We reached Royal Wootton Basset late in the afternoon. We checked into the Angel Hotel without realising the significance of our choice. The next morning we had a great series of fortunate events. As we drove down the street to move the car we ended up parking in a different part of town to that planned. We walked into the main church where we had previously visited and just happened to meet The Town Crier and The Mayor. They invited us in for coffee and we met several others who were interested in our family history.
In 1896 my Great Grandfather , his wife and their 13 children including my Grandfather emigrated to Australia.
We discovered that our previous nights accommodation was once called "The Henley" and was owned by Richard Henley. We had breakfast just next to the spot where he was found dead one morning in 1787. His death certificate indicated the cause as being overindulgence of drink and food. If we had known all this earlier we would have demanded free board and lodgings! Perhaps I really own the hotel.
Later we went to one couple's house and they were able to tell us the location of the family farm 250m from their house. They were well to do farmers who lived in town. We were given the location of the house that had been a large coaching inn. Both were purchased by the one man from the last remaining Henley, Phyllis but both the house and the farm have gone.We did speak to the owner and have been promised a photo of the house. We did of course visit both sites.
It was an interesting morning discovering so many new facts to add to the basic family tree and see much of the town.
Owen the Town Crier was a great source of information.
The former home site. It was once on the edge of town but is now a parking area. Not as interesting as we had hoped! The farm site was taken over by the council for a depot.
We were given a personal escort to each of the places by the Town Crier. This is us at the Council Museum. We also visited the chambers. We had planned to be in the town on one of the two days when the museum was open but the day before this notice went up!
What a shame! We did get taken to the displays from when the town received it's Royal Charter.
It was late by the time we drove on so only made a short trip up to the Cotswolds where we are now.
In 1896 my Great Grandfather , his wife and their 13 children including my Grandfather emigrated to Australia.
We discovered that our previous nights accommodation was once called "The Henley" and was owned by Richard Henley. We had breakfast just next to the spot where he was found dead one morning in 1787. His death certificate indicated the cause as being overindulgence of drink and food. If we had known all this earlier we would have demanded free board and lodgings! Perhaps I really own the hotel.
Later we went to one couple's house and they were able to tell us the location of the family farm 250m from their house. They were well to do farmers who lived in town. We were given the location of the house that had been a large coaching inn. Both were purchased by the one man from the last remaining Henley, Phyllis but both the house and the farm have gone.We did speak to the owner and have been promised a photo of the house. We did of course visit both sites.
It was an interesting morning discovering so many new facts to add to the basic family tree and see much of the town.
Owen the Town Crier was a great source of information.
The former home site. It was once on the edge of town but is now a parking area. Not as interesting as we had hoped! The farm site was taken over by the council for a depot.
We were given a personal escort to each of the places by the Town Crier. This is us at the Council Museum. We also visited the chambers. We had planned to be in the town on one of the two days when the museum was open but the day before this notice went up!
What a shame! We did get taken to the displays from when the town received it's Royal Charter.
It was late by the time we drove on so only made a short trip up to the Cotswolds where we are now.
2 comments:
Wow that really is fascinating! How lucky to meet people who were able to offer so much family history. Look forward to seeing the photos.
very interesting
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