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The Books
A History of Preston in Hertfordshire
The Foster Family of Castle Farm aka Hunsdon House
1811c
1766
I’ve been eyeing the Foster family of Castle Farm, Preston for some time as a suitable case for
treatment. However, because there was a strong nonconformist stance taken by many
Foster’s, it is no easy task to plot the progress of their pedigree through time. Yet some among
Hitchin’s people today claim a connection to this famous family.
The situation changed when I visited Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies (HALS) for the
umpteenth time in November 2024. While sorting through a bundle of documents, I found a
small booklet which rang a distant bell.
The Tilehouse Street Baptist Church in Hitchin has a significant place in the history of the town
and its outlying villages. A book chronicling its history from 1669 was written by G E Evans in
1968. It begins with a description of John Bunyan at Wain Wood, Preston and the protecting
help he was given by the six Foster brothers of Castle Farm. At the bottom of the first page
there is a small note that the chapter was based on The History of the Foster Family (which
was “written in 1856, now out of print and very rare”).
I’ve searched for this piece without success, but now suddenly, there it was in my hands when
least expected.
The booklet describes….well, read on !
Our story begins before the first quill addressed the parchment of parish records in 1538. An
anonymous researcher has noted the birth of a John Foster in around 1520, which has been deduced
because his son, John Foster jnr., was born in approximately 1550. Aged about sixty-two, John jnr.
married Beatrice Kent (who was more than forty years younger that her beau) in 1612. The couple
had three known sons before John died in a Preston, Herts field during 1621.
The booklet begins by stating that John Foster’s death was occasioned by a fall from a loaded
harvest cart in Acre Bottom Wood near Preston. It is possible to locate this field because the 1801
account of ‘beating the boundaries’ mentions the field(s) thus: “..from thence bearing to the right up
Hillgrove Field and up to the balk in Kingwood Hill to the south-east corner of Mount Garrison; then
turning to the left along the top of Lower Acre Bottom. At the south corner, turn into Upper Acre
Bottom; then turn through the hedge into Jacks Pieces, ....inclosing the whole of them to Tatmore Hill
Lane.…”
Parish boundary
Tatmore Hills Lane
97 = Jacks Piece
99 = Acre Bottom
aka Gutter Piece
Parish boundary
Jane and David Clark of Castle Farm have kindly confirmed the location of what was known as Acre
Bottom Field (No 99 on the map shown above dated 1898). They have also added, “It would definitely
make sense to have turned over a harvest cart here as this field has very steep sides”.
After John Foster’s death, an inventory of his goods was made together with other biograpgical
comments re: Foster family history:
Marriage of John Foster (bn 1613) and Agnes Harrold at St Marys, Hitchin in October 1640
Concerning the John Foster who was born in 1613, the booklet relates how he showed kindness to
the Gootheridge family of Preston, a descendant of which farmed at Preston Hill Farm in the
nineteenth century. At the time, the Gootheridges were poor but for many later years attended the
Baptist church in Hitchin. One member of the family who was a dissenter “died leaving a widow and
numerous family”. John Foster agreed to take the eldest daughter to bring her up but she refused to
go. Elizabeth, her sister, “caught up her bonnet saying, “Then she would (go)”. She did indeed bring
up John’s family and many years later, the eldest son (another John Foster) married her at Offley,
Herts in 1697 (see below). This underlines once again that although we may have a record of names,
dates and places, we are indebted to writers such as Edward Foster for the back-story.
Edward also explains how we might infer that the Fosters became Baptists in around 1648. It has to
do with the Baptist tenet of adult as distinct from infant baptism. He relates that the family Bible, which
has a record of the six Foster brothers of Castle Farm, notes the baptism of the first three brothers as
infants in an Anglican church, whereas the last three brothers details are of their date of birth. Edward
argues, “This difference most probably arose from change of sentiment on the subject of baptism”.
Related to this, concerning John Foster’s baptism in the 1640s, there is a potential conflict of dates
and places as two John Fosters were baptised around Hitchin in the 1640s. We are helped by
Edward’s statement that his father was baptised on 28 April 1642. There is a baptism of a John
Foster recorded at the Anglican church of St Peters, Benington, Herts on that date (see below); his
parents being John and Anna Foster, which must relate to the family under discussion:
Edward then added some details about the Conventicle Act of 1670 which sought to strictly restrict
the religious assembly of non-conformist dissenters such as Baptists.
