John Parsley Of Pingelsgate House - Later The Manor House
When Victoria became Queen in 1837, a farmer called John Parsley was living in Pingelsgate House with his wife Mary and one servant.
It is hard to believe that he was Lord of the Manor of Kings Langley.
When he inherited the title, he chose to live in Chipperfield and let the Kings Langley Manor House.
He led a very simple life and lived in just two rooms. He was also illiterate.
He did not like people to poach for rabbits on his land and was known to demand that the rabbits should be handed over to him.
But he was a kind man and knew that people who poached were usually hard up and in need of food for a large family.
It is said that he would go round to the houses of those in need and put money under their doors at night.
He sold his cornfield for £500 so that the church could be built, but then he gave £200 to the building fund, £100 to the Vicarage fund and bought the font as well.
He had no children and left the title and properties to Robert Blackwell who re-named Pingelsgate, the Manor House, in 1850.
Retrace your steps and stop in front of Orchard Cottage, built in the 17th century
This used to be two cottages owned by the Manor House. It is now one very attractive house.
On the census records in School you will see that the men of the houses worked for the Blackwells, at the Manor House, who owned the woods, farms and land all around.
The cottages were called “tied cottages” because they went with the job.
Move along to the car park and stand in front of the Old Vicarage