Where all my research started !

My great uncle, Harry Crumbleholme [Cro0248] (a headmaster in a London school) had found the plaque (below) in Horningsham Church near the Longleat Estate in Wiltshire. Harry’s father Richard Crombleholme had also obtained a typed transcript of William's will. In 1978, Harry's only daughter Louie Crumbleholme, gave me this information along with a reference her father had also found in Pepys Diary to another London headmaster : Samuel Cromleholme. [Cro0067]

This William Crombleholme [Cro0162] turned out to be my grandfather x 4 and he had left Lancashire as a young man to move down to Wiltshire / Somerset.

I first saw William's [Cro0162] plaque in the Church of St John the Baptist, Horningsham exactly 150 years to the day after he died (11th February 1828 - 11th February 1978). I thought then that this was an omen ! William[Cro0162] is my direct ancestor (grandfather x 4) and it was his son Richard [Cro0241] who moved to Weymouth in Dorset in the 1840's - my family has been here ever since. 

Descent from William Crombleholme [Cro0162] of Frome is at bottom of this page (both need updating !!)

Birth & Early Life :

1788 - Birth : William Crombleholme [Cro0162] was born in 1788 in Garstang, Lancashire, the eldest son of Richard Crombleholme [Cro0150] and Isobella (nee Blackburn) [Cro0151].  He was the eldest of 10 children all baptised at Garstang. 

Unfortunately, no baptism record has been located as yet but his and other family wills confirm his relationships. In his will (Ref NR 4) his brother Richard Crombleholme [Cro0219] of Preston (Corn Merchant) leaves £10 "to the three children of my late brother William”. This will was made in April 1828, only a few months after William’s death in February 1828. The will also notes another brother James Crombleholme  [Cro0215] the custom officer of Preston

In addition, the Lancaster Gazette of Saturday 8th March 1828 reported his death : On the 11th February at Frome, Somerset, Mr Wm Crombleholme, [Cro0162] painter, eldest son of the late Mr Richard Crombleholme [Cro0150] of Preston, and formerly of Garstang.

The move from Lancashire to work on Longleat House : 

Details of his early life are not known or why he choose to leave his family and Lancashire as a young man in the early 1800's. For some reason, he had travelled south and by about 1806 to Lord Bath's Longleat Estate in Wiltshire and appears in the record below as an employee to George Hutchinson, a London based painter employed on building works on Longleat House itself. This building phase lasted from 1806 - 1818 and cost in excess of £100,000 but the list of craftsmen below is not dated. William would have been 18 years old in 1806 and 30 years in 1818. As William was listed as a  painter / gilder in his marriage record of 1816, he may have become apprenticed to George Hutchinson in London before working with him at Longleat.

It appears that the London architect engaged by Lord Bath employed a number of London based craftsmen including William's employer George Hutchinson. It is not known how William came to work at Longleat, he may have gone to London initially to seek his fortune and taken a job with Hutchinson there prior to his new employer being engaged at Longleat. Also recorded working at Longleat was Charles Maggs, painter who was Hutchinson's foreman on site. The London based Hutchinson appears to have operated around the country often with Jeffrey Wyat (later Sir Jeffry Wyatville) the architect engaged on this project. 

As William C [Cro0162] married a local girl in 1816, it is likely that he would have been at Longleat for a few years before this date. 1816 was the "year without a summer". Interestingly, some recent research has pointed to the volcanic eruption of Mount Tambora on the Indonesian island of Sambawa between 5-10th April 1815 probably being responsible for poor harvests, famine and many deaths on a global scale. It was a very large eruption indeed with a scale of 7 and generated 150 cubic kilometres of dust and gas. It was probably heard over 1000km (625 miles) away. The resulting sulphur dioxide produced a very fine layer of sulphuric acid / ash cloud which obscured sunlight and produced cooling on a global scale. This was about 1000 times bigger than the eruption and ash cloud caused by the Eyjafallajokull Icelandic eruption in 2010. It took 5 -6 years for things to settle down again. The effects of this reached England by 1816 and the year was known as "the year without a summer"  with even frosts in July being recorded. 