Anyone preaching at a proscribed religious meeting was fined £20 and the owner of the property
used, £20. Those attending were fined five shillings for their first offence, and ten shillings for each
subsequent law-breaking - this was to be recovered if necessary from their goods or chattels. All
those aged sixteen or more attending a banned religious assembly of five or more persons was
gaoled for three months until the £5 fine was paid, and re: a second offence they were incarcerated
for six months until the £10 fine was paid. For a third offence, the offender was banished to an
American Plantation (except New England and Virginia). Any Justice of the Peace who declined to
prosecute the offenders was liable to a fine of £100.These Draconian measures might be borne in
mind when we recount the meetings at Bunyans Dell, Preston during this period and the lengths to
which folk went to preserve the secrecy of these events and protect John Bunyan.
The six Foster brothers of Hunsdon House aka Castle Farm
Firstly, we should note that there was another more famous Hunsdon House in Hertfordshire which
had nothing to do with what is about to be described at Preston.
The owner of the mansion was John Foster and he and his family farmed the land which is today
known as Castle Farm. They were ‘intimate friends and enthusiastic followers’ of John Bunyan,
offering the preacher a welcome and shelter in their home during troublesome times.
The brothers were ‘steadfast and true men’, ‘distributing to the necessity of saints, given to
hospitality’. More than once, because of their knowledge of the lie of the land, they were able to
spirit Bunyan away from the troops searching for the dissident who had surrounded Wain Wood.
Picture the scene: “The night was bitterly cold, with an icy wind that held a threat of snow. Yet in
Hitchin and the villages for miles around many folk were astir, stealing from their homes in ones and
twos and families under cover of darkness. Cautiously avoiding the turnpike roads, they plodded on
across the countryside following familiar footpaths and sheep tracks. The dared not carry a lighted
lantern for the were bent on business that demanded secrecy a and stealth. As they hurried on, they
were joined by groups of people streaming in from all directions - many poor, wearing the hob-nailed
boots o farm labourers and garments too thin to keep out the searching wind. All were keyed up in a
state of expectancy. Earlier in the day news had spread by word of mouth that John Bunyan would
come that night. Their assembly was illegal but they had counted the cost, and so they pressed on
to the wooded amphitheatre in Wain Wood, The Dell. So well did they keep their secret that there is
no record of any such pilgrims being arrested.
As there was an ever-present threat of danger from a raid by the King’s Men, sentinels were posted
at key points in the Tatmore Hills to give timely warnings to disperse. Close by Bunyan stood a
small band of women ready to hold their stout aprons above and around him to screen him from the
wind rain and snow. Close by was Castle Farm which was always open with a warm welcome and
shelter when needed. not to mention the cottage in the wood with the inglenook fireplace and its
secret nooks and crannies.
A tradition in the Foster family is related by Miss Mollie Foster (1915 - 1988) that when Bunyan was
languishing in Hertford Gaol, a friendly jailer would give him leave of absence. Outside the prison
Bunyan found one of the Foster brothers, a farm worker and two horses. He’d ride off on one steed,
his place in the gaol taken by the labourer. Once, seized by a certain premonition, in mid-address,
Bunyan galloped back to Hertford to thwart the surprise inspection designed by prison officials to
catch the jailer in flagrante delicto.
On another occasion, ‘Bunyan was sitting with the Foster Brothers in their house when someone
asked him to explain a biblical verse....(he replied) “all that I can say in answer to that question is
that the Scripture is wiser than I”’.
When the Great Plague swept through London in 1665, some fled to Hitchin carrying the deadly
disease. In one month alone, more than thirty died of the plague. During the panic that ensued, the
Baptist followers of Bunyan were almost the only ones who risked their lives to minister to the sick.
Included among them were the Fosters, whose disregard for their own well-being won the
admiration of their opponents.
Later, Bunyan arranged for his second-in-command, John Wilson, to minister to his followers in the
area around Hitchin. After his trial in 1677, there was a church meeting at Brother John Foster’s
home. When, Wilson was incarcerated in Hertford Gaol, more than fifteen miles away, each week
one or more of the devoted Fosters travelled from Castle Farm to Hertford with a ‘basketful of fresh
country-fare’ to sustain him. The Fosters were among the founder members of the Baptist Meeting
House built at Hitchin in 1692 (shown below) and there are more than a score of references to them
between 1669 and 1969 in the History of Tilehouse Street Baptist Church on which much of this
material is based.
