Arthur Herbert SAVORY (1851-1921)

Arthur Herbert Savory (1851-1921), who lived at Aldington Manor, was a friend of the Sladden family.

Arthur Savory was born at Lower Clapton, Middlesex, the seventh of nine children of Albert Savory, a goldsmith, and his wife, Anna Maria. 

In 1871, Arthur was a student at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester.  He moved to Aldington in 1873 when he rented the Manor House and farm, bringing with him his new wife, Frances Matilda Cowper, whom he married at Alton, Hampshire, on 12th November 1873.  Their daughter, Cynthia Mildred, was born the following year and baptised at Badsey on 15th November.

At the time of the 1881 census, Arthur was described as a farmer of 280 acres employing 16 men, 4 women and 4 boys.

Frances Savory died on 5th October 1883.  Two years later, on 20th October 1885 at St Mary, Great Malvern, Arthur married Georgina Ford Poulton.  Arthur and Georgina had two children:  Christopher Arthur Francis (1887-1899) and Dorothy Joyce (1891-1934).  Christopher unfortunately died of influenza, aged 13, whilst at school in Worcester in 1899.

Arthur Savory was very involved in local matters.  He was one of the Managers of the National School and became its Treasurer and, when local education was at a moment of crisis, he alone of the old managers was prepared to serve on the new School Board, of which he became Chairman.  He also played a prominent role as Church Warden in Badsey, working in close association with Julius Sladden.

In 1901, Arthur and Georgina were still at The Manor House with Cynthia and Dorothy, but they left Aldington shortly after this and he returned to his native Hampshire.  At the time of the 1911 census, Arthur was living at Burley, Hampshire; Georgina was a patient in a nursing home on Port Street, Evesham, run by Jane Beesley.

Whilst in retirement in Hampshire, Arthur wrote Grain and Chaff from an English Manor about his time living in Aldington.

Arthur died on 17th July 1921 at Burley where he was buried; a brass plaque was placed in St James’ Church, Badsey, because of his long association with the church.