Frederick Armstrong of Preston Hill Farm
Frederick Armstrong was from farming stock. He was born in 1839 at Lower Stondon, Beds, the son
of William and Phoebe Armstrong. In 1871, William Armstrong kept the 232-acre Blake Farm in Great
Wymondley, near Hitchin, Herts. where he employed eight men and 4 boys.
On 3 December 1873, Frederick married Emma Kirkby at Eastwick, Herts. Although Emma was born
at Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex in 1844, she was no stranger to Preston when she married as her
parents, Samuel and Dorothy Kirkby, had farmed at Castle Farm, Preston since about 1850.
Frederick was a prime mover in the building of St Martin’s Church at Preston. He organised a musical
evening which raised £11 towards the Church Fund.
Frederick died on 28 March 1911,aged 71. His headstone reads ‘Peace Perfect Peace’. Emma died
23 February 1929, aged 84. They are buried in a double grave at St Martins churchyard, Preston. His
estate was valued at £2,037 7s 0d and his executors were his sons, Thomas George and Frederick
William and coach builder, Francis Ralph Wilkins Sanders.
In August 1883, William Cherry and Herbert Reynolds who were working for Frederick were accused
of obtaining two gallons of beer and a pint of brandy from Robert Gosney, the landlord of the Red
Lion, Preston, under false pretences. Frederick agreed that he had supplied them with two gallons of
beer at the farm at about eight o’clock in the morning and these comments were also made
October 1884
December 1901
Frederick William Armstrong
Thomas George Armstrong
Henry James (Jack) Armstrong
Soon after their marriage, Frederick took over the tenancy of Preston Hill Farm in the parish of Kings
Walden. Their first son Frederick was born at Preston on 15 March 1875. They had a further 6
children.
June 1902
March 1913
May 1910