Next, we focus on what Edward Foster writes about his father, John Foster (1701 -1782) who, when
he was around sixty-nine years old, married Ann Ward at Holwell, Beds on 11 October 1770.
He said that his father had the same resolution as that of Joshua which is described in the Bible book
of Exodus - he and his household would serve their Lord. If ‘any (of the household) were to steal
away to bed before family prayer, unless in case of illness, he would insist upon them rising again to
assemble with him.’ The last time he fervently pleaded with them to do this, the following morning ‘he
was taken speechless and never more rose from his bed, and in two or three days, expired.’ During
this time, he was visited by the Rector of Ickleford who asked him, ‘You are incapable of speaking,
are you happy in the prospect of death?’ John ‘summoned his dying energies and thrust up both his
hands, testifying his consolation in death’. He was ‘a liberal-minded Christian, and had preaching in
his home regularly’. He was a deacon in the Tilehouse Street, Hitchin Baptist Church.
Edward did not mention his mother, Ann (nee Ward). There was perhaps a good reason for this. After
their marriage, she quickly provided her husband with four children during the following seven years.
She then died a week after Edward was born.
Edward also described how his eldest brother, John Foster, was born at their farm at Cadwell, Herts
before his father retired as a farmer and when he was twenty-one, he ‘took a farm at Holywell (sic),
Beds. There he erected an altar to God by prayer in his family, and soon after his house was licensed
for preaching occasionally and many minsters have preached the gospel there and always found a
friendly and hospitable entertainment. He was baptised as an adult in 1794 (aged 22) and served the
Tilehouse Street, Hitchin Baptist Church for twenty-five years.
Before John’s marriage, when his sister, Ann, managed the household there was an episode during
1794 which was recorded in Evangelical Magazine. He kept his money in a drawer which was
sometimes unlocked. Two or three times he noticed that some money was missing and suspected
that the culprit was a servant, particularly because she appeared to be buying clothes she probably
couldn’t afford. One day on a shopping expedition to Hitchin with her mother, she bought some items
with money she claimed she had found on the road. John confronted her with his suspicions but she
denied the accusation and as the charge was not substantiated, she wasn’t dismissed.
The following morning, his sister stirred her tea cup and thought the tea not only had an odd taste,
but the silver spoon was an odd copper colour. Her brother did the same thing, with the same result.
Fresh tea was poured without sugar. When stirred, this time there was no change to the spoon. Then
sugar was added, and again the spoon was tarnished. They suspected that the sugar had been
poisoned. Mercury (which was used to dress sheep) was kept in the house, but was not locked away
and they suspected this had been used. They then forced some sugar down a hen’s throat. Soon it
convulsed and died. The servant again denied any knowledge of what had happened and was
dismissed, although she wasn’t prosecuted because she was a distant relation.
John was the ‘subject of long and trying afflictions. In the latter years of his life his mind was much
engaged as an antiquarian. He made large collections of coins and medals with various articles of
antiquity. His health had greatly improved for years previous to his death and hopes were entertained
that he might finish his course in a good old age, but Providence designed it otherwise…(He returned
from a church meeting at Hitchin) about ten o’clock in the evening, supped and went to bed. Early in
the morning he was seized with acute pain in the stomach, took a little brandy and water and
afterwards seemed more relieved. But at about seven in the morning he was seized again and died
almost instantly on November 27th 1829, in his fifty-eighth year. He was buried at Hitchin near his
father’s grave.
Of his sister, Ann Foster, Edward recorded that, ‘…before she married Simeon Mead of Royston (a
carrier), she frequently lived with Mrs Eve at Tillingham Hall, Essex. (Ann) was a member of
Tilehouse Street, thirty-seven years, but worshipped at the old Meeting House, Royston and was
buried there, aged fifty-eight…her husband died in 1835, aged 77. (The couple’s first child was born
six months after their marriage on 20 February 1806, but this was registered on 24 June 1809 at the
same time as a son)
Finally, in this section, Edward provided some details of his own life. He too was born at Cadwell. For
sixteen years he lived with his brother, John at Holwell. He then went into business and married
Elizabeth, the second daughter of Thomas Crawley of Offley Grange, Herts at St Marys, Hitchin on
August 7th, 1805 (when he was described as a farmer). ‘By her, I had seven children.’
