Bacton is a small parish and village, 3 miles north-west from Pontrilas railway station, 12 miles south-west from Hereford, 1 ½ from Abbey Dore in Webtree Hundred, Dore Union, Hereford county court, archdeaconry and bishopric; situated in the Golden Valley, near, the river Dore. The church of St. Peter is a small old stone building, with square tower, in the Norman style, in good repair; has nave, porch, chancel, first, 3 bells, and a monument to Blanch Parry, a maid of honor to Queen Elizabeth; the communion cloth is an ancient piece of tapestry worked by her; she left £14 yearly to the poor of the parish. The living is a rectory, worth £130, with residence; the Rev. C. Proberts, is the incumbent. There is a Charity school for boys and girls. Bacton Villa is the seat of W. Hamp, Esq. The population, in 1851, was 159, and the acreage is 1,155; the soil is sandy and loamy; the subsoil is clay and sandstone. John W. Hamp, Esq., is chief landowner. There are Charities of £20 yearly value.
Bacton Green is half a mile west.
Letters are received through Hereford, which is also the nearest money order office.
Miscellaneous
Hamp William, Esq., the Villa
Cook John, blacksmith
Cook William, carpenter
Hollet John, parish clerk
Holley Richard, Oak Inn
Hughes Samuel, New Inn
Probert Rev. Charles
Sambrook Richard, miller, New Court mill
Farmers
Badham James, New Court
Bolt James, Green bank
Davis Thomas, Cwn farm
Hopkins Jesse, the Grange
Powell Charles, Tremoriddig
Powell John, Pentwyn
Source: Edward Cassey & Co.: History, Topography, and Directory of Herefordshire. Printed by William Bailey, 107, Fishergate 1858.
