Bettisfield and Bronington are two of the southernmost townships in Wrexham County Borough.
Along their southern edge they share the great wilderness of Fenns, Wem and Whixall Mosses, for many centuries a major source of peat for fuel and latterly horticultural peat moss.
Today the mosses have been saved from obliteration and are being conserved within a nature reserve.
During the last war much of Fenns Moss was requisitioned as a bombing and air-to-ground firing range.
It was also the site for a Strategic Starfish decoy site which would be fired in an attempt to divert enemy aircraft from Merseyside.
In 1863, because of opposition from local landowners, the Oswestry, Ellesmere and Whitchurch Railway had to be diverted across Fenns Moss and was floated across the morass on a raft of brushwood, very much in the same way as a Dutch polder dam.
The ancestral seats of the Hanmer family are represented by Haulton Ring, a deserted moated site, Bettisfield Old Hall, a recusant house with a rather too prominent secret chapel, and Bettisfield Park which has recently been restored to its early 17th century proportions.
Bronington parish was formed in 1836, carved out of the mother parish of Hanmer. Its instant parish church was created from a tithe barn, with windows and transepts added.
Bettisfield followed in 1872, but the church of St John was purpose built at the expense of Lord and Lady Hanmer.
your comments
M. David
I live in the Old School House and have done for three years (see Kim from Chester). I have never seen or heard anything and can only put these beliefs down to hysteria.
Tue Jun 16 08:19:29 2009
Sandra Lemley, Wallasey
Hello I have got a little bit of information about my father's side of the family, they lived in Bronnington, and the place was called Checko, and the name was Barlow, he was my great grandfather and was a painter by trade. Can anyone tell me how to get in touch with the local vicar, and does any one know Whitewell Church St Marys? Would love to hear from anyone with that name too. Have travelled down there many times but never found the house, also in 1916 it was called Redbrook, please can someone help?
Wed May 6 16:49:52 2009
Tracy King, Wrexham
Hi, does anyone have any information about about people of the name of Millener, in particular Matilda Millener who farmed at Bettisfield around the 1841 census? My dad has been looking at an old family bible and it has her name inside it.
Mon Feb 23 08:17:48 2009
Lynn Wells nee Smith
I was born in Bettisfield in 1946. My grandfather, George Smith, was the Ostler working for the Hanmer family.
Thu Jan 29 10:57:09 2009
S Summers
Dont know if anyone remember my grandfather, Phil Summers, from Stryt Lydan Farm in between Penley and Hanmer?
Mon Sep 22 08:40:36 2008
Richard Hinton from Swindon
For Gloria Dodd (nee Hinton). My direct ancesters were butchers there too. Would love to get in contact to see how much more you know of my family.
Tue Aug 19 08:04:25 2008
DB Griffiths, Chester
Have been doing family tree my gggrandfather Robert Evans was wheelwright in Bettisfield, 1850s for many years next door to Nag's Head. Any info, especially pics gratefully received.
Fri Aug 15 09:13:24 2008
Virginia Floyd-Tampa Florida
I recently learned that my grandfather, Fletcher Gilliland Hamner, is of the Hanmer ancestry. I've been to Wales years ago, but never knew to look for Hanmer. What is it like, now? Any b&b's locally? What did Sir William Hanmer do?
Fri Jul 4 08:17:03 2008
Linda Millward - Derbyshire
For Tracy King and Pete Mitchel. My grandmother was Mary Ellen Peate who was Annie and Ethel's yonger sister born in 1901. I don't have a lot of details but I know her mother was Annie Kynaston and her second marriage and she was from Whitchurch.
Wed May 14 11:30:19 2008
Tracy King, Wrexham
Hi Peter Healey, yes we had a Samual Austin. He was my great grandad's dad, we have a picture of him here. He looks quite a character.
Mon Mar 3 08:17:33 2008
Tracy King, Wrexham
FAO Jean Ackerley. Hello Jean, yes you're right I am Pauline's daughter, are you Geoffrey and Joan's daughter? I don't think we've ever met. It must be lovely living in Bettisfield, I remember happy times playing there with my brother as a child visiting nan and grandad.
Mon Feb 25 16:38:22 2008
Jean Ackerley nee Healey
FAO Tracy King, Wrexham. Your great grandparents Helen and Jack were my grandparents. I'm guessing you're my cousin Paulene's daughter. I'm still living in Bettisfield.
Mon Feb 25 08:34:30 2008
Peter Healey, Crewe, Cheshire.
In reply to Tracy King of Wrexham. I have several John (Jack) Healeys in my family tree: J.H born 1808 married to Ellen, also J.H.c1850, J.H.c1879 and J.H.c1890, all of which were brought on a small holding on Long Lane, Bronington area. I am also kin of Samuel Austin Healey.
