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See How silent now the desolated spot for a poem about the ruins of Minsden Chapel. |
Preston is about 2½ miles south of Hitchin, of which manor it formed a part at the time of the Domesday Book. In the 12th century it was granted to the Knights Templars, who built a preceptory of the order, Temple Dinsley. On their dissolution in 1312 it passed to the Knights Hospitallers, later to the Sadleir family of Standon, and in the early 18th century to Benedict Ithell, who pulled down the old and erected the present house (now a college for girls), which has been enlarged and much modernised by Lutyens. North of it is Wain Wood, in which Bunyan, disguised and protected by loyal guards, used to preach: 'I have understood that a thousand people have met in that dale at midnight to hear Mr Bunyan preach', wrote an 18th century Hitchin Non-conformist parson. Bunyan used to stay at Hunsdon House or Preston Castle - on the site of Castle Farm - at that time kept by six brothers Foster. Nearly a century later it was the home of Captain Robert Hinde (1720-86), Light Dragoons, historian of the Light Dragoons, and original of Sterne's Uncle Toby; he embattled it, provided a drawbridge and placed guns on the front lawn. Followed by an 'army' composed of his steward, farm hands, and a group of village children, dressed in a uniform of his own design, he would descend on Hitchin with drum and trumpet, proclaim from the market place the anniversary of a battle or other notable event, and on return to Preston fire a salute of guns. The church of St Martin is modern.
Little Guide: Hertfordshire: 1903
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Princess Helena College, Temple Dinsley External links: School Web Site - - - Wikipedia Philip Wray writes: A past Head of Princess Helena College (which is at Temple Dinsley), Donald Clarke, has written a book, 'A Daisy in the Broom', which is a history of PHC. The final chapter 1935-1958 is of local interest. (Pub Julia London 1991, ISBN 0-9517217-0-4) |
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Preston Village School Philip Wray has written an excellent article on life at Preston school in the Autumn Issue of Family Tree Magazine. It paint a vivid picture of what went on at the Preston school with much of the information coming from the school log book. Truancy was common, with poor children being absent so they could earn a few pennies by, for instance, gathering acorns to feed to the pigs. Infectious diseases meant that on one occasion 30 children were off sick with measles, and deaths were also recorded. Philip says the log book from 1873-1901 is at HALS, and the later one is still at the school. |
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Rediscovering a 'lost' manor & hamlet by Philip J. Wray
At the time of the Domesday Welei was part of the Royal Manor of Hitchin and was occupied by eight villeins, five bordars, two cottars and four slaves. However none of the most relevant books recorded where it was - or in some cases even mentioned it. Was it one of the missing deserted villages in Hertfordshire. Philip spotted a Wayley Green on Bryant's map and this turned up such interesting facts as a newspaper article about Preston which reported "Local legend says that plague victims were buried in Wayley Close only a short distance away from Dead Woman's Lane." The article also shows the importance of ensuring ones discoveries are properly recorded. |
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