Hertfordshire eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 212 pages of information about Hertfordshire.

Hertfordshire eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 212 pages of information about Hertfordshire.

At the old Castle Inn, E. side of High Street, great numbers of persons have been shown on the rafters in a barn the coffin of Henry Trigg, whose will was proved in 1724; one of its provisions was that his body should not be buried, but disposed of in that way.  Little more than a mile N.W. from the station, at Redcoats Green, stood, until 1893, “Elmwood House,” the home of the Hermit of Hertfordshire.  This man, James Lucas, was descended from a good family, but for reasons never satisfactorily explained he lived alone, and in a most filthy condition, from October, 1849, to April, 1874.  A concise and reliable account of this peculiar man is issued by Messrs. Paternoster and Hales of Hitchin.

STOCKING PELHAM, on the Essex border (51/2 miles N.E. from Braughing Station, G.E.R.), has an E.E. church dating from early fourteenth century; it has no tower.  The chancel was restored in 1864.  The manor is very ancient, and was held by Simon de Furneaux in the reign of Edward I., but the village now shows little of interest.

Swangles (21/4 miles N.E. from Ware) is a small hamlet a little S. from the river Rib.

Symonds Green (3/4 mile S.W. from Stevenage Station, G.N.R.) is a hamlet between the Great North Road and the ruins of Minsden Chapel.

Symonds Hyde Farm and Wood are in a pleasant district, very diversified, a little S.W. from Brocket Hall Park.  Smallford and Hatfield Station (G.N.R.) are from 2 to 3 miles S. and S.W. respectively.

Tea Green, a hamlet near the Beds border, lies between Breachwood Green and Putteridge Bury.

Tednambury and Tednam Mill are on the river Stort and right on the Essex border.  Sawbridgeworth Station (G.E.R.) is 1 mile S.

TEWIN (about 2 miles S.E. from Welwyn Station, G.N.R.) is most charmingly situated on high ground above the river Maran.  The village is divided into the Upper and Lower Green; the church, 1/4 mile from the latter, stands on a hill that slopes steeply to the river.  Note the altar-tomb in churchyard to Lady Anne Grimston (d. 1710).  The tomb is forced asunder by ash and sycamore trees growing together, a circumstance popularly attributed to the sceptical opinions of Lady Anne, who is said to have denied the doctrine of immortality, and to have expressed the wish that such a phenomenon should happen if the doctrine were indeed true.  The church, which looks very old, is of flint, brick and rubble, with a large diamond-faced clock on one side of the tower.  In the S. porch (entrance blocked up) is the marble monument to Sir Joseph Sabine (d. 1739); who fought under Marlborough.  Note the pyramid, 15 feet high, and the recumbent effigy, dressed as a Roman soldier.  There is also in the S. aisle a good brass to one Thomas Pygott (d. 1610), and a slab with an imperfect Lombardic inscription to Walter de Louthe. Tewin Water, in the park, N.W., is prettily surrounded by trees.  Beautiful walks may be taken in almost any direction, especially in the trend of the river Maran towards Digswell and Welwyn.

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Hertfordshire from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.