William Radcliffe
The Woodchester History records that in 1833 when the Stroud Subscription Rooms were being built, a long inclined plane leading from the Swan Inn to the top of the building was used for carrying up materials. One market day, William Radcliffe of Woodchester being under the influence of liquor, mounted his horse in the Inn yard and taking the wrong turning, rode up to the top of the building. Becoming aware of his perilous position he dismounted and in attempting to reverse his horse down again it fell and was killed. Radcliffe, however, managed to come down safely.
So who was William Radcliffe? Was he the same William Radcliffe (also known as Ractliffe), farmer of Bownhill Farm? It seems likely. In which case, I believe he married Matilda Harris in Hardwicke 31 August 1822 and had nine children baptised in Woodchester. He was recorded at Bownhill on the tithe map of 1838 and in the censuses of 1841 and 1851 when the farm consisted of 270 acres. He died 7 March 1858 aged 73 and was buried in the old churchyard on 13 March. He is remembered on his daughter, Matilda’s gravestone. The grave next to Matilda’s is that of William’s fourth son, Nathaniel.
Members of the family continued at Bownhill until at least 1881.
The Woodchester History records that in 1833 when the Stroud Subscription Rooms were being built, a long inclined plane leading from the Swan Inn to the top of the building was used for carrying up materials. One market day, William Radcliffe of Woodchester being under the influence of liquor, mounted his horse in the Inn yard and taking the wrong turning, rode up to the top of the building. Becoming aware of his perilous position he dismounted and in attempting to reverse his horse down again it fell and was killed. Radcliffe, however, managed to come down safely.
So who was William Radcliffe? Was he the same William Radcliffe (also known as Ractliffe), farmer of Bownhill Farm? It seems likely. In which case, I believe he married Matilda Harris in Hardwicke 31 August 1822 and had nine children baptised in Woodchester. He was recorded at Bownhill on the tithe map of 1838 and in the censuses of 1841 and 1851 when the farm consisted of 270 acres. He died 7 March 1858 aged 73 and was buried in the old churchyard on 13 March. He is remembered on his daughter, Matilda’s gravestone. The grave next to Matilda’s is that of William’s fourth son, Nathaniel.
Members of the family continued at Bownhill until at least 1881.