In 1819, there was a very severe winter and Longleat's owner, Thomas Thynne, The Marquess of Bath, distributed a ton of beef and three tons of flour to Horningsham's poor. In 1820, Thomas Thynne's eldest son, Thomas, Lord Weymouth, eloped with the beautiful daughter of the local toll gate keeper !

Building Accounts exist and the extract below records William and his employer as painters :

LONGLEAT   HOUSE      THOMAS THYNNE      2nd Marquess of Bath    (1 September 1800, 21 April 1806 - 31 December 1818)

Bound volume of accounts (21 April 1806 - 31 December 1818) for the building work at Longleat House carried out by Sir Jeffry WYATVILLE, entitled on the first page ‘New Building at Longleat House vizt. Taking down the old Stewards Room & Slovens Hall and building a Grand Staircase on the Scite thereof - making a Gallery round the South, and West Sides of the Chapel Court to communicate with the Rooms on the first & second Story - turning the Butlers Pantry old Billiard Room, &c into Apartments for Lord & Lady Bath - and rebuilding the North Front - Under the Direction of Jeffery WYATT Esqr. Archittect’ (a pencil annotation follows reading ‘Memd a Great deal more done’). With the architect’s plan ‘for altering the Principal Story’ (signed and dated 1 September 1800), rough accounts for 13 September 1806 - 15 December 1813 (one sheet), 5 April -12 December 1818 (one sheet) and 13 October -12 December 1818 (single bifolium), as well as an abstract of accounts by tradesmen’s names (rough copy) 1806-1812.

The accounts were kept by the Longleat Clerk of Works (see e. g. f. 41r): the first in the post was Patrick TUTHILL described also as ‘Architect’, but next to 2 April 1807 is entered ‘At this time Mr. TUTHILL was so ill as to be superseded by Mr COTES - but TUTHILL lived till the 26th of April. COTES’s time begins 8th March’ [Patrick TUTHILL was from Ireland, and was buried, aged 39, on 29 April 1807 at Horningsham]. John MORLIDGE, however, appears as Clerk of Works from 9 May 1807. The total sum expended was £107,505 16s. 9d. The bankers concerned were EVERETT, THRING & Co. of Warminster and DRUMMONDS.  

Work is described as having commenced in May 1806: the first payment made on 24 May 1806 was for ‘digging foundations etc in the Chapel Court’: the next, made on 19 July, was for ‘erecting scaffolding, taking down old Rooms &c. in the Chapel Court, preparatory to beginning the new Building. ’ Payments to the architect himself include one of £88 18s. (f. 22r) ‘for Plans & Designs for alterations at Longleat house, from 1800 to 1803, being previous to the commencement of the Building’. 

The supply of models is noted, the first related payment occurs at 24 April 1807 ‘Carriage of Model from London’ (see also ANNASTRONG & WYATT below). Blanks are left between years for the entry of summaries which were never completed: the first such space on ff. 6v - 7r includes a pencil note recording the state of the building work at the end of the first year ‘During the Interval of Winter The Dome of the Stair Case being put in the Walls were left naked. The North front was left covered up being raised only to the floor of the first Story - The Galleries & the rooms on the West of the Hall Door were going on to be quartered up. ’

The craftsmen, workmen and suppliers mentioned in the accounts may be indexed as follows: (unfortunately dates not given)

·          W. CRUMBLEHOLME (employee of HUTCHINSON); [Cro0162] 

·          George HUTCHINSON (painter);‘

Many of the craftsmen came from London including Geo HUTCHINSON Painter - 24 Mortimer Street  Cavendish Square  London. (this address noted elsewhere in the accounts)  The London based architect appears to have brought trusted craftsmen with him from London for the project. George Hutchinson's will has been obtained but it is perhaps not surprising that there is no mention of William Crombleholme.

 Marriage :

1816 - 6th August : Marriage Licence Bond : Groom : William Crumbleholme [Cro0162] of Frome, painter gilder. Bride : Charlotte Dredge [Cro0163] of Horningsham spinster. Bondsman : James Dredge, brewer of Horningsham.  (Source : Sarum Marriage Licence Bonds  - transcribed by Wilts FH Soc)  

(Note : James was probably Charlotte’s brother and this may be why William & Charlotte later ran a pub in nearby Frome). 

