DICK GOMM RESEARCHED THE HISTORY OF WILSTONE OVER MANY YEARS AND GAVE FREQUENT ILLUSTRATED TALKS IN THE VILLAGE HALL. HIS VALUABLE WORK WAS AT RISK OF BEING LOST. BELOW IS NOT THE BEST OF FORMATS AS IT IS REPLICATED FROM AN OLD HARD COPY. PLEASE BE SURE TO KEEP SCROLLING OVER THE BLANK END SECTIONS. TO GET A FULL PICTURE OF WILSTONE'S HISTORY, READ THIS ALONG WITH THE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH IN 'THE STORY OF WILSTONE 'BY JOHN PAINTER. (ILLUSTRATED AT THE BOTTOM). I HAVE RANDOMLY INSERTED A FEW PICTURES.
recorded number of residents and their occupations, gives the number as 407.
In 1861 the number had risen to 455 and until the end of the century varied little. But in the 1890's, according to local directories the number had dropped to well under400. This, according to historians, was a result of a depression in the farming industry, partly caused by outbreaks over some years of foot and mouth disease and liver rot which was rife at the time, and by the increasing number of steam ships crossing the Atlantic flooding our shores with, in many cases, better quality and cheaper wheat.
Conditions throughout the district and country deteriorated to such an extent that, in our area, from records of Great Farm, It is known that the farm labourers' wages were cut from thirteen shillings and six pence to twelve shillings a week, and it is estimated that in the Home Counties many thousand left their villages and places of employment. Many moved nearer to the larger towns where factories were booming, some joined the services and many emigrated to the colonies to seek their fortunes. But by 1917 the number had steadily risen and still remains around 500. A number of outlying farms and some cottages at Gubblecote and little Tring with Tring Ford still come within the Wilstone boundary and, until the end of the last war, two cottages were still standing the Wendover Arm above the reservoirs. These were erected in 1803 with a pumping station and used to supply water to the summit during the early days of the canal.
One comes to the conclusion that, with the cutting of the Grand Union, formerly the Grand Junction Canal, and the amount of labour involved in constructing the reservoirs, great changes must have taken place, not only in our village but throughout the district. Although our earliest map gives buildings in much the same position as they appear at the beginning of the century, many of the old half- timbered cottages were demolished to make way for the rows of brick built dwellings to house the influx of outside labour. This and the many other changes will be dealt with in the following chapters.
The enclosures of 1798 will be mentioned many times through these pages. It is well recorded that the average worker on the land took a long time to recover from such a domestic upheaval, for this had made a great difference to their living standards. the centuries old custom of working in the large open field and after harvest turning out their few animals to roam at will had gone and only a small amount of land was set aside for this purpose. And so, when the local Councils were elected in 1894, this was one of the first requests made. The history of these allotments in Rose Lane with the Baptist Chapel, Church, and Village School, together with the many changes that have taken place in recent years must be dealt with in the following chapters.
Perhaps however having touched to some extent on just a few of the happenings during the 18th and 19th centuries, one must conclude this introduction by drifting back yet still further to the few scraps of history regarding the probable ancient settlement of Wilstone or Wyvellsthorn.
Archaeologists and historians give the date of our village as being established in it's present position during the 6th century, the village greens being V- shaped and of pure saxon origin. Previous to this it was generally thought that the first settlement could have been situated on the lower slopes of the hills behind the present reservoirs away from the large areas of swampy ground now covered by our large reservoir. The whole this area was named throughout the centuries as Black Moor, and even today many of the fields around are still named The Moors.
In 1861 the number had risen to 455 and until the end of the century varied little. But in the 1890's, according to local directories the number had dropped to well under400. This, according to historians, was a result of a depression in the farming industry, partly caused by outbreaks over some years of foot and mouth disease and liver rot which was rife at the time, and by the increasing number of steam ships crossing the Atlantic flooding our shores with, in many cases, better quality and cheaper wheat.
