Richard Warren of the Mayflower

Richard Warren is one of my Mayflower ancestors. Last July I wrote about him and his wife Elizabeth Walker here. I am so fortunate that Stuart, a Warren descendant who lives in England, found that post and contacted me.

He went to Great Amwell, Herfordshire, where Richard Warren married his wife Elizabeth Walker in 1610 and where she was christened in 1583. Stuart generously shared some photos he took and gave permission for me to share them here. 

Stuart wrote that the village's proximity to London attracted some well-to-do families in the 1600s, such as the Walker family, and continues to do so today. 

St. John the Baptist Church, Great Amwell

Interior of the Church

 

 

 

 

 

Church entrance

Stuart wrote that records suggest this has been the main entrance to the church for at least 850 years, if not longer. The west tower can be seen at the end of the path. Documents suggest a wooden church stood on the grounds as early as 800AD. Roman finds suggest an even earlier building, probably religious.

Rev. Richard Hassall lived at the home of Elizabeth's parents, Augustine and Mary Walker, and he referred to their home as being on Amwell Street, a term he used for the area near the church. 

Amwell Pool

Stuart discovered that the picturesque Amwell Pool is located on site of original fresh water springs that Saxons wrote about as health giving. The ornamental pool was created about 150 years after the Warrens migrated.

New River in Great Amwell

What a beautiful place for a walk! According to Stuart, the New River was dug at this location 6 feet wide and 4 feet deep in 1604, so the Walkers would have seen the project started. It was finished in 1613 at 10 feet wide. It is still called the New River 400 years later.

Even the post boxes in the village are quaint and pretty

Stuart wrote that this post box is 80 years old and subject to a preservation order. 

A lovely village sign

George V Inn, Great Amwell

The George V Inn is built on what was the village green in the 1600s, according to Stuart's research. The road going downhill to the left used to lead to the summer pasture, marsh and reed growing beds and much valued common pasture on the valley floor. The road to the right was at a very early time the main road along the west side of the valley but by 1250 a new north road a quarter mile west of the church meant this old centre of Amwell had been bypassed. 

Thank you, Stuart, for sharing your wonderful photographs. It certainly gives me an idea of what the area was like.