Churches of Ross on Wye

• St. Mary's Church - Ross on Wye

  The huge spire of St. Mary’s church is visible for many many miles around, and in fact on several occasions when we were scouring the Herefordshire lanes looking for elusive churches, I would spot this spire in the distance and say “there’s one!” My husband was very patient!!

  In October 1852, the vane on top of the steeple was successfully replaced after restoration.
  In 1637 some 300 people died from the Black Death, and they were buried in the churchyard under cover of darkness so as not to cause undue alarm to the population of Ross. Just one cross marks the event.

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Fonts

  Victorian font

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  The Old font

  which is still used in preference to the modern replacement

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Memorials

  A Rudhall family tomb

  One of the monuments relating to the Rudhall family, who were Lords of the Manor of Rudhall near Ross for many generations

  John Rudhall

  This tomb depicts John who died in 1636 and Mary, (nee Pitt) his wife.  The tomb is of fine quality alabaster, and around the side are two kneeling figures , and another kneeling figure holding a baby and skull.  On another side is a further figure with a skull.  These figures represent Elizabeth, Mary and Margaret, daughters of John and Mary, who died in infancy.

  John and his wife Mary, née Pitt, are depicted in a second altar tomb. John Rudhale was an MP, and died in 1636. He and his wife Mary are depicted on an altar tomb of alabaster. The Coat of Arms is seen with kneeling figures of two daughters on the south side, the kneeling figure of a daughter and a swaddled infant and skull. There is a further recumbent figure of a daughter with a skull. All these children, Elizabeth, Margaret and Mary, died in infancy.
  The translation of the inscription on the tomb:

  “Ah, passerby, please pause here a while! The ashes and the departed soul nearby ask this of you. For the man you see buried beneath this earth is John Rudhale, now in heaven. If you will but note that erstwhile he was a man distinguished by his ancient ancestry and by the quality of his own life and family renown; if you but note that he was lovable and loving to all good people, and likewise missed by good people, especially those close to him; if you note all this, then you may go about your business.”

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Thomas Westfaling

  The bust of Thomas Westfaling who died in 1814.  He married into the Rudhall family.

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Colonel William Rudhale

  Behind the bust  can be seen Colonel William Rudhale, brother of John Rudhale  and the last in the line.  He died unmarried in 1651
  Beneath the floor of the church is buried John Kyrle – “Man of Ross” 1637 – 1724

  Read More >

Buildings in Ross on Wye

• Ross Union Workhouse

  Alton Street

  If this looks a little familiar, then remember that it was the same architect that built Ledbury and Hereford! (For general information about workhouse life, please see Hereford Union Workhouse)

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Alms Houses

  Next door are the Alms Houses, endowed in 1612 by Thomas Webbe, a Llanwarne Carpenter.

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Workhouse News from 1845

  An inquest was held at the workhouse on the body of Mary Jones, 82, who had been receiving out-door relief. On 2nd December 1844 she walked from her home in Llangarren to Ross to apply for an increased allowance, which was granted. She was very infirm, and as she tried to walk home she became so lame and exhausted that she collapsed on the road, where she was found and taken home in a cart. She became so ill that she was confined to bed, and the guardians of the workhouse tried to persuade her to go in to the workhouse but she refused. After treatment from the parish surgeon she recovered somewhat, however Mr Garness one of the guardians, accompanied by his son and Thomas Lewis and Edward Tourney went and forcibly removed her to the workhouse without the usual medical certificate for the removal. Mary Jones had locked all the doors of her cottage, trying to keep them out, but they broke in and one holding her head and another her legs, they carried her out and placed her on some straw on a cart with a blanket………she protesting the whole time. “The poor creature suffered most severely from the cold, the frost being very intense during the day”. A few days later she died, and a medical officer’s opinion was that she had a diseased heart and her death may have been hastened by the sudden exposure to extreme cold. A jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter against Samuel Garness, the guardian, Thomas Garness his son, and Edward Tourney who were then committed to gaol for trial.

   