Conditions throughout the district and country deteriorated to such an extent that, in our area, from records of Great Farm, It is known that the farm labourers' wages were cut from thirteen shillings and six pence to twelve shillings a week, and it is estimated that in the Home Counties many thousand left their villages and places of employment. Many moved nearer to the larger towns where factories were booming, some joined the services and many emigrated to the colonies to seek their fortunes. But by 1917 the number had steadily risen and still remains around 500. A number of outlying farms and some cottages at Gubblecote and little Tring with Tring Ford still come within the Wilstone boundary and, until the end of the last war, two cottages were still standing the Wendover Arm above the reservoirs. These were erected in 1803 with a pumping station and used to supply water to the summit during the early days of the canal.
One comes to the conclusion that, with the cutting of the Grand Union, formerly the Grand Junction Canal, and the amount of labour involved in constructing the reservoirs, great changes must have taken place, not only in our village but throughout the district. Although our earliest map gives buildings in much the same position as they appear at the beginning of the century, many of the old half- timbered cottages were demolished to make way for the rows of brick built dwellings to house the influx of outside labour. This and the many other changes will be dealt with in the following chapters.
The enclosures of 1798 will be mentioned many times through these pages. It is well recorded that the average worker on the land took a long time to recover from such a domestic upheaval, for this had made a great difference to their living standards. the centuries old custom of working in the large open field and after harvest turning out their few animals to roam at will had gone and only a small amount of land was set aside for this purpose. And so, when the local Councils were elected in 1894, this was one of the first requests made. The history of these allotments in Rose Lane with the Baptist Chapel, Church, and Village School, together with the many changes that have taken place in recent years must be dealt with in the following chapters.
Perhaps however having touched to some extent on just a few of the happenings during the 18th and 19th centuries, one must conclude this introduction by drifting back yet still further to the few scraps of history regarding the probable ancient settlement of Wilstone or Wyvellsthorn.
Archaeologists and historians give the date of our village as being established in it's present position during the 6th century, the village greens being V- shaped and of pure saxon origin. Previous to this it was generally thought that the first settlement could have been situated on the lower slopes of the hills behind the present reservoirs away from the large areas of swampy ground now covered by our large reservoir. The whole this area was named throughout the centuries as Black Moor, and even today many of the fields around are still named The Moors.
There is evidence of this being so for Mr Mead of Great Farm while ploughing in these moors during 1972 unearthed a large amount of broken pottery which contained traces of a very earlier occupation, and resulted in the whole area being designated as one of Great Historical Interest.
Whether the Romans came along our tracks is uncertain but it is interesting also to record that a coins found in a cottage garden on the Lower Icknield Way a few years ago which bears the name of P Metillius Nepos, a Roman governor of Britain from AD96 to AD 98. One feels sure that at some future date much more will be discovered. By 1088 it is known that a small settlement was well established, coming under the entry for Tring reads as follows:
" in this Village (Tring) is another Berewic where eight villagers reside who have two ploughs and a third possible"
The area around Sandbrook Lane consisted of Berewic Field, Wick Mead, Pond Close and Long Close, all names going back for centuries and we are sure formed the nucleus of our first village settlement.
Sandbrook Holding and the sewage pumps stand on Berewic Field with the Wick Mead Field and Pond Close just beyond the gate.
Previous to the Enclosures and before being cut in half by the Aylesbury Arm of the canal, this field stretched as far as the bridleway with an outlet into Astrope Lane opposite Dinah's Pond.
Gubblecote was a place of some importance during the Middle Ages and is now included in the list of Hertfordshire's Lost Villages. Many important tracks crossed at this point and it was quite a large settlement in 1088. So much so that one could write of events which occurred around those crossroads.
