Clifton-on-Teme, Worcestershire Family History Guide

Clifton-on-Teme is an Ancient Parish in the county of Worcestershire. Edvin Loach is a chapelry of Clifton on Teme.

Parish church: St. Kenelm

Parish registers begin: 1598

Nonconformists include: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Table of Contents

Adjacent Parishes

Clifton-on-Teme Parish Registers

Search online registers of baptisms, marriages, banns and burials including digitised images of original records and registers and indexed transcriptions.

Clifton-on-Teme, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812

Clifton-on-Teme, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1812-1922

Clifton-on-Teme, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1947

Clifton-on-Teme, Church of England Deaths and Burials, 1813-1997

Clifton-on-Teme Parish Records

An index of parish records of people from Clifton on Teme Worcestershire. The index includes information from Calendar of the Quarter Sessions papers Worcestershire v1.

Quarter Session Records

The records below have been extracted from the book Calendar of the Quarter Sessions papers Worcestershire v1.

15 October 1592. Alehouse Recognizance before Francis Walshe and Arthur Salwey by Roger Ameke Yeoman and John Brotherton Husbandman both of Clifton-on-Teme for Robert Combey of Clyfton Carpenter that he shall sell ale, and not suffer any unlawful games tables cards dice or any other game forbidden by the laws nor lodge any suspected person or persons nor any strangers above one day and one night. XXXVIII. 5

Clifton-on-Teme Directories

Clifton-on-Teme (inc. Lower Sapey) Littleburys Directory 1879

Clifton-on-Teme is a picturesque village and parish overlooking the Teme valley and its lovely scenery, 11 miles N.W. of Worcester, 10 S.E. of Tenbury, 3 N.W. of Martley, and 5 N. of Knightwick station on the Worcester and Bromyard railway; is in the western division of the county, Upper Doddingtree hundred, Martley union, highway district and polling district, Worcester county court district, and Hundred House petty sessional division.

The area of the parish is 2,972 acres; annual rateable value, £3,895; population in 1861, 542; in 1871, 525, with 105 inhabited houses and 128 families or separate occupiers. Sir Francis Salwey Winnington, Bart., of Stanford court, is lord of the manor and chief landowner. The Earl of Dudley and the Rev. E. Winnington Ingram are also landowners here. The soil is a red clay generally, with abundance of hops and apples, oak and ash timber, the usual cereal crops except oats, rich feeding lands, good cattle on the hills, and two corn mills on the Teme, and the romantic Sapey brook.

Clifton was anciently a borough, having fairs and a market; an agricultural association was established here a few years ago.

The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Hereford, archdeaconry of Ludlow, and rural deanery of East Burford; annual value, £250, with residence; patron, Sir Francis S. Winnington, Bart.; vicar, the Hon. and Rev. Robert Chichester Moncreiff, B.A., Trinity College, Cambridge, who was instituted in 1874. The church of St. Kenelm contains specimens of Early English and every succeeding style, and consists of chancel, nave, and large south aisle, with Norman tower and modern spire and five bells. The earliest register is dated 1598.

Here is a national school under Government inspection; also a benefit club.

Woodmanton is an ancient manor-house, half a mile south, the seat of the Wyshams and Couchers. It is now a farmhouse, the property of – Coucher, Esq., of London. Lower Sapey, or Sapey Pitchard, is a chapelry and manor; it is distinguished for great natural beauty. Ham, or Homme Castle, the ancient seat of the Jeffreys, The Noke, The Hope, and Salford are places or ancient residences in the parish.

Postal Regulations. – Charles Green, Sub-Postmaster. Letters arrive from Worcester at 8.30 a.m.; despatched thereto at 5 p.m. Money orders are granted and paid, and post-office savings-bank business transacted at this office. Post town, Worcester.

Parish Church (St. Kenelm’s). – The Hon. and Rev. Robert Chichester Moncreiff, B.A., Vicar; Messrs. Charles E. Boddington and Joseph Moore, Churchwardens; Thomas Jones, Parish Clerk.

National School (boys and girls). – Thomas Rous, Master.

Carrier to Worcester. – Mrs. Roberts, on Saturdays.

PRIVATE RESIDENTS.

