Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
Taunton
Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser Wednesday
31 Aug 1898
Page 2 Column 2 & 3
Notes and Queries.
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Notes.
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THE HISTORY OF HILLCOMMON. - Few to-day, perhaps, know the history of the hamlet of Hillcommon, which is situated in the parish of Heathfield, and stands on the right-hand side of the high road leading from Taunton to Milverton. At one time the site of this hamlet was nothing more than a large tract of common land which no-one claimed. But there was an edict attached to this land to the effect that anyone could obtain a certain portion of it provided they could put up a house upon the part required in one night and also sleep in the same! For years this was thought impossible, till Mr. James HAYES, son of Mr. William and Grace HAYES, of Oake, solved the difficulty by building a house of turf in one night and likewise sleeping in it. Having fulfilled the conditions he claimed the land, no one disputing his right. Soon after, he took down the turf house and build a sub-stantial brick and stone residence, making his life's abode there. Others in the neighbourhood seeing this, followed Mr. HAYES' example, and in a short time the common land was nearly built over. One piece, however, was left as a thanksgiving to God. The people of the hamlet collected enough subscriptions to build a chapel upon this, the erection of which was superintended by Mr. Aaron HAYES. The chapel is one in connection with the Bible Christians, and was built, as a stone outside says, in the year 1842. On the death of Mr. James HAYES, his property passed to his son, Aaron HAYES, and Mr. Aaron HAYES dying in 1896, this part of the estate is now held by Mr. Walter HAYES, of Hillcommon and Taunton. In conclusion the fact may be stated that the houses at Hillcommon have very good gardens attached to them.
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QUERIES.
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329. - THE CLUB COURT AT NORTON. - Can any reader of “Notes and Queries” tell me how the court referred to in a recent Note headed. “Another Norton Story” originated, and also what ultimately became of Mr. John DUDDERIDGE, “My Lord's” son? - PARADISE BURLAND.
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CORRESPONDENTS' REPLIES TO QUERIES.
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332 – THE BURGLARY AT PYRLAND HALL. - Mr. LANE, of Taunton, has been good enough to send in the following extract, with reference to the above-named burglary, which is taken from the “History of the Family of YEA,” written by Mr. A. J. MONDAY (the well-known archaeologist of Taunton) for Sir Francis GRANT, of Monymusk:-
“The Hero of Pyrland Hall. - Pyrland Hall was the scene at the latter end of the last century of one of the most daring robberies that ever occurred in the West of England. By the connivance of two treacherous and dishonest servants – the housekeeper and the page – five or six men were permitted to enter Pyrland Hall at midnight. Their faces were concealed with black crape. They found the master of the house, Sir William YEA, Bart., and his nephew at supper, and they tied the former with cords, used by shoemakers, to a chair, whilst engaged in searching for plate and money. The nephew, probably in the excitement of the moment, did not remain to assist his relative, but jumped out of the window of the dining-room and ran hastily to Taunton for assistance. Strange and almost incredible is the story, but not less true, Sir William managed, with his hands bound, to reach the supper table and get hold of a large carving-knife and cut his fetters, and with this weapon defended himself gallantly for more than a hour against his numerous assailants in a manner that called forth the astonishment and admiration of all persons who heard his evidence at the trial. The men were discovered, and the Government issued a special commission for the trial of the accused. The ringleader was found guilty and executed at Dodhill Green, in the presence of thousands of persons collected from all parts of Somerset. There are persons now living who remember seeing the scaffold at Dodhill Green. It is not creditable to the former custodians of our Somersetshire documents that no record of the execution if found at Ilchester, or among the papers in the gaol of Taunton.”