1816 - 18th August :  Marriage : William Crumbleholme [Cro0162] of the parish of Horningsham, batchelor, and Charlotte Dredge [Cro0163] spinster of the same parish, both of the age of 21 years and upwards were married in this church by licence this eighteenth day of August 18 & sixteen (sic) (18/8/1816) by me David Williams; parish curate of Heytesbury. 

This marriage was solemnised between us, Wm Crumbleholme and Charlotte Dredge in the presence of : James Dredge, Hannah Dredge, Thomas Dredge, Cardline Bishop and Elizabeth Bufit     (Source : Marriages in the Parish of Horningsham in County of Wilts ref 482/10 page 13 1816)

His wife :  

Charlotte (nee Dredge) [Cro0163] was born on 2nd March 1794 at Horningsham, the daughter of Joseph & Catherine Dredge. She was baptised in the same parish on 12th May 1797. (Horningsham Par reg 1789-1812). After William died aged 40 years in 1828, she was remarried to Frederick Watts and they are recorded as innkeepers of Frome - obviously Charlotte had continued to run the Pack Horse Inn after William's death. A daughter, Charlotte Isabella Watts, was baptised on 25th April 1833 but tragically died a few days later just after Charlotte herself had died aged 39 years on 17th April 1833. (perhaps during childbirth?)

Charlotte (nee Dredge) [Cro0163] buried at Horningsham on 25th April 1833 and is also commemorated on the marble plaque in the church with their only daughter Isabella [Cro0244] (named after William's mother ?) who sadly died in 1830 just 7 years old. 

Rev Francis Skurray (1774- 1848) 

He arrived in Horningsham in September 1797 aged 23 and spent a total of fifty years in the parish. He was a popular vicar and very caring in nature. He organised regular services in the church and refused an increase in salary until Lord Bath of Longleat increased his stipend to £50 per annum and paid it himself. He encouraged the villagers to get involved in looking after the church, paying for cleaning and cutting the grass in the summer. Three new musical instruments were purchased in 1817 and the local children were taught to sing. He died whilst still living in the village in 1848.    (Source : from information on church wall)

According to the CCED : He was ordained on 16th March 1797 but did not come to Horningsham until 19th December 1806. He is noted eleswhere as a clergyman and schoolmaster and therefore may well have taught William Crombleholme's children. He was also made Rector of Winterbourne Steepleton nr Dorchester, Dorset on 15th November 1823 and appears to have held both livings. 

By another turn of fate is where I live today and he would have lived in the rectory which is opposite my cottage !   He was an author and poet his most famous work being " Bidcombe Hill" - close to Longleat.”

A village school was built by Lord Bath (of Longleat) in 1844 but prior to this date, village children attended one of the four dame schools that existed in the village and which had been set up under a bequest made by Jeremiah Crey. (Source : Wiltshire Community History - Wiltshire CC website 2020)

It is tempting to think that this connection was why Richard Crombleholme [Cro0241] (son of William C of Frome) moved to Dorset later on in the early 1840's. 

William dies :

Transcription of plaque : 

The marble plaque (see top of this section) was made and engraved by local mason Joseph Chapman & Son of Frome in 1830 and must have been reasonably expensive. The church was substantially remodelled and extended in 1844 but fortunately this plaque was retained although perhaps resited. The plaque is now in the corner of the vestry near the organ. It may not have been made until Charlotte died in 1833 as the inscription looks as if it was done all at the same time.

In memory of William Crumbleholme [Cro0162] who died February 11th 1828 aged 40 years. After discharging the duties of a christian, a husband and a father with exemplary fidelity. He was indeed a man of deserved beloved and esteemed by all who knew him. As a tribute of affection this monument is erected by his disconsolate widow. Also Isabella the beloved and only daughter of William and Charlotte Crumbleholme who died April 22nd 1830 aged 7 years. Also Charlotte the amiable and beloved wife of Frederick Watts and widow of the above William Crumbleholme who died April 17th 1833 aged 39 years. In the midst of life we are in death.  CHAPMAN FROME

William's Will

1828 - 13th January : William Crumbleholme [Cro0162] made his will about a month before he died.