Bolton Mrs., New house
Davis Mrs., Bayton villa
Moncreiff The Hon. and Rev. Robert Chichester, B.A. (vicar), The Vicarage
Walker Miss

AGRICULTURAL & COMMERCIAL.

Boddington Chas. E., farmer, Church ho.
Broadburn Henry, stonemason
Bull John, carpenter

Caswell J., farmer & hop grower, Pitlands
Cooper John, farmer and hop grower, The Hope farm
Cownley John, boot and shoe maker

Davis Charles, horse breaker
Dovey John, plumber, &c.
Drew Samuel, farmer, Moorfields

Green Chas., grocer, provision dlr., draper, & sub-postmaster, Post office
Griffiths Mrs. E., beer retailer, New Inn

Hanly Mrs. Susannah, miller
Harber Francis, fmr. & butcher, Noak fm.
Holloway Thos., Red Lion Inn, & farmer
Hooper Edward, farmer, Clifton wood

Jones Thomas, wheelwright, machinist, and general smith, Church villa
Jones Thomas, tailor and draper

Lewis John, carpenter, &c.
Lewis Thomas, farmer, Holland’s mill

Moore John, fmr. & hop grw., The Ham
Moore Jos., fmr. & hop grw., Ham castle
Mortlock William E., insurance agent

Neville Mrs., farmer, Angstrey

Palmer Richard W., shopkeeper

Quarrell Thomas Joseph, farmer and hop grower, Woodmanton

Roberts Edward, carrier
Roberts Edwin, blacksmith
Roberts Shadrach, blacksmith
Rous Thomas, master of national school

Smith J. W., fmr. & hop grw., Salford crt.
Smith Sam., fmr. & hop grw., Steps frm.

Wainwright John, pump maker and well sinker
Webb Henry, pig butcher

Source: Littlebury, Littlebury’s Directory and Gazetteer of Worcester & District, Third Edition. Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co. 1879.

Clifton-on-Teme Billings Directory 1855

Clifton-upon-Teme is a Parish situate in the upper division of the hundred of Doddingtree, 10 miles from Worcester, 9 from Tenbury, and 3 from Martley. It contained in 1851 a population of 547 inhabitants.

The situation of Clifton commands some of the most extensive and beautiful views in the county, overlooking the serpentine course of the river Teme. The visitor passes through one long street, stopping to admire a few villas, the vicarage, and ancient church, with its lich-gate. The “Lion” Inn is almost the only relic of the ancient importance of Clifton. Portions of it bear marks of great antiquity, being built of travertine, the same geological formation as that of which Southstone rock, in the parish of Stanford, is composed; and tradition says that it formed part of the ancient Court-house.

The town of Clifton was constituted a borough by Edward III., and privileged with fairs, a weekly market on Thursday, and many other franchises and immunities, by a charter granted to Mortimer, now disused.

The manor of Clifton was conveyed to William Jefferies, by Henry VI. The heiress of that family married Edward Winnington, about a century and a half ago, and thus the estate came into the possession of the Winningtons. “Hamme Castle” was formerly a place of great strength, but was destroyed in 1646, by the Parliamentary troops. It was restored in 1840, and the moat and terraces still remain. There is a noble staircase in the house, and a flight of steps leading to what has been described as a confessional or penance cell.

The Church, dedicated to St. Kenelm, and infant heir to the Saxon King of Mercia, who was murdered on the Clent Hills, near Stourbridge, consists of nave, chancel, and south aisle, with western tower and spire.

The tower, which is built of rubble, with irregular ashlar-work at the angles, has duplicated lights, divided by a rude kind of baluster, diagonal buttresses of rubble, and wooden spire. We are inclined to assign a great portion of the tower to the Saxon period.

The tower arch, opening into the nave, is interesting, springing from the base something in the shape of a horse-shoe, without capitals to the columns, above this arch is a window, the head of which is triangular, formed of two blocks of stone.

Triangular arches are found of a much later date, being often seen in cathedral clerestories of the perpendicular period, but are rarely of so rude a construction.

In the chancel lies the body of Edward Winnington Jefferyes (third son of Sir Francis Winnington), who was celebrated as a distinguished speaker in Parliament, and an eminent lawyer, in the reign of Queen Anne. It is said that an offer of the Great Seal was made to him, but his ambition was restrained by his love of country sports, which eventually caused his death.

