In an excellent book entitled "Pershore People" by Janet Daniels and Marion Freeman, it mentions Hannah Graves, daughter of John Graves, farmer of Pensham, who married a John Goore in 1814.
The Parish Register Vol. 6 Marriages 1813-37 of St. Andrews, Pershore has the entry 1814.
October 27th. John Gore of Church Lench a bachelor and Hannah Graves of Pensham, a spinster. By me George Dineley Curate.
Signed.
In presence of
The Last Will of Ann Greaves late of Pensham Widow deceased 27th May 1837 also mentions Hannah ... Also to my Daughter Hannah Gore the sum of One Hundred pounds (she also left) to my Grandson Frederick Greaves the son of James Greaves the sum of one Hundred pounds with the Mahogany Round Table in my Bed Room and the Chest of Drawers in my son Thomas' room to be received by him at the Age of 25 years and if he does not live to arrive at that age to fall to the residue of my Estate (James was one of our direct line grandfathers.)
Hannah was a niece of Ann Graves our direct line-The book also quotes that the Graves family had farmed at Pensham for 400 years.
John Goore was a coachman owning a business in Broad Street. In 1851 he lived in Bridge Street with wife Hannah, and their children, William a carpenter, James a coachman, together with Albert and Mary both employed at home. (The book also states)
"John was the proprietor of a business whose coach left Broad Street every Thursday for Cheltenham leaving at 7 a.m. and returning at 9 p.m. passing through Beckington Hensham and Tewkesbury. In addition his yellow and black four wheeled coach to Worcester every Monday, Wednesday and SATURDAY LEAVING AT HALF PAST EIGHT IN THE MORNING AND RETURNING AT HALF PAST SIX in the evening by way of Spitchley (Spetchley) and Stoulton. These details are recorded in Robson's Commercial Directory of Worcester dated 1839. His charges were reasonable - travelling outside (that is on the top and open to the elements) cost 18d (7½p) but if you preferred to travel inside the coach, the charge was half-a-crown (2/6d-12½p).
It would appear that his son James, known to one and all as Jemmy, took over from his father, for even as a young lad of about twelve years old he would accompany him on his journeys, blowing them horn announcing the coach's arrival and entertaining the travellers with cheerful songs and performing on the penny whistle. As the coach travelled towards Worcester those travelling would pile their luggage aloft, or John himself would undertake to deliver packages to Worcester or to stopping places en route. Wrapped in a rough white greatcoat of wool, John Goore was known to be blunt but honest, hearty and witty, and to treat his horses with kindness making certain they were well fed and happy. Seeing folk making for a pick-up spot he would stop and set up a ladder against the side of his coach and assist travellers aboard."
A lot of these details were contained in a poem, printed by Thomas Hayes of Broad Street, Worcester, of which I have been able to obtain a copy from Mrs. Betty Howat, a direct descendant of John Graves.
Email: Lionel Graves (lionel@graf-tek.com).
Copyright ©2000-2007 L.& R.Graves. All Rights Reserved.