Edward then wrote about his brother, Joseph Foster, who was born at Cadwell in 1774. ‘He was
brought up in the farming business and lived with his father-in-law until he… married Sarah Stocker
of Swavesea (in 1795). He commenced business as a meal-man and corn-factor, but this soon failed,
after which he went to Cambridge as rider for Mr Richard Foster. During his residence there he had
smallpox, and had it severely. Not being altogether steady, he lost his place. While there, his wife
died, aged thirty-three; she was born on March 8th,1772. (The record entry of her burial described
Joseph as a ‘labourer’.) After the death of his wife Joseph went to live with his brother (John) at
Holwell and remained there until his death when he left him four shillings per week during his life.
From the small pox, an inflammation affected his eyes which terminated in total blindness in which
state he remained until his death, which was thirty years.
At the loss of his brother (John) Joseph appeared deeply sensible and began to display more
seriousness in his walk and conversation. He then left the family and took lodgings with a widow of
the name of Gatehouse residing at Ippollitts, near Hitchin (an Elizabeth Gatehouse of Ashbrook,
Ippollitts was buried on 5 February 1854, aged 80.) It was remarkable that, although blind, he would
travel for miles in all directions without anyone to guide or assist him. In the spring of 1837, he was
seized with a paralytic affection and deprived of the use of one side. In the summer months he rather
recovered but in the autumn he had a relapse and his end appeared near to himself as well as to his
friends. The week before his death, being in great pain, he was asked how his mind was, in prospect
of a future state. He replied that his only hope and confidence as on the merit of Christ and His
righteousness. The next Sabbath a great change took place and when myself and his eldest
daughter went to see him, he appeared to be in a dying state…and he fell into the arms of death on
October 1st 1837, in his sixty-fourth year, and was buried with his relations in the Baptist burying-
ground (near Tilehouse Street, Hitchin).”
Edward’s comments re: the descendants of Matthew Foster of the six brothers at Castle Farm
Edward referred to Michael Foster of Little Almshoe (1773c - 1805). He must have been Matthew
Foster’s (1653 - 1731) grandson. He was ‘a pious young man and the writer’s most intimate friend.
He and his brother, Deere Foster, of Wymondley, were admitted as members of the Baptist Church,
Hitchin at the same time, during July 1796. Michael’s death was occasioned by inflammation on nthe
lungs which carried him off unexpectedly on June 14th, 1805, aged thirty-two, to the grief of surviving
friends and particularly of myself.’
‘The first Mr Richard Foster (1733 - 1799), of Hauxton, afterwards of Cambridge, third son of the
second Matthew, was a member and a deacon of the church at Cambridge; and a firm friend and
liberal benefactor to the cause of Christ in general and being prosperous in business, it was in his
power to do it. On his deathbed his children were exhorted affectionately to do the same and not to
be backward in supporting the cause of the Redeemer.
The second Mr Richard Foster, his oldest son, lived at Cambridge. He succeeded his father as a
merchant at the same place and for many years was a banker of high respectability in that town.
The third Mr Richard Foster, residing at Brookland Place, Cambridge is likewise an eldest son and is
also a member and deacon of St Andrews Street, Chapel.
Mr Richard Foster’s eldest son, Richard Staples Foster is the first of an eighteenth generation of
Fosters in line from John of 1550; whilst the eldest descendant of similar age in the line of John, on
account of the peculiar longevities in that line, is but the first of a sixth generation from the same
period.’
Re: the Foster family in Come Wind, Come Weather by G E Evans (1968)
Edward’s comments re: the Fosters who settled in Biggleswade and Cambridgeshire
Mr Joihn Foster of Biggleswade, having attained to more than three score years and ten, was for
many years a worthy member and deacon of the Baptist Church there, and for several years was an
occasional preacher. His eldest surviving son by his first marriage, Mr Blyth Foster, is living in
Biggleswade. He is also a worthy member and deacon of the Church there.