Returning however to the Village, the following list shows how Wilstone's name has changed over the centuries:
1431 Willsthorne
1444 Wyvellsthorn
1464 Wilstorn
1508 Wilston
1509 Willsterne
1529 Wilstorne
1602 Willesthorne
1645 Willsthorne
1646 Wilsterne
1661 Wilston
1663 Wilsthorne
1666 Wilsterne ( but marked in many documents as Wyvellsthorne)
1683 Willesthorne
1697 Wilvesthorne
1719 Wilston
1751 Wilston
1800 Wilstone
In conclusion, my many thanks to the present and past inhabitants of our village for their assistance in providing me with so many old photographs and scraps of information.
Although one tries to cover the course of the village history, I am well aware that many important events will probably have been overlooked. So I must leave this to those who follow on, perhaps with modern methods of research that exist today, there will be be one interested enough to fill in the missing gaps.
A.R.G. 2001
Whether the Romans came along our tracks is uncertain but it is interesting also to record that a coins found in a cottage garden on the Lower Icknield Way a few years ago which bears the name of P Metillius Nepos, a Roman governor of Britain from AD96 to AD 98. One feels sure that at some future date much more will be discovered. By 1088 it is known that a small settlement was well established, coming under the entry for Tring reads as follows:
" in this Village (Tring) is another Berewic where eight villagers reside who have two ploughs and a third possible"
The area around Sandbrook Lane consisted of Berewic Field, Wick Mead, Pond Close and Long Close, all names going back for centuries and we are sure formed the nucleus of our first village settlement.
Sandbrook Holding and the sewage pumps stand on Berewic Field with the Wick Mead Field and Pond Close just beyond the gate.
Previous to the Enclosures and before being cut in half by the Aylesbury Arm of the canal, this field stretched as far as the bridleway with an outlet into Astrope Lane opposite Dinah's Pond.
Gubblecote was a place of some importance during the Middle Ages and is now included in the list of Hertfordshire's Lost Villages. Many important tracks crossed at this point and it was quite a large settlement in 1088. So much so that one could write of events which occurred around those crossroads.
Returning however to the Village, the following list shows how Wilstone's name has changed over the centuries:
1431 Willsthorne
1444 Wyvellsthorn
1464 Wilstorn
1508 Wilston
1509 Willsterne
1529 Wilstorne
1602 Willesthorne
1645 Willsthorne
1646 Wilsterne
1661 Wilston
1663 Wilsthorne
1666 Wilsterne ( but marked in many documents as Wyvellsthorne)
1683 Willesthorne
1697 Wilvesthorne
1719 Wilston
1751 Wilston
1800 Wilstone
In conclusion, my many thanks to the present and past inhabitants of our village for their assistance in providing me with so many old photographs and scraps of information.
Although one tries to cover the course of the village history, I am well aware that many important events will probably have been overlooked. So I must leave this to those who follow on, perhaps with modern methods of research that exist today, there will be be one interested enough to fill in the missing gaps.
A.R.G. 2001
Gregory and finally by the Jeffrey family, who took over the business in1908. It was this family that built the present Victory house and the business remained in their possession until 1993, for many years dealers in coal and coke.
The distance to Aylesbury from Marsworth is 6 miles 1.1/2 furlongs with 16 locks 70 ft bt 7 ft and nineteen bridges.
These hump- backed bridges, I feel, deserve more mention than previous writers have thought necessary, and it is only in recent years that they have been listed and some work carried out. Wilstone bridge must be nearly two hundred years old, and, taking into account the present amount of traffic, not to mention the heavy vehicles during the war years, one is impressed by the standard of workmanship in those days.
The cutting of the canal and the enclosures that followed affected many of the roads and tracks which led to the village or skirted it's boundary. Astrope Lane was opposite an ancient way named in our first maps as Netherhead Way. This carried on over the open fields joining the Wingrave Road and carrying on by Marsworth Church. The road into Wilstone was also relaid.
Instead of turning to cross the bridge as now, the old road ran through the present coal yard following the hedge to the three cornered paddock, turning sharply at the end of the last bungalow boundary and following the hedge, joining the village road just before the turn into the Grange Road Estate. Here again another track named the Upper Head Way followed the hedge bordering the estate, eventually joining the Marsworth Road between the cemetery and the present roundabout.
