This letter is a response to Norman Rowsell of India from his cousin (both through the Rowsell and the Norman families from which both descend through different marriages) on the subject of the Rowsell family and genealogical research the sender had conducted in Somerset. I have had limited success in transcribing the writing and would appreciate any assistance with the missing sections:
https://imgur.com/rm8plGKAugust 12th 1898
stamped Holy Trinity Parsonage Eltham Kent
My dear Norman
your letter….. has been forwarded... asking for information about the family history. I believe John Barry has a complete genealogical tree with all particulars….have
? it. I possess an old “coat of arms” which was given to my father long ago by an enthusiastic
??. Which ?? to be identical with that of the Rosewells”, and was said to connect us directly with them. When I was in the neighborhood of Bath and discovered at Dunkerton ?? exist the Cradle of the Race in the little village churchyard is an old T??? with inscriptions
obliterated, dating about
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the beginning of the 17th century on it I found ‘sacred to the memory’ of three generations, the first called Rosewell, the next Rowswell and the next Rowsell. It is very curious that the
do not seem to have noticed that the name was under going a change. The record of the parish states that the Rosewells were the principal land owners of the district for many generations and the land finally passed out of their hands through failure of male heirs into a Family
which they intermarried. I have a curious old Book - the Trial of the Rev Thos Rosewell for High Treason: ie for
against the King. In it he is described as of Dunkerton, Somerset, The son of a landowner of good position there who had been defrauded.
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All this is amusing and interesting. I also found a queer little rhyme in the same church yard.
“Here is a bed of Roses: here doth lie “John Rosewell, Gent, his wife, ?? children by”
I noticed that the favourite Christian names among them were Thomas and John. Th?? Are still in Bath, a few
of the Rosewells and of Rowswells who
new
from the Parent(?)
before the final change of name to Rowsell - and there is in Bath an
House with
on which the Coat of Arms. Roses command(?) a Well. With lion and head is ca???el
? ? have been the Rosewells -
I have nothing else in my possession to help
but you could
d??? Le??
?oy writing to J. W. Barry [ed. John wolfe Barry, the architect, was a relative].
D?lah?? ??
?
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I was very sorry that when you were last in England I saw with nothing of you
owing to your numerous engagements and my duties which were always at cross purposes - although you ???m???sd w??? ?? see one here it ???ford
come off - h? Much manages better
time you are in the Old Country. I am glad to hear you can still keep up the good old English sports [ed. Norman was a rugby and tennis player]. I can
???te usual now to the ?arce ?? Le?? Of them. But have fallen back on Golf and find it as
fascinating, I am becoming a very fair player.
have f??? L??? In my Parish -
I am afraid your ?? ??arthes is much shaken by Aunt Julia’s death [ed. Likely Julia Montefiore nee Norman d. 1895]. It is always a solemn thing for the Normans when their
Final page
contemporaries and old playmates are called away ? ?? tools the funeral service at Streatham(?)
With kind love - ? cousin(?)
T Norman Rowsell
[ed. Norman’s cousin Thomas Norman Rowsell 1842–1929, incumbent of Holy Trinity Eltham]
[url=https://imgur.com/6QpNbB9]https://imgur.com/6QpNbB9
