Ambrose aka Ambrey Swallow (pictured left), was born at Sharpes Farm, Westland Green, circa 1855, the son of James Swallow (s0020) & Mary Bardwell. He was christened in Little Hadham on 27 May 1855 and lived much of his life at The Ford. He moved to Maltings Cottage at the Ford in 1914 and worked at Home Farm as his father had done.

Life was very hard for Ambrose and his wife Melia, (Amelia who was born at Albury, Herts), bringing up eight children on just 11/- a week. Ambrose had a very broad local accent and used to talk using old dialect words that the younger men didn’t know or understand. He was one of the last farm workers to be seen at work in an old Smock-Frock - a kind of white embroidered dress.

Unknown at this time is the exact number of children Ambrose and Amelia raised. Certainly seven and possibly eight. A son, Shaun is in Parish Records but not on any census data so may have died early in life. Some of Ambrose's sons including George followed him to work at Home Farm.

By the 1901 and aged 46, that year's census listed Ambrose's occupation as a Horse Keeper. The above photo was taken on Home Farm around 1920 when Ambrose would have been 55 years of age. The full photo, which includes his son George, can be found at: Home Farm Workers.

Little is know of his wife Amelia other than census records show her has having been born in nearby Albury.

Although Ambrose seems only to appear in the 1861 and 1901 censi - his children can be found in the others. These details will appear on the website in due course but for now can be found in the attached FGN sheet.

Ambrose and Amelia's fist born, Agnes, gained work as a General Servant at the age of 12 whilst living with her family at Lodge Farm; Rachel was employed as a General Domestic Servant living with her Grandmother, Mary Ann, at the time of the 1901 census.