Hednesford

In the 13th century Hednesford was known as ‘Heddin’s ford’ (ford of a man called Heddin) [The Oxford Names Companion]

Hednesford, or Hedgford, two miles NE of Cannock, and five miles S by W of Rugeley, is an enclosed hamlet on Cannock Chase, containing a number of scattered houses, 304 inhabitants, and a large lake called the Hedgford Pool, covering about 23 acres. Here also is a good inn, and extensive stabling for blood horses, of which about 120 are generally trained here in the season, and exercised on the excellent turf of Hedgford Hills. The horses trained here belong to a number of the most spirited members of the turf, and find employment for eleven of the most distinguished trainers and jockeys in the kingdom. On the margin of the lake the late Edmund Peel, Esq, of Fazeley, built a handsome mansion, about 20 years ago, called Hedgford Lodge.

Huntington is a hamlet and liberty on the Stafford road, two miles N of Cannock, and contains 121 souls, and upwards of 800 acres of land. Lord Hatherton, of Teddesley Hall, is owner of nearly all the soil, and lord of the manor, which adjoins the western side of Cannock Chase, and is celebrated for its white gravel, of which large quantities are sent to distant places for covering garden walks, etc. [History, Gazetteer and Directory of Staffordshire, William White, Sheffield, 1851]

Cannock is divided into the six liberties of Cannock, Great Wyrley, Huntington, Cannock Wood, Leacroft and Hednesford.

Walk the Cannock Chase and learn about it's three memorials

Did your ancestor work on the Cannock Extension Canal that went to Hednesford? If so, you may see some of his handywork here

Walk the Cannock Chase and learn about the war trail

A transcript of the 1841 census for Hednesford by Glyn Haynes

A transcript of the 1851 census for Hednesford by Glyn Haynes

Christian Spiritualist Church website

Learn all about the coal mining industry with the Cannock Chase Mining Historical Society

Laura and Sarah Knowles were two of thirteen children. Laura married Joseph Jones and they lived in a "Sunnyside" cottage, Hednesford. Sarah married Fred Thomas and also lived in Hednesford. Are you related to the Knowles, Jones or Thomas families? Find out at this website

Learn all you can about Hednesford at Hednesford library

Maps of Hednesford

Learn about the coal mining industry on the Cannock Chase at the Museum of Cannock Chase

Do you have an ancestor living in Hednesford in 1834? If so, you may find them in the Parish Directory (Cannock) 1834

The Church of England website for Saint Peter's Church

Have you any ancestors named Taylor? Then you may find a member of your family on this website

The B F H G has photographed and transcribed all the names on the Hednesford War Memorial at Rugeley Road

Following the opening of the Hednesford, Rugeley Road War Memorial, a Remembrance Book was published. See it here

The B F H G has photographed and transcribed all the names on the Hednesford War Memorial at Saint peter’s Church