The Cambridge Independent Press, May 1851: “It is this week our melancholy duty to announce the
death of one of the best men Cambridge ever knew, Ebenezer Foster, Esq. He had been ill but a very
short time, about ten days, and died of internal inflammation, early on Monday morning last, at Anstey
Hall, Trumpington, where his family have resided for some years. Although so well qualified in every
respect for public business up to the time of the passing of the Municipal Act, Mr Foster held no public
office, but on the passing of that Act, he was returned to the Council, elected an Alderman, then a
magistrate and in 1836 was elected Mayor, and continued to the last to take an active part in public
business. About four years ago he was nominated, by the Lord Lieutenant, to be a Magistrate for the
County and in 1849 was elected its High Sheriff. Mr Foster was also a member of the Bedford Level
Corporation and other boards and a Governor of Addenbrook’s Hospital, to the funds of which he
liberally contributed and took an active part in its management. Besides these public offices, Mr Foster
was at the head of the first banking and mercantile establishment in the town. It is unnecessary
therefore to say that his life was one of great activity and usefulness, and it is not too much to say that
in every occupation, whether public or private, his conduct commanded universal respect. Blessed
with ample means, his charity and benevolence were unbounded. To all the public institutions he was
a liberal benefactor and his private charities were dispensed with an unsparing hand. To say that the
loss of such a man will be severely felt and that although the disposition may exist it will take years to
mould anyone into the same habit is to speak truly, but very tamely, of such an event as the death of
so good a man. But, alas! these are bereavements to which society as well as friends must submit,
but friends may be proud of their connexion with such a man, and society though it deplores his loss,
may hope to profit by his example. Mr Foster was a dissenter and a constant attendant at the St
Andrew’s Street Chapel - a sincere Christian, but no bigot, he lived on terms of intimacy alike with
Churchmen and Dissenters and respected others opinions without compromising his own. In politics,
in which he took an active part, he was thoroughly and consistently liberal. Happily he lived in the
days of political progress and saw many laws which were a disgrace to our country and intended to
operate against such men as himself, swept away and a brighter and more tolerant system
introduced. Even in this respect the present generation owes much to the exertion of such men as Mr
Foster”.
What follows are extract that feature the Fosters from Come Wind, Come Weather.
“In 1665 when the Great Plague swept through London claiming thousands of victims, many people
fled for refuge to Hitchin. Some of them, who were already infected, spread the disease there...In
the panic that resulted, the Baptists… were almost the only people who risked their lives to tend the
sick. Good people, like the Fosters, who had the love of God in their hearts and no fear of hell and
damnation’ nursed the sufferers and by their fearless disregard for their own safety won the
admiration, sometimes reluctant, of their opponents.” (Quotation from Hitchin’s Pageant, 1952)
“The six Foster brothers throughout their lives never faltered in their loyalty to the Baptist faith. Three
of them were bachelors. From the other three sprang a long line of descendants, many of whom
have served their Hitchin Church during three centuries. There have been few periods without a
Foster on the diaconate, and none when there has been at least one Foster among its members”
“…Mr Edward Foster, Mr Geard’s (1774 -1831) senior deacon.”
28 January 1844: “…some interesting addresses were delivered…especially by Mr John Foster of
Biggleswade…”
In around 1883, there was a difficult decision to be implemented and it fell to Mr M H Foster to chair
a committee to discuss how the Church might share its burden…He also led the Church at
Tilehouse Street, Hitchin when there was no pastor around 1900. In 1906, he was the senior deacon
and treasurer and celebrated the jubilee of his membership when he was presented with an
illuminated address engrossed on vellum in thanks for his valuable services. In 1924, a new building
was opened and stones were laid for Mr M H Foster ,‘To the memory of the Foster family and the
faithful church workers of the past” and Mr Fred Foster, “On behalf of the Walsworth Road Baptist
Church”.
At a meeting in Bunyan’s Dell, Preston, a Thanksgiving Hymn written by Edward Foster circa 1856
was sung. The lyrics are to be found in Edward Foster’s booklet mentioned earlier.
Without a pastor in the late 1940s, the conduct of Church affairs was in the hands of the diaconate
again which had Mr A S Foster as its chairman.
Wymondley Baptist Chapel opened in 1859 when ‘several members of the Foster family were living
in the village. One of its trustees was Mr M H Foster. Because interest grew in the area, a wooden
hall was also erected at Wymondley and opened by Mrs R B Foster in 1957. Mr Foster’s barn was
used for the church’s jubilee tea and service, attended by about two hundred members.’
‘When the Misses Foster left the district, Mrs Stanley Foster became secretary and treasurer and her
husband was appointed superintendent of the Sunday School’, recalled Mr Charles Foster.
Ann Bradly (1766 - 1859) was superintendent of the Tilehouse Street Sunday School when it began
and she was sixty-five when she retired from this duty. She was the great grand-daughter of one of
the six Foster brothers of Hunsdon House. Ann’s great niece was Esther Palmer who kept a
stationery shop in Hitchin High Street. The first pupils came from Hitchin, Preston and Offley. A Mary
Price from Preston left the Baptist Sunday School on 17 April 1817 and went to Church School.
To be continued