. VALE
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

00.01.00
Jors. MACKLIN
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

00.01.00
Richard GARROLD
 Moraston Farm etc in Little Dewchurch
 278.2.15
168.00.00
NOTE: Between Macklin and Garrold is a note "Thomas Davis, Hughs, J Biggs - Much Birch" (no amounts shown).

EXTRACT - RENT ROLL: MANOR OF ACONBURY 1840
TENANT
 		FARMS, COTTAGES
LAND
Acres Roods Perches
 ARREARS
1839
 ANNUAL RENT
Catherine NASH
 Aconbury and Bowle Farm
 418.02.29
330.00.00
Thomas ADDIS
 		Madoxton and Caldecot Farms
 162.02.03
  94.00.00
Wm. BICKERTON
 Merrivale Farm
 153.02.27
  
  72.00.00
Mary VERRY
 Cross and Hand ten't and meadow etc
   44.02.24
20.00.00
Chas. BODENHAM Esq
(of Rotherwas)
 Priory Sheen tithes in Dinedor
Water course Aconbury to Torrs Mill
Road access Maincroft Meadow
 261.01.12
  
  25.10.06
  1.02.00
  00.01.00
Revd. Mr HAMPTON
 		House and land in Little Birch
  05.00.00
   05.00.00
James POWELL
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

 01.15.06
Ann HARRIS  "now John"
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

00.01.00
Late William WILLIAMS
"now Mary WILLIAMS"
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

00.01.00
Sam'l WILLIAMS
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

00.01.00
Wm WATKINS
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

00.01.00
Late Thos. PREECE now  B PREECE and his sister
Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill
(Note: probably Benjamin PREECE)

00.01.00
Will'm JONES
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

00.01.00
Rich'd DAVIS
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

 00.01.00
Richard SEAL
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

00.01.00
John HUGHES
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill
"two tenemants"

00.10.00
Richard DAVIES
 Cottage on Aconbury Hill

00.01.00
John PREECE
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

01.10.00
Tho's POWELL
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

00.01.00
Ann HANDLEY
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill
("Allotment")

  01.00.00
John BIGGS     )
Mary HARRIS )
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill
Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

  00.01.00
  00.01.00
Will'm VERRY
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

  00.01.00
Charles MACKLIN
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

 00.01.00
Caleb DAVIS
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill

00.01.00
James ADDIS
 Cottage and land on Aconbury Hill
Note: bottom of page "arrears six pence"

  00.01.00
Charles MACKLIN
 Allotment in Much Birch six years at 10 shillings per annum. (Note: that is what it says).

  03.00.00
xx Ann HANDLEY  married
COLBORNE? 1 November 1841
 Note: the writing for this note is poor. I think it says "Colborne" or similar.


John SEAL
 Cottage near Netherwood
  03.00.00
   01.10.00
James MORRIS
 Land in Much Birch
  01.10.00
   00.15.00
Richard GARROLD
 Moraston Farm etc in Little Dewchurch and Aconbury
 278.02.15
168.00.00

NOTES:
  1. The annotation in line John Hughes may relate to Richard Seal but it is in line John Hughes. A note bottom of page referenced to William Watkins states: "John Meek is to be added. He + Watkins succeeded Wm. Seal whose daughter (Ann?) they married".

  2. There is no Handley/Colborne marriage on the IGI but Colborne/Coborn names are in the parish register.

  3. Biggs/Harris are bracketed for no clear reason.

FOR 1857 THE ACONBURY ESTATE RECORDS INCLUDE -
ACONBURY HILL
Mary POWELL
 Thomas DAVIES
 Mary WILLIAMS
 James PREECE
Esther and Mary PREECE
 William JONES
 John SEAL
 Thomas PORTER
Charles MACKLIN
 Richard DAVIES
 John PREECE
 Sarah VERRY ("late WILLIAMS")
John BIGGS
 Mary HARRIS
 Margaret WATKINS ("late William WATKINS")
 Elizabeth DAVIES ("now son-in-law John HUGHES")
James ADDIS
 Henry George WATTS
 Benjamin PREECE
 John MORGAN

MUCH BIRCH
James MORRIS

TENANTS: Twyford Common in CALLOW 1857 included:
William COOKE
 John PREECE
 Ann CLOSE
 William PREECE
 Thomas PREECE
Thomas POWELL
 Elizabeth "late Richard HODGES"
 Richard "late Mary TOMKINS
 John POWELL
 James MORGAN "son of old Rebecca MORGAN"
Walter "late Mary COOKE"
 William ":late Mary BEVAN"
 Benjamin MORRIS
 Esther MERRICK

LASCELLES 1851 DIRECTORY OF MUCH BIRCH INCLUDES -
NAME
 OCCUPATION
 PLACE
John TOMKINS
 Farmer
 Aconbury Common
James TREHEARNE
 Shopkeeper
 Aconbury Hill
Willim WATKINS
 Shoemaker
 Aconbury Common
Sam. TULLY
 Shopkeeper
 Reform Cottage, Aconbury Common
Joseph LEWIS
 Shoemaker