His Will :  Link : (Other Wills :) William's will was typescript (copied for his grandson in 1891 - see below). The will is long and somewhat rambling. He often mentions his dear wife Charlotte but strangely not his children by name. It was made on 13rd January 1828, with William dying under a month later on 11th February 1828. He made his friend George Porch of Frome his executor and witnesses included Thomas Dredge (probably his brother in law) and his brother James Crombleholme [Cro0215] "landing waiter” (customs officer) of Poulton in Lancashire.

When I started my research in 1978, the "landing waiter of Poulton" rather puzzled me (as a newcomer to family history) and it was only when I had made contact with my now late great friend Marjorie Pollard that I learnt that a landing waiter was a customs officer and Poulton was in fact Poulton le Fyde in Lancashire.

1828 - 8th March (Saturday) : Lancaster Gazette reported William’s death - “On the 11th Feb at Frome, Somerset, Mr Wm Crombleholme, painter, eldest son of the late Mr Richard Crombleholme, of Preston and formerly Garstang.

The advert (below left) appeared in the  Lancashire Evening Post on 5th January 1891 and the one on the right in the Somerset Standard later on Saturday 9th May 1891.

Both were placed by William’s grandson Richard Crumbleholme [Cro0245] of Weymouth. It is not known why the adverts were placed but it appears that he was trying to find relatives. 

William's Children :

William Crombleholme [Cro0162] and Charlotte's [Cro0163] children : 

1) Edward Crombleholme [Cro0243]   b1817 - d after 1842  Vet in Shaftesbury [North Dorset] (click on his name for full details)

2) Richard Crumbleholme  [Cro0241]  (b 1820 - d 1880 aged 60 years) (my line) was baptised at Horningsham on 27th December 1820. However, ** it would appear from his burial (see below) that he may have been born earlier in 1811. His father William was 23 years old in 1811 and is recorded as a painter of King Street in nearby Frome just across the county border in Somerset. 

Richard moved to Weymouth in Dorset after 1841 and before 1850,  as he is recorded in the Horningsham 1841 Census as living with the Dredge family (i.e. his late mother's family) in West Common, Horningsham - he is noted as aged 20 with a birth date of 1821. His occupation is given as painter. 

He married Elizabeth (nee Christopher) [Cro0242] in Crewkerne, Somerset on 29th September 1849. Her family came from Weymouth in Dorset and the couple settled there after their marriage. The next year in 1850 he is recorded on his son's baptism record as living in Weymouth and also on this son's (another Richard [Cro0245] ) marriage certificate in 1872 as a "house painter" born in Frome. He was buried in Melcombe Regis Cementary  6th January 1880 aged 69 years (i.e. 1880-69 = 1811 !). His move to Dorset may have been also been influenced by the Rev Francis Skurray who was Rector at Horningsham and probably taught him as well. The Rev Skurray also held a living at Winterbourne Steepleton (about 7 miles north west of Weymouth).

3) Isabella Crumbleholme [Cro0244] was baptised on 28th May 1823 at Holy Trinity, Frome but sadly died as a child in 1830. This was reported on 6th May 1830 in the Dorset County Chronicle - 'Aged 7 years, deeply regretted, Isabella, the beloved and only daughter of Mrs Crumbleholme, Pack Horse Inn, Frome"

His Brother :

One of William Crombleholme's [Cro0162] younger brothers Thomas Crombleholme [Cro0221]  joined him in Wiltshire. Thomas was born in Garstang, Lancashire in 26th September 1795 and was therefore 7 years younger than William). 

1820 - 31st January :  Thomas Crombleholme [Cro0221] married Rachel (nee Hill)  [Cro0633] at St James Church, Bath and their only child, a daughter, Ellen[Cro0634] was baptized 23/12/1820 at Holy Trinity Church in Frome (see 1841 below) - Thomas is recorded as a painter living in Keyford Street, Frome. Rachel (nee Hill) [Cro633] was born in Leigh-on-Mendip in 1794. (see 1841 below)

Their daughter Ellen  [Cro0634] married John Smith 2/8/1842 at St Paul’s, Bristol  (aged 22)

1824 - 8th April : Thomas Crombleholme [Cro0221] died and was buried aged 30 years on 8/4/1824 in the Wesleyan Chapel in Frome. His widow Rachel (nee Hill) [Cro0633]  is recorded living as a tenant in Keyword Street, Frome in 1827 before remarrying to James Boulton on 14th December 1845 at St Michaels Church in Bristol. (Source : Information regarding Thomas's wife and child posted on  “ancestry.co.uk”   by Phil Candy of Toowomba, Australia).