Underneath one of the lofty arches which divide the nave from the aisle, are the remains of an ancient tomb, containing the effigy of a knight of the Holy Voyage, supposed to have been Sir Ralph Wysham, one of a family who formerly held the manor, and resided at Woodmanton.

There are also monuments to the Ingrams, a family of great antiquity, mentioned in deeds without date, and therefore prior to the year 1290, and who resided for many generations at a house called “The Noak”, (now occupied by Mr. Hughes). In 1722, a descendant of the Ingrams married into the Winnington family. The Haywoods, another ancient family, who resided at Salfourd Court, have likewise memorials here.

The living is a Vicarage, in the patronage of Sire T. E. Winnington, Bart. Rev. Slade Baker, M.A., Vicar; Mr. James Martin, Clerk. Service – 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The National School, for the education of the children of the parishes of Clifton and Sapey Pritchard, is supported by voluntary contributions, and is under Diocesan and Government inspection. The site was given by Sir T. E. Winnington, Bart. Mr. Frederick James Noad, Master; Mrs. Lucy Noad, Mistress. Number of scholars, 75.

An Agricultural Society has been established in this parish.

Fairs are held here on the 15th of April and 10th of October.

DIRECTORY.

Baker Rev. Slade, M.A., Vicar, Vicarage
Haywood Mr. Edwin, Bayton Villa
Walker The Misses
Watkin Rev. Edward
Wright Rev. John Howard Cressy, M.A., Vicar of Wolferlow

Arminger Richard, castrator

Boddington Thomas Henry, farmer, Church House
Boughton John William, farmer, Woodmanton

Callow Edward, saddle and harness maker
Cownley John, shoe maker

Davis Thomas, farmer, The Steps
Derbyshire Joseph, victualler and farmer, Red Lion
Dovey James, Police Constable

Green John, mason
Griffiths James, farmer, carrier, and cider retailer, Shortlands, Clifton Hill

Heaford Thomas, farmer, The Ham
Hodges Hannah, victualler, Crown
Hodges John, wheelwright
Hodges Emma and Marianne, milliners and dress makers
Hooper John, farmer, Clifton’s Wood
Horton John, victualler, farmer, and butcher, Unicorn
Hughes Charles, farmer, The Noak; also of the Oxhall

Jones Thomas, blacksmith and shopkeeper
Jones Thomas, tailor

Lea Robert, farmer, The Hope
Lewis John, wheelwright and carpenter
Lipscombe Joseph, farmer, carrier, and Collector of Taxes

Martin James, carpenter, builder, and Parish Clerk
Martin Susan and Sarah, dress makers
Moore John, farmer, Ham Castle

Neville Thomas, farmer, Hangstree
Noad Frederick James, Schoolmaster, Postmaster, Organist, and Agent to the Hope Mutual Life Assurance Society

Potter Michael, tailor

Rastal John, miller and maltster, Ham Mill
Roberts Edward, blacksmith
Rowley William, shoe maker

Sheward Joseph, boot and shoe maker

Webb Henry, butcher
Wells Thomas George, farmer, Salford
Wells Charles, farmer, Salford
Williams William, grocer, draper, and agent for the Farmers’ Fire, Life, and Hail Storm Insurance Institution

Post Office. – Frederick James Noad, Sub-Postmaster. Arrival, 9 15 a.m.; despatch, 4 p.m.; Sunday despatch, 10 30 a.m.

Carriers – Worcester, through Martley, Griffiths (van), Wed. and Sat. 8 a.m.; Lipscombe, (omnibus), Tues., Thurs., and Sat., 8 a.m.

Source: Billings Directory of Worcestershire 1855

Clifton-on-Teme Lewis Worcestershire Directory 1820

Clifton-on-Teme, 10 miles from Worcester, containing 84 houses, and 499 inhabitants. It is a pleasant and diversified part of the county, and was formerly a market town. Sapey Pritchard is a hamlet to this parish.

Parish History

Clifton-on-Teme The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales 1870

CLIFTON-UPON-TEME, a village and a parish in Martley district, Worcester. The village stands under fine cliffs at the river Teme, 7 miles NNW of Bransford Road r. station, and 10 NW of Worcester; was once a market-town and a borough; and has a post office under Worcester.

