ravenscroft hall

[Ron Ravenscroft]

Hi, can anyone help ??
I am researching the name ravenscroft--not people--just the name
also ravenscroft hall, in the now deleted village of ravenscroft, now
called Byley, Nr middlewich . cheshire
who was the first owner and where did they move from.

there is so many differant theorys, I would like to get the true facts
if possible, -------ANY Ideas!!!!!

Thanks Ron Ravenscroft

[jane.harrison.9]

Not much but have you seen this.

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UOX-08ZIR0sC&pg=PA249&lpg=PA249&dq=ravenscroft+hall&source=web&ots=roD6IrjigQ&sig=LfBkQIxLFxSZpGZbWjEgXh0S42I&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result

[Lesley Robertson]

There's a little bit of information here http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/genuki/chs/ravenscroft.html

Lesley

[Ron Ravenscroft]

Hi-- Jane
Many thanks for a very quick reply. Yes, I have all this, I am looking for
date of build, and who first owner -- so I can connect which Ravenscroft was
involved,
Thanks again Ron Ravenscroft

[Ron Ravenscroft]

Hi-- Lesley,
Many thanks for your very quick reply, I got some info, which I thank you,
Looking for date of build, and first owner, so I can connect with the Ravenscroft
who was involed. thanks again

Ron Ravenscroft

[Jan1954]

Hello Ron,

You have not said, but have you enquired of the Lancashire Records Office at all?

I realise that Ravenscroft Hall is in Cheshire but, according to Access to Archives, Deeds, estate papers and correspondence of the E.H. Moss Trust (Moss appearing to be one of the families of Ravenscroft Hall) have been deposited with the Lancashire Records Office. Perhaps there could be clues therein. Have a look here (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=055-ddx228&cid=5-11&kw=ravenscroft%20hall#5-11).

Also, the Land Registry should be able to trace back in their archives as to the history of the hall.

Just a couple of thoughts....

[Geoffers]

Looking for date of build, and first owner, so I can connect with the Ravenscroft who was involed. thanks again

According to English Heritage (http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=57192&mode=quick),(quite nice photo of the house) - 'twas built 1837 with 1877 additions.

Have you tried a search of the 1841 census to see who was living there then? (I would imgaine someone who had just built the property would still want to be living in it four years later).

A search of Access to Archives for catalogued references to Ravenscroft Hall 1800-1850 (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=055-ddx228&cid=14-10&kw=ravenscroft%20hall) shows some names who may have been the owners?
(As Jan mentioned, Edward Howard Moss seems to be connected with it).

[*bunty*]

From a quick bit of digging it seems the Moss family did not occupy Ravenscroft Hall until sometime between 1851 and 1861. They occupy the Hall in the 1861 census, with head of the house as Elkanah Moss (who is father to Edward Howard Moss). The are in the Hall still in 1891, with Edward's mother Hannah as the head, and Edward living there single and 40 years old. The Moss family are still in Lancashire in the 1851 census where Elkanah Moss is a Master Cotton Spinner.

I am yet to find the Ravenscroft Hall occupants for earlier censuses, but will keep digging.

Edited to add: it appears Elkanah Moss was a magistrate in Cheshire, and was buried 22 Apr 1871.

[*bunty*]

In 1851 Ravenscroft census there is one page, and even though the Hall isn't mentioned, I suspect the occupiers are Fanny and Ann Wade (both listed as 'daughter') with no head listed. They have 5 servants so I am guessing this is the Hall. Fanny is listed as from Dublin, and Anne from Marylebone, Middlesex. In 1841 these two sisters are living in St Sidwell, Devon with it appears their parents Thomas and Anne Wade (both born Ireland). Still have to find who was in Ravenscroft in 1841.

[*bunty*]

Rightio then, found Ravenscroft Hall in 1841. Living in Ravenscroft Hall were William Buchanan of Ireland, and his wife Eliza (assuming his wife) of Cheshire. They have a whole swag of hired help including a guilder - perhaps putting finishes touches on the house. So, give the house was built 4 years earlier, it may have been William Buchanan who built it. It appears he was born abt 1796, and his wife 1801ish. Cenus reference is Class: HO107; Piece 121; Book: 26; Civil Parish: Middlewich; County: Cheshire; Enumeration District: 8; Folio: ; Page: 3.

