Indeed I did use it for a Christmas card the year it was taken - the original unshrunk version is even better and when I play with the settings you can see the details in the stone work as well.
When we last visited Chaddlworth in 2005 we were trying to find out information about the MESSENGERs and more of their live after they moved from Chaddleworth, in particular trying to locate where they actually lived in Highclere / East Woodhay and did not think to look for FROUD graves - we now live a lot closer so will need to do another visit with a longer list of names to look for.
I have a 'poor' photograph of a Bill of Sale of the IBEX that in 2005 was on dispaly in the pub. This shows it the Freehold being sold by auction on Tuesday May 2nd, 1876 at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on the instructions of the Trustees of the will of Mr Thos. Messenger. The current occupier of the property being a Mr Fox, who was under notice to quit at Michaelmas, and paying £10 per annum rent - features belonging to the tenant.
We know from the 1851 Census returns that Thomas Messenger ( 1792 - 1868) was an Innkeeper, residing with his family in the Ibex Inn, Chaddleworth.
But in 1861 Thomas is listed as a farmer and the Ibex is occupied by a Henry Lovell and his wife Eliza.
In 1871 the Ibex is occupied by John Fox and his family and it appears that the enumerator has written the address as Nodmore (Ibex Inn) for some reason.
What we have worked out yet is why the trustees of Thomas's will left it until 1876 to sell the Ibex - it might have something to do with his wife Caroline since she lived until Nov 1875 - since in 1871 census she is shown as living on an income (rent from the Ibex?).
Harold1066
