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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Herefordshire => Topic started by: Xanthe_Aust on Saturday 18 April 09 07:28 BST (UK)
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Hello all,
This is my first post so I am hoping that I get it right. I am excited about the prospect of communicating with people in the Herefordshire area that might be able to help me with my research.
My relative Richard Bosworth and his wife Mary Miller and 5 children came to South Australia in 1848. When Richard arrived in Australia he acquired land and built his home. He named the property "Priors Court".
I have been unable to confirm Richard's birth or parent details. In an attempt to find out more about Richard and his family, I have strained my mind to try and find another opportunity for information.
I have searched the internet for references to "Priors Court" and I do believe that Priors Court relates to somewhere in Ledbury. I believe, although haven't proven, that Richard was born in Ledbury.
Does anyone out there know of Priors Court in the Ledbury, Herefordshire region and can you tell me anything about it? Richard was a vigneron before coming to Australia. Is Bosworth a common name in the district? Can anyone suggest any places that I could write to, to get further information?
Thank you
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Hello
I understand the Bishop of Hereford had a vinyard at Ledbury at on time.
Maybe this is where Priors Court comes from.
Also
The Hereford to Gloucester Canel was started 1793 the section from Ledbury to Gloucester was opened for traffic 29th march 1798. And the canel completed 1845.. and finally closed 1885 The canel had been completed to Ledbury by 1798 with 13 locks and so forth....... and so forth
In 1839 The Parliamentary act for the completion of the Canal was passed.
Excavation of the final section of the canal began on the 17th Nov 1839. by 1840 500 men were employed at Priors Court Embankment on the Hereford side of Ledbury and on the 22 feb 1841 the first boat load of coal arrived at Bye St,Ledbury.
The Canal was now almost completed as far as Priors Court and work had now begun on the new Ashperton tunnel
Pam
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Hi Pam,
Thanks so much for your reply. It gives me some great hints for where to research. I have not come across any of the topics that you mentioned so I can see I have some work to do.
Gayle
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Gayle
I currently own a property called Priors Court near Ledbury. There is another Priors Court in Herefordshire but this is the closest to Ledbury.
The name Priors Court come from a family who lived here called Priors (some different spellings).
The first records we have are from 1693. It was originally a medieval house which was later surrounded by a Georgian house.
Unfortunately the records of ownership do not cover the time you mention and I have not seen any reference to the Bosworths. In 1894 it was owned by William Lily Pritchett.
At around this time this was one of the largest farms in the area. It owned 2 major farms, all of the houses in the villiage and around 650 acres of land. You would have been wealthy if you lived here. Unfortunately in the 1930's it was available for £29,000 but didnt sell which was the start of the break up of the farm.
If I can help any more please let me know.
Regards
Peter
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Welcome to Rootschat, Peter.
How fascinating to have records for your home going back such a long way! I'll be sure to wave next time I'm passing!
I think Xanthe-Aust could help us to help more, particularly by giving more details of the research done so far.
For example, have you found death records for the family in Australia? I believe they are quite informative and often give details of parents, etc. Any luck with passenger records? Did the couple marry in Oz or England?
Armed with that sort of information it should be possible to trace them in the 1841 census, although not easy.
Kind regards, Arranroots ;)
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How exciting to get a reply from someone who currently lives at “Priors Court”.
I appreciate Arranroots’ suggestions, so I will some more information and see if you know anything more. I really have struck a brickwall with identifying parentage and confirming birth details. Maybe I am not looking in the right place.
I have a photocopy of a family bible prepared by the wife of one of Richard’s sons that was written on the day of the birth of their first child. It was written in 1916. The bible contains handwritten details of Richard’s birth, Mary’s birth and all of Richard and Mary’s children’s births and christening. In this writing it says that Richard was born on 8th June 1796 and that he was christened and registered at Ledbury, Herefordshire.
I have found in the IGI a contributed record that indicates Richard was christened in Ledbury, Hereford on 19 June 1796 and his parents are Thomas and Mary Bosworth. I am yet to prove this fact.
