The story of the Morgan Family in Stoke Lacy began in 1871 when Henry Morgan bought the living of the parish and established his family in the Rectory opposite the church. He died in 1887.

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From 1877 his son, who later became Prebendary Henry George Morgan, was curate to Stoke Lacy Parish and lived in “New House” in Moreton Jeffries, a hamlet within the parish. The tiny quaint church there was built in the 13th or early 14th century, and was extended to the west at a later date. It was declared redundant in 1980 and vested in the Churches Conservation Trust in 1984. It is open to the public.

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In 1881 Henry Frederick Stanley Morgan was born in Moreton Jeffries. On the death of his grandfather Henry his father moved him and his family to what is now known as the Old Rectory in Stoke Lacy where HFS was raised.

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The family was wealthy and the living encompassed circa 15 acres of land and several houses including stables (now a house), garage and groom/chauffeur’s house, gardener’s cottage and ultimately a house for Dorothy, Stoke House, which are preserved to this day. The field in front of Stoke House was named Flower Show Meadow after the annual event which gave its name.

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Rector HG Morgan was by all accounts a charismatic, energetic and dedicated rector and family man and was an enthusiast of Victorian and Edwardian technological developments. The family was well liked in the area.

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HFS opened a garage in Malvern for the sale and repair of motor vehicles. However, the innovative car chassis was designed and constructed through engineering friends of HFS in Malvern College and Rugby School. The Pettifer family in Bromyard manufactured chassis components for the original Morgan Three-Wheeler in 1910, prior to the building of the Malvern factory. Pettifer’s hardware store still trades in the High Street in Bromyard.

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The Morgan family graves from 1887 can be seen in the churchyard in a plot surrounded by iron railings, next to the main path. The church and porch contain Victorian and more recent stained-glass windows dedicated to members of the Morgan family.

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A more detailed history of the Morgan family and their cars can be found in a book by Martyn Webb, Morgan Motor Company archivist “Morgan, Malvern and Motoring” (2008) which provides the authoritative history of the family with an extensive range of photographs.

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The Morgan Motor Company’s website also provides more information.

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