  Ross Union Workhouse Staff and inmates 1841

  Henry Smith	46	Master b. Herefordshire
  Charlotte Smith	36	Wife, Matron b. Herefordshire
  Mary Smith	13	Daughter
  Catherine Smith	10	Daughter
  Anna Halmon (?)	46	Nurse b. Herefordshire
  Sarah Williams	48	Schoolmistress b. Herefordshire
  Caroline Hodges	17
  Richard Thurman	74
  Michael Huff	7
  Edward Hayward	78
  Mary Powell	12
  William Powell	9
  John Nichols	72
  Emma Roberts	9
  Thomas Price	73
  Thomas Jarrett	51
  Robert Morgan	35
  Jemima Ibel	48
  George Ibel	8
  John Lane	78
  Humphrey Watkins	80
  David Guymer	8
  Emma Guymer	4
  Elizabeth Harris	7
  Mary Harris	4
  Lucy Underwood	59
  Henry Langford	15
  Elizabeth Price	75
  William Langford	10
  William Morris	90
  Hannah Symonds	20
  James Symonds	2
  Mary Gregg	14
  Samuel Gregg	4
  Thomas Watkins	63
  Hannah Bent	15
  Asenia Roberts	27
  Elizabeth Cousel	38
  Elizabeth Smallman	29
  John Smallman	2
  James Smallman	6
  Richard Wheeler	70
  William ?	23
  John Hughes	68
  Leah Hodges	28
  Emma Hodges	3
  Charlotte Hodges	2 mths
  Lucy Mayo	14
  Rachael Mayo	10
  Eliza Blewett	23
  Edward Jones	55
  Henry Powell	11
  Walter Blewett	2
  Penelope Wood	36
  Ellen Wood	2
  John Powell	42
  May Powell	14
  Hannah Powell	11
  Hannah Powell	24
  Roger Roberts	9
  William Whittingham	20 (?)
  Caroline Whittingham	8
  Ann Whittingham	9
  Elizabeth Nelson	8
  Edward Nelson	6
  John Price	30
  John Sherwood	9
  Mary Grapp	12
  Mary Williams	40
  Mary Williams	9
  Elizabeth Williams	8
  Caroline Williams	6
  Henry Williams	5
  Cornelius Williams	1
  Hannah Goode	34
  William Goode	1 mth

   

  Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1851 census

  Henry Smith	49	Master b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Charlotte Smith	43	Matron b. Waddon, Gloucestershire
  Mary Smith	22	Daughter b. Painswick, Gloucestershire
  Catherine Smith	20	Daughter b. Painswick, Gloucestershire
  Sarah Williams	54	Widow, Schoolmistress, b. Ruardean, Gloucestershire
  John Nugent	67	Porter b. Pembrokeshire, Wales

   

   

  Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1861 census

  William Argyle	38	Master b. Abingdon, Berkshire
  Mary Argyle	39	Matron b. Highworth, Wiltshire
  Frances J. Sanger	24	Schoolmistress b. Lewes, Sussex
  Thomas Mills	53	Porter b. Hereford
  Elizabeth Jordan	33	Nurse

  Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1871

  William Argyle	48	Master b. Abingdon, Berkshire
  Mary Argyle	49	Matron b. Highworth, Wiltshire
  Burton Watkins	26	Deputy Master b. Monmouth, Monmouthshire
  Ellen Amelia Janek	21	Schoolmistress b. Gloucestershire
  Fanny Clark	28	Nurse b. Renfrewshire
  Thomas Owarez	30	Porter b. Middlesex

  Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1881

  Edward Gower	36	Master b. Horsham, Sussex
  Emma Gower	32	Matron b. Gravesend, Kent
  Mary Bradshaw	21	Schoolmistress b. Bristol
  Mary Christy	27	Nurse b. Blakeney, Gloucestershire
  William Handman	39	Porter b. Kempley, Gloucestershire

  Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1891

  Charles King	38	Master b. Buckinghamshire
  Ruth King	36	Matron b. Thetford, Norfolk
  Edith King	14	Daughter b. Lambeth, London
  May King	11	Daughter b. Lambeth, London
  Ethel King	9	Daughter b. Lambeth, London
  Sarah Ann Hales	31	Schoolmistress b. Bicester, Oxfordshire
  Margaret Stephens	71	Nurse b. Scotland
  Peter Friend	39	Porter b. Hatherleigh, Devon
  Grace Friend	34	Cook b. Cornwall
  Annie Brumbley	26	Assistant Matron, b. Birmingham
  Arthur Woollard Button	17	Assistant Teacher b. Norforlk

  Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1901

  G. Morgan	60	Master b. Gloucestershire
  Caroline Morgan	67	Matron b. Somerset
  William Price	50	Porter b. Leominster, Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Shilrock	48	Industrial Trainer b. Cradley, Herefordshire
  Ada M. Powell	43	Nurse b. Somerset
  Maude Lewis	26	Nurse b. Monmouthshire
  Alice Hooper	22	Maid b. Birmingham
  Daisy Batten	17	Assistant to Matron, b. Stoke Newington, London

  Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1911

  Ralph Hankins	26	Master b. Newent, Gloucestershire
  May Hankins	24	Matron b. Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire
  John Harrison	37	Porter b. Scarborough, Yorkshire
  Ellen Harrison	21	Cook b. Norwich, Norfolk
  Elizabeth Shilrock	57	Industrial Trainer b. Cradley, Herefordshire
  Margaret Pope	48	Laundress b. King Weston, Somerset
  Ada Knight	30	Sick Nurse b. Normanton, Yorkshire

   

  Read More >

For Wilton Castle, please see  Bridstow

People of Ross on Wye

News from the Past Ross on Wye

• Ross on Wye News from the Past

  Bathing, fishing and Regattas

  1840 – Counterfeit Money Circulates Ross on Wye

  In January 1840, a large number of spurious half crowns and shillings were circulating the town, having been introduced by members of a Birmingham gang who were temporarily living in Ross on Wye.