1841 Census Transcript : Rachel Boulton [633] aged 45; estimated birth year 1796 born in St Philip & St Jacob Hundred in Bristol; Household members James Boulton 45; Rachel Boulton 45;  Ellin Boulton 20 (Ellen Boulton - Crimbleholme [634] ; Henriette Boulton 15; Angelina Boulton 12 & James Boulton 8;  Rachel (nee Hill) [633] married James Boulting / Boulton in 1845 but they already had children as noted above.

1878 September - Rachel Boulting (nee Hill / Crombleholme) [633] died in Wells, Somerset aged 83 years (source : Registration Place Wells Somerset Vol 5c p 327)

Properties :

William Crombleholme [Cro0162] lived in both 16 &17 Bath Street, Frome   

Note : The whole street was owned by the Longleat Estate and may be why William Crombleholme lived there.

William Crombleholme [Cro0162] also refers to be being a painter and gilder in his will of 1828 (I had misread this many years ago as Builder.)  Along with his younger brother Thomas [Cro0221] , William being a painter in the early 19th century would have probably been quite unhealthy and they probably suffered from working with lead paints. This may explain his early death at 40 and his brother's even earlier at 30 years old in 1824.  A "gilder" would have applied gold leaf to gilded surfaces. This is generally done by applying a clear varnish type solution and then carefully applying gold leaf from thin sheets of paper to adhere to the surface being gilded.

The Pack Horse Inn, 

(now 13-14 Christchurch Street - formerly in 1774 "Behind Town") , Frome.          Still going in 2020 !!

William [Cro0162] mentions the Pack Horse Inn in his will of 1828......my messuage or public house and premises called or known by the name or sign of the Pack Horse Inn situate behind town in the parish of Frome Selwood.... for her (Charlotte his wife) own sole use and benefit for and during the term of her natural life and for and towards her own support and the maintenance and education of my dear children.

The extract of a plan of Frome town below was drawn in 1978 by the Frome Society for Local Study and is based on a now lost plan drawn in 1774.  It shows the Pack Horse Inn opposite an area of ground called Bauly's or Pack Horse Ground. The records of 16-17 Bath Street (which William occupied in 1827) above note that the land between Rook Lane & Palmer Street was owned by the Longleat Estate. Bath Street appears to have created in 1816 off the south corner of Stony Street (not all that clear !). Keyford where William's brother Thomas lived is just to the south of the Lamb Inn. There appears to have been about twenty inns in Frome in 1776 so competition must have been keen although it perhaps it could be that beer was drunk in large quantities before drinking water was widely available. 

It is uncertain when William Crombleholme  [Cro0162]  the owner of the Pack Horse Inn.  

Note : My brother Bill Crumbleholme and myself did visit the pub back in the 1980’s and enjoyed a pint there. It was rather run down then and I am not sure that it survives today. (2020) 

I would like to thank Mick Davis who was writing a history of Frome Pubs in August 2013 and who gave me the following information relating to the Inn noted below between 1813 and 1818 (mickdavisbooks (insert@)btinternet.com)

In 1813/14 the Parish Survey recorded Packhorse Ground with owner George George and occupier Samuel Holmes.

McGarvie's "Crime & Punishment" records several instances of disturbances at the inn a few years later :                  

(Crime & Punishment in Regency Frome - edited by Michael McGarvie : The journals of Isaac Gregory, Constable of Frome (1813-14 & 1817-1818) Supplied by Somerset & Dorset Family History Society ref SAD-314)

1817 - Nov 17th ..."was sent for to the Packhorse to quell a furious row four colliers ordered a quart of beer, three of them went away but the landlord insisted him that called for it should pay for the whole which he refused and so the row began" He paid up in the end (page 34)

1818 - July 9th ...Sent for twice to the Packhorse in the course of this day to quell disturbances, they appear to have colliers at their house drinking and quarrelling almost constantly" (page 49)

1818 - July 30th....called at 9 and 10 to suppress a row, the house was much pestered with lewd women singing to the colliers (page 50)

1822 - Pigot's Directory notes William Stokes as landlord

1827 - Church rates for Frome : Proprietor William Crumbleholme,[Cro0162] occupier : Henry Hooper.