In the early maps the two properties are marked in this stretch of village road, "The Retreat" and also "The Homestead" both recorded as being large properties in 1719. "The Retreat" was always considered a very old building and, although alterations have taken place in recent years, the rear portion must be some centuries old. The orchard was always attached to this property and, at the turn of the century was, according to Kelly's Directory, owned by a Mr Rose who was described as a General Dealer, Coal Merchant and Butcher. The slaughter house and number of old buildings stood in the orchard.
This orchard remained attached to the property until 1962 owned by a Mr and Mrs Leigh. Mr Leigh had previously served in the Royal Navy, an engineer officer. He erected i ship's mast with all the yards the orchard and each Sunday the White Ensign fluttered in the breeze together with the pennants of his rank. A very staunch churchman, he was for many years a churchwarden. When he died in 1962 the property was sold, the orchard cleared and Orchard Place now stands on the site.
For some years questions were being asked regarding the building of more houses in Wilstone and this eventually led to the Rural District Council purchasing the land now occupied by the Grange Road Estate.
The area covered by this estate has a very interesting history. It consisted of two fields leading through to Rose Lane with an Orchard at the rear of the Half Moon.
On the early map of 1719 it was named Back Side Piece and was probably the Village Waste, used no doubt for centuries as a pound where stray animals could be kept.
Grange Road has nothing to do with any building or estate, but was named after an old family who farmed for some centuries in the village. Much more will be written about this family, staunch nonconformist who, during their long stay, did much to improve the education of the youngsters of the village, long before the National School system was introduced in the 1870's.
To make an entry from Tring Road for the sixty houses planned, "Ashcroft", a modern building erected in the early '30s, was demolished. However it was not until 1969 that a start was made, the road and first houses began, and in 1970 to first tenants moved in.
The " Homestead" that followed "Orchard Place" was a much larger house enclosed by a high wall, parts of which can still be seen. This wall can be traced on the 1719 map. Here again, during the 19th century, many alterations have taken place, and one imagines that 300 years ago this was a property of some importance. According to the old deeds throughout the 19th century the building became a public house, "The Hop Pole" and, during the later years of this century, was owned by a Mr and Mrs Proctor. Old inhabitants could remember it well, although in later years it was only a off-licence.
Stables and numerous sheds stood behind these walls, backing on to the road, but nothing more is known of it's earlier history although according to historians, this being marked in with a dark line, could well have had some connection with a Monastic Order.
A small prefabricated bungalow was built in the garden during the war years but this together with the garden was sold and a new house "The Stables' was built and occupied in 1987.
The distance to Aylesbury from Marsworth is 6 miles 1.1/2 furlongs with 16 locks 70 ft bt 7 ft and nineteen bridges.
These hump- backed bridges, I feel, deserve more mention than previous writers have thought necessary, and it is only in recent years that they have been listed and some work carried out. Wilstone bridge must be nearly two hundred years old, and, taking into account the present amount of traffic, not to mention the heavy vehicles during the war years, one is impressed by the standard of workmanship in those days.
The cutting of the canal and the enclosures that followed affected many of the roads and tracks which led to the village or skirted it's boundary. Astrope Lane was opposite an ancient way named in our first maps as Netherhead Way. This carried on over the open fields joining the Wingrave Road and carrying on by Marsworth Church. The road into Wilstone was also relaid.
Instead of turning to cross the bridge as now, the old road ran through the present coal yard following the hedge to the three cornered paddock, turning sharply at the end of the last bungalow boundary and following the hedge, joining the village road just before the turn into the Grange Road Estate. Here again another track named the Upper Head Way followed the hedge bordering the estate, eventually joining the Marsworth Road between the cemetery and the present roundabout.