Mon Feb 25 08:24:04 2008
Phil Jones
I have started Bettisfield Village Web (www.bettisfieldvillage.org.uk) and would welcome comments about the site and contributions about Bettisfield past or present.
Thu Feb 21 08:47:30 2008
Kath Eley, Devon
Does anyone have any info on Willington? My great grandmother, Margaret Williams, was born there. Her father, James Williams was an Innkeeper.
Mon Jan 21 09:11:50 2008
Robert Kynaston from Bettisfield
Hello Pete Mitchell. My family used to live at Cornhill farm, Bettisfield but before that they came from Whixall. I have a copy of my family tree which goes back to about 1750. My grandfather had John Henry Kynaston, he had brothers and sisters which seem to match your relations or it could be just a coincidence. I am sorry I don't know of 107 Whixall Moss. I hope this has been of some help.
Thu Jan 3 09:34:47 2008
Bill Barlow from Big Arowry Hanmer
Some of these questions have answers at openchurchnetwork.co.uk. Humphrey Hanmer, the third son of Sir William Hanmer, was baptised in St Chad's Hanmer on the 29th April 1592 and emigrated to West Virginia in about 1630 to become the ancestor of the Hamners (sic) of America.
Mon Dec 17 14:05:32 2007
Jeremy
To Patricia in Norfolk - yes the chequer (spelt various ways) is a stretch of road, now the A525 about 1 mile long, and used to mark the border between Eng/Wales. I was born there and still live on the chequer.
Mon Nov 19 10:54:20 2007
Tracy King, Wrexham
Hi Pete Mitchell, I don't know if 107 Wixall Moss exists but my mum says there used to be a family with the surname Kynaston that lived in the house accross from Bettisfield churchyard.
Sun Nov 18 16:31:43 2007
Patricia from Norfolk
I find my father was born at The Checkoe, Bronington. Is that a street name?
Wed Nov 14 08:01:50 2007
Pete Mitchell, Exeter
Hi, my grandfather on my mother's side, Andrew Peate, was born in Bettifield in 1875, he married Annie Kynaston and in the 1901 census they were living in Whixall at 107 Whixall Moss (is it still possible to find this address?). Their children were James Kynaston 10yrs, Sarah Ann Kynaston 9yrs, Annie and Ethel Peate 11 months, does anyone know of these people?
Fri Nov 2 15:04:16 2007
Tracy King, Wrexham
Has anyone heard of the Peat family who lived at The Big Arrowry? My great nan was one Helen Mary she married my great grandad Jack Healey from Long Lane, Bronington, and lived most of their married life at Bettisfield.
Tue Aug 28 14:40:09 2007
Keith Owen
I am trying to find out the history of my grandparents. My grandfather was called William Tannat Owen and his wife was Mary and he was the vicar at Bronington and also at Welsh Frankton in 1930s / 1940s I think. Can anyone help?
Mon Aug 6 13:12:14 2007
Colin Hanmer, Denmark
My grandparents lived in Liverpool and my grandfather transported freight with horse and carriage. My parents moved to Southend on sea. Any info would be appreciated.
Thu Jul 26 08:27:26 2007
Ruth Bygate from Warrington Cheshire
I am doing my family history and have found out that my 3x great grandparents came from this area. Samuel and Elizabeth Roberts born around 1790 occ:Smith and Robert Madocks a farmer born about 1785 in Bronington and Samuel in Henllan.
Thu Jun 28 10:47:40 2007
Michelle Richardson from Littleborough
My mum and dad live in Bettisfield at the moment, down the cadney and it is beautiful. My mother's family originate from Bronington and they too lived at the New Hall Farm.
Mon Apr 30 07:46:31 2007
Gloria Dodd (nee Hinton)
My family were butchers in Bronington. Robert Hinton was plying his trade in the 1750s and I would love to know where he lived.
Mon Apr 23 10:00:55 2007
Alan Boylin from Kenilworth
My Great Grandfather - John Boyling - was a footman working for Wyndham Hanmer of Bettisfield Park aged 18 in 1881. He worked with a John Grindley (also aged 18 and a footman).Love to hear any other info about Bettisfield Park at this time, and any photos.
Thu Apr 12 08:35:00 2007
Louise Udall-Waring, Nottinghamshire
We used to live at Moss Grange Farm, Moss Lane, Bronington. My brother and I both went to Bronington Primary School when Mr Morhall was the headmaster. He was a lovely old fashioned head. I have lovely fond memories of the area.
Thu Mar 1 08:19:46 2007
Kathi Vela, USA
I have an old photo circa early 1900s in a scrapbook that was given to me with the name of Hamner Castle underneath it. It has taken me a while to track down that my family was from Wales and not the UK. The picture is not very distinctive, but I would like to know more information on the area and/or bldg if one does exist. My great grandfather is Roland Hamner Clark. Any information would be appreciative.