1829 - Church Rate book for Frome : Charlotte Crumbleholme [Cro0163] occupier, Mrs Crumbleholme owner Behind Town rate 9s 5d.

1830 - Pigot's Directory records Charlotte as a widow running the Pack Horse with the street named Christ Church Street. The earlier 1822 Pigot's does not note William & Charlotte

1839 - Robson's Directory : Lewis J Gilder.

Above : A street scene outside the Pack Horse Inn c 1900                     Above : The Pack Horse Inn c2011

Above : The Pack Horse Inn is shown on "Behind Town" (just above No 6 on the above map)

The Frome Parish Rates of 1827 add some more detail :

Behind Town    Occupier : Henry Hooper          Proprietor(owner)  William Crumbleholme  (ref 498)  - This would appear to be the Pack Horse Inn ?

                             Occupier : Henry Hooper          Proprietor(owner)  William Crumbleholme   (ref 499)

Keyford Street  Occupier : Crombleholme              Proprietor (owner) Mrs Shore (ref 249)    - No christian name given but almost certainly Thomas Crumbleholme's (William's brother) widow

Bath Street      Occupier  William Crumbleholme     Proprietor (owner)  William Hagley (ref 641)     -William appears to be living here - perhaps the Inn was run by Henry Hooper as a manager ?

                        Occupier  William Crumbleholme       Proprietor (owner)   William Hagley (ref 642)   

Some useful information has been found in the publication below dealing with the disposal of William Crumbleholme's businesses starting, it would seem, shortly before he died : 

Extracts from :  The Salisbury & Winchester Journal and General Advertiser of Wilts, Hants, Dorset & Somerset (published by Brodie & Dowding - all articles from Vol CV111 - 1828)

Issue 5559 of 11th February 1828 :  (NB the day that William actually died)

443 - FROME  SOMERSET. To Painters, Glaziers, Plumbers, Gilders to be disposed of with immediate possession - An excellent BUSINESS in the above lines, which has been successfully carried on for many years by Mr William Crumbleholme; but whose state of health obliges him now to decline it. J4 ri4 (?) The Stock in trade to be taken at a fair valuation; and further particulars may be known of the said Mr Crumbleholme or of Mr George Porch, Frome 

Issue 5566 of 31st March 1828 :

(Creditors of ?) William Crumbleholme , late of Frome, Somerset, Innholder, Painter etc deceased, are requested to send in the amount of the same to Mr George Porch, auctioneer, Frome; and all persons indebted to the said Estate are requested to pay the same to the said Mr Porch immediately, who, as Executor to the Estate, respectively informs the friends of the deceased and the public generally, that the Plumbing, painting and glazing business , heretofore carried on by the late Mr Crumbleholme , is disposed of to Mr Joseph Scudamore , whom he begs to recommend as a person every way qualified for such an undertaking - (One concern) - FROME March 1828. 

The above disposal to Mr Scudamore does not appear to have been successful as a little over a month month later the business along with public house is on the market again :

Issue 5571 of 5th May 1828 :

To be LET with immediate possession, All that well established INN or Public House with ample stabling , Coach House etc etc called the Pack Horse Inn most eligibly situated in the principal thoroughfare of the Town of Frome. The whole of the stock of beer is of superior quality ; the coming in moderate (?) - Further particulars (if by letter, post paid) may be known on application to Mrs Crumbleholme, the present tenant, who is leaving in consequence of ill health , or to Mr Porch, auctioneer, Frome.

The above concern is well deserving the notice of any person inclined to embark in such a business.

To Painters, Gilders, Plumbers and glaziers.

To be let, with immediate occupation, an excellent Concern in the above Lines, carried on most advantageously for many years by the late Mr Crumbleholme in Bath Street Frome.

The well selected stock in trade etc to be taken at a fair valuation; and further particulars may be known on application to Mr Porch as aforesaid. (one concern)  FROME  April 1828 

As noted above, William's wife Charlotte married again to Frederick Watts and they are are recorded as Innkeepers of the Pack Horse until her death in 1833.

Descent from William Crombleholme to present day : 

Back to top of page