A History of Preston in Hertfordshire
1 May 2025 The plans for Temple Dinsley are reported and images from a site visit on 26 April 2025
are reported. Link: TD15
1 April 2025 The results of the Temple Dinsley Archaeological Project of 2000/01 are discussed.
Link: TDAP
I March 2025 The correspondence between Reginald Hine and Michael Dewar concerning
The History of Stagenhoe is discussed and an extract of the piece is published. Letters
1 February 2025 The lives and ancestors of the Dewars of Stagenhoe and Minsden arm/Ladygrove
are described. Dewars
1 January 2025 The early history of the Foster family who lived at Castle Farm in the 17th century is
recounted. Foster family
1 December 2024 Reginald Hine’s Early History of Temple Dinsley (1939) which was intended to be
part of the History of Hitchin, is transcribed and commented on. Hine & T Dinsley
1 November 2024 I begin an ambitious series of articles which seek to define what life was like at
Preston towards the end of the 17thC. They will be updated occasionally as time allows
Snapshot1680c
1 October 2024 The article re: Home Farm/Minsden Farm/Ladygrove has been expanded. Minsden
Farm/Ladygrove
1 September 2024 Preston historian Nina Freebody’s History of Stagenhoe was written in 1969 and
consists of nine pages. To access it, click the link above. This will create a download from which the
individual pages can be opened. Stagenhoe
Also, the life of Ellis Wray, Luton shopkeeper, is recounted. Link: Ellis Wray
1 August 2024 The exploits of the Heath family of the 17th century are described and its suggested
surprising connection to Spindle Cottage, Preston: Heath
9 July 2024 Preston postman, Frederick William Upchurch is featured: FWUpchurch
16 June 2024 The lives and accomplishments of two ‘Sons of Preston’ are described, Oliver and
Peter Corbett who were born in the village in 1918 and 1920: O&E Corbett
1 May 2024 The 1921 census at Preston is analysed - with an in-depth appraisal of poultry farming in
the village: 1921 census analysis
1 April 2024 The life of Margaret Corbett, Preston School head mistress for two stints during wartime,
is described. M Corbett
1 March 2024 A reappraisal of whether Preston/Dinsley Castle existed: Preston Castle
4 February 2024 Two additions have been uploaded - a new article: The history of houses at the
junction of Crunnells Green and Back Lane and A painting of School Lane by Samuel Lucas
1 January 2024 Some house-keeping has added significant information to the articles re: The
Gribble family; Football at Preston and the Nuns of Elstow
1 December 2023 Unused extracts from Margaret Meadows’ Preston Scrapbook together with
hitherto unseen photos of Preston have been uploaded. Link: Meadows
1 November 2023 Having purchased a Deed re: Preston’s Mission Room, I then had to find its
location. Link: Mission Room
11 October 2023 The discovery of Julian Gribble’s previously unknown daughter is described.
Link: J Gribble
1 October 2023 The history of the Temple Dinsley Lodges and their occupants is discussed.
Link: TDLodges
Also, the history of tennis at Preston is related. Link: Tennis
1 September 2023 Preston in the news - 1919. Link: News1919
Also, new information and photographs re Almina, Countess of Carnarvon and Ian Dennistoun have
been uploaded - with some surprising news Link: Almina
1 August 2023 The remarkable story of John and Anna Hadfield (who lived at Sadleirs End,
Chequers Lane from 1940 until 1952) is chronicled. Link: Hadfields
11 July 2023 Newspaper article re: History of Preston cricket from 1954. Link: Cricket 1954
1 July 2023 Preston in the News - 1936. An appraisal of news cutting re: Preston in local papers
during 1936 Link: News1936
6 June 2023 The lives at Preston of my greatx3 and 2 grandparents, William and Mary (nee
Humphreys) Ward and William and Ann (nee Bradden) Ward are described. Link: William Ward 1&2
