Sacombe  Church in 2010
		çThe Rolt Monument

		Churchyard Memorials
		1914-1918 War Memorial
		Selected Answers
		Long, Sacombe, early 19th century
		If you have a relevant question why not Ask Chris

About three miles distant from Bengeo, and four miles from Ware, is the Village of Sacombe, which contains about 1700 acres. Situated here is the beautiful Park and Mansion occupied by S. G. Smith, Esq., M.P. The Park is said to be one of the first which were enclosed in England; it contains some gigantic oaks, which show very high antiquity. The Mansion is an elegant modern one of brick, erected about the year 1800; it does not occupy the site of the old one, which was nearer to the high road. There is a fine piece of artificial water upon the high land near the house. The Village Church, which has been thoroughly restored of late years, stands on the verge of the Park, and is dedicated to St. Mary; it is very ancient and interesting, with a square tower on the south side, which is a very unusual position in church architecture, and is almost unique. In the chancel are two stone stalls and a piscina; there is also near the reading desk an ancient iron stand for an hour-glass.. A small chapel in the Church contains several interesting monuments to the Rolt family, who formerly held the Manor House, and there are also tablets and inscriptions to the memory of the Countess of Athlone, W. Gambier, Esq., and more recent residents of the Mansion. The living is in the patronage of A. Smith, Esq., M.P. Population, 304.

Guide to Hertfordshire 1880

St Catherine's, Sacombe, web site

The Mundens and Sacombe web site covers a number of small villages, but at first sight there is little relevant to the history of Sacombe. A more careful study shows that the monthly newsletter contains some interesting and relevant articles:

• An ancient door lock from Sacombe church in the Science Museum (May 2010)

• The Whirlwind of 1877 (March 2010)

• Sacombe's connection with Lloyd's of London (January 2010)

A Storm at Sacombe Park in 1786

July 1786. I have wondered at not seeing in any of the papers an account of a remarkable wind in this neighbourhood on the last day of July about 6 o'clock in the evening. Its effects were most conspicuous in Sacombe Park, the seat of Timothy Caswall, Esq., where many very large trees were almost instantaneously torn up by the roots, many others snapped in two, and carried to a considerable distance from where they had been standing in perfect security for some centuries. The blast came in a northwest direction, and defied all opposition. The wall of Mr. Caswall's kitchen garden, though stout enough in appearance to withstand a storm of cannon balls, fell before it; a man at work in it concluded the end of the world was come, and for once (it is hoped) was wise enough to apply to him, who "rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm."

Quoted from The Gentleman's Magazine in Hertfordshire 1731-1800

If you know of other books, websites, etc, relating to this place, please tell me.