Two Families Hold Living for 300 Years

In Martley, two families held the living for over three centuries, benefiting from its substantial income. Martley was worth as much as £1,000 a year, and even more from tithes in prosperous years. From the mid-17th century, a junior branch of the Vernons of Hanbury Park served as Rectors of Martley. Because they also held the patronage of Arley Kings, they presented themselves to that living as well when it became vacant, thus holding both positions. In 1795, the Hastings family purchased the endowment and held it until 1958. Five generations of Hastings held the living for 163 years. The livings at Martley and Areley Kings exemplify the "family living" system. While the father enjoyed the substantial income from the well-endowed parish of Martley, the son subsisted on the smaller stipend at Areley Kings, knowing he would inherit the larger benefice upon his father's death.

A similar situation existed at Salwarpe, where the advowson was purchased by Canon Douglas, resulting in five successive generations holding the living. At both the Comberton parishes, the parsons were also their own patrons.

The Vernon family of Hanbury traces its lineage back to the Vernons of Newcastle-under-Lyme, who descended from the ancient Cheshire families of Shipbrook and Whatcroft. Richard Vernon, son of Randall (also known as Randalph or Ralph) Vernon of Audley, Staffordshire, was likely baptized on December 6, 1549, at St James the Great in Audley. The church record simply states, "Riccus filius Ranulphis Vernon 6 Decembris." His father, Ralph, a landowner, also purchased Crannache and Twemlow in Cheshire.

Ralph Vernon passed away in 1579. His will, written on January 8, 1578/9, named his wife, Agnes, and son, Richard, as executors. Ralph held lands in Staffordshire and Cheshire, and a copy of his will was kept by Richard's descendants.

Richard became a beloved rector, serving the Hanbury parish in Worcestershire for an impressive 46 years. On January 30, 1585, he married Frances Wyld in Hanbury. The marriage record calls him "rector of Hanbury." Frances was the daughter of John Wylde of Astwood, Worcestershire.

Richard also served as executor for the will of his brother, Robert Vernon, a shoemaker from Audley. Robert's will, dated February 8, 1608/9, refers to Richard as "Richard Vernon my brother, parson of Hanburie."

Richard lived a long and fulfilling life, dying at age 77. He was buried in Hanbury on February 27, 1627 (or possibly 1628). A mural monument commemorates him:

"Reverendus Pater, Richardus Vernon, Who, deriving his lineage from his noble family in the county of Chester, Doubling his ancestral honor with the dignity of priesthood, Faithfully governed this church for 46 years. He held the neighboring gentry most dear; He sustained the poor with his charity, He left thirteen children, eleven of whom, born of one surviving wife, he enriched with his patrimony; With an annual alms for the poor, and a pension provided for the public school, He faithfully passed away in the year of our Lord 1627, aged 77."

In 1885, Harry Foley Vernon of Hanbury, Member of Parliament for Worcestershire East from 1861 to 1868, became the first Baronet Vernon of Hanbury. This baronetcy became extinct in 1940, and the family sold the Hanbury estate in 1953.

Sir Baron Harry Foley Vernon c1834-c1920