The parish comprises 2,972 acres. Real property, £4,252. Pop., 542. Houses, 102. The property is divided among a few. The manor belonged formerly to the Ingrams and others; and belongs now to Sir T. E. Winnington, Bart. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Hereford. Value, £172. Patron, Sir T. E. Winnington, Bart. The church, and also an ancient churchyard cross 15 feet high, were recently restored. Charities, £20.

Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].

Clifton-on-Teme A Topographical Dictionary of England 1848

CLIFTON-upon-Teme (St. Killom), a parish, in the union of Martley, Upper division of the hundred of Doddingtree, Hundred-House and W. divisions of the county of Worcester, 10¼ miles (N. W. by W.) from Worcester; containing 512 inhabitants.

The parish is situated near the river Teme, and comprises by measurement 2853a. 1r. 16p.: stone of good quality for building and the roads, and flagstone, are quarried. The village, which is beautifully situated on a steep cliff, overlooking the serpentine course of the Teme, was made a free borough by Edward III., who also granted a weekly market, now disused. Ham Castle, formerly the residence of the family of Jefferies, and which was nearly destroyed in 1646 by the parliamentary troops, was completely restored, indeed nearly rebuilt, by the proprietor, in 1840.

The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king’s books at £6. 19. 2.; patron and impropriator, Sir T. E. Winnington, Bart.: the tithes have been commuted for £235, of which £207. 10. are payable to the vicar; and the glebe consists of two acres, with a house, built in 1845. The church has a square tower, surmounted by a spire which is a landmark to the country around; the interior was restored in 1844: among some ancient monuments is one to a Knight Templar, supposed to be Sir Roger de Wysham. A school is supported by subscription.

There was anciently a chapel at Noverton, in the parish; but in 1532, Charles, Bishop of Hereford, with the consent of the vicar of Clifton and the inhabitants, united Noverton to the parish of Stanford, reserving to the vicar an annual pension of 13s. 4d., in lieu of tithes and offerings due from the inhabitants of the chapelry. At Woodmanton, still in the parish, was another chapel.

Source: A Topographical Dictionary of England by Samuel Lewis 1848

Clifton-on-Teme Worcestershire Delineated C. and J. Greenwood 1822

Clifton-upon-Teme – a parish in the hundred of Doddingtree, upper division, on the borders of Herefordshire, 10 miles N.N.W. from Worcester, and 121 from London; containing 86 inhabited houses.

It stands on the western bank of the river Teme, and derives its name from its situation, being on a steep cliff overhanging the river, commanding the most picturesque views. It was anciently the seat of the Ingram family, and in the reign of Edward the Third, was a borough, with a weekly market. Ham-Castle, in this parish, was formerly a castellated mansion, and in the year 1646, was nearly destroyed by the Parliament army. It is now the property of the Winnington family, in the occupation of a farmer.

The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Hereford and archdeaconry of Salop; Rev. C. Fox Winnington, incumbent; instituted 1817; patron, Sir T. E. Winnington, Bart. Population, 1801, 499 – 1811, 485 – 1821, 520.

Source: Worcestershire Delineated: Being a Topographical Description of Each Parish, Chapelry, Hamlet, &c. In the County; with the distances and bearings from their respective market towns, &c. By C. and J. Greenwood. Printed by T. Bensley, Crane Court, Fleet Street, London, 1822.

Clifton-on-Teme Universal British Directory 1791

Clifton-on-Teme, seven miles from Worcester, on the borders of Herefordshire, is a parish decked with all the beauties of hills and woods, through which the river Teme runs in a serpentine course, affording a series of delightful prospects. The country abounds with hop-plantations. It has a market and fairs. Near it is Home or Ham Castle, where, in 1637, an iron chest containing gold, silver, &c. was dug up in a vault within a fort.

Source: Universal British Directory 1791

Ham Castle

Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales Circa 1870

Ham Castle, a quondam baronial seat in Worcestershire; on the river Teme, 8½ miles NW of Worcester. It belonged to the Winningtons; was destroyed in 1646; and is now a ruin.

Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].

Administration

County: Worcestershire
Civil Registration District: Martley
Probate Court: Court of the Bishop of Hereford (Episcopal Consistory)
Diocese: Hereford
Rural Deanery: Burford
Poor Law Union: Martley
Hundred: Doddingtree
Province: Canterbury