MORETON JEFFREYS is a small parish situated about half a mile W.
of the main road between Hereford and Bromyard, and distant 8½ miles
N.E. of Hereford, 5½ S.W. of Bromyard, and 12 N.W. of Ledbury; is
in Radlow hundred, Bromyard union, petty sessional division, and county
court district, and Burley Gate (Ocle-Pychard) polling district. The
population in 1861 was 41; in 1871, 47; inhabited houses, 9; families
or separate occupiers, 10; area of parish, 703a. 2r. 8p.; annual rateable
value, £940. Henry Higgins, Esq., of Thing-hill, hear Hereford, is the
owner of the parish. The soil is clayey; subsoil, limestone; chief produce,
wheat, hops, beans, fruit, &c. The parish comprises three farms, of which
Moreton Jeffreys court, situate near the church, is the principal. The
scenery in this neighbourhood is very picturesque. Moreton Jeffreys is in
the diocese and archdeaconry of Hereford and rural deanery of North
Froome; living, a vicarage; value, about £60 (derived from rent-charge
£24, Queen Anne's bounty £12 17s. 10d., and the rent of 16½ acres of
glebe); patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Hereford; vicar, Rev. John
David Paulett, who was instituted in 1873, and resides at the Vineyard,
in Weston Beggard parish. The register begins with the year 1711.
The church is a small stone edifice with nave, chancel, open porch on the
south side, and small tower containing two bells. There are three monuments
to the Westwood family, who were formerly owners of the parish.
The east window was filled with stained glass by the late John Morley,
Esq., as a memorial to the late vicar (the Rev. Thomas Hugh Bird). A
monumental brass to the memory of John Morley, Esq., was presented in
1872 by Henry Higgins, Esq., who likewise gave handsome books for reading
desk, &c. There is also a monumental slab to the Derry family. The
children from this parish attend the national school at Burley Gate
(Ocle-Pychard), which is mainly supported by Henry Higgins, Esq. The only
constabulary station between Hereford and Bromyard is on the high road
in this parish.
POSTAL REGULATIONS.- Letters are received through Worcester, and
are delivered by messenger from Bromyard about 10.30 a.m.; despatched
at 4 p.m. Bromyard is the nearest money order and telegraph office.
Parish Church.- Rev. John David Paulett, Vicar; Mr. James Sirrell,
Churchwarden; Edwin Bowcott, Parish Clerk.
Carrier to Hereford.- Thomas Boulcott on Wednesdays and Saturdays;
stops at the Coach and Horses Inn, Commercial street.