In the early maps the two properties are marked in this stretch of village road, "The Retreat" and also "The Homestead" both recorded as being large properties in 1719. "The Retreat" was always considered a very old building and, although alterations have taken place in recent years, the rear portion must be some centuries old. The orchard was always attached to this property and, at the turn of the century was, according to Kelly's Directory, owned by a Mr Rose who was described as a General Dealer, Coal Merchant and Butcher. The slaughter house and number of old buildings stood in the orchard.
This orchard remained attached to the property until 1962 owned by a Mr and Mrs Leigh. Mr Leigh had previously served in the Royal Navy, an engineer officer. He erected i ship's mast with all the yards the orchard and each Sunday the White Ensign fluttered in the breeze together with the pennants of his rank. A very staunch churchman, he was for many years a churchwarden. When he died in 1962 the property was sold, the orchard cleared and Orchard Place now stands on the site.
For some years questions were being asked regarding the building of more houses in Wilstone and this eventually led to the Rural District Council purchasing the land now occupied by the Grange Road Estate.
The area covered by this estate has a very interesting history. It consisted of two fields leading through to Rose Lane with an Orchard at the rear of the Half Moon.
On the early map of 1719 it was named Back Side Piece and was probably the Village Waste, used no doubt for centuries as a pound where stray animals could be kept.
Grange Road has nothing to do with any building or estate, but was named after an old family who farmed for some centuries in the village. Much more will be written about this family, staunch nonconformist who, during their long stay, did much to improve the education of the youngsters of the village, long before the National School system was introduced in the 1870's.
To make an entry from Tring Road for the sixty houses planned, "Ashcroft", a modern building erected in the early '30s, was demolished. However it was not until 1969 that a start was made, the road and first houses began, and in 1970 to first tenants moved in.
The " Homestead" that followed "Orchard Place" was a much larger house enclosed by a high wall, parts of which can still be seen. This wall can be traced on the 1719 map. Here again, during the 19th century, many alterations have taken place, and one imagines that 300 years ago this was a property of some importance. According to the old deeds throughout the 19th century the building became a public house, "The Hop Pole" and, during the later years of this century, was owned by a Mr and Mrs Proctor. Old inhabitants could remember it well, although in later years it was only a off-licence.
Stables and numerous sheds stood behind these walls, backing on to the road, but nothing more is known of it's earlier history although according to historians, this being marked in with a dark line, could well have had some connection with a Monastic Order.
A small prefabricated bungalow was built in the garden during the war years but this together with the garden was sold and a new house "The Stables' was built and occupied in 1987.
Joseph Greening, who followed, also came from an old village family, their names appearing in local records throughout the 19th century.
In 1841 Thomas Greening aged 55 years, with quite large family, was a farm labourer, his place of birth being Marsworth. Joseph, the owner of Chapel End Farm, is mentioned during 1861 - 2. A young man of 29 years, he farmed 120 acres and employed six men and two boys with a servant and carter. From then on his name is mentioned yearly until 1902, when it is recorded the property is bought by Mr Gregory, the then owner of Church Farm. 1906 is the last recorded entry of Joseph Greening living in the farmhouse. In those latter years farming is not mentioned, but an old resident could remember her aunt recalling being Mr Greening's housekeeper, she thought on the death of his wife, helping also to look after his invalid daughter. With no other children mentioned, could this have been Elizabeth Greening whose name appears on the first official register of Wilstone School dated 1867?
Right until the end of his stay in the village, Mr Greening took a keen interest in the school and a number of the very old residents remembered him for his generosity, the relaying of the playground and reacting a new fence in1900.
From then on until just after the last war, members of the Gregory family became residents and it was not until 1954 that the house was again sold. The property, which included Church Field was purchased by Mr Jan Stevens. Mr Stevens was not a person to alter a building of such history and made only a few alterations. The need for a bathroom meant the converting of one of the rooms in the older part of the property and this resulted in the raising of the floor to connect with the main structure. The kitchen area was untouched, the bread oven, flagstone floors, Victorian plate racks, stone sink, with of course a large pump, and old dairy could still be seen. In fact one could easily follow the description given in the County History of 1908 which included the spiral staircase to the three hidden rooms in the roof, and main stairs landing containing an old closet.
