John Savory

John Savory was born in 1751, the first son and second child of Thomas and Frances Savery. He was baptised on 15th February of that year. He married Sarah Field of Duntisbourne Rouse (six miles south of Cowley). Her parents were Thomas and Sarah Field, though nothing is known of them or their forebears. John and Sarah were married in Duntisbourne Abbots church by licence on 8th February 1775, “with consent of Thomas Field husbandman of Duntisbourne Rouse, Sarah being under age”*.  Clergymen who disobeyed the law were liable for 14 years transportation). At the time of his marriage, John Savory was described as “John Savory of Cowley Glo, miller”.

The Cowley Manor Records contain two entries of interest relating to John Savory. The first, dated 20th October 1778. refers to the Court Leet granting, “unto John Savory, Thomas Savory aged about two years and Thomas Field, son of Thomas Field of Duntisbourne Abbots, Yeoman, aged about twenty years, one acre of arable land called called the half acre etc:, with their appurtenances each adjoining to Not Hill and lying in Cowley and are part of the customary lands of the said Manor and are now in the possession of the said John Savory, for the term of their natural lives and the life of the longest live, paying a yearly rent of one shilling and sixpence.” (£6.46 in today’s money).

The second entry is for 20th October 1785 which states that “the stable and Brewhouse belonging to John Savory to be put into repair. Ordered to repair the same in one month under the pain of 39 shillings to be forfeited to the Lord of the Manor”.

John Savory is listed a paying Land Tax on his property of one shilling per annum until 1812. He died in 1813 and after 1812 there is no reference to the name Savory in Cowley.

John and Sarah had eight children, the eldest of which was Thomas Field Savory, the founder of Savory & Moore. There children were as follows:

Thomas Field Savory (7.7.1776)
Sarah (23.8.1778)
John (23.8.1780)
Richard (8.11.1782)
Charles (16.8.1784)
Mary (11.7.1788)
William (29.1.1790)
Ann (14.3.1794)

John died in intestate, his estate being put at “under £100”. Letters of Administration were granted to his son, Thomas Field. John Savory is buried in Cowley Church, where there is a headstone (see picture) inscribed “In memory of John Savory died May 19 1813 aged 62 years..” remainder illegible. The headstone is in good order having twice been renovated on the instructions and at the expense of of Reginald Savory (in 1928 and 1979).

*No marriage of a person under the age of 21 was valid without the consent of parents or guardians.