  The counterfeits were not difficult to spot, being rather badly made and all having the date 1819.

  One P.C. Harrison, an sharp policeman of Ross, began to scour the town and he noticed a woman by the name of Mary Ann Griffiths going into several shops to buy very small items with fake shillings.  He finally arrested her at the grocery shop of Thomas Clark.

  1842 – Ross Regatta

  In June 1842 the boat and coracle races took place on the River Wye in less than perfect weather.

  There were eight competitors for the coracle race which was hugely enjoyable to watch for the large crowds along the bank;  after a nip and tuck race between two veterans, John Emberry and Edward Fryer, John just inched ahead at the last moment.

  The evening amusements were said to be rather marred by “disgraceful conduct” of a couple of men, who “grossly insulted the umpire and other gentlemen who were managing the Regatta!

  A teetotal band played during the evening – one begins to wonder if lack of available alcohol had anything to do with the frayed tempers.

  1850 Ross on Wye Baths

  “Hot, cold, shower, and vapour, from 8 to 12 o’clock a.m. for ladies, and from 12 to 8 o’clock p.m. for gentlemen”

  (No gratuities to Attendants)

  Three years later, after refurbishment the baths were reopened to the public, with the addition of a plunge bath.  Fees were reduced in the hope that more people would avail themselves of the facilities.

  1852 – Suicide of an Alcoholic

  A young alcoholic named R. Palmer, aged about 30, had been drinking heavily at a pub at Aylemarsh, some one and a half miles outside Ross on Wye.

  Eventually, a member of his family went to find him to take him home, and an argument ensued – mostly about his girlfriend – and he stormed off across the fields towards the river half a mile away.

  Mr. Evans of Holm plus other witnesses saw him throw off his hat before jumping into the river, which was full and fast flowing.  Before anyone could reach him he had been carried away, and his body was not found.

  1853 – Hurricane Hits Ross on Wye

  Exceptionally high winds caused destruction during early January;  houses had their roofs ripped off and flying tiles caused danger to anyone walking down the roads.

  Roads in all directions were blocked by fallen trees, and orchards were decimated.

  1861 – Salmon Fishing on the Wye

  In late March 1861, Mr. S. Llewelly, fishmonger, exhibited on his slab a salmon which was caught in the River Wye near Monmouth, and which weighed a whopping 37 and a half pounds.

  1866 – Guy Fawkes Night Injuries

  Two young lads named as Evans and Hiles were dreadfully injured whilst playing with gunpowder on 5th November 1866.

  At first it was thought that they would be permanently blinded, but after some time there was hope that this might not be the case.

  Read More >

1840 – Counterfeit Money Circulates Ross on Wye

In January 1840, a large number of spurious half crowns and shillings were circulating the town, having been introduced by members of a Birmingham gang who were temporarily living in Ross on Wye.

The counterfeits were not difficult to spot, being rather badly made and all having the date 1819.

One P.C. Harrison, an sharp policeman of Ross, began to scour the town and he noticed a woman by the name of Mary Ann Griffiths going into several shops to buy very small items with fake shillings.  He finally arrested her at the grocery shop of Thomas Clark.

1842 – Ross Regatta

In June 1842 the boat and coracle races took place on the River Wye in less than perfect weather.

There were eight competitors for the coracle race which was hugely enjoyable to watch for the large crowds along the bank;  after a nip and tuck race between two veterans, John Emberry and Edward Fryer, John just inched ahead at the last moment.

The evening amusements were said to be rather marred by “disgraceful conduct” of a couple of men, who “grossly insulted the umpire and other gentlemen who were managing the Regatta!

A teetotal band played during the evening – one begins to wonder if lack of available alcohol had anything to do with the frayed tempers.

1850 Ross on Wye Baths

“Hot, cold, shower, and vapour, from 8 to 12 o’clock a.m. for ladies, and from 12 to 8 o’clock p.m. for gentlemen”

(No gratuities to Attendants)

Three years later, after refurbishment the baths were reopened to the public, with the addition of a plunge bath.  Fees were reduced in the hope that more people would avail themselves of the facilities.

1852 – Suicide of an Alcoholic

A young alcoholic named R. Palmer, aged about 30, had been drinking heavily at a pub at Aylemarsh, some one and a half miles outside Ross on Wye.

