The Square, Shere, Surrey

The parish of Shere is firmly entwined in the history of the Reffell family. The branch of the family here were the originators of the breweries in the family and were present in the area up until fairly recently.

St James' Church is close to the Pilgrims Way between Winchester and Canterbury, and there was a reference to a church at this location on the banks of the Tillingbourne stream in the Domesday Book of 1087. The present church dates from around 1190 and is a fine example of the Early English style known as Transitional.

In the 14th century a cell was built on the outside of the north wall, and in July 1329 the 'Anchoress of Shere' lived in the small space for three years for some 'nefarious sin' that history has not passed down to us. The cell no longer exists, but a built-up archway can still be seen here.

Those known to have been baptised here:

Richard Reffold, baptism date: 30/8/1690

Ann Reffeld, baptism date: 30/5/1777

Elizabeth Reffeld, baptism date: 10/8/1779

Ann Reffeld, baptism date: 21/5/1780

Sarah Reffeld, baptism date: 7/11/1780

John Reffeld, baptism date: 19/12/1781

Catherine Reffeld, baptism date: 16/7/1784

Joseph Reffeld, baptism date: 30/6/1786

Henry Reffeld, baptism date: 19/6/1789

Martha Reffeld, baptism date: 15/5/1791

James Reffeld, baptism date: 17/10/1794

William Reffell, baptism date: 19/8/1807

John Reffell, baptism date: 14/12/1808

Elizabeth Reffell, baptism date: 1/11/1814

Mary Ann Reffell, baptism date: 25/2/1816

Henry Reffell, baptism date: 12/10/1817

Caroline Reffell, baptism date: 21/7/1819

William Joseph Reffell, baptism date: 11/2/1823

Eliza Reffell, baptism date: 9/5/1824

Harriet Reffell, baptism date: 10/5/1829

Jane Elizabeth Reffell, baptism date: 25/5/1837

Mark King, baptism date: 20/5/1852

Caroline Elizabeth King, baptism date: 1/4/1853

Kate King, baptism date: 25/11/1860 Age: 6

Fanny King, baptism date: 25/11/1860 Age: 3

Charles King, baptism date: 25/11/1860

Rosa King, baptism date: 28/6/1866

Those known to have been married here:

William Reffell and Hannah Smith, marriage date: 11/11/1779

Caroline Reffell and Mark King, marriage date: 21/11/1848

Those known to have been buried here:

Elizabeth Reffield, age: , burial date: 21/3/1775

Elizabeth Reffell, age: 28, burial date: 19/3/1779

John Reffeld, age: , burial date: 3/12/1788

James Reffeld, age: , burial date: 28/12/1794

John Reffell, age: 52, burial date: 7/6/1798

Ann Reffell, age: 52, burial date: 8/11/1807

Elizabeth Reffell, age: , burial date: 12/11/1807

Robert Reffell, age: , burial date: 4/12/1807

John Reffell, age: 5, burial date:

Sarah Ann Reffell, age: 41, burial date:

Frances Alice Reffell, age: 26, burial date:

Sarah Reffell, age: , burial date: 15/1/1822

Eliza Reffell, age: , burial date: 24/10/1827

John Reffell, age: 57, burial date: 5/2/1838

Elizabeth Reffell, age: , burial date: 15/9/1865

William Joseph Reffell, age: 62, burial date: 2/1/1884

William Joseph Reffell, age: 73, burial date: 19/10/1887

Emma Lavinia Reffell, age: 78, burial date: 8/8/1906

Kate Maria Reffell, age: , burial date: 8/4/1909

Ada Caroline Reffell, age: , burial date: 25/5/1916

Charles Arthur Reffell, age: 58, burial date: 16/10/1928

Frances Alice Dorothy Reffell, age: 10 days, burial date: 23/8/1931

Alfred John Reffell, age: 72, burial date: 6/4/1933

Rosina Berth Reffell, age: , burial date: 10/12/1960

Charles Edward Fulcher Reffell, age: 63, burial date: 4/10/1972

Una Dorothey Anne Reffell, age: 86, burial date: 24/8/1999