Richard Bosworth and Mary Miller were married in 1824 at St. Marylebone. From Pallot’s Marriage Index for England: 1780 – 1837 (Ancestry.com).
Biographical writings show that Richard was a wine merchant and that he lived at 289 Regent St, London at the time he left for Australia.
Richard & Mary and their 5 children came to Australia on the ship, Hooghly arriving in South Australia on 5 December 1848 from London, Plymouth. I was able to confirm this information in the SA newspaper called “The Register” date 6/12/1848. The newspaper said that Richard and Mary Bosworth and their 5 children occupied one of only six cabins on the boat. There were many other passengers that did not have a cabin. I thought that this fact may indicate that Richard and Mary were quite wealthy people. They were paying passengers on the boat. These details were found in the book “Migrant Ships of South Australia 18369 – 1866” by Ronal Parsons.
When Richard arrived in SA he purchased land, named it Priors Court and planted an extensive vineyard.
I have a photograph of Richard and Mary’s headstone at the Old Noarlunga Churchyard in South Australia. The headstone inscription is “Sacred to the memory of Richard Bosworth of Priors Court, Noarlunga, and England, Cricklewood, Middlesex, England who departed this life on 19th Mary 1866, aged 70?? years”.
I have found Richard and Mary and his family in the 1841 census living at 289 Regent Street, Parish of Saint Marylebone. St Marylebone is where all of Richard’s children were christened.
If anyone can use this information to help me, I would very much appreciate it.
Gayle
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Good evening Peter,
I have the opportunity to travel to the UK in a couple of weeks. I am hastily preparing an itinerary with things to do and places to stay. Other than the opportunity to see a little something of the UK, I am planning to do alittle family history research whilst I am there.
Are you able to recommend some places to stay in Ledbury? There are 2 adults and 1 child and we are looking for good accommodation that doesn't cost too much - 3 Star or above.
Also, if you could tell me of any cemeteries or churches in Ledbury I would very much appreciate it.
Regards,
Gayle
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With regard to places tostay the best people to give advice are the tourist information office. Their tel no is 01531 636147. There is also info on the web try http://www.ukinformationcentre.com/heart-of-england/ledbury-tourist-information-centre.htm
There are 2 cemetry's in Ledbury. One in the grounds of St Michaels church and the other is off Ross Road in town. It is only a small town and these are easy to find.
If you want to visit or get in touch when you are over please send us an email and we will provide details.
Regards
Peter
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Hello,
This is the first time i have posted on Rootschat, hope i have this correct.
My 3 X Great Granfather was Henry Powell. In the 1851, 1861 & 1871 census, he farmed Priors Court Farm, Alyton, nr Ledbury. The farm was 164 acres. Was this farm, attached to Priors Court. If anyone has any information about this farm or family, I would be grateful.
Kind regards
Max
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Hello Max
Welcome to Rootschat! :)
How exciting to discover a connection right away - I hope the others get back to you soon.
Kind regards, Arranroots ;)
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Hello,
This is the first time i have posted on Rootschat, hope i have this correct.
My 3 X Great Granfather was Henry Powell. In the 1851, 1861 & 1871 census, he farmed Priors Court Farm, Alyton, nr Ledbury. The farm was 164 acres. Was this farm, attached to Priors Court. If anyone has any information about this farm or family, I would be grateful.
Kind regards
Max
Max
I am sorry to tell you that there are 2 Priors Courts and the one you are after is not the one I live in. The other Priors Court is at Aylton - just beware of spelling.
Best wishes on your search
Peter
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thank you for your message and time
whit
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Hello Whit,
I went to visit Ledbury in Sept 2009 searching for my family at Priors Court. I actually went to the Aylton, Priors Court to meet the owners but they were not home at the time of my visit.
Do you have any leads in regards to your family and Priors Court yet?
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The entry from Littlebury's Directory & Gazeteer of Herefordshire 1876-1877
"Restell T. , frmr. and hop gr., Prior's court"
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cbennett/ledburydistrict1852.htm
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I don't have any real information about the Priors Court farm, but I do have a photo.
The farm appears to have been subdivided and there are now another 2 or 3 homes nearby the original home.