Eventually, a member of his family went to find him to take him home, and an argument ensued – mostly about his girlfriend – and he stormed off across the fields towards the river half a mile away.

Mr. Evans of Holm plus other witnesses saw him throw off his hat before jumping into the river, which was full and fast flowing.  Before anyone could reach him he had been carried away, and his body was not found.

1853 – Hurricane Hits Ross on Wye

Exceptionally high winds caused destruction during early January;  houses had their roofs ripped off and flying tiles caused danger to anyone walking down the roads.

Roads in all directions were blocked by fallen trees, and orchards were decimated.

1861 – Salmon Fishing on the Wye

In late March 1861, Mr. S. Llewelly, fishmonger, exhibited on his slab a salmon which was caught in the River Wye near Monmouth, and which weighed a whopping 37 and a half pounds.

1866 – Guy Fawkes Night Injuries

Two young lads named as Evans and Hiles were dreadfully injured whilst playing with gunpowder on 5th November 1866.

At first it was thought that they would be permanently blinded, but after some time there was hope that this might not be the case.

If this looks a little familiar, then remember that it was the same architect that built Ledbury and Hereford! (For general information about workhouse life, please see Hereford Union Workhouse)

Alms Houses

Next door are the Alms Houses, endowed in 1612 by Thomas Webbe, a Llanwarne Carpenter.

Workhouse News from 1845

An inquest was held at the workhouse on the body of Mary Jones, 82, who had been receiving out-door relief. On 2nd December 1844 she walked from her home in Llangarren to Ross to apply for an increased allowance, which was granted. She was very infirm, and as she tried to walk home she became so lame and exhausted that she collapsed on the road, where she was found and taken home in a cart. She became so ill that she was confined to bed, and the guardians of the workhouse tried to persuade her to go in to the workhouse but she refused. After treatment from the parish surgeon she recovered somewhat, however Mr Garness one of the guardians, accompanied by his son and Thomas Lewis and Edward Tourney went and forcibly removed her to the workhouse without the usual medical certificate for the removal. Mary Jones had locked all the doors of her cottage, trying to keep them out, but they broke in and one holding her head and another her legs, they carried her out and placed her on some straw on a cart with a blanket………she protesting the whole time. “The poor creature suffered most severely from the cold, the frost being very intense during the day”. A few days later she died, and a medical officer’s opinion was that she had a diseased heart and her death may have been hastened by the sudden exposure to extreme cold. A jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter against Samuel Garness, the guardian, Thomas Garness his son, and Edward Tourney who were then committed to gaol for trial.

Ross Union Workhouse Staff and inmates 1841

Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1851 census

Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1861 census

Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1871

Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1881

Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1891

Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1901

Ross Union Workhouse Staff 1911

In October 1852, the vane on top of the steeple was successfully replaced after restoration.
In 1637 some 300 people died from the Black Death, and they were buried in the churchyard under cover of darkness so as not to cause undue alarm to the population of Ross. Just one cross marks the event.

Fonts

Victorian font

The Old font

which is still used in preference to the modern replacement

Memorials

A Rudhall family tomb

One of the monuments relating to the Rudhall family, who were Lords of the Manor of Rudhall near Ross for many generations

John Rudhall

This tomb depicts John who died in 1636 and Mary, (nee Pitt) his wife.  The tomb is of fine quality alabaster, and around the side are two kneeling figures , and another kneeling figure holding a baby and skull.  On another side is a further figure with a skull.  These figures represent Elizabeth, Mary and Margaret, daughters of John and Mary, who died in infancy.

John and his wife Mary, née Pitt, are depicted in a second altar tomb. John Rudhale was an MP, and died in 1636. He and his wife Mary are depicted on an altar tomb of alabaster. The Coat of Arms is seen with kneeling figures of two daughters on the south side, the kneeling figure of a daughter and a swaddled infant and skull. There is a further recumbent figure of a daughter with a skull. All these children, Elizabeth, Margaret and Mary, died in infancy.
The translation of the inscription on the tomb:

“Ah, passerby, please pause here a while! The ashes and the departed soul nearby ask this of you. For the man you see buried beneath this earth is John Rudhale, now in heaven. If you will but note that erstwhile he was a man distinguished by his ancient ancestry and by the quality of his own life and family renown; if you but note that he was lovable and loving to all good people, and likewise missed by good people, especially those close to him; if you note all this, then you may go about your business.”

Thomas Westfaling

The bust of Thomas Westfaling who died in 1814.  He married into the Rudhall family.

Colonel William Rudhale

Behind the bust  can be seen Colonel William Rudhale, brother of John Rudhale  and the last in the line.  He died unmarried in 1651
Beneath the floor of the church is buried John Kyrle – “Man of Ross” 1637 – 1724