AS part of our weekly Crime Files series, we are taking a look back at the archives to bring you stories from Herefordshire's history.

The following story dates from 1850.

A FARMER was hauled up before the courts after breaking his promise to marry the daughter of a respected Herefordshire curate in 1850.

An action was brought at Hereford Assizes by a lady named Adams against a Mr Yeend in March of that year after he breached his promise of marriage.

The court heard Yeend, who said he had not promised marriage, had been engaged to 30-year-old Miss Adams, the daughter of a reverend gentleman who had been curate at Much Cowarne church in Herefordshire for 36 years.

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Miss Adams, one of nine siblings, said she had become acquainted with 36-year-old Yeend, a farmer with his own 100 acres just over the border in Worcestershire, after going to keep house for her brother, who lived nearby, in 1847.

Yeend and Miss Adams had hit it off, and, in June 1948, he visited her father's house to ask for her hand in marriage, the court heard.

At a further visit to the Adams family home in September, it was agreed that the wedding would take place the next month.

But, soon after, Yeend appeared to vanish, failing to answer letters from Miss Adams and her father.

Mystery surrounded the case until it was taken to court two years later, where Yeend's defence told the jury that he had suffered a paralytic stroke.

But, despite his medical woes, the jury found for Miss Adams, and Yeend was ordered to pay her damages of £50 for the breach of promise.