A keen horticulturist, he filled his garden with exotic plants, many from all over the world. Older residents will remember his displays on the Annual Fete Day of the Horticultural Society. He arranged also for a number of well known personalities to open some of these early shows, Donald Sinden being the first in 1954. Upon his death in 1987, the whole property was renovated which resulted in the imposing house one sees today.
Again in 1984 Mr Gregory of Church Farm sought permission to convert the older barns into private dwellings. This change was completed and the dwellings occupied in 1986.
Moving on to Manor Farm as we see it today. It was built during the early 19th century as, we are told, a guest house to cater for the large number visitors to the Grange family. This replaced the centuries old Manor Farm which stood behind the present building. Photographs found some few years ago must be some of the oldest we have of our village, although one cannot go back before the middle of the 19th century. Possibly these were the work of J T Newman who lived at Pear Tree Cottage, but it is also known that the Granges, too, had a keen interest in photography. In all my enquiries however among the older families, no one has ever mentioned the destruction of this grand old Manor House.
A book written in 1932 by Herbert Grange of Tring gives a very interesting account of their family history, how in 1487 their names were recorded as yeomen farmers in Aston Clinton and this can be followed through well into the 17th century. It was however during that century that a branch of the family moved to Tring Ford. This Thomas, son of Henry Grange was born at Aston Clinton in 1581 and seems to have been the first to have migrated to our area. From Herbert Grange's writings " his widow appears to have lived to a great age, she died at Tring Ford in 1684 and was buried in Tring Church".
During 1718 a William Grange is recorded as being Maltster of Wilstone and would have been the first of the family to occupy Colyns Farm in New Road. It was however not until 1717 upon his marriage to Jane Wheeler of Cheddington that John Grange is recorded as living at Manor Farm, and in 1720 was described in the Church Register as "Yeoman of Wilstone". Again quoting the family history:
"It is believed that they then occupied Manor Farm as a Tenant of the Cadwell Estates and it was not actually purchased by the Grange family until William bought it in 1839". The estate remained with the family until 1893. Upon James' death, it passed to his only surviving daughter who, when married, moved away from Wilstone, the property was leased to Lord Rothschild.
Two other farms, Colyns Farms with the Malt House at Wilstone and another farm at Tring Ford were sold by James Grange Junior's Exacutors at his death to Rothschild Estates. Richard the last owner of Colyns Farm died in 1848, he was married twice without leaving any children. One other member of the family, William Hitchcock Grange, who was born on 1822 farmed for 45 years at Wigginton where he died in 1892. Miss Nellie Grange, the youngest daughter of Herbert Grange, Tring Grove Farm, was the last member of the family to reside in our district. She was well known in our village, and took a keen interest in all the various changes. She died in Aldbury in 1987. So much could be written of this family and of the changes they brought to our district, their interest in the education of the village youth, the opening of a Sunday School in one of their many barns, which eventually led to the building of the chapel and school room extensions, which were not only used on Sundays but opened their doors each evening where those interested could be taught to read and write.
In 1841 Thomas Greening aged 55 years, with quite large family, was a farm labourer, his place of birth being Marsworth. Joseph, the owner of Chapel End Farm, is mentioned during 1861 - 2. A young man of 29 years, he farmed 120 acres and employed six men and two boys with a servant and carter. From then on his name is mentioned yearly until 1902, when it is recorded the property is bought by Mr Gregory, the then owner of Church Farm. 1906 is the last recorded entry of Joseph Greening living in the farmhouse. In those latter years farming is not mentioned, but an old resident could remember her aunt recalling being Mr Greening's housekeeper, she thought on the death of his wife, helping also to look after his invalid daughter. With no other children mentioned, could this have been Elizabeth Greening whose name appears on the first official register of Wilstone School dated 1867?