[*bunty*]

OK, I think I have cracked this. There is a book called "Guide to the Country Houses of the North West" by J.m Robinson. I think this book will give you the information you are looking for. As far as I can tell, the house was built in 1837 for William (Theophilus) BUCHANAN. It does mention the name Wade in the link - not sure how they fit in but we did see two sisters in the house in 1851 by the name of Wade - possibly William Buchanan's wife's relatives?

Have a look at this link (http://www.r-alston.co.uk/country_house_database.htm) - this is where I found the above information.

[*bunty*]

Back again :o. The marriage of William Theophilus Buchanan to Eliza Anne Massey took place on 17 MAR 1823 at Holy Trinity, Chester, Cheshire. Needless to say at this stage they would not have been living in Ravenscroft at this stage in time. I guess the Wade connection isn't through Eliza... Perhaps it's through William Buchanan's mother? Anyway, since I am speculating now I will stop. I'll wait for the UK contingent to wake up and see what they think ;).

[expatcat]

According to Images of England - Middlewich by J.Brian Curzon and Paul Hurley it was indeed built by William Buchanan in 1837

[Ron Ravenscroft]

Hi, Many thanks for all your suggestions and help, I think I now have it-and
entered it into my Book -to be printed this week.
The house which stood before the present house was a Timbered and
Gabled Mansion with a Moat on three sides.around 1440.
about 1620, a new hall was built by the Croxtons, it was sold to J Seaman
about 1704,who sold it to Daniel Vawdrey in 1817. In 1828 a William
Buccannan started to restore the Hall around 1837, and sold it to Col
Thomas Wade in 1846, In 1852 the Hall was bought by Elkana Moss, whos
Father Edward Moss, in 1877 rebuilt 70% of the Hall with extra side wings
and a newTower, Almost 50 yrs later in 1930 and almost derelict it was
used as a School by the Kay family until 1964, took a battering during
the war years, and at one time was used as a Companys offices
Today it is Split into two private residences, known as 1-Ravenscroft House
2.Ravenscroft Hall, the adjacent farm is called -Ravenscroft Hall Farm.
Lot more details in my book.which includes a report from one of the
Preavious owners. including the Ghost.
One final point, -The contribution from our "Ossie"members is excellent,
they seem to know more about the Ravos than us, a special thank you.
and I hope the above info is useful to many other Ravos.


Can I please say a big "THANK YOU" to all who have offered info etc.,

Kind Regards Ron George Ravenscroft- from the "Cheshire Clan "

[deslyy]

George - Re Ravenscroft Hall. It was bought around 1946 by Mrs C. Plant who moved a school formerly known as Bridge School (Sandbach) into it. The school continued into the 1960s at least. Principally a girls school (day & boarding) but took boys up to the stage of 11 plus exam. I know this because I was a pupil there in the mid 50s. The farm was running when I was there but was completely seperate from the school. The February 1961 issue of Cheshire Life has an article on it.

[Peter_uk_can]

Re Deslyy's reply. Where else would this kind of information be found, if not here.

A perfect example of the real purpose of the B.G Forums.

[BritChris]

Does anyone know if there was a fire at Ravenscroft Hall around 1925? One of my relatives thinks one of my great aunts died in a fire at Ravenscroft Hall while she was in service there. Her name was Gladys Palin & she would have been 20 at the time of her death.

This is the only place I have seen any hisory on Ravenscroft, so I'm hoping someone here knows!

Thanks!!

[carolchipp]

Does anyone know if there was a fire at Ravenscroft Hall around 1925? One of my relatives thinks one of my great aunts died in a fire at Ravenscroft Hall while she was in service there. Her name was Gladys Palin & she would have been 20 at the time of her death.

This is the only place I have seen any hisory on Ravenscroft, so I'm hoping someone here knows!

Thanks!!

This must be the death registration
Gladys Palin age 20 Sept q 1925 Northwich 8a 275
The death cert should tell you how she died.

