Genealogy Chat

My husband's grandfather had a small farm in Aston Eyre for some time in the 1950s. He died there and is buried in the graveyard of the church. His name was Fred Bowman, and his son Cyril - my husband's uncle -inherited the farm, but we don't know the name of the farm, or how long Cyril kept it.. Uncle Cyril, and my husband's father are now long gone, so no-one to ask. My husband remembers playing under a tree there as a very small boy, and losing his toy tractor!!! We are going to visit the area this Friday, so any help would be appreciated. Have looked at a picture of the Church on the 'net, and it looks as if the graves might have been cleared as cannot see any stones in the picture. Does anyone know the name of the vicar - I think it is joined with Morville. J E Bowman

Lookign at a map I see 3 farms: Ousley Farm, Upper House Farm and Hall Farm. Rose

''The church at Aston Eyre dates from the Norman period (1066-1154) and was built in 1132 by the Lord of the Manor of Eston. The Nave still has four Norman windows, and a Transitional Chancel Arch. The church itself was built as a chancelry for Morville Priory. In the 12th century a burial dispute arose between the Lord of the Manor and the Monks of Shrewsbury Abbey who owned Morville Priory. The Monks insisted that all burials should take place at Morville Priory and that is why there are no graves at Aston Eyre Church. '' Rose

Contact details for the church: http://www.hereford.anglican.org/pages/ch_churchdetails.php?idChurch=437 Rose

Thanks Rose - will now hunt about in Morville and look at the site for Hereford Churches too. I saw the three farms you mention on the map but don't really know if Grandfather's farm was a real farm or just a smallholding - husband only about five or six at the time so not a very accurate source. I love these little 'treasure' hunts for elusive details from family history. Jenny

Big thankyou to Portland Rose - if you had not posted the info. about the burial dispute in the 12th C. we should simply have visited Aston Eyre Church and been disappointed to find no graves. As it was we went to Morville, and after going all round the churchyard we found grandfather right by the path from the Lytch Gate. The stone read 'Fred Bowman of New Buildings Farm, Aston Eyre. died 28th December 1951 on his 64th birthday. Born in Appleby, Westmoreland Morville church of St Gregory the Great is in a beautiful setting right by a lovely mellow grey stone manor house - apparently it is thought that the original priory was on this site and its stone used for the manor house. We felt sad that no-one related would have visited grandad's grave for at least 25 years, as my husband's father died 25 years ago and probably had not been able to visit for some time before that as he lived in the north of England. Anyway he had never mentioned going there. We were really glad we had been able to find it. My husband had only been five when his grandfather died, but he did remember him quite well. Another mystery though, as the family had- so far as my husband is aware - absolutely no connection with the area. So why did grandad buy a farm there. Also where is 'New Buildings Farm' ? the address on the gravestone. We drove on to Aston Eyre, which seems to be a tiny village and a scatter of farms. It was raining hard and with a narrow road, traffic on our tail, and nowhere to stop or turn, and no-one around to ask, we did not look for the farm. There are, as you say Portland Rose, three farms marked on the map. There are on the ground many more, but none of the signs we passed was 'New Buildings. People do change the names of houses, and certainly fifty plus years on the buildings would not be new, and probably weren't new then either. Oh well, another 'treasure hunt' beckons. First I will be 'phoning the village shop/post office at Morville, if there is one - BT site will find the nearest. Also the village pub is usually a good source of information. Thanks again to you Portland R. Jenny

Hi,if you can find the local library they might have an old local map or the local museummight be able to help.Tina

Jenny if you Google 'new buildings farm' shropshire it seems the government put in a plan for development in 2006. I am not sure if there were other farms with the same name but this is the address they give... New Buildings Farm, -, Cressage, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY5 6DG Georgina.

Hello I have just tripped over you details of New Buildings Farm Cressage Shrewsbury Shropshire. My fathers sister lived there I believe in the last 1920's and I have a photo of her and her husband standing outside. I am trying to track details of her husband Thomas Brassington or his daughter Doreen who was born there in 1930. I notice this post is quite old but thought I would reply just in case you pursued further information.

If you wish to contact Eileen...........send a PM

If you want help with your research....post your own thread

Marriages Dec 1928 (>99%)
BRASSINGTON Thomas E SHARP Atcham 6a 1350
Sharp Elizabeth M Brassington Atcham 6a 1350

Thank you Reggie.
I am a bit of a novice on this when you say send a PM what are you referring to. I do have the marriage details and I have the death details as my father had a printed notice of his sisters funeral but thought I might find their daughter Doreen. As you can see I don't get on here much either so was unaware until now you had responded. Dianne

Hi Dianne

A PM is a private message, click on Eileens name and send a message that way.

If her email address is still the same she will be notified

PM sent to Dianne with address for Doreen.