1 June 2023 The story is told of my first ancestors, Joseph and Elizabeth Ward, to live at Preston
Link: Joseph Ward
24 April 2023 An appraisal of the Hammond family at Sootfield Green, Preston in the 1930s.
Link: Hammonds at Sootfield Green
30 March 2023 Latest news from Preston Parish newsletter of the sale of Princess Helena College.
Link: Newsphc
23 March 2023 Stunning aerial photographs of Minsden Chapel Link: Minsden from the air
1 March 2023 Preston in the News - 1935. An appraisal of news cutting re: Preston in its local paper,
the Hertfordshire Express in 1935 Link: News1935
22 December 2022 The first known men from Preston who played cricket are revealed: Link: Cricket
Also, four generations of the Fairey family of Preston are discussed in detail, including their origins in
Hitchin. One descendant of the Faireys still resides in the village. Link: Faireys
12 November 2022 The story of a death along a ‘grassy lane’ at Preston in 1930 is recounted:
Link: Cropper
Also, my cousin, Charlie Wray (shoe repairer of Hitchin), is featured as well as his son, Rodney Wray,
and his wife Judith of West Alley Arcade, Hitchin. Associated with Judith is Val Rivenell of Chequers
Lane, Preston. Link: Charlie Wray
16 October 2022 Photographs and comments regarding renovations of Minsden Chapel are included
and updated. Link: Minsden Chapel
8 October 2022 The results of my recent DNA test are discussed including their relevance to Preston
and some Preston families. Link: DNA
27 September 2022 Reasons for Douglas Vickers’ purchase of Temple Dinsley are discussed - and
why he sold the mansion in 1929 Link: Vickers
24 August 2022 An in-depth study of the gardens of Temple Dinsley is presented with supporting
photographs, maps drawings and even an 18thC watercolour Link: TD Gardens
9 August 2022 My thirteen uncles and aunts, the children of Alfred and Emily (nee Fairey) Wray of
Chequers Cottages, Preston are discussed. Link: 13 uncles/aunts
The life of Thomas Currell, the husband of Mary Fairey, is reviewed in detail. Link:Thomas Currell
The life of my great grandmother, Mary (nee Fairey) Currell is featured. Link: Mary Fairey
10 June 2022 My grandparents, Alfred and Emily (nee Fairey) Wray of Chequers Cottages are
discussed Link: Grandparents
22 May 2022 The lives of my great grandparents, Charles and Elizabeth (nee Breed) Wray are
examined and their home at Austage End near Preston is featured.
Link: Charles Wray (1820 - 1884)
29 March 2022 The details of the 1921 census for Preston and its environs were uploaded.
Link: 1921 census
1 January 2022 The early history of cricket at Preston has been reappraised and founding fathers
are suggested. Link: Cricket
1 December 2021 The tenancy at Temple Dinsley of Henry Brand from 1880 to 1889 is discussed
Link: Henry Brand
1 November 2021 The tenancy at Temple Dinsley of Sir Frederick and Lady Georgiana Macmillan is
featured. Link: Frederick Macmillan
13 October 2021 During the last six years, three books have been published that feature Preston and
some of its past inhabitants. They are Helen Batten’s The Scarlet Sisters (2015) and The Improbable
Adventures of Miss Emily Soldene: Actress, Writer, and Rebel Victorian (2021), and The
Conscientious Objector’s Wife (2018) edited by Kate Macdonald. Link: Three new books
1 October 2021 Sir Joseph Priestley and Tatmore Place are featured, together with details of his
childen’s lives. Link: Sir Joseph Priestley
15 September 2021 Red Lion, Preston’s CAMRA award Link: Red Lion
1 August 2021 The lives of early owners of Temple Dinsley, Benedict Ithell and his daughter, Martha
are discussed. Link: The Ithells of Temple Dinsley
How Thomas Harwood became Lord of the Manor after being a gentleman’s servant. Link: Harwood
The Dartons, ‘Preston’s forgotten family’ are remembered - including, was Joseph Darton the secret
son of Martha Ithell and Thomas Harwood? Links: The Darton family Pt 1; The Darton family Pt 2
To contact me, please email: p.wray@hotmail.co.uk
For returning visitors, the latest articles that have been added to this site are
listed below, beginning with those most recently posted.
This web site will be up-dated irregularly. Please check the dates below.