Right until the end of his stay in the village, Mr Greening took a keen interest in the school and a number of the very old residents remembered him for his generosity, the relaying of the playground and reacting a new fence in1900.
From then on until just after the last war, members of the Gregory family became residents and it was not until 1954 that the house was again sold. The property, which included Church Field was purchased by Mr Jan Stevens. Mr Stevens was not a person to alter a building of such history and made only a few alterations. The need for a bathroom meant the converting of one of the rooms in the older part of the property and this resulted in the raising of the floor to connect with the main structure. The kitchen area was untouched, the bread oven, flagstone floors, Victorian plate racks, stone sink, with of course a large pump, and old dairy could still be seen. In fact one could easily follow the description given in the County History of 1908 which included the spiral staircase to the three hidden rooms in the roof, and main stairs landing containing an old closet.
A keen horticulturist, he filled his garden with exotic plants, many from all over the world. Older residents will remember his displays on the Annual Fete Day of the Horticultural Society. He arranged also for a number of well known personalities to open some of these early shows, Donald Sinden being the first in 1954. Upon his death in 1987, the whole property was renovated which resulted in the imposing house one sees today.
Again in 1984 Mr Gregory of Church Farm sought permission to convert the older barns into private dwellings. This change was completed and the dwellings occupied in 1986.
Moving on to Manor Farm as we see it today. It was built during the early 19th century as, we are told, a guest house to cater for the large number visitors to the Grange family. This replaced the centuries old Manor Farm which stood behind the present building. Photographs found some few years ago must be some of the oldest we have of our village, although one cannot go back before the middle of the 19th century. Possibly these were the work of J T Newman who lived at Pear Tree Cottage, but it is also known that the Granges, too, had a keen interest in photography. In all my enquiries however among the older families, no one has ever mentioned the destruction of this grand old Manor House.
A book written in 1932 by Herbert Grange of Tring gives a very interesting account of their family history, how in 1487 their names were recorded as yeomen farmers in Aston Clinton and this can be followed through well into the 17th century. It was however during that century that a branch of the family moved to Tring Ford. This Thomas, son of Henry Grange was born at Aston Clinton in 1581 and seems to have been the first to have migrated to our area. From Herbert Grange's writings " his widow appears to have lived to a great age, she died at Tring Ford in 1684 and was buried in Tring Church".
During 1718 a William Grange is recorded as being Maltster of Wilstone and would have been the first of the family to occupy Colyns Farm in New Road. It was however not until 1717 upon his marriage to Jane Wheeler of Cheddington that John Grange is recorded as living at Manor Farm, and in 1720 was described in the Church Register as "Yeoman of Wilstone". Again quoting the family history:
"It is believed that they then occupied Manor Farm as a Tenant of the Cadwell Estates and it was not actually purchased by the Grange family until William bought it in 1839". The estate remained with the family until 1893. Upon James' death, it passed to his only surviving daughter who, when married, moved away from Wilstone, the property was leased to Lord Rothschild.
Two other farms, Colyns Farms with the Malt House at Wilstone and another farm at Tring Ford were sold by James Grange Junior's Exacutors at his death to Rothschild Estates. Richard the last owner of Colyns Farm died in 1848, he was married twice without leaving any children. One other member of the family, William Hitchcock Grange, who was born on 1822 farmed for 45 years at Wigginton where he died in 1892. Miss Nellie Grange, the youngest daughter of Herbert Grange, Tring Grove Farm, was the last member of the family to reside in our district. She was well known in our village, and took a keen interest in all the various changes. She died in Aldbury in 1987. So much could be written of this family and of the changes they brought to our district, their interest in the education of the village youth, the opening of a Sunday School in one of their many barns, which eventually led to the building of the chapel and school room extensions, which were not only used on Sundays but opened their doors each evening where those interested could be taught to read and write.