Mon Feb 12 12:27:00 2007
R. Haycocks, Wrexham
For B. Brown, does your family come from the Broxton area?
Mon Jan 29 10:06:17 2007
Dolores T. Chase from New York State, USA
My gr-gr-gr grandfather was Jabez Hanmer b.1787 d.1865 who settled in New York State. It is believed his family was from Wales. Do you have any records naming persons who immigrated to America from Hanmer, Wales?
Wed Jan 24 08:53:31 2007
Sarah Gill from Whitchurch
Can Karen from Chester let me know which number of The Old School House she lived in as I am in the middle of purchasing one of them and she has just scared the c&*p out of me!
Mon Nov 13 08:15:42 2006
Kim from Chester
My family and I lived in the Old School House in Bronington. We had heard rumours about "goings on" within the house but did not take much notice of this when purchasing this beautiful house.
After many strange feelings and events (some witnessed by friends) I decided to ask the local vicar to bless the house. The events carried on and I decided to ask medium from another county to visit the house. The house felt nicer for a time but then things started again. After getting the medium in for a second time things quietened down but then started again. We put the house on the market and moved within 11 months of purchasing it.
Mon Nov 6 09:04:36 2006
B Brown
My gt grandfather lived on New Hall Farm, Bronington, can anyone give me any info on this farm, family name Haycocks?
Tue Oct 3 11:32:58 2006
Lauren (Whitewell)
Bronington is a nice place, I went to the primary school there, my mum went there as well when she was a child. It has a lovely church you can visit.
Tue Oct 3 10:55:54 2006
Andy Gill
Does anyone know how old the Old School House on Station Road in Bronington is?
Tue Sep 26 09:48:02 2006
Justine from Bronington
Bronington is a very lovely place, although it is small it is very beautiful. Some of my family lives in Bettisfield which is also very lovely.
Thu Sep 14 15:44:33 2006
J. Hamner from Florida, USA
I am a direct ancester and I'm very proud. I've never been to Wales but hope to very soon. My dad gave me a book on my family tree and I've found that I'm related royally, which made me extra proud.
~J.
Fri Apr 28 07:41:30 2006
judy eastwood Croydon Victoria australia
Would love to make contact with some of hanmer family. My grandmother was Lily Han{d}mer. Her father Charles and her Grandfather John came out to Australia from Flintshire.
Sat Mar 11 10:12:23 2006
Colin Hales, Tampa, Florida
Has anyone heard of and area called Cryn y Bwch? My gg grandmother was born there. I believe that it may be located between Bettisfield and Oswestry. It is an older name of a farm area that was in use in the mid 19th century.
Regards, Colin Hales
Fri Feb 3 01:59:11 2006
Debra Hall
I was brought up in Bettisfield on a farm down Cadney Lane,my fathers family had lived there for some time. It was a lovely place to grow up.
Wed Sep 21 21:29:08 2005
Colin Hales from Tampa, Fl.
Simon M Hopkins; It seems that you are familiar with many of the old families from Hanmer. Do you know of any of the Hales families that might be still in the area? There were about 5 Hales families that were tenant farmers there around 1850. If so I would like to communicate with anyone who knows about their genealogy, since I am a direct descendent from the Hanmer Hales.
Regards, Colin
Thu Jun 23 14:32:44 2005
Kate O'Brien
My great grandmother was born in Bronington in 1837! Does anyone know what it was like then? I have no more details!
Sat Apr 23 18:47:21 2005
Charles H.Naundorf, New York State, USA.
My great Grandmother, Elizabeth Hughes, was born about 1849 in Moss. Her father was Edward Hughes. I want to learn about the churches at that time and plan a trip to the area. Thank you in advance for help.
Mon Mar 28 19:11:19 2005
Dave from Wem
I have lived in both Hanmer and Bettisfield and found my time there to be most pleasant.
Tue Feb 22 12:50:45 2005
Simon M-Hopkins from Preston
I was brought up in Hanmer,where my father was the vicar after the infamous cleric who had an affair with the local nurse, if we are to believe Lorna Sage's version of events in her award winning biog of the village 'Bad Blood'. He was also vicar at Bronnington and Bettisfield, if I remember correctly, and I went to church there many a time. I even got my first holiday job working for Mr Wardle at the Aluminium reclamation plants at Fenn's Bank [?], and remember the site being rather mucky and dusty, but often visited by anglers who went on to fish in the local meres. As the vicar's son, we often visited the Kenyon's, the other titled family in the village, as well as the Hanmers. One of my fondest memories was fishing in the lake at Hanmer with Mr Speakman, who I found out had been a machine gunner in the First World War. As a history teacher now, what an opportunity I missed.
Sun Feb 6 23:04:43 2005
Ken Jones from Rossett
The Hanmer family lived in Fenn's Hall Bronington. Owain Glendower's wife lived there before her marriage.
Tue Mar 23 09:10:08 2004
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