[deslyy]

I can't add anything to my earlier note about Ravenscroft Hall but thought people might like to know that if you enter the name into Google, then click on 'Images' at top left there is, amng hundreds of pictures, a very good photo of the Hall in (I guess) around 1910-30. The covered walkway was no longer there in the 50s but otherwise it is pretty much the same. The aspect shown faces roughly south, and the tree on the right was there when I was at school, but I have never seen the strange ornamental thing in the forefront before.

[Rollo]

Hi Ron in one of my books I came across this

"Mr Vaundry, of Tushington Hall, in notes contributed to the Cheshire Sheafin dated 1833, writes, "The then Ravenscroft Hall was an old timbered-gabled mansion with the remains of a moat on the three sides consisting of about 127 acres of Park and farmland. The Hall is situated on an eminence commanding fine views towards the South and the East. In 1837 most of the House was pulled down and a rebuilt in a modern style in 1877 the rest of the old fortified Hall was pulled down and rebuilt. All that remains today of the old Hall is the moat".

www.
ravenscroft.za.net

Regards
Rollo Ravenscroft

[helachau]

Chester Chronicle Friday 17 June 1825
The TOWNSHIP and MANOR of RAVENSCROFT in Cheshire TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION
At the King's Arms, in Middlewich, in the said County, on Tuesday 28th of June, at four o'clock in the afternoon, subject to conditions to be produced
The entire TOWNSHIP and MANOR of RAVENSCROFT, which is within a ring fence, and contains 127a 1r 20p or thereabout
The Land is of very superior quality; 27a are water meadows on the River Dane, at a short distance from which, on a pleasant eminence, the Hall is situated, and contains a dining room about 15 feet square, drawing room 23 feet by 18 feet, seven lodging rooms, attics &c with convenient offices, stables, coach house, orchard and garden attached; there is a double and single Seat in Middlewich Church, which is distant about a mile.
The estate is about the centre of the County, and also of the Fox-Covers;is Tithe free, and has other advantages; on a good road, and well wooded.-There is a farmhouse, a cottage and other buildings belonging to it;the Tenants hold from year to year.- William Leay, Esq, will allow the Hall to be sen. MR RANDLE SCRAGG, at the farmhouse, will show the Land; and further particulars may be had from Messrs Lee and Son, Red Brook, Whitchurch, Salop; or Mr Richard Vawdrey, Solicitor, Kinderton, Middlewich.

Not long after this the Liverpool Mercury was reporting the deaths
3/11/1826 - On Friday last, at Solihull, in his 59th year, William Leay, Esq late of Ravenscroft Hall, Cheshire .....
21/9/1827 - On Wednesday 12 inst, at Ravenscroft Hall, near Middlewich, Mr Richard Kent, Surgeon .......

[helachau]

On Friday 18th September, 1829 The Chester Chronicle carried an article describing the Chester's 4 day Musical Festival and the Fancy Dress Ball. Amongst those attending were

Buchanan, Mr W, Ravenscroft, as a light dragoon
Buchanan, Mrs, in a fancy dress

So it would appear that William was responsible for demolishing the old Hall and building the new.

[Carolemoss]

Hi Deslyy,
Your post intrigued me because I was at Ravenscroft Hall also in the mid 50's. The school was so small so we muct have known each other. I was there approx. 1954 to 1958. Can you email me at: limey43 AT juno DOT com. Thx Carole Moss

[Carolemoss]

I find this so interesting as not only did I attend Ravenscroft Hall school, but my maiden name is Moss, who I now see, were at one time owners of Ravenscoft Hall. I will have to research this further now!!

Many thanks.

[Jan1954]

Hi Deslyy,
Your post intrigued me because I was at Ravenscroft Hall also in the mid 50's. The school was so small so we muct have known each other. I was there approx. 1954 to 1958. Can you email me at: limey43 AT juno DOT com. Thx Carole MossHi Carole - welcome to Brit-Gen,

Unfortunately, Deslyy has not visited the forum for about 18 months and so may miss your post. However, if you click on her user name, a drop-down box will appear. One of the options is to send an email, which may help you to make contact. :smile5:

[Zen Rabbit]

Out of curiosity John Peel's given name was Ravenscroft and I believe they were some what well off any connection?